[D&D 3.5, E6] The Colony at Gaunche [IC]

[Lyndworm]

Once up the ladder, Orgnal lets a bolt fly towards the orc above him.

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Actions -

Attack the orc with heavy crossbow.

Attack roll:
(1d20+3)[4](7)

Damage roll:
(1d8)[6](6)

Critical confirmation:
(1d20+3)[8](11)

Critical damage:
(1d8)[5](5)

Crossbow threatens a crit on 19-20.

I don't recall, are we rolling for crit damage, or do we just double it? I've seen it both ways.

OoC:
Well, then... that's a miss.

[Darwin]

The creaking of wood coming from the ladder as Steelheart starts his ascend does nothing to unsettle him. Blue flames erupt from his shoulders as he closes in on the first platform.

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Initiative if needed - (1d20)[6]

Double move action up the stairs as far as his climb check allows him to go.

Climb - (1d20-3)[4]

As a swift action he shifts 1 point of essentia from Incarnate Avatar to Mantle of Flame

[HempRope]

Ranier

"Quick -- forget about silence, they know how many we are," Ranier says, jumping onto the ladder and hurrying up it. As soon as he has a line on the orc, he lets the other orc javelin fly.

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Move action up the ladder as far as he can get Climb - (1d20+3)[23].
Attacking orc To Hit - (1d20+4)[12] Damage - (1d6+3)[4]
AC: 17 HP: 6

[esorscher]

Ranier nimbly leaps up the ladder, followed by Orgnal. Steelheart struggles to make it up the ladder, but does. Tlaloc follows. The bolt and javelin fly harmlessly past the orc.

The first orc jumps down to the second platform at 40', firing another arrow from his bow at Ranier. He positions himself so that he is blocking the ladder; only one person can come to the end of the ladder at a time. Another orc comes out from the tower, and slides down to the position the first orc vacated. He fires an arrow at Steelheart. Blue-green sparks trail from both arrows.

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Orc Longbow (v. Ranier): (1d20+1)[21][20],(1d8+1)[8]
Orc Longbow (v. Steelheart): (1d20+1)[14], (1d8+1)[2]

Map

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0=ground level
1=40' up
2=80' up
3=120' up
L=Ladder

M= Orc

|_|A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M|N|O|P|Q|R|S|
|A|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|B|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|C|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|D|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|E|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|F|_|_|_|_|_|3|3|_|_|_|_|2|2|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|G|_|_|_|_|_|3|M|L|L|L|L|M|2|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|H|_|_|_|_|_|_|L|T|T|T|T|L|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|I|_|_|_|_|_|_|L|T|T|T|T|L|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|J|_|_|_|_|_|_|L|T|T|T|T|L|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|K|_|_|_|_|_|_|L|T|T|T|T|L|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|L|_|_|_|_|_|_|0|L|L|L|L|R|O|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|M|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|S|T|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|N|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|O|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|P|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|Q|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|R|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|S|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|

[HempRope]

Ranier

"Steelheart, take the fir--"

The sergeant's instructions are cut short by the sparking arrow, which catches Ranier in the right breast and works its way between the lniks in his armor. He topples sideways onto the edge of the platform.

[Lyndworm]

Orgnal

"Filthy boargob!" Orgnal shouts at the orc who shot Ranier. He twists his little fist into a shape of power and says "Hewa litrix!" A sheen of light flashes over Orgnal's body before seeming to soak into his skin.

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Actions -

Cast Mage Armor on self. +4 AC for two hours.

[Darwin]

Steelheart

"Sergeant! Your death must wait to a more suitable hour!" Steelheart says this with no hint of joking as he kneels down by Ranier's side retrieving a pristine, faintly shimmering bandage from his backpack. "Your Clerics had me informed that this will stop your bleeding without fail." he says as he quickly applies the bandage to Ranier's bleeding wound.

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Move Action: Retrieve stored item (blessed bandage)
Standard Action: Apply blessed bandage to Ranier

[esorscher]

Ranier is stabilized at -2. The orcs each fire again, one at each of the two standing party members. Again, each arrow trails with blue-green sparks. Both miss wildly, the one aimed for Steelheart instead striking the support pillar.

