The Sands of Shandala

[Fouredged Sword]

Shandala is hard place to live. The days are hot and the nights will freeze you to the bone. There is little water and even less safety. People are here for one reason, and one reason alone, silk. The silk trade must pass through this desert. To try to sail around would require passing through waters so dangerous that it is rarely attempted and never survived. In the desert you at least stand a chance of getting through.

You all are in Dale, the middle oasis on the Great Desert Road. It is a small settlement by the standards of people more accustom to more hospitable climates, but in the desert it is a good sized town. There are about 200 permenant residents. There are as many as 400 people who are staying in Dale for a short period, to move on to find work or with the next caravan.

Most of the houses are built from the sand, with walls made of hardend bricks of sand. The roofs are permenantly attacked canvase tents. The city as a whole looks more like a permenant camp than a normal city.

It is all run, and mostly owned, by a man named Muhsin. He is the merchant lord for this town. He once ran caravans through the desert, but now he has settled at Dale, and works to build and profit off the safety that the 13 Stars of the Desert provides. There are many caravnas that cross the desert in his name.

You all where in town when a messanger found you and handed over a message stateing that Abdul-Nasir, the merchant lord's peacekeeper, requested your presence. He is the man responsible for keeping order in Dale, and his job requires him to be familer with the majority of mercenaries within the walls. A mesasge from him means that Muhsin is hireing mercenaries for some task and he required Abdul-Nasir's personal experties and experience picking the best.

You all decide to attend and see what the reason for being summoned is. You are show up at the building Abdul-Nasir uses to conduct his work from. You are escorted to a waiting room with fine wooden benches and silk cushions (wood furniture is a rareity in the desert).

There you are told that the peacekeeper will be with you shortly, and are left in the room with the several other people.

In the room each of you sees three other people

There is a half giant in full plate armor with a massive curved sword held easily over his sholder. He stands easily and relaxed like a mountain standing in the sand.

Not far from him sits a human in a chain shirt with a smaller, but wicked looking falchion. His face sports a long scar across his left eye, and the eye is covered by a cloth bandage.

Across the room stands an scholarly looking fellow with a heavy crossbow resting at his feet. He looks around the room inquisitively.

Finaly the last person in the room is a small boy, no more than 14 or so years old. He has a scarf wraped arround his face showing only his large blue eyes that look out at the world with interest.

You have few moments before Abdul-Nasir arives, what do you do?

[Solan]

Hykrion Durast

Hykrion eyes the other three, sizing each of them up in turn. Competition or comrades? Likely both. Still, he knew Abdul-Nasir paid good money, and his projects usually weren't small. He probably couldn't go this one alone. He taps his foot impatiently.

He gives a disdainful cough.

Heh. You know, it's basic strategy to make us wait, an attempt to subtly demonstrate dominance, that we need him more than he needs us. He's a tricky one, this, but don't settle for less than you're worth. Abdul-Nasir works the big jobs, so this must be important. He wouldn't have called us otherwise.

His eye locks on the blue of the young boy's and grins toothily.

That's a tip son.

[planswalker]

The half-giant lifts his visor and removes the filtration mask, letting it fall into his armor. He speaks in a very deep voice like that of thunder rumbling across the sands, saying, "I am in need of no man. I am a Freeman of the Desert, none master me. This man's money is useful, but he is foolish if he thinks i am in need of him, not the other way around. That is why he will pay me for this job, not me pay him. You other three look like you wouldn't last fifteen minutes in the Sea of Fire. I hope for your sakes that our task does not take us there."

that's freeman, not fremen. as in one who has no master, not yet another dune reference

[Audious]

Syed lifts a hand to his mouth as he lets a small chuckle slip out at the half-giant's expense.

"You seem so sure of our ineptitude, my large friend. I would hope for your sake that it's not the case for me. I am Syed, an archaelogist by trade, and I'm sure for this particular outing, your scout and pincushion for traps."

