Dreav casts Mage Armor and readies to cast Acid Splash at the first sign of danger. "Perhaps we should approach with stealth."
Kysstaa, the first among you to be called to the strange place, volunteers to be out in the open, as the three of you hide in wait. "There's no reason to believe that there is anything nefarious... Unless, of course, you count the Slaymate, the Savrans, and the strange behavior of everyone else in the area."
As you make your way into the clearing, you see Otis, the halfling from the Haeler. He is sitting on a stump, as if waiting for someone. He sees Kysstaa, and waves him over. As Kysstaa moves to speak with the hin, Borden spots a Kobold lying in wait near Otis. About this time, you all hear Tham's voice loud and clear. "It's a trap!"
Surprise Round!
Initiative:
22 Tham
16 Dreav (surprised) Acts on Round 1
15 Otis
12 Borden
11 Kobolds
3 Moonpate (surprised) Acts on Round 1
1 Kysstaa (Surprised) Acts on Round 1
Tham:
Tham is obviously a bit off of his game, as he wings his dagger with his off hand trying to hit one of the kobolds early to take it out.
1d20 roll 6 + 3 = 9 to hit
On the way off chance that the attack hits, the dagger does a whopping 1 point of damage.
The beginnings of this scuffle are rather confused indeed, as Tham's dagger wings by one of the kobolds, and Otis draws his shortsword as he closed to Tham, striking at him and hitting a kneecap.
Borden, seeing that the kobolds are still surprised, throws his javelin into the Kobold that Tham missed.
Then, all the hells break loose, as five kobolds throw javelins into the party, not particularly aiming for anyone, but they do avoid Tham and Otis for some reason. Two javelins hit Kysstaa, one in the leg and one squarely in the shoulder. One javelin misses Dreav by mere inches, while another hits Borden while one misses.
Then begins the chanting by another Kobold.
Tham:
Borden:
Kysstaa:
Dreav and Moonpate:
Round 1:
Initiative Order:
Tham,
Dreav
Otis
Borden
Kobolds
Moonpate
Kysstaa
If triggering my bonded item is a free action (or whatever it is called) then I will do that first (Mage Armor) and then cast a spell. Will cast Color Spray if I can affect more than one enemy without catching any of our group in the cone. If that is not tactically feasible then I will trigger my bonded item and go into Total Defense for this round.
Dreav moves forward moving his hands as he goes. A blinding blast erupts from his hands into the kobolds.
For the DM:
Acrobatics check d20 roll 10 + 7 = 17
Then, I'm going to use my standard action to use Clinging Shadow Strike . . .
Attack roll d20 6 + 3 = 9
Wow . . . I'm glad that wasn't like my best ability or anything . . . grumble . . .
On the way off chance that it actually hit, I'd do 9 points of damage, and he would have to make a DC 13 Fort save or have a 20% miss chance on all melee and ranged attacks for one round.
Tham deftly dances around Otis, striking out with his Pata, missing horribly.
Dreav's color spray hits two of the Kobolds, and they both appear to be quite unconscious.
Otis lashes back out to Tham with his shortsword, also missing.
Borden draws his rapier and moves to defend his companions, moving near, but not next to one of the non-unconscious kobolds nearest to Dreav (the nearest kobold, within a 5-foot step).
The kobolds move, swarming around Otis and Tham, and all 3 miss tham when they attack with their spears. The last of the kobolds completes his chanting, and right next to Borden appears three rather large, glowing red-eyed dire rats. Each tries to bite him, with only one succeeding (for 1 point of damage).
Moonpate raises his mug and is surrounded by a slight blue glow for a moment before he steps into a defensive stance.
Kysstaa, seeing that his friend has been surrounded by rats, attacks one of the rats with his claw, as he realizes he had not taken off his peacebond for his sword. The claw bites deep, and the rat disappears in a puff of smoke.
Borden:
Moonpate:
Dreav brings his scimitar down on the unconsious kobold. "We only need one friend to talk to."
For the DM:
In case I have to tumble away from any of the kobolds while moving, my check in for the kobold to avoid the attack is d20 9 + 7 = 16.
I'm using Shadow Blade technique this round as my standard action.
Attack roll #1 = d20 14 + 3 = 17
Attack roll #2 = d20 19 + 3 = 22
I'm going to be safe and take the second roll.
Damage, if I hit (and I sure hope I don't need more than a 22 to hit) =
1d6 5 + 2 = 7 damage from the pata.
