War of the Beasts Part 2 - Howling of the Winds (Inactive)

Game Master Deiros

Passive Initiative: 13

Move Action: Draws Sword
Standard Action: Readies Shield
Misc Action: 5 Foot Step Toward Battle

Alaire, while originally caught off guard and confused by the proceedings before him, quickly reacts once combat is joined. Swiftly drawing his sword and readying his shield, he steps forth toward the fray, his voice ringing out across the battlefield, "Monsters! Drop thy weapons or face death itself! You get but one chance!"

He turns and offers Nichelle a quick nod, gesturing for her to engage as she best sees fit.

Round 1

Lindynt spurs his mount and kills the soldier leading the group by running him down and skewering him beginning the carnage that catches all the enemies unprepared for such display of power.

Akela draws his weapon and chanting some words and channeling the power of nature makes it glow.

Alaire Monsters! Drop thy weapons or face death itself! You get but one chance! as he pulls out his sword from the scabbard and readies himself battle.

Kobolds attempt to kill the chocobo trying to get to his rider as the remaining 2 soldiers retreat into the keep. leaving the other kobolds to shoot their arrows at the rest.

Kobold (arrow) I: missed Alaire by an inch close to the ear.
Kobold (arrow) II: Hits Nichelle for 1 damage leaving a shallow cut in her arm.
Kobold (arrow) III: Hits Vance in the leg for 2 damage doing no lasting damage but the nuisance of the pain and the insult of it. As the kobold barks in a mocking way or so it might seem to Vance.
Kobold (arrow) IV: Hits Akela true in the arm but with no real force behind the arrow for 2 damage.
Kobold (Melee) I: Missed his attack to the chocobo attempting to hi the legs.
Kobold (Melee) II: Hits (rolling a total of 19, please attempt ride to avoid damage), damage dealt to sylvie is 3.
Kobold (Melee) III: Missed and almost fell down because of his eagerness to hit with all he had on that attempt to stab the chocobo with his spear. Very lucky you gor hit once from 3 attack while the rest almost all got hit Lindynt ^^

Vance Screams the moment he sets his eye on the scene unfolding before him Monsters! moving a step and shooting his gun to no apparent effect but the roar of his gun. Damn it! hisses as he begins to work on his gun.

Nichelle you act at Initiative 13 that is in the same round as the archer kobolds. Melee kobolds are at Initiative 11.

As the soldiers leave through the gate a Big kobold comes out in their stead and abnormally well armed for their kind not to mention his size.

Red Keep Back

Vance looks up at the kobold mocking him with cold hate in his eyes as he dumps the misfired bullet out the barrel of the gun and into his hand.

"Everybody keep to the right." He says to his companions through gritted teeth.

Nichelle dropped the pack where she stood, sliding the straps off of her shoulders and onto the ground, and crouched to retrieve her bow from the side of the pack. If Alaire was going to be advancing, she had to thin the number of arrows that would be coming at him and the others. Lindynt was already engaged, so they would be shortly.

For now, staying by Alaire's side seemed to be the best course of things. "Any strategies?", her voice came calmly, though after, her hands would be jittery.
Move action to drop pack, move action to ready her bow for the next round.

ROUND 2 INIT 19

Mounted Combat - Ride v 19: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Sylvie had been trained in the arts of war for nearly as long as her rider has. She manages to dodge a few of the spears set upon her with her own cunning. The last attack is avoided only by the instinctive control of the knight. The chocobo rebukes with a snap of her beak and hops back to clear the area for her master’s lance. Standard Action (Sylvie): Attack K14. Misc Action: 5’ step into K15

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Lindynt swings his lance over his head, hurling the kobolds carcass a few feet to his left, and completes a circular movement by crashing down on another. Standard Action (Lindynt): Attack J13.

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

Swinging his magic beatstick in both hands and growling like his namesake , Akela Charges to aid Lindynt.

Charge to H15, attack I 14
Attack 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Damage 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (2, 1) + 7 = 10

Throwing the unfired bullet and bits of powder into the air, Vance mutters something under his breath. The bullet streaks into the sky. A moment later cannonballs rain down in a cacophony of destruction.

