Kingmaker in the Forgotten Realms [IC thread]

[Mercurion 2]

"Gizonde! stay away from Dergosh's mouth and you'll be fine, you know orc's, they'll eat anything!" with a cackle that fades as the distance between them grows, she soars off.

“This true,” Dergosh confirmed to Gizonde with a nod. “Spit-roasted faerie delicious.” He jabbed his weapon in the air as if to spear Akara any nearby flying faerie and made circular motions to pantomime a rotisserie. “Wings get crispy and crunchy. Entrails we give to Pig.”

[Saintheart]

Afternoon, Hills, the Stolen Lands
Twenty-third of Kythorn, Year of Lightning Storms (1374 DR)

Complication Dice: 4 of 6

The situation at the source of the fire was apparent from the moment Akara had done her first circumnavigation of the site. Flit went in, darting quickly from one spot to another, watching for a glint of steel or the thrum of a bowstring, but nothing attacked him. And even the energetic little bird seemed somewhat quietened by what he saw as he reached Akara again and told her what he'd seen. The hummingbird watched the look on Akara's face change, and she once more flew all around the site, this time closer, this time looking more closely at the things her familiar had identified. Flit didn't understand why she was silent all through the flight, and why she stayed silent all the way back to the Company, reporting on what she saw.

Flit was surprised to see the looks on some of the Company's faces change to match those of Akara when his mistress began talking. Kuros's six arms seemed to sag a little. Three's frame seemed to become more rigid than it already seemed to me. Korlann didn't say anything, but the young monk picked up his pace even more than he had. They all did; theirs was no ambling, careful walk now, but a hustling pace laid over with looks of anger.

It took them a good hour and a half to cover the distance at a quick pace. Nothing impeded them or had arrived by the time they did, Akara once more flying around the perimeter of the site to make sure it was safe as they arrived. By that point, the fire, leaving a beacon a half mile in the sky, had slackened from its roaring fury and was starting to burn out. The main central timber of the long, single-roomed farmhouse had collapsed, and the thatched roof had been consumed, leaving a pile of black ashes so hot even looking at them was difficult from the rippling air of the fire's heat. The smell was dreadful. But not as dreadful as the sight all around the blazing tabernacle of the farmhouse's ruins. There had been a series of enclosed corrals around the farmhouse, which had contained at least twenty giant weasels, all sleek black furred creatures which had the look of being well-fed and cared for. Every last weasel lay slaughtered, arrows protruding from most, and then a couple smaller ones with ragged cuts across their necks. One of the corrals was open, but there three weasels lay half on top of one another, all with pools of blood below them.

Spoiler: Gizonde, Akara, Korlann

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The practice of farming giant weasels as stock wasn't unknown across the Border Kingdoms; the creatures made for excellent hunting companions, and if the pelts were especially fine, could fetch a pretty decent price from markets in Emmerock and elsewhere. Indeed weasel pelts were some of the trade goods which had been robbed from Oleg by the Stag Lord's agents over time.

There was a decent-sized yard before the burning farmhouse, the short grass of the hills worn away to dirt, dust, and rock. In drying pools of blood, facedown, lay the bodies of a dark-skinned, strong-bodied man, a caramel-haired young woman, and a ten year old boy. The man and woman's hands were still bound behind their backs and the bodies faced that of the child.

Spoiler: Dergosh

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That part of Dergosh's mind accustomed to cold conduct put together what had happened here - the placement of the bodies was not coincidence. He had a feeling that whoever had done this, they'd killed the child in front of its parents and then ended their lives, to accentuate the anguish and agony.

The area around the grounds was a mess. There were prints all over the place, and, where the dirt and dust had run deep, a clear rut of wagon wheels headed southwest from here.

Spoiler: Three and Kuros

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It was apparent without a closer inspection at this point that nonhumans had been here, and recently. There were tracks of humans here, but just as many if not more activity from several beings that were not human.

[Zombulian]

Gizonde let out a sad, low whistle.
"They were just breeders it seems... The weasels are neither stolen nor skinned. This is more than banditry, this is cruelty."

He turned to the party.

"Have you all seen something like this before?"

