[PF] The Dragon Empire, IC II

[H. Von Studley]

Ed starts as the giant spider appears beside him, lifting his glaive defensively. It takes a long moment before it occurs to him that the creature belongs to Orrick. He turns his gaze forward through the mist, straining to see, before the telltale flash outline Azrin firing his musket up ahead. Ed surges forward, giving Azrin an encouraging nod as he passes, ignoring the sharp pain in his side and the dull pain in his ankle. He readies himself as the mist in front begins to clear.

Spoiler: OOC

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Ed double moves up past UT2, stopping inside the mist.

Spoiler: Stat Block

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Edmund Grimace

Chaotic Good Human Fighter/Cleric (ECL 3)

HP 18/39, Initiative +4, Speed 10, BAB 3.
AC 18, Touch 11, Flat-Footed 17, CMB +7, CMD 18
Fort+7, Ref+3, Will+5
Masterwork Glaive +8 (1d10+6)
Throwing Axe +7 (Melee) +5 (Thrown) (1d6+4)
+1 Orcsbane Warhammer +8(+10) (1d8+7(+2d6+2))
Shortbow +5 (1d6)
Masterwork Banded Mail +7 (Heavy)

Effects: Bless (35)

Spells (CL4): (L1) 2/3, (L2) 2/2
(D1) 1/1, (D2) 0/1

Abilities: STR 18, DEX 14, CON 14, INT 10, WIS 15, CHA 10

Special Abilities: Channel Energy 3/3, Ferocious Strike 4/5.

[RandomWombat]

Coming up behind the orc engaged with Mossgandra, River takes a swing at it. Out of the corner of its eye it sees the fist glowing with frost magic, and ducks aside, but gets kneed in the gut by River's second strike. With its falchion the orc manages to deflect Mossgandra's strike, but its counterattack is likewise deflected. Azrin fires and grazes one of the archers on the sidelines. Olivin steps out of the fog, and with his enlarged whip he slams one of the two orcs to the ground. Hsmorjo moves out of his way by charging at one of the archers, but the orc has plenty of time to prepare and blocks the nagaji's claw with his bow. Discarding the weapon he draws a morningstar in its place. The reckless charge backfires as an arrow and the morningstar both find their mark, nearly knocking Hsmorjo to the ground. One of the elven troopers comes up beside him and cuts down the third orc before they can finish the job.

Edmund moves forth just as the huge bronze spider arrives beside where he was, exiting the shrouding mist to find the battle nearly over. The battle outside, at least.

Spoiler: Summary

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Map

River steps in to flank with Mossgandra. His first strike misses, but the second lands for 6 damage.
Azrin shoots OC8 for 3 damage.
Hsmorjo charges OC8, but misses.
Olivin whips OF9 for 12 damage and drops it.
Orrick summons a Resolute Spider, which moves up towards Edmund.
Edmund double moves past Olivin.

Mossgandra slashes at OF8, but misses.
Ulseland Trooper 2 attacks OC9 for 12 damage, dropping it.

OC8 hits Hsmorjo for 8 damage.
OC10 shoots Hsmorjo for 6 damage.
OF8 misses Mossgandra.

[Archemist]

Azrin reloads his musket, glad for the routine that process has become, and, finding Hsmorjo kinda between him and his previous target, Azrin aims at the further orc and fires again.

Edited to add: Well, Azrin pulls the trigger again, at least. He must've gotten a couple of these cartridges damp, perhaps. He shakes his musket threateningly in the direction of the orc.

Spoiler: OOC

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Reload and attack OC10, who is unfortunately just outside PB range, I think: (1d20+6)[7]
Damage: (1d10)[3]

Spoiler: Azrin Bluestone Stats

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Azrin Bluestone
M Chaotic Good Gnome Gunslinger 1, Witch 3, Level 4, Init +3, HP 28/33, Speed 20
AC 17, Touch 13, Flat-footed 15 (+2 Armor, +2 Dex, +1 Size, +2 Natural)
CMD 14, Fort +5, Ref +5, Will +7, CMB +0, Base Attack Bonus 2
Grapple Launcher Experimental Musket (mstwk) (27 cartridges) +6, 7 @PB (1d10, x4)
Light Hammer +2, thrown +5, or 6 @PB (1d3-1, x2)
Dragon Pistol (5 cartridges) +6 (1d4, x4)
Abilities Str 9, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 17, Wis 16, Cha 11
Condition

[Aeryk]

River continues to press the assault with another pair of strikes at his opponent.

