Ditto, more or less.
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Stepping back into the trees, Brando picks up a fallen branch and after scratching runes on it and speaking a few words, a wooden snake weaves its way across the clearing. "Hold back everybody" he says softly, "best to see if there's anyone here who's just too jumpy. Living in the wilds makes some people unfit for company, you know?"
I was waiting on damage from the giant boulders then more or less forgot about this. I'm fine with saying we got out of Dodge and calling this a draw so as to move on to something else.
I'm at the wall and had my action this round (can do flight on my own next round if useful/necessary), but one question I had was just how tall the wall is.
I probably can't make it to the bottom left corner then this round if we're on the road outside. Assuming the main doors are shut I head to the bottom right outside corner of the fort (SE if N is up) instead. BTW, how high are the walls?
Without waiting for other direction Brando and Daisy dash for the corner of the fort to get a better view of what might be coming, Brando beginning with a fierce shout then issuing directions over his shoulder as he goes. Stance Circular stance (can't be flanked) for Brando, running hunter stance (+10' base move) for Daisy
The roar startles Brando and catches him somewhat by surprise.
Brando marks his equipment with odd glyphs in charcoal as he waits for Krauz to return. "We can do that, but lets shroud the fire so that others than the fort's people can't see it. There's wyverns about if that merchant wasn't all hot air. Some are, you know but not all." preparations: enhance equipment: estoc +3, buckler +3, barding +3; lasts 4 hours, costs 3 SP.
Medium longbow arrows are two different kinds of not useful to me. If there's agreement on everyone keeping a potion of pass without trace (including one for my dog and one for Clara; one person not passing without trace spoils it for everyone) and Krauz taking the belt and ring, I've noted down the rest here for use when we get somewhere we can trade such things. I've taken a couple potions of cat's grace too. Sebecloki, I've assumed a dozen bandits we took all the gear from and that the rest dropped their bows to avoid being taken as a threat (you posted something like that), and that the elixirs of hiding were used to set up the ambush. I'm pretty sure my haversack and our bloodrager can carry all this.
BTW, the loot from the bandit fight includes at least a dozen of these: +1 seeking arrows (2), sleep arrows (4), elixir of hiding, potion of cat’s grace, potions of cure light wounds (2), potion of pass without trace, acid (2); leather armor, masterwork composite longbow (+1 Str) with 20 arrows, masterwork handaxe, 3 gp plus the bandit lords potion of disguise self; +1 chain shirt, +1 buckler, +1 frost keen rapier, masterwork composite longbow (+2 Str) with 20 arrows, sap, belt of incredible dexterity +2, boots of striding and springing, cloak of resistance +1, ring of protection +1, thieves' tools Anyone want any of these or should we mark them all for sale? Besides the leather armor which isn't worth carrying of course. It's possible the elixirs of hiding were used to set up the ambush and aren't actually there to be looted either.
Brando looks up from idly playing with dice, with an eye to luring the soldiers into a game. "I can't disagree Krauz. A seeker for the Ultimate Fizzy Drink? My great uncle twice removed tried his hand at that, claimed he found a river of chocolate then retired - he never revealed the location despite all the dirty jokes about what he'd really found, but his confectionary business was certainly profitable. Seekers are fine people is my point." He wanders over to shake the new gnomes' hand. His own nut brown skin and blue-green hair are more subdued than Clara's but his finely cut and embroidered clothes make up the difference. "I don't suppose you've picked up some other useful recipes along the way? I went and used my last tanglefoot bag on a word-deprived bandit quite recently, and we might run into some xulgath and drow - antitoxin and soothe syrup could be quite useful."
"I have the thought that some resupply might be of use before meeting the xulgath. Keep an eye out though, these bandits might have friends or allies there and no one wants spit or even poison in their drinks, eh?"
From above - the spheres archetype I'm using (Nature's Blade) gives as an option to take the beastmastery sphere and one talent from it in place of hunter's bond which I missed. Basically this saves a feat and 8 skill points. Also Vhinservun's build makes it clear that magic from Spheres of Power is a cut above standard PF in terms of combat numbers. I think I need to do the same to bring my own up a little.