[Mercurion 2]

The banter with Akara was immediately forgotten as Dergosh took in the scene, his face turning more purple than green as cold anger built up inside him upon seeing the layout of the victims. He stared after the receding wagon ruts as if to pierce the distance and reveal the attackers, his eyes flicking to the footprints on the ground.

“Someone angry that farm here. What make these tracks and use wagon?” he asked the general group. He took in the state of the fire, still burning but clearly started hours ago. “Attackers ahead now, but not so far. Wolftooth could catch, treat them same as breeders and weasels.” He glanced at the bodies lying about, then decided to make a short circuit around the area to look for any other signs, or even survivors.

[bcool999]

Kuros is silent as he takes in the scene. Upon seeing the slaughtered family, Kuros grabs his dire wolf pelt from the wagon and moves to cut the family loose of their bonds and lay them out with respect before covering them with the pelt and bowing his head in silent prayer.

After a moment of silence, Kuros begins looking closer at the tracks leading southwest and says in a cold emotionless voice, "Hopefully the smoke and the pelt keeps the worst of the carrion eaters away while we are gone. We will have time for a burial after a quick hunt."

Spoiler: OOC

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Kuros will attempt to follow the tracks at normal speed (-5 penalty) but will double back and then slow to half speed if he loses the trail. Taking 10 for 17. If he is forced to slow down the result is 22 but Kuros can't follow tracks higher than DC 20 since he is using the Apprentice (woodsman) feat instead of actual track.

[BluesEclipse]

Korlann nods at Kuros, allowing the many-armed warrior to try and pick up tracks, while he looks over the corrals. "It wouldn't make any sense for bandits to slaughter the weasels and then just leave the bodies," he mutters to himself as he walks around. "The pelts would have some value, if nothing else, and if it was the Stag Lord's people, they likely would have some who could handle the creatures." He contemplates for a moment before calling out, "Akara, can you take to the air and see if you can see any signs of anyone nearby? Be cautious, though... something bothers me about this situation..."

[Saintheart]

Afternoon, Hills, the Stolen Lands
Twenty-third of Kythorn, Year of Lightning Storms (1374 DR)

Complication Dice: 4 of 6

Kuros came to a surprising and chilling revelation right around the time that Dergosh was in the back yard of the farmhouse.

The half-orc found a number of children's toys in the back yard. There was a crudely-carved horse with a rider in miniature, a little doll-shaped item, and three wooden swords, child-size, lying strewn around the yard in the way that children 'forgot' to pick things up. But there were no other bodies, and no other threats anywhere nearby: only the weasel pens and the smell of death and the stink of the fire raging in the centre of the farmhouse.

Kuros, meanwhile, was studying the tracks. They did become a series of animal and nonhuman tracks off next to the wagon ruts, heading southeast. From the look of it they were making their best speed - the pursuit would be up to sundown on a rough guess, but the wagon was loaded heavy and even with their own mules in the cart, odds were hopefully on that they'd catch them.

It was the reason the wagon was heavy loaded. Looking closer at the tracks, the identity of the beings that had made them was now apparent ... as were the number. The nonhuman tracks were those made by gnolls, along with the animal tracks apparently being those of hyenas. And from the looks of it, a number of human children - three or four - had been taken from here as well. Their tracks did not leave the clearing, leaving the conclusion that one child had been murdered here ... and the remaining children put in the back of the wagon and taken with the gnolls as they left.

Gnolls, Master Geralt had taught Kuros, were slave-takers. Their leaving the weasel pelts behind made sense; the gnolls were already carrying what the commodity they knew best. And on a southwest course as the wagon seemed to be taking, it was presumably making for the river crossing that led towards the Stag Lord's domain proper.

Akara, for her part, didn't see anything else nearby from the air. It appeared the gnolls had left the immediate area, but they could be run down somewhere in the hills by sunset if the Company was lucky. Coming back here would almost certainly have to wait until morning.

Spoiler: OOC

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I should say that this combination of factors - hilly terrain and the light slowly going down - means that if Akara is going to fly ahead of the Company by herself, it will at least invoke the Complication Dice rising by 1 since it's dangerous, i.e. it'll go from 4 of 6 to 5 of 6. Not only does Akara have occasional unintended light shows, she'll be a single flying target without the sun behind her, and as is apparent, the giant weasels here have been killed by either skilled or fast archers given the number of arrows in them.

