Note:
As the Mystery Man runs by, he deftly parries Tanel's swing, his arm making a strange, metallic *KSPLANG* as he shoves the haunted oracle's halberd harmlessly to the side.
Tanel:
After attempting to hit Mystery Man as he runs by, Agon blinks and shakes his head. "That's not a man! That's a metal construct of some sort!"
Wolfguard #4 shudders and grunts as Kelne's blade lands a devastating slash across his back. He yells in frustration. "Will someone kill this outcast already? Rragh!"
Tanel doesn't see what Agon sees, but takes his word for it, readying him to lunge after the mysterious evil construct and retrieve Cassandra.
As Tanel's eyes narrow and he focuses on his part in the fight, you all hear strange, distant echoes of fighting; swords and shields, howls of dying men and taunting roars. Tendrils of strange ash-colored fog begin to rise up from the ground, redolent of blood and steel.
This doesn't affect anyone's visibility, and you are all still of clear mind, but everyone clearly sees this. The surprise on the Wolfguards' faces is evident, even if just for a moment.
Who's up next?
His heart breaking with fear and worry at the sound of Cassandra's wailing Jorzan feels a determination come over far stronger than anything he had ever known. Vaulting off the wall and moving to further block the door Jorzan says to his opponent "You and I can settle this later pig but there is no way that thing is leaving here with the girl"
Acrobactics:
Concentrating all his fear and love the young Shadowdancer swings with all his might and skill as he commands "RELEASE HER!
Attack & Damage:
Who's up next?
His heart breaking with fear and worry at the sound of Cassandra's wailing Jorzan feels a determination come over far stronger than anything he had ever known. Vaulting off the wall and moving to further block the door Jorzan says to his opponent "You and I can settle this later pig but there is no way that thing is leaving here with the girl"
Acrobactics:1d20+13Concentrating all his fear and love the young Shadowdancer swings with all his might and skill as he commands "RELEASE HER!
Attack & Damage:1d20+8; 1d6+1
Go ahead and spend another hero point to reroll the disarm attempt. Disarm also provokes an AoO unless you have Improved Disarm feat.
Reroll:
Sir Justahl, shocked at the speed of the dead man snatching Cassandra, is filled with a righteous anger and as he surges forward [move action] to [AA,7], silvery fire runs down his blade [smite evil] as well as flares around his body, leaving a trailing sheet of sliver fire as it comes around in an attempt to disarm him [literally!].
"Iomedae! Defend her!"
Disarm: Doh!
Disarm:
Everyone: -
You can see that Agon is right; this is not a man. It is a metal construct of some kind. Made of gold and silver and other precious metals, it appears light and fast, its movements primal in their liquid ferocity.
Your Acrobatics attempt to get past the wolfguard failed, actually, so you end this turn in the square right behind the Wolfguard, AB-5. This also means you didn't spend that second hero point. Sorry, I didn't see the Acrobatics check had failed. You needed to beat a 24 (opponent's CMD) to move through that enemy's square, and he gets an AoO on you.
Jorzan, attempting to vault over the Wolfguard at the door, misjudges the distance and nearly cracks his head open on the doorframe. Seeing his attempt, the Wolfguard laughs. "Hah! Hah! What is that supposed to be? Eager to die, are you? Well, we can take care of that!" He then lashes out with lightning speed, slicing the shadowdancer with his Kukri.
Meanwhile, as Justahl reaches in to grab Cassandra, the Mystery Man whirls around and there is a strange, metallic noise as a rapier suddenly unfolds from his very arm! and appears in his hand. With inhuman speed and accuracy he pierces the Aasimar's armor, wounding him through the shoulder and maintaining his vice-like grip on the girl.
Will save:
He tagged me! Even with AC 32!
Will save: 1d20+11
Will Save
Tanel cannot see what the others do, but runs forward ignoring the danger of the wolfguard warrior and running up to the mystery man clutching Cassandra.
He grits his teeth an prays for faith to aid him as he reaches to rescue the girl from the man/construct's clutches.
CMB: provoke an AoO
Tanel grabs the girl out of the mystery man's clutches, holding her tight to himself, praying that his companions can get the monstrous creature who had her away from him, so he can escape with her.
Who's up next?
