Quercus, wounded from a few lucky hits, moves on out of the area to safety.
Move Action - Dimensional Slide to the barge approx 30'.
Swift Action - Fervor -
Standard Action - Cure Light Wounds
"Focus all damage on the giant!"
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R5 - (repeat round 4 actions) Quercus will step west 5' and then east 5' again, provoking, and taunting his attackers.
As before, Mr Gibbons will reserve his Aid Others to distract any fire giant attacks with priority over the attack of opportunity caused by movement, and then any strikes the giant may do on his turn.
AC is 35 normal, 36 vs AOO from movement. Add 4 to these values if they are the first 3 fire giant attacks. Any that I have successfully parried have a -2 to hit, and there is a 20% chance of miss due to shadow veil concealment. Again, as before on the Fire Giant's action, Quercus will implement Dodging Panache against the fire giant's first attack, granting me an additional +6 dodge bonus to AC, and giving me a 5' move (west). This will also provoke attacks of opportunity from the wyvern and ogre again if they have combat reflexes. If any of the above parries were not used, apply them here, I cannot take any more this round. Any immediate actions required from compel hostility will come from next round's swift/immediate pool. After all of his moving, he will punch the fire giant
R4 - Quercus will step east 5' and then west 5' again, provoking, and taunting his attackers.
As before, Mr Gibbons will reserve his Aid Others to distract any fire giant attacks with priority over the attack of opportunity caused by movement, and then any strikes the giant may do on his turn.
AC is 35 normal, 36 vs AOO from movement. Add 4 to these values if they are the first 3 fire giant attacks. Any that I have successfully parried have a -2 to hit, and there is a 20% chance of miss due to shadow veil concealment. Again, as before on the Fire Giant's action, Quercus will implement Dodging Panache against the fire giant's first attack, granting me an additional +6 dodge bonus to AC, and giving me a 5' move (east). This will also provoke attacks of opportunity from the wyvern and ogre again if they have combat reflexes. If any of the above parries were not used, apply them here, I cannot take any more this round. Any immediate actions required from compel hostility will come from next round's swift/immediate pool. After all of his moving, he will punch the fire giant
R3- Quercus move action to step north 5' and then west 5'. This should provoke attacks from the hell hound, giant, wyvern, and ogre.
Mr Gibbons will reserve his Aid Others to distract any fire giant attacks with priority over the attack of opportunity caused by movement, and then any strikes the giant may do on his turn.
Quercus will cast Compel Hostility on the Fire Giant.
Furthermore Quercus will implement Dodging Panache against the fire giant's first attack, granting me an additional +6 dodge bonus to AC, and giving me a 5' move (east). This will also provoke attacks of opportunity from the wyvern and ogre again if they have combat reflexes. If any of the above parries were not used, apply them here, I cannot take any more this round. Any immediate actions required from compel hostility will come from next round's swift/immediate pool. "Vamik help Sly take out those hounds and the ogre. Zachary and Nox take out that hound and the giant. I will try to keep them all occupied."
Round 2: Quercus will move south around hellhounds 2 and 6, provoking attacks if they dare! He will approach the dragon and then use fervor to heal Mr Gibbons.
Quercus will take a swift action to enter shattered mirror style, and then step forward and back one step to provoke attacks from the hounds. (west 5' and then east 5' again). I think it will trigger from 2, 3, 5 and maybe the wyvern if it has reach.
After my moves are done, I will cast cure light wounds on Mr Gibbons.
I whisper to Vamik and Sly "Take out the hellhounds first, while I hold the dragon off. Try not to get attacked. We need to drop them fast, before the other monsters show up. Ok, here we go. Come along Mr Gibbons." Community and Luck Blessing on both Vamik and Sly. Save that luck roll for something important, but it only lasts 10 rounds. Blessings:
Community: Communal Aid (minor): At 1st level, you can touch an ally and grant it the blessing of community. For the next minute, whenever that ally uses the aid another action, the bonus granted increases to +4. You can instead use this ability on yourself as a swift action. Luck: Lucky Presence (minor): At 1st level, you can touch an ally and grant it a lucky presence. The target of this luck can call upon it to roll any one ability check, attack roll, saving throw, or skill check twice and take the better result. The decision to use this ability must be made before the roll is made. Once used, or once 1 minute passes, the effect ends.
Use Arcane Exploit Shadow Veil ( -1 Arcane Point, 3/4. Lasts 7 rounds ) Dimensional Slide to move 30' past the trees and appear next to the hell hound (counts as 5' move).
If I get surprise and can attack immediately I will. I enter Panther style, and attack the hound where I arrive.
If this is not a surprise scenario, I will simply move through them as the arrows indicate provoking attacks as I move instead of attacking the hound and attack the dragon at the end of my move.
AC is 38 against the first 3 attacks, then 34. 20% miss chance due to shadow veil. 34 AC is for attacks caused by moving through threatened areas. It is 33 against regular attacks. Swift action: Enter Panther Style
If any hit, they have a -2 hit/damage against me. If needed: Attack vs. dragon
I will save panache for the giant I think. I won't use any immediate actions this round, as I will need next round's swift action to enter my second style.
