The Last Paladin IC (Frosty)

[Frosty]

"Let's go! Stay hidden as long as you can and try to attack from cover!"

Karrin takes Garm and circles around to the other side of the ruined fort, and waits Mirabell to begin shooting. She readies herself to ask for the divine to help her earn her wings.

Spoiler

Show

Cast Wings of the Eagle as soon as Mirabell starts combat, and fly over the wall.

[Maquise]

Surprise Round:

Mirabelle fires her arrow, wounding the guard on the wall. This only seems to anger him.

You fly over the wall, landing behind a pile of debris.
Stealth: (1d20-5)[14]
You have been noticed.

You tie the rope down, allowing Garm to climb over. It will take him 1 round clear the wall and reach the inside.

[Frosty]

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

Thinking that she has been noticed, there's no point in going off alone for any sort of surprise attack. Using the rubble as cover, she defends the area to ensure that Garm can make it inside.

Spoiler

Show

Ready an action to stab the first enemy combatant that comes into range of her lance. And of course be prepared to make any AoOs.

[Maquise]

INITIATIVE:

Karrin:(1d20+1)[17]
Mirabelle:(1d20+1)[3]
Garm:(1d20+1)[18]
Orcs:(1d20)[13]
Big Orc:(1d20+1)[10]

Garm takes position beside you. "You want to wait for them to come to us?"

[Maquise]

Most of the orcs have moved to surround you in between the rubble and the wall. Most carry great chopping blades and javelins. However, you notice that one particularly brutish one, whose body appears to be painted completely red, carries a greataxe.

Mirabelle shoots again, this time the orc falls from the top of the cliff, landing with a loud thump upon the ground.

[Frosty]

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

After gathering up the rope, Karrin turns her attention to the one left in charge. Orcs tend to respect strength, and the paladin focues on that big hulk of an orc 15 ft from her.

Stepping in quickly, she tests out the big orc's reflexes. "Garm, flank that one with me. Kill the leadership quickly!"

Spoiler

Show

Swift Action: Smite Evil on big orc.

Move Action: Move to 29-AD.

Standard Action: Stab big orc.
Attack (+4 smite): (1d20+12)[31]
Damage (+4 smite): (1d8+8)[12]

[Maquise]

The orcs at your and beside you back hurl their javelins. Two apparently pierce your armor, causing shooting pain.

Take 10 Damage

The large orc looks at you, almost feral madness in his eyes. He hurls a javelin straight at you. You duck to the side, and it lands in the ground beside you.

Garm notes that one of the orcs is covering the big one's flank, so he brains it with his maul. It goes down like a flour sack.

[Frosty]

Karrin Ye
HP: 38/48 +7 healing  AC: 20 + 4 vs Big Orc  Saves: 11F / 7R / 7W
Conditions: Smite Evil vs Big Orc

the paladin grunts in pain from the javelins hitting her back, but her focus never wavoered from the huge orc in front of her. "Call off your men, or face oblivion!"

With a quick self-application of her glowy positive-energy-goodness, Karrin is refreshed and keeps up her attack. "Garm, If he doesn't surrender, kill him!"

Spoiler

Show

Swift Action: Lay On Hands on self: (2d6)[6][1](7)

Standard Action: Stab big orc.
Attack (+4 smite): (1d20+12)[19]
Damage (+4 smite): (1d8+8)[12]

[Maquise]

You deliver a well-placed blow to the red orc. However, instead of going down, it just gets angry. It raises its greataxe, and lunges at you.

AoO: (1d20+12)[23], (1d8+8)[9]

It doesn't stop, bringing its axe swiftly down at you. It strikes your chestplate, hewing through armor and sinking deep into your flesh.

Take 17 damage

The rest of the orcs all launch another volley of javelins, this time directed at Garm. He grunts as a pair find their mark on his scantly-armored figure.

[Frosty]

Karrin Ye
HP: 28/48 + 5 healing  AC: 20 + 4 vs Big Orc  Saves: 11F / 7R / 7W
Conditions: Smite Evil vs Big Orc

Whoa! THIS pain is more intense than any she has felt before! That great-axe certainly deals great amounts of damage, and causes Karrin to give out a great scream. "UUURRRRG! You wanna play rough, LET'S GET ROUGH!"

Hopefully now with Garm in position, Karrin can land a nice, powerful stab to the stomach. But first, more healing goodness from her own hands!

Spoiler

Show

Swift Action: Lay On Hands on self: (2d6)[4][1](5)

Free Action: 5ft step to 28-AE.

Power Attack: -2 hit/+6 damage

I'm assuming Garm and Mirabell get a turn, (I didn't see their actions) and that Garm took the opportunity to flank and attack the big orc.
Standard Action: Stab big orc.
Attack (+4 smite, +2 flank, -2 PA): (1d20+12)[15]
Damage (+4 smite, +6 PA): (1d8+14)[18]

[Maquise]

You shove your lance deep into the orc's guts. You leverage him to his knees, ripping it out and spilling viscera upon the ground. The sight of his own innards finally convinces the orc to die.