@Tanel:
Mystery Man says nothing as Tanel rushes up and quickly wrests Cassandra from his grasp, but he does lunge forward in a surprisingly elegant and swift fencing move, piercing Tanel's armor and wounding him with that odd rapier that seems to be less of a weapon and more an actual extension of his arm.
Karthan does another five foot step - to square V6 - and cast flaming magic missile, putting two shots on X7 and one on the mystery man in Z6.
and on the construct. This is fire damage.
@Karthan:
@Jorzan:
@Tanel and @Justahl:
@Everyone:
Karthan steps back and unleashes three more Magic Missiles. The first two strike the nearest wolfguard and burn a hole right through his chest, frying his cold heart and dropping him dead to the ground. The third missile hits Mystery Man, but it's hard to tell if it did any damage.
Agon takes a short step back and unloads two more arrows into the Wolfguard in front of him, clearly staggering the man very badly. He now resembles a pincushion and is clearly in tremendous pain.
Kelne's "friend," tired of mincing words, steps in and attacks, slashing the warrior with his kukri, drawing blood from a deep gash. Meanwhile, the pincushion Wolfguard makes a desperate dive at Agon and finally connects, slicing the big monk's thigh.
On the other side of the room, Mystery Man hammers into Tanel and grabs Cassandra back, then takes off running at an impossible clip around the room and towards the unguarded front door. However, as he rockets past The Wolfguard at the back door, that man yanks Cassandra out from Mystery Man's arm, then promptly turns around and powers through Jorzan, knocking him over and running out the back door and into the alley. "See ya, freak, I've got what I came for! Wolfguards, fall back! Meet at the rendezvous!" Cassandra shrieks in terror, reaching out for Jorzan as the burly Wolfguard slams the slender shadowdancer to the ground, but she cannot grab his hand. "Shadow man! No! Help! Help!" You all can hear her cries echoing off the cobblestones.
Mystery Man makes it almost all the way to the door before he realizes he doesn't have the girl in his hand and comes to a screeching halt, turning to look after the Wolfguard that just ran out the door. He seems oblivious to anything else.
Jorzan!
As Mystery Man sprints away, Sir Justahl makes a desperate attempt to disarm him as he turns, his sword trailing silver fire.
Disarm:
EVERYONE!!
On the other side of the room, Mystery Man hammers into Tanel and grabs Cassandra back. He is about to take off when Justahl distracts him with his sword and yanks Cassandra right back! A strange, strangled gargling screech comes from somewhere in the Mystery Man's chest as he lashes out at Justahl with his rapier, the blade clanging harmlessly off the Aasimar's powerful armor.
Wolfguard #1 steps forward and attacks Mystery Man, wondering aloud as he goes. "How many of you idiots do I have to kill to get one simple stupid little girl?! Grah!" He yells in frustration as his Kukri makes a loud *CLANG* when it impacts with and bounces harmlessly off of Mystery Man's back.
Will:
Tanel swings his halberd at the Mystery Man as Justahl re-retreives Cassandra.
Tanel's Halberd clangs off the shoulder of the Mystery Man. Odd he should be so...well armored?
The Taker also taught you much of what you know about fighting. He was a terrible and cruel teacher who would as soon beat you as walk in the door, but he taught you much about agility, swiftness, and accuracy.
But the big question is...if The Taker is here...why is he here? Is the Mad Mage alive? You were told he was destroyed! If he IS alive, what does he want with Cassandra?
@Karthan:
@Karthan:
@Kelne, @Justahl, @Karthan,
Longsword Smite 1: for a possible points slashing damage.
Longsword Smite 2: for a possible points slashing damage.
Justahl, glowing with the silver fire of the Inheritor, scores a hit on Mystery Man, and you can all now see him for what he is, a beautiful but deadly construct built of precious metals and gems, two inhumanly sharp rapiers built into its arms. As the holy blade hits it, that strange strangled gargling noise emanates from its chest again and it looks around, taking stock of its foes.
Although he was looking rather battered and bloody by now, Kelne had no intention of calling it quits, although he did shift to a somewhat more defensive stance as he kept up the attack.
Kelne lands another solid blow on Wolfguard #3, who is noticeably less talkative now that he's bleeding from numerous deep sword wounds.