He holds a hand out to the half-giant, awaiting a handshake.

[Solan]

A smirk crosses Hykrion's lips as he watches the exchange between the two.

[planswalker]

He chuckles at these words, "Well put, my friend. I did not mean to say that any of you were inept at what you do, it is merely that i have seen many people like you perish in the agony of the blazing hot sands in the Sea of Fire. I respect your courage and boldness." He takes the proffered hand in his own in a clasp of friendship. "Azeem is my name, Azeem Achu. Mercenary for hire and rider of Shai-Halud, one of the great Worms. Tell me, my courageous young archeologist, what brings one of your trade here to be hired as a mercenary?"

[Audious]

"Well met, Azeem. A worm-rider, you say? Very interesting, I look forward to seeing this. I'm brought to this <sarcasm>glorious</sarcasm> trade by way of funding a personal project. Who knows, I may need traveling companions when that time comes, we'll see how we fair in this endeavor, first, though."

Syed turns his attention to the other two.

"And you, my less-vocal friends, what may we call you?"

[planswalker]

Azeem can be heard mumbling to himself, "I like this little archeologist. He is quite the courageous little one. He is right, the mercenary work really has no honor, but it does pay the bills."

ooc: mind if my speech is crimson?

[Fouredged Sword]

OOC:That is fine by me.

[For Valor]

At Hykrion's words, Ah'briss Ordu nods and smiles.

He looks all three of the other men up and down. What an odd trio they all made, he thinks. He decides he likes the scholarly man and moves towards him. As he does so, he responds to the archaeologist's question:

My name is Ordu, Ah'briss Ordu. You're an interesting-looking man... I don't recall ever catching your name, though. Hmmm... you look like your name starts with an "m"...

Ah'briss pauses to let his potential dramatic effect sink in. The letter "M" was probably incorrect, but it was a great starting line for a joke of his. Hopefully it wouldn't fall flat.

OOC: Is this color all right?

[Audious]

Syed eyes the man, feeling he seems a bit odd.

"Um... Unfortunately, you guess wrong, my friend. My name is Syed, well met, sir."

[For Valor]

Mister Syed it is!! Ah'briss responds with zeal. He eyes the archaeologist, looking for a slight hint of approval.

[planswalker]

the half-giand bursts out laughing, enjoying a belting laugh at the childishly simple joke. "You tell a good joke, little one."

[Audious]

Syed simply raises an eyebrow at the odd boy.

[Fouredged Sword]

At that moment a servent enters and ushers you into an office. Abdul-Nasir is sitting in an ornate desk working on some papers. When you enter he looks up at you and motions for you to sit at one of four chairs infrount of his desk. He begins speaking without waiting to see if you sit.

"The lord Muhsin has tasked me with a most inportant task. There has been a recent attack on one of his caravans. The attack itself is not unusual, but the lord Muhsin's son was leading that expidition. He has been taken. Muhsin has, in his wisdom, taken precautions for just this instance. The lord's son carries on his person a ring that makes his detection easy. It has not been removed so we know where he is being held. We need a group of talented warriors to go out and retrive the lord's son."

"I have hand picked you as the best the city has to offer at the moment. Azeem, you are needed to act as a guide through the desert. Hykrion, your swordmanship is well spoken of. Syed, the raiders where goblins, and I am to understand that you have a way with traps. And, A'hbriss, I hesitate to send a child into the desert, but I understand that this will not be the first time you cross the sands, and the lord's son will doubtlessly be gravely injured. He is a competent fighter himself."

"The pay is 300 gold now each, and 300 gold each on his safe return. Can I count on you to do this for Muhsin?"

[planswalker]

"An honorable task with just compensation. You have this Wormrider's word that this boy shall be brought back alive and those who perpetrated this act shall suffer for it." Azeem makes a fist and crosses it over his chest as an oath of honor.