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Orc (vs Steelheart): (1d20+1)[12], (1d8+1)[5]
Orc (vs Orgnal): (1d20+1)[6], (1d8+1)[4]

Map

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0=ground level
1=20' up
2=40' up
3=620' up
L=Ladder

M= Orc

|_|A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M|N|O|P|Q|R|S|
|A|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|B|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|C|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|D|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|E|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|F|_|_|_|_|_|3|3|_|_|_|_|2|2|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|G|_|_|_|_|_|3|M|L|L|L|L|M|2|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|H|_|_|_|_|_|_|L|T|T|T|T|L|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|I|_|_|_|_|_|_|L|T|T|T|T|L|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|J|_|_|_|_|_|_|L|T|T|T|T|L|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|K|_|_|_|_|_|_|L|T|T|T|T|L|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|L|_|_|_|_|_|_|0|L|L|L|L|R|O|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|M|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|S|1|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|N|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|O|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|P|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|Q|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|R|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|S|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|

[Darwin]

Steelheart takes an assured look at the unconscious Ranier before turning to Orgnal The Sergeant is stable. I will now engage the Orcs in melee combat. Use your magicks however you see fit little one.

With a determined look on his adamantine face Steelheart climbs the ladder leading to the next platform.

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2x Move Action: Move as close as possible to HL directly below the Orc of platform 2
Climb check: (1d20-3)[-1]

[senrath]

Thurstan

Three weeks ago:

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Thurstan had set out for a quick foray into the woods, for some hunting. Since he didn't expect to be gone long, he left his mule behind. He did, however, take the rest of his gear with him, incase he was attacked. Unfortunately for him, that didn't particularly help. Focused on the animal that he had been tracking, Thurstan failed to notice the pair of orcs sneaking up behind him. In a moment, Thurstan was lying unconscious on the forest floor.

The orcs dragged him back to there tower, where he was held captive. Not being able to speak orc, Thurstan had no idea what they wanted with him, but he feared the worst. At least he'd be joining his wife and son, if that were the case.

Now:
Thurstan grinned as he woke to find that his captors had left him unguarded. Moving quickly, he went to the place where he had seen them put his equipment. He donned his armor as best he could, and strapped his weapons to his body. Hefting his backpack, Thurstan opened the door, and found himself gazing at combat. A rather strange group of people were attacking the orcs. Not wanting to let the opportunity pass him by, Thurstan grabbed the ladder to his left, and began to climb down.

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(1d20+1)[7] Climb check to go down at full speed (30')

[Lyndworm]

Orgnal grits his teeth and tries to spring up the ladder as fast as he's able. Unfortunately, Orgnal's wiry frame was not built for climbing and he slides back down to the bottom. Cursing, he lets another bolt fly at the nearest orc.

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Climb Check:
(1d20)[2](2)

OoC:
I'm pretty sure Orgnal is 35ft from the nearest orc, and he needs to get within 25ft to cast a spell. Attack and damage rolls are going in the OoC thread.

[esorscher]

If the ladders frustrate the party, the appearance of Thurstan does the same for the orcs. Struggling, both Steelheart and Orgnal make it up the ladder, though the orc's position blocks them from finding footing on the platform. He drops his bow, black iron forms around his fist; spiked gauntlets that seem too huge for his admittedly musclebound frame draw a mighty wooden club from his back, which he swings at Steelheart's gleaming metal skull. The orc on the third platform mirrors his actions, aiming instead for Thurstan.

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Orc (v Steelheart): (1d20+6)[20], (1d12+6)[17]
Orc (v Thurstan): (1d20+6)[12], (1d12+6)[16]

The blow against Thurstan misses by a hair; Steelheart is struck painfully.

Map

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0=ground level
1=20' up
2=40' up
3=60' up
4=80’ up
L=Ladder

M= Orc
(senrath's character is represented with 'W')

|_|A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M|N|O|P|Q|R|S|
|A|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|B|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|C|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|D|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|E|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|F|_|_|_|_|_|3|3|_|_|_|_|2|2|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|G|_|_|_|_|_|3|M|L|L|L|L|M|2|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|H|_|_|_|_|_|_|W|T|T|T|T|S|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|I|_|_|_|_|_|_|L|T|T|T|T|O|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|J|_|_|_|_|_|_|L|T|T|T|T|L|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|K|_|_|_|_|_|_|L|T|T|T|T|L|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|L|_|_|_|_|_|4|4|L|L|L|L|R|1|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|M|_|_|_|_|_|4|4|_|_|_|_|1|1|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|N|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|O|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|P|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|Q|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|R|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|S|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|

[senrath]

Cursing under his breath, Thurstan fumbled around his belt for a moment. Grabbing one of the pouches, he ripped it off of his belt, its purposefully weakened strap snapping. Pulling the mouth of it open with his teeth, he dumped the contents of the bag at the orc's feet. It was a bag of marbles.

