"I ain't here for no hamlet. Natasha hired me to guard the prisoner and that's what I'm doing."
Could be a fight. Nah, then she won't pay me.
Evenor looks at Lockjaw surprised and says Aye, and you'd just delay us don't think a dwarf is any use in an open battle
"Bwahhahaha, I like you boy. First rule of any successful bandit is pillage then burn. If you think they're still around you can ask Natasha to let me go and I'll help you out."
I like that one, he's got more stone in him than some dwarves.
"Bah! Yer all forgetting one thing, as far as we know, the reavers MIGHT have spotted the scout, if they did they might be smart enough to deduce that following could lead to more prey. Or they might just not want witnesses.
Either way, they might be well on the way here already."
Ruhk's voice is harsh and hoarse, not so surprising perhaps from a man who has not spoken as much as he did last night in many months.
@ Kathai
This one claims royal heritage, and the people I represent believe her; there are several cadet branches of the Tethyr family in calimshan, and hers was one we watched carefully. Natasha shoves Jassera down to her knees, stepping on the chain to keep her bowed close to the ground. She appeared in Myratma a month ago; she quickly made contacts with the royalists in town, those damned traitors, every one of them! Do you want to guess what this little snipe was doing? Trying to convince the royalists that calimshan would back them in a war, was prepared to provide mercenaries and troops, was prepared to bring war and death and suffering back to our country! As if the Tethyrs hadn't done enough to us!!! Natasha seems overcome with emotion for a moment, before composing herself. I don't know how far along this girl had gotten in creating an alliance, but we couldn't wait for her to do more harm. She had already become something of a leader in the royalist community, and some of our best people had disappeared, likely at her orders. We saw a chance to take her; kidnapped her from a charity ball at the temple of Siamorphe, just before she could address a whole room full of traitors. Our aim is to get her to Zazesspur, away from that intrigue; then we shall take all her secrets from her, one by one, using whatever methods are required!
She stops for a moment and regards you carefully You think me cruel, breaking her under the lash? My parents died under the heel of the royal family, my mother under a cavaliers lance, my father in one of their many torture chambers! Her eyes soften for a moment. Did you lose family to those bastards, as well? Do you truly wish to settle accounts with this one? I cannot let you kill her, nor maim her, but if you wish to introduce her to halfling justice, I'll turn a blind eye. She reaches out to offer you her whip.
She hesitates a moment, hearing something. Is there trouble at the camp?
"I have to stay back and give distance support, so let me know our approach plan and whom i have to join. Also i'ld like to be togheter with my sister, the cleric of Sehanine"
If the bandits saw the scout they will do one of three things I think, set an ambush, pull out or rush to engage...I'm hoping for the last alternative. Then we can get them on our own ground and destroy them with superior tactics.
Velma shakes her head. I'm sure they didn't see me. I'm crafty enough to stay out of sight when needed! She unlimbers her longbow and climbs atop one of the wagons, scanning the horizon. If you folks are going to attack, you should get your act together and come up with a plan. This caravan is stuck if we can't proceed northward.
"Plan? Not enough information...but if you can draw a crude map and give us a general estimation of numbers as well as races involved then maybe we can come up with something."
"If they didn't saw you, they are either still there or gone, unless they know of the caravan, and awaiting for us. In any case we have to move toward the pillage."
And this means someone is better take a decision
I say we move ahead of the caravan, that village is in our route so we will have to get there sooner or later. I'd prefer to be ready for combat than have to protect the merchants that accompany us.
Bloody hells! Velma looks exasperated. I only saw the boss - a huge brute, I'm guessing he was human, but a big one! I didn't see his minions, but he was shouting orders to someone - I think he wanted the big statue of Chauntea in the centre of the hamlet torn down. That's all I know.
Lavish, very artistic map of the Battleground is HERE
"Right, We should switch into two groups at first, one for melee and one for ranged cover.
