Othniel's Ironfang Invasion II

[Jade_Tarem]

Nora stumbled her way to the other corner of the tower. There was an entirely too aggressive owl nearby and she wanted to take out its handler, but the shooting pains were going to make that difficult. (Elven) "Ahaaaaagh. That's no fun. Wait your turn, eh?"

There was nothing else to do but open fire on the hobgoblin below, and ignore the bird as best she could. The hobs were dropping like flies, anyway.

Spoiler: OOC

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Swift Action to activate double judgment - Justice and Destruction (Attack and Damage).
Attack Modifiers: Rapid Shot -2, Deadly Aim -2, Pain thing -4, Justice Judgment +2, Divine Favor +2, Bane +2
Damage Modifiers: Deadly Aim +4, Destruction Judgment +3, Divine Favor +2, Bane +2d6 and +2

Full Attack! The target is H1

Attack 1: (1d20+11)[19]
Damage 1: (1d8+16)[17] + (2d6)[10]
Attack 2: (1d20+11)[27]
Damage 2: (1d8+16)[23] + (2d6)[7]
Attack 3: (1d20+6)[22]
Damage 3: (1d8+16)[21] + (2d6)[10]

[Tychris1]

Lining up her glaive in the air, Ulva flattened herself parallel with the ensorcelled weapon, and with a scowl of determination she shot forward through the air like a violent screaming rocket.

”NGAAAAAAAH!” She bellowed as her invisibility peeled away to reveal a flying battle maiden.

Spoiler

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Charge Power Attack H4:(1d20+19)[20]
Damage:(1d10+24)[25] + (2d6)[8]

[PepperP.]

"Our business is with the Ironfang!" Veric shouted back at the Harpy that had addressed him but focused his fire on the last standing hobgoblin he could see.

Spoiler: Attack on H2

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Attack on H2
Haste, Aspect of the Falcon, Gravity Bow, Rapid Shot, Clustered Shots, Favorite Enemy (+4), Manyshot, Deadly Aim.
Full Attack
Attack 1
(1d20+16)[20]
Damage
Arrow 1
(2d6+12)[16]
Arrow 2
(2d6+12)[18]
Haste Attack
(1d20+16)[23]
Damage
(2d6+12)[20]
Rapid Shot Attack
(1d20+16)[29]
Damage
(2d6+12)[20]
Iterative Attack
(1d20+11)[19]
Damage
(2d6+12)[24]

[TheDarkDM]

Aidan

Skirting close to the enormous wolf, Aidan snapped out at the beast's haunches.

Spoiler: Bite

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Attack: (1d20+19)[33]
Damage: (1d8+8)[11]
Sneak Attack: (4d6)[10]

[Othniel]

Hollow Hills, Ridgeline Camp

All but one of the hobgoblins in the upper camp were slain, and the final representative of his outfit fired a pair of shots at Veric, who was perched atop a flying Torg. Below, the wolf paused a moment to sniff the air and find the location of his master's assailant before attempting to bite Aidan. In Nora's tower, the remaining owl decided that discretion was the better part of valor and started to fly away.

Meanwhile, down below in the Harpy camp, the leader fell silent as Veric was born away from the cages, though she and the other harpies continued to watch intently.

Spoiler: OOC

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G uses a move action to pinpoint Aidan's location via Scent, and then attacks: (1d20+12)[15]
Damage: (1d8+10)[13]
Confirm? (1d20+12)[23]
Damage: (1d8+10)[12]
Miss chance: misses on 1-50: (1d100)[50]

Owl 1 withdraws straight westward.

H2 pew pews at Veric: Rapid Shot/Manyshot/Deadly Aim/Favored Enemy/Heroism

Attack 1: (1d20+13)[28]
Arrow 1 Damage: (1d8+7)[12]
Arrow 2 Damage: (1d8+7)[10]

Confirm? (1d20+13)[20]
Damage: (2d8+14)[17]

Rapid Shot attack: (1d20+13)[27]
Damage: (1d8+7)[12]
Confirm? (1d20+13)[19]
Damage: (2d8+14)[27]

Attack 2: (1d20+8)[14]
Damage: (1d8+7)[15]
Confirm? (1d20+8)[22]
Damage: (1d8+7)[15]

[CockroachTeaParty]

The last remaining hobgoblin was a decent shot, and seeing Veric take fire, Torg dove. With one last great flap of his wings, he landed on the other side of the large tent, buying them some cover from the archer. He returned to his natural form, confident his Alpha Instinct spell would dissuade the great wolf from attacking. Instead, he turned towards the harpies down below on the escarpment, perched on the perilous gibbets holding the prisoners.