The remaining orcs charge Garm. You stab at one with your lance as it passes.
AoO (PA): (1d20+6)[10], (1d8+8)[13]

Your blow misses. Garm struggles to fight them off, but one lands a blow with its nasty sword.

You faintly hear the orcs on the wall, reminding you that Mirabelle has been besieging the fort all this time.

[Maquise]

Garm retaliates, striking and wounding one of the orcs.

(Note to self: orc at AE30 is at -10 hp)

>

[Frosty]

Karrin Ye
HP: 33/48 + 10 healing  AC: 20  Saves: 11F / 7R / 7W
Conditions:  None

The big orc finally going down, Karrin yanks her lance out of his exposed guts, and turns his attention to the orcs surrounding Garm. "Hey crap-faces, I, Karrin, AM YOUR OPPONENT! FACE ME!"

She tries to draw some heat off of her tiefling companion before she strikes at the injured orc.

Spoiler

Show

Swift Action: Lay On Hands on self: (2d6)[6][4](10)

Power Attack: Off

Standard Action: Stab injured orc.
Attack (+2 flank): (1d20+10)[17]
Damage: (1d8+4)[11]

Depending on the which orc dies (if one dies), 5-ft step to 28-AF to give mroe flanking.

[Maquise]

The orc at AE-30 falls dead. The remaining two divide their attention between you and Garm.

The one before you moves up to AF-29, and strikes at you, which you block.

Garm delivers a near-lethal blow to the orc before him.

(Sorry, out of home. Will update map when I get home)
(AF-31 orc at -11, AE-30 dead)

[Frosty]

Karrin Ye
HP: 43/48  AC: 20  Saves: 11F / 7R / 7W
Conditions:  None

Garm seems to have his end under control, so Karrin just deals with the one in front of her. Stepping back quickly, she stabs for the head!

Spoiler

Show

Free Action: 5-ft step to 27-AG

Power Attack: Off

Standard Action: Stab orc at 29-AF.
Attack: (1d20+8)[20]
Damage: (1d8+4)[12]

[Maquise]

Called Shot: Success
Orc Sickened: (1d4)[2] rounds.

You deliver a nasty blow to the orc's head. Despite this, it stays standing. Garm's hammer quickly remedies this.

One of the orcs on the wall tumbles silenty, an arrow embedded in it forehead. The other throws a javelin, and lets out a grunt of satisfaction.
Mirabelle takes 5 damage.

[Frosty]

Karrin Ye
HP: 43/48  AC: 20  Saves: 11F / 7R / 7W
Conditions:  None

With only one orc left on ground level, Karrin steps in to try to finish him off!

Spoiler

Show

I don't know where the last orc is near me, so move me into flanking position with Garm.

Power Attack: Off

Standard Action: Stab orc.
Attack: (1d20+10)[14]
Damage: (1d8+4)[11]

[Maquise]

All of the orcs on ground level are now defeated.

The last orc on the wall throws a spear, laughing. You hear Mirabelle give a grunt of pain. The orc on the wall's laughter turns to a howl as an arrow shaft sprouts from his shoulder.

[Frosty]

Karrin Ye
HP: 43/48  AC: 20  Saves: 11F / 7R / 7W
Conditions:  None

With only an orc up on the wall, Karrin rushes to the ramp. She likely will only reach the bottom of the ramp this turn, but next turn the orc gets it!

"Last chance! Surrender or die!"

Spoiler

Show

Double Move towards the ramp.

[Maquise]

The orc, hunched over against the parapets, looks at you angrily. She reluctantly throws her weapons down, and bows her head. Garm comes up beside you.

[Frosty]

"Garm, go let Mirabell in." Karrin commands as she keeps her weapon trained on the orc. "Walk down here. Carefully and slowly. You're going tell us everything we want to know, and then I won't kill you."

[Maquise]

Garm grunts and moves to unbar the gate.

The orc, unarmed and hands at her side, surveys the carnage you have wrought. "Rugvuz and Kafkor were sluggish at blocking. Preznür had a bad throwing arm. But you took a blow from Müraaz, a chosen of Ken Rhö. Not only that, but you then gutted him." She looks impressed. "Ask your questions."

The gate swings open, and Mirabelle and Garm enter the fort. Mirabelle has several bleeding wounds, but manages to keep straight. She looks at your chest wound, and whistles. "Monster of a hit. Good thing you have all that padding there."

The orc hisses. Mirabelle looks behind you and gasps. You turn around and see Garm tearing into the dead orcs with his teeth, eating their flesh.

[Frosty]

"Mirabell, re-bar the gates. GARM! Get back here so I can heal all of us at once! Have some respect for the dead!"

