Legend of the First Blight - Prologue

[Twelve.Five]

The Anderfels 28th of Eluviesta, 14th year of Archon Austorius' Reign

The refugée caravan trudged slowly through the woods. They numbered perhaps fourty souls in all; farmers, woodcutters, they were the survivors of the recent attack on Sahorsch, and far too few were warriors. They'd been walking for three days now, and the journey was taking its toll.

Through some queer stroke of luck, their pursuers did not seem to have followed them as they fled the village; perhaps they were content with pillaging what they found there, or perhaps they had been diverted by more interesting prey. Whatever the reason, they were not pursuing, that much was certain. The refugées were not outpacing darkspawn.

They had not packed well for the trip. Indeed, there had been little chance to pack at all, and it showed. Some refugées still carried big, bulky items of sentimental value, (the heaviest of these, or those belonging to the least stubborn, had been tossed by the side of the path yesterday) but most food, and indeed nearly all useful belongings, had been left behind with their homes.

Few of those who walked were wounded. An arm broken in a fall here, a haphazardly bandaged cut from a knife dropped in panic there; the three refugées who had injuries from battle had all passed out from fever, and were currently bumping along in the caravan's only cart.

Grey sunlight filtered down through the trees. Summer was approaching fast, and ordinarily, the village would be blustering with preparations for Andoralis, who would be courting who, who'd walk where in the proccession, and who would wear what to the party. Not so this year. The ground was somewhat rocky here, and sloping gently downwards, as had it been for two days now. The forest was close around them, obscuring line of sight beyond a good ten meters. The refugées could see a good bit ahead on the trail, before the gently winding curves of the path obstructed that view as well. Mostly, however, they kept their eyes on their feet, and focused on putting one in front of the other.

A young child cried out; her mother tried to soothe her, although her efforts seemed to be in vain.

[Geckus]

A young man walked up the road alongside the refugees from the village of Sahorsch, leaning lightly on an iron and onyx staff. The cut of his clothes, newer and of better quality than would be typical, mark him as something other than a farmer or forester, and that he holds his head high rather than bowed, looking about at the forest and the people he travels with mark him as something other than a simple refugee.

Having come south chasing a rumor, Alphatius had stumbled across the refugee caravan only yesterday; he'd been given only brief descriptions of the destruction that they fled, and of the monsters that had destroyed the village of Sahorsch, but those had been enough. Any travel further south would have to wait.

Alphatius looks to his right at the sound of a dry cough, to an older couple trudging along beside him, leading a young girl who couldn't be more than ten or so. Grandparents no doubt, but what of the girl's parents... A quick glance reveals that the trio are...not alone, but separate, one of the dozen or so knots of people that make up this caravan of displaced souls. Seeing the old man stumble as he succumbs to a fit of coughing, he quickly reaches out and lends an arm for support while the man regains his footing. "Here." He passes over his waterskin, barely half full from the last stream they had passed early in the day. "Won't be too much longer before we stop to rest."

[Lord Of Mantas]

The past few weeks had not been kind to Baweryn Rasca.

Looking at the formerly warrior caste dwarf, one would not, at first, have thought him to be much different from many other dwarves. Dark forest green breeches, nondescript nugskin leather boots, a chain shirt, and a pendant of the symbol of the Kal'Gorok thaig were mostly covered by a dull grey woolen cloak, which melded perfectly with the dull browns and grays of the forest. Upon his back was a leather pack, the clinking of the dwarf's mess kit joined by the chinking of his chain shirt and the scraping of his boots. It was an utterly uninspiring sight, made all the more bleak by the few rays of sunlight that managed to shine past the think branches of the forest canopy.

Upon looking more closely at the Dwarven fighter, however, it would quickly become apparent that his demeanor was that of a man beset by internal conflict. Steel gray eyes looked intently at the haft of his longhammer as he alternated between strumming his fingers along the grip and squeezing it as if to try and relieve tension, the spark of life all but gone from them. His fire-red hair and beard, usually combed and braided quite neatly, were rather unkempt, with matted hair sticking out and braids haphazardly thrown together. A weary sigh came from the dwarf's mouth, his mind occupied with several questions.

It had been two weeks to the day since his exile from the loose collection of refugees from Kal'Gorok. Cast out with nothing but the most basic and unwanted of equipment (save for his weapon, a gift from the in-laws), Baweryn had, for the first few days, wandered listlessly and aimlessly, barely stopping to eat, drink, and fend off the odd pack of wolves intent on having him for supper. Stripped of the people and the caste that had given him purpose all his life, and his exile weighing on top of a lifetime of anguish, he had eventually made his way further south. His intent had been singular: To face the Darkspawn, charge them head-on, and die in one last glorious battle.

When he had come across Sahorsch only the day before the attack, it seemed, at first, that he had gotten his wish. But then, when the time had come... something had happened. A house on fire. A woman and her daughter trapped beneath debris. One of the darkspawn rapidly descending upon them.

A fire had lit in Baweryn's heart and gut that had not been there for some time, and the head of his hammer had promptly popped the fel creature's head like a ripe melon. After the woman and child were freed, he had continued to fight, not with the intent of dying, but with the intent to defend those trying to flee the village. And now, there he was, ambling back north to Ancestors-know-where.

Everything in his life had gone to dreck. Those he loved were dead. His home, destroyed. His people wanted nothing to do with him, and to top it all off, he was trapped on the surface, where every day brought a battle against the elements of the surface, that damned fiery orb in the thing called the sky, and the strange new dangers of a strange land.

