Burning Sun, Shifting Sands {Group 2}

Balic fades ever distant behind the caravan, soon the caravan will be beyond the tenant farms and military outposts, beyond the relative safety of civilization.
Hunger, thirst and death await you as crawl your way from village to town to city bringing the trade that will support life for another few months under the burning sun.
Every year's journey there are deaths among the caravan, disease, accidents are as much to blame as raiders and wasteland predators.
Unfortunately this year’s first death is caused by a small band of elven scouts. The caravan’s outriders were ambushed and one was killed before they were able to escape and report back to Qaqalil. Furiously Qaqalil orders a contingent of guards to track down the elves and extract revenge upon them. Preventing the elves from reporting back to their camp was also mentioned in Qaqalil's curse ridden orders.
Qaqaqa the first of Chajaj’s Lieutenants promptly dispatches a band of his men to find the scouts and “Let the sand feast on elven blood.”
With Qaqaqa’s band gone the rest of the guards have larger areas patrol to prevent gaps in the parameter from forming. On the second night after the attacks as you’re patrolling you catch sight of a small pack of lizard dogs sneaking into camp.

There are 5 lizard dogs in the pack. The pack leader is obviously the largest of the pack.

Everyone roll Inititative.

Whoops, double post! I choose this one.

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18. Everyone who can see me get's +2 to initiative as well.

Initiative 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 - init

Almost unnoticed, the small shrouded figure of Iveris hobbles behind the group.

Woah. What a great first roll. Things can only improve.

"Pay attention, kiddies, there's danger up ahead!"

Ahem. EVERYONE WHO CAN SEE ME GETS +2 TO THEIR INITIATIVE!

Irivis nods slightly, her mind occupied with making sure she doesn't stumble.

Just as well. Without Tirshok, she'd be on 0 init. She needs all the help she can get. Her init is -1, so with Tirshok's +2, a majestic +1 is mine.

"Kill!!!"

Gannicus is relishing the opportunity to kill something. He advances with each step, his greatsword trailing back in his hands, ready to swing in a forceful slash.

"Don't be so keen to get yourself killed when we've only just met, sonny!"

Tirshok hefts his pick and moves after the warrior.

"Perhaps he is eager to impress you," murmurs Irivis calmly, a hint of a smile in her voice as she moves cautiously across the sand.

"Although, he'll also be impressing our enemies with his volume as well."

"Ha! Today is too good to spend it dying! Ha!"

I was lucky to have caught that error in the alias; else a space marine from the 41st millennium would now be blasting the lizards with bursts of bolter fire.

Tirshok fails to notice the irony in Irivis' voice.

"We'll, I'd hate to have him dead because he tried to impress this old fighter," he says, but with a hint of pride.

Initiative 1d20 + 0 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 0 + 2 = 11

"Come now, my fellow guards, we musn't hasten into combat at the first sign of possible threat."

The concern on his face covered by the thin veil of darkness.
Speaking of, what are the lighting conditions? It is the second night, is it dim or dark? Is it bright enough that with low-light I won't need a light source? Sorry for all the questions

"Maybe the beasts are just happening by, and our presence has scared them more than they sc.. startled us. What do we truly know about these wild creatures?"

Can I free action Knowledge:Nature to see what I know about them? If so, Nature 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Almost half asleep, Lesarieth hastily wakes himself up.

"hmm, what? Is something happening or..... oh right."

Running to join the rest of the group he unsheaths a pair of barely functional looking battered daggers, and runs up to join the group.

"Look, are you sure you wan't to be doing this? I'm trying to sleep here, it would be so much more convenient for all of us if you would just go away" he yells at the incoming pack, only half ironically.

Initiative 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

"Such nice manners."

"Look woman, a man need's his sleep, you'd be cranky too, anyway, bickering aside let's find out whether or not they want to rip us to shreads shall we?"

"Not that I have my hopes up, it isn't as if they look overly friendly."

Irivis's expression is completely hidden by the shadow of her hat. Probably that's a good thing.

MAP
Place yourselves on the bottem half of the map.

The prowling pack of lizard dogs catches scent of the band as you forms up to confront them. The pack turns in unison to face the band with glowing eyes and slavering jaws.

F13 please.

I10.

E11 if I may.

H11 is good

D10 pls

Initiative:
Gannicus
Tirshok
Lizard-dog alpha
Lesarieth
Lizard-dog 1
Lizard-dog 2
Arakan
Lizard-dog 3
Lizard-dog 4
Irivis

MAP

Gannicus make the first move.

