Servants of the Thrallherd IC [3.5, high speed]

[J-H]

You are servants - true believers - in Jon Il-Kim, a charismatic half-elf who will bring great things when he rules the continent of Cora. Unfortunately, not all share in the great vision. The Emperor who rules in Josen resists. Josen, located in a great valley that is the only trade-worthy pass in the Hwacha Mountains that divide the continent in two, is under siege. It is a great and powerful city, able to hold out for years. Wyvern riders, shapeshifted arcanists, and others regularly test and often pass the siege lines.

You have been granted a personal audience with Great Il-Kim. He radiates a tangible power that you can feel and smell, and the presence of his mind is almost overwhelming to those with open minds. He is flanked by his three 'shadows,' powerful warlords in their own right.

"Unlikely though it may seem, our victory is not certain. The might and magic of Josen is powerful. Their walls are thick and strong, their wards ancient and powerful - for this place has been the navel of Cora for millenia. Only by my constant presence here can the enemy forces be kept in check." Your master sighs, seeming tired; it's quite disturbing.

He gestures at one of his three shadows, a great and powerful cerebremancer. "Through careful divination and astral reconaissance, Irfan here has detected what he believes to be an artifact-grade weapon left over from the War of Sundering. It is far to the north, somewhere beneath the mountains. Find it, and bring it to me.

I send only a few of you, my faithful, for the road is long and the enemy has many scryers. A small force moving quickly may escape detection where a battalion would not. The road will be long and hard, and will pass through many wild lands, but I know you will not fail me. I have placed the direction to the artifacts into your minds. You will leave shortly after the fifth bell tomorrow morning. We will launch a heavy magical attack on one segment of the walls; wait about five minutes, and then go. Your passage will be unnoticed."

He lays his hands on each of your heads in turn. "Be careful, my children."

[J-H]

Reserved for future use

[J-H]

An aide awakens each of you early the next morning. Gathering your packed equipment, you find your horses saddled and ready. They are equipped with light armor, as would be used by a scout or careful traveler on any side of a conflict. You finish securing your saddlebags just in time, as a great flash of light from the direction of Josen makes day turn to night. A low rumble follows a few moments later. Other sounds follow, and if you look, you can see the bright lights of spellfire, psionics, and eldritch energies criss-crossing the distance between the siege lines and a great rent which has been torn in the wall, visible even from your position a couple of miles away. The ancient wards are making the wall rebuild itself, but the destruction seems to be matching or exceeding the pace of repair, for now.

You begin your long ride north. Looking back, you can tell that the battle is still going; more and more lights have taken to the air, as the wyvern-riders and other flyers of Josen battle against flying warlocks and glowing constructs. The flying foes could probably see you, but you feel safe knowing that they are very well distracted.

You ride for hours, stopping only briefly. By lunchtime, you’ve reached the edge of what is known to be friendly lines, regularly scouted and watched over to prevent any sort of incursion. From here out, you may encounter foes. The group crests a hill, and looks ahead; the low but thick mountains rise to the east, gradually diminishing in the west as the land slopes downwards.

In your minds, the compass points to the north, and slightly to the west, a slight pull that you can ignore or sense any time you choose. It will take a couple of days of riding to get to the River Yal, which runs from east to west into the Chuman Sea. You have a choice:

You can bear a bit to the west, and ride through the foothills and plains, which will be a bit faster going, but which are also more open and more heavily populated, even in these troubled times.

Alternatively, you can bear a bit to the east, and take the tracks and roads through the mountains. There are marked and explored paths, but the cliffs, crags, and peaks are still known to be dangerous territory; bandits hold little sway in the face of the creatures that make their nests in the inaccessible places, and the civilized forces which might find or stop you may be less common.

Spoiler

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http://www.d20srd.org/srd/movement.htm#overlandMovement
Overland travel rules – you can only travel around 8 hours per 24 hour cycle unless you obtain remounts (in which case, 12 hours), or unless you have another way to extend the speed or endurance of your horses. Overland travel speed is also reduced by a third at night when mounted, unless you have good lighting or a way to grant your horses darkvision or low-light vision.

[Autopsibiofeeder]

Joas

Joas silently gazes into the distance. First to the west, then the east. Dozens of options and arguments are being reviewed in his swift mind and soon he comes to a conclusion. "The west road is faster and potentially safer, or rather the problems we may face may be more familiar to us and therefore more easily dealt with," he speaks softly but with determination, "however, our safety is not as important as the covert nature of this mission, I would say." He pets his horse on the side of its neck and looks at his companions. "What about we went east? We may encounter some interesting and unknown creatures...." Perhaps his choice is mostly driven by the last words he spoke, and not so much the argument he brought forth.

