Those Who Walk in Blood (Inactive)

Game Master Stalwart

Awesome map! I'm going to wait to see how this conversation turns out before doing anything.

If Ghiv is invisible...

Ghiv stalks forward under the cover of the illusion to position himself for a brutal strike against the weakest looking member of the group, preferably a spellcaster. I'm not sure which one that is on the map...Ghiv's idea is to take out the spellcaster first when it comes time.

Stealth w/Invis: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (20) + 23 = 43

Edit: GM could we have buffed ourselves with min/level spells prior?

If I could recommend attacking the dryad first since unless we kill her quickly she will just teleport to a different tree and we lose our chance of killing our target!

While Eris has the Dryad's attention, Kage discreetly ducks out of sight and curiously moves in the direction Ghiv went.

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

From behind a bush, Kage takes the opportunity to study the Dryad. Taking particular note of her gate, her eye motion and the tennor of her voice.

Taking Master Brinn's teaching to heart, he watches both his quarry and the surrounding area.
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26 +1 vs her.

Because of the duration of the run through the woods, only hours-per-level spells will still be active. When you reach the clearing, you'll have time to cast one buff spell. Ghiv, you called invisible so I'll let you do it, but if the dryad senses a whole bunch of spells being cast, that'll trigger initiative.

The dryad and the elf seem focused on Eris and the forlarren. Estreesa tugs on her horn and walks around in a tight circle, Eris's words apparently confounding her. Not do it, nonono, bad ones, axes get hacked,

Heedless of the muttering of the forlarren, the dryad's face hardens. Her eyes are deep pits of a thousand years of history ablaze. You demand I explain myself? Her otherworldly voice is the sound of a gale rushing through the canopy. Tiny fleshling; yammering mortal: you are in my domain!

Ghiv has cast Bulls Strength upon himself prior to the fight....

Eris starts to laugh "Thats just it, that I, a yammering mortal has to tell you what's right or wrong, makes it even WORSE. With centuries of wisdom at your disposal you are supposed to be a role model for the protection of nature. I myself, always saw Dryads as gentle and kind, yet all I see a creature lowering herself to human standards. You have a forlarren here that wants nothing more than to make you happy, but instead you shun it, and mind control some attractive new "friends" for yourself like a common succubus! Explain yourself!"

This is fun, I thought up a really good insult as well whenever we wanted to trigger init!

Also worth noting that since I have Charm Person I think I can counterspell it if she chooses to cast that spell in a fit of rage.

Ghiv, is that going to be your round 1 action, or are you casting it while this conversation is happening? Since it,will give,away your presence.

Eusephanie looks with incredulity at Eris. Insolent creature. You have no idea of which you speak.

The elf sights along the arrow nocked in his bow aimed at Eris's heart. I serve the lady willingly. This forest will wither and die without her. Death of a few is preferable over an entire forest.

Supremely confident, Eris stares down the two people staring daggers at her.

"So explain it to me then", Eris challenges the Dryad, "If I am incorrect then prove it, explain to me how your motives are honourable when you and your allies take more lives than trees that were lost!"

Just as quickly as her temper flares, Eris addresses the Elf with a bored look on her face "You tell me that you serve her freely, but there was no message, no news, nothing to indicate you followed her freely. As far as I know, all your friends, everyone that cares...they remain convinced you are magically compelled...why do you even think I am here? You stand here before me, aggressive in stance, and arrow pointed at my heart, a defenceless female that has made no aggressive action, and you seek to claim that your will is your own? Either no-one truly saw that person you are, or your mind is clouded".

Eris pauses slightly before continuing in a softer tone "They say a picture paints a thousand words, that seeing is believing. Its possible I am wrong, but you, standing here threatening me, you only serve to strengthen my theory".