"What are these prisoners to you, harpies?" he shouted down at the winged creatures.

[Othniel]

Hollow Hills, Ridgeline Camp

The spokesharpy eyed first Veric and then Torg before answering, "The Ironfang are nothing to us! Do as you will! This is our land, and they are as much trespassers as you! They slew three of our sisters. Slay them and begone! Leave us in peace. The prisoners are ours; compensation for our loss!"

[Jade_Tarem]

With the aggravating bird having given its owl, and with the crippling magical pain subsiding, Nora turned her attention to the jailers over the cliff. She did not care for their definitions of territory nor their criminal and justice system. Harpies were foul, sexually predatory creatures who would have their way with the captive men and kill them regardless of their actions. With a mutter of, "I've got your compensatory wood right here," she shifted Cayden's ire to the new creatures and opened fire.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Free Action: 5' Adjust
Swift Action: Shift Bane to Monstrous Humanoid
Attack Modifiers: Rapid Shot -2, Deadly Aim -2, Justice Judgment +2, Divine Favor +2, Bane +2
Damage Modifiers: Deadly Aim +4, Destruction Judgment +3, Divine Favor +2, Bane +2d6 and +2

Full Attack! All shots are vs. C5 unless it goes down before I'm done. I'll walk the shots north from there if that happens.

Attack: (1d20+15)[24]
Damage: (1d8+16)[19] + (2d6)[4]
Attack: (1d20+15)[34]
Damage: (1d8+16)[21] + (2d6)[7]
Damage: (1d8+16)[21] + (2d6)[6] (Manyshot)
Attack: (1d20+10)[28]
Damage: (1d8+16)[24] + (2d6)[9]

[Nefarion Xid]

Septimus took a moment to mentally line up the path and detonation point of his fireball to spare the hanging prisoners, but incinerate the harpies.

Spoiler: Flambe

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(8d6)[28] DC 20 all harpies

[Othniel]

Hollow Hills, Ridgeline Camp

Septimus' fireball exploded with a low roar, singing the feathers of all five of the remaining harpies and blackening the wooden posts they were perched atop, causing the now-damaged wood to creak dangerously with the weight of the prisoner cages straining them. The prisoners in said cages screamed in fright at the ball of flame coming so close, while hobgoblin prisoner, who was not so near, cheered as the harpies took damage.

Spoiler: OOC

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Still PCs turn: Torg, Ulva, and Veric

[PepperP.]

Relieved that the harpies weren't working with the Ironfang, Veric nevertheless knew that they couldn't leave the harpies their prey.

"Hand over the prisoners, or else!" To punctuate his threat, Veric aimed at the most wounded looking harpy and fired a volley of shots at her.

Spoiler: Attack on C4

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Indimidate
(1d20-1)[18]
Attack on C4
Haste, Aspect of the Falcon, Gravity Bow, Rapid Shot, Clustered Shots, Manyshot.
Full Attack
Attack 1
(1d20+14)[29]
Damage
Arrow 1
(2d6+4)[14]
Arrow 2
(2d6+4)[8]
Haste Attack
(1d20+14)[25]
Damage
(2d6+4)[13]
Rapid Shot Attack
(1d20+14)[23]
Damage
(2d6+4)[12]
Iterative Attack
(1d20+9)[12]
Damage
(2d6+4)[7]

[Tychris1]

Going wide, Ulva flipped herself over in the air, and rapidly began slashing at the wolf.

Spoiler: Full Power Attack

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Attack:(1d20+19)[22]
Damage:(1d10+24)[31]

Attack:(1d20+19)[21]
Damage:(1d10+24)[34]

Attack:(1d20+14)[17]
Damage:(1d10+24)[31]

[TheDarkDM]

Aidan

Thankful for Ulva's sudden appearance, Aidan shifted around the wolf.

"Careful Ulva! I want this one alive!"