[Ragnarok'n'Roll]

Grassis

Grassis mulls over the two possibilities. "We can't be sure what lies in either direction so we might as well take the shorter route. " he shrugs, not entirely convinced.


The Xeph brushes off some fluff from his shoulder with a disdainful look. "If at least two of you disagree, then we can go the other way. No need to explain your reasoning to me. Debate would be a waste of our master's time. " Grassis watches the other horses to see if they are led the opposite way. He doesn't look up at the riders. " My powers have a limited range, that may be a factor in the days to come."

Spoiler

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Grassis is leaning towards the shorter route but doesn't want to cause a tie vote or cause a long drawn out conversation discussing the merits either way. In the end he doesn't care that strongly. His only real concern is getting the relic.

[Feathersnow]

ZrabHas

I would prefer to go East. Shorter sightlines mean we can evade the enemy where they are strong and ambush them while they are weak. And feral humanoids and monsters mean less to us than warrens settled by enemies of th the Great One.

[Autopsibiofeeder]

Joas

Joas nods stoically at ZrabHas.

[J-H]

The group travels on, heading towards the mountains. By mid-afternoon their horses are tired and plodding slowly; if you continue much further, they’ll probably start to suffer. The road you’re on has narrowed to a rocky track only about 10 feet wide, nestled between a low rise with trees on one side and a steep, rocky hillside on the other. A signpost an hour ago told you that a “trader’s spring” would be coming up soon.

A few rocks clatter down the steep hillside, with no obvious source.

[Ragnarok'n'Roll]

Grassis

Grassis remains quiet and keeps an extra watchful eye out.

[Feathersnow]

ZrabHas

Perhaps we should go on foot until we reach the spring. It would be easier on the horses, plus.... (nods at noise)



without waiting for a response, she unseats her mount and begins leading it along.

[Ragnarok'n'Roll]

Grassis

Grassis nodded though it went unseen. He stayed mounted in case they needed to flee quickly.

[Autopsibiofeeder]

Joas

Slightly alarmed, but mostly interested, Joas scans the hillside.

Spoiler: Spot

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(1d20+4)[6]

[J-H]

A few moments later, a slightly blurry human figure, hooded and cloaked, steps near the edge of the cliff, her upper torso visible and her lower body concealed by a rock.

A mellifluous voice rings out: “Good afternoon weary travelers! Merchants, traders, something else?

I am happy to report that the well-known Trader’s Spring is just ahead, and with it a greensward to feed your horses and soft grass and pine needles on which to rest your weary heads. You are doubly lucky today, for the Spring and its enivrons are in fact under my protection, with the aid of my good and very strong friends--” She gives a grand gesture to her left (your front), and an ogre lumbers into view next to her, holding a javelin and a spear. It gives what is probably supposed to be a friendly smile.

Another ogre holding a greatclub comes around the bend in the path just ahead, blocking the path.

“So no monsters, bandits, tax collectors, or any other sort of rabble will bother you while you sleep in complete safety! There is a slight toll, but given the danger one can find in these mountains, it’s a fair price. 100gp per head, plus 50gp for each horse. If you find yourselves low on funds, my friends will be happy to take one of your horses in payment for…about half the amount due.”

She waits for your response.

Spoiler

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The woman has partial cover from the rock, and is approximately 30’ up and 15’ to the side of the path, and is even with the 2nd member of the group. The ogre with the spear and javelins is also approximately 30’ up and 15’ to the side of the path, and is just a couple of feet ahead of the first member of the group.

The ogre with the club on the path is about 40’ ahead of the first member of the group.

Each square going up the steep (~60-65*, rocky) counts as triple movement and requires a DC15 balance check to move your normal speed (2 squares for a 30’ move character). Failing the check by more than 5 means you fall and slide down one square. It also requires a DC15 Balance check to come down, or you have the same result. You’re flat-footed while balancing. Jump might also be used to go up, if needed.

The cliff gets a bit less steep as the trail curves around it, but that’s beyond the ogre.

Grassis recognizes the effects of a Blur spell on the woman.

Joas knows that ogres are Large humanoids with reach, and are usually strong in the body but not in the mind.

