Chronicles of the Blade IC

[namo]

"Let those who want a contract have their binding word, and those who seek ideals have their hearts bound" Dre'k suggests from his side of the room, a bit too forcefully to be diplomatic.

"Thanks for your work, sir Grey, was it? I myself will not be needing it."

Spoiler: OOC

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Dre'k has 7 in Charisma AND Wisdom so, well, those interactions are not his thing. But he tries, at least!

[Kuro Dmon]

“Well, Dre’k.” Leena starts. “It might be useful to you for your command. Proof of your talent being requested by the Royal Court.” At that word, Leena walks out of the bakery, but only to the bird parked next to Alaric’s mount. After petting its beak, Leena digs through its saddlebags and seeks additional items. Returning to the group at large and the table and struggling a bit with her load, she sits down while setting down a set of smaller purses in front of her, landing with the unmistakable gingle of coins.

“The right to abandon this mission at any point? Granted.” Leena says with a note of finality, her purple eyes starring softly yet determinedly into Alaric’s face. “More likely for personal taste, should that be one’s preference. I would hope that none should be so heavily injured to warrant discharge from what should be a simple scouting and escort mission. Though I have served My Lady and My Court dutifully enough to learn a thing or two of herbal medicine, and so hopefully should danger present itself, you would be as much in my care as I would be yours.”

Leena then places each bag in front of her, spaced out separately. “This is not quite a matter of mere Sell-swords and Mercenaries. So, the circumstances are somewhat atypical. But Lady Carina did understand and expect some compensations and care to be had. In addition to attempting to help as best as I am able on this venture, I am authorized to reimburse you for your time and efforts. This,” she emphasizes the bags in front of her, “is for your silence, should you at all choose to leave before the quest is complete. You will receive additional pay once I have arrived intact at Nashira first. Once there, I would request investigating each city to ascertain the situation. My knowledge” she pauses for emphasis to catch Dorian’s eye, given he is the most vocal about the need for this organization “will be evidence enough. Seeing enough of the land to confirm the rumors. At that point, or if we are lucky enough to visit each major city and find no evidence of a disturbance that would require the Empire's attention, then the rest of your reward will await you once I have been safely returned to Altair.”

"These are my terms, as a representative of Lady Carina. Would they be agreeable?" Leena asks, one gloved hand resting atop the bags, another held out in request for Dorian's pen. Should there be no complaint, Leena would sign each contract with her signature and title, as well as with the emblem drawn onto the earlier invitations, while placing a bag on each paper. Inside each bag lay 100 Platinum Pieces.

[Da'Shain]

After greeting newcomers to the table with a friendly grin and a shake of her flask in offering, Freki had been largely silent, owing to a combination of keeping her face stuffed alternately with pastries and grog as the conversation went on, but also due to keeping a surprisingly sharp eye on their prospective employer through her pitch. As she noticed the princess' retainer eye the clock for a second time, one side of Freki's mouth quirked up around ... what was this, a muffin? Oh well, gone now. The woman was nervous, and though it could be simply ordinary jitters for a royal servant having to interview possible employees for the first time, Freki thought she had a decent idea what else could cause that. As Miss Tessie left the bakery and returned, Freki cast a surreptitious eye out the doors and windows of the establishment. Finishing her baked good, she wipes her mouth with the back of her hand and grins again as the money pouches and contracts are slid across the table.

"Well, I for one am completely convinced!" she exclaims as she hefts the bag of coins in her hand, examining the contents far more thoroughly than she examined the terms of the contract (not at all). Whatever misgivings she may have had were largely assuaged by money in hand, though she had an increasing feeling that this job might be more fun than she'd initially thought for a government contract. "You need a traveling companion and sometime bodyguard for your completely sanctioned and official mission, Freki's your girl, Miss Tessie!" she winks at her new boss as she signs the contract with a sloppy flourish. Stories of the undead were actually some of the few lessons she'd paid attention to growing up, so she felt she had a decent grasp on the dangers in play; the fact that her father would approve of her aiding in this mission factored in to her decision not at all, nope.

Returning her flask to her belt, Freki draws a larger glass bottle from a pocket in the sash across her chest that absolutely should not have been able to hold such a thing; the fact that this bottle had a fancy label and a dark red liquid inside made it relatively obvious it was the kind of drink one would probably have to pay at least one of those platinum coins for. She waves at one of the servers with a signal to bring around some drinking glasses. "Toast of the Sealord, for any who'll be our new mates!"

Spoiler: OOC

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Freki Stoneslapper Tiefling Female Stalker 8 // Striker 8 AC 29, Touch 26, Flat-footed 23 HP 104/104; Init +3 Speed 35 ft, climb 15 Senses Perception +18, Darkvision 60 Current Stance Primal Warrior Stance Conditions Tipsy

Freki attempts a Perception check (1d20+18)[27] to see if she notices anything unusual outside. Granted, she's unlikely to pick up much of anything without actually getting up from the table herself and looking around, but she's not trying to be obvious as of yet.

Freki offers a drink of Sealord Wine to anyone who signs up, which is a wine generally fancied by nobles.

[ScrambledBrains]

Darvan raised an eyebrow at Freki's energetic, carefree acceptance of this contract and after closing his eyes and mulling over the matter to himself for a minute, opened them once more.

"While I would like to believe my word is sufficient enough to vouch for my loyalty to this mission, if it will assuage your concerns," Darvan murmured as he glanced at Dorian, "Then I will sign this contract. That said, I do not tend to partake of anything that may inebriate my senses. My apologies...Freki, was it?"

After leaving his name at the bottom of the contract, he turned to Leena, "When will we depart?"

[Kaouse]

"More than acceptable, my dear lady." Dorian says, bowing with a smile on his face as the terms are completed and the rate is ironed out betwixt the party and their benefactor.