Spoiler: Nonlethal Full Attack

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Bite: (1d20+19)[30]
Damage: (1d8+8)[11]

Haste Bite: (1d20+19)[35]
Damage: (1d8+8)[11]

Claw 1: (1d20+19)[22]
Damage: (1d6+8)[14]

Claw 2: (1d20+19)[25]
Damage: (1d6+8)[14]

[Othniel]

Hollow Hills, Ridgeline Camp

"You lost what chance you had to bargain when you slew our sisters!" shouted the leader in return. "Now you die! Take them, sisters!" With that, the leader sped off toward Septimus while the other two moved apart and began to sing a captivating song that wormed its way into the minds of those who heard it, beckoning those who could not resist toward the harpies.

Spoiler: OOC

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C1 is going to use the Run action to fly 4x speed (in this case, 320 ft) toward Septimus while the other two spread out and sing their Captivating Song. I need a Will Save from everyone within 300 feet of C2 and C3.

Captivating Song (Su) A harpy’s song has the power to infect the minds of those that hear it, calling them to the harpy’s side. When a harpy sings, all creatures aside from other harpies within a 300-foot spread must succeed on a DC 16 Will saving throw or become captivated. A creature that successfully saves is not subject to the same harpy’s song for 24 hours. A victim under the effects of the captivating song moves toward the harpy using the most direct means available. If the path leads them into a dangerous area such as through fire or off a cliff, that creature receives a second saving throw to end the effect before moving into peril. Captivated creatures can take no actions other than to defend themselves. A victim within 5 feet of the harpy simply stands and offers no resistance to the harpy’s attacks. This effect continues for as long as the harpy sings and for 1 round thereafter. This is a sonic mind-affecting charm effect. The save DC is Charisma-based.

If you fail vs both songs, follow the first one you failed against.

[Nefarion Xid]

Impressed with the harpy's speed, Septimus prudently chose to cast Greater Invisibility, floated off in a random direction, and plugged his fingers in his ears.

[PepperP.]

Veric

gritting his teeth against the harpies song, Veric sneered back a reply that doubtless went unheard above the cacophony.

"Die? Not by your hands."

Spoiler: Attack on C3

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Haste, Aspect of the Falcon, Gravity Bow, Rapid Shot, Clustered Shots, Manyshot, Unchained Heart.
Full Attack
Attack 1
(1d20+15)[17]
Damage
Arrow 1
(2d6+4)[9]
Arrow 2
(2d6+4)[6]
Haste Attack
(1d20+15)[18]
Damage
(2d6+4)[10]
Rapid Shot Attack
(1d20+15)[30]
Damage
(2d6+4)[16]
Iterative Attack
(1d20+10)[15]
Damage
(2d6+4)[12]

[CockroachTeaParty]

Torg centered himself, breathing deep and exhaling. He let the hypnotic lure of the harpies' songs wash over him like waves lapping at the base of an implacable mountain. The dwarf made a series of strange motions with his hand as he muttered strange syllables in Druidic.

Lastly, he made a mental note to figure out who the other archer was that was helping them fight.

Spoiler: OOC

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Torg is casting Summon Nature's Ally IV as a full-round action.

[Jade_Tarem]

Nora just shook her head as the harpies began to belt out their classic song, trusting her god to protect her from their captivating magic. She maintained her faint smile and readied more arrows before opening fire.

Spoiler: OOC

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Attack Modifiers: Rapid Shot -2, Deadly Aim -2, Justice Judgment +2, Divine Favor +2, Bane +2
Damage Modifiers: Deadly Aim +4, Destruction Judgment +3, Divine Favor +2, Bane +2d6 and +2

Full Attack! All shots are vs. C3 unless it goes down before I'm done. Remaining shots go to C2 with a -2 range penalty.

Attack: (1d20+15)[31]
Damage: (1d8+16)[21] + (2d6)[9]
Attack: (1d20+15)[21]
Damage: (1d8+16)[17] + (2d6)[9]
Damage: (1d8+16)[18] + (2d6)[7] (Manyshot)
Attack: (1d20+10)[25]
Damage: (1d8+16)[19] + (2d6)[7]

[Othniel]

Hollow Hills, Ridgeline Camp

The lead harpy let out a shriek of pure frustration as her quarry vanished, but she quickly suppressed the emotion and belted out her enchanting song all the louder. The remaining creature continued singing, focusing her attentions on Aidan and Ulva as they floated toward her.

Spoiler: OOC

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C1 and C2 both sing, hovering in place.

[Nefarion Xid]

Septimus pelted the miserable creature nearest him with Magic Missiles, then began to drift back towards the group.

