A Thorn In The Hand IC

[Wordplay]

Raif Clearsight lets loose the spell he had prepared. A flash of light appears behind the second crossbowman, and a small luminous animal appears.

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Summon Celestial Badger at G8 - I'm pretty sure that's legal, but correct me if I'm wrong.

[Malak'ai]

The crossbowman jumps slightly as the shining badger appears out of nowhere right next to him, turning and aiming his weapon at it.

The large Orc with the hammer roars a battle cry and starts charging towards Eleanora, taking hold of the haft of his weapon in two hands, bringing it back over his shoulder. (finishing his move in R1 **Damn speed the speed reduction on the breastplate**)

[Marlowe]

((Verossa, at S2, makes her reserved attack against the charging Orc. She's invisible, so he counts as flat-footed))
attack (1d20+6)[12]Damage(1d10+4)[6]CCR[1d20+6[/roll]

((Here's hoping we can roll better than this in future, guys))

Verossa, suddenly visible, shouts "Slay them all, hive brothers and sisters! For the glory of our unspeakable overlords! Leave but one alive that we may drive it to madness with glimpses of our indescribable true forms!"

((If you're going to miss, miss with style.))

[Marlowe]

((Apparently I've forgotten my own build.))

AoE as he leaves my threatened area, he's no longer flat-footed against me:
Attack(1d20+6)[10]damage(1d10+4)[14]CCR(1d20+6)[25]

((so far, a 1, a 6, and a 4.))

[Malak'ai]

As the Orc surges forth, screaming in anger he gets a large shock as out of thin air a tall woman swinging a long pole arm at him appears. Unfortunately the woman's blows fall wide as he moves past her. After the second swing misses though, he feels a slight pressure on his mind.

Will Save against Verossa's Curse (DC13): (1d20-2)[17]

Shaking his head, he continues on his way, the pressure he felt on his mind dissipating as he sets his eyes on the mounted Orc in full plate.

[Marlowe]

((AND the bad guy rolls a 19. Wonderful))

[Malak'ai]

**I had my fingers, toes, legs and eyes crossed that I'd roll low. It's the Hideous Laughter and Feeblemind incident again .
Now we just have to hope the dice rollers had it's fun and starts giving you guys some good roles.**

[Marlowe]

((We were on the good end of those. D really had it out for me. For some reason.))

[Malak'ai]

**Yeah, but remember my Ranger kept snapping bow strings and my Cleric didn't have any spelks that could do anything. And lets just forget G even had characters**

[Marlowe]

((That bowstring rule is total bull, and should never have been used. A 1 is just an automatic miss. Nothing more. Anything else is just half-assed houserules.

As for the Cleric, I'm not sure what went wrong there. A Cleric of that level should have been the most powerful member of the party. Even if Drow aren't the best race for Clerics by a long shot))

[Malak'ai]

**She was only level one or two because of the LA adjustment, and had only prepared buffs and one Spiritual Weapon.
Anyway... Back to the game. Simba's turn.**

[Simba]

As you attack the captive elves look at each other and some kind of unseen communication seems to pass between them. Their bodies tense slightly, ready to act if a chance arises.

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Waiting for a chance to do something worthwhile.

[Malak'ai]

The Orc on the lower right (Ox2), crossbow still trained on the badger that appeared in a flash of light, looks round, seeing that one of the enemy is close enough to be able to reach him, and decided to brave the badgers claws and teeth and moves quickly away from the prisoners, hoping to gain a better vantage to be able to take a shot from. (Moving to J13).

[D_Man_7733]

"Oh, no, where do you think you're going? Drayner mutters to himself, as a spear of black energy forms in his hand, and he gives it a mighty throw at the Bow Orc who ran out of the fray.

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Range: 250ft, Touch based.
(1d20+5)[13]
(2d8)[7]

[Malak'ai]

Just as the crossbowman is turning to take aim at a new target he is hit square in the chest with a bolt of dark energy. Screaming in pain as he is rocked by the blast, little bolts of black lightning cascading all over his body. As his scream dies you can see him still standing, but wobbling, his crossbow lowering as he seems to try and regain control of his limbs.

Watching as this happens off to the side, the first Elf in line looks back at his companions, nodding and then jumps forwards. Raising his arms as high as he can he tries to get his wrists around the neck of the Orc who is holding the rope.

Elves Grapple Check: (1d20+2)[18]
Orc's AoO to Defend: (1d20+4)[16]

The Elves arm grip tightly around the Orc's neck, the ropes binding his wrists acting as a kind of a garote as the Orc struggles, his arms flailing wildly, dropping the rope and the bag he was holding.

[Machuchang]

Eleanora smiled grimly as Verossa appeared by the orc's leader. With a shout, she kicked her heels into Valor's sides and charged, leveling her lance toward his throat.

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Ride (Guide with knees): (1d20+8)[12]
Ride: (Fight with warhorse): (1d20+8)[25]
Attack: (1d20+9)[14]
Crit Confirm (if required): (1d20+9)[24]
Damage: (2d8+10)[14]
Damage (if crit): (4d8+20)[36]

If more than 10 damage is dealt, Trip attack as a free action.
Trip Attempt: (1d20+9)[26]
Trip Strength Check: (1d20+3)[19]

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If rolling for Valor:
Attack: [roll]1d20+6)[/roll]
Crit Confirm (if required): [roll](1d20+6)[/roll]
Damage: (1d6+4)[7]
Damage (if crit): (2d6+8)[18]

If Verossa is flanking, add +2 to the attack rolls.