It would have been so easy to die. Why didn't I let myself die? What's left for me to do?

A cry came out, and the dwarf's head perked up briefly. A young child, her mother attempting to soothe her.

Baweryn's grip on his longhammer renewed. As long as he was alive, he still had a job to do.

I might not be a guard or a soldier anymore, but I will never do things by halves.

Picking up his pace a bit, Baweryn moved to the front of the caravan. They may have left the Darkspawn back at the village, but their pace was hardly that of an organized regiment, and caution was one thing they could not do without. His grey eyes shining once more, the dwarf glanced around, looking for signs of trouble - and, briefly, opening his ears to the mother and child...

Perception (to note anything of interest, including signs of an ambush, and the cries of the young girl): [roll0]. Due to his Militant Merchant trait, Baweryn recieves a +1 circumstance bonus to determining surprise, which, in that context, would bring the total to 25​.

[gremlin-pult]

Walking at the rear of the group, easily spotted as he towered above the refugees, Tal-Ashaad looked out over the group once more, his deep set purple eyes quickly setting on the young man with the staff walking slightly ahead. Unbelievable He thought, not for the first time These humans have had their homes destroyed, their families slaughtered. And yet they still allow a Saarebas to walk freely amongst them. It is as if they want their lives to end.

Thinking back to what he had seen, Tal-Ashaad resists the urge to look over his shoulder, back the way they came. These... Darkspawn. They are fearsome creatures, just like we feared. but they are odd. they seem to have no intellect or training to speak of, yet they move with the same purpose and direction as the Antaam. There is purpose in their destruction, and no doubt. Reaching up and scratching the white goatee on his chin, Tal-Ashaad looks again at the group of refugees. "I hope you live to learn from you folly, Basra" He mutters to himself "But if not, Asit Tal-Eb"

[Xunthrae]

Atsas walks near the back of the caravan. Before he was with a traveling merchant who had plans to sell him to a distant magister. Those plans were interrupted when the town they were staying in was attacked. By what Atsas doesn't know. His owners fled from the holding pens, leaving many of their slaves still caged or bound. He was left only lightly bound with rope, so when the monsters attacked, he used the sword of a fallen guard to cut his binds.

He freed several other slaves before he found his staff. It was a gift from the late Shakran'Zerin, one of friendship that his former mistress allowed him to keep. Soon after finding it he forced to leave the others. Atsas used his magic to hold the monsters back a few moments while the slaves he did save fled out of the building, the mage following suit soon after.

Days later he is with this caravan of refugees. He feels lost. He has never been without an owner. He walks near the back of the group, a place he tries to blend in, but his elven heritage and tattoos make that near impossible. He keeps to himself, his robes and staff marking him as a mage make that easy. Atsas keeps an eye behind them. Those creatures are fierce and are probably on their trail.


[roll0]

[Batpope Scott]

Ashalle walks among the refugees, a cloak and hood concealing her features, and watches the destitute men and women as they march uncertainly. Fear, doubt, fatigue. This herd won't survive a predator. This group of survivors was all that's left of the little village she'd visited. There were slave traders, but none of them lived in the village. The peasantry was kindly innocent, albeit wary of her approach, and she was able to barter strips of meat for some cloth. She was nearby for the attack, but that force would not have been stopped by one elf. She helped some of the women and children escape, running herself before long. So many dead...

She's broken out of her thoughts by the crying child. She can't be lost in her thoughts; the need for vigilance is at it's peak. She quickens her step to come to the head of the pack, watching the path forward for any signs of trouble. These people need her help now to survive.

There were children among them. No child deserves this pain.

Perception

[roll0]

[Twelve.Five]

As he scanned the forest ahead, something not quite the color of bark made him do a double take. That was a... hand, pressed against the bark of a tree. It was motted in varying brown, red and grey colors, perhaps as camouflage. A bush cut off his vantage of what he was sure were the rest of the person, but, looking again, he spotted other signs. A snapped branch, a footprint in the mud, a stick of wood that seems like it'd be attached to an axe out of view, an armoured shoulder peeking out from behind a large rock, and the brownish-green dome of a bald man's camouflaged head (or perhaps a helmet?) just visible among the tall grass. A number of people, dwarves by their height, were standing very, very still among the trees, thirty feet or so ahead of him.The softest hint of a growl lay on the edge of her senses, underneath the voices and muddy steps of the travellers. It seemed to be coming from up ahead. Perhaps her herd had found its predator, or perhaps it was merely some wolf or bear retreating from the sounds and smells that signified hunters.
Except wolves didn'tsound like that.
And nor did bears.

The man's weight was heavy on Alphatius' shoulder. As the coughs subsided, he grabbed the offered waterskin and took a single deep gulp, before, apparently, remembering they didn't have very much left. It was slower after that. His wife smiled at the mage. Her eyes were old and weary as her face, heavily wrinkled by age, but they grew younger as her face lit up. "Thank you, young man."

A voice, apparently angry, barks at Atsas. "Oi! Slave! Carry this!" A thin man tossed a heavy sack, presumably of flour, into his free arm. Another elven woman, short, dark-haired, and somewhat chubby, glared daggers at the rude guy. She was one of the slaves Atsas freed, Lesathe, her name was, and she seemed about to give the speaker a good tongue-lashing. He cut her off. "What? He's got to carry his weight! Slave or no, can't just rely humans to bring his food!"

[Xunthrae]

Atsas catches the bag, although awkwardly. After a few moments adjusting he turns to Lesathe, "It is alright. I will do as he asks." The elven man continues walking with the sack as best he could, it is obvious he isn't the most physically strong of slaves, his staff and robes attesting to his magical talent.

