The Last Paladin IC (Frosty)

[Frosty]

"Can you all pull me up after you make it up? I have a silk rope."

[Frosty]

The hole being too small, Karrin cannot get through no matter how hard she pushes and squeezes. When Lyanna offers her the alchemical grease, Karrin happily applies it to her armor. "Not...ONE...joke...about...body fat...GOT IT?" she says semi-seriously as she leads to way, climbing and grunting.

[Maquise]

The four of you struggle to the exit. You are beneath a short outcropping; the orc lines are between you and the fort.

"Well, this is inconveniencing," says Garm. "You might have told us this before we got out here."

"How was I to know where the orcs were?" asks Lyanna.

[Frosty]

"Lyanna, thanky ou for leading us here. I'll be keeping some of that alchemical grease in case I need to use more of it for the return trip. Just stay here and try to keep out of sight. The 3 of us will go and try to hit Gorgeroth fast and hard. The fact that the orc lines are between us and the fort is fine. It means the orcs' attentions are focused on the other direction."

She looks for Gorgeroth from here, and instructs the others to do the same.

[Maquise]

The orc line has taken causalities, but the berserkers have pressed further into the fort.You can see that several of the defenders have fallen.

[Frosty]

We move closer, the Blazier ready to be lit. Once we find Goegeroth, we charge in from behind and light the blazier to summon the fire elemental!

[Maquise]

You charge into the main line of the orcs, who have been pinned down by the soldiers on the walls. Lighting the brazier, a large humanoid figure composed solely of flames appears upon the battlefield.

INITIATIVE:
Karrin: (1d20+1)[20]
Mirabelle: (1d20+1)[15]
Garm:(1d20+1)[18]
Elemental: (1d20+9)[29]
Soldiers: (1d20)[12]
Orcs: (1d20)[20]
Berserkers:(1d20+1)[6]
Gorgeroth: (1d20)[9]

[Maquise]

The elemental slams the nearest orc, causing it to burst into flames. The orcs nearby all hurl their javelins at the fiery creature, but the wooden shafts pass through it doing little damage.

[Frosty]

Karrin Ye
HP: 44/48  AC: 18 + 4 vs Gorgeroth  Saves: 11F / 7R / 7W
Conditions: Smite Evil on Gorgeroth

"Gorgeroth! Now you PAY for your crimes!" shouts the paladin as she focuses on the big, hulking orc leader, and charges forward. Wanting to get up close and personal, she chooses her greatsword instead of her lance. She lets the fire elemental wreck havoc and amongst the orc ranks.

Spoiler

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Swift Action: Smite Evil on Gorgeroth
Power Attack: -2/+6
Full Round Action: Charge Gorgeroth
Attack (+4 Smite, -2 PA, +2 Charge): (1d20+12)[19]
Damage (+4 Smite, +6 PA): (2d6+14)[5][5](24)
Is there a map? If so, post a link plz

[Maquise]

(Same map as before)

(Do you want to reconsider your actions? You'd be taking 5 AoOs.)

[Frosty]

Karrin Ye
HP: 44/48  AC: 20  Saves: 11F / 7R / 7W
Conditions: None

"Gaius, keep the big ones busy!" shouts the paladin as she aids the fire elemental thinning out the orc ranks, u sing her lance to maximize her chances to striking at foes approaching her.

Spoiler

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Free action: 5ft step to 46T
Standard Action: Stab orc at 44U
Attack (+2 Flank): (1d20+10)[18]
Damage: (1d8+4)[12]

[Maquise]

You stab the blazing orc, killing him. Garm and Mirabelle spread out, attacking the remaining orcs. You notice a dark light from within the fort, and Gorgeroth pulls out and moves back onto the field of battle. The elemental continues to inflict fiery death upon the orcs.

[Frosty]

Karrin Ye
HP: 44/48  AC: 18 + 4 vs Gorgeroth Saves: 11F / 7R / 7W
Conditions: Smite Evil vs Gorgeroth

"Garm, fight defensively!" instructs Karrin as she moves to the side with Mirabell and the fire elemental. In fact, it's a perfect bait for Gorgeroth as she is within range of the warlord, and is Gorgeroth charges in, he would find himself easily sandwiched between the paladin and the elemental. Not to mention the warlord having to travel past Karrin's trusty lance on the way to attack her.

