DeepBlue's Vagabond - Act 1

[EvilRoeSlade]

Flare

Initiative - (1d20+2)[21]

Flare's eyes widen - and glow - as he reacts to defend himself. He rushes behind Len and puts his hand on her shoulder. Shepherds above, protect your faithful lamb.

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Center sleep on the northeast corner of the square above Shimar, which should put two of them in its affect, though it will only affect 4 HD worth of evil chick. Will save DC 15.

Cast Protection from Evil on Len.

[Deepblue706]

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Just remembered: I need a caster check from Flare, and anyone else who decides to use spells against these foes.

[Proven_Paradox]

As the creatures appear and attack, Drahlo lets out a feral warcry that turns into a wolf's howl about midway through, something like "RAAAAOOOOOOO!" He has shifted back to the same lupine form he had taken before, Guha's satchel still hanging about his torso, with the mouse cowering somewhere within. He leaps forward with a snarl at the nearest creature, maneuvering to the side so that he and another might flank it, and attempts to bite at the creature.

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Swift: Shapeshift to predator form
Move: Move NE, N, N, N, NW (35 ft. moved). If the creature moves, he will do as much as he can to maneuver into a flanking position with someone and still get a bite attack.
Standard: BIIIIIITE!
Initiative: (1d20=20) (o_o)
Bite Attack/Damage: (1d20+7=27, 1d6+9=12) (O_O)
Crit Confirmation/Damage: (1d20+7=15, 1d6+9=11)
Knowledge (Nature): (1d20+6=20), does Drahlo know anything about these creatures?

[EvilRoeSlade]

Caster Level Check - (1d20+1)[7]

Some filler text too

[Zed's Dead]

Lucian goes total defense and retreats to the direction from whence he came (withdrawl action, to the South(?) 15 feet). If he can, he will get a tree between him and any enemies. He is still on horseback.

Titus! Len! How badly are you hurt?

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Lucian knows something of magical creatures. If a Knowldedge (Arcana) is applicable in order to know about these creatures (and possible weaknesses), here it is: (1d20+4)[11]

If he needs a Ride check, here it is: (1d20+3)[6]

Lucian's AC is currently 20 from total defense, unless he was attacked while flat footed from his 11 initiative. If this is the case, his AC was 13.

[Deepblue706]

Flare quickly unleashes his spell upon the strange women, but it appears to have no effect. They do not even wince at the magic. Seeing one of them going for his companion Len, he enchants upon her a protection spell, which seems to deter the fiends, somewhat.

Drahlo wastes no time in shapeshifting to his wolf-like form, and closing the distance between himself and one of the ambushers. He bites her deep in the leg, but she seems to feel little pain as she is quick to retaliate, clawing at Drahlo (dealing 6 damage).

Len, struggling to maintain her defense against the one nearest her, begins to make wider, sweeping motions with her polearm, to keep attacks off her. The woman comes again, her claws seeming to extend a bit as she reaches out for the attack. Len's skillful defense paired with Flare's spellcraft work well to keep one of the claws off her, but as she reaches out once more, Len finds herself unable to deflect the attack - and so the woman drives her claw home, puncturing Len's arm (dealing 5 damage). Titus, who seems incredibly weakened by the wound he suffered, struggles to keep up. He swings his longsword in a clumsy manner, but still manages to connect - however, the attack seems to fail to penetrate an unusually thick skin.

Harold begins to deliver an encouraging tune, which envirogates and bolsters your will. He studies the creatures, and notes that he has heard tales speak of dark women of the woods, who might match the appearance of normal people, but in truth hide gruesome images beneath a magical facade. They are petty and cruel beings, often employing ogres and trolls to do their bidding - they are hags.

As Shimar readies his glaive, he finds one of the fiendish women are already upon him. As she leaps at him, Shimar is able to turn and defend himself with ease - but, Shimar notes had he not been so off-guard, she may not have even been able to get so close. Still, he keeps her at bay as he swings his mighty weapon at Len's attacker - leaving this wound visible. She seems winded, and struggles to maintain her ground.

Meanwhile, Lucian moves back into the trees to avoid drawing attention, from where he keeps himself guarded from any additional attackers. As he watches from his spot, no more hags enter the fray.

[Ya Ta Hey!]

