Boss Rush, the gestalt version! (IC)

[Jarian]

For nigh on two years, the people of Balan's Ford have dealt with a local gang of bandits as well as any small town might. People are accosted and robbed on occasion, surely, but the local militia kept the streets of the town safe at the very least. Yet when the old leader of the bandits was knifed in his sleep, the patterns of the bandits changed; they became more forceful, more open about their activities, riding into town and killing militiamen whenever a heist went south, as though the townsfolk were to blame.

This new, bloody leadership led the town council to send out a notice to the larger surrounding cities, pleading for help before the bandits decide to become even more daring in their attacks. The people of Balan's Ford want their own lives back, and so you were sent to aid them.

For more than a week you traipsed through the woods nearby, searching for the hideout of the bandits. They were cunning on their own territory, laying ambush after ambush, but with effort and not a little luck, you prevailed. At last you stumbled upon a small wooden palisade surrounding a cluster of shacks. Two guards stood at the gate, shouting the alarm as you came into view. These men were scouts more than warriors however, and the fight - if it could be called that - was over in a flash.

With their dying breaths, the guards spoke of a pair of red-skinned demons who simply appeared in camp one night. None knew how they got there, but the next morning, the old bandit leader was dead, and the two newcomers announced themselves as the new rulers.

"Didn't want to hurt nobody..." the last scout gasps, his partner having died only moments before. "Made us, they d... did. Made us do it..." As his last breath rattles in his chest, he gestures weakly toward one of the shacks. "Made... us... do..."

There is no time to wait. The shouts of the guards have surely alerted any remaining bandits in the camp of your arrival. You rush to the indicated shack and kick down the rickety door; Lopey doesn't know his own strength, it seems.

Inside, a creature that looks human save for his red skin, long, curving horns, and slender, hairless tail greets you with a jaunty salute of his rapier. He grins knowingly, as if having expected you all along.

Map:
{table=head]_|A_|B_|C_|D_|E_|F_|G_
1||c|T|c|||
2|||||||X
3|D||Fi|Fi||X|X
4|c||Fi|Fi||X|X
5|T||||||X
6|c||B|B|||[/table]

D = "Demon". He is wearing a chain shirt and holding a rapier, dressed in what appears to be ragged clothing that once belonged to a noble, with a scarlet bandanna tied around his forehead.
B = Scattered bits of bedding. It looks as though someone was sleeping there recently. Difficult terrain.
c = Small chairs, difficult terrain.
T = Table. Normally impassable, can climb or jump up to move freely through this space.
Fi = Small fire pit, lit but not burning strongly. Stepping into an indicated square deals one point of fire damage.

X= Starting location. Choose yours.

[John Cribati]

Doldra

Spawn at G5, move to E6, and search through the bedding at D6

Search Check: [roll0]
...Seriously?

AC: Full,
HP: 12/12
Saves: Will -1, Fort+4, Will +4

[Jarian]

While searching through the bedding, Doldra touches something that feels like a leg. An invisible, but very real, leg.

There seems to be an invisible creature in D6.

[Blue Ghost]

Isca

Start at G2.

Isca opens a waterskin and bends a quantity of water, sending it flying like an arrow at the demon.

(Attack with Water Blast.)

Bending check: [roll0]
Attack roll: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]


AC: 16, touch 16, FF 13
HP: 11/11
Saves: +5/+5/+5

[Jarian]

The creature drops to all fours, ducking under the arrow, then performs a nimble backflip to regain its footing.

"You'll have to do better than that if you hope to leave here in one piece," it says, grinning wickedly.

[00110111]

Lopey the WarAss!

"This it!" The miniature WarAss brays and stomps as the sight of Demon Man. "He hurt nice Mrs. OatyMash. Take her Oats! This Bad Man™!"

"Aw-EE!"

Bucking madly, Lopey charges through the fire pit and attempts to eat the Demon's beard, along with the rest of his chin.

Actions
http://www.zengrenade.com/html-site/gallery/images/sj_rage.jpg (http://www.zengrenade.com/html-site/gallery/donkey-cartoon-character05.html)

Start in F4. Frenzy.
Charge to B4 and attack the Demon. 2 fire damage.
Bite Attacks [roll0] [roll1]
Damages [roll2] [roll3]

AC 21, Touch 13, Flat 18
HP 13/15
Saves Fort +6 Ref +3 Will +2
Whirling Frenzy 7 rounds

[Jarian]

The creature parries frantically, shock at the ferocity of Lopey's attack evident on its features. It nearly manages to get its blade between the shapeshifted donkey's jaws, but Lopey takes off a chunk of its hand instead.

Cursing potently enough to curdle milk a mile away, the creature stamps down and throws itself into a midair somersault, flying easily over Lopey's second attempt to tear its throat out.

[Eurus]

Wulfgang

Like an avenging angel, clad in a pale gray tunic with a silver shield and a gleaming sword of essentia in hand, Wulfgang calmly advances around the fire - not toward Demon, but toward the bedding where Doldra seems to have bumped into something or someone. He slashes once randomly through the air where it might be, his sword radiating a sickly purple glow.

Rolls/Actions
Starting in F3. Current Presence at the time of the battle's start is Frost. Move to E5 and attempt to Plague Strike the invisible creature.

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

Stats
AC: 19, flat-footed 17, touch 12
HP: 11/11
Saves: Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +2

Runes on recharge: Unholy (4 turns)

Runic Power: 0

[Jarian]

Whoosh.

Wulfgang's sword cleaves through thin air.

[Derjuin]

Ragrak

Ragrak levels her blade with the demon and shouts.

"REND, MAIM, CRUSH, KILL! These are things we'll do to you!" An instant later, she roars, moves around the flames and takes a wild swing at the demon.

Actions:

Start at F3, use Rage and free Intimidate vs. Demon, moving from F3 to B2 and attacking Demon.

