IC: The Dragonshard War [Eberron] [4E] [Paragon] #1

[Felhammer]

The storm becomes unnaturally rough, bucking the Cloudsong back and forth with the easy at which a child would play with a toy. Lighting strikes close to the ship, several bolts coming within mere feet of the upper deck. The Captain calls out to her men, telling them to be strong in face of such adversity. The few sailor-soldiers man the ballistae. The First Mate barks orders, telling his men to stand firm and keep their eyes peeled for the enemy ship, which dipped into a black cloud. Down below, the party can hear the servants rushing to and fro, battening down the fine china and glassware. A few of the younger crew can be heard sobbing, clearly not prepared for the rigors - and horrors - that could befall a ship, even during peacetime. Slasher, for his part, readies his two mighty axes. He wipes them against his thighs as he moans, "Waiting is the worst. Always painfully slow. My blades will soon be slick with blood! May the Silver Flame have mercy upon me for the wretched acts I must commit to protect my Kingdom..."

Several tense moments pass.

One of the sailors calls out, "It's here!!!"

Suddenly, the enemy ship bursts its way through a thick stormcloud. A peel of thunder echoes across the heavens as it appears! With a magically-enhanced, booming voice that can heard even over the thunder calls out, "I am Kairon Godsbane of the Emerald Claw! We have come for the woman named Ayrhil ir'Athore! Surrender her now and your lives will be spared! Deny my simple request and... You shall not live to see another sunrise!" The enemy ship is as the griffin rider reported, smaller and more agile than the Cloudsong, complete with three massive rings. The enemy vessel has flown up perpendicular to the Cloudsong. Although it possesses four ballistae, they are all directed towards port and starboard, and thus cannot be brought to bare against the Ambassador's ship. Atop the deck of the enemy ship are a total of fourteen men-at-arms. Seven are standing at the bow of the vessel. They are armed with flails and shields. Four others stationed around the deck wear heavy armor and wield larger flails and more ornate shields. In the middle of the deck stand three men wearing black leather armor. They only wield wands, although small flails are attached to their belts and bucklers on their backs. At the aft of the enemy ship is a hulking minotaur, who wears thick black armor, a gruesome flail and a mighty tower shield. His long horns have been coated with a metal, most likely adamantine. Between his horns is a tricorn hat, with a riotous, multicolored plume. This type of ornate hat that would not be unfit for a captain from the Lhazaar Principalities! "WHAT SAY YOU!?" commands the Minotaur!

[Merilan]

"That's not what I--" Caimhe paused, before her eyes widened, squinted, and she whistled. "... I know this really isn't the time, but I'm pretty impressed by that hat, I must say." There was a bit of silence, then she shook her head and placed her hand to the hilt of her rather thin side-sword. "Tactics, anyone?"

[Dimers]

Lee

Barely audible over the storm, Lee's muffled second voice responds to the minotaur's demand. "By the laws of war, no creature may surrender another not under their command. Your request is meaningless!" Didactic and irritating, but technically correct.

The warforged says nothing in response herself, standing ready with a ritual dagger in one hand and a ashen-colored bone rod in the other.

"Tactics, anyone?"

"My optimal operational range is measured in paces. I can do little until they board. At that point I shall burn their souls with balefire and Dol Arrah's radiance, inhibiting their actions and causing physical harm. Allies will be unaffected." She raises her voice to be heard by the soldiers among the crew, addressing a lieutenant if any is in sight. "Please be advised: peaceful resolution is effectively impossible. Ballistas should fire immediately!"

[Dr.Samurai]

Gerard

Gerard keeps his eyes on the ship, but reminds Lee, We are not at war. Yet. The Deneith heir then points his spear directly at the impressive minotaur and does his best to call out above the storm, Kairon Godsbane, this is an ambassador's ship on a mission of diplomacy! Surrender now, and we will escort you back to Flamekeep to face justice! Attack, and forfeit your life!

[Dacia Brabant]

Muricia d'Vadalis

"Khreeeh!" Adisa screeched, putting an exclamation point on Gerard's threat.

Muricia, however, was silent as she readied her lance and shield. Clearly this Emerald Claw outfit meant business, and no mere words were going to deter them if they had come this far. Nudging her griffon forward into position to prepare for launch, she turned back to the others, a grim smile on her face.

