Ebon Fist's #4-21 Way of the Kirin (Inactive)

Game Master EbonFist

Unaware of the conversation downstairs, Crowe shouts down from the lighthouse, ”Hey, out on the pier, there’s a big fire! Smaller flames moving about as well, maybe torches?”

Crowe then moves to load the catapult.

As far as Kal'Ryon can tell, Iko is actually feeling betrayed and threatened. Between the Ganzi's actions and Diazepane's words and gestures, he appears somewhat reassured and at least open to Amara Li when she speaks.

"Revered Tsuneo, I pledge to you on my honor that we have had nothing to do with this. Both the Pathfinders and the Way of the Kirin have many enemies, both shared and individually. I thought this meeting was in secret but clearly one of those enemies has caught wind and discovered the location. Please believe me and know that we will do all we can to protect you and help you escape," Li says.

Tsuneo looks around the gathered group thoughtfully then nods once in confirmation.

"Forgive me. One does not live to be my age with so many enemies without becoming a bit paranoid," Iko says.

"I can summon help, but it will take me some time," he says, going to the secret passageway and unblocking it.

As he does so, Amara turns to the Pathfinders. "I know it is much to ask but if you can delay the attackers while Tsuneo calls in his reinforcements I believe we can save this meeting, this alliance and our lives."

She goes then to join Iko at the entrance to the tunnel Diazepane and Castinus formerly explored.

"Let's go."

How far away is the ship, roughly? Diazepane has shield and invisibility, but they only last for 5 minutes so if it seems like it would take longer than that to get there, he will drink them when he grts closer.

Apologies on disappearing. My computer is on its death bed with lock ups and freezing.

Grandblade draws his Greatsword and casts Mage Armor on himself. "At last, I shall show my strength I have obtained to my companions!"

Once the catapult is primed, Crowe casts shield on himself.

Ever practical one, Castinus gives Tsuneo a long hard look, then Amara. His face betrays he is far from happy with the cards dealt to the team, but faced with little alternative he accepts the situation. "Amara - we will hold this ground - please see that you hold your word to return with aid."

He shuts the secret passageway behind Amara and Tsuneo, then turns to the others: "Gentlemen it appears we may be caught between a rock and a hard place. Diazepane I would caution against venturing out into the darkness. We have a defensive position here, and narrow chokepoints to funnel any attack to our favour. Out there we run the risk of being surrounded and outnumbered. Should you have need of invisibility there may be a time later, but not yet I would say."

He looks to his equipment belt, tightening straps and drawing his rapier. "Let's get to our positions. With Amara and Tsuneo gone, we have only each others' lives to guard. Pick a place to make a stand until we need retreat to the tower as we discussed. Keep talking - call what you see, and leave no man behind. Stay in pairs. Good luck."

Turning to the aphorite mage he says "Grandblade - as an mage do you have any powers to enable us to message each other at a distance? Or will we have to shout?"

He heads to the corridor to the stairs and calls up to Crowe "What do you see - what manner of enemy are we facing? If they are carrying torches then they may need light - we can use that..."

Castinus then returns to the dining room with Kal, on the way lighting the minimum of candles on the route to the tower staircase such that everyone can find their way ther if things go dark. dim light. Knowing the Ganzi has darkvision, he lights his lantern and leaves it partially obscured in the dining room, leaving partial light only and a chance of concealment for the two.

Before the torch-wielding figures get too close to the shuttered and blockaded building, Castinus will tap himself with his Wand of Comprehend Languages, hoping to better understand any communications between their foes.

Castinus feels considerably more apprehensive than his matter of fact approach and tactical acumen might suggest...

Crowe peers into the distance, hoping the flames will illuminate the foe.

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Diazepane will point out that his splash will inflict the most damage outside of a choke point, as people crowd to get in. This can be done from inside the building as well, as long as it doesn't get too crowded.

OOC question to melee fighters: Diazepane has Precise Bombs (to exclude 6 squares from splash) as well as Splash Weapon Mastery (to nudge missed bombs by one square) but it's still quite possible for missed bombs to splash allies - do I have your permission to take the chance?

Diazepane will drink shield, reduce person, and see invisibility (all already prepared).