[roll0] Intimidate check vs. modified level check, Shaken for 8 rounds if successful.

[roll1] Greatsword attack for [roll2] damage.


Stats

AC: 10, flat-footed 8, touch 10
HP: 17/17
Saves: Fort +7, Reflex +0, Will +3
Rage for 8 rounds

[Jarian]

The creature cowers down on himself more and more as Ragrak bellows ferociously, and he cries out in terror as she advances toward him. He comes to his senses at the last moment, parrying the vicious attack with inhuman dexterity, the ring of steel on steel loud in the air.

Still visibly unsettled, the creature performs a quick pirouette, stabbing first at Lopey, then Ragrak. The rapier darts down, piercing through Lopey's skull, missing the brain by only the scantest of measurements. Then it is pulled free and thrust deep into Ragrak's chest, drawing free a fountain of blood.

(14 damage to Lopey, dropping him to -1, and 13 damage to Ragrak.)

The bedding rustles, and Wulfgang cries out in shock as an invisible length of metal thrusts along his neck, biting deep. An instant later, a nearly identical copy of the first creature appears, grinning devilishly as it raises a bloodied rapier to its lips and licks at the crimson rivulets.

(Wulfgang takes 12 piercing damage, reduced by 2 for his Astral Vambraces.)

Map:
{table=head]_|A_|B_|C_|D_|E_|F_|G_
1||c|T|c|||
2||Ra|||||Is
3|D1||Fi|Fi|||
4|c|Lo|Fi|Fi|||
5|T||||Wu||
6|c||B|D2|Do||[/table]

D = "Demon". He is wearing a chain shirt and holding a rapier, dressed in what appears to be ragged clothing that once belonged to a noble, with a scarlet bandanna tied around his forehead.
D2 = Almost exact copy of the above. His rapier seems to be of poorer make, however.
B = Scattered bits of bedding. It looks as though someone was sleeping there recently. Difficult terrain.
c = Small chairs, difficult terrain.
T = Table. Normally impassable, can climb or jump up to move freely through this space.
Fi = Small fire pit, lit but not burning strongly. Stepping into an indicated square deals one point of fire damage.

Initials = Party members.

[Blue Ghost]

Isca

Isca is surprised to see the demon duck her water blast. She goes in to assist Wulfgar with the second demon, attempting her chi-blocking technique.

Move to D5. Stunning Fist attack.

Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Stunning Fist Fortitude DC 13.


AC: 16, touch 16, FF 13
HP: 11/11
Saves: +5/+5/+5

[Jarian]

Isca's target deflects her attack with a sideways slash of his free hand. He looks hesitantly toward his companion, then shakes his head and spits a gob of bloody spittle toward Isca, muttering something under his breath.

"Pah, like I needed your help anyway. I'll kill em all, mark me, but their stuff is mine... Unequal work, unequal shares."

[Eurus]

Wulfgang

Eyes widening in shock - both mental from surprise and probably physical from blood loss - Wulfgar cries out in pain, and it is as though his agony condenses into physical form as a hail of razor-sharp ice shards blasts forth. He follows it up with another slash, and returns to a defensive position. His blade seems to lose some of its mass, thinning slightly, as his bracers grow to extend up his entire forearms.

Rolls/Actions
Full attacking, first with Icy Touch then with a physical attack. Swift action after that to move one essentia into Astral Vambraces and one into Rageclaws.

[roll0] (DC 13 half)
[roll1]
[roll2]

Stats
AC: 19, flat-footed 17, touch 12
HP: 1/11
Saves: Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +2

Runes on recharge: Unholy (3 turns), Frost (4 turns)

Runic Power: 10

Essentia: 1 in Rageclaws, 1 in Vambraces.

[Jarian]

Wulfgang's hail of ice shears bits of flesh free from the creature, and his followup slash opens a line from shoulder to opposite hip. The creature sways unsteadily, free hand clasped to his stomach in a vain attempt to hold the free-flowing blood in.

"Arright, arright, you win!" the creature shouts, glaring at his partner. "I needjer help. Get over here 'afore I kick it!"

[Derjuin]

Ragrak

"Gah! Your entrails will be MINE to feast upon!" Ragrak screams at the demon that just struck her, hoisting her blade high and chopping savagely.


Attack: [roll0] for [roll1]



AC: 10, touch 8, FF 10
HP: 4/17
Saves: Fort 7, Ref 0, Will 3
Rage 7 rounds

[Jarian]

"Noor nentrails nwill be nwine to nweast on!" the creature mimes in a high-pitched, mocking voice, dancing easily away from the clumsy attack. He seems to be putting a good face on things, but his eyes are still wide with fear at the nearness of Ragrak.

[00110111]

"Zrk!" Lopey's neck twitches unnaturally as the demon's steely proboscis withdraws from the vacuum of the WarAss' skull. Legs elongate. Hooves turn to hands. Fur turns to scales. What was once a donkey reverts into a draconic humanoid form. Blank eyes stare off into space, disconnected from this reality. It speaks in a ghostly tone.

"If Ax equals lambda x and if B has an eigenvalue alpha, then I'm going to say Bx is alpha x.

"Add those up, and you get A plus B x equals lambda plus alpha x. So you would think that if you know the eigenvalues of A and you knew the eigenvalues of B, then if you added you would know the eigenvalues of A plus B. But that's false.

"A plus B -- well, when B was three I, that worked great. But this is not so great.

"And what's the matter with that argument there? We have no reason to believe that x is also an eigenvector of B. B has some eigenvalues, but it's got some different eigenvectors normally. It's a different matrix.

"I don't know anything special. If I don't know anything special, then as far as I know, it's got some different eigenvector y, and when I add I get just rubbish. I mean, I get -- I can add, but I don't learn anything. So not so great is A plus B.

