Baron Praxus's page

Praxus turns to the captured archers. "Your turn, fellas. Anything else you care to add? Keeping in mind that information brings reward and silence brings punishment, what can you tell us of this Ash-house and what's there and around?"

"Keep me, I be full of uses." answers the goblin.

Praxus eyes the goblin speculatively. "Yeah, I bet there's just enough of you to make a new sheath for my sword."

"I've got no problem with that," Praxus answers. "Question is, what to do with this little rat?" He gives the goblin another shake for good measure.

Praxus whispers to Allien, "It might be worth checking if the sword is already magical, if you can do that. They might have already given it to him."

Praxus gives the goblin another shake. "This Listak. Where is she? How many are with her?"

Praxus tightens his grip on the goblin's neck.

"Talk, gobbo," Praxus growls. "I'm gettin' hungry, and while you don't have a lot of meat on your bones, you might make a tasty snack between meals."

He gives him a shake for good measure.

Intimidate (1d20+9=15)

Praxus looks for his nearest companion (I'm not quite sure where everyone is): "There's a horse here, and a goblin, both useful. Find 'em before they run off. And make sure I get one share of anything you find!"

"We're not done with you two yet, so don't think about running off," Praxus tells the archers. "And turn out your pockets."

Keeping an eye on the guards (as well as a reloaded crossbow), Praxus searches the body of the fallen warrior for anything valuable.
Perception check (1d20=16)

Praxus nods and beheads the large warrior with one sweep of his sword. Shaking the blood off the blade, he turns to the 2 archers, a grim smile on his face.

"So what kind of information do you have for me?"

Praxus stands guard over the three defeated guards. He calls to Kronag.

"Kronag! You're in charge, so what do you want done with these maggots? Prisoners will only slow us down."

Praxus hefts his blade meaningfully.

FW, did any of my missed crossbow bolts survive?

Praxus reclaims his shield and climbs the northern stairs to confront the archer.

"Weapons. Floor. Now. Step forward, nice and easy."

Praxus hefts his sword and abandons his shield, stepping around the stunned guard to attack the woman with an arcing two-handed swing.

Praxus moves to L-9. Why charge when you can stalk forward menacingly?
2-handed attack 1d20+7=24); Damage (1d10+7=10)

Also, French Wolf, can you give us an update on where exactly everybody is? I'm trying to keep track at home and want to make sure I have it right. For example, Praxus moving to L-9 should put him adjacent to both the guard and the woman (if I have it right).

Yep, Baron. The shield isn't providing cover this round.

But, but...I haven't moved from behind it this round. I was hoping to still have cover, and move out next round.

I think I'm stepping in front of Allien here, but I'm going to post it now.

Praxus fires his crossbow at the new guard. Attack (1d20+3=7); Damage (1d8=8)

One he fires, Praxus drops the crossbow and picks up his sword.

Sorry, Allien, Praxus has been rolling like s@$$ for this entire combat!

French Wolf, just to confirm your interpretation of the rules: if I've been firing my crossbow and using my shield for total cover, would you say that the shield is not readied and therefore would require a move action to ready it again?

I'll go ahead and post for Praxus' next action.

Praxus pops up again and targets the southern archer again. Once her fires, he drops back behind his shield to reload.

Attack (1d20+4=15); Damage (1d8=1)

I'll be out of town for the next two days with no internet access. Feel free to NPC Praxus if needed - he'll pretty much do the same thing until the archers are taken care of. I'll check back in Tuesday when I get back.

And now we see the flaw in my cunning plan, namely that while you're protected from the archer above you, the one across from you has a clear shot. Woops! :)

His crossbow loaded, Praxus pops up from behind his shield to shoot the archer atop the southern building. Praxus drops back behind his shield to reload.

Attack roll (with bless) (1d20+4=13); Damage (1d8=1)

Seeing both guards drop, Praxus re-assesses the situation.

"We're going to go have company. Kronag, guard the southern door, Allien and Tolly, you've got the ones to the north. I'll try to keep the archers covered."

