[4E] A City Alone IC I

[Nightgaun7]

Hakka creeps forward. As he takes cover in the lee of a tree trunk, he can see semi-skeletal remains of what look like bears. He points them out to Sathris, who is crawling along behind him. The others, some paces behind, ready themselves for whatever may come. The sailors are muttering quietly to each other and Grigor looks slightly paler than usual. Unit DEN mechanically hums an old hymn. Kriv eyes the terrain, trying to devise a few strategems to get everyone through whatever fight they might be walking into. Draj, ever aware of each moment, lashes his tail impatiently.

Spoiler

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Combat has not begun, but you should move as per your combat speed.

[Laserlight]

Unit DEN
"We Have Not Yet Determined Whether The Bogey Is Hostile To Us."

Spoiler: OOC

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In theory, Sven could be drunk, or lured away by an attractive native girl, etc. In theory.

[Meltheim]

Kriv

Raising his hand and flashing well-known signals to the group, Kriv and the Stormcrows slowly approach the cave entrance.

Spoiler

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Double move (with the group, hopefully) to position us behind the huge tree trunk at L16

[Nightgaun7]

Despite the potential peril, it is a beautiful place. The fresh sea air, the stately trees, even the rocky tor they are approaching - all have a wild loveliness to them.

As the group approaches the mouth of the cave cautiously, however, Viktor becomes aware of an unseemly feeling in the air. He can't quite discern the source, but he tells the others, "Brothers, be wary. Something is amiss."

The others look around carefully. The bear carcasses show no signs of unlife, the ground spits forth no demons. There is only the breeze gently rustling the treetops, and a rain of golden leaves spiraling slowly to the ground.

Or almost to the ground. Sharp-eyed Hakka and the ever-vigilant DEN notice something - one or two of the golden leaves falling from the largest tree vanish into a tree root. Before either of them can say a warning, however, two of the trees spring to life. The huge oak to the right of the cave rumbles through the earth right towards the group, while the one closest to the cave mouth makes some strange gestures. After it does so, one of the other trees close to the group starts creaking and bending, as if struggling to move.

Spoiler

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Surprise round
Hakka, Viktor, and DEN may all act.

Your initiatives after the surprise round is over are:
Group A: Kriv, Hakka, Sathris.
Enemies
Group B: DEN, Draj, Viktor
Enemies

Combat map and tracker here

[Wdwune]

Hakka

The thri-kreen hunter would have narrowed his eyes if he had eyelids. Instead, he reacted quickly, using his four arms to quickly withdraw the crossbow and draw one of his longbows.

He measured the distance, aimed up, and an arrow was fired, then falling from the sky as it intended to make the nearmost tree to lose balance and fall to the ground like a dead log.

Spoiler: OOC

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Free: Multiple Arms to change my weapon to the Duelist's Bow

Standard: Clever Shot vs Animated Tree 1
Includes the bonuses: +4 att (+2 combat advantage, +2 stance), +6 dmg (+5 Draw First Blood, +1 Bow Expertise)
· Make a RBA: (1d20+19)[24] vs AC
· Hit: (1d10+17)[22] dmg and target is prone. Also, target gets a -2 penalty on ranged an area attacks until the end of my next turn (Duelist's Bow effect).

[Nightgaun7]

Unit DEN leaps forward and lashes out at the dark treant looming above the rest of the Stormcrows, but his blow is swatted away by a rising root. The treant rumbles, as if laughing.

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Posting on Laserlight's behalf.

Start M22

Standard Action: Charge to Q17

Charge
Standard Action
Target: Vile Treant [VT]
Attack: (1d20+16)[5](21) vs AC [Charging +1]
Damage: (2d6+9)[3][3](15)

Brutal rerolls (as needed)
(1d6)[3]
(1d6)[5]

Mark VT

End Q17

Spoiler: Contingency

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Jackal Strike on VT if bloodied.

[Laserlight]

Unit DEN
Battle Reflex: Active.

Enemy Power Up Detected.
To Commander: Preliminary Analysis Suggests Hostile Caster Present. Recommend Strike Team Locate And Engage.

