Printable Version of Topic Click here to view this topic in its original format
Shining Force Central Forums > RPG Gallery > Shining Force: The Chaos War Part II

Posted by: Rusty Wed Aug 03, 2005 7:32 am
((...I'll take my action sometime tomorrow, hopefully.))

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Wed Aug 03, 2005 7:33 am
"It's always something, isn't it..." Ashathel mumbled, reaching the deck. Looking over, he tried to take a look at what was going on but failed as the furry creature on his shoulder shifted and nearly fell into the water. You'd better watch yourself, Telithe. I'm a wizard, not a necromancer, he said wordlessly, steadying the familiar he'd managed to summon a week ago.
And I'm a mongoose, not an otter, came the creature's wordless reply. It's your fault I'm sailing the ocean blue in the first place.
I'll keep that in mind next time we need to take a sea vessel, the swashbuckler said, drawing an arrow as he fitted it to his bow. Any of the pirates look especially eager to die to you?
The ugly one, Yelithe replied simply, scurrying onto the shoulder of the arm holding the bow. Smiling, Ashathel let the bolt fly towards the ropes holding the sails instead, asnwering with That's real descriptive.
Then, on a thought, Ashathel silently spoke to the mongoose, saying You haven't heard me sing yet, have you? Well, I'll show you how to enjoy a fight right now...
"Sailng swiftly across the sea
Then beset by a cruel bunch
Pirates, dirty scoundrels all
With faces to make you lose your lunch!
So what do we do as they come?
Simply welcome this foul hoard?
No, sir, I say we don't;
Instead, let's toss them overboard!"
((Init: 1d20 + 4 = 23
Attack: 1d20 + 3 (+2 from Bardic and Bless) = 13
Damage (if necessary): 1d6 + 3 (+1 from song) = 5
Sing: 1d20 + 2 = 18))

Posted by: Critical Mass Wed Aug 03, 2005 10:54 am
A large flash of fire bursts near the helm of the pirate ship as a small fire elemental is yanked into the material plane. The elemental shrieks and reaches out a hand for the wheel, igniting the ship's means of steering in a sudden blaze. Meanwhile, Rhizor cackles as he sees the smaller boats leaving the flaming craft. He begins another summoning spell as he wheels around to fly back towards the force's ship, having no remorse for the inevitably-doomed pirates below.
((Drop Creeping Cold for SNA II and head back to the ship. Fire elemental goes about doing as much damage to the enemy ship as possible.))

Posted by: Kaihaku Wed Aug 03, 2005 2:30 pm
Cedric swallows, glancing at the watery depths and his heavy armor, "Erh..." His hammer in hand, he moves towards the edge of the boat carefully.

Posted by: Wandering Dezorian Wed Aug 03, 2005 3:00 pm
((Spot: 10 (1d20) + 9 = 19 "Rowboats? Watch for grappling hooks!" Brand says as he draws his double-edged sword, moving closer towards the approaching attackers. "Can we not outrun these rowboats?" he wonders aloud. ((Readied action: If enemy presents himself, drop shield and attack. Until then, hide behind big shield like little girl, making big target and drawing fire.))
Attack roll (+1 head): Natural 20
Confirm critical: 11 (1d20) + 5 (skill) + 1 (+1 enhancement) + 1 (song) + 1 (bless) = 19
Damage (unmultiplied, x2 if critical): 7 (1d8) + 2 (str) + 1 (+1 enhancement) + 1 song = 11
Now I'm wishing I had kept my bow- Combined with the spot, maybe I would've taken out that captain!))

Posted by: Dark Maiden Wed Aug 03, 2005 6:37 pm
((Spot check: 20)) "It would seem that they intend to sneak up on us with row boats. We should be prepared for when they try to board the ship." Kethra moves into a position where can fight effectively, but also protect the casters if she needs to. She watches closely for signs of the pirates trying to board the ship, staying on the defensive until then.
((She's currently staying on full defense until the pirates try to board the ship))

Posted by: Rusty Wed Aug 03, 2005 7:01 pm
: Behold as I shoot, At our thievish foes, As they journey forth, With their eager rows!
Watch as they draw near!
Stand up, do not fear!
The pirates, they'll fall;
Their ship we will sear!
*Faralon pulls back on his long bow, sending an arrow at the closest pirate. Quickly, he fires another arrow at the same pirate! We should keep an eye on all sides of the ship...*
((I realized that in the last battle I forgot to include Inspire Courage to my own attacks. Oops! Anyway, using Rapid Shot on the closest scurvy dog.
Roll to hit: 1d20 - 2 + 7 + 1 + 1 = 25
Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 = 4
Roll to hit: 1d20 - 2 + 7 + 1 + 1 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 = 10))

Posted by: Knight_019 Wed Aug 03, 2005 8:28 pm
*Looking for a way to disrupt their travel, Merkass eyes the clustering of the pirates on the longboats and gets an idea.* : Maybe they'd like to go swimming... *Knocking another dragonsbreath arrow, he aims for the closer of the middle group of pirates in the 4x2 formation. The arrow goes shrieking through the air as the last one had and suddenly bursts into flames. It strikes true, though lodges itself in a somewhat non-vital spot. However, the pirate's clothes begin to burst into flames. Merkass hoped he would take some of the other pirates with him*
((Dragonsbreath arrow
Attack = 1d20 + 7 + 1 (music) + 1 (bless)
15 + 9 = 24.
Damage = 1d6 + 2 + 1 (music) + 1 (fire)
1d6 + 3 + 1 = 1 + 3 + 1 = 4 + 1
DC 15 reflex save or catch fire.
Cramped spaces should leave those nearby vulnerable to the flames as he tries to extinguish himself or get off the boat))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Wed Aug 03, 2005 9:27 pm
Merkass' unlucky pirate manages to capsize the boat he was in as he flails around wildly. Most of the pirates in the boat end up floundering in the water, but two manage to latch onto the side with grappling hooks and pull themselves up to face their foe.
All around the ship, the same thing happens. Grappling hooks attach, and men swiftly scramble onto the boat. Orders and threats are barked to the pirates from a squat, ugly man who appears to be the leader.
Battle Map:

Posted by: Dark Maiden Wed Aug 03, 2005 10:17 pm
"Casters, we're going to need a lot of support with numbers like this." Kethra leaves the side of the casters in order to aid Laika and Cedric, who are beset by quite a few pirates at the moment. She would aid Faralon and Ashathel, but she would not be able to get to them fast enough, and she figures they will back off to a safer spot with much haste. With no hesitation this time, she lashes out at the pirate east of Cedric with a strait karate punch. The blow does hurt the pirate, but he does not go down yet.
((Attack: 18 + 4 + 1 (music) +1 (bless) = 24
Damage: 6 + 2 + 1 (music) +1 (bless) = 10
Kethra is now in the empty space above Cedric))

Posted by: Century Wed Aug 03, 2005 11:06 pm
~Unable to get his spell off in time, Elias waits at the bow of the ship until the pirates begin to board. Taking to the air, he swoops over the side, hovering in midair as he gestures emphatically, the elements conspiring to bring freezing winds and shards of ice over his victim~
(( Moving 32' - 5 squares east, 1.5 squares south-east. Casting Lesser Freeze on the pirate 7 squares south of him
If I can cast Lesser Freeze in between four pirates and get them all, I'll do that. Otherwise, just on that pirate.
Dam: 7+ (2x3) = 13
))

Posted by: DragonmasterDon1 Wed Aug 03, 2005 11:09 pm
Isyndel moved immediately, chuckling slightly to herself and toying with the idea of joining the sudden cascade of people barking orders and assessments. The last amused her so much that she quite literally would have burst out of her dress with laughter if there weren't pirates trying to kill them.
She assessed the situation quickly as she moved to the head of the stairs: the one known as Merkass had two enemies with him, the Monk had moved to support Cedric and Laika. All of them seemed fairly capable, which left the far groups. Between them she held more concern for those assaulting Faralon and Ashathel, and not simply because they were elven. The Bard did not strike her as much use physically and the Swashbuckler she was still uncertain about.
Isyndel weaved quickly, uncertain if the magic would be powerful enough to be of any aid, but the chaos of the situation made it difficult to pick a precise target. She eyed the man she perceived to be the captain as her hands danced in pattern, and with a few choice words the magic sprung forth before her. In the distance, a small ball of light burst just above the captain's head.
((Sure.
Move to the head of the stairs on the left side of the map, then Sleep cast.
Target: Centered on Captain, affects one or more creatures within 10 foot radius of the burst. 4HD worth of pirates fall asleep unless they pass a Will check. Not sure if it matters or not but I have Spell Pen. and G. Spell Pen as feats.))

Posted by: Damas Heretic Wed Aug 03, 2005 11:24 pm
Damas holds his hands up and begins to mutter some sort of incantation as magical energy slowly begins to take the form of a green orb hovering between his hands. He thrusts them forward from above his head as the orb takes upon the shape of what seems to be an arrow and flies toward a pirate just south of Laika.

Posted by: Dark Maiden Wed Aug 03, 2005 11:28 pm
((Don't we all hate spells that require touch attacks? Eh, at least they can score nasty hits every so often... Attack: 12 + 5 = 17 [against touch AC, that should hit] Damage: 4 * 2 = 8 Jesus, what is with these freakin' pearl blue dice?! Anyway, there you are Eric))

Posted by: Aldur Thu Aug 04, 2005 1:18 am
"Have courage dearhearts! We shall repel this menace! We shall break their wings! Note the Captain! Get to him if possible! Contain them if possible, so as to prevent being swarmed!" Amelios headed down the steps of the ship, moving to the aid of his companions. ((As far down the left staircase as possible)) He quickly went through what he could do and decided to support the elven brothers, and as an afterthought cries towards his fellow cleric. "Take the right and bolster our companions! I shall take the left!"

Posted by: Knight_019 Thu Aug 04, 2005 2:10 am
*Merkass scoffs as the pirates clamor up the side of the boat. Their attempts to take this ship would not come to fruition if he had anything to do with it. Pirating was as vile an act to him as any.* : Fiends! Back to the sea with you! *Merkass readies another arrow as he moves backward in a few quick leaps, attempting to fake his motions to throw off he would be moving straight backward. In a quick motion he knocks the arrow and sends it at the pirate who had been standing in front of him.*
((Move 25' back (5 squares to the right), fire another Dragonsbreath arrow
Attack
1d20 + 9 = 13 + 9 = 22
Damage
1d6 + 3 + 1 (fire) + 1d6 (skirmish) = 3 + 3 + 1 (fire) + 6 = 12 + 1 (fire)
DC 15 reflex save or catch flames
1d6 fire damage for a failed save = 5
Equipment is affected, yadda, yadda))
*After his arrow sails, Merkass notes the obvious commander of the pirate forces. Knowing he could be a viable source of information, Merkass passes an idea to the rest of the group.*
: *Shouting* It will be in our best interest to take their leader alive for questioning!

Posted by: Critical Mass Thu Aug 04, 2005 3:01 am
As Rhizor's second summoning spell finishes the mass of a huge green bear can be seen popping into existance by Zook and the birdman. Like the wolves from a few weeks before, the bear appears to actually be some sort of bear-shaped plant rather than a true animal of flesh and blood. Content that that would be enough to help shore up that point of attack, Eyclone focuses the attention of his magic on the pirates' obvious leader. One of the many clay phials of water hanging from the batling's belt shatters, fueling a rather powerful spell that takes shape around the ugly seaman, the pirate feeling his body slowly freezing from the inside-out.
((Greenbound black bear summoned directly north of Zook, Creeping Cold cast on the Pirate King. 1d6 cold damage this round, 2d6 next round, and 3d6 on the third round. Fort save DC 19 each round for half damage. 3 damage this round.))
: ROAR! The bearplant savagly mauls the pirate in front of it, shredding the puny human to ribbons with its mighty thorny claws. It then wastes no time in leaping directly onto the hapless pirate's dead body to bite a huge chunk of flesh out of the one behind it, tearing a massive bloody hole out of the man's abdomen.
((Two claws: attacks 18 22, damage 11 10. Five foot step into the dead pirate's square, bite: attack 16, damage 11. The pirate northeast of Zook is killed and the one directly east of Zook is wounded.))

Posted by: Nightmare Thu Aug 04, 2005 3:49 am
((Note: This happens BEFORE Damas, Kethra or Elias get to do anything due to me having a higher init roll, mine comes first, so if this affects your action, then you should change it. Cause I'm not entirely sure as to which enemy you're all attacking.))
As the swarm of pirates arrive, Laika licks his chops. The odds of him getting to rip through these scalleywags were definitely in his favour, and he couldn't wait for the bloodshed to begin.
((Attack
Claw1: d20 + 6 (melee) + 1 (music) + 1 (Bless) = 16 + 6 + 1 + 1 = 24
Claw2: d20 + 6 (melee) +1 (music) + 1 (Bless) = 6 + 6 + 1 + 1 = 14
Bite: d20 + 1 (melee) +1 (music) + 1 (Bless) = 13 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 16
Damage
Claw1: d8 + 4 + 1 (music) = 6 + 4 + 1 = 11
Claw2: d8 + 4 + 1 (music) = 3 + 4 + 1 = 8
Bite: 1d4 + 2 + 1 (music) = 1 + 2 + 1 = 4
Attacking the pirate directly to the east until it's dead, then if any attacks are left over throw them down onto the one to the south-east.
And to keep track Init rolls are as follows:
Nightmare - Laika: 23
Arcdragnbreth - Ashathel: 23
FreedomJu - Van: 22
Dark Maiden - Kethra: 21
Century - Elias: 21
TheUnknownMarine - Kyoji: 21
Damas - Damas: 20
Knight_019 - Merkass: 20
Kyosokun - Rhyir: 19
DragonmasterDon1 - Isyndel: 17
Kaihaku - Cedric: 17
Twitch - Gabriel: 16
VoxPVoxD - Zook: 13
Wandering Dezorian - Brand: 13
Cyrus - Castor: 12
Big Poppa - Aurik: 9
Aldur - Amelios: 7
Rusty - Faralon: 6
Critical Mass - Rhizor: 6))

Posted by: Cyrus Thu Aug 04, 2005 4:00 am
[Initiative: 9+3=12.] Castor, finally fighting off a debilitating combination of nausea and grogginess, runs over to the brothers, completing the barrier to hold the pirates at bay. [Move 18 spaces to the open space near the elves.]

Posted by: FreedomJu Thu Aug 04, 2005 4:14 am
Now that there were foes on the ship itself, Van knew he could finally be of some use. Getting his weapon ready, he sprinted towards where the catman attempted to fend off a pair of pirates. (Double Move to the space north of where Merkass was when the map was posted.)

Posted by: Twitch Thu Aug 04, 2005 4:55 am
[Move 1 space southeast of Laika] : "You've got about 15 seconds to come up with a damn fine reason as to why I'm being kept from my rest.... ...And if I don't like what I hear, there's going to be hell to pay, which I fully intend to collect in full from your mangled bodies when I'm done with them!"
Gabriel spat venomously as he glared at the pirates boarding the ship in front of him, eyes ablaze with anger for the seafaring bandits. Holding his sword at the ready, he cocked his head back in a mocking "come hither" gesture.