[Batpope Scott]

Knowledge: Nature [roll0]

Ashalle stops and draws her bow, her eyes narrowing at the sound. She calmly states "Be still your tongues, we must be wary; there is something nearby."

[Lord Of Mantas]

Baweryn's attention was caught by goings-on in the caravan - the human mage who'd shown up yesterday helping one of the elderly along, and one of the villagers throwing a sack of flower to one of a couple of elves he'd seen about since the attack. He scowled at the human's sense of entitlement - fleeing darkspawn was not the time to be acting like some sort of upstart spoiled noble - when something caught his eyes just ahead.

Snapped twigs. A footprint. A hand, covered in what looked like camouflage paint, attached to a man who looked to be holding what could only be an axe. And other dwarves, standing very, very still among the trees ahead.

Baweryn, at that moment, could not claim to know why fellow dwarves were doing what they were doing. But what they were doing was fairly obvious. They were bandits. And this was an-

"Ambush. Those of you who can, get ready to fall back when things go to dreck." As he spoke for the first time since he'd joined the group, Baweryn's voice rang forth, deep, gruff, and accented, and yet very deliberate in his pronunciation. He then gestured to the beings he would later come to know as Alphatius, Atsas, and Tal-Ashaad in turn. "You lot, with me."

In the meantime, he shifted back and forth on his feet, waiting for them to make their move...

For the record, whenever Baweryn talks, imagine that he's talking in a German accent (in honor of BioWare's original intentions for the dwarves).

Since I doubt people hide themselves in camouflage to hand out cookies, I'm assuming the worst here. Baweryn will ready an action to use Total Defense at the first sign of an attack, adding a +4 Dodge bonus to his AC for a total of 20. This lasts for one round.

Also, since we're in the here and now, let's have some rolling to see if Baweryn knows anything about bandits in the area, particularly those disguising themselves - or, for that matter, if he knows what on earth Tal-Ashaad is, since it's been established not many people know what the Qunari are.

Knowledge (Local): [roll0]

Speaking of which...

Does Tal-Ashaad have horns, or is he more in the Sten mold of Qunari?

[Twelve.Five]

They emerged from the treelines onto the path ahead, howling in fury as their trap was sprung early. Low and stout, with skull-like heads and needles for teeth, they shake their weapons in anger. Their grime and the tattered hides they wear for armor made them hard to spot, but now they had revealed themselves.
The darkspawn had found the caravan.

One of them was a human-sized monstrosity, clad in heavy metal armour and wielding a doubleheaded axe in two hands. Unlike the other, rough-hewn weapons of the darkspawn, this one looked to be of dwarven make.

Four of the smaller ones wield bows. Two carry swords and shields, and finally, one is swinging a sword and a small, crude axe, grinning menacingly.

The archers fired into the throng of refugées, who had not yet had time to properly panic. One of them aim for Baweryn, another for Ashalle.
Nothing to see here, the result has been summarised.

The arrows meant for Ashalle and Baweryn go wide, and disappear into the woods. A farmer screams as another finds its mark.

The small ones are Genlocks, the big one's a Hurlock, who're a relatively new breed, reports of which started coming in three years ago. All darkspawn cover themselves and their weapons in a black, tar-like bile that's very dangerous to get in your wounds. What's worse, you need lyrium-folded weaponry to hurt them properly, and you don't really have any on hand. These traits combined makes it quite dangerous for militia to attempt resistance.
http://i58.tinypic.com/2uji5c0.jpgSorry it's sideways.Genlock Archers
Atsas
Genlock Tempest
Ashalle, Baweryn, Tal-Ashaad
Genlock Vanguards
Alphatius
Hurlock Berserker, Refugées
End of Round
Here comes the bulk of your turn.

[Lord Of Mantas]

As the ambushers emerged from the wood, Baweryn cursed inwardly. It appeared their pursuers had finally caught up with them.

And here I am, carrying a weapon with no lyrium in it... This is going to be a rough one.

His mental cursing was interrupted as he rolled to the side, swiftly dodging an arrow fired in his direction by the darkspawn he knew as a genlock.

"Darkspawn! Watch for their blood and bile! Those of you who aren't trained warriors, fall back!"

[Xunthrae]

Atsas promptly drops the bag of flour to the ground. He then moves swiftly forward, brandishing his staff as he prepares a spell in his mind. He calls out a quick incantation while holding his left hand out in a fist, and right as he finishes the words he snaps his hand open, a flame now burning in his palm.


Atsas moves forward about 15 feet and he uses Produce Flame to conjure some fire.

[Twelve.Five]

The dualwielding genlock screeched as the bulk of its prey attempted to flee. It was in hot pursuit, ignoring the dwarf who stood at the vanguard.

Double move, he's in the square just "south-west" of the one Baweryn is occupying. Flat-footedness prevents AoO.Genlock Archers
Atsas
Genlock Tempest
Ashalle, Baweryn, Tal-Ashaad
Genlock Vanguards
Alphatius
Hurlock Berserker, Refugées
End of Round
Here comes the bulk of your turn.

[Lord Of Mantas]

"Oh no you don't, you filth!"

As the genlock rushed past him, intent on pursuing the caravan, Baweryn brought his longhammer to bear. As the genlock hit just the right distance, he hefted his weapon...

There may be no lyrium folded into my weapon, but it's still got to hurt a little.

And brought it swinging down, putting all his strength behind it.

