Dame Morbid's Tourney, Team 5

[Inyssius Tor]

Midday slips into afternoon, and afternoon into evening, in the bunkhouse where combatants are allowed free room and board. "Allowed" is a somewhat misleading term--it is prohibited to leave the confines of the arena until the fights are over. Most of the gladiators in the room have returned from the pit over the last several hours, rubbing at freshly-healed skin and discussing tactics; the combatants who still haven't been called are generally spending their time listening to these conversations, or picking at the remnants of dinner.

The sounds of battle and the cheering of the crowd have grown awfully tiresome by this point. No one is complaining, after the sounds of battle were briefly replaced with three full minutes of tortured screams roughly half an hour ago. When that accursed rude-sounding horn blares again, though--calling yet another team into the arena--it draws equally rude retorts. An otherwise mute hobgoblin stands by the doors, his tarnished horn still bellowing out one note. Another round is starting up, and he motions to five people in turn.

You know the rules. Looking around, you size up the people who will be backing you up in fights that will likely be lethal. The combatants in the room who weren't chosen turn back to their conversations, grumbling about the unnecessary noise.

You suit up, and are led into the tunnel leading to the arena's main area. A low rumble becomes a deafening roar as you near the crowd. The red light of sunset shines through the portcullis at the end of the tunnel, and a scarred man at the entryway says "You'd best be getting your introductions out of the way now--you won't have any time once the fighting starts."

[JackTR69]

Urok Stonefoot: AC-23 Fort-19 Rlfx-16 Will-17 Hp-58/58 Surges-18/18
A stout dwarf walks into the hall, his face covered in scars from previous battles. You can not see if the rest of his body is as horribly damaged, because his likewise abused (although in a pristine state of cleanliness) set of plate armor covers him. His hammer seems to crackle with electrical charge, the static jumping out to give an uncomfortable shock to anyone who comes too close. His shield is embroidered with the hammer and anvil of Moradin.
"All right lads, let me take the front. I can take more hits than the walls of this Moradin forsaken building, so no one be a hero for my sake."

[Inspectre]

Thok Umpchuck - HP-56/56 Surges-13/13 AC-24 Fort-19 Reflex-17 Will-14
*AC drops to 23 when Bloodied
*Gains 5 temp HP everytime he's hit by close or melee attacks

In one empty corner of the room, a massive orc shadowboxes against multiple opponents - only in the orc's case, he's using a warhammer rather than his fists. Hearing the call of the horn, the orc turns with a nasty grin, and gives a joyous shout as the mute hobgoblin gestures to him.

"Yay! It's Thok's turn now!"

Muscling his way through the crowd of other waiting gladiator, Thok moves into the tunnel leading into the arena. He moves to stand directly beside the dwarf already there.

"Thok no coward! He shall stand with you, Mr. Dwarf!"

[Boddan]

Hragadaroth: thinks his odds are good
45/45 AC18 Fort18 Ref13 Will19 Surges7/7
Resist Fire 5

A massive dragonborn with scales the color of fire and a robe the color of blood walks slowly but with a determined look into the tunnel. Smoke rises from his mouth and nostrils while small lines of electricity shoot from his hands to go up and down the black iron staff he carries.

"By all means, take the fight forward. I ask only that you take heed when I call for you to move from an area.... or at least don't hold a grudge when the blast clears." The sorcerer adds with a smile.

[String]

Roan Arathane, HROO! HROO!
37/37HP AC19 FORT17 REF17 WILL16
7 Surges a Day

The rail thin human in armor that seemed both too small and too bulky stood. In a move that provoked a look of shock from a nearby goblin, The skinny, stubbled Roan Arathane snatched up a massive, terrifying greataxe from the wall in one hand and flourished it easily. His armor was obviously dwarven in make, although the gauntlets were harder to place and covered in what looked like scorch marks. He shook back sand-blond hair and shouldered a quiver of javelins before speaking,

"A varied collection! I like it!" he barked, "The mercenary corp is always the most dedicated. My name is Roan Arathan, and I've got some experience in leading" at this he smirked and shifted his greataxe into a two-handed grip, "So believe me, I know what I'm doing."