Posted by: Critical Mass Thu Aug 04, 2005 8:26 am
((Init 6. ))

Posted by: Wandering Dezorian Thu Aug 04, 2005 4:06 pm
((First off, Brand uses his delayed action: Attack roll (+1 head): Natural 20 Confirm critical: 11 (1d20) + 5 (skill) + 1 (+1 enhancement) + 1 (song) + 1 (bless) = 19 Damage (unmultiplied, x2 if critical): 7 (1d8) + 2 (str) + 1 (+1 enhancement) + 1 song = 11))
Brand's sword whistles as he hears shouted orders behind him. None bear on him and the halfling beside him, so he ignores them. Plans had been laid, steel bared, and now it was just time for him and his opponent. 'Focus, Brand... focus' he thinks as his brow furrows, running through the old forms.
Full attack, fighting defensively. (AC +3, with my feat)
Attack (+1 head):12 + 5 (skill) + 1 (+1 enhancement) + 1 (song) + 1 (bless) - 4 (defensive fighting) = 16
Damage: 6 (1d8) + 2 (str) + 1 (+1 enhancement) + 1 (song) = 10
Offhand (Masterwork head): Natural 1
Confirm critical miss: 7 + 5 (skill) + 1 (Masterwork) + 1 (song) + 1 (bless) - 4 (defensive fighting) = 11

Posted by: Kaihaku Thu Aug 04, 2005 4:48 pm
((Sigh... Right...)) [Initiative 17] Cedric points his hammer towards the pirates clammering aboard the vessel, "Cease your evil ways or be plunged into the dark abyss. Stolen riches will not spare you your punishment for preying on other children of the light." The Paladin pauses for a brief moment before striking at one of the three pirates near unto him.
((Which one depends on how the monk, wolf, and sorceror do. He will take a five foot step if necessary.))
[Power Attack -3]
[Attack Roll 14 + 9 - 3 + 1 + 1 = 22]
[Damage 2 + 7 + 6 + 1 = 16]
((Assuming a hit...))
The hammer of the Paladin strikes mightly aganist the raider of the sea and as it does so the knight leads out a shout, "IN THE NAME OF THE GODDESS, I CHARGE YOU TO LAY DOWN YOUR ARMS!!!"
((Sigh...))

Posted by: Wandering Dezorian Thu Aug 04, 2005 5:34 pm
((Why the sighs? A dislike of violence? Or something IRL?))

Posted by: Dark Maiden Thu Aug 04, 2005 6:58 pm
((I think so. Kethra moved to the space above Cedric instead and attacked the pirate east of him, but hasn't downed it yet. So you may want to try and finish the pirate Kai ^^))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Thu Aug 04, 2005 9:21 pm
Music: http://perso.club-internet.fr/beaugran/cd/sf1_ost/10%20-%20Battle%20on%20the%20Ship.mp3 Isyndel's spell sends one of the pirates to sleep as Elias' freeze spell slams into one of the buccaneers. Meanwhile, Kethra breaks a few ribs on her opponent as Cedric finishes the job by breaking the poor pirates' skull. However, he is no sooner down than another steps to his place. The same thing happens as Laika downs his foe, though one of pirates engaging the wolfman is burned by Damas' spell.
Amelios moves forward and casts his spell just after Merkass moves back, the two nearly bumping into each other. The pirate Merkass strikes manages to avoid catching fire, but is still hurt, nonetheless.
Rhizor's summoned beast tears into the enemy pirates as his cold spell begins to cause the enemy captain to shiver and grimace.
Kyoji (Init:21) meanwhile, has moved forward and slashes open the throat of one of the pirates near Asathel. After doing so, he promptly vanishes from view.
((Move 30' and Sneak Attack. Critical hit! Total damage: 21. Swift Action: Ghost Step.))
((Ironically enough, it was the penalty for defensive fighting that made that a critical miss. ))
Brand's first attack hits home, slaying the pirate it targeted, the second attack striking another of the sea-theives, but the third attack coinceded with a small wave striking the ship, causing Brand to jam his sword into the wooden deck, then loose his grip as the ship rocked the other way.
((Weapon dropped. Defensive fighting bonus lost.))
The pirates' counterattack is swift and precise, the ocean bandits moving around their foes and slashing at them with sabres and cutlasses. However, due to the formations of the group, several attempts by the enemy to flank are thwarted.
((Critical hit on Kethra! 14 points of damage! Hit on Cedric! 4 points of damage! Miss on Laika. Hit on Laika! 3 points of damage! Hit on Gabriel! 7 points of damage!))
One of the pirates leers at Kethra as his sword opens an artery in her side, the other pirates managing for the most part to pierce past their opponent's defenses to land light hits.
Meanwhile, to the south, the pirates take deadly advantage of the birdman's lack of weaponry, circling around the gnome and the birdwarrior and flanking them!
((Moving within threatened spaces does not provoke an attack of opportunity when the threatener is unarmed, IIRC. Ouch... All four attacks hit. The lone pirate attacking the bear misses. Ouch... 25 points of damage on Brand. 19 points of damage on Zook.))
The pirate encircle their foes, then unleash a bladestorm that slashes open unarmored areas all over Zook and Brand's bodies.
Just as this occurs, Van fails to stop the advance of one of the pirates as the pair that Merkass was fighting flank the fighter and proceed to slash at him with cutlasses.
((AoO: Miss. Pirate attack: Miss, Hit! 9 damage!))
The pirate facing Van misses, but the one that sneaks behind him stabs him in the back... literally.
The same thing happens a moment later to Asathel, as the pirates manuever around him, one missing, the other striking.
((Miss, Hit! 12 damage to Asathel.))
The Pirate Captain roars and takes a swing at Faralon with a longsword as another pirate attacks Asathel, but has his blow deftly parried.
((Miss on Asathel. Hit on Faralon! 9 damage!))
The bard finds himself in pain as the attack expertly slashes open the skin on his side.
((Pirate with no eyes is sleeping.))

Posted by: Rusty Thu Aug 04, 2005 9:28 pm
((With Marine's permission, I'm both posting the map and taking my action now, so this is the action for last round. I'm assuming Faralon goes after the Captain?)) )) *Faralon stops singing, pointing his finger at the Captain, stepping back, yelling angrily at him for slicing him.*
: You, my friend, are in for a world of hurt!
*Throwing tiny tarts and a feather at the Captain, Faralon begins to cast the very spell he had described to Van not so long ago...*
((Five foot step away and Tasha's Hideous Laughter on the Pirate Captain. DC save 15 or fall victim to its evilness. >:-D
Not to everyone: the bardic music is still in effect for 5 more rounds.))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Thu Aug 04, 2005 10:09 pm
The Captain laughs at Faralon's puny threat. Then laughs some more. And laughs and laughs and laughs until finally he collapses, rolling around with laughter. ((I missed the save by one. ONE!!!))

Posted by: Knight_019 Thu Aug 04, 2005 10:26 pm
*The battle at the bow of the ship seemed to be turning into quite a massacre. Both Brand and Zook appear to have been decimated in the pirates' onslaught and there was little time to waste. Moving in their direction, Merkass knocks one of his serpentstongue arrows and lets it fly at the closest pirate next to Zook. Hopefully it would leave him a path in which he could escape.*
((3 spaces diagonally right and down.
Attack
1d20 + 9 + 1 (PBS) - 4 (firing into melee) = 11 + 10 - 4 = 16
Damage
1d8 + 3 + 1 (PBS) + 1d6 = 4 + 4 + 1 = 9 damage))

Posted by: DragonmasterDon1 Thu Aug 04, 2005 10:35 pm
The scope of the battle changed quickly. Isyndel moved down the stairs directly in front of the mainsail mast in the middle of the deck eyeing the group that had surrounded the Tinker and the Birdman. In a heave she thrust into her component bag while chanting the words to a spell and fired it into the fray. Those two seemed to be in the most danger even with help seemingly on the way.
It was too late to fall back to a more defensive position; they'd just have to make do.
((Magic Missile on whatever can save Brand and Zook. Probably the one to the left of Brand unless there's a better target.
Well, most of you saw it. Double 1s. So...4 damage. Hold on to your butts!))

Posted by: Century Thu Aug 04, 2005 10:36 pm
~From his vantage point outside of combat, Elias noticed the developing trouble in which Zook and Brand were engaged. Swooping towards them, he uttered further incantations, a pair of small magical missiles bursting forth from his outsrtetched talon towards his target~
(( Fly south 40' (8 squares).
Cast Magic Missile on Pirate to left of Brand.
Damage: 2+1 + 2+1 = 6 ))

Posted by: Big Poppa Thu Aug 04, 2005 10:48 pm
((Scare is blind >_< Init: 9)) *Aurik moves in to heal Kethra!* ((Spontaneous casting: CLW 1d8+level+1(Healing Domain) = 3+3+1 = 7)) "May the power of Volcanon heal your soul!"

Posted by: Wandering Dezorian Thu Aug 04, 2005 11:03 pm
*edited*

QUOTE (TheUnknownMarine @ Thu Aug 04, 2005 4:09 pm)
((I missed the save by one. ONE!!!))

((No complaints, buddy...))
"Zook! Get out of here!" the Birdman shouts as his weapon flies away. Surrounded, and disarmed, Brand ignored his weapon and reached over his shoulder, drawing his greatsword with an evil looking grin. With a sudden roar, the birdman warrior swung his enormous greatsword with deadly force.
((I'm attacking the guy on the right of me. If the surrounding guys are taken down, too, ie no attacks of opportunity, then I'm gonna move west and outa range after my attack. Otherwise, I'll just fight defensively, in which case subtract 4 from my attacks, which should still hit.))
Attack roll- 19 + 7(skill) + 2 (song, bless) = 28 (24 if defensive)
Threatens critical, checking: 19 + 7(skill) + 2(song, bless) = 28 (24 if defensive)
Yeah, I think that's a critical
Damage: 8 (1d10) + 3 (str x 1.5) + 1 (song) = 12 x 2(critical) = 24
((Oh, sure, now the dice love me... *grumbles*))
((Well, even if I die, at least I've taken down a few of 'em.))

Posted by: Dark Maiden Thu Aug 04, 2005 11:13 pm
Kethra grits her teeth to avoid crying in pain from the rather nasty wound in her side, and glares daggers back at the pirate that had attacked her. Figuring that it would be best to end this quickly, she unleashes a little bit of her pent up aggression in the form of a wicked chop and a spinning back kick.
((Flurry of Blows ^^ I FINALLY figured out how it works!!! ^^;;
Attack 1: 15 + 2 + 1 (music) = 18
Damage: 4 + 2 + 1 (music) = 8
Attack 2: 20 + 2 + 1 (music) = 23
Confirm Critical: 13 + 2 + 1 (music) = 16
Damage: 3 + 2 * 2 + 1 (music) = 11 [or 6 if 16 wasn't enough to confirm a critical]
Please let these attacks hit ))

Posted by: Damas Heretic Thu Aug 04, 2005 11:33 pm
Damas stands his ground while looking about slowly, searching for a target. His gaze then stops once he's spotted a pirate to Brand's left and he raises his right hand, muttering an incantation to himself. Two blue bolts of magical energy are hurled from his fingertips toward the pirate.

Posted by: Dark Maiden Thu Aug 04, 2005 11:34 pm
((Magic Missile? Missile #1: 3 + 1 = 4 Missile #2: 2 + 1 = 3 Total: 7))

Posted by: Critical Mass Fri Aug 05, 2005 2:46 am
((WD, you get AoOs for leaving their threatened square even if you do it vertically. Might wanna edit that..)) Rhizor grimaces as the pirates tear into Brand and Zook, knowing that there was nothing he could do about it other than try and get rid of the pirates themselves. He drops his last second level spell to begin yet another summoning spell, hoping the two would be able to survive long enough for it to take effect. Meanwhile, the spell affecting the pirate leader gains power, his sweat turning to ice as his insides drop to even more frigid temperatures.
((Drop creeping cold for SNA II (hippogriff). Pirate King takes 6 cold damage, fort DC 19 half.))
The bear quickly finishes off the pirate it attacked earlier and climbs over its dead body to get at the one behind it. Its massive paw connects with the sound of bones crunching, but a followup attempt to grapple the swashbuckler in its powerful jaws only earns it a quick, if weak, deflecting counterattack.
((First pirate attacked and killed, five foot step into its square and claw at the pirate east of Brand for 8, then attempt grapple but take 2 from the AoO. Grapple autofailed.))

Posted by: Twitch Fri Aug 05, 2005 4:18 am
Gabriel winced as the pirate's blade found purchase on his flesh. The discomfort faded as their swords clashed once more. Gabriel glared past the locked blades, a malicious smile flashing across his face as he pressed his attack. : "Keep it up, slug, it's just that much more interesting when I have to work for it."
Breaking the lock, and smacking his adversaries blade to the side, Gabriel reached forward with a wild lunge at the pirate's midsection.
[Power Attack 2]
[Attack Roll] 17 + 8 - 2 = 23
[Damage Roll] 6 + 3 + 7(STR) +4(PA) = 20

Posted by: Aldur Fri Aug 05, 2005 4:36 am
Amelios makes his way as close as possible towards the birdman and tinker. He takes a deep breath and shouts towards the pirates, laughing heartily. "Come then Knaves! I shall show you the misfortune you have wrought this day! Come at me, see if you can handle my power! Face the holy punishment of the divine Goddess!" He solemnly pointed his mace towards the pirates threatening Zook and Brand.
(( Cha check 17+2=19))

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Fri Aug 05, 2005 4:47 am
((Last round I was supposed to be dropping my bow to draw my rapier anyway. Since I didn't get to post that, we'll just assume I did. And, for those that care, I'm down to 11 HP. Do try and keep me alive next round, because my ghost isn't going to be a nice one.))
Ashathel grunted in pain as the blades pierced his flesh, the creature on his shoulder nearly falling off.
Seems they don't much appreciate your music, Telithe commented. This one fellow seems a bit distracted by the ninja; creep next to the big thing there and let him have it.
Nodding, the swashbucker moved to the side of the pirate opposite Kyoji, thrusting his rapier into his enemy's flesh. As the blow hit Ashathel tried to sing a mocking song, but instead failed to say anything; the injuries sustained at the hands of his foes prevented more than a hoarse croaking from leaving his lips.
((Attack: 1d20 + 3 (+4 from Bardic, Bless and flanking) = 16
Damage: 1d6 + 2 (+1 from Bardic) = 6
Sing: 1d20 + 2 = 1 (3 with the mod, but it failed horribly anyway) ))

Posted by: FreedomJu Fri Aug 05, 2005 6:14 am
A searing pain blossomed in Van's back as the pirates blade dug into his back. Grimacing, Van deftly moved on an angle and turned to face the one who stabbed him. More than a little peeved, he attacks while keeping an eye out for the pirates next attack. Not waiting to see the result of his attack, Van moved again in the direction his previous movement took him.
(Diagnol down-right 5'
Hit=6(d20)+3(BAB)+1(Masterwork)+3(STR)+1(bard)+1(Bless)=15
Damage= 3+2(2d4)+4(STR1.5)+1(bard)=10
Using Dodge feat on pirate Van is attacking
Spring Attack feat to enable second movement)

Posted by: Kaihaku Fri Aug 05, 2005 1:38 pm
((Wanted to do something more interesting such as Bull Rushing one of em off the boat but...didn't seem wise given the situation. ...and by situation I mean armor.)) [Power Attack - 3] [Attack Roll 19 + 9 - 3 + 1 = 26] [Damage 6 + 7 + 6 = 19] Cedric glances at the monk for a moment, appraising her injuries before turning back to the pirates and lifting his hammer high before bringing it crashing down.
((Targeting whoever my comrades leave standing.))

