[PF1] The Elven Maiden

[dangelo]

The Elven Maiden
I. Denial

The four elves galloped through the dark woods. A strong, metallic smell filled their nostrils, orc blood stained their blades. Wargs barked everywhere, running from and after them. The spooked horses quickly evaded overgrown roots and twisted tree trunks as they galloped as fast as they could, the sound of their hooves hitting the dirt filling the air like a growing thunder. The trees from that part of Laghwin had developed the bad habit of twisting or crooking themselves, making it harder for unadvised travellers to go by and for brave elves to scout the area; their branches tried to keep the moonlight from shining upon the bottom of the forest, casting deformed shadows that looked like lurking enemies in black hoods reaching for their blades.

One thing was clear: the orcs were getting away. Most of them had already vanished in the dark woods, and the Maiden's voice was reduced to a faint note, too far away for the elves to be sure if they were actually still hearing her cry or just being tricked by their own hearts. They kept going, hoping to at least capture one of the remaining orcs and squeeze any information out of him as the creatures rained arrows down on them. The battle was not over, and though the elves had already lost their princess, there were something they could to try to fix the situation. If they captured a prisoner, they could track them down. They could save her.

The orcs rode their wolves uphill, their ferocious beasts leaping and climbing the cliffs like no horse could ever do. The elves' keen eyes, algined with their familiarity with the land - wether it was corrupted or not - saw exactly as one of the riders ran into a dead end. As the four elven knights rushed after him, immediately cornering the lone orc, they see him leaving the warg behind and looking for a way to climb the rocky hill.

Spoiler: OOC

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Combat situation.
Initiative: For now, let's use block initiative; you all go at the same time, then all the enemies go. We can switch to individual initiative later if you want, too.
Setup: You're all riding light, combat-trained horses; While riding a horse, you occupy it's space; When refering to your position on the battlemap, use the top-left square as reference. You may decide what weapons or items you have in your hands.
Tokens: Red tokens are orcs, black tokens are wargs, striped tokens are orcs riding wargs. You can claim any of the blue tokens as your character (you can also begin your round anywhere close to that area, if you wanna be on a specific square)

Spoiler: Battlemap

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[Spore]

Cedlessa Moonsprite Elven Arrowsong Minstrel AC: 17 HP: 36/36 touch: 13, ff: 14, CMD: 17 Conditions: riding Cedlessa was desperate. Her maiden, a woman dear to her heart and soul, was stolen from her. They slew orcs until now, but her place was not on the back of a horse. Despite enjoying the unity between elf and animal, her precision was off, her thoughts clouded instead of clear. Almost incapable of focussing on her shots, she was ignorant of her skills as a voice to lead the others. A melody to guide their blades, a rthythm to coordinate their blows. This was made apparent as she shot two arrows into the bushes. Despite the maiden being stolen, it was too easy. Why did they place one of their own amidst the lighting? Mayhaps this was a hunt? Spoiler Show Guiding with her knees, focussing poorly aimed shots at the middling orc. 9 and 9 to hit with Rapid Shot.

[Hjolnai]

Lord Roemand Havilien
Elf Cavalier (Daring Champion)
AC 20 hp 44/44
Touch 16, flat-footed 15, CMD 21

"The orc I'll catch.
The warg, dispatch."

Roemand directs his horse in a wide arc, trying to avoid the warg's reach. Using his glaive, the elf-lord hooks the climbing orc and tries to cast it to the ground.

Spoiler: OOC

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Guide with knees check auto-succeeds because Roemand has Ride +8.
Horse directed to make a double move (100ft total), which is plenty to reach the orc. Depending on terrain, may have to get too close to the warg and suffer an AOO.

Trip attempt. Since a trip is made with a weapon, it includes weapon-reliant bonuses, which are Weapon Finesse (Dex +4 instead of Str +1), Weapon Focus (+1) and Masterwork (+1). In addition there's the +1 for attacking from high ground, thanks to being mounted, and the +4 for BAB. Total: +11. Thanks to reach, the orc also won't be able to make an AOO first.
Roll: 1d20+11. Result (Discord): 13.

[Athaleon]

Talorian heeded his nephew's verse, even as he silently cursed Roemand's recklessness. He rode straight at the warg and slashed at it with a blade that shone like cold distant light, crying out as he struck, trying to draw its attention away while Roemand was focused on the orc.

Spoiler

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Swift Action: Enhance weapon with Arcane Pool to +2

Double move to K9 (lol) and use Spell Combat to cast Frostbite and Spellstrike to make an extra attack with it. A target that takes damage from Frostbite is Fatigued until the nonlethal damage is healed.