[Solan]

Hykrion remains standing during the pitch, his arms crossed haughtily in front of his chest.

Well, 600 gold pieces seems about fair for a babysitting contract. If this young whelp spits up on my camel, though, I'll be charging extra for the cleaning.

He gives a toothy grin.

[Audious]

"The pay is satisfactory, but just one question, however. How old is he, sir? Are we looking for a boy or a man? Also, what does he look like? I'm simply curious, so we know him if we should spot him."

[Fouredged Sword]

Abdul-Nasir answers you questions in a buisness like tone.

"Mushin's son is named Najeeb. He is 22 summers and is skilled both with the sword and with the powers of the mind. He has been leading caravans for his father for two years now. If you can free him, he can aid in his own excape. I would know, I trained the boy myself. "

"You will know him when you see him. He is 5'8" with a scar over his right brow from when he was tossed from a camel in his youth, though I doubt you will have any trouble telling him apart from the goblins."

[For Valor]

Ah'briss grins. People with scars are always interesting to look at. He walks towards Abdul-Nasir pipes up:"Don't worry at all, peacekeeper, I--er, we--will find Muhsin's son and bring him back safely," He then turns to the other three men in the room, and says in as commanding a voice as a young teen can muster, "And nobody had better take my gold." On the second syllable of "better", his voice cracks and he winces but continues, hoping no one says anything of it.

[planswalker]

The half-giant chuckles good-naturedly, "Don't worry about it, little one. I never steal from a comrade-in-arms. If one of our compatriots does, he will answer to me."

[Audious]

Syed also laughs.

"I can assure you, young master, that I'm an honorable man. No theft of your gold will take place."

[Solan]

Hykrion picks his teeth with a rough fingernail.


Not to worry kid. Honor or not, stealing from associates is usually bad for business.

[For Valor]

Ah'briss smiles: "Well, then let's go!"

[Fouredged Sword]

Abdul-Nasir takes a small gem amulet out of his pocket. There is a small light that shines from the small gem. It turns to always point roughly NW. "This amulet is conected to Najeeb. The light shines in his direction. The brighter the light the closer you are. As it is the light shows he is about 40 miles from here. Mushin values his son very much. His safety is priority over any other concerns in this matter. This whole matter has me worried. Goblins do not normaly act with such planing as to hold a ransom. Travel safely my friends. The desert is full of dangers"

[planswalker]

"We shall make for the camp and deliver the captive back here shortly, have no concern." Azeem promises, then kneels with his right fist crossed over his chest. "Perhaps someone with less bulky protections would like to take that amulet?" he suggests patiently.

[For Valor]

"Oh! Me!! Me!!!" Ah'briss jumps up and down, waving his hand, "I can do it! Let me hold it!!!!!"

[planswalker]

"Fine then." says Azeem

[Fouredged Sword]

OOC: Unless anyone interjects, I will jump to departing in the direction the amulet points. I will give you guys a bit to make any last min changes to characters or spend that 300 gp if you want. I say once more just to be fair if anyone missed it on the OOC thread you can make changes to your character until you enter the desert. that will likely be tomorow, unless somebody wants to interject somehow.

The peacekeeper nods with a satisfied look on his face. "I shal tell Mushin that this matter has been left in your most competent hands." He then waves to dismiss you.

[planswalker]

thought about buying a camel just to serve as a meal on the hoof to my worm, but decided against it.

[Fouredged Sword]

Camel turns up quite a bit on the random random encounter chart. Another playgrounder made this neat program that will talor make a random encounter chart. I will have to use it alot.

[For Valor]

(As fantastic as camels are, I think we should get to the adventuring. Let's go kill some goblins!!!!)

[planswalker]

it's been a day, let's just get started, already!

[Fouredged Sword]

As the party depart NW in the direction the amulet shines the weater is moderate wind. This is the best you can expect in the sea of storms.

