Heartworld is Rotting IC

[Sneaky Weasel]

Every story comes to an end, and every end has its beginning. When the strands of fate and life that traverse each world play out their parts and begin to unravel, and the facts of life that are taken for granted start to become untrue, that is when the end of the world begins. It doesn’t seem like a beginning. To any observer it would seem like a continuation of things started long ago. But it is at these moments, when the threads of fate grow short, that the greatest stories truly begin. And for the Heartworld, those threads are growing very thin indeed.

On the day that Heartworld's end began, four messenger golems were deployed from the barracks of the King's Watch. Streamlined and agile, the four legged mechanoids loped swiftly through the marble corridors, splitting away one by one to their assigned destinations. Two remained within the confines of the city, one going towards the Cinderwell Palace and the other towards the alchemy guild. Although the remaining two had somewhat further to go, their swiftness made the journey a short one.


The footsteps of the first golem echo through the brightly lit hallways, a not uncommon pit-pat as it scurries around the courtiers and artisans. It heads for the royal chambers, coming to a halt outside the door to princess Fijit Cinderwell's room. Rising on its hind legs, it raps politely at the door, then gives a bow when opened. -Message for your highness- comes its tinny voice, and a slot on its head popps open to reveal a crisp white envelope sealed with the royal seal. The golem remains motionless, waiting to be dismissed or given new commands.


In the depths of the University, the dim wall lamps cast long, distorted shadows as the second golem leaps down flights of stairs, ignoring the bemused stairs of passing alchemy students. It runs down seemingly unending corridors that twist back and forth, finally emerging in a large, dank alchemical lab that smells of sulfer and ammonia. It winds its way through the clutter of ancient and broken equipment that scatters the floor and comes to a stop before a scrawny, scar covered goblin. The even scrawnier human sitting across the table from his compatriot peers over his glasses at the shining messenger.
-Message from King Beltraz to Mister Chardrinker- Its head opens to reveal the envelope.
"Well then. I hope you aren't in trouble again." Wizbang shakes his head in disapproval.


Several miles from the glittering city, a golden streak disturbs the muted grey-green of the forest. The golem hurtles headlong through the woods, barely disturbing them despite its great speed. Woodland creatures scurry out of the way and a crow caws reproachfully at the intruder to this secluded place. However, only one living creature is worthy of the messenger's attention, a huge man dressed in plate armor sitting by his campsite. The golem comes to an abrupt halt directly in front of him, its head popping open. -Message from King Beltraz to Mister Longstride-


The last of the golems heads south, through the outskirts of the golden city and into the wilderness. Its tireless legs carry it faster than any horse, and it is only late afternoon by the time it arrives at its destination, a craggy peak jutting out of a tree covered hill. From the top of this precarious perch, the Crawling Earth can be seen in the distance, a red stain against the horizon. Paying no head to the view, the messenger leaps and bounds up the side of the crag, its claws locking into cracks in the rock with ease. It emerges in front of a small, vicious looking dragon, stopping a respectful distance away. -Message from King Beltraz to Miss Tovera- comes the emotionless voice as it offers the milk-white envelope.


Esteemed(insert name here),
For your unique skills and talents, you are formally requested to attend a council meeting discussing new information brought to light about the threat of the Queen. You will be compensated for your time and effort, and this is not a command, merely a heartfelt request for aid. Please state your approximate time of arrival to the messenger golem, as well as any other concerns you may have, and then make haste to the capital. The meeting will commence once all of you have arrived.
There is a great danger upon us. I would not ask this of you lightly. Be swift.
~King Beltraz Vl



A swarm of black shapes move across the dry savanna. What might seem to be a barren wasteland to a human observer is actually home to a thriving, diverse ecosystem. Herds of springer deer graze on the sparse grass, birds circle among the few distant trees, and here and there the ground shifts as giant ants burrow through the hard packed dirt. The sun beats down from above, filling the air with a stifling heat. Across this pain lope a group of inhuman figures, skin blackened and slimy, eyes white and blind. Their mouths are filled with razor teeth and drip black slime, and long twisted claws grow from their hands. They run hunched over, their arms nearly dragging the ground, sniffing the air and occasionally giving out screeches to each other. They are spread out in a semi circle, and they are on a killing spree. Anything living in their path, from springer deer to jackrabbits, are being run down and slaughtered by them, throats torn out by poisoned fangs. Behinds the group of Notmen, their victims rise from the ground and follow them, the once animals now twisting and sprouting fangs and claws, twisting and deforming. The group goes ever larger as it advances, leaving nothing living in its wake.

It is this situation that is spotted by two of the savanna's more deadly predators. Although unaware of each other's presence, they can spot the oncoming Notmen from quite a distance due to the cloud of dust stirred up by the horde and its fleeing prey. They have enough time and distance to observe and they are not in immediate danger, but the spread out nature of the oncoming group would make it difficult to escape entirely.

