Rise of the Runelords Anniversary Edition - Burnt Offerings

[MuffinMan]

As the group walks, Rax periodically casts looks behind them to verify that the old man's constant tailing has not deviated. He remains largely silent, lost in thought, while his fingers of his left hand beat out a nervous pattern on the hilt of his rapier.

You continue, and the mountains to the south are replaced with the thick copses of trees and thorny undergrowth of Tickwood to the South. ...The woods are cut away from the road about fifty feet on the North bank and thirty feet on the south, but up ahead, the trees have grown almost together. This could be a dangerous spot.

"Speaking of walking into an ambush..." Rax says softly as the trees begin to encroach upon the path. After another quick glance behind them, he continues, "It occurs to me that the bandits don't know how many of us to expect - perhaps we should keep it that way?" He points ahead to the denser area of forest south of the road. "One or two of us could slip through the trees a moderate distance away, but in eyesight of the road. Then if things go badly with the 'negotiations' we'd have the advantage of surprise ourselves. Let's see..." he continues, partly thinking aloud. "It would need to be someone who could move carefully, and quietly, yet react quickly to danger..." His gaze passes over the various members of the group, and stops on Filibert in his armor, atop his wolf. "Not you, I think."

[Farmerbink]

"One or two of us could slip through the trees a moderate distance away, but in eyesight of the road. Then if things go badly with the 'negotiations' we'd have the advantage of surprise ourselves..."

Gilraen nods at Rax's suggestion, before fixing the half-drow with an appraising stare. "Perhaps two? By your dress, you seem prepared for it. I would prefer we play as little of our hand as possible; Sminerano, would you go with Rax to prepare a surprise for the thieves?"

[Gwynfrid]

"That's a good idea, I think. I grew up in the jungle, as most of you will have guessed by now." Sminerano's infectious smile returns for a second. "As a youth, hiding among trees was a way more important skill than reading and writing."

Spoiler

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Yay, apes!

[MuffinMan]

Rax sketches a mock bow. "With pleasure. We'll stay just out of sight, but we need a signal Hmm..." His mind jumps to the blasted ship whose damage in the storm stranded him in Sandpoint. "Say Lady's Fortune if you want us to take action. Drawing that sword and screaming would probably work too."

With that, Rax peels off from the main road and enters the woods to the south of the path. He draws his sap from his belt, and tries to imagine that he's infiltrating a warehouse back in Riddlepoint as his steps become lighter and more fluid.

Spoiler: Rolls

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Let's say Rax is ~100ft back in the trees: close enough to see the road occasionally through breaks in the trees, but far enough back to not be easily seen from the road.
Stealth (1d20+7)[21]
Perception (1d20+6)[14]

[JWallyR]

"Not you, I think."

Filibert gives a rueful smile.

"Say Lady's Fortune if you want us to take action. Drawing that sword and screaming would probably work too."

Filibert grins nervously. I wouldn't say that subtlety has ever been my strong point, so I'm sure you'll know if I decide that the time for subterfuge is past. His hand continues to rest on his up-turned lance.

[DarkOne-Rob]

"If a fog cloud suddenly appears, it means the time for subtlety is over, there is no need for a code word or weapons," Deren says before explaining, "It is a defensive spell I know that will help us to avoid the projectiles of any thieves at range and allow us concealment as we better position ourselves." He then looks to the halfling and elf to lead the way forward.

[Shadowsend]

As Rax and Sminerano head South, the rest of the group waits a few moments. The old man just keeps walking down the road, now coming closer to the group. Growler's ears perk up, and the animal stares at an area of the forest to the Northeast. A bit of undergrowth rustles!

Spoiler: Individual Messages

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Spoiler: Rax

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As you continue South, you hear a huffing noise coming from the West. You think it's an animal of some kind, but are not sure what it is.

Spoiler: Filibert

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You recognize this as Growler's hunting pattern. Roll Ride, Handle Animal and Perception checks please.

