Cyclopean's Slow-Posting Carrion Crown (IC)

[Cyclopean]

"Thank you so much for coming," she says once you have all gathered together at the cemetery gate. Even if you have not met her, it's clear that the grieving woman who addresses you is Kendra Lorrimor, daughter of the late Professor Petros Lorrimor.

http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130606160842/carrion-crown/images/8/85/Kendra_Lorrimor.jpg

"No one else from Lepidstadt or from father's travels came," she continues. "Nor many from Ravengro, with things the way they are in town these days..." she trails off, pushing herself back from the brink of tears. While she regains her composure, you take a moment to survey the rest of the assembly. It seems that besides yourselves and Kendra, only five mourners have come to pay their respects. You recognize none of the figures gathered around the professor's coffin.

Kendra faces you once again, her expression one of mingled sadness and curiosity. "Would you be willing to be the pallbearers?"

[Vhaidara]

Nalin glances around at the others, and sighs. Doesn't look like he's enough of a lightweight in this group to politely decline. So he steps forward to bear his old friend to his final rest.

[QuidEst]

Yelis shuffled his feet awkwardly, nodding in response to the thanks. He was not the sort of person to hold debt in any particular regard. Gods and goddesses knew he'd skipped out on plenty of debts accrued in the guise of sundry victims. But Lorrimor, he owed more than money; the late professor had been punctual when it had mattered most, arriving in the nick of time to save him from a fate worse than death. Even his slothful conscience would have protested if he hadn't attended the funeral, mention of a will or not.

When he'd received word of Lorrimor's passing, he'd set out at once, arriving in his best attire. As a kitsune particularly gifted at shapeshifting, "best attire" included choice of bodies. There'd been some deliberation over this, but at last he'd settled on his own human form. Tall and wiry, it didn't have the elegance of many of his favorite borrowed forms, but it was his, right down to the long nose and unruly brown hair. His actual clothes were fine beyond his means, spun by magic rather than purchased normally. Beside him, his companion, Waya, padded along silently, instinctively sensing the gravity of the situation and remaining on her best behavior.

"It would be an honor to help him on his last journey," Yelis answered solemnly. "And may Pharasma bring him to its conclusion that he may rest peacefully from his travels."

[Starbin]

A third figure, hooded in a mud-stained travel cloak, stepped forward. to this point. The figure had not spoken with anyone else, simply watching from a few steps away. However, with the request to stand as a pallbearer, the figure moved closer. Its stature was that of a dwarf, but it possessed grace far beyond that found in a race known for stomping. Bowing low to the late professor's daughter, it spoke. "I, too, will serve." The sound was like gravel on rocks, but higher pitched as if belonging to a ... female? Yes, now that the figure stood closer, the others could see the shape was not completely blockish ... but by no means attractive.

[The Faery Queen]

" It's an honor to be here for your family," Erzabet bowed slightly to Kendra as the young woman composed herself. " I only wish we had not met under such tragic circumstances." The tall, solidly-built half-elf then stood rigid as she looked on to the other mourners, then to the coffin. With a step forward, she replied, " Of course." It was a simple gesture, she knew, but one that would perhaps ease the sadness in the heart of Lorrimer's daughter. Kindness would not pay her debt to the late Professor, but all the same Erzabet felt it was warranted.

[Cyclopean]

As you take up the glossy coffin, you find it to be as heavy as it is well-made. the Kendra nods in gratitude and takes her place at the head of the procession.

However, you are not able to make it far down the gravel pathway winding through the cemetery. After rounding a corner into a wider path, you find a dozen surly-looking locals standing in your way.

"That's far enough," the tallest one cries. He appears to be elderly, but wiry. A few of those standing behind him seem to nod their support; others brandish farm implements. "We've been talking, and we don't want Lorrimor buried in the Restlands. You can take him upriver and bury him there if you want, but he ain't going in the ground here!"