Karthan steps back to X1, and turns and casts Magic Missile, sending one unenhanced one at the Wolfguard near Kelne, and two over the shoulder of Agon. "Agon, shoot the construct. Maximum damage per shot. Don't miss."
Kelne's opponent
Agon's opponent
Agon's opponent
Karthan sends three magic missiles jetting out, further damaging Kelne's and Agon's opponents. Realizing they've lost one of their number and are in a bad way, the Wolfguards are beginning to look around a bit desperately.
Hearing the sorcerer's words Agon nods and growls a reply. "You got it, Karthan. One pincushion construct coming up!"
AoO on Wolfguard#1 :
Fumble Roll Reflex save:
Whether it was the near crack on the head or his desperate observation of the 'Mystery Man' holding Cassandra or some combination of the two suddenly a wave of memories come flashing back at the shadowdancer. 'The Taker', he whispers under his breath 'but How??...'
Suddenly he is yanked back into the present as his Wolfguard foe lunges for Cassandra. "NO" comes Jorzan's horse cry and he swings his rapier in a counterattack but his desperation almost proves his undoing as he drops his rapier instead. Yet he uncanhy reflexes aid him yet again as with lightning swiftness the young man catches his rapier again before it hits the floor.
The battle rages back and forth and before he knows it Cassandra is once again safely back in Juhstal's arms. "Never lay hands ono her again!" Jorzan screams in fury at the Wolfguard, stepping in to flank with the horrid figure from his past and tries to slice his sword into the Wolfguard's neck.
Attack & Damage:
DM
Also DRA, we only get +8 for a Hero Point? I honestly thought it would be like a True Strike spell. If I'd known it was only +8 I'd never have bothered using it as I'd have known a disarm would have had no chance of success
DM
** spoiler omitted **
Agon, following through on Karthan's suggestion, whirls his massive frame around and uncorks a series of arrows at Mystery Man. Unfortunately the lightning-fast construct knocks two of them out of the air with its rapiers, and the third bounces harmlessly off its metal hide. Agon growls in frustration.
Then Mystery Man stops and angles his head, as do the Wolfguards. "Blast it!" shouts Wolfguard #3, who is already carefully and quickly backing away. Then there is a sound, high on the air. It is quite loud, and it causes Karthan's ears to perk up as well. The sound is this:
"KKAAARRRRRTHAAANNNNNNNN! KKAAAAAARRRRTHAAANNNNNNN!"
Wolfguard #1 turns to the two other remaining Wolfguards and barks an order. "Too fast! This is too fast! How did they know? It's not possible! Get out of here and meet at the rendezvous." He then turns and shoves his way past Jorzan. The young shadowdancer is able to swing his rapier at the larger fighter, but gets knocked to the ground for his troubles. "I'll see you later, you little freak! You will die by my hand, I swear this on Ormir's Crown and Amulet!"
Mystery Man blasts around the tables and out the door with lightning speed. His metallic footsteps can be heard on the cobblestones.
Wolfguard #4 hustles out the door, eager to get away from all the arrows -- magical and not -- that have pierced him. He is clearly a man on his last legs. Wolfguard #3, however, as he withdraws, cannot help but get in a couple last choice words. "Give it up, Kelne! The manifest of the Everdawn is the most popular reading material in the Forgelands and the White Dragonhold, and probably everywhere else. They ALL know the girl is here. Hah hah! You're never getting out of this city alive. This isn't over!" He then limps out the door, his mobility hampered by the wounds Kelne's sword gave him.
Suddenly you all see a white streak shoot down and land on a mailbox outside. It is Snowy, Cassandra's owl, and it is immediately followed by the massive bulk of two huge brass dragons. One of them is Karthan's mom, Van-Haera, who works at the Hec Salazar Memorial Library at the University, where some of you just were. The other one, whose cathedral-size body prevents him from being able to land in the street, is the Great Wyrm Brass Dragon Van-Galazzan, Prefect of the Draconic Protectorate of Stormfare.
Van-Haera lowers her head to the coffeeshop window. "KARTHAN! KARTHAN DEAR ARE YOU ALRIGHT?! WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?"
Cassandra is clinging to Justahl's neck like he is the only solid thing in the world. Her eyes are huge and tears run silently down her cheeks. "Why don't they stop, Shining Man? Why don't they ever stop? Why don't they just LEAVE! ME! ALONE!" She then bonks her head down on the hard shoulder plate of the Aasimar's armor, looking away from you all and sobbing.