Battle cries, a form of Threat Display, may be used to amplify esprit de corps in one's own side and to intimidate the hostile side.
Open file: Battle Cries
RandomSelect

"DEX AIE!"

Spoiler: Contingency: OA

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+17 (+18 if ally adjacent to foe) vs AC. Damage 2d6 +11 brutal, stops movement, knocks foe prone

[Laserlight]

Unit DEN
Open file: Battle Cries
RandomSelect Result = "Blood For The Blood God"
Localization Interrupt: Trees do not use blood as circulatory fluid. Translating concept.
"Sap For The Sap God."

[Nightgaun7]

Viktor charges the huge treant right after DEN. He manages to land a glancing blow, not deadly but enough to break through the iron-like bark and draw some sap. His blade glimmers with holy light.

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Start Q20

Standard action: Charge to R17

Ardent Strike
At-Will
Divine, Weapon
Standard Action
Melee weapon
Target: Vile Treant (VT)
Attack: (1d20+16)[13](29) vs. AC
Hit: (1d12+10)[1](11) modifier damage, and the target is subject to your divine sanction until the end of your next turn.

Special: When charging, you can use this power in place of a melee basic attack.

End Turn R17

As Viktor attacks, the large treant near the cave seems to say something else. In response two more trees begin moving, though as soon as they do it's evident that they are already treants rather than trees now being awakened.

[Wdwune]

Hakka

After some of his companions move to their positions, the thri-kreen hunter still has the same prone target in sight, which looks like a fallen trunk, but still dangerous.

Hakka changes his stance by using the precision of his six limbs, and using his bow he fires another arrow at the tree, aiming at a spot that would slow its movement. Unfortunately, the shot's not strong enough to pierce the thick bark of the tree.

Immediately, Hakka moves to the trunk he has next to him, like a spider, easily climbing it and hiding in it.

Spoiler: OOC

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Minor: Change my stance to Aspect of the Lurking Spider (+2 Stealth, +5 Athletics (climb), +2 dmg when I have combat advantage)

Standard: Clever Shot: Make a RBA vs the Animated Tree 1:
· (1d20+17)[21] vs AC (still having CA vs my opponent) And that was a miss!
· Hit: (1d10+16)[22] dmg and target is slowed (save ends). Also, the -2 att penalty on range and area attacks (until the end of my next turn)

Move: Climb to the trunk next to me in Q26 from R25, and hide there.
· Athletics (to climb): (1d20+17)[35]
· Stealth (to hide, using camouflaged clothing): (1d20+19)[25] (20 total because I moved more than 2 squares)


Note: I added +1 dmg for the Bow Expertise feat (since the tree's isolated), and +2 dmg bonus vs prone (Grounding Shot feat)

[Meltheim]

Kriv

Kriv grins as he sees his allies charge into the fray. He strides forward two steps and glares around at the trees. "Clearly you have not heard of the Stormcrows!" he shouts to the trees, trying to distract them momentarily.

"Viktor, again!" he shouts, urging the Paladin into action.

Spoiler

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Move: Walk to P18

Minor: Dragonfear (burst 5) BT1, VT, A1

Attack BT1: (1d20+11)[19] vs Will
Attack VT: (1d20+11)[26] vs Will
Attack A1: (1d20+11)[15] vs Will

Hit: The target takes a -2 penalty to attack rolls and grants combat advantage until the EoNT-Kr2.

Standard: Direct the Strike - Viktor vs Vile Treant

Effect: The target makes a basic attack as a free action against an enemy of your choice that you can see and is within 10 squares of you.

Given that Viktor has a variety of attacks, I'll let you choose this one Arq Kujos. Just factor in Combat Advantage if my Dragonfear hits.

[Arq Kujos]

Kriv
"Viktor, again!" he shouts, urging the Paladin into action.

Viktor

Smiling, possibly for the first time in a long while, Viktor let go of his sadness and gave into the love of battle. "Don't go! We have to share the sacrament of battle together!" With a powerful and controlled blow, Viktor aimed his blade at the roots of the treant, hoping to stop it from moving.

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I'll be using Hold Fast.