Attack: (1d20+8)[28]; -2 for Spell Combat, +1 for high ground, +1 for weapon enhancement.
Damage: (1d6+6)[12] Slashing + (1d6+4)[10] Nonlethal Cold

Attack: (1d20+8)[18]
Damage: (1d6+6)[7] Slashing + (1d6+4)[8] Nonlethal Cold

[niw18]

The elven archer would ride with others their was no way he was going let them escape if possible he would stop them. Lanliss was not going to search carefully and track them best he can in hopes find on of orc rides that where with the orcs went he knew general location and looked to his fellow elves nobles as they where just as eager as he was.

Spoiler: Ooc

Show

(1d20+8)[26] to see if spot locations of other orc or orc riders

(1d20+6)[25] to track orcs

[dangelo]

The warg barks and bites, but it's frantic attempts to hurt the elves are not enough. Before the creature could do them any harm, Talorian swings his blade with purpose. The weapon sang a cold, sad song and froze the creature's heart at once.

Meanwhile, the orc who ditched his mount was now making some progress in his desperate attempt to escape the dead end. Although the rocks were loose and rose at a sharp angle, his body was still a pile of muscles built for war.

The other riders on the cliff draw their arrows and place them on their bows as rheir evil eyes look for openings in the elves' armors.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Warg is unconscious.
Orc is climbing. After two successful Climb checks, he is now 10 ft. above the ground. (the cliff itself is a 25 ft. climb)
Five orc riders readied their actions to shoot at anyone who targets the climbing orc.

[Spore]

Cedlessa Moonsprite Elven Arrowsong Minstrel AC: 17 HP: 36/36 touch: 13, ff: 14, CMD: 17 Conditions: riding The elven maid points her bow at the orc, and in defiance, her bow string taughtens as a mystical flame arrow appears where the arrow usually goes. A ray of burning sun for the thieves of our most precious sister. She sends it flying towards the orc. In turn she almost drops off the horse, loosing her calm as she sees the maiden stolen. Spoiler Show Scorching Ray: 17 to hit (touch attack, target looses its dex mod unless they have a climb speed) 12 fire damage

[dangelo]

• Readied actions:

Three of the five riders shoot arrows at Cedlessa. The other two can still trigger their actions this round.

(1d20+4)[6] (1d8+2)[5]
(1d20+4)[8] (1d8+2)[6]
(1d20+4)[8] (1d8+2)[6]

• Resolving the round:

The mystical projectile explodes when it strikes the cliffside, both making the climb harder and burning the orc. He's still alive and climbing, but seriously injured.

[Hjolnai]

As the orc attempts to climb beyond his reach, Roemand seizes the opportunity to strike. He tries to hit its head with the flat of his blade.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Attack of opportunity
Using a lethal weapon to inflict non-lethal damage applies -4 to hit. Thankfully, climbing takes away the orc's Dex bonus (and prevents use of a shield).
To hit: (1d20+6)[26]
Nonlethal damage: (1d10+5)[10]

[dangelo]

Seeing that their ally was being taken alive by the elves, the two horrendous creatures who still had arrows in their hands suddenly change plans. Orcs are evil by nature and care very little about honor, comradery or respect for those who fall behind; with a natural murderous sense, they switch targets and finish off the unconscious orc. The thick arrows make a loud noise when they're shot from the orcs' reinforced hornbows, landing on the unconscious orc's back with two loud thumps.

OOC: Combat should go on as normal, unless you give up on the chase. The slope is a 25 feet climb.

[Hjolnai]

Roemand guides his horse past the two fallen foes as he takes a short spear from his belt. Stopping just below the slope, he hurls the spear with particular focus.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Horse moves to GH 5-6. Guide with knees auto-succeeds.
Move action: Draws spear.
Swift action: Spend 1 panache to double Precise Strike damage.
Standard: Throw spear at orc at EF3-4. Should be within 30ft (precise strike limit) even with the elevation, considering that an elf on horseback is much taller than the worg holding up the orc.

Rolls in Discord: 21 to hit, 13 damage.

[Athaleon]

Talorian's satisfaction at having felled the worg disappeared the moment their quarry was shot down by his former comrades. With rising wrath, he urged his horse forward to the cliffside and bound upward with preternatural grace, seemingly flying up the cliffside.

Spoiler

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Horse moves to J5.

Talorian uses his Flight Hex ability to cast Levitate on himself, moving up the cliffside (up to 20') as a Move action.