Shifting her posture slightly, Eris then addresses them both. "I suspect you had a noble cause once, defending a sacred forest, sure, I can understand that. I imagine your actions remained peaceful as well, you disarm loggers, and you send them away, its a non violent way to handling a situation. I can even understand mind control, to an extent, whether this elf claims his will is his own or not is irrelevant. This forlarren, even told me that this dryad had instructions, "No Killing" she once said, and yet now I wade through a river of blood to find my life threatened".

The kitsune shakes her head slightly, her expression full of sorrow "You have lost yourselves, crossed lines you swore you would not cross, and in doing so you have tainted your noble cause, your fervor has polluted it".

Tl;dr I win this debate.

EDIT

I prolly need a bluff check somewhere in that tirade so here goes!

Bluff: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21
Adding Silver Tongue for +5 to that again.

I'm sorry, I mistook your earlier post to mean I could have 1 min/level buff active before the fight. I guess that means it would be invisibility. Retract my earlier post, Ghiv is getting into position to kill whatever spellcaster looks like the easiest target.

Mama stays still for now--trying to fade into the background. Meanwhile she eyes the elf, trying to determine if he is acting of his own volition or under the influence of an enchantment.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Stalwart, Blend has a 40 minute duration (10/level). If you think we'd have been able to ascertain when we were within 10-20 minutes of the Dryad's grove, Mama would have taken it. Otherwise, no current buffs. Either way she has her whip drawn, coiled behind her back.

Blend makes sense. You can have that active if you wish, Bess.

Bess does not notice any of the tell-tale signs of enchantment on the elf.

I'm going to give Myra a chance to take an action before we start rolling electronic dice.

Damn, are we rolling init now :(

Yamire is not going to make the first move, on the assumption that she'd be seen. She'd also rather wait for them to come to us than go to them. If it is init time, then roll them bones.

Slowly and carefully, Mama Bess advances toward the dryad.

As Mama passes Eris she signs :: Elf doesn't seem enchanted! Genuine convert? ::

___________________

Move 30' toward the dryad
Stealth: 1d20 + 14 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 14 + 4 = 27

Here's a map refresher on this page.
I'm keen to keep the dialogue up for a while longer.

What deaths do you claim for which I am responsible? the dryad asks harshly. I am threatened; I am told more will come to seek to take my life and fell my tree. She cants her head to one side, as if listening. The plants tell me that even now mortals encroach. Would you see no bloodshed? Then tell them to leave this place!

Kage wills Eris on thinking, 'Just keep her talking Eris, just keep her talking...'

All the while he inches closer and closer. Silently using the techniques pummeled into him by Master Brinn, Kage silently loosens the sabers in his sheathes. So close he could almost touch her, yet Kage resists the siren call of the blood singing in his veins. Through fire and pain and long years Master Brinn taught the young Tith'Kali well, and he remembers his master's words 'Patience, always patience. An assassin may strike and miss out of impatience. The mantis on the other has patience verging on the preternatural, waiting for the perfect time to strike. The corpse was dead the moment the guild took the contract, it's body just didn't know it yet.'

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Is Ghiv's position correct on the map? He didn't get any closer with the earlier stealth roll?

Ghiv hopes he can make it to the enemy spellcaster while Eris distracts the Dryad. He continues stalking forward...

Eris responds with a look of puzzlement. "You mean you don't know?" she asks incredulously, "There are three bodies in a clearing back there, and you don't claim responsibility?"

As the Dryad continues, claiming there are mortals approaching, Eris manages an excellent approximation of sheer surprise and confusion. "The only mortals that I took with me and those standing just behind me, the most aggressive person here is that elf with his weapon loaded, and don't start with me about your tree, what would I want to do about it, do I look like a logger to you?"

Bluff: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27
Triggering Silver Tongue for +4 to this check.

Interested to see if she could listen to how the Dryad's mind works, Eris attempts to use her Detect Thoughts ability against it (DC 17)

Will: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Eris finds the fey's mind completely inscrutable.