Stats considering how many buffs and debuffs may fly around in this group is a really hard question. I'm listing my current AC on each post for good reason. Brando is likely to be a source of debuffs on the enemy as I'm demonstrating here. Here's some for Brando - but note that most of these actual numbers have never applied in this combat for one reason or another. I haven't had a move action free to draw my sword... AC assuming combat expertise for Brando and mounted combat for Daisy, 30 and ~28. FF 21/22 (no cbt ex or MC), Touch 26/~28. Brando can parry like a swashbuckler but usually won't since it uses martial focus, he needs a swift action to recover martial focus and he has too many uses for his actions already. Attack +12 (assuming PA) & +10 - usually against FF due to feint. Saves assuming combat expertise (which benefits Brando's saves) but not the other situational bonuses F +14/+7, R +17/+8, W +8/+5 Damage 2d6+13+2d6 Brando/1d6+7+1d4 bleed Daisy, usually only with one attack for each. Charging brings spirited charge and maneuvers into play and makes the damage 4d6+46 Brando, 1d6+19 Daisy. Crit of 12-20/x2 (as long as combat stamina holds out) and 20/x2 respectively. There are a couple of changes I'll want to make after this battle (one where I missed a bit on the archetype, one other) but I'll bring that up then.
5' step (Daisy) Up to bandit leader
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A small blade drops into Brando's hand and he twirls it in a dizzying series of movements which are just too complex to draw blood. Daisy takes full advantage of the distraction though and lunges at the befuddled bandit lady, knocking her down and opening a slowly bleeding wound.
So... this encounter clearly wasn't strong enough -- I tried 1-2 CR over your levels, but I'm going to have to try like 16 next time and look at the to hit values more closely. Yeah, level 4 unoptimised mooks are doing to die easily and die badly. Even with good teamwork feats (e.g. volley fire) they'd struggle to hurt us. It'd take us a long time to cut through 37 enemies without Kazu but I think we could do so without risk.
An alchemist! As a demonstrated consumer of alchemy I welcome you. I neglected to bring more than one tanglefoot bag with me, can you believe it?
With a sharp whistle and gestures Brando helps organise the Companion's defence. Brando rides up behind Krauz then through, pulling a large bag out of his haversack as he goes. "Since you wanted our gear..." He tosses the bag at the leader with a grin. Stance Circular stance (can't be flanked) for Brando, running hunter stance (+10' base move) for Daisy
Not as many rounds as you might think, Sebecloki. Kazu is...an education. 600-odd damage a round. The plants beneath him will be well-watered with blood.
"If you were as sure of the result as all that the arrows would already be flying. Come down here and we can have a brew and a more lively conversation, maybe a gamble and a wager? Simple robbery will do you no good, mark my words." Brando speaks with a smile, but he's judging distances and as ready to act as any of his companions.
"Swimming?" Brando puts in, "Whatever the dwarf's brother likes, I do better with ground under my feet and room to move. Daisy much prefers it too." He pats his great half-wolf dog as she strides beside him. "At short notice we'd likely have to board a fishing vessel, and don't those offend elven noses as much as my fine example? Though that might be a point where Daisy differs, to be sure."
Brando arrives as Akara retells his tale, a hand to his hat to keep it on straight. His eyes narrow at the kobold relating his tale but as the plot thickens he decides to drop the issue of who and what is talking to him. "A dark elf and...xulgath? I'm not familiar with those. What on - or under - Oerth are they? Here and now I mean, not back in the histories." He nods, "Aid to a dwarven clan is a worthy deed and likely pays well enough, but we can't prepare without knowing what for!"
Sure, let's do it.
Oh, I'm here. Isn't there a paladin hanging around though?
'The Game Master has not yet connected the discussion thread for this campaign.' I think the GM needs to post there first?
When I want to spend move actions on it I can make flanking work for any two people adjacent to an enemy (aggressive flanking tactic, warleader sphere). Using greater feint with move actions has more effect, but flanking's an option. Oh, you've got that too. Warleader comes from Brando's martial tradition so he's not going to drop it though. Writing a bit more backstory and working out a way to make the stats more presentable without dropping a huge wad of cash on software is all I'm likely to do from here.
Still WIP, but more advanced. I've used normal spellcasting but if Spheres of Power was expected - I see someone's used it - I can adjust. |