For the Empire IC

[Grymmheart]

Tai-Jyn

Tai-Jyn slows his gait to match the head minister, surprised somewhat at the old historians fleetness of foot. Nodding in agreement, he follows the man to protect the scrolls.

"Lead on."

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uses swift action to shift to blood in the water stance, to slow speed to match minister.

initiative - (1d20+14)[19]

[13_CBS]

Evil, Seribro, Snark:

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Tactical Map after this surprise round's events:

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Tan: Mongo
Blue: Wu Feng
Light Blue: Tiang
Red: Big creature
White speckles: Fog cloud (it is above the head of even Mongo on his horse, so unless somebody jumps really high, it won't impede anyone except for the demon)

Initiative Order:
Mongo (17)
Wu Feng (16)
Creature (14)
Tiang (10)

You guys must now post your normal actions.

[13_CBS]

Grymm:

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A trail of dead and dying guards, students, and scholars marks the path to the storeroom where the scroll is kept. Inside the room, which is a large, spacious and richly decorated place now splattered with blood, is a huge insectoid creature. It has eight limbs, four of which have just finished beheading a guard, and four bulbous eyes. Its movements and appearance suggests that it is a living creature, but is artificial. It has not noticed your presence yet.

You also see one more creature: this one has the guise of a woman with unearthly beauty, with such a presence that she practically swallows your attention whole. She gives you a lustful, yet contemptuous smirk and disappears in a flash.

Tactical map:

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Red: insectoid thing
Purple: Tai Jyn
Indigo: Minister

Orange lines: Bookshelves
Orange speckles: scattered books, difficult terrain

Tai Jyn has 1 surprise round to act.

[Shiny, Bearer of the Pokystick]

Tsuki and Umi

Each of the twins turns to the other; with a simultaneous nod, they fade from sight and move toward the sounds of baneful feasting.

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(1d20+29)[49]
(1d20+20)[30]

Stealth; H/MS.

[Seribro]

((Edit: I changed the story I was going to put up, read spoiler for explanation))

With Sù Jié shivering with anticipation in his hands, Mongo leaps forward as he cries out to the ancestors for strength. "zhàn shì lì!"
The ring around his finger answers the call and as the Tunguskian warrior closes in with the demon, his body begins to expand to about twice its former size. The Guan Dao lengthens along and the eager blade is lifted up into the air, preparing to Dance with the Devil.


((Edit: forget the first half of the spoiler and skip to the second half))

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activate dance, move to D9-E10
power attack 5
attack1 (1d20+20)[30]
damage1 (2d8+27)[36]
move to C9-D10
attack2 (1d20+20)[25]
damage2 (2d8+27)[33]
move to C10-D11
attack3 (1d20+15)[25]
damage3 (2d8+27)[39]
move to C11-D12
auto succes tumble
swift action short haft feat
attack4 (1d20+14)[32]
damage4 (2d8+27)[43]

Edit: I forgot, all four the attacks get an extra +2 on the attack roll thanks to the flanking. If this is a standard Nelfashnee we are talking about, that is four hits for a total of 151-40(DR)=111 hp damage... that would mean it has already been almost put down... Okay thats way to fast, I'm going to cut my own fingers here by pointing out that the ring needs a standard action to activate so although I appreciate the DM's generosity, I couldn't have attacked just yet. Instead, I use a standard action to activate the ring and a move to reach D9-E10

Edit2: Wait, did you just state "on his horse"? Okay, now your starting to confuse me. When did I mount my horse? I have been walking in front of it all this time.... Didn't I? *goes to reread his former posts*

Oh.... Oh crap... I now see that my description could indeed be very well be interpreted either way. And so you never did assume I had my ring activated, you just thought I was on my horse... Oh crap indeed... Well, then it all quiet works out I guess I am walking, needed a standard action to activate the ring and simply could not attack this round I am now large and at D9-E10 and have ended my turn. My horse is still with the diplomat of the Empire of Gold.

[Grymmheart]

Tai-Jyn


Tai-Jyn passes all of the death and destruction. Deep down he knows the cuts and deep bites look to be caused by the creatures he seeks to free his land of. Looking through the doorway, he is repulsed by the sight of the beautiful vanishing woman, and the beast that remains. Eyeing the books and bookcases in the room, Tai-Jyn quickly calculates the best avenue of approach. Clicking his heels together, he gains a burst of speed before taking off.

With magic enhanced speed, Tai-Jyn moves across the book laden floor towards the evil creature. He suddenly leaps towards the beast before moving on. He remains focused for any attack the beast may throw at him.

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I forgot to label manuevers. I only have 6 to choose 4 from. My plan was to have the pure melee ones readied in cities, and the 2 saving throw buff ones when on adventure/etc. I would love to have the saving throw ones active now, but since not my plan, I will stick with the other 4. (Razor, disarm, heart surge, sudden leap).

sudden leap jump is swift action, so no time spent in jump, WoTC FAQ says movement during jump does not count against total movement in round.
jump - (1d20+34)[47]

SO moves 30' in through difficult terrain. Makes swift jump of distance above, If makes it to beasts side he will draw and attack as below, otherwise finish his move unthreatened to the beasts side


balance just in case - (1d20+13)[31]

att - (1d20+25)[27]
crit confirm - (1d20+28)[31] crit on 17-20
dmg - (1d10+5)[6]
outsider dmg - (1d6)[2]
iaijutsuroll - (1d20+21)[24]
iaijutsu dmg - (9d6)[5][6][5][1][2][5][4][1][1](30)take number of die depending on iaijutsu roll,
10-14 1die, 15-19 2 die, 20-24 3 die and so on to 40-44 7die.

[13_CBS]

Shiny:

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The two of you easily go undetected through the bloodied school. Bodies of young students, scholars, and guards litter the area, with the occasional demon corpse peppered throughout the carnage.

Eventually you reach one of the professors' lounges, a large office-like room filled with comfortable cushions and a mechanical snack dispenser. Two dead teachers are sprawled over these cushions, while a third one cowers in a corner, begging for mercy. Two demons, each wearing the guise of beautiful but deadly women, seem to be toying with the poor female scholar.

Tactical map:

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Red = demons
Lavender = scholar

Tsuki/Umi may start anywhere where they have line of sight with the two demons and the professor in the corner. You have a surprise round to act.

Grymm:

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You land with perfect grace in front of the demon and perform an iaijutsu cut, slicing open the demon's chassis.

Tactical map:

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Tai Jyn has moved from his starting position to I17 and has dealt 19 damage (Normal attack + Anti-outsider damage + Iaijutsu)

Combat round start

Initiative order:
Tai Jyn (19)
Demon (17)

[Seribro]

Do not read until Mongo's initiative comes up. Or until your curiosity gets the better of you. Which ever comes first. I wont be able to be here when its my turn (unless the battle is going by the speed of a turtle in hibernation) so to keep you all from waiting, here's what happens at that point. (unless something bizarre happens before that time, killing of the demon or scaring it away)

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((I already lost track of initiative so I'll just make my post now and you can take it into acount once it is actually my turn okay?))

As Mongo reaches the monstrosity his body begins to move as if it hears music that only he can hear. As he closes in the last few steps, he leaps into the air a couple feat and lashes out with the guan dao as if it were an extension of his own arms. A quick sidestep while using the momentum of his last swing to initiate another. A step forward while taking in some of the poles reach for a quick cut under the waist. A roll to the left, dugging beneath a swinging claw and ripping through the abdomen and he backflips out of reach again, blood spats covering his grinning face as well as half the garden around him.

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step into D10-E11
powerattack 5
attack 1 (1d20+20)[34]
damage (2d8+27)[38]
side step to C10-D11, auto success tumble, activates acrobatic strike
attack 2 (1d20+24)[35]
damage (2d8+27)[39]
step foreword C11-D12, activate short haft, auto success tumble, activates acrobatic strike
attack 3 (1d20+19)[29]
damage (2d8+27)[36]
side step to D11-E12, auto success tumble, activates acrobatic strike
attack 1 (1d20+14)[28]
damage (2d8+27)[33]
auto success tumble back to D9-E10 (Still short haft so I am not threatening the demon at the moment)

Edit: forgot the flanking again... Oh well, looks like 4 hits anyway.
146 damage -40 DR =106 damage

[The_Snark]

Tiang

Tiang glances impatiently about the street. I cannot see anything from here. Danger was no reason to throw away her guise, not when she had perfectly good reasons for maintaining it; she wouldn't let the appearance of a demon rule her behavior. At the same time, risk to her was no reason to abandon Wu, should she need help.

She begins some form of hand gesture, and fades completely from sight as the quick motion is completed, beginning to rise off the ground out of the sight of mortal eyes.

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Walk Unseen, followed by flying up to about where the top of the wall is.

[EvilWalks]

Wu-feng the Dragonfly

Wu-feng falls into a defensive stance, ready to dodge away from any counter-attacks that the demon might do...though the demon seemed still a little stunned from her initial blow, so perhaps it would be better to keep it from ever landing a strike.

She followed her initial attack with flurry of stabbing blows that ended with a single slash...Frantic Tiger at the River's Edge the maneuver was called, for the movements of a starved tiger trying to catch a fish.

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Declare Dodge on demon
AC 25
Flurry of Blows!

Attack 1: (1d20+16)[19]
Damage 1: (1d8+8)[15]
In Case of Critical Hit (17-20/x2)

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Threat Roll: (1d20+16)[30]
Damage Roll: (2d8+16)[21]

Attack 2: (1d20+16)[27]
Damage 2: (1d8+8)[10]
In Case of Critical Hit (17-20/x2)

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Threat Roll: (1d20+16)[22]
Damage Roll: (2d8+16)[30]

Attack 3: (1d20+11)[23]
Damage 3: (1d8+8)[9]
In Case of Critical Hit (17-20/x2)

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Threat Roll: (1d20+11)[13]
Damage Roll: (2d8+16)[20]

[Grymmheart]

Tai-Jyn

Tai-Jyn eagerly awaits the destruction of this vile outsider. Focusing on his own protection, he moves his blade in a defensive fashion. Calling on the power of his ring and the training he obtained at the Yamato Monastery, Tai-Jyn concentrates on finding the one opening in his foes defenses that will cause the most damage.

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Still an attack vs a flat-footed foe

att - (1d20+20)[38]
crit confirm - (1d20+20)[39] crit on 17-20

dmg - (1d20+27)[38] times two for greater insightful strike
outsider dmg - (1d6)[4]

parry - (1d20+20)[35] Get to use wall of blades for my AC on an attack by the beast after I know if the attack would hit, so saving for the first attack that would hit AC 26 (used combat expertise to increase AC)

WOOHOO nice 156 dmg hit, base hit 76, crit for 152 and 4 for starmetal, unless his AC greater than 38

[13_CBS]

Grymm:

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The many armed demon at first ignores your blow and raises its four arms...

...which fall off one by one, followed by the rest of the demon's body. It collapses into ruin and fades out of sight.

The Minister comes out from his hiding spot and walks about the room as if in a daze. His search grows more and more desperate as he begins ripping the room apart with his bare hands.

"No....no, no no! NO!

They've....they've taken it..." He clutches his head in his hands and begins weeping bitterly.

[Grymmheart]

Tai-Jyn

Tai-Jyn pauses for a second waiting for something more to occur. When it seems that the demon is truly gone, he looks for a destroyed shred of paper to wipe the demon gore of his blade before returning it to its home, not caring if his act upsets the minister.

Hearing the minister come from hiding and the distraught sound to his voice at finding IT missing, Tai-Jyn turns to him and asks, "Your welcome...........And what is missing to cause such a stir in you center?"

[13_CBS]

Evil, Snark, Seribro:

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Tactical map of the round's events:

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Mongo grows larger and moves closer to the demon.

Wu Feng aims several blows at the demon, but only one of them hit; and that one merely scratches the demon. It does not seemed to be harmed.

The demon snarls and suddenly disappears. It reappears about 70 ft. above the air, well above the cloud, and mocks you.

Tiang turns invisible and flies over to the wall.

ROUND OVER, post your next actions.

Grymm:

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The Minister seems to snap out of something at your words. He quickly dusts himself off, and regains his composure.

"Oh! I-I apologize for my lack of manners, sir. On behalf of our university, I am forever grateful for your efforts in fighting off these demons." He bows low as he says this.

"The scroll that the succubus-demon took was a highly treasured scroll that we had only recently acquired by paying a substantial sum. That scroll was the Ultimate Pathway, said to be written by Lao Tzu himself.

We were in the process of translating it, but since much of it was written in a Celestial code, it took quite a bit of time. The scroll was locked away when the headmaster was assassinated, for we feared that the intruders may have been after the scroll...and it appears that we were correct." The Minister still looks devastated by the loss of the scroll.

[Grymmheart]

Tai-Jyn

"Yes, unfortunately it does appear your fears were correctly warranted. Any clue where this scroll may have been taken? Or who may be behind the theft?" he asks the minister as he moves to check on the bodies of the fallen he passed. "Before we worry more about the scroll, is there anyone that can offer assistance to the fallen, while I go check for other intruders?"

Tai-Jyn does not await an official answer, but begins to move back into the halls moving towards any new source of combat.

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shifting stances to bump speed to 40'

[Seribro]

((ooc: Okay... that pretty much screws up the tango I had planned... I do however get an AoO as it uses a spell-like ability

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power attack 8, but haven't been able to activate dance yet so no dervish boni
(1d20+15)[33]
(2d8+29)[38]

When the monster begins to use some unnatural power, Mongo quickly manages to get a cut of him, but can't prevent it from dissapearing. When thin air remains , Mongo looks around for a moment to see where it went. But when the vile mockery sounds from above, he realizes he is going to have a problem. Swiftly he hurries back to his horse, planting the Guan Dao in the grass as he moves over. From the pack of his horse he retrieves a length of rope with a grappling hook attached to it.

[The_Snark]

Tiang

Still unseen, the young woman that is Tiang ascends, her humanlike form falling away like scales off a serpent as she moves sinuously upwards.

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Dismiss change shape, move up; still invisible. Should be about thirty feet up at the moment, I believe.

[13_CBS]

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Ok, if Evil does not post by this evening, Wu Feng will just sit there and do nothing.

If Shiny does not post by tomorrow, he will be removed from the game. Gotta post, folks...

[EvilWalks]

Wu-feng the Dragonfly

The Taoist Swordmonk curses as the demon appears out of the range of her blade

It's times like these that I wish I had learned how to use a bow, She thinks as she looks around her environment. Perhaps if there is a building tall enough, one she can reach by walking the rooftops, she can nail the demon with a decisive aerial strike, or lure it back closer to the ground...though she isn't looking forward to the possibility of falling 70ft straight to the earth...

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Wu looks around for a way to gain some elevation (spot (1d20+6)[24] ). If she finds any, she runs, leaps, and tumbles her way to the highest point, and readies a strike.

If there isn't, she watches the demon intently, with her blade ready for an attack (starts a Hawk's Eye maneuver), but her feet ready to shift her position if she needs to move (Total Defense, Full +5 Combat Expertise)

Sorry for the delay...March Break is Madness where I am

[13_CBS]

Evil, Snark, Seribro:

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Tactical map:

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Yellow: Mongo's horse

In the previous round: Mongo's glaive manages to cut the torso badly, but it grunts and teleports into the sky.

This round's events:

Mongo moves over to his horse and fetches a rope and grappling tool.

Wu Feng sees a school supply shop near the Library entrance and hops up over the big fence and onto the rooftop.

The demon laughs at Tiang. "Little fool! You thought your invisibility tricks could get you past these eyes? Ha!" It moves so that it is about 40 ft. above Tiang's position and casts a spell, surrounding itself in a dark aura. (Spellcraft check to identify the effect).

Tiang flies upwards closer to the demon.

Grymm:

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You leave the Minister behind and follow the now diminishing sounds of battle. You now hear demonic screams of pain and terror much more often than that of frightened students; it sounds as if the Library's elite guards have gotten into the fray.

There seems to be some commotion outside the library, however, in the courtyard.

[Grymmheart]

Tai-Jyn

Tai-Jyn contiues to run, letting the sounds of battle lead his feet.

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Still moving 40' speed or 160' as run. Haste was only used 1 rd for the jump to the demons side.

[13_CBS]

Why do I get the feeling that this game is pretty much dead?

[The_Snark]

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I've been kinda trying to post in initiative order, but oh well, I guess. Evil, where are you?

Ch'i Ling Tiangnang

The dragon ignores the demon's foolery, and abruptly reappears in the sky, open to see. The dragon is serpentine, near twelve feet long from nose to tail, with short limbs tucked against its body. Its scales are a pearly blue-white, and it has no horns. She twists sinuously upwards through the air, mouth open in a silent snarl, and the air above her ripples with a faint blue tinge, as if it were turning to water.

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Spellcraft (1d20+7)[21]. Also, Knowledge (the planes) to see what Tiang knows about this type of demon.: (1d20+7)[24]

Tiang halts 30 feet down from the demon and uses Slow Breath; the demon must make a DC 27 Fortitude save or be slowed for 2 rounds. On a successful save, it's slowed for only 1 round. The demon is also entangled for (1d4)[4] rounds, due to Entangling Exhalation.

[Grymmheart]

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After all your work in building a world/history/etc, I would hate to see it die. Even if just 2 or 3 of us work it.

[EvilWalks]

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It's not dead...it's just March Break ;) Have no fear, it's almost over!

Wu-feng the Dragonfly

The Swordmonk continues her search for higher ground...it didn't help that the Demon was continuing to elevate...almost made her wish that it would follow the battle patterns she had read about in Lishun-wa's old scrolls...attack hard in melee.

Unfortutently, she'll have to hold out for that...there was no way to take the fight to the demon...the rooftop she stands on is the highest in the area.

With a breath, she lowers her stance into an all defensive position. She would make herself ready for an attack...and if the demon decided to move to the large barbarian in the court, then at least she was at an elevation to make a devastating aerial attack.

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Third times the charm!

Total Defense, Combat Expertise, the works. Begins watching the demons every move, and setting up for a Hawk's Eye Strike. Round 1, 2 Damage. Round 2, 4 Damage, to a max of 3 rounds studying that results in the next attack dealing an extra 6 damage.

Removed rolls do to change of action

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* post roll count doesn't match database

[13_CBS]

Thanks for the heads up folks. No need to post in strict initiative order, random post order is fine.

If Seribro does not post by later tonight, Mongo will sit there and do nothing.

Also, Shiny has requested to be removed from the game.

Edit: Evil, considering the fact that the demon is about 100 ft. up in the air, you may wish the redo your actions.

[Grymmheart]

Tai-Jyn continues on running..................

[13_CBS]

Sorry about the short one; an update for the rest of you will come soon.

Gyrmm:

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As you run through the rubble, you hear the sound of a woman whimpering and begging for mercy, punctuated by the occasional yelp of pain.

"Oh, don't cry mortal," says a lustful voice. "We won't kill you."

"N-no, please...oh gods, not-AUUGH!"

[Grymmheart]

Tai-Jyn
Tai-Jyn remains in his absolute steel stance and cautiously moves toward the sound. His hand casually on his sheathed weapon hilt.

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moves toward sounds. Assume this is same encounter, so sudden leap remains spent.

[13_CBS]

Grymm:

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Lavender: female scholar
Red: demons

You approach what appears to be a professor's lounge, a small room filled with rich, comfortable silk couches and drink dispensers. In the far corner, you see two beautiful-looking demons "playing" with a ravaged female scholar, a young woman in her twenties. She whimpers for mercy and yelps every time one of the two demons dig their claws a little too deep into her flesh.

As you approach, the demons turn towards you and whisper with lustful voices,

"Oh, another mortal's come."
"Come play with us, young man..."
"We'll show you..."
"The greatest time..."
"Of your life..."

(Tai Jyn must start somewhere near the door and within line of sight of the two demons. Roll for initiative. This combat encounter counts as a new encounter.

Demon initiative: (1d20+1)[21]

Snark, Evil, Seribro:

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The positions have not changed, so a tactical map is unneccesary.

Mongo seems to zone out for a moment; he does nothing as he stands by his horse.

Wu Feng looks about for higher ground, but sees nothing.

The demon lets out a bright flash of unholy light, bathing Tiang in the grim glow. (Tiang must make a DC 22 Will Save or be dazed for (1d10)[9] rounds. If she makes the save, the demon will get entangled and will crash to the floor from 100 ft up.)