Where It All Began: Dragoncat's Rise of the Runelords (Inactive)

Game Master Dragoncat

Eostre growls in anger as Tsuto's made invisible. The cramped quarters made casting a big spell like her stone calling ill-advised at best. She decides to turtle up. No sense allowing an invisible Tsuto to stab her in the back. She summons forth her green, glowy armor.

Eostre casts mage armor on herself.

Round 3: Ekan & Nicat are up!

"Ekan, try to hit where Tsuto was, maybe he's still there!" Nicat cries out. "With our luck, you'll knock him on his ass!"

At the same time, he spins up his sling and gets ready to let fly if Tsuto appears.

Maintain Inspire Courage (3/10), ready action to attack Tsuto if he appears.

+1 Sling Attack, PBS, Inspired: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
Sling Damage, Arcane Strike, PBS, Inspired: 1d3 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 1 = 8

Ekan hears the words of Nicat, but beyond that he recollects his training, weeks of practice blind folded, learning to use his other senses, and not be a slave to eyes alone.

And without sight, strikes for Tutso

C'mon, Blindfighting. I roll concealment percentile twice and take the best for each if I recall
Flurry, bard bonus included
To hit #1 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
vs invisibility concealment, best of two
1d100 ⇒ 17
1d100 ⇒ 20
If that hits, dmg: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
To hit #2 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
vs invisibility concealment, best of two
1d100 ⇒ 69
1d100 ⇒ 20
If that hits, dmg: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Ekan's first punch connects with nothing but air...

...but his second one meets invisible flesh with a satisfying *CRUNCH*. "OW!"

There's a *WHOOSH* of air as Tsuto swings an invisible fist...

Sneak Attack (Conner, Flat-Footed): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

...and turns visible once again as his fist connects with Conner's massive shield. He shakes his hand in pain and swings again!

Attack (Conner): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

This time he overextends his arm. The wizard next to him loses her grin and her expression turns frightened. "Tsuto! No! YOU IDIOT!"

Conner & Evelyn are up!

"Last chance to give up, lady, or you'll die down here and we'll leave you for the rats." Conner levels his sword and stabs straight at her, aiming for her shoulder.

Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Evelyn frowns at the incompetence of the party's enemies. While she continues to heal, Evelyn readies to give Conner another touch of guidance as soon as he's used the first charge.

Ekan, remember you had guidance cast on you during Evelyn's previous turn. With this readied action you'll immediately have it again when you use the previous charge! ;)

Conner's swing is deflected by the wizard's magic, but she doesn't seem inclined to continue the fight--she flattens herself against the wall.

Eostre is up!

Eostre shakes her glaive.

"SURRENDER NOW OR I'LL BRING THE SODDING ROOF DOWN ON OUR HEADS!" she roars.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

Tsuto rolls his eyes. "Go ahead. You'll just bury your buddies, and my darling will have the last laugh anyway."

"Besides, I already know you're just planning on killing me anyway. If you think I'm just going to roll over and die for you, you haven't been paying attention."

The wizard continues to cower.

Round 4: Ekan & Nicat are up!

"TSUTO!" Eostre yells. "SHUT! UP!"

Nice shot, Ekan!

Nicat decides to keep piling the hurt onto Tsuto, as the fellow would surely do to any of Nicat's friends given the chance. "We've been paying attention enough to know you're a jerk and you'll never understand how people like us - well, like all of us except Conner maybe - would really act! But the way luck is turning against you, you might not find out how nice we can be!"

He winds up his sling and takes a shot at Ameiko's murderous brother!

Continue Inspire Courage (4/10), sling at Tsuto.

+1 Sling Attack, PBS, Inspired, cover: 1d20 + 9 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 9 + 1 - 4 = 24
Sling Damage, Arcane Strike, PBS, Inspired: 1d3 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 1 = 9

Nicat's sling bullet streaks towards his target... only to be contemptuously swatted aside by Tsuto.

"Spoken like someone who's never suffered a day of hardship in his life."

Ekan is up!

Ekan whips a kick towards Tsuto's now visible head, and follows it with a punch, "We all have hardships, Tsuto. We all have experienced pain. Still, since you insist, I shall gift you with yet more now."