With the contract done, he will fold it up repeatedly into a tight square before holding it up between his index and middle fingers. In a flash of darkness and jet black feathers, a raven appears from his shadow, grabs the contract in it's beak, flies around the man once more, before vanishing behind the man once more.

The deed is done, to go back upon the terms we swore...
To Quote the Raven... Nevermore!

With that out of the way, Dorian will once more look upon the Lady with a soft and gentle tone.

"The princess must really trust you, for your word to be sufficient enough to wage war. But... let us hope that such a thing shall not come to pass. I will do my best to protect you on this, most perilous of journeys."

[Athaleon]

Alaric nodded assent without saying a word, and signed the contract as it came around to him. He somewhat regretted his vitriol, but he still felt he had had a fair point. For now, he had to believe all present had been thoroughly vetted and the truly untrustworthy would not have been invited in the first place.

[namo]

Dre'k steps up as well, and pockets the purse with only a nod - that loyalty is rewarded through payment, and not just kind words, is par for the course in his line of work.

He ponders for a time how he will handle the official army paperwork (a pretty seal, even Royal, is never enough by itself), but he concludes he likely won't have time.
I'll just have to smooth things over once I come back.
In any case, he has over a hundred days of R&R owed to him by the army, seeing as he's barely taken any time off in recent years, so he figures something can be worked out... Not that the army is tolerant of any kind of shenanigan, but his already established reputation for oddness might work for him in this instance.

Then he heads over to Freki and gratefully accepts slightly more than a thimbleful of her wine: it's good for wetting the throat, but he wants to stay sharp. Bow work, unlike mad sword-swinging, requires a vision unblurred by alcohol.
"This is good stuff, right? I don't know much about it, but the name rings a bell."

[Da'Shain]

"No worries, mate, Freki replies to Darvan, placing the assorted glasses the server had brought next to one another and pouring the expensive wine out all at once, surprisingly deftly, as though into shot glasses, the relatively small amount of excess dribbling onto the table in between. "It's good luck for the pourer to drink yours for you!" She holds off on doing so for the moment as she waits for the contract to make its rounds.

After sliding filled glasses across the table for Leena, Alaric, Sieghart, Baldret and Dorian, Freki thumps Dre'k on the back, picks up one of the glasses, pours most of the wine back into the glass before her, and clinks her now overfull glass against the barely filled one before handing it to him. "Mee-toh-nail's vintage," she proudly tells Dre'k, anyone who's seen the label on the wine bottle likely wincing at her mangled mispronunciation of the name written there. "I'd call it the weak but sweet stuff, myself, but for those with more discerning tongues I've been assured it's a treasure."

Spoiler: OOC

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Freki Stoneslapper Tiefling Female Stalker 8 // Striker 8 AC 29, Touch 26, Flat-footed 23 HP 104/104; Init +3 Speed 35 ft, climb 15 Senses Perception +18, Darkvision 60 Current Stance Primal Warrior Stance Conditions Tipsy

[Kuro Dmon]

Before there’s time to truly enjoy the fancy sea spirits, or even for Leena to reply again, echoing screams and the squawks of the animals outside shattered the calm of the day. Indeed, Leena’s delicate grip on her glass slips, spilling over like her chair as she immediately rises to her feet.

Outside, a pack of monsters had broken past the market gates to the south. They resemble Dire Wolves, except much more nightmarish; flesh and fur so putrid it appeared to be almost rotting, bones jutting jaggedly out of the skin, multiple glowing blank eyes, and a maw of misshapen teeth longer than that of a crocodile’s jaw.

As citizens fled for their lives, one of the beasts charged across the commerce, horrible jaw agape. Another followed its nose onto a nearby cart, seeking prey. The last, notably larger than the other two and about the size of an elephant, crushed the fountain while in the middle of the square, bellowing towards the sky.

[ScrambledBrains]

The quiet so shattered, Darvan leaped from his seat and unsheathed his chakram. The blade erupted in a layer of ice as he did so while Darvan's form seemed to shimmer for a moment, an odd energy flowing through him as it did so.

"Shall we?" He asked the other assorted bodyguards before heading to the door of the shop.

[Athaleon]

"Stay close to her," Alaric advised some of the others, as he indicated Leena. "These creatures may be a distraction." Mind racing, he thought it probable—monsters so large would have trouble navigating doors and narrow alleys in the middle of a city—but the creatures would have to be dealt with in any case. Alaric felt he would be better equipped for it, on horseback with long lance in hand, than most.

Alaric unhitched his unflappable warhorse, Kazimir, from his post. In smoothly practiced motions he swung himself into his saddle and brandished lance and shield, ready to charge out or skirmish before the bakery entrance, as needed.

Spoiler

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Mounting up, drawing Lance and Shield, staying in Iron Tortoise Stance, and activating Piercing Thunder and Golden Lion Styles. Covering the entrance of the bakery for now. Assuming things like activating Raging Song will have to be combat actions. Integrating everyone for Squadron Feats has to be done tomorrow morning.

Kazimir, his horse, would have the Juggernaut Armor veil shaped on itself and The Brawler shaped on Alaric already.

[Da'Shain]

"Don't need to tell me twice," Freki mutters in response to Alaric's advice, taking in the newly appeared giant ... rotting ... wolves and deciding that can be someone else's problem if they want it, thank you very much. She stands from her chair and crosses to place herself in front of Leena, adopting a ready stance and a hard grin that is only slightly spoiled by her immediately reaching around the other woman to grab someone else's drink from the table. "Your health!" she tips the glass at Leena before knocking the wine back fast enough to personally offend the vintners, wherever they are, and tossing the glass behind her as part of the same fluid motion. Wiping her lips, she picks up one of the chairs and holds it before herself like a cross between a shield and a club, ready to dance.