"Or A times B. Normally the eigenvalues of A plus B or A times B are not eigenvalues of A plus eigenvalues of B. Ei- eigenvalues are not, like, linear. Or -- and they don't multiply.

"Because, eigenvectors are usually different and, and there's just no way to find out what A plus B does to affect it.

"So that's a caution. Don't, if B is a multiple of the identity, great, but if B is some general matrix, then for A plus B you've got to find -- you've got to solve the eigenvalue problem..."

Stabilization
91 to 100 stabilizes. 1d100

[John Cribati]

Doldra

Activate Rage and Attack D2 with unarmed strike.

Attack roll: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

AC: 18
HP: 12/12
Saves: Will +1, Fort+4, Will +4
Rage: 6 rounds Left. Temp +4 to STR and CON, +2 to Will, -2 to AC


I home I didn't miss anything.

[Jarian]

Doldra strikes home with her attack, delivering a brutal blow to her opponent's chest. There is an audible crack and the creature's eyes roll up in its head as it collapses to the floor.

Muttering a curse, the remaining creature leaps into the air and kicks off of Ragrak's chest, tumbling sideways through the air to land near his fallen ally. He fumbles with a pendant of some sort hidden within the folds of his clothing, muttering to himself.

"How was this supposed to work again? Damn healers never... maybe like... there we go! Get back on your feet you miserable sack of pus, this isn't over yet!" The last words are accompanied by a flash of golden light from the pendant, and the wounds on the fallen creature's body suddenly closing over.

The newly-revived creature gasps once, eyes fluttering open, then scowls at its predicament, slowly, cautiously crawling away.

Actions+Map:"Demon" performed a midair tumble, leaping over Lopey to land in C-5. It did something weird with an amulet of some sort, which seemed to heal its ally.

The second creature managed to pull off a sort of tumbling crawl five feet to the "west" without provoking attacks of opportunity. He is currently prone.

{table=head]_|A_|B_|C_|D_|E_|F_|G_
1||c|T|c|||
2||Ra|||||Is
3|||Fi|Fi|||
4|c|Lo|Fi|Fi|||
5|T||D1||Wu||
6|c||D2|B|Do||[/table]

D = "Demon". He is wearing a chain shirt and holding a rapier, dressed in what appears to be ragged clothing that once belonged to a noble, with a scarlet bandanna tied around his forehead.
D2 = Almost exact copy of the above. His rapier seems to be of poorer make, however. Currently prone.
B = Scattered bits of bedding. It looks as though someone was sleeping there recently. Difficult terrain.
c = Small chairs, difficult terrain.
T = Table. Normally impassable, can climb or jump up to move freely through this space.
Fi = Small fire pit, lit but not burning strongly. Stepping into an indicated square deals one point of fire damage.

Initials = Party members.

[Eurus]

Wulfgang

Wulfgang keeps pace with the prone demon, advancing as he retreats, and raises his sword over his head to bring it down in what he clearly intends to be an execution. "Stay down."

Meanwhile, another flurry of icy shards lashes out at the other demon, freezing and lacerating simultaneously.

Rolls/Actions
Five-foot step to D-5, swift action to move one essentia from Rageclaws to Incarnate Weapon. Attack the prone demon, and use Icy Touch on the standing one.

[roll0] (not counting potential bonus for prone target)[roll1]

[roll2] (Fort DC 13 half)

Damage from Frost Fever should start kicking in on the prone demon at the beginning of the next round if he's still alive, I think.

EDIT: Nice rolls.

Stats
AC: 19, flat-footed 17, touch 12
HP: 1/11
Saves: Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +2

Runes on recharge: Unholy (2 turns), Frost (3 turns), Frost (4 turns)

Runic Power: 10

Essentia: 1 in Incarnate Weapon, 1 in Vambraces.

[Jarian]

The prone creature kicks itself up into a momentary handstand, barely managing to avoid being impaled by Wulfgang's blade, but falters and falls back to the ground a second later.

The shards of ice shatter against Demon's red skin, and he laughs, wiping away traces of water. (Cold damage had no effect.)

[Derjuin]

Ragrak

Ragrak charges the standing demon.


Charge at D1.

[roll0] for [roll1].



AC: 8/Touch 6/FF 8
HP: 2/17
Saves: F 7/R 0/W 3
Stats: Rage (5 rounds)

[Jarian]

Ragrak's foe sidesteps her blow by a matter of inches. He licks his lips nervously, clearly unsettled to have the furious berserker so close to him again.

[John Cribati]

Doldra

Empowered by her rage (and maybe a bit overconfident) Dodra approaches the standing Demon and Attacks.

Move to space D6, attack Creature D1 with unarmed strike.
Attack roll: [roll]1d20+5] (Damn, I f*ed up the coding :smallannoyed: rerolled in OOC (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=10454629&postcount=10))
Damage: [roll0]

AC: 18
HP: 14/14
Saves: Will +1, Fort+4, Will +4
Rage: 5 rounds Left. Temp +4 to STR and CON, +2 to Will, -2 to AC, and +2 HP

[John Cribati]

Roll for Crit Chance:
[roll0]

OhPleaseOhPleaseOhPleaseOhPleaseOhPlease...

[Jarian]

Doldra steps in and delivers a swift chop to Demon's shoulder. There's an audible snap, but the blow isn't as severe as Doldra may have intended. (Hit, full normal damage, crit confirm failed.)

[Blue Ghost]

(Isca was at D5 when my last move ended.)

Isca jumps backward out of the demons' reach. She produces a leather ball from her belt and throws it at the foot of the standing demon.
(5-ft step to E4. Attack D1 with tanglefoot bag.)