[niw18]

Lanliss once gets closer to range he would draw his composite bow and notch a arrow and fire an arrow at the orc rider at point rs and ready himself to fire again if it is needed. He would brace himself for counter strike that he was sure was coming from those orc bastards.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Horse moves to pq

fired arrow hit 17 and damage 7

[dangelo]

The orcs keep raining down arrows on the elves. Two of them rode their wargs along the cliffside to target Cedlessa while two others focused on Talorian. None of them managed to hit their targets except for the fifth one: The last arrow grazes Lanliss' arm.

End of Round 2.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Lanliss suffers 8 damage from Point-Blank Shot plus composite bow (+2)
Cedlessa's Scorching Ray and Roemand's javelin triggered the orc's Ferocity. He shot with his bow, missed, and is now unconscious (dead in a round or two)

Spoiler

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[Hjolnai]

Roemand once more retrieves and throws a spear at the next nearby orc, though without such deadly accuracy. He holds his position, almost seeming to invite a leaping attack from a now-uncontrolled worg. With his spears thrown, he returns to holding his glaive with both hands.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Throw at the orc at GH-23. Not spending a panache point this time.
I'm still assuming this is within 30ft. If not, damage is reduced by 4.
To hit: (1d20+7)[13]
Damage: (1d6+5)[9]

[Spore]

Cedlessa Moonsprite Elven Arrowsong Minstrel AC: 17 HP: 36/36 touch: 13, ff: 14, CMD: 17 Conditions: riding Moving up a bit towards the others, Cedlessa loosens another two arrows. Spoiler Show Moves to J16 and fire two arrows at her pursuers. 17 and 13 to hit, 6 and 9 damage respectively.

[Athaleon]

Talorian seemed to hang weightless in the air as he sprang up to engage the rider at the top of the cliff, his keening blade shining yet brighter with cold fury.

Spoiler

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Move to I3 and land to attack the Worg.

Attack: (1d20+9)[20]
Damage: (1d6+6)[7] Slashing + (1d6+4)[6] Nonlethal Cold

[niw18]

After getting graves by these orc bastards and disliking that orcs even attempt it he curse at them in elve. After second cursing at the orc rider he would draw his but set an arrow and aim for same orc he aimed for the same orc rider he had been targeting

Spoiler: Ooc

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rolls

rollem
BOT
— Today at 1:17 AM
@Lanliss (niw18),
8 ⟵ [2] 1d20 + 6
Lanliss (niw18) — Today at 1:17 AM
1d8+3
rollem
BOT
— Today at 1:17 AM
@Lanliss (niw18),
11 ⟵ [8] 1d8 + 3

[dangelo]

Resolving the PCs' round:

Roemand's spear bounces off the orc's armor (GH-23), but Talorian successfully strikes his mount. Instead of gashing out of the slash wound, the worg's blood is instantly freezed and the beast falls unconscious, hurling it's rider to the ground (H-2).

H2 Orc Falling damage - (1d6)[1]

Cedlessa and Lanliss miss their targets this round.

Enemies' round:

H-2 Orc uses Total Defense (standard action) and stands up (move action) triggering an Attack of Opportunity from Talorian.

Talorian AoO - (1d20+9)[28]
Slashing - (1d6+6)[11] Nonlethal Cold - (1d6+4)[7]
(Confirmed critical hit: plus 10 slashing and 12 nonlethal cold)

The orc is unable to get back on his feet without exposing himself, leaving an opening that Talorian was glad to exploit. In a single motion, he lunges forward and smoothly transition from the worg to the orc, taking them both down.

EF-34 Worg keeps a safe distance from Roemand's glaive, pouncing at Talorian instead. It charges to GH-34.

Bite charge attack - (1d20+7)[17]
Piercing damage - (1d4+4)[7]
Trip attempt - (1d20+7)[15]

DE-1819 Rider and DE-2223 Rider move to EF-1314 and EF-1617 respectively before aiming at Cedlessa again.

EF1314 Longbow Point blank attack - (1d20+7)[21]
Composite piercing damage - (1d8+3)[9]

EF1617 Longbow Point blank attack - (1d20+7)[21]
Composite piercing damage - (1d8+3)[10]

RS-78 Rider shoots another arrow at Lanliss.

RS78 Longbow Point blank attack - (1d20+7)[10]
Composite piercing damage - (1d8+3)[9]

End of Round 3.

[Athaleon]

Just as Talorian cut down the orc and its mount, as another worg was upon him, and he slashed at it wildly as its jaws snapped in his face.