Baweryn will move appropriately if necessary (since his longhammer is a reach weapon) and attack the genlock going past him. Since he has Power Attack, Furious Focus, and is using a two-handed weapon, he gets a +3 to damage with no attack penalty. This will, from hereon out, be his default mode of attack unless specified otherwise.

Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Confirm Crit (from OOC): 24
Additional Damage: 29
Total Damage: 42

[gremlin-pult]

Looking grimly at the commotion ahead, Tal-Ashaad accepts the dwarfs orders without hesitation. The little basra knows what he is doing He thinks as he moves forward to position himself by Baweryn's side, watching for the approach of more of the darkspawn.

Tal-Ashaad spends his round moving, drawing his Earthbreaker as he goes and ends his turn by Baweryns side.

Lord of mantas: Tal-Ashaad is hornless. Makes it easier to blend in, which is probably smart, since Qunari are largely unknown in Thedas. But as Twelve.Five mentioned at one point in the recruitment thread, Tal-Ashaad's large size, grey-brown skin and deep-set purple eyes are likely more than enough to get him in trouble. Humans have a bit of a track record with racism in most fantasy settings, after all. :smallsmile:

As he joins Baweryn in the front, Tal-Ashaad looks down at the dwarf and the genlock "Well done, Bas. I will move forward to intercept the other Darkspawn. You should stay between the monsters and the other Basra, in case I cannot engage them all"

[Batpope Scott]

Ashalle silently draws an arrow and looses it to the largest of these abominations.

Attacking the Hurlock, which I'm hoping is flat-footed since it hasn't acted yet. Though I don't have sneak attack, so that doesn't matter as much.

Attack [roll0]
Damage [roll1]

[Twelve.Five]

Baweryn's hammer smashed right through the genlock's feeble attempt to dodge out of the way, and hit the dome of its unprotected skull. With a sick, crunching noice, said skull shattered, and the hammer continued beyond. The genlock went limp and collapsed.

Ashalle's arrow panged off of the hurlock's helmet as it advanced, missing the eyes of its vizor completely.

The two shielded genlocks seemed to have developed respect for Baweryn's longhammer, and so they lumbered forth slowly, banging their swords on their shields in challenge, and spewing their inhuman growls.

There are now 35ft between them and you. The hurlock is the one that was next-to closest on the starting map, and so is some 50ft away.Genlock Archers
Atsas
Genlock Tempest
Ashalle, Baweryn, Tal-Ashaad
Genlock Vanguards
Alphatius
Hurlock Berserker, Refugées
End of Round
Geckus, you're up!

[Geckus]

Alphatius returned the old woman's smile; "Think nothing of it, miss; you've had a harder road to walk than I." His smile fades and his head snaps up as he hears the cry of 'ambush'. "Take cover by the wagon, and keep the young one close."

Stepping a short distance forward, putting himself between the enemy and the couple he was nearest to while taking stock of the situation. He watched as the dwarf dropped one of the attacking monsters with a devastating blow to the head, and the qunari stepped forward with weapon drawn and ready. Good, the front line is covered. An arrow zips past, glancing off the helmet of the largest of the creatures. Glancing back, he calls to the archer, "Try for the enemy bowman on the left, he's left much of his cover to fire."


5' step forward; move action to use Combat Advice - giving Achalle a +2 competence bonus to hit against the hurluck archer; standard action - ready an attack in case an enemy closes into melee range.

Readied attack: [roll0]
Damage if needed: [roll1]

[Twelve.Five]

The refugées panic and scatter, some simply running back up the path as fast as they can, some seeking the trees, and some simply falling or throwing themselves to the ground where they are. The old couple and their grandchild take cover by the wagon, but are slow to do so. Luckily for them, the archers seem focused on the frontline forming.

The hurlock walks up to join his vanguards. The three of them now forming a line that's sure to prove deadly to attackers.

The bow-wielding genlocks advance, and a salvo of arrows come whistling down towards Baweryn and Tal Ashaad.

Ranged Attacks:
vs Baweryn
To hit: [roll0]
Dmg: [roll1] Confirm: [roll2]
+Dmg: [roll3]
Fort: [roll4]
To hit: [roll5]
Dmg: [roll6] Confirm: [roll7]
+Dmg: [roll8]
Fort: [roll9]

vs Tal Ashaad
To hit: [roll10]
Dmg: [roll11] Confirm: [roll12]
+Dmg: [roll13]
Fort: [roll14]
To hit: [roll15]
Dmg: [roll16] Confirm: [roll17]
+Dmg: [roll18]
Fort: [roll19]Genlock Archers
Atsas, Ashalle, Baweryn, Tal-Ashaad
Genlock Vanguards
Alphatius
Hurlock Berserker, Refugées
End of Round
Lord of Mantis, Xunthrae, Batpope Scott and Gremlin-pult, you're up! :smallsmile:

[Xunthrae]

Atsas hears someone call out to attack the archer on the far left. He complies by raising his left hand, palm out, and wills the fire to streak towards his target.


Standard to use the fire from Produce flame as a Ranged Touch against the far left one.

Attack:[roll0]
Damage:[roll1]

[gremlin-pult]

Grunting in pain as the two arrows hit him, Tal-Ashaad looks at the assembled Darkspawn, and lets out a snarl.
He turns towards the archers, and lifts his hammer above his head.

"Ashkost say hissra! Ataash Qunari!" He roars, and charges into the archer group, swinging his large hammer at the first Genlock that comes within range.