[Mangles]

"This is the job I'm telling you about. The Grubbins are forgiving me if I explode thing. Is why I'm not hanging by my head. Gotta go earn my lab back." Chardrinker spits. "Inedible Grubbins who took it will burn when I have it back. Cook the slime off them and scatter the char. Even Mutfur can't eat something that tainted." Mutfur looks up at his name and does what passes for wagging his long bald tail, whipping it around awkwardly. Chardrinker gives his dogs a pat, calms down and continues. "Have to go see the Bigguns Chief. Eat well Gob."

Chardrinker leaves the table and addresses the mechanoid. "Be there soon. Will need food. Meat extra well done." He leaves behind the lab and Wizbang again.

[Sønderjye]

The big spotted hyena growled at the lionesses emerging from the tall grass. Blood from the antilope beside him drips from his mouth into the dry earth. His threatening growl is followed by the four members of his pack and is answered by the five lionesses.
Bsahtek had lived with lions before so he knew that stealing freshly killed prey from hyenas wasn't that unusual but this time he was on the side that was being stolen from. And there was no way he would allow this delicious bag of meat to be eaten by anyone else. The threads of the lionesses life was growing increasingly thing although they didn't know it yet.
He called upon the fierce anger burning within and growled in pain as his spine cracked and his muscles expanded. The skin around his front claws burst to make room for claws thrice as big. His transformation ends in a loud roar that is very no-hyena as his eyes turn fierce. And hungry.
Bsahtek see doubt in leaders eyes. He ready a jump. Her throat is his goal. He see blood vien pumping. He lick mouth imagining the taste.
Suddenly all turn their gaze towards big dust cloud. All feel the unnatural there. Lions run. Bsahtek stop urge to hunt. He command pack to stay. At least for little longer.

[Bluydee]

Xez wasn't hungry. For once, he was...content. Content. That was the word, wasn't it? It was rare having moments like this, where he could simply walk and watch the other animals. But he knew it wouldn't last for long, before the hunt overtook him. Before he went to back to being a monster.

Monster. That's what those meat said, wasn't it? He couldn't remember much from his life, other than the mad female meat who always shouted at him and the ugly, weird pink fleshbags that kicked him. He had no fond memories of his life, either as an animal or a boy. He stopped, then turned as he saw the clouds of dust erupting from the desert ground. He saw the unnatural beings, the twisted creatures eating all in their path. Eat. That was a good idea, wasn't it? He felt the hunger kicking in, the hunt taking over his mind. No. He wanted to cherish the clarity longer. But he felt the itch. Eat. He was hungry. Must eat. Must hunt. Must eat.

He roared as his body shifted into a monster.

[Rakaydos]

Tovera snarls as the crude mechanical parody of life approaches. "What buisness does a Prince of Humans have with the Avatar of Tiamat?" Glancing over the letter, she growls more pensively. "Removing their heads from the sand at last. Or so I can hope. Tell your master that Tovera Vashini, Avatar of Tiamat Goddess of Creation and Destruction, is but a days flight away if the winds are fair. Let all be made ready for my arival." With that, Tovrra spreads her wings, leaping into the air as the golem raced back with her pronouncment.

[Sønderjye]

Bsahtek hear roar. Turn to face source but can't see. Must be some distance away. Roar was big. Must be big source. Like lion but more angry. Also hungry. Can't face both that and Notmen.

In the human back of his brain he concludes that if that thing get turned into a Notmen he and the pack will need to leave the savanah.

The hyenas moves slowly towards the roar. They make sure to have the wind against their face and use the tall dry grass to hide in.
When they see Xez they will stop and watch what the monster is going to do.

rolling average stealth for the pack. [roll0]
Bsahtrk has a stealth mod 3 higher than dire hyenas so add 3 to the above result for his check.

[stack]

Form claims the message carefully. He was familiar with the messengers, having seen them enough during the war, but was unsure how he felt about receiving the message, intuiting that it's contents would rule his future for some time to come and knowing that any such summons would be the start of another endless series of desperate bloody struggles. Letter in hand, unopened, he dismisses the golem and sits, taking a deep breath of the peaceful air, enjoying the quite solitude for a few final minutes before breaking the seal.

The letter read, he quickly packs his scant possessions, tossing his pack on, dousing the fire, and departing, oversized hammer across his shoulders. Finding the golem nearby, waiting for his response, he merely holds up steel clad fingers.

[Sneaky Weasel]

"Well then. I hope things go well." Shaking his head, Wizbang looks down at the bowl of grey tar he had been stirring. He watches as the messenger golem bounds away up the stairs, followed by Chardrinker, and shakes his head. "I pity any Grubbin that gets in his way," he mutters to himself, going back to his work.


The golem remains stoicly motionless through Tovera's snarling, uncomprehending. Upon hearing her orders, it turns and races off back to the city, its silvery legs almost a blur.

Waiting patiently for Torm to open the letter, the golem sits motionless, unaware and uncaring of the internal struggle going through the giant man. At his dismissal it backs up several feet, but remains there until he has finished reading the letter. Turning, it dashes back into the woods, disappearing into the underbrush in seconds.