Azeem,
You see one hyena sneaking up on the camels, Azeem, your worm seems bothered. It is sneaking out from around a dune 50ft off

Hykrion, syed, A'hbriss
You see and hear two hyenas sneaking up on the camels. They are comeing out from a dune 50 ft off.

Note. Comabt modifiers, Moderate wind is makeing ranged attacks have a -2 penelty. This does not effect psionic powers.read chart wrong, sorry

[Solan]

Scavengers!

Hykrion bellows, slinging his lance into his hands.

I'll run them down like the curs they are.

Rolling for initiative, if appropriate: [roll0]

[Audious]

Syed draws his crossbow, loading a bolt into it and muttering to himself.

"Damned, flea-infested mongrels..."

[planswalker]

"Hyenas! Where there is one, more will surely follow." Azeem draws his falchion, and commands his worm to move 10 ft closer to the hyenas

[For Valor]

Ah'briss says nothing, but pulls out his longspear and moves towards Hykrion, eyes watchful.

Initiative Roll:

1d20+3
1d20+3

[For Valor]

Freakin' a**...

[roll0]

THERE we go.

[Fouredged Sword]

As you square off the hyena's notice and wait. When Hykrion bellows and charges both hyenas turn and run into the desert rather than face a mounted charger.

The curs run quickly out of sight in the rolling dunes.

[planswalker]

"Let us continue on our way" Azeem recommends.

[Fouredged Sword]

The day passes without further note. As the sun crests the horizon it is time to make camp. There is about 30 min of daylight before the sun fully sets

[planswalker]

Azeem aids the others in setting up camp as they need, then he burrows his sand tube into the ground as he gives his sandworm the order to rest, relying on its tremorsense to alert him of danger and protect him from the smaller predators of the night sands.

[Solan]

Hykrion scoffs as the hyenas take flight.

We cannot be too careful, nor expect all our foes to flee. Be on your guard.



As the group makes camp for the evening Hykrion tends to his camels and pitches his tent.

Need we establish watches?

[For Valor]

Ah'briss is dead asleep, laying belly-down in the sand outside a tent, and doesn't respond.

[planswalker]

Azeem has his worm gently drag him inside of his tent and then burrow just beneath the surface in the center of camp, sleeping lightly so that his tremorsense will awaken him should an intruder come.

[Fouredged Sword]

130 ft diameter blindsense coverage. This will not be a sure thing with the worm asleep. There will be a listen check. The worm will not suffer -10 for being asleep for things within the radius.

[planswalker]

my character thinks that this is good enough. he's already dozing contentedly in his sand tube. of course, both he and his worm are underground and don't leave that much of anything on the surface to attract predators.

[Fouredged Sword]

The two of you are unlikely to be found, but the top of your sand tube must be somehow conected to the surface. You need to breathe.

[planswalker]

well, yes, it is at the surface with a thin layer of sand on it. i am aware that it isn't foolproof, but it has worked well enough for Azeem in the past.

[Audious]

Syed, entrenching his sand tube, looks to Hykrion and shrugs,

"I guess one of us is staying up for first watch?"

[Solan]

Hykrion nods and prepares himself for first watch.

[Fouredged Sword]

You circle the camels and settle in to wait for the first watch. After the sun has set for a few hours you hear the sound of a creature walking in the dunes around the camp. It seems to be slowly moving closer and staying out of sight.

[For Valor]

"No, not my buttons... not the gumdrop buttons..." Ah'briss mutters as he rolls over in his sleep.

Listen Check:

[roll0]

Well, piss. Subtract ten from that and I'm at -3... fantastic...

[Fouredged Sword]

I already checked for everyone. Nobody asleep heard anything.

[For Valor]

k... I'll just continue to make noises in my sleep.

[Fouredged Sword]

OOC: due to long inaction, I will move it along.

Hykrion draws his blade warry of the stalkers. He throws his pack over to the area near the Azeem, alerting the worm who wakes Azeem. He then moves quickly over and wakes Syed and A'hbriss quietly, whispering that something is sneaking around the primeter.