Spoiler: vs C1

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(4d4+4)[14] damage

[Jade_Tarem]

Nora raised an eyebrow at the harpies'... odd choice of strategy, though her faint grin didn't fade. It was rout now, but you couldn't show mercy to something going for your throat.

Spoiler: OOC

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Attack Modifiers: Rapid Shot -2, Deadly Aim -2, Range -2, Justice Judgment +2, Divine Favor +2, Bane +2
Damage Modifiers: Deadly Aim +4, Destruction Judgment +3, Divine Favor +2, Bane +2d6 and +2

Full Attack! All shots are vs. C2 unless it goes down before I'm done. Remaining shots go to C1 with a -6 range penalty (instead of -2, so only -4 more).

Attack: (1d20+13)[14]
Damage: (1d8+16)[17] + (2d6)[8]
Attack: (1d20+13)[25]
Damage: (1d8+16)[21] + (2d6)[10]
Damage: (1d8+16)[22] + (2d6)[7] (Manyshot)
Attack: (1d20+8)[20]
Damage: (1d8+16)[19] + (2d6)[6]

[PepperP.]

Veric

Concerned as the remaining harpy sped after Sept, Veric aimed carefully as the harpy faded into the distance.

Spoiler: Attack on C1

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Haste, Aspect of the Falcon, Gravity Bow, Rapid Shot, Clustered Shots, Manyshot, Unchained Heart.
Full Attack at -6 for distance
Attack 1
(1d20+9)[27]
Damage
Arrow 1
(2d6+4)[13]
Arrow 2
(2d6+4)[11]
Haste Attack
(1d20+9)[23]
Damage
(2d6+4)[12]
Rapid Shot Attack
(1d20+9)[11]
Damage
(2d6+4)[9]
Iterative Attack
(1d20+4)[24]
Damage
(2d6+4)[9]

[Othniel]

Hollow Hills, Ridgeline Camp

The final harpy tried to flee, but it was all in vain, for the steady aim of Veric and the dogged pursuit from Torg's summoned elemental were too much for the beastly creature. She was felled from the air, and the Fangbreakers set about collecting their well-earned loot.

And then there was the matter of the prisoners. Six were humans from the town of Radya's Hollow, while the last was a muscular grey-green hobgoblin by the name of Mahrzan. He was in the final cage, away from the humans, and had been stripped bare of all possessions and clothing. His state of undress did not seem to bother him, for he was too overjoyed with the destruction of his tormenters. "You have no idea how happy I am that you came along!" he said, as the party came closer. "I did nothing to those harpies but rebuff the advances of that repugnant Wenda! But you sure took her down a few notches, shooting her out of the sky. I am forever grateful. And, listen, I don't even mind that you slaughtered my unit. I've had it with this war and the marching. I'd just like to leave and never look back. So, uh, if I could have some clothes, a little food, and some hunting gear, I'll be out of your way and you'll never see me again!"

Finally, in the commander's tent there was a small gnome. She was huddled under the table she was chained to, and called out cautiously as the sound of battle faded. "H-hello? Are they dead?"

Spoiler: Loot and XP

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On the bodies of the Sharpshooters:
2 x Elixirs of hiding
4 x Potions of cure moderate wounds
2 x +1 breastplate
2 x +1 composite longbow (+2 Str)
2 x Mwk scimitar
2 x Mess kit
2 x Mwk backpack
170 gp

On the body of Sergeant Dargg:
1 x Mwk breastplate with armor spikes
1 x Mwk heavy steel shield
1 x +1 flaming light flail
1 x Cloak of resistance +1
Keys to the pay chest (see Treasure below) and gibbet cages
1 x Silver-and-enamel Ironfang bravery medal (75 gp)

On the unconscious Gruzak:
1 x Mwk chain shirt barding
1 x Military saddle

Treasure: The Ironfang Legion keeps a locked chest in the command post. The chest contains 15,000 gp and an additional 4,500 gp in gems and jewelry to bribe local creatures into joining Kosseruk’s growing army. The chest also contains a reserve of potions, including five potions of cure moderate wounds, a potion of fly, and a potion of tongues.

Dargg’s command post includes several valuable communiqués from other Ironfang outposts throughout the Hollow Hills, discussing preparations for an all-out assault on the walled city of Longshadow to commence in 12 days. These intelligence reports detail progress at a warbeast training camp, securing a nesting location for new wyvern scouts, the siege engineers’ efforts to transport their war machines to the rendezvous site, and recent developments at the munitions camp established in the conquered town of Ecru.