Located almost next door to the Alchemical and Technological University, the Golden Palace is by far the most grandiose structure in the entire Golden Kingdom. With its tallest towers reaching almost too high to be seen, it it made of shining marble and brass, with goldleaf designs on every surface. Lit up by the fading sunset, it seems to be lit on fire from within, orange light radiating out from it. The flower gardens inside the walls blow a faint perfume mixes with the constant burning sulfur smell from the ATU next door to create a spicy-sweet aroma, broken up by the slowly increasing wind blowing in from the north. Pennants with the city's banner flutter from the turrets above, a gold and silver gear interlocking over a pure white background. The entrance is a magnificent set of double doors, framed by massive white marble pillars and with a spiderweb of interlocking golden veins etched into them. Two brass golem guards stand outside the door, their ornate armored plates polished to a glittering sheen, each once gripping a shining steel pike and staring motionlessly forward, giant sentinels standing guard tirelessly.
I'm assuming the order of arrival would be Chardrinker, since he's right nearby, then Tovera because of her wings and lastly Torm. Fijit hasn't replied yet otherwise she'd be there first. I'll just run getting into the palace separately for each of you, and then you'll meet up inside.

The army of Notmen continues their relentless march across the plane. As they come closer it is apparent that there may be close to two hundred in total, spread out into two overlapping rows leaving ten or so feet between each individual. Only perhaps a little more than half of these were once human, the rest composed of animals already culled from the savanna. Some of them go in front of the pack, flushing out animals ahead of them and herding the panicked creatures back towards the main body. A number of the front-runners turn their heads as the monstrous roar echoes across the plane, and they turn to run towards the source, moving with the unnatural quickness of all those infected by the black slime.
The Notmen front-runners are approximately 600-700 ft. from Xez and Bsahtek, and they run at a speed of 250 ft. per round, so there will be two of them on Xez in just a few seconds, with three more coming up fast behind. So far none of them notice Bsahtek and his hyena pack, since their blindsight has a limited range and their stealth checks were far to hear from this distance. Xez should make a perception check if the hyena pack gets any closer, at a -2 penalty since the Notmen are probably occupying most of his attention.

[stack]

Torm makes his way to the river, taking a berth on the first ship heading toward the capitol. not much to say until he gets there unless something happens on the road.

[Mangles]

"Hunams always so flashy." Chardrinker strides up the doors, his dogs in tow. He leaves a trail of light muck behind him, A mixture of ash, dirt and doghair, clearly showing his progression to the threshold. He bangs a grubby fist on the door. "I'm here for meat and mission. Your autonam gave me this." Chardrinker waves the letter unsure of what to do from here.

[Bluydee]

EAT HUNT KILL STRENGTH HUNGER DEATH EAT HUNT KILL STRENGTH HUNGER DEATH EAT HUNT KILL STRENGTH HUNGER DEATH

Xez...hungry. Need food. Food? Hungry. Need to...hunt. Need strength. Prey? Food. Not-food. Not-food eat food. My food. My...food.

Xez growled at the not-food.


Initiative: [roll0]

[Sønderjye]

Hunt.

Bsahtek gestures for the pack to follow and silently moves closer to the Notmen front. As he moves he gives as many pack members as possible the bite of good hunt.

They allow the first two Notmen to pass through to the beast and engage on the following three in pairs assuming that this prey is as suprised as normal prey is.

Nothing new, just figured I posted too much in the OOC and too little in the IC. Bite of good hunt is guidance.
Dire Hyena stats can be found here (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/animals/hyena/hyena-dire)

[Sneaky Weasel]

The brass golems turn their armored heads to look down at the comparitively tiny golem, then they each put one of their hands on their respective double doors and push inwards, the huge golden gates swinging open soundlessly. They reveal a huge, vaulted antichamber, with lush red carpeting and a majestic crystal chandelier. Two great staircases curve up on either side of the room, leading to a balcony above, and in the center stands a huge marble fountain carved in the image of Glittergold, deity of gnomes, and Pelor, deity of humans, standing back to back.

Courtiers and officiates walk here and there, with the occasional scribe or servant making their way across the room. Those that notice Chardrinker turn up their nose at him, as if unsure why a dirty goblin would be allowed in this place of grandeur. However, one human makes a beeline right for him. He is dressed in blue robes and it extremely skinny, with a long pointed nose and beady eyes. He stops in front of Chardrinker and bows smoothly.
"Mister Chardrinker, an honour, we have been expecting you, if you'll follow me right this way to your chambers to await your audience with the king," he says, hardly pausing for breath. He speaks in a nasal, droning tone of voice that seems to indicate a state of supreme boredom.


The two lead notmen bear down on Xez, almost blurring with speed as they barrel forward, claws grasping for him. As soon as it comes within reach the first one leaps at him, heedless of the shapeshifter's claws, rending and ripping at him with fang and talon. Despite his armored hide and mithral chainmail, it is able to gouge into his shoulder, leaving deep lacerations down his upper arm. The second notman comes just seconds after, leaping headlong forward and misjudging the distance, slamming into his side only to be spun around by its own momentum and crash to the ground.

The remaining three frontrunners come forward at the same wild run, dashing forward oblivious to what lies ahead of them. They are completely unprepared as the hyenas leap out of the brush at them, two of the pack attacking each notman, their fangs slavering as they rip away at the notmen's blackened flesh. One of them grabs the leg of the second notman, tearing out its heel tendons and knocking it to the ground; the third notman struggles to keep a hyena from biting through its throat. The first one, however, fends off both of the snarling beasts and shrieks as it prepares to counterattack.

