Azen's page

Azen grins at Celebeth but doesn't answer. It hadn't been about that of course, but maybe after killing the dragon there would be time to visit the elves and to engage in some creative diplomacy.

Azen laughs, embarrassed, but also amazed... did that actually work? She is a little flustered, but musters up a response.

Um... I'm Azen. Did I mention that?

If we want to save the elves, we need to do something to break the enchantment. I have been as persuasive as it is possible for me to be, which is very, and it doesn't work. If we can save them, I would like to... and it might help us later if we meet more elves. Not sure it is possible though, if they are enchanted as deeply as the bard. He was under a geas or something, wasn't he? What do you guys want to do here? try to disarm them and tie them up and then go kill the dragon, hoping that will break the enchantment? ... At least we know the dragon is home now. :)

We want to help.

Azen glances at her friends, hoping they can do something to help, then steps forward and kisses the elf she has been talking to, knowing that more talking won't do any good, but perhaps a different kind of distraction could help, if it was mentally engaging enough. She hopes it will give her team time to take some action.

This isn't meant to make anyone uncomfortable, or even be romantic at all. Seriously, just trying to find a way to distract the mind control long enough for us to solve this without killing them.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Azen can sense that the elf is fighting some kind of external control, which she isn't sure she can help with, since she doesn't know how it works, but she decides to address it, since it will alert her friends, and hopefully help the elves as well... if that is possible.

Friend elf, I can sense that you are fighting some kind of external control. If that is something that we can help you with, please allow us to. We would not wish any sort of slavery upon anyone.

She continues quickly after this offer, trying to give the elf something else to focus on in order to keep himself under control if he can.

We are willing to negotiate in good faith with the elves, and if the trolls are unpredictable, we may have to deal with that threat separately. Was it the trolls that recently wiped out a village of lizard folk?

Azen is confused by the angry elf who doesn't seem able to decide whether he wants to negotiate or not. She sighs internally. It sounds like she is just going to have to stand here and keep talking to this guy until he tries to kill her, but she really hopes there is a better way.

So the river is the boundary that you are claiming? Is that for the elves, or for everyone you are allied with? And how far does that boundary extend? I'd really like to understand a little more about the different groups involved here and see if we can work out a way to coexist. I'm not sure why you are so angry, but I would like to understand, and try to solve the problems between us, if we can.

I think we are willing to negotiate peace between our peoples, as long as it is a benefit to both sides. We want our people to be safe and to respect our neighbors. Hostilities hurt everyone. What group, or groups do you represent? The elves, or others as well, since you seem to be working with ... allies that you normally would not? If we are trampling on your boundaries, I don't know about it. I would love to learn more about the problem, and we can talk about your concerns. Perhaps we should have that meal after all? There must be a way to work out an agreement that both our groups would find acceptable.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

I mean, that's been the risk this whole time. It would be a shame, but not sure what I can do about it *except* talk it through. We could walk away, but this is why we came.

I can sense that you are angry, and I would like to understand that a little bit. You mentioned our settlement... you think we are trying to take over your land perhaps? If you tell me your concerns, perhaps we can address them. If we just go our separate ways, this is bound to come up again. Wouldn't it be better to at least try to solve it?

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Friends, I am not offended, but I know that is no more than a half-truth at best. Please tell us the full truth of the situation. We only wish to help you, and do the right thing for the people of this land.

Of course, we did meet someone who was somehow compelled to act against us, and if that were the case here, that would explain your words perhaps. I hope of course that you are free agents, and I think that if you wanted to harm us, you probably would have acted on those feelings already... so perhaps there is a way forward, even if you can't share the entire truth.

... If you are in fact unable to explain, perhaps you would consider coming to our camp and having a meal with us? That might feel a little less confrontational, and you would feel more free to talk, of your life, your hopes... we would be happy to know you better.

Do you need help taking him down, or... are you working for him for some reason?

Have you seen a dragon around here then? Even flying overhead?

Thanks. I always worry about that when it's just one player really playing for a while. Don't want to leave everyone out.

