The Last King of Ireland

Game Master Amergin the Wise

Reflex: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

As the vines change their grip, Ruadhan slips free, ducking and rolling to move as Aoife slashes at the roots and branches around him. As he moves, Ruadhan's snatches up his shield and his blade seems to leap into his hand. Moving down the hill Ruadhan is slowed by the grasping vines, but they fail to grasp him again as he dodges nimbly, slashing his blade around him.
Move action to stand, 2nd move action to move 15 towards the attackers.

Her sword glowing with holy light, Aoife comes to the aid of Ruadhan who succeeds in extricating himself from the writhing vines and branches. Shield and blade in hand, he moves towards the enemy in the near darkness...

Sister Cobhlaith, however, finds herself once again entangled as vines snake up her legs. Unable to break free, she calls upon God to bless her allies who fight against the darkness.

+1 morale bonus on attack rolls and on saving throws against fear effects

In the meantime, encouraged by Daire's orders, Thorun charges. As he closes in on the enemy, he discovers a dozen or so small and naked creatures with large and globulous green eyes, pale and slimy skin, a large maw of a mouth with sharp and pointy teeth, and algae for hair. Somewhere between an odd looking man and a fish, they seem to have crawled out of the lake...

The creature screams in pain when Thorun's mighty axe strikes true. It falls... Taking his axe with it!

As Thorun struggles with his axe, the creatures are quick to retaliate – and they do so with intelligence that belies their savage appearance. Those nearest to Thorun drop their short bows and attack with sharp claws, only to then step back. The others continue to fire at those entangled in the mass of vines and branches.

Thorun: roll a Reflex save DC 13. If you fail, your weapon is stuck and you will have to make a DC 13 Strength check to pull it free!

Fighting in the near darkness, Thorun cannot see, but he hears one of the creatures incanting some guttural prayer...

Cobhlaith suffers 3 hp damage
Thorun suffers 1 hp damage
Ruadhan suffers 1 hp damage

You may all act. All except Thorun must succeed a DC 13 Reflex save to avoid being entangled.

Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Ooph, the dice are not with me today.

Thorun lets the creature take his axe; he would not waste time in trying to free it. Instead he moves into the thick of the creatures, draws the handaxe at his waist, then whips around in a blinding circle of steel.

Thorun will use a move action to get adjacent to as many of the creatures as possible, drawing his handaxe as part of the move action, then as a standard action will attack using mythic great CLEAVE.

Attack (rage, reckless abandon, power attack, inspire courage, bless): 1d20 + 13 + 2 - 2 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 13 + 2 - 2 + 3 + 1 = 20 Overall a +17 modifier
GM Reroll: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (15) + 17 = 32

Damage (rage, power attack, inspire courage): 1d6 + 6 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 4 + 3 = 19

If that attack lands, Thorun will continue swinging, continuing to hit enemies until he misses or he runs out of enemies adjacent to him. From no armor, reckless abandon, and cleave, Thorun's AC is 8 for this round. Lol

Thorun draws his handaxe and swings it with reckless abandon, striking down the creature before him and – for an instant, he fears that his axe is stuck in creature's thick and sticky skin. But Daire's rallying cry gives him new hope! Green blood spews all around as Thorun continues to slice down the creatures until none remain around him!

Thorun kills 5 creatures! Thank goodness for Daire's Rally and Inspiring Defence!

Reflex: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

Realising the extent of the grasping vines, Jakscar continues moving forward snatching his javelin and launching it towards the aquatic creatures.

Attack Javelin: 1d20 + 8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 3 + 1 = 18
Dmg: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

I assume I need a second to hit roll as well

2nd roll: 1d20 + 8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 3 + 1 = 16
Reroll 2nd roll with Daire's Marshall thingy: 1d20 + 8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 8 + 3 + 1 = 27

Seeing Ruadhán was free and up, Aoife turned her attention to Daire only to see Sister Cobhlaith bound once more. Giving a small sigh of frustration she returned to the sister.

Reflex: 1d20 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 3 = 29

Swiftly moving through the branches and roots, Aoife stopped and hacked away the wood once more.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 3 + 1 = 19
Damage: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

'There has to be a better way to do this... a way to get these trees to leave.' She wondered

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Daire swings his fine short blade at the nearest vines, the nearest tree, while yelling warcries at the top of his voice!