Attack roll: [roll0] touch


AC: 16, touch 16, FF 13
HP: 11/11
Saves: +5/+5/+5

[Jarian]

Isca's target turns sideways, allowing the tanglefoot bag to sail past ineffectually. He then makes a series of strange hand gestures and odd grunts, keeping a wary eye on Ragrak all the while. A heartbeat later, a patch of slickness appears beneath the feet of Wulfgang and Doldra. Wulfgang struggles to keep his footing, but fails spectacularly and crashes to the ground. Doldra slips and slides, but manages to stay vertical in the end - which is fortunate, as this allows her to smack the fallen creature in its face as it struggles to rise. Knuckles meet nose with the sound of snapping cartilage, and the creature's eyes roll up into its head for the second time.

Actions+Map:Demon did something that resembled casting a spell, but avoided leaving himself open to attacks while he did so. His partner tried to stand up, but got socked in the face and dropped into the negatives again.

Wulfgang is currently prone, Doldra just barely managed to stay up. Slicked squares include the two "g"s on the map, and Wulfgang and Doldra's squares.

{table=head]_|A_|B_|C_|D_|E_|F_|G_
1||c|T|c|||
2|||||||
3|||Fi|Fi|||
4|c|Lo|Fi|Fi|Is||
5|T|Ra|D1|Wu|g||
6|c||D2|Do|g||[/table]

D = "Demon". He is wearing a chain shirt and holding a rapier, dressed in what appears to be ragged clothing that once belonged to a noble, with a scarlet bandanna tied around his forehead.
D2 = Almost exact copy of the above. His rapier seems to be of poorer make, however. Currently prone and unconscious.
B = Scattered bits of bedding. It looks as though someone was sleeping there recently. Difficult terrain.
c = Small chairs, difficult terrain.
T = Table. Normally impassable, can climb or jump up to move freely through this space.
Fi = Small fire pit, lit but not burning strongly. Stepping into an indicated square deals one point of fire damage.

Initials = Party members.

[Derjuin]

Ragrak

Ragrak swings her blade at the still-standing demon.


Attack D1.

[roll0] +2 for Flanking (with Doldra) for [roll1].



AC: 10/Touch 8/FF 10
HP: 2/17
Saves: F 7/R 0/W 3
Stats: Rage (4 rounds)

[John Cribati]

Doldra

Attack D2 with unarmed strike for the Coup-de-Grace

Attack roll: [roll0]... THE FU-
Damage: [roll1]

AC: 18
HP: 14/14
Saves: Will +1, Fort+4, Reflex +4
Rage: 4 rounds Left. Temp +4 to STR and CON, +2 to Will, -2 to AC, and +2 HP

[Blue Ghost]

Isca

Isca circles around, drawing more water from her waterskin. She launches another arrow of water at the standing enemy, hoping it will connect.

Move to D2, attack with another Water Blast.
Bending check: [roll0]
Attack: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]


AC: 16, touch 16, FF 13
HP: 11/11
Saves: +5/+5/+5

[John Cribati]

The dice hate everyone today.

[Jarian]

Dolda delivers a swift kick to the head of her fallen foe, permanently silencing his moans of pain. Isca has less luck with her attack, the remaining creature easily ducking under the watery arrow.

[Eurus]

Wulfgang rolls from his back to his knees, and lunges upward in a thrusting stab at the surviving demon.

If the attack of opportunity doesn't kill him, Wulfgang will stand and use a Plague Strike.

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]

AC: 19, flat-footed 17, touch 12
HP: 1/11
Saves: Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +2

Runes on recharge: Unholy (1 turns), Frost (2 turns), Frost (3 turns), Unholy (4 turns)

Runic Power: 10

Essentia: 1 in Incarnate Weapon, 1 in Vambraces.

[Jarian]

The remaining creature lashes out with its rapier as Wulfgang rolls to his feet, taking him in the neck with a length of steel - steel that pierces through Wulfgang's shimmering blue vambraces as easily as through water. (10 piercing damage, bypassing DR of vambraces.)

Nearly blinded by the pain and lightheaded by the loss of blood, Wulfgang's attack goes wide, barely requiring so much as a step to the side to avoid it.

With a quick flourish, Demon turns and drives his blade toward Ragrak - at first it seems the attack would go wide, but something diverts the weapon at the last instant, guiding it straight into her heart. (12 piercing damage.)

As the tide of battle turns further against them, Wulfgang and Doldra struggle to keep their footing on the slick floor. Both succeed, displaying remarkable balance in the thick of battle.

Map:{table=head]_|A_|B_|C_|D_|E_|F_|G_
1||c|T|c|||
2|||||||
3|||Fi|Fi|||
4|c|Lo|Fi|Fi|Is||
5|T|Ra|D1|Wu|g||
6|c||D2|Do|g||[/table]

D = "Demon". He is wearing a chain shirt and holding a rapier, dressed in what appears to be ragged clothing that once belonged to a noble, with a scarlet bandanna tied around his forehead.
D2 = Almost exact copy of the above. His rapier seems to be of poorer make, however. Currently prone and unconscious. Dead as a doornail.
B = Scattered bits of bedding. It looks as though someone was sleeping there recently. Difficult terrain.
c = Small chairs, difficult terrain.
T = Table. Normally impassable, can climb or jump up to move freely through this space.
Fi = Small fire pit, lit but not burning strongly. Stepping into an indicated square deals one point of fire damage.

Initials = Party members.

[Eurus]

Wulfgang seems like he should be dead, or unconscious from shock and bleeding out at the very least, but other than some unsteadiness on his feet he seems more enraged than anything else. "I have had enough of you, worm."

Swift action to bump a point of essentia from Vambraces to Weapon. Full attack, first with Plague Strike then with a normal attack.