Have fun Kaavek. :)

Has it bothered your settlement down here? I've heard tales that it is hurting people, and is a danger to the area. Do you think that's true?

Azen tries to be as sincere as she can be... these elves seem to be thinking for themselves, as far as she can tell, but that bard in the town was under an enchantment and didn't have much choice, so maybe these are too. She wants to find out if they are enchanted, and is bending over backwards to help them have the chance to prove they aren't evil.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34

We're exploring, and occasionally hunting. Have you heard of Elkmark or Oleg's trading post? We're from up near there. We've also heard of a dragon that lives in this area somewhere. Have you heard of it?

She grins up at him.

Azen keeps her hands off her weapons and speaks in a soothing tone.

I'm Azen. The trolls attacked us, and we were making sure there was no further danger . . . but wait. Their post? Were they working for you, then? If so, we must apologize for killing them. We thought they were endangering the wildlife, not safely leashed. I assure you, we mean you no harm. There is no need to threaten us. If you were attacked by trolls in a forest, would you not do the same?

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27

Azen waits until they move away from the entrance (I am assuming Tove also waits to give me the bonus, since she said "as they approach," but let me know if you judge differently.) If they don't seem like they are going to come further away from the cave, and Tove has already blessed her, she will step out and start talking to them, albeit in a voice designed not to carry beyond them.

Once they do approach, she steps out and says in Elven

Greetings, friends, and well met. Have you seen trolls nearby? We encountered a couple just recently and they seemed to be coming from this general direction.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 14 + 2 = 20

Azen drags the bodies away so they hopefully won't interfere with diplomacy, clears away the drag marks, and then casts Prestidigitation to clean herself up from the exertion. She does the same for her sister, if needed, and then they wait for the elves to come investigate.

As soon as she sees them coming towards their location, far enough from the cave to not disturb the dragon (at least in theory), she shows herself and calls "hello" in Elven, hopeful to start a dialogue and avoid any immediate misunderstandings.

If we really think they are going to be on our side, maybe Celebeth and I can talk to them rather than attacking them in the first place. Should we wait until they come out, and try?

Azen reassures her sister and checks the bodies while they wait to see what Wulfric's scrying reveals.

Azen steadies her aim, and shoots again at the same target.

Attack (+1 Composite Longbow): 1d20 + 8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 4 + 1 = 33 (bullseye shot, bless)
Piercing Damage: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (4, 5) + 2 = 11

Attack (crit confirm?): 1d20 + 8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 4 + 1 = 19 (bullseye shot, bless)
if confirmed: 4d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 5, 5, 4) + 4 = 21

bullseye shot would normally not work on a second arrow, but since this is just a crit confirm, and thus theoretically the same shot, it should... right?

Azen casts gravity bow when she can hear them coming, and then lets fly when they come into view.

Attack (+1 Composite Longbow): 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 8 + 1 = 20 (bless)
Piercing Damage: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 2) + 2 = 7

Azen readies her bow, waiting for the signal to ambush the guards.

Azen wakes up and quickly gets ready, making sure that Celebeth is also awake and ready to go before the plan goes into action.

I would rather fight in the light, since I can see to shoot much farther, but whatever is more advantageous for the battle is fine. You would know that better than I.

Azen grins appreciatively at her sister's joke.

Azen helps gather material for the blinds.

Azen is relieved that Celebeth isn't crazy enough to go in alone. When she mentions an escape plan though, Azen says

Well, it depends on the layout of the cave of course, but if we have to run, I do have ghost sound to confuse hearing and I can summon some skunks to confuse scent. Let's hope it doesn't come to that, though.

Azen agrees when people suggest doing the trolls first, and awaiting the results of the Clairvoyance spell for the rest.

Azen waits for the result of the spell before throwing herself into supporting any plan. They needed more information. However, she did have one strenuous objection to the plan as stated...

No way is Celebeth trying to sneak up and attack a Dragon. I forbid it. She's good, but, sorry sis, not that good. The dragon will smell her, and it might just chomp her in half before burning the rest of us to death. It's a horrible idea that will get her killed. It's basically sending her in there as bait... which might distract it, but not worth the cost of her life.