If this goes to combat, I’ll put up a map. Please specify if you’re mounted or dismounted (dismounting is a move action, although we’re not in combat).

[Feathersnow]

ZrabHas looks to her companions, apparently for a cue as to the next action. Mentally, however, she is using adaptive style to alter her readied maneuvers to ones more useful in this situation.

[Autopsibiofeeder]

Joas

Joas remains mounted and sighs. "Oh boy," he mutters under his breath, "Don´t suppose we can do this without bloodshed, eh?" It is not in his nature to initiate combat, not even with someone who obviously is asking for it. He looks at the others, hoping that one of them has a witty remark that can defuse and sort this situation.

[Ragnarok'n'Roll]

Grassis

Grassis, still invisible calls out "Strange. The springs are under *our* protection. You should be paying us 100 gold per head. Anyways, how can you claim to protect the springs ....without any weapons ? "


Grassis gentely leads his horse forward and utters a word of Dark Speech.

Spoiler

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Bluff : (1d20+12)[28] (more for an arrogant air of authority then anything)



He'll cast baleful utterance on the club of the ogre blocking the path up ahead.


Since the club is 'attended', it would use the Ogre's will save.


Ogre needs to make a DC 15 Will save or his club shatters. If the club shatters the ogre needs to pass a DC 15 Fort or be dazed for one round.


I believe this is technically an attack so Grassis would turn visible at this point.

[J-H]

Trouble on the Trail, Surprise Round

Grassis speaks a Word, and the ogre’s club explodes, spattering him with small splinters that fail to penetrate his skin.

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Will DC 15 to negate shatter (1d20+3)[14] fail
Will DC 15 or dazed (1d20+3)[16] saved

The woman shouts "Get them!"

Zrabhas is dismounted and psionically armored.
Joas & RexThaun are mounted.

Spoiler: Map & Status

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The party has won initiative.


Woman, blur, partial cover from most of the party (+4ac)

=> Party

[Feathersnow]

ZrabHas climbs up to GN 331 and activates her Belt of Growth.

Balance check (1d20+13)[20]

[BelGareth]

Rex bowed as he moved into the throne room, showing proper respect to the his Liege Lord. He nodded in kind as he was commanded to go, thoughts swirling in his mind, looking to his soon to be companions, he wandered how they would meld as a group, how they would become a team.

It would be soon to coming.

The next day, he was packing his horse, closing the strap on his saddle bags, making sure his gear was secure, and then the sounds echoed throughout the skyline. He scanned the area, eyes narrowing as he picked up the details of the walls destruction, he grimaced as it rebuilt itself and he then watched the sky as the fliers attacked each other. He grimaced, but set out with the team, pushing his mount to keep up with everyone. He made sure to keep up his awareness, boosting everyones ability to see and spot things.

As the woman stood out, he almost forgot himself, not speaking up in time, and audibly groaned as one of his companions decided to 'shatter' one of the ogres weapons.

He would need to talk to them in the future....

"Grassis, we really could have talked first, actions have consequences my friend, as we shall see, and words have power as well." he said, emphasizing the last part with a sarcastic dry tone.

He switched his internal power to boost the climbing speed of his friends and himself, and breathed deep, exhaling his breath at the woman with a line of acid bursting forth.

Spoiler: ooc

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Swift to - Swiftness +10 ft bonus to climb, swim, and fly; +2 to climb, swim, & jump checks

Standard action to breath acid in a 30 ft line towards the woman's square (lines up perfect at 1 down and 1 across)
Acid Damage - (3d6)[16] DC 19 Ref for half
round recovery - (1d4)[4]

[Ragnarok'n'Roll]

Grassis


Grassis paused to consider Rex's words. "Perhaps you are right. Next time I'll let you get a word in edge-wise - if there is a next time. I apologize."


He fixes his eye on the other ogre and his weapon. "Shatter" he mumbles in Dark Speak.

Spoiler

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Grassis will cast 'Baleful Utterance' on the weapon of ogre up on the ridge.


You mention he has a spear and javelin. On the off chance the spear is a longspear (aka has 20ft reach) he'll focus on that. Otherwise he'll focus on the javelin.


DC 15 Will save to sunder the javelin, if this saves fails, then the ogre also needs to do a DC 15 fort save vs daze.

[Autopsibiofeeder]

Joas

To Joas, it looks like the situation may be under control soon. With the ogres losing weapons and a dragon on the assault he hopes that the lady will see the folly of her plan. Nevertheless, better safe than sorry. He slides off his mount so that it provides him with some cover and manifests a defensive power.