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We can't repel firepower of that magnitude!!

Len The Profusely Bleeding
HP: 10/20
AC:17
Init: 17 (what is with Len and the number '17'? Seriously.)

"Ow." Len yelps as the claw rakes across her arm. A shield might not be a bad investment. She tightens up her D and is about to attack again when she sees another one closing on Shimar's right.

She thrusts the glaive over his shoulder (reach weapon, y'know) at the enemy

Fight Defensively (Combat Expertise) +2 AC

Attack: Power Attack (hag to Len's east, if possible. If not, then the north one will suffice.) (1d20+2)[22]
Damage (1d10+8)[16]

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Or do I need to drop the glaive and use the sword at this range?

If so, then I'll do that, and make the damage (1d8+8)[13] as she's using both hands on the sword.

[Ya Ta Hey!]

Zomg, this could be my first critical hit ever! I have a good feeling about this...

(1d20+2)[21]

[amanodel]

Shimar

Seeing that the hags surround him, Shimar steps out from the dangerous situation, and spinning around, he attacks his previous target once again, taking advantage of his long-shafted weapon.

5-feet step to North-East, attacking the hag to the West.
Attack - (1d20+3)[11], power attack for 2.
Damage - (1d10+8)[11]

[Zed's Dead]

Lucian Salvatore

Lucian dismounts and fires an arrow at the hag across the clearing.

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(1d20-1)[2] (-4 so he won't hit Drahlo) damage (1d6)[1]

[The Great Skenardo]

Harold Betruger
With the melee erupting around him, Harold sees little for him to do but continue to bolster his companions.

[EvilRoeSlade]

Flare

Flare steps away from Len and calmly walks into the center of the clearing, pulling off his veiled hat and letting it fall to the ground. His hair and eyes glow white as a powerful, cosmic presence possesses him.

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Move 1 square NE of Titus and burn a 0 level slot to use Celestial Sorcerer Aura. Save DC 14, take a -2 penalty on attack rolls, saves, and checks for 24 hours or until they successfully hit me.

Also, why does Len have 20 hit points? Holy crap, did I miss our level up?

[Proven_Paradox]

Drahlo grimaces as the claws tear into him, but he seems determined to continue the attack, lunging for the creature again.

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AC: 14, FF: 14, Touch: 10
HP: 10/16
Another round, another bite.
Bite attack/damage: (1d20+8=15, 1d6+10=15)

[Deepblue706]

Flare quickly maneuvers about the clearing, the nearest hag too distracted to pay enough attention in order to strike him as he passes. When he halts beside Titus, he enchants the fiendish woman accosting him and Len with a spiritual aura that seems to hinder her.

Meanwhile, Drahlo lunges again at the other hag, but the woman's startling agility proves too much a match for the shape-shifter's attack. She quickly retorts with a fierce attack of her own - slashing Drahlo's side and driving her nails in deep (8 damage, and I need a Fort save).

Len, seeing another Hag advance on Shimar, turns to swipe at it with her dreadful weapon - but still keeps wary of the other nearby fiend. She swings with ferocity and precision, managing to swing just above Shimar's head (not exactly that far off from misplacing the attack!), and connects just above the shoulders of the flanking foe. The swift and mighty blow manages to catch the hag at the neck, and her head is soon found rolling at Shimar's feet. Her black blood spews from the corpse, staining Len's armor and weapon.

Len soon finds herself under attack from the last hag to act, but her strong defensive stance helps her to deflect the attacks with ease. Shimar attempts to keep the creature back with his polearm, but it manages to deflect his attack, grunting a bit in the process. Titus continues to take advantage of the flanking position he holds, but he seems barely able to lift his sword at this point. Instead of swinging, he merely shoves into her, knocking her a bit off-balance. He falls to the ground.

In the background, Harold continues to empower the group with his music. However, he notes it does little to help a hiding Lucian, who fires an arrow wildly off-course when trying to aid your druish friend.

[Proven_Paradox]

Badly bloodied, Drahlo steps back and shifts back into his orc form, leaving a rather large pool of blood in his wake. He chants a prayer to nature to heal his wounds before touching one of the deeper cuts, causing it to seal up slightly; his wounds are still severe. He glares at the hag angrily, brandishing his spear as threateningly as he can.

