Aerokean Chronicles: Part 1

[Townopolis]

Kyrsus

Spoiler

Show

Not understanding a word of what the man says, anything he does know being lost in the babble, Kyrsus turns to Marcus

"You know what say?"

Looking back at the men, he sees the soldier hit Jermaine with the spear. He involuntarily arches an eyebrow at this for a moment, but doesn't react any further, still feeling a bit ambivalent towards the whole situation.

[Tacitus]

Marcus

Synth

Spoiler

Show

He stares fr a moment at the thug that struck Jermaine and looks to Kyrsus and shrugs before he begins rummaging through his pack. He slips his arm into his shield to dig easier and produces eight glimmering coins which slide easily into his hand. He looks down to them and then to the tax collector, "I pay!" With a quick flick of his wrist he flings the coins at the man in hopes of catching him off guard so perhaps Kyrsus could take advantage of the surprise.

((Do I really need an attack roll? >.>))

[Meat Shield]

Otheym

????

Spoiler

Show

Otheym dismounts and pats lovingly the crest of his steed, and cautiously advances upon the fallen giants with sword drawn. "Hrrrmm, undead." If he could spit upon them he would. Just to make sure they do not get back up, he takes one full swing with his fachion on each of them. Once satisfied that they are no longer a danger, he begins to examine the bodies for any clues to their predicament. Turning to the casters, "You look clues?", pointing to the strange tubes and other "magical" doo-dads about the room. He knew he had nothing to offer there. Fallen foes, however.... "Me check warriors."

Search (1d20+2)[17]
I'm looking for equipment or items that would be considered 'non-standard' on an undead warrior - let's be honest, other than weapon and armor, they don't need much.

After the respective searches are done, Otheym will again take whomever wants atop the rune stone up there.

OOC: as standard practice, when dismounted, will have the falchion ready. Shield and lance stay with Ma'Keer. When mounted, default to shield and lance, and I will let you know when I put them down for the falchion. Crossbow stays slung on my back in both cases unless needed.

[Xilehxt]

????

Spoiler

Show

There is no body left, all there is dust and equipment. From the charred mess that is the pile of ashes, Otheym finds nothing out of place. The chainmail has a centerpiece with the same symbol that you guys have seen all over the place but other than that it is an unremarkable large chainmail.

There are two runestones in this room, one at each end. These are as tall as the last one but much narrower, containing only three squared-off runes at the top. Upon inspection, a squared-off rune can be seen on a panel in front of each glass tube as well.

Synth

Spoiler

Show

Time seems to stand still as the eight golden coins fly out of Marcus' hand towards the man. Everyone's eyes are fixed on them as they smash into his face. Surprised and furious, the man orders for the spearmen to arrest Marcus for attacking a public official while he gets off the horse to pick up the coins to examine them. One of the men comes up behind Marcus with wooden manacles while two others threaten him, yelling to drop his weapon. Jermaine looks horrified and he seems to be thinking fast for a way out of the mess.

[Townopolis]

Kyrsus

Spoiler

Show

Kyrsus scowls as the coins smash into the man's face, and he understands why the man would be upset, but when the men begin acting as if they were going to arrest Marcus, something shifts.

Kyrsus shifts so that his back is to Marcus' back, and he readies himself for a fight. Eying the guard with the manacles, Kyrsus' face slips into a practiced look of quiet menace.

((Duel of Wills (ToB P. 27) against the guard. intimidate - (1d20+13)[30]))
initiative - (1d20+7)[24]

[Xilehxt]

Synth

Spoiler

Show

The guard backs away, intimidated by Kyrsus' stare. The tax collector yells out, Resisting arrest? Get them both! Jermaine yells out, No! but is threatened with a spearhead as eight men surround Marcus and Kyrsus to beat them into submission.

Spoiler

Show

One man standing near by the tax collector, another threatening Jermaine, all the others coming up front, spears up, just outside of their threatening range. The one with the manacles backs away and holds his spear up as well.

[Meat Shield]

Otheym

????

Spoiler

Show

Leaving the others to the rune stones, Otheym takes a closer look at the tubes lining the walls, peering intently inside.

Spot (1d20+7)[25]
Looking to see what else I can tell about the creatures inside (all you have said so far is that there are some in there I think)

[Xilehxt]

????