Posted by: Dark Maiden Fri Aug 05, 2005 2:43 pm
((Wow, Amelios is brave ^^ Btw, there is something I think I should make known now. Eric and I will be away on a vacation together August 13-20th, and will have no internet access during that week. I would have just PMed TUM, but I thought it was something everyone might need to know. As far as who will control us during a fight if there is one while we're gone...well...we're still trying to decide on who we will trust to take on that task))

Posted by: Wandering Dezorian Fri Aug 05, 2005 3:44 pm
Thanks, Critical Mass. I edited for survivability. BTW, I'll be on vacation this next week as well. I might have internet, but don't bet on it. If not, I give permission for Kai to control my char. If Kai is busy, then I give permission to Knight.
Say... now that I think about it, wasn't Zook armed? Wouldn't that keep the pirates from surrounding the two of us without AoOs?

Posted by: Knight_019 Fri Aug 05, 2005 3:51 pm
((Ranged weapons don't threaten))

Posted by: Rusty Fri Aug 05, 2005 4:15 pm
*Dropping his bow, Faralon draws his Rapier, taking a few steps back, knowing his bow won't be of much use in close combat. He would try and flee, but his brother is right there, and he does want to help him.* ((Also a five foot step back, you know - all defensively.))

Posted by: Nightmare Fri Aug 05, 2005 4:28 pm
Laika grinned as the usekess pile of meat fell to his feat. But shortly after a new one stepped into his place grazing him with his balde. As a result all that could be heard was a very loud and ferocious growl. ((Attack Claw1: d20 + 6 (melee) + 1 (song) + 1 (bless) = 20 + 8 = 28 (critical)
Claw2: d20 + 6 (melee) + 1 (song) + 1 (bless) = 11 + 8 = 19
Bite: d20 + 1 (melee) + 1 (song) + 1 (bless) = 2 + 3 = 5
Confirm critical: d20 + 6 (melee) + 1 (song) + 1 (bless) = 15 + 8 = 23 (critical confirmed)
Damage
Claw1: (d8 + 4 + 1) * 2 = (5 + 5) * 2 = 20 (ummm... ouch)
Claw2: d8 + 4 + 1 = 1 + 5 = 6
I'll attack the one directly to my east, and we'll pretend he's the one that hit me. and if 20 kills him, I'll take the second swipe at the guy to the south east, if not I'll finish the first guy off.))

Posted by: Dark Maiden Fri Aug 05, 2005 7:14 pm
((Well, Damas is going to be controlled by Knight, but I don't want to bog him down with kethra too. Is anyone else willing to take her over for that week?))

Posted by: Nightmare Fri Aug 05, 2005 7:57 pm
Rhyir spots Zook and Brand in deep trouble and moves to try and help them get out alive. ((He'll move to the right and then down behind Zook and attack whichever of those two guys are still alive, Attack d20 + 7 + 1 (song) = 15 + 8 = 23 Damage
1d8 + 1d6 + 5 = 3 + 6 + 5 = 14
If anythings screwed up it's because I did this as quickly as I could))

Posted by: Kaihaku Fri Aug 05, 2005 8:34 pm

QUOTE (Dark Maiden @ Fri Aug 05, 2005 7:14 pm)
((Well, Damas is going to be controlled by Knight, but I don't want to bog him down with kethra too. Is anyone else willing to take her over for that week?))

((Rusty? Putting Kethra in the same trusted hands as Faralon...
I would take on the role but I'm traveling to NC for a few days during that time period.))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Fri Aug 05, 2005 9:09 pm
Merkass' hit strikes one of the pirates attacking Zook no problem as all three magic missle spells strike another pirate, leading to his swift demise. Ryhir dashes forward and manages to finish the job Merkass' arrow started on the pirate. Brand draws his sword, and as he does so, the pirate left facing him darts forward to jab a wound in his side. The birdman collapses, weakened too much from blood loss.
((Drawing a weapon provokes an AoO, sorry. You took 4 damage and are at -2 HP.))
Meanwhile, icy crystals begin to form on the pirate captain as he can do nothing but hold his sides, he is laughing so hard.
Seeing nothing else to do, Zook prepares to dodge. ((Full defensive))
Kethra's attacks land square on the pirate she had previously attacked, and it's enough to snap his neck from the impact, as one of the blows lands on his head. At the same time, Gabriel's sword effortlessly cleaves through his buccaneer opponent. Meanwhile, Cedric smashes his opponent's face in, the corpse thrown into the churning sea from the impact. Laika, tears his opponent apart and wounds the other, causing him to rethink his strategy.
The last pirate near Laika takes a five foot move towards the longboat, attempting to make his way off the ship, half-heartedly jabbing at Cedric as he goes.
((19... confirming... 21.... Critical hit! 6+1=7x2= 14 points of damage on Cedric!))
Much to the surprise of the pirate as anyone, what was meant to be a defensive jab results in the slashing open of an artery on Cedric' wrist. Blood sprays forward from the cut as the pirate grimaces and judges his chances to make a break for it.
Van's attack hits only air, but when the pirates attempt to move in, the warrior scores a hit on one of them.
((AoO hit! 5 damage on the left pirate.))
The pirates, flanking the fighter once more, lash out!
((13, miss. 20! Confirming critical... 20! Confirming upgraded critical... 18! Total damage to Van: 25.))
Once again, the pirate facing Van misses, but the one around him manages to score a devastating blow, plunging his cutlass into Van's back. Van collapses from the pain.
Kyoji bursts from his invisibility at this moment, using his swords as scissors to decapitate a pirate in front of his. He then vanishes once more.
((Hit, hit. 27 damage total.))
Castor takes a swing at one of the pirates attacking Asathel, but misses horribly, the momentum throwing him off balance and opening the way for a counter-attack.
((1. Confirming critical miss... 5. Critical miss! Counterattack: 13. Miss.))
Luckily, the pirate is unable to take advantage of this.
Unfortunately, as Kyoji is no longer standing where he was, or even visible, Asathel cannot flank, though he is able to move out of the way of BEING flanked. His attack misses.
Two pirates move to attack Castor, but one misses, almost fumbling. The other manages only a minor blow.
((3 damage to Castor.))
The two pirates near Brand move to flank the plantbear, but are confused as their attacks fail to strike anything that would normally be a devastating cut.
((1. Confirming crit miss... 20. 19, no critical (plant). No sneak attacks. 6 total damage.))
Amelios notices that he would've attracted some attention earlier, but the battle is too pitched now, though a pirate or two yells a curse his way.

Posted by: Big Poppa Fri Aug 05, 2005 9:22 pm
"Van!" *Aurik moves over to help the fallen team mate!* ((Move 30, right above Isyndel. And I take whatever defensive things I can do >_>;'))

Posted by: Knight_019 Fri Aug 05, 2005 9:26 pm
*The sounds of chaos on the boat do not keep Merkass from hearing the warrior who had come down by him falling to the deck. Looking to see the situation, Merkass could not let their cold slaughter of Van stand. Moving again toward the bow of the boat, and then a quick step next to the second barrel, Merkass draws another arrow and lets it fly at the pirate who appears to be wounded.*
((Attack
1d20 + 9 = 17 + 9 = 26
Damage
1d8 + 4 + 1d6 = 2 + 4 + 4 = 10 damage))

Posted by: Nightmare Fri Aug 05, 2005 9:42 pm
Laika continues the assault on the nearby pirates by letting out a howl and then pouncing to finish the job he had started. ((Attack Claw1: d20 + 6 (melee) + 1 (song) = 4 + 7 = 11 Claw2: d20 + 6 (melee) + 1 (song) = 13 + 7 = 20 Bite: d20 + 1 (melee) + 1 (song) = 3 + 2 = 5
Damage
Claw1: d8 + 4 + 1 = 3 + 5 = 8
Claw2: d8 + 4 + 1 = 7 + 5 = 12
I'll edit this in a bit with Rhyir's action))

Posted by: DragonmasterDon1 Fri Aug 05, 2005 9:46 pm
Isyndel turned on her heels after letting her missiles fly only to see that now another ally was in trouble. Pirates were falling left and right but the group was still too spread out and neither cleric was close enough to save him. She fretted and lashed out, flinging an arrow laden with acid towards the pirates surrounding him.
((Acid Arrow Roll: 16, Base Attack +1, Dex Bonus +3, Bardic Music + 1 = 21))
((Target either of them, if one goes down before the other. Van's on the ground so I would assume if the pirate between Van and I goes down for some reason that I still have a clear shot at the other.))
((Damage Rolls: 4,3 = 7. 2d4 Acid next round if he's still alive.))

Posted by: Century Fri Aug 05, 2005 9:59 pm
~Landing lightly on the deck of the ship, his wings delicately controlling his descent, Elias unleashes another Spell, freezing air gushing towards the pirates attacking the green bear-like creature~ (( Move 5' west and land on the edge of the ship.
Casts Lesser Freeze on the pirate north of the bear.
Damage: 5 + (3x2) = 11
Spells left:
0th - Ray of Frost; detect Magic; Open/Close; Read Magic
1st - Mage Armour; Lesser Blaze ))

Posted by: Kaihaku Fri Aug 05, 2005 10:16 pm
Cedric jerks his hand back, summoning holy power from the Goddess to seal the wound and begin to heal it. [Lay on hands | Self | +8 HP] Glancing around the battlefield, Cedric notes the dire situation of Van and looks at the others near him, speaking loud enough for the pirate to hear, "Slay this one if he refuses to surrender." Taking a step back, he turns and make his way to Isyndel's side.
((If I provoke an AoO, I'll just take it.))
[Intimidate 13 + 4 = 17 (If one can use it untrained, I'm not in a place to look it up now.) ]

Posted by: Aldur Sat Aug 06, 2005 1:14 am
"Zook my friend, try to get away from here." Amelios rushes forwards towards the fallen Brand, and on reaching him, touches the brave, yet possibly foolhardy Birdman. "Courage friend, let Mitula's holy power heal your wounds." ((Casting cure moderate wounds, 8+3+3+1(healing domain)=15 hits points gained, reviving Brand at 13 hp I think.))

Posted by: DragonmasterDon1 Sat Aug 06, 2005 4:37 am
((Not going to be online at all Saturday. I leave the following actions. Um...if the battle nearly ends and the Captain tries to flee, move Isyndel within range and attempt a Daze spell. May not work, I know. Otherwise, I don't think I have much left at the moment so crossbow attack on any logical target. If the battle ends before I can post Sunday, Isyndel can retain the spell list if there's time to. Otherwise, um...well...anyone qualified can use her for an action if better ones arise. Just didn't want to leave things hanging while I'm gone.))

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Sat Aug 06, 2005 4:46 am

QUOTE (Nightmare @ Wed Aug 03, 2005 10:49 pm)
And to keep track Init rolls are as follows: Nightmare - Laika: 23 Arcdragnbreth - Ashathel: 23 FreedomJu - Van: 22 Dark Maiden - Kethra: 21
Century - Elias: 21
TheUnknownMarine - Kyoji: 21

((Just want you to keep that in mind, Marine. Unless he's got a special ability that ups his Init or an AoO, I should move before him. And, as my rolls this round are quite unbelievable, the chat log is available for all who ask. Lance was told all this as well, since he was online at the time, and can vouch for what I say as well.))
"Knave... you dare attack a Faesan?" Ashathel growled, turning to face another of the pirates. "That will be the last mistake you ever make!"
And with a bow, the swashbuckler thrust with his rapier, the blade piercing straight through the sea dog's neck. Giving a twist for good measure, he glared at the body and sang a menacing tune to the other near Castor.
"Go ahead and wield your blades
Thrust and slash at us all
But our precious blood's too good for you
And mark my words, you will fall.
So dive into the sea if you value your life
Or take that boat and row away
For if you remain in my sight
You shall not see another day!"
((Attack: 1d20 + 3 (+2 from Bardic & Bless) = nat. 18 (crit threat)
Confirm: 1d20 + 3 (+2 from Bardic & Bless) = nat. 19 (x3 increase threat)
Confirm: 1d20 + 3 (+2 from Bardic & Bless) = nat. 20 (x4 increase threat)
Confirm: 1d20 + 3 (+2 from Bardic & Bless) = 7 (confirmed, I think)
Damage: [1d6 + 3 (+1 from Bardic)] x4 = 8*4 = 32
(If a 2 is a critical miss, then damage is 24 instead. Either way, he's damn dead.)
Oh, and before I forget...
Sing: 1d20 + 2 = 20))

Posted by: Rusty Sat Aug 06, 2005 6:25 am
: When my songs are interrupted, pain follows! *Faralon strikes at the pirate near him and Castor with his rapier.* ((Roll to hit...1d20 + 4 + 1 = 21. Hit! Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1 = 6.))

Posted by: Twitch Sat Aug 06, 2005 6:44 am
Gabriel turned in time to see Van fall to the ground. "No, not this time, not again" he thought, "I won't let it be this way". : THAT'S ENOUGH!!! THIS ENDS NOW!" The half giant darted forward to the closest target (N of the Bear)he could find and savagely lashed out, hoping to reduce whatever his blade found to paste.
[Attack Roll: 12 + 8 = 20]
[Damage: 5 + 2 +7 = 14]

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sat Aug 06, 2005 6:47 am
((Kyoji was invisible, so I don't think it counts as flanking.)) Laika tears the pirate near Cedric apart before the paladin can finish his instructions. Meanwhile, Asathel runs his opponent through as Kyoji reappears to slash at another pirate, dealing it a heavy, but far from fatal wound. It is Faralon that finishes the job, swiftly striking the sea-dog down with his rapier.
Between Isyndel's acid arrow and Merkass' steel arrow, the wounded pirate falls.
Elias' freeze spell causes its target to shiver and stumble just long enough for Gabriel's attack to cut him nearly in twain.
With one pirate asleep, and their methods of escape hampered, the remaining two pirates drop their weapons and shout, "We surrender!"
The pirate captain regains his senses at this moment, and after a swift survey of the battlefield, elects to beat a hasty retreat, swiftly climbing back down to his longboat.
Next turn, no map needed.

Posted by: Knight_019 Sat Aug 06, 2005 7:13 am
: DON'T LET HIM ESCAPE! *Merkass moves quickly in hot pursuit of the pirate captain. Drawing one of his blunt arrows, he gets into a position to try and knock him out so they can take the pirate leader as well. The arrow flies true, hitting the captain squarely in the back.*
((Move to where I can get a clear shot at the captain as he enters the boat.
Attack
1d20 + 9 = 12 + 9 = 21
Damage
1d8 + 1d6 + 4 = 5 + 5 + 4 = 14 damage (subdual)))

Posted by: Critical Mass Sat Aug 06, 2005 12:26 pm
((DM: I can take care of Kethra if you want. I have some experience with monks and I promise I won't have her go rolling in Black Lotus Extract or anything like that. >_>)) As the pirate leader jumps into his boat Rhizor's summoning spell finishes and a hippogriff pops into existance near the rear of the ship, the large half horse half eagle beast screeching loudly. It turns towards the escaping buccaneer and shoots toward him like a bullet, its massive wings pounding the air, talons extended.
((Hippogriff moves to pirate leader and sttempts a grapple. Pirate gets an AoO; if the pirate is within 100 of the boat, AC is 15. If it's between 100 and 200 ft, a charge is required and AC drops to 13. If AoO is successful, grapple auto-fails. Else: Touch attack: 19 + mods. Yeah, that's a hit. Grapple check: 15 + 11 = 26. If the grapple does fail and the pirate tries to leave, the hippogriff uses its AoO for another grapple attempt. Touch attack: 13 + 6. Grapple check: 16. http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y49/bagu/log.jpg))
"Van!" As the hippogriff takes off to the west Eyclone charges north towards his fallen comrade. Though he had not known the man long, he wasn't about to let someone die in front of him while he could help it, especially someone he had just fought alongside. The batling speeds towards the warrior, wasting no time in worrying about the pirates. The others could take care of that.
((Run action to Van. Can't do anything else this round, but if the clerics can't make it to him next round and I don't make it online for a post next round give him a charge of Lesser Vigor from the wand. Fast Healing 1 for nine rounds, which'll auto-stabalize him.))
The bear growls and looks totally threatening and stuff.
((Yeah..))