Ok. Flurry. Guidance on the first blow to hit. Bard bonus on both
To hit #1 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Dmg: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
To hit #2 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Dmg:1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Tsuto parries Ekan's kick and ducks under his punch. "Good luck with that."

His foot snaps out...

Stunning Flurry 1 (Vs. Ekan): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Fortitude Save (Ekan): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

...and he almost manages to catch the monk in the groin again. His foot ends up striking the inside of his thigh instead.

He follows it up with a punch to the face.

Flurry 2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

The punch is fairly telegraphed, and easy to dodge.

Conner & Evelyn are up!

"One down, one to go." Conner turns from the wizard to her boyfriend, hoping to finish this quickly.

attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Tsuto manages to move to the side of Conner's strike, but not without his hair getting ruffled by the man's blade.

"...huh. I almost felt that."

Evelyn is up!

Evelyn has absolutely no idea what's being said by everyone else, but she figures she'll just refresh her guidance spell on Ekan.

The wizard procures a slab of butter from her person and starts trying to channel arcane power into it...

Defensive Casting: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

...and as if it has a mind of its own, the butter launches itself from her hands and coats the floor under everyone's feet!

Reflex Save (Conner): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Reflex Save (Ekan): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Reflex Save (Nicat): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Reflex Save (Eostre): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Somehow, Conner manages to stay on his feet, as does Nicat. Ekan and Eostre, however, are sent tumbling to the floor as their feet go out from under them.

Eostre is up!

I'd need to make a reflex save to stand up, and then a concentration check to cast something, right?

Actually, you can stand up without needing a save. It's moving around in it that'll require an Acrobatics check.

I think you can cast a spell without needing to make a Concentration check.

Eostre lets out a muffled curse as she falls forward and her face lands in her own cleavage, then grumbles as she pulls herself up using her glaive.

"You'll pay for that humiliation!"

She conjures another glowing green fist and sends it at Tsuto.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Bludgeoning Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Tsuto gives Eostre a deadpan look and tilts his head to the side, causing her telekinetic fist to impact on the wall behind him.

Round 5: Ekan & Nicat are up!

"Argh!" Nicat cries out as Tsuto blocks his shot, "Would someone kill that guy!"

When the wizard makes the floor all slippery, Nicat shouts, "Hey you, stop that!" and sends a sling stone flying at the annoying spellcaster.

Continue Inspire Courage (5/10), attack.

+1 Sling Attack, PBS, Inspired, Cover: 1d20 + 9 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 1 - 4 = 8
Sling Damage, Arcane Strike, PBS, Inspired: 1d3 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 1 = 8

Nicat's sling bullet flies over the wizard's head.

Ekan is up!

Still adjusting to the strike to his thigh, Ekan slips as the grease complicates the matter causing him to fall.

Ekan attempts to get to his feet, and still attack, hoping his training will allow him to adjust to the grease

Acrobatics check? 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

If he can strike...
He responds with a punch, still on Tsuto
To hit: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Dmg if that hits: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Will save the guidance for his next save

Edited to reflect the generosity of our DM
He is rewarded with a shot that connects, driving his foe's head back a turn.

Ekan, getting up won't need an Acrobatics check, so I'll use your Damage roll. :)

Ekan finally manages to score a clean shot on Tsuto, his fist connecting squarely with his nose. The half-elf's head snaps back from the force of the punch.

"OW!"

He wipes his bloodied nose on his sleeve and unleashes his own flurry of punches on the monk!

Flurry 1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Flurry 2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Moving almost too fast to see, his fists connect with both of the monk's cheekbones. There's an audible *CRACK* of bone fracturing as the punches land.

Conner & Evelyn are up!

Thanks!
Ekan's own blow is solid, but Tstuto's counter strikes are brutal, reducing Ekan to a bloody, yet surprisingly still standing, target. Ekan dare not open his mouth for fear teeth will fall out.

4 hitpoints remaining for my monk if I'm keeping track right

"Enough punching, this is why people have swords!" And to demonstrate, Conner lays into Tsuto.

Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

"And someone kill the wizard, she decided to die today! I'd do it myself but I'm too busy saving you all from an unarmed man."

@Ekan: You took 3 attacks from Tsuto during his past 2 turns, all of which dealt 5 less damage to you than they should. I took a total of 15 damage for you dring his last and 2nd last post. (Forgot to mention this after Tsuto's 2nd last post, while I should've. Whoops...)

Ekan's hit twice more, but only receives a fraction of the damage he should've taken. Meanwhile Evelyn doubles over and coughs blood.

While Evelyn's passive healing spell continues to have its effect, Evelyn quickly places her hand on her own chest and casts a healing spell on herself.

CLW, +1 CL from Student of Faith, +1 HP from Blessed Touch, +2 Fey Foundling: 1d8 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 15

All the damage she took for Ekan disappears, and she stops coughing up blood.

Conner's sword manages to land another cut on Tsuto as the wizard starts scrambling for another spell...

Defensive Casting: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Ranged Touch Attack (Into Melee): 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 5 - 4 = 19
STR Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Fortitude Save (Conner): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

A red ray of necromantic energy strikes Conner in his sword arm, but it doesn't hamper his swing as much as the wizard expected. Conner's arm feels slightly weaker.

Conner takes 1 pt. of Strength Damage.

Eostre is up!

Eostre waves her hands and pulls a small gold wire bent into a cup-like shape out of her satchel. She twists it several different waves before casting it to the ground where it vanishes in a burst of green light. Eostre begins to rise into the air, past Ekan's head, where she finally gets a good look at Tsuto.

Eostre casts levitate and uses it to get over Ekan so if she casts an offensive spell he's not caught in it.

"I don't want to do this, Tsuto. Conjured fire is perhaps one of the most recognizable defensive spells. And one of the most terrible. I know. I had to WATCH as my own mentor was burned alive by his rival. It was, without a doubt, the worst thing I'd ever had to witness in my life. I still have nightmares about it here, miles away from Riddleport. But what you did to your own father? Without even a cantrip?! What kind of monster could not only do that, but WATCH without feeling regret?! SO I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU A TASTE OF YOUR OWN MEDICINE! I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU JUST HOW MUCH THE THINGS YOU'VE DONE HURT! NOT JUST YOU, BUT EVERYONE AROUND YOU, WHO HAVE TO WATCH!"

Gonna cast a fire spell next round, but I wanted to have a chance to get the speech out first. I don't suppose I can attempt to Intimidate him again?

Alas, no.

"But what you did to your own father? Without even a cantrip?! What kind of monster could not only do that, but WATCH without feeling regret?!"

"A monster whose life was made into a living hell the day he was born." Tsuto's mocking demeanour finally drops, revealing a harsh, bloodied scowl.

"Hey, you two." He points to Conner & Ekan. "Could you guys please hurry up and kill me so I don't have to listen to the floating b+%+# anymore?"

Round 6: Ekan & Nicat are up!

Ekan's wounds had healed greatly almost soon as he received them thanks to an Oracle's power. Tsuto's hate however, solicits a comment from the monk, "Your father was a monster? Congratulations then, you've followed in his footsteps. You're so much like him now. I suppose he'd be proud," Ekan's masterwork Kama sparkles in his hand, and then lashes out again in blur

To hit:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Dmg: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
To hit #2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
dmg: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Possible crit on second strike, to confirm... 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
If that confirms, dmg extra 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Ah well, at least I got one hit in.

Ekan's kama catches the man across the chest... and he falls to the floor, unmoving. His blood pools around his body.

The wizard gasps in shock, her eyes widening as she watches him fall.

Nicat is up!

With Eostre floating well off the ground, Nicat darts towards the door, calling out to the wizard, "You won't get out of here now! You should just surrender!"

With a quick wave to Evelyn, he says, "Sorry to do this, but I don't want the wizard turning herself invisible and slipping away." He then closes the door and turns to face the wizard, shouting, "Give yourself up and we won't kill you!"

The wizard doesn't seem all there.

She's just staring at Tsuto's body, her face pale.

It appears she's lost the will to fight.

Combat over...?