[roll0]; [roll1]
[roll2]; [roll3]

[roll4]
[roll5]

AC: 19, flat-footed 17, touch 12
HP: -9/11
Saves: Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +2

Runes on recharge: Frost (1 turns), Frost (2 turns), Unholy (3 turns)

Runic Power: 10

Essentia: 2 in Incarnate Weapon

[John Cribati]

Doldra

Move action to pick up D2's Rapier
Attack with Rapier.

Attack roll: [roll0] (-4 for weilding improperly sized weapon)

NUCKING FUTS! :furious: :furious: :furious:
Damage: [roll1]

AC: 18
HP: 14/14
Saves: Will +1, Fort+4, Reflex +4
Rage: 3 rounds Left. Temp +4 to STR and CON, +2 to Will, -2 to AC, and +2 HP

[Blue Ghost]

Isca

Move to C2.
Water Blast again.


Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

AC: 16, touch 16, FF 13
HP: 11/11
Saves: +5/+5/+5

[Jarian]

Doldra misses wildly with the unfamiliar weapon, but Isca proves more fortunate. The creature attempts to dodge to the side, but Isca adjusts her aim at the last moment, and her arrow of water streaks forward, striking Demon squarely in the chest. Something makes an audible snap, and his eyes go wide with pain and surprise. This new attack, coupled with the loss of blood from his missing section of hand, proves too much to withstand. He makes one final, unsteady thrust with his rapier, driving it through Wulfgang's neck, then collapses.

Final result: VICTORY

PC deaths: 3/5

[Jarian]

The bandit kings were vanquished, but at great personal cost. Ragrak and Wulfgang lie dead in the shack where the fateful battle took place, unable to be given a proper burial. You barely managed to carry the unconscious Lopey along with you as you fled from a second wave of bandits, running blindly into the forest.

For two nights and two days you tended to Lopey, nursing him back to health and staving off infection from his brutal wounds. His recovery is slow at first, but when he finally regains consciousness, he is able to speed the process with minor magic.

At dawn of the third day, you set off again, hopelessly lost but having nothing better to do unless you wish to starve to death. Before an hour is gone, you notice that the woods are becoming... unnatural, somehow. The trees seem twisted, as if by some fell magic.

Unnerved but still determined, you press on, unwilling to let a few sickly trees best you. Save for the ever-present oddness of the trees, the day is uneventful, and you make camp without issue at nightfall.

As you cook what food you managed to scrounge together, a previously unnoticed form disengages itself from the cover of a nearby tree and approaches you. Despite its horrendous appearance, the creature seems friendly enough. It warns you of the danger of this place, of the mad women said to inhabit this portion of the forest, and how few who enter ever return.

Mere moments after your would-be guide has finished speaking, a horrible cackling laugh rends the night air, shrill and piercing, laced with insanity.

Map:{table=head]_|A_|B_|C_|D_|E_|F_|G_|H_|I_|J_
1_||T||||||||
2_||||||||||
3_||||Lo||Id||||
4_|||||Fi|Fi||||
5_||||Zy|Fi|Fi||||
6_||||||Do||||
7_||||||||||
8_||||||T|T|||
9_|T|T||||T|T|||
10|T|T||||||||[/table]

It's nighttime. Your surroundings are pitch black (total concealment without darkvision), except for around the campfire, which offers normal illumination out to 10 feet, and shadowy illumination (20% miss chance) out to 20 feet.

The party goes first. There is currently no sign of opposition. Zybourne's riding dog can be anywhere adjacent to hir.

Initials = party members.
Fi = Fire, burning merrily. It's possible to move through the fire, but it deals 1d6 fire damage and forces a DC 15 Reflex save against being ignited.
T= trees, impassable.

[Blue Ghost]

At the signs of danger, Isca springs up from the fire. Drawing water from her skins, she shapes it into a whip coiled around her hand.


Initiative: [roll0]
Spot: [roll1]
Listen: [roll2]

Move Action: Form water whip.
Bending check: [roll3]

HP: 18/18
AC: 19, touch 19, FF 13
Saves: +6/+6/+6

[John Cribati]

On alert, Doldra moves a bit southeast, wary of ambushes.

Move to G6, make a Spot Check

Spot Check: [roll0] (Worth a shot...)

AC: Full,
HP: 12/12
Saves: Will -1, Fort+4, Will +4

[00110111]

Lopey's familiar tail-swishing stops suddenly. A tuft of grass makes such a large mouthful that his eyes water as he struggles swallow. His ears rotate independently this way and that, up and down, searching for the source of the noise.

Darkvision 30ft & Low-light Vision

Move Action: Active Spot [roll0] Active Listen [roll1]
Free Action: 5ft Step to D4
Move Action: Active Spot [roll2] Active Listen [roll3]

HP 26/26
AC 24 (touch 12, flat 22)
Fort 7, Ref 2, Will 4

[Derjuin]

Zybourne

Zybourne moves a few feet away from the campfire with a dog in tow. Moments later, the druid's eyes gleam with magic, and the dog begins to sniff the air.


Move to D7 (triggers Child of Shadow - 20% concealment for 1 round), Clock (Riding Dog) moves to D6. Casting Detect Magic. Clock uses 2nd move action to sniff the air (Scent) to attempt to detect an enemy.



Zybourne
AC: 20/Touch 20/FF 17
HP: 22/22
Saves: F 8/R 6/W 6
Stats: Detect Magic (just cast, lasts Concentration + 2 minutes), Child of Shadow (20% Concealment)

Clock
AC: 16/Touch 12/FF 14
HP: 13/13
Saves: F 5/R 5/W 1
Stats: None

[Jarian]

Lopey clearly makes out the sound of rapid footsteps from the south, and Zybourne detects the presence of magical auras the moment the druid casts hir spell. Clock barks wildly as he picks up the scent of something nearby.