Attack Roll: (1d20+17)[18]
Damage Roll: (2d10+10)[21]

Hold Fast

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Hold Fast Paladin Attack 3
You engage your foe and prevent it from advancing on your allies.
Encounter + Divine, Weapon
Standard Action Melee weapon
Target: One creature
Attack: Strength or Charisma vs. AC
Hit: 2[W] + Strength or Charisma modifier damage, and the target is immobilized until the end of your next turn.
Special: You can use this power in place of a melee basic attack.

[Rakaydos]

Identifying the backrow caster, Draj swore in abyssal. As the two aditional treants made their presence known, and he began weaving a spell intended to keep the new threats away from his support team.

Near the fallen bear corpse, an etherial webwork sprung up, leaping toward the branches of the black treants, hopefully immobilizing them.

Spoiler: Web

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Area burst 2 centered at J16 (corners at H14, L14, H18, and L18) with Architech staff adding F18 and G18. This hits the two black treants, and creates a zone that fills these squares to the end of the encounter. (please update map)
Vs BT1: (d20+11)[19](30) vs Reflex, immobilize save ends
Vs BT2: (d20+11)[11](22) vs Reflex, immobilize save ends

'

Spoiler: Zone

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Ending your move within the zone immobilizs save ends

"Dont Touch the web," he growled to Grigor and the sailors. "Come help with the big one over here!" Matching word to deed, Draj moved closer the ongoing melee... though not TOO close.
(Move from P24 to R23)

[Rakaydos]

Adding on, Draj through out a virtual chainsaw, aiming to cut the weaker animated tree down to size.

Spoiler

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Action point: Cloud of daggers in squares T16,&17 and T18. Creates a zone that does 1 force damage when a creature enteres or starts a turn inside the zone.
Vs VT: (d20+11)[26] vs Reflex, (D6+4)[3](7)force damage
Vs AT: (d20+11)[15] vs Reflex, (D6+4)[5](9)force damage

[Gavran]

Sathris

Sathris rushes into a flanking position behind the nearest living tree as he frees his knife from its sheath. Spotting an opening among the wildly thrashing branches he quickly slashes at his enemy.

Spoiler: OOC

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Move from Q22 to U20
Sly Flourish (1d20+21)[22] vs AC; target AT1
Damage: (1d4)[1] + 12 + (2d8)[1][8](9) (Sneak Attack)

[Nightgaun7]

As the Stormcrows move to attack, the treant in the back chants in a creaking and hollow voice. As its booming invocation ends, another tree begins stirring, bark cracking and soil heaving as it uproots itself.

The awakened tree attacked by Sathris regains its balance from Hakka's shot and then strikes back, swatting the Kenku rogue away.

Meanwhile, Grigor advances on the left, leading his sailors in an effort to keep the party from being encircled.

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Sathris takes 15 damage and is slid to V19.

Grigor attacks BT2, dealing 9 points of damage.

DEN, and Viktor, you're up.

[Laserlight]

Unit DEN

Stormcrow Strikers Should Engage The Caster Soonest. Unit DEN To Change Targets And Provide Close Cover To Strikers While Viktor Remains Here. Go Go Go.

DEN takes two quick steps to the left, raises his massive blade, and chops.

Spoiler: OOC

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Shift Q17 -> Q16

Weapon Master Strike:
Hit: (1d20+18)[5](23) (15 +1 Warforged Tactics +2 Combat Advantage)
Damage: (2d6+12)[5][6](23)
Extra dice for Brutal 2 as needed: (4d6)[2][1][6][3](12)
In addition, the target takes an additional effect based on the weapon you wield.
Axe: The target takes extra damage equal to your Con modifier. (+3 included above)
Spear: Until the end of your next turn, the target provokes opportunity attacks from you when it shifts. My gouge is both.

I'm not overwriting Viktor's Mark

A root shifts under DEN's foot, throwing off his stroke.

[Arq Kujos]

Viktor

Viktor ground his teeth together in frustration, and drew his hand across his blade. As the blood ran down his blade, Viktor smeared a streak of it across his face, marking a slash running diagonally down his face. Crying out a loud battle shout, Viktor slammed his blade into the treant with more force than a normal man could produce. He then whipped his blade around with incredible speed, striking the vile treant again.

