Round 1, giant scorpions
Theo, itching for battle, and over-prepared for it as usual, spurs his horse onward, draws his rapier, and says a brief battle prayer. All of his allies feel themselves bolstered by his faith.
Realizing he has little time to make maximum use of Equalizer's sight, Jack calls on his innate ability to fire with great accuracy over long ranges. Cocking himself sideways in his saddle to provide the best perch to fire from, Jack raises his mighty musket to his eye resting a well practiced breathing pattern. The gentle "click-click" of the hammer and lock fill his ears and a calm washes over him. "Gonna drop the one in front of me, boys.", he says as his finger moves from guard to trigger. BOOOMMM! Equalizer roars to life belching flame and smoke from its muzzle. A fist size hole is punched into the chitin of one of the scorpions.
""Do not fear my friends, these are simply desert scorpions of the monstrous variety. Steel yourself in the face of danger and take care to avoid their stingers. I have no doubt we will all emerge alive and victorious from this chance encounter!" shouts Learnur as the others move forward.
After being shot the injured scorpion charges madly across the desert, its speed unbelievable for a creature of that size.
When it reaches Jack and his mount the monster crashes a claw onto the poor horse crushing it brutally. The pony goes unconscious as the scorpion's claw easily snaps through bones and muscle.
The halfling lands roughly in the dirt beside his nearly-slaughtered mount.
The remaining scorpions move swiftly across the sand, through the water, and over rocks. They spread out trying to surround their new prey. One makes a veritable dash towards the lone riderless horse. Its claws snapping eagerly as it nears.
Jack
Learnur
Qalas
---Mara
Theo
giant scorpion 1
giant scorpion 2
giant scorpion 3
giant scorpion 4
giant scorpion 5
giant scorpion 6
giant scorpion 7
giant scorpion 8
Hitting the ground hard as his pony is literally ripped out from underneath him. "Poor bastard.",he says as the carcass of his mount lands in the dirt next to him. Realizing any action to stand will likely result in him joining his pony on the chopping block, Jack reaches into his cartridge pouch instead. In one smooth motion he rams the paper cartridge flare round down the muzzle, takes aim at the scorpian which seemed so intent on having him for dinner, cocks the hammer, and fires. "Don't let me down old friend.", he thinks to himself knowing the paper cartridges increase the chance of a dreaded misfire, but if it hits it will blind his attackers just long enough to better his current situation. The cock almost seems to drop in slow motion as it scrapes along the frizzen showering the priming pan in a torrent of sparks. He braces for the recoil....KA-THOOMM!
The shot jumps from the barrel with thump. The sound of the flare in flight is akin to a bumble bee crossed with a campfire. Thanking Cayden Cailean the thing didn't blacken his face...again, he maintains his follow through on the shot hoping for the burst of light that should follow a successful strike.
Theo dismounts his steed, closes his eyes for but a second, centering himself, and then opening them again, his rocky features ablaze with anger. He then advances several feet, remembering his footwork from many combats past, and makes a brutal thrust at the scorpion in front of him
Hearing Longwind's inspirational words drift across the battlefield, Jack shout's back,"He's right,boys! Let's start with me! HAHAHA!", the halfling's eternal optimism and gunslinger's bravado shiny through even in face of near certain death.
"Indeed. Kebab anyone?"
"By the Amira's little toe, these monsters flow like the desert sands themselves! Let's see if e can put an end to that.." Qalaus throws out his hands and the air around four of the scorpions warps and coalesces.
After a moment the most of the monsters themselves begin to slow down their sudden movements turned sluggish. Two of them are wrapped in strands of sticky tanglefoot goo. While Qaluas works, Marra beats her wings raising higher in the air as she flies past.
Uncomfortable fighting on horseback, Aeron dismounts and moves across the sand to Jack's rescue. His scythe appears in his hand with barely a movement.
