Minos: Dark Times [IC]

[Berand]

OOC Thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57104)

Round 1
Spring, 1409 AP

It's a warm, sunny day in the city of Engoth, one of the first after a long winter. The occasional pile of snow still lingers in areas that are perpetually shadowy, but even those are beginning to melt and dissipate. Green is starting to appear all around, as the wildlife comes alive after a season of hibernation. The air is crisp, tinged with the scent of salty ocean air. Even the birds have started singing.

None of this really matters at the Whispering Woman Inn, where the air smells predominately of stale beer and unwashed bodies (What did you expect? Every adventure starts at a freakin' Inn. I think it's in the DM's guide). The shoddily-constructed building does nothing to block out the raucous sound of the docks nary a block away. Despite it being only mid-day, the Inn is reasonably crowded. None of the Inns along the wharf operate on a traditional day-night schedule – rather they operate on the docking schedules of new ships. Apparently a rather large one has just come to port, because there are drunken sailors everywhere. By and large the Whispering Woman is about as standard as an Inn can get. The only feature that stands out is a large board nailed to the wall near the door, above which is a smaller board with crude red lettering spelling out "Contracts." Pieces of parchment are stuck up all over the large board with pins and the occasional rusty old knife. A closer inspection reveals mostly wanted adds - vessels needing sailors or guards, merchants heading to the mines needing guards, wagon trains heading to Castle Seraphim needing guards, a local business looking for a bodyguard to watch wares, a merchant needing escort for a trip to the main land, and even a recruiting poster for the Engoth militia, stamped with the seal of the Knighthood.

About half the tables in the place are occupied, and while brawls are not at all uncommon in the Whispering Woman, the atmosphere is good-natured for the time being. A fat bartender wipes down the bar with a dirty rag, pulling the occasional mug of beer for a customer, or shouting at the serving wenches when new patrons come in. The only people of note in the place are two men standing near the contract board engrossed in conversation. One is armed with a fancy sliver-hilted rapier and dressed in the uniform of a ranking officer of some merchants guild or other private organization, though no specific marks indicate exactly who he works for. The other is dressed in plain, though clean, clothes with a dark cape and a short sword. There is nothing particular about him that stands out, but it only takes a short moments notice to realize that he is the subject of regular stares, and the other people in the room give him a wide berth. The two seem to be minding their own business though.

[SandDemon]

Durgrin

The door to the Whispering Woman Inn swings open as a particularly well-armored dwarf wades his way through the sea of giants, trying to make his way to the contract board. "Get movin', ya can stare at meh once I'm past ya!" One particularly large and particularly drunk customer seems to be enjoying his post blocking the dwarf passage, until he takes a plated fist to the groin. His pals seem to enjoy it as he crumbles over, the dwarf tired of waiting. He comes to stop behind the two looking at the contract board, obviously blocked by their height from seeing anything. Too annoyed at this point to get physical again, he shouts "By Reorx, ya gonna hog the work or let meh look!"

Reorx, please let there be something so I can pay back my debt.

ooc: also try and pick different colors, guys

[Sirrion]

Torkai

Sauntering down the stairs with his shirt sticking out of his breeches, a darkly tanned man makes his way to the bar. As he flashes a grin and slides past those that might block the way of a larger man, he quickly moves to tuck in the loose ends of his shirt. "Barkeep, Ale!" he says, flipping a gold coin to the barkeep. "Nothing quenches the thirst after the workout I've had like a tankard of ale" he says with a wink at the man sitting next to him. As soon as the bartender sets down the ale in front of him the drink is in the hands of the young man and drained in a few short gulps. With a satisfied sigh, he turns around on his stool to take a look about the bar with a mischievous look in his eyes. Pulling a dagger from a sheath on his waist he begins cleaning his nails while studying the other patrons.

Well then, another long voyage done and my contract is up. Perhaps it is time to find some other work, make a name for myself…something that pays a bit better hopefully.

[Ilhares]

Cilene, and companion.

Having arrived not too long after the armor-plated midget-toss contestant demonstrated the proper high-five to a surprised participant, a pair of rather unobtrusive bookworms briskly step inside the taven door. Speaking in a semi-frustrated tone, the tawny woman addresses her pale-skinned companion, "Look, I get it, alright? That isn't what I was saying at all, I just meant that at this point in our studies, I'd rather consider some less noble pursuits for a time. Look near those two, over there", she says gesturing to the people at the large bulletin board.

"I'll take care of getting a table and some drink, just.. find something so we can keep financing our education."

With that, the woman heads towards an empty table near the hearth, gesturing towards the barkeep, or perhaps one of his serving girls (it seems evident to all but the oblivious she doesn't care which) she extends two fingers up, then points at the table. Taking her seat, she glances around the tavern, somewhat snobbishly.

Oh my, look at that one.. no no, don't tuck the shirt in it's- fine, fine. Mmm. Fresh off the boat and already going upstream.. By the gods, don't let the boy pick a job that nets us even more trouble.

Waiting for the ale to arrive, she begins to keep a wary eye on her clean-shaven and youthful companion.

[Noldruk]

Kellin

..ugh.. I think I may have drank too much.

Lifting his head from the stein in front of him, he peers blurry-eyed around the common room from the small table he had drank himself a part of, and counted the number of patrons in a practiced way he had of focussing his mind.

..Come on. We do this often. One. Two. Three, Four. Five. Six. Hmm.. Four. When did she arrive?.

Pulling a small pinch of tobacco from a pocket within his cloak, he thumbs it into an ornate wooden pipe. Puffing a few times to light it, he looks again at the female sitting alone. She neither looked local, nor particularly foreign. Something was odd, though. She holds her head high as a noble would, and the crystal upon her certainly cost a pretty copper, he thought, yet something inside him refused to acknowledge any nobility in her blood. Standing wearily, Kellin makes his way to Cilene, smiling slightly in spite of the concentration it takes. Gesturing to an empty chair as he approaches, he asks, 'Madam. I noticed your appraisal of this tavern and, while you'd often find me inclined to agree, it is likely the best place you'll find coin to be made. May I sit?'

As if the question where rhetorical, he sat down, smiling slightly as he locked eyes with the woman across from him, and lifted his pipe to his lips...

[tehsnarf]

Coignar

Walking in a few steps behind Cilene, Coignar nods and proceeds to slink and nudge his way towards the bulletin board and makes a quick appraisal.

Hrmm... those two looking interesting, that one probably should be avoided, and maybe that one if we're desperate.

Nodding to himself, he quickly glances around looking for his companion he entered in with. Finally spotting her near the hearth, he diligently takes the shortest and quickest path that would get him there, patrons be damned.

Arriving at the table, he grabs an empty seat (from nearby, if he has to) and plops down next to her and leans in, completely ignoring the other gentleman sitting next to her attempting to strike up a conversation.

'There are a few that look appealing, one that I wouldn't send your mother on, and another if we're in a hurry. Woman, I swear to the gods above and some below, if you don't mind your tongue... well, we'll just leave it at that, shall we?' he says in a jokingly sarcastic tone, very obviously making eye contact with her.

Finally acknowledging the additional member of the table, Coignar slightly smiles, mostly to himself, and comments Her company isn't cheap; all that is holy knows I'm still paying for it. Name's William, and if you buy us another round, I can promise you it'll make sitting here much more tolerable.

[Berand]

Round 2

Durgrin:
Their conversation interrupted, the two men near the contracts board look down at the dwarf in surprise. The man dressed in the uniform raises both his eyebrows as he appraises the newcomer. The other man in the cape steps back with a disinterested look on his face, but anyone watching closely has the distinct impression that in the two-second glance he gave the dwarf, he already knows everything about him including how much he weighs and what he had for lunch.

The uniformed man also takes a step back. "A thousand pardons, master dwarf. Far be it for me to stand in the way of someone looking for gainful employment." He casts a glance over his shoulder at the man he had been speaking with.

"I don't believe we have any further business Jelak?" The man in the cape nods curtly and turns to leave.

The uniformed man's attention returns to the dwarf after a quick glance at the contract board. "Looking for that sort of work, are you now? Allow me to introduce myself - my name is Burgoth, representative of the Engothian Silver Guild. You seem a solid fellow, and I'm looking for a group of exactly that. I can assure you the pay is better then anything you'll find posted there. Interested?"

Cilene, Coignar, Kellin:
A particularly ugly serving wench saunters over to your table, chewing rather obnoxiously on something. She's of average height, with a crooked nose and a mop of snarly unkempt brown hair. Her dirty, shapeless dress doesn't do much to cover the rolls of fat underneath. She even has a mole with a long dark hair growing out of it on her cheek. So, pretty much par for the course when it comes to homely serving wenches in seedy taverns.

"Getch'a somtin'? Ale's a copper, stew be two copper."

She chews away at whatever is in her mouth in earnest, her eyes unfocused while she studiously looks over all your heads at nothing, waiting for your answer.

[Noldruk]

Kellin

Barely nodding at William in understanding, Kellin turns to acknowledge the server. Looking up at the bar wench with a somewhat familiar smile, he reaches into his noticeably large coin purse and pulls free a gold coin, winking as he lays the mark on her tray.

'My dear, bring us three stews and three ales, and if we don't have to wait for our glasses refilled, you can expect another like this,' motioning to the coin, 'when we are finished.'

Returning his attention to the table, Kellin whispers at a near inaudible volume 'The stew's not half bad, but only slightly better than half good.' Shrugging slightly, he adds in normal tone, 'the ale is good, though. So.. what brings you this way? Were you coming or going.... His eyes and voice trail off as a fairly attractive woman glides near the table and wanders out the front door. Looking back to the table with a start, he appears almost as surprised that he looked as he was for being caught looking.

'Apologies. Now, you were saying..?

[Ilhares]

Cilene

Even the trollops are low class here? I do hope they're cleaner than they are attractive. They'd better be for the kind of coin this drunkard is throwing around.

Pulling her caustic gaze away from the serving wench and glancing at the bar briefly, Cilene turns to eye the newcomer a bit more closely. Adjusting the small spectacles on the bridge of her nose, she says "I wasn't, actually, but there's no harm in some light conversation, and since you're buying the ale it's no hair off my chin. My boy William and I are recently arrived. It was hinted on the voyage that this was the kind of establishment were we could find some form of light employ."

Leaning forward, placing her elbows on the table, she continues.

"With the.. disruptions, if you will, on the mainland, we thought perhaps this would be a more peaceful place to pile up some coin for our future endeavors. Speaking of which, you don't seem to be suffering any shortage. You've rather overpaid based on what you asked for. Are you, perhaps, soliciting assistance?"

Holding up a hand quickly, she adds with an unpleasant smile, "Let me be sure to be clear on this - regardless of William's innuendo, you really couldn't afford my rates for the kinds of services the wench here might take you up on, so please don't insult me or waste our time on that topic."

:: For those actually paying attention ::
As Cilene (who has yet to identify herself) leans forward, the cape hanging off her shoulder will lift to reveal the head of a small mace swinging lightly under her arm. Depending on the lighting from the fireplace, it may be evident that it is crafted from some form of crystal or other gemstone.

[tehsnarf]

Coignar

Coignar grabs the attention of the serving wench before she runs off, and whispers to her:
"And while you're at it, bring us a few loaves of bread and some dried meats. Whatever I can get with the change of that coin my friend gave you. And make sure you put that sweet ass on double time, we've not got all day."

You can never beat a free meal on another's copper. Even with how little she (Cilene) eats. And what does this horses ass want? There's no way under the stars they could've known we'd be HERE of all places...

[SandDemon]

Durgrin

"Apologies Burgoth, eh...never heard of the Engothian Silver Guild, although I'd beh admittin' this my first time out in awhile. Name's Durgrin, faithful of the great Reorx but before I shake ya hand, I'll be needin' details to see if what ya sayin' beh true." Durgrin seems to analyze the man as he talks, casually side-stepping him so he can also glance at the board as well. After he's reached his destination, he juts a thumb at the cloaked man turning to leave and says in an intimidating tone, "And what's with the stick in that man's hole?"
I'd like to do a few separate things here:
Sense motive on the guy to see if his intent is truly honest, maybe get a hunch: [roll0]
Diplomacy check to try and improve his attitude since we started off a bit rough: [roll1]
Intimidate check on the prick leaving :smallbiggrin: [roll2]

A bit roll happy, but wanted to see how you'd handle it for a first time.

[Sirrion]

Torkai

Motioning the bartender for two more tankards of ale, Torkai slips his dagger back away and turns his attention to the loud mouthed dwarf by the contract board.

Either this dwarf is gonna start a brawl to tear this inn apart with his actions…and wouldn’t that be fun… Or he might just be looking to take on a contract. If so, he might need a quick blade to guard his back, for the right price…

Tossing another gold coin to the bartender and picking up the fresh ales, Torkai hops up from his stool and makes his way to the dwarf. ”A good day to you, master dwarf. You look to be a might thirsty.” he says in a rough dwarven tongue. Offering the tankard of ale, he peers over the dwarf’s shoulder to take a look at which contract might have caught his eye.

[Berand]

Round 3

Coignar, Cilene, Kellin:
The butt-ugly serving wench wanders back to the bar without a word to fill your orders.

Durgrin and Torkai:
Burgoth nods absently, looking slightly amused. The other man continues on his way out the door without looking back.

"Well good dwarf, I think he didn't hear you, making us all lucky today." He pauses thoughtfully. "Unless you prefer to have the thieves guild on your case, that is." He chuckles ruefully at his own clever joke. "If that's so, I suggest you go and run him down and repeat what you said. Saying that to one of the highest-ranking fellows in the Engoth thieves guild is bound to satisfy your suicidal tendencies!"

He chuckles some more, then throws up his hands. "Oh! Should you happen to chose that route, do bring back the racketeering money I paid him for this month, and I'll toss you a few coins!"

He shakes his head, obviously still amused. "Anyhow, foolhardiness is sometimes a good trait, in this line of work. As I said, I represent the Engothian Silver Guild. We're the largest mover of silver in the Kingdom, and we're the best at what we do because we own every level of the supply chain. Our own mines, our own transport, our own smithies, and our own shipping lines to the mainland, where we own the jewelers that sell the finished products." He clearly looks somewhat proud as he speaks. "We have our own guards as well, but on occasion we do employ... how do you say... outside contractors."

He glances up as Torkai approaches and leans in, then continues. "I need a band of toughs that can head up to our mine a days travel north of here, on the south-eastern edge of Batterstone Mountain, meet up with our wagons and escort them back to our warehouse here in town. We deal occasionally with bandits on the route, and rarely pests will come down from the mountain and cause troubles."

"The companies base pay is 75 gold per guard, per day right now, for anyone that seems up to the challenge that we've never worked with. Once you're proven trustworthy and capable, we pay 100 per day on any future work, both here and on the mainland. Bonuses for extra danger, of course. You keep any loot you come across, as long as it's not our product, naturally. This is a two-day job, no bonus hazard pay, and I figure I'll need at least five or six of you, depending on how big your cajoles are."

He arches an eyebrow at the dwarf, then at Torkai.

Drugrin's rolls:

Intimidate: Fortunately the guy left without hearing you. Once your sense catches up to your fast tongue, you're pretty sure it would have been a bad idea.

Diplomacy: You can't tell for sure, but the guy seems fairly amiable toward you.

Sense Motive: You get a very strong sense over the course of the conversation - this man is being truthful with you. Not because of any benevolent of kindly attitude about him, rather because you get the strong impression that he doesn't give two ****s about you. You're quite sure if you said "no way" and left, he would be entirely un-phased, and go on to looking for others.

[SandDemon]

Durgrin

"If we're talking cajoles size, all ya beh needin' is meh HA!" Durgrin laughs as he looks over the man that joined the discussion. Shaking his head, he politely declines the ale...for the moment. "Let meh get a job then we'll celebrate, eh? Keep up that good negotiatin' with meh though and ya might get to get in on it." Turning back to Burgoth, his attitude changes to interest (don't screw this up, Durgrin) and sticks his hand out to shake. "Looks like I beh owe'n you that shake since it seems ya got yourself one of tha best workin' for ya now. Let's talk details and I'll wrangle an' lead a group o' dah best for the job. It's what I do!"

Praise Reorx, always be lookin' out for meh

[Berand]

Round 3a

Durgrin:

Burgoth nods in satisfaction. "Good. Take the north gate out of Engoth and follow the road that skirts the harbor heading north and east. It's a well-established road, so you shouldn't have any troubles. When you get to the base of the mountain turn east toward the ocean. If you leave tomorrow morning on horseback - which I strongly suggest - you should hit the mine well before dark."

He starts to head toward the bar, motioning for one of the tavern wenches, then turns back. "Oh, and I'll need a list of the names of the people in your party before you go, so I can make sure you get credit for completing the job. Our man at the warehouse will see that you're paid when you arrive with the wagons - the drivers know where to go."

OOC:

Everyone needs to talk to Drugrin about getting in on this little shindig. There's a strong likely hood that you all overheard the exchange here - it's not a big bar.

[Sirrion]

Torkai

Leaning against the wall, the tan young man says to the dwarf,”Well then, it seems you might be in need of a quick blade and I could surely use a little extra money. What say you, shall I join you in this contract? Oh, and if you are as thirsty as you look, you better take this ale before I decide to drain it myself!” As if to suit his words, he takes a long drink from his tankard while waving the other toward the dwarf. With a loud content belch, the young man says ”By the way, the name is Torkai.”

[Ilhares]

Cilene

While at least trying to pretend to pay attention to the person at the table with them, Cilene quickly covers a cough upon hearing the mention of gold between the dwarf and the potential employer. "William? Be a dear and" <<something potentially sounding like an even worse cough>>
in very poorly pronounced draconian:
"ask the armored small-fleshy about money?"

"Pardon me", she says looking at their inebriated table-mate. "I daresay there's something in the air here that is just a mite disagreeable. Where is that ale?"

Don't let this be the day I find a dwarf who understands that, eh, gods? I swear, I'll make the next donation twice as large as the last one, minus the usual ten percent, of course.

[Noldruk]

Kellin

Lifting his ale, Kellin takes a large gulp and blinks slightly at the two in front of him. The small talk had continued only briefly before his ears began focussing on a conversation of another type, happening very close.

...pay is 75 gold per guard, per day.. we pay 100 per day on any future work...
... man at the warehouse will see that you're paid...

Extending his index finger to his acquaintances, he stands quickly and moves towards the contract board. Waiting for the broad dwarf to finish chuckling to himself, he turns briefly to the table he just left. Both man and woman were staring at him curiously. Waving to them in a somewhat calming manner, he turns and locks eyes with the dwarf, catching the tail end of another conversation.

...'the name is Torkai.'

Allowing only a brief pause, Kellin stepped nearly between the two to add to the exchange, ''Master dwarf, I couldn't help but hearing your need for companions. I, most certainly, am interested in traveling and I believe I can find others to add to our three. I am Kellin.' Turning again to look at the two, he lifts his hand to beckon, a wide smile covering his face.

[Ilhares]

Cilene

"Wha- ", she began, only to realize the person she was mostly ignoring had just gotten up and wandered off.

That mothafu-

Being somewhat inappropriately offended at his lack of attention, Cilene turns to Coignar.

"Well, friend William, it does appear that the need for anything representing subtlety or tact is wasted at this point. To the nine hells with it, eh? Shall we simply approach them, or just invite them all to join us over here? I'll follow your lead on this one, hmm?"

[tehsnarf]

Coignar

Shrugging to Cilene, Coignar nods his agreement.

"Might as well, my dear. If nothing else, atleast we'll get out of this kobold's ass of an inn. After you..." he says, mockingly bowing for her to take the lead. Not waiting for her stand, he grabs his ale, takes a deep pull at it, and heads towards the dwarf.

Oi, stumpy! Don't you go anywhere without letting me talk to you. Holy hells, what is that smell? Gah! And I had my mouth open and everything. Seems the stew is a little more on the horrid side than I thought...

[SandDemon]

Durgrin

Taking the beer from Torkai as Burgoth moves toward the bar, he stops before drinking as the alarming amount of people suddenly show interest in his team. Looking over the crowd, he takes a moment deciding he's better off taking a drink to think. Engulfing a hearty pull from the tankard, he shivers as the ale taste comes alive on his tongue - damn horrible. Trying to forget the revolting ale, he takes a look over the group of misfits and tries to analyze them as he begins his little speech.

"Alright, alright...ya all interested I'm guessin', bunch o' broke sods I imagine. Tell ya names, if'n ya haven't yet, and what ya do - and why'd you'd be of use anyways. And ya don't know me, but leadin' this racket so ya best remember that." For dramatics, Durgrin raises his warhammer marked by Reorx which hums with power. "Any sods try lyin' ta me right now get's a face full of metal."

Sense motive check for anyone trying to lie and a general hunch of the individuals in the group:[roll0]

OOC: Warpriests have to be able to judge someone quickly on the battlefield, why I'm good at sense motive :smallwink: Assuming you can all reply before Berand posts again, so if you try and lie roll a Bluff check against what I roll. Failed means I know you lied. Berand can let me know if you're trustworthy from my roll when he posts.

[Ilhares]

[[ Apologies to Berand - I previewed originally and forgot to correct the die rolls to the actual values again ]]

Cilene

Approaching rapidly to step in front of Coignar (since everyone *except* the dwarf is taller than she is), Cilene speaks up in a clear but heavily-accented dwarven tongue, "Well then, dwarf, permit me to be the first. Well, mayhap not the first, but one hopes the first you'll consider. I'll let my associate speak for himself, but you may call me Mags. As I understand it, we'll actually be working for the other gent, but I would be pleased to work with you on whatever may be in store. Quality companionship isn't always easy to find."