Something brushes against Zybourne with a light touch, and a wave of intense lethargy washes over hir, sapping away hir strength in a sudden rush. (Zybourne takes 6 strength damage)

A moment later, a patina of invisibility washes off of a vaguely humanoid figure. Though it's difficult to make out details by the light of the campfire, the creature appears to have skin as green as the leaves of the trees around you, and hair of an even deeper shade. The creature is terribly ugly, with skin that seems more warts than not, and a demented grin that reveals a mouth only half full of scraggly, yellow teeth. The creature laughs again, the shrill, shrieking noise filling the night air.

Map:{table=head]_|A_|B_|C_|D_|E_|F_|G_|H_|I_|J_
1_||T||||||||
2_||||||||||
3_||||||Is||||
4_||||Lo|Fi|Fi||||
5_||||Zy|Fi|Fi||||
6_||||Cl|||Do|||
7_||||Zy||||||
8_|||||U|T|T|||
9_|T|T||||T|T|||
10|T|T||||||||[/table]

It's nighttime. Your surroundings are pitch black (total concealment without darkvision), except for around the campfire, which offers normal illumination out to 10 feet, and shadowy illumination (20% miss chance) out to 20 feet.


Initials = party members.
U = Ugly creature.
Fi = Fire, burning merrily. It's possible to move through the fire, but it deals 1d6 fire damage and forces a DC 15 Reflex save against being ignited.
T= trees, impassable.

[00110111]

A springtime paradise washes the landscape amidst choruses of birdsong. Lopey floats dreamily on teetering hooves.

He nips the sultry minx tush-wise as if to say, "Hey, Baby. Ditch these fools, and let me take you for a ride on the Lopey." He wiggles his ears suggestively.

(This is what's really going on:)
Free Action: Frenzy, 7 rounds
Swift Action: Martial Spirit stance, heal 2hp per hit
Move Action: Move to E9 by way of C10 and D10
Standard Action: Douse the Flames (if hit, target cannot make AoOs for 1 round) Attack [roll0] Damage [roll1] nonlethal


"You strike your enemy with a resounding come-on, capturing her attention. As she turns to look, you let loose with a string of one-liners, flexed chiseled features, and minty-fresh breath that force her to focus her attention on you."

HP 26/26
AC 26 (touch 14 flat 24)
Fort 7 Ref 2 Will 4

[Derjuin]

Zybourne

Slumping noticeably, Zybourne grunts something nearly unintelligible at Clock, though the dog apparently understands. Zybourne tosses a quick punch toward the creature of admirable ugliness, right as Clock lunges for a bite.


Free action: Command Clock to attack Ugly Creature:

Clock's Move action: Move to E7
Clock's Standard action: Bite [roll0] attack, [roll1] damage, free trip attack if hits: [roll2]. No counter-tripping, nor AoO provocation.

Standard action: Unarmed Clinging Shadow Strike vs. Ugly Creature, [roll3] attack, [roll4] damage, Fort save (DC 14) or suffer 20% miss chance for 1 round.



Zybourne
AC: 20/Touch 20/FF 17
HP: 22/22
Saves: F 8/R 6/W 6
Stats: Detect Magic (20 rounds), 6 Strength damage

Clock
AC: 16/Touch 12/FF 14
HP: 13/13
Saves: F 5/R 5/W 1
Stats: None

[Jarian]

Lopey's "attack" takes the creature by surprise. As it turns an incredulous gaze upon the shapeshifted druid, Clock runs up and locks his teeth around one of the creature's ankles, nearly pulling to the the ground. Balancing awkwardly on one foot as it shakes the hound's jaws free from its leg, the creature lets out a shriek of pain and anger.

Zybourne does something that vaguely resembles an attack, but is so sapped of energy that it doesn't even come close to being a threat to the creature.

(Clock's attack connects with the bonus for flanking.)

[Blue Ghost]

(Had forgotten to take 10 on the Waterbending check... That will cost me.)

Isca curses mentally as the water falls back into her skin. She tries again, forming her water whip, and moves into range of the ugly brute.


Move Action: Manifest Water Whip again, taking 10 this time.
Move Action: Move to E6.

HP: 18/18
AC: 19, touch 19, FF 13
Saves: +6/+6/+6

[John Cribati]

Doldra

Move action to F7
Free action to activate Rage
Attack Ugly Thing with Unarmed Strike

Unarmed Strike: [roll0] :smallsigh:
Damage:[roll1]
Sneak Attack Damage, if applicable: [roll2]


AC: 20
HP: 23/23
Saves: Will +1, Fort+4, Will +4
Rage: 5 rounds Left. Temp +4 to STR and CON, +2 to Will, -2 to AC, and +2 HP

[Jarian]

The creature cackles with demented glee, then vanishes from sight.

Isca clearly makes out the sound of hurried footsteps leading to C-5.

Map:{table=head]_|A_|B_|C_|D_|E_|F_|G_|H_|I_|J_
1_||T||||||||
2_||||||||||
3_||||||||||
4_|||||Fi|Fi||||
5_|||||Fi|Fi||||
6_|||||Is|||||
7_||||Zy|Cl|Do||||
8_||||||T|T|||
9_|T|T|||Lo|T|T|||
10|T|T||||||||[/table]

It's nighttime. Your surroundings are pitch black (total concealment without darkvision), except for around the campfire, which offers normal illumination out to 10 feet, and shadowy illumination (20% miss chance) out to 20 feet.


Initials = party members.
U = Ugly creature. Currently invisible.
Fi = Fire, burning merrily. It's possible to move through the fire, but it deals 1d6 fire damage and forces a DC 15 Reflex save against being ignited.
T= trees, impassable.

[00110111]

Lopey's long ears wilt as Ugly melts away into gloomy darkness. He snuffles about where his dream-girl disappeared. Fonts of great fat tears well up in the corners of his eyes. He seems heartbroken and devastated.