Posted by: Aldur Sat Aug 06, 2005 7:22 pm
Amelios moves towards the Tinker, ready to help him, laying his hand on the gnome, invoking the power of Mitula. ((Healing Domain Spell. Cure Moderate Wounds. 6+5+3+1=15 hp healed.))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sat Aug 06, 2005 7:55 pm
The extraordinarily unlucky captain fails to fend off the hippogriff and is grappled. "This just isn't my day," the captain bemoans as the hippogriff hauls him into the sky. The pirate ship, in the meantime, begins to peel away and attempts to limp away as the crew left aboard the vessel views the decimation of their boarding party. Unfortunately, with a third of their sails burnt away, and heavy damage to their ship from the fire spells, not to mention a fire elemental that wreaked havoc, the best the ship can manage is a pitiful drifting.
"Why ye mutinous dogs!" the captain shouts, struggling in the hippogriff's grip as he sees the attempted retreat of his men. He glares at his ship with fury. "Ye better hope I don't come back like th' captain of the Bloody Angela!"
((OOC comment: I submit that ninja > pirate based upon this combat.))

Posted by: Dark Maiden Sat Aug 06, 2005 9:01 pm
Kethra takes a moment to survey the battle field after the remaining pirates have surrendered, doing her best to ignore the pain from her wound. Though it is not as bad as it once was, it still does hurt. The young monk looks down upon the pirate she had killed with some degree of pity but says nothing, only shaking her head as she turns and makes her way towards Van. When she does reach him, she kneels down and examines him. After doing so, she looks up at Rhizor.
"He is hurt badly. I-I have potions, but you can probably aid him better than I can."
((I'm assuming that we're out of combat rounds by now and that Rhizor got there before her))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sun Aug 07, 2005 3:27 am
((Battle complete, I suppose. 1200 XP for everyone.))

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Sun Aug 07, 2005 3:36 am
"Give the pirate king over there no quarter until he proves useful," Ashathel said grimly, holding the wound at his side as he turned his glare on the leader of the sea marauders. " If we didn't need information from him, I'd have killed him instead of his lackey."

Posted by: DragonmasterDon1 Sun Aug 07, 2005 6:47 pm
Isyndel sighed, the tension in her body finally easing. The wizardess placed both her delicate hands on her face letting her fingers graze passively over her temples. "An incredible disaster, all of it," she spat in a hushed whisperto no one in particular save herself. Her comrades had suffered substantial wounds. She bit her lip at the thought; angry at everyone and herself at their callous disregard for organization and her lack of ability to compensate for it.
The elvan woman smoothed the lines of her dress and tied her hair tightly in a makeshift bun behind her. Isyndel brought herself casually to Lady Yeesha then, and merely shook her head sullenly. She licked her lips, her mouth dry from the excitement. "First peculiar undead, and now pirates. Fun and excitement not withstanding," she spoke, quite clearly indicating both sarcasm and dismay for the topic in her voice, "this does not make me feel optimistic. There is certainly more to this than appears. There must be."
Her shoulders stiffened and softened with an audible sigh. "Or perhaps I am overanalyzing. Forgive me, Lady." She moved back to the main deck of the ship to offer any meager assistance she could give in helping the injured. It was not much, but at the very least she could be there.

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sun Aug 07, 2005 9:26 pm
: "That's all right, Isyndel. Better to be paranoid than blind." The battle over, Yeesha tells the crew of the Nereid that it's safe to come out. The crew emerges with grins on their face, glad that the struggle is over. That is, until Yeesha orders the crew to intercept the pirate vessel. They sigh wearily, but obey, and in no time the pirate ship has been boarded, the remaining crew surrendering swiftly, having witnessed the swift decimation of their best men in the boarding party. All in all, about fifteen pirates are left, a demoralized, haggard looking bunch.
: "Search the ship, I want to make sure that this is all of them," Yeesha orders. "Also, someone talk to the captain, see what he knows."

Posted by: Knight_019 Sun Aug 07, 2005 9:33 pm
*Merkass watches as the hipogriff latches onto the captain. Merkass wastes no time getting a plan together to deal with these scoundrels. There was usually a bigger beast out there, and Merkass was going to try and utilize it.* : Bring him up. *Turning toward the pirates around him* And you, to the center of the deck. We have plans for you.
*Having put things in motion, Merkass looks toward the bard. He had proven useful thus far, so there may be a chance to use him now. Taking a quick look behind him in the water, Merkass notes that the ship he had capsized showed no sign of either itself or the pirates that had been on board. It was a pity, since he would have liked to prevent their deaths at the hands of the ocean, but there was little that could be done now. Merkass walks over to the bard and speaks quickly to him, asking a few questions.*
: Faralon, is it? You seem to have a way with words. Give me a hand getting information out of the captain.

Posted by: Rusty Sun Aug 07, 2005 9:59 pm
*Faralon smirks, holding his cut arm. Well, I guess I'm about to get more revenge on the fool that sliced my arm. Sounds fun...* : Gladly... *We've been having really bad luck, haven't we? First a group of undead, with no one seemingly commanding them...Then these pirates. The fools shouldn't have attacked us. I guess they didn't know who they were dealing with, heh. Though I wonder...Does this captain work for anyone or merely himself?*

Posted by: Knight_019 Sun Aug 07, 2005 10:46 pm
*With Faralon in tow, Merkass makes his way to the pirate captain. Merkass hoped this would go easily, but he wasn't afraid to play dirty if it came down to it.* : I'm sure your superiors will be most displeased with your performance. Cooperate and this goes easily. What were you after?

Posted by: Damas Heretic Mon Aug 08, 2005 12:42 am
Damas surveys the battle field from the elevated portion of the deck, his hand coming to rest on his forehead. The young sorcerer sighs and shakes his head from side to side, unable to believe that the even though they had won, the pirates had fought back pretty hard and wounded quite a few of his allies.
"We severely underestimated those pirates," he says with dismay, apparently talking to himself. "Now isn't the time to worry about it though. I should check on the others."
With that said he lowers his arm back down to his side and makes his way down onto the lower deck, checking up on everyone and helping out where he can. Once they have boarded the pirate ship, he takes a quick moment to check on Kethra, the only person he had not gotten to yet.
"Are you ok?"
Kethra turns around to face him, her face contorted with both sadness and pain. Rather than getting sidetracked, however, she gets strait to the point.
"There are others you should be worrying about more than me. If it makes you feel better though, I am fine. I have suffered worse injuries during training, believe me. Now let us get to work and search the ship," Kethra says before leaving.
Damas sighs heavily and crosses his arms over his chest, shaking his head from side to side.
"Are all women as stubborn and prideful as she is?"
Despite his obvious dismay in being brushed off, he goes to search the ship but keeps his distance from Kethra for the time being.

Posted by: Dark Maiden Mon Aug 08, 2005 12:47 am
((I'm assuming that you would like search checks, TUM. Damas' Search Check: 20 Kethra's Search Check: 18 If we're taking our time instead, then just forget that part ^^))

Posted by: Rusty Mon Aug 08, 2005 1:15 am
((Intimidate roll...12 + 4 + 2 = 18. Merkass tries to aid Faralon...16 + 1...So Faralon gets another +2, making it 20. Also, bardic knowledge check of 16 + 4 = 20.)) "What superiors? What d'ya think we were after? Slaves and gold!" the pirate captain spits.
*Merkass simply looks him straight in the eye and shifts his shoulders a bit*
: "You think you have no superiors, but there's always someone out there. There are other pirates out there who'd like your cut of the sea now that you're out of the way."
"They're welcome to it. Fat lot of good it's done ME," the pirate captain scoffs. "The wierd metal thing, the ghost ships, and now this. I'm almost glad you caught me. At least now I'll be out of my misery."
*Faralon smirks.*
: "Who said we're going to put you out of your misery? We're only out for some answers, aren't we?...But...It would be for your benefit to simply give them to us. Wasting our time wouldn't be a good idea."
*Merkass becomes inquisitive given the nature of the pirate captain's response. If he wanted an out, they could give it to him. However, the issues of concern were his own troubles*
: "The nature of your response will determine what happens after we're finished with you. We can send you off to deal with competitors, or we can give you some kind of safety. Your choice."
"Just get this over with already," the captain growls.
: "All right. Straight and to the point...I like that. I imagine your motives were simply to kill us off and make off with any valuables we might have? Well, do you work merely for yourselves, or is there someone else you work for?"
"I'm the captain of th' vessel. I work fer no one but meself," the captain responds. "Of course we wanted your valuables! That's what pirates do!"
: "Then if that's the case, what's this about a 'metal thing' and a ghost ship?"
"Earlier, we encountered a ghost ship, a battered old vessel crewed by th' unliving! We barely escaped a boardin' from them, but our cannon we smuggled from Mechanicus managed to stave them off long enough to make our escape. As if tha' weren't enough, we almost ran into this big metal... thing in the water! Almost crashed right into it, an tha' woulda sunk us fer sure!"
: "A cannon that can affect ghosts? Is it still on board your ship? And where did you encounter the metal thing?"
"No, it didn't hurt the ghosts, but their ship was real enough! We took out their central mast, we did!" the captain replies, proudly. "As for the metal thing... That was back near the coast. Haven't seen it since."
*Faralon strokes his chin.*
: "Could you describe this metal thing? Other than it being a big metal 'thing', of course..."
The captain replies. "It rose out of the water like a whale, looked a little like a metal fish... I didn't get a good look at it, it went back under water..."
: "What coast were you by?"
The captain responds. "It was a while ago, near the Protectorian coastline."
: "Why was this metal 'thing' a problem? Did you see it another time, was it hostile? And what of your cannon? You made it sound as though it was more powerful than anything else you've seen."
"Having cannons isn't a common thing," the pirate grumbles. "Not many pirates can boast such firepower... As for the metal thing, it surfaced right in front of us! We barely avoided a collision!"
: "You certainly have an interesting tale. Have you encountered any other strange occurences?"
"Yeah. You. You're the motleist crew I've ever seen, but you decimated my men easily enough," the pirate mumbles.
: "Well, did you encounter the ghost ship around the same area as the big metal thing? If not, where?"
: "You picked the fight, not us. I took out your sails, by the way. We're willing to get the rest of your crew, however, and then we can finish sorting out what to do with you."
"We encountered the ghost ship a ways from here, in the sea between Guardiana and Protectoria, it was months ago," the captain says.
: "That wouldn't...by any chance be the Blood Raven, would it?"
"No, the Raven's real enough," the captian grumbles.
*Faralon smirks.*
: "Ah...I guess we'll have to keep a more watchful eye, then. There's not just that ghost ship, but the Blood Raven, as well."
: "What about the rest of your crew, then?"
"What about them?" the pirate asks.
: "You seemed upset at them getting away. We can probably bring them in given their snail's pace"
Captain: "Then you better do it. Are we done now?"
: "If you wish it. Your information and compliance is most appreciated"
"I'm sure," the pirate mutters with a roll of his eyes.
((With Knight's permission, I'm posting this for him. Merkass searches the other ship with a roll of 18 + 9 = 27, finding the goodies. Marine gave the results.))
*Soon after, Merkass searches the pirates' ship for stolen goods, finding items and treasure worth 10,000 gold total!*

Posted by: Aldur Mon Aug 08, 2005 2:55 am
Amelios leant against the mast, still panting a little. Sure he hadn't been physically hurt, yet he had ran about the ship alot. He frowned also, the battle hadn't gone as well as it should. I'm no military genius, and yet...we attacked like a mob. Not a unit. Less casualities result from better teamwork and planning...

Posted by: Critical Mass Mon Aug 08, 2005 10:43 am

QUOTE (Dark Maiden @ Sat Aug 06, 2005 9:01 pm)
Kethra takes a moment to survey the battle field after the remaining pirates have surrendered, doing her best to ignore the pain from her wound. Though it is not as bad as it once was, it still does hurt. The young monk looks down upon the pirate she had killed with some degree of pity but says nothing, only shaking her head as she turns and makes her way towards Van. When she does reach him, she kneels down and examines him. After doing so, she looks up at Rhizor.
"He is hurt badly. I-I have potions, but you can probably aid him better than I can."
((I'm assuming that we're out of combat rounds by now and that Rhizor got there before her))

Rhizor shakes his head. "No. I do not want to sound harsh, but these are harsh times. We must conserve what resources we have. The two clerics and I can take care of this one the old fashioned way; he will not die today. Save your potions for another time." As he speaks, the batling tears off a few strips from Van's shirt and expertly ties off the warrior's wounds. The man's profuse bleeding slows considerably and Rhizor directs two deckhands to carry him belowdecks. "See to it that he's as comfortable as you can make him. I will be down momentarily to oversee his recovery." With Van taken care of for the moment and the others handling the pirate leader, Rhizor flies towards the pirate ship to help in the plunder, feeling no remorse for the crew of the pirate ship as the Force strips their vessel of all it's worth.
((Take 10 on heal: 17 or so vs DC 15. Van stablizes. Take 20 on Search: 27. Same as Merkass. I'll be providing Van with long-term care via the Heal skill, restoring 12 HP per day. With the help of the clerics that should bring him back to full in a day or two.))

Posted by: Kaihaku Mon Aug 08, 2005 5:32 pm
Cedric checks on Van shortly after Rhizor completes tending to the young fighters wounds and holds his hands over them for a moment. [Lay on Hands | Van | +4]

Posted by: Dark Maiden Mon Aug 08, 2005 7:25 pm
Kethra ends her search of the ship when she sees that Merkass has found the 'spoils' so to speak. Taking Rhizor's words to mind, she makes her way back onto the Nereid and below deck to make sure that Van is doing ok, her hand placed over the wound in her side.
"Damas thinks I should be resting, but Van needs to be watched until he's better." The young monk says this to no one in particular, seemingly talking to herself.