Twitching her shoulder slightly, a small crystal mace slides down into her hand from underneath her cloak. Raising it slightly, she offers, "I would be more than pleased to show you, if you should desire a demonstration. Your armor looks like it would shield you well enough."

While she hasn't technically given you any lies, I imagine the only thing that might get Durgrin twitchy, other than her attitude, would be that she hasn't presented her formal name. For the sake of the fun of rolling dice, however-

Should it be considered worth comparing, a bluff roll gives us: [roll0]
Though not a threat, the offer to smack you with the mace was a minor attempt at intimidation, which is also: [roll1]

Lastly, if for some insane reason you actually take her up on a demonstration, [roll2] to hit. The trivialities of any damage or other nonsense can be dealt with only if absolutely necessary, I'll roll with it either way you like, Jon (and Jeff)

The mace was secured by a small cord lanyard, basically - just a loop that casually rests atop her shoulder. Practice keeps it in place during most situations.

[Noldruk]

Kellin

Watching carefully as the woman calling herself Mags hefts her crystal mace, Kellin casually sidesteps the exchange. Sighing and shaking his head slightly, he turns to look her in the eye.

As he turned, Cilene was fairly certain she saw Kellin wink.

'My dear, I doubt that is necessary.' Motioning to her mace, he continues, 'as you well know, that weapon would likely shatter his breastplate or shield, alike. We would hardly want that to happen.' Shifting only slightly to allow himself to look at the dwarf, he adds, 'As I said before I am Kellin..' though leaning closer to finish in a light whisper, '..at one point studying to as an apprentice merchant and apothecary... my abilities lie in the arcane.'

Here's a Bluff roll for the first sentence about Mags' mace - Everyone nearby should have heard what I said about it, too.
[roll0]

[Sirrion]

Torkai

Taking another step back and hardly suppressing a grin, Torkai takes a quick look at the newcomers. Recognizing the pair from the ship, he inclines his head slightly, taking in the sight of the lady briefly before continuing the gaze to the slightly drunk man claiming to be a mage.

I do hope I do not end up with blood all over my clothes should this lady and the dwarf decide to go a round... I just purchased them.

As if in response to his thoughts, Torkai unconsciously takes a slight step back while sipping from his ale. Clearing his throat, he addresses the group by saying, "Well met, all of you. I am sure there is no need to shatter anyone's armor, bones or the like. Not to mention all the wasted ale and mess it would make. Allow me to introduce myself for those of you who might not have heard. I am called Torkai, and you will find no quicker hands with a dagger across Engoth!" With that, Torkai bows dramatically while holding the ale in one hand and drawing a dagger with a flourish with the other, before sheathing it again.

In response to Kellin's bluff about Mags' mace, [roll0] for sense motive.

And as far as the slight exageration about being the quickest hand with a dagger in Engoth, [roll1] for bluff.

[Berand]

Round 3b

Now that we've established that Kellin hails from the city of Engoth:


Kellin doesn't recognize the representative from the thieves guild that just left, but he certainly knows of him. The thieves are quite powerful in Engoth, not because they're particularly violent or bloody - that would bring major attention from the Knights, which they don't want (although they do their fair share of viloence, to be sure). Rather, they're business men with racketeering being one of their main enterprises. It's likely that nearly every merchant in the city pays them.

He does recognize the Engothian Silver Guild. They're a well-known merchant organization that owns lots of things and is pretty well-respected.

This represents the basic knowledge that anyone living in Engoth would pick up in a relatively short time. If anyone has a skill or background that would give them more detailed information, there will obviously be more we can address.

[tehsnarf]

Coignar

Catching up with Celine as she's about to splatter ass all over the place, Coignar puts a reassuring hand on her shoulder, trying to calm her down a bit. "What my fine companion here, I think means to say is, that we're both at your service, if you've not found anyone else to join you yet. If you have, well, I'm sure you'll let them down easily, because I think, as Mags here has already demonstrated, we're able and ready to make some coin. They call me William."


Bluff roll for the name, and making myself appear less psychotic than Cilene, maybe? [roll0]


Gods woman, if you splatter Stumpy here, we may be up **** creek without a paddle, gagged and hogtied, and heading out to sea...

[SandDemon]

Durgrin

Pausing for a moment, Durgrin sighs. Every time he says no lies, someone does - guess it's human nature or slight retardation, one of the two. Looking over the woman he smirks - There's no doubt she could hit me, but I'd probably kill her in a fight. No need to get messy, Reorx wouldn't approve of killing a lady smaller than me. Although she is lying...but so is everyone else in some way. Shaking his head in dismay, he looks over the others and hopefully looks around the Inn - it doesn't look like he has much of a choice. Always a blessing and always a curse, eh Reorx? He sizes them all up quickly and realizes he's alright in case they're all lying. Least it'll help me pay of the debt.

"Fine - looks like we got Torkai, Kellin, and two people claimin' ta be William and Mags. Guess it'll have to do, as long as ya aien't criminals." Durgrin squints his eyes and analyzes their reaction - he's got no desire to be with criminals. "Get ya **** togetha and let's head out."

Walking over to Burgoth, Durgrin sets his unfinished ale down and says calmly, "Alright, looks like we ready - we'll get the job done but aien't takin' no horses so we'll leave now. Durgrin leadin', Torkai, Kellin, William and Mags. North road, east at mountain, meet wagons, back tah warehouse. Anythin' else, boss?" He pushes the ale aside and waits for a response.

Sense motive check for criminals....better hope this is horrible if you are :smallamused: - [roll0]

[Ilhares]

Cilene

Inclining her head slightly at the dwarf (and having lowered the mace), Cilene laughs lightly.

<< While under direct scrutiny>>
"Indeed I will freely and readily admit to having had some issues with the law in the past, good dwarf, but I have moved on from those troublesome days and left such dangerous worries well behind.
The woman speaks the literal truth, you don't get no steenkin' d20 this time, evil dwarf!

Watching the dwarf walk off to talk to the employer, she only raises one question. "Wait- what? What do you mean 'no horses'? It's a day's ride by horse, and we're supposed to escort the wagons. Can't very well do that on foot.

[SandDemon]

Durgrin

"Wagons aien't movin' fast full of goods, and he said ta be there by night tomorrow. We'll make it on foot by then - aien't a horse that can carry me and I aien't needin' no animal carrying me. That a problem, Mags?"

[Berand]

Round 4

Burgoth turns toward the dwarf, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand and setting his mug of ale down. "Well that was fast, master dwarf. As you will then, just try to have our caravan back by nightfall, day after tomorrow. Time is money, you know!" He grins.

He idly watches the exchange regarding the horses. "From past experience, I imagine you could make the trip on foot in about 12 hours, if you move quick and don't dally." He glances out the window and squints. "Figure you could make it there by 10pm or so, if you were ready to go. Horses would get you there hours earlier, but the dwarf is right, you'll easily be able to walk along with the wagons on the way back. They'll be filled with silver, after all."

He looks the group over, briefly assessing their capabilities. Apparently surmising that everyone looks capable enough, he turns back to Durgrin and nods. "Well then, have a good journey."

Before you leave the homely waitress runs over with the bread and dried meat that Coignar ordered on Kellin's coin.

OOC 1:

Add 2 days rations to everyone's list.


OOC 2:

If the group is ready to head out, everyone should post saying so. If you need to make any stops for supplies or anything else before you go, mention it now. Also need to know if Cilene and Coignar are riding with the group or walking, since they're the only two with horses.

[SandDemon]

Durgrin

Nodding towards Burgoth, Durgrin turns and waves his right hand in the air like he's gathering sheep. "We're headin' out, so let's get. Get ya horses if'n ya want, but I'm walkin' it. And use the crapper, I aien't havin' no potty breaks of whiny children!" Durgrin wades his way through the crowd (which seems to let him through a lot easier), making his way outside past the group without much of a word. Either he's done talking or eager to head out, you can't seem to tell the difference.

[Noldruk]

Kellin

Glancing around at his new companions, Kellin takes another deep pull from his pipe. This would work well.. there was gold to be made in anything, moreso when you talk of precious minerals like silver. He hadn't made up his mind about those he'll be traveling with. They were all extremely untrusting, but nothing like a few days under the stars brings people together. Pulling another gold coin from his pouch, he tosses it to the serving wench with a wink and a smile.

'I keep my word, madam. Thank you for having the foresight to gather us some foodstuffs.' Turning to follow the dwarf, he passes through the hole that his stout "leader" has created and heads for the door.

[Ilhares]

Cilene

I'm not leaving my packmule of a nag behind, it cost more than I've got left. I hope this halfer doesn't have some kind of absurd fear of equines, that is one of the last things I need right now.

Shifting her mace into her left hand to use as an impromptu back scratcher, Cilene falls in step to get away from the interesting aromas gathering in this place.

"Won't take but a few minutes to recover my stallion and change into more formal attire. And while I'm at it, I'll use that time to cultivate the night soil, so it doesn't become an issue later, thank you for being so considerate."

Yes, this is where I'm changing into my leathers and properly gearing up for the jaunt.

[tehsnarf]

Coignar

Nodding his agreement with Cilene, he chimes in with: "I don't know anything about nightly soils or whatever it is you just said, but I do need to take a piss before we head. We'll meet back up here, then?" he asks, looking at Kellin.

Yep, going to go swap garb, grab my goods, horse, etc. etc.

[Noldruk]

Kellin

Catching only the last part of Coignar's question, he replies as best he can with a, 'Hmm? Yes.. here.' shouted over his shoulder.

[Sirrion]

Torkai

"Let me just run up to my room and gather my things and I'll be ready as well." Torkai says before draining the rest of his ale and setting the tankard down on a passing serving wench's tray. Turning around, he dashes up the stairs to gather his belongings.

Yes, I too change into my armor and gather the rest of my belongings. :smallwink:

[Berand]

Round 5

Everyone gathers quickly and turns toward the north gate, ready for the trip.

A bit later (around 10 in the morning), the group has passed through the north gate of Engoth and started down the road. Kellin explains that the road doesn't have an official name, but is referred to by everyone as "the north road." It's a hard-packed dirt road, wide enough for two wagons to pass each other as long as one is willing to pull off on the shoulder and stop. Parallel ruts from many wagon wheels laden with material from the mines run down the center, a testament to its regular use. Everything is very heavily wooded, though you can catch occasional glimpses of Engoth Bay to your right when the trail veers closer to it. The land grades up at about a 15-degree angle in to the woods to your left, and down at a similar angle toward the water to your right. There isn't much room for maneuvering off the road. While you're walking, everyone chats and gets a bit more familiar with each other.

Details:

At a steady walk, you expect the trip will take about 12 hours if you stop for only minimal resting, putting your arrival at the mine around 10pm. Sunset is around 6:30, with total darkness around 7:15.


The walk is uneventful until around 5pm. Both Cielne and Drugran, almost simultaneously, look up from the casual conversation with feelings of being watched - perhaps an errant twig snapping, it's hard to tell what tipped you off at this point.

Before they can say something, everyone (except for Kellin and Torkai, who are busy swapping drinking stories) spots a lone man sitting on a rock off the right side of the trail. He's got a longsword at his hip and a shield resting against the rock next to him. He's using a small dagger to whittle away at a piece of wood. He doesn't seem to be taking any particularly threatening actions, indeed he only glances up casually as you come in to sight, remaining in his reclining position, waiting for you to approach.

[SandDemon]

Durgrin (get it right! :smallbiggrin:)

After noticing the lone man, Durgrin quickly looks in the woods for any other cohorts - no need to get ambushed. Taking the lead, he speaks up loudly to grab the attention of the man. "Hey there mate, seen anything o' interest this day?" While talking, he calmly grips his warhammer and rests it on his right shoulder.

Sense motive for a hunch.
Spot check for the woods for any ambushes.

OOC: Waiting on Snarf's site to come up to see my sheet for rolls. Add them to my next post once it's up.

[SandDemon]

Durgrin

Sense Motive roll:[roll0]
Spot roll: [roll1]

[Noldruk]

Kellin

Looking up at the rough sound of Durgrin's rough voice, Kellin's eyes follow the dwarf's gaze to the man on the side of the road. Not particularly intimidated, the man does have his attention, while a quick hand signal towards Torkai also attempts to notify his companion. Pausing only slightly as he walks, he utters the incantation required for the 'Mage Armor' spell.

Hmm. I wonder what the odds are on the first boulder we pass large enough for a man to sit on having, in fact, a man sitting on it.

While not having particularly keen eyes, he still appears to peer into the hidden spaces around them.

Spot Check: [roll0]

[Ilhares]

Cilene

Right. Where are they?

Cilene, being momentarily paranoid, is glad to let Durgrin take the lead on handling the obvious potential problem. Instead, she 'casually' looks around at her companions.
Yeah, right, as if she's worried about her people. While she casually looks around, she's more intent on what she's not seeing. I'll just toss in these rolls be used as appropriate. In order of importance:

Sense Motive: [roll0]
Listen Check: [roll1]
Spot Check: [roll2]

[Berand]

Round 6

The man on the stump stops whittling and smiles. "Welcome mates, aint seen many travelers by these parts. The only thing'o interest that's come by is the birds!"

He takes a glance at everyone in the group, his smile never wavering. "Names Arbalest. Where you folks headed?"

Drugrin

You're too busy talking to the man and trying to sense his motive to spot anything in the surroundings.

While you don't think he's actually LIED to you, you do get the impression that he's being deceptive in some way. You haven't talked to him enough yet to get a sense for whether his intentions are innocent or malicious. Roll another check if you want to continue with the conversation.

(Note that the rest of the group doesn't know what's going on in these bubbles IC, and thus can't act on it, until the character getting it relays it to everyone.)


Kellin

You scan the woods briefly, but don't see anything. You're not terribly surprised though, these woods are really dense.


Cilene

You have a hard time sensing anything regarding his motive, since you're not talking with him directly. Plus you're putting your energy in to scanning the surroundings.

You don't see anything, but you're not surprised due to the density of the forest here. A stone giant could probably hide in this.

You definitely continue to hear a few noises that don't seem consistent with the sounds nature makes, though nothing you can pinpoint yet.

[Noldruk]

Kellin

'Birds, you say? Ah.. Indeed, then, Arbalest. I am Kellin.. What brings you to sit alone on a road, occasionally plagued by bandits, at this late hour? I should say it's generally dangerous.. even for a small band. Do you require an escort of some sort?' Kellin asks, his voice seeming familiar. He has slowed his approach at this point, walking at a pace to match his apparently unthreatening tone.

Diplomacy Check: [roll0]
Sense Motive Check: [roll1]

[Ilhares]

Cilene

"Birds? I was hoping for at least a dryad or a sylph on this trip."

He'd better mean the winged variety.

Cilene starts looking around, higher up in the trees/sky. Yes, somewhat like an idiot might.

Who are we kidding? I'm not looking for birds. Well, actually, I might be, if I see a group moving like they'd been spooked by something - but that's not important right now-

Barring the grand old "take 20", because I dont want to stand there like an idiot for a full two minutes, Cilene will keep trying to hear/spot something that she can pinpoint. Maybe she is just paranoid, but perfect paranoia is perfect awareness.

Listen Check: [roll0]
Spot Check: [roll1]

[SandDemon]

Durgrin

"Well, birds or nah, seems odd for an armed man tah be restin' out on this road unless he be lookin' for trouble. And trust meh, this the wrong group to be lookin' for trouble with...." Durgrin pulls his warhammer down from his shoulder and grips it tightly for dramatics. "Now, would you be tha type to be lookin' for trouble? No need to try and make this drag on if'n ya are."

He's lying, so let's poke the fire.

Since I asked a flat out yes/no type of question, hopefully this takes a bit better.
Sense motive check: [roll0]

[tehsnarf]

Coignar

Coignar, after paying most of his attention to the surrounding area, follows Durgrin's lead and readies his crossbow.

This effing dwarf is going to get us killed. If he gets me killed, I'm going to be really pissed off about it.


Sorry for not posting sooner, I've been hung over since the wee hours of the morning, and it's not been pleasant.

Sense Motive: [roll0]
Listen: [roll1]
Spot: [roll2]

[tehsnarf]

Let's try this again...

Sense Motive: [roll0]
Listen: [roll1]
Spot: [roll2]

[Sirrion]

Torkai

Taking a glance at the fellow, then back at his companions, Torkai winces and looks a bit foot sore. Not even bothering to scan the woods, he drops his backpack and squats by it, using the stop in movement to catch his breath and take a bit of a break for his feet.

Man, I've been off of dry land for too long... A horse might have left me saddle sore, but I should have considered purchasing one. I swear my feat are going to be one huge blister.

Anyone looking closely would see Torkai reaching under his cloak to double check the presence of multiple daggers. He does not draw them, just makes sure that they are still there.

[Berand]

Round 7

Arbalest frowns, looking genuinely hurt. "Trouble? Little old me? Certainly not! Like I said, I'm just relaxing in solitude. At least until you folks came along, that is. Frankly, I think it's ME who should be worried, set upon by a horde while I mind my own business. If that's why you're here, I should warn you I can defend myself!"

He brandishes the point of his dagger at all of you from his perch upon the rock. "Here I was just looking for some polite conversation. Hmph."

Kellin

You're pretty sure the dwarf ruined your efforts to be diplomatic, though you have no idea if it would have helped anyway.

You're no expert, but he seems pretty sincere to you.


Cilene

You continue to scan the woods, but all you see are distracting leaves rustling about in the breeze. You don't pick out anything particularly suspicious this time - whatever you heard before is gone.


Drugrin

The guys tirade catches you off-guard. He sounds perfectly sincere to you! Maybe you hurt his feelings...


Coignar

You're almost positive you heard something that sounded like metal-on-metal ever so briefly, before it was carried away on the breeze. You jerk your head around looking for the source, but it's gone before you can pinpoint it. If it wasn't just your imagination, or one of your companions fiddling with their gear.


Torkai

Happily, your daggers are right where you left them.

[Noldruk]

Kellin

Glaring at the dwarf briefly, Kellin closes the distance between Arbalest and himself, keeping his voice low and the conversation between them two.

'Pay no mind to the dwarf.. I'm still not quite sure what his problem is,'turning to shoot a stare at Durgrin, 'but I assure you, we're not the type who starts troubles..'

Looking again at his companions who are coming closer, he finally asks, 'Do you have any news from the north?'

Now, assuming the dwarf keeps his trap shut...
Diplomacy: [roll0]

[SandDemon]

Durgrin (Man, no one can spell this)

Durgrin waves his hand in a dismissive manner to Kellin's interruption and the bumbling over-sensitive man (least that's how he perceives it). He starts back up his speed as he walks continuing down the path grumbling various curses, "..wouldn't last one day in the mountains....better pay mind....ruining my day...." As he walks, he raises his warhammer back to rest on his shoulder and gives a very fake smile to the man, clearly showing he has no more interest in him.

Let them handle it then, hmph.

[Ilhares]

Cilene

Okay, then. Maybe I'm just paranoid. If the dwarf takes everything seriously and over-reacts, and he's shuffling off.. may as well go.

Looking over towards Coignar, Cilene shrugs and inclines her head to indicate she's following Durgrin's lead along the path. Wrapping her hand casually around her mace, she uses it to nudge her horse to move along with her.

Okay, we're moving onward, so we'll give it one last shot. Maybe she's listening to the stranger, maybe not. She'll just keep moving along until she has reason not to.

Listen Check: [roll0] :smallconfused:

[Sirrion]

Torkai

Blinking up as half the party begins to move on while Kellin approaches Arbalest, Torkai sighs quietly, stands and gathers his backpack. A little bit wistfully, he gazes back towards where they came from and the life at sea he left behind for this.

Maybe he has something to drink at least... I'm sure I can catch up to the dwarf at the pace he goes he thinks to himself...

Torkai moves in closer to Arbalest and Kellin smiling at the stranger and whispers to him "Have anything strong to drink you might be willing to part with? I can pay of course..." He winks at Kellin before quickly glance to the rest of the party as they continue walking away.

[tehsnarf]

Coignar

Nodding ever so slightly to Cilene, Coignar grabs the reigns of his horse and motions for it to continue moving. As he catches up to Cilene, he whispers to her in a gutteral language..


(Draconic)
"Did he look at all familiar to you? I don't think I recognize him.


He continues to keep an eye, and ear, out for anything that may be strange..

Listen: [roll0]
Spot: [roll1]

[Berand]

Round 8

Torkai & Kellin

Arbalest shrugs and grins slightly at both of you. "Bit of a surly bunch, eh? Well, what can you do." He flips the piece of wood in his hand and begins whittling away at it again.

"I'm afraid all I have is water out here, but some ale does sound mighty good, I tell ya. So where you fellas heading? Up to the mountains, do some hunting maybe? You mine workers...?"

Torkai

The fellow seemed nice enough at first, but you suddenly get a very uneasy feeling when he asks about the mine. This guy has way too much interest in what you're up to. Of course you're not freakin' mine workers, you're all armed to the teeth.

OOC: If you want to bluff him when you speak again to make him think you noticed nothing wrong, roll your bluff check.


Kellin

You really wish the guy had brought some ale out with him, it's been like, HOURS, since you were last in a bar! You stare wistfully at a cloud as the guy talks, thinking about ale.


Drugrin, Coginar & Cilene

You guys move a little farther down the road, each of you still peering off in to the woods as you go. None of you notice anything amiss at the moment. You move slowly, so your companions can catch up when they're done goofing around.