[planswalker]

aseem crawls out of his sand tube and draws his weapon

is it time to roll init yet?

[Fouredged Sword]

OOC: Combat is nigh. Roll for init!

Oh, and confirm how many camels you have. It is needed for what is about to happen.

[planswalker]

[roll0]

yes, that's a -6 for init. Woot to inattentive!

edit: at least i didn't get negative...

edit 2: oh, and azeem has no camels. Shai-halud already ate today.

[For Valor]

c'mon, c'mon...

[roll0]

Hellz to the Yeah!

-----------------

Ah'briss nods to Hykrion, pushes himself up slowly, takes a full-round action (do I have that much time?) to try and obtain Psionic Focus.

Concentration check:

1d20+9

[For Valor]

Damn... rolling concentration again.

[roll0]

...aaaand I fail. Do I have another full-round action to spend?

[Fouredged Sword]

Technicaly combat isn't started yet. Something is wandering around the camp, and you don't know what it is. Nobody has enguaged in combat. Give everyone else a chance to post and then, if combat isn't happening than you may try again.
Init was rolled for the future.

[Fouredged Sword]

Init
Ah'briss - 17
Hykrion - 15
Syed - 9
Azeem - Last

Two hyena's burst from the dunes and make a line for the cammels! You are all 30ft away to the side of thier path, and they are 60ft from the camels!

[For Valor]

Alright, Ah'briss run right in front of them (double move) yelling and waving his arms as threateningly as he can.

Is that a check of some sort? Like... intimidate?


Intimidate Check:
[roll0]

[planswalker]

Azeem mounts his worm and has it approach as close to the hyenas as he can.

[Fouredged Sword]

Ah'briss run right in front of the hyenas, yelling and waveing his spear. One of the hyenas stops short now unsure. The other runs past. Ah'briss strikes it as it passes. (9 DMG)

The hyena runs at the camels, strikeing at one. (9 DMG) It then tries to pull the beast down, but the camel keeps it's footing in the sand.

Azeem mounts his ashworm and moves quickly to intercept the agressive hyena before it can kill the camel. He gets within reach, but not in time to attack just yet.

[planswalker]

Azeem will attack the hyena, trying to draw it off of the camel.

attack: [roll0]
damage: [roll1]

[Fouredged Sword]

A'hbriss turns to face the hyena that is attacking the camels. He stabs it in the flank, stabing deep into it's ribs. (DMG 10)

The Hyena then attempst to run, it's wounds are to great to be worth a meal. Unfortunatly this invokes an atack of opertunity from Azeem, who promptly cuts the beast in half.

The other hyena, seeing the death of it's packmate, flees into the dunes at a full run.

[planswalker]

Shai-halud feeds on the corpse, his meal for the day.

did we get xp for this?

Azeem and his worm go back to their rest for the night.

[Fouredged Sword]

You each gain 300exp

[For Valor]

Ah'briss realizes that survival rules are a party of the game and goes "sh*t..."

Can I loot the players who no longer exist for food? That worm ate my chance at a meal.

[planswalker]

shai-halud leaves one of the hind legs for Ah'briss

[For Valor]

Ah'briss om-noms a leg. 'Tis decent eatings.

[planswalker]

azeem and his worm sleep the night away in the arrangements that they had had before the hyenas interrupted.

[Fouredged Sword]

A restful night sleep is had by all. You wake up refreshed and alert, but two of your companions are missing. There are track that lead 100ft away from the camp than vanish. It apears that they have been taken by one of the fae of the desert. There is no way to save them now. Such is the danger of the desert. All that remains of your companions is a single camel loaded with food and drink.