The two sisters seems to want to stay together, so one battle is joined we should have them stay as one group while the more mobile Evenor and Kathai can move around as another group and pick of anyone who tries to outflank us or tries to flee.
I imagine Lockjaw like myself will want to get to grips with the enemy in a more personal fashion.
Anybody have anything else to add?"
Hells! My throat is parched, let's hope there will be no more talking, and plenty of mead to drink after.
Evenor has a sardonic smile in his face as he says Let's get some bandit scalps
By the way, the four guys lined up near the statue are attempting to pull it down using ropes.
"Good, they will be...distracted.
How about this? Our two mobile ones will sneak into position to take a good shot, once they do, the rest of us can use the momentary confusion to get into position and make sure they focus on US instead of going after the archers.
That way the archers will be able to find a new spot to fire from, keeping them guessing as to our true numbers."
At the end of his suggestion, Ruhk clutches his throat and coughs for a few moments.
Gods...
"Ah." "Now I remember that symbol". "It sounds like the symbol of Garagos, the reaver, the former war god of Faerun". "He was defeated centuries ago by Tempus, who took his office as war god, and since then has degenerated into madness". "His followers includes berserkers, reavers, slayers of all sorts; brigands too".
I shall stay back with the ranged combatants, but shall be ready to rush to the aid of any wounded". "Please gather round for a quick prayer before we enter this just combat".
Vestilet shakes his head at hearing how the men follow a god that has fallen to madness. "Considering the information on who they worship. I doubt they will be new comers to a fight. I would not count on confusion."
"Oye, Natasha, I'm going to go protect the caravan by killing these bandits."
Suppose I'm not getting any extra for this either.
"This sounds dangerous sister."
The elven girl gestures toward her cat, "Nekat, you better go looking for a good hiding spot,will call you when it is safe"
Greetings all! I'd like to at least get this combat started today, I don't know how available I will be tomorrow until the evening. So far we have three out of seven characters placed, and Kathai Lli has to finish her scene with Natasha.
with Javelin at ready
Okay, I've gone ahead and placed Ruhk at L30 and Kathai at U25. Initiative time!!
Evenor:
Lockjaw Stoneshield:
Ruhk:
Kathai Lli:
Alendrethala:
Inwe:
Vestilet:
Scarfaced Brute:
Bowman A:
Bowman B:
Melee Brigand A:
Melee Brigand B:
Melee Brigand C:
Melee Brigand D:
No surprise round, the two archers are vigilant and alert the others to your presence! Four of the brigands are trying to pull down the shrine of Chauntea, in the centre of town. Yelling at them is a large man, his face a mass of scars, and wielding a large, two handed club. Several of the houses are on fire, and behind the houses, to the north, there appears to be a large bonfire. The smoke in the air is thick, and the smell of death is in the air.
Order of actions:
Melee Brigand C
Evenor
Ruhk
Melee Brigand D
Scarfaced Brute
Lockjaw Stoneshield
Bowman A
Melee Brigand B
Kathai Lli
Alendrethala
Inwe
Vestilet
Bowman B
Melee Brigand A
Status effects: Inwe cast bless on your party, giving you a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and saves vs. fear. Duration: 10 rounds
I don't expect everyone to post in order; I know it's not easy to coordinate that. You can post what you want your character to do at any time; but be aware that the battlefield is fluid, and you will be best served by keeping a close eye on the combat, and being able to change targets and/or actions at any time.
Also, remember you are flat footed until you act!
Nekat (Alendrathala's familiar) finds a safe place to hide and meows good luck to his friend :-)
Melee Brigand C double moves (using a full round action) to J24. He, like all of the melee brigands, is wielding a battleaxe and is attired in studded leather.
Evenor's action is up; he has already declared an attack against the Bowman A (I18)
Target is within first range increment and has no cover.
Evenor's attack is at +1 from Inwe's bless.