Spoiler: Gilraen, Sminerano and Deren

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Please roll Perception checks.

[Gwynfrid]

Sminerano goes under the cover of the trees, keeping a distance of a few paces from Rax. His motions become quiet, as he smoothly moves over any obstacle by reaching for low branches and taking care to seek cover behind trees before moving further ahead.

Spoiler

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Stealth (1d20+5)[10]
Perception (1d20+5)[21]

[MuffinMan]

At the sound of the strange huffing, Rax suddenly halts and holds up a hand to signal Sminerano. "Do you hear that??" he whispers back at the Vanaran. Exchanging his sap for his rapier, he alters his course slightly to head in the direction of the strange sound...

Spoiler: Rolls

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Stealth (1d20+7)[22]
Perception (1d20+6)[22]

[Gwynfrid]

Sminerano nods silently, indicating he, too, heard the noise. Before moving any further, he unfastens a small pouch from his apron belt, tears it open, and shakes the contents all around him. The bluish powder coalesces into a small, transparent, oblong shape that floats in the air in front of the vanara.

He then moves to follow Rax.

Spoiler

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Using a Shield extract (I refluffed the look and feel because I can't see him drinking something to obtain a Shield effect)

Sminerano
HP 9/9
AC 19, Touch 13, FF 16, CMD 13 (armor +2, shield +4, Dex +3)
Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +2
Extract in effect: Shield 10/10 rounds.

[JWallyR]

As Growler slows and stares at the underbrush, a growl begins to grow in his throat. Whoa, easy there. What is it, buddy? says Filibert quietly, Do ya smell something? The halfling looks into the brush and listens.

Spoiler: Actions

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Handle animal: (1d20+11)[24] to keep Growler under control.
Perception: (1d20+6)[13]

[Shadowsend]

Spoiler: Rax and Sminerano

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You see a heavyset animal, four feet long, with tiny, bloodshot eyes, and covered with dark hair, begin moving toward you, it's head lowered and tusks gleaming with saliva. (Roll Initiative)

Growler whimpers a little, but settles down, still looking over at the bushes. The rustling stops.

Spoiler: Everyone else

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Roll Initiative

map updated

Spoiler: Locations

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Party is somewhere in the neighborhood of AG10. Rax and Sminerano are currently around AL29

[DarkOne-Rob]

Spoiler: Requested Checks

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Perception (1d20+3)[17] (Deren), (1d20+8)[22] (Jade: 1 rank shared with Deren, +3 class skill due to being a familiar, +4 racial)

Initiative (1d20+7)[8]

Deren and Jade look carefully in the direction of the rustling from their position near the rear of the party.

[MuffinMan]

"Uh-oh..." Rax whispers. Keeping his eyes on the creature, he begins carefully backing away, towards the road. "Let's get back to the others!" he whispers urgently to Sminerano.

Spoiler: Rolls

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Initiative (1d20+5)[8]
Also Knowledge: Nature (untrained) to know anything about the creature: (1d20+4)[7]

If you're ready for us to give first-round actions...

Rax double-moves 60ft back towards the road (probably by way of the clearing in AJ-19).
If the boar IS threatening Rax at the start of his turn, use the Withdraw action to avoid an AoO.

[Farmerbink]

As Rax backs into the underbrush, Gilraen calls out, "If you are too distant to hear us, if I shake my head vigorously twice, consider that a sign, as well."

Spoiler: initiative

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(1d20+5)[13]
(1d20+5)[10], take better roll

Uaware of any immediate threats, Gilraen begins to walk down the road towards the point where the trees get close, more slowly than before. That is likely sufficient time for our shadows to get a bit of a head start, but it would not do to arrive before they were able to get into a suitable position." He begins to chat with Filibert, asking specifics regarding how he trained Growler, and learned to ride him.

Whoa, easy there. What is it, buddy? says Filibert quietly, Do ya smell something? The halfling looks into the brush and listens.