Diazepane has an extra extract of shield. It's a +4 shield bonus so while it's most useful to the shieldless, it's probably more valuable to someone with an existing shield than it is in Diazepane's bandolier.

If there's more than 1 minute, Diazepane can prepare other extracts. Enlarge person? True strike? In the absence of requests, he'll make himself a darkvision.

Turning to the aphorite mage he says "Grandblade - as an mage do you have any powers to enable us to message each other at a distance? Or will we have to shout?"

"Fear not, human friend! For I have such magic at my beck and call! Come close all those who wish to partake." Can do up to 5 people.

"I shall reinforce my defenses as well when they approach!" Grandblade exclaims, ready to cast the spell Shield when his foes get halfway to the house. He goes over to Crowe. "Present to me your weapon, human, for I shall empower it with fire!"

If Crowe is willing, Grandblade buffs his weapon with Fiery Rune.
TLDR Version of the Spell; Use a swift action to explode an enemy upon hit for 2d4+2 fire damage. Can be used once and lasts 5 minutes.

Crowe holds out his earthbreaker, admiring the aphorite’s craft, ”Very good.”

Crowe is a melee brute but is almost pure melee. I am worrying that he will be wasted manning a catapult.

I agree Crowe. Although, if it is an assault you might be able to fire 2-3 times and then run down the steps to reenforce the melee lines. Kal can hold the line for a round or two while you relocate.

"I would take one of those potions, if you have an extra!" Kal yells out across the house. Tension diffused, Kal goes back and grabs his pole arm- pulling up alongside the half-elf.

"What exterior exits need defended? Front door? Main floor windows? Do we need to be concerned about climbing or access to the second floor?"

I have no problems taking splash damage. Throw away

The catapult is on the roof, right? Diazpeane will man the catapult, and he can fly down when they're too close.

Diazepane tosses Kal'Ryon an extract of shield. The potions aren't available - Diazepane has alchemical allocation which allows one to gain the benefit of a potion without consuming it, but he'll need it for fly himself if he's going to be up top.

If there's 1 minute he can make an extract of fly, though.

I know they aren’t potions- but Kal doesn’t! What is the duration on shield? 5 mins?

LOL, as long as you know. Yep, 5 min.

Many of them less than pleased with the cards they've been dealt, especially since they just expected to go to a tea ceremony, the Pathfinders nonetheless jump to action to defend their erstwhile fort.

Despite the tension, the invaders seem content to take their time. Crowe watches as the group in the distance gets organized and starts marching up the path. It's obvious there are more people than torches and it's impossible to tell, in the mist, exactly how many troops there are approaching. He estimates at least several dozen, however.

The minutes tick by and the army creeps closer and closer almost painfully slowly. On the one hand, it gives the Pathfinders time to further prepare, on the other, the rush of excitement of the first few moments threatens to fade into almost boredom as time continues to go by.

Finally, almost an hour after the Pathfinders have started manning their stations it seems that the invaders are close enough for the catapult and long range area affect spells to hit.

I'm going to assume you don't start using any of your timed stuff until the final rush so we'll start the clock on them from the first round of actual tracked initiative. Diazepane has plenty of time to work up any more extracts he wants.

If you have a long range, area affect spell (or multiple long range, area affect spells) you can start casting them. I think Grandblade may be the only one of you where that's potentially true.
Just let me know what order you're going to do them in and give me some damage rolls.

Here's the rules for the catapult, let me know who wants to use it, if anyone - To fire the catapult, the crew leader attempts a DC 19 targeting check (this DC includes the PCs’ –4 nonproficiency penalty). This check uses the leader’s base attack bonus, and either her Knowledge (engineering) skill modifier or her Intelligence modifier (if she’s not trained in Knowledge [engineering]).
Operating the catapult requires 3 people working for 3 full round actions to load and fire it.

Did anyone take Exotic Weapon Proficiency (makeshift rooftop catapult)? :) Diazepane will have an attack bonus of +3 (BAB) +6 (Int) to the targeting. Do we know how much damage the catapult deals?

Diazepane will make two true strike, a darkvision, and a fly, since there's time. He'll be part of the Catapult Crew.