[QuidEst]

Yelis shifted a little under the coffin. Ah, rural bumpkins. What an adorable little fear-mongering mob with their cute little pitchforks! It was a good thing he'd picked a human form, and his own was not a bad one for this. They were afraid, which was good. He was quite familiar with fear. He smiled amiably, and gestured broadly with his free hand. "Gentlemen, gentlemen. Your position is certainly an understandable one. One can't be too cautious where magic is involved, don't we all know, of course meaning no disrespect to the deceased. Might I suggest, however, that you seem to be coming about this from the wrong direction? At least, that's how it would seem from my own limited understanding of matters. Which is to say, I would, were I you, wish the departed laid to rest on consecrated grounds, with all the rites due him and in accordance with his wishes. Permit him the quiet dignity of a proper burial so that his spirit will be at ease. Now, I am no holy man, so perhaps you may correct me on my theology if you are more studied on the matter, but I am one to err on the side of caution where I might inadvertently… slight any deity, through no intention, naturally, but still implying that, say, the rites of Pharasma are somehow insufficient or lacking." He smiled again.

[Vhaidara]

Nalin gritted his teeth as the man spoke. These men knew nothing about what they spoke of, and he would normally be glad to enlighten them. But it seemed the fox had the floor. And was more than a capable speaker.

Nalin's eyes flicked around, opening the inner windows that he had discovered with the professor, hopefuly confirming that all present possessed a soul.

[Starbin]

Thalla was clearly the shortest among the group and had to work keeping the coffin steady from her side. The large half-elf was shouldering most of the weight on the other side, but it still was work for the dwarf when the others stood almost two feet taller than her. Therefore, she was already grumpy when the group of farmers approached, brandishing tools in a threatening manner. If it weren't for carrying the coffin, she would normally have walked forward and punched the first man in the throat - these types of simpletons were normally cowed by such displays.

As she considered her options, the sly-looking man with entirely too many teeth showing spoke up and she paused ... mainly because she was trying to decipher what in the nine hells he had just said! Blinking, she stared at the farmers to see if they were as confused as she was ...

[Cyclopean]

Though the crowd before you listens intently, they don't seem to be growing any calmer. "Listen," the old man replies, "I don't think you folks get it. We don't want a necromancer buried next to our kin. I suggest you move out while you still can. Folks are pretty upset about this right now."

"Necromancy?!" responds Kendra, her grief instantly transfigured into anger. "Are you people really that ignorant?"

The locals don't appreciate her insinuation. Before you can say anything, the tall, older man has crossed his arms, and a number of the townsfolk advance on the procession, hoes and pitchforks at the ready.


It's time to roll initiative. It's worth noting that only six of the twelve interlopers appear to be coming at you. Lowering the coffin you're supporting is a full-round action. You can also simply let go, but this may cause the others to drop the coffin, unsettling or even spilling it's contents.


Erzabet: [roll0]
Nalin: [roll1]
Thalla: [roll2]
Yelis: [roll3]

Ravengro Thugs: [roll4]

We'll be using group initiative. Since the locals failed their roll so spectacularly, this essentially means you can take your turns in whatever order you like, so long as you don't take two turns in a single round of combat. We are now entering Round One.

[QuidEst]

Powerful kitsune were capable of bending people to their wills through unseen magic, subtly manipulating the unwitting with nothing but a glance. Yelis, not for the first time, wished he was one. It would make this sort of thing a lot easier. He started lowering the coffin carefully. "Everybody together now…" he said to the others before addressing the approaching mob. "Gentlemen, understanding your position further, I can add only this to my previous argument: Waya, sic 'em!"

Waya, already bristling, needed no second prompting and leapt for the leader.

Full-round lowering the coffin, presumably with the others.
Free action to Handle Animal with his companion.
Waya charges the leader. Stable Gallop means she only takes an AC penalty of 1 instead of the normal 2, putting her at AC 13.
Bite: [roll0] vs. flat-footed
Damage: [roll1]
Trip (if attack connects): [roll2] vs. flat-footed

[Starbin]

(OOC - As I thought about it, Thalla would not wait for the others to put down the coffin ... so game on, y'all! :smallsmile:

Thalla watched as the men continued to move forward, ignoring what the others had said. She had seen similar people - once they had decided on stupidity, they often could not be swayed from their path ... except by violence. The others seemed intent on setting the coffin down, but she shook her head - first off, she was not going to risk being stabbed by a farm implement because of some ill-conceived notion of a human ceremony. Second, the Professor was dead; whether he remained in his coffin or fell out made little difference to that fact ... perhaps viewing his body would show these cretins that he was NOT an undead thing. No, she would approach this prudently and practically - engage the enemy and teach them the error of their ways quickly, before this degenerated into chaos.