Camel - carry cap 300 lbs
Pack Saddel 1 15lbs
water 30 120 lbs
food 30 30lbs
camel feed 10 100lbs
total 265lbs

[planswalker]

Azeem pauses for a couple of minutes and regains his psionic focus. (taking 20) He then will pack up his things and feed himself a quick breakfast from his supplies.

"Let us continue onwards" Azeem says.

He leads the way, following the trail to save the boy.

[For Valor]

Ah'briss follows suit, obtaining psionic focus and then follows the amulet, leading the camel with the supplies frm each of his missing adventurers.

"It's unfortunate they disappeared like that. I kind of liked the old man in the robes," he says to no one in particular after a few minutes of walking.

[Fouredged Sword]

There is a strong wind in the desert. The blowing sand is blocking your vision. As the end of the day comes you find yourselves faceing a spire sticking a short way out of the sand, like a tower that was buried all the way to the top. As you see the spire, the sand erupts at Azeem's feet from a energy ray. At the base of the spire there are three goblin guards. Two of them are armed with scimitars and shields, the other is wielding a dagger. The dagger wielding goblin is clearly the one who shot the ray.

Initiative
A'hbriss - 21
Azeem - -4

Enviorment


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++dd++++++ww+++++
+++ddd+++++++ddd+++++ww+++++
+++do_o+g++++++ddd++++++a+++
+++d1V1G++++++++dd++++++++++
++++o_o+g+++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++d++++++++++++d+++++
+++++++++dd+++++++++++dd++++

g = scimitar wielding goblin
G = psionic goblin
w = Azeem on his worm
a = A'hbriss
d = sand dune, 1/2 movement
o_o
1V1 = The spire, pillars in the corners, open on the sides.
o_o

V = downward staircase

[planswalker]

Azeem charges on his worm towards the nearest goblin, attacking him if he can.
[roll0] charging mounted
[roll1] damage if it hits.


If not, he will get to within 10 feet (or as close as he can to that) of the goblin that seems to be most threatening to his partner. If neither seems to be a particular threat, as close to the psionic one as he can get.

[For Valor]

Ah'briss takes a move action to move into the sand dune in front of him (cover?) and draws his longspear, threatening w/10 ft. reach.

[Fouredged Sword]

The first goblin swordsman moves forward into the dune, takeing cover from any ranged attack, then takes a defensive action to guard himself.

A'hbriss also moves to the dune from the other side, drawing his spear, and does the same.

The second goblins swordsman does the same, but moves to the other side of A'hbriss.

The last goblin moves 30 ft forward and fires a ray of energy from his forhead at A'hbriss, splashing him with fire (DMG 10)

Psicraft DC 16
That was the energy ray power, augmented with a second power point.

Then Azeem charges across the sand on his warworm, makeing a straight path for the nearest goblin. It twists in a deceptive patern, and before he knows it Azeem finds himself strikeing sand and twisted between the two swordgoblins.

Knowledge (Martial Lore) DC 10
That was a martial maneuver
Knowledge (Martial Lore) DC 11
That was the counter charge maneuver

End of round positions


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++dd+++++++++++++
+++ddd+++++++gWW++++++++++++
+++do_o+++++++WWdda+++++++++
+++d1V1++++++Gg+dd++++++++++
++++o_o+++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++d++++++++++++d+++++
+++++++++dd+++++++++++dd++++

[planswalker]

I'll activate my flaming porperty and swing at the goblin nearest me. [roll0] for [roll1] slashing and [roll2]

[For Valor]

Would it be problematic if a I used an immediate action to manifest damp power so that I only take 4 damage from that blast? I mean, it's legal, but it's bookkeeping... of course, that sort of use is the only reason I took damp power in the first place, and it'd be quite an inconvenience not to be able to use it.

I'll also drop my psionic focus to throw down synchronicity twice, linked together with Linked Power. I'll specify my first standard action to be using touch of health on myself, and the second synchroncity will come next turn.

Then I'll take a move action to get cover behind Azeem and his worm (moving up 1, left 2).