If 3 other people volunteer for the catapult, Diazepane will point out that true strike allows him to throw bombs out to 5x20' at a +8-2-1-2-2-2+20 = +19 vs touch, and the damage (3d6+6 direct / 9 splash) may be a significant addition to the catapult - but drinking a throwing are both standard actions so Diazepane couldn't be part of the Catapult Crew.

Lol, nope. Though I got a spell that can help slow down their speed.

Grandblade uses up both his castings of the spell Expeditious Construction, first one 40ft out from the house and the second one right in front of the doorway.

"They will have to climb the walls now, buying us time and possibly luck against their mistakes."

Making the walls block the path and kind of inconvenience travel as much as possible. Sure it's only a DC5 climb but it also costs 2 squares of movement if someone is going at it uphill. Maybe some guys will roll nat 1's on their climb.

Grandblade then finally casts the spell shield and waits until the enemy is close.

Crowe acts as crew for Diazepane, "We might be able to thin their ranks. And perhaps disorganise their assault."

So if the catapult requires 3 people plus Diazepane, that leaves only 2 to defend the house. That seems too few...

How about if Castinus, Crowe and Diazepane man the catapult, and Kal, Grandblade and Izio defend the house. The catapult will be slower, but perhaps get a few shots off before we have to break off to help the other inside. With the magical obsticals Grandblade constructs ahead of the building, plus the barricades throughout the house, could that work?

We should absolutely abandon the catapult when they get too close.

The strat has my approval Cas

Just to be clear, the catapult will be of no use when we get to initiative tracking. The enemies will be too close for it to be useful. All this preliminary part is really abstract. The catapult can do enough damage to a large enough group to disrupt the oncoming army. I won't be calculating how much damage you do and applying it to individuals just taking the results and making adjustments based on that. It's the same with the area affects but I would need damage rolls to see how successful you are.

With that in mind, I think Diazepane is the only one with any kind of area affect so if he's going to fling bombs, he would need to do it instead of being on the crew and would need to make some damage rolls.

For whoever is on the crew, the leader needs to make the check and the other two people can aid (and to clarify here, the crew is 3 people including the person aiming not the person aiming plus 3 people...unless the aimer is too good to turn a crank between aiming...

Let me know what you guys want to do and make some rolls!

I think we should fire off the catapult a few times until they get close, then Diazpeane can drop some bombs while melee fighters get in position.

Ichio goes to help ith catapult

Grandblade should be pretty good at firing the catapult (BAB+int) if Diazepane wants to throw bombs during the approach phase?

All good plans. Which one are you guys going to go with? I suspect if someone starts making rolls with the catapult the crew will come together and the other decisions will be made.

Diazepane will throw bombs with true strike and leave the catapult to others.

Castinus will use the catapult, if no-one else volunteers. +1 BAB, +2 Int, = +3

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 181d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 71d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Granblade will fire the catapult.

INT+BAB: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
INT+BAB: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
INT+BAB: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

"Death shall become your meal for morning consumption, human invaders!"

As soon as they are within 100', Diazepane launches two bombs with true strike. Diazepane will target anyone that looks like a leader or is carrying a banner or is larger / stronger than the rest.

Bomb, 5 increments, true strike: 1d20 + 8 - 2 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 2 + 20 ⇒ (1) + 8 - 2 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 2 + 20 = 20
Frost, Direct: 3d6 + 6 ⇒ (5, 2, 2) + 6 = 15

Bomb, 5 increments, true strike: 1d20 + 8 - 2 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 2 + 20 ⇒ (2) + 8 - 2 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 2 + 20 = 21
Frost, Direct: 3d6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 6, 4) + 6 = 22

lol

Splash damage is 9 Diazepane gets an extra square because of Splash Weapon Mastery and anyone who is directly hit needs to make a DC 18 Fort save vs staggered (meaning they fall behind the pack).

Ichio, Castinus and Grandblade man the catapult, hurling stones, old silverware, some ball bearings they found and other heavy, hard things out at the invading army. It takes them a bit to get dialed in but the last shot they fire is devastating.

Meanwhile, Diazepane hurls cold death at the incoming army as they try to scale the walls that Grandblade erected. Cries of pain and fear greet his attempts.

Crowe, watching from his nest, hears shouting, as though from leaders cursing and organizing the troops. He can see the torches scattering, making massed attacks no longer effective.