Roan stepped towards the entranceway.

"Now, are we ready for battle?! HROO! HROO!" He howled.

[Nahal]

Rythalas
31/31 HP / AC 20 / Fort 15 / Reflex 18 / Will 20 / Surges 7/7

A relatively unscathed Eladrin walks with a slightly aloof bearing, accompanied by a chill breeze that never seems to quite go away despite having no apparent source. Dark goggles cover his eyes, his oak staff covered in silver filigree that matches the trim of his blue robe and billowing white cloak. I'm quite happy to stay out of both your way and your blasts, he says to the dragonborn and dwarf respectively, and shall do what I can to make sure our foes are just the opposite.

Though his goggles cover his eyes, it's obvious from his bearing that he finds the human's exuberance odd. His gaze feels piercing even through his googles as he asks Why be excited about fighting for our lives? he says. Were there another way to test my powers as effectively, I would gladly take it.

[String]

Roan grinned broadly, wildly.

"There is no other way to truly test your skills, Brother." He laughed heartily, "For in battle we are all Brothers, tested to our limits! HROO!" again the war cry. Roan Arathane thirsted for blood.

[Inspectre]

"Animals fight to survive! And Thok is the most dangerous animal of all!" The orc shouts as he raps his warhammer against his shield. "Why shouldn't Thok fight?"

[Inyssius Tor]

[Initiative?]

[Inspectre]

(Mmmm, if you insist. )

Initiative:(1d20+4)[14]

[JackTR69]

"Oh great, I'm the shortest one here." Urok mumbles to himself.

Init: (1d20+2)[11]

[Boddan]

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Initiative! (1d20+2)[16]

Also... What's implement expertise do? I've heard the feat mentioned and I may switch it for toughness. Thanky in advance!

[Inyssius Tor]

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From what we saw at DDXP, it looks as if it gives you a +1 to attacks with that implement.

Yes, that does sound alarmingly powercreepy, but you can use it if you want.

[String]

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Whoops. Initiative - (1d20+4)[22]

[Nahal]

Rythalas

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Initiative - (1d20+6)[15]

Rythalas tilts his head sideways as he regards Roan, giving the impression he is eyesing him quizzically through the goggles. You would fit in among many of the winter fey, human. Interesting. A moment later however the Eladrin's attention shifts to the battle ahead, and the winter wind surrounding him picks up noticeably. Between the reflective silver trim and the roiling fabric, his cloak makes it difficult to pinpoint his body's exact position from more than a few feet away.

[Inyssius Tor]

A hush falls over the crowd as the five adventurers are led out into the ring. High above you, Dame Morbid sits in the balcony at the other side of the arena. A veil obscures her face, and she's flanked by two oddly-proportioned trolls wielding vicious swords.

The portcullis closes behind you as Dame Morbid raises a wooden staff. An emblem at the end of it begins to burn red, and a howling wind whips around the arena. Sharp logs burst out of the ground of the pit, rising ten or twenty feet in the air. Thick clouds of insects begin to coalesce about the arena, swarming together ... and solidifying into a massive black tree at the far side of the arena, eighty feet tall or more. A flaming red, carved eye flashes open low on the trunk, and the wind rushing through its thrashing branches begins to take on the sound of screams.

Fight's on.

[Inyssius Tor]

Battle Report:

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Initiative:
28 The Tree (delaying)
22 Roan Arathane
20 Insect Clouds
16 Hragadaroth
15 Rythalas
14 Thok Umpchuck
11 Urok Stonefoot

[Inspectre]

Thok laughs as their main opponent is revealed. "Ha, Thok not scared of tree!" The orc warrior gestures tauntingly at the tree with his warhammer. "Thok going to break you into firewood!"