Tal-Ashaad charges the bow-wielding genlocks, using the maneuver "voracious drive", which lets me charge without the usual -2 to AC, and deals +1d6 damage. Tal-Ashaad also uses power attack. He tries to block as many of the genlocks as possible from shooting, but attacks the first one in range. No surprise AoO's for me. The first arrows hurt more than enough :smallsigh:

Attack roll: [roll0]
damage: [roll1]
extra damage from maneuver: [roll2]
crit confirm: [roll3]
extra crit damage: [roll4]

[Lord Of Mantas]

As Baweryn swung his hammer, the resulting impact completely obliterated the genlock's skull, sending its headless body crumpling to the ground. Adrenaline began to course through his veins, and he glanced up as Tal-Ashaad joined him.


"Well done, Bas. I will move forward to intercept the other Darkspawn. You should stay between the monsters and the other Basra, in case I cannot engage them all"
For a split second, Baweryn regarded Tal-Ashaad rather curiously. Rather large for a human... And with a very odd way of speaking, too. Then his attention returned to the darkspawn.

"That'll have to do. There's too few of us to fight on even- Incoming!"

While Baweryn managed to dodge one of the salvo of arrows, another hit him square in the arm, and he grunted in pain. Quickly, he pulled out the arrowhead, trying to minimize his exposure to the taint.

Ancestors, please let there not have been enough there to corrupt me. I'm just starting to think there might be a reason for all this.

As Tal-Ashaad charged off to deal with the archers, Baweryn took stock of the situation. The archers, of course, had needed to be dealt with, or they'd turn everyone into pincushions. On the other hand, there were now a hurlock and two genlocks heading straight for him. I could charge them or the archers, but I'd leave myself and the caravan vulnerable. Looks like I'm taking that big human's advice.

...looks pretty fit for a human old enough to have white hair.

Shifting back and forth on his feet, Baweryn steeled himself for the inevitable charge of the darkspawn.

Baweryn will elect to stay where he is and use Total Defense, adding an extra +4 Dodge bonus to AC but removing his ability to make AoOs.

[Batpope Scott]

Ashalle pulls a barbed arrow from her quiver, taking aim at the Hurlock once more but vanishing momentarily as she fires her shot.

Shooting at the one that Alphatius is giving a bonus against, though I don't think there's a Hurlock Archer. Using Dimensional Strike so that the target's flat-footed.

Also using a Thistle Arrow so it takes bleed damage if this hits for 1d6 rounds.

[roll0]

[Twelve.Five]

Tal Ashaad's hammering blow is easily sidestepped with a rolling motion, as the genlock draws yet another arrow. To his left, another archer catches a chestful of fire, and Ashalle's arrow bury itself deeply into its shoulder; it seems heedless of both pains, however.

The shielded genlocks leap forward as swiftly as their stubby legs will take them, one going for Tal Ashaad and another for Baweryn, both growling furiously.

Charge vs Tal Ashaad
To hit: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Confirm: [roll2]
Bonus Damage: [roll3]
Fortitude: [roll4]

Charge vs Baweryn
To hit: [roll5]
Damage: [roll6]
Confirm: [roll7]
Bonus Damage: [roll8]
Fortitude: [roll9]

Both charges fail spectacularly. The qunari diverts his foe, prodding it in the gut with his hammer; Baweryn merely steps out of the way. The genlock goes barreling past him a yard or so, before it manages to arrest its momentum, making it wide open for retalitory attack.

Genlock Archers
Atsas, Ashalle, Baweryn, Tal-Ashaad
Genlock Vanguards
Alphatius
Hurlock Berserker, Refugées
End of Round
Geckus, you're up!

[Geckus]

Good, the archers are being engaged.

Alphatius carefully studies the battlefield, using the skills he gained at the Halveric College of War to offer some guidance to the engaged warriors, pointing out flaws in their foes stance and footwork that were easy to miss when actually trading blows with an enemy.

"Hey big guy, your target leading to it's left, try driving it to the right!"

(in Starlata-val) "Warrior, the little one dips it's shoulder when it strikes, be ready."


5ft adjust closer to the front lines, move action and standard action to use Combat advice for both Tal Ashaad and Baeryn against the genlocks they are facing, giving a +2 competence bonus to hit that target with their next attacks.

How far apart are the dwarf and qunari now? Specifically are they more or less than 30ft apart (important for MCLW)?

[Twelve.Five]

With a mighty roar, the hurlock charges at Baweryn, joining the genlock that went before it. It brings the axe down, attempting to smash through the warrior's guard.

Meanwhile, two of the archers throw away bows and arrows, and draw their crude swords in their place, while the other two, one of them still on fire, scramble around to get clear shots at the rogue and the nobleman who's shouting out orders.


Short sword vs Tal Ashaad
To hit: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Confirm: [roll2]
Bonus Damage: [roll3]
Fort: [roll4]

Short sword vs Tal Ashaad
To hit: [roll5]
Damage: [roll6]
Confirm: [roll7]
Bonus Damage: [roll8]
Fort: [roll9]

Arrow vs Alphatius
To hit: [roll10]
Damage: [roll11]
Confirm: [roll12]
Bonus Damage: [roll13]
Fort: [roll14]

Arrow vs Ashalle
To hit: [roll15]
Damage: [roll16]
Confirm: [roll17]
Bonus Damage: [roll18]
Fort: [roll19]