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Mon Aug 08, 2005 9:10 pm
The pirates are all shoved without ceremony into the brig as Yeesha divides their ill gotten gains equally among the party, 500 gold pieces for each member. More time passes, until at last the welcome cry of, "Land Ho!" is heard from the crow's nest.
: "Finally! I had forgotten how much I hated sea travel... All right... Kyoji! What city is that there, the port?" Yeesha asks, looking out at the far away coast, to a small gathering of buildings, barely visible in the distance.
:"That is the port city of Ishirido. From there, it is but a short way to the mansion of Dava. We should rest for tonight, though. By the time the ship is docked, it will be dark," Kyoji counsels.
Yeesha nods.
By the time the ship docks, it is indeed nearing nightfall, and Yeesha swiftly manages to find an inn with enough room. The next morning the trek to Dava's mansion begins. For now, you have a night to yourselves.
http://perso.club-internet.fr/beaugran/cd/sfcd/Camp.mp3

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Mon Aug 08, 2005 11:27 pm
Zook left his room, scratching his neck absentmindedly, and made his way into the common room of the inn. Sighing deeply, he allowed the sound to wash over him, the chatter soothing his mind. His ears caught the shadow of a conversation that snapped him to attention.
((Listen check: 19))
"Strange tracks, unbroken like a snake's...gleaming metal objects moving together...hordes of undead...."
((Spot Check: 21))
Turning in the direction of the sound, Zook sees a group of samurai huddled together, in some attemptedly secret conference. The gnome moved surreptitiously towards them, trying not to draw attention. When he was satisfactorily near them, he coughed lightly, so as to garner their attention. Zook speaks silently.
"Gentlemen, I could not help but overhear your story. I normally would not be so rude as to interrupt, but your mention of metallic objects begged my attention. I am a tinker by trade, and fairly expert in such matters, and, if it would not dishonor you in the telling, like to ask you to describe them to me. The knowledge of those machines I could impart to you would be a fantastic boon to you, and, I daresay, to your lord." He turned his palms outward as a gesture of deference and respect. "But, if you turn me away for trespassing on matters not my own, I swear to you that I will preserve the secrecy of what I have heard until my dying day."
Zook bowed his head, awaiting a response.

Posted by: DragonmasterDon1 Tue Aug 09, 2005 12:03 am
Isyndel perused her spellbook quietly, propped up against a pillow in her bed. Occasionally her eyes would dart across the room either at Lady Yeesha's bed or Kethra's, wondering if either would speak. Wondering if it would be actual conversation or if it would break into wretched 'feminine chatter.' The last thing she was wanting to discuss was what to wear with her dress or how to alter her hair to better appeal to men.
Sleet propped herself up on the edge of the bed, her sharp yellow eyes darting about the ceiling and the doorway of the room from time to time. Otherwise she curled up at the Wizardess' feet and flirted with falling asleep.

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Tue Aug 09, 2005 12:29 am
The groups are divided up to share the rooms received, of which there are 5. ----- ((Er, sorry I forgot about this, but as a note... I don't believe any of you save Kyoji and Yeesha can speak the language... You can't understand any of the talk around you.))

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Tue Aug 09, 2005 12:36 am
((Thanks for the heads up )) Zook snapped out of his fantasy. Daydreaming had been a habit of his since he was a child, and, as night stole around his bed in an inn in a strange, foreign land, it seemed like the only connection he could forge with his home and his past was in imagined one. Zook sighed deeply, turned over, and drifted into an uneasy sleep.

Posted by: Dark Maiden Tue Aug 09, 2005 1:27 am
Kethra notes that Isyndel's eyes occasionally dart towards her, even though she seems to be staring at the ceiling. After quite a long period of silence, the young monk turns over on her side at looks at Isyndel. "You can't sleep?"

Posted by: DragonmasterDon1 Tue Aug 09, 2005 1:51 am
Isyndel turned the pages softly as she continued to read, studying the material carefully. Unwittingly she had begun to twirl strands of her azure hair with her finger as she read, a habit she had picked up as a young maiden that she did not notice without others pointing it out to her. Her familiar glanced up at the ceiling again, the sudden movement of the feline enough to jar Isyndel's attention away from the tome and over it's edges to see what Sleet was doing.
Her sharp pointed ears picked up the voice of Kethra and they twitched at the reception of a different sound than the silence she had comfortably become accustomed to. Isyndel's eyes shot to her quickly before she curled her neck slightly to the side to see her. "On the contrary," she replied. "I simply do not care to sleep just yet, is all." There was no hint of evasiveness in her reply, and yet it may have seemed ever-so-slightly out of place evenso.
She jerked her head back to her book momentarily before she bit her lip. Maybe...just maybe she should try a little bit harder, Isyndel told herself. For a moment the sides of her brain that weren't occupied thinking of magic argued over the use of doing so before she took a slightly audible breath and turned back. "You are quite awake yourself," she managed. "For what reason?"

Posted by: Damas Heretic Tue Aug 09, 2005 9:35 am
Awakening from a rather unpleasant dream Damas sits up and rubs his forehead a bit before standing up and walking out of the room he was staying in then proceeds to leave the inn for a bit to get some fresh air thinking it would do him some good. As he steps outside he mutters to himself quietly crossing his arms over his chest.
â€œThat dream again either Iâ€™m going completely mad or the so called gods really enjoy trying my patience.â€

Posted by: Aldur Tue Aug 09, 2005 3:08 pm
Amelios' ears quirked as the young sorceror left the inn. He hadn't gone to sleep, he was just thinking over events. He got to his feet and followed the sorceror, and coughed politely when he caught up to him. "You should try to rest."

Posted by: Kaihaku Tue Aug 09, 2005 4:37 pm
A stranger in a strange land, Cedric kneels beside his bed and enters into a deep prayer meditation.

Posted by: Damas Heretic Tue Aug 09, 2005 4:44 pm
Damasâ€™s gaze shifts from the night sky to Amelios and he letâ€™s his arms drop to his sides shaking his head from side to side for a moment. â€œYour concern is noted Amelios but I find that falling asleep only serves to push me further away from sanity."

Posted by: Dark Maiden Tue Aug 09, 2005 6:03 pm
Kethra sighs and sits up, her gaze still fixed on Isyndel. "I suppose that I just can't sleep, but I have no idea why." The silence then resumes for a little while, and it is clear that she doesn't feel much more comfortable with conversation than Isyndel. However, she does manage to come out with something.
"So...how are you doing?"

Posted by: Nightmare Tue Aug 09, 2005 6:10 pm
Laika hadn't gone into one of the rooms for the night, instead he wandered around the waterfront staring across the sea at the moon, since it was the only thing around him that he recognised. Even though his reasons for joining in this adventure in the first place were merely skin deep, he was starting to actually care more and more about what the group's mission was, and the reasoning behind them setting out on this quest, not just how many things he gets to kill along the way.

Posted by: Aldur Tue Aug 09, 2005 6:19 pm

QUOTE (Damas Heretic @ Tue Aug 09, 2005 3:44 pm)
Damasâ€™s gaze shifts from the night sky to Amelios and he letâ€™s his arms drop to his sides shaking his head from side to side for a moment. â€œYour concern is noted Amelios but I find that falling asleep only serves to push me further away from sanity."

"I see...still, you should rest, wether or not you're actually asleep. So why did you come out here? And one so young shouldn't be concerned with sanity I believe."
He looked quizzically at the sorceror, he seemed somewhat slumped, and Amelios started to wonder if he came out here everynight.

Posted by: Damas Heretic Tue Aug 09, 2005 7:53 pm
â€œIâ€™ll be fine Ameliosâ€¦so what brings you out this late in to the night?â€ Damas gaze locked on Amelios and he chuckles a bit. â€œNo I donâ€™t suppose I should be worried about my sanity but nightmares come to haunt me every night and no matter what I canâ€™t seem to find any peace of mind.â€

Posted by: Aldur Tue Aug 09, 2005 8:10 pm
"You mostly. And remember, nightmares are what they are, they can only hurt you...if you let them." Amelios smiled easily at the sorceror, his own long brown hair moving in the wind. He tutted, it wasn't braided yet. We really do think of the oddest things at the oddest times...

Posted by: DragonmasterDon1 Tue Aug 09, 2005 10:03 pm
The elven woman paused for a moment tossing her answer back and forth. It was such a simple question in many ways; an innocent inquiry often tossed out of concern or out of traditional greeting. Isyndel wondered, really wondered for the first time how she felt about everything without simply stating the facts as they appeared to her.
There were many words appearing to her, most of which she cared not to speak.
Isyndel gave a short shrug. "One could say that I yet breathe, therefore I am doing perfectly well," she replied. "To that one I would very much like to deliver an epic blast of magic to their vocal chords as to not hear such a thing again. Not that I would literally do that, but the thought remains."
She straightened, tugging her book into her lower chest as she turned back to Kethra. A skillful evade to the question in a way, but she continued onward. "You are feeling troubled, perhaps?"

Posted by: Dark Maiden Wed Aug 10, 2005 12:02 am
"To be honest, I feel a little bit...out of place." Kethra sighs and pulls a blanket over her shoulders.

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Wed Aug 10, 2005 12:44 am
Zook awoke, his eyes flaring open but still undergoing the methodical twitches of dreaming sleep. His hands reached out blindly, clutching at rigging that wasn't there, his mind fumbling in the dark for a name. "Merkass!" His eyes drifted into a steady forward gaze, and he scanned the room for the scout. Spotting him, Zook slid out of bed and moved rapidly towards him. The gnome shook Merkass's arm violently, as if trying to startle him awake.
"A pulley system...forces the limbs toward each other....think of the potential energy output. Thirty, no, forty percent farther at least! And it won't be an trouble at all to affix enhancements. Do you see?"
Zook giggles frantically. "I'll need...three days, no, four, and supplies. And you'll have to explain to me the anatomy of the longbow, but that will be no matter." Another giggle, sharper. Zook takes a deep breath, jittering madly. "Think of it! A new age in archery, and we're the tip of the arrow!"
The gnome almost doubles over as his giggles ascend into a screeching, grating cackle, with a wavering qualiyt not unlike the music of theremin.

Posted by: Knight_019 Wed Aug 10, 2005 1:02 am
*Merkass often worried about the gnome. His constant fiddling with mechanical devices seemed quite obsessive and unhealthy. Now, his habits were not only interfering with his own sleeping patterns, but they were disrupting Merkass' own sleep as well. Rolling over to see the Tinker's face in whatever dim light was showing through, Merkass let out a feline yawn as the Gnome's acknowledgement.*
: Zook, I'm sure your invention will be incredible, but get some sleep so you can work on it with your full energies. Good night.
*With that, Merkass again tries to fall asleep, though he wouldn't be surprised if Zook again tried to awaken him as his work progressed. Such an idle comment probably wouldn't keep him from trying to work through the night.*

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Wed Aug 10, 2005 1:22 am
Snorting, Zook walks away mumbling, "Blasted treehuggers. Wouldn't know progress if it gave them a face full of splinters." He sits on his bed cross-legged, rocking back and forth, trying to keep the picture clear in his mind.

Posted by: DragonmasterDon1 Wed Aug 10, 2005 2:46 am
Isyndel raised an eyebrow. "I should hope, at least, that you do not feel alone at being such," she stated simply. "After all, no one is any more 'in place' than you are at this point, I would imagine." Her eyes went back to the book. "Then again, when you consider the details of the situation, perhaps there is no such thing. After all, the goal is common between all despite our walks of life, no? That is what matters; that is where you must hold your eyes. The rest will fall in place as it will."
She straightened the pillow behind her back again.
((Will adjust spell list tomorrow after work, unless things move forward before then. If so, Isyndel memorizes the same spells as before))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Wed Aug 10, 2005 3:55 am
The next day, the group sets out, walking for a full day past peasants toiling at their work in strange things called, 'rice paddies' before seeing a vast forest in the distance... ((Spot and Listen checks.))

Posted by: Rusty Wed Aug 10, 2005 5:52 am
((Spot: 16 + 1 = 17. Listen: 11 + 5 = 16.))

Posted by: FreedomJu Wed Aug 10, 2005 5:53 am
(Spot: 13 Listen: 20) For Van, the night in the inn was rather uneventful as he spent most of the time sleeping in order to speed up his healing. Thankfully the half-elf brothers who picked the same room as him did not bother him much. Not wanting to get stabbed in the back for a third time, Van made sure his senses were alert as they walked past the rice patties.

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Wed Aug 10, 2005 5:58 am
((Rusty got the spot and both he and Van made the listen, so...)) Faralon notices trails of smoke from the forest in the distance, and can barely make out a number of fires deep in the woods. Both he and the fighter Van hear numerous chains of percussive sound echo through the air, punctuated by deep explosions. Van is able to notice that the percussive sound is very veyr similiar to the same sound that Zook's 'gun' makes when it is fired... but at a far, far faster pace.
((Listen DC 10 for the explosions. DC15 for the gunfire. DC20 for everyone but Vox to note that the gunfire is... well, gunfire.))

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Wed Aug 10, 2005 6:26 am
"I heard an explosion," Ashathel said, looking up from the ground. He'd been watching the path around them, admiring the different types of trees and plants in Hapon, when the sound shook him out of his musings. "Kyoji... this is not normal, is it?"
((Listen: 1d20 + 2 = 21))

Posted by: Rusty Wed Aug 10, 2005 6:29 am
*Faralon points to the trails of smoke, sarcastically responding, even though his brother wasn't talking to him.* : Does that look normal? Hm, I wonder who caused it...

Posted by: FreedomJu Wed Aug 10, 2005 6:30 am
Van was a short distance behind Ashathel and for a few moments after the half-elf finished speaking he continued to look off into the distance. "I highly doubt it is normal. I hear sounds similar to Zook's 'gun' or whatever he calls it. Though the sounds seem to be at a faster pace."

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Wed Aug 10, 2005 6:35 am
: "Hm? What do you..." Kyoji begins to ask, then stops as Faralon points out the smoke. "That's in the direction of Dava's Mansion..." Kyoji says, almost a whisper. "What could have... No. No, we must hurry to the mansion. Something is horribly wrong."

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Wed Aug 10, 2005 6:37 am
"Indeed," the swashbuckler replied, answering both Van and Kyoji with a single word. Drawing the elven thinblade he'd purchased recently, he prepared for battle. "Let's just hope that luck is on our side, and things haven't gone as horribly wrong as you think..."

Posted by: Century Wed Aug 10, 2005 12:42 pm
(( Listen: 9 )) ~Elias had spent much of the night awake, at first memorising his spells, and then drifting outside, allowing himself some moments to exercise his wings, and contemplate recent events. The pace of the adventure was beginning to catch up to him, and yet still he had not grown accustomed to many other members of the group. With so many coming together at once, he had not found a good opportunity to make acquaintances - indeed, some of them seemed to have met each other already, although he wasn't sure~
~Walking with the rest of the group, he had been making idle conversation before tension suddenly began to build in other members of the group. Apparently, some of them had noticed something a distance away, their ears perked and concentration marked on their faces. Unstrapping his spear, he attempted to hear what they could, but couldn't make out anything unusual~

Posted by: Aldur Wed Aug 10, 2005 1:20 pm
(( Listen: 13+2=15)) "These strange sounds...I wonder what they are, Let us hurry then." Amelios grinned and took out his mace, having meditated earlier in the day, before they left. ((Changing prepared spells, as bless is pointless thanks to the singing.
(level 0)
Cure minor Wounds
Guidance
Read Magic
Resistance
(level 1)
Cure light wounds
Magic weapon
(domain) Protection from evil
(level 2)
Cure moderate wounds
(domain) Cure moderate wounds ))

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Wed Aug 10, 2005 1:23 pm
((Spot Check: 22 Listen Check: 23)) Zook's ears twitched as his eyes followed the trail of smoke down into the forest. "Gunfire. Must be automated, at that rate. Or coming from multiple barrels. Or both." Zook withdrew his rifle and loaded it, the clip clicking audibly into place.