Spoiler

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Swift Action: Smite Evil vs Gorgeroth
Full-Round Action: Charge to 45V and stab orc at 44X
Attack (+2 Charge): (1d20+10)[19]
Damage: (1d8+4)[9]

[Maquise]

You charge the orc, managing to wound it. Mirabelle takes a nasty hit from the orcs, who continue to advance at you. Mirabelle and Garm fight defensively, holding their ground.

Gorgeroth charges past you, straight at Mirabelle. You stab him when he passes you. This disrupts his charge sufficiently that Mirabelle can block his mighty swing with her shield.

[Frosty]

Karrin Ye
HP: 44/48  AC: 20 + 4 vs Gorgeroth Saves: 11F / 7R / 7W
Conditions: Smite Evil vs Gorgeroth

"Garm, Mira, FOCUS EVERYTHING HERE!" shouts the paladin as she steps back and attacks Gorgeroth, getting in position for Mirabell to get a flank if Mirabell takes just a few steps. She trusts the fire elemental to keep some of the other orcs busy.

She stabs at Gorgeroth's face while taunting him. "Hey Gorgy, me stabbing you in the face will make you PRETTIER for the rest of your short life!"

Spoiler

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Free Action: 5ft step to 44U
Power Attack: -2/+6
Standard Action: Attack Gorgeroth (who has -2 penalty to AC due to charge)
Attack (+4 Smite, -2 PA): (1d20+10)[26]
Damage (+6 PA): (1d8+14)[22]

[Maquise]

The orcs around you retaliate, coming to the aid of their warlord. You take a blow to the back, dulled by your armor but still hurting.
AoO: (1d20+7)[25], (1d8+4)[6]
Take 7 damage.

One of the orcs charges Mirabelle from the rear. Before you can say anything, it delivers a chopping blow from its terrible sword. You see your companion fall, the beast standing over her bloody sword in hand.

You glance to the other side, and things go from bad to far worse. Garm swings against the orcs, bringing them to heel. But they charge at him in mass. He can take quite a beating, but one gets a lucky blow that sinks deep into his belly. As he sinks to his knees, trying to hold in his entrails, another blow cleaves his skull open, spilling brain onto the cold ground.

Gorgeroth clutches a fist to his chest, and barks a few words. He grins as a magic light infuses him.

As though things could get no worse, the elemental flickers; it is not long before it is gone.

[Frosty]

Karrin Ye
HP: 37/48  AC: 22 + 4 vs Gorgeroth Saves: 11F / 7R / 7W
Conditions: Smite Evil vs Gorgeroth

As long as Mira lives, there is a chance of a rescue. But for now, must deal with the big orcs inside the fort!

Still being careful, she moves into flanking position in order to try to help the soliders finish off one of the enemies inside, adding her own deliberate stab.

Spoiler

Show

Power Attack: Off
Move Action: Move to 36S, and the route is going first to 37/38 T, and then to 36S.
Standard Action: Fight Defensives (+2 AC) and stab at big orc at 34S
Attack (-4 Fight Defensively, +2 Flank): [roll]1d20+6[/roll]
Damage: [roll]1d8+4[/roll]

[Frosty]

The orcs around you retaliate, coming to the aid of their warlord. You take a blow to the back, dulled by your armor but still hurting.
AoO: [roll0], [roll1]
[COLOR="Red"]Take 7 damage.

ooc - Wait, you forgot to factor in Power Attack. The damage done by the AoO is 6 higher than that because Power Attack lasts for the entire round, including AoOs. If that kills the attacker, then Karrin never took the 7 damage. Also, her attack roll is +8, not +7

[Maquise]

(The orc is more messed up, but still alive.)

The elemental is extinguished, but not before immolating one last orc. The orcs reform and consolidate their position. You notice Gorgeroth examining the fallen form of Mirabelle.

Returning to the fort, you see it has gone slightly better. Though some of the soldiers have fallen, more hold the raging orcs at bay. The orcs have tired, and are even now falling. You can see Lyanna moving along their flank, twin blades flashing in the pale night. To the east, the first glimpses of sunlight creep over the plains.

[Frosty]

What the hell? The forum ate my post. Just completely ignored it.

Karrin Ye
HP: 37/48  AC: 22 + 4 vs Gorgeroth Saves: 11F / 7R / 7W
Conditions: Smite Evil vs Gorgeroth

As long as Mira lives, there is a chance of a rescue. But for now, must deal with the big orcs inside the fort!