Spoiler: OoC

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Flurry of Blows (1d20+11)[28]
Damage(1d8+5)[8]
(1d20+11)[28]
Damage(1d8+5)[10]
*Includes flanking bonus with Mossgandra

Spoiler: Stat Block

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River

Lawful Neutral Human Monk (ECL 4)

HP 30/36, Initiative +5, Speed 40, BAB +3.
AC 18, Touch 18, Flat-Footed 14, CMB +10, CMD 28
Fort+6, Ref+8, Will+7

Unarmed Strike +10 (1d8+5)
Flurry of Blows +9/+9 (1d8+5)

Effects:
Bull's Strength (+4 Str) 35/40 rds
Bless (+1 Atk, +1 vs Fear 36/40 rds)
Scarred Chest:-1 Con

Abilities: STR 16+4, DEX 16, CON 15 -1, INT 17, WIS 16, CHA 7

Special Abilities:
Elemental Fist: (+1d6) 2/4
Ki Pool: 4/6

*Edited to adjust number of rounds left for BS and Bless in stat block

[H. Von Studley]

Seeing Hsmorjo in trouble, Ed pushes forward out of the mist and brings his glaive down from up high at a steep angle.

Spoiler: OOC

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Ed moves up and Power Attacks OC8.

Attack: (1d20+9)[18]
Damage: (1d10+9)[13]

Spoiler: Stat Block

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Edmund Grimace

Chaotic Good Human Fighter/Cleric (ECL 3)

HP 18/39, Initiative +4, Speed 10, BAB 3.
AC 18, Touch 11, Flat-Footed 17, CMB +7, CMD 18
Fort+7, Ref+3, Will+5
Masterwork Glaive +8 (1d10+6)
Throwing Axe +7 (Melee) +5 (Thrown) (1d6+4)
+1 Orcsbane Warhammer +8(+10) (1d8+7(+2d6+2))
Shortbow +5 (1d6)
Masterwork Banded Mail +7 (Heavy)

Effects: Bless (34)

Spells (CL4): (L1) 2/3, (L2) 2/2
(D1) 1/1, (D2) 0/1

Abilities: STR 18, DEX 14, CON 14, INT 10, WIS 15, CHA 10

Special Abilities: Channel Energy 3/3, Ferocious Strike 4/5.

[brandnewb]

Olivin smirks in satisfaction when the Orc he attacked goes down. He quickly surveys the battlefield then decides that he will pursue the one shooting the crossbow. Olivin lumbers forward, steping right over the small figure of a Gnome beneath him. He widens his legs as he walks over letting Azrin just pass between his ankles/knees on the way by. He approaches OC10 and stops 20ft short of the enemy. With a swing of his massive Whip he targets the orc with a heavy blow.

Spoiler: Action

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Attack (1d20+11)[25]
Damage (1d4+9)[10]

Spoiler: Olivin

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Olivin Instance

N Human Lore Warden Fighter 4

HP 51/51, Initiative +0, Speed 30, BAB 4.
AC 14-2, Touch 10-2, Flat-Footed 14-2, CMB +11+1, CMD 21+1
Fort+7, Ref+1, Will+2
+1 Whip +11 (1d3+8)+1 damage
+1 Whip Trip/Disarm +16 +1
15ft +5ft=20ft Reach

Effects: None

Spells : 4/6 rounds left on Enlarge Person: +2 Sgt, -2 Dex, -1 AC, -1 Attack Rolls

Abilities: STR 20+2, DEX 10-2, CON 16, INT 14, WIS 10, CHA 7

Special Abilities:

Edit: update enlarge person rounds remaining

[Indori]

A small Orrick emerged from the cloud of mist just as the fighting outside was coming to a close. Orc bodies littered the dock, some killed by the landing party, but many torn to bits by the Pomutiki's siege weapons. Looking ahead, the doctor spotted a large collection of cargo, mostly large crates and barrels. He recalled Mossgandra telling them that the submersible device would have to be stored out in the open. She had said that it would look like some sort of large container, but that it had a secret switch or lever somewhere. He made his way over to the collection of booty, slipping and sliding on the large quantity of blood that was draining off of the dock, and began to look for the latch the elven commander had told them about.