"Tactics? We kill them, starting with that overgrown cow up there. I'll try my best not to ruin his hat."

[Geckus]

Takashtai

Bracing herself against the rough movement of the ship as it is engulfed by the storm, Takashtai joins the others gathered around the halfling’s spirit animal, nodding her thanks to him as she feels the protective magic take hold. Extending her mental senses, she seeks out the individual mind-patterns of those others who had been hired by the Ambassador, and after a moment’s hesitation, Slasher as well. Drawing them into a weave supported by her quori half, she projects her thoughts to them all – her voice carrying a strange echoing quality as it is heard across both mind and ear. “The storm may swallow our voices if it grows worse; I can provide a means for those near me to communicate without reliance on spoken words, should you wish to use it.” She does not add that she expected a worsening before it got better; she did not believe that the smaller ship was using the storm for cover so much as that it was generating the storm – it’s appearance coincided to well, and presented an every greater threat to the smaller vessel if it did not have some means of either protection or control over it.

"Tactics, anyone?"

“As our warforged companion, I am limited to defending against a boarding action. Take cover and be ready is all I can advise.” After a long enough pause that it might seem she had no more to say, Takashtai adds, “I agree. That is a fine hat.”

[Felhammer]

With his booming voice, the Minotaur coos, "You have chosen DEATH!" He looks at his men, "PREPARE FOR BATTLE! FIRE THE FLAMING VORTEX!"

Two of the elemental rings burn more intensely as the elementals are spun around and around and around with great speed! After a few tense heartbeats, the fury of the elementals is released! A flaming whirlwind spins out from the enemy ship, races across the sky, and slams into the Cloudsonng, engulfing the entire middle of the vessel!

Spoiler: Attacks!

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Damage: (4d6+6)[18] Fire and Ongoing 5 Fire (save ends)

Caimhe (1d20+10)[25] v Ref
Lee (1d20+10)[25] v Ref
Gerard (1d20+10)[21] v Ref
Muricia (1d20+10)[29] v Ref
Takashtai (1d20+10)[17] v Ref
Koebu (1d20+10)[24] v Ref
Adisa (1d20+10)[13] v Ref

The Ship then flies forward at great speed, coming within 10 Feet of the Cloud Song!

Spoiler: Initiative!

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We will do group initiative for this fight. Players go first!

[Dr.Samurai]

Gerard

With his booming voice, the Minotaur coos, "You have chosen DEATH!" He looks at his men, "PREPARE FOR BATTLE! FIRE THE FLAMING VORTEX!"

Two of the elemental rings burn more intensely as the elementals are spun around and around and around with great speed!

Incoming!

After a few tense heartbeats, the fury of the elementals is released! A flaming whirlwind spins out from the enemy ship, races across the sky, and slams into the Cloudsonng, engulfing the entire middle of the vessel!

Gerard's cloak, held together by a dragonshard clasp channeling the power of his dragonmark, gives him some measure of protection against attacks from a distance. He weathers the flames mostly untouched. That must be the firepower the wolf-woman had mentioned. Impressive, but a little slow to fire. Hopefully that may be enough to save them if they have to face it again.

We cannot let them get below deck! Gerard shouts, preparing to engage the first boarders as they land.

Spoiler: Turn 1

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Standard Action - Ready an action? I forget how this works in 4th edition now. Can I ready to attack the first boarder that comes within reach? And if so, do I have to specify a power?

[Merilan]

Caimhe let out a soft breath as she paced to her west, nimbly eluding the so-called 'Flaming Vortex', and inspected the ballista. Could this be of any use now...?

She eased the injured sailor and said, "Rest now," as she manned the ballistae herself, grunting as she turned the wheel upon the massive weapon and aimed for the quartet of soldiers at the bow of the enemy ship. "Let's hope my aim's true."

Spoiler: Actions

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Firing per the OOC!

[Dimers]

Lee

As the firestorm passes, Lee can be seen with remnants of the fire hanging in the air before her as if dripping down an invisible curtain. The head of her bone rod flickers with dim flame for a moment before the curtain of fire disappears. Her bizarre multicolored paint job isn't even scorched.