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Marbles force a DC 15 Balance check to move through, or fight while standing on. What happens is based on how badly the orc fails (or doesn't).

I'm not sure if this would provoke an AoO, since I'm not retrieving anything from a container, but I'll leave that up to you to decide.

[esorscher]

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Orc Balance: (1d20+1)[16]

[Lyndworm]

Orgnal

Orgnal twists one hand into an arcane symbol and grasps a tiny candle in the other. "Athear ixen drekis!" With a soft pop, an enormous beetle appears behind the orc that disabled Steelheart. It's mandibles take on a golden sheen and it attacks the orc viciously.

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Actions -

Cast Summon Lesser Ally I to summon a Celestial Fire Beetle. The Fire Beetle then attacks the orc, using it's 1/day Smite Evil ability.

Attack:
(1d20+3)[12](15)

Damage:
(2d4+4)[3][4](11)
That should be 2d4+3, sorry. Total damage is 10, 11 if the orc is of Evil alignment (or subtype).

[esorscher]

[Rapid Summoning rocks!] The orc on the second platform is ripped in half by the beetle's bite, which tears through the midsection like tissue paper. His torso, still gripping his club, though the iron gauntlets dissolved into nothingness when he died, slides away and falls 40' to the ground below. His face still bears the surprised look he had when he died.

The orc on the third platform swings again at Thurstan, the death of his ally bolstering his determination.

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Orc (v. Thurstan): (1d20+6)[16], (1d12+6)[17]

Map

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0=ground level
1=20' up
2=40' up
3=60' up
4=80’ up
L=Ladder

M= Orc

|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
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|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|_|3|3|_|_|_|_|B|2|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|_|3|M|L|L|L|L|2|2|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|W|T|T|T|T|S|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|L|T|T|T|T|O|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|L|T|T|T|T|L|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|L|T|T|T|T|L|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|_|4|4|L|L|L|L|1|1|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|_|4|4|_|_|_|_|1|1|_|_|_|_|_|_|
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|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|

[senrath]

Grunting against the impact, Thurstan shifted himself slightly on the ladder. After a short moment, he lashed out at the orc that had wounded him, putting all of his fury into the blow.

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Swift action to engage Martial Spirit Stance. I'll heal for 2 if I hit. Then, unarmed Crusader's Strike at the orc, which might heal me if I hit (normally it heals if the target is of a different alignment than the initiator, but that's a lot more limited now, since there are only 3 alignments instead of 9). It doesn't provoke an AoO because the orc is flat-footed. Also, if I hit, he'll be forced to make another balance check at DC 15. And then he gets one more balance check if he moves or attacks on his turn.

(1d20+5)[11] Attack
(1d3+4)[6] Damage (nonlethal)
(1d6+1)[7] Healing, if it happens

[Lyndworm]

Orgnal

Orgnal shouts something in Celestial, and the Fire Beetle rushes up the ladder. It attacks the orc at the top mercilessly, tearing into it's flesh.

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Actions -

Orgnal commands the Celestial Giant Fire Beetle to attack the orc, and it attempts to do so.

Climb check:
I flubbed it.

Attack:
(1d20+3)[12](15)

Damage:
(2d4+3)[2][3](8)

Orgnals actions depend on how successful the Fire Beetle is.

[esorscher]

The beetle is successful, hastily speeding up the ladder. His bite narrowly clips the orc in the jugular, sending a spray of blood into the air. The orc drops to his knees, and collapses to the platform. The air is quiet.

[Lyndworm]

Orgnal

With another soft pop, the beetle disappears again. After searching the orcs and their tower, Orgnal identifies a few potions as healing in nature. After forcing Ranier, Steelheart, and Thurston to drink a potion each, Orgnal begins perusing through the journal he found.