Praxus hunkers down behind his shield, drops his sword, takes out his crossbow and loads it.

Praxus is in J-12, using his tower shield for Total Cover.
If you can get right next to the doors, guys, you should be (mostly) protected from the archers above, and with readied actions, should e able to get the drop on anyone coming through the doors. And we're still close enough to be able to help each other out.

As the Baron runs forwards, the guard readies his shield. Meanwhile the sword snakes out at the warrior.

Attack roll 4, Overrun DC17, No problem with your decision.

Baron Praxus bounces off as the shields impact. The guard begins to feel the edges of confidence.

So much for trying out the new Combat Maneuver rules... ;)

We're not going to make it through our first combat with these rolls!

"Screw this," Praxus growls. "They've called for help twice. Someone else'll be joining the party soon. I'm going left."

Raising his shield in front of him, Praxus lowers his head and charges the guard, attempting to overrun him.

Overrun vs. guard in K-11, Praxus moves to L-9.
Combat Maneuver roll (1d20+6=14)

French Wolf: This was originally a straight attack roll, then I changed my mind and decided to overrun, so I kept the roll and changed the bonus, if that's OK.

I totally forgot! Yes Praxus you move to where? and miss.

Praxus moves to J-12.

The other attacks the Baron with a straight longsword to the face. Attack roll 18, Damage 8pts

You know my AC is 20, right? Or is that his base attack roll before bonuses?

The well armoured guard lifts his shield and ducks under Allien's longsword as it clangs against the dented boss.

Praxus

Do I get new rolls? I thought you said you were using my surprise round rolls? I'll roll new ones if you want, though!

No surprise round for Praxus as the archers were about to shoot but I'll keep your rolls for your go.

Of course, considering those rolls aren't gonna hit anything! ;)

If successful, you know that means they're shaken, right?

"No gold. Steel." Praxus's voice has completely changed, like something dragged up from pits of utter darkness. Grim, cold, inevitable. He draws his bastard sword and stalks forward, utterly quiet, to attack.

Initiative (1d20+2=13)
Draw sword with move action and move forward to attack
Attack (1d20+5=10); Damage (1d10+5=9)

Let me know if I'm speeding things up too much, or just ignore all the above rolls.

What the hell, in for a copper, in for a gold. Let's give these new rules a spin! :)

"Damn, I'm fresh out of gold," Praxus says, drawing himself up to his full height and scowling through his orcish helm. "How about I just give you five pounds of steel instead? Right up your arse!"

Intimidate (to demoralize) (1d20+9=21)

Your post seems to be missing, so I'll quote it here.

The dark haired guard softens noticeably at the words of Tolly. His mate coughs a tear away, "I 'ad an aunt once."

They wave you forwards to the barrels.

Trying to remain businesslike, the one guard says, "You gots to pay. That's normally ten gold each but the boss is asleep so I reckon for you we can make it five gold each, so long as you is quick and quiet."

The other one nods in agreement at their fair offer.

Using my shiny map please post your positions. There is a one square gap between the barrels. DM decision - they do provide +2 cover to whoever occupies that square - much like a pillar or tree.

Praxus whistles. "Five gold? That's a bit steep, but what can you do?" He walks up closer to the guards.

Moving up to H-12.

Praxus shouts ahead to the guards. "Passing through! May we cross?"

"Too complicated. Too many questions. Better to keep it simple. We go up, they ask us our business, we say, 'Just passing through.' They say, 'You have to pay a toll.' We attack."

"Let's do it then. I'm itching for some action."

"So, shall we get as close as possible openly, without inviting the guards to turn us into pincushions? With any luck our little friend here can sweet talk them into letting us pass, And then we can cut loose? That would allow us to attack with surprise, since most people who are going to attack wouldn't bother with negotiation of a toll."

"Agreed. But once we engage the guards, who is responsible for the archers? I can use my crossbow, or would you prefer my sword against the guards? But someone needs to be dedicated to that task. I've been in too many skirmishes where everyone thought someone else was taking care of business. You can guess the result."