The dryad takes a step back. Of course I do not claim those bodies. This is another of Ricer's tricks, I think. You come here throwing accusations, calling me responsible, but what authority do you have to question me? This is my realm! I have every right to defend myself!

The elf adds, Killing is warranted, to keep back the evil she imprisons. Ricer would doom his town should Eusephanie die.

Eris locks eyes with the elf "I was not I that threatened you or your mistress, yet it was you that first threatened me. That is not self defence, its pure aggression."

Eris then shrugs, "I admit, I have an extreme dislike towards Ricer, I would be lying if I said otherwise, but when all is said and done, the man is a businessman. Sending in some of his own workers and eliminating them, leaving them there to frame you gains him nothing, by all means blame him if you like, but from all your talk, you stand far more likely of killing those men than Ricer".

Mama's ears prick up at the elf's claims.

What's Eusephanie? Does he seem to be discussing killing the tree? Any useful rolls here (knowledge, or sense motive?)

Bess, Eusephanie is the dryad. And you can roll whatever you want. What are you trying to learn?

I'm focused right now on "the evil she imprisons". Don't know if there's a roll I can make about it without breaking stealth and asking questions myself, buy it there is please let me know (or just roll for me, adding inspiration if relevant.

Good point Mama Bess, I'll ask her about that next.

The dryad shakes her head. So you admit to knowing Ricer. Again I remind you that you are here unbidden, leveling accusations of which I have no knowledge. You have a silver tongue -- no doubt you have twisted the mind of poor Estreesa here. She's more likely to be the one who killed those loggers. She fights her nature, but she... falters.

The forlarren stops walking in her circle at the sound of her name, then starts chewing her claw nervously.

Eusephanie glances quickly to her right, nodding. I have taken your information under advisement. Now go, quickly, and you may remove the bodies of the loggers from my domain to do with as you see fit. They are not my concern, as I did not ask for their deaths. But Ricer knows the boundaries of my realm, and that danger lurks here.

Eris frowns "Of course I admit to knowing Ricer, I would look pretty stupid entering a diplomatic meeting without knowing the parties involved now would I? Now why don't you tell me what the danger is that lurks in the realm, and what you keep in check, information such as this could grant you higher priority over this forest than Ricer could ever hope to claim"

Ghiv grimaces in frustration Too many words! We must strike now!

GM is the map accurate..is that where Ghiv is located?

That's my best guess. If you want to move closer, say, right up next to her, let me know. Or if you want to strike just as she's about to talk about the evil, that works too. :)

Eusephanie narrows her eyes, sparing a disappointed glare at the elf before fixing it again on Eris. It's clear she did not approve of that information getting out.

"Don't look at him, you told me yourself there is danger that lurks within your realm, and I would appreciate knowing all the facts. Tell me or don't tell me, but if you keep it secret I'll consider it a bluff on your part and mention it in my report, I can only imagine that would only increase the number of people meddling in whatever it is you are trying to protect...or you can tell me and if I can be impressed on the severe nature of this issue, I'll say not a word about it and lobby hard in the urban centre for a more favourable situation for you, and an unfavourable situation for Ricer"

Lalala silver tongue Eris continuing what shes good at.

Bluff: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

Ghiv stalks forward under the cover of the illusion to position himself for a brutal strike against the weakest looking member of the group, preferably a spellcaster.
Ghiv hopes he can make it to the enemy spellcaster while Eris distracts the Dryad. He continues stalking forward...

Since there wasn't a clear description of who was who on the map I didn't specify on the map. However I did make Ghiv's intentions clear, as well as roll a stealth roll to move stealthily adjacent to a spellcaster

Getting increasingly nervous, Kage thinks, 'How long can she string this out? Ghiv and I need to get into position and strike.'