Letting go of the coffin, she stepped forward, eying the group carefully. While the others might feel constrained by 'rules of engagement' and seek to strike those armed, she had no such compunctions - kill the head, the body will follow. Moving forward, she slipped up to the old man and lashed out at him, her hands raised defensively as she tried to take out the ringleader.

Release the coffin (free action); move forward to engage the old man (move action); enter turtle style and dodge (swift action). Attack (unarmed, non-lethal)
[roll0], [roll1]

Status
HPs: 10/10; AC: 17 (Dodge+Turtle style)
F +4 R +4 W +5

[Cyclopean]

Sensing that things are about to turn ugly, the pallbearers are quick to rise to the defense of the procession. With the exception of Kendra, the other mourners fall back, unwilling to engage in the fight.

Waya strikes first, grabbing a man by the thigh and pulling him flat on his face. He screams as he falls, and the hoe falls from his limp hand.

As Thalla releases her hold on the coffin, her fellow pallbearers find themselves unable to support it. The ornate box crashes to the ground, and the remains of the late Professor Lorrimor are thrown clear. At least one of the mourners is unable to stifle a yell, and you hear Kendra suppressing a moan. Though the duergar is able to land a solid blow to the old man's stomach, he stands his ground.

Visibly shaken, Kendra steps around her father's body and approaches Erzabet. "Please," she says as she puts her hand on the half-elf's shoulder. "Don't let them take the body." She thinks for a moment, and adds "but try not to kill anybody." Erzabet feels an odd sense of clarity and certainty.

Kendra's touch is in fact magical. Kendra gets a +1 insight bonus to attack rolls, skill checks, ability checks, and saving throws this round.

Waya and Thalla both hit. One of the thugs is no longer moving. Once Keledrath and Cupcake go, the unfriendly locals will go, and then we'll be back to the players.

[The Faery Queen]

Erzabet's body had tensed up at the approach of the locals. Her grip on the coffin was the last to let go as she seemed hesitant to leave the duty she had been assigned. That is, until a new request was made of her by the professor's daughter; Kendra's permission to act seemed to invigorate the half-elf. With a nod Erza stepped between the coffin and the townsfolk, standing up straight and cracking her neck as she fell into a relaxed fighting stance. " Can do. Didn't plan on killing anybody today, anyway."

She chose to closest agressor and in one swift and steady movement punched them in the gut with a closed fist.

Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll]1d3+2[roll]

[Cyclopean]

Erzabet knocks the wind out of her target, who whacks her with her pitchfork in retaliation. The rusty tool bounces off Erzabet's metal armor, doing no real harm.


As Erzabet doesn't have Improved Unarmed Strike, she triggers an attack of opportunity.
Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1] nonlethal

[Vhaidara]

Nalin, knowing he could not bear the coffin alone, focuses on making sure it goes down level before turning towards the mob and drawing his kukris.
Gentlemen, there is no need for further violence here. Go away, and let us bury our friend in peace. I can tell you for certain that there are no undead here. Call it a gift I have.

Your call if this is counting more as Intimidate or Diplomacy. It's a bit of both: polite request with implied violence if not indulged. Modifier is the same either way.
[roll0]
Also, using Soul Seer to confirm the "no undead here" suspicion.

[Starbin]

(OOC - Apparently Waya bit the weak would-be combatant and Thalla got the hearty old man ... 5hps and not even staggered :smallsmile:. Guess she'll hit again.

Thalla stepped to the side and launched two more strikes at the old man, trying to bring him down.

Five foot step to try and get adjacent to two people; flurry of blows. If old man drops on after the first one, she'll hit someone else. If there isn't another to hit, she'll simply hold it (not trying to beat him to death!).
[roll0], [roll1]
[roll2], [roll3]

[Cyclopean]

Thalla is a bit ahead of herself; the locals haven't gone yet.

The woman hit by Erzabet takes a look at her pitchfork, a look at her armored attacker, and seems to rethink some of her recent decisions. She drops her improvised weapon and runs away.

The rest of the mob only seems to have gotten angrier, however. Two more of the thugs advance on Erzabet, two go after the fox, and one swings at Thalla with a shovel.