Spoiler: OOC

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Freki Stoneslapper Tiefling Female Stalker 8 // Striker 8 AC 29, Touch 26, Flat-footed 23 HP 104/104; Init +3 Speed 35 ft, climb 15 Senses Perception +18, Darkvision 60 Current Stance Primal Warrior Stance Current Tension 0 Conditions Drunk 7 rds (DR 8/- vs nonlethal, morale +3 atk/dmg), Fool's Errand Style [Scholar: Surprise talent], Adrenaline Surge 1 min. (+10 temp HP), Vital Tension 5 rds (Vital Strike)

Freki gains 3 tension at the start of combat (+1 Boost first turn, +1 Desperate during round starting with 0, +1 Drunken when drunk). She spends 2 on Adrenaline Surge to gain 2xCon temp HP as a free action. She spends 1 as a free action on Vital Tension to gain the Vital Strike feat for 5 rounds.

She will also attempt Knowledge Religion: (1d20+9)[14] to see if she can figure out anything about these narsty wolves that look like they might be undead.

Swift adopts Fool's Errand Style, selecting Extra Combat Talent: Surprise (Barroom) with her bonus feat from Fool's Errand Scholar.

Move steps around the table and grabs and drinks a glass of wine within her reach (move action due to Hard Drinker ability).

Standard picks up a chair to use as a 2H Improvised Weapon, granting it the Reach quality due to her Barroom Expert talent. Her first attack with it gains a +2 circumstance bonus and batters the target struck, due to the Surprise talent.

[Arael666]

Alaric's fast response to imminent danger and the immediate resolve to protect the rest of the group only served to strengthen Baldret's decision to ally himself with him.

Not wanting to leave all the fun and danger for his companion, he sprung into action, leaving the bakery to join his ally, ready to show his willingness to be shield and spear ror his party.

Spoiler

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Swift: manifest claws of the beast

If he is able to charge, Baldret will charge the largest worglike monster, ending his movement in the K10 square and hitting AC (1d20+20)[23] with his claw and dealing (1d4+12)[16] damage on a succeful hit.

If he cant charge, Baldret will move to K10 and attack, using the aforementioned to hit roll -2 since he is not charging.

If a single move is enought to get to K10, he will use a double move to get to that position

[namo]

Dre'k takes a quick look at the monsters coming in, and can't help feel a chill creep in his bones... and at the same time the familiar fire of excitement.
This was new! This was dangerous for sure, but for a good cause!

Quickly evaluating the weak points in the shop, he kicks a couple of tables over, to create a makeshift barricade for the waiters and Leena.
"Please hunker there while we handle those creatures"

He doesn't need much preparation since he has his bow in hand already - and a quiver at the ready on his back.
Focusing on his trusty weapon, he prays briefly:
"Spirits of war, lend me the power to overcome these foul creatures!"
In response, his bow pulsates briefly with coruscating power.

Drawing on the mastery of his inner self, he also speeds up his movements.

He will step out of the shop just enough to be able to shoot anywhere on the plaza, yet still force any enemy to run over him before reaching the lady.
(If there are several entrances to defend, he'll coordinate with others so that they hopefully each block one.)

Spoiler: OOC

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Pre-combat:
move: Touch of Joy on himself - duration 2r
free: K Religion Dungeoneering (1d20+15)[25] (-1 since his Dungeoneering is slightly lower) for identification and weaknesses (technically he can roll twice, but I assume 24 gets him some info already)
std: Warrior Spirit to give +3 of properties to his bow (see stat block) - duration 1 min
swift: Time Skitter boost to get Hasted - duration 6 rounds

Move to a good position

Spoiler: Stats

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Dre'k
M NG Tiefling Warder | Fighter/Conscript, Level 8, Init 15, HP 104/104, Speed 30ft + 15ft + 30ft
AC 31, Touch 17, Flat-footed 29, CMD 28, Fort 11, Ref 15, Will 5, CMB +11/+6, Base Attack Bonus +8/+3
Adaptive: +Str to damage Composite longbow +1 +18/+13 or +16/+16/+11 (RS) or +16/+16 (Barr2) or +14/+14/+14 (Barr3) (1d8+11, x3)
-- Deadly Aim -3 (+6, )
Breastplate +1, Living Steel Buckler +1 (+9 Armor, +2 Shield, +4 Dex, +1 Natural, +3 Deflect, +4 Misc)
Abilities Str 17, Dex 18, Con 17, Int 22, Wis 7, Cha 5
Condition
Aegis: for allies within 20ft, +2 morale to AC/Will

Warrior Spirit (10/10r): weapon is aberration Bane, flaming and corrosive
Haste (6/6r)
Touch of Joy (2/2r)

Threatened Area: 10ft around him

CONDITIONAL MODIFIERS
+2 to saves vs charm & compulsion
+1 to atk/dmg if target within 30ft

[X][X] Martial Foci
0/24 Delayed Damage Pool (nonlethal)
7/7 AoO

12/12 Marks (-6 to atk, 14% spell miss)
2/2 Defending the Sky: free, use counter at-will for 1r, for self and allies
4/4 Martial Flexibility: move, get Combat feat for 1 min
3/4 Warrior Spirit: std, grant weapon +3 worth of abilities
8/9 Touch of Joy (move): roll twice for all d20 for 2r
1/1 Darkness (Sp)

STANCE
[X] SC1 Silver Crane Waltz: +5 Init, +3 AC and Ref
[ ] TG3 Tempest Gale Stance: +Int to dmg, +2 to DC and maneuvers

READIED MANEUVERS
[ ] TG1 Disarming Shot: disarm via SoH
[ ] TG2 Sudden Gust: +2d6, trip via SoH
[ ] RH3 Flickering Defense: imm, -4 to atk & roll twice take lower
[X] RH3 Time Skitter: swift, Haste for Int r
[ ] TG4 Iron Wind: +4d6 dmg, Fort DC 22 ? staggered for Int r
[ ] RH4 Temporal Body Adjustment: imm, negate 1 condition

[Kaouse]

Dorian Grey smirks at the approaching danger. A crazed look appears in his eye. He brandishes the clawed gauntlet covering his hand, as it begins to drip from every chink and crack. Drops of green liquid drop from his gauntlet, only to immediately sizzle upon contact with the ground.