Move to E6 and attack Lizard at F5 with reaping strike 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11 damage 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Despite his bravado, Gannicus makes a miserable attack.

"Great idea! Ganitus is it? I think I too have heard something about hollering and arm waving scaring off some wild beasts!" Arakan muses enthusiastically

"If we're lucky we may not even have to fight them!"

MAP

Gannicus charges forward and stumbles over a large rock foils his attack but still placing himslf within range of the lizard-dogs needle like teeth.

Tirshok is up.

Charge to G6, 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 = 13, damage 1d12 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

"Hold on there, sonny. Don't go getting yourself killed just yet."

Lizard dog alpha.

Tirshok also stumbles over a rock that knocks his aim off target.

You wouldn't be able to reach the alpha from G6 unless your weapon has reach+1.

The alpha lizard pounces on the off balance Tirshok ripping at his exposed skin with its oversized claws.
Attack vs ac, 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19, damage = 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 hit
The alpha mauls Tirshok's right leg causing massive damage and bloodies the Mul.

The rest of the pack snuffles evily at Tirshoks blood loss.

MAP

Lesarieth is up.

"Yikes, I was clearly mistaken, the arm waving isn't working! It's probably caused you nicked that first one with your flailing, Gan!

Worry clearly growing on Arakan's face

"Hold your ground Durshook, help is on it's way...just don't let them come back here" this last part mumbled into his hand.

Is there a way to private message people on the forums?

Is there a way to private message people on the forums?

Not on the Paizo boards. You can always spoiler a message to someone on this thread but anyone can look at besides the person the spoiler is ment for. It would look like this;

Beneath her hat, Irivis rolls her eyes.

Sorry, I didn't mean I was attacking liazrd dog alpha, just that it was its turn. I was attacking the same dog as Gannicus, and about as effectively. And technically, I'm bloodied but not Bloodied - quite.

"Gah! You'll regret that, mutt!"

Move to I6 (I can make it without getting OA's) to flank with Tirshok.
Piercing Strike vs. Lizard dog alpha 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 8 + 2 = 22 vs. reflex
If that hits then 1d4 + 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (1) + (1, 1) + 8 = 11 damage

Lesarieth sighs.... 'Looks like I'll have to intervene then', and with that advances half reluctantly forward on the alpha.

Wow, that damage could have looked better, I have to say.

Lesarieth lazely saunters over to the Alpha, yawns, then stabs its haunch drawing first blood.

Lizard-dogs 1 & 2 swarm Gannicus tearing at him with hooked claws.
LD 1, Attack vs ac, 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 2 = 9, damage = 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13 miss
LD 2, Attack vs ac, 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 1 = 17, damage = 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 hit

Initiative:
Gannicus
Tirshok
Lizard-dog alpha
Lesarieth
Lizard-dog 1
Lizard-dog 2
Arakan
Lizard-dog 3
Lizard-dog 4
Irivis

MAP

Arakan is up.

HP 29 - 9 = 20 left

Sidling cautiously forward Move to F8 toward the battle, Arakan dips the tip of his bolt into his belt pouch before loading it free and firing standard poisoned strike 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 6 - 2 = 12 cover penalty applied at, what appears to be, the straggler amongst the hounds. lizard dog 3

on a hit 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 poison damage and until the end of my next turn if it willingly moves more than 2 squares or makes an attack, it then falls prone, and is immobilized until the end of its next turn

Urgingly he states "Fight on, comrade, we could use your vigilance" minor Majestic word on Tirshok, healing Surge +4 not sliding him

Summoning his courage to fight, free spending an action point Arakan growls out a hearty bellow standard Shout of Triumph targeting squares D-F,5-7 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23 at dog 1 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 at dog 2, and 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 at dog 4. Damage 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 (all vs Fort) thunder and on a hit dog 1 pushed to A4, dog 2 to B2 and dog 4 to C2. Hit or not slides Gannicus to H7 "YAAAH! Get out of here" obsessed that scaring them off is the key.

"Focus on the alpha, if he drops it should dissuade them further!"

sorry for all the actions, everything was in just the right spot. Also, let me know if I over-informed for my powers

"Maybe that will be more persuasive than arm-waving."

Urgingly he states "Fight on, comrade, we could use your vigilance."

Tirshok yells with renewed vigour, "He's right! Stick it to them, lads!"