Following the tracks isn't really a problem, though. It doesn't look like the gnolls are covering their trail in any way.

All of that said - are you guys going after them as a group, as seems to be the intent?

[Zombulian]

“Right then.”
Gizonde looked around at the group.
“We’re going after them, yeah? How far do we have to go - how fresh are those tracks?”

[bcool999]

"If we are lucky we can catch them by sunset." Kuros says grimly as he pieces together what happened in his head.

"Gnolls did this." Kuros says to Korlann in answer to his question, "I recognize their tracks now. Have hyenas with them too it looks like... Explains why they didn't want the pelts. They already have 3 maybe 4 children loaded up as slaves."

[Saintheart]

Sunset, A Canyon in the Hills, the Stolen Lands
Twenty-third of Kythorn, Year of Lightning Storms (1374 DR)

Complication Dice: 5 of 6

There wasn't a reply to Kuros's statement. Only the noise of people hurrying to their possessions and the noise of the wagon turning for the southwest.

They took up the pursuit. As expected, the trail was indeed clear and simple to follow; the gnolls were not making any effort to hide their trail. The time wore on, half an afternoon of sweat and deep breaths. No conversation; they were moving too quickly. Even the mules had picked up something of Three and the Company's intent, and weren't giving anyone their usual grumblings about being asked to move fast like this.

The trail took them back into the folded-rock of the hills. Canyons leapt up abruptly and disappeared just as quickly. Still, the gnolls had kept to the easiest path available for a wagon, which made the Company's pursuit again a simple one. Still, shadows lengthened over the Company from the prows of great outthrusts of rock, and the time spent in the shadows grew longer as the hours wore on.

They caught up with the gnolls perhaps a few minutes before the sun was due to disappear under the horizon. Flit had taken a pretty good reconnoitre of the area ahead; whether because of her size or the fact she was a bird, the gnolls hadn't noticed her presence. Indeed the creatures had stopped to camp, evidently; they'd chosen a spot in a canyon which opened into a forested sort of clearing, with several tall green trees reaching for such of the light that was available. There were ledges all through the place, but just as fortunately the Company was able to stop more or less right at the top, pinched end of the canyon clearing without being seen. Flit explained the layout to them:

Spoiler: Map of the Situation

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The party is just off the top left corner of the map, around -A, 3 or so.

No sign of any children with the gnolls, but the way the gnolls had backed a covered wagon into a low spot in the canyon suggested any of their prisoners would be in there. There were a couple of whipped-looking horses trembling a few feet from the wagon and cropping on the short grass. The only question was what the gnolls would do if the Company attacked ... if not indeed how to deal with the situation. Four regular-looking hyenas with a gnoll each, and then what looked to be a leader - a particularly mean-looking gnoll a good foot taller than the rest with a quality-looking bow over one shoulder. He looked to be a bit more wary of his surroundings than the other gnolls, but one doubted given the number of arrows fired back at the farmhouse that his would be the only bow down here. And just because the gnolls seemed to be settling in for the evening didn't necessarily mean they'd be taken completely by surprise without some sort of plan here.

And the Company likely couldn't wait for long; it was common knowledge gnolls had darkvision, so if they waited much longer the advantage would shift to them.

Spoiler: OOC

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So for once you've got a chance to better recon things or make some sort of plan given the situation. What's the story, any further information you need, let me know... :)

[Zombulian]

After the wagon had been trundling along for a good while, Gizonde began to murmur a chant, slowly increasing the volume as he repeated verses. The language wasn’t one that he knew, or even really knew of, but he had been taught the words while training to become a Scroll Speaker.
The whole process took around 20 minutes, and probably had become a bit annoying to the group as his droning continued. At the end of his incantation, he drew a plain but masterfully crafted obsidian dagger and carefully nicked his own ear, before leaning over to the others in the wagon and doing the same to them - with their permission.

Spoiler: OOC

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Gizonde performs the ritual of Common Cause. The cut ear causes no damage. All involved can now cast the spell message at will at CL 4.