"It's been a while... since I've been able to let loose!"

With that, he'll vanish and reappear straight in the thick of battle! A wave of cursed energy warps the battlefield at his feet as he plunges his claw into his opponent!

Spoiler: OOC

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Current Stance: Poisoner's Stance
Standard Action: [Shattered Mirror] (Strike) Fetch's Wrath
--> Teleport Medium range, attack enemy

Attack: (1d20+25)[38]
Damage: (1d3+1)[4] + 8 (precision) (Also I forgot an extra +2 to hit and + 2 damage for Dark Focus, also forgot the bonus 4d6 damage for Fetch's Wrath [rolled 11 damage in OOC thread] total damage is therefore 25.

If Hit, target is exposed to poison, needs to make 1 Fort Save, DC 23, or take 3 CON damage once per round for 6 rounds. Gets a new save every round until it succeeds.

Free Action: 5 ft step for better coverage.
Swift Action: Enter into Obsidian Reflection Stance. All creatures within 20 feet of Dorian Gray (enemies and allies alike) will take a -3 to attack and damage.

[ScrambledBrains]

Upon reaching the square, Darvan's gaze immediately goes toward the biggest one of the creatures, "You must be their leader...good. If I kill you, then the rest should be easy to pick off."

A rush of winds surrounds him as he rears back with his Chakram before letting it loose with a mighty rushing gale, aiming straight for the head of the pack!

Spoiler

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Standard Action: Used Cutting Gale Strike to hit the creature. If it hits, +5d6 damage and if the creature bleeds, it must pass a DC 18 Fort check or bleed for 4 points of damage a turn unless it can pass a DC 15 Heal Check. Dice Rolls will be in the Dice Thread.

[Kuro Dmon]

Leena’s shaken out of her own fear of the disturbance by the swift reply of her new allies. The difference between someone tempered by adversity and those who have not are much more apparent once facing it directly.

Nevertheless, it’s Dre’k’s well-meaning idea which prompts her respond at all. “The patrons of the Fresh Fare should stay out of trouble. But Lady Carina would be upset if I represented her interests while merely sitting by as you risked your lives.” Leena replies to him while following the group outside. “Especially against Scarred Beasts! Why are those here?!” she screams in further alarm, once she’s gotten a proper look at the monsters.

Still staying behind the group at large, Leena returns to her Axebeak, untying her rope and hugging her. “Lyra, this will be dangerous, but we need to try to help, okay?” Leena croons to her mount while stroking her beak again. Shaken somewhat, the large bird steps forward to join the others, anxiously looking from creature to creature.

As her allies fly into action, Leena pulls open the neck of her robes. And then… unbuttons the top of her full blouse… and out pops the head of a small white rodent! “Archimedes, find Sir Oscar! There’s no way this has gone unnoticed, but just to be certain!” she urges it. As the biggest Beast roars in agony while Baldret successfully slashes it, the Sugar Glider jumps out of his master’s ample bosoms and immediately flies away north.

Before the beast has time to even finish expressing its annoyance, Dorian’s claw similarly strikes true and it’s snarl of rage is disrupted by Darvan’s chakrams. The beast only screams even further in defiance as its fellows also turn their attention to the rest of the team.

Spoiler: OOC

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All actions and needs should be largely accounted for at this point, I believe?

Baldret: Hit.
Dorian: Hit; it barely saved against poison.

With that out of the way, Round 1 Officially starts.

And with Scrambled having already acted (Hit, and a much higher roll on that Save), it's now Dre'k, Freki, and Dorian's turns again.

[namo]

Dre'k is both calm and filled by the thrill of battle, a thrill that he has practiced turning into actual power that fuels his prowess.

He told Leena that she had his bow, and he meant it; he is very earnest about these things.
His hand is a blur between quiver and bow, and he aims one arrow at each monster, then another one at the biggest of them.

"Unnatural creatures," his words ring clearly through the plaza "begone! Or we will unmake you, through blade, arrow, fire and acid!"

Spoiler

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Swift: switch to Tempest Gale Stance
Full-round: full attack with Rapid Shot and Haste. Attack rolls are "roll twice take best" thanks to Touch of Joy
Attack vs Huge: (1d20+19)[29] (1d20+19)[20]

Base (1d8+11)[12] + Bane (1d6)[5]+6 + 6 Int (stance) = 29 dmg; Fire dmg: (1d6)[1] Acid dmg: (1d6)[2]

Attack vs 1: (1d20+19)[20] (1d20+19)[29]

Base (1d8+11)[19] + Bane (1d6)[4]+4 + 6 Int (stance) = 33 dmg; Fire dmg: (1d6)[5] Acid dmg: (1d6)[5]

Attack vs 2: (1d20+19)[22] (1d20+19)[30]

Base (1d8+11)[12] + Bane (1d6)[3]+5 + 6 Int (stance) = 26 dmg; Fire dmg: (1d6)[6] Acid dmg: (1d6)[4]

Attack vs Huge: (1d20+14)[21] (1d20+14)[18]

Base (1d8+11)[15] + Bane (1d6)[1]+3 + 6 Int (stance) = 25 dmg; Fire dmg: (1d6)[6] Acid dmg: (1d6)[5]

Each attack that hits a monster for the first time marks it: it takes -6 to attack anyone other than Dre'k. I'm assuming he hits all 3 and spends 3 marks.