"Emerald Claw knights are cautioned against boarding! It will be intensely painful," she shouts while pointing the rod at the strange ship. While she speaks, a hatch opens on her abdomen and something flies out in the same direction -- hard to say exactly what in this storm-dimmed light, but it doesn't look organic and it doesn't fall. As the little object wiggles toward the minotaur, her rod glows again. The air above the front half of the enemy deck momentarily throbs with some sort of red-black energy, and the same glow encompasses her chassis.

Spoiler: mechanics

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Oh, LORDY what a set-up! Standard action: blood pulse centered at P44, catching all but the back row. And hell yes I'm going to blood-boost it.
Attacks versus Will:
S1 (d20+17)[37]
S2 (d20+17)[22]
S3 (d20+17)[28]
S4 (d20+17)[26]
S5 (d20+17)[34]
S6 (d20+17)[23]
S7 (d20+17)[20]
K1 (d20+17)[31]
K2 (d20+17)[30]
T1 (d20+17)[36]
T2 (d20+17)[20]
Base damage is (2d6+9)[20] untyped, plus (2d10)[9] that I also take. Any creatures hit will take an additional 5 damage for each square they move willingly until the end of my next turn.

Minor action: switch familiar to active mode.

Move action: move familiar its speed (6) toward the back ranks of the ship. (EDIT: It should be two squares above the deck vertically, so that most enemies would have to jump to hit it with a melee attack.)

If any of those hit were minions, I'll take one Helm charge for the death as a free action.

EDIT: Well, I guess I didn't need the bonus damage, but lord was that fun.

As the energies fade, a dark green glow flies from the mouth of one of the leather-clads toward Lee's headband, where it disappears.

[Geckus]

Takashtai

As the blast of fire washes over the center of the Cloudsong, Takashtai drops into a crouch and raises her shield to act as bulwark against the flames – she feels the heat of its passing, but the blast leaves no lasting harm upon her. Laying a hand upon the diamond around her neck, it begins to glow with a bright indigo light. Gathering that light into her hand as if it were physical thing, she casts it across the distance separating the two ships, striking one of the armoured figures. The light clings to enemy knight and continues to grow until the entirety of the enemy ship is illuminated as bright as a clear day.

"Face me knave, or know il'Yannah's displeasure!"

Spoiler: Fixed damage roll from OOC

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Fixed Damage roll (2d6+4)[13]

[Dacia Brabant]

Muricia d'Vadalis

"Hyah!"

With a shout--not a pained one from the fire blast, but definitely an angry one--Muricia drove Adisa back up into the sky. The griffon and rider wheeled around a good 10 to 15 feet off the port side of the attacking vessel, before circling back in as they approached the aft where the minotaur stood.

"Your hunt has ended, our hunt begins..." she said before making a quick, lunging swipe at his legs with her lance. "Now!"

"Khyeeh!" Adisa shrieked her reply, bearing down upon their prey with both claws while Muricia took another stab at him.

Spoiler

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I'm hoping light green will read better for Adisa's speech text than gold.

On initiative, no action: Battlefront Shift. Adisa shifts to I-J/42-43.

Move action: move to L-M/52-53.

Minor action: designate M1 as her quarry.

Standard action: attack M1 with Marauder's Rush.
Vs. AC: (1d20+17)[28]
Hit: (1d10+13)[20] damage and use Flash of Insight as a free action to knock the target prone.

Action Point!

Standard action: attack M1 with Beast Rush.
Before the attack, Adisa shifts to M-N/53-54.
Vs. AC: (1d20+17)[24] (+2 if prone)
Hit: (2d6+6)[12] damage.
Secondary attack vs. AC: (1d20+17)[36] (+2 if prone)
Hit: (1d10+10)[11] damage.

Per Griffonmaster's action Adisa gets an additional attack.
Vs. AC: (1d20+17)[33] (+2 if prone)
Hit: (2d6+6)[16] + (1d6)[2] damage.

If any of these attacks hit, the first one to do so deals and additional (2d6)[8] damage.