Posted by: Knight_019 Wed Aug 10, 2005 4:06 pm
*Merkass moves well ahead of the group, attempting to scout ahead before they found themselves caught in something that would turn into another fiasco as the boat had. With his greater speed Merkass is able to move ahead rather quickly and swath out a rather large path ahead of him.*
((Doing the 4 basic tracking food groups here
Track: 18 + 10 = 28
Search: 12 + 9 = 21
Spot: 10 + 8 = 18
Listen: 18 + 10 = 28
Also, in case anyone else is out in the area
Move Silently: 6 + 13 = 19
Hide in the event I see someone: 20 + 11 = 31))

Posted by: Dark Maiden Wed Aug 10, 2005 5:36 pm
((Listen Check: 19 Spot Check: 9)) Kethra does not seem to spot the smoke but she stops dead in her tracks when the sound of explosions reaches her ears, followed by another sound that she does not quite recognize. "What is that noise?"

Posted by: Damas Heretic Wed Aug 10, 2005 5:37 pm
((Listen Check: 21 Spot Check: 18)) Damas sees the smoke in the distance, and his especially keen ears pick up on the sounds of explosions and gunfire. He picks them up so well in fact, that his ears begin to ring a little bit. "That would be explosions and gunfire, Kethra."

Posted by: Nightmare Wed Aug 10, 2005 11:08 pm
((Spot: 9 + 8 = 17 Listen: 10 + 8 = 18)) Laika's ears perk up when he hears the gunfire, he loks around and sees the smoke, and knowing that it can't be a good thing he takes of for the front of the group to try and find out more about what's going on.

Posted by: Critical Mass Thu Aug 11, 2005 12:43 am
((Sorry about the absense, I've been a bit sick. And on an unrelated note, TUM believes the feat Greenbound Summoning is too powerful, and frankly I agree with him. The feat will be subbed out for the Sudden Maximize metamagic feat, and any incidents of your characters thinking they saw animal-plants tearing shit up on the battlefield will be attributed to psychadelic mushrooms. Ya damn hippies.))
((Spot and Listen: Take 10 + 17 = Lots))
((New Spells Prepared:
0 - Light, Light, Detect Magic, Guidance
1 - Faerie Fire, Entangle, Produce Flame, Produce Flame
2 - Creeping Cold, Creeping Cold, Creeping Cold))
Rhizor sees the smoke and hears the shots and instantly takes to the air, climbing into the sky for a better vantage point while racing towards the disturbance.
His keen ears also pick up Kyoji's comment, and he pushes himself faster to reach the mansion.

Posted by: Knight_019 Thu Aug 11, 2005 1:31 am
((A bunch of botched AIM rolls and here we are)) *Merkass, wanting to see what the wolfman was made of, given his ties to nagure, decided to ask him along on the scouting expedition. They were both equally fast, and another set of eyes could increase the amount of forest they could scout through. Laika's skills of silence were not what Merkass had expected, and Merkass had to remind Laika of his stealth a few times as he trudged through the forest.
Approximately 10 minutes after they get ahead of the group, Laika and Merkass begin to smell smoke coming from further into the woods. The smell begins faint, but it becomes stronger quickly from a certain direction. Following this trail, Merkass believes that such a sign could only mean people nearby. Not wanting to be seen by anyone who might be unfriendly, Merkass takes to the bushes, moving through them and out of sight. Laika does so as well, though not nearly as gracefully. At this point, however, Merkass would not be able to chide Laika on his performance.*
((Merkass
Hide = 6 + 11 = 17
MS = 15 + 13 = 28
Laika
Hide 1 + 8 = 9
MS 2 + 3 = 5))
*Following the smoke's trail, the two scouts find a small, open clearing which seems obviously unnatural. The clearing appears to have had all vegitation burned away, and a number of floating, metal constructs and skeletons with metallic protrusions appear to be surveying the area. Furthermore, this unnatural group seems to be led by a musclebound man in armor with greenish skin, as large as an ogre. Merkass' blood boils at the sight of the abominations, but he holds his anger, knowing that they were in no position to fight them. Neither of the two scouts is able to discern anything about any of the creatures, but craters pit the ground, indicating a battle, and the bodies of samurai strewn about leaves no question as to who won. Merkass believes they have failed to notice either him or Laika... until Laika trips over a vine and alerts them to their presence.*
((Merkass
Knowledge: Nature: 5 + 5 = 10
Sense Motive: 4 + 6 = 10
Laika
Knowledge Nature: 8 + 1 = 9))
:"Destroy the intruder!"
*Without further hesitation two constructs of metal floating on air, with large claw attachments begin to zoom forward. In addition, a number of the skeletons open fire with multibarreled guns. Bullets zoom by Laika's head, and a few connect (7 damage). Merkass sticks around just long enough to make sure Laika gets to his feet and begins to move again. As quickly as they can, the two begin to move back to the group as quickly as possible, where Merkass relays the news.*
: A group of undead armed with guns like Zook has, only fast firing, and floating metallic constructs are on their way toward us. They're lead by a large, green-skinned creature, and Laika was spotted, so they know there are people in the vicinity. To my knowledge, I was not seen. I suggest we scatter into the forest to make ambushing them easier and to hide our numbers from them until they're here.
*Merkass wastes little time on taking any kind of a response and moves up into the nearest tree he can, and he begins to move out along the tree branches. His vantage point would give him somewhat of an advantage against the incoming wave of creatures. The new bow Zook had made him would show its usefulness soon enough. If he found it remarkably effective, he'd have to make sure he thanked the Gnome after the battle.*
((Climb: 11 + 8 = 19
Balance: 19 + 11 = 30
Prepared Action: Snipe a creature that comes within range
1d20 + 8 = 12 + 8 = 20
Damage: 1d8 + 4 = 10
Hide: 1d20 + 11 - 20 = 19 - 9 = 10, plus whatever bonuses I get for cover, and then whatever penalties they take for distance (probably a lot, given my bow has one hell of a range)))

Posted by: Aldur Thu Aug 11, 2005 1:39 am
On their way, the cleric caught up to the Minotaur and tapped him on the shoulder. "This should help friend." Amelios touched the other's weapon, invoking a spell on it. ((Cast Magic weapon +1 bonus to weapon))

Posted by: Nightmare Thu Aug 11, 2005 2:10 am
Laika being injured comes back to the group and takes Merkass' advice... or at least tried, but the pain from those bullets were distracting him to much, instead he merely moved towards Amelios so that he could receive any healing that may be needed since the enemies already knew he was here.
((Hide: d20 + 8 = 1 + 8 = 9
I fu*king loathe the AIM dice...))

Posted by: Critical Mass Thu Aug 11, 2005 2:12 am
Rhizor also spots the enemy group, and when Laika stumbles into the clearing it becomes painfully obvious that a battle is about to start. The batling dives down into the tree cover and perches on a branch, casting a Produce Flame spell in preperation of the coming fight. He hides the flame behind his back, waiting for the leader to come into range before making a move.
((Cast Produce Flame: 3 minutes remaining. Readied action: Sudden Maximized Creeping Cold on the green dude as soon as he comes within range. Hide check 16))

Posted by: Aldur Thu Aug 11, 2005 2:19 am
((Doing this whenever I can.)) Amelios noticed Laika hurry towards him, and saw that the wolfman was injured. Amelios moved to meet him, and nodded, placing his hands over the wound. ((cure Light wounds 7+3+1=11hp healed.))

Posted by: Big Poppa Thu Aug 11, 2005 2:47 am
((Spells for the day: 0: Guidance, Create Water, Detect Poison, Mending 1: Divine Favor, Bless, Magic Weapon 2: Shield Others, Bull's Strength, Domain: Both from Healing.
Spot check: 1+6= 7
Listen Check: 12+3= 15
Note to self: I suck hardcore.))

Posted by: DragonmasterDon1 Thu Aug 11, 2005 2:51 am
((Action tomorrow. Busy night tonight))

Posted by: Big Poppa Thu Aug 11, 2005 3:08 am
*Aurik rushes over to the 'friendly' werewolf.* "Let's see what happens when you cross a wolf and a bull, shall we? May the Strength of a bull enpower you!" ((Casted: Bull's Strength (Str +4) ))

Posted by: Dark Maiden Thu Aug 11, 2005 3:41 am
Kethra notes Merkass' advice and moves back into the forest to find some cover. Hiding until they knew exactly what they were up against and getting the drop on them so to speak would definitely increase their chances of living through the encounter.
((Hide Check: 22 [12 + 10]))

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Thu Aug 11, 2005 3:43 am
"That's just great," the swashbuckler groaned, scanning the forest for signs of the oncoming creatures, even as he himself attempted to hide. "Floating hunks of metal and more undead. I hate, hate, hate undead..." ((Hide: 1d20 + 4 = 8 Spot: 1d20 + 2 = 12
= Spells for today =
Lvl. 0: Acid Splash, Ray of Frost, Daze, Resistance
Lvl. 1: Sleep, Magic Missile ))

Posted by: Damas Heretic Thu Aug 11, 2005 3:45 am
Damas notes this advice as well and moves into a more wooded area for some cover. Even though he is a man, he reminds himself that he's no fighter and would most assuredly get 'hurt' if he was singled out. This being the case, he tries to stay somewhat close to the stronger members of the group as well as find something to take cover behind.
((Hide: 22 [18 + 4]
Initiative: 17 [13 + 4]))

Posted by: Twitch Thu Aug 11, 2005 4:03 am
((Hide = 6)) After hearing Merkass' story upon his return, Gabriel drew his warhammer and tried unsuccessfully to hide his bulky frame behind the largest tree he could find. "Great, the one time I need to hide and I cant find anything wider than a few twigs, and some long grass.... he thought to himself grimly "...yea, Gabe, because subtlety has ALWAYS been your calling card" he retorted in his own head and started to shift uncomfortably, ready to snap out of his "hiding" position at the slightest threat.
"...well, at least it's not raining.."

Posted by: Rusty Thu Aug 11, 2005 4:25 am
*Faralon nods. Hiding is really our only option right now...So I guess I better listen to Merkass for now. I don't like the sound of the foes we're to face...Weapons like Zook's that fire rapidly? This is very bad...And the undead are capable of wielding such things...I best not make a sound - not until we're spotted or we attack. Faralon couldn't help but be a little fearful at this point. He hadn't any experience in fighting against such great technology, and this was to be a very new experience for him.*
((Hide check...16 + 4 = 20.
I may as well get my Initiative roll out of the way now...
14 + 4 = 18.))

Posted by: Knight_019 Thu Aug 11, 2005 4:26 am
((Init: 6 + 5 = 11 Van's hide check 1d20 - 2 = 7 - 2 = 5 Van's Init: 8 + 2 = 10 Hear ye, Hear ye: AIM dice sucks balls))
*Hearing that an ambush would be in order, Van attempted to move behind a mass of gangly vines and trees to lie in wait with his Guisarme. He leaned back to get comfortable against them, but they gave way and he fell to the ground with a thud. Cursing under his breath, Van wasted no time getting to his feet, and instead he attempted to move off into the woods a bit to get a vantage point but at least be out of the way. Taking cover behind a tree, he awaited their foes.*

Posted by: Century Thu Aug 11, 2005 9:00 am
~Taking to the air, Elias makes his way to the higher branches of one of the trees, hoping that his opponents wouldn't look up in their inevitable search~ (( Hide: 6... Yikes Init: 15 + 6 = 21 ))

Posted by: Aldur Thu Aug 11, 2005 12:45 pm
((Hide check (not sure if I get any mods... 14.)) Amelios quickly hides his smaller frame behind a large tree, praying to Mitula he wouldn't be seen.

Posted by: Nightmare Thu Aug 11, 2005 2:45 pm
((Laika Init: 15 + 3 = 18 Rhyir Init: 17 + 3 = 20 Climb: 2 + 9 = 11 Hide: 10 + 9 = 19 In your face AIM dice.))
Rhyir moves beside a large tree but can't reach any of the branches to climb up, but he manages to hide behind the tree. He then readies his bow waiting for the freaks of nature to appear.

Posted by: DragonmasterDon1 Thu Aug 11, 2005 10:08 pm
((Spot 4 + 2 Racial + 1 Wisdom = 7)) ((Hide 8 + 3 Dex since I think it's Dexterity = 11)) ((Initiative 2 + 3 = 5)) ((Yeah, AIM not doing miracles for me today either)) Isyndel didn't entirely know what was happening but took to the sides when her companions did so. Anxiety crept into her as she waited quietly. Sleet clawed up the tree just above her in the shadow of its leaves.

Posted by: Big Poppa Thu Aug 11, 2005 10:27 pm
(Init= 9+2 = 11 If I can still hide... Check: 11 + 2 = 13) *After casting Bull's Strentgh on Laika, Aurik goes to hide with the rest of the force!*

Posted by: Aldur Thu Aug 11, 2005 11:08 pm
(( oh initive. 18+1=19))

Posted by: Dark Maiden Thu Aug 11, 2005 11:36 pm
((Initiative Roll: 9 [1 + 8] I f*cking hate you AIM!))

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Thu Aug 11, 2005 11:53 pm
((Init 21, Hide 21 (18 + 3 and 14 + 3 + 4 respectively))) Zook tensed, and crept into hiding with his allies. His grip on the rifle tightened. I'll show these fiends how to handle a firearm.

Posted by: Dark Maiden Fri Aug 12, 2005 12:37 am
((Well, the time has come. this is my last post for a week, as both myself and Eric will be leaving. As of now, Knight has control of Damas and Rusty has control of Kethra until we come come back and check in. Just don't do anything ooc for them or we'll hunt you down Seeya guys ^^;;))

Posted by: Twitch Fri Aug 12, 2005 1:20 am
((Init: 13 + 2 = 15))

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Fri Aug 12, 2005 6:00 am
((Init: 1d20 + 4 = 22 I supppose this roll should be taken as an ad for the Dice Roller I wrote myself. It'll give you better rolls, I'd say, but if you think it won't punch you in the balls to keep you honest you're sadly mistaken.))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sat Aug 13, 2005 6:41 am
Crashing through the underbrush is heard, along with humming sounds and tromping. Yeesha disappears from sight, as does Kyoji. The sounds grow closer and closer as the seconds tick by until at last the pair of the floating metal things burst into view, not pausing as they head straight for Gabriel and Laika.(Knowledge: Technology or Kno: Ancients: DC 12 to know they're robots. DC20 to know they're Steel Claws, a common sentry robot from the Time of the Ancients.) Following closely is a skeleton with odd metal bits attached to him, clad in the remains of some long forgotten uniform.
Foe Initiative: 17.
"Multiple contacts. Engaging enemy," one of the metal things intones as it slashes at Gabriel with a metal claw. The other does the same to Laika, but the wolfman manages to dodge. Gabriel is not so lucky, a wound in his side opening as the metal razor claws open his flesh with their painful touch.
((Hit. 7 damage to Gabriel.))
"The wolfman was not alone," the skeleton speaks to the air in an eerie watery voice. "Requesting reinforcements at this location from the rear guard."
The skeleton's multibarreled gun's six barrels begin to spin, then open fire on Aurik, spitting a stream of death at the young cleric.
((Hit. 10 damage.))