Stone Call, subbing a bullet for the usual rocks because it's stylistic and awesome :)

D14 takes 2d6 ⇒ (6, 2) = 8
E12 takes 2d6 ⇒ (3, 5) = 8
G12 takes 2d6 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6
I14 takes 2d6 ⇒ (1, 6) = 7
J13 takes 2d6 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8
K14 takes 2d6 ⇒ (2, 4) = 6
the Boss at J9 takes 2d6 ⇒ (6, 6) = 12

The trees and each square of the keep that's inside the effect take 2-12 damage as well, but most of it is probably absorbed by hardness.

I've marked the apx area in grey. Until my next action that area is Difficult terrain.

Passive Initiative: 13

Move: Moves to L15 (Done on map)
Standard: Attacks Kobold at K14 while Fighting Defensively

Attack (Fighting Defensively): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Damage: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Alaire moves forward to engage the enemy, heeding Vance's words as he calls back to Nichelle, "I shalt try aid Sir Auroral so he does not get surrounded again. Either join us or try eliminate the archers, if thy would be so kind."

As Alaire arrives at Lindynt's side he finds himself a bit off balance and brings the heavy sword down in a rather clumsy chop, missing the nimble beast. He is, however, quick to raise his shield in an attempt to ward off incoming counterattacks.

Stylistic and awesome indeed!!

Her bow ready in her hands, Nichelle looked to see which of the creatures she would aim and fire at, but the cannonballs raining into the area changed her mind about her course of action. Trusting Akela and Vance to keep the side they oriented on from any drastic measures, she grabbed a trio of arrows and moved to fire on the lone kobold who was unfortunate enough to be isolated.
Move to N-17, Attack@P13:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17, 1d6 ⇒ 6

Round 2

The kobold Akela charges fails to hit Akela before he burst its head open like a melon with his club.

Alaire I shalt try aid Sir Auroral so he does not get surrounded again. Either join us or try eliminate the archers, if thy would be so kind when he moves forward to stab and kill the kobold that falls holding his bleeding wound.

Nichelle moves swiftly to cover Vance and puts an arrow through the kobold chest, watching it fall like potato sack.

The lonely kobold aims and strike true again Sylvie for serious damage. Critical hit sorry 10 damage

After Vance mutters some words he releases his arcane power finishing off almost all the kobolds and turning the ones that were already falling wounded or dying in the ground into a bloody mess, the biggest one that growls in response to Vance attack charges in a berserk frenzy towards Reinholdt.

Reiholdt is able to put a nice hit on the kobold but the ferocity of the creature is greater and it wounds I will extinguish your race

Round 3 the Kobold leader will attack anyone in melee range of his falchion. The other kobold went out of sight apparently. Perception (Spot) DC 20 it was a nice roll for his stealth.

Satisfied with his work, thinking they're all dead but the leader, Vance takes a knee to finish clearing his misfired weapon.

All the boulders vanish on my action, clearing the difficult terrain.

Passive Initiative: 13

Move Action: Move to K12
Standard Action: Gentle Rest on Kobold Leader

Gentle Rest (Touch Attack): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Alaire draws his blade from the dead creature and sprints onward to aid Reinholdt with the kobold leader. As his steps carry him forward he draws upon Adest's power, a thin grey mist circling his hand as he reaches out in an attempt to simply touch the foe before him.

Did either of my attacks hit last turn? I wasn't accounted for in the update and the kobold that was in J13 is still alive.

Round 3, Initiative 19

Ride (Stay in Saddle DC 5): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Sylvie lets out a pained squawk as the arrow pierces deep into her wing and Lindynt searches fruitlessly for her attacker. "The battle is nearly ours," the knight cries to his allies as he directs his bird to a clear view of the kobold commander. "This upright hound is the only pest spoiling us from delivering our ward to his throne. Let us be done with him so that we may correct the villainous deeds he and his mutts have performed upon our pure Romadan soils! Move action: to I14, Standard Action: Lion's Call

Round 2
Perception:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Round 3
Perception:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

While the others were dealing with the main melee, Nichelle was casting about for the kobold that had disappeared, bow in hand. With that many people in a melee, there was little she could do to join, and did not want to get in anyone's way for fear of tripping them up. However, this did serve to illustrate how they functioned as a group, and where she could best serve if she was needed to enter melee.