Saving throw: (1d20)[13]

[dariathalon]

Koebu

Koebu is blasted by the flames, his skin reddened and his hair singed. His protective magic had helped some, but the flames still burned. Koebu tried to pay them little mind though. He moved away from the side of the ship, pulling back purposefully. Fenti growled, apparently eager to move forward, but Koebu shook his head, silently telling the spirit to maintain his position.

Once Koebu reached a position near the center of the ship, he slowly and carefully began drawing a sigil in the air. It glowed with a dim light as he drew it, and a tension could be felt in the air for several feet around him. Anytime someone approaches him this tension will turn into a violent pulse of energy trying to push him back.

Spoiler

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Move: to position shown
Standard: Sign of the Golden Ram. Close burst 2 zone. Enemies who enter the zone are attacked with an OA. +15 vs. Will. If hit, enemies take 5 damage and are pushed 3 squares (preferably overboard, but if not at least try to pile them up on their own ship.)

Fenti will also make world speaker's command attacks on any enemy who tries to board near him. +17 vs will. Movement is stopped and they are slowed and defeaned until the end of their next turn. Any enemy adjacent to Fenti grants CA, so that is included in the +17 above.

save - (1d20)[1]

[Felhammer]

Spoiler: Ok...

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Ship moves over, bridge formed.

K3 walks over bridge. He is attacked by Fenti. He is stopped. Slowed and deafened ueont.

Koebu's aura kicks in and bounced back.

K2 does the same stuff, hit by Fenti and Koebu. Pushes K3 back 1 more.

K1 moves up to attack the Chaos Shard and attacks with his flail and his shield!
Flail: (1d20+13)[15] v ac // (1d8+4)[11]
Shield: (1d20+13)[21] v ac // (1d6+4)[8]

K4 moves up to attack Muricia and attacks with his flail and his shield!
Flail: (1d20+13)[16] v ac // (1d8+4)[6]
Shield: (1d20+13)[14] v ac // (1d6+4)[7]

The Minotaur goes next! He attacks Muricia with his gruesome flail!
(1d20+20)[40] v AC // (1d10+7)[9] + (1d10)[3] Necrotic

Torturer 1 drops back and fires off a Necrotic Goop! Area Burst 3. Centering it on G.
Damage: (3d6+6)[12] Fire, Miss: Half Damage
(1d20+12)[27] v Ref. for T
(1d20+12)[15] v Ref. for L
(1d20+12)[18] v Ref. for G
(1d20+12)[23] v Ref. for F

Note: K is inside the cabin, so he avoids damage although the window he is looking out is now blown.

Torturer 3 also drops back and fires off a Necrotic Goop! Area Burst 3. Centering it on G.
Damage: (3d6+6)[16] Fire, Miss: Half Damage
(1d20+12)[21] v Ref. for T
(1d20+12)[25] v Ref. for L
(1d20+12)[25] v Ref. for G
(1d20+12)[14] v Ref. for F
(1d20+12)[22] v Ref. for K (who now is in the open).

The battle begins! Slasher recklessly lunges forward, trying to hope onto the enemy ship! His foot catches the edge of Cloudsong, sending the Warforged flying forward! After a few tense heartbeats, the warforged has managed to slam his axe into the hull of the enemy ship. He is barely holding on for dear life! Muricia valiantly rushes forward to attack the Minotaur. The two warriors engage in mortal combat! Muricia lands a solid blow on her foe but he in turn responds with a devastating attack! While sword and flail strike one another, the wheel is hit, nudging the enemy ship around. Off on the main deck, a magical rope bridge automatically folds out, connecting the two ships! Two of the knights rush across but are attacked by the spirit animal and repelled by Koebu's attack! The two Torturers, wary of the oncoming storm of bodyguards, wisely retreat backward, then unleash a hail of necrotic goop, that sprays the heroes on the Cloudsong's deck! Another knight rushes over to aid his minotaur commander, while the other attacks the Chaos Shard!

[Dimers]

Lee

Lee flatly states, "I recommend against moving onto the pirate airship unless you can fly. Its power source may fail in unexpected ways." She glances around for any fires that the initial blast might have lit, and seeing none, returns her full attention to the battle in progress.

