Only four U.S. presidents have ever had first names starting with the letter "J."
Search Posts
Wow, I feel like I've wandered into a CBS After-School Special.
... and the entire thread becomes one big tu quoque.... more like the entire Internet. The entire thread becomes the entire internet?
When I use IMVU I get pics like this Wow -- your characters wear a lot of makeup! Doesn't it run when they sweat? And how does Runa find a hairdresser in the Kobold Caverns to get her highlights re-done?
I look like I might flee. Especially if they might be with the game warden's office! Oh, wait... when you say "I mount my wolf," you mean "get on his back." Oh. Gotcha.
The use of "Gale" as a girl's name was started after the movie The Wizard of Oz came out, because of the character Dorothy Gale. The publishing of the book also marks the first use ever of the name "Dorothy," which author L. Frank Baum invented for the story.
Alexei, recognizing the caster as the source of the most immediate danger, leaves the bull-man to Augrok and Kin Lur and closes quickly, his natural agility and intensive combat training allowing him to skirt past active combatants in order to carry through the attack. DICE ROLLS
Alexei, feeling the wash of healing energy, screams, "NO!!! First Vykos cuts the downed goblin's throat! THEN you heal everyone!" Alexei is a soldier, not a priest, so he has no idea of the range of the healing burst. Seeing what happened to Ur, though, he desperately hopes the minotaur wasn't healed -- If so, Alexei knew he was about to die.
Alexei continues his furious (but largely useless) assault on the bull man.
Alexei, supposedly a seasoned soldier, fights no better than the average 2-year-old.
Disdaining to waste time stooping to fetch his scimitar, Alexei takes a quick step forward, viciously stabbing the bull-man again with his short sword.
Does my Knowledge of warfare give me any indication at all of why that might be?
Attack of opportunity against the bull-man 1d20+6=19; 1d6+3=5 hp damage.
Emboldened by his successful strike despite the caltrops, Alexei grits his teeth against the pain and attacks the bull-headed one with both blades: DICE ROLLS
Cursing lustily, Alexei drops his scimitar as one of the caltrops that he'd brushed from his boot lodges in his hand instead. Nevertheless, he exults as he feels the short sword strike home. Finding that his right hand is still usable, he reaches for the dagger in his belt with it.
Alexei charges the hulking sleeper, scimitar lashing down even as the hobgoblins look up from their bickering. He lets out a bloodcurdling scream (hopefully loud enough for those in the trees to hear) as he put eveything he has into the blow. DICE ROLLS
INITIATIVE, to hopefully attack again before the bad guys react: 1d20+6 = 22.
OK. Alexei motions at himself and Kin Lur, then mimics the horns on his head again. Motioning to the others, he motions for "follow us."
Alexei makes the sign for a hobgoblin (hunching over in imitation of one) and holds up an estimated number of fingers. He also mimes being a huge, powerful figure, and holds fingers like horns on his head.
Perception, listening beyond collapse, looking for hints of movement
Alexei quickly steels his discipline and puts his mind back to the task at hand, his pleasant daydream forgotten.
Alexei and Ergrin, having worked out their actions prior to Kin Lur's departure of the tree line, are close behind the halfling as he arrives at the shack. Hidden behind the shack from view of anyone in the ruins, Alexei motions to include the four of them (Alexei, Ergrin, Kin Lur, and Jorr), then indicates a curving route to the cave-in on the western side of the keep. To those back at the tree line (including Augrok and Ur), he makes a "stay back" signal.
Alexei catches Ergrin's attention and grins. Military experience has made him adept at motioning actions; he uses this knack with Ergrin now, indicating with gestures that the two of them should: Mijanor, Augrok, Ur, Vykos, and the kid should stay put . Indicating Jorr, Alexei motions tiptoing and lifts an eyebrow in a silent question: "Can you sneak well?" ---
Alexei knows not to leave uncleared areas behind him; he motions Kin Lur to peek in the doorway of the shed, while he and Ergrin stand by as backup. He also points to the half-orc and bear, points to his eyes, and then points to the ruined keep, attempting to indicate that the half-orc and bear should continue to watch for attacks from there.
Cringing at the amount of conversation and clumsy stumbling over rocks and leaves going on, Alexei tries to indicate that further conversation and movement should be kept to a minimum.
"Your idea was clever, lad... the rest is something one learns from experience. Hypnotism is a good trick, one that will be a most exceptionally useful in this foray. Can you do it but once, or several times in a day? If the former, keep it until one of us signals thusly:" Alexei draws his sword and makes a quick, unmistakable sweeping gesture with it at a nearby tree. Inwardly, Alexei worries. He was once involved in a skirmish in which a single sorcerer won the entire day with a spell that knocked men unconscious with a flash of jarring colors. According to the sorcerer, a mere apprentice, that spell was quite simple, and he could use it something like three or more times in a day.