She shakes her head at the sight. It certainly isn't a pretty one. "We need tactical and logistical information . Why have you been taking people from the region? We're presuming as slaves, but are you re-selling them to others? If so, we need to know WHO are buying. If this warband isn't for the purpose of earning gold through slave trading, then WHY cause all this mayhem? Certainly there are better ways to make a living in this world."

Pointing towards the two buildings, Karrin asks, "What's in there? Weapons? Armor? Food? How many slaves? And when do you expect the raiding party to return?"

This is a barrage, but these are the main topics that Karrin wants to get through at the very least.

[Maquise]

You note that it seems some of Garm's wounds have healed. He wipes the blood from his chin.

"You do not understand," the orc says. "We are consecrating this land. For too long, the will of Ken Rhö has been defied. The weak have been allowed to rise. But Gorgeroth Redfang has come."

She looks at where you are pointing. "Yes, all of those things. We have many slaves. Slaves for trading, slaves for keeping. Demons like slaves, and will give us mighty weapons for them. Some goblins, of a strong breed, also like slaves. Gorgeroth will return when he is finished."

[Frosty]

Karrin looks a bit disgusted by the act of feeding, but technically, the orcs are already dead, and this isn't really an Evil act.

"Garm, Mirabell, let's go explore the buildings. Lead the way. I'll bring up the rear." The paladin indicates with her lance that the orc should walk in front of her.

To the orc, she continues her questioning, "What...are the slaves you trade typically used for? If, as you say, the other races are weak, surely they cannot perform feats orcs or the bigger goblin tribes or the demons can't already do." Karrin thinks of ways to infiltrate and dimantle other slave camps. "Regardless, you will tell me who your contacts are within the other tribes and races that you sell slaves to. You want to live by strength? Fine, tell me how your culture works. How do you choose your leaders? If I manage to defeat Gorgeroth in single combat, would the other orcs obey me?"

Karrin waits to use the last of her divine powers today until the slaves are all gathered. Some of them might need healing as well, and Karrin plans to use a nice big burst to heal everyone at once.

[Maquise]

"We are orcs. We fight, and we train; we are too strong for such other tasks. Those slaves who are skilled we keep. The goblins think as we do, in this much. They do not revel in battle, nor do they challenge and assert dominion, but follow false codes and rules. Nevertheless, they will not stoop to do what a slave could."

The orc describes a time she went on a journey to trade with these hobgoblins. "In exchange for our slaves, they gave us food, drink and other supplies. Sometimes, we take slaves to the Maw, where the Defiler, a great champion of the Abyss, dwells. The demons take great pleasure in the receiving of new slaves."

She regards your last question with derision. "You are unfit to lead the orc, regardless of your skill. Gorgeroth is the Prophet of Ken Rhö; he leads us not only by example, but divine will. You would not defeat Gorgeroth though; his axe would slay you in one blow."

Mirabelle and Garm take up positions at the entrance to the dome. "I hear voices inside. How do you wanna go in?"

[Frosty]

Karrin nods at Mirabell. "Head on in, but carefully. There could be more resistance inside, but don't accidentally swing at a captive."

To the orc, Karrin snorts. "If he is defeated by me, then he is unfit to rule over you anyways. Fine. I was hoping to spare as many of you as I can, but I'll settle for killing if it is what your warband respects."

Karrin takes note of the locations of these other places the orcs go to trade slaves.

[Maquise]

You open the door, revealing a great room. Tables and such are scattered haphazardly throughout. Weapons line the walls. In the center, there is a great fire pit. By the main entrance, there are two arched doors. On the other side of the room, two stairwells curve downwards.

Inside this room, there are about a dozen unarmed goblins, milling about and performing various tasks. They take one look at you and run away squealing, down one of the descending stairs.

[Frosty]

"Garm, FOLLOW THEM!" Karrin shouts, pointing at the fleeing goblins. In plate mail, Karrin is nowhere near as fast. Plus, she has a prisoner ot deal with. "Protect the captives. We'll be right behind!"

Inidcating to the orc to hurry up, Mira and Karrin follow as best as they can while prodding the orc along.

[Maquise]

Garm moves with great speed across the room. He disappears down the stairs.

You follow him, descending. You find yourself in a dungeon, walls lined with prison cells. The goblins have taken several up as residences, and the rest are filled with humanoids in chains.

A trio of orcs stride up, standing 20 ft. away. Two are armed with nasty-looking hooked implements, the middle one carries a whip.

"Maugrim, who's this?" says the middle one in a heavy accent.

Your prisoner says something in orcish. Mirabelle quickly turns and cuts her down. "Ambush," she shouts, as a series of small objects arch overhead.

Fortitude save (dc 15) Roll 3 times:
(1d20+11)[16]
(1d20+11)[24]
(1d20+11)[20]

A series of bright flashes erupt before you. You, however, succeed in shaking off their effects.