[Machuchang]

And because I messed up the horse's rolls:

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Eleanora smiled grimly as Verossa appeared by the orc's leader. With a shout, she kicked her heels into Valor's sides and charged, leveling her lance toward his throat.

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If rolling for Valor:
Attack: (1d20+6)[12]
Crit Confirm (if required): (1d20+6)[14]
Damage: (1d6+4)[5]
Damage (if crit): (2d6+8)[14]

Again, +2 Attack if Verossa is flanking.

I swear one day I'll make an attack roll that doesn't take two posts.

[Malak'ai]

The large Orc is rocked by the force of Eleanora's lance glancing off of his armour causing Valors hooves to fall just short of making contact.

Back behind the line of prisoners, the Orc with the great axe see's one of the prisoners grappling with the the rope holder. Growling he rushes forwards, lifting his axe and bringing it down into the Elf's back.

Great Axe Attack: (1d20+5)[18]
Damage: (1d12+3)[4]
Crit confirm (if required): (1d20+5)[7]
Crit Damage (if required): (3d12+9)[21]

The axe's blade biting into the Elf's shoulder, making him grunt in agony as he maintains his grip on the rope holders throat.

[Malak'ai]

Surprised by the appearance of the tall woman with the pole arm, the Orc with the crossbow (Ox1) takes aim, firing a bolt as the woman tries striking at the boss.

Heavy Crossbow Attack: (1d20+3)[16]
Damage: (1d10)[10]
Crit confirm (if required): (1d20+3)[6]
Crit Damage (if required): (2d10)[17]

The Orc swears as the bolt flies wide of it's target.

[Malak'ai]

The second Elven prisoner, taking advantage of the commotion of the attack slowly creeps up the great axe wielding Orc's footsteps, crouching down and reaches out, clawing the dropped bag into his bound hands and slowly inching away from the combat. Opening the bag and reaching in he draws out a dagger, motioning to Mailali to come forwards.

[Simba]

Maiali is already in motion, the same plan in mind. He offers his bonds to be cut, holding his hands out in front. Then he motions for the elf to cut the others' bonds while he crouches and reaches into the bag himself.

[Malak'ai]

Nodding, the Elf rushes back to the last of the prisoners in line, slashing his bonds, running back to to crouch next to Mailali.

[Simba]

Maiali distributes weapons from the bag, giving each elf his own if possible, arming himself last. Then he stands up, a long, slender sword in each hand, ready to do battle.

[Wordplay]

'Caede!'

The luminous badger charges to G6 and attempts to maul the Orc wielding the Great Axe.

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Attack (1d20+4)[20]
Damage (1d2-1)[0]

Meanwhile Raif urges Filofax into battle. Drawing his mace from his belthook, Raif attempts to brain the Orc with the Great Axe.

'Halabur, the other bowman!'

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Ride (control horse in combat) (1d20)[9]
Ride (guide with knees) (1d20)[10]
Aiming to move to G7 and attack Great Axe Orc

Attack (1d20+6)[12]
Damage (1d8+2)[10]
Crit confirm (1d20+6)[23]
Crit Damage (2d8+2)[7]

[Malak'ai]

As Raif starts charging in, Filofax starts to shy as he approaches the combat. Pulling up short which causes Raif's mace to swing very wide of the Orc.

The Orc gives a small grunt as the badger slams into him, making small scratches in his thighs.

[Malak'ai]

The last Elf in line runs forwards, getting his bounds cut and then rummages through the bag, drawing out a bow.
Taking a set back he knocks an arrow and lines up the Orcish crossbowman (Ox1). Exhaling slowly he lets the shaft fly,

Comp. Long Bow Attack: (1d20+7)[8]
Damage: (1d8+1)[5]
Crit Confirm (if required): (1d20+7)[25]
Crit Damage (if required): (3d8+3)[23]

Unfortunately the arrow screams off wildly to the left, heading straight towards the Orc encampment.

[Marlowe]

Verossa, for all she likes fighting with Eleanora, would prioritise disposing of the prisoner guard. However, seeing the Elves break their bonds and Raif ride into the fray, she grins.

"Let us play with this one, Hive Sister! His screams and gurgles shall be as music to our unholy masters!", she says, continuing her schtique as a depraved idiot cultist of something unpronouncable. She takes a 5 foot to R3 and strikes out at the large Orc.

(I do not believe this gives her a flank, but if it does, she'll put that bonus into Power Attack for +4 damage)
Attack: (1d20+6)[20]Damage(1d10+4)[10]CCR(1d20+6)[25]

[Arranis Thelmos]

Halabur draws out his wand of magic missile and fires a volley of magic missiles into the fray.

Damage: (1d4+1)[3] against Orc archer 1.

OOC: didn't there used to be a battle map around here? I can't find it now.

[Marlowe]

((Previous page, post 646. Yes, I had to be told as well))

[Arranis Thelmos]

Thanks.