Greataxe vs Baweryn
To hit: [roll20]
Damage: [roll21]
Confirm: [roll22]
Bonus Damage: [roll23]
Fort: [roll24]
Tal Ashaad took a nasty cut to his arm, but otherwise fended off his attackers for the moment. The arrows meant for Ashalle and Alphatius both went wide. Baweryn was less lucky however, as the axe-wielding hurlock slammed through his guard, the edge opening a wide gash in his side. Combined with his earlier arrow wound, it was enough for him to slip into uncoscioussness. Something would have to be done, and qucikly, or they were surely going to tear the refugées apart.
@geckus: To answer your question, yes, but Tal Ashaad is not within close range of you. You could get there with a move action, but it'd put you within 5step range of the shield-wearing genlock.Genlock Archers
Atsas, Ashalle, Baweryn, Tal-Ashaad
Genlock Vanguards
Alphatius
Hurlock Berserker, Refugées
End of Round

[gremlin-pult]

Hearing the advice shouted to him, but to busy to acknowledge it, Tal-Ashaad takes note of the enemy in front of him.
A twinge of pain as he moves makes the state of his body painfully obvious.
As the pain starts dominating his thoughts, Tal-Ashaad feels the now familiar raging song in his head as his blood boils with power.
With a feral, wordless roar, he unleashes his rage and makes a wide, powerful swing at the shield wielding genlock, intent on taking nourishment from his foes pain and fear.


"Devour" special ability (standard action) + power attack + "strength of hell" maneuver (Boost. Swift action)

Attack roll: [roll0]
damage: [roll1]
extra damage from boost: [roll2]
extra damage from devour (Which Tal-Ashaad gains as temporary HP): [roll3]

crit confirm: [roll4]
extra crit damage: [roll5]

[Lord Of Mantas]

As the Darkspawn charged, Baweryn easily managed to dodge out of the way of the shield-bearing genlock. Unfortunately, his attempt to dodge the hurlock was less successful, and the dwarf warrior was felled as the darkspawn's axe tore into his side.

Stone... Let me see Hanarynn and Duran again...

Baweryn is now at -3 HP.
DC 10 Constitution to Stabilize: [roll0]

Baweryn is now stable. Assuming I've read the rules correctly, he will die if he reaches -18 HP.
Luckily, the dwarf was hardier than most, and somehow managed to stabilize. He did, however, remain unconscious, his body lying open to attack...

[Xunthrae]

Atsas shifts his attention to creature threatening the dwarf. He has to do something.The elf points his staff at the creature and lets loose some of it's power, instantly heating up the metal of it's weapon.

Using my Staff's Burning Disarm on the hurlock threatening Baweryn

[Twelve.Five]

The axe burned red hot in the creature's hands, but it made no move to release hold of its weapon. Instead, he held it aloft in both hands, laying its head back and roaring untill the smoldering heat subsided.

[roll0]

[Batpope Scott]

Ashalle looks to the creature roaring for it's heated weapon and adds some injury to the insult. She fires another pointed arrow, hoping to do some solid damage this time.

[roll0] Attack
[roll1] Damage

Bleed duration [roll2]

[Twelve.Five]

Ashalle's arrow panged harmlessly off of the hurlock's armor. Tal Ashaad caught an opportune moment as the archer overextended itself in a strike, and brought his hammer down on it's half-turned back. Something in there was clearly broken; he felt a small measure of life-force flowing out of the darkspawn, but it was still standing, if only just barely. It managed to flail its sword about in savage riposte.

The genlock that helped bring down Baweryn barreled towards Ashalle with an in-elven shriek, blade and shield raised high.

Attack vs Tal Ashaad
Hit: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Confirm: [roll2]
Bonus Damage: [roll3]
Fort: [roll4]

Charge vs Ashalle
Hit: [roll5]
Damage: [roll6]
Confirm: [roll7]
Bonus Damage: [roll8]
Fort: [roll9]

And Alphatius won't be within striking range of the hurlock if he moves forward; there'd be 15ft of distance between them.Genlock Archers
Atsas, Ashalle, Baweryn, Tal-Ashaad
Genlock Vanguards
Alphatius
Hurlock Berserker, Refugées
End of Round

[Geckus]

Alphatius winces as the dwarf falls beneath a heavy blow of the axe of the heavily armored attacker.

Oh dear...it appears I may have seriously underestimated the danger of these creatures.

He hesitates momentarily, carefully judging the distance between the two melee-orientied warriors defending the refugees and the positions of their attackers.

We need both their weapons if there's to be any chance of turning this around. No choice, then.

Moving forward, Alphatius tries to keep as much distance between himself and the largest creature as possible - he wouldn't last more than a few seconds in close combat with that thing - while getting his targets in range of his magic. Whispering quietly to the being resident in the back of his mind, he feels the Fade pull closer to the physical world, and reaches within it to bring forth of wellspring of vitality that seals some of the wounds taken by the dwarf and the odd looking warrior.


Move action to close the distance, Standard action to cast MCLW on Baweryn & Tal-Ashaad healing both for [roll0] HP.

[Twelve.Five]

Alphatius' timely spell put Baweryn back on his feet, the magic rapidly knitting his gaping wound, as well as Tal Ashaad's various cuts and bruises.

The hurlock moved to take the mage down putting all his momentum into the attack, while the two remaining archers fired, one of them at a refugée, the hurt one going for Ashalle, although she was in cover from the charging genlock.

The axe-wielding darkspawn seemed to have discounted the dwarven warrior as a threat, and so left himself open to attack as it lumbered out of reach.

Meanwhile, the desperate genlocks battle the qunari in the treeline up the path.