That is until Isca pipes up and mentions that the creature simply moved to the northwest.

It is as if the cinema of Lopey's idyllic fantasy resumes right where it left off. He prances in slow motion to his lost love and blindly moves in to first base.

Auto-assuming that Isca informs the party of the BBEG's position with permission from the DM.

Move to B4 by way of A6 and A4.
Bite/Donkey Kiss [roll0] [roll1]
Miss Chance (High Hits) [roll2]
Crusader Maneuver, end of Round 2 [roll3]

HP 26/26
AC 26 (touch 14 flat 24)
Fort 7 Ref 2 Will 4
Frenzy round 2 of 7

[Blue Ghost]

Over here!
Isca cracks her water whip at the location where she heard the foe moving.


Standard: Attack C5 with Water Whip.
[roll0]
Miss Chance: [roll1] (high hits)
Damage: [roll2] + [roll3] (from Water Blast)

HP: 18/18
AC: 19, touch 19, FF 13
Saves: +6/+6/+6

[Jarian]

Lopey's jaws of doom and Isca's lash of water pass through thin air, unable to find their quarry.

[John Cribati]

Doldra

Unsure of what exactly was going on, Doldra does the only thing she can think of tho help, and moves in front of Isca on the chance she were to get attacked.

Move Action to D6

AC: 20
HP: 23/23
Saves: Will +1, Fort+4, Will +4
Rage: 4 rounds Left. Temp +4 to STR and CON, +2 to Will, -2 to AC, and +2 HP
[/QUOTE]

[Derjuin]

Zybourne

Whistling to Clock, Zybourne hobbles a few feet back and to the north. Shadows seem to twist about the druid, and its fingers begin to curl and uncurl, flexing. Clock soon follows.


Move Action: Move to C6, activating Child of Shadow
Standard Action: Ready an action (detailed below)

Readied action: Spontaneously convert Obscuring Mist into Summon Nature's Ally I (summoning a Wolf in square adjacent to Ugly Thing) once I see the thing appear



Zybourne
AC: 20/Touch 20/FF 17
HP: 22/22
Saves: F 8/R 6/W 6
Stats: Detect Magic (19 rounds), 6 Strength damage, 20% Concealment (Child of Shadow)

Clock
AC: 16/Touch 12/FF 14
HP: 13/13
Saves: F 5/R 5/W 1
Stats: None

[Jarian]

Something grazes the tip of Lopey's ear, but nothing of interest happens. The hideous woman appears in C-5 as her invisibility fades away again, then steps away from Lopey, bringing her closer to Zybourne.

Map:{table=head]_|A_|B_|C_|D_|E_|F_|G_|H_|I_|J_
1_||T||||||||
2_||||||||||
3_||||||||||
4_||Lo|||Fi|Fi||||
5_|||||Fi|Fi||||
6_||U|Zy|Do|Is|||||
7_|||||Cl|||||
8_||||||T|T|||
9_|T|T||||T|T|||
10|T|T||||||||[/table]

It's nighttime. Your surroundings are pitch black (total concealment without darkvision), except for around the campfire, which offers normal illumination out to 10 feet, and shadowy illumination (20% miss chance) out to 20 feet.


Initials = party members.
U = Ugly creature.
Fi = Fire, burning merrily. It's possible to move through the fire, but it deals 1d6 fire damage and forces a DC 15 Reflex save against being ignited.
T= trees, impassable.

[00110111]

Lopey's destiny reappears with open arms. "We'll be together always!" he brays. Impassioned, his eyes burn with everlasting fire, and his ears waggle like the stud that he is.

*cue 70s music*

Lopey struts his stuff. Base One, go!

(let good-natured destruction ensue...)
Free Action: 5ft slide into A5
Full Round Action: Bites/Donkey Kisses (nonlethal) [roll0] [roll1] [roll2] [roll3]

HP 26/26
AC 26 (touch 14 flat 24)
Fort 7 Ref 2 Will 4
Frenzy round 3 of 7

[Derjuin]

Zybourne

Taking a step back, Zybourne wiggles its fingers at the creature; soon afterwards, a wolf appears right next to it. From Zybourne issue forth a series of growls and whistles, and Clock moves up to the creature as well.


5-Foot Step to D5
Full-Round: Convert Entangle to SNA 1, to summon a Wolf at B5.
Free Action: Order Clock to move up to B7 and attack the ugly thing.
Wolf: Attacks ugly thing.

Wolf and Clock both have Low-Light Vision

Clock: [roll0] attack, [roll1] damage, [roll2] free trip if it hits.

Wolf: [roll3] attack, [roll4] damage, [roll5] free trip if it hits.



Zybourne
AC: 20/Touch 20/FF 17
HP: 22/22
Saves: F 8/R 6/W 6
Stats: Detect Magic (18 rounds), 6 Strength damage

Clock
AC: 16/Touch 12/FF 14
HP: 13/13
Saves: F 5/R 5/W 1
Stats: None

Wolf
AC: 14/Touch 12/FF 12
HP: 13/13
Saves: F 5/R 5/W 1
Stats: 2 round duration

[John Cribati]

Doldra

Doldra sees an opportunity. She moves swiftly to the opposite side of the Ugly creature from Lopey and attacks.

Move Action: 5-Foot step to C7
Unarmed Strike: [roll0] Damage: [roll1] Sneak Attack (flank) [roll2]


AC: 20
HP: 23/23
Saves: Will +1, Fort+4, Will +4
Rage: 4 rounds Left. Temp +4 to STR and CON, +2 to Will, -2 to AC, and +2 HP

[Blue Ghost]

Isca

Isca steps forward to fill the spot her comrade had vacated, and lashes out with her water whip again.