The elf stops walking, and watches Growler's posture, as he gently reaches for his bow.

Spoiler: actions

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Double move while drawing long sword with the first move and shield with the second.

[Gwynfrid]

"Good idea", Sminerano answers in a similarly low voice. He follows, making sure a tree or at least some undergrowth stays between him and the angry-looking animal.

Spoiler

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Double move. If the boar threatens him, he will use his Climb speed to get up a tree.

[Shadowsend]

Growler's head swivels to the South and he begins growling fiercely.

Round 1

Spoiler: OOC

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Growler was the only one who beat the boar's 19 init. Not how I wanted this to go, stupid dice.

The boar moves towards Rax and jabs its tusks deep in his leg. Rax takes 10 damage.

[MuffinMan]

Round 1

"Ahhhh!!!" Rax cries out in pain as the boar gores him fiercely. Staggering away on his wounded leg, he takes the shortest route back to the road.

Spoiler: Actions

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Use Withdraw to avoid an AoO, and double-move 60ft back to AJ-18.

AoO if applicable:
atk (1d20+1)[11]
cc (1d20+1)[14] (18-20/x2)
dmg (1d6)[5]

(I'm hand-rolling this statblock, so let me know if there are issues with it or other stuff I should include)

Spoiler: Statblock

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Rax
M TN Half-Elf Rogue 1
HP 3/13
Init +5
Speed 30
AC 15 (Touch 13, Flat-footed 12)
CMD 13
Saves: Fort +1, Ref +5, Will +0
CMB +0
Base Attack Bonus +0
Current Ability Scores: Str 10, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 18, Wis 10, Cha 8
Condition: normal

[Gwynfrid]

Alarmed at the sight of Rax bleeding severely, Sminerano cautiously follows, keeping himself between the boar and the half-elf, and warily eyeing the beast in case it charges.

Spoiler

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Standard action: Total defense.
Move action: Move to a position as far north as possible, while covering Rax.

HP 9/9
AC 23, Touch 17, FF 20, CMD 17 (armor +2, shield +4, Dex +3, dodge +4) - total defense
Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +2
Extract in effect: Shield 9/10 rounds.

[DarkOne-Rob]

Round 1

Spoiler: Character Status

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Deren Urthn
Male Neutral Human Witch, Level 1, Init 7, HP 8/8, Speed 30 ft.
AC 11, Touch 11, Flat-footed 10, CMD 11, Fort , Ref 1, Will 2, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus 0, Action Points 1
Dagger +0 Melee/+1 Thrown (1d4, 19-20/x2)
Club +0 Melee/+1 Thrown (1d6, 20/x2)
Touch +0 Melee/+1 Ranged (Varies, 20/x2)
No Armor Worn (+1 Dex)
Abilities Str 10, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 20, Wis 9, Cha 10
Condition None

"Um, that's not a bandit ambush..." Deren says as he moves towards the half-elf and vanara. With an unnaturally piercing gaze he glares at the approaching boar.

Spoiler: Combat Mechanics

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Move action to approach the boar only if Deren can get within 30 ft. of the boar and he wouldn't be the closest PC to it...

Standard action to use Evil Eye (DC 15 Will or -2 on attacks rolls for 8 rounds; on a passed save the penalty only lasts 1 round) on the boar as soon as it is within 30 ft.

[Farmerbink]

Round 1

At Rax's cry, Gilraen dashes into the underbrush. "Damn it all, drow blood! This had better not be a trap!" he whispers, likely loud enough to be heard by the nearer allies.

Spoiler: actions & stats

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Spoiler: stats

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Gilraen Súrion
M CG Elf Oracle, Level 1, Init 5x2*, HP 10/10, Speed 20
AC 21, Touch 13, Flat-footed 18, CMD 15, Fort 2, Ref 3, Will 1, CMB +5, Base Attack Bonus 0
MW Composite Longbow (20 arrows) +4 (1d8, x3 )
Long Sword +2 (1d8+2, 19-20, x2)
Steel Lamellar, Heavy Wooden (+6 Armor, +3 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 14, Wis 8, Cha 13
Condition None
Martial Flexibility, 3/3
Envoy Ability, 1/1

Double move action to AG/18, while drawing long sword in the first move and shield in the second.