—————

After listening to the recounting of the situation by Akara’s familiar, Gizonde rubbed his chin and reached for his prayerbook.
“I would need some time to prepare, but I believe we can get the drop on them. I’m thinking I can cast a spell on one of Kuros’ weapons that will envelope him in darkness, which even the gnolls won’t be able to pierce. I can also give him vision that would allow him to see through it perfectly, as well as one other of our group.”
He looked at the Kuros’ hulking form.
“I can also make you quicker on your feet, the better for us to hit them fast and hard.”

Spoiler: OOC

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Gizonde is planning to cast darkness on one of Kuros’ weapons while also casting ebon eyes on him and probably Korlann as well. He can also give Kuros expeditious retreat if it would be beneficial.

[bcool999]

When Gizonde goes to nick Kuros’ the warrior swiftly moves away and says with a scowl, “Excuse me stranger, but keep your blood letting rituals to yourself. I will have no part in your blood magic.”

When they arrive at the gnoll’s camp, Kuros looks to Korlann and Three for a plan while gripping his weapons with anxiety.

[Mercurion 2]

Upon hearing the disposition of the gnoll encampment, Dergosh rumbled under his breath. He was best at wreaking havoc up close and personal and the presence of a bunch of bowmen (bowgnolls) promised to make that challenging. Hiding and sneaking were decidedly not things he was good at, so he prepared himself to charge into battle once they were set.

In the meantime, he took his knife, opened his big maw, and nicked the underside of his tongue. A salty trickle flowed into his mouth, coating his teeth with thick, dark blood. With a nailed finger, he scooped out a globule of blood, painting dark streaks from each eye down his cheeks.

Spoiler: OOC

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Casting animalistic power. He will also cast sonic weapon just before the group is ready to attack, before charging in.

[BluesEclipse]

As the description of the area is relayed to them, Korlann begins sketching in the dirt to provide a rough map based on the descriptions. Looking at it, Korlann considers the situation, including Gizonde's suggestions, as he looks over the group. Watching Dergosh's preparations, he thinks for a moment, before nodding to himself and kneeling down, . "Kuros and myself will serve as the vanguard, using Gizonde's magic to provide us some cover," he begins, looking at the group. "Dergosh will follow behind, while Three and Gizonde remain back to provide ranged support - Gizonde, you'll want to be certain to cancel your spell of darkness once we've engaged, so that it doesn't hinder the three of you."

Turning to Akara, he then says, "Akara, I'd like you to move in ahead of us, though - with your flight, you can circle around to the north, going up the canyon wall and over the top. Try to stay out of their sight as much as possible." Pointing to the back of the small offshoot within the canyon, behind the wagon, he then says, "Make your way here, and then get back down to ground level. You'll want to get as close to the canyon as possible. Once you're in position, let me know - by that time, we'll have all of our magical preparations completed, as well as hopefully being able to move a bit closer. I trust you've got some magic that will serve to draw their attention for a moment, and keep them from trying to get to the wagon and use the children as hostages."

"That's the most vital thing here," he says, looking over the group as a whole. "Those children have already suffered at the hands of these slavers, and have already lost their families. Our primary goal here is to ensure that they survive, and that the gnolls don't get away with them. While I wouldn't object to being able to speak with one of these slavers - if only to find out if there are other bands around - I certainly don't want anyone risking injury to themselves or those children in order to make it happen." The plan laid out, Korlann looks at the rest of the group to see if everyone is in agreement or if anyone has other suggestions.

[Zombulian]

Gizonde chuckles and nods his head at Kuros' words.
"Of course. I do not mean to overstep."

--

Gizonde grunted to affirm Korlann's assertion.

"Yes, I'll make sure to cancel it when the time is right. However, the obscuring effect will not hinder some of my spells, so we may be best served to have you two take advantage of it as long as possible. Also I was thinking that I could weave an illusion of the forest just beyond their camp to mask our approach, just to let us get as close as we can before the fight breaks."