(Guess I ought to wait for a few more people to take their turns before I decide what to do. Man, having low initiative sucks. )

[Boddan]

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I'll wait until after the swarms go to take my turn ;)

[String]

Roan arched an eyebrow and shifted his grip on his greataxe. He moved forward and spoke loud and clear to the spectating Dame.

"A tree? We're fighting bugs and a tree?" he called incredulously. He turned to his partners in battle.

"Alright. Urok, I'll flank with you. Let's go make some kindling.."

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Move action: move to j14. Standard: Nature check on Tree thing. nature check - (1d20+2)[16] Free action: Be snarky.

[Inyssius Tor]

Predictably, the swarms close in, stinging and biting at the wiseguy in front.

They hurt exactly as much as you might expect a cloud of mosquitoes to hurt.

Looking at the tree, The Fleabitten One discerns that setting it on fire might not be a good idea. Considering that it's already on fire. It's not undead, and you can tell that "on fire" is not a natural state for the tree. That's about it.

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A single one of them hit, dealing a measly four damage. Everyone else, the time is you!

[Boddan]

Hragadaroth: kills bugs dead
45/45 AC18 Fort18 Ref13 Will19 Surges7/7
Resist Fire 5

The dragonborn chuckles with a puff of smoke from his nostrils as he approaches the swarms.
The sorcerer strides up to the swarms that assualted his teammate, Roan, plants his staff into the ground, and a whirlwind of flame swirls about the area engulfing bugs by the dozens. The dragonborn himself is shimmering with heat as a warning to the remaining insects.

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Woot.

Move: I-15

Standard: Flame Spiral (Encounter) on the swarms surrounding Roan (1 hit each)

To-hit (1d20+7)[16] vs Ref. on I-14 Swarm
To-hit (1d20+7)[11] vs Ref. on J-13 Swarm
To-hit (1d20+7)[11] vs Ref. on K-14 Swarm

Any hit, take (1d10+10)[14] Fire dmg (Close Burst)

Also, Until the start of my next turn, any enemy that enters a square adjacent to me or starts its turn there takes (1d6)[2] fire damage. (+5 if the Draconic Power class feature applies. It's a dmg boost to arcane based powers)

[Nahal]

Rythalas

The Eladrin frost mage follows up the dragonborn's attack with a ray of pure cold dircted at the swarm nearest to him. Impressive, he remarks to the sorceror, if a little lacking in finesse.

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Move: G17
Standard: Ray of Frost - (1d20+7)[23] vs Fortitude against the swarm in I14
Damage - (1d6+5)[10] cold damage
Note: On a hit, the swarm is slowed until the end of my next turn. Also, if I14 drops from Boddan's attack, I'll take J13.

[String]

Roan slapped ineffectually at the bugs sniping at his exposed face and neck, and then held up his magical cloak as flames and frost exploded from his Brothers in arms.

"Could you two do that again if need be?" he called across the arena at the mages.

[Nahal]

Rythalas
31/31 HP / AC 20 / Fort 15 / Reflex 18 / Will 20 / Surges 7/7

All day, the Eladrin remarks matter-of-factly.

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OOC: Forgot to add the damage bonus from Burning Blizzard... the attack should be doing 11 damage if it hits

[Inspectre]

Thok Umpchuck - HP-56/56 Surges-13/13 AC-24 Fort-19 Reflex-17 Will-14
*AC drops to 23 when Bloodied
*Gains 5 temp HP everytime he's hit by close or melee attacks

With a loud roar, the massive orc lumbers into action, although rather than moving towards the current main body of conflict, he swings around to attack the northern group of bugs.

"Thok handle other flank!" He shouts as he rushes forward with impressive speed, crashing into the middle of the bug swarms.

Move: Moving north 5 to C11

Standard: Charging in a diagonal to H6, attacking the swarm at I6.