Spoiler: Actions

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Move action to dismount and end up on the eastern side of my mount. Then, standard action to manifest Vigor, augmented to 3 PP, which I´ll share with my psicrystal. We both have 15 temporary hp

Spoiler: Status

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+15 temp hp (me and psicrystal)
-3 PP

[J-H]

Round 1, Part 1 Results

RexThaun breathes a line of acid at the woman, who manages to duck quickly behind the rock, which takes the brunt of the attack.

Spoiler

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16 acid damage, DC 19 half
Reflex [roll]1d20+9 including a +2 for cover saved, 8 damage

Grassis attempts to shatter the other ogre’s longspear, but fails.

Spoiler

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Will (1d20+3)[20] to resist shatter save
Fort (1d20+8)[13] to prevent daze

Zrabhas gets halfway up the slope, while Joas dismounts.

Spoiler: Status

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Woman, 8, blur, cover


Joas, +15t

[J-H]

Round 1, Part 2

The woman points briefly at Grassis and shouts, and then chants a longer spell, attempting to bind the front half of the group in magical chains.

Spoiler

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Grassis is able to identify both spells.

Distract Assailant, Will DC 14 or flat-footed
Grassis Will (1d20+9)[13] fail, flat-footed, 1 round

Slow, Will DC 16 or slow for 6 rounds
Grassis Will (1d20+9)[26] pass
Horse Will (1d20+2)[5] fail
RexThaun Will (1d20+6)[13] fail
Horse Will (1d20+2)[16] pass

The ogre uphill holds his longspear in one hand, and chucks his javelin at Zrabhas with the other, stepping slightly to the south as he does so and drawing another one.

Spoiler

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Attack (1d20+8)[26] (includes -1 for range increment) vs AC15 (no dex while balancing, -1 size) hit
Damage (1d8+5)[13]

The ogre with the shattered greatclub pulls out a shortspear and rushes forward, but instead of using the spear, reaches for Grassis with a giant hand.

Spoiler

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Move to GP318/GQ319
Starting a grapple provokes an AOO, but the ogre has reach and Grassis is not adjacent, so the AOO can’t happen.
Melee touch to attempt grapple (1d20+9)[18] vs AC 15, or vs AC10 if flat-footed from spell hit

Opposed grapple checks
Ogre (1d20+13)[22]
Grassis (1d20+3)[13] ogre victory
If ogre wins, damage (1d4+5)[9] as unarmed strike
If ogre wins, moves into Grassis’ space as a free action to maintain grapple, provoking horse AOO
Horse AOO (1d20+4)[18] (add a -1 for Slow) hit for (1d4+3)[6] damage

Spoiler: Map & Status

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Note: The ogre isn't really 'uphill', but I had to offset it somewhere since it's not occupying the horse's space. The horse does not like ogres and will attack again next round unless someone uses Handle Animal to move it.

Woman, 8, blur, cover from most
Downhill Ogre 6, grappling

Grassis 9, grappled
Zrabhas, 13
Grassis Horse, Slowed
RexThaun, Slowed
Joas, +15temp hp

=>Party

[Feathersnow]

ZrabHas deploys Cloak of Deception, then uses Battle Leader's Charge technique against the woman, reaching her at the end of a double move. then reappears right beside the mage.

Spoiler: Rolls

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Balance to gain the top of the hill (1d20+12)[26]
To hit the woman (1d20+9)[24]
Base Damage (if applicable) (1d8+12)[15]
Sneak attack (if applicable) (1d6)[5]

Spoiler: If critical threat

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To confirm a crit, if applicable [roll]1d20+11[
Bonus critical damage, if applicable (1d8+2)[3] and, because you should scrag the mage first, every charge in the devastaion gauntlets (3d6)[15]

[BelGareth]

Rex watched with chagrin as the woman dodged his attack, with resignation, he focused on the ogres add she chains them with eldritch manacles, slowing him considerably. He felt sluggish, but he knew he had to move and act.

He urged his horse forward while drawing his sword, gathering his strength, mustering a reserve to fight.

Slashing at the monster, he bellowed with all his might, "YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU HAVE UNLEASHED, BE GONE BEFORE OUR ANGER FULLY WAKES!"