[JWallyR]

Round 1

Filibert and his mount's heads turn in the direction of Rax's pained shout. Steering Growler to get a better view of the situation, he sees Rax and Sminerano beating a tactical retreat from the unseen enemy. They're coming to us, and by their speed I think they're going to make it. Just leave me a clear path! shouts the halfling to his allies on the road.

Spoiler: Actions

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Move action to AJ12 to be ready for a charge.

Spoiler: Stats

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Filibert Heathertoe
M NG Halfling Cavalier 1 (Order of the Dragon), Level 1, Init 5, HP 12/12, DR 0, Speed 15
AC 22, Touch 14, Flat-footed 19, CMD 15, Fort 5, Ref 4, Will 1, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 1
Double Damage on Charge Lance Melee (1d6+Str*1.5, X3)
Brace, Reach Bardiche Melee (1d8+Str*1.5, 19-20, x2)
Cestus Melee (1d3+Str, 19-20, x2)
Breastplate, Shield, Heavy Wooden (+6 Armor, +2 Shield, +3 Dex, +1 Size)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 12
Condition None

[Shadowsend]

Spoiler: Round 1 recap

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After being seriously wounded, Rax ran back towards the road. Sminerano did not wish to leave his new ally in the wind, and backed away from the boar and put himself in between them. Gilraen headed to the edge of the forest, drawing his longsword and shield. Filibert moved up the road a bit and further south, turning Growler to be ready to charge at the boar. Deren prepared to draw upon his foreboding power to afflict the boar as soon as it drew near.

Round 2

The boar burst through the underbrush, and turned towards Sminerano. It lowered its head and caught the Vanaran with surprising speed, tearing a chunk out of his apron, but not causing him physical harm.

Spoiler: OOC

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No item damage done, just feel like being descriptive.

Spoiler: Deren

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The rustle Growler saw drew your attention as well, but you noticed the familiar shape of a buck's head. To the south, you heard a crashing as bushes were flattened by a large mammal, but you're not sure what it is exactly. From your position, there is some undergrowth and a large tree blocking your view of the creature.

[MuffinMan]

Round 2

Rax stumbles out of the undergrowth, blood seeping from the wound and leg. "It's a bloody boar!!" he yells at the others as he turns around, looking for Sminerano. "C'mon, monkey-man! Get out of there!"

Spoiler: Actions

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Move to AL-17, then Total Defense for +4 AC (to 19 total).

This might be a good time to mention Rax's light blindness: he's dazzled under conditions of bright light, meaning -1 to attack rolls. I'll assume that the open road (where we are) is "bright light", but that in the middle of the trees is not, unless Justin corrects me.

Spoiler: Status

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Rax
M TN Half-Elf Rogue 1
HP 3/13
Init +5
Speed 30
AC 19 (Touch 17, Flat-footed 12)
CMD 13
Saves: Fort +1, Ref +5, Will +0
CMB +0
Base Attack Bonus +0
Current Ability Scores: Str 10, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 18, Wis 10, Cha 8
Condition: Total Defense

[DarkOne-Rob]

Round 2

Spoiler: Character Status

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Deren Urthn
Male Neutral Human Witch, Level 1, Init 7, HP 8/8, Speed 30 ft.
AC 11, Touch 11, Flat-footed 10, CMD 11, Fort , Ref 1, Will 2, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus 0, Action Points 1
Dagger +0 Melee/+1 Thrown (1d4, 19-20/x2)
Club +0 Melee/+1 Thrown (1d6, 20/x2)
Touch +0 Melee/+1 Ranged (Varies, 20/x2)
No Armor Worn (+1 Dex)
Abilities Str 10, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 20, Wis 9, Cha 10
Condition None

Deren continues moving towards his allies and the beast in the brush, readying himself to hex it when it appears.