Spoiler

Show

The tube is full of cloudy liquid, so it is hard to tell but Otheym can make out four legs, a tail and head. In fact the one Otheym chose to look in seems to have a dog inside. You look at some of the other tubes and see that it contains a different kind of creature, a bit larger, bipedal reptilian legs, tail, and forearm, and a large maw.

[Tacitus]

Marcus

Synth

Spoiler

Show

Marcus takes a moment to see how well defended these men are by the type of armor they wear.

1: He growls as he raises his shield and blade in a defensive manner if no one has attacked them yet and calls to the tax collector, "Let Jermaine go. We threat. Not Jermaine. We value more. Yes?"

2: If by this time they have been attacked he will strike back (possibly modified by Zealous Surge) at the man who attacked them. He will take a step to do so if needed but will not leave Kyrsus's side.

Initiative: (1d20+1)[2]
Option 1: [Total Defense: +4 Dodge to AC
Diplomacy: (1d20+16)[34]]
Option 2: [5-foot step?
Attack: (1d20+10)[29] (If they look moderately defended, -2 to attack, +4 temp HP by Stone Power, if very poorly, -5/+10) (If I hit, +2 healing to one of us if either of us has been hurt, but Kyrsus first. Healing to my delayed damage pool, if any)
Damage: (1d8+4)[5]]
Steely Resolve: 0/10, Zealous Surge +0 (Delayed Damage Pool/5 on attk/dam)
Smite: 1/1
Martial Spirit Stance Active
Granted: Foehammer, Leading the Attack
+1 Untyped AC to Marcus and Kyrsus from White Raven Defense
When damaged, +1 Morale to AC for Marcus until end of his next turn.

[North]

Mya

Spoiler

Show

Seeing the others begin to spread out Mya starts scouting the room.

Spoiler

Show

Gah! So many spoilers lol!
Search(1d20+11)[16]

[Xilehxt]

????

Spoiler

Show

There is nothing in the room other than the things described already.

Synth

Spoiler

Show

Initiative: Kyrsus - soldiers - tax collector - Jermaine - townspeople - Marcus
Kyrsus' intimidate was a surprise round, so you go again

[Tacitus]

Spoiler

Show

Well then would those actions shift to this round, or.... Cause either of those options are quite amazing with their rolls. >.>

[Townopolis]

Kyrsus

Spoiler

Show

((Whee! I can't attack because of my code, got to let these mooks get their footing first.))

Kyrsus keeps his defensive stance, holding both scimitar and shield ready to deflect incoming blows, against himself or his allies. He continues to hold his steely expression, regarding the soldiers almost haughtily.

((Total Defense. AC 30 - Touch: 22 (+1 shield block against the mook to the left of the one I intimidated). If anyone attacks Marcus while I threaten them (not very likely), they get -4))

[Xilehxt]

Synth

Spoiler

Show

Kyrsus - soldiers - tax collector - Jermaine - townspeople - Marcus
The soldiers are shouting, Throw your weapons down. You're not thinking about taking all of us, huh? but does not attack anyone. The tax collector is biting and weighing the coins, and examining them, not paying much attention to the fight. Jermaine, still on the ground, seemingly lost on how to pull through the situation. The townspeople back away from the scene. Marcus yells his threat to the tax collector to which he replies, If you come quietly, I'll let the priest go.

[Meat Shield]

Otheym

????

Spoiler

Show

Finishing his examination of the strange containers and the remains of the sentries, Otheym considers his next move. "Jermaine want study this," he mutters as he takes the emblem off the armor of one of the fallen zombies. "Maybe he know meaning."

Finishing the task, he puts the symbol in Ma'Keer's pack and ponders, "Hrrrm. Which one?" he says, looking at the two rune covered stones. Flipping a mental coin, he decides to head for the one opposite the side they arrived in. Seeing the small area at the top, he holds him arm out to (either Jaz or Joesech, whichever of you guys want to go up) and rides Ma'Keer to the top with his passenger, then they both dismount as Ma'Keer clings to the side.

[Xilehxt]

Top of Smaller Runestone

Spoiler

Show

There are three of the runes on top of this stone, all in a row. None of them are glowing.

[Bleen]

Josech
????