Tham's arm is surrounded by shadow, then two arms wielding patas strike out, one high, one low, making it harder to defend against the attack due to the illusory second attack.
Also, can I see the dagger I threw, and how far away is it from me, if I can see it?
I will target the chanting kobold with a magic missle.
Facing off against the summoned creatures, with the aid of his scaled friend, Borden scores a solid blow on the next dire rat though it does not hit any critical viens or arteries.
Tham's arm is surrounded by shadow, then two arms wielding patas strike out, one high, one low, striking Otis. Unfotunately, during his attempt to tumble and maintain his ability, he was struck by Otis for 5 points of damage.
Dreav hears the satisfying crunch of the Kobold's skull opening up, knowing at this point that the kobold will no longer hurt anyone.
Otis lashes out at tham, missing horribly.
Although not striking any arteries or veins were struck, the satisfying strike into a vital area brings a horrid stench from what was the summoned rat, as it oozes back into the ground.
The kobolds see that Tham is very difficult to hit, with only one striking him, for only 1 point of damage. The Kobold begins chanting again, but Moonpate's Magic Missile slams the chanting kobold. The kobold is still standing, but when he was struck, he lost his spell (blasted one on the spellcraft check).
Kysstaa attempts to remove the final rat, but unfortunately misses with his claws.
Borden, not wanting to have to face anymore of what the magic wielding kolbold cought through at them, dashes for the kobold and slashes out with his shortsword.
Dreav smiles under his mask. I'll have something for you this time little caster.
DM:
Everyone:
Welcome back! Great timing for some action.
For the DM:
Tham:
Moonpate:
Kysstaa
For the DM:
Weakly swinging the pata and getting d20 roll 8 + 3 = 11
Doubting I hit, but just in case . . .
4 points of damage.
Tham, badly staggered and bleeding, barely standing, gets ready to swing his pata.
"Beshaba's always been a b#**~ to me. I think Mask must have got on her bad side and sold me out to her. Not riding Lady Luck's dark twin this evening, but when has that stopped me from gambling?"
Tham, swings his pata, weakly, missing Otis by a large margin. Dreav Acid Splash strikes the caster, interrupting his chanting. You all hear what appears to be cursing after the caster is struck.
Otis tumbles away from Tham, but provokes an attack of opportunity while he does so. He then moves for the treeline, near where Tham's dagger lies.
Borden's charge hits the kobold squarely in the chest, and he realizes that the kobold will not be getting up after his strike. The rat that had been harassing Borden missed its attack of opportunity.
Kobolds The five remaining kobolds each begin to scatter, but not before Moonpate strikes one of them with his club, downing it. The remaining ones scatter, each going a different direction. Kysstaa finishes off the last of the summoned rats, and quickly scans his immediate vicinity for threats.
Kysstaa
Moonpate
All
"Try to take the halfling alive", Moonpate yells.
For DM:
Seeing Otis among the scattering kobolds, Borden shouts, "Hey! Don't move or we will make this hurt much more than it needs to!" The half elf tightens his grip on his blade for emphasis as he moves towards Otis
For the DM:
d20 roll 14 + 3 = 17 to hit
Pata damage d6 roll 6 + 2 = 8 damage
Also, are you ready for us to post our actions for next round yet?
Tham is able to strike Otis, doing a bit of damage as his pata slices into Otis' Shoulder.
Otis stops at the clearing and shouts "What is it with you people?!" At which point he goes into a much more defensive posture.
All:
All: You may all post your actions for the next round.
For the DM:
Tham staggers back a bit, and looks around at the battlefield.
"I hate to ask, but can you guys handle this one? Loathe as I am to admit it, I'm not feeling too well."
"Otis, give up now! Otherwise you won't even have time to explain why you have taken sides with these kobolds before my scaly friend here gets his rather sharp hands on you.
Attack roll in case Otis either tries to attack or make a break for it. Attack 17 Damage 4
Dreav glares as the talon under his glove begins to form ooze.
DM:
Want to make sure this lands, so I'm burning an AD: 1d4 [3] = (3)
...and again: 1d4 [2] = (2).
Trip attack total: 13 (CMB) + 5 (AD) = 18.
Left the +2 to attack bonus from charging out because it does explicitly state that the +2 works for bull rushes but doesn't say anything about other combat maneuvers.