Spoiler

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Using Spell Combat + Spellstrike to full attack, just using Brand for this one.

Concentration check to cast Brand defensively: (1d20+8)[17] vs DC 15

Attack: (1d20+7)[12] (Spellstrike Attack if Brand is successfully cast)
Damage: (1d6+7)[9]

Attack: (1d20+7)[17]
Damage: (1d6+6)[8]

[Spore]

Cedlessa Moonsprite Elven Arrowsong Minstrel AC: 17 HP: 17/36 touch: 13, ff: 14, CMD: 17 Conditions: riding Cedlessa tries to start her song as she rushes over the meadows to aid her comrades. Single combat was not going to win them this. The Maiden was lost, at least for now, all they could do is defeat the menace now. Her song begins, but it is far more sorrowful than usual. Spoiler Show Activate Bardic Song. Ride up to J12-ish. Ride check (1d20+3)[23]

[Hjolnai]

Roemand takes a rope from his saddlebags, and throws it to wrap around the tree above. Then he directs his horse to bear him southward, interposing himself between Cedlessa and one of the orcs above. The rope is left to hang limply on the rock face.

"Fair Moonsprite, I would fain see you live. Sing, then, and suffer no more arrows."

[niw18]

Lanliss would notch another arrow and fire it towards the same orc rider he had before on point r-s 7 and move to up five feet to point Q P 11

Spoiler: OOC

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Lanliss (niw18) — Today at 9:50 PM
1d20+6
rollem
BOT
— Today at 9:50 PM
@Lanliss (niw18),
25 ⟵ [19] 1d20 + 6
Lanliss (niw18) — Today at 9:50 PM
1d8+3
rollem
BOT
— Today at 9:50 PM
@Lanliss (niw18),
8 ⟵ [5] 1d8 + 3

[dangelo]

Talorian heroically dispatches the hound, cleaning the northern side of the battlefield of riders. Roemand's rope hangs from a tree, offering a quick way up or down the cliffside. Lanliss' arrow penetrates the orc's shoulder plate, spilling black blood all over his armor.

Climbing the rope on I-5: Climb check (DC 5) to move 1/4 of your speed vertically (elves are medium creatures, therefore are already 5 foot high - or 10 if you're mounted. Keep in mind that your character occupies a 5 ft x 5 ft x 5 ft cube in the battlemap)

When Roemand gets in front of Lanliss, one of the riders yell with pleasure: "Too big of a target for such a small elf. Kill the elder first!"
The three remaining riders point their bows at Roemand. The loner retreats to R-17.

Spoiler

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(1d20+7)[17]
(1d8+3)[8]

(1d20+7)[24]
(1d8+3)[7]

(1d20+6)[15]
(1d8+2)[4]

Roemand suffers 7 points of damage.

End of Round 4

[Spore]

Cedlessa Moonsprite Elven Arrowsong Minstrel AC: 17 HP: 17/36 touch: 13, ff: 14, CMD: 17 Conditions: riding As the moon wanes, and eclipsed by our star the elves march firmly, their minds turn to war. Our song and our horses, ride swiftly again, we combine our forces, to ensures Her reign. Another arrow embeds itself in the orc's knee. Spoiler Show continue bardic song. 18 to hit, 10 damage. I forgot the bardic song in the attack rolland the point blank damage in my discord roll

[Athaleon]

Talorian dispatched the beast and surveyed the scene behind him. He sheathed his blade and retrieved the bow from his back, and cried out to his companions in Elvish to "strike down their mounts!"

Spoiler

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No Quick Draw so both of these are move actions.

[Hjolnai]

A twisted arrow cuts through two lames and sinks into Roemand's chest with a crunch of bone. He gives off a heart-rending scream, testament to a pain tolerance which has not been tested for many years.

The elf-lord takes three ragged breaths and steels himself for worse to come.

Spoiler: OOC

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Total Defense action (+4 dodge to AC for one round).

Continues to move to present a more tempting target than the others.

[niw18]

lanliss notch another arrow from his quiver and aim and fire at the orc below him on the map at point 17-18 r-s

Spoiler: OOC

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Lanliss (niw18) — Today at 9:07 PM
1D20+6
rollem
BOT
— Today at 9:07 PM
@Lanliss (niw18),
16 ⟵ [10] 1d20 + 6
Lanliss (niw18) — Today at 9:07 PM
1D8+3
rollem
BOT
— Today at 9:07 PM
@Lanliss (niw18),
8 ⟵ [5] 1d8 + 3