Spoiler

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Move: Convert to Minor
Minor: Divine Strength

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Paladin Feature
You petition your deity for the divine strength to lay low your enemies.
Encounter ? Divine
Minor Action Personal
Effect: Apply your Strength modifier as extra damage on your next attack this turn.

Standard: Blood of the Mighty
Attack Roll: (1d20+15)[22]
Damage Roll: (4d10+10)[41]

Spoiler

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Blood of the Mighty Paladin Attack 1
You draw on your own life force to deal a decisive blow.
Daily � Divine, Reliable, Weapon
Standard Action Melee weapon
Target: One creature
Attack: Strength vs. AC
Hit: 4[W] + Strength modifier damage.
Effect: You take 5 damage, which can't be reduced in any way.

If I hit, then I use my minor.
Minor (IF needed): Sohei Flair
Attack Roll: (1d20+15)[31]
Damage Roll: (1d10)[1]

Spoiler

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Sohei Flair Sohei Attack
The blood you've drawn spurs you on, and you lash at other enemies around you with divinely inspired fury.
Encounter + Divine, Weapon
Minor Action Melee weapon
Requirement: You must have hit an enemy with a weapon attack during this turn.
Target: One creature
Level 21: One or two creatures
Attack: Highest ability modifier vs. AC
Hit: 1[W] damage.
Level 11: 2[W] damage.

[Nightgaun7]

The huge treant attacks, whipping long grasping branches towards the Stormcrows. It wraps Kriv and DEN in a crushing embrace, despite the sting of Viktor's holy retribution.

The dark treant close to Viktor is caught up in the conjured webbing, but it solves this problem by wrapping a large rock in it's branches and slinging it at the Dragonborn, who just barely manages to dodge it.

The other one attacks the audacious half-elf trying to stab it with a rapier, and manages to draw blood. Grigor, seeing the webbing entangling the treant he's trading blows with, orders his men to attack the other treant caught up in the web. As they move to attack, one of the sailors manages to land a telling blow with his cutlass.

Spoiler

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Vile Treant shifts and uses Lashing Vines to attack twice.
DEN takes 15 damage, Kriv takes 9 damage.
Both are grabbed and take ongoing 5 until escaped from Grab. Escape DC 17.
VT takes damage from Divine Challenge and Cloud of Daggers.

Black Treant 1 misses. BT1 saves from immobilization.

Black Treant 2 slams Grigor for 18 damage and marks him. BT2 fails to save from immobilization.

Sailor 2 crits BT1 for 17 pts of damage.

Kriv, Hakka and Sathris, your turn.

[Gavran]

Sathris

Sathris darts in between two of the lumbering trees, moving quick and low to the ground to avoid their branches, lashing out with his dagger at the one on his left as he passes and continues past them toward DEN's specified target.

Spoiler: OOC

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Note: I'll let you resolve this in the Sheet since it hinges on whether the treant takes the OA and if it hits. (Ideas for ways we can handle this situation in the future? I'll think on it.)

Standard: Deft Strike
- Move from V19 to S17, provoking OA with a +8 to AC and +4 to NADS to defend against it.
- Attack A1 (1d20)[13]
- Damage (1d4+8)[12]

Spoiler: Contingent (if OA is taken and misses)

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Contingent (if OA is taken and misses)
Add +20 to the attack roll
Add Sneak Attack to the Damage
(2d8+5)[8][1](14)

Spoiler: Contingent (if OA is not taken or hits)

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Contingent (if OA is not taken or hits)
Add +17 to the attack roll

Spoiler: Contingent (If OA is taken, hit or miss)

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Contingent (If OA is taken, hit or miss)
Move Action:
Move from S17 to N12

Spoiler: Contingent if OA is not taken

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Contingent if OA is not taken
Move Action:
Tumble
- Shift from S17 to M11

[Meltheim]

Kriv

Kriv bellows in frustration as his allies miss their targets, then howls with fury as the tree wraps vines around him. He flexes his muscles, breaking through the vines, then shouts for Sathris to attack again.

Spoiler

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Move: Escape from Grab (DC 17)

Athletics Check: (1d20+14)[7](21)

Standard: Direct the Strike - Sathris vs Vile Treant

Effect: The target makes a basic attack as a free action against an enemy of your choice that you can see and is within 10 squares of you.