Baweryn AoO vs Genlock
To Hit: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Confirm: [roll2]
Bonus Damage: [roll3]

Hurlock Charge vs Alphatius
To Hit: [roll4]
Damage: [roll5]
Confirm: [roll6]
Bonus Damage: [roll7]
Fort: [roll8]

Genlock archer with short sword vs Tal Ashaad
To Hit: [roll9]
Damage: [roll10]
Confirm: [roll11]
Bonus Damage: [roll12]
Fort: [roll13]

Genlock archer with short sword vs Tal Ashaad
To Hit: [roll14]
Damage: [roll15]
Confirm: [roll16]
Bonus Damage: [roll17]
Fort: [roll18]

Genlock Archer vs Ashalle
To Hit: [roll19]
Damage: [roll20]
Confirm: [roll21]
Bonus Damage: [roll22]
Fort: [roll23]

Genlock Archer vs Refugée
To Hit: [roll24]
Damage: [roll25]
Confirm: [roll26]
Bonus Damage: [roll27]
Fort: [roll28]


Baweryn's reactions were somewhat dazed; he only just managed to land his longhammer on the hurlock, which stumbled, but pressed on, bearing down on Alphatius with its dwarven axe. The resulting blow laid Alphatius low.

The archers' efforts were seemingly futile; the qunari was battling them to a standstill, Ashalle ducked out of the way of the arrow with almost careless grace, and even the shot meant for the middleaged refugée went wide.

Genlock Archers
Atsas, Ashalle, Baweryn, Tal-Ashaad
Genlock Vanguards
Alphatius
Hurlock Berserker, Refugées
End of Round

[Geckus]

As the great beast's axe crashes down on Alphatius, light flares from his staff and his body slips partly into the Fade, hopefully evading some of the force of the blow.

Immediate action to cast Windy Escape from his staff; gaining DR 10/magic against this attack and immunity to any poison, sneak attacks, or critical hit effect from that attack.

[Batpope Scott]

Taking her sword hand off her bow, Ashalle draws her rapier and strikes at her opponent with a careful stroke.

Her effortless dodge blends into her stroke, but the arrow is a painful reminder of what may be to come.

Fighting Defensively for a +2 to AC, move action to draw a weapon. Free action to mope over her impending doom.

Attack [roll0]
Damage [roll1]

[gremlin-pult]

Feeling his wounds closing, Tal-Ashaad glances over his shoulder to see the mage who aided him under attack from the hurlock.
The Saarebas is using magic under pressure. If he looses control, our situation will turn from dangerous to hopeless. I will not allow it. I will become his Arvaraad for now, if I must. He thinks, focusing once more on the genlock he wounded before.
"Let us end this, monster! Ebost issala!" He roars, swinging his hammer against the genlocks side.


Attack roll: [roll0]
damage: [roll1]
crit confirm: [roll2]
extra crit damage: [roll3]

[Lord Of Mantas]

Just as he slipped into unconsciousness, Baweryn felt a tug - a strange, almost light sensation, as Alphatius' magic knit his wounds back together.

I'm... I'm alive...

No sooner had he regained consciousness, however, than he saw the Hurlock charging Alphatius, the behemoth's axe crashing down on the mage.

Baweryn snarled.

"OH NO YOU DON'T!"

Throwing himself, he just barely managed to make his hammer connect as it rushed past, though it did not stop the axe from hitting. Once he was on his feet again, however, Baweryn charged in kind, bringing his hammer crashing down...

Despite the phraseology, Baweryn is just taking a regular move (can't afford the AC penalty) and will attack the hurlock as per normal (PA + FF with a two-handed reach).

Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

[Twelve.Five]

Partial Results
Alphatius connection to the fade did not avail him; the axe seemed capable of hitting esoteric targets, which was all he managed to think before falling into the lull of unconsciousness.

Baweryn and Tal Ashaad both brought their hammers down, and both their foes fell before them.

Ashalle's rapier slid off of the genlock's shield.

[Xunthrae]

Atsas' face is blank as the combat progresses. He doesn't let the partial failure of his spell to anger him. He instead focuses his mind and strikes the ground with the head of his staff, releasing a burst of energy which ripples through the ground towards the genlock closest to himself and the other mage.

Trip attempt from the spell.
[roll0]

[Twelve.Five]

The genlock lost its footing and fell. It promptly rose again, however, an action which allowed for Ashalle stabbing it.
With a furious growl, it swung its sword at her.

Ahead on the path, the archers gave up on the refugées, and turned desperately on Tal Ashaad. Those wielding bows maneuvered for a clear line of fire, and fired into the melée. Meanwhile, the other two tore at the Ben-Hassrath with vengeance.

Genlock stands, which provokes an AoO from Ashalle.
Shortsword vs Ashalle
To hit: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Confirm: [roll2]
Bonus Damage: [roll3]
Fortitude: [roll4]

Shortsword vs Tal Ashaad
To hit: [roll5]
Damage: [roll6]
Confirm: [roll7]
Bonus Damage: [roll8]
Fortitude: [roll9]

Shortsword vs Tal Ashaad
To hit: [roll10]
Damage: [roll11]
Confirm: [roll12]
Bonus Damage: [roll13]
Fortitude: [roll14]

Shortbow vs Tal Ashaad
To hit: [roll15]
Damage: [roll16]
Confirm: [roll17]
Bonus Damage: [roll18]
Fortitude: [roll19]

Shortbow vs Tal Ashaad
To hit: [roll20]
Damage: [roll21]
Confirm: [roll22]
Bonus Damage: [roll23]
Fortitude: [roll24]

Ashalle caught the genlocks blade with her own, and diverted it. Meanwhile, the darkspawn were giving Tal Ashaad a good deal of trouble now they'd decided to gang up on him. Arrows slammed into his body, one in his leg and one in his abdomen. He was lucky if they'd missed something vital. One of the genlocks took advantage, and managed an annoying cut above his brow. He could feel a tinge of something dark, pulsing in his veins. It felt like he'd stolen lifeforce that fought back.

