Amiri is about a half-step from moving in to hack the taur's head off when the yell goes out to stop. Looking back at the sorcerer she just shrugs, "kay, he's your problem now. I'm going to look for tracks."
She saunters past the beast, staring intensely at him until she is well past and to the edge of the forest. She listens for the expected screams for help from her teammates, but otherwise looks for the trail with Merisiel and Fumbus.
Valeros raises a brow at the whole situation, but for the moment remains with Seoni in case the beast decides to take advantage of the spellcaster while the others are busy. He isn't pressing hard either way for how to deal with him.
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Conflicted in their decisions, the group bickers with regards to the fate of the lone minotaur. In the heat of the moment, he takes advantage and flew into the wilderness.
Without a captive, the group decides the best path forward is to follow that of the tracks from the wreckage. The journey takes you off the frequented path, into the heart of the forest. Lush greenery surrounds you with the chripings and hustles of wildlife. A couple hours into the tracking, about midday, the footprints spilt. The large hoofs towards your left, and the humanoid tracks to your right. Both directions with undiscernable differences from the other.
Seoni crouches down to examine the two sets of tracks, looking for anything that might help the party decide.
"Amiri, Valeros, what do you think?"
"Should we get moving? Hopefully we can catch Inisa."
Fumbus follows the others, quietly and cautiously.
While it appears the elf has the tracking handled, Amiri is always biting at the bit to compete with anyone and tracking is one of her stronger abilities.
Valeros remains cautiously prepared as they proceed, in case of further ambush.
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Following the tracks eventually leads you into some bushes. Immediately as you approach, a dark skinned, short haired woman in an explorer's outfit steps out with a limp due to some injuries. With a finger to her mouth, she ask that everybody remains in silence. Huddling closer, she whispers. "Thank goodness, if you're here that means Ambrus got my message. The Minotaur's, they attacked us and stole our goods, including that of the Inheritor's Clasp!. I've been keeping a keen eye on them, come closer." She says as she leads you into the shrubbery and points out to the other side. Some 40ft away from you, a group of Minotaur's, about half a dozen stand around engaged in debate based on their body language. "I do not know what they're discussing, but in their current state, I'm uncertain, but I think that we could parley for the clasp." She suggest.
"Butcher minotaurs. Grasp clasp. Then parley." suggests Fumbus.
Seoni nods, and stares out at the beast-men thoughtfully.
"Can you speak their language? I can cast a spell to understand it, but as we have found, that does not mean I can make myself understood."
"One cannot, or at least should not, parley with evil."
Amiri looks at the setup and group, ”two options then, ask for surrender or force surrender. Fortunately both are the same plan.” Pointing to Valeros, ”big man and me go demand surrender and distract them while rest of you set up ambush, simple plan.”
If agreed she pulls her massive sword and prepares her best intimidating speech for when her allies are in place.
Merisiel nods to Amiri and prepares to move out.
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Inisa sighs, "There are at least six of them, I was hoping no more violence would be shed." She pulls out from her coat and holds a wooden unholy symbol of Baphomet. "I pulled this off from one of their fallen at the caravan site, thinking we could pose as a follower of their own. But if you insist on forcing surrender, I am by no means able to fight in my current state, but I am definitely able to speak their language."
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Seoni massages her temples as though she has a splitting headache. Finally, she has heard enough. The tattooed Varisian lifts up her head and snaps at the group.
"That's the plan? Amiri, how exactly are you and Valeros going to demand their surrender while the rest of us are off doing something else? Are you going to wave your swords around and point? That didn't work very well a couple of hours ago."
"And Kyra, you make a good argument for a trade boycott against Cheliax. But today, we have a job to do, and rushing around murdering every living thing that might actually provide us with the information seems like it might be counterproductive. How do you even know these minotaurs are evil? Maybe they were just raised in the church of Baphomet and don't know any better! Perhaps you could try to persuade them to turn to the Dawnflower's light and we could avoid fighting at all."
"Fumbus, Merisiel, I ... just hold off a minute."
Turning to Inira, she adds, "I'm sorry, usually they're not so bloodthirsty. Although I do have to admit that I'm skeptical that we would be very convincing as a wandering group of Baphomet worshippers, either. No offense." Seoni sighs. "Maybe the others are right. If these are the minotaurs who attacked your party, they don't seem very repentent, and they'll probably have the clasp. Maybe we should just run in and try to kill them all quickly."
Amiri waits impatiently for Seoni to finish her speech and then replies, ”well that was a long way of saying you disapprove of the plan, fortunately now that we can communicate with them we can try to convince six murderous evil worshipping beasts to turn over a new leaf. Inisa, come with shield man and me and say whatever you wish to avoid a fight, but I won’t be pretending to be a worshipper of that god. Everyone else, hope for the easy way but plan for the hard way.”
"If minotaurs like evil necklace, maybe trade it for clasp?" Fumbus suggests in an effort to be try and provide an alternative plan as Seoni seems to be seeking.