Spoiler

Show

Josech, being the foolhardy one of the group, agrees to follow Otheym up. He looks over the runes, shrugging. He touches one for no apparent reason, seeing if it will activate. "Like the others?"

Spoiler

Show

If Tim says I can't (I can't tell between his post and that one) ride up with Otheym, I'll do a Jump check to see if he can reach up and touch one of them.
Jump: (1d20)[2]

[Xilehxt]

Top of Runestone

Spoiler

Show

Josech makes it up there with Otheym and touches a random rune. It glows blue.

????

Spoiler

Show

On wall on the side of the room that Otheym and Josech are at, a passageway glowing blue is created, about 16 ft tall.

[Meat Shield]

Otheym

????

Spoiler

Show

"Like rats in maze...." He looks to the others in the room to see if they have other ideas. "Go or try other signs?"

[Diarmuid]

Phiranthyl

????

Spoiler

Show

Phir quickly grew impatient with this situation and as soon as another exit presented itself, he drew his sword and rushed through, mumbling more obscenities in a language no one else can understand.

[Meat Shield]

Otheym

????

Spoiler

Show

Sighing inwardly and muttering about impetuous, undisciplined people, Otheym again steeled himself for the journey through the magic portal. After getting Joesech back down to the ground, he turned to everyone else in the room. "Same again. Me first, make safe. You all follow." He then whispers soothingly to Ma'Keer and edged him forward into the portal.

[Xilehxt]

Phir, Otheym

Spoiler

Show

You find yourself back at the same first room, on the right top corner of the map that was given to you. Nothing seems to have changed.

????

Spoiler

Show

The two men disappear as they pass through the glowing doorway.

[Townopolis]

Kyrsus

Spoiler

Show

For Convenience

Spoiler

Show

M=marcus, K=Kyrsus, G=Guard, J=Jermaine. Red squares are threatened by guards (some squares threatened by mutliple guards, of course.)

Blue line shows Kyrsus' path.

Kyrsus had given the soldiers time to prepare themselves for the fight, everything was in place now. A quick look around the field told him what to do next. A quick step behind Marcus, and Kyrsus turned and ran to Jermaine's aid. Raising his shield to protect himself as he passed by one of the soldiers, he moved swiftly into melee with the soldier menacing Jermaine. He does not charge, but makes sure to keep his footing and guard. He paused for just a moment before attacking to shout out.

"[Milesian]Surrender now, you cannot defeat me."

The words are foreign, but the challenge and contempt are almost palpable coming from his mouth. Then, he brings his scimitar to bear against the soldier.

((Provoking 1 AoO from q12, up to 4 from K13 and 1 from H14

All enemies must make a DC 15 will save or be affected by Test of Mettle.
attack - (1d20+9)[29]
critical - (1d20+9)[24]
damage - (1d6+2)[3]
critical - (1d6+2)[3]

If Kyrsus takes 9 or more damage from AoOs, he will use Crusader Strike on his attack. If it hits, he heals (1d6+3)[9] damage.

AC 25 (26 against the guard on K13)

[Tacitus]

Marcus

Synth

Spoiler

Show

With a sigh and a shake of his head Marcus delays his actions for this round as he is not yet prepared. He only needs a few moments more...

[Bleen]

Josech
????

Spoiler

Show

Josech closely follows Otheym, once again taking up the tail end of the group. "Place, strange. People study, maybe?"

[Xilehxt]

Josech, Phir, Otheym

Spoiler

Show

Josech appears in the first room that you guys were all in along with Phir and Otheym.

Synth

Spoiler

Show

Kyrsus - Marcus(?) - spearmen - tax collector - Jermaine

As Kyrsus makes his move, the spearmen yell out, Hey! Don't move! And they attempt to knock his legs out under him. The first strike clanks against his legs, but Kyrsus stands strong and the soldier drops his spear instead Whoa!. The second strike was aimed for his torso, and it miraculously makes contact through all the armor and shield to deal 9 damage. Take that! The guard that had his spear pointed at Jermaine whips around in surprise as he did not expect Kyrsus to try and fight all of them and swings his spear wildly, missing Kyrsus by a mile. His eyes show fear as Kyrsus' sword stabs through his side through the thin leather armor, very dangerously close to gutting the man. Kyrsus seems revitalized from his strike, his confidence shining through. The other men look determined now that blood has been spilt. At the strike, the tax collector stops what he is doing and says to one of the men, You come over here.