It takes a minute or two but then the first assault begins. The Pathfinders will likely not be too impressed. A quartet of men, carrying weapons they're clearly not completely comfortable with approach.

Two run for the door and start battering at it with a portable ram. The other two go around the side of the house, apparently thinking they can come in through the windows. When one of them sees it barricaded, he starts chopping at the barricade with his axe while the other looks up at the 2nd story window and starts climbing up to it.

Round 1 - the BOLD may act!
Castinus
Invaders
Kal'Ryon
Crowe
Grandblade
Diazepane
Ichio

Steeling himself for battle Castinus stands in the doorway to the Dining Room with Kal, rapier at the ready. Confident that the battle is almost upon them, he downs an extract bottle from his belt. As he does, a ghost-like writhing circular mass of green threadlike fibres materialises a foot in front of him, hovering protectively in front like a shield. ( it's an extract of 'shield' )

Flinching as the battering ram hammers at the barricaded door, he listens out for the men's cries to each other, hoping his wand's arcane magics will give him some insight into their aims or affiliations.

Castinus used Comprehend Languages before - what are they saying? What language are they speaking?

Ichio goes to A2 and hidden on the shados with his wakis ready to attack by back when enemy enter in the room

Crowe, who is watching from the battlements and not doing much else, will cast shield before the enemy close.
Let's say 2 rounds early, just to be sure.

Which second storey window are they climbing up to? The bedroom?

Ramming: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 2 + 2 = 7

The men with the ram do more damage to it than the door through mishandling and, shout angrily in Tien. You don't have to speak the language to recognize cursing.

Chopping: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

The man chopping at the barricade at the window manages to land a good solid lick that causes noticeable damage.

Climbing: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

The man trying to climb the wall does not get very far.

We'll say you guys had about 30 seconds of prep time between the last catapult shot and bomb going out and the baddies getting to you so feel free to buff in those 5 rounds. That includes Castinus activating his shield. Also, I"m assuming you haven't actually used any expendables up to this point. I know you've said it but I assume Pathfinders are skilled at knowing when to use them and the difference between when the players said and when the characters would do it is due to my descriptions. That includes the True Strikes Diazepane used (they weren't necessary.) So...Castinus still has a turn (2 actually since we'll wrap back around to him.

And to answer Crowe's question - The climber is trying to get into the window that leads into the guest bedroom (the one on the second floor with 2 beds in it.

Round 1 - the BOLD may act!
Castinus x 2
Invaders
Kal'Ryon
Crowe
Grandblade
Diazepane
Ichio

Crowe stands at the window, ready to strike if the foe tries to enter.
readied power attack, furious focus, higher ground: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
damage: 2d6 + 13 ⇒ (5, 2) + 13 = 20

Calling out in Taldan so as not to share his message with their attackers, Castinus shares the information overheard with the rest of the party. "Thus far they are wafting this battering ram at our door with staggering ineptitude. How are we looking elsewhere? I hear someone with an axe - is one of us on him?"

Castinus continues to buff with Heightened Awareneww and Lead Blades.

Diazepane will ready a bomb throw; as soon as there's an opening, he'll throw.

Frost Bomb, PBS, (PS): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27 vs TAC
Damage, PBS: 3d6 + 7 ⇒ (6, 1, 6) + 7 = 20 splash damage = 9, direct hit needs DC 18 Fort vs staggered

If Castinus or Kal'Ryon charge in first, Diazepane will exclude their squares with Precise Bombs. Diazepane has Precise Shot, so he won't take a penalty for lobbing into melee.

Grandblade goes down to fight off the invasion forces. He heads for the room A3, drawing his oversized greatsword as he does so. The aphorite positions himself to guard the Alchemist Diazepane and swing at any foe that approaches.