Continue inspire courage/defense, charge at nearest hostile foliage!

Charge!: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 2 + 3 = 20

Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 3 = 8

As Thorun slashes at the off-looking creatures and Ruadhan charges to his aid, Aoife and Daire continue to hack at the writhing branches and vines. Sister Cobhlaith finally manages to extricate herself and stand, but finds getting anywhere near impossible!

'There has to be a better way to do this... a way to get these trees to leave,' Aoife wonders.

As if on cue, the mass of plants lets them all go, and the heroes see the tide turning in their favour. But hope turns to horror when the plants snake away... towards the darkness beyond Thorun! The fairies shriek with glee and excitement!

Sister Cobhlaith suffers 1 hp damage from this round's volley of arrows

Aoife, Daire, and Ruadhan: you all can only barely see Thorun and the creatures in the darkness beyond the light cast by your campfire and Aoife's sword. You are approximately 40' from the melee and no longer entangled.

"RAAAHHHH!" From the darkness, Thorun roars in pain and anger. Evidently whatever is out there just hit him hard, but he's still up.

Thorun hacks madly at the creature, once directly and then again in an arcing swing.

Mythic Fleet Charge Attack: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 17 + 1 = 26
DM Reroll: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 17 + 1 = 36
Damage: 1d6 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14 Attack bypasses all damage reduction

Cleave Attack: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (8) + 17 = 25
DM Reroll: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (10) + 17 = 27
Damage: 1d6 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15

Thorun will use fleet charge to attack as a swift action, then will cleave, hitting the large creature first then chopping any of the archers who dare to get too close.

"Thorun!! Damnit!" Aoife called out as she heard his cry. Leaving the others Aoife bolted towards Thorun coming to his aid.

Shining sword slicing through the air.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 3 + 1 + 2 = 13
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
I just noticed I typed d20 not d8 last time for damage! XD
Attack: 1d20 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 3 + 3 + 1 + 2 = 29
Attack confirm?: 1d20 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 3 + 1 + 2 = 13
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
The plant creature. Please.

Aoife charges forth to come to the aid of her companion and swings her bright sword... But the yelping of these foul creatures is distracting and disorienting, and her blow, which she thought would strike true, goes wide!

Daire and Ruadhan are up!

Daire reacts swiftly and charges after Thorun, hacking at any foe in his path and roaring a battlecry!

Inspire Courage/defense for +3 to attacks, damage, and saves

Charge!: 1d20 + 6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 3 + 2 = 22

Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 3 = 5

EVERYONE must roll attacks twice when in melee!

Aye, aye! I had missed that.

CHARGE?: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 2 + 3 = 24

Attack L sword: 1d20 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 3 = 10

2nd roll Lsword: 1d20 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 3 = 18

Attack shield: 1d20 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 3 = 13

2nd roll shield: 1d20 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 3 = 17

Damage L sword: 1d8 + 3 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 + 3 = 11

Damage shield: 1d3 + 2 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 + 3 = 7

Stepping up to support Thorun, Ruadhan's attacks are hampered by his attempts to try to protect his heavily wounded friend. It does however allow him to intercept some of the blows and to watch for others moving.

Applying my Shield bearer trait to give Thorun +2AC for 1 round, also my

"You should not exist. God would not allow you, for you are not of nature. Be gone foul tree beast, you do not exist."

Hearing Thorun scream, Aoife and Daire rush forth, only to witness Thorun being drawn into the gaping maw of a monstrous mass of plants and vines. The giant of a man seems powerless against the massive creature! Aoife and Daire swing their blades, but Aoife, horrified by the spectacle, cannot seem to focus and swings wide.

Behind, a dozen small fairies – small and naked creatures with large and globulous green eyes, pale and slimy skin, a large mouth with sharp and pointy teeth, and algae for hair – yelp and scream gleefully. Foul creatures. Their very presence seems unholy!

Ruadhan, seeing his companion being battered and bruised, raises his sword and shield, and attempts to interpose himself between Thorun and the creature. But the plant creature is simply too strong! Still, the distraction allows Thorun to raise his axe...

Thorun, you may attack!

Although the reroll is mostly pointless because Thorun's current AC is 10 at best, the free attack is much appreciated!

Attack: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (10) + 17 = 27
DM Reroll: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (7) + 17 = 24
Damage: 1d6 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19

Thorun cuts deep into the creature's trunk and for a brief instant, he imagines that it will let him go...