She grabs a beige ball from a pouch at her hip and slaps it over the minor burns the necrotic goop caused. The ball puffs out an oily powder with a strong grassy smell -- likely some kind of herbal or alchemical concoction, as it seems to make her faster and more focused. She moves back and closer to Gerard before firing off a rapid pair of arcane attacks. The tiny moving shard seems to echo one of the two, sending out a little wave of gray energy at the armored man who had attacked it. Moreover, another hatch on her abdomen pops open, and out springs a small cylinder which bursts over the heads of two opponents.

Spoiler: mechanics

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Minor action: herbal healing on myself. I spend a surge for 20 hp and have nothing to save against. Second wind activates my runic armor, torc of justice (I choose K2 as the focus of my ire), and alchemical failsafe, so my pacification dust fires out at K2 and K3:
(d20+17)[21] against K2's Fortitude, hit precludes standard actions and has an effect next turn
(d20+15)[30] against K3's Fortitude, hit precludes standard actions and has an effect next turn

Move action: shift from N16 to O15.

Standard action: beguiling strands from N16 to R55. I get +1 to hit because Gerard's in the area. Activate chaos echo to add K1 as a target. As an arcane power, beguiling strands benefits from runic armor.
K2: (d20+22)[28] vs Will. A hit deals 6 psychic and pushes him to N57.
K1: (d20+20)[32] vs Will. A hit deals 6 psychic and pushes to M59.

I'm spending an action point, but exactly where I target will depend on whether I push K1, K2, both or neither. So I'll roll that in OOC.

[Dr.Samurai]

Gerard

Slasher! Gerard watches as the 'forged bites the side of the enemy airship with his axe, hanging on as the ship turns and engages the Cloudsong with an animated rope bridge. His gaze turns from Slasher to Muricia, who is beset upon by the minotaur and an Emerald Claw knight.

Lee flatly states, "I recommend against moving onto the pirate airship unless you can fly. Its power source may fail in unexpected ways."

Makes sense. But she might have trouble getting free of those two, Gerard says, gesturing at Muricia. And Slasher will need help. Besides, better to fight the minotaur there than risk him muscling his way up to the lounge here. Can you clear a---

Before Gerard can finish, Lee hurls several balls of energy at the enemy ship, striking the knights near the rope bridge, sending one flying back toward the grate and leaving the other one dazed. He nods a thank you at the warforged, now in the cabin, and makes his way across the rope bridge and to the upper deck where the minotaur and knight are fighting with Muricia and her griffon mount.

Spoiler: Turn 1

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Move Action - Move to Q-55.
Standard Action - Move to T-56.

Action Point - Footwork Lure vs. Godsbane
Attack - (1d20+19)[36] Godsbane is Marked by Gerard.
Damage - (1d10+10)[13]
Hit Effect - Gerard shifts to S-56 and Slides Godsbane 2 squares to T-56/U-57. Godsbane is knocked Prone (Polearm Momentum).

Godsbane! You were warned! Gerard thrusts forward at the minotaur's shoulder. The spear goes high, and Gerard pulls back, hooking Kairon on the edge of his spearhead and dragging him backward with all of his might, forcing the minotaur to stumble backward and fall before him.

[Merilan]

Caimhe let out a haggard breath as Lee explosively bombarded the enemies and let out a shrill low whistle, glancing to where Gerard had begun engaging with the Minotaur. "Back you up there soon, buddy..." She winced as her muscles strained as she turned the ballistae to another Knight. "Right, you're next."

[Geckus]

Seeing that Lee was already moving to assist Mercia against the minotaur captain of the enemy ship, Takashtai shifts her position to just in front of the cabin, extending a glowing hand through the broken glass to brush against Koebu, reinvigorating the halfling as the light of il’Yannah pours through the contact carrying a portion of her own life force with it.

She projects her thoughts to the rest of her allies, “I will try to hold the gangplank; but their ranged support appears to present the greatest threat to ship.”, then charges across at the nearest of the armoured foes, her blade briefly becoming a thing of light as she slashes at the knight, placing herself firmly at their end of the boarding ramp.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Move action to P16; Minor action Lay on Hands (Taki spends a HS, Koebu heals his surge value +5); Standard action charge attack using Blade of Light (move to P55, attack K3)

Attack K3 – (1d20+18)[37] vs AC, damage on hit (3d8+8)[18], and Taki gains +2 bonus to all defenses against necrotic or fear effects.