Meanwhile, the rest of the army draws closer, with some of the infected animals branching out ahead and beginning to draw near.


Xez is hit! He takes 15 slashing damage and 1 point of acid damage from the notman's claws, ouch. The second notman engaging him rolled three natural ones in a row, which I'm going to say completely tripped it and stunned it temporarily. :smalleek: Also, since there were a couple rounds before the notmen arrived that we're skipping over for brevity's sake, it would be possible to have readied an attack if that's something you would have done, so you could roll for that with your other attacks.

You never specified how big the hyena pack was, but I'm assuming its at least six because they were supposed to take on the group of three notmen in pairs.

Combat order will be the notmen, the hyenas(both already gone), Xez, and Bsahtek.

[stack]

Torm cruises down the river...

[Bluydee]

BLOOD? BLOOD! RAGE! HUNGEREATKILLFURYDEATHWARSLAYHUNTEATFOODMONSTERDEA DKILLCLAIMPREYALPHAPREDATOR.

Xez growls, retaliating against the not-food, ferociously clawing at it before attempting to maul it with all his fury.


Power Attacking for full, readied wolf fang strike as an action before doing a full round attack at the same thing. Unless the first attack killed it, of course.

Readied maneuver (Wolf Fang Strike):
Claw 1: [roll0]
Claw 2: [roll1]
Claw 1 Damage: [roll2] + [roll3]
Claw 2 Damage: [roll4] + [roll5]
Rend Damage: [roll6]
Total Damage: 40

Full Round Attack:
Claw 1: [roll7]
Claw 2: [roll8]
Bite: [roll9]
Gore: [roll10]
Tail: [roll11]
Claw 1 Damage: [roll12] + [roll13]
Claw 2 Damage: [roll14] + [roll15]
Bite Damage: [roll16] + [roll17]
Gore Damage: [roll18] + [roll19]
Tail Damage: [roll20] + [roll21]
Total Damage: 93

[Sønderjye]

Bsahtek's mouth formes a grim smile showing the leftovers from his recent meal. His leg and back muscles tighten as they prepare for the leap of death and he can almost taste the black flesh. He whips his tail once before darting through the tall grass and the notmen. If they are close enough he will deliver one attack to each of them, otherwise he will attack the third one.

In the back of his mind he wonders if Ape still is sleeping. He hasn't seen the big monkey since the pack went for hunting.

To hit
Claw1 [roll0]
Claw2 [roll1]
Bite [roll2]

If Claw hits
Damage
Claw1 [roll3]
Claw2 [roll4]
Combat maneuver to grapple per improved grap
Claw1 [roll5]
Claw2 [roll6]
If they are grappled Bsahtek will only hold them in the claw, this gives him a -20 to any other grapple check but he isn't considered grappling.

If bite hits
Bite [roll7]
CMB to trip
[roll8]

Note that both his and the other hyenas reach is 10 so they get an AOO if the notmen close in.

[Sneaky Weasel]

The slow moving barge drifts through the city walls as the sun sets, the brass archway over the river casting long shadows across its gently rippling surface. The few travelers coming in from the north are a somewhat ragged, world weary lot who keep to themselves, have been eyeing Torm's giant form with suspicion. Most of them switch their attention to the city as it comes within view though, and as the barge passes into the small canal port more than a few of them become wide eyed at the splendor before them. Pulling up against a large oaken dock, the ferryman turns to address the passengers.
"Last stop, all off for the Golden City." An elderly man in a grey cloak, he nods affably at the passengers as they disembark.
Torm is now officially at the city and can enter the palace.

Deadly as the Notmen are towards human prey, against the ferocious shapeshifting Xez they are no match. With a single blow from one of his claws he splits the first of them almost in half, ripping upwards from its stomach and tearing its rib cage apart. It is thrown to the ground, black slime frothing from the hole in its chest as it thrashes then lies still. Even before its movements cease he tears into the one on the ground, ripping an arm off with one lashing claw and finishing it with a bite to the spine, killing the notmen without even the use of his horns or tail.

Meanwhile, the second shapeshifter leaps at his prey. Although they are too spaced out for him to reach all three of them, the skinwalker is in between the second two in a flash, lashing out with claws and fangs. His first claw tears open the third notman's shoulder, leaving its arm dangling and limp, and his second claw rips out its throat, sending it crashing to the ground in a fountain of black blood. Turning, he snaps at the one tripped by a hyena, his powerful jaws crushing its upper torso and leaving it limp and bleeding.
However, the last remaining monster has gotten a hold on one of the hyenas. It rips open the animal's stomach, then thrusts its claws into the beasts throat, lifting it off the ground before tossing it aside, where it crumples like an empty sack. It turns to meat the other hyena's snarling jaws with its own, locking fangs as they struggle for the upper hand. Three more hyenas, freed from their own battles by Bsahtek, leap for the notman, but their fangs fail to pierce its rubbery hide. The bite already inflicted by the hyena it killed is already beginning to heal, its tissue knitting itself together with unnatural speed.