But it doesn't.

The monster throws the giant Dane around like a rag doll, slamming him into the ground twice before squeezing the life out of him and dropping him to the ground, lifeless.

Darkness. Silence. Peace. Then light. Thorun opens his eyes and sees Sister Cobhlaith looking down at him like an angel in a bright halo, beckoning him back to life. The sounds of battle and the screams of the foul fairies are brutal reminders of the tranquillity that he left behind...

Still standing a safe distance behind the massive plant creature, the small fairies scream first with joy and then with fury.

Thorun suffers 34 hp damage and is healed 20 hp by Sister Cobhlaith.
Players may act! Don't forget that you must still all roll your attacks (as well as any other d20) twice.

Mythic is the only reason Thorun is alive right now. Unfortunately that does enough damage to drop him, which ends his rage, which means he is now fatigued and can't rage again. He just got way less dangerous.

Thorun groans, eyes widening quickly as he grabs his axe then rolls back to a standing position. "Urrghh..."

Move action to retrieve weapon, move action to stand, 5 feet back.

Actually, you were healed before the attack... Call it poetic license!

Honestly, let's keep it as is. Thorun has had his fare share of epic moments, it's ok to have him falter in this fight and feel more mortal. Brutally bad luck with that max damage crit.

I like your style! If I was awarding experience, you would get +1.

Waiting on Aoife, Ruadhan, and Daire.

Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

"Fight on! Or we will all be eaten by a bloody tree!"

The bard yells as he swings wildly.

Maintain inspiration

Slash: 1d20 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 3 = 13
Slash, 2nd roll: 1d20 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 3 = 28

Damage, inc dex bonus and inspiration: 1d6 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 3 = 6

I'm sorry guys, I wasn't getting any notifications of new posts!

"Less eaten, more crushed!" Aoife stated as she brought her weapons down.

Attack 1: 1d20 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 3 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 14
Reroll Attack 1: 1d20 + 3 + 3 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 3 + 1 - 2 = 9
Damage 1: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Attack 2: 1d20 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 3 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 8
Reroll Attack 2: 1d20 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 3 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 10
Damage 2: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

You guys should just never rely on Aoife to do anything in battle. Be a lot safer that way.

Attack L Sword: 1d20 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 3 = 27
2nd roll L sword: 1d20 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 3 = 27
Damage L sword: 1d8 + 3 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 1 + 3 = 15

Attack Shield: 1d20 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 3 = 23
2nd roll shield: 1d20 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 3 = 12
Dmg Shield: 1d3 + 2 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 + 3 = 9

Stepping sideways around the tree. Ruadhan lashed out cutting into the bark of the tree, spinning and readying to protect himself and those next to him.

Seeing the giant Thorun falter and fall, his companions rush to his aid. Daire calls for courage in the face of adversity but swings wide. Aoife, fearing for her friend’s life, strikes with wild abandon, but cannot cut down the massive creature that is readying its final blow.

Ruadhan once again interposes himself between the creature and Thorun, vowing that Thorun will see another day. Guided by God, he steps forward, hits hard with his shield, and brings down his blade with speed and strength.

The foul fairies, who were preparing themselves to rush forth and attack, gasp as the giant, tree-like monster stumbles and crashes to the ground. Inside its branches, the leader of the creatures – a shaman of sorts with a myriad of talismans and amulets – struggles to extricate herself. Seeing the battle lost, she incants a spell…

…and a thick fog rises from the ground. The screams of the fairies fade as they flee the field!

Seeing the creature's fleeing and with more pressing matters to attend to, Aoife sheathed her blades and went to Thorun's aid. "Sister! We need your help!" Aoife called out as she placed her hands over the worst of the bleeding to stop the flow. "Come on big guy, you're not leaving us now."

"God is with you," Sister Cobhlaith whispers reassuringly to Thorun as she kneels by his side and inspects his wounds. Her calm and able touch heals his broken bones and torn muscles, and infuses new hope into his soul. She smiles and holds him close to her heart.

In the thick fog, only the grunts of a single fairy break the silence – those of the leader of the pack who cannot seem to extricate herself from her prison of vines and branches.

Poetic irony.

Thorun recovers 13 hp.