Posted by: Kaihaku Sat Aug 13, 2005 1:37 pm
[Initiative 4] Cedric had watched the proceedings quietly from the background, a strange unease keeping him quiet. As the three strange enemies burst through the undergrowth, he mutters to himself, "Mitula, guide us..." Wielding his weapon in both hands, the noble Knight starts forward and slams his hammer up at the nearest of the strange metal devices.
[Power Attack -3]
[Attack Roll: 17 + 9 - 3 = 23]
[Damage: 9 + 7 + 6 = 22]

Posted by: Century Sat Aug 13, 2005 4:08 pm
~The beasts, creatures seemingly crafted of metal, shocked Elias to his very core. Overcoming his dire astonishment through force of will, Elias almsot instinctively cast a spell, two balls of energy flying from his hand to strike unerringly at the skeleton - a foe he had at least seen before, and one which he knew (at least in the previous case!) was vulnerable to his magic~
(( Magic Missile: 4 + 4 + 2 = 10 Damage (!) ))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sat Aug 13, 2005 7:19 pm
The first robot takes minor damage as Merkass' arrow strikes it, as Cedric slams his hammer onto the construct, creating a huge dent in the thing's side. Both parties note that their damage was reduced somehow... ((Total of 16 damage to the Metal Claw 1.))
Elias' spell strikes the skeleton to full effect, the undead being growling in its odd watery voice as brine water sprays off it when the projectile hits.

Posted by: Big Poppa Sat Aug 13, 2005 9:08 pm
*Getting hit hard by the enemy, Aurik winces and considers healing himself. He however didn't get that much sense knocked out of him, and chose a much better action. With the enemy tied up with Elias and Merkass, Aurik makes his way over to Van*
"You'll be able to do a lot more good then I can. This should help." *Aurik places a hand on Van's weapon and murmurs as it glows for a moment*
((Spell cast: Magic Weapon. (Weapon gains +1 bonus)))

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Sat Aug 13, 2005 9:16 pm
Leaping out from the brush, Ashathel tried to take a decent chunk out of the skeleton, but stumbled on a fallen bough which rolled under his boots. ((Attack: 1d20 + 4 = 10 Damage: 1d8 + 3 = 5))

Posted by: Twitch Sat Aug 13, 2005 11:08 pm
Gabe felt his side burn, the pain jolting him out of his stunned awe at seeing a bizarre metal "thing" rush up to him, as it's claw sliced into him. : "WHAT ARE YOU?!" Gabe screamed at the Metal Claw, as he brought his blade to bear on the bot, anger burning away the shock from his eyes.
((Power Attack - 2))
Attack: 14 + 8 - 2 = 20
Damage: 5 + 4 + 7 STR (1.5x) + 4 PA (2x) = 20

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Sun Aug 14, 2005 1:11 am
((Knowledge check: 11 + 10 = 21)) "Steel Claws. Sentries of the Ancients..." Zook breathed, before bringing his rifle to bear. Before him was evidence of the pinnacle of technological prowess; the undisputed masters of his craft created what lay before him. This was a thing as beautiful as it was terrible, and the gnome wanted to salvage as much of its soon to be sparking corpse as he could.
Zook raised his rifle, and stared down the sight at an unblemished Steel Claw. His body tensed as the tinker sought to work wonders with his creation. He held his breath, letting the gun drift as it would. Soon, Zook exhaled, and the rifle seemed to twitch almost of its own accord, hovering stock-still, aimed at its target.
He closed his eyes, and heard nothing but the click of the trigger, the descent of the hammer, the explosion.
((Invoking auto-threat...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/VoxPVoxD/HAHAHAOWNED.jpg
Confirming multiplier increase.... I didn't think to screenshot this one It was a 17.
Rolling damage...
OK, this I figured I had to screenshot. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/VoxPVoxD/HAHAHAOWNED2.jpg
For those playing the home game, the results are as follows:
Auto-threat invoked, natural 20 on the confirm. 17 on confirm #2. 6+5 +1 from refined gunpowder on the damage roll, for a grand total of 48 Damage.
For I am Vox, the great and terrible.))
A tendril of smoke wafted lazily from the mouth of the rifle. Stunned at what had happened, Zook's silence was supplanted by a giggle, which grew into a grating, screeching maniacal cackle.
"BOOM! HEADSHOT!"

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sun Aug 14, 2005 2:51 am
Zook's shot blows right through the robot's laser mount, disabling its deadliest form of attack, and proceeding to pierce the armor to ricochet a little inside. The mechancial opponent smokes and sparks, twitching horribly, but does not yet cease to function.
Gabriel shears off a chunk of the robot with his mighty blow, but fails to fell the foe.
((12 total damage to Metal Claw 1. 40 total damage to Metal Claw 2.))

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Sun Aug 14, 2005 3:09 am
"Let's try this again," the elf muttered, raising his thinblade between his eyes. "Monstrosities or no, they can fall." Then, narrowing a glare at the soggy skeleton, he proceeded to engage it in battle. Thrusting for whatever seemed vital to it's continued ability to maim and kill, the swashbuckler's blade lashed out at his opponent.
"Lovely weather, isn't it?"
((Attack: 1d20 + 4 = 20
Damage: 1d8 + 3 = 7))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sun Aug 14, 2005 3:12 am
Lacking flesh or organs to aim at, the primarily piercing weapon does little damage to the skeleton warrior. ((2 total damage to Drowned Eye Scout.)) "They have a technologist with them, gnome. Not a Tech Knight," the skeleton says to the air as he backs up and fires a burst of gunfire at Asathel. However, the agile elf dodges the stream of lead death with difficulty.
((2 ain't high enough, not even with a touch attack.))
Kyoji bursts from hiding to strike at the Metal Claw engaging Cedric and Gabriel.
((21, hit! 15, miss. Damage: 5 total.))
His precise and powerful strikes just barely manage to pierce the robot's armor, however.
The Metal Claws continue to... well, claw.
((Hit on Gabriel. Hit on Laika. 9 damage to Gabriel. 10 damage to Laika.))

Posted by: Rusty Sun Aug 14, 2005 3:36 am
*Drawing his Rapier, Faralon keeps a defensive stance as he begins to sing.* ((Inspire Courage. +1 to Attack and Damage rolls and +1 bonuses to fear and charm saves...But I don't think we need to worry about that with this group of foes.)) : "These foes of the past,
Their forces aren't vast!
We'll vanquish them soon,
With magic, our boon!"
((That was for last round, btw))

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Sun Aug 14, 2005 4:00 am
"Oh... don't like the weather? Too bad," Ashathel grinned, moving away from the skeletal beast. Unable to resist himself, he once again broke into song. "Oh me, oh my... What a nasty gun attack! But compared to Zook, You're just a hack.
See, I dodged your attack
As well I should;
I'm a Swashbuckler, damnit...
Better lucky than good!"
((Sing: 1d20 + 2 = 19))

Posted by: FreedomJu Sun Aug 14, 2005 4:09 am
Hit=18(d20)+3(BAB)+1(Masterwork)+3(STR)+1(bard)+1(Magic weapon)=27 Damage= 2+3(2d4)+4(STR1.5)+1(bard)+1(Magic weapon)=11 Puzzled by how hunks of metal could move, Van paused for several moments before attacking. Not knowing how his weapon would affect the metal things, he decided to tackle the skeleton instead. Emerging from his hiding spot, Van lashed out with his Guisarme at the undead enemy.

Posted by: Wandering Dezorian Sun Aug 14, 2005 5:21 am
((Well, I'm back. Nice to know Brand didn't die, at least.)) ((Oh, I'm posting a bit from the night after the battle, just to show the birdman's reaction to his near death. Feel free to skip to the battle section below it)) As the sun set to the west of the inn, the distant sounds of steel striking wood resounded rhythmically throughout the forest.
thock... thock...
The birdman's brow was furrowed, though from rage, fear, or concentration, none not of his race could tell.
thock... thock...
With clockwork precision, he struck again and again, his blades spinning through classical forms and leaving gouges, divots and deep cuts in whatever tree was nearest at the moment. Not seeing, not hearing, the birdman made his sword dance without falter, driving himself to exhaustion and beyond.
thock... thock...
Crash.
The tip caught in a vine, shifting the balance enough for the next spin to throw the blade wildly from his grasping claws. His beak bit in anger, and the soldier reached back, grabbing his greatsword and striking the tree he had just spectacularly missed, smashing it again and again in anger, in rage, and in frustration. He struck it until all that remained was a splintered stump, and a burning ache in his arms.
Fool. Idiot. Self-righteous overproud overbearing worthless slimbucket, without the brains to pour piss from a boot with instruction written on the heel. Belly crawling maggot spawned from a spineless steaming pile of cow dung. You worthless waste of the air you breathe.
Enough. You screwed up.
No, flame 'sume it, not enough. Never enough. So caught up because you had experience, so caught up because you were going to watch out for the rookies, so flame-seared sure of your own burning ability to keep a spear from taking your belly. Is that what you learned in the wastelands? Is that what you offered to this team. Why in the 7th hell did you do this in the first place, if you're just going to fall, pull the men out of their positions, and nearly ruin their only chance of survival?
Wordlessly, the soldier reached down, his sharpened eyes spotting the blade even in the dim light of the moonless night, and assumed the first form. The blade whistled as it spun, machine perfect despite the soldier's aching arms.
You will not give up. You will not surrender. You will not bow down. You will not let them die in your place. You will not... The littany went on and on.
You will not give them stupid orders...? The blade faltered for a moment, then spun on, sure once more. No. You will issue orders to the best of your ability, and accept relief once it is offered. Until then, live or die, do your flaming best.
----
((Back at the battle))
"Use your heads!" Brand shouts as he moves from his hiding place to flank the claw with a functioning laser. "Immobilize the claws and we can kill from a distance. The undead uses a weapon like Zooks! Heat the metal, melt it, or shatter it! Don't just stand there and trade blows with it! Flank and quick kill, before their reinforcements arrive!"
His heavy tower shield still on his back, the double-edged sword spun briefly in Brand's hands before swinging with deadly force at the robot before him.
((Can you roll for me, TUM?))
Attack (+1 ench head): (1d20) + 5 (skill) + 1 (+1 ench) + 1 (song)
Damage: (1d8) + 2 (str) + 1 (+1 ench) + 1 (song)

Posted by: Big Poppa Sun Aug 14, 2005 6:36 am
"My work is never done with you guys!" *Aurik gets behind Gabriel and touches his back, murmuring a prayer.* ((CLW: 1d8+3+1 = 3+3+1 = 7))

Posted by: Nightmare Sun Aug 14, 2005 6:42 am
LAIKA Laika did not take fondly to being attacked by large chunks of metal, and showed his displeasure by trying to tear through it's thick "skin" ((Attack Claw1: D20 + 9 = 12 + 9 = 21 Claw2: D20 + 9 = 9 + 9 = 18
Bite: D20 + 3 = 17 + 3 = 20
Damage:
Claw1: D8 + 7 = 7 + 7 = 14
Claw2: D8 + 7 = 4 + 7 = 11
Bite: D4 + 4 = 4 + 4 = 8))
RHYIR
Rhyir comes out from his hiding place and swiftly moves over to the robots and hacking at one of them with his great scimitar
((Attack:
d20 + 7 + 1 (song) = 12 + 8 = 20
Damage:
1d8 + 1d6 + 5 = 7 + 5 +5 = 17
for the record, that was a skirmish))