I could cast Silence over the trolls while we kill them, but if the spell covers the entire entrance, the sudden lack of outside sounds could also alert the dragon, depending on how close to the entrance it is. Wulfric's idea to cast a spell that can see further is a good one, depending on how much more it can see.

I'm inclined to agree with Rhiannon on this one...

(She looks sheepishly at her sister, sorry for taking a side against her.)

... but let's see what he comes back with before finalizing a plan. Who knows what advantages there may be in unknown terrain.

Azen welcomes her sister's assistance.

Azen sleeps soundly and when she wakes she takes the opportunity to cast Detect Magic and uses her spellcraft to try to identify some items they still were not sure of.

Sorry... already rolled in discussion, but probably should have here instead.

Spellcraft (dust): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
Spellcraft (potion 1): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26
Spellcraft (potion 2): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

Looks like Celebeth has the lowest AC... maybe the amulet of natural armor for her?

Azen nods, and helps to drag the troll bodies far enough away so that they aren't disturbed by the smell, casts Prestidigitation and mending to help people clean up and repair clothing, and then sinks into her bedroll.

Azen stops singing, grateful for their success, but worried that they came so close to losing one of their own.

When Tove thanks her, Azen bows her head and says

You keep us alive. I wish I could have done more to help.

Still singing, Azen aims and shoots at the remaining troll with a fire arrow.

Attack: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 8 + 2 + 4 = 28 (Inspire, Bullseye Shot)
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 2 = 6

Still singing, Azen moves closer and casts Stabilize on Tove, hoping that they can kill the leader quickly, so she can drop the Silence and get close enough to heal her.

Inspire Courage still up: +2 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +2 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.

Still singing, and taking careful aim, Azen shoots at the remaining troll with a fire arrow.

Attack: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 8 + 2 + 4 = 25 (Inspire, Bullseye Shot)
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 2 = 10

I just corrected my position. Instead of walking all that way to help Celebeth, I moved over just a little and am in range to help Rhiannon instead with the same spell.

Still singing, Azen moves back around the tent and casts Burning Hands to finish off the Troll that her sister brought down. I think... is that troll still on the map? If I am out of range, then I can try something else

Sorry Rhiannon. I know that the Silence circle affects you and Garethane, although you should be close enough to step out of it. I was just trying to prevent another spell from the leader... but if you want me to dismiss it, I can.

Inspire Courage still up: +2 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +2 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls. (Should stack with Prayer.)

Azen weaves a spell into her song, casting Silence.

Inspire Courage still up: +2 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +2 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls. (Should stack with Prayer.)

Azen continues to maintain her Bardic performance as she moves out of the tree to get closer and then casts Stabilize on Garethane when she is close enough.

Inspire Courage still up: +2 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +2 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls. (Should stack with Prayer.)

Azen starts singing, trying to give her group another advantage if possible.

+2 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +2 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls. (Should stack with Prayer.)

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14 (fail)

Still shaking from being hit by lightning and hoping there are no more of those incoming, Azen shoots again at the wounded troll, using a fire arrow.

Attack (+1 Composite Longbow): 1d20 + 8 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 4 + 1 + 1 = 24 (bullseye shot)
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 1 = 10 (Prayer)

@Wulfric, thanks.

Azen takes careful aim, and shoots at the closest Troll.

Attack (+1 Composite Longbow): 1d20 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 4 = 16 (bullseye shot)
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Looks like a fail this time. Also sorry for missing part of the battle while I was out of town.

I'm out till Monday. Feel free to bot me, or pretend I fell asleep in the tree. :)

My mistake. Azen will wait until she can see something, of course. I guess I thought since the movement of the trolls was said to be obvious that there was some sort of moonlight or other way of seeing farther.

Azen takes careful aim, and attacks the closest one.

Attack (+1 Composite Longbow): 1d20 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 4 = 22 (bullseye shot)
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

After waking up, Azen hurries up into the tree again and casts Gravity Bow.

No worries. Life comes first. :)