Thorun blinks a few times with his eyes wide, like he's trying to get his bearings after falling down drunk. "If that was God I need a better wingman." He sits up slowly as he is healed, still completely amazed at the restorative miracle. "Ruadhan will you ever stop saving me?" He says with a pale-faced chuckle.

"If he stops we all die." Aoife said pointedly as she stood up and made her way over to the leader who can't seem to get out of her own creation.

"Give me one good reason not to remove your head." Aoife states as she rests her left hand upon the hilt of her good blade.

Daire is frustrated by his misses but cheers as the shuffling mass crashes, and laughs out loud at the predicament of the fairy leader.

The creatures can only blubber unintelligibly in a language that sounds nothing like the tongues of the mortal world – her words sound like water bubbling, like a stream, like drops falling on wet stones... But she is clearly pleading, and there is fear in her eyes as she desperately attempts to free herself.

"Well Thorun, the day you stop running in alone is the day I stop having to! That being said I think sister Cobhlaith and God really deserve that credit. Anyway, we wouldn't have been able to if you hadn't chopped it up a little first." Sheathing his blade and slinging his shield, Ruadhan moves to grab the fairy by the scruff of it's neck and use his dagger to free it from the vines and branches.
"I don't understand you creature, nod once if you understand what I say."
Speaking to the others, he says. "Maybe we take it with us? Might prove a useful bargaining tool?"

Daire smiles, and begins to walk, his route taking him in a tightening circle around the mass of plants.

"This reminds me...of a tale. Of a fairy who tangled with the wrong mortal, and suffered a price for it. But the fairy told the mortal what they knew...and were let off light for it."

And a knowing look crosses Daire's face.

Perform Oratory to use Spellsong feat: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28

Intimidation to get fairy to speak: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Diplomacy to get fairy to speak: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29

May be opposed by perception or sense motive to realise that Daire is actually casting magic!

Specifically, comprehend languages.

Edited to reflect Thorun's fine point!

Sorry to burst your bubble Daire, but comprehend languages only lets you understand other languages, not speak them.

Daire stops in his tracks and looks straight at the creature. Speaking in measured wirds, he replies.

"I can understand you. Can you understand me?"

Daire demeanour calms the creature somewhat, and it stops struggling.

The creature hands Daire her talisman – a rudimentary ornament made of stick and feathers.

I invite you all to roll perception or sense motive to ascertain if you noticed Daire's spell. This is important as you have never seen him incant magic before, and magic is not exactly well accepted in the mortal world... That being said, the fact that he claims to understand the creature should pique your curiosity!

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Daire reaches out to take the talisman, and then turns to his companions.

"I have an understanding with this creature. These are their lands, and they would let us leave in peace if we let this one go. The talisman should keep us safe. I think she speaks truly. What say ye?"

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Aoife had taken a step back to allow Daire to do as he wished at the moment. While her hand never moved from her blade she waited to see how this would turn out.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

"How Daire? It's voice sounds like water to me"

"Well, Ruadh, I am *very* good at picking up languages when I need to. Handy for conversing with Scottish maidens.", he winks.

"So, do we let the creature go? Or fight through her tribe instead? I think we could pull off either, but I'd rather not fight if we don't need to!"

He is all too used to explanations like this.

Bluff to distract: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (7) + 17 = 24

Thorun waves a hand tiredly. "Less fighting, I don't know how many more of these I have in me." The sister is stitching his wounds with a word, he could care less about Daire's ability to understand foreign tongues.

Does everyone agree with Thorun?

Aoife swiftly drew her blade raised it and hacked away at the part of the plant that was holding the creature, freeing it. "Go." Aoife told her. "Stay far from us, and you'll not need to fear our blades." She said.

Then she turned from the creature and sheathed her blade. "Come on, let's get out of here."

Ruadhan doesn't question Daire's answer and smiles at the comment about maiden's. Turning the small creature to face him he speaks before letting go of it.
"I agree, this time it seems better to run on the side of the merciful.
Creature if you can understand us, pass word along ahead of us. Tell your neighbours and all folk that you deal with, that we come in peace and are just passing through. Try to attack us as you did, and our next foes will not be shown the same mercy."
Sheathing his dagger, he searches for his javelin, before heading back to their camp. "Stay there, I will grab the rest of our things so that at worst only one of us gets entangled again, then I suggest we find somewhere else to have some more sleep and breakfast."