The notman hoard continues to approach, but...there is something else as well. Despite being locked in combat, both shapechangers have extremely keen senses, and they notice two creatures detach themselves from the twisted army and soar skyward, spiraling up into the air. They appear to be humans, apparently not infected by the black slime, and dressed in grey rags. Their means of flight is not apparent, as they seem to hover effortlessly in the air, surveying the plane before them. Then they begin to move forward, spiraling though the air even faster then the notmen running below, headed straight for the battle ahead.
I've taken liberties with describing your characters actions as they affect the notmen, if you'd prefer me not to do so then just say the word. So far 4 notmen total and only 1 hyena have been slain, pretty good odds overall. The current front of the notmen horde is about a minute away from you, the flying people about two rounds worth of time.

[Rakaydos]

Flying over the city, Tovera announched her arrival with an earpiercing screach, circling the castle counryard once before setting down in the open area and reefing her wings. "I, Tovera Vashini, Avatar of Tiamat, have accepted King Beltraz's invitation to council!" the winged kobold shouts. "It has been a long flight and I require refreshments, before visiting your lord," she added to the nearest servants.

[Bluydee]

HUNGEREATKILLFURYDEATHWARSLAYHUNTEATFOODMONSTERDEA DKILLCLAIMPREYALPHAPREDATORHUNGEREATKILLFURYDEATHW ARSLAYHUNTEATFOODMONSTERDEADKILLCLAIMPREYALPHAPRED ATORHUNGEREATKILLFURYDEATHWARSLAYHUNTEATFOODMONSTE RDEADKILLCLAIMPREYALPHAPREDATORHUNGEREATKILLFURYDE ATHWARSLAYHUNTEATFOODMONSTERDEADKILLCLAIMPREYALPHA PREDATORHUNGEREATKILLFURYDEATHWARSLAYHUNTEATFOODMO NSTERDEADKILLCLAIMPREYALPHAPREDATORHUNGEREATKILLFU RYDEATHWARSLAYHUNTEATFOODMONSTERDEADKILLCLAIMPREYA LPHAPREDATOR

With a mighty roar Xez lunges at the second notmen, ferociously clawing and tearing at the aberration.


Not to be annoying, but it would be helpful if you could make a map of where we are. Most people I've seen just get a grid on paint, fill in squares with colors and call it a day, numbering it of with letters akin to chess(J5, or I3). That way, we can get a better grasp of positions. I have 15 feet of reach, but I don't know where everybody is.

Full attack against the second notmen.
To hit:
Claw 1: [roll0]
Claw 2: [roll1]
Gore: [roll2]
Bite: [roll3]
Tail: [roll4]

Damage:
Claw 1: [roll5]
Claw 2, Rending Damage: [roll6]
Gore: [roll7]
Bite: [roll8]
Tail: [roll9]
Punishing Stance: [roll10]

[stack]

Torm shoulders his back in silence, then settles accounts with the shipmaster. Stepping onto the dock, he pauses to take in the view of the city, not having been there for a few years. The time of peace brought growth and wealth, new buildings and industry evident everywhere.

But the palace has not moved. He takes no time to arrange accommodations, following the summons directly. Minimal pleasantries are exchanged as he enters, himself not in a talking mood and most of the servants and guards either intimidated by his height and accoutrements or awed by his reputation. He passes the golem door guards without note, the trappings of royalty having long since stopped impressing him.

[Sønderjye]

Bsahtek hates himself for what he is about to do but it has to be done. And he knows that the hyenas won't be able to do it. He bow his head in salutr before ripping out the throat of his former packmember.
Well fought Grey he howls with blood(and perhaps a tiny bit of notmen dripping from his mouth.

Coup de grace
[roll0]

[Sneaky Weasel]

As the vicious screech echoes through the courtyard, courtiers and servants alike look up in confusion and fear, trying to find its source. Upon seeing Tovera's winged form circling the palace, their confusion quickly turns to panic, and they scatter like ants for the hallways and passages out of the main open area. Cries of 'Dragon!' and 'Guards!' can be heard as Tovera lands in the center of the courtyard. Bursting in from the main gates, the two brass golem guards lumber forwards, aiming their pikes as they move to flank her.
"Stand down, guards!" At the harsh command, the golems abruptly stop, raising their pikes and standing to attention. A gnome, dressed in blackened leathers and bearing countless scars across her face and bare arms, strides across the courtyard to meet the kobold. A shortsword and buckler are strapped across her back, and one of her eyes has been replaced by some sort of green gemstone. Tovera recognizes her as General Nuth, commander of King Beltraz's Watch.
"Tovera Vashini, your fame precedes you. I apologize for the reactions of the nobles, they are unused to such grand entrances." Her voice is emotionless and gives nothing away, but her gaze is grim and distrustful. "Come, I will show you to your chambers where you will be given all the luxuries of the court as you wait for your audience. You must be tired from your journey."
Just then, a huge figure steps through the palace doors, nearly as tall as the brass guards. It is a human, clad in platemail, cloaked, wielding a hammer too large for most men to even lift. General Nuth eyes this new arrival with just as much wariness as the kobold. "Torm Longstride, you are welcome here. It's good to know everyone's arrived now. You can follow me. I trust there won't be any...animosity between you two?" She looks between the dragon and the warrior, unsure as to their reactions.