Spoiler

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5ft step to gp322
Attempt to demoralize opponent vs ogre
intimidate - (1d20+20)[26] (includes -4 penalty for ogres size)
Vs 1d20 + character level or Hit Dice + target’s Wisdom bonus [if any] + target’s modifiers on saves against fear
If successful, the foe cowers in fear for 1 round and is shaken in the following round.(per imperious command)

[Autopsibiofeeder]

Joas

"Hmmm...." looks like we got something on our hands here. Joas identifies the woman as the main threat and decides to send a construct her way. He expends his focus to swiftly summon his favoured construct, which attempts to stomp some sense into her while Joas attempts to regain his focus.

Spoiler: Actions

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Swift action: Summon personal construct in square GL 326, take (1d8)[5] overchannel damage.
Move action: regain psionic focus (1d20+11)[31]
Standard action: none

Construct attack on the woman (not using power attack): (1d20+12)[30], damage (1d6+13)[17]. If hits, trip attempt: (1d20+9)[24] (can not be countered)

[Ragnarok'n'Roll]

Grassis

"Gah! get off me you smelly brute." Grassis barks. He closes his eyes momentarily and the disappears and reappears in a flash. He summons a wisp of energy around his fingers and fires it at the ogre.

Spoiler

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Free action: Activate anklets of translocation and teleport 10 ft northeast to GR320

Standard action: He will fire an Eldritch Bolt at the ogre and use his mortal bane ability.


Ranged Touch Attack: (1d20+10)[13] (Point blank shot, Precise shot)

Damage : (5d6+1)[16]


Move action : retreat a little to the south along the line of trees, GR3223 (15 feet of movement at 2x cost)

[J-H]

Round 2, Part 1

Zrabhas vanishes from sight, re-appearing right next to the female spellcaster, denying the longspear-carrying ogre a chance to stab her.

RexThaun gets in the ogre’s face from horseback, causing it to freeze in momentary paralysis, as Grassis teleports out from under it, fires a blast of energy at it, and moves back, keeping the horses between himself and his foes.

Spoiler

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The ogre is cowering until Round 3 part 1; will be shaken during the party’s next turn.
16 damage inflicted.

An ectoplasmic humanoid forms next to the caster and attacks her, but misses due to her magical concealment.

Spoiler

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Blur miss chance (1d100)[14] misses on 1-20
Opposed roll to prevent trip, (1d20+2)[12] vs DC24

Spoiler: Status

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I moved Zrabhas over to the west 1 set of squares so that the AC wasn’t on top of her.

Woman 8, blur, cover from some
Downhill Ogre 22, cowering

Grassis 9, grappled
Zrabhas, 13
Grassis Horse, Slow
RexThaun, Slow
Joas, +15temp hp

[J-H]

Round 2, Part 2

“No, please!” The woman pleads for mercy as she steps back, Zrabhas is filled with a momentary surge of compassion for the poor lady, and refrains from attacking. A cloud of golden motes then fills the air, making Zrabhas and the astral construct glow gold.

Spoiler

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Will save rolled in OOC thread, failed. ZrabHas can’t attack her for one round. I am assuming this is out of sight for Grassis, so he doesn’t get a shot at IDing it, and Zrabhas rolled a 1 on her spellcraft check (I use physical dice for that to avoid clutter-posting).

She steps back, and suddenly, Glitterdust!
Zrabhas (1d20+5)[7] vs DC15 to negate blindness fail
Astral Construct (1d20+1)[9] vs DC 15 to negate blindness fail

The longspear-wielding ogre then stabs at Zrabhas, who dodges it out of some sixth sense.

Spoiler

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Attack (1d20+9)[16] misses thanks to Uncanny Dodge
Damage (2d6+7)[15]

The other ogre cowers on the ground, still afraid.

Spoiler: Map & Status

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Woman 8, blur, cover from some
Downhill Ogre 22, cowering

Astral Construct, blind, 6 rounds
Grassis 9 damage out of 48
Zrabhas, 13 damage out of 50, blind, 6 rounds
Grassis Horse, Slow 1/6 rds
RexThaun, Slow 1/6 rds
Joas, +10 temp hp

=>Party

[Ragnarok'n'Roll]

Grassis

Grassis moves further south and focusses again on the ogre with the spear. "Break!" he shouts in Dark Speak.

Spoiler

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Move to GQ325


Use baleful Utterance on the Longspear of the ogre up on the ridge.


DC 15 Will save to sunder the spear. If this fails DC 15 fort save to daze the ogre.


Note: Grassis teleported out of the grapple so he isn't grappled any more.