Legacy of Fire SoP/SoM/PoW III: The Revengening

[lostsole31]

As is his usual, Khwaja Malak envelopes himself and his surrounding friends with fate's favor.

Spoiler

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Cast greater serendipity, 1 SP to last 5 minutes. Perform (oratory) (1d20+15)[26] vs. DC 20.

[digiman619]

[[Sorry for the delay. Spent 4 days in the hospital looking after my dad (who is fine btw) and then I had my first Roll20 GM session. Took me a bit to bounce back from that.]]
The party readies themselves for battle; they actually managed to get the drop on their would-be ambushers. How will you take advantage of this split second of jump start?

Initiative will go Party > Baddies > Guards and 'Zad. Have at!

Spoiler: New map

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Direct link

[stack]

Akaash rushes forward, gathering the wind around him as he does. He skids to a stop, thrusting his arms out, launching the gathered air into a concussive burst in the center of the enemy.

Spoiler

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Explosive orb + damage boost, 2 SP

(8d6)[32] nonlethal, ref 19 for half

trip (1d20+15)[26]

[lostsole31]

Khwaja Malak moves forward 30', carefully watching for danger as the rest of his group (ostensibly) moves forward.

Spoiler

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MA: Move due east 30'.
SA: Perform total defense action. AC now = 22.

Remember greater serendipity is running, so w/in 30' of him:
* Allies: +1 luck to attack rolls, ability/ skill checks, & saves.
* Enemies: -1 luck penalty attack rolls, ability/ skill checks, & saves.

[pfm1995]

Alssariq's muscles tighten. "Goma, move." he whispers.

[SwordChucks]

"If you insist." Goma says with a smile.

He runs east and a bit north as he downs his potion.

Spoiler: Combat

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Swift action: Use Tactical Rush to move 15ft east and 5ft north-east.
Move action: Move another 20ft east.
Standard action: drink a potion of enlarge person (leaving a path for Alssariq).

[pfm1995]

Tension: 3

The way clear, Alssariq charges.

He feet fair fly over the sands as he closes the gap, eyes narrowed against the sun and searching their line for a good place to strike. He hits... well, maybe not like a cannonball, but he"s in and among the scattered enemy before they can so much as raise their wepons.

Spoiler: Rolls

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Charging 70ft right into the enemy. AC neutral, since Alssariq's bonus AC for moving counters the AC malus from charging.

Scout - (1d20+13)[14] (+2 to AC vs their attacks, -2 to their AC vs his, +2 to his attacks.)
Attack - (1d20+15)[32] (+2 if scout was successful) Damage - (1d6+8)[10]

[bcool999]

Rowan
HP 45/45
AC 21

Rowan smirks at the would-be ambush crew, He stays sedately where he is, but a chant begins to spill forth from his lips. Staff held forth and other hand gesturing, those within 30ft of Rowan feel the energies he is gathering burn at their skin slightly despite the magic not being fully manifested yet.

As Rowan's voice rises in excitement at the climax of his chant a small wavering of the air behind the enemies forms looking like the normal heat haze of the desert. That is, until that small shimmer tears and vomits forth destruction into the enemy ranks.

Spoiler: OOC

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Using Gather Energy with a Searing Energy Rift.
Full Round Action casting a 15ft line targeting the top right corner of the topmost grey enemy, to the bottom left corner of the second from the top red enemy. That should, if I am looking at the map correctly, catch the top two grey enemies and the top two red enemies in the blast as the line just needs to cross into their space to hit.

Damage: (10d8)[47] Fire Damage ignores up to 10 resistance, Reflex save DC18 for half.

[digiman619]

The would be ambushers didn't stand a chance. Riq charged in faster than they anticipated and took out a bandit and the Water prince likewise charged into a defensible position behind a rock before firing on anther bandit. Likewise, between Kaash and Rowan's blasts, the few who remained standing soon fell. The rest of the party jockeyed for position (including an impressive display from Shaharazad; she began running as fast as her armor would allow before blasting the sand beneath her with concussive force, using that to move even faster than before).

The fight's not over, however, as from over the northern dune, a pack of hyenas serve as the vanguard for a squad of gnolls warriors. About the same time, more gnolls emerge from the small pyramid with the sphinx entrance, including one with a fancy headdress, and a hulking, two-headed giant at her side.