The monstrosity that is Xez is far more deadly than the notman fighting him. He slices one claw into its side, his fangs hooking into the beast's flesh, then sinks his other talon into its shoulder and simply pulls his foe apart, painting the dusty earth black with spraying blood and spilled intestines.
Meanwhile, the remaining members of the hyena pack attack the final notman from all sides, sinking their fangs into it and tearing at its limbs. One of them grabs an arm and pulls it off its feet, while two more bite into its back and neck and snap the creature's spine, leaving it writhing feebly on the ground before being finished off. The hyenas then turn to Bsahtek, whimpering as he tears the throat out of their fallen packmate but sensing the taint that was already beginning to infect it. However, their mourning is short lived, as their respective battles make it impossible not to notice and be noticed by the other shapeshifter, Xez. The hyenas turn to stare at him with hackles raised, unsure if they should attack this obviously powerful foe.
The flying things in human form come nearer, soaring effortlessly through the air. One of them is a scrawny looking man with a bald head, the other a large woman who looks malnourished and sickly. Their bodies seem oddly limp as they fly, as if held up by invisible strings, but their eyes shine black with madness.
There are no more notmen left, except for the hoard of course, which is about nine rounds away. Xez is about 70 feet away from the hyena pack and Bsahtek, and the flying humanoids will arrive next round. Sorry I don't have a map yet, I posted in the OOC thread about that(I'm silly, I don't know how to map yet)

[stack]

Torm pauses, visored mask dipping to look down as he inspects the other invitee. "Tovera," he grunts, "Well met."

A desperate errand indeed if they have brought in that beast.

[Bluydee]

KILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKI LLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILL KILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKI LLKILLKILLKILL

Xez snarls, tensing up and coiling, ready to strike against the arriving monsters.


Readied a standard attack. Would've done wolf fang strike if I remembered to recharge maneuvers.

[Sønderjye]

Bsahtek releases his withheld air as it becomes clear that the.. the thing is more interested in killing Notmens than Hyenas. He was worried for a while that the pack would be trapped between the tentacle monster and the abberation army.
In preperation of the battle to come he puts on the skin of a Aashaa Monetoo over his current skin. His pelt turns golden and the dots appear to be shinning. His eyes turn golden around the fierce red pupil.
His battleroar pierces the air on it's way to the floatinf humans.

Planar wild shape says I have to use it while I use wildshape but I assume I can also spend a standard action to do it while shaped.
Also I picked the celestial if that was unclear.
Aashaa Monetoo means good spirit in some Indian tongue according to wikia, which I figured made sense as a substitute for celestial in tribal mindset.

[Rakaydos]

Tovera's eyes narrowed at Torm, before turning away without a word.

Him again. I would have thought he'd be dead by now. Perhaps he can do some good for Tiamat before he falls.

[stack]

"I see your manners have not faded with time." Torm quips as he enters.

[Sneaky Weasel]

Nuth eyes the two warily, making sure that nothing more hostile than a look is exchanged. Satisfied that there seems to be no outright hostility, she nods and turns away. "Follow me. King Beltraz is expecting you." She turns and walks off into one of the corridors leading deeper into the palace.
The marble walls are lit with alchemical lamps and sky windows, giving the place a bright, open atmosphere. Nuth leads you to a large chamber, dominated by a huge, twisting staircase that leads past all the other floors and up into the highest tower, wrought in bronze with twisting golden filigree adorning the handrail. Without a word, she continues upward. Your footsteps leave echoes hanging in the air as you go, watched with trepidation by the courtiers below.
Finally, on the sixth floor of the palace, you get off the staircase and head for the guest chambers. Nuth shows you to your rooms and then leaves to consult the King. Both Tovera and Torm receive their own chamber, lavishly furnished, with luxurious furniture and food and wine to spare. Despite the beautiful setting, an air of unease hangs over the place, not helped by the almost complete silence in both chambers. However, there doesn't seem to be much to do besides relax and perhaps peruse on of the many history books lining the shelves along the wall, and you remain there for several hours unless you choose to change things for your own purposes.
At the end of your wait, Nuth arrives again to knock on your doors one by one. "I hope you are rested enough. We would give you more time, but the matter is particularly urgent, and as everyone has arrived King Beltraz believes that any further delay would cause more harm than good. Please follow me to the audience, and after you will be free to go as you please."
So I'm letting anyone who hasn't posted recently join in, Chardrinker and Fijit this means you. Otherwise just Tovera and Torm will attend the meeting.

