The Red Hand of Doom

[SamTheCleric]

Dalor whistles low, "Who gave these hobgoblins Mithral? That's a nice piece you have there."

[kamikasei]

"Who gave them, or who did they take it from? The bodies look too far gone to tell if it was custom fitted. Still, a force of hobgoblins well-organized enough that they can run wagons up the main trade route of the area, hauling mithral or wearing it - that is ominous indeed."

[Orran]

"Well either way it didn't do them any good, perhaps it will do better for us. Let's take it with us, give it a once over and pass it on." Phalius steps down from the wagon and walks over to the dead hydra.
"I guess this guy's been preying on our hobgoblin friends as well, maybe killing him will help them more than us? No matter though, let's get on with it, I hope to be there before nightfall."

[Incarnum3]

Gelu takes the wand with a smile, but notices upon further inspection that he is free of wounds. "If anyone needs a quick heal, I'll be happy to oblige." He follows the others to the wagon, and gasps as he sees the well armored Hobgoblins. "Strange indeed..." he thinks to himself. He searches the rest of the area, looking for more signs of possibly useful items.

More well equipped hobgoblins. This doesn't sit well with me.

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Search:(1d20+8)[19]

[kamikasei]

(( Unless Gelu turns up something interesting with that Spot check... ))

Varech shifts the weight of his weapon back over his shoulder. "Well, for any quesitons this raises, I suspect the answers are best sought further on. Let's continue as Phalius says. It would not be good to be caught out on this exposed land when we look to rest, nor to scout in darkness."

[Miraqariftsky]

Laius whispers another swift prayer of thanksgiving then tucks the wand of healing away. He rides Truefang over to the waggon's wreck then bids him search for the traces of anything else of value.

The halfling then dismounts and pokes about with his lance. Snagging bits of the mithral armour, he drags them to the surface then hands them to his comrades. Huffing with the exertion, he mounts up again and says to them, "What? Why're ye lookin' at me like that? To spurn a gift of the gods is to accept a curse of the daemons. And that mithral there is definitely a gift of the gods"

Riding back to the mouth of the causeway, Laius answers Varech's call. "Indeed, comrade. I agree that we should move on and make camp on dry, defensible ground"

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(1d20+1)[8] Laius' Spot
(1d20+1)[8] Search

(1d20+5)[15] Truefang's tracking check

[TehJhu]

One the party begins to move on again, Jorr takes point, leading you all down the much more pleasant road.

A few more hours go by and the sun slips from the roof of the sky and begins its slow crawl back to earth. The day wears on and the bruises from the hydra ache in a distant, annoying way. Coupled with the still-blistering heat, the roads earlier pleasantness quickly fades.

As all come up on a bend in the road, Jorr turns and walks backwards. He opens his mouth to speak as you come around the bend but is interrupted by a low, gargling roar. From the treeline near the road a tree explodes out across the road, followed by a hulking beast with mottled gray skin shambles out onto the road on stubby legs. It's arms are corded with muscle and drag the ground, its hunched head looms over the road at least nine feet up.

Six yellowish eyes peer across the road at the party. The monster roars a challange and begins to move forward.

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Monster Initiative - 20
Jorr Initative - 9

Its a 40 foot wide road with the monster starting 30 feet back.

[SamTheCleric]

"Jorr, what kind o' monster perfume are ya' wearin'?!"

Dalor tightens his grip on his waraxe, sputtering curses in dwarven and giant at the thing.

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Initiative: 1d20+5

[SamTheCleric]

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I'm tired. I forgot to put my roll tags on that.

(1d20+5)[21]

[TehJhu]

"T'ain't me." Jorr says, knocking an arrow, "its that prettyboy in the robes they be wantin'"

[Miraqariftsky]

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(1d20+1)[7] Initiative
(1d20+1)[16] Int check to tell whaddaheck it is
One order of DETECT EVIL, please...

Laius gasps in shock at the approach of the blasted abomination. "Whaddaheck?!", he sputters.

His lance comes down into a ready position and his visor clangs shut to protect his face. His eyes flash with an inner flame as he tries to see beyond the mortal flesh and into the monster's soul, seeking whether it deserves Purification...

[Orran]

"I cannot be blamed for this, I am not the one with hobgoblin and hydra blood staining me." Phalius prepares to engage arcanic power again, sighing.

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Initiative - (1d20+2)[17]

[kamikasei]

"Jorr, what manner of creature is that?"

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Initiative - (1d20+2)[15]
Int - (1d20+1)[11]

[TehJhu]

(( It is not evil ))

[SamTheCleric]

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Iniative as it stands:

Dalor - 21
Monster - 20
Gelu - 19
Phalius - 17
Varech - 15
Jarr - 9
Laius 7

Ok, this is gonna suck... because I know what it is... but Dalor doesn't...