Round 2, fight!

Spoiler: Updated map

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https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/475814903815471115/512899347197722625/Oasis.png

[stack]

Akaash makes a spinning leap southeast onto a rock, gathering a whirlwind with him as he goes, launching it gracefully into the center of the newcomers by the sphinx. Specifically, into the chest of the giant.

Spoiler

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knowledge local to pull anything useful on the two headed giant (1d20+15)[34] + (1d6)[6]

move SE to the rock nearest the SE enemies (leaping onto the rock was more dramatic)
explosive orb 2 sp, centered on the middle left grid intersection on the giant (think that hits them all) 15 ft radius,
(8d6)[20] nonlethal Ref 19 half
trip (1d20+15)[27]

[lostsole31]

"Let them come to us," says Khwaja Malak. "Pull into close ranks to reduce how many weapons and teeth they can bring to bear on any one of us. Alssariq, fall back to us for a defensive battle."

He then calls out to Garavel and his men. "Drop the giant first, then the one with the headdress. Change to target any who close on your position."

Khwaja Malak moves up in front of Shahrazad. He says a few words and his right eye glows as anyone within 30' of him feels waves of mental energy coming from him even as he gestures his spell. Then, in Gnoll he shouts to three of the gnolls to the southeast, "Those archers to the west mean to kill your leader. Close on them now, and gain the glory of the field!"

Spoiler

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MA: Move a full 30' to end up 15' due E of Shahrazad.
SA: I am just in Close range to target three of the "normal" gnoll warriors to the SE. They are the two W/ adjacent of the giant, and the one 10' W of the headress gnoll ... I assume that is the Gold-ringed purple one, yes?
>>> Cast Group Charm (1 SP), Perform (oratory) (1d20+16)[25]. Will save 17 negates.

Greater Serendipity active
* Allies: +1 luck to attack rolls, ability/ skill checks, & saves
* Enemies: -1 luck penalty attack rolls, ability/ skill checks, & saves

The Water Prince, realizing surprise worked when it did but is no longer a factor, pulls back, sensing the khwaja's wisdom and knowing that they are about to be overrun. He sidles around the rock and stands next to him. He prepares to defend from either side, thrusting once an opponent gets near to him.

Spoiler

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MA: Move 15' E so that he ends up next to K-M's projected movement (as above).
SA: Readied action - Combat Expertise, and thrust at first enemy to come into reach (incl. aura bonus) (1d20+7)[8], damage (1d6+3)[5]
* Combat Expertise = AC 24

EDIT: Pre-Empt Fumble by K-M for WP means a modified 25 on the attack roll.

[bcool999]

Rowan
HP 45/45
AC 21

Seeing the effectiveness of his spell, Rowan sees no reason to change tactics when given more practice dummies enemies to fight. A line of searing heat once more bursts out and attempts to roast some hyenas.

Spoiler: OOC

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Using Gather Energy with a Searing Energy Rift.
Full Round Action casting a 15ft line targeting three hyenas. (GMs choice on the specific three there are many lined up in a configuration where three can be hit)

Damage: (10d8)[62] Fire Damage ignores up to 10 resistance, Reflex save DC18 for half.

[pfm1995]

Tempo: 5

Alssariq leaps backwards towards the group, taking shelter from any archers or wayward magic behind a rock and readying himself for their approach.

Spoiler: Actions

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Scouting the gnolls.
Scout - (1d20+13)[18] (Usual +/- 2)

Alssariq will also ready an attack using Advancing Carnage. For a -2, after every attack he can make a 5ft step and try to attack another target. And again if that hits, until he either misses or runs out of new targets.

Attack 1 - (1d20+9)[10] Damage - (1d6+24)[25] (Brutal Strike)
Attack 1 - (1d20+9)[17] Damage - (1d6+10)[13]
Attack 1 - (1d20+9)[19] Damage - (1d6+10)[11]
Attack 1 - (1d20+9)[15] Damage - (1d6+10)[15]

[SwordChucks]

Goma steps to the east, roars a challenge, and readies himself to defend the others.

Spoiler: Combat

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5ft step: east.
Swift action: Encouraging Roar.
Full-round action: Defensive Focus (increases threatened area by 10ft, recovers up to 5 maneuvers).
AOOs: Use 2 for intercepting enemies and use 4 for Active Defense (+3 AC) on any ally in Goma's (10ft) reach.