The three of you are just less then one rounds worth of moving from Kellin, Torkai and the stranger.

[SandDemon]

Durgrin

Durgrin keeps moving along with no real intent on stopping. Looking over his shoulder a bit to see the distance, he turns back and mutters under his breath but loud enough for the others to hear, "I aien' trustin' him - he's hidin' something."

[Sirrion]

Torkai

”I don’t know if you could call us mine workers, yet at least. The grumpy dwarf was down recruiting some fellows to learn the trade, if we’re capable. I doubt the wench will make it, but she can probably make enough from the lonely men if she wants. Probably make a fair bit more than the rest of us that way.” Torkai winks at the stranger as if to emphasize his point.

Might as well get to my bluff roll: [roll0]

”A pity neither of us thought to bring a strong drink. Oh well, we better catch up before the dwarf leaves us behind. I can’t afford to lose this job too.” Torkai sighs dejectedly and grabs a hold of Kellin’s arm tugging him towards the rest of the party while keeping the stranger in his peripheral vision.

Something’s not right here. Come on, follow my lead Kellin…

[Noldruk]

Kellin

With little warning to his companion, Kellin shrugs free of Torkai's grasp, but continues walking. Nudging Torkai in the ribs while winking, he adds, 'And eh.. if you do come across any ale, or anyONE with ale for that matter, come and get us - We'd pay a pretty penny to take it off their hands.'

While generally carefree, he does again take interest in the surrounding area and forestline.

Spot Check: [roll0]
Listen Check: [roll1]

...but apparently not that much interest.

[Ilhares]

Cilene

Wandering along with Durgrin and Coignar, Cilene ponders to herself;

Well, we're bound to get there eventu...

... doubt the wench will make it, but she can probably make enough from the lonely men if she wants. ...

I'm gonna k...

This does not bode well for the handsome sailor.
Quickie search roll, I want a rock. [roll0]

In the event I cannot find a suitable rock, a spare copper coin is plenty aerodynamic and has some weight to it.

Called shot. Torkai's head. [roll1]

Outcome irrelevant, Cilene will level her mace at Torkai.
"Many things you may have done in your life, but earning the right to speak of me like that, even in jest, is not one of them. Your apology will be rapid and sincere."

Without waiting for an immediate response, she will turn on her heel and continue moving onward with Durgrin and Coignar.

[tehsnarf]

Coignar

Watching the entertaining show between Torkai and Cilene causes Coignar to laugh out loud. "Believe me, buddy... she's not one to trifle with lightly, although her short fuse is entertaining to watch when her wrath is aimed at someone else." To Cilene, he grins widely and says "Nice shot, my dear. I've not seen aim like that from you since that noble said that thing about our old friend, what's his name... ah, anyway, the name escapes me, but I don't believe he can see straight to this day!" Coignar continues laughing, and eventually tries to calm down, chuckling on and off for a good few minutes.


Spot: [roll0]
Listen: [roll1]
... but Coignar is chuckling, mostly to himself, and not really paying attention on anything too inconspicuous ...

[Berand]

Round 9

Arbalest frowns slightly as he nods. "Well then, have fun in the mines..." He watches Cilene throw the rock, then shakes his head as if clearing his sight of some odd spectacle. Then he raises one finger in the air and points it at you.

"Hey mates, before you go, I don't suppose you could spare a few coins?"

At his gesture everyone hears rustling in the woods, loud and clear. Multiple men step in to view, drawing weapons as they go.

Arbalest looks everyone over with a smug grin on his face. "I don't imagine you worthless mine rats have much of value, but we'll take what you've got."


(Sorry, I didn't have much time to make the map. but I didn't figure you guys would want to wait all night.)

The bandits are red, marked with M for mele, B for bows, or A for Arbalest. Good guys are blue, marked with their first initial. Each hexagon is about 5'. If you choose to attack, explain who you're going for, make sure it's within your movement radius/weapon range, then use a spoiler to roll your initiative, attack and damage.

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g103/jeffster78/fight1.jpg

[Sirrion]

Torkai

Torkai whirls to confront Arbalest with a curse drawing two of his daggers and launching an attack!

Okay, going to be several rolls in here:
Initiative - [roll0]
If my initiative is lower, going to feint before attacking to put him off balance using improved feint to substitute it for a move action. That way hopefully he will not have his dex bonus one way or the other so I can hit easier and get sneak attack damage.
Bluff for Feint - [roll1]

To hit primary - [roll2]
Damage primary - [roll3]
(If initiative or feint wins)
Sneak Attack damage primary - [roll4]

To hit secondary - [roll5]
Damage secondary - [roll6]
(If initiative or feint wins)
Sneak attack damage secondary - [roll7]

OOC: Looks like I critted my second attack (19-20/x2 crit for daggers), so I'll have to make another post to roll my critical attack (see if my critical hit lands) and then damage for if it does to be added

[SandDemon]

Durgrin

"Damnt, I knew it! Last dam' time I let a human get all cozy in mah way!" Reacting in the heat of battle like a trained soldier, Durgrin raises his warhammer and begins charging towards his foes. Anyone who can see his face knows he's enjoying this a bit too much.

Alright, assuming I'm not invoking AoO by passing foes who went before me, I'll be charging to the bow bandit on my right (lower left square of him so I'm not taking an AoO from the melee). If they move before me and it's a bad choice, I'll just smack something closer.

Initiative = [roll0]
Attack = [roll1] with +2 charge bonus, but -2 AC until next turn (so 18)
Damage = [roll2]

[Sirrion]

Torkai

To see if my critical hits: [roll0]
If it does, additional damage: [roll1]

[tehsnarf]

Coignar

Coignar curses to himself and takes aim at the combatant directly in front of him, firing his crossbow.


Aiming Light Crossbow of Seeking at Melee guy 25 ft. in front of me (assuming we're travelling "up" on the map).

Initiative: [roll0]
Attack roll: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]

[Ilhares]

Sirrion, did you add your strength bonus to those damage rolls, or am I just blind? -- turns out I'm blind. OK. Berand - that map is made of hexagons, not octagons. :smallbiggrin:

Cilene

I'll be damned - I was right! They are out to get me!

Taking a quick inventory of the sudden foes surrounding them, Cilene does the smart thing. She starts running west(ish) - towards the bowman. A faint smile of bloodlust playing across her lips as she grips her odd mace tighter.

OK, things of importance.

1st: Initiative: [roll0]

2nd: She is charging at the bowman to the west/nw - and pushing power into her mace as she runs. (2pts)

3rd: Attacking on a charge (-2ac until next round, +2 hit roll) : [roll1]
If it hits, damage: [roll2]
(I so should have made a called shot to the head)

[Noldruk]

Kellin

Frowning, he looks genuinely unhappy at Arbalest. Lifting his hand, he stares intently at the man while uttering the words for a spell.

Alright...
Initiative: [roll0]
Casting Scorching Ray: Ranged Touch Attack: [roll1]
Concentration check just in case I need it: [roll2]
If Successful - Damage:[roll3] of fiery damage at point blank range!

[Berand]

Round 10

Torkai & Kellin

Arbalest drops his dagger and whips his longsword out, leaving his shield on the ground where it was to begin with. Before either of you can react, he lunges for Torkai! His blow connects with Torkai's shoulder, drawing some blood, but being deflected by his armor before doing any major damage.

Torkai looks unphased, and immediately feints to his right. Arbalest takes the bait, shifting his weight to protect that side, just as Torkai dodges back left and lashes out with both his daggers. Arbalest is completely flat-footed. The first one leads the way, catching harmlessly on Arbalest's leather armor. The second one finds an opening however, burying itself to the hilt in his gut. Blood gushes - you can tell it was a major blow. In Arbalest's shock he freezes in place, failing to defend himself. Torkai siezes upon the opportunity, giving the dagger an extra twist.

Arbalest's mouth opens wide in shock, as he falls to his knees. A second later he drops his sword and topples over.

Torkai

-2 hp


Kellin, seeing Torkai make short work of the foe before them both quickly spins around, seeking a new target for the spell he's preparing. He spots the soldier behind him charging from across the road, and proceeds to unleash a ray of fire from his fingertips. They strike the man squarely in the chest, leaving terrible scorch marks on his armor. While he appears heavily staggered from the blow, he continues his charge in a rage.

Drugrin

You lower your helmet and take off at a rumbling charge toward the nearest archer. He tries to react by unleashing an arrow, but he's taken completely off-guard by the sudden move. Your warhammer smashes in to his side, crunching ribs. The bowman remains on his feet, throws his bow to the ground and whips out a shortsword at his belt. He immediately goes on the defensive, watching for your next move.

The other bandit near by charges in as well, swinging at you with his longsword. He lands a minor blow on your side, drawing a bit of blood and pissing you off.

Drugrin

-5 hps


Coignar

Seeing combat begin, you immediately whip up your crossbow and fire a shot at the bandit in front of you. The bolt flies true, thunking in to the mans shoulder. Your shot draws some unwanted attention, however. No one likes archers.

The bandit you shot and the one next to him both charge at you, weapons drawn! You quickly dodge out of the way of the swing from the guy with your bolt sticking out of him, but the second one lands a very heavy blow on your side, leaving you gasping and bleeding.

Coignar

-8 hp


Cilene

You spin on your heel and charge at the archer on the far side of the road, mace in hand. He reacts immediately, unleashing an arrow at you which sails wide, plinking in to the dirt just to one side. Before his eyes even have a chance to get wide in surprise, your mace comes down on the top of his head. You hear a crunch followed by a splatter, as brain matter is sent flying in to the near-by leaves. He crumples like an empty sack of potatoes. That was pretty satisfying.

New Combat Map:

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g103/jeffster78/fight2.jpg

[SandDemon]

Durgrin

"Ha ha, that all ya got!" Whirling his warhammer for another blow, Durgrin gives the bowman a necessary lesson in pain.

Initiative roll: [roll0]
Attack roll: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]

ooc: back to AC 20

[Sirrion]

Torkai
Pulling his dagger out of Arbalest, Torkia spins to confront the man rushing him from the south attacking with both daggers.

Depending on if he moves first or if I do, I will approach him to attack or attack after he gets to me. If he does go first, I will make another feint to see if I can suprise him.

Initiative = [roll0]
Feint (Bluff)= [roll1]

Primary Attack = [roll2]
Primary Damage = [roll3]
Primary Sneak = [roll4]

Secondary Attack = [roll5]
Secondary Damage = [roll6]
Secondary Sneak = [roll7]

[Ilhares]

Cilene

Making a note of where the bowman has fallen ("I'll be back for you when I'm done!"), Cilene spins around and sees Coignar being threatened by two more bandits. Being in a sporting mood, she shouts a warning as she runs, "You're next, pal!"

Much like last round, she'll give the mace one more enhancement. (2pts)
The attack charge is aimed at the nearer of the two threatening Coignar, they're just not positioned right for me to threaten them both. (retaining my AC penalty for 1 more round)

Initiative [roll0]
Attack! [roll1]
-Damage [roll2]

[Noldruk]

Kellin

Narrowing his eyes at his foe, Kellin prepares to continue his flaming assault on the charging bandit. Furrowing his brow, he again lifts his hands and follows through with a blazing torrent of fire and brimstone!

Initiative: [roll0]
Concentration if needed:[roll1]
Scorching Ray: Rn [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]

If he doesn't die, what are the chances I'd be able to intimidate him into submission?
Intimidate:[roll4]

[Ilhares]

Oh.. balls.
OKAY, that's a natural 1 attack roll. I dont know about 3.5e, but I've got a fumble chart for 3e, so here's my fumble roll: [roll0]

[Ilhares]

Sorry for the excess, things keep demanding die rolls.
Per the chart I've got, that 11 is a "Weapon Stuck". While I've got no idea how my mace got stuck, I have to either use an alternate weapon, or a strength check (DC 10) to free the mace. So.. [roll0]

If that fails, I'll just have to make up my mind on the next turn.
-edit-
Ah, crap! The chart says to add the BAB to the fumble roll, too. With that in mind, the fumble roll would be a 14 - which is "Fumble Weapon - If appropriate roll damage against weapon."

Light mace, the crystal has 30hp per inch of thickness and a hardness of 10. It's in your hands, Berand.

[tehsnarf]

Coignar

Coignar grimaces in pain as he takes a few well placed shots from his opponents. He quickly tosses his crossbow off to the side and draws his short sword, and goes in for an attack.


Targetting the person I previously shot with the crossbow... like it matters.

Initiative: [roll0]
To hit: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]

[Berand]

Round 11

Drugrin

You let out a grunt and smack the bowman with your warhammer again, square in the chest. Your blow sends him flying backwards a few feet, where he crumples in a heap.

The remaining bandit takes another swing at you, clearly dismayed at watching his companion felled so quickly. His blow doesn't have much heart in it, and you deflect it effortlessly off your shield. You sure did quick work on his cocky attitude!

Torkai

You rip your bloody dagger out of Arbalest's chest, sending a gout of it flying in a neat arc as you spin to confront the bandit coming from behind. Moving much faster then your foe, you swipe a deep gash across his chest, stopping him in his tracks as he tries to avoid the worst of the damage. He sucks his gut in as he stops, causing your swipe with your second dagger to miss him by a millimeter.

Off-balance from his dodge of your second dagger, he swings clumsily at your head with his longsword, which you easily duck.

Kellin

Feeling slightly annoyed that your first blast of flame didn't kill this guy in his tracks, you again spread your fingers and send flames rolling toward him. You engulf his head in flames, and after a briefest of gurgling screams, he falls to the ground, the smell of charred flesh filling the air. You think to yourself, Boy, I love the smell of mage fire in the morning. This is followed suddenly by the feeling that you are guilty of nearly uttering a terrible cliche. You sure hope no one is reading your thoughts right now. You blush slightly.

Cilene

Brain goo from your first opponent runs down the haft of your mace. Your normal response would be a loud "Ick", but in the frenzy of battle you don't notice. You spin about, and seeing Coignar in trouble begin to charge. Unfortunately the aforementioned brain goo makes your mace slick in your hands, and it goes flying to the ground at your feet before you can whack the guy. The thought that goes through your head at this turn of events wouldn't make it past the forums profanity filters.

Unfortunately for you, the bandit with the bolt sticking out of his shoulder thinks the empty-handed girl is way too tempting of a target. He gives you a leering sneer then swings his sword at you, nicking your shoulder.

Cilene

-3 hps

If you want to pick up your weapon next turn, the nearest bandit will get an attack of opportunity in addition to rolling for his next turn.


Coignar

You throw your crossbow down and whip your dagger out of its sheath, sticking it to the same bandit you just shot. You manage to score a small nick on him.

The bandit that didn't turn to confront Cilene takes another swing at you, missing almost comically as his sword whiffs through the air above your head.

Updated Combat Map

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g103/jeffster78/fight3.jpg

[SandDemon]

Durgrin

Laughing defiantly in the face of his foe's deflected blow, Durgrin raises his mace almost ceremonially and lowers it down upon his foe. "May Reorx grant you understanding through PAIN!"

Initiative= [roll0]
Attack roll = [roll1]
Damage roll = [roll2]

ooc: Don't forget to update your sheets guys, Current HP field near the top right.

[Sirrion]

Torkai

Making a quick feint, Torkai presses his attack on the bandit with both daggers!

Feint (bluff check): [roll0]

Primary Attack: [roll1]
Primary Damage: [roll2]
Primary Sneak (if feint suceeds): [roll3]

Secondary Attack: [roll4]
Secondary Damage: [roll5]
Secondary Sneak (if feint suceeds): [roll6]

[Ilhares]

Cilene

@#!$%

Knowing that she's left herself wide open no matter what she does, (and berating herself), Cilene's left hand forms into a fist as she ducks low to pick up her mace and resume the offensive. I could.. no, no. Not yet.
The plan is as follows. The new round begun, AC returns to normal (17). Thanks to TWF, the mace and her hand are both light weapons, giving me a -2/-2 to smack someone around.

First- since she already had to drop for the mace, swing the fist (taking into account the -4 for called shot)

Aiming for the 'sack': [roll0] / if it connects, [roll1] damage.

On the upward portion of the movement, go for a straight body hit with the mace: [roll2] to hit. If it lands, [3d6+2] for damage.

[Ilhares]

Sigh.

[roll0] for that mace hit. I wonder what I typed wrong.

[Noldruk]

Kellin

Letting the lingering enjoyment of incineration quickly fade, Kellin turns to assess his surroundings. Rushing to the foe who Torkai is attacking, he lifts his hands to expel a final, blazing furnace towards the bandit's face, taking care to avoid hitting his companion.

Initiative: [roll0]
Concentration: [roll1]
Scorching Ray: Ranged Touch: [roll2]
Damage of Flaming Doom: [roll3]

[tehsnarf]

Coignar

"Woman, I thought they taught you how to keep ahold of your weapon!" Snickering to himself, Coignar immediately regrets it as his wounded ribs shoot searing pains throughout his midsection. Assuming his female companion has Bolt Man under control, he quickly switches targets and attempts to bring about some revenge...


NE guy of me...

Initiative: [roll0]
To Hit: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]

[Berand]

Round 12

Durgrin

Your powerful swing comes down toward the bandit, who deftly side-steps behind a tree. You take a hefty chunk out of the side of the tree, but do no damage to the bandit.

He tries to reach around the other side of the tree and swing at you, but manages nothing more then a blow that glances harmlessly off your armor.

Torkai

You attempt to fool the bandit with a quick feint to one side, but he moves faster then you this time, and is clearly unsurprised by your direction of attack. He moves in confidently to block your attack, so you abandon his body and instead your first dagger takes him straight through the forearm. You twist that dagger brutally, driving his arm high and to the side, leaving his gut wide open for your second dagger. You drive it home swiftly, and the bandit gurgles blood as he falls forward on to you.

You yank your daggers out, and he crumples unceremoniously to the dirt.

Cilene

Still cursing your luck, you swiftly duck down to pick up your weapon. As you move the bandit seizes the opportunity to stab down at you with his sword, slicing in to your shoulder. You feel blood flow down your torso under your armor.

Attempting to distract him from further blows on you, you bring your fist up toward his groin. Unfortunately your shot glances off his thigh and you manage only a little brushing of your intended target, which the bandit might have even enjoyed. That is, if you hadn't immediately wrapped your fingers around the haft of your mace and swiftly brought it up in a vicious blow under his chin. His head snaps back in a way that you're sure isn't healthy, and he collapses to the ground.

Cilene

-5 hps


Coignar

You take a stab at the bandit to your right, but a quick parry from him sends your dagger glancing harmlessly off his armor.

Kellin

You curse quietly under your breath, as Torkai again dispatches your intended target. Turning about, you take in the battlefield and realize most of the bandits are already dead. You rush a few steps toward Coignar and unleash your flames for a third time, now aimed for the bandit currently taking a slice at that thief you picked up in the bar.

With your magic fingers already well warmed-up from the first two castings, you unleash a particularly brutal blast this time. It engulfs your target completely, leaving charred remains to topple over in the breeze.

Coignar throws you an exasperated look while he pats at his smoldering eyebrows. Good thing you didn't miss that bandit! You're on fire baby.

Updated Combat Map

No new map needed. The only bandit still standing is the one next to Drugrin.

[Ilhares]

CileneOK, blast it, I hadn't wanted to, but I'll burn 1 more point today to reduce that damage I got smacked with by 4 (yay for racial bonus)

Wincing away from the initial burst of flame, Cilene looks around to assess the field. Seeing that the dwarf is busy playing hide & seek with his little bandit, she shouts out, "Hey, you useless sod, how about you just up and surrender now?"

Whispering to Coignar, "When he steps out, put an arrow in him."

She will then commence searching the remains near her and Coignar (unless he gets in her way), and intends to make her way back to the first guy that dropped. She did say she would.

Combined, this group should have enough valuables to compensate me for my time - and I'm tired of having to get my armor repaired.

Just in case you want it for the call to surrender, take your pick of Bluff or Diplomacy, it's all the same for me.
[roll0]

[tehsnarf]

Coignar

Coignar quickly retrieves his light crossbow, reloads and yells to Durgrin "Pull up your socks, stumpy!"


Yep, I am firing in to combat. Without hesitation.

Initiative: [roll0]
To Hit: [roll1] (+5BaB, -4 in to combat, because I don't think seeking works firing in to combat...)
Damage: [roll2]

[tehsnarf]

Double confirm: [roll0]
If yes, additional damage: [roll1]

If not, I'll be sad.

[SandDemon]

Durgrin

"It's just a matta a time!"

Initiative [roll0]
Attack [roll1]
Damage [roll2]

[Noldruk]

Kellin

Smiling to himself, Kellin glances towards the dwarf, content that he can handle himself, and proceeds to Arbalest's body. Intent on finding out what this dude's problem was, he begins searching his body to shed light on his morbid motives.

Search:[roll0]


Also, he glances again into the woodline, looking for anything at all out of the ordinary.


Spot:[roll1]
Listen:[roll2]

[Sirrion]

Torkai

Torkai readies himself again, looking for another opponent before noticing that none are left in reach. Reaching down, Torkai wipes his blades off on the dead man's clothes all while keeping his eyes on the last bandit, readying a now clean dagger to throw in case the need arises. "Come on, end it already." he says towards the dwarf, not necessarily to anyone in particular.

Once combat is finished, Torkai starts searching the dead man in front of him to see if there is anything worth taking.

