"Aye. An' I don't think just chargin' in will do any good. If they already know that we're here, no real use sneakin' in neither.. Seems like we're stuck between a rock and a hard place. I agree with Drivish, wouldn't hurt to look."
"Maybe there's nothing down there but a hole in the earth. Certainly the ape-men wouldn't live in the middle of poisonous gas? Maybe the earthquake released something that then released them. Or something. I don't know. But an exploration of the ravine sounds good. Let's go."
Qadim-sul turns and walks along the edge, expecting the others to follow.
Rin follows Qadim-sul down the rope, hoping he doesn't get vertigo.
As the party moves on the cleric says to no one in particular, "we've been here a while. If the enemy has been watching us, why haven't they attacked yet?"
He pauses, as if for dramatic effect.
"How do we know the power who is watching is an enemy at all?"
Rin's cheery voice floats up from the ravine.
"We don't of course. So going down and finding out isn't likely to be much worse than standing still and being ambushed."
Laifel looks puzzled, as she doesn't understand why the group is being split for such a reason. Other than that, she follows Drivish and Fargrim looking around the area.
Realising that he's jumped the gun, Rin scrambles back up the edge of the ravine, looking abashed.
"Sorry. Got a bit enthusiastic there." he mumbles.
Status check:
Qadim-sul is walking around the lip of the ravine.
Rin is descending the rope into the mists.
Drivish, Lafiel, and Fargrim are also walking around the edge, presumably following Qadim-sul.
Barshevy has not declared (please correct me if I'm wrong).
Correct about me.
Correct for me too.
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As you move to the north end of the chasm where it narrows, you hear a muffled roaring sound and feel a damp mist. It is soon obvious that there is a waterfall deep in the chasm, presumably some underground river broken apart in the quake.
Perception DC18:
Fargrim seems to be too distracted by his hammer.
Rin hums happily under his breath, surprised to find himself enjoying the majesty of the waterfall.
"What amazing scenery." The finer details of the landscape elude him.
Qadim-sul peers over the edge, then jumps back in shock. "Two ape-men! Climbing up now!" He draws his hand crossbow to get a few shots off before they reach the top.
"Right. Let's see what we can do when we're not zapped by sleep scent."
He peers cautiously over the edge.
"They're not carrying another of those censers I hope..."
"Won't matter laddy, I'll knock 'em back to 'blivion!" Fargrim says as he readies his shield and hammer, waiting for the Zain-kin to make their move and putting himself between Barshevy and the enemy. "I'll protect ye, should they try rushin' you." He tells the priest.
"Thank you, kind Fargrim," says Barshevy. Clutching the sun-symbol of Pelor, Barshevy prepares to pray.
Lafiel too is mesmerized by the waterfall, at least until Qadim-Sul's gives his warning. Returning to herself, she looks over the edge and sees the pair of ape-men climbing.
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The zain-kin start out 16 squares down the cliff face and 6 squares north (total distance 16). They move straight up at 6 squares/round, so at the end of round 1, they'll be 10 down and 6 north (total distance 10); at the end of round 2, they'll be 4 down and 6 north (total distance 6, unless you've moved closer to where they're coming up.)
Tide of Iron (1d20+6=20, 1d10+4=14) The Zain-kin is pushed 1 square directly backwards, if the hit is successful.
"Take that! Ye won't be killin' none of me new friends, damn apes!"
Lafiel takes position above the two climbing apemen. Waiting for them to climb up a bit, she stands ready, then throws a shuriken down and the closer ape to her. However, her aim isn't good enough, and the shuriken hits the ape's armor without doing any damage.
Qadim-sul lines up one of the ape-men in his sights. It's still at long range, but he hopes he can still hit it. Basic Ranged Attack (range penalty) (1d20=18); Damage (1d6=3)
As it climbs closer, he fires again on the same ape-man. Basic Ranged Attack (cover penalty) (1d20=16); Damage (1d6=2)
As they near the cliff's edge, Qadim-sul sheathes his crossbow and draws his khopesh . Just before the ape-man reaches the top, Qadim-sul flicks out a lasso of lightning from his blade to pull the ape-man to the top of the cliff. Lightning Lure (vs. Fort) (1d20+4=17); Damage (lightning) (1d6+4=9)
Drivish looks over the edge of the cliff as his companions prepare to rain down death. "It might not be too late to try talking with them. We have a distinct tactical advantage and maybe not all of these 'ape-men' are trained assassins."
Drivish calls down. "You, in the ravine, you are outnumbered and are in a sore position. Surrender and you will not be harmed. This is your only chance to live."
Intimidate = 14
Hoping that the Zain kin will heed Drivish's words, Rin nonetheless has the words of a damaging spell on his lips.
Gladdened that the dragon-kin is seeking a non-violent solution, Barshevy holds off on summoning Pelor's firey wrath.
to pull the ape-man to the top of the cliff. You can't force vertical movement -- obscure PHB rule.
Rin's knowledge deserts him at a bad moment.
Remembering the speed with which the last Zain kin they met moved, he prepares to fire a Ray of Frost in the hope of at least slowing them down.
Ray of Frost (v Fort) (target slowed on hit to end Rin's next turn) (1d20 3=12, 1d6 3=6)
Lafiel doesn't even try to comprehend the sounds, as she prepares for battle.
The ape-man's harsh laugh told Barshevy that they did not respond positively to Drivish.
"Stop, Zain-kin! Perhaps we can all achieve what we want peacefully!"
"They only want a fight," Qadim-sul tells his companions. "Arrogant bastards, too. Don't hold back."
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Rin delays
Lafiel delays
Zain-kin climb behind cover
Rin attacks, misses
Lafiel misses
Qadim-sul hits z1, zain-kin keeps hold
Fargrim delays
Barshevy fails to persuade
Drivish delays
Zain-kin climb
Rin attacks, misses
Lafiel hits z2, bloodying it, z2 keeps hold
Qadim-sul hits z1, z1 keeps hold
Fargrim delays
Barshevy shifts closer hits z2, z2 keeps hold
Drivish delays
Zain-kin reach the top and draw shortswords. They are wearing scale armor, with heavy shields and javelins stowed.
Drivish patiently waits at the top, stretching and working out his muscles for the presumed combat.
Once the creatures reach the top and draw weapons, Drivish begins his assault. First, he unleashes a blast of ice.
9 vs. Ref against Z1
15 vs. Ref against Z2
Damage = 4
He follows up with a swing from his halberd.
Reaping Strike vs. Z2 = 25
Damage = 5