[digiman619]

Spoiler: Akaash

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It's an ettin.

Things got chaotic fast.

With so many gnolls and hyenas rushing in, there was little time to react before they were on you. Malak moved up to better position his field of fortune, bewitching a pair of gnolls to fight on his side. Unfortunately, Akaash did not realize that and blasted the southern group, knocking the new allies on their butts. Two of the gnolls were knocked out by the force of the blast and the two headed beast was knocked prone. Rowan took out a trio of hyenas, but that didn't stop the rest from closing in. Goma did his best to stop them, but on his first attempt he overshot and almost lost balance. On the upside, the additional torque this generated caused his next strike to be even more powerful, killing an advancing hyena. The Water Prince, still wielding his bow, took a shot on one of the advancing gnolls, but unfortunately not doing enough to drop it. 'Riq tried to hit the gnoll that advanced on him, but they came too fast to hit effectively.

The gnolls and hyenas ran in, the ones with clear lines of charging doing so; the rest just getting into position. Shaharazad took advantage of that, charging a line through opposing forces, killing two hyenas and a gnoll, knocking them aside like bowling pins. The opposing forces didn't do nothing this round, one of the gnolls charging Akaash hit hit across the shoulder for 9 damage. The gnoll leader shouted orders at her troops, and through a bolt of concussive force at Akaash, but her aim was knocked off by her two-headed ally getting to his feet, barely missing Akaash. The giant throw a javelin after getting to his feet, but it too was errant.

Spoiler: Updated Map

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Direct link

[stack]

Akaash kicks down at the gnoll in front of him, then tries to throw the one adjacent to it with a hook back before flipping down off the rock to gain cover from further ranged attacks.

Spoiler

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energy blade against east gnoll (1d20+12)[17] (+1 aura, +1 high ground)
damage (1d6+6)[9] + (5d6)[20] nonlethal
(1d20+19)[21] trip

move action trip verses south-east gnoll, (1d20+12)[30]

[bcool999]

Rowan
HP 45/45
AC 21

Rowan once more thins the herd. A focused incantation leads to another stream of fire targeting three gnolls and a hyena.

Spoiler: OOC

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More Fire.
Full round action to Gather Energy for a full power Searing Energy Rift.
Targeting the top left corner of the northern most gnoll that is on the edge of the luck aura and sending the line south east to hit those two other gnolls and ending on the bottom right corner of the hyena's space to roast it as well.

Damage: (10d8)[37] Fire damage that ignores 10 resistance, DC 18 reflex save for half. All the foes targeted are in the luck aura so -1 to their rolls for this one.

[SwordChucks]

Goma brings his shield down on the nearest hyena and attempts to move next to the Khwaja.

Spoiler: Combat

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If the first attack doesn't drop the hyena, Goma will continue with the rest of his full attack. If it does drop, he'll move 15 ft east.

Shield 1: (1d20+12)[27], (2d8)[7]+(1d6+8)[14]
Conditional Shield 2: (1d20+7)[23], (2d8)[10]+(1d6+8)[9]
Conditional Bite: (1d20+5)[12], (1d8+4)[7]

AOOs: 1 for Active Defense on K-M, and 5 for AOOs

[lostsole31]

Khwaja Malak steps back just a little and then lets loose against the three enemies that were just standing in front of him, pure magical energy running through the three of them.

Spoiler

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FA: 5-foot step west.
SA: Cast Full-Power DB, chain blast against the three enemies to his east (looks like two hyenas and a gnoll)? Costs 2 SP.
* Perform (oratory) (1d20+16)[26]
* RTA #1: (1d20+8)[12], damage (4d6)[11]
* RTA #2: (1d20+8)[16], damage (4d6)[14]
* RTA #3: (1d20+8)[15], damage (4d6)[17]

The Water Prince then moves forward next to Khwaja Malak and attacks the gnoll to the southeast (or the next one that attacks him.

Spoiler

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MA: Move 10' East.
SA: One of two actions ...
1) If the gnoll to his SE is still standing, attack him, using CE (1d20+7)[17], damage (1d6+3)[8].
* AC is now 24 w/ CE.
2) If that gnoll was taken out by someone else, then he readies an attack against the first enemy to come within reach (see attack rolls and AC, above).