Spoiler: Stats

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Dre'k
M NG Tiefling Warder | Fighter/Conscript, Level 8, Init 15, HP 104/104, Speed 30ft + 15ft + 30ft
AC 30, Touch 16, Flat-footed 29, CMD 30, Fort 11, Ref 12, Will 5, CMB +11/+6, Base Attack Bonus +8/+3
Adaptive: +Str to damage Composite longbow +1 +18/+13 or +16/+16/+11 (RS) or +16/+16 (Barr2) or +14/+14/+14 (Barr3) (1d8+11, x3)
-- Deadly Aim -3 (+6, )
Breastplate +1, Living Steel Buckler +1 (+9 Armor, +2 Shield, +4 Dex, +1 Natural, +3 Deflect, +4 Misc)
Abilities Str 17, Dex 18, Con 17, Int 22, Wis 7, Cha 5
Condition
Aegis: for allies within 20ft, +2 morale to AC/Will

Warrior Spirit (9/10r): weapon is aberration Bane, flaming & corrosive
Haste (5/6r)
Touch of Joy (expires this round): roll every d20 twice

Threatened Area: 10ft around him

CONDITIONAL MODIFIERS
+2 to saves vs charm & compulsion
+1 to atk/dmg if target within 30ft

[X][X] Martial Foci
0/24 Delayed Damage Pool (nonlethal)
7/7 AoO

9/12 Marks (-6 to atk, 14% spell miss)
2/2 Defending the Sky: free, use counter at-will for 1r, for self and allies
4/4 Martial Flexibility: move, get Combat feat for 1 min
3/4 Warrior Spirit: std, grant weapon +3 worth of abilities
8/9 Touch of Joy (move): roll twice for all d20 for 2r
1/1 Darkness (Sp)

STANCE
[] SC1 Silver Crane Waltz: +5 Init, +3 AC and Ref
[X] TG3 Tempest Gale Stance: +Int to dmg, +2 to DC and maneuvers

READIED MANEUVERS
[ ] TG1 Disarming Shot: disarm via SoH
[ ] TG2 Sudden Gust: +2d6, trip via SoH
[ ] RH3 Flickering Defense: imm, -4 to atk & roll twice take lower
[X] RH3 Time Skitter: swift, Haste for Int r
[ ] TG4 Iron Wind: +4d6 dmg, Fort DC 22 ? staggered for Int r
[ ] RH4 Temporal Body Adjustment: imm, negate 1 condition

Area effect: Aegis: for allies within 20ft, +2 morale to AC/Will

[Da'Shain]

Sighing to herself as the nice lady with the moneybags states her intention to put herself in danger, Freki grumbles "Fiiiine," and decides that the bakery's chair is a sufficient remove from these disgusting creatures to merit getting close enough for a whuppin'.

Rocking back on her heel for a moment as she gathers her strength, she explodes forward and around the mount nearby, bringing the chair in an upwards arc from behind her and slamming it towards the largest dog's face. "Bad dog! Heel! she snarls at it, her own mouth suddenly doing a pretty close approximation to the expression on the monsters' slavering snouts.

Spoiler: OOC

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Freki Stoneslapper Tiefling Female Stalker 8 // Striker 8 AC 30, Touch 27, Flat-footed 23 HP 104/104; Init +3 Speed 65 ft, climb 45 Senses Perception +18, Darkvision 60 Current Stance Primal Warrior Stance Current Tension 2 Conditions Drunk 6 rds (DR 8/- vs nonlethal, morale +3 atk/dmg), Fool's Errand Style [Scholar: Surprise talent], Adrenaline Surge 9 rds (+10 temp HP), Vital Tension 4 rds (Vital Strike), Hasted (+1 atk/AC/Ref, +30 move, +1 attack on full attack) 5 rds

Freki gains 2 tension at the start of the round (+1 Desperate during round starting with 0, +1 Drunken when drunk). She banks them for now.

Swift initiates Time Skitter on herself, she is Hasted for Wis mod rounds.

Move She moves to L11.

Standard Freki Vital Strike Power Attacks the Huge Scarred Wolf with her chair (which is 2H and has reach at the moment).
-Attack (1d20+22)[28] (crit on 18-20, crit confirm roll (1d20+24)[37])
-Damage (12d6+18)[61]
Whether the attack is successful or not, the Huge wolf is Battered (-2 CMD, can't make AoOs vs combat maneuvers) for 1 round due to the Surprise talent, and Freki loses her +2 circumstance bonus to hit with the chair.

If successful (and it's not dead), she attempts a free action (due to Cornugon Smash) Intimidate check (1d20+21)[26] against the dog to demoralize it. She also uses the Follow-Through talent as a free action to deliver a Bull Rush as a free action through her improvised weapon and deal damage (thanks to the Smash talent). She is treated as Huge sized due to her Primal Warrior stance so she can bull rush the dog just fine.
-Bull Rush CMB (1d20+24)[38]
-Damage (6d6+18)[39]

If the Bull Rush is successful she will move with the creature as it is pushed straight back (up the 11-13 columns, 5 feet for every 5 by which she beats the CMD).

If she hits with either of those attacks she gains +1 tension for the round (but only once). If her demoralize succeeded, she gains another +1 tension.

[Kaouse]

Dorian hums in appreciation at his ally's suggestion of "blade, arrow, fire and acid" as the main means of dealing with these accursed creatures. So he chimed in as well, to add to the party's information:

"Indeed, fire and acid are very effective against these things, though blade and bow perhaps less so. I also definitely wouldn't try lightning damage though. Nor would I try anything mind-affecting. These guys don't have much to affect in the first place!"

With that, despite being in the cluster of enemies, he calmly took out a small alchemist set, folding out from his utility belt, and began mixing some belladonna root with some herbs and spices into a nice relaxing tincture.

He drinks the tincture, and takes a calming breath, before eyeing the mutated Scarred Beast before him.