[BluesEclipse]

Korlann nods, and replies, "I certainly won't object to having additional cover for our approach, Gizonde. Thank you." He stretches his arms for a moment, flaring his spines as he does, then turns towards Kuros. "I'll try to match your pace - it will be better for us to strike at once, rather than me getting ahead of you."

[Saintheart]

Sunset, A Canyon in the Hills, the Stolen Lands
Twenty-third of Kythorn, Year of Lightning Storms (1374 DR)

Complication Dice: 1 of 6

Fortune or fate seemed to be with the Company. Akara buzzed into the sunset sky and for once her random coruscations of light were subdued. She managed to move in behind the gnolls' position and hovered perilously five feet above the canyon edge, awaiting the moment and the word.

Gizonde's turn came. The Eneko called upon the abilities he'd been taught, and weaved the spell he had in mind ... and the spell worked its magic, sending a subtle ripple through the treeline at the entrance to the canyon but not disturbing the gnoll encampment. Quite the contrary, the gnolls seemed more interested and gave a little cheer as their campfire blazed up.

"Now," whispered Gizonde through the arcane link he'd set up.

Akara responded.

The spell hit the gnolls' campfire. The little embers exploded into a gigantic ball of smoke that washed over all of the gnolls but left the covered wagon untouched, drawing roars of rage and then, immediately, retching and coughing as the irritating smoke hit their lungs.

The hyenas up the Company's end of the canyon snarled in alarm and rage - but again the distraction seemed to have worked as the Company hustled into the canyon - they weren't concentrating on the northern end and didn't seem to have smelled the five adventurers advancing.

So far so good. Now all that had to happen was for something to go wrong.

Spoiler: Tactical Map

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The translucent square is the area of the illusion, the translucent circle is the radius of the Pyrotechnics effect. Sorry the grid drawn on the map doesn't quite match the grid coordinates, problems with syncing up the map I'm afraid - if in doubt rely on the grid coordinates for calculating movement and distance.

Spoiler: Tactical Notes

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No surprise round here.

A reminder that we're running group initiative. So the order of action is as follows:

Dergosh
The Gnolls and Hyenas
Everyone Else

- Dergosh therefore has 48 hours from the time of this post to put up his actions. If no post in that time, he drops into the group that acts after the gnolls and hyenas, i.e. along with everyone else.
- I then update for the monsters' actions.
- From the time of that update, everyone in the second group also has 48 hours to post up. No initiative order, actions are resolved in the order of posting. If you don't post in that time, your character goes on total defense for the round.

Happy to hear any questions about the terrain, situation, etc.

[Mercurion 2]

Two guttural words escaped Dergosh's lips as he enchanted his mace, causing a swarm of angry hornets to buzz around the weapon's flanged head. With that, he moved forward with a snarl on his face. The snarl became a slightly puzzled look as the half-orc seemed to hear the distant howl of a wolf pack ringing in his head.

Spoiler: OOC

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Cast sonic weapon and then move action to square I6. Dergosh is sticking to the plan of following in behind the fighters, and with him taking the time to cast a spell, the others will effectively be out in front of him at the end of the round.

[Saintheart]

Sunset, A Canyon in the Hills, the Stolen Lands
Twenty-third of Kythorn, Year of Lightning Storms (1374 DR)

Complication Dice: 1 of 6

Dergosh crabbed his way forward into the area of Gizonde’s enchantment. He couldn’t help feeling like he was peering through a watery world at the scene before him, but whatever the real situation, it looked as though the two hyenas at this end of the canyon hadn’t noticed his presence as such; they were too busy giving their horrible, giggling snarls as a ball of smoke rolled out of the gnolls’ campfire, enveloping the gang of slavers.

Most of the gnolls, Akara saw with some satisfaction, appeared to be coughing and looked distinctly green around the gills. Except one. It was a big gnoll with a heavy, thick-looking bow that had small red rags tied to its handgrip. Some instinct said to Akara he was the leader of the raiders. The gnoll seemed to cough and spit as the smoke rolled over him, and then went scrambling across the clearing near the (smoked out) campfire, yapping in the guttural Gnoll tongue at his confederates. He seemed to have some effect; they began to stumble out of the smoke, looking around for any target.