As the two shapeshifters ready themselves for battle, the flying humanoids begin to shift as well as they dive towards their prey below, the bald man heading for Xez and the sickly looking woman flying at Bsahtek. By the time they arrive, however, these forms are completely changed.
The bald man's head splits in two, his skull cracking down the middle and opening to reveal rows of uneven, jagged teeth. His body lengthens and spiny armored plates rip through his clothing, his arms extending and warping into insectoid legs, and his legs fusing together and curving up into a scorpion-like tail, complete with a foot long barb dripping black slime. From his new skull mouth comes a long tongue, covered in toothy blades, that lashes around seemingly at random. The grotesque beast gives a warbling howl as it dives at Xez, spearing his shoulder with one of its insect legs and whipping its tail around into his side, the stinger pumping acidic slime into him.
Meanwhile, the already large woman going for Bsahtek bloats up, her body ballooning into a giant sack of black slime. Her limbs grow long, sinew and bone making snapping sounds as they stretch out to more than double their original length, and they hang below its floating body ready to snatch up anything within reach. Her face stretches forward into a cone shape, her mouth at the tip, and spines and teeth grow out of it at all angles, snapping and grinding relentlessly. She flies close to Bsahtek before her body ripples and she sprays black acid over him and half of the hyena pack, the viscous fluid burning away at their skin with terrifying speed, severely wounding three of them and exposing their bones in several places.
Xez is hit twice for a total of 20 regular damage and 4 acid damage, but is tough enough to survive the poisonous stinger with no ill effects. Bsahtek takes 23 acid damage from the spray. Also I'm rolling saves for your guys to speed things up, Xez succeeded on fortitude but Bsahtek unfortunately failed his reflex.

[Mangles]

Chardrinker eats his overly cooked meat and grumbles about his room waiting for the other companions to arrive. All the waiting getting on his nerves. "Stupid Biggins. Leave me with nothing but BOOKS" He spits at the bookshelf "Is bad as those Grubbins" At the knock on his door startles Chardrinker out of his cursing and he quickly hurries out of the boring room taking one last piece of charred meat with him.

[Rakaydos]

"I see your manners have not faded with time." Torm quips as he enters.

As tovera walked out, her tail slammed hard against the doorframe, an emotional responce where she controlled her verbal one. Sulking in her chanbers, she took it out on the provided repast- by the time she was called to the council chanber, she was almost genial... and just a little drunk.

[stack]

Torm relaxes for a moment in a too-small chair, taking water and some fruit. Best to keep a clear head before such meetings, strong drink clouds judgement and heavy meals make one tired. Still, eat something and relax while you can, never know when the opportunity to do so will come again.

He enters the audience chamber crisply, standing at ease after making the necessary formal gestures.

[Sønderjye]

Bsahtek leap. Grap poisonwoman. Drag her down to pack.

I'm not entirely sure how to do this mechanical wise. I assume that I can make a charge as long as I move 10 feet even if those 10 feet are straight into the air right?
If I trip someone in the air do they fall? if I grappled someone in the air are they pulled towards the ground? Does a large hyena like this one exceed her carrying capasity?

Regardless here is attack rolls
Bite [roll0]
Claw1 [roll1]
Claw2 [roll2]

If Claw hits
Damage
Claw1 [roll3]
Claw2 [roll4]
Combat maneuver to grapple per improved grap
Claw1 [roll5]
Claw2 [roll6]

If bite hits
Bite [roll7]
CMB to trip [roll8]

[Bluydee]

PAINHATREDKILLHUNTPREYPREDATORHUNGERHUNGERHUNGERRH UNGERHUNGERHUNGERHUNGER.

Xez claws at the warped creature, before lashing out with a barrage of natural weapons.


Attack Rolls:
Readied Claw: [roll0]
Claw 1: [roll1]
Claw 2: [roll2]
Bite: [roll3]
Gore: [roll4]
Tail: [roll5]

Damage Rolls
Readied Claw: [roll6]+[roll7]
Claw 1: [roll8]+[roll9]
Claw 2: [roll10]+[roll11]
Bite: [roll12]+[roll13]
Gore: [roll14]+[roll15]
Tail: [roll16]+[roll17]

[Sneaky Weasel]

The doors to the throne room swing open, and Nuth leads the three inside. A towering warrior clad in platemail, a small but vicious looking dragon, and a burnt and raggedy goblin, the trio look distinctly out of place in the towering golden room. The most open chamber is dominated by the huge golden throne, an ancient structure said to have been placed there by Garl himself; and a long brass table set out before it. The throne is occupied by King Beltraz, leader of the Golden Kingdom and undisputed commander of human and gnomes alike. A nondescript but regal looking man in his sixties, he sits with head bowed, leaning on the table, unresponsive as you enter the room. Nuth gestures to sit at the table, and as you do so the king slowly lifts his gaze to meet yours. His eyes are bloodshot and his face is haggard, and there is an air of...not simply worry, but fear, that seems to emanate from him. It is the look of a man who is afraid of his impending death. His dry lips move soundlessly for a moment, and then he speaks.

"Torm Longstride, Hero of Stone Pier, Giant Among Men, The Crushing Avalanche. Tovera Vashini, Avatar of Tiamat, Queensbane. Chardrinker, the Firestarter, most volatile and deadly of my alchemists. You all have my deepest thanks for answering my summons. I know you all have important matters that you are leaving to come here, but believe me when I say that this matter not only concerns you, but every living creature who exists on the mainland." He pauses, gathering his thoughts. "It has come to my attention that an army of notmen has started moving north. A group far larger than any assembled at once since the Blight Wars. It is converting everything in its path into more of the same, and growing in size as it goes. Luckily it has still not grown large enough to threaten the defenses of the Golden City, otherwise the threat would be even greater. But it is not our city that is in its path. This group of notmen is crossing the western planes, and is headed directly for Clockwork Land.

