Burning Sun, Shifting Sands {Group 2}

[Lesarieth]

Lesarieth,Thoroughly unamused by the the newly bleeding bite on his ankle (you couldn't just have let that one slide could you aubrey?) takes his rage out on the retreating alpha, aiming a vicious blow at the centre of it's skull.

Dazing Strike: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28 vs. AC to hit

Hmmm... crit, waste of a 20.....

Damage is 13 and he's dazed till the end of my next turn.
Think I might just follow that up with something.

Still not remotely sated, Lesarieth then deftly slides round the stunned and bloody figure of the alpha and brutally shoves it back at it's comrades.
move to J5. Action Point.

Disrupting Advance: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29 vs. AC to hit
That should hit.....
2d4 + 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (2, 1) + (4, 3) + 8 = 18 damage and alpha is pushed to G6. Alpha and Lizard dogs 3 and 4 are now slowed until the end of my next turn

[Irivis]

This is my own fault, but I forgot to add in an extra 1d6 to Irivis's damage to Alpha (her Mindbite Scorn lets her do extra damage on cursed foes. Don't retcon, I'll just remember it next time.

[Xabulba]

Lesarieth's dagger completely pierces the alpha's skull and emerges from its throat, spectacularly finishing off the alpha.
Lesarieth the steps up and bloodies lizard-dog 3.

Lesarieth I moved you to H5 and apllied ypur attack to LD3 so you won't wast your second attack.

Lizard-dog 1&2 surge forward and attack the nearist wounded of the prey and claw at Lesarieth.
Attack vs ac, 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15, damage = 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 hit
Attack vs ac, 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22, damage = 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 hit
Each dog rakes their claws down one of Lesarieth's legs.

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

MAP

Arakan is up

[Lesarieth]

By the way, I'm not critically wounded yet, but I'm probably going to need healing pretty soon

[Tirshok]

Lesarieth wrote:

(you couldn't just have let that one slide could you aubrey?)

I thought, "Wow, he must have a good AC, how did he manage that?" So I checked your character sheet and discovered you hadn't. Anyway, nice to share out the damage since I'm taking a pasting... ;-)

[Arakan]

"Les, get back to the group and catch your breath..." minor majestic word on Lesarieth surge +4 hp, and slide him 1 square to G6

"...and when your done slacking, drop that nasty cur next to you." standard Direct the Strike for Lesarieth to make a basic attack as a free action against LD4

Moving in a circuitous route around Tirshok and Gannicus, Arakan takes up the space beside Lesarieth move action to H6 and advises,

"If we huddle with our backs to one another it will be harder for them to flank us." while lifting his shield to cover the middle of his body.

Do you want me to roll the direct the strike attacks, or would it be better for them to since I don't know what all they may do as their basic attack?

[Irivis]

Irivis shrugs her hat down over her eyes and watches the evolving battle with interest and some speculation.

[Gannicus]

"Good idea, Anakan! Form up!"

[Arakan]

"Ganitus, now may not be the time for me to be a stickler, but it sounded as if you mispronounced my name. It is pronounced Ar-Ah-Khan." Arakan, offers informatively.

[Irivis]

What might be a small snort of laughter comes from behind the hat.

[Lesarieth]

Lesarieth mutters to himself, "we'll see who's slacking", not quite under his breath, and then aims a venomous stab at the nearest lizard-dog.

And what are you laughing at anyway, Iviris...

Basic attack, 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 vs. AC to hit, if that hits then 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 damage

".... That was a fluke, could have happened to anyone..... Slacking indeed."

[Irivis]

"If I may paraphrase my able colleague, "Ir-ree-vis". Not "Iv-ir-is". It merely amuses me that none of us seem aware of each other's names."

[Gannicus]

On my turn: Move to G5 please and cleave vs. lizard dog 3 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

If hit damage vs. lizard dog 3 is 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

If hit damage vs. lizard dogs 1, 2, and 4 is 3

[Tirshok]

Er, damage 1d10+3, Gannicus.

[Gannicus]

Tirshok wrote:

Er, damage 1d10+3, Gannicus.

Damage vs. lizard dog 3 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

[Irivis]

I think Cleave only lets you do damage to one adjacent target, not all of them.

[Xabulba]

@Gannicus – Cleave’s extra damage only effects one adjacent enemy

Arakan’s encouraging words rallies Lesarieth prodding him on to attack as he is revitalized.
Lesarieth though can’t connect the extra attack missing the lizard-dog by a wide margin.

Lizard-dogs 3 & 4 continue to maul the wounded Lesarieth biting and clawing in an attempt to bring him down.
LD3, Attack vs ac, 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 2 = 10, damage = 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11 miss
LD4, Attack vs ac, 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 1 = 12, damage = 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 miss
The lizard-dogs in there wounded condition can’t connect an attack on Lesarieth either.

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

MAP

Irivis is up.

[Irivis]

Kicking up sand to mask her progress, Irivis uses her despised power to curse another lizard dog and miss her main target. She rolls her eyes at her own incompetence.

"So much for that."