Round 2, giant scorpions
Theo dismounts his steed, closes his eyes for but a second, centering himself, and then opening them again, his rocky features ablaze with anger. He then advances several feet, remembering his footwork from many combats past, and makes a brutal thrust at the scorpion in front of him. The blade, sharpened by magic and faith, pierces the scorpions eyes and brain. His mount withdraws over the hill to safety.
Hitting the ground hard as his pony is literally ripped out from underneath him. "Poor bastard.",he says as the carcass of his mount lands in the dirt next to him. Realizing any action to stand will likely result in him joining his pony on the chopping block, Jack reaches into his cartridge pouch instead. In one smooth motion he rams the paper cartridge flare round down the muzzle, takes aim at the scorpian which seemed so intent on having him for dinner. As he peers up barrel the scorpion takes the opportunity to strike down at the halfling.
After rolling past the claw he cocks the hammer, and fires. "Don't let me down old friend.", Jack thinks to himself knowing the paper cartridges increase the chance of a dreaded misfire, but if it hits it will blind his attackers just long enough to better his current situation. The hammer almost seems to drop in slow motion as it scrapes along the frizzen showering the priming pan in a torrent of sparks. He braces for the recoil....KA-THOOMM! The shot jumps from the barrel with thump. The sound of the flare in flight is akin to a bumble bee crossed with a campfire. Thanking Cayden Cailean the thing didn't blacken his face...again, he maintains his follow through on the shot hoping for the burst of light that should follow a successful strike.
Before him the creature blindly scratches at the burning embers in its face. Covered in goo and no blind a vermin could not be madder.
"That's it men fight hard, the tide of battle swings in our favor! Let us deal with these desert insects quickly, we've got fellow Pathfinders to rescue!" The lone scorpion stares strangely at the shouting horse that swiftly vanishes. It keens mournfully and begins to turn towards Theo.
Blinded and sticky the scorpion standing over shuffles to the side and strikes at were the halfling was laying.
Though blinded the wrathful scorpion strikes its stinger through Jack's leg. The venom burns his skin but doesn't spread deeply.
The other gooey scorpion looks back at Mara but the eidolon is too high for it to strike. Instead it advances on Aeron and swings a slowed claw his direction.
The grizzled fighter dodges the blow with contempt.
One of the slowed scorpions approaches Aeron and his horse, but the mount retreats from battle. The other one makes a stunted charge against Theo's back.
Even flanked the and facing the wrong direction the inquisitor ducks under the swipe. Just in time for the three ahead of him to make a flurry of attacks.
With spell, shield, armor, and faith the oread defends himself as the scorpions tear apart the sand around him. As he dances, the lone scorpion charges across the desert to join the fray
Its attacks are also futile against the inquisitor.
Jack
Learnur
Qalas
---Mara
Theo
giant scorpion 1
giant scorpion 2
giant scorpion 3
giant scorpion 4
giant scorpion 5
giant scorpion 6
giant scorpion 7
giant scorpion 8
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Marra notes The oootherrrzzz! and lands at QR - 6&7. She readies an attack with her pincer in case a scorpion approaches.
Qalaus casts slow a second time, with two more tanglefoot bags, trying to incapacitate Scorpions 5 - 8.
"Brother Aldebrant, I've never heard of such grace and of nimbleness! The bards are neglecting their duties! Would you permit assistance in dispatching those monsters, or would you prefer the glory of killing them yourself?"
Sparks erupt in the face of the most tenacious scorpion Jack has ever seen. Dodging a swing of the giant arthropod's monsterous claw,Jack thinks to himself,"Ifin' he weren't trying kill me, I'd rather like the big..., Bumpo's thought is cut off mid-sentence as the beast's massive stinger slams into to his leg. "G'OT DAMN YA! One of us has got to go, big boy and it sure as hell ain't gonna be me!",he yells at his unrelenting assailant.
Coming to the conclusion getting to his feet is far more likely to get him killed than firing again,the Halfling loads a paper cartridged bullet, draws down on the beast again, and let's loose.
