Rise of the Runelords [The Skinsaw Murders] (IC)

[rypt]

Al crouches low and with a grunt of effort attempts to leap clear over the robed spellcaster.

"This fight's over, old man! Are you really gonna make us put you down? Drop the blade and surrender."

He keeps his shield raised and at the ready but does not immediately attack.

Spoiler: OOC

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Swift action: Al will use hastened leap to attempt to jump over the spellcaster. Ideally, he will land in the square to the spellcaster's east.

Acrobatics (including +10 bonus from hastened leap): (d20+18)[32]

Move action: If, due to the trajectory of his jump, Al has to land farther to the east, he will west move to be in the square to the spellcaster's east.

Standard action: Al will ready a shield bash attack in the event the spellcaster makes it clear he is unwilling to surrender, either by saying so, attacking, attempting to flee, or casting a spell.

Attack: (d20+8)[10]
Damage: (d4+3)[7]

Immediate action: If Al is required to make a Fortitude or Reflex save, he will use enduring shell for a +4 bonus.

[lostsole31]

R16T8: Al crouches low and with a grunt of effort attempts to leap clear over the robed spellcaster. The upper lintel of the doorway would be a problem, but not for someone like Al who is a brilliant mathematician as well. He leaps, but spins his body to use his polearm as a means of providing upward thrust like a pole vaulter while his upturned body kicks off the inside portion of the lintel to then flip to the far wall which he kicks off of again and finally lands on the other side of the old man. "This fight's over, old man! Are you really gonna make us put you down? Drop the blade and surrender."

He keeps his shield raised and at the ready but does not immediately attack.

"Ha! Never!" he says as Al then sends a shield his way, though it is deflected by some type of field.

R16T7-6.9: Zada comes out of delay to step into where Alvor was a second ago, they direct the spiritual trident to attack the old man, which impacts - force to force - against hard magical protection. They quickly shift the protagonist from Archamge to Guardian, their dependable, telescoping mindblade appearing in hands. With a determined thrust they hit the old man in the upper left arm for 15.

Their rat quickly scurries behind them.

R16T6: Norton, what do you do?

Spellcaster on deck, Draegra in the hole ...

[meemaas]

Norton sighs. "I swear, whoever made these fog spells..." He says to nobody in particular, before he dives into the cloud in an attempt to help join the combat.

Spoiler

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Based on what I can glean from the other maps, Norton can't get into a position where he can find an enemy yet, so he enters into the cloud toward the fray as best as he can. If he can reach the caster with what little knowledge he has of the proceedings, he'll attack him, but I'm leaving that roll to you if needed.

[lostsole31]

R16T6: Norton sighs. "I swear, whoever made these fog spells..." He says to nobody in particular, before he dives into the cloud in an attempt to help join the combat. He passes Steingott and gets next to Zada while taking out his rapier, and realizes he CAN just see an old spellcaster in creepy robes, though it requires Norton to attack across the side of a doorway. Norton lunges, overextending, and the old man tries to slash at him with a dagger.

R16T1: The old man reaches out with his creepy cold hands and touches Alvor on his right hand for 1, and Alvor calls on his skill to resist the numbing effect (enduring shield).

End Round 16, Begin Round 17 ...

R17T25: Martin hears someone in armor coming up to him before Draegra's voice is heard casting a spell and Martin is touched with healing energy suffusing him for 8 healing.

R17T21: Steingott, what do you do?

Alvor on deck, Zada in the hole ...

[TooterfishPopkn]

Steingott stays put as to not clog the doorway.

"We can do this all day! Bring him to us!"

Steingott flings another chunk of earthen material where he *thinks* the caster is, relative to where Alvor was originally standing.

Spoiler: Action

Show

(1d20+8)[10] to hit

(2d6+9)[13] dmg upon success

[lostsole31]

R17T21: Steingott stays put as to not clog the doorway. "We can do this all day! Bring him to us!"

Steingott flings another chunk of earthen material where he *thinks* the caster is, relative to where Alvor was originally standing. Alvor, the cloud furrows and swirls as you duck out of the way of flying rock.

R17T8: Alvor, what do you do?

Zada on deck, Granite in the hole ...

[rypt]

Al growls in frustration before calling out, "It's not an angry goat, Steingott, it's an evil wizard -- and he can hear you!"