That was about when they spotted Akara. The gnolls – at least those on the east side of the canyon – moved fast. Three or four of them began to cluster around the wagon, using it for cover. Akara slipped three shots from their shortbows, the arrows buzzing as they flicked past her in the sunset—
--a clothyard shaft buzzed by her midsection, missing her by an inch. The big gnoll was lowering its bow, yellow eyes narrowing, a disgustingly long pink tongue lolling out the side of his furry face with the pleasure of a good shot, though he was frustrated not to have made the shot.

Spoiler: Tactical Map

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Spoiler: Tactical Notes

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- Akara takes 12 points of damage, putting her at 13 hitpoints. The slavemaster made his save and pulled his weapon as he moved.

Group initiative is in effect. As a reminder:
First: Dergosh
Second: Gnolls and hyenas
Third: Everybody else.

Everyone bar Dergosh now has 48 hours from the time of this post to post up actions, following which I will update. If you haven’t posted by then, your character stays where they are and is on total defense this turn. Actions are resolved in order of posting.

[jdizzlean]

As the fire explodes outward in a boiling cloud of smoke, Akara looks down in satisfaction. Quickly that smile fades as the big oaf in charge rally's his troops to run out of the cloud. Somehow, they see her, she must've been a bit to far forward on the shelf. Stupid! Careless! What would Master An'dra say!?! Flitting to and fro she deftly dodges a trio of shots before misjudging the last and taking a severe hit to her middle. It appeared that they didn't know just who they were facing, but she would let them know!

Not caring if these stupid beasts could understand her or not...

"Ho to the camp! You face your death this day! You face the Wolftooth Company! FOR EMMEROCK AND THE VALE!"

Bringing both hands together in a loud clap, and then mimicking shooting a bow herself, she aims for the stupid oaf that shot her.

Spoiler

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Melf's Acid Arrow
ranged touch (1d20+6)[26]
for this round, and 2 consecutive rounds (2d4+3)[10] acid damage. no save, no sr. the +3 from warmage edge applies each round

Stepping back from the edge, she hopes to give herself a little more cover by placing the hill itself in the way of any more arrows!

Spoiler: the party

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in case that battle cry doesn't reach them, she'll send via Message that the battle is joined, and the gnolls are out of the cloud. some have already surrounded the cart

[bcool999]

Kuros moves forward into the illusory terrain tightens his grip on his weapons. He has his hammer, shield, magic longsword and his new cleaver at hand, but as he picks up speed to charge the nearest Hyena it is his hammer which flashes from the illusion to strike it.

Spoiler: OOC

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Move action: Move to G8 drawing equipment if not already drawn.
Standard Action: Charge at Hyena3 which with reach stops Kuros' movement at J8.

Power attacking for -2 to hit +4 to damage. Charging gives +2 to hit and -2 ac (Kuros AC 22 after charge penalty)

Attack: (1d20+9)[19] Crit threat 29
Damage: (2d4+11)[13] Bludgeoning damage.

[BluesEclipse]

As Kuros moves forward, Korlann gives him a moment to approach before darting forward himself, through the illusion. Catching up to Kuros, he darts past his companion to strike at the nearest of the beasts still standing.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Korlann will charge to M8 and attack Hyena 1.

To Hit: (1d20+10)[23], Crit on 30
Crit Confirm (if applicable): (1d20+10)[23]
Damage: (1d8+3)[11], x2 on Crit

[almondsAndRain]

Three followed in the Comapny’s footsteps, rushing downhill to close in on the gnoll slavers. Her vision caught on to one of them, still sickened by Akara’s Pyrotechnics, and she skid to a halt just behind Kuros. The warforged leveled her crossbow, aimed - and launched a bolt at the hyena-man moments after Kuros slew one of its pers.

Three rushed off East while the rest of the Company moved South, avoiding the Darkness she cannot fight in. Her vision caught one of the gnoll slavers, still sicked by Akara's Pyrotechnics, and she skid to a halt before a tree near the cliff's edge. The warforged leveled her crossbow, aimed - and launched a bolt at the hyena-man just moments after Kuros slew one of its pets.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Move Action: Three moves to G10.