Again, Equalizer's thunderous voice bellows across the oasis eager to extend the Basilisk deadly vision.
Still defending himself from the veritable onslaught, a focused and unscathed Theo shouts "Qalaus, 'tis but a matter of practice, a sturdy shield, and bit of magic. While I'm fully confident in my ability to dispatch these vermin alone, especially considering that I'm just getting warmed up, five for the one of me, and three for the lot of you hardly seems fair. It'd be a pleasure to fight alongside you, and, if he so chooses, Mr. Longwind"
Following Qalaus' casting of Slow, he mutters "Well I certainly didn't need them to be any slower than they already are. That just takes the excitement and danger out of it"
Marra notes The oootherrrzzz! She readies an attack with her pincer in case a scorpion approaches. Qalaus casts slow a second time. Reality around the beasts slipping out of synch as his spell takes affect.
"Brother Aldebrant, I've never heard of such grace and of nimbleness! The bards are neglecting their duties! Would you permit assistance in dispatching those monsters, or would you prefer the glory of killing them yourself?"
Aeron moves behind the scorpion that attacked Jack.
The giant scorpions make sluggish attempts to try and claw Aeron as he darts around them. In a swift fluid motion Aeron drives his scythe deep into the scorpion’s back. ”I won’t let you hurt my companions!” It shutters and dies on his blade.
Round 3, giant scorpions
Still defending himself from the veritable onslaught, a focused and unscathed Theo shouts "Qalaus, 'tis but a matter of practice, a sturdy shield, and bit of magic. While I'm fully confident in my ability to dispatch these vermin alone, especially considering that I'm just getting warmed up, five for the one of me, and three for the lot of you hardly seems fair. It'd be a pleasure to fight alongside you, and, if he so chooses, Mr. Longwind"
Following Qalaus' casting, he mutters, "Well I certainly didn't need them to be any slower than they already are. That just takes the excitement and danger out of it"
His first blow finishes off wounded creature, and his next two quickened strikes injure the entangled creature beside his kill.
Sparks erupt in the face of the most tenacious scorpion Jack has ever seen. Dodging a swing of the giant arthropod's monstrous claw, Jack thinks to himself,"Ifin' he weren't trying kill me, I'd rather like the big..., Bumpo's thought is cut off mid-sentence as the beast's massive stinger slams into to his leg. "G'OT DAMN YA! One of us has got to go, big boy and it sure as hell ain't gonna be me!",he yells as his unrelenting assailant is slain by Aeron.
Coming to the conclusion getting to his feet is far more likely to get him killed than firing again, the halfling loads a paper cartridged bullet, draws down on the next beast, and let's loose. Blasting a chuck from its menacing stinger.
"My fellow agents, hear my words! Although you cannot see me, I am still here. Should you require my martial assistance just speak the words and I will join the fray. If you think you can handle the situation, then who am I to deny you such glories!" orates the invisible Learnur.
The slowed and entangled scorpion attacks Aeron with a giant claw.
While the merely slowed beast advances on the prone Jack attempting to crush him.
Despite his best efforts the creature snatches him, breaking his tiny bones and pressing down into the sand.
With one scorpion dead and two slowed, Theo's chances look good as the scorpions continue their attacks.
Out of all the attacks only one lands, the creature very nearly established a hold on the inquisitor but he slips free at the last second.
Jack
Learnur
Qalas
---Mara
Theo
giant scorpion 1
giant scorpion 2
giant scorpion 3
giant scorpion 4
giant scorpion 5
giant scorpion 6
giant scorpion 7
giant scorpion 8
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Focused on the peril Theo continues to face, Qalaus doesn't notice Jack's situation.
Marra shrieks a savage, otherworldly battle-cry, takes a 5' step to QR-7-8 and unleashes a full attack against Scorpion-4
BITE:
Attack:
Damage: plus poison (Fort DC 16 or take 1-4 STR damage)
PINCER:
Attack:
Damage: plus free grapple:
PINCER:
Attack:
Damage: plus free grapple:
Not that anyone notices, but a smile crosses Qalaus' face. "Well done, my dear. But I think it meritorious for us to provide Brother Aldebrant with a little more support."
