Astella's page

Appraise: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19 (fail)
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24 (pass)
Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 (fail)

After briefly examining-while-stashing the loot, Astella says, Strange, this looks like a scrying crystal, but a different kind of one... not sure what... oh, yes, onward.

I think that tops off everyone but you, so totally your call.

Astella drinks a red potion and hands one to Sister Seska and Xander as well.

I don't know enough about these lands or politics to know what he is trying to do. We got thrown into the middle of all of this by winning a castle and the surrounding lands, and what it seems like to me is that they were given to us because someone else didn't want to deal with all of this. I just want to solve it. So, if it is this one person trying to cause instability, and the goblins won't be harming humans or causing bad feelings if we remove that threat, it sounds like that one person has to go. Am I on track, or do you all think that it is bigger than that? ... I am just hoping that one of these days I can actually kick back with a book inside the castle that I am supposed to own, and have a few hours to relax. Tell me what will get me nearer to that goal, and I will do it.

Might as well throw it in. Not sure what Chyro wants, but as far as I'm concerned, the more the merrier.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Who offered freedom? Grakk or the spellcaster? And freedom from what?

What is the leader's name, and why would any of you follow a rogue spellcaster? Did he threaten to destroy you or something? And if he just travels around, how was long-term communication possible?

Astella nods, but says Put down your weapon then, or I finish you where you stand.

I'll be out / unable to post all next week.

Astella cases Gravity Bow.

Astella continues to sing, and attacks green.

Attack (morningstar): 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 4 + 1 = 16 (inspire courage)
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 = 9 (inspire courage)

Sorry, forgot to add it last round, but it was up, and this is the last round, because I will be out of bardic performance rounds after this.

Astella uses her acrobatic ability to try to move through the door around the defenders.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

I moved Astella to where she was trying to go, but if it doesn't work, just move her back.

She continues to sing, and attacks green if she was able to move, the magical weapon I suppose if she wasn't)

Attack (morningstar): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Action as stated. If opening the door starts the battle, starting to sing is all I can do. Move action, open door, standard action sing. Can't do a bardic performance faster than that till 7th level.

Okay with either... or anything else really. Whatever you want to do.

Take care, Severa. :)

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Hearing a cruel voice threatening a woman, Astella whispers the situation to her fellows you can read the spoiler, then throws the door open and jumps into the room, starting to sing.

If it isn't locked, of course. She'll start a bardic performance (+1/+1) to give everyone a boost on attack and damage, but since they haven't rested, she'll only be able to keep it up for 3 rounds.

Sounds like a reasonable suggestion. Let's do it.

Yep. Just want to make sure you don't feel like you have to. That always builds resentment. We didn't save you so you would do something for us, so you are free to come with us, but also free to go your own way. Whichever path you choose.

Are you looking to join our group permanently, or just looking to do a favor out of a sense of obligation?

What did you have in mind?

We understand that one group of goblins is forcing some of the others into fighting us by holding their families hostage, so we're trying to help. Both because it benefits us to have less raiding, but also because it's just wrong to do that to others.

I'm Astella. Nice to meet you.

No worries, Chyro. Real life comes first. :)

Astella shoots at green mohawk again.

Attack (Masterwork Darkwood Composite Longbow): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Astella shoots at Green mohawk.

Attack (Masterwork Darkwood Composite Longbow): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Yikes, bad roll. Too bad too, with that nice damage.

Astella says something nasty in Goblin right back at mohawk boy, then steps away and aims at the rope binding blue-shirt Goblin.

Attack (Masterwork Darkwood Composite Longbow): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Astella raises her bow and shoots Cyan Mohawk.

Attack (Masterwork Darkwood Composite Longbow): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Astella looks around at her companions to make sure everyone is willing to take it further. If no one objects, then she says

We're happy to help you free Xander if possible, and if any of you need a place to stay, we can offer help. It wouldn't be easy. There are those that will be extremely distrustful because of the recent problems, but if you're willing to live among humans, elves, and dwarves, we do own some land.

That's a complicated question, but it comes down to a couple of simple facts. First, we honor life. We have been working with other humans to protect our towns from some recent devastating goblin attacks. Second, we abhor slavery. When we learned that many of you had been forced to attack us rather than doing it of your own free will, it seemed that helping you would not only accomplish our goal to protect our people, but it would also preserve your lives and free you from slavery and coercion.

Of course, the protection of our people isn't guaranteed, nor is your freedom I suppose, depending on whether you have a place to go to live in peace and protection from whoever kidnapped your family members, but perhaps if we talk together we can help each other further. My name is Astella. This is Seska, this is Severa. This is Daniel. We own the castle near Welnin. What are your names?

Astella shoots at Blue.

Attack (Masterwork Darkwood Composite Longbow): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Damage: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 1) + 2 = 6

Astella moves and shoots at Blue.

Attack (Masterwork Darkwood Composite Longbow): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Damage: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (4, 3) + 2 = 9

Astella moves and casts Gravity Bow.

I'm out till Monday.

I probably would have just taken a step to the side, but no need to change things. Next turn I will recast gravity bow and then move.

Not much I could do about that... the map went up after the shot.

Astella shoots again at big mouth.

Attack (Masterwork Darkwood Composite Longbow): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Damage: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 3) + 2 = 10

Guessing that my earlier-posted action is my round one action instead of being a surprise, so not adding anything, but if I am supposed to take another action, let me know.

Astella attempts to put an arrow in the throat of the Goblin that wants to murder everyone.

Attack (Masterwork Darkwood Composite Longbow): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Damage: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 2) + 2 = 9

In Goblin, Astella says Down with Homicidal Bullies! Goblins should be free to make their own choices rather than being blackmailed into becoming evil like you!

She is saying that mostly so that the good goblins know that she is trying to help. It would have been a better rallying cry if she hadn't just missed her shot, but oh well, you can't have everything. :)

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

Not much information outside the spoiler, but if we can tell which goblins were the ones being blackmailed, then I will enter the fight on their side, trying to give them the chance to withdraw as they choose.

I speak goblin, so hopefully if we get close enough we'll be able to tell--?

Agreed.

I'd answer in character, but I don't actually know, sorry.

Good. I hope the other team is doing okay.

Astella shoots at Blue.

Attack (Masterwork Darkwood Composite Longbow): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Damage: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (6, 5) + 2 = 13

Astella shoots at Cyan.

Attack (Masterwork Darkwood Composite Longbow): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Damage: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 6) + 2 = 13

Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Crit Damage: 4d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 5, 5, 2) + 4 = 17

Astella moves to get into a better position to continue shooting as part of their "false assault."

Astella takes aim and shoots again.

Attack (Masterwork Darkwood Composite Longbow): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Damage: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (1, 5) + 2 = 8

Astella continues to shoot.

Attack (Masterwork Darkwood Composite Longbow): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Damage: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 3) + 2 = 7

Astella shoots again.

Attack (Masterwork Darkwood Composite Longbow): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Damage: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 5) + 2 = 12

Astella cats Gravity Bow immediately before moving into position, then starts the distraction by shooting at a goblin on the wall. (The one beside green... not sure if there is a color on it)

Attack (Masterwork Darkwood Composite Longbow): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Damage: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (6, 5) + 2 = 13

Yeah, that is my understanding as well.

Responding to Daniel, Astella says

Right, okay, west then.

and then starts approaching from the west.

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

She finds a good hiding place and gets ready to start a distraction. She plans to cast Prestidigitation for some silent fireworks maybe, or she can always try the old skunk trick. Conjured skunks can be very distracting.