As things stood currently, it would seem that she was not especially needed for anything, and weight of numbers ought to bring the larger kobold down. She dare not fire across the fight for fear of hitting someone, so she instead looked over her shoulder at Vance to see how he was doing. If she was going to help, she was going to have to get to a better position.

Update: Alaire's touch attack vs the Big Bad is 11 since Lindynt did Lion's Call. This would take effect before his turn and touch attack was performed.

Akela ducks around to flank with Alaire and takes another swing.
Move to I 12, with plenty of room to avoid AOO. Attack!
Attack 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 23 Weapon, flank, lions call
Damage 2d6 + 1 + 6 ⇒ (1, 1) + 1 + 6 = 9 as min damage goes, this is nice

Round 3
Yes Akela the mini boss has onle +1 dex so he will waste his AoO on Alaire and not you since he acts first... lucky you ^^, but you are still acting in the same round as the mini kobold...

Lindynt"The battle is nearly ours," the knight cries to his allies as he directs his bird to a clear view of the kobold commander. "This upright hound is the only pest spoiling us from delivering our ward to his throne. Let us be done with him so that we may correct the villainous deeds he and his mutts have performed upon our pure Romadan soils! urging all of you to stand strong before your enemies bolstering your morale.

Alaire closes in on the kobold to receive an axe as he closes in but it was a clumsy hit. Dealing 6 damage and I rolled a 1 in damage ^^ as Alaire attempts to touch the creature but it barely dodges his magical touch making Alaire miss.

Nichelle seems confused on what to do for a moments, as she starts looking for an opening to shoot another deadly arrow.

Akela ducks around Alaire as he sees the kobold clumsy hit but the damage was still surprisingly good, Deciding to hit the kobold BARELY getting through its thick hide after avoiding his chained shirt, dropping him to a knee, as he begin to fall down and shrink in size.

Please save my people... says the kobold leader as he falls down to the floor to begin bleeding to death. What is most surprising is that he actually spoke in common with a very heavy accent almost bark when saying the letters A and a someone pitched E.

As you can see the last kobold come out from hiding a few steps stretching one arm as to touching tears in it's face.

Perception DC 15

Vance finishes clearing his weapon, reloading another round. Seeing the last beastman walk from behind the tree, he aims and thumbs back the hammer.

Since we're effectively out of combat rounds, I'm allowing Vance's action to be interrupted, just in case anyone wants to step in front of his shot or something. I'll give everyone a while. He'll pull the trigger if no one stops him.

Mercy is one of the luxuries of victory, and one that we can well afford.
He casts Stabilize on the fallen leader, as if to demonstrate the point.
Ye who sow the wind shall reap the whirlwind.
Perception 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

Perception(10)=18

As the leader falls, Nichelle relaxes her shot, though the lowering of her bow is stopped by the emergence of the beastman from her hiding spot that she could not quite see before. It was curious that it made no attack, and Akela's casting of something, as well as coherent words from the Beastman leader made her frown curiously.. Something was not going as expected.

The click from Vance's firearm made her turn her head to see what he was doing, and seeing his firearm raised, she traced the line of his aim to his target. Lowering her bow, she waved her hand at Vance to get his attention, and gestured that he lower his weapon, the slightly worried and curious look on her face hopefully enough to tell him that something is not quite right..

She knew of firearms what most others did-- which was to say, very little-- but she was not going to interpose herself between him and is target.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

Lindynt is happy to see the foe dropped by his comrades though his final request seemed haunting at the least though the sudden grieving kobold is even more unsavory.

Tireless efforts of a plethora of nobles, monarchs and knight commanders have painted the foe as mindless monsters. Heartless animals who, by some curse of an ancient divine, found themselves emulating men by taking to their hind feet and implementing tools and language.