[dariathalon]

Koebu

Koebu nods in thanks to the paladin, his burns already beginning to recede. He had been considering healing himself anyway, but now he could conserve that for others who might need it later.

Koebu moves around to the outside of the cabin, taking some cover next to the stairwell. He points across to the other ship. "Fenti, GO!" he gives the dinosaur spirit a command. Fenti looks at Koebu and then at the spot the shaman was pointing to. He sniffed at the air, and crouched down low before making a giant leap across to the deck of the other ship. "Get him!" Fenti immediately reponds by biting at the knight standing next to him, at his leg with fierce teeth, pulling the knight to the ground and giving Takashtai an opening to attack him.

Spoiler

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Healed 25 by Takashtai (I'll hardly ever turn down healing especially when it is surgeless for me.) Take 1 ongoing damage (adjusted damage due to resist all). I also removed the ? damage notes from Fenti. He can only be damaged by melee or ranged attacks. Close and area do nothing to him.

Move: Koebu and Fenti to positions shown on map. (Spirit companions can float, so the jump was mostly for flavor.)

Standard: Ironbreaker Claws on K3. Attack vs Reflex - (1d20+17)[34]. If hit, he'll take damage - (1d10+8)[18] and be knocked prone, also if he is hit, Takashtai can make a MBA against K3 with CA and a +1 attack bonus.

Edit: Save vs. ongoing successful (see OOC thread).

[Dacia Brabant]

Muricia d'Vadalis

Muricia gritted through the pain of the minotaur's vicious counter-attack. Had the spirit's magic not shielded her the blow would certainly have been felt even harder.

"You can do this, you can do this, just deal with it," she muttered encouragement to herself under her breath.

Nodding her thanks to Gerard, she then commanded Adisa to pull back before facing down the knight who had stepped forth to challenge her.

"Hah! I have no interest in you, cur. Begone!" she bellowed as she jabbed her lance at him, though she then appeared to take her own advice as she directed her griffon to pull back from the ship.

Spoiler

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Minor action to use Inspiring Word targeting me, spending a healing surge to heal my surge value plus (3d6)[12] Hit points.

Standard action to use Circling Strike on K4, with Adisa and I shifting 1 square back before making the attack.
Vs. AC: (1d20+17)[35]
Hit: (1d10+10)[12] damage.

Move action to move Adisa and I to AB-AC/56-57.

[Geckus]

Taking advantage of the sudden opening provided by Koebu’s spirit animal, Takashtai drives her blade into the prone knight.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Free MBA using Virtuous Strike – attack roll: (1d20+21)[40] vs AC (includes CA vs prone target and +1 from Koebu’s power); damage on hit (1d8+8)[11] radiant and Taki gains +2 to saves unti EoNT.

[Felhammer]

Spoiler

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K1 Moves 10 feet and is happy he is not as bad off as K3, lol.

K2 will move up next to Takashtai. Can't do much else.

K3 will try to stand. Really happy that does not cause an OA as in previous editions. :)

K4 charges Gerard.
Flail MBA: (1d20+13)[27] v ac // (1d8+4)[12]

The Minotaur will attack Gerard
Flail: (1d20+20)[33] v AC // (1d10+7)[14] + (1d10)[4] necrotic

S8, S9, S0 and Sa all rush up the stairs and out onto the deck.

The Fire Elemental appears on the forecastle, moves down and attacks Sa in a fit of rage (poor bloke, he only just showed up!)

On Going Damage Saves:
K1 v untyped 10: (1d20)[2]
K2 v untyped 10: (1d20)[6]
K2 v Acid: (1d20)[14]
K3 v untyped 10: (1d20)[7]

The furious battle continues! The beleaguered knights move up, desperately trying to counter the ferocious attacks the heroes have leveled against them. All but one can do nothing except stand up or move into position! The lone knight who remains largely unscathed, rushes head long into battle to aid his captain, the dreaded Godsbane! With his flail, he whacks the mercenary across the head. For his part, the Minotaur tries to multi-task steering the ship and attacking Gerard! The mighty captain brings his necrotic mace down upon the fighter's shoulder but in doing so, over-compensates his steering, and flies his vessel away from the Cloudsong! Soon after, several more soldiers rush up on deck...