Not really used to working with him yet, Kage looks around and wonders where Ghiv is. Of course he can't see him.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

'Must be invisible..., Kage thinks and remembers Master Brinn's words. 'Many assassins think invisibility is the last word, it's not. While it may fool your typical guard, some enemies will see right through the precious invisibility spell. This Kage is why we learn to do it the hard way, why we learn to disguise ourselves and lie convincingly.'

Stalwart I'm slightly confused, which one is the Dryad? Is it the one closest to the tree?

Sorry, Ghiv -- I had presumed you were going after the dryad. Who, incidentally, is the orangish-looking figure next to the big tree in the lower left of the map. The camp has the half-elf sorcerer (the figure nearest the top), a dwarven cleric (next one down), and a gnome unarmed combatant.

The dryad frowns. You refuse to answer my question as to who you are and by what authority you speak. Yet this knowledge swayed others seeking my death, so perhaps if you and the ones lurking unseen hear this, you too will be persuaded.

She takes a breath, and her alien eyes glitter. Beneath my tree, trapped within its roots, is a creature of great power and vile intent. Were it to be freed, it would begin reaping the souls of mortals across the land.

Ghiv, confirm that you want to get into the camp and target either the sorcerer or the cleric (or stay near the clearing to target the dryad). Kage, you too. I've gone ahead and switched it so that anyone can edit. You can move your character to wherever you'd like to be before you strike. (That goes for the halflings, too. You can move yourselves around if you'd like.)

Moved Ghiv next to the spell caster....

Mithral Sawtooth Saber: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9 AND Channel: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10 Will DC 15 for half

Ghiv channels the power of his god into a powerful strike against the enemy spellcaster!
Swift Action Channel Force!, Channel Smite!

Well thats a nice bombshell, but unfortunately as LE and as Red Mantis, we don't really care so feel free to kill her guys, if this thing gets loose, its technically not our problem.

Also please someone try and kill the dryad before she teleports away and we effectively lose our contract zzz. Shes prolly the one character in this encounter that I cannot directly hurt, and shes the only one we need to kill.

Mama Bess blinks several times rapidly at the dryad's claim. Could that really be true?!? All those people, all those deaths, they have families too...but my family are the Mantises and we already have blood on our hands...

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

LN over here--and Mama's loyalty is to her fellow Mantises, not to Achaekek. She wouldn't abandon her family during a mission no matter what...but if this is true and she helps to cause it she'll have nightmares about it.
.
Of course (if it is true) it's likely that we'll end up having to fight the thing when we free it, if we make it that far.

I hope not, since this encounter has like 9 enemies and there are 5 of us. Granted, we technically only need to kill one and escape but the odds of us winning this AND the thing we release seem low at best.

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Slowly, patiently, Kage waits for moments when the others are distracted and creeps closer to the Dryad. He is ever mindful of where he steps, just as Master Brinn taught him to be. Soon he would be within striking distance, already he could hear the call of her blood, it was singing, longing to be released. 'FOCUS!', he things savagely, berating himself for the lack of control, 'There is no urgency. I simply need to be where I am supposed to be. It will be a simple matter then to reach out and strike, at the appointed time. The rite of murder must be done properly, it is a sacred time for hunter and prey. It would not do to botch this, undue suffering by the prey would not only be unseemly, it would displease the great lord Achaekek who is most particular about the presentation of the morsels served up for him...'

Keeping to the undergrowth, Kage moves as close as he dares, perhaps 15' away.

I'm not going to act until we're in initiative.

Are we still waiting on the GM?

Wow, apologies. I was thinking there was someone else I was waiting on.

Will save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Ghiv materializes as he strikes the half-elf, dealing the spellcaster a savage blow. The negative energies course through the wound, doing further damage but the half-elf's will manages to lessen the effect.

Initiative!
The dryad goes on a 23. Everyone else gets a surprise round action and then rolls initiative. If you beat the dryad, then you also get to act before her. The adventurers go as follows: Elf bowman--10; half-elf sorcerer--6; Gnome--5; Dwarf--4. The forlarren, for the moment, is not participating in this combat.