Ha, 3 people, 3 different reads of the setup. Hopefully FW will chime in with some clarification.

"I've got a crossbow," Praxus says. "We get up on the bridge, I might be able to use my shield as cover and pick off the archers, if the rest of you can keep the other guards off o' me. If we're lucky, we can take 'em out before the sorceress or whoever even knows they're under attack."

Just to confirm, there's a line of barrels across the bridge on the near side, 2 guards on the far side, and beyond that, 2 archers on rooftops inside the stockade. Is that right?

Praxus growls and reclaims his dagger from the halfling. "Yeah, I did know I only had that much," he says, looking into his pouch and making sure what little money he has is still there. "It's why I signed up for this job. Ah well, at least you didn't take my tankard."

With an hour still to go, Praxus drops back down into a chair and pulls a battered pewter tankard from his pack. He takes three other mugs from a shelf and fills them all with ale.

"Every mission should start with a toast, followed by extreme drunkenness." Praxus waits for the others to take their mugs, then stands and raises his own flagon.

"To Cayden Cailean, to Gorum, to success on our venture. To blood and sweat, to life and death. To stout companions and loyalty to one's comrades-in-arms. To battle, women, and gold. And lastly, to DRINK!"

Praxus throws back his flagon and drinks it all in a single breath, before sitting back down and refilling his mug.

"Considerin' I'm just about broke, I don't think I'm payin'. Taking the message of Gorum to 'em sounds like the best plan.' Praxus gives a grin. "I do love a good strategy."

He hoists his iron tower shield and bastard sword, and slams his grimacing orcish helm over his head. He looks down at the small person who just appeared to join the group. "You sure you up to this, little guy?" Praxus chuckles.

My post from yesterday vanished, so here it is again, recovered from my "Recent Posts."

Praxus helps himself to meat and cheese, and some "delicate" bread and honey too, washing it all down with a few hearty mugs of ale.

"I said I'll chop some wood. Don't know how much I can help with the hunting, but I'll bring an axe and come along."

"Any dangers in the woods nearby we should know about, Telfors?"

Praxus helps himself to meat and cheese, and some "delicate" bread and honey too, washing it all down with a few hearty mugs of ale.

"I said I'll chop some wood. Don't know how much I can help with the hunting, but I'll bring an axe and come along."

"Any dangers in the woods nearby we should know about, Telfors?"

"A wizard, eh? I suppose you'll be handy to have with us then." He slides a mug of ale over to the elf. "Name's Baron Praxus. Welcome aboard." The big man holds out his hand.

"Looks like you got yourself an elf, Kronag." Praxus points at the half-orc across the table from him.

"Sure, I've fought goblins. Nasty little buggers. Shouldn't be too much of a problem. I'm more worried about the castle itself."

Praxus turns to Kronag. "I don't know how you feel about 'em, but it might be worth tracking down those dwarves, see if we cant get some of 'em to join us. Might be useful for taking the castle. They usually know a lot about fortifications, sapping, that kind of thing."

"Can you tell us anything about the castle itself, Telfors? Maps, plans, anything?"

"Others? I don't know of any others. I don't watch over anybody but myself 'less I been paid, and I ain't been paid yet."

Praxus sits down, leaning his big bastard sword against the table, and pours himself a mug of ale. "I'll chop some wood this evening," he tells the aged knight.

"So...what're the details? What's the pay? When do we leave?" Praxus absently scratches at an old scar under his chain mail.

Baron Praxus arrives and claims a tent, stashing his gear inside, and takes a quick look around to see if any of the nearby residents look untrustworthy.

Once settled in, he climbs up to the shrine on the hill. Walking inside, he props his giant shield against the wall and approaches the two men inside.

"I hear there's a castle needs retaking."

Newly-revamped human fighter, Baron Praxus, is up and ready to go (unless Torillan wants to play a fighter, as discussed above).

Lord Fairfax, half-elf mercenary for hire, is ready to go.

-Sargon