The mighty Van-Galazzan speaks, then. "SO IT IS THE GIRL. YOU HAVE HER. THIS IS GOOD FORTUNE BEYOND MY WILDEST HOPES."
Van-Haera looks up at the much, much larger Van-Galazzan as if he is crazy. "WH-WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT, PREFECT? WHO IS THAT CRYING CHILD? IS SHE HURT? KARTHAN, MY SON, MY DEAR, WHAT IS GOING ON?!"
As Mystery Man stops and cocks his head, Sir Justahl winds up for another smite, only to miss as the construct withdraws at lightning speed.
Frustrated, knowing he won't be able to catch up he steps forward anyway. That thing had to be taken down!
If only Nouhves were here, he could run the bastard down then!
"Why don't they stop, Shining Man? Why don't they ever stop? Why don't they just LEAVE! ME! ALONE!"
Justahl's heart goes out to the little girl, being used as a football.
"I am sorry Cassandra. There are people that want without limit, whatever they want. Fortunately I am here to help; all of us are I think. You do not face them alone."
He lays on hands on her, doing healing as well as removing Shaken conditions.
At the Dragons appearance, he says;
"I've never been so happy to see a dragon, ever! Cassandra, have you ever met a dragon before? This one is the head librarian I think..."
Kelne gave serious thought to giving chase. But he'd have a hard time getting past the dragons, and besides, leaving Cassandra while he went chasing off after the three didn't strike him as a good idea. His first priority was therefore to fish out his healing wand and put it to use. If everybody and their proverbial cousin was going to be coming after them, he wanted to be fighting fit.
"I don't know whether to be relieved the Prefect knows what's going on or worried just how many other people do as well," he said to nobody in particular.
Tanel is quite taken back by the sudden appearance of the two dragons and the end of the fight. He stands gaping for a moment before his mind catches up with the situation.
Standing close to Justahl and Cassandra, not that I could make any difference, he watches the giant scaled creatures warily, throwing a look to Karthan to see what the half-orc does.
Van-Haera continues peering into the coffeeshop. Her eyes glow with arcane power as she gazes at the disguised Karthan and Justahl. "SIR JUSTAHL! WHY YOU LOOK SO DIFFERENT, WHATEVER FOR?! IS THE COUNTESS IARA BOTHERING YOU AGAIN? UGH. THAT WOMAN."
Karthan takes a quick look around the shop, to see how much damage the combat did. He'd been careful to minimize incidental damage with his actions, but wasn't sure about the rest.
"Mother, I'm glad to see you as always. I'm a little nicked up, but not badly hurt. Jorzan has some significant wounds, and I think a few others here are hurt."
"We've the body of a Wolfguardsman. I don't think we've done too much damage to Pyotr's place of business."
After the last Wolfguardman has left, he turns off of the illusion effect, and steps out the door to talk to his mother.
The Damage to pyotr's is minimal; a couple scorch marks, a broken table, some knocked over chairs. The hinges on his back door will need to be replaced, and there are arrows stuck in the wall in a couple places, but nothing excessive, thankfully. Karthan's self-restraint was admirable and appreciated. The blood that is all over will be the first thing needing to be cleaned.
Outside, there is a clatter of hooves and shouting. Pyotr, who left at Karthan's first warning, has returned with the gendarmes. Paladine, in this case. They bow deeply to the two dragons, and Pyotr is very excited and agitated.
"The enemy! he says, his normally deep and velvety voice now in a much higher register, "Where did they go? We will chase them! Those men, they come cause trouble, they attack my shop, they attack Karrrthan and Jorrrzan and cause trouble! What is this about?"
Van-Haera smiles warmly at her son as he exits the shop, it is an expression that most would regard as a preface to being devoured, but the charismatic half-orc knows better. Switching to telepathy, Van-Haera continues the conversation in private.
Van-Galazzan begins to fly slightly higher. "SIR JUSTAHL, PLEASE BRING THE CHILD TO FOUNTAIN COURT AT THE END OF THE STREET. I WILL CARRY THE TWO OF YOU TO A COUNCIL THAT I HAVE CALLED. THIS CHILD CANNOT REMAIN IN STORMFARE."