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Five foot step one square east.
Cure Light Wounds: (1d8+2=4) (Aw hell.)
Fort save: (1d20+5=8) (Aw hell.)

AC: 10, FF: 10, Touch: 10
HP: 6/16

[Zed's Dead]

Lucian takes careful aim and lines up his shot.

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Same target!
(1d20)[8] Last time, I forgot to add the +1 for the lovely inspiring music! ...and he's sucking wind, big time.

[Ya Ta Hey!]

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What a very timely one-shot. If I had my chainsaw-hand, however, this hag would be toast long since

Len
HP: 10/20
Init:17
AC: 17

While Len spars and jockeys with the hag, the knight collapses. "Titus!"

Unfortunately, the hag has advanced into Len's pole range, leaving her unable to answer the monster with anything but parries. She does her best to shield Shimar behind her until he can return the earlier favor.

Total Defense +4 AC

AC 21

[amanodel]

Shimar

After the overhead strike of Len, Shimar was only surprised for a second, then he realised the advantage of the tactic using two shafted weapons in this way.

He attacked the hag before Len, careful not to hurt the warrior woman, altough it seems that she can care for herself, and knows a lot about battle strategies.

Attack - (1d20+6)[17]
Damage - (1d10+5)[11]

[EvilRoeSlade]

Flare

Flare's eyes snap to Drahlo and his opponent, and he begins a subtle spell. From close behind the hag that the half-orc faces, come the sound of leaves and foliage rustling as several creatures approach - and the low baying of a pack of wolves, which not only increases in volume but quickly shifts to nearby growls. Good, they're here, says Flare as he draws his longspear and joins ranks with his druid ally.

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Casting Ghost Sound centered on the area behind Drahlo, which lasts for 2 rounds and mimics the baying and growling of wolves closing in. Drawing longspear and moving to the square 2 west and 1 south of the monster fighting Drahlo (off-screen right now), and giving him a +2 flanking bonus.

[The Great Skenardo]

Harold Betruger
Harold sees things take a turn for the grim. Marshalling himself, Harold calls on he most awful weapon in his repertoire:
Vaudeville.

Temporarily setting his instrument across the saddle, he reaches into a small pouch and withdraws a small handful of tiny tarts. Taking careful aim, at the Hag savaging Shimar, he begins pelting the magical witch with the pastries.
"I say, You're looking a bit haggard over there!"
This line delivered, He waves a comically-covered feather in the air.

God, he hated this spell.

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Tasha's Hideous Laughter, Will DC 15 or This spell afflicts the subject with uncontrollable laughter. It collapses into gales of manic laughter, falling prone. The subject can take no actions while laughing, but is not considered helpless. After the spell ends, it can act normally. Lasts 2 rounds.

[Deepblue706]

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Sorry, I keep forgetting to note what round it is. This is round 3, by the way.

Also, I apparently missed Drahlo's Knowledge check. He confirms they are Green Hags, evil forest-inhabiting crones that like to mimick creatures of the wood before attacking victims. Their deadly claws can drain the strength of any man they strike, if not kill them outright first. Wherever hags go, there are often giant servants nearby.

As Flare unleashes another spell, the hag near Drahlo begins to nervously glance over her shoulder, afraid of the sounds that come from behind. She notices the sorcerer hastily take a new position behind her, and begins hissing.

She then looks back to Drahlo, who retreats a few steps to heal his wounds, and spots a moment of weakness. The wound the druid suffered seems to fester, and he quickly feels his vigor waning (2 STR damage - and you got lucky!). The hag exploits an opening in his defenses and lunges forward once more, slashing her claw down across his chest (6 damage, and another 3 STR unless you make your save). Flare, not having anticipated the movement of the two, finds himself out of reach of the hag, and currently unable to offer his ally any immediate help.

Meanwhile, Len maintains a stalwart defense against the other hag, whose own attacks seem to be hindered not only by Flare's magicks, but by a stubborn Titus who tries to wrestle with the fiendish woman's ankles. "MRahh! Get off!" She swipes at him, but he simply does not let go.

Harold suddenly makes a few awkward motions and an attempt at comedy (those of you who know Benji seem to recall him trying to use a similar technique on one of you) while a tart smacks the hag in the face. She begins laughing uncontrollably, and falls to the ground. Shimar takes advantage of his position and swings his mighty glaive from behind a barrier composed of Len, striking true. However, she does not seem to be phased - she simply continues to roll back in forth, cackling.