Weylan looks around excitedly. "I'm not a great warrior like any of you, but I could use my talents to make a illusory person walking far ahead of us - that way we could see if anybody is watching the path." Alexei quickly reaches out a hand, stopping the lad. "Not a bad first idea... but battle is like chess; one needs to think several moves ahead. If sentries spot an illusion, they'll know its true nature soon enough, and will also know we're nearby, and that a spellcaster is with us, and that they should be on the lookout for obvious illusions in the future. In other words, even if the ruse succeeds, we give them more information than they give us. Whereas if a few of us sneak in, they may never know we're there until we choose to strike." His lip curls. "But splitting up is something I mislike, especially with no means of communication. Lad, you wouldn't have a spell that allows messages to be sent over a distance? Or, failing that, one that simply makes a big fireworks display?"
Alexei looks at the armor dubiously. "So long as we're riding, I'm willing to give it a go," he says, with some reservation. "But if I find that my speed while dismounted is affected even a whit, I don't want the thing -- it would do more harm than good. No offense to the dwarven craftsmanship," he adds to Mijanor with a wink.
Bad rolls are back! 1d20+7 = 9. Alexei's knowledge of warfare is somewhat lacking when it comes to armor properties.
Alexei identifies the metal on sight, having seen it on display on the bodyguards of the wealthiest patrons...mithral. Alexei thinks back on his training with different armor types, trying to get a sense of how much a breastplate like that might slow him down to wear it... Like, in terms of the studded leather he's used to, how much harder it would be to jump and tumble in it, and whether he could still run at full speed... "Mithral breastplate," he announces. "Both strong and lightwight. Methinks we should salvage that, and maybe sink the rest... unless someone can do a quick check for anything magical among this stuff."
We need to check the wagon for supplies -- if not for our own use, then to deny them to the enemy when they pass this way.
Alexei knows the lance is useless in close quarters. Leaving it in the monster's side, he pulls his swords and goes to work, while his mount attacks with its hooves. Link to rolls
YEAH!!!
Also, as a reminder, I've readied an action, so the rules (I think) dictate that my round is wasted if the thing decides not to attack anyone. And I can't charge into mud (rough terrain), so I sure hope the 10-ft. reach on the lance is good enough...
I've got a 10-ft. reach with the lance. Any way at all I can reach the thing with that superlative charge? Or are my best rolls in the whole game thus far to be wasted?
I hope the thing attacks!
Alexei sees the thing and restrains an urge to immediately ride up and lop its head off. Instead, he waits to see what occurs, moving his horse slightly to ensure a clear line of attack.
Alexei takes a small bite of the jerky, chewing it thoughtfully and nodding to indicate his appreciation. The bulk of it he tucks carefully into his pouch. Mounting his new steed jauntily, he loosens his scimitar in its scabbard and says, "Gentlemen... let's go kill us some goblins!"
Alexei has been uncharacteristically quiet around Jorr; it doesn't take a mind reader to understand that the young soldier is reluctant to flash his uniform and insignia around someone who's apparently as free-spirited as Grizzly Adams. Finally, his natural cockiness overcomes his sensitivity, and he struts up to the much bigger man, hands him his flask of brandy, and says, sticking his hand out, "glad to have you with us, Master Jorr."
Alexei bonds with his new mount as they pick their way through the forest, alert for obvious tracks or signs of ambushes. Linked: Usual string of lousy rolls.
Let's make it 100 ft. from Kin Lur to Alexei, and maybe 50 ft. from Alexei to the next in line. That way, Alexei can still get to Kin Lur in a single charge (double move = 120 ft.), but Kin Lur can realistically act as an advance scout, not part of the noisy column.
"Vykos tells only the truth about where we go, lad. If you want to see some action, and can stand up to the rigors of the field, and most particularly if you can devote your life to sorcery in the service of your nation and your companions, then our path might suit you. But if you have ANY other aspirations... you want to be a master thief, or a sword-swinging warrior, and view magic as a part-time hobby... then your life on our road will be a short one. Indeed, if you spent any time learning some other vocation before becoming apprenticed to your master, it's too late for you."
Just as you are about to leave, Waylen blurts out quietly "Will you take me with you?" Alexei rubs his chin, ignoring his slight headache and disappointed that a whole night spent gambling could net him no useful contacts, no favors owed, and, most importantly, no battle sorcerer... but sometimes the gods provide what all manner of cunning plots cannot. "Gentlemen, I'm thinking that if this kid can cast sleep or color spray, he's most welcome indeed! In fact, I'd be willing to take him on as a personal squire, if need be."