The Qadiran halfling gestures, throwing some powdered crystals in the air. "Turn the tide of battle as we turn the air to light. We steal away your stealth and more: we steal away your sight." He centers the glitterdust effect in T16, requiring Scorpions 5 and 8 to make a DC 19 Will save to avoid being blinded.
Quickly adjusting fire to the nearest scorpion, after Aeron's timely arrival reaped the beast from its earthly existance, Jack failed to see another of the beast racing toward him. No sooner had he opened left eye did he see the desending picner of the great arachnid. Deftly dodging the the first only to find himself snatched from the desert floor, the Halfing let out a shriek of nearly overwhleming pain as the beast's vise like grip began to crush him.
Hearing your ribs crack is never a sound one welcomes, but when you know a two foot long,poison filled spike is sure to soon follow, it doesn't seem quite as bad. Thanking Desna the crushing grip was somewhat mitigated by his fine mithril shirt and the stock of ever-faithful, Equalizer, Jack grabbed the barrel of his musket crancked back on it as hard he could hoping to work it like a lever and free himself from certain death.
Feeling his pack shift and a small crunch in the scorpion's claw, Bumpo works himself loose enough to drop from the creature's deadly grip. Dropping for to the ground and rolling to his feet in a display of acrobatic skill, Jack lets out a grunt as he feels his battered ribs flex in an unnatural manner. Adrenaline and sheer grit see him through the escape and quickly runs through his options. Knowing it will be impossible to out distance the great monster, he slams what he hopes is not his last round into Equalizer. The flare round seats well and he jerks the weapon into postion.
Hoping to blind the creature and then duck out of sight, Jack readies himself for another assualt. "Desna help me.", he says as he stands before the beast massive natural arsenal.
So the first one might crit, and the second definitely doesn't
[ooc[Learnur is after you, so no, though you could choose to delay until he casts on you if you like.[/ooc]
Theo, after being successfully struck and almost held by the wounded scorpion's enormous claws, closes in on his would-be predators to clarify its role as his prey .
He looks sharply at his foes, then to his blade, muttering "Insects, eh? Or was it arachnids? Nevermind. I've just the trick to deal with you."
After a moment of consideration, Theo swiftly strikes at his assailants.
Learnur shots a quick spell that gives Jack a surge of magical gumption. The halfling instantly twists his way out of the steel-like grip
Focused on the peril Theo continues to face, Qalaus doesn't notice Jack's situation.
Marra shrieks a savage, otherworldly battle-cry, and assaults the closest vermin. Her mandibles and claws tear and crush chitin, she establishes a firm hold on the beast as it writhes underneath her mighty pincer.
Not that anyone notices, but a smile crosses Qalaus' face. "Well done, my dear. But I think it meritorious for us to provide Brother Aldebrant with a little more support."
The Qadiran halfling gestures, throwing some powdered crystals in the air. "Turn the tide of battle as we turn the air to light. We steal away your stealth and more: we steal away your sight." He centers the glitterdust effect in T16, requiring Scorpions 5 and 8 to make a DC 19 Will save to avoid being blinded.
Both scorpions thrashes at their eyes as the fine sparkling dust settles on them.
Aeron takes a step closer to the living scorpion that attacked him. "Don't worry Jack, I'll be there to help you out in a second," shouts Aeron before he launches a barrage of attacks at the still living scorpion. His first strike pierces a crack in its armor, while the second is deflected by the slick black carapace. It still stands wounded and angry.
Theo, after being successfully struck and almost held by the wounded scorpion's enormous claws, closes in on his would-be predators to clarify its role as his prey. He looks sharply at his foes, then to his blade, muttering "Insects, eh? Or was it arachnids? Nevermind. I've just the trick to deal with you."