Genlock Archers
Atsas, Ashalle, Baweryn, Tal-Ashaad
Genlock Vanguard
Alphatius - Unconsciouss, please make a stabilization check
End of Round

[gremlin-pult]

As the arrows hit him, and one of the genlocks stab him with its blade, Tal-Ashaad let's out a roar like a wounded bear, and immediately strikes back at the pesky darkspawn, once more drawing on his dragon blood to feed on their lifeforce.

Guess its time to devour again...
Attack roll (with power attack): [roll0]
damage: [roll1]
extra damage from devour/temp. Hp for me: [roll2]
crit confirm: [roll3]
extra crit damage: [roll4]

[Lord Of Mantas]

Even as the hurlock's axe sent Alphatius crumbling into the ground, Baweryn's second hit came in low from the side, where it collapsed the darkspawn's lung and crushed its heart, killing it instantly. As it hit the dust, Baweryn took quick stock of the situation.

The mage who healed me is down. Not much I can do for him, in the thick of battle no less. One genlock over by the caravan, but the mage and... huh, come to think of it, I don't recall seeing that elf before the battle started. It seems she has better skill with a rapier than a bow. And the large human...

Baweryn's eyes widened as he saw two arrows and a dagger cut at Tal-Ashaad's flesh, the injuries sending the giant's hammer far off course. With a mighty bellow, he rushed at the genlocks engaging the fighter in melee, swinging his hammer down.

"FOR KAL'GOROK!"

EDIT: After determination by the GM, the nearest genlock appears to be in range. Baweryn will take a standard move action and then attack with the standard combo (PA + FF w/ 2-handed reach).

Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

[Xunthrae]

Atsas calls on the power of his blood and unleashes another wave of energy at the genlock with a stomp of his foot. He is not going to let it attack unhindered if he can help it.

another trip attempt,
[roll0]

[Twelve.Five]

Ashalle took the shot as the genlock stood. Its riposte missed entirely, and Atsas' spell soon had it off balance once more, a fact which the elf took advantage off.

Tal Ashaad's blow missed entirely, the head of the hammer spraying brown mud onto the genlocks as it pummeled into the ground.

Meanwhile, Baweryn's blow laid low an archer, silencing its screeches with a crunch of broken bone and metal.

The remaining archer tossed its bow aside when faced with the dwarven hammer, drew a sword in its place, and stepped forth to gut the dwarf.

Tal Ashaad was still fighting off the rest of them.

Down the road, Ashalle's genlock stayed down, having learned its lesson. It attempted to claw her down with it.

Ashalle AoO vs Genlock
To hit: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]To hit: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]

Ashalle Rapier vs Genlock
To hit: [roll4]
Damage: [roll5]To hit: [roll6]
Damage: [roll7]

Ashalle AoO vs Genlock
To hit: [roll8]
Damage: [roll9]To hit: [roll10]
Damage: [roll11]

Genlock trip attempt vs Ashalle
CMB: [roll12]

Genlock Shortsword vs Tal Ashaad
To hit: [roll13]
Damage: [roll14]To hit: [roll15]
Damage: [roll16]

Genlock Shortsword vs Tal Ashaad
To hit: [roll17]
Damage: [roll18]To hit: [roll19]
Damage: [roll20]

Genlock Shortsword vs Baweryn
To hit: [roll21]
Damage: [roll22]To hit: [roll23]
Damage: [roll24]
Fortitude: [roll25], counts as poison


Genlock Archers
Atsas, Ashalle, Baweryn, Tal-Ashaad
Genlock Vanguard
Alphatius - Unconsciouss, please make a stabilization check
End of Round

[Lord Of Mantas]

As Baweryn completed his charge, the end of his of his swing was greeted by the pained screech of a dying genlock, which rang out perfectly in time with the crunching of its ribcage. Even as its body fell limply into the dust, its comrades pressed forth with their own swords to swing at him and the giant. The pair of them kept well on their toes, however, and were easily able to dodge the creature's clumsy swings. As a shortsword swung at him harmlessly, Baweryn took a step back, trying to put the genlock between himself and Tal-Ashaad, before bringing the hammer swinging down once more.

Baweryn will take a 5-foot step away from the genlock that attacked him in order to get it back within range. If at all possible, he will maneuver such that when doing so, he would be flanking it (which would add +2 to his attack). If not possible, he will simply move to the next best position.

After that, he will bring down his longhammer and Attack, with the usual bonuses.

Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

[gremlin-pult]

Seeing the dwarf come to his aid and smash into the genlocks, Tal-Ashaad focuses on his enemy with renewed energy.
Still feeling the odd sensation from the lifeforce he took, and his many wounds, He lashes out at the genlock with grim fury, intent on smashing it into the ground. Putting all his weight on one leg, He lunges forward, putting all his bulk behind the blow.
Must take them down. He thinks, panting from exertion If I am poisoned, I will NOT fall before they do

Normal attack (with power attack) on the same genlock. Again. (dang diceroller...)
Attack: [roll0]
damage: [roll1]
crit confirm: [roll2]
crit damage: [roll3]