"Whatever it is, its comin' right fer us!" Dalor charges forward, the momentum built up allowing for a much mightier blow.

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+2 for charge, -5 for Power Attack
(1d20+8)[13] - vs Flat Footed AC
(1d10+11)[16]

[Miraqariftsky]

Laius' spiritual sight shows him that the monster bears not the taint of darkness yet his mundane eyes tell him clearly that its intentions are ill. Though still reeling from the shock, Laius maneuvres to the left of the road, couching his lance, preparing for to either give a charge or receive a charge. He then belts out, "Varech! Right flank, help me hold the line and keep it at a distance! Dalor! Take the centre, engage at will! Gelu, Phallius, Jorr, fire support!"

[kamikasei]

Varech moves to the right of the road at Laius's command. "You three, keep back!" he calls to the mage and archers. "Force it to pass us to reach you!"

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Okay... initiative may mess with this but the aim will be to get the monster at 10' and straight up attack, then take any AoOs on it if it tries to move past. The AoOs will be used for Stand Still attempts; the monster will have to roll Reflex vs. 10+dmg or stay where it is. They won't deal any actual damage.

Attack - (1d20+6)[13] taking -2/+4 power attack
Damage - (2d4+8)[13]
Confirm - (1d20+6)[11]
Critical - (2d4+8)[15]

AoO1Attack - (1d20+8)[25]
AoO1Damage - (2d4+4)[10]
AoO1Confirm - (1d20+8)[19]
AoO1Critical - (2d4+4)[9]

AoO2Attack - (1d20+8)[22]
AoO2Damage - (2d4+4)[11]
AoO2Confirm - (1d20+8)[9]
AoO2Critical - (2d4+4)[11]

AoO3Attack - (1d20+8)[26]
AoO3Damage - (2d4+4)[9]
AoO3Confirm - (1d20+8)[18]
AoO3Critical - (2d4+4)[9]

...seriously, battlefield controllers require too many rolls.

Status: 41/42hp, 17/17pp, ac 17, 15 ff, 12 touch.

[Incarnum3]

"Does it ever end?"

Gelu sighs in resignation, nocking another to his bow and taking careful aim. He soreness and bruises are instantly forgotten as the adrenaline of combat flows through him.

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Initiative:(1d20+7)[19]
Rapid Shot.
Attack 1:(1d20+7)[26]
Attack 2:(1d20+7)[22]
Attack 3:(1d20+2)[11]
Damage 1:(1d8+2)[3]
Damage 2:(1d8+2)[9]
Damage 3:(1d8+2)[3]

[TehJhu]

Dalor's axe bounces off of the monsters springy hide.

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The monster full attacks Dalor and hits with both claws but misses with its bite. Dalor takes 13 points of damage.

The beast shrugs off Dalor's blow and then lashes out with its wicked claws, knocking the sturdy dwarf around like a toy. As Dalor reels from the blows, the creature lunges forward, opening its maw to reveal jagged black fangs. Dalor smashes his shield into the thing's face, driving it back.

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When it comes to Jorr's turn he'll fire an arrow at it-

Attack - (1d20+8)[27]
Damage - (1d8+1)[2]

After all the other actions for the round are posted I'll summarize ect ect...

[Orran]

Seeing the chance to protect himself from the creature, Phalius wraps the force of abjuration around him, defending himself from attacks. He then moves to were Laius suggested, drawing his crossbow as he goes.

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Actions: Standard - cast shield - new AC 15
Movement - to behind Laius and the others
Free - Draw crossbow

[SamTheCleric]

"Oof, you hit like an angry stone giant, lad! Luckily, so do I!"

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-2 for Power attack
(1d20+9)[21]
(1d10+8)[11]

Iterative
(1d20+4)[18]
(1d10+8)[17]

Stats:

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HP: 36/59
AC: 24

[Miraqariftsky]

Laius ducks his head low and digs his heels into Truefang's tough flanks. The two roar down the road, a streak of silversteel.

He feels the lance's barbed tip hit something hard yet soft, his arm jarred violently from the impact. And then the sensation passes and he halts the charge forty feet past the beast.

There he turns and levels the lance's winter-keen tip at the massive monster. There he says a swift prayer and prepares for another charge.

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(1d20+12)[30] Charging attack roll
(1d20+12)[28] crit threat
(1d6+4)[8] mundane damage
(1d6+1)[7] mystic damage


Finally, a good set of rolls... too bad it was two points away from a x3 crit!

Anyhow:

Flat damage: 15
Total mounted lancing charging damage: 27

I've got a feeling that thing's got some mad damage reduction, but 45's still a high number, right?