"Want some?" he asks the monster with a smile, despite knowing very well that it wouldn't.

Ugh. You know I hate it when you drink that stuff.

"Ey, if it works, it works, Quote. Besides... this creature doesn't have much a choice. It's not going anywhere" Dorian says, with a hard glare directed at the monster.

Spoiler: Actions

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Standard Action: Activate Belladonna Barrier.
--> Normally, this provokes an AoO, but since the enemies haven't moved yet, they're still considered flat-footed and are thus unable to take AoOs.
--> This uses up martial focus.
--> Dorian Grey gains a circumstance bonus equal to his INT-mod (8) to AC vs natural attacks for INT-mod (8) rounds.

Move Action: Focusing Breath
--> Recovers martial focus

Swift Action: Dark Claim on the Big Scarred Beast.
--> For 1/2 class level (4) rounds, Dorian always knows the creature's exact location, and Withdraw actions provoke if in his threatened range.
--> Dorian Grey also recovers 1 maneuver - Fetch's Wrath.

QUOTE THE RAVEN: Continues to use Guardian Sphere Patrol w Assist Zone + Berserking for extra temp hp.

[Kuro Dmon]

Drek’s first arrow finds purchase easily, as do the following pair. Perhaps it was the pain of the first shot that causes the giant beast to recoil, barely dodging the second one Dre’k sent its way.

Dorian easily finds an opportunity to express himself and enjoy his drink. If Dre’k’s skill wasn’t a distraction enough, Freki’s brutal attack certainly is; enough to send herself and the monster reeling over the fountain from the incredible force of her blow.

As it attempts to regain it’s footing and lash back out with renewed vigor, it seems far too disoriented to land a single hit! Blows that would have easily killed lesser men, and that all together might have doomed Freki, smash the ground and slice the air as she almost effortlessly dodges them.

One of the beasts crawls up next to its larger kin, and sprays a wave of electrified energy from its jaw in the general direction of the source of the arrow sticking out of its skull.

Spoiler: OOC

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Very poor dice on the monster's part, and very good fortune and team work on your end! You barely even took chip damage; Baldret and Freki just took 17 Lightning Damage, DC 23 Reflex for Half.

And speaking of the man, Baldret and Alaric (and Kazimir) up next!

[Athaleon]

Alaric paused only to bellow an inspiring command before spurring his mount into movement. Until he got to know his companions better, he would have to keep things simple.

"They are few! We are many! Divide their attentions and we shall triumph, but 'ware their breath attack! Onward, for the Empire!"

As he spoke, he wheeled Kazimir to the enemy's right flank, eyeing up the biggest of the monsters. Bad angle for his lance, tight quarters for a mounted charge, but attacking the creature's legs seemed a good way to disrupt it and get its attention. His lance point missed the scarred wolf's leg; the creature was quick and erratic despite its size. Committed to his course, Alaric urged Kazimir further to get almost literally underfoot. With any luck he could send it sprawling, or at least convince it to blast its breath weapon away from the rest of the group—and their charge.

Spoiler: Actions

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(Alaric) Move Action: Begin Raging Song (Inspired Rage). Any ally who can hear him can choose to gain the effect (spellcasters etc. will probably not want it).

(Alaric) Swift Action: Activate Protective Shout; allies gain a +3 competence bonus to save against the wolves' breath weapon.

(Alaric) Move Action: Activate Aggressive Flanking Tactic (plus Expert Coordinator Enhanced Tactic). Center on I11, affects allies in a 50' radius (practically the whole map)

(Kazimir) Move Action: Shove the big bad wolf, moving to G8/H9 as part of the action. Kazimir's Juggernaut Plate allows him to ignore Difficult Terrain if that is what the steps are.
Attack: (1d20+18)[22] vs Touch; deals 9 Bludgeoning Damage if it hits, and inflicting the Battered condition (-2 CMD, cannot take AOOs provoked by combat maneuvers) until the end of Alaric's next turn.

(Kazimir) Standard Action: If target was Battered, make a Trip attempt. Otherwise, make a regular Bite attack.
Attack: (1d20+18)[37] (+1 Size Bonus if making the Trip attempt)
Damage (if making a Bite): (1d4+9)[12] B,P,S

(Alaric) Immediate Action (after his turn ends): Activate Extended Defense to use the Warning Roar counter an unlimited number of times until Alaric's next turn.

Spoiler: If Statements

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- If Kazimir made a successful combat maneuver check, Alaric will make an AOO against the same target via his Double Team talent. This close in, he will have to make Shield Bashes.
Attack: (1d20+24)[44] (Power Attack)
Damage: (1d6+16)[19] Piercing

- If any of Kazimir's attacks missed, Alaric uses Golden Lion Style to make an AOO against the target.
Attack: (1d20+24)[25] (Power Attack)
Damage: (1d6+16)[19] Piercing

- If Alaric has at some point made an AOO (whether it hit or not), Kazimir can do so as well via Paired Opportunists.
Attack: (1d20+22)[26]
Damage: (1d4+7)[8] B,P,S

- If Kazimir's original Bite Attack did not miss, other allies flanking with Alaric can activate Golden Lion Style if they miss. In any case he can use it only once per round.

- If Alaric or any adjacent ally are attacked, he can use an AOO to increase Shield AC by +4 against that attack. If that attack misses, he can make a shield bash attack against that attacker as a free action.

- If anyone adjacent to Kazimir is attacked, he can use an AOO to increase their AC against that attack (+4 for Alaric, +2 for anyone else) via the Bodyguard feat.

- If Kazimir is attacked or has to make a Reflex save, Alaric can use an AOO to make a Ride check and use that in place of Kazimir's AC or Reflex save, if it is higher.

- Enemies provoke AOO from Alaric just for entering his threatened area; in Iron Tortoise Stance he threatens a 15' radius with his Lance and 10' with his non-reach weapons.