Nicat opens the door slightly and says to Evelyn through the gap, "Looks like we won! Tsuto's down and the wizard's looking a bit lost." He's ready to shut the door again if the wizard tries anything, and he says across the room to Conner and Ekan, "Grab hold of her, would ya? Maybe tie her hands so she can't zap us? Oh, and nice job, everybody!"

Conner looks at the place where the spell hit him, throws down his sword and shield, and stalks over to the unresisting wizard, grabbing her by the front of her robes and driving his forehead into her face. "I said to stop fighting and you'd live! You're lucky I don't kill you anyway!"

Ekan casts a worried look to Conner but helps him get a grip on the wizardress in case she should find fight in her after all after that headshot.

To the others he asks, "I'm not sure Tsuto is dead yet, but he is dying if he hasn't already. Perhaps we should try to bind his wounds and take him to stand trial if it isn't too late?"

The wizard's head snaps back and she's rendered unconscious by the force of Conner's headbutt.

Eostre glares down at Tsuto's bleeding body, flames dancing on her outstretched hand, but her anger seems to fade slightly and she dismisses it, slowly returning to the ground.

"You're right, Ekan. You're right. I'm not gonna be him. Or Tammerhawk. Not today."

Eostre turns to Evelyn.

"អេវលិន? តើអ្នកអាចរក្សាគាត់ពីការស្លាប់ដោយគ្មានការភ្ញាក់គាត់ឡើងដើម្បីប្រយុទ្ធប្រឆាំងជ ាថ្មី?"

At any rate, now that they're subdued, here's what they were carrying.

Tsuto was carrying:

--1 vial containing a light blue fluid
--A ring with an image of a crane engraved on the band
--A composite shortbow with 20 arrows
--A set of masterwork thieves' tools
--A masterwork flute, carved from ivory with a glossy finish, and decorated with engravings of roses
--A pair of silver earrings, worth 25 GP total
--6 pouches of gold dust worth 50 GP each
--8 pouches of silver dust worth 5 GP each
--10 Platinum pieces

The wizard was carrying:

--1 vial containing a light blue fluid
--1 scroll of comprehend languages
--1 scroll of see invisibility
--1 scroll of minor image
--1 scroll of sleep
--1 scroll of whispering wind
--1 wand carved from beech wood
--1 dagger
--1 white cloak with gold embroidering
--1 silver comb worth 25 GP
--1 fine silk gown worth 60 GP
--1 Everburning Torch
--A small pouch of... stuff (a lock of hair, fingernail clippings, used handkerchiefs, and a pearl earring worth 50 GP)
--3 PP
--278 GP
--1 Leather-bound spellbook

Spellcraft on vials: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Spellcraft on wand: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Spellcraft on cloak: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

"Ooh, healing potions!" Nicat exclaims, before setting them down and eagerly picking up the wand. "A wand that shoots magic missiles, that's great!" he says, holding it up and pretending to shoot at a might foe in the distance. "Pew, pew!"

Keeping the wand in hand, he takes a look at the cloak for a long moment, then says, "Not sure what that is, but it's pretty fancy."

ACK! I forgot one of the items!

I wondered about that.

Spellcraft on Ring: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

"Ooh, a ring of protection!"

Evelyn's thoroughly confused when Nicat slams the door shut in front of her face and later opens it again, saying something to her which she cannot understand.

As the last of Evelyn's own wounds heal, she suddenly hears Eostre ask something comprehensible and nods. She moves up to Tsuto and tries to stabilize him.

Heal, stabilize Tsuto: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

After she's stabilized Tsuto, Evelyn realizes she can understand Nicat again. There's a moment of hesitation before Evelyn decides to say, "Guys, you must've noticed I speak differently when situations get stressful... When that happens, I cannot understand anyone who speaks another language than I do at that moment... Eostre seems to understand me and how to talk to me, but I really have no idea of what anyone else is saying... So if you want to say something to me in a fight... Well, know that I'm unaware of what it is you're saying..."

"In other words, LEARN AKLO BOYS," Eostre says sternly.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

"Hey gang!" Nicat cries excitedly, "This place keeps going down! I found a part of the wall that slides open, and there's a staircase going deeper down into Thistletop!"