The knight didn't enjoy the sight but it was not his duty to feel for her, his orders have been clear; empathy for an enemy of Romadan is not an edict of the Fenrisian Knights. "By order of the Fenrisian Knights and the brothers of Romandan, I command you to halt immediately and throw what pitiful excuse you have for weapons to the ground, if you fail to comply you will be shot and killed. You will then give meaning to the words last spoke by your commander, if you fail to comply you will be shot and killed. Your life is beyond saving but your explanation may help to 'save your people.' "

Intimidate: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Even if the beast didn't speak his language, Lindynt knows the force of his words and the overbearing lance pointed at her (not to mention Vance's pistol) should be sufficient in mustering some sort of response. His only hope now is that somebody would be able to translate.

kobold does not speak common just letting go to some barks of fear, but her determination to approach the fallen leader is greater as she falls and whimpers and cries over him.

Perception DC 25

Vance pauses, holding his shot, internally conflicted.

Perception 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
With the leader stabilized, Akela ushers the crying one over to him.
He also tries to restore some life to the one who was in such desperation that he would beg help from his own killer.
Cure Light Wounds, w/ ley line 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

What the hell are these people doing? Vance thought, the corner of his mouth twisting up.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Alaire holds his wound, wincing as the creature falls. He watches the unfolding events quietly, digesting what just happened. His face is clouded, showing uncertainty and jumbled thoughts.

On one hand, carrying out a dying man's wishes is within Adest's dogma. On the other, these are horrible monsters. Ones that brought suffering and death to many well before their time.

Eventually he gives his head a swift shake and goes about what he knows he can do, moving into the midst of his allies and calling upon Adest's grace to heal their wounds. With a soft prayer from his lips, he stretches his hands out to his sides and channels healing energy through them.

Channel Energy (Selective Channeling): 2d6 ⇒ (6, 3) = 9

With his own wounds completely healed through his devotion, he watches Akela tend to the fallen one with a slight frown, making no move to help or hinder him. He eventually say in a soft but serious tone, "If thy save this monster and it takes more innocent lives, its blood is on thy hands".

Alaire does not heal the leader or the female kobold. He does not see them as allies, but they are no longer a threat or attacking at this point so he would not attack them either.

Akela holds his hands up to Alaire to show the fresh blood of the very same Kobold.
I know.

just waiting for perception roll from vance ^^

There's no possible way Vance can make that check

1d20 - 1 ⇒ (13) - 1 = 12

Max perception is 22. No sense in rolling for anything above that.

Lindynt is stunned as he watches the wild man nursing the enemy back to health. "The only blood left for these creatures to shed is their own. Your actions boarder treason, Wolf. Explain yourself!"

(Passive) Diplomacy: 19

You can always get a 20 in the dice

Well I will actually show the roll for Reinholdt this time

Perception 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Rats... he actually made it...

Archer in the wall!! screams Reiholdt pointing his sword at it.

To add a bit of drama let's also show the archer roll

The moment the archer is discovered lets the arrow loose!
Archer attack 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Damage 1d6 ⇒ 6

The arrow flies and hits with a soft thomp, to your surprise it hits the kobold in the back making her drop to the ground and begin to bleed to death.

The kobold leader let's go of a howl filled with pain and anger as she fall on him turning his sight to the archer.

Treason against whom? I serve the Cycle of Nature, above any mortal King. And if the creature was desperate enough to ask a boon from his killers, Im curious enough to find out why.

Akela halts the bleeding with magic, but is unable to do any more.

Vance's aim whips upward at the yell, breaking whatever thoughts were in his head, drawing down on the archer above, nearly pulling the trigger in defense of the kobold.

What the hell am I doing?

"Each sentient being has their final request when meeting the executioner's wrath. You prolong their deaths and treat yourself in alliance with their cause; all the while disregarding the mayhem they've inflicted on the people of Romanda, innocents and soldiers alike."

When the arrow strikes the lowly kobold, Lindynt looks instantly to Vance although bewildered at the silence of the attack. From the barrel of the gun his eyes follow upwards to the wall from which the true assailant fired and Lindynt's mouth forms a bitter smile underneath his helmet. "Your curiosity breeds cruel circumstances, Wolf. Pray the beast's answers are worth the trouble for they are certain to die here today. Remember, theirs are not the only people in need of saving."

Regardless of our philosophy, too long have we lingered here.
He sweeps the Wounded Kobolds up in his robe, moving toward the the gate. The faded blue of his robes is swallowed almost completely by the blood and grime.