Spoiler: OOC

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So, it looks like all of the orcs that were on the docks are dead (or will be from this last round of attacks), so I'm going to have Orrick react accordingly. He'll double move to get near the cargo that is still on deck and see if he can find the submersible.

If I need a Perception check to find the latch on it, here's that: (1d20+8)[9]

Spoiler: Stat Block

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Orrick Drummond (Small)
Male LN Human Alchemist, Level 4, Init 4, HP 26/32, Speed 30 ft
AC 18, Touch 15, Flat-footed 14, CMD 17, Fort 5, Ref 8, Will 2, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 3, Action Points 1
Longbow, composite +7 (1d6+1, x3)
Bomb (8/8) +9 (2d6+4, x2)
Sickle +4 (1d4+1, x2)
Masterwork Studded Leather (+3 Armor, +4 Dex, +1 Size)
Abilities Str 11, Dex 18, Con 12, Int 18, Wis 12, Cha 8
Condition Scarred Throat (-1 Con drain, difficulty speaking)
Extracts L1: 1/4, L2: 0/2

[RandomWombat]

Again Azrin picks irritatedly at his rifle, apparently having trouble with the finicky device. A pair of strikes from River pummels his foe first in the back and then the back of the head, sending him to the floor. Another one down as Edmund slashes between Hsmorjo and the trooper to slay the orc with the morningstar. Lastly is the final archer, whom Olivin sees to. One powerful whip lash across the face is enough to bowl him over. Hsmorjo backs away from the fighting and mends his wounds with healing magic. The bronze spider skitters up next to Edmund, its metallic limbs clinking on the wooden boards. The fires above are beginning to die down.

The group spreads out and looks around for any more survivors outside, but things look clear. Orrick approaches the cargo, but all he sees are boxes. Boxes. Boxes of things he can't see because they are inside of the boxes.

Spoiler: Summary

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Azrin misfires.
River hits OF8 twice for 18 damage total, dropping it.
Edmund strikes OC8 for 13 damage and finishes it.
Olivin whips OC10 for 10 damage and drops it.
Orrick stares at boxes.
The mist is dissipated by the sea breeze.

Hsmorjo heals himself for 10 damage.

Combat is more or less over.

[Archemist]

Azrin slings his rifle over his shoulder again. "I'll see to you later, Mister."

As the fog begins to dissipate in the afternoon breeze, he joins Orrick in looking over the crates. He pulls out his little hammer and taps on one, perhaps using the back-end of the hammer to pry open one of the smaller crates.

Azrin waves over Pomutiki, Hsmorjo, and Mossgandra and asks, "Well, do any of these look big enough to be our machine? Or should we look around inside the fort?" He's pleasantly surprised to find that the majority of the people in this conversation are down at his own eye-level, a rare occurrence. He smiles at Orrick and asides, "This height suits you."


Edited to add! Azrin also scans the crates with Detect Magic.

[RandomWombat]

At the back of the cargo pile Azrin finds a large metal barrel. Very difficult to miss. His magical senses detect that it is indeed magical.

[Archemist]

At the back of the cargo pile Azrin finds a large metal barrel. Very difficult to miss. His magical senses detect that it is indeed magical.

"Oh ho!

"What have we here?"

Spoiler: OOC

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I think I'd even spotted it on the Maps you'd posted earlier, haha.

[Indori]

Orrick was mumbling to himself. "Hmm. It appears to be some kind of box..." He snapped to attention when Azrin approached and started knocking on the one he was looking at. Despite having used this particular brand of magic before, he wasn't quite used to seeing Azrin from that particular perspective. Somehow he had even ended up an inch or two shorter. "I thought this would help me keep out of sight to retrieve the submersible, but our crew has made my effort superfluous it seems."

He jerked a thumb over his shoulder at some of the others. The new recruit, Olivin, was lumbering past just then. The differential in size was almost comical.

[Indori]

Orrick followed Azrin over to the large barrel-shaped object. "Ah, yes, I thought this one looked interesting. I knew as soon as I saw it that it must be the device."

Spoiler: OOC

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Bluff roll: (1d20-1)[1]

[Archemist]

Orrick followed Azrin over to the large barrel-shaped object. "Ah, yes, I thought this one looked interesting. I knew as soon as I saw it that it must be the device."