Lucian, hoping to aid his wounded ally Drahlo, fires another arrow at the remaining, immediate threat. However, the shot is off, and the hag doesn't even have to pay it any heed to remain unharmed. She does notice the status of her allies, however, and continues to glance about the trees to the north*.

*: Mapwise. Not necessarily north. If you prefer, I could say the positive y-direction.

[Zed's Dead]

Lucian carefully aims and fires yet another arrow.

Faharam, guide my arrow to its mark!

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attack (1d20+3)[14] and damage (1d6)[3] I actually forgot the -4 in order not to hit my comrade in melee. So change the total to 10 to hit. Grrr...

Lucian sheathes his bow in disgust with himself and puts his hand on the the hilt of his rapier.

With Faharam as my witness, I will help to vanquish these foes, or I'll join them in Hell!

[EvilRoeSlade]

Flare

Scared yet? Flare's eyes are a pure white as he readies his longspear. You should be.

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Burning 0-level spell to activate Celestial Sorceror Aura. Will save DC 14 or take a -2 penalty on attack rolls, checks, and saving throws for 24 hours or until it successfull attacks me.

[Proven_Paradox]

Drahlo gives a pained cry as the hag's claw wounds him, and goes to one knee. His breathing is heavy as he once again assumes the shape of a wolf, and slowly drags himself away from combat, leaving a nasty trail of blood as he goes. He collapses from the strain once he's escaped.

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Fort Save: (1d20+5=11) (Would a 10 be too much to ask? Friggin' hell.)

Swift: Shapeshift to wolf
Taking a standard action withdraw to move NE, E, E, E. Standard action, so that will cause 1 damage.

HP -1/16
AC: 14, touch 10, FF 14

[Ya Ta Hey!]

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She does notice the status of her allies, however, and continues to glance about the trees to the north*.

This may be Harold's few chance to ever stab something, on a side note.

"Hang on, D! Shimar, finish this hag and please get Titus to safety." Len says urgently to the barbarian, vaulting over the haft of his glaive and running across the clearing.

*Move to northern hag
*Attack: (1d20+6)[19]
Damage: (1d10+4)[10]

[amanodel]

Shimar

Seeing that Len already moved to help Drahlo, Shimar takes his time to finish off this hag at his feet.

Attack - (1d20+4)[7]
Damage - (1d10+9)[11]

If the hag is dead, he moves towards Drahlo. If she survives, Shimar will take the attack of opportunity when she tries to stand up.

[The Great Skenardo]

Harold Betruger
Harold, knowing well the extent of his own sword-arm, draws his rapier with a modicron of unease. However, with a well-meaning thrust, he tries to stab at the witch's grabbling claws, trying to hinder her assault upon Len.

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Aid Another to grant Len +2 AC.
Attack vs AC 10 - (1d20+2)[8]

[Deepblue706]

Flare unleashes his magical aura upon the remaining hag, but it appears unaffected. She pays no heed to the sorcerer, eyes only on Drahlo as he begins to flee. She takes a step to follow him, to finish him off, but once Len comes into sight, the creature hesitates. Meanwhile, Drahlo makes it to a safe distance, but then collapses due to exertion.

With a swing of her glaive, Len wounds the witch - who lurches forward to return the favor, but begins to withdraw with Harold's arrival. She begins running through the trees beyond, abandoning her incapacitated ally. Lucian curses as he cannot place a shot, and draws his rapier.

Meanwhile, Shimar hacks downward at the last hag, who rolls from side to side, which actually aids her in avoiding the brute's attacks. Her laughter begins to die down, however, as the spell begins to wear-off.

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That marks the beginning of round 4.

[EvilRoeSlade]

Flare

Flare's eyes seem to follow the fleeing hag like burning arrows. You're not getting away that easy! He rushes spear first after his enemy.

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Banzai! Charge! Or if a charge action isn't possible just give me a normal attack.

Attack - (1d20+3)[8]
Damage - (1d8)[4]

[Proven_Paradox]

Drahlo bleeds.

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Stabilize: (1d100=40)

HP: -2/16