Spoiler: Combat Mechanics

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Same as last round, essentially. I would like to be moving closer without exposing Deren to the boar's attacks.

Move action to approach the boar only if Deren can get within 30 ft. of the boar and he wouldn't be the closest PC to it...

Standard action to use Evil Eye (DC 15 Will or -2 on attacks rolls for 8 rounds; on a passed save the penalty only lasts 1 round) on the boar as soon as it is within 30 ft.

[Gwynfrid]

Sminerano continues to retreat, and as he gets a glimpse of Filibert on his wolf in the distance, steps out of the way.

Spoiler

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Move to AI18
Standard action, total defense... looks like it was a life-saver last round.

HP 9/9
AC 23, Touch 17, FF 20, CMD 17 (armor +2, shield +4, Dex +3, dodge +4) - total defense
Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +2
Extract in effect: Shield 8/10 rounds.

[JWallyR]

Round 2

As the boar and the other party members emerge from the underbrush, Filibert leans forward, lance at the ready, and Growler tenses underneath him...

Spoiler: Actions

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Delay turn until the boar comes into charge range.

Assuming that the PCs move such that the boar is chargeable:

Charge!
Attack: (1d20+6)[19]
CC: (1d20+6)[7] for x3 on 26
Damage: (2d6+6)[13]
Crit damage: (4d6+12)[30]

If Growler gets an attack (i.e. the charge continues from the square at which the lance attack becomes possible into the square at which Growler's melee becomes possible), here goes:
Attack: (1d20+4)[12]
CC: (1d20+4)[13] for x2 on 24
Damage: (1d6+1)[7]
Crit damage: (1d6+1)[7]
Trip attempt: (1d20+2)[12]


If the charge isn't possible, subtract 2 from attack rolls and lance damage is instead (1d6+3)[9] plus (2d6+6)[11] on a crit. Move into melee to attack anyway.

Drop lance after the charge.

AoOs:
Filibert (using Cestus):
Attack: (1d20+4)[20]
CC: (1d20+4)[8] for x2 on 23-24
Damage: (1d3+2)[4]
Crit damage: (1d3+2)[4]

Attack: (1d20+4)[15]
CC: (1d20+4)[16] for x2 on 23-24
Damage: (1d3+2)[3]
Crit damage: (1d3+2)[4]

Attack: (1d20+4)[16]
CC: (1d20+4)[18] for x2 on 23-24
Damage: (1d3+2)[5]
Crit damage: (1d3+2)[4]

Attack: (1d20+4)[8]
CC: (1d20+4)[11] for x2 on 23-24
Damage: (1d3+2)[5]
Crit damage: (1d3+2)[5]

Growler's AoO:
Attack: (1d20+2)[9]
CC: (1d20+2)[12] for x2 on 24
Damage: (1d6+1)[3]
Crit damage: (1d6+1)[6]
Trip attempt: (1d20+2)[12]

Spoiler: Stats

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Filibert Heathertoe
M NG Halfling Cavalier 1 (Order of the Dragon), Level 1, Init 5, HP 12/12, DR 0, Speed 15
AC 22, Touch 14, Flat-footed 19, CMD 15, Fort 5, Ref 4, Will 1, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 1
Double Damage on Charge Lance Melee (1d6+Str*1.5, X3)
Brace, Reach Bardiche Melee (1d8+Str*1.5, 19-20, x2)
Cestus Melee (1d3+Str, 19-20, x2)
Breastplate, Shield, Heavy Wooden (+6 Armor, +2 Shield, +3 Dex, +1 Size)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 12
Condition None

Growler (Animal companion to Filibert)
N/A Wolf Animal Companion, Level , Init 2, HP 13/13, Speed 50
AC 18, Touch 13, Flat-footed 15, CMD 14, Fort 5, Ref 5, Will 1, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 1
Trip Bite Melee (1d6+str, x2)
Studded Leather Barding (+3 Armor, +2 Dex, +2 Deflect)
Abilities Str 13, Dex 15, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Condition None

[Farmerbink]

Round 2

Gilraen steps up to the edge of the woods, looking for the cause of alarm.