Posted by: Knight_019 Mon Aug 15, 2005 1:11 am
*Merkass moves along the branches of the tree he is standing in and sets himself in position to fire upon one of the robots. Merkass removes a serpentstongue arrow from its resting place and knocks it upon the bow string. Pulling the string of his new bow back, Merkass fires the arrow at the floating, claw-like machine and watches as it strikes its metallic hide.*
((Balance check: 1d20 + 11 = 8 + 11 = 19, success.
Attack roll
1d20 + 8 + 1(music) + 1 (PBS) = 12 + 10 = 22
Damage
1d8 + 4 + 1 (music) + 1 (PBS) + 1d6/2 = 5 + 6 + 1/2 = 11))
~~~
*Damas peers out from his hiding place in the shadows of the tree branches to assess the state of the battle thus far. Keenly eyeing the situation, Damas scoffs at the floating, metallic creatures and their undead soldier. Looking for the least damaged machine that his allies had engaged, Damas believed he had found it. Unimpressed by their displays of force thus far, even with the damage they had placed on the party, he began to weave arcane symbols in the air, speaking in an ancient tongue to trigger his spell. Suddenly, 2 orbs of pure force darted from his outstretched hands at incredible speeds, flying toward his target. Their impact jostled the floating, claw-like robot as they hit, and Damas grinned wryly, letting out a slight laugh to himself as he saw the effects of his spell. He enjoyed to see his enemies afflicted by his powers.*
((Spell Slots Before: 0-6/1-6
Magic Missle - 2 missles at one robot
Range: 130', so he shouldn't have to move.
2d4 + 2 = 4 + 4 + 2 = 10 damage
Spell Slots After: 0-6/1-5))

Posted by: Aldur Mon Aug 15, 2005 1:30 am
Not caring for his own safety, and tutting somewhat about the other cleric's complaints Amelios hurried over to Laika. "Again I seem to be healing you my friend." ((8+3+1=12 hp healed. Cure moderate wounds. spells left: 1/0/4 I think I did that correctly))

Posted by: DragonmasterDon1 Mon Aug 15, 2005 2:03 am
((Range Attack Roll: 17 + 3 Dex + 1 BAB + 1 Bardic Song = 22. Sweet)) ((Scorching Ray at the Skeleton if within range to do so, Acid Arrow at the claws if a little further out. Target: Claws. I don't know the distance off the top of my head or whether or not I'm still hidden...I'd guess not.))
((If Scorching Ray: 6 6 3 5 = 20
If Acid Arrow: 1 4 = 5, 2d4 Acid Next round))
((Will pretty up post depending on how things go, since for some reason I'm having difficulty determining what's going on this battle, range and location-wise))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Mon Aug 15, 2005 2:24 am
Van's strike lands on the skeleton, chipping off a few bits of bone. ((6 damage total.)) ((9 and a 5. Sorry.)) Both Brand's attacks bounce off the steel frame of his opponent as Ryhir manages to jam his sword in between an opening in the construct's armor. Striking something vital, the robot sparks and hits the dirt with a thud, going inactive.
((4 total damage. Metal Claw destroyed!))
The other Metal Claw is suddenly struck by Kyoji as he lashes out at the metal monster's back, seeking a vital area and hitting it in a spray of sparks.
((Miss, Critical hit. 4 damage total after damage reduction and 50% sneak attack.))
The robot turns to lash out at this new threat, but Kyoji dodges nimbly out of the way.
((18, miss.))
The skeleton backs up once more.
"Robotics are failing. Covering fire and falling back to meet reinforcing squad," the skeleton states as his gun whirs to life. A spray of lead envelops the area around Van and Asathel.
((5' step. Autofire: 15. Attack roll passed. Reflex Save: 15 for no damage. 2. Failed. 9. Failed. 15 damage to Van and Asathel.))
Dama's magic missle at the same time Merkass' arrow strikes it. The robot is engulfed in electricity as it overloads, then drops to the ground, smoking.
((13 total damage, 'bot blown to bits.))
A column of fire engulfs the skeleton as Yeesha reappears with a grin.
"Sorry for the timing, my injuries started acting up and I lost a spell or two," she explains.
((34 damage to Drowned Eye, save made. Half damage + fire resist= 12 damage to Drowned Eye.))
The skeleton throws himself from the column of fire before he is too badly scorched by the fire, steam rising from his body as his drenched corpse emerges from the flames.
"Magic user of at least class 8 capability in group," the skeleton says to the air. "Possible high profile personality. Begining file search..."
Isyndel's spell strikes the skeleton at this point. The undead soldiers hisses as steam again rises from his body, and the bits of metal on him detonate.
((15 damage to Drowned Eye. Drowned Eye destroyed.))
Everyone gains 450 XP.

Posted by: Twitch Mon Aug 15, 2005 3:19 am
*Gabe kicked at the remains of one of the Metal claws* : Damnable thing! Would someone care to tell me just what is going on? I know I'm just here to beat at whatever decides to get cute with us... But this... *he points to the claws* ...is a little too much for me at the moment."

Posted by: Knight_019 Mon Aug 15, 2005 3:30 am
((Treat a fall as if 10' shorter Jump Check: 1d20 + 10 = 17 +10 = 27, success)) *Seeing that the area had been cleared of assailants, Merkass jumped down from his perch in the tree, landing in a crouch and using his right hand for balance after he hit. Looking up at the rest of the group, Merkass took to his feet again. This had been a victory for them, yes, but it was far from over.*
: These enemies have been defeated, but there are more that will come if we do not move now. After what we have destroyed there are 11 enemies. The large, green leader, 5 more of the skeletons, 3 machines that walked on 4 legs and had a floating orb, and 2 more walking machines that had a jarlike container holding a brain. We must prepare and move to catch them before they have the advantage. They will probably assume that the group they sent out finished the two of us off. This gives us the advantage.

Posted by: Aldur Mon Aug 15, 2005 3:36 am
Amelios ran over to Van, and then to Asathel, handing each a potion of cure Moderate wounds, urging them to drink immediately. He then looked round, and ran again towards Aurik handing him a potion of cure light wounds. He then looked around to see if anyone else needed something. He wheezed, this much running around in armour wasn't good for him.

Posted by: Big Poppa Mon Aug 15, 2005 3:42 am
*Aurik nods to Amelios as he drinks the potion.* "That was rather.. odd.. What do you think that was all about?"

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Mon Aug 15, 2005 3:58 am
Zook worked the bolt on his rifle as he entered the clearing, the spent shell casing flying from the chamber in an effortless arc. ((Scavenge: 8 and 14)) Zook finds little in the remains of the Steel Claws; a few choice pieces of scrap metal and some mechanical parts. The tinker stows these, vaguely disappointed at the loss of the laser fixtures, and moves toward the Drowned Eye.
A charred headset catches Zook's eye, and he examines it. ((Scavenge: 16 and Knowledge [Tech]: 17)) It appeared to be a destroyed radio, a contrivance of the Ancients to project their voices over great distances. This did not portend well, Zook thought. What reconnaissance had the monster transmitted to those on the other end of the line?
Examining the gun ((Knowledge [Tech]: 16)), a huge affair with six barrels arranged in a circle, the tinker thinks it can be repaired, if not used without proper supports. Perhaps the half-giant...
Zook hears Merkass's description of the robots ((Kno [Tech] 18 and 25 for the Torch Eyes and Brain Jar dealie respectively, to be filled in when TUM briefs me)) and raises a hand to get his attention. The hand holding the radio.
"This is a communication device that was worn by our skeletal friend. They are likely better aware of us than we might think. It's not impossible to fathom that reinforcements are being deployed as we speak."

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Mon Aug 15, 2005 4:06 am
((Ashathel regains all his lost HP, thanks to good rolls.)) "What do you think that was all about? How about them trying to kill us," Ashathel said, touching the place where his wounds had been. "And apparently we've got more to deal with later. If this keeps up, we'll never make it to Dava's place - with or without the element of surprise."
The song really was a bit much... shouldn't have pushed your vaunted swashbucker luck, if you ask me, Telithe commented, creeping down from the tree in which he'd been perched, watching the fight.
Ignoring the mongoose for the moment, he added "Does anyone know anything about what these this are, at least? Cause I'd prefer not to go thrusting at them again unless I know it's safe to thrust."

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Mon Aug 15, 2005 4:15 am
Zook answers Ashathel. "Those were Steel Claws. The Ancients used them as sentries. Robots of the Ancients in general have powerful armor, with only the subtlest of vulnerabilities. We can at least draw some small comfort, I suppose, from the fact that their mounted lasers" Zook gestures at the smoldering remains, "saw no action. Fearsome, they were. Able to rend flesh more easily than all but the sharpest enchanted blades."

Posted by: Nightmare Mon Aug 15, 2005 4:20 am
LAIKA "I don't care how many there are, or what they know. All I know is that someone's going to pay for these wounds." Laika's teeth were bared and he was snarling. He was going to get retribution and nothing would stand in his way. ((He's one step closer to the edge, and he's about to break!
<_< >_>))
---------
RHYIR
"Well, fighting three of them was hard enough... but fighting another 11 of them with the possibility of them already having knowledge on our group does not seem like a good thing in the least." Rhyir was worried about the possibility of having more casualties in the end of this battle.

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Mon Aug 15, 2005 4:42 am
Zook turns to Laika. "Be mindful where they cannot," he says, shouldering his rifle. "These are killing machines in the truest sense of the name, constructs with no will, no feeling, no remorse. The greater danger, and our true foe, is the entity or entities giving these machines their orders. Access to the most powerful of technology, with the most malicious of intent..." Zook shakes his head.

Posted by: Wandering Dezorian Mon Aug 15, 2005 7:35 am
"That would explain why he was talking to the air." Brand muses. "They've identified you, Zook. They'll be hunting for the gnome now, and they'll expect us to understand their machines and attack any weaknesses they present. And our magic, he mentioned that. I don't like one thing, though... That undead creature was intelligent. He was to precise and too perceptive in his report to be a simple construct noting anything he saw. He only said what a good scout would say."
"One way or the other, we can't stand against their full force." Brand states calmly, shaking his head slightly as he brings himself back onto the point at hand. "We fought back the three with difficulty. And," he adds with a grimace, "Our spellcasters might begin to run out of fuel soon. We can outrun them easily, outmaneuver them possibly, but that doesn't help us, since we still need to find your seer."
"Zook, is there a way to keep the reporting devices they have silent?" the merchant asks. "Break their lines of communications? Or... do you suppose that they could be decieved by an illusion spell, or would their metallic eyes see right through that? Or... well, you're the technologist. Their weaknesses may be subtle, as you say, but they must be there. How can we defeat or bypass these enemies?"

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Tue Aug 16, 2005 12:19 am
((Too lazy for avatars)) "So... they were robots? I've never fought those before..." Yeesha says, prodding at one of the destroyed robots with her staff. "What are they weak against?" "The sounds of battle have not ceased in the distance," Kyoji notes. "With the proximity of these things to the seeress, this is an ill sign indeed."
((Listen DC15: There are still gunfire and explosions in the distance.))

Posted by: Kaihaku Tue Aug 16, 2005 12:30 am
((I believe that the machines have DR/magic but for future reference in case we run into other types of DR, I am wielding a +1 weapon.)) Cedric lowers his hammer, a deep frown on his brow, "There is a time for caution and a time for action... If we are to continue we must strike our enemy soon, while they are yet engaged in battle. If we need to scout and prepare, so be it but I suggest doing so quickly and coming to the aid of those facing these fiends."

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Tue Aug 16, 2005 1:14 am
((The Intel on Merkass's scouting report)) "The orbed robots you describe are Torch Eyes, more akin to shock troops than sentries. Not as heavily armored, and more fragile in general, but their laser is far more powerful. As for the others..." Zook shook his head. "I know only that the Ancients called such amalgams of tissue and machine 'cyborgs'. They had sentience, minds of their own, and were that much more dangerous because of it."
Zook turned to Brand and nodded. "Devices do exist that could jam radio signals, however they are beyond my skill to construct. I believe I could operate one were we to find it, but beyond that... The only thing I know for certain is that Torch Eyes can see in both the visual spectrum and infared, which is heat, not to mention having advanced sensors. I'd doubt illusions would work."

Posted by: Aldur Tue Aug 16, 2005 1:17 am
Amelios having caught his breath frowned, and made his way over to Zook. The cleric looked troubled, as he was running out of healing spells. "What in the name of Mitula powers these...oddities? Magic? If so...could we dispel it?"

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Tue Aug 16, 2005 1:32 am
"Steam is the crudest autonomous power source," Zook replies, scratching his chin. "Although, the Ancients had far, far more efficient sources of energy, and I'm not seeing or hearing about any boilers on these robots. As for weaknesses, because of the manner in which robots and machines in general use their power, most have a fundamental weakness to lightning. Would milady happen to have any Bolt spells prepared?" he asks, turning his head to Yeesha.

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Tue Aug 16, 2005 1:37 am
"Of course! Bolt is my speciality!" Yeesha says with a grin. "If that's what these 'robots' are weak to, and I can manage to cast, this should be a swift fight."

Posted by: Aldur Tue Aug 16, 2005 1:40 am
"Excuse me Lady Yeesha, but I feel it might be a good idea to quickly, maybe call for Derrik. We healers seems to be running low, and potions would help, also maybe he has a bolt based magic scroll for a mage or something. It couldn't hurt to try."
Amelios grinned at Lady Yeesha, wondering abotu soemthing though, if they called Derrik would he appear with a whole caravan train? If that were so...but then maybe the machines would retreat, fearing a larger enemy. No...they seem, determined.

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Tue Aug 16, 2005 1:54 am
Yeesha winces. "Yeah... Yeah, allright," Yeesha says as she hands Amelios the contract and reminds him how it works. Assuming Amelios uses it, the scroll flashes white and shoots five feet into the air, Derrik suddenly appearing to catch the scroll before it can hit the ground. He grins impishly.
"You rang?"

Posted by: Aldur Tue Aug 16, 2005 2:01 am
"Indeed. I don't suppose you'd be willing to help out an old friend and give the group a discount? A moment please." Amelios turned towards his companions. He sighed and and looked round at them all. "I'm running low on casting power here, and I assume Aurik is the same. I'd advise you all to buy a healing potion, if the master merchant carries them." The kyantol swings back to Derrik, a calculating look on his face. "You wouldn't happen to have any weapons or scrolls that are enchanted with bolt magic would you?"

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Tue Aug 16, 2005 2:02 am
"Well met, Derrik. Might I have a look at any anti-machine weaponry you have in stock? Lightning elemental bullets, EMP grenades, the like." Zook reaches into his satchel for his coin bag.

Posted by: DragonmasterDon1 Tue Aug 16, 2005 2:09 am
((Listen 19 + bonus passes)) Isyndel's ears twitched. "Indeed. What in the devil is going on here? What business do these wretched things have prancing about doing whatever they please? And still at it further on, it seems." Her cheeks burned hot in annoyance. The man appeared with the 'wares' and Isyndel quickly bought a potion. If something were to happen to...she paused herself, no longer accepting the thought.
"One thing is certain, we seem to have a penchant for attracting trouble." She gave the merchant almost no attention at all though she did give him some money just the same.

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Tue Aug 16, 2005 2:09 am
"Of course, of course, I might be able to find a weapon or two for folks such as you..." Derrik says with a grand flourish. "Potions are 50 for a basic vial, 150 for a better version. As for weapons, that are truly... heh... shocking... They're mostly 2,000 gold. I have some ammunition for sale, bullets and arrows, that nearly spark with quality for a mere... (insert DMG price of magical ammunition)"

Posted by: Twitch Tue Aug 16, 2005 2:40 am
*Gabriel raised an eyebrow, and got visibly excited at the mention of magical weapons." "Don't be so glib, if you're going to mention new weapons around me you better be willing to show them off, ...what kind of wares are you peddling?"

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Tue Aug 16, 2005 3:02 am
"Magical swords, magical axes, magical spears... You name it, I'll procure it... Providing you have the money," Derrik replies to Gabriel.

Posted by: Twitch Tue Aug 16, 2005 8:59 pm
"Greatswords, warhammers, or heavy flails preferably... Matter of fact, if there's a chance you could find ones that were made with larger folk in mind, that's all the better..." Gabriel replied.

Posted by: Century Tue Aug 16, 2005 9:52 pm
"Magical spears?" Elias said, forcing his way through the ever-growing crowd around Derrick. "One doesn't find one of those in a hurry, so a procurer of a Magical spear certainly has a fine - if eclectic - taste... How much are you willing to part with one for, and what exactly do they offer... Magic-wise?"

Posted by: Aldur Tue Aug 16, 2005 10:03 pm
Amelios didn't think he needed to buy any more potions, he had a few...and remembered suddenly that he had a special healing skill...he'd not run out of healing power quickly. He decided to ask about something else. "You wouldn't happen to have a Longbow on you? I used to shoot quite well...and had my bow not been stolen a little before I set out...I would have brought it. And if so, could I purchase sixty arrows? A quiver would also be needed."
(( I'm not too sure but I believe the Longbow is 100. And it's says sixty arrows are 3gp...so yeah.

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Wed Aug 17, 2005 1:03 am
"I have a magical greatsword on sale for 2,000 gold coins! As for you longbow, I have one right here, with a quiver of 50 arrows," Derrick says, turning to face Amelios with the gear in hand. "All magical weapons, no matter their kind, I'm selling at 2,000 gold today for the basic enchantment. The extra lightning imbuement costs an additional 2,000."

Posted by: Aldur Wed Aug 17, 2005 1:07 am
"My thanks..." Amelios nods his thanks and pays the Merchant, the total coming to 102.5gp. He then moved away a little, looking the weapon and arrows over. He could now help a little with the actual combat and felt pleased.

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Wed Aug 17, 2005 3:47 am
Ashathel also fills the merchant's pockets, purchasing two potions apiece of both the normal and advanced strength variety. ((I've got 2 potions each of Cure Light Wounds and Cure Moderate Wounds. And toss in a Bolt spell for a total of 750 GP spent.))

Posted by: Knight_019 Wed Aug 17, 2005 5:13 am
*Merkass ponders what the merchant might have, and upon hearing the idea that electricity may effect the machines they would soon face, Merkass inquired about electric arrows.* : I'd like to purchase 5 electric arrows. *When the transaction is made, Merkass gives Derrik the necessary funds*

Posted by: Rusty Wed Aug 17, 2005 5:27 am
*Faralon immediately rummages through his gold as soon as he sees Derrik appear. Better to buy things now than die. It may cost me quite a bit, but what good is money to me if I am dead? Gathering a large amount together, Faralon approaches Derrik.*
: Ah, Derrik, my good man. I hope you have what I'm looking for. I would like a scroll of the spell "Bolt", 3 arrows enchaned with fire, and 3 arrows enchanted with a spark effect. Do you have those items?
((3 Shocking Burst Arrows
3 Flaming Burst Arrows
And a scroll of Bolt??? (3rd level spell)
Comes to a hefty total of 855 gold. x_x))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Wed Aug 17, 2005 6:20 am
Derrik makes the transactions, whistling happily as a sudden crashing through the trees is heard. "Hoo! And that's my cue to leave! Have fun now!" Derrik chuckles as he vanishes. A team of two armed skeletons, two T.O.R.C.H. Eyes, and one of the cyborgs rumbles into the clearing.
"Engaging enemy force. Twenty hostiles counted," the lead skeleton says. "Status of scout confirmed as destroyed."
Then the group opens fire.
((Enemy Init: 8))

Powered by Invision Power Board (http://www.invisionboard.com)
© Invision Power Services (http://www.invisionpower.com)