[senrath]

Thurstan

Struggling to his feat, Thurstan brushed himself off and coughed. "Many thanks. I have been a prisoner of these...beasts for nigh on three weeks now." As he spoke, Thurstan began to climb down to ground level, wanting to get as far away from his place of imprisonment as fast as possible.

[Darwin]

As the potion is poured down Steelheart's throat his eyes give a short flash of light after which they immediately go dark again.

[HempRope]

Ranier

As light returns to Ranier's eyes, the pale blur above him solidifies into a blue sky with fluffy white clouds, and he realizes that he's stretched out on his back. Holding his head, he slowly starts to sit up, and quickly moves his hand from his throbbing head to the only partly-healed hole in his side. He traces a circle around his chest with his right hand.

"What happened? We finished the orcs? How many were there?" The sergeant peppers Orgnal with questions as they make their way up to the outpost. "Who's that?" he says, pointing at Thurstan. "And where's whatshis -- Tuskhunter? Last thing I remember is he was heading into the forest...?"

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Healing - (1d8+3)[5]

[senrath]

Thurstan

"Thurstan Weaver, resident of Vinganca, and former captive of those orcs." Thurstan said, rather gruffly. Now that the immediate danger had passed, he had withdrawn back into himself, and would only speak the bare minimum to get his point across.

[Lyndworm]

Orgnal

"I'll answer all of your questions in a moment, Sergeant. I'm a little busy, here." After Orgnal force-feeds Steelheart the last potion, he waits for the construct to awaken before continuing. "What happened, you ask? We were attacked by boargobs, and all three of you were decommissioned. Did we finish the orcs? No, I did. How many, you ask? Two, I say, not counting the sentry. As for our friend the Tuskhunter, I've not seen him since the forest, myself. Last I recall, we took out the sentry and ran to this tower, and he was still with us. He went missing sometime before you and Steelheart were wounded, though." Orgnal begins to search the tower in earnest, now that his companions are mobile.

[esorscher]

The 20x20 room is wood, all around, with a thin slit—perfect for an arrow—running through each wall. The left wall is lined with bunkbeds, it looks like the orcs sleep and guard in shifts. You found the orc's journal underneath one of the pillows, as well as the other items mentioned in the OOC thread. However, on this second look you notice a loose board in the floor; tied to its other side is a pouch containing 9 gold coins.

[HempRope]

Are there just three beds, I hope?

Ranier

"Pass me that book," Ranier says when he sees the journal that Orgnal has dug up.

I hope those potions are working on Steels... it would be such a waste... ah, yes. There he is.

"You alright?" he asks as Steelheart stirs again.

"Well I suppose I should thank you, Weaver, if you had any part in dealing with those brutes. Sergeant Vaspez of Vinganca. Er, but we're not exactly here on official business.

"Anyway, resident of Vinganca, you say? How long have you been here?"

Turning back to Steelheart for a second, and trying not to use any more names, he adds, "Keep half an eye on the woods, I don't want to be caught unawares if there are any more of them wandering around."

[senrath]

Thurstan

"If you mean how long I've been a resident of Vinganca, I was one of the first arrivals. If you mean how long I've been here, I've been here three weeks." Thurstan said, in response to Ranier's questioning. "And at most I provided a distraction. That one orc managed to knock me out in one blow. Again."

[Lyndworm]

Orgnal

"As I said before, Sergeant Vaspez, I took care of the orcs myself. I'll give credit when the someone earns it. It's not a book, by the way, it's a journal. It seems to have been written by one of the orcs we took out. Can you read Orcish?" Orgnal seems very proud of himself for some reason, but he hands Ranier the book with little hassle.

[HempRope]

Ranier

"Okay, well thank you, O-- my comrade. Well done." He resists the desire to pat the little fellow on the head.

"We may need you to take out a couple of orcs quickly once again if we run into any on the way back. I'm not up to much of a fight at the moment... it doesn't look like any of us are," he adds, taking in Steelheart's misshapen head and Thurstan's blood-soaked armor -- and still feeling his own two injuries. "And yes, I speak Orc. And read."

"So Weaver, what do you do here -- in Gaunche, I mean -- and how did you end up in this place?"