Spoiler: Party Buffs Summary

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Aegis (20' Radius from Alaric): +2 AC, +2 Will saves (all Morale bonuses)

Raging Song (should you choose to accept it):
- STR+4, CON+4, +3 to Will saves (all Morale bonuses), -1 AC
- Quick Reflexes Rage Power (1 additional Attack of Opportunity per turn)
- Cannot use Charisma-, Dexterity-, or Intelligence-based skills (except Acrobatics, Fly, Intimidate, and Ride) or any ability that requires patience or concentration.

Protective Shout: (50' Radius from Alaric) +3 competence bonus to save against the wolves' breath weapon. 3 Rounds Remaining.

Aggressive Flanking: (50' Radius from I11) Allies that threaten the same enemy count as flanking that enemy, regardless of positioning.

Expert Coordinator: Allies benefiting from Aggressive Flanking also gain Outflank and Paired Opportunists Teamwork Feats.

Guerilla Formation: Allies in formation* gain +2 to attack and damage from flanking, and can take a 5' step as a free action once per round if doing so would put them into position to flank an enemy (with Aggressive Flanking, this can be any enemy that another ally already threatens).

*within 15' of Alaric or someone else in the formation (as I read it, you need a line of allies between you an Alaric with no more than 15' in between each)

Extended Defense—Warning Roar: (60' Radius from Alaric) When an ally is attacked, Alaric can attempt a Diplomacy roll versus the Attack roll to negate it.

[Arael666]

"agh you damned misshapen beast" curses Baldret as the electric current burns his skin. He takes a wide stance briefly closes his eyes and a spark of static sweeps away from him and then dissipates.

Opening his eye again, the man smirks "Let's see you try that again" and rushes towards the creature that tried to electrocute him at an inhuman speed

Spoiler: OOC

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Standard action - energy adaptation, specified, gaining resistance to electricity 20
swift action - initiates Time Skitter with a duration of 5 rounds
move action - moves adjancent to I14

[Kuro Dmon]

For the Empire… of course. Leena thought, watching yet another of her protectors rush forward.

Kazimir has very little resistance riding forward and shoving the battered beast out of his way. Though its toughened skin shakes off some of the continued assault, by this point it has to be near the end of its rope, more so once master and mount strike again after sending it crashing into the ground.

As Leena contemplates Alaric’s courageous shout, the last whelp jumps forward. But rather than continue charging towards the squisher folk in the distance, its head turns and faces the continued movement in the center of the square, and it breathes another gasp of electricity into the fierce melee.

Over the noise of the static discharge comes the most beautiful sound anyone present has ever heard in their entire lives; a singing that resonates within the soul of each person that hears it. What could have been the melody of a choir of angels emanates from none other than Leena herself; having shaken off the spike of adrenaline Alaric sent up her spine, she yet replies by attempting to sing an old battle hymn in Celestial.

During this time, her Axe Beak mount, which squawks angrily upon hearing and accepting Alaric’s song, rushes past Darvan and charges down the third beast, furiously biting at it with her large beak. As her mount joins the fray, Leena caps off the first chorus of the hymn by swinging her hands in front of her, and releasing a wind teeming with sparkling blue motes of light. Though the affect flows around each beast, it settles on each of Lyra, Kazimir, Alaric, Freki, Baldret, Dorian, and Quote. The caress of the wind immediately brings relief to any of the burns caused by the beasts, along with a lingering feeling of relief and comfort.

What positivity was brought by Leena’s attempts at aiding her new allies is somewhat undercut by her suddenly screaming in surprise and peril. As the group was heavily distracted by the battle, only Dorian had a moment to see the ropes fly through the air. In an instant, Leena found herself flat on the ground and ensnared by a capture net, with a lasso tightening across her torso pinning her arms to her sides, and her legs tied together by an additional set of bolas.

4 men, dressed like adventurers but much more clandestine, and hidden until the battle had come further under way, reveal themselves: a serious looking half-elf on the roof with a glare as sharp as the arrow he has trained at Dre’k; a goblin next to him, leaning casually on the chimney and leering at their catch while palming a pair of black spheres; a young human at ground level, brandishing a pair of swords while looking anxiously on the battlefield; and a muscular orc, only loosely holding his war hammer one handed while pulling in the rope ensnaring a struggling Leena.

Spoiler: OOC

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Map to be updated, but 4 new combatants appear! They were totally planned for the entire time, and not just because someone put the idea into my head and I thought it was hilarious as the rest of the party charged forward!

The 3rd Scarred Wolf did 28 damage (DC 15 Reflex Half) with its breath weapon... but Leena's Channel Energy was worth 29 points of healing, so I'm not sure if anyone even needs to save for it. Though I think Baldret can appreciate the healing for his earlier burns, at least?

Her channel energy also has the benefit that for the next 9 turns, [Lyra, Kazimir, Alaric, Freki, Baldret, Dorian, and Quote] may roll twice and take the best result on a single attack roll, skill check, or saving throw of their choice.
And then the entire party gains the benefits of her Inspire Courage for the next 3 rounds, which grants a +2 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear, and a +2 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls. It'd last longer, but it was a very short performance before she got a bit... tied up.

I'll try not to be too hard on Initiative for the sake of keeping up a better flow, but I think we can continue with the first half of the party, before either bandit or monster attempts to interrupt?

[ScrambledBrains]

Darvan turns to face the newcomers, specifically the Orc holding that has lassoed Leena, with a glare, "You will regret that," He snarls out at the assailant. In the next instant, his arm hurls his chakram out at said criminal, aiming specifically at forcing him to drop the rope and upon letting loose the bladed missile, sprinted to intersperse himself between said Orc and Leena, catching and sheathing his chakram mid-run as he did so. As soon as he was face to tusk with his opponent, his hands took up a defensive position before him and his feet took a wide, grounded stance.