Move to K7 and gain concealment.
Minor - Curse LD2
Standard - Hand of Blight (Fort) v LD4 using Fell Might
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Likely not, but just in case it does hit,
1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 - necro and psychic power damage
1d6 ⇒ 3 plus 1d6 ⇒ 4 - untyped curse damage
1d8 ⇒ 4 - fell might damage
Sad. 16 damage out the window.

LD4 and LD2 cursed.

[Arakan]

Irivis wrote:

"If I may paraphrase my able colleague, "Ir-ree-vis". Not "Iv-ir-is". It merely amuses me that none of us seem aware of each other's names."

"Oh? Have I been mispronouncing people's names? By the Dragon, why didn't someone tell me?!" Arakan gasps in disbelief.

"We, as a society, have only the benefit of our capability to speak." He chides as an educator giving class. "If we can't learn to effectively communicate with one another, then we are not much better than Halfing or Kreen."

"Heck, much less and we dip to the level of these very beasts that harry us presently."

Xabulba, I have a question as far as Arcane goes. I know that unless someone uses Primal in my case, or Psionic in Irivis', they can't tell what we are using? Do Irivis and I, however, know each other are using Arcane?

[Irivis]

"And yet they are clearly articulating something and we can understand it."

Irivis points at the yelping pack. "This is also communication, albeit only one way to our knowledge."

Good point on the arcane thing, Aardvark.

[Xabulba]

@ Arakan – The reason that the masses can identify arcane magic is arcane magic siphons the life force from the living and intelligent life has an instinctive knowledge of who or what is sucking the life out of them.
An arcane skill check can disguise any use of magic so people observing can’t tell who is casting arcane spells.
Primal & pact magic is drawn from a different power source so you and Irivis aren’t casting arcane magic. This also means that neither of you can defile to gain power bonus’.
The masses of people don’t differentiate types of magic and view all magic as evil so it always best to hide your magic in cities and towns.
Because both you and Irivis are not using arcane magic you would have to make an arcane skill check to tell what specific type of magic she’s using.

Irivis power fails her but her curses still hold power.

Greenish blood sprays all over Gannicus as he steps past Arakan and with a powerful cleave chops off Lizard-dog 3’s head and damages LD4.

Initiative:
Gannicus
Tirshok (bloodied)
Lesarieth (bloodied)
Lizard-dog 1
Lizard-dog 2 (cursed by I)
Arakan
Lizard-dog 4 (bloodied, slowed EOLNT, cursed by I)
Irivis

MAP

Tirshok is up.

[Arakan]

Minor derail on Arcane magic in 4E Dark Sun. Spoilered for those it doesn't affect. Wasn't sure if I put it here or if we are still using the discussion thread

Arcane in Dark Sun:

But we ARE using Arcane magic, we are both classes with the Arcane power source. That means that every power we use that is from our class is Arcane magic.

In 4E Dark Sun (I played 2E Dark Sun from when it first came out), you no longer have to choose to preserve, you have to choose to defile and no one is the wiser UNLESS you defile because there is a visible effect. Since we are producing supernatural effects, we chose the Primal (or Psionic) power source as a cover for what we were doing in case anyone asks.

However, if a Primal or Psionic user saw us they would know that it was not their power source, unless we succeed on a Bluff check when we use an Arcane power. No matter what the bluff, defiling is always recognized.

My Shout and two uses of Majestic Word, were Arcane magic. Irivis' warlock powers used were all Arcane magic. We just pretend it's not to the unwitting public.

[Xabulba]

Arakan wrote:

Minor derail on Arcane magic in 4E Dark Sun. Spoilered for those it doesn't affect. Wasn't sure if I put it here or if we are still using the discussion thread

** spoiler omitted **

I was in error in the above post, I blame the fact that I didn't have my notes or my books when I wrote it. You are correct both primal and pact-magic is arcane so you can defile.

To identify what style of arcane magic someone is useing you would need to roll an arcane skill check. The arcane DC would vary depending on the targest successes in disguising his majic.

[Tirshok]

"Come on, doggies, give it your best shot."

Recuperating Strike on Dog 4. 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19 to hit, damage 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8. If I hit, I get 4 temporary hit points. Not doing anything else.

[Irivis]

@Arakan

Spoiler:

Sounds like Arakan and Irivis might have to do a little explaining to each other at some point.

[Lesarieth]

Just for the record, unless I misread a few posts, I'm neither wounded nor bloodied at the moment

Lesarieth sighs at Irivis and Akaran. "Look, we can bicker all day if you want, but personally I'm slightly more in favour of trying to not get gnawed to pieces"

"Oh, and by the way, before anyone tryes any funny business with my name. It is Les, just Les. It is also pronounced Les. That should be easy enough to say."

[Tirshok]

"Quit gabbling about your name, Len, and stick some more dogs!"

[Arakan]

"I'm also strongly in favor of you guys not getting gnawed to pieces, but obviously we are not all going to get want we want."

[Irivis]

"A philosopher as well as an educator. Is there any reason we shouldn't have a rational discussion to occupy our minds as well as our bodies? I wouldn't call this bickering."

Irivis kicks a bit more sand about.