** spoiler omitted **
Alexei, an inveterate gambler and frequent carouser on his off-duty hours, immediately recognizes the game and prepares to join, knowing full well that he'll collect all the money from everyone present... and possibly be able to collect some favors as well. 17+7=24! I'm a gamblin' man! "I have little skill, I fear, but if you men would show me the rules, I'd not object to losing a few coins if it means a chance to participate..." Bluff check: 9+7=16.
Alexei: "Sure, you can take him around. Might as well be sure you want him. I'm sure you'll be wondering her name, she's called Valentina." Is Valentina a stallion or a mare? Or maybe a gelding?
"Ma'am, as I'm sure you can see, I don't exactly have the stature to require a heavy horse such as this fine beast. This light warhorse, though: some real spirit, there! Would it be acceptable to you, if I mounted and maybe cantored around the paddock a time or two?"
Alexei looks grim. "Without a battle sorcerer casting area-effect and battlefield-control spells for us, twenty well-trained, disciplined hobgoblin soldiers will easily chew us up and spit us out again, even without these allies you mention. Maybe if Augrok could make the grasses and trees come alive and fight for us... that would have helped in the ambush, but does us no good in town. Unless I have a major epiphany, I can pretty well guarantee that any serious assault will be our last fight. And there really is absolutely nothing we can do about that, as near as I can tell." "Even so, it's been an honor to know you, Mijanor. Would that you and I and Kin Lur had had a chance to serve together years ago." Knowledge (warfare) check: The natural "1s" have returned, I see! Drax, from now on, whenever a roll is called for, should we just save time by assuming it's a 1?
Alexei spends the afternoon taking stock of the town's situation, making Knowledge (Warfare) checks like a madman and commenting with things like, "There, over by that storefront. You could block off the street with caltrops, and one guy with a longbow could prevent an army from getting into town that way. If you had the caltrops in a sack on the roof, the bowman could just drop the sack when enemies are spotted, before nocking his weapon," and "Can this stream from the pond be dammed quickly? If so, you could flood this part of town, making things difficult for attackers stuck in the mud." In short, I want to leave this guy with as many tactical suggestions as humanly possible. The hobgoblins aren't stupid, and I'm assuming they'll attack the town when we're off dealing with a token force somewhere else.
Alexei nods to the Speaker, bows and salutes Soranna with full military punctilio, and walks out into the evening, glad to be rid of the two, and looking forward to speaking with the young soldier. "You can see how it is, Corporal," Alexei whispers, head down and barely moving his lips. "The hobgoblins mass while the townspeople dicker over the price of horseflesh. You and I are going to make a difference, though, and maybe save this place after all. Do you know a tavern where soldiers meet? Nothing polite; I mean a real fighting-man's hangout, with gambling and whiskey? If so, there are some people we need to meet." Alexei adjusts his hat at a rakish angle and makes sure his weapons are loose in their scabbards. There might be a long night ahead, and he has a lot to do before he picks up a new horse in the morning.
Alexei sees that he's being dismissed, and assumes Vykos has important things to discuss -- why else would they be protecting him? Still, he's unwilling to abandon his only lead in town. Jerking his head at the solder whose dinner he'd interrupted, Alexei says, "Attention! An escort to the stables, if you will."
Alexei is taken aback at the Speaker's ability to make a DC 26 Sense Motive check without batting an eyelash -- with that kind of skill, he hardly needs us, he thinks. Still, the offer of equippage is an excellent sign that these people aren't just sending the group in as "gobbo-fodder."
Alexei grinds his teeth, struggling to restrain his temper. Granted, he knew his efforts at diplomacy would fail, but still. These people somehow expected him, with a small, untrained group, to fight off an army on their behalf, and they didn't even have the decency to provide mounts? I'm a soldier, he thinks, not a merchant. Where am I supposed to get enough money to buy five or so horses? And his request for a sorcerer -- met not with a polite apology, but totally and pointedly ignored. These people don't deserve saving -- let the goblins have them! But a soldier's life is fighting, so Alexei steels himself to the fact that the town has to be saved. But for the first time, Alexei begins thinking about life after soldiering. If somehow he and his companions live through this and save the town, his thoughts begin flirting with the idea of killing the Speaker in a duel and taking over the town himself. Bluff check to hide rage at Speaker = 19+7 = 26. Alexei's years of gambling have paid off; his poker face is good enough to fool almost anyone regarding the turn his thoughts have taken.
|