Lesarieth pulls himself together.
"Now that", he mutters to himself, "is more like it"
He then turns back to the Alpha with genuine venom in his eyes

Irivis waits patiently for the dust to settle, strange words forming on her lips.

Arakan’s poisoned arrow glances off the armored skin of lizard-dog 3. Arakan’s hearty bellow has a much greater effect, startling 3 of the dogs making them retreat away from the fighters. His words also inspire Tirshok to ignore his pain and focus fully at the attackers.

That was some serious battlefeild control.

The lizard-dogs retreat is short lived as growl from the alpha brings LD 3 & 4 back into the melee. The Lizard dogs once again gang up to try to take down the alphas chosen prey, Tirshok.
LD3, Attack vs ac, 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20, damage = 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 hit
LD4, Attack vs ac, 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25, damage = 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12 hit
The pack once again ravages the mul.

MAP

Irivis is up

Irivis thumps her rod irritably on the ground and misses spectacularly. Determined to redeem herself, she thumps again as sand rises around her target, lacerating its fragile mind.

The sand theme continues as she moves with surprising speed around the edge of the battlefield, her small form blurred by the swirling sand.

Minor. Curse Alpha.
Standard: Eyes of the Vestige (Will) v Alpha.
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 - bugger that.
AP: again.
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20 - much better.
Power allows me to curse another creature within 3 squares of the target, so LD4.
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 - power damage plus 1d8 ⇒ 6 curse damage

In summary: Alpha and LD4 are cursed and Alpha takes 11 damage

Move to K13 and gain concealment.

"You doggies got it in for me? You've bitten off more than you can chew!"

The foul shadow of king Kalak rises in Irivis mind as she uses his power to command the sand to sting her enemies and hide her from them.

The alpha gives a serptine hiss looking about for the one who attacked it but is unable to see Irivis as she is hidden by sand and magic.
Unable to see Irivis the alpha attacks the other prey that hurt it, Lesarieth.
Attack vs ac, 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 1 = 17, damage = 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8miss
Lesarieth reflexs are faster than the lazards and easily steps away from the alphas slavering jaws.

Initiative:
Gannicus
Tirshok
Lizard-dog alpha
Lesarieth
Lizard-dog 1
Lizard-dog 2
Arakan
Lizard-dog 3
Lizard-dog 4
Irivis

MAP

Gannicus is up, time to redeem yourself.

Not wishing to be difficult or anything, but isn't 17 v AC on Lesarieth a hit?

Brute Strike vs. lizard dog alpha 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
damage 3d10 + 3 ⇒ (7, 8, 6) + 3 = 24

Gannicus focuses all of his frustration into a very powerful strike against the lead lizard dog. "Take this!!!"

Not wishing to be difficult or anything, but isn't 17 v AC on Lesarieth a hit?

Yes it is, the alpha does hit Lesarieth for 8HP.

"It takes more than a dog to best me!"

Minor action - Inspiring Word on myself, regain 7 plus 1d6 ⇒ 4 hit points.

Standard action - Vault the Fallen: two attacks, one on Alpha Dog and one on Dog 4, and I get to shift to G7 after the first attack. I get flanking from Lesariath on the attack on the Alpha.
Alpha: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 2 = 8 to hit, damage 1d12 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 3 + (5) = 13

The dice appear to despise me. OK, forget most of the above.

With a loud crack, the head of Tirshok's weapon shatters against the rocky ground as the alpha dodges aside of his blow. With a snarl, Tirshok drags out a handaxe (minor action) and swings at the lizard dog before moving back from between the flanking predators.

Action Point for melee basic attack with handaxe on Alpha: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 5 + 2 = 26 to hit, damage 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4. Finally, a move action to shift to G7.

Just a reminder, I should be at F8, I moved there at the start of my turn

Gannicus’ massive strike cripples the alpha. Not only does it bloody the alpha it almost kills it.

Tirshok shatters his blade trying to kill the alpha but has much better luck with his hand-axe blooding Lizard-dog 4.

The dying alpha snaps at Lesarieth before trying to escape the melee.
Attack vs ac, 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 1 = 13, damage = 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 miss
The crippled alpha hobbles away from most of it attackers as its feeble counterattack fails.

Initiative:
Gannicus
Tirshok (bloodied)
Lizard-dog alpha (bloodied)
Lesarieth
Lizard-dog 1
Lizard-dog 2
Arakan
Lizard-dog 3
Lizard-dog 4
Irivis

MAP

Lesarieth is up.