[Lesarieth]

"Look, I'm all for a rational discussion. Emphasis on rational. But would you at least mind holding off the pointless philosophy for a slightly more appropriate time, preferably alone....

And Tirshok... I think I like you. Even if you do seem to be going out of your way to annoy me just at the moment."

[Lesarieth]

Just realised I was supposed to be having a turn around now.

shift 1 square to F5, then use acrobatic strike to shift again to E5 giving me flanking with Tirshok.

Acrobatic Strike vs. Lizard dog 4: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 2 = 30 vs. AC, if that hits then 1d4 + 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (2) + (3, 6) + 8 = 19 damage.

Thats everything.

Lesarieth swallows his frustration for a moment, and deftly slips behind the wounded lizard dog, attempting to finish it off.

[Xabulba]

Tirshok lands a cautious blow on LD4 and surprises himself as the weak blow kills the lizard.

Initiative:
Gannicus
Tirshok (bloodied)
Lesarieth (bloodied)
Lizard-dog 1
Lizard-dog 2 (cursed by I)
Arakan
Irivis

MAP

Lesarieth redo your attack please.

[Irivis]

Fell Might restored with the timely fall of LD4.

Irivis feels her despised power return to her.

[Arakan]

Xabulba wrote:

Lesarieth redo your attack please.

Please tell me he just changes his target, that would suck to have to re-roll a crit

[Xabulba]

Arakan wrote:

Xabulba wrote:

Lesarieth redo your attack please.

Please tell me he just changes his target, that would suck to have to re-roll a crit

He doesn't have to re-roll unless he uses a different power.

[Lesarieth]

Alright, dead target is dead. I take it i can redo the move action as well (still using the same attack)

Right, move to I4, then use shift from acrobatic strike to shift to I3. Targeting Lizard dog 2. Crit obviously. Crit damage is 28.

By the way, I really really am not bloodied, I've checked through a few times now.

[Gannicus]

I will be out of town from Friday night until Sunday night; please dmnpc gannicus as necessary.

[Xabulba]

Lesarieth dances over to LD2 stabs his dagger through the dogs spinal cord killing it instantly.

LD1 being the last of the pack turns tail and runs back into the desert wastes.

Unless you choose to pursue the combat is over.
120xp each.
Claws and hides are worth 30cp (ceramic) total.

[Tirshok]

"Nice bit of work, Len!"

Tirshok looks sadly at his broken pick. "I hate to see the old girl like this. You know, I've had the same pick since I was a nipper. I mean, I've replaced the head eight times and the haft six. But yeah, the same pick for twenty years..."

[Arakan]

While everyone catches their breath and scavenges what goods can be found from the fallen, Arakan passes amongst them, ensuring they are treating their wounds appropriately.

Song of rest, at the end of a short rest add 4 to the HP gained from spending a Healing surge

"Correct me if I'm wrong, Durshook? Make sure you put a wrap around that bite, don't let it get infected."

"Ganitus, I hope I said that right, I may have a little aloe we can use on that nip that you took, it should help."

[Irivis]

Irivis lets the dust settle around her and joins the others, pulling her hat back down over her face.

[Lesarieth]

Lesarieth sits down among the others, casually twisting his rusted daggers in his hands.

"That was exhilarating at least, even with the philosophy. So, who are you people anyway? It's almost refreshing to meet someone who can fight again."

"So, who are you people, and why can't any of you pronounce anyone's name right?"

[Tirshok]

Arakan wrote:

"Correct me if I'm wrong, Durshook?

"It's Tirshok, kid. Ask Len, here."

[Lesarieth]

"Like he said. It's Torshok, Akaran, try and get it right. Is it even worth correcting anyone at this point?"

[Arakan]

"My sincerest apologies then, Tirshok, it was not my intent to mislabel anyone." Arakan explains humbly.

"Les, it is not an issue of pronunciation, as much as it was an issue of misinformation. Having only met you all briefly at the outset of our journey, the number of names to be remembered was overwhelming."

continuing to speak as if giving a lecture.

"Even moreso due to the commonalities of the names amongst the regular host of the caravan, I found myself at a bit of odds in trying to remember specifically the names of our small group here."

"Only by my correcting someone's mispronunciation of my name did the issue even come to light. Who knows how long we would have been calling each other thusly before someone spoke up."

"I hope this helped?" Arakan implores.

[Irivis]

"My hat covers my ears - sometimes that makes it hard to hear. I'm Irivis and I admit to enjoying rational discussion."

"How often have we called a person by the wrong name in preference to not calling them by a name at all? To remove the name is to remove individuality and in our attempts not to offend by offering a name of some kind, we may offend more by offering the wrong name. I have found myself upset beyond sense by just this thing - and yet I have probably done it myself."

Short resting for those that need it?

[Arakan]

After everyone has had a short rest

"So, I imagine we should get back to patrol around the caravan. Let's hope that the attack was just a hungry pack happening by and not part of some larger attack."

[Tirshok]

"Let's get going!"

[Irivis]

"I think we should keep a wary eye open. There may be more of them."

[Xabulba]

Give me a round of perception checks.