Gavran, I'll let you roll this because I don't quite know how to figure your bonuses yet! Since you're attacking Vile Treant with a ranged basic attack, be sure to add the +2 from Combat Advantage

[Gavran]

Sathris

Hearing the captain's shout, the Kenku twists to take advantage of the opening by throwing his blade at the twisted treant on his right.

Spoiler: OOC:

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Heh, they're a little finicky. :P
Basically, +2 (basic CA), +2 +1 (When using a light blade with CA) +2 +1 +1 (When flanking with a light blade)

RBA - Target VT
Attack
(1d20+20)[36] vs AC
Damage
(1d4+8)[9]
Sneak Attack Damage
(2d8+4)[2][2](8)

[Wdwune]

Hakka

Hakka remains quietly at his spot on the tree as he observes the battlefield. With his multiple arms, he puts his bow away and draws a crossbow, loads it, rises his head, and aims carefully at the largest treant which happened to have lowered its guard because of Captain Kriv's military maneuver.

He pulls the trigger, re-loads his crossbow, and pulls the trigger again before crouching and remain hidden.

Spoiler: OOC

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Free: Multiple Arms, switch to Swiftshot Crossbow

Free: Load crossbow

Standard: Disruptive Shot at Vile Treant (1/3 uses spended)
· (1d20+17)[23] vs AC (15 +2 combat advantage)
· Hit: (1d8+11)[13] dmg (9 +2 stance), target is dazed (save ends)
· Miss: Half dmg and target is slowed (save ends)

Free: Re-load crossbow.

Minor: Swiftshot Crossbow item power: I make a RBA as a free action (vs Vile Treant)
· (1d20+17)[24] vs AC (15 +2 combat advantage)
· Hit: (1d8+12)[13] (10 +2 stance)

N/A: If either attack hits, I use Sneak of Shadows multiclass feat benefit to add Sneak Attack damage: (2d6)[8]

Move: Stay in same spot (Q26), but make another Stealth check to remain hidden
· Stealth: (1d20+19)[22] (16 +1 camouflaged clothing, +2 stance)


Note: Crossbow Expertise allows me to ignore partial and superior cover with crossbow weapon attacks

[Nightgaun7]

The sorcerous treant backs away towards the mouth of the cave, flinging a rock at Sathris to hinder pursuit. One of the trees it awakened moves forward to protect it while hurling another rock at the kenku rogue. Sathris is struck hard, and lands flat on his back with a choked squawk.

Meanwhile, the other awakened tree moves towards Draj and tries to crush the gnoll wizard beneath thick branches, but just barely misses as he scrambles underneath the ungainly swing.

Grigor tries to back away from the treant he's been fighting as it is trapped in Draj's webbing while exchanging blows, but gets caught up in its branches.

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CT throws a rock and misses Sathris
A2 throws a rock and crits Sathris for 22 damage and knocks prone.
Sathris is bloodied.

A1 tries to slam Draj and misses.
A1 takes 1 damage from leaving the Cloud of Daggers.

Grigor attacks BT2 for 11 damage, then moves away.
BT2 takes the OA and misses.
Grigor uses Parry and Riposte and hits for 14 damage. BT1 grants CA to all EonT.
BT2 uses an immediate interrupt and hits Grigor, who becomes grabbed (DC18).
Grigor's move is cancelled.

BT2 fails to save from immobilization.

DEN, Draj and Viktor, your turn.

[Nightgaun7]

Unit DEN (per Laserlight)

The combat machine sets his feet and heaves at the vines.

Spoiler

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Start Q16
MOVE to attempt to break Grab: (d20+14)[10](24) to beat DC17

Spoiler: Breaking Grab

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Shift to P15
AP to move to O10
Minor to look into Cave (d20+11)[19](30)
Standard to Charge via N9 to K9
Attack: (d20+16)[7](23) regular 15 +1 charging
Damage: (2d6+9)[5][5](19)
extra dice if needed for Brutal 2 (5d6)[6][6][3][5][4](24)

Spoiler: If not breaking Grab

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Attack VT
Attack: (d20+16)[8](24) regular 15 +1 Warforge Tactics
Damage: (2d6+12)[2][4](18)
extra dice if needed for Brutal 2 (5d6)[5][5][6][1][3](20)

He runs past Sathris, and drives his gouge deep into the Corrupted Treant. Ooooo Rah.