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As you step out of the bushes and reveal yourself to the Minotaur party, their heads turn and their eyes lock on to you. However, the majority don't immediately react. The Minotaur group parts slightly to reveal their presumed leader, standing in the centre of the group, a female Minotaur in an unusual and elaborate outfit of black and red, wearing the unholy symbol of Baphomet, minotaur’s head with ruby eyes, but one not made of wood like the earlier ones you found, instead of brass.
To your surprise, she addresses you in the common tongue. "Speak, what has brought you to our territory, if you do not wish death, leave now.' She says sternly.
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Seoni tiptoes around the outskirts of the camp, sticking to the shadows.
Too concerned about how Amiri’s “Speak loudly and carry a giant sword” style of diplomacy is likely to work, however, she isn’t paying enough attention to her surroundings and walks into a low-hanging tree branch.
Amiri strides forward confidently, sword out or sheathed? Ah heck let's give it a go without. Plus it throws off my balance and I don't want to trip.
"Listen, you killed most of our unarmed caravan and stole our goods. We want our stuff back, simple enough... and we aren't simple merchants so why don't you think carefully about what you might be getting into if you refuse."
"Repent your evil ways, and see the true light of the Dawnflower!"
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The leading minotaur laughs, but entertains and respects your position. "You are clearly outnumbered and out-strengthed, yet you show great courage. I respect that. If you would demonstrate your strength against my warriors in a friendly spar, the wounded shall surrender and you would earn my favour in winning the fight. Do you agree to my terms?"
"Fight to avoid a fight?" asks the goblin, somewhat perplexed. "Sound good to Fumbus."
Merisiel remains quiet in the foliage watching for the minotaurs to make a move.
Amiri pulls a hatchet and points at a couple of the bigger Minotaurs smiling, ”those two look like they’ll give me a good run. I’d take on three but I don’t want to wipe out all your followers.”
"We will show you the strength of our conviction. Following the path of Baphomet will lead you to nothing but destruction!"
Kyra draws her sword and her wand of bless.
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"I admire your courage of convinction, but we shall see who's god reigns when my men take all of you down." She responds to Kyra. "Let the fight begin!"
The Minotaur crowd takes a step back as three of their finest and strongest warriors step forward grinning while swinging their great-axes wildly. They immediately realise those hiding in the bushes and call out to them, however in tongues you do not understand once more.
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Kyra thumbs through her prayer beads, invoking the blessing of Sarenrae on this righteous battle against evil. She calls upon the Dawnflower for protection, and a mystical shield of glowing golden energy appears before her.
As the blessing of the dawnflower courses through her body, Amiri gets a really devious idea. She whips her hatchet at the nearest Minotaur and then grasps a bead of her necklace. Ripping it off, she tosses it right in front of the bull-people. A BLAST of fire comes from the small bead, enveloping and making the area smell like a tasty steak.
for
reflex DC 19 for half?
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Kyra immediately turns to the Dawnflower for blessings upon the Pathfinders while Amiri goes for the offense. The lead minotaur knocks the oncoming hatchet with relative ease. And they all immediately shelter their bodies with their weapons as the fire spreads.
From out the smokes, the lead minotaurs comes charging with great ferocity at Amiri while the other two move around to take the flanks against Valeros and Fumbus. Amiri stands her ground wrestling the bull by the horns but Valeros and Fumbus are caught off guard by the powerful swings of the creatures.
~~~
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"STUPID MERCHANT! HE SAID THEY WOULD ALL BE INCINERATED!!! ARRGGGHHHH!!!!" Anger fueling her rage, Amiri rips her massive sword off her back and brings it in one smooth motion down towards the cow in front of her.
for
Merisiel moves out of the trees and engages a minotaur. Drawing her rapier, she lunges at the creature twice.
Seoni stalks over behind the tree stump.
How do we get this inane competition over with? She quickly sees the answer. How thoughtful of them to stand in a line like this.
Moving her hands through practiced gestures, Seoni jabs a finger at the closest minotaur and shouts, "Tximista, greba!"
A blazing bolt of lightning shoots from her finger through all three of the Baphomet-worshipping bull-men.
Realizing that he has already used up all of his prepared alchemical bombs, Fumbus grabs a number of reagents from his bag.
He then hastily combines them together, producing an empowered vial of alchemist's fire.
Then, he lobs the concoction at the middle minotaur.
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Amiri swings hard with her oversized sword, but the initial build of momentum is slow that the Minotaur was able to anticipate and dodge the attack.
The nimble half-elf Merisiel comes out from hiding and attempts a couple sneaky attacks! But she cannot penetrate their thick hides this time round.
But the surprise from the bushes creates a distraction enough that Seoni is able to take advantage of and blast lightning through the enemy! They flinch and grunt as they feel the shock. The creatures look somewhat injured but show no indication of surrendering
Fumbus waste no time and follows closely after Seoni lobbing a alchemist fire he immediately cooked up on the spot. The glass breaks on the Minotaur's head and starts burning his hair! The splash burns the neighbouring minotaur as well.
~~~
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