Then, one of the sailors aboard the Cloudsong cheers thundrously! His aim was true, as he drove a large bolt right into the bow of the enemy ship! One of the elemental rings begins to spitter and sputter. In a brilliant flash of light, the elemental is freed from his confinement and appears on deck. He stands some fifteen feet high and glows like a smoke-filled sunset! The elemental swings its shapeless head to and fro, obviously trying to gather its bearings. Its gaze settles upon one of the soldiers who just climbed up on deck. With a single, fluid motion the elemental engulfs the man. The poor soldier's screams ring out across the battlefield, "H-HE-HELP ME!!!!!" You watch as his flesh turns red hot, then ebony black as he is quickly incinerated alive...

[Merilan]

Caimhe winced further as she heard the soldier's scream, and her eyes widen as the ship started to teeter on out. "Alright, down you go..." she steered the Ballista towards Godsbane, and fired.

Spoiler: Action

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(1d20+9)[18] - Attack
(3d10+5)[18] Damage

[Geckus]

As the second knight moves to engage her, Takashtai smiles beneath her helmet and the song of quori half reaches into the minds of those near her, a wordless joyful melody that grows stronger as the battle grows more chaotic. Her blade flashes out once more at her original opponent; another solid strike that sends flares of divine energy flashing out to constrain the activities of her foes - they could engage her or suffer the wrath of il'Yannah.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Standard Action – Valorous Smite – attack (1d20+20)[38] vs AC (including CA from Fenti), on hit (2d8+8)[19] damage and all enemies with 3 are subject to divine sanction.

The appearance of the fire elemental is an unexpected complication; while its first strike had been against the crew of this ship, she doubted it would exclude herself or her allies from it's attacks given the opportunity. For now, she would let it be - there were foes enough to go around.

[dariathalon]

Koebu

Koebu trusted Fenti to continue fighting on their behalf, watching as the giant lizard spirit continued to aid Takashtai's battle with the swarming knights. And Fenti did fight, the spirit swung around swinging its huge tail in a broad arc slapping its tail against two of the knights. The tail slap is clumsily though, and one of the knights is easily able to duck out of the way. The other however is knocked right back onto his backside. Fenti then lets out a loud screech that bolster's those close to him, helping them to be at their most alert for incoming attacks.

While Fenti continues his assault, Koebu looks farther across the ship at the fire elemental. "The flames of chaos will be a problem for someone. Great inferno turn your rage on those who imprisoned you," Koebu thinks to himself. With a quiet gesture, Koebu calls on the winds to pick up near the elemental. The flames react instantly to the sudden rush of air and are carried over closer to the enemy, urging it to continue its rage-fired attacks on them.

Spoiler

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Standard Action: Great Reaching Spirit against K2 and K3. (separate melee spirit attacks)
Attack on K2's Reflex - (1d20+17)[20] if hit he takes damage - (2d8+8)[16] and is knocked prone due to World Serpent's Grasp.
Attack on K3's Reflex - (1d20+17)[23] if hit he takes damage - (2d8+8)[11] and is knocked prone due to World Serpent's Grasp.
If either of the attacks hit, myself and all allies gain a +2 to all defenses while adjacent to Fenti. (It won't apply to me, since I'm not close enough, but will help Takashtai and Gerard if they'd don't move away or anyone else who moves in.)

Minor Action: I'll use Primal Wind to slide the Fire Elemental closer to the enemy troops. (New position shown on map.)

[Dr.Samurai]

Gerard

Everyone lurches to one side and reaches out for stability when Kairon jerks the wheel as he falls to the floor. Gerard spares a quick glance to the Cloudsong; they are no longer attached. Then the ambassador is safe, for now. But now they have the problem of getting back to the ship. The knight that had been engaging Muricia charges across the deck, and Gerard parries the oncoming attack. As Kairon gets up, a flash of light and an explosive sound behind Gerard grabs everyone's attention. As Caimhe had predicted, one of the elementals broke loose. The event doesn't seem to have any impact on the ship's flight; with luck the bound elemental is strictly for offensive power. Turning toward the elemental, Gerard sees the bow of the ship and wonders about Slasher, Can anyone see Slasher? he asks through Takashtai's telepathy. The distraction proves nearly fatal as Kairon Godsbane brings his flail to bear against Gerard, clipping the Deneith mercenary on the shoulder. Gerard grunts in pain but stands firm, thrusting forward with his greatspear.