Spoiler: Actions

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Standard Action: Disarming Shot aimed at the Orc in an attempt to force him to drop the rope. The disarm check is based on a Slight of Hand check from me, just FYI.
Move Action: Due to Quick Stow, I can move and sheath a weapon in the same action so I catch my chakram on the rebound while running and sheath it before ending up in M2.
Swift Action: Change Stance to Pugilist Stance.
Necessary Rolls will be in the Dice Thread.

[Kaouse]

Dorian will react to the unforseen attack by teleporting to the ropes and attempting to damage them, hoping that he can help free Leena from a worse fate.

After that, he'll switch to Poisoner's Stance, with the green ichor glazing his fist starting to bubble over, almost as if expressing his inner rage.

Spoiler: OOC

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Free Action: Change Obsidian Reflection Stance from Negative to positive.

Standard Action: Initiate Fetch's Wrath, teleport adjacent to Leena
Attack: (1d20+27)[32] vs AC 5 or so for rope. I will reroll if nat 1.
Damage: (1d3+5)[7] + (4d6)[17] Fetch's Wrath + 8 precision

If successful, Dorian will use his move action to pick up the rope, thus removing it from Leena.

Swift Action: Switch to Poisoner's Stance

QUOTE THE RAVEN
Move Action: Exit Dorian's Shadow and enter Leena's shadow
Stealth: (1d20+17)[30]

Standard Action: Use Swift Patrol with Assist Zone while in Leena's Shadow.

[namo]

Dre'k is surprised by the ambush coming from behind.
He fully intends to berate himself about missing it later, but for now he needs to adapt to it.

Closing in on Leena, he lets his allies free her while he attracts the attention of the newcomers, not with words but with arrows: he shoots on the run, just as a distraction.
"Stay close to me" he tells her imperiously. "They may be trying only to capture you, but we can't know for sure."

Aiming his next arrow, he hesitates only briefly before firing at one of the goblin's orbs. They're an unknown quantity, and military training teaches you to eliminate those whenever possible.

Whether that succeeds or not, he is ready to thwart the efforts of all opponents for a short while: he keeps firing arrows at an incredible pace at each of them in turn (or sometimes two at once if the enemies are close to each other), distracting them, forcing them to dodge, blunting their attacks.

Spoiler: OOC

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Free: activate Berserking (-2 AC, 11 temp HP)
Swift: N/A
Move: move to M4
Standard: Disarming Shot
Attack vs Goblin: (1d20+21)[30]

Base (1d8+19)[22] = 29 dmg; Fire dmg: (1d6)[1] Acid dmg: (1d6)[4]

Sleight of Hand for Disarming on orb (vs CMD): (1d20+15)[27]

If it hits, he marks the goblin: it takes -6 to attack anyone other than Dre'k.

I'm pre-rolling some Intercepting Shots in case the ranged attacker aims at someone within 15ft of Dre'k:
(1d20+21)[24]
(1d20+21)[32]
(1d20+21)[38]
(if Dre'k's attack is higher, the ranged attack misses)

Separately from the Intercepting Shots, which are AoOs, he uses an immediate action after his round for Defending the Sky with the Flickering Defense counter: ALL enemies within 60ft must roll twice, take lower, with a -4 penalty for the next round (whatever the attack target).

Spoiler: Stats

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Dre'k
M NG Tiefling Warder | Fighter/Conscript, Level 8, Init 15, HP 115/104, Speed 30ft + 15ft + 30ft
AC 31, Touch 17, Flat-footed 29, CMD 28, Fort 11, Ref 15, Will 5, CMB +11/+6, Base Attack Bonus +8/+3
Adaptive: +Str to damage Composite longbow +1 +18/+13 or +16/+16/+11 (RS) or +16/+16 (Barr2) or +14/+14/+14 (Barr3) (1d8+11, x3)
-- Deadly Aim -3 (+6, )
Breastplate +1, Arrow Catching Living Steel Buckler +1 (+9 Armor, +2 Shield, +4 Dex, +1 Natural, +3 Deflect, +4 Misc)
Abilities Str 17, Dex 18, Con 17, Int 22, Wis 7, Cha 5
Condition
Aegis: for allies within 20ft, +2 morale to AC/Will

Warrior Spirit (8/10r): weapon is aberration Bane, flaming & corrosive
Haste (4/6r)

Threatened Area: 10ft around him

CONDITIONAL MODIFIERS
+2 to saves vs charm & compulsion
+1 to atk/dmg if target within 30ft

+2 atk +1d6 dmg vs aberrations (bane)
+2d6 dmg vs evil

[X][X] Martial Foci
0/24 Delayed Damage Pool (nonlethal)
7/7 AoO

8/12 Marks (-6 to atk, 14% spell miss)
1/2 Defending the Sky: free, use counter at-will for 1r, for self and allies
4/4 Martial Flexibility: move, get Combat feat for 1 min
3/4 Warrior Spirit: std, grant weapon +3 worth of abilities
8/9 Touch of Joy (move): roll twice for all d20 for 2r
1/1 Darkness (Sp)

STANCE
[] SC1 Silver Crane Waltz: +5 Init, +3 AC and Ref
[X] TG3 Tempest Gale Stance: +Int to dmg, +2 to DC and maneuvers

READIED MANEUVERS
[X] TG1 Disarming Shot: disarm via SoH
[ ] TG2 Sudden Gust: +2d6, trip via SoH
[X] RH3 Flickering Defense: imm, -4 to atk & roll twice take lower
[X] RH3 Time Skitter: swift, Haste for Int r
[ ] TG4 Iron Wind: +4d6 dmg, Fort DC 22 ? staggered for Int r
[ ] RH4 Temporal Body Adjustment: imm, negate 1 condition

Area effect: Aegis: for allies within 20ft, +2 morale to AC/Will