Quercus will sneak further north up the shore to approach the boat. Once Sly and Vamik join him and if none are detected he will run in to attack.
Hey Sly, welcome. Ready to go here. I hope blaire is with us yet. I want to get this party started.
Quercus prepares the following spells for battle: Shield, Mage Armor, Shield of Faith, Resistance, Shadow Veil Once combat is entered I will do Line in the Sand and Compel Hostility. Community Blessing on Mr Gibbons, Luck blessing on Quercus Community and/or Luck and any two other people who want it. I will have cast the longest running ones ahead of time and finish with shorter ones. I will move in on the dragon thing first by circling along the shore for round 1 of the pre battle.
"We can fight from the barge to minimize their abilities to surround us. I also like the ranged idea. Qahnaarin can your kinetic blasts punch a hole in the barge? If you start on the boat, while Blaire summons fog and mist and slumbers the hounds, Vamik, Goggh and I can beat down the melee during the confusion, then you come in and join if the fight breaks free of the fog. The mist and fog will seem natural at first, and will keep their dragon from flying around on us. If it does go to the sky then Qahnaarin and Blaire are best equipped to handle it. We may be able to flat out steal the barge under the cover of the fog and Vamik can sneak and vanish too. I think we are getting a plan going here. Do we want to vanquish them or merely ruin their boat. If they are going downstream, and are forced to walk, its not much of an inconvenience, unless they have precious cargo in the hold." Scratching the bark on his chin, he ponders.
Welcome to the new players!
"I suggest we prepare cautiously to tackle them. I propose we sabotage the barge to buy time to ready the appropriate spells and magic to fight. This gives us until morning to prepare. They have hellhounds which we have fought before, so we need fire protection. I believe I can keep the giant busy while the group works on the ogres and dragon creature and dispatches the hounds. Does anyone know anything about the dragon if Vamik can describe it or get a better look? It might help us a lot to know what kind of creature it is. "
We follow them but at a great distance and when they put down for camp, we will camp maybe a mile or more away. We don't need a fire.
"Should we follow them at a distance and see where they end up? Maybe they have a specific plan in mind we can thwart."
Quercus waits with Goggh. We should establish our distance, perhaps no more than 100-150' in case of danger. Quercus will sit quietly making sure Mr Gibbons keeps quiet. Mage armor and styles in effect.
"Come, let us head that way." Quercus will head on down towards the smoke. "Once we get close enough, Vamik can do some investigation."
"We should investigate that, perhaps carefully, it could be the enemy or someone unaware of the danger of being in this area."
I'm also updated. I have Dimensional Slide now, Dodge, and a few extra spells.
Our band of 3 does work great currently. I fear at higher levels we may not have the coverage of skills or spells we may desire. Will work on leveling up. Shall we rest inside or go outside?
Quercus will assist with gathering the loot and beaming detect magic around.
Quercus attacks the undead and hopes to drop it while Goggh and Vamik keep it busy. 5' step, then Flurry
If for some reason it attacks Quercus, Mr Gibbons will aid my AC, for extra +4. I will also use dodge panache to avoid any attacks.
Quercus steps 5' into the room and attacks with a flurry
"I can investigate the shrine. Lets get protected first." Mage armor on both Quercus and Goggh. Shield on Quercus, Shield of Faith on all three of us. Luck blessing on all three of us, Community blessing on Mr Gibbons. Resistance on all three of us. Detect magic cast and concentrating. Then step into the shrine room.
Quercus nods to Goggh. "I would be delighted to investigate. I too would like to catch some air and more importantly, sunlight up top for a bit after that. Too much time underground and I feel a little weak."
"OK. I am curious about the set of stairs that go down."
Quercus casts detect magic on the treasure once it is assembled concentrating and attempting to identify anything. I will use my Community Blessing on Mr Gibbons who will attempt to aid me in spellcraft. If successful he grants me a +4 rather than +2. (For the 2 tubes and the wand)
"This will help fund our search for Master Goodwin."
"Is everyone ok?" Quercus looks around cautiously, listening.
Quercus will move passed the remaining skeletons drawing attacks from any that remain after Goggh's and Zarrisa's attack.
Single attack against #3 (or 5 if 3 is dead).
Round 3 Quercus will step east one, west two, southwest one, northeast one, and east one, ending up where he began. His 'battle dance' takes him a total of six squares, and should provoke attacks from all remaining skeletons. Panther Parry rolls:
Finishing his move, he will strike at either #5 or #7
Mr Gibbons will utilize his normal bodyguard abilities as needed. Quercus will use dodging panache in circumstances where the enemy gets a large advantage against me or some huge big baddie appears to wreak havoc.