[pfm1995]

Tempo: 7

Alssariq runs into the mess of gnolls remaining and dances through them, his long knife licking out to draw blood on each gnoll he passes.

Spoiler: Actions

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Scout - (1d20+13)[21] (Usual -2/+2)

Using Advancing Carnage. For a -2, after every attack he can make a 5ft step and try to attack another target. And again if that hits, until he either misses or runs out of new targets.
Also using Power Attack, Brutal Strike on the first attack, and Targeted Punishment on every attack he can.

Attack 1 - (1d20+9)[29] (+2 if scout was successful) Damage - (1d6+29)[31]
Attack 2 - (1d20+9)[24] (+2 if scout was successful) Damage - (1d6+15)[20]
Attack 3 - (1d20+9)[20] (+2 if scout was successful) Damage - (1d6+15)[18]
Attack 4 - (1d20+9)[22] (+2 if scout was successful) Damage - (1d6+10)[13]
Attack 5 - (1d20+9)[21] (+2 if scout was successful) Damage - (1d6+10)[12]

[digiman619]

The clang of battle rings as the gnolls try and assault the party, but the party just walks through them, almost literally in Shaharazad's case. another rush of energy blasting her through more gnolls. Between Rowan's' rifts of flame and 'Riq's deadly dance though the ranks, the herd is drastically reduced, to the point that only 4 remain (not counting the two Malak ensorceled); two are assaulting Akaash, one attacking Goma from the north and one that moved up to attack 'Riq. The leader of the group fires a blast at the biggest target but Goma is able to bring his shield up in time to block it. This turned out to be a mistake, as the ettin used that distraction to charge in and smack Malak for 15 damage.

Round 3, Fight!

Spoiler: Updated map

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(See Discord; not risking another disconnection)
Direct link

[bcool999]

Rowan
HP 45/45
AC 21

Seeing that the herd had been culled, Rowan turns his attention to the Gnoll leader. He begins gathering power, feeling a moment of pity before it is washed away. They attacked first after all. Rowan's chant builds as more flame is summoned at the end of his staff before flying forth to strike at the leader.

Spoiler: OOC

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Full Round Action for a Gathered Energy Searing Blast targeting the Gnoll leader.
Ranged Touch Attack: (1d20+8)[21]
Damage: (10d8+10)[58] Fire Damage that ignores 10 resistance.

[stack]

Keeping the cover of the rock between himself and the giant-kin, Akaash works to mop up the gnolls near him, sending a lashing kick to trip, then following it up with a scything downward blow to attempt to finish off the target.

Spoiler

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move action trip (1d20+14)[23] includes aura

energy blade (1d20+12)[32] (aura)
damage (1d6+6)[12] + (5d6)[14] nonlethal
trip if needed (1d20+18)[38]

[pfm1995]

Tempo: 2

Alssariq grabs the gnoll's outstretched arm, using it as a pivot as he spins around it and drives a knife into his back.

Spoiler: Rolls

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Remembering Scout bonuses.

Move action through the beastie's threatened area to flank:
Athletics - (1d20+19)[28]

And an attack with Brutal Strike:
Attack - (1d20+13)[16] (+2 if that scout was successful) Damage - (1d6+24)[26]

[SwordChucks]

Goma does his best to ignore the gnoll trying to shank him from the north and gets face to faces with the ettin.

Spoiler: Combat

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5ft Step: South east.
Full Round Action: Full attack the ettin.
Free Action: If an attack hits the ettin, Goma will use Armiger's Mark.
AOOs: 1 for Active Defense on K-M, 5 for fighting.

Shield1: (1d20+12)[22],(2d8)[14]+(1d6+9)[10]
Shield2: (1d20+7)[9],(2d8)[4]+(1d6+9)[15]
Bite: (1d20+5)[7],(1d8+5)[10]
Trip Rider: (1d20+14)[25]

[lostsole31]

The Khwaja Malak reels back from the blow. He shakes his head and then lets loose with a full-power DB at the ettin.

Spoiler

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FA: 5' step NW.
SA: Cast full DB at ettin (1 SP). Perform (oratory) (1d20+15)[23]. RTA (1d20+8)[9], damage (4d6)[14]

For his part, the Water Prince zooms around the western side of the scrub to stay away from the ettin and closes right on the sorcerer.

Spoiler

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2xMA: Rafiq goes 2 sq SW (15' worth), then 3 sq SE (20' worth), then 5 squares due east to close right on the sorcerer-gnoll (25') = 60' total movement.

[digiman619]

Rowan did his best to burn the gnoll leader, but the gout of flame just slid off her, like water off brass. In a textbook maneuver, Akaash spun a leg beneath the gnoll to knock it off it's feet before slamming his heel into it, ending its struggle. Riq decided to to take advantage of the ensorceled gnoll's trust to end one of them. Goma stepped forward and slammed the ettin with his shield, but only the first attack landed. Malak stepped back and tried to blast the beast that hit him in the head, but being accustomed to attacking foes with only one head accidentally aimed between them. Thankfully, he's accustomed to foes so tall, either, so he actaully hit it in the chest. The Water Prince hustled around the Ettin to close with sorceress.

The Sorceress, for her part, rushed past the Prince, sliding off his attempt to stop her and running towards the caravan; seems that she noticed the source of those damaging blasts and rushes in, trying to get in range of her own. The Ettin swings its flails about in a flurry, Goma doing his best to block the shots. He does well, but one manages to penetrate his defenses as the gnoll to the north of him comes in to flank. They acted at the exact same time and he found himself unable to block either strike. Between the gnoll and the ettin, he ends up taking 14 damage after DR.

Sharazad tried to do her "Charge though the enemies on a destructive wave", but couldn't dodge the Ettin's reaction, and is smacked for 11 damage, causing her spell to fail. She then retreats to the south, next to the Water Prince.

The other gnoll near Akaash rushed in to try and flank Goma, but bounces off his shield instead.
The remaining ensorceled gnoll, seeing his ally kill his broodmate, snaps free of the Khwaja's control and rushes in and slashes 'Riq for 7, his former target joining in on the attack, but not enough to land a blow.

It's time for the final push!

Spoiler: Akaash

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The rocks you're in are difficult terrain, so if I am having you 5 foot step after you off the gnoll to keep you safe from the ettin

Spoiler: Water Prince

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Spoiler: DC 25 Perception

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While you were focused on stopping the sorceress, you did he a glint of gold coming from inside the sphinx.

Spoiler: Rowan

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Spoiler: DC 14 Spellcraft

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She had the Ablative aegis from the Protection sphere , giving her a 25% miss chance, so you didn't actually hit her with the blast

Spoiler: Updated map

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Direct link

[stack]

Akaash hops into the air and dashes over to put himself between the sorceress and the caravan, throwing in some dizzying flips for good measure as he throws a kick in en passant.

Spoiler

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move to the square NW of the sorceress, dizzying tumble Will 17 or nauseated (only moved 20 ft out fo 45, so less than half)

acrobatics for no AOO (1d20+17)[35]

energy blade (1d20+11)[24]
damage (1d6+6)[10] + (5d6)[22]
trip (1d20+17)[25]

miss (1d100)[40]

[SwordChucks]

Goma strikes at the ettin again, hoping to smoosh at least one of its faces.

Spoiler: Combat

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Swift action: Use a reserve point to gain 14 temp HP before the delayed damage pool empties. (End result: Goma loses 1 HP)
Full round action: Full attack the ettin. If it drops during the assault Goma will turn to attack the gnoll flanking him.
AOOs: one for Alssariq, one for Goma, and four for attacking.

Shield1: 24 (rolled in Discord after I screwed up the syntax) (2d8)[12]+(1d6+9)[13]
Shield2: (1d20+7)[10], (2d8)[6]+(1d6+9)[14]
Bite: (1d20+6)[14], (1d8+2)[4]
Trip on hit: (1d20+14)[22]

[pfm1995]

Tempo: 2

Alssariq leaps and ducks and spins around the two gnolls, putting them between him and Goma before cutting at the injured one.

Spoiler: Rolls

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(Remember bonuses from scouting)

Acrobatics - (1d20+19)[37]

Brutal Strike + Power Attack + Targeted Punishment
Attack - (1d20+15)[18] Damage - (1d6+29)[33]