"One might wonder why this would be of concern. It is for two reasons. One, we have gained intelligence through our interrogations of the warped beast we have in our dungeons, that the Queen intends to establish some sort of alliance or control over the mechanical guards that inhabit the Clockwork Land. The means they intend to achieve this with are unknown, and it seems very unlikely to succeed. However, what worries me more is that an incursion of this unprecedented size into Clockwork Land could agitate the golems within enough to cause them to retailate. Hundreds of fleshy creatures entering their domain is likely to create a hostile counterattack. And despite all the horrors of the Queen's monsters, I fear the disciplined, unfeeling armies of Clockwork land far more. Our own golems wouldn't stand a chance against them if they assembled in force." He looks around at you, licking his lips nervosuly.

Bsahtek leaps at the bloated menace, snarling viciously. One of his claws tears into the base of an unnaturally long leg, and his jaws fasten vicelike on its throat. The sudden weight pulling down on it makes the creature spin out of control, giving a high pitched all too human shriek as it lurches to the side, dragging Bsahtek along as it skids across the plain, bouncing along the dusty ground as it struggles to escape. However, albeit thrown of balance, the abomination is far from bested. It twists its conelike face around, and it begins to spin around, the teeth covering it blurring with speed. It pushes into Bsahtek's face and neck, the spinning maw ripping through his flesh and grinding against his bones.
The pack is not going to let its leader fight alone though. The remaining hyenas, ignoring the acidic wounds they've received, run after the two combatants, leaping at the floating thing with bared fangs. However, its dense rubbery flesh is almost impenetrable to their jaws, and only one of them is able to get a hold, tearing into a leg and crunching flesh and bone. The horror is unfazed though, as the flesh torn apart by Bsahtek's attacks already seems to be regrowing at an incredible rate.

Xez and his attacker are locked in a terrifying battle of tooth and claw. As the scorpion-thing attack, Xez lashes out, punching a hole in its chest with one of his claws and tearing up into its throat, leaving a gaping wound and exposing the monster's alien internal organs, throbbing and pulsing erratically. The bestial shapeshifter fends off its return attacks and then presses his advantage, hooking his claws into the side of its wound and ripping off one of its armored plates in a spray of black ichor before lunging with his fangs and tearing at the open wound, forcing his jaws all the ways through it to crunch down on its diseased spine. The warped monster gives a warbling scream from its split mouth, tearing away from Xez's jaws with a mighty effort before coiling to the side and kicking out with its fused insect legs and stabbing into his side, spearing his stomach. Twisting its leg against his rips, it lunges forward and clamps its head-mouth around his shoulder, serrated teeth gripping tightly as its sharp tongue drills into the flesh and coils around the bone inside, creating an almost unbreakable hold. Its stinger tail thrashes wildly but is unable to come close to hitting Xez. Its wounds too seem to be quickly repairing themselves.
I'm ruling that although a flying creature cannot actually be tripped, it can be dragged down to the ground, and a charge can be made while jumping. Bsahtek is dragged 60 feet towards the notmen hoard and sustains 14 regular damage and 2 acid damage from the flying woman's snout. The hyenas all charge after him and easily match the warped beast's pace.
Xez takes a total of 31 regular and 6 acid damage from the claw, bite and tongue attack. It also intitiates a grapple attempt, getting a total of 38 on its check, roll grapple to see if you can break free of its hold)

[Sønderjye]

Bsahtek howls in pain as his bones are hit directly. The acid harmlessly drift down his golden skin followed by the blood flowing from the deep wound. His fight or flight instinct is starting to move from the first to the latter after the serious wounds but he hasn't given up yet.

He jerks his left claw downwards, pulling the creature down and using the momentum to reach the creature's wings. He drags one of the wings to the side trying to make the creature to fall to the ground.

I was actually under the impression that the defending grappled creature couldn't move.
CMB to pin [roll0]

[stack]

Torm consider this carefully. "So we are to attempt to discover by what method they intend to do this and stop them if possible? Obviously we are too few for a brute force method. Do we know anything of their current disposition or have any hints of where to start looking for their secret, my lord?"

[Mangles]

"Throw a bomb in the clockworks, eh?"

[Bluydee]

PAINPAINPAINPAINPAINPAINPAIN

Xez roars, before his body gives out from the strain of his fury.

[Rakaydos]

Tovera huffed with distain, and rose to speak, looking at Torm, but thought better of it. "Best to kill the queen herself, of course. Without the head, the notmen armies will crumble easilly, as we all saw after the King's defeat.

[stack]

Torm waits for an answer.

[Sønderjye]

Bsahtek waits for the thing to hit the ground with him on top of it.

[Mangles]

Chardrinker starts idly playing with a bomb. Fire and screaming, the chaos, the smell of burnt flesh. Chardrinker smiles.