In keeping at least with the spirit of the dwarf's suggestion, Al leans into his shield and attempts to force the spellcaster out onto the veranda.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Standard action: Al will attempt to bull rush the spellcaster, moving with him as far as he is able.

Bull rush: (d20+9)[28] (add an additional +1 if Al can deliver the bull rush via his shield to benefit from the masterwork attack bonus)

Spoiler: Maneuver tracking

Show

Maneuvers expended so far this round: None.
Maneuvers expended 1 round ago: Hastened leap, enduring shell.
Maneuvers expended 2 rounds ago: None.

[lostsole31]

R17T8: Al growls in frustration before calling out, "It's not an angry goat, Steingott, it's an evil wizard -- and he can hear you!"

In keeping at least with the spirit of the dwarf's suggestion, Al leans into his shield and attempts to force the spellcaster out onto the veranda. He pushes the spellcaster easily, almost like a rag doll, but he doesn't move far at all before an obstacle on the other side is there that Alvor fails to also push aside. In fact, the obstacle speaks angrily...

R17T7: "What in the Cinderplains are you doing, Alvor?!?" calls Zada unseen (to Alvor) from the other side of the spellcaster. Her force-trident attacks weakly, not even getting rid of an image. She swings wildly with her mindblade, still trying to get her balance from nearly being bowled over.

R17T6: Norton, what do you do? You can see/ attack the spellcaster, but through an open window that is 2' x 2' square.

Spellcaster on deck, Draegra in the hole ...

[meemaas]

Norton takes a moment to cast a spell, and with a deft action that seems supernaturally accurate, strikes through the window with his rapier at the spellcaster.

Spoiler

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Full Round Action: Spell Combat.

Cast True Strike first

Attack with Rapier. (Risky Strike) (1d20+7)[16] (Applied -2 for Spell Combat. Did not Apply True Strike, in case the spell fizzles somehow.)
Damage (1d6+7)[13]

[lostsole31]

R17T6: Norton takes a moment to cast a spell, and with a deft action that seems supernaturally accurate, strikes through the window with his rapier at the spellcaster. Despite all of the man's images, the spell works anyway in unerringly hitting the man in his left shoulder for 13.

R17T1: The old man touches Alvor on the chest for 2 negative energy. Though Alvor puts up a good fight, this man's necromantic magic is particularly strong, and Alvor takes another 1 STR damage.

End Round 17, Begin Round 18 ...

R18T25: Draegra casts a spell onto Martin for another 13 healing.

R18T21: Steingott, what do you do?

Alvor on deck, Zada in the hole ...

[TooterfishPopkn]

Steingott growls in frustration, walks to the window nearest to him and sends a chunk of earth through it.

Spoiler: Action

Show

MA: Ten feet south to the window, then send a chunk of earth through it.

(1d20+8)[9] to hit...the window? lol

(2d6+9)[20] to break it.

[lostsole31]

R18T21: Steingott growls in frustration, walks to the window nearest to him, and sends a chunk of earth spraying diffusely at the partially-closed shutter. He can see inside the 2' x 2' window with partly open shutter, but did no damage to it.

R18T8: Alvor, what do you do?

Zada on deck, Norton in the hole ...

[lostsole31]

R18T8: Alvor knows he needs to get more weapons involved to surround the old man. He tries something unconventional. He reaches out past the old man with his shield arm .... his arm exposed! The old man actually nicks Al with the dagger for 1. Then, Al scoops the old man 5' back with him with his shield arm. He calls out, "Zada, move forward to continue the flank! Norton, come in and around to surround him. Mind the desk."

R18T7-6.9: Zada's spiritual trident winks out of view, but she steps into where the old man was before, and sees him again as Al predicted. She attacks with her mindblade, but is noped by the fog. Granite follows her in.

R18T6: Norton, there has been a change in the battle, and if you do as Al said, you would need to move in and atop the dying bat-creature (20' worth of movement). What do you do?

Old man on deck, Draegra in the hole ...

[meemaas]

Norton will trust that his comrade isn't trying to hurt him, and follow the directions he's given. If, once he's made it into that position, he can see the old man, he'll give another thrust at him with his rapier.

Spoiler

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Move action: Move around and into the room to the square the bat creature is in, probably stepping on it.