Search roll: [roll0]

[Berand]

Round 13

The one remaining bandit begins to panic. Suddenly the bolt from Coignar lodges itself in his side, and he turns with a hoarse scream and tries to run. A split second later Drugrin's hammer comes down on his skull. The bandit drops like a rock.

As the adrenalin cools off, everyone starts cleaning weapons and milling about.

Kellin

As you push Arbalest over on to his back to search him you realize that he's still got a bit of life in him, though he is rapidly bleeding to death. He's unconscious, and you figure he'll be dead completely any time now, if he doesn't get help.

Rewards

Experience: There were 7 level 2 fighters and 1 level 3 fighter. That's 5000 total exp divided by five of you. For those of you disinclined to math, everyone gets 1000 exp. :)

Most of the bandits have purses with coins in them. Arbalest however, has two gem stones in addition to some coins. Total: 400 gold, 900 copper, 2 gems. Evenly distributed, everyone gets 80 gold and 180 copper. The two gems go to the party, and you can have them appraised in a city if you want. Since Kellin was the first to Arbalest, put them in his inventory for now.

Furthermore, there's a 10% chance each bandit had a minor magic item on him! A roll of 91-100 means one was found. I'll post again with details if you guys get one. Without further ado, here are the rolls:

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]
[roll6]
[roll7]

[SandDemon]

Durgrin

Raising his mace from the fallen foe, he mildly jogs over to the others standing over the body of Arbalest. Angered from the pain in his arm, the lies this man spit out that tricked his dim-witted cohorts, the danger it placed his group in, and the general thought that someone dare ambush a follower of Reorx...."Tha' bastid betta be dead for what he did."

[Ilhares]

Cilene

Looking up with faint amusement, Cilene calls out "I've a better idea, master dwarf."

Pointing towards her horse, she says, "I've got some decent manacles over there in my pack. If you can stabilize the fool, I'd wager there's a fair bit of reward for us and justice for him in store. I'm betting we're not the first band to pass by who he's attempted to deprive of our goods - but we may well be the last. I imagine the owners of the mine are not the most merciful to those that rob them. Let the law of man prevail on this one, as our employers may be well joyed for our work and increase the pay as well."

[Noldruk]

Kellin

Still kneeling, Kellin pulls a small merchant's scale and attempt to appraise the two gems he has retrieved.

Appraise:[roll0]


Shrugging to himself and placing them within his backpack, he then turns to the others.

'I agree with you about stabilizing him,'he says, turning to the dwarf, he adds, '- and we've still got a little walk ahead of us yet. We'll have plenty of time to talk to him and attempt to get to the bottom of this.

[Noldruk]

Kellin

Kellin retrieves the gems once more from his backpack and performs the 'Detect Magic' spell at them, mildly curious.

(do I need to roll for that?)

[SandDemon]

Durgrin

Grumbling as he arrives, he shakes his head for a moment at the request then slowly stops. "He aien' gettin' no Reorx blessin', but maybe stop bleedin'. Better hope it works." Durgrin rips a piece of the man's shirt and begins bandaging the man as he can - trained as combat medic in the beginning of his life, he eventually stopped practicing since he began just using his gifts to save time. It had been awhile....

Up ta ya, Reorx - live or die?

Heal check for stabilizing: [roll0]. Critical fail, awesome.

[Noldruk]

Kellin

Looking intently at the dwarf do his work, Kellin moves to his side and attempts to assist in the stabilization, practicing some first aid that he had heard about once... somewhere...


Assuming that you can use this skill untrained: [roll0]

[Sirrion]

Torkai

Torkai takes a seat on the ground watching as they attempt to stabilize the man. Taking out one of his daggers, he begins to sharpen it while keeping his eyes and ears peeled at the forest around them. He mutters to himself "Wouldn't have stuck him so hard if I knew they wanted to keep him around..."

Listen check: [roll0]
Spot check: [roll1]

And yes, I fully expect to fail to notice even a tree falling on me :smallwink:

[Berand]

Round 14

Drugrin

Despite your administrations, Arbalest proves to be too far gone. Just as the bandages are going on, his feeble chest movements come to a halt and his body acquires the slackness only death can bring.

Kellin

The gems are not magical, and you're unable to appraise them right now. Try again when you're in a better environment that leaves you time to study them.

Everyone

Nothing else seems out of the ordinary here, and time's wasting. You'll already be arriving at the mining camp well after dark. Once all the goods have been gathered up, everyone sets out on the road north. You only have maybe 4-5 hours of walking left, but it's already dusk.

4-5 Hours Later

Fortunately the rest of the walk is uneventful - fighting in the dark would have been messy. Around 11pm, with the shadow of Batterstone mountain blotting out the stars to the north, you finally reach the mining camp. Two guards are standing at the gate, shields out and weapons drawn. They hail you as you approach.

"Halt, who goes there!" shouts one shadowy form. You hear the creak of bowstrings from somewhere in the darkness behind him.

[SandDemon]

Durgrin

Slowing down his pace at the guard's call, "Hail! We're the men hired by Burgoth to guard the shipm'nt tomorrow. Littl' late afta runnin' in and killin' some bandits along the road. Where canna we get some sleep befer tommorow eh?" He motions for the group to stop for a moment, waiting for acknowledgment.

[Ilhares]

Cilene

Cilene doesn't particularly care about the sounds of bowman.

"Look, we've already killed Arbalest and his band of inept robbers, can we just get some peace and a warm place to rest? My back is sticky, and I don't wanna be in this stuff longer than I have to."

[Sirrion]

Torkai

Attempting to stifle a yawn, Torkai halts his movement and gazes around. He slips his backpack off and lowers it to the ground and then waits to hear the response to Durgrin's question.

[Noldruk]

Kellin

Kellin looks passively around, waiting...

[Berand]

Round 15

The guard takes your names down, then checks them against a list sent over by pigeon. He gives each one of you a once-over, clearly matching you to some descriptions written down. He nods.

"Alright then, we didn't expect you this early. The shipment wont be ready until the morning after this one, but we can set you up with some accommodations. I'll have you shown to your tents, you can get cleaned up and rested, and in the morning you can meet with Sir Rostham."

Another soldier steps from the dark and escorts you to a cluster of tents. He's not particularly interested in talking, clearly, as he points to two tents nearby, naming one for the men and one for women. With that he marches off in to the darkness.

Cilene

Your tent is small, lit by a single candle near the entrance, and with only two bunks. One is occupied by a dimly-lit sleeping form, with a breatplate emblazoned with the symbol of a Knight of the Crown on a stand next to it. You clean up quickly in the tub of cold water in the back of the tent, brush your hair, organize your clothes for tomorrow, then lay down to catch some rest.

Everyone Else

Your tent is larger, and currently unoccupied. Being men, half of you strip off your armor then plop down with your boots still on and go to bed. The other half at least takes their boots off.

7 Hours Later

Everyone is awakened to the sound of a bugle belting out a vigorous tune. The smell of cooking food wafts about, and the bang and clatter of the camp coming to life fills the air. Cilene finds the female Knight in her tent from the night before already gone, along with the Knightly armor and weapons.

OOC

Don't forget to mark your healing and spells for a nights rest.

[SandDemon]

Durgrin

"Ugh....long time since I be hearin' military call." Grumbling as he forces himself to wake up, he stumbles down on one knee and prays a small prayer to Reorx for his blessings - another day, but not just another god...praise and thanks, Reorx.. Standing up slowly, he gathers his things and steps outside the tent. That's when he barks out loudly "HEY, GET UP YA SODS!"

Same spells, used healings before sleeping on those that needed it.

[Ilhares]

Cilene

Having rested exceptionally well, Cilene will actually have been awake for some time, doing some light exercise after meditating to regain her focus for the day, and probably using a portion of the morning hours to try and scrub out her leathers as well as possible to remove the blood.

Once done with that, she will also tend to her horse, making sure he's well fed. Never know when we might be in a rush.

If I read the post right, we effectively have a "day off", before we start the escort. If that is correct, Cilene will try to spend a little extra time checking her armor and weapons, repacking the saddlebags & backpack.

Berand: I have no idea how many HP people normally recover per night.

[Noldruk]

Kellin

Stretching casually, Kellin awakes at the sound of the bugle. Gathering his belongings, he gives them a once over to ensure they are all still there. Nodding to Torkai, he says, 'What say we go find out what's cookin'?' and begins to leave the tent in the direction of the smell of food.

While heading there, anyone I pass who looks conversational, I'd like to do a bit of small talking to see what the general mood of the camp is.
Diplomacy: [roll0]
Gather Information: [roll1]

[Sirrion]

Torkai

At the suggestion of finding food, Torkai's stomach answers with a loud grumble. Nodding his head to Kellin, he follows him out of the tent. During the walk, he doesn't pay much attention to anything other than what his nose is smelling, focusing on the attempt to find some food.

[Berand]

Round 16

You all get your things together and gather outside your tents, awakening to the brisk morning air. You easily find your way to the mess, where various militia members and miners are being served fairly bland food. The cooks hand you your share without much fanfare.

Kellin

You manage to snag a guard to chat with on the way. You don't have enough time to gather much intel from him, but he seems jovial enough. He tells you everything is find around the camp, the guards keep the bandits and other nasties away.


As you're finishing eating, a young Knight of the Sword walks up to your table. "Greetings," he says, saluting with his fist to his chest. "I am Torvin. If you will follow me, I'll take you to Sir Rostham." He waits just a moment, then turns and heads off toward one of the larger tents.

After a short walk, Torvin steps to one side and opens the tent flap, motioning for you all to enter. Filing your way inside, you see a modest two-room tent, lit by a lantern on a small table near the door. A table is laid out in the center of the room, with a map of the area and some markers around it. Shipment schedules and various mining quote and supply sheets are also scattered about. A flap leads in to a smaller section, presumably the officer's sleeping quarters.

A moment later he ducks through the flap and in to the room with you. He's a tall, older man with graying black hair and long black mustache that hangs down past his chin. He's wearing the breastplate of a Knight of the Crown, with knots on his shoulder designating him a Lieutenant-Captain. He nods in your direction.

"Welcome then. I hear you're our escort for the shipment tomorrow, I'm glad you made it safely. We've had to hire outside help like yourselves, because we can't spare the guards off the camp. Too much bandit activity right now. That and we had a damn hill giant wander down here from the mountains a week ago. I think it was lost, but still."

"Anyhow, the shipment leaves tomorrow morning at sunrise. I don't need you until then, so you're free to rest about camp. Just try not to get in the way of anyone working. If you choose to venture out on your own, just be careful. Don't want to miss the shipment."

He glances down at some paperwork and frowns. "Any questions?"

[Noldruk]

Kellin

Stepping forward with a smile, Kellin nods at the Lieutenant-Captain. 'A pleasure to meet you, sir. A few questions, indeed. First, for accountability purposes, what is the monetary value of our load? Second, what sort of intelligence can you give us about the immediate area - Have your men made any attempt at locating the camp of the bandits? And lastly, where might a few of us enjoy a bit of.. relaxing drink?'

Not that it's even necessarily needed, but maybe I can make a lasting impression on this guy.
Diplomacy: [roll0]

[SandDemon]

Durgrin

After Kellin's questions, Durgrin chimes in asking "Ya about them bandits....we waxed some wise-arse named Arbalest - any kinda reward on him? Need us tah go hunt some bandits durin' our break? Name's Durgrin by the way, leadin' dis round a runts." He smiles at that.

[Berand]

Round 17

Sir Rostham arches one eyebrow. "Killed some bandits on your way in did you? That's always good news. I actually do know the name Arbalest, though I doubt it's his real name. Or was. We had a caravan ambushed a month ago on its way back to Engoth. The escort we hired reported chatting with a fellow by that name on the way here. We suspect they spilled too much information to this Arbalest fellow, because the bandits knew right when to set up the ambush. He was probably feeling you folks up for the same thing. Well, glad he's gone anyway."

He looks all of you over carefully, appraising each of you up and down. "Well, you look capable enough. I'm not sure there's enough of you to take on the entire bandit camp, even if we did know where it was." He strokes his long mustache for a moment, thinking. "There was a paladin here that might be willing to join you. He was hunting dark things in the mountains north of here, last I knew. Name of Ruhidr. Not sure where he is at the moment, or even if he's in camp, but if I see him I'll tell him to look for you."

"If you do decide to go after bandits, we have strong evidence that their camp is somewhere around Batterstone Lake, a few hours from here. I don't have the men to spare to scout for it, unfortunately. Hmm. If you opt not to take the whole camp on, you could even report back here with the camp's exact whereabouts and there'd definitely be a reward in it for you. Otherwise there's always nasties up in the mountains." He gestures to the north absently.

"Anyhow, if there aren't any other questions, I have work to be seeing to."

[Noldruk]

Kellin

Waiting only a few moments, Kellin bows politely. Looking at his companions, he motions outside before saying, 'I'm going to go see about finding that paladin - It never hurts to have another friendly face..I'll meet you guys back at our tent later.' Walking outside, he again attempts to make small talk with those he passes, this time adding questions about Ruhidr and his whereabouts into the mix, as well as the location of the nearest brewer or keg-keeper.

Let's see...
Gather Information: [roll0]
Diplomacy: [roll1]

[Ilhares]

Cilene

"I rather like the idea of scouting out the bandits where they are, maybe moving in and getting rid of them if it seems workable. I could head over that way if nobody minds."

I'm only half able to post this weekend, and i know monday will be hectic, so I'll toss out the following rolls, in the vent they prove potentially useful. (diplomacy on the plan)

Diplomacy: [roll0]
Hide : [roll1]
Move Silently: [roll2]
Listen : [roll3]
Spot : [roll4]

If you need more than that, I'm probably in trouble.

[Sirrion]

Torkai

"Wait for me! Wouldn't mind seeing a bit more of this place myself." Torkai calls out following Kellin out the door. Leaning in closer to the mage he whispers "Perhaps a bit of something to quench one's thirst as well."

[Berand]

Round 18

Seeing there are no more questions, Sir Rostham turns toward a sheaf of papers on one of the desks, clearly already engrossed with his next task. You all turn and walk out of the tent, discussing what to do with your free day. Cilene chimes in that she likes the idea of scouting the bandit camp, while Kellin mentions finding the paladin that the Knight mentioned. However, your attention is quickly drawn by a small commotion going on at the gate to the mining enclave.

A short, stocky dwarf has just entered. He is dressed in heavy, unadorned plate armor that has clearly seen its fair share of battle. A heavy dwarven waraxe is strapped to his back, and a heavy shield emblazoned with the mark of Kiri-Jolith is strapped to one arm.

Your attention, however, is drawn immediately to something else. The dwarf has a sharp horn clutched in one fist. A horn which is attached to the severed head of some small, dragon-like creature, which he drags in the dirt behind him as he walks. Little tendrils of dirt-covered gore occasionally fall off when the dwarf drags it over a rock or catches it on a stick. The creatures blank eyes are clouded over, and a huge gash across its nose was made, you assume, by the axe strapped to the dwarf's back.

"Got yerselves a wyvern problem!" bellows the dwarf, when confronted by two Knights who stare in confusion at the trophy. "Fortunately it be'a little male. Probably the runt that got driven away from the pack. The siblings usually kill an' eat the runt, but this one be clever. Probably managed to fly over from the main land."

With that he unceremoniously tosses the head down at the Knight's feet. "Aint going to be a problem no more though!" He laughs to himself.

[Ilhares]

Cilene

Well, he's certainly jovial enough.

Looking at the severed head sitting on the ground, Cilene can't help but offer a friendly greeting:

"Where's the meat? You can't seriously say that this is all you brought back?"

[Noldruk]

Kellin

Watching silently, Kellin stands off to one side, intent on hearing the story behind the head.

I wonder what sort of rewards they offer for this type of thing...


Listen: [roll0]

[demonllama]

Ruhidr

Very obviously taking in Cilene's slight form, Ruhidr purses his lips thoughtfully before answering in all apparent seriousness, "Well now, if I'd known I'd be running into one as needed the meat on her own bones like you, I might've tried t' bring a bit back." Slipping Cilene what he obviously intended as a sly wink, he grins, "Ah, but yer welcome to find it an' take the scraps if ye want. What the animals have left, anyhow. Me? I'd rather eat dirt than the flesh off a wyvern."

After taking a moment to roar with laughter at his own wit, he nods amiably at the Knights and at Kellin, before glancing back at Cilene, "I been on trail rations for some days, so I'm off to the mess. If yer having need of a paladin of Kiri-Jolith, or yer looking for someone who talks, just ask for Ruhidr. Shade find you."

If that man keeps staring the way he is, we're going to have to talk an' find out why he can't take his eyes off me. An' stopping me before I'm hardly in the gate! Maybe the staring guy explains it someway? Ah, what can yeh expect from people in a port town. All that water ain't natural; never get used to it. Wonder if there're any other dragonkin nearby that I...

[SandDemon]

Durgrin

"Har, juz a baby it be. Tha' aien't nothing for a grown dwarf!" bellows Durgrin with heavy laughter. Let's getta rise out of this paladin, eh Reorx?

[Noldruk]

Kellin

Falling in quickly behind the paladin heading towards the messhall, Kellin leans in and introduces himself, speaking quietly, 'The name is Kellin, and I was actually coming to look for you. That group back there, ' motioning behind him, 'are my companions. As odd a group as we seem, we're not incapable and we'll soon be escorting some silver down the road. . Seeing as most of us take things personally, we'll also likely head over and pay a visit to those bandits by Batterstone Lake. You're welcome with me to come, though as there's a few egos around, others might feel it appropriate to approve your joining.' Yawning slightly, he looks again back at his companions before adding, 'Oh.. and do you know where we can get some good ale? Not the watered down type, mind.. something good?'

Please say yes, please, please, please say yes!!!!


Please?

[demonllama]

Ruhidr

His expression cooling, Ruhidr looks down at Durgrin, saying "Make no mistake, lad, there is no such thing as a small evil such as theirs; only great evils always growing greater."


[roll0] to get a hunch about Durgrin's attitude. Moved the non-valid paragraph in here for the sake of posterity

Successful Sense Motive "Hunch" check:
Glancing over his shoulder at the severed head, Ruhidr grins and say, "'Sides, even yer should have noticed most of it was missing."


Failed to get a Hunch:
Keeping eye-contact a moment longer, Ruhidr turns his back on Durgrin and continues on his way to the mess.

I'll lay wager, water to sand, that dwarf's never even seen a wyvern egg before, much less one walking about near'm.

[demonllama]

Ruhidr

Muttering softly, only intending to be heard by Kellin, Ruhidr says, "If the girl an' the dwarf are your companions, I can understand the quest for ale. Not in a bad way, mind, but I'm sure they keep life interesting for you."

Eyes fixed on the mess hall, his voice doesn't quite regain its previous jovial tone, but begins to thaw, rising to a normal volume, "Bandits, you say? If your friends can suffer me an' I suffer them, I would be pleased to help. With the wyvern slain, the Sword of Justice himself would take issue if I wasn't helping yer to rid the land of their menace, after I got done taking issue with meself."

Chuckling, he goes on, "Sorry yer had to see that with yer friend dwarf there, but those as don't understand dragons or their kin is doomed to feed'm. Gets to me. Lets quest for the ale in the mess hall together, may our waterskins never run dry."

[Berand]

Round 19

About half an hour later, as Ruhidr, Durgin, Kellin and Torkai are finishing their first tankards of some fairly sub-standard ale in the mess hall, Cilene and Coignar are engaged in conversation with a slender man dressed in studded leather and woodsman's clothes, with a longbow on his back.

He introduces himself as Badigly, one of the scouts currently on contract in the camp. Sir Rostham sent him to find them in order to spend the day guiding the group to wherever they want to be, so long as everyone is back in time for the sunrise shipment departure.

"... So, wherever you fellows want to head to, I'll show you the way. Been hunting in these parts my whole life. We can make it to Batterstone Lake, but it wont leave us with a whole lot of time to scout and fight before we have to head back. We'll have to be swift if we go that route. On the other hand, we can hunt for various nasties up the mountain a bit for as long as we like. We could probably find trouble an hour or two from here if we go that way." He adjusts the bow on his back and glances outside. "It's not even 8am yet, but the quicker we get moving the better. Where's it to be?"

[Ilhares]

Cilene

Well, I don't want to step on any toes, not unless I have to.

Scratching her back with her mace, Cilene thinks of the more prudent options. "Killing the beasties may make for a bit of sport for some, but the beasties aren't regularly thieving from the miners. Even if we can't finish the bandit problem, getting good intel on their location and number will probably do us more good in the long run. If they're not too populous, we might even be able to risk taking them out entirely, which would make the shipment a lot easier to move later."

"You might want to check with the lot in the mess, but that's my suggestion."

[roll0]

Let's hear it for diplomacy!

[Berand]

Round 19a

Badigly might think Cilene is kind of a bitch from her attitude (way to blow that diplomacy roll!), but he shrugs and wanders over to the drinking group to present the same question. He also mentions Cilene's reasoning for the bandit camp.

[demonllama]

Ruhidr

Leaning back with a well-cultured belch that they likely didn't teach him back in the academies, Ruhidr pushes the remains of his meal away and glances up at Badigly before looking back at the group.

I was already using Detect Evil on the group while we were eating. Since you can use it while you're moving, I figure you can certainly use it while you're eating :P

Now that Badigly has arrived, he's in the area of effect that I was concentrating on, so he should be included in the check.

"Well now, as I'm new to the group, I'll just voice my thoughts an' let yers run with it. I said I'd help with the bandits, and I will; harassing innocent travelers and honest traders is an injustice that needs rightin.
But I'd personally like to scout the the mountain for nasties, on the chance we might find some of a more scaly variety. We can come back for that, though."