Attack roll (using deadly aim):
Damage roll (using deadly aim):
Evenor's arrow finds it's mark, straight into the bowman's throat, and he drops to the ground, bleeding out.
Ruhk's action is up! I'll wait a while before making Ruhk's move for him.
Ruhk will refrain from bellowing a war cry since his throat is so parched and instead charge silently.
Ruhk charges silently at the Brigand who had advanced a moment earlier. His battleaxe comes down in a blur, opening up the villain from throat to navel. He falls with a cry to the ground, bleeding out.
Melee Brigand D is up! He double moves (full round action) to L23.
Scarfaced Brute is up! Roaring the name of Garagos, he runs (double move, full round action) to square J22 (note that he has the fleet feat, allowing the 70' movement)
Lockjaw Stoneshield is up!
Round 1 Init 11
HP = 17
AC = 17
+6 Fort, +1 Ref, -1 Will
Weapon Equipped = Dwarven Waraxe
Speed = 20'
Rage/Day = 8/8
Status Effects = None
"Damnation don't start without me!"
Bowman A misses his turn; he's too busy bleeding out to act.
Melee Brigand B seems more controlled and calm than his fellows; he makes for the north, where there appears to be a bonfire beyond the hamlet. Double move (full round action) to M2.
Kathai Lli's action is up next.
Hope in Inwe and Vestilet to have protection from that last bowman
Okay, so I'll post for Kathai Lli. She takes a move action to move to Q24. She takes aim at Bowman B with her light crossbow. Bowman B is flat-footed, and the range is within 30' and thus is potentially vulnerable to her sneak attack damage.
Kathai Lli light crossbow attack:
damage:
sneak attack damage:
Unfortunately she misses; her crossbow bolt is high and to the left.
Alendrethala uses a move action and is now located at F24. She casts grease (DC 15) on the scarfaced brutes' greatclub.
His reflex save:
Unfortunately, with reflexes that you wouldn't expect from one so large, the brute is able to avoid the spell, his greatclub still firmly within his oversized hands.
Inwe is up next.
Javelin toss
Evenor moves forward, looks ahead to see if there are any kind of reinforcements by the bonfire and tries to shoot the leader before he can organize his men.
Perception
Attack: Bow
Crit. Conf.
Damage + Critical Damage
@Inwe you can see the map the DM posted Here he is updating it with everybodies actions.
Vestilet moves forward to try to get into combat.
Inwe moves to E23 (move action) and throws her javelin at the closest target (scarfaced brute).
Still showing those amazing reflexes, the scarfaced brute eludes Inwes javelin by inches.
Vestilet moves up to J25 - then stops.
Also, Evenor, thanks for pointing out the map again. Everyone, please, use the map and if you have any questions, please ask.
Vestilet moves up to J25 - then stops.
Vestilet moves up to J25 - then stops.
Since you didn't know, would you like to retake your action? As I noted, Scarfaced Brute and Melee Brigand D are viable targets.
Bowman B tries to take aim at Ruhk, but is blocked by one of his own men. Cursing, he moves 10' west (to M20) and takes aim at Evenor.
Attack roll (with deadly aim):
Damage roll:
The bowman curses again as his arrow flies well high of Evenor, missing him altogether.
Melee brigand A uses a move action to move to J20. He then uses his battleaxe to attack Lockjaw Stonefist.
Attack roll:
Damage roll:
The brigands battleaxe hits, but only a glancing blow - Stonefist laughs at the puny scratch.
Melee brigand C is too busy seeing his life flashing in front of his eyes to act, so Evenor is up.
You're unable to determine what is happening by the bonfire; there are too many obstructions.
Attack: Bow 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Crit. Conf. 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Damage + Critical Damage 1d8 + 3 + 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 + (4, 3) + 3 = 20
Evenor lines up a shot and puts one directly into the Scarfaced Brutes' gut. It staggers him for a moment, but he straightens up and roars in battle fury.
Ruhk is up next.