On the bodies of the Carrion Brides:
5 x +1 studded leather
25 x Javelins
5 x Cloaks of elvenkind
5 x Rings of protection +1
5 x Bags of uncut jet gems (worth 1500 gp in total (300 each))

[Nefarion Xid]

"Shut your yammering!" Septimus pointed his castin' finger at the hobgoblin in the cage. "No one here cares about you or your tragic backstory. If we want your opinion, we'll ask. Until then, if I hear one more word out of you, I'm going to turn you to ash like your friends!"


He turned to the strange elf as the party gathered. "What are you some kind of badass hobgoblin hunter? What are you doing out here by yourself?"

[Jade_Tarem]

"Seems a bit harsh, don't it?" Was all Nora said concerning Septimus's comments on the hobgoblin. When he started talking to her directly, though, she responded evenly in an accent that was hard to place, as if Irrisen and the Linnorms had a baby. "My name is Nora Rauri. I'm an agent of Cayden Cailean, and before anyone says it, yes, there are things he cares about besides havin' a good time. I'm looking for a group called the Fangbreakers. I don't suppose you could point me to them? Or perhaps you are them? It would make a certain amount of sense." When Septimus responded only with a smirk, she shrugged, "alright, can you at least direct me to someone who isn't too fancy to answer, then?"

[Nefarion Xid]

Septimus couldn't decide if he should be flattered or insulted at being called fancy. He shrugged. "Yup. I'm Septimus Severus. That's my cousin Veric. Ulva. Torg's a druid. Aidan bites people and drinks strange liquids, not in that order. We're in the business of killing hobgoblins and business is booming."

[Jade_Tarem]

"That's good! I guess I'll wait for everyone else to gather before I properly ask to join you. In the meantime, we ought to see about the captives, hey?" The faint smile returned, and Nora quickly made her way to the gnome. "How are ye holding up? Anything rigged to go off if I set you free?"

[Othniel]

Hollow Hills, Ridgeline Camp

The gnome leapt to her feet. "No!" She shook her head and yanked desperately at the chain holding her. The gnome stood approximately three feet in height, with light blue hair and a button nose. "Nibbitz is my name. Assayer from Radya's Hollow. We must go; we must run! East! Or south! But not west; noooo, not west. The Ironfang is coming! The Legion will sweep the plains like wildfire in the grass. But first, you will free me?" Nibbitz stopped yanking at the chain and held up the slack to Nora. "Please?"

[Tychris1]

”Easy for you to say, doc!” She howled in the midst of combat as her attacks narrowly missed the wolf’s frame repeatedly. Then she was suddenly caught off guard by singing and she did not resume speaking until combat had ended. Floating in the air looking around aimlessly, she grumbled to herself in Aklo, and slowly floated down to help loot and secure things.

Wordlessly she went through the process of disassembling and rooting through people, the process well engrained into her muscle memory, and the previous bluster of combat was gone from the melancholy girl. A spark of it returned as they finished looting and the newly named Nora asked about her friends. She took a breathe in to speak but then Septimus started operating and her single eye was enraptured in how it moved just so. Staring, she had just realized that she forgot her introduction.

“I’m Ulva Vansich!” She dashed to get within handshaking distance of the archer. She threw both of her arms in one direction and banged her head in the other in a pose she assumed was the coolest way to look in full plate. Standing erect, she threw both of her fists onto her hip and stuck a pose, and flashed a massive crooked tooth grin “We killed a Dragon!”

“We’re heroes! You wanna save the world?” She held her hand up towards the elven archer.

[CockroachTeaParty]

The dwarf of the group, apparently called Torg, approached Nora, resembling nothing so much as a moss-covered boulder that had sprouted a beard. Upon closer examination, the dwarf's stone plate mail was masterfully crafted, and the rest of his equipment had a decidedly natural feel: the sprig of holly and mistletoe at his belt certainly identified him as a druid, if the shapeshifting and summoning hadn't been a more obvious sign.

Eyes of black flint scrutinized the Caydenite beneath bushy brows and over a nose red with broken blood vessels. An earthy smell seemed to radiate from him. He seemed inexplicably hostile.
"...The Lucky Drunk sent you eh?" he said gruffly, arms crossed over his barrel chest.
"How long you been in Nirmathas? Are you up to speed with current events?"