Readied Attack
+1 Fire-Forged Greatsword Attack Roll: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
+1 Fire-Forged Greatsword Arcane Strike Damage Roll: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (4, 5) + 7 = 16

stealth: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17
Waki1: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26
waki2: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21
damage1+sneak+disoriented: 1d6 + 6 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 6 + (2, 6) = 18
damage2+sneak+disoriented: 1d6 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 2 + (3, 6) = 12

Kal steps out of the dinning room and into the hallway. He lowers his pole arm and prepares to swing low at the first enemy to crash through the barricade. From his waste belt dangles the vial that was tossed to him earlier Haven't taken the extract of shield just yet

Readied action: Trip
Mst Guisarme, Trip, No PA: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 2 = 17

It takes a little time but the quartet of warriors manage to breach at approximately the same time. Heady from their success with the ram, the two at the door drop it and rush in.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

One of them takes a frost bomb to the chest, staggering under the impact.

His friend catches some of the icy fluid on his arm and cries out.

The one who took the full brunt manages to get adjacent to Grandblade and also manages to avoid getting his head lopped off but can't do anything more.

The other one comes roaring at Kal'Ryon, only to yelp as his feet are yanked out from under him and he crashes down on his back looking up at the ceiling.

Climb Check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Crowe hits the climbing man so hard that he is knocked off the wall.

Falling Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

He also ends up on his back.

The other one on the ground floor manages to hack his way through the window barricade and enters the room.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 4

He doesn't see the tengu slicing machine until it's too late, though he doesn't fall from the wounds. He's the only one of the invaders who didn't fall down or get iced over so he manages to make an attack back.

Battleaxe: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Slashing: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

And misses.

All the Pathfinders are up...I think...I'm always confused by readied actions.

Castinus
Invaders - Green -20; Blue -9; Orange -23; Red -30
Kal'Ryon
Crowe
Grandblade
Diazepane
Ichio

And...looking at the scoreboard, you gotta love Tengu Rogues.

And...looking at the scoreboard, you gotta love Tengu Rogues.

... as long as they're not seduced by demons. :)

Diazepane will lob a frost bomb at Blue.

Frost Bomb (PBS, PS): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12 vs TAC
Cold (PBS): 3d6 + 7 ⇒ (5, 5, 4) + 7 = 21 10 splash, DC 18 Fort save vs staggered

Just realized that should have been 10 splash with PBS last round.

Miss?: 1d8 ⇒ 5

That should be the far square, nowhere useful I can redirect it.
If it missed, Blue will still take splash but Green won't.

Grandblade first tries to recall anything he might about these invaders and their styles or methods.
Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

”Greetings, invading human. Let us fight until our bodies are stiff from cardiac arrest.” He says to green before swinging the greatsword into his left rib cage.
+1 Fire-Forged Greatsword Attack Roll: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
+1 Fire-Forged Greatsword Arcane Strike Damage Roll: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (1, 1) + 7 = 9

Crowe peers down at the fallen man, "Again, yes?" and prepares to strike again.
readied power attack, furious focus, higher ground: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
damage: 2d6 + 13 ⇒ (2, 3) + 13 = 18

Step up, lunge: have at you!: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 221d6 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Castinus focuses on the melee now it has finally arrived.

Seeing blues vulnerability, Kal drops his polearm and allows his anger to overtake him. Storming forward, he drives his deep, dark, nails into the enemies flesh- laughing with a serene humor unbefitting the current situation.

Claw #1, prone: 1d20 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 4 = 18 Damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Claw #2, prone: 1d20 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 4 = 21 Damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

5 ft step, full round on blue. AoO on eithr blue standing up or Green provoking

Ichio attacks again the enemy with his weapons
beak: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
waki1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
waki2: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
crit.confi: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
damage1: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
damage2: 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (4, 3) + 8 = 15

remember thar red is disoriented 2 round/-1 to attack me

Between Diazepane's frosty bombs and Kal'Ryon's fierce claws, the blue garbed man who fell isn't getting back up.

Grandblade gets some insight into the men then hacks into one of them with his sword. Castinus follows up and, between the two blades, puts him down.

Meanwhile, Ichio handily handles the last invader inside the building.

The one outside who attempted to scale the wall climbs to his feet but no farther. Instead, he pulls a vial from inside a pouch and drinks it.

Potion: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Round 3, the Pathfinders still on offense.

Castinus
Invaders - Orange -19
Kal'Ryon
Crowe
Grandblade
Diazepane - 10 Demerits...he know why.
Ichio

Crowe stays prepared.

readied attack etc.: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
damage: 2d6 + 13 ⇒ (5, 2) + 13 = 20