After a moment of consideration, Theo swiftly strikes at his assailants. His blade pierces the creatures chest and quickly leaps up to cleanly cut into the cracks around the scorpions head, piercing its brain. It falls motionless at the inquisitor's feet.
Jack
Learnur
Qalas
---Mara
Theo
giant scorpion 1
giant scorpion 2
giant scorpion 3
giant scorpion 4
giant scorpion 5
giant scorpion 6
giant scorpion 7
giant scorpion 8
Relying on the point blank range he faces against his monstorous foe, Jack jams the muzzle of his firearm in the creatures face and lets loose.
Sure blindness will give him his chance to escape, Jack prepares himself to seek cover in the nearest place he can, his poor pony's mangled carcass.
Relying on the point blank range he faces against his monstorous foe, Jack jams the muzzle of his firearm in the creatures face and lets loose, blowing away a portion of carapace. Sure blindness will give him his chance to escape, Jack stands to his feet and prepares himself to seek cover in the nearest place he can, his poor pony's mangled carcass.
Learnur carefully guides his mount beside the scorpion and bends down to cast another spell upon the halfling. "Do not worry Jack, scorpions cannot defeat a Basilisk they cannot see! But beware they can still detect your vibrations!"
Aeron's battered foe continues to fight back, too stupid to know it is doomed.
Blinded and frustrated by the halfling slipping from its grip the giant scorpion tries to strike Jack again.
It is close, but without seeing Jack the sluggish beast only scrapes the sand. As this goes on Mara's foe attempts to fight back viciously.
As she holds the scorpion tightly it thrashes against her rending chitinous flesh and piercing her with its stinger. The poison fails to take hold of her system though. Meanwhile the entangled and slowed creature nearby has turned around and attacks the eidolon with its own stinger.
It strikes and a second dose of venom assaults her, but she staves it off.
Jack
Learnur
Qalas
---Mara
Theo
giant scorpion 1
giant scorpion 2
giant scorpion 3
giant scorpion 4
giant scorpion 5
giant scorpion 6
giant scorpion 7
giant scorpion 8
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RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16
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"That'zzzz enough of that!" the eidolon says through her legs. She'll use a move action to convert the grapple into a pin. (Maneuver roll: ; if that's successful, she's pulled Scorpion 4 next to her.) And she will attempt to bite it again as her standard action.
Attack roll:
Damage roll: plus poison (Fort DC 16 or take 1-4 STR damage)
Qalaus himself turns to see the serious situation to the east. "By all the gods, I won't have a fellow pathfinder killed by a bug. It would be humiliating."
His action depends on whether or not Marra has killed her scorpion.
If Scorpion 4 is still alive, Qalaus will let Marra keep it pinned. He'll arm his slingstaff and let fly a stone, hoping to distract Scorpion 3.
Attack:
Damage
If Scorpion 4 seems to die, he feels free to try something else. He will use his spell-like ability to summon an ankylosaurus in TV 7-9, as a standard action. Its STR and CON are 31 and 21, respectively. It attacks Scorpion 3.
Attack (tail) (I'm presuming that none of the buff spells cast by the party members affect it.
Damage plus stun (Scorpion 3 needs to make a DC 25 Fortitude save or be dazed.)
Invoking this spell-like ability causes Marra to fade away back to her home plane.
After the battle raging around Theo has calmed somewhat, he, too, begins to observe the situation north of him I'm sure they can handle themselves. But then, just to be sure.
"Qalaus, if it pleases you, I think I can defeat the rest of these sorry sods." He gestures to the corpses of 3 scorpions he has slain already, and again to the minor cuts and bruises he received from being struck earlier. "I'd love to rush to the aid of my companions, but I fear I'm not fast enough to be of any good. I do, of course, leave this matter to your discretion"
At his next opportunity, Theo will advance to strike at yet another scorpion, a smile crossing his lips as he sees the beasts have no mind for retreat, even in the face of wholesale slaughter. They're either really brave or really stupid. In a few moments, these last of them won't be in such a state as to be considered either.