Spoiler: Turn 2

Show

Standard Action - Bedeviling Assault vs Kairon
Attack - (1d20+19)[29] and Kairon is Marked by Gerard.
Damage - (2d10+10)[19]
Effect - Until the end of the encounter, once per round when an ally hits Kairon with a melee attack, Gerard can make a melee basic attack with Combat Advantage against Kairon as a free action.

[Dr.Samurai]

Muricia

Muricia spurs her griffon into action, speeding toward Kairon and attempting to impale the minotaur with her lance.

Spoiler: Actions

Show

Not sure on the griffon's speed, so if a move action is needed to get within range, spend move action moving there.
Standard Action - Charge Kairon.
Attack w/CA and Charge - (1d20+20)[23]
Damage - (2d10+10)[21]

[Dr.Samurai]

Lee

Lee summons a puckish sprite to assault the knights attacking Takashtai.

Spoiler: Actions

Show

Standard Action - Angelic Presence vs K2
Attack vs Will - (1d20+17)[36]
Damage - (1d10+9)[12]
Hit - Slide K2 to K-59 and K2 makes a basic attack vs K3
Effect - Conjure Puckish Sprite in K-58, Enemies adjacent to Sprite suffer a -4 to attack until end of next turn.

[Felhammer]

Spoiler

Show

K2 attacks K3. (1d20+13)[26] // (1d8+4)[9] per Dr. Samurai

K3 will stand.

K2 attacks T:
(1d20+13)[33] v AC // (1d8+4)[11] --- Weakened so half damage

K1 attacks FE:
(1d20+13)[17] v AC // (1d8+4)[8] --- Weakened so half damage

K4 attacks G:
(1d20+13)[17] v AC // (1d8+4)[8]

M1 attacks G
Flail: (1d20+20)[33] v AC // (1d10+7)[10]+ (1d10)[7] necrotic

FE attacks K1
Fire: (1d20+14)[31] v Ref // Ongoing 10 Fire

On Going Damage Saves:
K1 v untyped 10: (1d20)[18]
K1 v SDW: (1d20)[2]

K2 v untyped 10: (1d20)[7]
K2 v SDW: (1d20)[15]

K3 v untyped 10: (1d20)[7]
K3 v SDW: (1d20)[12]

In the middle of the furious storm, the Minotaur and Gerard battle one another for control over the wheel. Godsbane is able to wrestle control of it for long enough to wheel it further away from the Cloudsong. The Captain of the Cloudsong orders a full barrage of ballistae fire! The enemy ship is brutally pelted with bolts. The second elemental ring is starting to fizzle and weaken. One more solid shot will definitely release the bound elemental. Meanwhile the knights clammer around the paladin but both are still in a slightly concussed state. The elemental roars with fury, screeching in primordial. He envelops another soldier in flame, murdering the poor soul instantly. The knight near him attempts to counter attack as best a man armed with a flail can against a living ball of flame.

[Dr.Samurai]

Gerard

Kairon rocks Gerard with another blow from his flail, and commands the ship further from the Cloudsong. The boat trembles under another withering barrage of ballista fire from the Cloudsong. Gerard tries to shout through the storm raging around them, Give up Kairon! The Cloudsong will disable your ship at this pace! The minotaur bellows in response and keeps up the offensive. Gerard defends himself in earnest against Godsbane and the Emerald Claw knight, deflecting what blows he can with his spear until an opening appears and he lashes out.

Spoiler: Actions

Show

Standard Action - Rain of Blows vs Kairon Godsbane
Attack 1 w/CA - (1d20+21)[29] and Kairon is Marked
Damage 1 - (1d10+5)[14]
Attack 2 w/CA - (1d20+21)[40]
Damage 2 - (1d10+5)[11]
Attack 3 w/CA - (1d20+21)[29]
Damage 3 - (1d10+5)[8]