Spoiler: OOC

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Bluff roll: [roll0]

"Now, they'd said something about a lever..."

Switching to Draconic: "Sir Olivin! A thousand pardons. Could you use your altitude to peruse the top of this great... edifice?... artifice? for a lever of activation?"

[Aeryk]

River, who is standing by the barrel in question, gives a dark, disapproving look at Orrick, but it passes quickly as he looks curiously to the barrel, waiting for someone else to do something.

[brandnewb]

Olivin ignores the items on the deck, and casts a dark and vengeful eye toward the fortress. As soon as the Orc with the crossbow is down he is lumbering onward toward the wall. He is scanning the wall, for some avenue to climb over, or open the gate with his greater size. He had just decided on a location to try when he heard Azrin's call.

He turns his head, heat and passion of a zealot clear in his eyes. When he shouts across the dock his voice, a deep baritone due to increase size, rumbles through the air. He shouts in Draconic “We cannot stop!” He looks around the group fiddling with barrels, a terror clearly beginning to creep into his voice. “My countrymen may be suffering inside!”

Olivins eyes are now wide with urgent panic, his voice starts cracking despite his large size. His next words come as a pitifull pleadingly and in Common desperate urgency evident “Please... Dont.... Stop.” When he tries to speak in common the stress of the moment has stolen much of his newly learned vocabulary. Without waiting for a moment longer he runs sprinting toward the wall and attempts to climb over.

[brandnewb]

Spoiler: Climb Check

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Olivins climb check, either the gate, or the wall. It does not matter if he could reach, his in going to try on wherever he thinks would give him the best chance (1d20+12)[19]

If there is a door then forget the whole climbing thing, he will just use that.

[RandomWombat]

Spoiler: Olivin

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There is a door to each of the two sections of fort, with the portcullis leading directly through into the cliff face. Between the two rooftops is a small 'bride' roofing the path into the earth, usable to cross between the two rooftops. Judging by the lead strix's disappearance there are also avenues of entry from the top. Either way, he'd have to do some squeezing to get inside with his current size.

Pomutiki comes scurrying across the pier and to the loading area, excited to see this dwarven submersible for himself. "Oh wow! That's a big barrel. I think... there was supposed to be a hidden entry hatch?" The gnome looks around from different angles but can't seem to find anything. Mossgandra walks over and squats down somewhere he's already passed by, pulling at one of the metal 'bands'. With a pop it comes loose and she steps back. The hatch lands heavily on the dock's surface and reveals a dwarf-sized entrance. Plenty big enough for an average human to get inside if he bends over a little. "There it is!"

[Archemist]

Spoiler: OOC

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I think Orrick has Azrin slightly beat for Int. But Pomutiki may be better at this sort of thing than us... I just worry he's low-Wisdom.

"Ooooo," sighs Azrin. "This metal barrel doesn't seem like much from the outside... I'm not sure how seaworthy it'll be. But at least now we know we can get in."

Olivin's larger-scale antics catch his attention. "My goodness! He's right, here I thought we got what we'd come for, but perhaps we should put this on hold for a minute and clear this fort. Pomutiki and Mossgandra, perhaps you can work on how we might get this contraption back onto the ship? What do you think, Sir?"

[H. Von Studley]

Ed stares after Olivin for a moment, clearly torn. Every second was precious now. They still needed time to evade the blockade and warn the city, but he didn't like potentially leaving slaves in there any more than Olivin did. Finally he sets his jaw, his mind made up.

"Alright, Pomutiki, start loading up the submersible and get it secured. The rest of us are going into that fort."

Ed grips his glaive tightly and strides off after Olivin.

Spoiler: OOC

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Good post B. I liked it.

[Indori]

Orrick looked at the newly revealed submersible, then at Olivin, then at Edmund, then back at the submersible. He somewhat wanted to play with it, and his size at the time lent itself to fitting inside the thing. But that wouldn't last forever, only a few minutes in fact, and he wasn't sure that he wanted to be contained in a small metal space when the effect naturally reversed itself. With a disappointed look, he turned and followed Edmund.

Spoiler: OOC

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RW, once we get back into combat, let me know how much time is left on that Reduce Person extract, if any. It lasts four minutes.

[Aeryk]

Ed stares after Olivin for a moment, clearly torn. Every second was precious now. They still needed time to evade the blockade and warn the city, but he didn't like potentially leaving slaves in there any more than Olivin did. Finally he sets his jaw, his mind made up.