[Fouredged Sword]

That is a fine use of damp power.

Imidiate actions are unwieldy in PbP. State them in your post for the next round and I will retcon them into existance.

I will post the next round later today.

[For Valor]

'kay. Well, if I get shot at with more energy, I'd like to throw down another damp power. And right before my turn, I want to use my touch of health w/extra power points to heal myself, but the number will be based off of how much damage I've taken.

Also, I'm gonna roll an AoO just in case one of the goblins gets in my threatened area:


[roll0]
[roll1]

[Fouredged Sword]

By the way, are there rules for what square you enter when you fall off a larger mount?

[planswalker]

the player or dm picks, depending on if the pc is conscious or not when they fall.

[Fouredged Sword]

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++dd+++++++++++++
+++ddd+++++++gWW++++++++++++
+++do_o+++++++WWdda+++++++++
+++d1V1++++++Gg+dd++++++++++
++++o_o+++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++d++++++++++++d+++++
+++++++++dd+++++++++++dd++++


The first goblin swordsman steps around Azeem on his worm and wait.

Azeem focuses his mind and energy flows back into his limbs, his body ready to spring into action. Then he moves 10 feet away.

the second goblin swordsman also waits paitently.

The Goblin Psion takes a five foot step back and manifests defensivly. A slick of grease apears under Azeem and his worm. The worm maintans it's balance, but Azeem Falls from the sadle.

Psicraft DC 16
it was psionic grease

The two sword goblins then take thier actions to strike at the still standing worm. Both of the blades are mirrored by a blue outline that follows the strike. Both conect with the worms body. (damage 6 vp total)

Azeem then has his turn. He stands, invokeing an attack of opertunity from the goblins swordsman and psion. Nither hit penitrates his armor platemail. The same could not be said of his target. He strikes deep at the Psion, cutting fiercly into his torso. (Damage 8vp and 8wp)

Without a rider and angry, the worm strikes at the goblin to the south of it, but the goblin dodges out of the way of the stinger.

Final positions


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++dg+++a+++++++++
+++ddd++++++++WW++++++++++++
+++do_o+++++++WWdd++++++++++
+++d1V1++++++Ag+dd++++++++++
++++o_o+++++G+++++++++++++++
+++++++++d++++++++++++d+++++
+++++++++dd+++++++++++dd++++


OOC. I couldn't think of a good way of handleing you falling of your mount without needing to post back and forth. I just placed you in position to attack the best target. I also read grease as knocking you of your mount on a failed save due to "prone" in the sadel made little sense.

[planswalker]

my military saddle should have given me a 75% chance of staying in my saddle. It does so for when i'm completely unconscious. besides which, grease should only effect those in contact with the ground that got greased. it coats a 10ft section of ground with grease. why does that affect aseem at all? he isn't on the ground. There is no logical reason for me to have slipped at all.

even so, prone in the saddle makes perfect sense. this creature is wider than I am. If i had gone prone, i should still be in the saddle, then i slipped on my belly and am in an awkward position on the worm. even if you think that fair, my military saddle i apparently wasted money on should have given me a 75% chance to stay on still. It's not like the only thing keeping me in the saddle is my riding skills.

also, if you are going to drastically change the tactical situation like that on me to where my declared actions may not be the ones that make the most sense, I'd like a chance to change them. The worm should have burrowed out of the grease after it attacked. grease would have slowed his land speed in half, but slicking up the sand (which technically isn't even a solid surface and the grease should have failed to begin with) should have if anything increased his burrow speed. Azeem isn't a mindless automaton. I guess in this case it turned out well enough, but i'd really like to get a chance to avoid 2 AoO's if I can.

Azeem will remount the Worm, a move action that doesn't provoke an AoO. He will then attack the psionic goblin again. the worm will then take 10 on his balance check and move 10 feet out of the grease.

[planswalker]

eh, forgot the rolls.