Quercus will cast shield on himself, and then start moving around the skeletons drawing attacks. He moves 6 squares around the back and should provoke attacks from #3, 5, 6 (if its still alive), 7, 8. AC is 32 after casting shield, which also provokes an attack but I cannot parry it. Quercus is in Shattered Mirror Style and Panther Style. Here are parries for up to 5 other attacks. (all free actions)
If any hit, they cause the attacker a -2 to hit and damage. Here are damages for any of the parries:
Mr Gibbons can also aid another on up to 3 attacks against Quercus, but will not do so on the attacks of opportunity, but rather save them to assist on attacks on the their turn in cases where they may flank me or have some increased chance to hit.
Quercus charges skeleton 3 on Goggh.
Quercus will have to cast Light spell. He doesn't have darkvision. It doesn't say under Ghoran that they do or don't have low light vision, but plant type creatures have low light. Mr Gibbons also has low light vision, so he will have an accompanying light orb with him. Sorry if that messes up any stealthy darkness stalking. Quercus will also cast mage armor on himself. "Don't worry Goggh, I have got you covered." He also casts mage armor on Goggh. Quercus will also keep a detect magic active.
Quercus marvels at Vamiks new arm, its as if he grew a new branch. "Does it work?"
My level gains: +13 hp
Summary: More defense by adding 2 to AC + concealment, more offensive damage with deadly agility. Fervor adds healing and swift casting spells to allow me to keep the fight moving.
Yes, we are level 2 now Zar. Working on my level, hopefully done tonight.
"Hey Goggh, you ok? You sort of got a little crazy there at the end. He was trying to kill us, you didn't have much of a choice. The world is safer with his passing." Quercus decides to give the ogre some space and goes back to sorting the giant's stuff.
"Well, that was a sudden victory. Everyone ok? Mr Gibbons settle down." Quercus will examine the giant and rifle through its belongings.
round 6 5' move south, preparing to flank next round.
move action: move around 5' forward and back in to provoke an attack of opportunity and possible parry.
Looks like another miss. No -2 on his attack. standard action: Quercus will cast shield of faith to up armor class to 32. regular protocol with Mr Gibbons aid and dodging panache if he has any tricks up his sleeve.
(move action)
(free action)
Probably failed the parry so no -2 to the giant's attack and no damage from me. (standard action)
AC is still 30. Mr Gibbons has used all his aid for the round, but will aid me next round for 3 attacks. I will only use panache to dodge if the giant gains some advantage to hit.
Quercus cries aloud "Noo, no, no no !" as he sees his friends crushed hard. Casting shield (increasing AC to 30). He steps up to face the giant, walking through multiple threatened squares. "Zarrisa, get Vamik to safety and heal our friends. Goggh step back, I will hold him." Quercus steps up to face the giant "Thou shall not pass!" If he takes an attack of opportunity against me, I retaliatory strike (before his is resolved)
(Armor class 32 with -2 to hit me)
Quercus will stand from prone (move), adopt Panther Style (swift) and cast mage armor (standard). Any attacks against him he will use Mr Gibbons to distract.
Any attacks will also trigger an immediate reaction to panther parry as well as use dodging panache. Mr Gibbons + Dodging panache should put Quercus at AC 34 with a -2 to hit the enemy with a successful parry.
Quercus will stand in the breeze and dry out a little and take his usual watch. "Good night my friends. Tomorrow we greet the sun again." ..."Goodnight Mr Gibbons.."
"I don't float, but it seems like we have enough rope to stretch a safety line across the river. Lady Z can swim it across and everyone else can just use it to pull themselves across. She can retrieve it when we are over. Here I have 50' of hemp rope."
"I don't swim very well. I think I might need some aid in crossing."
"Does everyone feel ok to travel more? Should we rest? Would we be ok if we had to fight again? We should try to make progress towards our goal."
Thank Zarrisa, Mr. Gibbons will be fine now. See, he is coming around." Quercus places the small monkey back on his shoulder where is timidly sits staring at the dead hounds.
The problem is that my attacks are not attacks of opportunities. They are merely retaliatory strikes. Check out Panther Style/Parry/Claw. No where does it say they are attacks of opportunity unfortunately. There may be other teamwork feats that we can benefit from though. I have also not really looked into the Path of War or Psionic material much. I will do some research. I have realized that Mr Gibbons is pretty delicate and will suffer from area affect spells. His archtype loses the improved evasion ability, so I may need to get him some other protections. In time his hp will improve, but even still he is a weak link for me. Vamik and other melee people, I will be able to provide decent flank abilities as I intend to wade into melee with impunity. I will take dodge and mobility and I can sort of pick and choose who I choose to take attacks of opportunity against me. With monkey style and a very high acrobatics, I will be able to negate attacks of opportunity by tumbling through threatened areas, and at other times simply moving and ignoring the attacks with a very high AC. Quercus' output damage will increase as well, its a bit hampered right now as he is feat starved. Eventually he can add wind and or lightning stances to the mix with the mythic versions as well. If I take the snake style line, then I will get attacks of opportunity against opponents that miss me, so at that point the teamwork feat would be useful, but that will be down the road a bit.
Vamik how does paired opportunist benefits the group in conjunction with my abilities?
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