"Alright, Pomutiki, start loading up the submersible and get it secured. The rest of us are going into that fort."

Ed grips his glaive tightly and strides off after Olivin.

River, who was also very curious about this strange contraption, dutifully turned and followed along behind Edmund and Olivin.

[RandomWombat]

Pomutiki gestures to Mossgandra to join him inside and they enter to get the machine up and running. The rest of the party follows Olivin towards the fort.

Spoiler: OOC

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Which of the two halves will the party venture into, or are they splitting up? The enemy leader went into the right wing of the fort.

Also, Olivin will need to make an Escape Artist check to get inside the door. DC 30 to get into a tight space seems a little excessive for this, so let's go with DC 15. He doesn't need a check if he crawls in prone, but that will leave him vulnerable.

[H. Von Studley]

Spoiler: OOC

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Right I guess? May as well try to capture the leader. Ed's following Olivin though, so ultimately it's up to him.

[brandnewb]

Olivin looks at the small doors, then crouches down and opens one. After a few moments of squirming, trying to get his large shoulders through the hole, he stops and looks back. Instead he just opens the door and holds it open. Leaving the way through to follow the enemy leader open.

OOC: I figure by now he only has 1 or 2 more rounds left on Enlarge person at most. And I have been super busy.

[Archemist]

Azrin will wait on the Captain... and perhaps a couple of the others as well. He remarks to Orrick, "Maybe we smallfolk should let the others go in first."

[H. Von Studley]

As he walks, Ed lifts his glaive, channeling healing energy for himself and the crew. Arriving at the doors, he steps past the giant Olivin and moves over the threshold, wordlessly signing for River to join him at the front.

Spoiler: OOC

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I'll change that if you don't want to Aeryk, just thought that might help move things along. Ed can go first, then maybe River, with the Orrick and Azrin in the middle and Olivin watching the rear.

Channel Energy (everyone within 30' of Ed, though he'll try to do it before he gets within 30' of the fort.)
(2d3)[4] hit points replenished.

[Aeryk]

River nods, and moves to the front with the captain, readying himself for whatever they might meet on the other side.

Spoiler: OoC

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River will ready an attack in case there is any hostile creature on the other side.

How many rounds have passed since the combat? Just so I know for Bull's Strength and Bless

Spoiler: @HVS

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np man, it's exactly what River would do

[Archemist]

Azrin gives his musket one last shake to get the last of the paper and unburnt powder out. Then he reloads and follows them in.

Spoiler: OOC

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Gonna burn that last Grit point to do a Quick Clear again. He's got to drop an enemy to get one back again. He'll reload and follow along behind the Captain and River, sure.

Spoiler: Azrin Bluestone

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Azrin Bluestone
M Chaotic Good Gnome Gunslinger 1, Witch 3, Level 4, Init +3, HP 32/33, Speed 20
AC 17, Touch 13, Flat-footed 15 (+2 Armor, +2 Dex, +1 Size, +2 Natural)
CMD 14, Fort +5, Ref +5, Will +7, CMB +0, Base Attack Bonus 2
Grapple Launcher Experimental Musket (mstwk) (27 cartridges) +6, 7 @PB (1d10, x4)
Light Hammer +2, thrown +5, or 6 @PB (1d3-1, x2)
Dragon Pistol (5 cartridges) +6 (1d4, x4)
Abilities Str 9, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 17, Wis 16, Cha 11
Condition Thanks for the healing, Ed!

[RandomWombat]

Spoiler: OOC

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It's been about four rounds since the end of combat, five now.

As the party enters they hear noise from the submersible. Those who look over can see it begin unfolding, with a long lobster tail and a set of similarly inspired legs forming out of the mass of the iron barrel. It doesn't seem to be done, as pincers and small antennae begin to extend from the front, followed by a porthole being opened at the front for Pomutiki and Mossgandra to look out of. Pomutiki waves to anyone who happens to be looking and can be seen saying something inaudible.

Inside the fort the group finds a small chamber containing a circular mechanism through which the portcullis can be raised. It might be a struggle for one person, but there are stokes for up to four to turn it at once. A doorway leads into a simple barracks, with a few empty weapon racks against the back wall. A ladder leads up to a still-open hatch to the rooftop, and another trapdoor leads down through the floor.

Map