Standard Action: Three attacks Gnoll 3 with her +1 Light Crossbow.
Attack Roll: (1d20+6)[10] This threatens a critical on a natural 19 or 20, so a 27 or 28.
+2 from her Base Attack Bonus, +3 from her Dexterity, +1 from the weapon’s Enchantment bonus, +2 additional enhancement from Bane. I am unsure if that is a tree or a bush, so… adjust this as needed, please.
Critical Confirmation Roll: (1d20+6)[26]. This threatens a critical on a natural 19 or 20, so a 25 or 25.
Normal Damage Roll: (1d8+1)[9]
Critical Damage Roll: (1d8+1)[3]

Notes: Three has 27 bolts remaining.

EDIT: Apologies for the Darkness screw up! I've been rushing everywhere lately.

[Zombulian]

Seeing that the party had now fully engaged in combat, Gizonde dropped his focus on the illusion, allowing it to melt away into the true image of the treeline.
He stepped to the side and began chanting a new incantation.

Spoiler: OOC

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Gizonde takes a 5ft step to C7 and starts casting Conjure Ice Beast I to be summoned on H12 at the beginning of his next turn.

[Saintheart]

Sunset, A Canyon in the Hills, the Stolen Lands
Twenty-third of Kythorn, Year of Lightning Storms (1374 DR)

Complication Dice: 1 of 6

Gizonde's illusion broke apart as Kuros and Korlann exploded from within it. Kuros's blow killed one hyena outright, and Korlann flicked in a lightning-fast strike that he was sure had touched his target's heart. The hyena was certainly on its last legs. The gnoll slavemaster screamed, a high-pitched keening that set the teeth on edge. The smell of smoke combined with the dreadful smell of a bulb of acid eating away at the creature's body. Akara's spell had lit clean on the creature's face and head; it did not seem that creature would be long for this world. Three's shot from Gremlinbane went wide...

Spoiler: Tactical Map

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Spoiler: Tactical Notes

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Hyena 1 is on its last legs, the Gnoll Slavemaster is pretty much dead on Akara's next turn. Hyena 3 is down.

Group initiative:

- Dergosh
- Gnolls and Hyenas
- Everyone else

Dergosh has 48 hours to post up actions, as usual. So far so good.

[Mercurion 2]

The cleric stomped forward towards the two nearest gnolls, stopping a few body lengths away and making a motion with his mace hand as if ripping something up out of the ground. Between his two foes, a group of orc warriors arose from the dirt, each wearing a wolfen cowl. A battle scream ripped from their mouths before they faded away behind a translucent curtain of blood, leaving the ground bare once more and his foes ears ringing with pain.

Spoiler: Actions

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Move to square K9, cast sound burst between gnolls 1 and 3. Each takes 5 points of damage and must make DC 16 Fort saves or be stunned for one round.

[Saintheart]

Sunset, A Canyon in the Hills, the Stolen Lands
Twenty-third of Kythorn, Year of Lightning Storms (1374 DR)

Complication Dice: 1 of 6

The two gnolls slapped their poorly-articulated paws against their ears, howling at the sudden burst of sound that had shattered their eardrums. Both were staggering, not paying any attention to anything bar the blood streaming from their furry auditory orifices. For these few seconds at least, they were no threat.

Hyenas swarmed Korlann. Two came bounding through the smoke in support of their stricken packmate, and the young monk was suddenly surrounded by wild creatures not roaring, but making a highly disturbing sort of keening, giggling sound as they surged to the attack. The monk was quick, but two of the snapping creatures ripped at his arm and leg - though they weren't quick enough to then pull his legs out from under him and put him on the ground, and he could continue the fight nonetheless.

Across the way, the slavemaster at least was dying well. Akara could plainly see the white of bone smoking through the acid steam as it ate away at his body, but the big creature still managed, with trembling paws, to raise its bow one more time and send a last arrow tchocking away into the night, buzzing somewhere in the vicinity of her head. And it was using its last breath to snarl at its comrades in the gnoll language, as it collapsed at last to the ground.

The two gnolls closest to the wagon seemed to obey. Abandoning any pretence of shooting at Akara, they scrambled around behind the wagon, out of her line of sight entirely.