Tossing a grin at Badigly, he says, "Unless, of course, yer having some information about those nasties worth knowing about."

[Sirrion]

Torkai

"Beasts, bandits.. Either way, stick a blade in them and they die. I care not what we hunt but I wouldn't mind stretching my legs a bit. No point in remaining here where I might end up drinking enough to make myself useless for tomorrow." Tossing down the remains of his tankard, Torkai stands and adjusts his weapons and armor. "Well then, ready whenever. Let's get the hunting started."

[Noldruk]

Kellin

Finishing his second tankard with a large gulp, Kellin scratches his chin thoughtfully.

'Well, first things first, we have to decide whether this silver shipment is what we want to do. From what we've been told, we don't have time to go play with the bandits more than just pinpointing their location.. anything more will put us behind in our schedule.' Motioning to the mess sergeant for another ale, he continues, 'So, we've got the choice of possibly splitting up, sending one or two to scout the lake, while the rest escort the silver, or putting off the scouting until we're done. I wouldn't mind doing a bit of hunting, though, before this evening.'

Turning to Badigly, Kellin asks, 'So, eh.. what type of nasties are we talking about, anyhow?'

[demonllama]

Ruhidr

Ruhidr looks askance at Kellin. "Yer saying split up while we're escorting the silver? Lad, I think yer should cut off the ale."

Chuckling as he finishes off his one, and only, tankard of ale, he continues, "I could see maybe splitting up today. Someone scouting the lake while more of us head to the mountain and teach the nasties a lesson in dying."

Thumping himself in the chest with one gauntleted fist, he manages to make a horrendous racket. "I won't be scouting, as I'm not so much known for my time spent sneaking about, eh? Something about being louder than the forge that my armor was crafted on," Ruhidr says before trailing off into a grating laugh.

Growing more thoughtful, he says, almost musing to himself, "It may not be a good idea to run the risk of failing our given word just because we're itching to fight an' can't do a proper scouting."

Why yes, I do have this thread as a subscription so I get dinged whenever another post is made. Why do you ask? :smallbiggrin:

[Ilhares]

Cilene

Completely oblivious to the cluelessness going on inside the mess tent, Cilene has made a point of securing her goods on her horse to ride out and scout the bandit camp.

If there's not enough time to go on foot, there's bound to be plenty of time to check it out by horse. She's a bitch, she's not stupid.

[Berand]

Round 20

Badigly shrugs. "I wouldn't recommend splitting up either way. There's liable to be more then enough for everyone, no matter where you decide to go. Besides, if you split up I can't make sure you all get back here in time, and that's what I'm paid to do. I think they'd be a little upset if they were unable to ship that silver back on schedule."

"We can take horses most of the way to the lake, before it gets too dense to ride easily. If you don't have horses I can probably get some from the Knights to use for now."

"If we head up in to the mountains it'll have to be on foot. Who knows what we might find up there..."

OOC

Okay, let's help the decision process along. If you ride to the bandit camp, you'll definitely get the opportunity for some action. If you ride up in to the mountains, your chances of finding trouble are random.

If you choose mountains, I'll use the forum to roll percentile dice three times. 61-100% equals a confrontation with random monsters. It's possible all three will be below that, in which case you'll waste the day and get no fight. If two land in that range, then you get two fights. If all three land in that range then you get all three fights, but you'll also be late getting back for the shipment, which wont make your employer happy. To sweeten the deal, if you roll 100% on any of them, then something special (in a good way) happens. ;)

If you choose bandits, you'll have time to find the camp and determine whether to make a straight-forward assault in the daylight or not. If you determine it's too risky to make a frontal assault, then you'll take the data back to the Knights where you'll get rewarded for it. But in that case, you'll likely have no fight, or at most a skirmish with sentries. Once you find the place, you'll accurately determine with your guides help that you don't have time to wait for nightfall, or get all sneaky in your assault. It's up front or nothing.

I suggest discussing it in chat and designating someone to announce the decision, so we can get this show on the road. :)

[tehsnarf]

Coignar

Nodding with Cilene, he quickly gathers his belongings from the tent, and readies his horse.


My vote is for bandits

[demonllama]

Ruhidr

Suddenly rousing himself from his thoughts, he jerks upright in his seat, slamming his fist down on the table. Ruhidr shouts, "By Kiri-Jolith, I'll not have it said that I balanced the honor of my word against a little... pleasure jaunt. No, I say we scout those bandits."

Shoving back from the table, he rises to his feet. Glaring around at no one in particular, he says, "I'll be waitin' with the others." Adjusting his waraxe into a more comfortable position, he stumps off to join Cilene and Coignar.

Sands take me, I hope they have something more my size than those monstrosities they call horses.

OOC:
I flip-flopped on purpose with wanting to go to the mountains because Badigly offered more information, implying that we might fail our employers if we split up, and Coignar and Cilene are completely stuck on going to the camp. He doesn't see that as any sort of choice. If everyone at the table convinces Coignar and Cilene to go to the mountain, well... then he'll have no choice but to go along because Badigly said that whichever way we chose, we'd get back in time. We just all have to go to the same place to make that happen. So, since the only people moving are Cilene and Coignar... that's where he's headed.

[Noldruk]

Kellin

Looking at Torkai for a moment, Kellin turns to face Badigly. Moving closer to Badigly, he says, 'Well, looks like you'll be leading the way. It seems my companions itch for revenge against those bandits. I personally don't think now's the time, but hey..' he says, winking, '..sometimes the ears are deaf.' Turning back to Durgrin, Torkai and his ale, he finally says, 'Well.. I guess it's time to go.'

Beckoning for the others to follow, Kellin heads to meet up with those outside.

[Ilhares]

Cilene

Seeing people exit the mess, Cilene swings up into her saddle, smiling.

Now that's more like it.

"Good to see you making the right choice! Let's get moving, shall we?"

You know, there's something to be said for comedy. Let's see if she's even remotely convincing: Diplo! [roll0]

[SandDemon]

Durgrin

Definitely not pleased on his lack of involvement in the situation, he shakes his head and grumbles. "Well whadava - long as we do somethin' I'm a go. No diddle-daddlin' though, aien't gonna be late with MY name as responsible for ya kiddies."

[Berand]

Round 21

Seeing a general consensus, Badigly makes swift arrangement for those without horses to borrow some from the Knights for the day. Making sure everyone is packed up, the group sets off swiftly to the west, making for the lake.

In the very early afternoon he calls for a stop. "The land gets real rough here, not suitable for horses. We'll hobble them all and leave them in this field, then move on from foot. I'm fairly sure I know where they're holed up at, just never had an army to bring with me to look!" He chuckles to himself, then shakes his head and sobers up.

"There's a bowl in the side of the hills, just at the base of the mountain. It's perfectly concealed from everywhere unless you're on top of it. I used to play there with my cousins when I was growing up and didn't want me mum to find us. If those bandits know the area at all, they're going to pick that as their hideout sure as it's day. There's likely to be sentries, so be sharp."

The woods become gradually thicker as you move along in single-file, following what is likely a very seldom-used deer path. Suddenly both Coignar and Kellin throw a hand up in the air, motioning for everyone to halt. All noise ceases, and Coignar and Kellin lean in and confer for a moment, pointing forward and to the right. Going from person to person as silently as possible, Coignar informs everyone that they think they've spotted a sentry.

Map:

Moving through the green spaces lowers your speed to three-fourths normal. If you don't have ranks in move silently, you'll make a lot of noise doing it. If you do have ranks in move silently, you can roll to move silently through the green spaces at a -2 penalty. If you're on the trail you can roll a normal move silently check. Remember armor penalties apply.

Additionally, you can't pass each other in the same squares without going in the wooded parts, so if you want to change order in the narrow places, someone has to try to sneak.

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g103/jeffster78/banditcamp1.jpg

[Ilhares]

Cilene

Slapping Coignar lightly on the shoulder in understanding, Cilene looks around at the trees for a moment, then signs to those closer to her what she's going to do. Hopefully this is correctly conveyed, as she first points to herself and the trees directly in front of her, and then rapidly points to the right side of the trail, farther north.

Don't need luck. Don't need hope. See the scout. See him look away... and.. there!

Cilene attempts to move carefully through the trees, then makes a quick short dash up the path, attempting to slip back into the trees on the right side of the path.

Yeah, this is where it gets fun.

To move quietly through the trees:
[roll0]

To dart along the path (quietly) and slip back into the trees (2x movement):
[roll1]

Berand, apply any penalty as you view fit - I'll address it in a revision if necessary, of course.

And lastly, to hide in the trees again on the right side and look for any other sentries that may be lurking nearby:

Hide: [roll2]
Spot: [roll3]

In terms of the actual map position, 4 hexes directly "north" of the party scout, Badigly, and two rows to the right. That's the destination.

[demonllama]

Ruhidr

Chuckling quietly under his breath, Ruhidr shoots a grin towards Durgrin while nodding in Cilene's direction. While keeping an eye in the direction of the sentry and Cilene, he then quite obviously settles in to wait without making a noise, content to let those who aren't covered in massive steel plates take care of the sentry.

Kiri-Jolith, may yer guide the feet of our friend up there, letting us bring the blade of Justice those wretches as prey on innocent travelers.

[Sirrion]

Torkai

Watching Cilene gesture that she has the sentry and slipping off, Torkai draws both of his daggers quietly. Raising a finger to his lips to reinforce the point to keep silent, Torkai makes a small gesture with one dagger towards himself, then towards the left side of the trail just ahead.

Better get ready in case the alarm is raised...

With that, Torkai steps silently into the woods to the left of Badigly and then re-entering the trail in front of him. He takes a few quick strides down the path before ducking into the woods just ahead at a bend in the trail. He settles down, hiding in the bushes and scans the area for any sights or sounds that would announce the presence of another sentry.

Going to step just left of Badigly, then move back onto the trail in front of him for two more squares and then hide in the woods just left of the trail.

And now for the rolls:
Move silently with -2 penalty: [roll0]
Hide in the woods: [roll1]
Spot: [roll2]
Listen: [roll3]

Let's hope I remembered my sneaky shoes today :smallwink:

[demonllama]

Ruhidr

Tensing slightly as yet another companion ghosts into the forest around them, Ruhidr perks up a bit, trying to remain aware of the area around him.


[roll0]
[roll1]

[tehsnarf]

Coignar

Scratching his head slightly and glancing off where his companions vanished to, Coignar attempts to sneak further down the path and draws his crossbow.


Moving 8 hexes down the path, moving silently, hiding.

Hide: [roll0]
Move Silently: [roll1]
Spot: [roll2]
Listen: [roll3]


Oh gods above, please don't let me screw this up... I'm too handsome to die!

[Noldruk]

Kellin

Watching as the others progress into the woods, Kellin utters lowly the incantation of 'Mage Armor'. Eyes locked on the sentries ahead of him, he waits patiently for an opportunity to present itself.


For now, just planning my course of action...

Listen: [roll0]
Spot: [roll1]

[SandDemon]

Durgrin

After trying to think of what to do, knowing full well that if he moved he'd throw away any hope of surprise, he bows his head in prayer with a silent whisper..."May Reorx bless us" He continues his watch on the area for others.

-Cast Bless- +1 on attack rolls and saving throws against fear for the entire group for 4 minutes (think that's 40 rounds)
-Listen check [roll0]
-Spot check [roll1]

[Berand]

Round 22

Taking quick action, the group communicates silently. Coignar, Torkai and Cilene take off along the trail, each crouched low, weapons drawn. Fortunately the sentry doesn't appear to have noticed, as you can still see him faintly through the trees, remaining as he was.

Everyone feels a slight tingle as the blessings of Reorx comes down upon you. Despite all of you peering intently in to the woods, no one spots any new threats.

Somehow, your two plate-mail covered dwarves manage to remain silent and still.

Combat Map:

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g103/jeffster78/banditcamp2.jpg

[Noldruk]

Kellin

Winking at the two dwarves, Kellin moves to follow in the direction Torkai went. Paying careful attention of all that surrounds him, he begins trying to assess the distance to the sentry, as well as how difficult he'd be to hit from this distance.


Listen: [roll0]
Spot: [roll1]
Move Silently: [roll2]

[Ilhares]

Cilene

I really need to watch my step out here.

Having found herself a bit deeper in the trees than intended, Cilene keeps moving toward the sentry.

I may not get there first, but if anyone has trouble with that guy, it won't last long.

Well, as long as she's in the trees, she may as well start on a route that would bring her up "behind" the sentry slightly. If he's watching the trail to the north as well, it'll be easier to try slip into a blindspot.

Sneak: [roll0]

Once stopped-

Hide: [roll1]
Spot: [roll2]
Listen: [roll3]

[Sirrion]

Torkai

Seeing his two companions continue their approach to his right, Torkai shrugs and continues advancing silently through the trees on the left side of the path. He keeps his eyes and ears peeled on his side in case there is a second sentry waiting.

Might as well continue a little further...can set up my ambush further on as well as here and rescue them if they need it.

Torkai will continue moving as far as he can in the trees, keeping hidden and moving silently. And now the rolls...

Move silently with -2 penalty: [roll0]
Hide in the trees: [roll1]
Spot: [roll2]
Listen: [roll3]

[demonllama]

Ruhidr

Ruhidr doesn't do much except remain in a state of readiness for his companions to either return, or to need a dwarven waraxe charging in to help out.

Note to self: Roll something not in plate-mail next time. A monk sounds nice. Get it? "Sounds"? Ugh.
[roll0]
[roll1]

[Berand]

Round 23

The entire team, minus armor-clad dwarves, continues to creep forward. Thus far everyone has managed to remain silent and unnoticed. As you draw nearer to the sentry, you're able to start making out details. At the moment he appears to be distracted with something in his hands, though you can't see what. Fortunately, he's not a very alert sentry.

Kellin starts to move forward behind the main line, while Badigly loosely knocks an arrow, then steps off in to the woods to the right to conceal himself near the dwarves.

Combat map and OOC:

Torkai, Cilene and Coignar can all make it to the sentry on the next round. If you fail your move silently, the sentry automatically wins initiative. If you make it, you automatically get the surprise round, including any sneak attacks. When you post your action, make sure you include a failed sneak and a successful sneak option. If you're doing a ranged attack, you automatically get initiative and don't have to roll your sneak.

Remember everyone is blessed right now.

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g103/jeffster78/banditcamp3.jpg

[demonllama]

Ruhidr

Ruhidr continues his exciting plan of experimentally proving how quickly a motionless dwarf in plate-mail can sink into the ground. As he continues to scan the area, trying to remain aware of where his companions are (and generally failing), a small part of his mind remains focused on a different topic.

I wonder how much it costs to have plate-mail magically silenced...

[demonllama]

Ruhidr

Duh, forgot the rolls:

[roll0]
[roll1]

[Noldruk]

Kellin

Continuing down the path behind the others, Kellin keeps his eyes trained on the unobservant sentry.

Lucky for us this guy doesn't pay attention...


Listen: [roll0]
Spot: [roll1]
Move Silently: [roll2]

I'm also purposely not moving ahead of everyone else, obviously.. going to get as close as I can down the path while still remaining as unseen possible.

[Ilhares]

Cilene

Hmm, I wonder what's got him so distracted. Find out soon enough, I guess.

Continuing to creep forward, Cilene shifts her mace into her off hand, readying something else in her right.

Okay, lots to keep track of, plus contingency plans. During the move, I'll charge up the blade for a psychic strike, as well as pushing some energy into the mace. Gotta finish the sentry quick.

Move Silently: [roll0]
Hide (if necessary): [roll1]

Now, assuming that I, or anyone else, fail to move silently enough and this leaves Cilene outside of melee range, she will rely on Throw Mind Blade, as long as she's within 30 feet of the guy. (that's why she shifted the mace)

Throw: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]
plus: [roll4]
(the blade will dissipate after striking or missing the target)
--
If, somehow, everyone gets in position without blowing it, or she's within melee range by that point - two-weapon assault is the plan.

Mace: [roll5]
M.Dam: [roll6]

Blade: [roll7]
B.Dam: [roll8]
plus: [roll9]

Regardless of how the combat works out, after the first brief exchange, she'll dissipate the blade, no need to advertise that yet.

[Ilhares]

Oh, hey, look at that. Well, just incase I need to confirm the critical:
[roll0]

[Ilhares]

Cilene - Contingency
For Berand:

Initiative, if I should happen to get close enough to clobber this guy as someone else blows it:
[roll0]

[Sirrion]

Torkai

Torkai continues advancing on the sentry, striking when the opportunity arises.

Gonna keep approaching until he notices or until I close to melee range. If he notices, throwing my first dagger.

Okay, some rolls then:
Move silently with -2 penalty: [roll0]
Hide: [roll1]

If ranged attack is needed:
To hit: [roll2]
damage: [roll3]

If melee, dual wielding attack:
To hit primary: [roll4]
Damage primary: [roll5]
Sneak attack primary: [roll6]

To hit secondary: [roll7]
Damage secondary: [roll8]
Sneak attack primary: [roll9]

Think that's it....

[Berand]

Round 24

As Kellin takes his next step forward, his sleeve catches on a dry branch and breaks it off with a loud "snap". The sentries head immediately snaps up, while he searches intently for the source of the noise.

Before the sentry can do more then look however, Cilene and Torkai both spring to their feet out of their concealment. Without hesitation, Cilene sends a gleaming blade whipping toward the sentry, followed immediately by a dagger from Torkai.

Cilene's blade glances off a branch and just misses the sentry. He starts to open his mouth to yell, when Torkai's dagger suddenly buries itself to the hilt in his chest. The sentries eyes grow wide and he gurgles blood before collapsing to the ground.

Everyone remains frozen in place for a second afterward, listening. No unusual noises emanate from the forest, besides the occasional gurgle from the sentry.

As everyone gathers near the fallen sentry, Badigly looks around cautiously. "If they had a sentry out here, we're probably very close to the hideout. I know the area, so I'll scout ahead and see what's there while you guys wait here," he says in a whisper. He slings his bow over his shoulder, then sets off at a creep through the woods.

He comes back a few minutes later, nodding his head silently. Even quieter then before, he whispers "It's them, they're about a hundred yards ahead of us. There are several foot trails that merge with the area. I saw two guards at the entrance to the bowl, but I didn't get close enough to look more. There's smoke from a small fire too." He picks up a stick and draws a map in the dirt:

Map:


The green areas are the wilderness at ground-level. The orange areas represent a stone and dirt floor 15' below the green areas. The vertical faces going up to the green parts are mostly crumbling stone. The darker brown areas are an earthen ramp descending from ground level to 15' below. The gray areas are a rocky overhang which has been enclosed by simple wooden walls with an open door.

You can move silently in the green areas at the same -2 penalty as before. The two guys marked at the entrance are the only two guys Badigly reported seeing, because he didn't try to get closer.

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g103/jeffster78/banditcampbadigly.jpg

[Ilhares]

Cilene

Cilene spends the time of Badigly's forward scouting to loot the fallen sentry of any valuables, pulling the small blade out and wiping it off before flipping it back to Torkai.

Upon Badigly's return...

Hmm, this could prove a lot more interesting that I expected.

"I was thinking I could move over here, keeping to the forest and skirting the sides like so-"

She marks a spot on the east side of the "bowl" just inside the tree line, directly across from the sentry on the left side of the path (M1), "- which would give me a much better view of the area, and they probably don't have too many lookouts that far from the obvious trails."

Search: [roll0]
for the body.

I've given up on diplomacy today, if it's needed, I'll let Berand roll it.

[Berand]

Round 24a

Cilene

You don't find anything unusual on the sentry. A few coins, a broken hand crossbow, a longsword, a medium shield, and some simple studded leather. Also, a love letter he had been writing to his wife and seven small children back home on the main land, about how daddy's doing his best to make some money so the kids can stop eating shoe leather and sleeping in gutters warmed up by fresh human waste in the winter so they don't freeze to death. And you ****ers killed him. Jerks.

Okay, just kidding. About the last part. You still only found junk on him, I meant that part.

[Noldruk]

Kellin

Looking to Torkai for a moment, Kellin grins lightly. 'I say Torkai and I head to that overhang, and honestly, anyone else who can fire at a range, and get a better look inside. We can likely sneak a peek over that door, which I'd say is a good idea before we start charging into the place. Also, when you all are set, we can hit them from two fronts..' Shrugging to himself, yet taking their agreement for granted, Kellin beckons Torkai and begins to head in the direction of the overhang.


Constant scan on the area while moving quietly!
Spot: [roll0]
Listen: [roll1]
Move Silently: [roll2]

[Sirrion]

Torkai

Torkai nods to Kellin and sheaths his daggers. Pulling his shortbow from his back, he fits an arrow to it and checks the string for any weaknesses or damage. Seeming content with it, he glances back to the rest of the party whispering quietly "Get as close as you can to those guards without drawing their attention, then wait for the mage's signal. I'm not sure what it will be, but if you see a blast of flame or something of the sort appear, you can wager that their attention will be back towards camp for a moment or two. We'll pick as many off as we can, then jump down below to aid you with what's left if need be."

With that, he turns back to Kellin and follows him around the valley.

Here are my rolls:
Spot: [roll0]
Listen: [roll1]
Move silently with -2: [roll2]

[Ilhares]

Cilene

Cilene nods a full agreement towards Kellin, "Exactly. No offense to the sturdier folk here intended, but you can't sneak in very likely. You can definitely draw attention when necessary, though. Once we have some idea what's going on inside, they can pin people from above with their fire, be it bows or magical, which will force a split of their forces."