To-Hit:(1d20+10)[7](17) (+1 from charge, vs. AC, second number is the actual to-hit, first is what I actually rolled on a d20 - it helps ID crits)
Damage:[roll]1d10+1d8+5[/roll] (extra 1d8 due to Vanguard weapon property)

[JackTR69]

Urok Stonefoot: AC-23 Fort-19 Rlfx-16 Will-17 Hp-58/58 Surges-18/18
With a yell, Urok runs forward to get into the fray.
"Let's see if you can eat a whole dwarf!"

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Move to I13, provoking an opportunity attack.
Piercing Smite (encounter):
Attack: (1d20+8)[20] vs Reflex
Damage: (2d10+6)[16]
Both my adjacent enemies are now marked.

[Inyssius Tor]

Unfazed by insects and demon tree alike, the gladiators spring into action! The dragonborn sorcerer's flame spiral plays over the insect clouds, yet few of them seem affected by the scorching zephyr; the nearest vermin begin to burn, one by one, as they brush against his cloak of fire. The insects seem more affected by Rythalas's ray of frost, their frantic movement audibly slowing--as the charging Urok Stonefoot swings his hammer in a mighty arc straight through the bulk of the cloud.

Meanwhile, Thok Stonefoot charges waaay across to the other side of the arena and swings wildly at an entirely unrelated swarm of insects. No one in the audience could doubt his strength. His depth perception, on the other hand... not so much. The swarm is mostly unharmed, and the tree-creature's burning eye flicks toward him. A long branch lashes out at him, dragging him ten feet closer to the tree.

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Hragadaroth missed three times (man, dice!), but that extra five damage will apply here when their turn comes up again. Rythalas hits, as does Urok; the swarm is seriously bloodied, but deals 6 damage to Urok with the OA he provoked. Thok just misses, takes 3 damage from the branch that whipped him, and is pulled to J-6. Next up, Roan Arathane.

Sorry about the forty-minute delay, String; turns out that three pints of Mountain Dew makes me totally unable to handle distractions.

[String]

Roan Arathane, READY FOR BLOOD!
33/37HP AC19 Fort17 Ref17 Will16
Surges Left 7/7

Roan grimaced at the sight of Thok all alone, and called to the orc.

"Thok! You make sure you leave some of that for me!" he called with bravado, as he twirled his axe at the swarm in front of him. "We're almost done here! HROO!" With a roar, Roan swung the flat of his blade at the swarm. It wasnt supposed to hurt, it was supposed to be visually impressive, inspiring. He looked over at the Dragonborn. "Right, Hragadaroth?"

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Standard Action Furious Smash on I14Furious Smash - (1d20+8)[17] If it hits I do 4 Damage and Hragadaroth gets +2 to Attack and Damage on his next attack against the I14 Swarm.

[Inspectre]

(not sure if that OA counted as melee or not, but I can only assume so, just a melee with really, really long reach! If so, that should trigger Thok's battlerager vigor due to being a melee attack, no? )

Thok Umpchuck - HP-53+5/56 Surges-13/13 AC-24 Fort-19 Reflex-17 Will-14
*AC drops to 23 when Bloodied
*Gains 5 temp HP everytime he's hit by close or melee attacks

Thok looks at the long scratch on his armor with clear amusement. "That's it, that's the best you got tree!? Thok will show you!"

(Assuming the situation doesn't drastically change once those insects come in, Thok will do the following on his turn.)

"Here I come tree! You better be ready for a real fight!"

Barging through the outskirts of the swarm of insects surrounding him, Thok charges right up to the roots of the massive tree, delivering a titanic blow to the nearest root poking up. Then, he turns back and waves to the others. "Hurry up, stop playing with stupid bugs! Thok may be done soon if you don't hurry!"

Standard: Charging to O6 to attack the Tree. Using an encounter power (Rhino Strike) that means I DO NOT provoke any OAs from the charge movement.

To-Hit:(1d20+10)[3](13) (+1 due to Charge)
Damage:(2d10+5)[15]
Extra Charge Damage:(1d8)[3] (Weapon Property)

Marking the tree, obviously. The previously marked swarm is now free to do as it wishes.

(I swear the stupid forum die roller HATES me. Which is good, because I hate it. )