Stats: HP 35/35 AC 20

[Orran]

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I'm not really sure about where we are in the round, but I may as well post my next actions, (with rp afterwards as always)

Standard: Cast scorching ray
Ranged touch attack: (1d20+5)[24]
Damage (4d6)[16]
Movement: Move backwards away from the creature as well as into LOS if I didn't have it, and if I did have it I'll move behind someone else after shooting it.

Seeing his spear wielding companion guarding him as always, Phalius takes to the offence. He takes aim and throws a fiery ray at the monster's hide, knowing that the tough hide won't protect from the magical heat. Seeing his ray strike the monster solidly Phalius ducks backwards to the extent of his range.
"Don't worry about me Varech, I've solidified my defenses. Get on with destroying the beast."

[Miraqariftsky]

Through the slits of his visor, Laius smells the distinct tang of brimstone and of burning. His hidden lips twitch upward in a grim smile as he recognizes Phallius' searing spell slashing towards the foe in a mystic line like a scorching spear.

Though he faces an aberration most strange, his chivalry still stays his hand from stabbing even so foul a foe in the back. Truefang half-crouches, hackles raised, teeth bared in a savage snarl, the dog's corded muscles bunched, ready to spring. Laius yells, "Face me, if any honour you have, foul abomination! But if these words you ken, flee while you still can!"

[TehJhu]

Round 1:

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Gelu fires three arrows at the monster, two hit and the monster takes 12 points of damage.

Phailus casts shield, draws his crossbow, and moves towards the battle.

Varech attacks but misses.

Jorr fires and misses.

Laius charges the monster and hits, the monster takes 27 points of damage.

After the beast smashes Dalor around, three arrows whistle over the dwarf's head. Two thud solidly into the muscles bunching at the beast's chest, the third hits it between the eyes but bounces off ineffectively.

Phailus casts his defensive magics and moves into position while Varech charges in, jabbing his guisarme into the monster, but the weapon bounces off of the creature's tough hide without a scratch. The psychic readies himself to keep the monster from Phailus or the rangers.

Jorr's arrow flies ahead of Laius as he charges, but bounces off of the monster. Laius' lance, however, tears into the thing's dull gray hide as he races past. The monster roars in pain as blood quickly soaks the dirt of the road.

Round 2:

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Dalor attacks the monster twice, hitting once and dealing 11 points of damage.

The monster atacks Dalor and hits with one claw. Dalor rakes 5 points of damage.

Phailus casts scorching ray on the monster and hits, dealing 16 points of damage.

More actions and the RP once they are taken. And sorry again about the delay.

[SamTheCleric]

"Oof... That hurt!"

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HP: 28/49
AC: 24, Touch: 12, Flat-Footed: 23

Full Attack
-2 for Power Attack
Attack 1 (1d20+9)[26]
Damage 1 (1d10+8)[11]
Attack 2 (1d20+4)[20]
Damage 2 (1d10+8)[17]

[kamikasei]

Seemingly unheeded by the monster, Varech studies its response to his allies' attacks as he looks for an opening.

"Well struck, Laius!" he calls out. "It's got hide as thick as armor! Hit hard or hit well! What should be mortal wounds are just bouncing off, but it can be hurt..."

Seeing his opening, he whips up his guisarme in a more precise arc than before, trading some of the strength behind his blow for a surer chance at striking true.

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Attack - (1d20+8)[27] (no Power Attack this time...)
Damage - (2d4+4)[8]
Confirm - (1d20+8)[26]
Critical - (2d4+4)[10]

AoOs: again, these will be used for Stand Still if the monster moves towards the squishies. If it attempts to retreat, take them for regular damage.

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AoO1Attack - (1d20+8)[13]
AoO1Damage - (2d4+4)[11]
AoO1Confirm - (1d20+8)[10]
AoO1Critical - (2d4+4)[10]

AoO2Attack - (1d20+8)[23]
AoO2Damage - (2d4+4)[10]
AoO2Confirm - (1d20+8)[14]
AoO2Critical - (2d4+4)[7]

AoO3Attack - (1d20+8)[23]
AoO3Damage - (2d4+4)[10]
AoO3Confirm - (1d20+8)[24]
AoO3Critical - (2d4+4)[10]

Nice rolls, Sam!

Status: 41/42hp, 17/17pp, ac 17, 15 ff, 12 touch.

[TehJhu]

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Dalor's second attack should've hit as well, so it took 28, not 11 damage.

[SamTheCleric]

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Weird, I rolled the same damage this time... 28 more

[Miraqariftsky]

As the monster turns to face the puny paladin's challenges, Laius charges forward, scoring yet another rime-rimmed gash in the beast's tough hide. He and Truefang skid to a halt and come level with Varech's former position in front of the mage and the archers. The winter-keen lance's barbed point comes down again as he prepares for another assault...

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(1d20+12)[30]
(1d20+12)[26]
(1d6+3)[4]
(1d6)[5]
Total: 17
Oh well...