Pointing at Durgrin and Ruhidr (what is it with dwarves and difficult to spell names?), she continues, "If you two dwarves go charging up the path after we determine their numbers (if it looks like a good idea), the odds are good the sentries would call out for some backup, which leaves the more stealthy among us to be able to drop down into the bowl and come up behind those forces. Thoughts?"

[demonllama]

Ruhidr

Grumbling under his breath, Ruhidr settles in for more waiting while he listens to Kellin slip not so quietly into the trees. "Well, I suppose we're doing what Kellin likes if we don't want to leave him to hang. Kiri-Jolith willing, Cilene and the others will get into position just fine."

"I don't know about Durgrin, but I'm going to try to get as close as I can before this begins."

Still, musing that it might not be best to let his guard down, he continues to scan the area to see if he notices anyone trying to sneak up after the little ruckus.


For every round that we gloss over because we assume travel, I re-roll these checks, of course.
[roll0]
[roll1]

Okay, I know it's silly, but since the people trying to get around to the other side have farther to go, I have plenty of time to do this. I'm going to walk normally for 150', then switch to Move Silently at a -8 penalty. Yes, that sucks, but they suffer -1 per 10' of distance, so they're still at a -20 penalty at that point.

At 100', provided combat hasn't started, I'm going to cast Bless Weapon on my +1 waraxe.

At any distance, once I notice things going down, so either A) I hear combat start ahead, or B) I'm noticed, I start normal movement trying to get to combat. Once I get to 40' distance from the guards, either without being noticed (could happen!) or just because we're running toward each other, I charge, bellowing a warcry.

I'm assuming that when combat starts we'll get a chance to make those rolls, so I'm leaving them off for now :P

[Berand]

Round 25

Decisiveness is the theme of the day. Proclaiming what they're going to do, everyone marches off to get it done. Fortunately, as you draw nearer to the camp, you hear the sounds of laughter and conversation, and smell cooking food. The camp is definitely not on high alert.

Drugrin and Ruhdir start up the center of the path, which slowly widens and joins other paths that see more traffic, doing what they can to stifle their armor and delay notice.

Cilene shakes her head as everyone moves off, then takes off through the woods to get in to her vantage point above the bowl. Coignar chuckles, reloads his crossbow, and follows.

Torkai and Kellin start flanking the bowl, moving through the woods to the left.

Badigly, unsure whether he's witnessing foolhardiness or the operation of a well-oiled military machine that doesn't need to make detailed plans, shakes his head and runs toward a vantage to the left side looking in to the bowl, an arrow knocked in his bow.

Despite a few twigs snapping along the way, the general inattentiveness of the bandits works hugely in your favor. Clearly this isn't exactly a well-organized military group. While the dwarves amble silently (Well, almost silently. We'll say, definitely quieter then a freight train.) toward the front gate, the rest of the group is able to sneak in to position.

Nearing the edge to peer down, Kellin breaks another twig. One of the guards (M3) looks up suspiciously. Not entirely sure of himself yet, he picks up his shield from the ground next to him and places his hand on the hilt of the axe strapped to his back over his right shoulder. He's a particularly huge man, and looks far more grizzled then most of the bandits in the open.

Taking a quick glance through the open door leading under the overhang, Torkai is able to make out four unknown persons inside. The other five bandits (U1-U5) are sitting around a fire near the entrance, most of them with weapons and packs resting against the near-by wall.

Combat Map:

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g103/jeffster78/banditcamp2-1.jpg


The huge guard (M3), still not sure if he's hearing things, chimes up. "Hey, look alive you bastards, I heard something." Again, fortune is in your favor, as the five unarmed bandits and the two guards at the front all spin around, peering toward the spot where Kellin and Torkai are.

At this point Ruhidr and Drugrin draw in to range, unseen by Kellin's inadverdent distraction. They look at each other, give a good knowing dwarven nod, then lower their heads and charge their respective guards.

Initiative:

You got in to position sneakily, but the noise at least put the camp on alert. Everyone needs to roll initiative to make their first attacks.

Initative for the bandits:

The five unarmed guys (U1-U5):
[roll0]

The two at the entrance (M1, M2):
[roll1] (Penalty for looking the wrong way, then suddenly turning around and seeing matching freight trains charging at you)

The big one with the axe (M3):
[roll2]

The four inside (?1-?4):
[roll3]


OOC2:

It sounds like everyone will be in and out this weekend, so the pace will slow down now. Plus Jon is supposed to be back. Unless everyone goes, the next post wont be for 24 hours.

[Ilhares]

Cilene

Great Helm, look at the size of that guy.. well, at least I get to-- oh hell!

Slipping down into the bowl, Cilene makes a quick move (hopefully unseen) towards one of the bandits around the fire. An unarmed target is just as good as an armed one -only softer!
You know, I've always hated U2, so he's at the top of tonight's play list.

Moving to be directly south of U2 (so U1 isn't in reach, tempting as it might be), Cilene will take a crack at U2's noggin while he isn't looking at her. Unless she fails to move up quietly, in which case the attack can be converted to a body shot (and you can let me have that +4 back)

Initiative: [roll0]
Sneaky: [roll1]
Attack: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]

In the event U2 tries to counter-attack Cilene, or U1 comes forward to try and get friendly:

Attack of Opportunity: [roll4]
AoO Damage: [roll5]

Though unarmed attacks generally provoke the AoO, I'm assuming since I dont have the feats for more than one per round, I dont actually get to take full advantage all the openings they may present.

[demonllama]

Ruhidr

Roaring "For Kiri-Jolith!", Ruhidr charges in against the guard*, swinging his waraxe viciously.


Per my earlier post, Bless Weapon is up (Berand, how many rounds does it have left? Started with 40.)
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/blessweapon.htm

* "the guard" being M1

AC is currently 18; 20-2 to AC due to charging
+2 charge bonus to Attack Roll

[roll0]
[roll1] EDIT: Forgot to add +1 per Durgrin's Bless, so.. if you forgive me the slipup, add 1 to the Attack Roll
[roll2]

[Noldruk]

Kellin

Taking a slight pause to bring his crossbow up, Kellin fires a bolt directly at the big man with the axe, aiming for the weakest point in his armor.


Initiative: [roll0]
Attack Roll - Ranged: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]

[Sirrion]

Torkai

Sticking two arrows in the ground and pulling the bowstring back to his ear, Torkai sights down the shaft of the arrow, aiming at the large man that seems to have taken notice of them. Slowing his breathing down, Torkai steadies his hand, checks his sight again, then releases the string launching the arrow straight at the man. As soon as the arrow leaves the bow, he drops back to down cover reaching for a second arrow to fit to the bow.

Rolls as follows... Attacking M3
Initiative: [roll0]
To hit: [roll1]
(I may be wrong, but with ranged combat it says for each full range increment take a -2 penalty, since it looks like he is more than 70', I took -2 from my roll as it is one full range increment away, but not a second full increment)
Damage: [roll2]

That should do it.

[Sirrion]

Crit time:
To confirm: [roll0]
Extra damage (composite shortbow is x3): [roll1] and add that to my earlier damage roll

[SandDemon]

Durgrin

Roaring loudly as he charges in, Durgrin leaps forward at the soldier with a quick slam with his hammer aimed at the unknowing man's head. "Let Reorx sort um OUT!"


Target: M2
My AC is also currently 18, -2 to AC due to charging
+2 charge bonus to Attack Roll

Initiative - [roll0]
Attack - [roll1] (+2 charge, +1 bless)
Damage - [roll2]

And ya I'm back, just got in....4am to 9pm driving from Colorado to California, and yet I still post before I sleep. Dedication, baby!

Edit: And I critical miss....the irony

[Berand]

Round 26

All chaos breaks loose as the party opens fire. As soon as the dwarves charge the front entrance, all four people under the overhang come running out (?1-?4 become M4, M5, C1, B1. C=Cleric, B=Bowman). The first two charge toward the front gate, one drawing an axe the other a sword. The cleric and the bowman roll to a stop just outside the door, where the bowman snaps off a shot at Torkai, the first person he sees. His shot sails wide however, and he begins frantically reloading.

Torkai and Kellin, who had both begun lining up shots on the large axe-bearing bandit (M3), let fly. Kellin's flies wide, but Torkai lands a devastating shot around a crease in the man's armor, causing some heavy bleeding. The bandit, seeing Torkai and Kellin are out of reach, takes off running for the front gate while holding his shield up. Badigly sees him coming and lets an arrow fly from cover, which sticks harmlessly in the bandit's shield.

Meanwhile, Cilene hops off the ledge and swiftly sneaks up on the unsuspecting target (U2) who has turned toward the front gate. She brings her mace crunching in to his ribs with all her strength, causing him to whirl around in surprise. He manages to swing up one fist, glancing off Cilene's ribs in turn, but leaving him open for a counter attack. Cilene's backstroke takes him on the shoulder, clearly injuring him.

Cilene

-4 hps


Seeing Cilene charge in, Coignar takes careful aim with his crossbow and gets off two shots before anyone can do anything. Both land with a solid "thunk" in to one of the bandits (U5), causing some pretty extensive injuries. Besides the one engaged with Cilene, all of the unarmed men begin scrambling for the walls to pick up the weapons laying there.

Up at the front gate, both dwarves have connected with their targets. Ruhidr's axe leaves a bleeding gash on the surprised guard, who attempts to react with a blow from his own sword. He only manages to send a spark flying off Ruhidr's armor, however. Drugrin meanwhile stumbles on his approach, crashing off the rock wall and in to the guard, almost dropping his hammer. The guard brings his own weapon down on Drugrin, but the bad angle doesn't allow him to get any strength in to it, and he causes no damage.

Combat Map:

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g103/jeffster78/NewMap1.jpg

[demonllama]

Ruhidr

Noticing Durgrin's predicament from the corner of his eye, Ruhidr sets aside his twinge of concern for Durgrin to concentrate on the guard in front of him. Hoping to keep the guard off-balance, he quickly brings his axe around for another blow.


This is against M1, of course. Note that the charge wore off, so that my Attack's down by 2, and my AC is back up to 20.

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]


Need to finish this guard an' hope Durgrin can see to himself...

[Noldruk]

Kellin

With a grin, Kellin lifts his hands in an ominous and forboding way, casting a spell of pain, doom, and brimstone. Aiming at the cleric, he unleashes bolts of fiery devastation!!


Initiative: [roll0]
Ranged Attack Roll: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]

[Ilhares]

Cilene

Unwilling to relent on her current object of affection, Cilene decides the best option might be the insulting one, as she goes to backhand the bandit before following through with her mace.


TWF FTW? Well, we can hope.
Backhand: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

Mace: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]

If that puts this guy down, she'll sprint towards M2 to help the dwarf finish him off. If not.. well.. merde.

[tehsnarf]

Coignar

Laughing almost madly, Coignar relieves himself of his crossbow and draws his short sword and moves in closer to U5 for a more intimate conversation...


Initiative: [roll0]
Attack Roll: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]

[Sirrion]

Torkai

Wincing as the bowman's shot just misses him, Torkai drops his bow and draws both daggers as he leaps down and closes in to the man that just shot at him. As he closes, Torkai makes a feint with his daggers before striking hard.

Going to make a feint first to see if I can catch him flat-footed for a sneak attack.

Bluff (feint): [roll0]

To hit primary: [roll1]
Damage primary: [roll2]
Sneak attack primary: [roll3]

To hit secondary: [roll4]
Damage Secondary: [roll5]
Sneak attack Secondary: [roll6]

Should be it. Sorry about late post, just got back into town.

Whoops, posted too quickly without thinking. Ignore the feint and sneak attack damage cause I moved (normally feint replaces my move action with improved feint). Sorry!

[Berand]

Round 27

Quickly taking in the condition of the battle and the advantageous position many of their attackers hold, the cleric chants a quick prayer. A black, magical flail coalesces in the air next to Kellin, where it swings immediately in to his back. Maintaining his composure despite the wound, Kellin sends a jet of magical flame toward his attacker. It engulfs him completely, setting his robes on fire. The bandit cleric tries frantically to roll around on the ground and put the flames out, but after a few seconds his shrieks end and he lies still, smoldering. As he looses consciousness, the magical flail vanishes as suddenly as it appeared.

The bandit next to the cleric draws his bow back and takes quick aim at Torkai again, letting his arrow fly. It lands solidly in Torkai's shoulder, only partially penetrating the armor, but still causing some bleeding. Cursing, Torkai takes a leap off the wall, whips his daggers out in the air, closes on the bandit and sticks both in to his torso. The bowman gapes in pain and surprise at the unexpected move, but manages to throw his bow down and reach for his sword.

The other two bandits that came out of the door, unaware of their comrade's fiery demise, run straight for the nearest target they can see, in this case Cilene. One of them (M4), is dressed in an ornate greathelm and carries a large axe. He makes it to the fight first, and swings at Cilene viciously. He manages only a glancing blow off Cilene's armor, but still inflicts some harm. His companion (M5) is blocked by M4's position, and starts to move around behind him to get in position on Cilene. He is interrupted by Coignar's sudden charge, and though the attack misses, Coignar successfully distracts the bandit from attempting to flank Cilene.

Enraged and bleeding, the unarmed bandit (U5) tries to leap for Cilene in an effort to grapple her to the ground while she's distracted by M4's axe blow. She doesn't hesitate at the opening this maneuver leaves, as her mace comes down on top of his head with a sickening crunch. He topples limply to one side.

The remaining unarmed guards manage to scramble and pick up their weapons (U4=M9, U5=M8, U1=M6, U3=M7). Two of them (M6 and M7) charge toward the dwarves at the front gate. The other two (M8 and M9) charge in to Cilene and Coignar, daggers drawn. M9 takes a stab at Cilene from an awkward angle, missing completely. M8 charges in to Coignar, sticking him in the arm with his dagger and drawing blood.

As M3 runs toward the front gate, Badigly takes the chance to get another shot off with his bow. Unfortunately the shot is just a hair behind the running bandit, and thunks harmlessly in to the dirt.

Up at the front gate, Ruhidr takes a swing and disembowels the guard in front of him (M1). He drops his weapon as his hands go to his gut, trying to hold his insides in. To no avail, unfortunately for him. Drugrin, annoyed by his stumble to begin the fight, brings his warhammer around in a particularly heavy blow, crunching through M2's attempts at defense and breaking bones. The two guards who had just acquired their weapons then make it in to the fray. M7 goes for Ruhidr, but his attack is foiled when he stumbles over the body of his dead companion. M6 takes a swing at Drugrin, but his attack is ineffective against the dwarf's heavy armor.

Combat Map:

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g103/jeffster78/NewMap2.jpg


Damage Report:


Kellin takes 7 damage from C1's spiritual weapon spell.
C1 is incapacitated from Kellin's scorching ray spell.
Torkai takes 7 damage from B1's arrow.
B1 is wounded by Torkai.
Cilene takes 4 damage from M4s axe.
U5 is killed by Cilene's mace.
Coignar takes 4 damage from M8's dagger.
M1 is killed by Ruhidr's axe.
M2 is wounded badly by Drugrin.

[Sirrion]

Torkai

Facing one on one with the former bowman, Torkai makes a second strike at the bowman.

This time, no feint again. If my attacks hit and kill him, I want to move down towards M5, approaching him from behind (not closing all the way, but so that I can move and strike next round). Going to make a move silently check to see if I can avoid him hearing me.

If the bowman is still alive after my attacks, I stay here to finish him.

To hit primary: [roll0]
Damage primary: [roll1]

To hit secondary: [roll2]
Damage secondary: [roll3]

Move silently: [roll4]

[Ilhares]

Cilene

Oh, come on! Damned are ye daft? Guess I don't have much choice.

While muttering and gripping her mace tightly, twin strands of cerulean and crimson energy flow around Cilene's other hand, forming into a tinted blade just as she lunges at her target.

"Die, damn you!"
Using her move action for the round to manifest the Mind Blade. Free action to charge the mace.

Victim: M4
TWF penalty applied.

Initiative: [roll0]

Mace Attack: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]

Blade Attack: [roll3]
Damage: [roll4]

[Noldruk]

Kellin

Only slightly battered, Kellin jumps down into the bowl, charging towards M5 and the others, stopping roughly halfway to them. With their backs to him, focussing on Cilene and Coignar, Kellin takes it as the perfect opportunity to send a stream of fire scorching in his direction. With a look of grim determination, he takes aim and unleashes the torrent!


Initiative: [roll0]
Scorching Ray: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]

[demonllama]

Ruhidr

Grinning as M7s stumbles into range, Ruhidr steps around M1's remains and brings his axe across his body to bring down his next foe.


Against M7:
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]


Durgrin can handle himself. When this one's dead, I need to get over and help the others. By Kiri-Jolith, Coignar is almost completely surrounded!

[SandDemon]

Durgrin

"Aien't nothin' gonna take me down!" Bringing his hammer down for the final blow, Durgrin lashes out at the wounded guard before him.


Initiative - [roll0]
Attack - [roll1](+1 bless)
Damage - [roll2]

[SandDemon]

Confirming critical: [roll0]
If I critical...

A thundering weapon creates a cacophonous roar like thunder upon striking a successful critical hit. The sonic energy does not harm the wielder. A thundering weapon deals an extra 1d8 points of sonic damage on a successful critical hit. If the weapon’s critical multiplier is ×3, add an extra 2d8 points of sonic damage instead, and if the multiplier is ×4, add an extra 3d8 points of sonic damage. Bows, crossbows, and slings so crafted bestow the sonic energy upon their ammunition. Subjects dealt a critical hit by a thundering weapon must make a DC 14 Fortitude save or be deafened permanently.

So add 2d8+deafen plus triple damage. <booming voice>HEADSHOT!

Didn't roll, assuming he's super dead.

[tehsnarf]

Coignar


"Are you effing serious?! Why won't you die already!" Coignar screams before swinging his sword back around at his previous target.




Init: [roll0]
Hit: [roll1]
Dam: [roll2]

[tehsnarf]

OOC: Crit rolls...

Threatened crit: [roll0]
Crit dam: [roll1]

[Berand]

Round 28

The battle is now fully-joined, as everyone jumps in to the melee. The bandit fighting Torkai manages to get his sword out of its sheath and take a swing, but Torkai dodges easily and answers with another slash from one of his daggers, leaving the bandit looking severely wounded.. Seizing on the opportunity, Kellin jumps in to the bowl and begins dashing behind Torkai to join the battle around the camp fire.

Now almost surrounded, Coignar and Cilene both lash out viciously, knowing that hesitation could mean death. Her mindblade appearing back in her free hand, Cilene lunges for the large helmeted bandit (M4), who deflects her mace off his shield, but is unable to block her mindblade, which scores a solid hit on him. Coignar's shortsword lands a glancing blow off another bandit (M5), drawing some blood.

The helmeted bandit (M4) snarls and yells out to his troops "Come on you bastards, they brought us a woman!" He laughs and swings his axe again, attempting to whack Cilene in the side of the head with the flat portion. She easily deflects the blow with her buckler. She looks a little angry at the guy.

The bandit Coignar hit (M5) returns the favor, swinging his sword in such a wild fashion that he nearly lodges it in the bandit next to him after Coignar ducks. The momentum knocks the bandit off his feet, sending him to his knees in the dirt. Seeing his companions pathetic swing, M8 stabs at Coignar with his dagger. Fortunately Coignar carries his momentum from the acrobatic duck of the first attack over, as he continues around and deftly dodges this attack. Now facing completely backward from where he started, Coignar has a clean view of the next bandit (M9) as he tries to maneuver in to flanking position on Cilene. Catching the opportunity, he lashes out with his dagger and scores a hit on the bandit's thigh as he moves. He finally completes his spinning dodge facing straight back at the bandit he began with (M5). If anyone were watching, they would have applauded for sure.

Alerted to the bandit attempting to flank her by Coignar's move, Cilene whips her mace behind her after the other bandit's shield deflects it, catching the flanker square in the chest as he maneuvers behind her. The mace's power discharges in a flash of light, sending the bandit sprawling on his back, unconscious.

Just then Kellin finishes running toward the battle, and promptly unleashes a jet of flame in to the back of the unsuspecting bandit (M5) that just fell prone on the ground. The man screams as his clothes start smoldering.

Up at the gate to the bowl, the dwarves battle on. Grimacing, Ruhidr brings his axe down in an over-head swing, crunching sickeningly in to his new target's (M7) skull. He keels over dead right on top of his already-dead companion. Ruhidr takes the opportunity to laugh and looks at Drugrin with a bit of pride, as if to say "Top that!".

With a matching dwarven grimace, Drugrin brings his hammer down in a full over-head swing of his own. As the blow connects with his targets (M2) skull, a deafening peal of thunder splits the air. The force of the impact crushes the bandit's head down in to his shoulders, sending gore flying everywhere. Everyone in the immediate vicinity is rocked back on their heels from the magical blast. Drugrin glances over at Ruhidr with his own grin, but graciously doesn't comment. Probably because the large bandit with the axe (M3) immediately knocks the body out of the way and swings at Drugrin. The blow lands heavily on Drugrin's shoulder, obviously causing some damage, but the dwarf shrugs most of it off.

The other bandit at the gate (M6), still rocked back on his heels from the blast, stares in awe at what just happened to his two comrades. Without another word he throws his sword to the ground and takes off running between the two dwarves, trying to get away from these insane creatures. Both dwarves swing in unison as the bandit tries to take off, Ruhidr connecting high on his back and Drugrin low on his thigh. The blows send the man tumbling forward a few steps, where he feebly continues to try and crawl toward the woods.