Mama Bess will edge closer, following just behind Kage, ready to use her whip to divert attacks against him (or anyone else who ends up adjacent to her).

Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Bodyguard (aid AC +4): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Bodyguard (aid AC +4): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Bodyguard (aid AC +4): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Bodyguard (aid AC +4): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

GM is the map up to date? Which one is the Dryad? Did Kage get to move closer?

Init: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Eris winces as Ghiv goes after an alternative target on his own, not at all happy about the fellow Mantis splitting up from the rest of them. Fully aware that her abilities were limited in this situation, she nevertheless fires off a Color Spray at the elf and dryad hoping for some luck.

If I cannot hit both I'll just hit the elf, I believe I already stated that I'm largely relying on Ghiv / Sa'Kage / Yamyra to handle the dryad as I don't really have many damage spells.

GM, I'm having trouble finding the map. Could you please put it in your profile or perhaps in the campaign info at the top of the page.
Init: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (3) + 0 = 3

Surprise Round

Ghiv follows up his attack with another strike designed to take the spellcaster out of the fight!

Channel Smite!: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7 AND WillDC 15 for half: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 1) = 7

@Kage:

Sorry, Ghiv -- I had presumed you were going after the dryad. Who, incidentally, is the orangish-looking figure next to the big tree in the lower left of the map. The camp has the half-elf sorcerer (the figure nearest the top), a dwarven cleric (next one down), and a gnome unarmed combatant.

Map link's at the top of the page now. And it's editable by anyone, so you can move yourself to where you'd like, although moving out into the clearing would ruin your stealth.

Yamyra darts through the undergrowth, and back into the brush. She hides there, getting ready to assault either the elven archer or the dryad depending how things shake out over the next few seconds.

Move and stealth.
Stealth: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33

Surprise Round
The hidden and invisible assassins move in to strike. Ghiv materializes as he strikes the half-elf, dealing the spellcaster a savage blow. As Sa'Kage slips through the underbrush, suddenly one of the plant creatures he spotted earlier demonstrates a long reach with its tendrils. One of them lashes out at him.
tendril: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3
Kage's save vs poison: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
The whiplike tentacle is coated with a poison, but Kage fights it off this round.

Round 1
The dryad is lightning fast, and responds to the sound of combat with a spell-like ability. With nothing but a look of concentration, the forest around Eris erupts with life. Tangles of branches, grasses and undergrowth claw and grasp at those in the area.

Entangle in the green circle. Man, that's a big spell.
Reflex saves DC 15:
Reflex Elf: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30
Reflex Forlarren: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Reflex Myra: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27
Reflex Kage: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Reflex Eris: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Reflex Ghiv: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Reflex Bess: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Only Eris is actually rooted to the spot by the entangling plant life.

Initiative order:
Dryad 27
Eris 14
Elf 10
Bess 8
Sorcerer 6
Gnome 5
Dwarf 4
Ghiv 3

Waiting on Myra's and Kage's initiatives.

Mama Bess looks around nervously as she sees the weeds and vines explode around them...and none but Kage and herself apparently near their quary. Yikes! Hopefully some of my sisters or brothers are closer than I'd hoped.

Realizing that the vines are still active and she could yet get captured, Bess risks revealing herself to protect her fellow Mantises, shouting "Get away from these vines if you can--they won't stop trying to grab you."

K. Nature: 1d20 + 7 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + 7 + (6) = 20 >> to ID the plant thing that attacked Kage. Stalwart, any other knowledge roles relevant at the moment?

Kage (and others!) you would know that--now that you see where Bess is--being adjacent to her lets her buff your AC by +4 for up to 5 total attacks / round (divided between any adjacent allies)

Forgot about Eris' stated action. The color spray at the elf or the dryad. It's impossible to get both, so it would be the elf.

Will save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

He is stunned, dropping his weapon as a result of the wave of colored light.