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2] fire

[For Valor]

alright, my touch of health manifests with 1 extra pp (I've spent 6 so far) and I'm back to full health.

And I think my movement got weirded out. I was hanging behind the worm at the end of my turn (up 1, left 2) so I should be there, not where the code has put me.

Anyways, Ah'briss's second synchronicity kicks in and he move 10ft towards the goblin (move action). Then he makes 2 attacks with his longspear.

[roll0]
[roll1]

[roll2]
[roll3]

two solid hits for 13 damage! Does it die or scream or something?

[Fouredged Sword]

Sorry, you are right. I missread that as two up one over, not one up two over. You are indeed next to the worm.

Vitality points make low level things tougher. That is enough to really hurt something though. I really thought I had you guys going there for a second with some battlefield control. Power though it and kill stuff I guess.

[ForValor]

are we playing out the next round now?

[Fouredged Sword]

Turn Start


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++dg+++++++++++++
+++ddd++++++++WWA+++++++++++
+++do_o+++++++WWdd++++++++++
+++d1V1++++++Ag+dd++++++++++
++++o_o+++++G+++++++++++++++
+++++++++d++++++++++++d+++++
+++++++++dd+++++++++++dd++++


A'hbriss moves five feet NW and tears into the goblin nearest to him with his spear. He savagly stabs it in a flurry of attacks dealing 8vp and 5wp.

The Psionic goblin turns and runs for the staircase. Unfortunatly Azeem cut him down as he turned, killing him cleanly with an attack of opertunity.

Seeing the death of the leader the swords-goblin north of the worm turns to run as well, only to be stabed in the back by A'hbriss. The spear punches through the lung of the goblin. It writhes on the ground drowning quickly in it's own blood while passing into schock.

The Last goblin turns to run quickly away. The worm makes an swipe at the retreating goblin, stabing a deep wound and poisoning the goblin. (damage 8vp, 1wp, 7 str)

The goblin makes a break for the stairs, but before he can get there Azeem mounts the worm and charges! The goblin is cut down as it atempts to flee. Battle is over.

You both gain 400 exp.

[planswalker]

woot! Azeem will loot the bodies for everything that they own, and show it all to A'hbriss.

[Fouredged Sword]

Sorry this took so long.

You find 2 small shortswords on the goblin swordsmen, and a small dagger on the psion. All of them are clothed in small desert garb, but nobody buys that stuff. They are each carrying a single water skin and nothing else of value.

The starway down is built to allow pasage of medium creatures, but the worm may squeaze into it if you wish.

Knowledge eng DC 10
That stairwell looks like the top of a sunken tower. There is likely much larger chambers below. It will sink back into the sand in a few days.[/

Knowledge History DC 15
This looks like a Kar-dalish building. They rise and fall in the moving sand. It will sink back into the sand in a few days.

Knowledge Local DC 15
Goblins are noctural by nature, these looked like the daytime guards. The rest are likely asleep.

[planswalker]

wow, you weren't kidding about the difficult part. those only gave us mw weapons? that's all the loot? this is gonna be a tight game for gold if they're the standard for loot. or were those not even masterwork?

Azeem collects the loot and stores it on the worm. He then says, "I shall lead the way, if you don't object. We are more likely to meet an opponent in front of us than behind. Just in case, though, let Shai-Halud here follow behind. His great form should prevent anyone from sneaking in behind us." assuming his partner agree, Azeem leads out. the worm will follow behind.

[Fouredged Sword]

The staircase leads down around two stories. It is a twisting spiral stair coverd with murals showing lush landscape covered in green trees and plants, cities of green stone rise in the landscape. You have never seen such landscapes anywhere need the desert. You reach the bottom and find a thick wooden door.

Knowledge history DC 15
Such murals are not uncommon in old ruins in the desert. Nobody knows why.

Listen DC 20
You hear muffled snoreing through the door

[planswalker]

Azeem will check to see if the door is locked