Still being careful, she moves into flanking position in order to try to help the soliders finish off one of the enemies inside, adding her own deliberate stab.

Spoiler

Show

Power Attack: Off
Move Action: Move to 36S, and the route is going first to 37/38 T, and then to 36S.
Standard Action: Fight Defensives (+2 AC) and stab at big orc at 34S
Attack (-4 Fight Defensively, +2 Flank): (1d20+6)[13]
Damage: (1d8+4)[11]

[Maquise]

You miss the orc, and the orcs beside you strike at you as you pass them.
Take 16 damage.
The soldiers strike back, Gaius leading them. The last of the orc berserkers go down.

"Sir," one of the guards on the wall shouts. "I think the enemy is beginning to retreat!"

Gaius mounts the wall. Following him, you look out over the battlefield. Beyond the earth scorched by the elemental, the orcs are indeed beginning to pull back.

"It's the sun," Gaius says, indicating the breaking dawn, "They won't risk fighting in it. Not against a fortified opponent, and weakened and lacking their berserkers." A cheer goes up from the remaining defenders.

[Frosty]

Karrin Ye
HP: 21/48  AC: 20 + 4 vs Gorgeroth Saves: 11F / 7R / 7W
Conditions: Smite Evil vs Gorgeroth

Karrin looks at the men around her. They are happy to have survived, and likely won't want to go on a rescue mission. "Much of their stores, weapons, armor, and of course slaves are in the fort. Think they'll come back for another attack at night?"

The paladin scans for her friend, seeing if they're carrying her off as they start to retreat.

Spoiler

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Shouldn't Karrin only have provoked from one orc? That's the way I had planned my route. It probably doesn't matter in this moment however, as I think the battle is over.

[Maquise]

Gaius mulls over your words. "Hard to say. They may lay low for a while and lick their wounds. They may even cut their losses and move to a different region, or join another warband. Or they may attack again. I don't know." He signals one of his soldiers. "I'm going to send messengers back home to see what our orders are. Until then, we'll hold here."

PERCEPTION: (d20-2)[3]
You see no sign of Mirabelle amongst the retreating orcs.

[Frosty]

"Good. Defending this place is important. Although, do you feel you can spare a scout or two? People that can track the warband's movements? I don't want to lose track of the orcs should Whiteveil decide to go after them. Also, if you can spare a few men now, I'd like to bury Garm and the soldiers that died valiantly here today."

Karrin runs out amongst the bodies to search for Mirabell. She needs to know if they took her or not.

[Maquise]

Gaius shakes his head. "As valuable as it would be, I cannot afford to divide what is left of my forces. Besides, you should know that I doubt the duke will spend resources to hunt down these orcs; Whiteveil has too many other enemies, and they aren't enough of a threat anymore."

He does, however, send out a detachment to bury the dead. The orcs are piled together and burned. You find and bury Garm, but the only sign of Mirabelle is her shield.

Frustrated, you look into the rising sun. In the distance, you notice a shape approaching. As it gets closer, you make it out in full detail. It is a beautiful white horse; its coat has a sheen like fresh snow and its mane whips about like silver flame. It is not truly wild; it is clad in wargear of a white steel etched with celestial glyphs.

[Frosty]

Karrin buries Garm with all of his gear. She keeps Mirabell's shield. The horse she had not expected. Curious, Karrin walks forward to examine the magnificent equine.

[Maquise]

The horse approaches, walking slowly. It does not act as though you were a stranger, instead behaving like it knew you.

[Frosty]

As she pets the horse a few times and produces a bitter smile. "Well, I know this horse isn't for me. I don't deserve such a magnificent creature of purity and white." jokes the paladin as she leads it into the fort.

"I'm going to stay the night here, then leave the next day. Do you know of any place I might be able to find a good tracker or hunter?"

[Maquise]

The horse nods, then nuzzles you reassuringly.

[Frosty]

Karrin had seen a majestic beast serve her mentor, and although she never said it out loud, she kind of looked forward to the day when she would be worthy of service and companionship from such an animal. She's just not sure she deserves. The paladin takes the rest of the night actually chatting with the horse. "You know you're about to go into mortal danger with me right? And I don't even know your name yet..."

Karrin still waits for a response from Gaius. "Any nearby settlements you know that might have good trackers and hunters?"