Standard action: Attack the old man if he can be seen.

Attack roll (1d20+10)[26]
Damage (1d6+7)[13]

[lostsole31]

R18T6: Norton will trust that his comrade isn't trying to hurt him, and follow the directions he's given. He saw the old man as soon as he came through the door. Once he stands astride the bat-creature, he gives another thrust at him with his rapier, stabbing the old man in the left hand for 13.

R18T1: "I am Caizarlu Zerren, peerless necromancer. I shall not be defeated by the likes of you ragamuffins," says the old man. With his non-glowing hand (right), he takes his recently wounded hand and reaches out to touch Alvor, but misses. Still, he now has a blue-glowing right hand, and a black-aura left hand that's bloody.

End Round 18, Begin Round 19 ...

R19T25: Draegra taps Martin with his wand for another 7 healing.

R19T21: Steingott, what do you do?

Alvor on deck, Zada in the hole ...

[TooterfishPopkn]

"That...didn't go as planned."

Steingott tries to open the window manually, but there's not much he can do. He then moves north to rejoin his associates and see if there's now a clear way towards the caster.

[lostsole31]

R19T21: "That...didn't go as planned." Steingott tries to open the shutters manually, but there's not much he can do. He then moves north to rejoin his associates and see if there's now a clear way towards the caster.

R19T8: Al successfully maneuvered the old man for him to get another ally in easier reach of him. Though the fact he dropped his dagger to have two different types of energy - one on each hand - is disturbing. Now, though, he needs to refresh himself for this partially new battlefield. He grits his teeth and gives into a totally defensive focus.

R19T7: Zada concentrates on a spell to try to give themself an edge against the spellcaster. They then turn into a genderfluid dwarf of similar look and proportions .... just dwarven ... and much more muscular!

R19T6: Norton, what do you do?

Caizarlu Zerren on deck, Draegra in the hole ...

[DrK]

Martin

As Martin feels the healing flowing into him he reaches out, grabbing Draegra "My thanks, the pains have eased, but I still cannot see. What is happening? Are the others safe? It feels like we are outside?" he assumes a fighting stance, a nervous, "Shout if the enemy close"

Spoiler: OOC

Show

I know Martin is not part of the combat but taking a non offensive action as he's been delaying to say thank you for the healing. He would responde with thanks, even if he still cannot contribute.

Also "go team" he's cheering you on

[meemaas]

Norton decides to try to strike the caster down with a flurry of strikes and spellcasting.

Spoiler

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FRA: Spell Combat (Spellstrike) (Arcane Mark)

Attack 1: (1d20+8)[22]
Damage (1d6+7)[13]

Spellstrike (1d20+8)[26]
Damage (1d6+7)[11]

[lostsole31]

R19T6: Norton decides to try to strike the caster down with a flurry of strikes and spellcasting. Despite the several images, Norton's blade still finds the man to stab him in the upper left thigh with a rapier for 13. But in casting a cantrip, Norton didn't think to concentate carefully. Luckily, Alvor had already grabbed his attention with the drag and gets that spell cast harmlessly, though he only stabs a mirrored image for his trouble on the second shot.

R19T1: Caizarlu misses Alvor, and Al takes advantage of the follow-through to tap his shield against the man's forearm so that the dark-energied hand touches the man's cheek to do 21 (+1d6 bleed), but he also gains 21 THP! Still, the old man shrieks in pain from that weird give-and-take.

End Round 19, Begin Round 20 ...

R20T25: Instead of a touch from the wand, Martin actually hears Draegra casting a spell, and Martin's shoulder is touched to give him 7 healing. There is like a firm couple mini-slaps to Martin's shoulder, as if to signal to him that Draegra is done pouring healing into him.

R20T21: Steingott, what do you do?

Al on deck, Zada in the hole ....

[lostsole31]

R20T21: Steingott, seeing the battle much changed, pushes through the fog and tries to duck out of the way of the blue-glowing hand old man. Though Steingott's acrobatics leave something to be desired, luckily the old man's reflexes are poor as he misses the dwarf. When he passed by, he hadn't seen anything but the open door into the larger room to the south, so Steingott lets loose with a pushing infusion, taxing his reserves as he does so. The man holds up his arms to protect himself, and one of his images is removed.

R20T8: Alvor, what do you do?

Zada on deck, Norton in the hole ...