It was Kuros and Dergosh who caught a glimpse of what was happening, through the trees. There was a glint of sparks from where the two gnolls were crouching down behind the wagon. As though they were lighting a fire. Or a torch.

Spoiler: Tactical Map

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Spoiler: Tactical Notes

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- Gnoll 1 and Gnoll 3 are both stunned as well as taking 5 points of damage each.
- Korlann takes 9 points of damage, putting him at 25/39 by my count. Wasn't tripped.
- Gnoll Slavemaster is dead.
- Akara doesn't have line of sight and therefore no line of effect to Gnolls 2 and 4.

Group initiative:
- Dergosh
- Gnolls and Hyenas
- Everyone else

Everyone bar Dergosh now has 48 hours from the time of this post to post up actions, following which I will update. If you haven’t posted by then, your character stays where they are and is on total defense this turn. Actions are resolved in order of posting.


...And yeah, hyenas do giggle. Very unpleasant buggers, their jaw strength is greater than a lion's and they're pretty damn quick on the hoof when it comes to it. Luckily for most creatures, hyenas wound up with a weak and wobbly rear end and a cowardly disposition in most situations.

[jdizzlean]

Spoiler

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with a presumptive warning message from her allies, move to H22 the ledge overhead behind the two gnolls

As her foe falls inevitably to the ground, bloodlust overtakes Akara. The need and desire to continue the fight. Swiftly she takes wing, and lands just behind where her quarry is hiding behind the wagon, attempting their last cowardly act. Pointing her finger, she strikes down another foe.

Spoiler

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assuming i can figure out which one has the flint/tinder/match/zippo lighter, i'll target that one

lesser orb of acid

ranged touch (1d20+6)[9] for (3d8+3)[17]

[BluesEclipse]

Korlann lets out a brief hiss of pain as the fangs of the Hyenas tear at his flesh, before shifting his stance. Ki swirls up around his arm as he lashes out at the injured beast, taking on an azure glow as it draws some of the incarnum energy from his soulmeld, before erupting from his fist at the point of contact. A second blow, this one a sweeping kick, follows shortly after.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Korlann is going to attack using Flurry of Blows, with Pharaoh's Fist being used on the first attack.

Attack 1: Targeting Hyena 1
To Hit: (1d20+6)[12], Crit on 26
Added Effect: On a successful hit, Hyenas 1, 2 and 4 must all make a DC 16 Fortitude Save or be Stunned for 1 round.
Damage: (1d8+4)[9], x2 on Crit

Attack 2: Targeting Hyena 1 if it is still standing, otherwise targeting Hyena 4.
To Hit: (1d20+6)[7], Crit on 26
Damage: (1d8+3)[6], x2 on Crit

[Zombulian]

Gizonde finished his incantation, lowering his hands quickly from their focusing positions. Just as he does so, with a hiss and a crackle, a swirling whirlwind of snow and ice appears under the tree near one of the stunned gnolls and takes shape into that of a giant crystalline centipede. The ice beast immediately scrambles up the cliff face and crawls along it until it is behind the gnolls by the wagon, lashing out with its mandibles and letting loose a gust of frosty air.

While the beast runs off, Gizonde places his focus on the gnoll that Three had attacked. He moves up just behind the warforged, slinging his enormous bow off of his back as he does so, before planting the bow in the ground and loosing an arrow at the stunned slaver.

Spoiler: OOC

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Gizonde conjures an Ice Beast Monstrous Centipede (Medium), which uses its decently high crawl speed to move to J18. It attempts to bite Gnoll 2, and it activates its cold aura.
Cold aura (no save) (1d6)[2] cold damage to Gnoll 2 and Gnoll 4.
Bite Attack: (1d20+2)[21] for (1d6-1)[0] damage.
Critical on a 22.
Confirmation if critical: (1d20+2)[16] for (1d6-1)[1]
Ice Beast duration: (1/4 rounds)

Gizonde moves to F10 and shoots his bone bow at Gnoll 3.
Bow Roll: (1d20+4)[20] for (2d8)[7] damage.
Crit on a 24.
Confirmtion: (1d20+4)[14] for (4d8)[21] extra damage.

Gizonde has 39 arrows remaining.