From his perch up on the ledge, Badigly is staring with his mouth agape, his bow held limply in his hands. He manages to get out a "Wow", but no one is close enough to hear.

Combat Map:

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g103/jeffster78/NewMap3.jpg

Edit: Note that M9 behind Cilene is dead. Had to edit the post to include her charged mace damage, and didn't feel like re-doing the map to indicate that.


Damage Report:


Torkai further wounds B1.
Cilene wounds M4 with her sword.
Cilene gets an AoO on M9 with her mace, killing him.
Coignar wounds M5 with his sword.
Coignar gets an AoO on M9 with his sword.
Kellin burns M5 pretty badly.
Ruhidr kills M7.
Drugrin kills M2.
Ruhidr wounds M6 badly in an AoO.
Drugrin wounds M6 badly in an AoO.
M5 is prone for the next round due to critical miss.
Drugrin takes 5 damage from M3's axe.

[Sirrion]

Torkai

With a quick nervous glance at the darting form of Kellin heading towards the heat of combat, Torkai growls "Will you die already?!" at the man in front of him. With that, he lunges again trying to finish the bowman off.

Okay, gonna try again to finish him and then move towards the main battle south of me (not all the way into the fray, just close enough to strike next round).

Primary attack: [roll0]
Primary damage: [roll1]

Secondary attack: [roll2]
Secondary damage: [roll3]

Gonna move silently on my way south as well:
Move silently: [roll4]

[Noldruk]

Kellin

Viewing the smoldering body of M5 as little threat, Kellin turns his attention now to M8, unleashing another fiery attack!


Initiative: [roll0]
Scorching Ray: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]

[Ilhares]

Cilene

Grimacing somewhat angrily as Cilene curls her mace forward under her arm, she keeps it twirling as she makes eye contact her her helmed adversary.

"They didn't bring you a woman. I brought the men to teach you a lesson."

Smug bastard.

"Unless you'd care to surrender?"

With a small pulse of light from the glowing blade in her hand, Cilene again makes a move on her large opponent, bring the mace and the blade both across her body.

Let's use that move action to power up ye olde psychic strike.
OK, for sake of "being nice", let's assume there's a chance he actually considers surrender.
Diplomacy: [roll0]

Realistically, he probably won't, and her attack won't be halted mid-stride.

Mace: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]

Blade: [roll3]
Damage:[roll4]
More Damage: [roll5]

[SandDemon]

Durgrin

Glaring deeply at his opponent, he lifts his holy warhammer that is covered in skull fragments and brain matter in mock salute. Silencing the unworthy who dare hit him, Durgrin seems grim in his determination to destroy this life that stands before him.


Initiative - [roll0]
Attack - [roll1](+1 bless)
Damage - [roll2]

[tehsnarf]

Coignar

What in the hells just happened there... damn.. I really AM that good! Seeing as though I've drawn so much blood of these piss-ants already, might as well continue!

Coignar grins at his own acrobatics, only slightly looking astonished, and then jumps back in attacking the bastard that attempted to skewer him before!



Attacking M5 while he's prone.

Init: [roll0]
Hit: [roll1]
Dam: [roll2]+[roll3]

Not sure if I get sneak attack damage on him or not, but I rolled it anyway. (It's the +2d6 roll)

[demonllama]

Ruhidr

Ruhidr shouts, "Badigly!" while gesturing at the fleeing bandit (well, M6 and crawling, more like). Hoping that Badigly is able to see what he was shouting about, Ruhidr lowers his head and charges towards the bandit in the greathelm, bellowing a full-throated warcry to Kiri-Jolith, and raising his axe to strike.


Okay, AC is 18 due to charge, but with +2 Attack
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
Edit: Woo, smack

[Berand]

Round 29

Cursing at how long this was taking, Torkai finally sidesteps a blow from the bandit (B1) then brings one of his daggers up solidly in to his gut. The bandit crumples over Torkai's arm, then slowly falls to the ground. Without wasting a second, Torkai looks up to find the next target.

He does so just in time to see Kellin burn one of the bandits, who keels over with a screech, followed by Coignar driving his sword to the hilt in the back of the prone bandit. Cilene lands a minor glancing blow on the shoulder of the bandit leader, making sure his attention lies on her just long enough for Ruhidr to charge full-force in to his back, axe leading the way, sending the bandit's weapon flying from his hands and dropping him to his knees.

Bleeding heavily, the bandit leader takes only a second to look about, seeing nearly every one of his men lying dead on the ground or fleeing. He hangs his head dejectedly, and throws his arms up in surrender.

The only fight still going on is at the gate. The one bandit still on his feet (M3) has gone entirely berserk, blood flowing from multiple wounds, swinging his axe at Drugrin like a mad man. His wild blows miss the dwarf, but the sheer power behind it all keeps Drugrin from likewise landing a solid blow.

Combat Map:

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g103/jeffster78/NewMap4.jpg


Damage Summary:

You guys whacked everyone except M3 and M4. M3 is badly hurt but going berserk. M4 (the leader) was dropped to 3 hps and surrenders rather then dying fighting.

Badigly ran off after M6, who was bleeding and crawling frantically for the woods.

[Ilhares]

Cilene

I'll be damned.

With her current foe submitting, Cilene takes a peek around. Seeing the frothing battle towards the gate, she decides she might as well exhaust a little pent up anger. Turning to look towards the entry to the bowl, she snaps her arm out, flinging the energy from her hand, sending the blade flying towards the last fighting bandit guard.


Attack! (Thrown Mind blade, with -2 for extra range) - [roll0]
damage: [roll1]
More damage: [roll2]

[demonllama]

Ruhidr

"Give a dwarf a fancy hammer, an' look what happens to him," mutters Ruhidr under his breath.

After glancing at both Cilene and Coignar, he decides that they're not likely to leave the surrendered bandit's side while the fight continues. Hopefully he's right. Tightening his grip on his waraxe, he briefly mouths a quick prayer and then wearily turns to charge back up behind the one gone berserk.


Yet another charge. Wee.
[roll0]
[roll1] (charging again; +2)
[roll2]


Against a normal warrior, Durgrin'd be fine, but if that berserker gets a lucky hit...

[Berand]

Round 30

With a grunt, Cilene sends her glowing mindblade in a whirling flight, connecting square in the back of the berserk bandit. As soon as the blade leaves Cilene's hands, Ruhidr turns and charges back to where he came, connecting a split second after the mindblade and sending the bandit flying forward, tripping head-over-heals on Drugrin's stout form, then crashing to the ground with his neck twisted in a very awkward direction.

---

A few minutes later, Badigly returns from the woods. He shakes his head. "I caught up to that fella that was crawling away, but he went and bled himself to death before I got there."

He looks around at the carnage and shakes his head. "That were some bit of fighting mates, I must admit I thought we were dead when the fight started." He laughs, though sounds a bit strained. "Reminds me why I took to the woods rather then enlisting in the militia! Well done anyway, the Knights will be overjoyed. Although I suggest we do a quick search of the place, decide what we're doing with this bastard. and get on our way. I'm sure there are still bandits around, there's no way this was all of them. Besides, with all that fighting we need to hustle to get back to camp before nightfall."

Rewards:

Everyone gets 1867 exp

Everyone splits up to quickly search through the camp and the dead bodies. You find:

2d10x1000 = 12,000 silver
6d4x100 gold = 1500 gold
5d6x10 platinum = 80 platinum

Which adds up to 2000 silver, 250 gold and 13 platinum each.

In addition to the cash:
- Torkai takes a plain dagger +1 from the bowman he finished off.
- Coignar takes a special thieves cloak +1 off one of the dagger-wielding bandits.
- Kellin finds a ring of protection +1 on the charred remains of the cleric. It's a little blackened, but it still works!
- Drugrin takes a heavy steel shield +2 off the dead berserker.
- Ruhidr relieves the captive leader of his greathelm, which appears to be of dwarven make witha +1 AC enchantment.
- Cilene finds a suit of spiked studded leather armor +1 on one of the smaller dagger-wielding bandits that fits her just fine, and managed to survive the fight in-tact. Probably because the previous owner died from an axe blow to the head.

During your search of the place, you get some chances to find other valuables. Coignar and Torkai both have +7 to search, Cilene is +3, the dwarves 0, and Kellin +1. You get 5 chances to find things, each with a base 30% chance (70-100), adjusted 1 point for each of the groups search abilities (+18). So, anything 52-100 is a random magic item.

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]

If you get any I'll follow up with a post tomorrow for the details. For now, sort out what you're doing with the surviving leader and any healing, then get a move on. :)

[Ilhares]

Cilene

This could have gone a lot worse, but we've had worse days. A solid night of sleep, and I'll be almost 100 percent.

"Well now..."

Looking at the helmed bandit, Cilene smiles almost(!) pleasantly. "What say you behave yourself and I'll even give you a ride on my horse?"

Just might have a use for those manacles yet.

[Noldruk]

Kellin

Smiling as his companions all mount up, Kellin takes a final glance around the bowl. Chuckling to himself, he mounts his borrowed-steed and begins following Badigly back to the mining camp, idly fingering a blackened ring during the ride..

Time to find some ale...

[SandDemon]

Durgrin

Muttering under his breath at the lack of finale as he pushes the body of himself, he barks at the group "Dinna need help ya bastids...ruining my trainin', see who gets Reorx blessin' now!" Grumbling as he moves on and ponders carrying his old shield to sell, he reluctantly decides to throw it aside so he doesn't slow down his march with the others. Splintering it with a solid blow from his warhammer, some can hear him say "Aien' no one touchin' mah things, old er nah." Least I'm not far from ending this debt now...

[Sirrion]

Torkai

Torkai grins at his new dagger, emptying a sheath in a boot of a normal dagger to tuck the new one in it's new home. Retrieving his bow and the two arrows stuck in the ground by it, Torkai joins the rest of the party mounting up and riding back to the camp.

"Not bad for a day of rest. Little action to start, time for some booze and food to finish it."

[demonllama]

Ruhidr

Glancing at Durgrin, Ruhidr walks over to Coignar, Torkai, and Kellin. Placing his hands on the worst of their wounds, he bows his head in silent prayer. A soft white glow suffuses his hands as the wounds heal while you watch.

"There now, that should take the edge off, though you'll be needing a little bit of rest to finish the job. May Kiri-Jolith watch over you."


Okay, I can heal 12 hps per day, so... I'd say 4 to each of'm.


Hard-headed, stubborn Forger; he should know better. Against that berserker, he was the anvil an' we was the hammer. Beautiful t'see.

Muttering something about "...practicing teamwork..." under his breath, Ruhidr gets ready for the journey back to camp.

[Berand]

Round 31

You quickly shake the bandit cove down, then bind the leader and march him down the deer trail and back to the horses, who haven't wandered far. You remove their hobbles, throw the bandit leader over the rump of Cilene's horse, and hit the trail.

Badigly gets you back to the mining camp at dusk. As you're busy dismounting, Sir Rostham and one of his Knights comes out to greet you.

"I was worried you were going to stand us up for the shipment tomorrow." He looks everyone over, before settling his eyes on the bandit leader tied to the horses rump. "Now who's this?" He walks over and leans down to take a look. "Well well. If it isn't Georgi." The bandit grimaces. Sir Rostham looks up at the group. "You found the bandit camp then? We suspected this one had gone off in hiding, we didn't realize he was organizing things. He used to be a captain in the town militia, but he took off when it was discovered he was stealing from the soldiers payment fund. There will be some people back in Engoth VERY happy to see you again, Georgi."

"We'll need you to take him with you on the wagons back to Engoth tomorrow, so he can stand trial. Make sure you give your testimony to the Knights when you get back to town. You've done all of Engoth a great service. If any of you were considering attempting to earn your way in to the Knighthood, it would be my honor to write letters of accommodation that I'm sure the recruiters would take in to account. For now I suggest you all get some rest, the wagons leave in nine hours." Several other Knights come over and secure the bandit and lead him away.


If any or all of your characters would want to try to become a Knight, I suggest asking him more about it. If your characters are not interested, or only some of you are, it's workable either way.

When you're done head to bed. I wont be able to post tonight (it's the girlfriend's birthday), so the next round wont come till tomorrow.

[tehsnarf]

Coignar

"Ah, no uh, sir. No letter of recommendation for me. My thanks anyway. I'll see the rest of you in the morning, bright and early, then?" With that, Coignar turns on his heel and heads back to the tent he spent the previous night in.

[Ilhares]

Cilene

Listening to the banter from various parties after their return from the raid - I wonder if it's considered a raid, since we took out those who conduct raids. Would it be a police action? Mercenary? I'll ask later- Cilene decides that the Knights might be useful allies down the line.

"While my friend William may not seem terribly concerned about such, I think that is due more to his being tired this evening rather than intentionally dismissing such honors. I would be delighted to discuss such things with you, if you are not too tired, Sir Rostham."

GM info:
Don't sound bitchy. Don't sound bitchy.

Diplomacy: [roll0]

If he takes her up on it and there is an option for private discussion, she would express a concern not so much for serving IN the Knighthood, but perhaps as a valued ally who may be useful being attached to them for certain missions of interest. She's plenty capable of understanding that sometimes to achieve Justice you need to have respectable helping hands who cannot be blatantly singled out as Knights by those who wish to undermine legitimate legal pursuits.

She would also be willing enough to honestly present herself as Ciriana Magdalene, marginally peripheral cousin to House Brenath (deep south), and her occasional consort William, of no known noble birth.

While not asking for aid in actually joining the Knighthood directly, certain letters of commendation from one such as himself can certainly never do one harm if they are upholding a noble cause.

Plus, hey, she doesn't really need much rest tonight (a mere 4 hours is sufficient), so she can readily wait until the others hit the sack to bring up such personal details.

[demonllama]

Ruhidr

Grimacing a way becoming apparent as dwarven amusement toward things gone horribly, horribly awry, Ruhidr says, "Nevermind the way the lass comes across; Mags was good to have at the bandit camp. I wouldn't kick her out just yet."

Ugh... cross my fingers, hope I don't compound the problem :P
[roll0]


Dismounting and looking his horse over one last time to make sure he didn't leave anything behind on the creature, Ruhidr turns back to Sir Rostham and takes off his greathelm to speak face to face, "For myself, I'd be interested in hearing more of the Knights. I only know tavern tales an' stories as a child. If they make a habit of removing sores such as that bandit camp, I'm interested."

[Berand]

Round 31a

Sir Rostham seems to have ignored Cilene's testy manner, possibly attributing it to a long day. He nods a good night to Coignar as he heads off.

"Well lads, becoming a Knight is not something to be taken lightly. You would have to speak with the recruiters at Castle Seraphim, who would review your case and judge your merit. There is no one thing that qualifies someone as a Knight of the Sword. People of all sort join, as long as they uphold the ideals of respect and honor, and are law-abiding citizens. Once the recruiters find you acceptable, you would have to prove you are worthy. Conventionally this is done through rigorous training and pilgrimages. You're all a fair bit more seasoned then the average Squire recruit, however, so it's possible another form of proving yourself would be utilized. Either way it's not likely to be a short process." He pauses to stroke his mustache, looking the group over.

"Knights of the Sword commit to 10 years of service. During that time they are paid a salary which varies depending on where and how they serve. The bulk of the Knights serve in the military, generally as calvary. A portion are also used in other areas, everything from paper-pushing to espionage and intelligence gathering. Some few are sent off in small parties to work with relative autonomy toward a specific goal. It all depends on the abilities of the Knight in question and the needs of the Order at the time. the only way to really find out if it's suitable for you is to take my letter of accommodation and go talk to them at the castle. Any other questions?"


Knights do not have to be lawful or good. The only solid requirement is that you can't be evil. Some Knights enforce laws (those would be the lawful ones), while some thrive in the chaos of battle. All Knights do have to OBEY the laws, however. Knights are also issued armor with magical enchantments at the various stages of advancement, and later Knights gain some special powers.

Becoming a Knight involves no changing of character class, all ranks and exp and skills continue as normal.

[Ilhares]

Cilene

.. but.. I was being nice. Why don't these people understand me?

Shaking her head in response to more questioning, Cilene shambles off to "her" tent, which may or many not have another occupant. This 'dealing with people' crap can wait till morning. Except for making sure the prisoner is secure. Maybe.. maybe a little rope on top of the manacles isn't such a bad idea.


Use rope: [roll0]

Tell me I can hog-tie this bastard. He isn't going anywhere.

After making sure he's as secure as she's able to get him, she will also take a few moments to charge her Mind Blade before letting it fade back into the ether. She's found it too useful/necessary recently, she might as well keep it at the optimal readiness.

-- after a good night's rest, Cilene's damage will be fully recovered.


Once done with that, Cilene will turn in for her nice evening trance, indulging for a full 5 hours, she wants to get up and make sure that her horse and Coignar's are properly readied well before they have to leave in the morning. Ten minutes of morning meditation will be enough to clear the mind of any lingering gripes. More or less.

[demonllama]

Ruhidr

"Well then, it sounds like I've no more questions that shouldn't be held onto until I get to the recruiter. I'd be pleased to accept yer letter."

Ruhidr smiles, touching his forehead in a vague semblance of a salute, saying "I'll not stand here and watch yer write the letter now. If it's ready when we leave in the morning that would be fine. May yer always find shade an' water."

With a final nod at Sir Rostham, Ruhidr turns to get some rest before the escort job tomorrow.

[Noldruk]

Kellin

Shaking his head kindly at the Knight's offer, Kellin politely excuses himself to proceed to the mess hall for food and ale. Along the way, he engages in casual questioning of the other soldiers to again see what can be found out.


Diplomacy: [roll0]
Gather Information: [roll1]

OOC:
Oh yeah.. and did we win any of those rolls for those "bonus" magic items that we might have found with the bandits? Thought you said 52-100 wins...

[Berand]

Round 32

A short time before sunrise, a Knight comes and wakes each of you up individually, except for Cilene who is already up. While much of the camp is still sleeping, you can hear the stamp of horses feet and the sounds of men working.

The morning air is brisk, with little clouds of breath visible around each working man in the camp. Four large wagons are lined up, each one hitched to a pair of heavy draft horses. Three of them already have their precious cargo loaded and hitched down tight. The fourth one is nearly full. Each wagon has a bench up front with room for a driver plus one more. A single female Knight of the Crown - the one from Cilene's tent - is overseeing it all.

She's tall and pretty, probably in her mid-to-late-20s, with short-cropped blond hair and vibrant blue eyes. You can't tell much about her beyond that she's fit and trim, because she's dressed in a heavy breastplate engraved with the symbols of the Engothian Knights, with a large crown emblazoned in the center and knots at her shoulders designating her a Capitan. Pretty high-ranking for one this young, you think. She has a helmet under one arm, a longsword in a sheath at her hip and a shield bearing her family crest - that of a heron in flight - strapped to her back. She looks extremely comfortable in her battle gear, and has a very efficient, business-like manner. As you approach, she turns and addresses the group.

"Good morning. I'm Captain Kiera Torblood, I'll be in charge of the wagons on the trip back. I heard about your exploits yesterday with the bandits, well done I must say. They sent me up with the last wagons to gather some intel about the bandit issues myself, but now it seems you've saved me the trouble." She smiles at everyone. "Bringing back Georgi alive was a stroke of genius. I know there's a reward out for him, which I'm sure you can see about collecting when we get back to town." She frowns slightly. "He stole a lot of money that was meant for hard-working people. I doubt they'll ever get any of it back from that scumbag now, but at least they'll be comforted knowing that the law caught up with him. Anyhow, it's impossible to say how many of their band you took out - there is no good estimate of how many were involved. We're not expecting trouble, but it's always a possibility. Make sure you don't let him out of your sight on the trip back."

"Oh, and Lieutenant-Captain Rostham asked me to give this to you," she says as she hands a rolled letter to Ruhidr. "It's his letter of accommodation for your actions yesterday, in case you ever need to prove your service to the Knighthood to anyone. It names all of you. Now, if you'll all pick your places, the wagons should be ready in a matter of minutes. You're welcome to ride with the drivers, ride your own horses, or walk along with the wagons. We'll leave as soon as you're ready, we've got rations to eat on the way."

With that she turns and swings up in to the saddle of a large warhorse, which dances around with pent-up energy for a moment before she brings it under control. One of the Squires comes over and hands her a lance, which she expertly couches in a holster at the side of her saddle, point rising straight up in the air. She moves off at a prance, shouting orders to get the wagons underway.


Everyone needs to pick where they want to be. Here's the current layout of the wagons for the trip to Engoth:

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g103/jeffster78/wagontrain.jpg

You can't be by yourself, because no one would ride for a 14-hour trip by themselves. So, at least be next to one of the drivers, or in pairs. Talk about it amongst yourselves, then post with your positions (and any other actions or questions you might have) and we'll get underway.

[SandDemon]

Durgrin

Picking a comfy spot in the back to watch everyone as he can, Durgrin slides in next to the fourth wagon driver and introduces himself. Sitting right behind the captive, Durgrin keeps a sharp eye out for anything in the woods as he carries on small conversation. Not going to have this ruined now by sleeping, eyes out Durgrin.


Spot check: [roll0]
Listen check: [roll1]

[Ilhares]

Cilene

"The legs will occasionally need a bit of stretching, and my horse may need a rest from me being on it's back along the way, but I think I'll ride as long as it's feasible, I can always walk a bit, or if necessary fit on the back end of the last wagon. With William and I both having horses, we can also keep a wider watch to the sides and our rear, with Captain Torblood covering point."