Gritting his teeth in frustration, Vance finally acts, choosing to trust Akela's judgement for now.

Looking up to the archer on the battlements he yells "Hold your fire!"

"At last we agree on something. Their reinforcements are likely gathering for another assault. Reinholdt! We'll need you to take point. What men in this keep that still pledge allegiance to you will be a welcome nicety. We'll need plenty of swords if our enemies are man and beast alike." His eyes follow the blue cloaked mage as he finishes his thought.

With the battle seeming to be over, Nichelle lowered her bow and went to go stow it and the arrow with her pack, before she went to see if the one arrow she fired was retrievable. Given that it had killed a kobold, it was unlikely, but there was no harm in checking.

While she walked, she tried to puzzle out what they had walked into, since she may not have gathered all the pieces. It seemed like primarily, they were here in allegiance of the keep, while not so much the lord inside, since there seemed to be some political.. difficulties going on at present. There was potential that Beastmen-- well, more beastmen-- would be coming to this location in an effort to.. Storm? Destroy? Reclaim? She knew that there was something that she was missing, if the Beastman's plea was any indication..

Chewing her lip, she realized that she would have to do some looking around to get to the bottom of this, since it most certainly seemed that things were not going to be simple. Reaching the felled kobold, she placed a foot on its chest and pulled the arrow out, and looked up to the group to see if anything had changed. 50% chance: 1d100 ⇒ 29. To her dismay, the arrow had broken, and she discarded the shaft, heading to reclaim her pack and return to Alaire's side.

This is... madness as he starts walking into the keep I just can't believe it... someone is trying to usurp me, I have no siblings or uncles alive to even try it, nor cousins... as his face darkens with determination I will get to the bottom of this and someone will end at the bottom of my sword as well as he speeds up his pace.

The kobold leader has slowed down walking with caution Man things fight among tribe as he pauses his speech Kobold tribes fight also as he then stops Man things are prey in the prison for fighting their tribe, new boss kills old boss and kills man things making emphasis in the old Old warboss changed... tribe changed... man things fight looking back for a moment Kobolds fight also... I warboss still... cubs in prison for that and now tribe fights man things as you keep walking through a small courtyard that leads into the actual Red Keep.

The Red Keep... a beautiful building having four towers in the middle of each wall instead of each corner, it has 2 or maybe 3 floors, and before you stands a wooden reinforced door of red wood, as to which gives you the hint of why it is called the Red Keep. But the beauty of the building does not hide that there is WAR inside the walls and keep as you hear noises from within the keep and on the other side of the courtyard.

Dear players you have two options go to the backdoor of the keep which is big enough to fit 2 people side by side or go to the front of the keep where it seems to be the larger courtyard were there is a fight also.

In what he is able to speak for common, sometimes being able to make complete sentences but as a tribal race of the wilderness some words just have no meaning or sense to them so he struggles to give what would be a complete message leaving you somewhat puzzled and figuring out.

Back door. Two people side by side is a *much* better defensive option. That's my vote anyway.

While I believe we have the resources to hold the larger entrance, i can see little advantage in doing so. The only benefit would be for allowing our ranged attackers clearer shots.

Depending on the number of enemies and the space provided we could do the ol' pinch manuever. From the big doors, Lindynt can lead in with a charge and have Nichelle and Vance hitting people with ranged attacks, meanwhile Reinholdt, Akela and Alaire can rush in from the back door and bash in the rest.

Never Split The Party.

Hey, we're a group of 6 level 3 characters going against an untold number of enemies in an unknown environment with half of our daily resources spent. What's the worst that could possibly happen? I think you're being a little too cautious...

Stop Making The Black Mage Laugh

*tries to reconstruct the fourth wall, and tries to crowbar the discussion into the discussion thread*

tank you Me'mori, let's take this to the OOC thread please

"What is the fastest way to the prison area in your keep? If what the beast says is true those imprisoned are likely some of the few allies you can expect."

He glances back to the kobolds Akela gently cradles as if they were sick children, We can keep the mutts locked up until we know what to do with them as well...

What kind of weapons were Frampt and Buriel carrying? May be a good chance to swap for more useful equipment if needed. A shield may be a nice addition since I'll be leaving Sylvie at the door sooner or later