[rypt]

With his allies moving to surround their remaining foe, Al drives the edge of his shield at Caizarlu's knees, hoping to knock the old man off balance and bring him the ground.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Free action: Al will use Tactical Flanker to designate the square to his southwest as occupied by him for the purpose of flanking.

Standard action: Al will attempt to trip Caizarlu. This attempt provokes an attack of opportunity.

Trip attempt: (d20+7)[27] (Does not include any flanking bonus. Add an additional +1 if Al can apply the masterwork bonus from his shield).

Immediate action: If attacked by the old man after his turn is over, Al will use iron shell to attempt to negate it.

Spoiler: Shield bash, if necessary

Show

(d20+12)[14]

[lostsole31]

R20T8: With his allies moving to surround their remaining foe, Al drives the edge of his shield at Caizarlu's knees, hoping to knock the old man off balance and bring him the ground. Al braces against a counter attack, forgetting that the old man was focused on something else moving on the other side of the fog, and Alvor cleanly knocks the man off of his feet, despite illusions and clouds in the way.

R20T7: With the old man on the ground, Zada throws her power into her strike, killing an image.

R20T6: Norton, what do you do?

Caizarlu Zerren on deck (literally), Draegra in the hole ...

[meemaas]

With the old man fallen and his attention elsewhere, Norton repeats his attacks, this time putting more strength into it.

Spoiler

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Full Round Action: Spell Combat/Spellstrike (Arcane Mark), using Risky Strike

Attack 1 (1d20+7)[26]
Damage (1d6+11)[15]

Spellstrike (1d20+7)[12]
Damage (1d6+11)[15]

[meemaas]

Spoiler: Ooooh Crit

Show

Crit roll (1d20)[15]
Damage (2d6)[5]

[lostsole31]

R20T6: With the old man fallen and his attention elsewhere, Norton repeats his attacks, this time putting more strength into it, but getting noped by the mist (oh,nooooo!). The second attack destroys the last image.

R20T1: Caizarlu cackles at Norton's bad luck as two different spells foiled him, though the old man does realize he is not in a great place right now. He tries to concentrate on what seems to be a difficult spell, but it fails. In addition, by casting a spell, his chill touch likewise goes away. He stays on the ground though.

End Round 20, Begin Round 21 ...

R21T25: Draegra delays ...

R21T21: Steingott, what do you do?

Alvor on deck, Zada in the hole ...

[TooterfishPopkn]

Finally having a position on the caster, Steingott attempts a couple hits on the old man.

Spoiler: Action

Show

SA: Brawler's Flurry

Hit One: (1d20+6)[17]

Damage: (1d8+4)[6]

Hit 2: (1d20+6)[7]

Damage: (1d8+4)[8]

[lostsole31]

R21T21: Finally having a position on the caster, Steingott attempts a couple hits on the old man. The first is noped by the cloud, but the second is so clumsy that it leaves Steingott wide open (flat-footed)!

R21T8: Alvor, what do you do? You saw Steingott's spectacular fail and currently vulnerable position.

Zada on deck, Norton in the hole ...

[rypt]

Hardly able to believe that the old man is still alive, Al mutters under his breath as he attempts to land what he hopes will be a finishing blow.

Spoiler

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Free action: Al will use Tactical Flanker to designate the square to his southwest as occupied by him for the purpose of flanking.

Free action: Al will utilize Risky Strike for a -2 penalty on attack rolls and a +4 bonus on damage rolls until the beginning of his next turn.

Standard action: Al will initiate distracting strike with a shield bash. On hit, Caizarlu must succeed a DC 16 Will save or become flat-footed.

Attack (only including Risky Strike penalty, but no flanking or prone bonuses): (d20+6)[22]
Damage: [roll]1d4+7[roll] plus (2d6)[9]

[lostsole31]

R21T8: Hardly able to believe that the old man is still alive, Al mutters under his breath as he attempts to land what he hopes will be a finishing blow. He smashes the old man's left foot for 20. It doesn't seem to affect the old man that much, though the old man is bloody as can be at this point.

R21T7: Zada puts power behind her strike as well, hitting the old man in the neck with a soft crit for 24, practically stapling the man to the deck. He gurgles out weakly, wanly, his back arched sideways in pain before he expires.

Combat Ends!