Perception roll: 1d20 = 5
Tham, leaning on a tree shouts, "It's a trap!" At which time, Otis drops his weapon at Borden's feet, and smiles. As Otis does this, and Borden begins his cautious approach, he stops short. Before he can say anything, he notices two kobolds with crossbows, aiming squarely for his lizardfolk and wizardly allies. They pull their triggers as Borden slices deeply into the arm of one of the kobolds. Dreav is struck by the attack, as well as Kysstaa. Moonpate, realizing what is going on, casts a quick cantrip, dazing the other kobold for the moment. Kysstaa, an arrow sticking out of his shoulder, charges Otis, tackling the halfling into the forest.
Dreav
Kysstaa:
"Arcle **ugh**" Dreav shouts as the arrow hits him and he loses the spell.
You all hear Otis yelling something (free action).
For those that speak Draconic:
"Kystaa, we need that halfling alive! Secure him if you can."
For DM:
Damage Roll d6 = 3
Dreav swings his arm towards the kobold that shot him, "Burn!!"
"Oh, bugger . . . a cutthroat's work is never done."
For the DM:
Attack roll d20 = 5 - 4 (non-lethal) + 3 = 4
On the amazingly off chance that the forces of the cosmos have come together to make that a successful roll, my damage is 6 + 2 = 8 (non-lethal).
Seeing that Kystaa has the halfling in his strong hands, Borden goes after the kobold crossbowmen, moving into the forest and slashing at the closest one.
Attack 1d20+1=12 damage 1d6+1+4
Tham swings his pata, bringing the blade down dangerously near Otis' throat, and Otis lets out a yelp at this. Dreav's burst of acid hits the Kobold, taking it down as Borden's strike rings true.
Otis is screaming "I am not your enemy! I've been blackmailed by the lord of the fortress!"
The remaining active Kobold, seeing that he is vastly outnumbered, and outgunned, drops his crossbow and runs away. Seeing this, Moonpate crushes what's left of the remaining Kobold's dignity, and life force, with his club of hard knocks. Kysstaa, having Otis effectively pinned, has the remaining action of the round.
"Awfully convenient, being blackmailed once it is painfully," [ooc]he squeezes slightly to emphasize his point, "obvious that you are on the losing side. I would just to like make sure that a few things are clear on my side before I decide exactly what to do with you.
"First, you are being blackmailed by the 'lord of the fortress', which certainly does not sound like something pulled out of your ass at the last second. Second, even though you feel bad about luring us into this trap with the intention of killing us, you were unable to sneak some warning to us because you are incapable of outwitting kobolds.
"I also feel the need to remind you that not only is one of my companions here trained to detect lies, but I am a paladin of an ancient dragon god of justice and the teachings behind justice and retribution have a tendency to be...open ended and brutal. I would work desperately to put me into a good mood with your answers."
Moonpate grabs his crossbow and keeps an eye out for any more intrusions whilst his comrades "question" our host for the evening. He also moves towards Tham to help with any bandaging of wounds and to chastise him roundly for ditching us.
"Tham, what possessed you to come out here alone! Here, take a swig of my fortifying whiskey and start talking."
Moonpate produces his secret flask, takes a big swig himself, and passes it to Tham.
Moonpate grabs his crossbow and keeps an eye out for any more intrusions whilst his comrades "question" our host for the evening. He also moves towards Tham to help with any bandaging of wounds and to chastise him roundly for ditching us.
"Tham, what possessed you to come out here alone! Here, take a swig of my fortifying whiskey and start talking."
Moonpate produces his secret flask, takes a big swig himself, and passes it to Tham.
"I'll take you up on that," Tham says, as he reaches out and takes a draw from Moonpate's flask.
"I have to admit, even when I was working in a team in my younger days, working as a team meant doing your job, not sticking together. I'm still getting used to the difference between adventurer and hired killer."
Glaring at him, "By the mist, you better start making sense. By the mist."
"I'd start talking if I was you Otis,"
Otis spits out "Get offa me you oaf! You all saved me from death in their cookpots, I got no reason to lie. The 'Lord of the Fortress,' as it is, is some guy named bloodaxe. He's a Myrkulite hell-bent on bringing him back to life. He caught me, using those blasted kobolds, and told me he'd kill my ladyfriend back at the Haeler along with the whole thing if I let on. He also said he'd 'choose' me for special 'missions' to eliminate threats to his research. He thinks something's in that old fort. He's using slave labor, illegally obtained by using the trappers in the area, and I think your friends, too. It's a death march for anyone, though, as he doesn't feed 'em, he just turns them into skeletons to keep mining for some ancient evil node or somesuch nonsense."
all: