Fall of the Empire - IC

[IAmNotJeff]

Ista has thought about this before the encounter and states his conclusions:

"I'd also prefer trying to sneak around the patrol than to fight it. We will be traveling for many hours anyway, so we will lose little if we have spend a few hours retracking and then traveling through the swamps.

If we do take the road, since we are already disguised, I think we should first try bluffing our way passed the patrol. We can claim to be scouts and say there are no Persian soldiers out as far as a days ride. Passing as Arabs is why disguised ourselves, after all. Eventually, we will need to to pass through Arab lands in disguise anyway, but if we can evade the front lines, it should be simpler afterwards. "

[Bandededed]

Matias

Matias frowns slightly. "We can only do one or the other, though. Sneak by or bluff. If we fail sneaking by, they will likely try to kill us. If we fail bluffing, we can probably be sure that they will attack us. I trust the disguises, though. With the armor we're wearing, I doubt we could recreate our escape from the city, especially since these are soldiers, not simple guards,"

[CGCL_Andy]

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You don't really have the option to sneak by without taking a route that includes serious back tracking of your steps, so I am assuming you follow through with the try to disguise and bluff our way in plan.

The party continues on the road flying the muslim flag. This is noticed by the soldiers who ride forward to greet you immediately. One with the most ornate clothing greets the party in arabic. The words are soft and have a musical ring to them, almost clashing with the rugged face delivering them.

In arabic:

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In the name of god, the merciful, the compassionate. Greetings my brethren, I am charged with guarding this passage and need to know what brings you here.

[Sxoa]

Jayanti replies in Arabic,

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"Praise our lord Allah my brother in arms! May he grant you the eyes of a desert falcon in your duty. We are outriding scouts returning to deliver our report. We have not seen any of the womenly Persian soldiers for a days ride out from your post.

"Womenly." Jayanti smiles inwardly, appreciating the irony here.

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I don't know what I roll to speak sans accent, bluff? disguise?
bluff: (1d20+27)[42]
disguise:[roll1d20+23[/roll]
bonus +5 from aura included
The bluff can also count for my roll to be convincing in what I'm saying, or I can roll again as you will.

[CGCL_Andy]

The soldier looks a bit suspicious, and tries to hide it but his body language betrays him.

Arabic:

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I am bakr son aas my brother, and who are you and your companions? I am puzzled as a few of those who have not seen the light flew from us a mere hours ago. I was hoping you had finished them off sending them to hell as they deserver. I wonder how they got past your company.

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Can I get everyone to post their positions? I will put up a mini-map in the OOC thread again. (I will center the map on Jayanti. Everyone else needs to announce their location. You shouldn't spread wide as it would look suspicious)

[Sxoa]

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Can you post the link to the out of character thread? I've lost it! I'm replying in a culturally apropriate manner I presume. If there is some stigma at the time to using a person's full name, (and I'm aware of it, which I guess I might not be) then I obviously avoid that. Its a learning experience!

Jayanti thinks curses! but replies smooth as spun silk,
Arabic

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"Well met bakr son aas, I am Azhar i’bn Khaleed al Jarrari, leader of this company. Perhaps the men you let flee to take the tale of your valor back to their wives and masters turned north before reaching us? We have been scouring the swamps making sure no one slips past our patrols near the river. If the headed into the swamps then there are any number of things that could have happened to them. Our number used to be plus one till a sink hole ate man and beast and gear in one bite! Perhaps our lord of light in his infinite wisdom saw fit to meet out a similar fate to the infidels you scattered to the wind.

Jayanti gestures towards the group at the beginning of her speech.

[CGCL_Andy]

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OOC thread.

[CGCL_Andy]

He continues talking to Jayanti in Arabic:

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Well met indeed Azhar i’bn Khaleed. I will have one of my men freshen up your mounts. While one more is standing watch, we will then stand together for the afternoon prayer. As the profit says the larger the crowd praying together, the more the good deed recorded by the angels of heaven. I hope you give us the honor of leading the prayer.

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Afternoon prayer can be performed right away. The time for it is almost exactly now. The prayer should take about 5-10 minutes.

[Sxoa]

Jayanti combs her memory trying to remember the prayer.

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(1d20+11)[20] Presuming thats enough she continues.

In Arabic

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"You do me great honor sir. Are you sure you would not lead them yourself? You have stood here bravely and standing in combat while we have been merely mucking about in the swamps."

When the man insists, she continues in Arabic

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"As you wish. Let me speak with my companions for a but a breath, we will join you at your camp momentarily."

[CGCL_Andy]

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You remember the prayer, it's a complicated ritual performed facing Mecca. But you have learnt it in the past.

Bakr continues

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Mucking about in the swamps? you underestimate the bravery of yourself and your men, guiding outriders in the persian territory is no small task. We will be honored to follow you in prayer, and I will be honored to know your men.

He then rides up to Pedram, saying (still in arabic)

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Greetings brave soldier of allah. May the blessings of the profit and the khalif be upon you in your travels. I am Bakr son of Aas, what is your name my brother?

[Jael_Darkwood]

Seth

Bowing slightly to show his deference, Seth answers for Pedram in arabic :

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"Ah, they will not understand you, honored sir.... Our leaders in their wisdom have recruited some local horsemen to assist us in scouting. These heathens only speak Persian, but hate their own kind, and help us willingly. We have only lately began to instruct them in the holy tongue, and in the proper methods of prayer." {bluff = (1d20+9)[21], not sure if this can be counted as 'assisting' Jayanti in her bluff :)}

[IAmNotJeff]

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If there's a convenient moment when the party is out of earshot of the patrol, Ista will say that he is quite capable of leading the prayers, but his ability to bluff otherwise is quite poor. If Jiyanti doesn't want him to lead the prayers he can help give some pointers to the patrol.

[CGCL_Andy]

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Unholier, I need to know if you are in or out. If I don't hear from you by Wednesday, I will start contacting people for a replacement.

Frustrated by Pedram's lack of immediate response and before Seth can give his explanation, Bakr signals one of his men. Seth's explanation arrives shortly and seems to convince him somewhat. At least until the man he had signaled yells out something in Arabic, which causes all of the arabs to draw their scimitars.

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All of them, they are all damned to the fires of hell.

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Initiative Rolls, and actions for the first round please.

Please read back my first combat post again, to remember how I want you to format your posts.

[Bandededed]

Matias

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Init - (1d20+3)[22]
{table]Matias |Ranger 6
HP 42/42: 0 nonlethal |Speed: 40
AC/T/FF |19/13/16
Melee Atk |A. Blade: +10/+5 / 1d6 + 2/1
Ranged |Longbow: +10/+5 / 1d8+2
Saves |Fort +7 Ref +8 Will +2[/table]

OOC: italics are thoughts

Matias curses silently when the Arab's begin to draw their weapons. What I wouldn't give to know their damn language he thinks.

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My actions are dependent on where I fall in the order of things. Ideally, I could dismount while drawing my bow and try for a ranged sneak attack against the leader.

Failing that, I would try to shoot someone else who is still flat-footed.

Then again, I'm not sure if I can stack those two move actions together .

Either way, I dismount into the space ^ (14,12?) from mine. If I can draw and shoot, good. Otherwise I'll just draw my blades and let them do the talking.

Edit: Whoops. I'll roll (if I even need to) in the OOC thread

[Sxoa]

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Init:(1d20)[20]
Agreed on the subject of actions. Before we declare actions can we get a list of initiatives or just declare our action when its our turn?

HP: 35
AC: 13/10

Jayanti will probably drop from her camel and slap its rump to send it running among the Arab's horses while she retreats to her own sides line.

[Jael_Darkwood]

Seth

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Init (1d20+3)[22]
HP 23/23
AC 17 , 14 flat , 13 touch
Fort +2 Ref +8 Will +2

Does my sense motive give me advance notice? I'd probly know about 'detect unbeliever'. Have I been studying the leader for 3 rounds?

If Seth can catch wind of the arab's sense unbeliever before he reports it to his captain (sense motive [roll]1d20+ 9[/roll]), then he will distract the captain briefly (bluff : look over there! something shocking! (1d20+9)[27]) and give him a good face stabbing (hopefully 3 rounds have gone by. If not, but Seth still acts in suprise round, then he will circle the captain (5ft step) to flank with one of the other teammates and then sneak attack him.

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rapier stabbity(1d20+5)[23] crit confirm (18-20)(1d20+5)[21], damage (1d6+1)[2]. Sneak attack(?) (4d6)[12] Death attack (if possible) = DC 16

[CGCL_Andy]

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I rolled the initiative for the missing members, Pedram has been unresponsive and I will DMPC him, Ista acts as instructed by IamNotJeff in the first round of combat. That is, do nothing and execute total defense.

As for knowing when you move, with initiative rolls as yours I think it would've been safe to assume you go before them (which you do)

start of combat is the Arab soldier's alarming tone and the drawing of weapons, there are no surprise rounds.

Combat Round 1

Matias - Init 22

The ranger quickly dismounts his horse, and draws his blades.

Seth - Init 22

Seth Guides his horse around quickly, having studied Bakr's armor while he was talking to Jayanti he knows of a small opening under the helm and swiftly guides his blade through the opening cutting the enemy's spinal cord.

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He failed his save! I hate you! (I'm starting to think, this level appropriate encounters are not really level appropriate! I'm sure you are not supposed to be able to take down a tough fighter just like that!)

Jayanti - Init 20

The slight woman jumps down her camel and encourages the animal to run thorough the horses. But the experienced arab riders are not deterred and hold their ground.

Pedram -Init 16

With Bakr out of the way, Pedram charges the closest soldier. "Surrender, or be prepared to meet your maker."

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Attack and damage rolls:
[roll0]- Bah previewing the post!! I rerolled for him using a real dice and he missed.
[roll1]

Bakr -Init 12 (dead)

His body falls from the horse, while the horse gets itself out of the immediate combat zone.

Ista - Init 9

Remains in the back anticipating to rush in as soon as his medical expertise are needed, at the same time he uses his shield to cover himself as well as he can.

Arab Soldiers - Init 5
Momentarily taken a back by their leaders demise, the soldiers regain their footing and charge in. At least most of them do. One turns around and gallops away. Of the remaining ones, the one engaged in combat with Pedram tries to hit him, and fails. Two attack Seth swearing vengeance, one hist solidly while the others blow is weak and seth dodges it easily. Two charge Jayanti and both hit, and the last one tries to hit Matias misses by a wide margin.

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Seth: 5 pts of damage
Jayanti: 8 pts of damage

[Sxoa]

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HP: 26
AC: 13/10

on her turn unless she can't avoid hitting her allies Jayanti does the following

Jayanti shouts in Persian, "Matias, anyone, kill the fleeing man! Hit his horse! Anything!"
She then takes a step back and unleashes a wave of flame over the two soldiers who confronted her.

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(1d4)[1] EDIT: well... at least they're on fire

They and their horses need to make DC 15 reflex saves for half damage. Regardless of the save they're on fire. On their turns they can take full round actions to extinguish the flames or else they continue burning.

[IAmNotJeff]

Ista shouts (in Persian):

"In the name of all that is good, someone stop that rider! Jiyanti, can you prayers and taunts bring him back here?"

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HP 42, AC 31/16. If the rider is down by the time it's Ista's turn, he reserves to heal.

If the rider is still going, Ista drops his body shield, draws his bow. If the horse has already been shot, he shoots the horse. If not, he shoots the rider. If he attacks, it is HP 42, AC 22, to hit (d20+4)[6], damage (d8+2)[9].

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I'm having enormous computer troubles, but I hope to have it fixed soon.

[Jael_Darkwood]

Seth

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Init : 22
HP : 18/23
AC : 17 (13 touch, 14 flat)
Fort +2 Ref +8 Will +2[

Confronted by two men, Seth digs into his bag o tricks... Feinting at one with his rapier, he stabs for the other one with his poisoned dagger, and circles, trying to keep the leftmost of his opponents between himself and the other one.

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Move action : Feint against leftmost opponent (I'm going to stab your friend, not you...) bluff (1d20+9)[28], Attack with dagger (1d20+5)[24] (crit 19-20 possible confirm(1d20)[2]), dagger damage (1d4)[1], Poison DC 19 Fort, Con Damage (1d6+1)[6] initial, secondary damage same in 1minute (10 rounds), Sneak attack damage (4d6)[13].

5ft step north, the further north guy was my target (to my left)

[Bandededed]

Matias

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Matias |Ranger 6
HP 42/42: 0 nonlethal |Speed: 40
AC/T/FF |19/13/16
Melee Atk |Arascid Blade: +10/+5 / 1d6 + 2/1
Ranged |Longbow: +10/+5 / 1d8+2
Saves |Fort +7 Ref +8 Will +2

"Of course one runs," he spits irritatedly. Dropping his daggers, he whips out his bow while side stepping to his right. There he natches two arrows, and aims for a split second before firing at the fleeing arab's horse

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5 ft step to 10,15 while drawing bow (blades are in 11,15). Using Many shot to double shot the horse of the fleeing arab.
Attack1 - (1d20+6)[17] : with the -4 penalty for many shot
Attack2 - (1d20+6)[25]
Damage1 - (d8+2)[4]
Damage2 - (d8+2)[5]

[CGCL_Andy]

Combat Round 2

Matias - Init 22

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This is a very bad position for shooting. He is far away and there is a horse, it's rider and Jayanti directly between you and him!

The ranger drops his daggers, draws his bow and fires a pair of arrows in a fluid motion all while dodging a blow from the Arab rider fighting him. One hits the mark and injures the horse, while the other is grazes another one of the riders on it's way and misses its mark.


Seth - Init 22

Guiding the horse with his knees, Seth tricks his target and lands a telling blow. The rider slides off the horse bleeding badly.

Jayanti - Init 20

Smell of burning hair fills the air fire shoots from Jayanti's hands and engulfs the two soldiers harassing her.

Pedram -Init 16

Feeling the urgency of not letting anyone flee, Pedram asks for a favor from Ahura and brings down his weapon with all his might. His sward cuts deep into the man's flesh. He is badly injured and struggles to keep himself in the saddle.

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Attack and damage rolls:
(1d20+13)[26]
(1d8+9)[14]

Ista - Init 9

The priest drops his shield and aims at the fleeting rider, but is distracted by his concern for his allies and shots far off the mark.

Arab Soldier- running - Init 5
He continues to gallop away.

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distance to you at the end of this turn: approximately 600 ft

Arab Soldiers - Fighting - Init 5
The ones still standing continue to fight. It becomes clear very quickly that they are outmatched terribly as only one manages to land a blow, and even then it's barely more than a scratch on Jayanti's arm.

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Jayanti: 3 pts of damage

[Sxoa]

Jayanti moves away from the burning riders and their screaming horses in an effort to get a clearer shot. As she moves along she draws her crossbow and lets a shot fly, hoping against hope for a lucky strike.

While her curse is a tongue no one present understands, the anger is very clear. Jayanti sputters in rage as the bolt shatters and explodes in the crossbow sending splinters of wood flying everywhere.

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Unless Matias or someone else takes down the horse or guy before Jayanti's turn she does the described action moving to 07,07 and provoking AoO from the two burning guys. If someone does kill the escapee she steps away and lets loose with a gout of fire on the soldier and horse in 12,08 (obviously avoiding Seth).

Roll to hit with crossbow +5 normal -14 for being 7 range increments away. (1d20-9)[-8]

Wow, that is the exact opposite of the natural twenty I needed to hit.

[IAmNotJeff]

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Ista positions himself to protect Remo from any possible remaining enemy troops and then reserves to heal anyone who needs it.

[Bandededed]

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{table]Matias |Ranger 6
HP 42/42: 0 nonlethal |Speed: 40
AC/T/FF |19/13/16
Melee Atk |Arascid Blade: +10/+5 / 1d6 + 2/1
Ranged |Longbow: +10/+5 / 1d8+2
Saves |Fort +7 Ref +8 Will +2[/table]

Matias, resigned to letting the runner escape, instead raises his bow to the closest arab and lets fly a volly of arrows.

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I provoke AoOs for this, but what the heck. Full attack + rapidshot at nearest enemy.
Attacks: (3d20)[6][8][15](29)
Totals (+8, +8, +3): 14, 16, 18
Damage: (3d8)[3][5][2](10)
Totals (+2 each): 5, 7, 4

[CGCL_Andy]

Combat Round 3

Matias - Init 22

The rider tries unsuccessfully to hit Matias as he sends a volley of arrows his way. One hit him in the thigh while the other embeds itself into his stomach, the last arrow grazes his cheek leaving a bloody scratch but no serious wound.

Seth - Init 22

Surprised at how easily two of the enemies fell under his strike, Seth misses the opportunity to strike at the closest foe.

Jayanti - Init 20

As Jayanti moves away from the riders to fire her crossbow, one of the manages to strike past her defenses and inflict another wound on the inexperienced combatant.

Pedram -Init 16

Pedram cuts down his opponent and immediately his mount takes off after the escaping rider. He shouts back at you "Finish these off, I will try to stop the last one."

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Attack and damage rolls:
(1d20+10)[17]
(1d8+3)[10]

Second attack if needed:
(1d20+5)[25]
(1d8+3)[10] Not needed after all!

Ista - Init 9

Ista moves into position to protect Remo from possible danger. While watching the battle closely in case his services are needed.

Arab Soldier- running - Init 5
He continues to gallop away.

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distance to you at the end of this turn: approximately 900 ft You can barely see him in the cloud of dust he is leaving behind.

Arab Soldiers - Fighting - Init 5
The ones still standing continue to fight. The one injured by Matias takes a token revenge by scoring a solid hit on the ranger. Seth's opponent is as distracted as Seth himself and completely misses the mark. While the other two close on Jayanti and try to hit her again unsuccessfully.

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Jayanti: 3 pts of damage.
Matias: 5 pts of damage.

[Jael_Darkwood]

Seth

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Sorry about not posting, dunno how I missed it yesterday.

Init : 22
HP : 18/23
AC : 17 (13 touch, 14 flat)
Fort +2 Ref +8 Will +2[

Turning to face the remaining soldier, Seth first feints towards his face with his rapier, then angles his rapier to come in under the soldier's ribcage. Guiding his horse, he maneuvers backwards towards Ista by 5 feet.

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Move action : Feint against remaining opponent (defend against a face stabbing! Fake!) bluff (1d20+9)[23], Attack with rapier (1d20+5)[12] (crit 18-20 possible confirm(1d20+5)[12]), rapier damage (1d6+1)[6], Sneak attack damage (4d6)[15].

[Sxoa]

Jayanti curses at the remaining soldier, pointing out the hopelessness of his situation.

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Using the inspire despair ability of the silver tongued feat: Allows me to use Crushing Despair if I make a DC 25 Diplomacy check. He gets a Will save at DC 10+1/2 My ranks in Diplomacy+Charisma modifier (19) to resist.
diplomacy check (1d20+25)[40]includes +5 from aura,

Which reminds me, Seth gets a +5 bonus to all his bluff checks since he's within 60 feet of me. The aura adds my Charisma modifier (+5) to all charisma based skill checks allies make within 60 feet. Not that he seems to need it, but it is there regardless.

[Bandededed]

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{table]Matias |Ranger 6
HP 37/42: 0 nonlethal |Speed: 40
AC/T/FF |19/13/16
Melee Atk |Arascid Blade: +10/+5 / 1d6 + 2/1
Ranged |Longbow: +10/+5 / 1d8+2
Saves |Fort +7 Ref +8 Will +2
[/table]

Matias simply snarls at his opponent, steps back and fluidly draws back his bow, releasing more arrows at the wounded soldier, planning on taking out any other wounded as well.

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I'm not sure how many of them are standing at this point, but I take a 5 ft. step north, and use my rapid shot again. First target is the arab that hit me, but after that he shoots at the weakest of them.

Attacks - (3d20)[20][6][18](44) - +8, +8, +3 respectively
Totals: 28, 14, 11
Damage - (3d8)[1][7][7](15) - +2 (all)
Totals: 3, 9, 9
Crit confirmed - att 25, extra damage 10

[CGCL_Andy]

Combat Round 4

Matias - Init 22

Matias's first arrow finds a weak link in the riders chain shirt and passes right through his heart. His lifeless body hits the ground shortly after.

The ranger then turns his attention to one of the riders attacking Jayanti, his next shot is miss, but his last arrow finds its target and embed itself into the riders flesh.

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Now that was a shot to bring down the run away rider with! Unfortunately Roy's dad forgot to mention you should shoot at him! ;)

Seth - Init 22

Seth fools his adversary but his rapier slashes at his armor without any effect.

Jayanti - Init 20

Jayanti taunts the rider attacking her, promising to feed his corpse to the dogs.

Pedram -Init 16

Pedram continues to chase down the one rider that got away.


Ista - Init 9

Ista keeps close to remo, while still looking at the battle carefully to see if anyone needs his help.

Arab Soldier- running - Init 5
He continues to gallop away.

Arab Soldiers - Fighting - Init 5
The ones still standing continue to fight. as if surrender is an option that do not consider. But none of them manage to inflict a wound.