[Rakaydos]

Riding the animated tree's blow to get clear, Draj dashed around one of the smaller trees, that hopefullt wouldnt be joining their foes shortly. Spoting the sailors dumbly fighting, he reconized that for whatever danage they were doing, they were actoully cutting the tree free of it's immobilizin wraps. "I said get away from there!" he snarls, casting a gust of wind that tried to separate the groups, throwing the tree deeper into the webwork while pushing one of the sailors away.

Spoiler

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Move to O21 (provoking opportunity attack from AT1)
Standard: Howling Wall: L12 to L17 to N17
Vs AT2: (d20+11)[6](17) vs Fort, on hit slide two squares Southwest, and Slow
Vs BT1: (d20+13)[12](25) (with CA) vs Fort,on hit slide two squares west and 1 north, and Slow
Vs Sailor 1: (d20+11)[20](31) vs Fort, on hit slide to P16, and Slow

[Laserlight]

Unit DEN

DEN hears the warlord's call and sees the opening in the treant's defense. He strikes!

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Attack: (1d20+15)[15](30)
Damage: (2d6+9)[5][6](20)
extra dice if needed for Brutal 2(4d6)[2][2][3][6](13)

A treant limb falls, sheared cleanly by the heavy polearm. DEN repeats, "Ooooo Rah."

[Nightgaun7]

The treant attacking Draj takes a swipe at him as he scrambles out of the way. Woody claws slash the gnoll across the back but don't injure him sufficiently to stop him getting away.

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Draj takes 21 damage from A1's OA.

[Nightgaun7]

Viktor launches himself at the huge treant once more, blade burning bright with conviction, but his attack is repulsed by the buffeting branches of the monstrous tree.

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Begin R17

Shift to R16

Minor Action: Divine Challenge on VT

Standard Action: Holy Strike
Keywords: Divine, Radiant, Weapon
Range: Melee weapon
Target: VT
Attack: (1d20+15)[4](19) vs AC
Hit: (1d12+12)[3](15) radiant damage.

End R16

[Nightgaun7]

The dark, looming treant moves slightly, then exudes a wave of cloyingly sweet scent that draws all that can't resist the smell towards it. After pulling prey to it, it lashes out and manages to catch Viktor in its branches. Before he can break free, it pops him into a splintery maw that appears on its trunk.

The guardian treants, meanwhile, throw stones at the wizard that immobilized them. One misses, but the other finds its mark with a small rock that strikes Draj in the side, knocking the breath out of him.

The two sailors both attack the treant that just swallowed up the paladin.

Spoiler

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VT moves from T14 to T15.
VT uses Alluring Scent as a minor, close burst 5. Sathris, Draj, and Sailor 1 are pulled to R14, S17, and R15 respectively. Kriv is not pulled thanks to Viktor's Mark.
VT uses Lashing Vines on Viktor and Draj. It misses Draj, again thanks to Viktor's Mark, but hits Viktor. Viktor takes 15 damage and is grabbed, Escape DC 17.

VT takes 11 radiant from Viktor's Challenge for attacking Draj.

VT spends an action point to Swallow Viktor. Viktor takes 21 damage and ongoing 10 acid damage, Escape DC 17. Viktor is removed from play until a successful escape or VT dies. When the effect ends, Viktor appears in an unoccupied square of his choice adjacent to the treant.

VT fails to save from Slow.

BT1 moves to M13.
BT1 targets Draj with Throw Stone but misses.
BT1 becomes immobilized from ending its turn in the Web.

BT2 targets Draj with Throw Stone and hits for 12 damage.
BT2 provokes an OA from Grigor, who hits for 12 damage.
BT2 saves from Immobilize

Sailor 1 attacks VT and hits for 9 damage, then shifts to Q15

Sailor 2 moves from M18 to R17 and attacks VT for 11 points of damage.

Hakka, Kriv and Sathris are up.