[Shadowsend]

Round 2 Recap

As Sminerano backs further away from the boar, it takes another swipe at him, this time failing to connect. Gilraen pushes his way into the underbrush, his longsword raised and poised to strike. Rax continues his retreat, and comes around a tree to his right. Filibert sees his opportunity and takes it, urging Growler into a trot. The halfling's lance buries itself deep in the boar's shoulder, but does not slip home. When the boar squeals in pain, Growler goes for its neck, but can't get close enough without goring himself on the boar's tusk. Deren moves past Gilraen and the air seethes with energy, making those who witness it avert their gaze. The energy focuses on the boar and seems to pass through it. The boar shrugs off the effects.

Round 3

The boar, angered by being wounded, attacks Filibert, but is too wounded not to telegraph its attack. Filibert lifts up off of Growler and leans away from the beast, causing it to back away from the menacing wolf.

Spoiler: OOC

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The boar is not yet staggered, and passed its DC 15 will save.

[JWallyR]

Round 3

As Growler snaps at the boar, Filibert drops his lance and swings his cestus-encased fist at the beast.

Spoiler: Actions

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Plain ol' attack with both characters.

Filibert:
Attack: (1d20+4)[11]
CC:(1d20+4)[11] for x2 on 23-24
Damage: (1d3+2)[3]
Crit damage: (1d3+2)[3]

Growler:
Attack: (1d20+2)[14]
CC:(1d20+2)[7] for x2 on 22
Damage: (1d6+1)[7]
Crit damage: (1d6+1)[5]
Trip: (1d20+2)[8]

Spoiler: AoO rolls

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Filibert:
Attack: (1d20+4)[22]
CC:(1d20+4)[19] for x2 on 23-24
Damage: (1d3+2)[4]
Crit damage: (1d3+2)[4]

Attack: (1d20+4)[18]
CC:(1d20+4)[10] for x2 on 23-24
Damage: (1d3+2)[3]
Crit damage: (1d3+2)[4]

Attack: (1d20+4)[16]
CC:(1d20+4)[5] for x2 on 23-24
Damage: (1d3+2)[5]
Crit damage: (1d3+2)[3]

Attack: (1d20+4)[15]
CC:(1d20+4)[16] for x2 on 23-24
Damage: (1d3+2)[3]
Crit damage: (1d3+2)[4]

Growler:
Attack: (1d20+2)[13]
CC:(1d20+2)[16] for x2 on 22
Damage: (1d6+1)[7]
Crit damage: (1d6+1)[5]
Trip: (1d20+2)[13]

Spoiler: Stats

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Filibert Heathertoe
M NG Halfling Cavalier 1 (Order of the Dragon), Level 1, Init 5, HP 12/12, DR 0, Speed 15
AC 22, Touch 14, Flat-footed 19, CMD 15, Fort 5, Ref 4, Will 1, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 1
Double Damage on Charge Lance Melee (1d6+Str*1.5, X3)
Brace, Reach Bardiche Melee (1d8+Str*1.5, 19-20, x2)
Cestus Melee (1d3+Str, 19-20, x2)
Breastplate, Shield, Heavy Wooden (+6 Armor, +2 Shield, +3 Dex, +1 Size)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 12
Condition None

Growler (Animal companion to Filibert)
N/A Wolf Animal Companion, Level , Init 2, HP 13/13, Speed 50
AC 18, Touch 13, Flat-footed 15, CMD 14, Fort 5, Ref 5, Will 1, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 1
Trip Bite Melee (1d6+str, x2)
Studded Leather Barding (+3 Armor, +2 Dex, +2 Deflect)
Abilities Str 13, Dex 15, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Condition None