Attack 1 on Erzabet: we'll use the attack that shouldn't have happened for this one.
Attack 2 on Erzabet: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1] nonlethal

Attack on Thalla: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3] nonlethal

Attack 1 on Waya: [roll4]
Damage: [roll5] nonlethal
Attack 1 on Waya: [roll6]
Damage: [roll7] nonlethal


The old man sneers at the dwarf who hit him. "Nobody ever tell you brawlin' ain't ladylike?" he says as he boxes her in the ear. Thalla is able to answer his blow with one of her own, but the man stays standing.


Unarmed Strike: [roll8]
Damage: [roll9] nonlethal

This guy actually has Improved Unarmed Strike, so he doesn't provoke an AoO. One of Thalla's attacks hits, dealing 5 more damage. The rest of the party is now up.

[QuidEst]

"Gently," Yelis called out to Waya in Sylvan. The villagers seemed to be rather less resilient than most of the trouble she was used to dealing with. For his own part, he wasn't particularly eager to out himself as a magic user at the moment. He could only imagine how that would go. Instead, he fished out his cold iron dagger and slunk back, keeping an eye on anybody who might come near.

Waya gave a low rumble of annoyance, but deigned to restrain herself, attempting to maim the next villager as gently as could reasonably be expected under the circumstances.

Yelis: Free action to use handle animal on Waya, telling her to attack using nonlethal force. (Presumably that falls under the attack command.) Move action to draw a dagger. Standard action for total defense, putting his AC at 17 for the round.

Waya: AC is back up to 14. Attack one of the villagers who attacked her.
Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1] nonlethal

[The Faery Queen]

As the thugs approached Erzabet she pulled her scimitar from its scabbard, her stance a bit more rigid now as she held her weapon in her non-dominant hand, passing it back and forth as she waited for the two villagers to close in. When the two were within striking distance Erza stepped forward and quickly slammed the hilt into one's face, her eye on the other.

Move: Pull out scimitar
Standard: Attack the villager for nonlethal
Attack: [roll0]
Damage (non-lethal, one-handed): [roll1]

[Vhaidara]

Nalin sighs, and pulls his kukri as he steps towards the closest of the men who has not been engaged, striking with full force.

Move Action: Move to the target and draw weapon
Standard Action: Attack

Attack: [roll0]
Crit Confirm: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]
Crit Damage: [roll3]

[Cyclopean]

Kendra hurries over to where Nalin is standing. "Careful," she cautions as she reaches out to touch his sleeve.

Nalin gets a +1 insight bonus to attack rolls, skill checks, ability checks, and saving throws this round due to Kendra's magical touch. Also, it didn't matter last round, but Waya and Nalin are flanking one of the local toughs.

One of the villagers, hoping to take advantage of the tiefling's distraction, disengages from Waya and attempts to hit him with the blunt end of the scythe. Meanwhile, the rest of the pallbearers weather the gauntlet of fists and farm implements as best they can.

Attack 1 on Erzabet: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1] nonlethal
Attack 2 on Erzabet: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3] nonlethal

Attack on Thalla (farmer): [roll4]
Damage: [roll5] nonlethal
Attack on Thalla (old man): [roll6]
Damage: [roll7] nonlethal

Attack on Waya: [roll8]
Damage: [roll9] nonlethal

Attack on Nalin: [roll10]
Damage: [roll11] nonlethal

Thalla is at 9 nonlethal damage, Erzabet is at 7, and Waya is at 2. The party is up.

[Starbin]

(OOC - Not sure where those 9 non-lethal hps are coming from ... Thalla's AC has never been lower than 17 since the fight started, and no attack has exceeded that. Did I miss something somewhere?)

Thalla moved aside again, easily avoiding the older man's attacks, as well as the farmer. With little care for either one, she focused on the threat of the older man - obviously he had training and was tough enough to take more than a blow.

Flurry of blows against the bigger threat, using non-lethal.

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

Status
HPs: 10/10; AC: 17 (Dodge+Turtle style)
F +4 R +4 W +5

[Starbin]

Hm ... possible crit. [roll0]; [roll1]

And if the first blow takes out the older guy, the second attack will go to the farmer!