5-ft step to D6.
Standard action: Water whip.
Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Water blast damage: [roll2]

HP: 18/18
AC: 19, touch 19, FF 13
Saves: +6/+6/+6

[Jarian]

Laughing madly as it capers about in a dance of utter derangement, the ugly woman somehow manages to dodge or turn aside every attack directed at it. It laughs again, then disappears. Isca clearly hears it leave B-6, heading south, but cannot pinpoint an exact location beyond that.

Map:{table=head]_|A_|B_|C_|D_|E_|F_|G_|H_|I_|J_
1_||T||||||||
2_||||||||||
3_||||||||||
4_|||||Fi|Fi||||
5_|Lo|||Zy|Fi|Fi||||
6_|||Is|||||||
7_||Cl|Do|||||||
8_||||||T|T|||
9_|T|T||||T|T|||
10|T|T||||||||[/table]

It's nighttime. Your surroundings are pitch black (total concealment without darkvision), except for around the campfire, which offers normal illumination out to 10 feet, and shadowy illumination (20% miss chance) out to 20 feet.


Initials = party members.
U = Ugly creature. Currently invisible.
Fi = Fire, burning merrily. It's possible to move through the fire, but it deals 1d6 fire damage and forces a DC 15 Reflex save against being ignited.
T= trees, impassable.

[00110111]

Just as Isca begins to point -- well before any words escape his lips -- Lopey rockets off in a whirlwind of shredded grass and forest bracken. To the south, Lopey kicks up a dust storm as he zooms back and forth in heated pursuit.

Move Action: A5 to C7 to C10 to D10 to D9 to E9 to E10 to F10
If he discovers Ugly during his move, he will provoke an AoO from her by moving out of a threatened square (FF AC 24) if he hasn't already done so and given remaining movement, then attempt to grapple her. Otherwise, he'll continue moving.

Scenario 1: Ugly found, so Standard Action (Grapple)
Melee Touch [roll0]
Miss Chance [roll1] (applicable only if Ugly's invisibility didn't break on the AoO)
Provokes AoO vs FF AC 24 (applicable only if Ugly is armed and has an available AoO, e.g. via Combat Reflexes; AC 26 if Ugly's invisibility broke on the first AoO)
Opposed Grapple [roll2]

Scenario 2: Ugly not found, so Move Action: E10 to I10 to J9 to J4

If Lopey finds Ugly for any reason at any point during his turn, he will raise a ruckus with braying, stamping, and snorting.

Also, I noted that Whirling Frenzy does not incur a penalty to attacks if Lopey forgoes the extra attack.

Speed 50ft
HP 26/26
AC 26 (touch 14 flat 24)
Fort 7 Ref 2 Will 4
Frenzy round 4 of 7

[John Cribati]

Totally confused, Doldra is unable to do anything

Stay right the hell where I am. Wait for something to happen.


AC: 20
HP: 23/23
Saves: Will +1, Fort+4, Will +4
Rage: 3 rounds Left. Temp +4 to STR and CON, +2 to Will, -2 to AC, and +2 HP

[Derjuin]

Zybourne

Zybourne begins a meditative state and renews knowledge of a particular combat maneuver. Clock and the summoned wolf move closer to the fire, staying near the meditating druid.


Full round action to restore Clinging Shadow Strike. Clock moves to D4, Summoned Wolf moves to D6.



Zybourne
AC: 20/Touch 20/FF 17
HP: 22/22
Saves: F 8/R 6/W 6
Stats: Detect Magic (17 rounds), 6 Strength damage

Clock
AC: 16/Touch 12/FF 14
HP: 13/13
Saves: F 5/R 5/W 1
Stats: None

Wolf
AC: 14/Touch 12/FF 12
HP: 13/13
Saves: F 5/R 5/W 1
Stats: 1 round duration

[Blue Ghost]

Isca

Isca trains her eyes to the south, drawing water from her skins in preparation for a strike.


Standard action: Ready water blast for whenever the enemy reappears.

HP: 18/18
AC: 19, touch 19, FF 13
Saves: +6/+6/+6

[Jarian]

"Hehheheheh!"

The hag reappears, warty finger pressed to Doldra's forehead. A wave of fatigue passes through the halfling, sapping away her strength. (6 strength damage.)

Map:{table=head]_|A_|B_|C_|D_|E_|F_|G_|H_|I_|J_
1_||T||||||||
2_||||||||||
3_||||||||||
4_||||Cl|Fi|Fi||||Lo
5_||||Zy|Fi|Fi||||
6_|||Is|Wo||||||
7_|||Do|||||||
8_||U||||T|T|||
9_|T|T||||T|T|||
10|T|T||||||||[/table]

It's nighttime. Your surroundings are pitch black (total concealment without darkvision), except for around the campfire, which offers normal illumination out to 10 feet, and shadowy illumination (20% miss chance) out to 20 feet.


Initials = party members.
U = Ugly creature.
Fi = Fire, burning merrily. It's possible to move through the fire, but it deals 1d6 fire damage and forces a DC 15 Reflex save against being ignited.
T= trees, impassable.

[00110111]

"Get away from her!" Lopey brays in jealous donkey-speak. "She's mine!"

He rushes his girl away in a hustle.

Full-Round Action: Pounce to C8
Bite1 Attack [roll0] Damage [roll1]
Grapple2 Touch (Provokes AoO, if armed) [roll2] Opposed Grapple [roll3]

Speed 50ft
HP 26/26
AC 26 (touch 14 flat 24)
Fort 7 Ref 2 Will 4
Frenzy round 5 of 7

[John Cribati]

Doldra

"You Bastard, I'll Kill you!"


Attack with Unarmed Strike

[roll0] Damage: [roll1]

AC: 20
HP: 23/23
Saves: Will +1, Fort+4, Will +4
Rage: 4 rounds Left. Temp +4 to STR and CON, +2 to Will, -2 to AC, and +2 HP

Strength Damage -6