She's cute. I hope Coignar doesn't hit on her, we'll surely land at a tavern in the next week.

[demonllama]

Ruhidr

Nodding to himself, Ruhidr ponders the layout of the caravan for a moment before looking up. "Well, if Durgrin's set on the last wagon, it'd make sense for me to be in the second wagon. Have the prisoner with heavy armor guards in front an' behind."

Continuing to think out loud, "Now, if there's room. probably it'd be best if Mags an' William could ride near to the prisoner, ready to give chase."

Apparently coming to an internal conclusion, he nods sharply once, "An' with Kellin backin' up Captain Torblood, Torkai can sit in the prisoner's wagon."

Looking around in what, for a dwarf, must pass a sheepish expression, Ruhidr says, "Of course, that's just my thinking. Seems like if there is anyone out there, they'll aim for the prisoner. Might be better to place Kellin in with the prisoner, instead."

[Sirrion]

Torkai

"I really could care less where I sit. A pity those wagon benches look so hard though." Torkai mutters quietly to himself. With that, he glances between the empty seats in the first and third wagon and heads toward the third one.

No point in putting myself right under Torblood's nose... Maybe the driver will have something to quench our thirst during the ride as well...

[Noldruk]

Kellin

Smiling at the Captain, Kellin nods in the direction of Ruhidr. 'I could most definately keep the Captain's back. You all just let me know where you need me..' Moving closer to the Captain, Kellin proceeds to make small talk and idly flirt, using his charm and good-looks to impress her, obviously caring little about where he seats, leaving the "big decisions" to the others.


Flirting, baby!
Diplomacy: [roll0]
Bluff: [roll1]

[Berand]

Round 32a

Kellin

Captain Torblood doesn't have a lot of time to talk, but she does stop for a few moments to talk idly while the handlers finish loading up. She seems favorably inclined, but after a minute flashes you a crooked smile and says she has to see to the rest of the caravan. You get a little kink in your neck from standing on the ground and flirting with someone mounted on a warhorse. Oh the things us guys do for the ladies, you think woefully as you try to rub the kink out before taking your place in the wagon.


By the way, I think you might have missed the +2 synergy that comes from having high scores in bluff and diplomacy? I just glanced at your sheet and didn't see it there, but maybe you listed it differently.

[Noldruk]

What's "synergy"? :)

[demonllama]

Obviously these two things mean the same thing, and do not stack; they're the same bonus, just referenced in two different places.


From the Bluff helpfile:
If you have 5 or more ranks in Bluff, you get a +2 bonus on Diplomacy, Intimidate, and Sleight of Hand checks, as well as on Disguise checks made when you know you’re being observed and you try to act in character.


From the Diplomacy helpfile:
If you have 5 or more ranks in Bluff, Knowledge (nobility and royalty), or Sense Motive, you get a +2 bonus on Diplomacy checks.

[tehsnarf]

Coignar

Nodding mostly to himself, Coignar takes up the position recommended by Cilene and mounts his horse, not ready to walk quite this early in the morning. He draws his crossbow, checks it over to make sure it's in proper working order, and then places it readily accessible across his lap. After making a few glances around the train, he pulls out a small tome and begins flipping through the pages.


Just going through my spellbook, catching up on various whatnots in the spell casting world.

[Berand]

Round 33

The group sets off without any trouble, riding toward the city at a slow but steady pace. Everyone alternates between casual conversation and silence, occasionally staring in to the woods for any signs of trouble.

A few hours in, Captain Torblood suddenly halts her horse and holds up one fist.

"I think I just saw some movement in the woods." She cautiously puts one hand on her couched lance, as she narrows her eyes and peers in to the surrounding dense forest.

[Noldruk]

Kellin

Turning his attention forward to the Captain, Kellin narrows his eyes and begins peering into the woodline.

'Keep an eye on the prisoner, eh?' Kellin half-yells. Nudging the driver, he asks, 'You see anything, bud?'


Spot: [roll0]
Listen: [roll1]


'Hmm? Yeah.. me neither...'

[tehsnarf]

Coignar

Coignar immediately readies his crossbow and scans his side of the path...


Come on, big money, no whammies!

Spot: [roll0]
Listen: [roll1]
Search: [roll2]
Diplomacy: [roll3] -- I have no idea why, I felt left out with everyone else rolling diplomacy.. :(

... and STOP!

[demonllama]

Ruhidr

Ruhidr stands up on the seat of his wagon, ready to jump off in any direction, making sure his armor and his waraxe are prepared in case its use becomes necessary. Peering around, he strains as best he is able to notice anything in the forest that might have aroused the Captain's instincts.


[roll0]
[roll1]

[Ilhares]

Cilene

Oh, great. Shout about us having a prisoner - if they didn't notice already, they sure will now.

Being mildly annoyed, Cilene joins in the simple and likely futile attempt at piercing the veil of cover the woods have provided.

Listen Check: [roll0]
Spot Check: [roll1]

[Sirrion]

Torkai

Slipping down from wagon 3 and darting to the back to where the prisoner is held, Torkai slips two daggers from sheaths at his waste. Keeping his back towards the wagon, he points one dagger at the prisoner and says to him in a low whisper "If they come for you, know that you'll end up dead before they can free you. You might want to consider calling them off if this is a rescue attempt."

With that, Torkai listens for any sounds from the woods while keeping his eyes on the prisoner.

Going to make a bluff check for my threat as well as a listen roll:

Bluff: [roll0]
Listen: [roll1]

[SandDemon]

Durgrin

Waking up from his slumber, he curses at the realization that he fell asleep. Not desiring any arrows in the face, and the inability to leave the side of the prisoner, he slides off the side of the wagon and lowers his head in prayer - Shield of my faith, grant me your protection Reorx. A shimmering shield forms around Durgrin that distorts his form slightly. He returns to watching the woods as he slowly walks to the right of the prisoner, his weapon poised for anything.

Cast entropic shield, lasts 4 minutes - 20% miss chance on all ranged attacks made on him now.

Spot check: [roll0]
Listen check: [roll1]

[Berand]

Round 34

Everyone is staring off in to the woods intently, hands on their weapons. Except for Kellin, who really did mean to try to spot and listen, but got distracted when Captain Torblood stood up in her saddle and he saw her butt.

Coignar tilts his head to one side and narrows his eyes "I think I just heard..." he starts to say, when Ruhidr suddenly shouts out "Ambush!", leaps off the wagon and draws his weapon.

Before anyone can react, the twang of releasing crossbow bolts fills the woods. Two shots bounce harmlessly off Kiera's armor, but one manages to get through and wound her shoulder. Cilene, in her flat-footed surprise, takes a bolt to the arm which leaves her bleeding. The driver of the third wagon takes a crossbow bolt square in the center of his chest. He has only a moment to clutch at the shaft futilely before he topples off the wagon. The other shots all fly wide. Each firing once, the bandits throw down their crossbows, draw their melee weapons, and step out from hiding.

This is followed immediately by chanting from one of the bandits, this one dressed in robes (B2). He raises his hands to the air, and as he finishes fog rolls out from the center of the third wagon, rapidly obscuring the entire width of the road.

Combat Map:

http://pbp.flockofllamas.com/images/ambush.png

Note that next round, no one will be able to see in the fog (20' radius around wagon 3) as per this spell:

The fog obscures all sight, including darkvision, beyond 5 feet. A creature within 5 feet has concealment (attacks have a 20% miss chance). Creatures farther away have total concealment (50% miss chance, and the attacker can’t use sight to locate the target).


Damage Report:

Cilene catches a crossbow bolt for 7 damage.
Driver 3 is incapacitated by a bolt.
Kiera takes 7 damage from a bolt.

Everyone roll initiative for the next round.


Cilene & Coignar:

Note that Coignar and Cilene have to roll ride checks next round, since neither is on a warhorse:

DC 5 - Stay in saddle while your horses freak out from the bolts (must roll this or fall out and take 1d4 damage and be prone for the round)
DC 15 - Attempt to make your mount move in a direction you desire, if you opt to stay in the saddle.

You can dismount for free, provided you don't fail the first check (in which case you've already fallen off). If you don't opt to dismount, you have to make the rolls again next round. POST THESE ROLLS FIRST, THEN POST YOUR ACTION SECOND DEPENDING ON THE RESULTS.

[Noldruk]

Kellin

Eyes suddenly widening at the onslaught, Kellin quickly utters the incantation for Mage Armor, enforcing his body with a barrier of magic. Looking around, he appears intent on finding a victim.


Initiative: [roll0]


(well.. as quickly as he can.. Oy.)

[Ilhares]

Cilene

Urk!

-- --

"Whoa!", shouts the now injured Cilene. Tightening her legs to the horse, she reaches forward, slapping it on the neck to get it's attention.

Once settled, she flips her leg up over the saddle so that she can drop down to the ground and moves towards where Georgi should be, mace already gripped tightly.


Okay, for the sake of covering the bases-

Initiative: [roll0]
Ride Check: [roll1]
--(yay!)
In the event the ride check fails and she takes a fall-

Tumble Check: [roll2]
(DC 15 to reduce the effective distance fallen by 10 feet, which should negate the damage)
--glad that wasn't needed.

The soon-to-be options:

Attack: [roll3]
Damage: [roll4]
1-20% miss? : [roll5]

Based on the map, Cilene would effectively be taking the big 5' step directly south, to put her in swinging distance of their prisoner. She can't see really well, didn't spot where all the bandits were, but she's not letting them drag her prisoner out of there.

[tehsnarf]

Coignar

Horse! By the gods, if you dump me on my ass, I'm turning you in to delicious steak!

Coignar holds on for dear life and attempts to dismount...



Initiative: [roll0]
Ride: [roll1]

Assuming I make the riding roll, dismount, grab crossbow and fire at B4
To Hit: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]

[demonllama]

Ruhidr

Trusting to his companions in the third and fourth wagons to handle the bandits near the prisoner (as well as the prisoner himself), Ruhidr bellows a warcry to Kiri-jolith before bringing his axe around against the bandit right before him.


Against B7:
[roll0]
[roll1] - I'm assuming Bless isn't up, but if it is... add 1.
[roll2]

[tehsnarf]

So I forgot some rolls.. hehe

1-20% miss: [roll0]

.. and since I rolled a 1 on my ride check, that's an automagic fail?

[demonllama]

For snarf/coignar:

As for the fog/miss chance, I don't think it applies this round. Plus, I think it's the defender who rolls the concealment check, not the attacker.

As for the skill check, I don't think it's possible to get a critical hit/failure on a skill check, is it?

The higher the result, the better. Unlike with attack rolls and saving throws, a natural roll of 20 on the d20 is not an automatic success, and a natural roll of 1 is not an automatic failure.

[SandDemon]

Durgrin

"Ahh hell, nah the fog..." Grumbling at the circumstances and the problem this poses with his murky eye, he sees his target and moves at full speed. Better make this hurt or I might lose him.

Target - B5, run straight at him and end above him
Initiative roll : [roll0]
Attack roll w/ charge: [roll1] (so I have 19AC until the end of turn)
Damage: [roll2]

[Sirrion]

Torkai

Spotting the bandit appearing out of the woods in front of him, Torkai strikes out with both daggers.

Okay, rolls to follow as I attack bandit B6:
Initiative: [roll0]

Going to make a feint before attacking unless he is already flatfooted since I do not have to move:
Bluff: [roll1]

Primary attack: [roll2]
Primary damage: [roll3]
Primary sneak attack damage: [roll4]

Secondary attack: [roll5]
Secondary damage: [roll6]
Secondary sneak attack damage: [roll7]

Primary miss chance for fog (1-20 for miss): [roll8]
Secondary miss chance for fog (1-20 for miss): [roll9]
(not sure if I needed two rolls for miss, or if one covers both, but put two up, if just one is needed go by first)

That should do it...

[Berand]

Round 35

Coignar acts first, leaping ungracefully though effectively off his horse, drawing his bow up and firing at the nearest bandit, landing a solid hit (on B4). The bandit immediately charges his assailant, landing a blow on Coignar's ribs. Coignar's horse backs away fearfully, but fortunately does not run off.

Also managing to leap off her horse before it panics and runs away with her, Cilene immediately hits the ground and runs to the tied-up prisoner. She takes a swing with her mace, whacking Georgi a solid blow to the ribs. He falls to the ground, arms tied tight to the wagon, curls up in a fetal position and moans piteously as he tries to protection himself.

Ruhidr hits the ground and connects with the bandit near him (B7), causing a bleeding gash on the man's shoulder. The bandit returns an attack of his own, but it is deflected off Ruhidr's shield.

At the back of the caravan, Drugrin runs around the wagon and takes a swing at the bandit near him (B5). The bandit side-steps his hammer swing, and attempts to counter with his own weapon. He is unable to do more then send another spark flying off Drugrin's heavy dwarven armor.

Kellin, seeing that he's a little bit exposed in his current position, quickly casts mage armor on himself. The nearest bandit hears the magical incantations and immediately runs up to the wagon and takes a swing. Fortunately the awkward angle of trying to hit someone standing up above him causes him to miss, splintering a rail on the wagon.

Torkai wastes no time, charging straight for a bandit (B6), feinting to one side in his trademark move, then spinning around and burying both daggers in the bandit's gut. The man immediately crumples to the ground, blood gushing from his mouth.

Up at the front of the wagon, the wizard quickly casts invisibility on himself, disappearing from view. As Kiera attempts to spur her horse to charge, the bandits react first and close the distance. Three bandits manage to surround her, one taking her horse out from under her, the other two sending blows which she blocks off her shield. She returns a heavy blow with her longsword, gravely wounding one of her assailants (B3).

Combat Map:

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g103/jeffster78/Ambush-fog.png

Note:
The fog has now fully expanded, no one inside can see beyond 5'. Torkai, you know you just killed your target, and you heard Cilene beating the helpless bound prisoner directly behind you. You don't sense anything else near you. Cilene, you saw Georgie fall to the ground, but you don't see anything at all. Coignar, you can sense B4 in front of you still.


Damage Summary:

Cilene hurts Georgie.
Coignar hits B4.
B4 hits Coignar for 5 damage.
Torkai kills B6.
B2 is invisible somewhere on the map.


Important Note for Everyone:

The horses pulling wagon 1 have panicked from hearing the battle between Kellin and the bandit that charged him. Next round, both Kellin and the driver have to make balance checks or be thrown to the ground when the wagon lurches.

[Noldruk]

Kellin

Quickly attempting to balance himself, Kellin dodges away from the bandit's swipe and stares furiously at his assailant.


Here goes nothin'...

Balance: [roll0]
Initiative: [roll1]
Concentration: [roll2]
Scorch his ass: [roll3]
Damage: [roll4]

[demonllama]

Ruhidr

Recovering almost instantly from the blow his shield shrugged off, Ruhidr turns back to trade the bandit back another blow of his axe.


[roll0]
[roll1]

[SandDemon]

Durgrin

As the sparks fly from the bandit's blow, Durgrin lashes back with another solid swing to the bandit.


Attack roll : [roll0] (back to AC 21)
Damage roll: [roll1]

[Ilhares]

Cilene

Crouching down in the fog, Cilene whispers to Georgi, "Look, I realize you probably won't believe it, but I don't want you dead, Georgi. You're supposed to be their leader - how about you act like it and save their lives today? Tell them to back off."

"Afterall, if you don't survive the trip, they're probably all going to die."

I can hope he'll listen to reason.

Yeah, you all know what time it is. Time for the usual failures. :)

Diplomacy : [roll0]

Intimidate : [roll1]

I have no idea how well a mace to the ribs backs up an intimidate roll, but she is hoping to not have to whack this guy again. Barrel-fishing isn't fun or respectable.
-edit- Come on! Which one of you people is loading my dice?

[Sirrion]

Torkai

Blinkning his eyes as his vision fades in the fog, Torkai turns towards the front of the caravan and begins to make his way slowly. Creeping as silently as he can, he moves on slowly until he passes through the fog.

Moving at half speed to try and keep my footing in the fog, make sure I do not break anything. If I make it through the fog and see B7, I'll start going for him full speed. Just gonna put some attack rolls in here in case I make it to him, otherwise ignore them.

Move silently: [roll0]
Balance (if needed for tripping over something): [roll1]
Listen for anyone near me: [roll2]

And combat rolls if I reach anyone:
Initiative: [roll3]

Primary to hit: [roll4]
Primary damage:[roll5]
Primary sneak (for flank attack or surprise):[roll6]

Secondary to hit: [roll7]
Secondary damage:[roll8]
Secondary sneak (for flank attack or surprise):[roll9]

That should be it....

[tehsnarf]

Coignar

Muttering something incomprehensible, Coignar draws his short sword.



Initiative: [roll0]

Casting mage armor on myself.
Spell Failure 1-15%: [roll1]

If successful, +4 to my AC for 4 hours, or until I negate it.

[Berand]

Round 36

With a squeal, the horses pulling the first wagon panic at the sounds of combat, lurching forward as fast as they can with the heavily-laden wagon. Nearly knocked to his backside when the wagon lurches forward, Kellin manages to grab the rail just in time. The bandit's swing comes down no where near him as the wagon jumps away. Regaining his balance in time, Kellin spreads his fingers and gets off a blast of flame, which grazes the bandit.

The four combatants in front of the wagon have only a second to jump to the side. All of them make it except for one bandit (B1) which gets partially trampled before being knocked to one side, looking dirty and hurt.

Further back, Ruhidr takes a big swing at his foe, smashing through the mans shield and twisting his arm in an unnatural direction. The bandit tries to counter, but is thrown off-balanace from the heavy blow to his shield and misses.

Torkai, hands extended and listening intently, inches his way forward slowly. He sees the fog start to thin out, and just manages to clear the end of it in time to see four people dive out of the way of the charging wagon team. Curiously, he notices the two horses pulling the third wagon plodding along next to him slowly, clearly not panicked, but not too happy with their current location either.

Cilene, still shrouded completely in the fog, stands quietly with her mace in hand. "Georgi?" she says. "Georgi? Can you... where are you Georgi? Damnit, where the @$&* did you go?"

Coignar, shrouded in fog, utters the words to his spell. He feels a woosh as the bandit fighting him swings his weapon futilely a few feet away.

Durgrin takes a swing from the bandit he is fighting on his shiny new shield (bastard better not scratch it), then counters with a swing from his hammer to the bandit's ribs. There is a satisfying crunch of ribs, but the bandit remains on his feet.

The driver of wagon one struggles frantically to rein in the panicked horses, while the drivers of wagons two and four manage, barely, to keep the horses in place. The driver of wagon three is already dead.

Combat Map:

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g103/jeffster78/Ambush-fog2.png


Kellin:

If you want to jump off the wagon, roll balance (DC 13) to see if you keep your feet when you land. No need to roll jump, you're only a few feet off the ground. Roll tumble as well, and if you fail the balance and make tumble you end up rolling to your feet gracefully anyway.

If you fail both, you're prone and have to get up for the next round. Standing up is a move-equivalent action that provokes an AoO if the foe is next to you.



I'm missing some resources from the computer crash, but I got through it! Should have everything updated tomorrow (like my NPC spreadsheet).

[Sirrion]

Torkai

Seeing the bandit (B7) ahead of him occupied with fighting Ruhidr, Torkai continues forward stealthfully approaching the bandit from behind in an attempt to flank him. Reaching a striking position, Torkai strikes with both daggers.

Gonna attempt to move silently to creep up on B7 and position myself directly behind him straight accross from Ruhidr to flank the bandit.

Move silently: [roll0]
Initiative if needed: [roll1]

Primary attack: [roll2] add +2 if I succeed in flanking
Primary damage:[roll3]
Primary sneak damage: [roll4]

Secondary attack: [roll5] add +2 if I succeed in flanking
Secondary damage:[roll6]
Secondary sneak damage: [roll7]

Sneak attack damage added if I succeed in flanking him

[tehsnarf]

Coignar

Moving as quietly as he can, Coignar moves to striking distance of the bandit (B4), then attempts to bring the pain!

Muahahahahahhaha!


Move Silently : [roll0]

Attack Roll : [roll1]
Damage Roll : [roll2]
Sneak Attack Damage : [roll3]
Fog Miss Chance 1-20% : [roll4]

[tehsnarf]

Of course, I would forget Initiative, wouldn't I...

Initiative : [roll0]

[tehsnarf]

This f'ing forum makes the baby jesus cry.

INITIATIVE : [roll0]

[Ilhares]

Cilene

Ever the charming woman, Cilene attempts to follow wherever Georgi's nearly unconscious self is being dragged. She can guard him AND the arse-end of the third wagon this way, thus fulfilling both job duties.

I don't give a hairy whatsit for the fog effect, I had him in my sights, I should be able to see which direction he got dragged- especially since I was nearly straddling the guy.

Should someone attempt to attack me:
Initiative: [roll0]

But the more important, for attempting to keep an eye on my 'ward' and other potential hostiles:

Listen Check: [roll1]
Spot Check: [roll2]

[Noldruk]

Kellin

Kellin turns around and looks at B9 as he passes, holding on tightly before jumping from the wagon!


Ok.. if at all possible, I'd like to do this and do scorching ray either as I'm landing, or RIGHT after I land. If not possible, I guess I'll just land.

Initiative: [roll0]
Balance: [roll1]
Tumble: [roll2]
Concentration: [roll3]
To Flame: [roll4]
Damage: [roll5]