The soldier nearest Kyrsus takes a careful step back and takes a jab at him, missing by a mile again. Three other soldiers surround Kyrsus as they swing their spears as well. Kyrsus is able to dodge, block, and skew with his armor all the attacks, even the ones from his back. The soldier that lost grip on his spear picks it up and closes in on Kyrsus. The four others move to surround Marcus in a well-trained manner and coordinate their attacks. Two misses completely while one hits for 3 and another is turned by Marcus' armor.

The tax collector and his two guards back away from the fight, but at the sight of Marcus and Kyrsus's fighting prowess, he orders one to rejoin the fight.

Looking at the fight that has broken out from the ground, Jermaine yells out while scrambling backwards, Don't fight them! You will only make things worse. But from his eyes, you can see the glint of hope that the two of you will best the soldiers as well as avenge his mistreatment.

Spoiler

Show

So Guard 1 is the one that Kyrsus hit, Guard 4 is the one that tried to trip and picked up the spear. Oh, also, it's not that they all made their will saves, it's that they are not appropriate targets for Test of Mettle.

[Townopolis]

Kyrsus

Spoiler

Show

Kyrsus' expression never changes as he cuts the man open, or when he himself is hurt. He retains his grim mask as he steps forward, strafing around the guard he has engaged, and slashes at him again. His scimitar arcs upwards from across his chest, then, should his enemy fall, he twists to face the other guard he has neared, raising his blade high. He fights with skill, maintaining a pattern of parries, blocks, and counterattacks.

((5' step to L5. Shield Block declared at the end of the turn against the first of these who isn't dead: G3, G2.

Attack G1. If that fails to drop him, attack him again. If G1 dies, attack G3.
attack - (1d20+9)[28] :: critical - (1d20+9)[21]
damage - (1d6+2)[7] :: critical - (1d6+2)[6]

attack - (1d20+4)[5] :: critical - (1d20+4)[15]
damage - (1d6+2)[6] :: critical - (1d6+2)[7]))

[Xilehxt]

Synth

Spoiler

Show

The soldier that Kyrsus attacks drops as a second slash result in a gush of blood from his belly. He twitches on the ground, badly wounded, but not dead. In his flurry of attacks, Kyrsus almost loses control of his sword as he tries to swing it at the other guard, but recovers.

[Tacitus]

Marcus

Synth

Spoiler

Show

When the guards attempt to strike at him he merely seems to move more swiftly and the strike from the spear does not even seem to draw blood. He glances around quickly before growling and charging past the others to attack the only guard he can get a clear path to up near Kyrsus. With a sweeping swing of his blade he attempts to slice the man in half. Even as his blade completes its swing he will call out to Kyrsus, "<Press the Attack! We can open up a clear corridor to defend Jermaine!> Fight! Again!"

Spoiler

Show

Act simultaneously with Kyrsus.
Charge to N7! (1d20+12)[22] +2 if flanking applies
Damage: (1d8+4)[8]
Swift Action: White Raven Tactics: Kyrsus gets to go again, whee!
Steely Resolve: 3/10, Zealous Surge +0
Smite: 1/1
Martial Spirit Stance Active
Granted: Foehammer, Leading the Attack, White Raven Tactics
+1 Morale to AC for Marcus until end of his next turn for taking damage.
AC: 24 +1 Morale-2 Charge

[Xilehxt]

Synth

Spoiler

Show

At your reckless charge through enemy ranks, the soldiers attempt to put a spear to your leg to trip you. The first spear, Marcus leaps over! And the second he bashes through, knocking the spear out of the soldier's hands. But the third spear to strike his knees does its job, and Marcus trips to the ground in the middle of the soldiers. The fourth soldier takes a vicious stab, but Marcus's thick armor deflects the blow.

Seemingly heightened at the sight of Marcus's trip, the soldiers surrounding Kyrsus arranges themselves around him and attempts to do the same, but is all deflected away by Kyrsus's shield that he wields extremely masterfully. The spearman that was guarding the tax collecter comes charging into battle, his spear poised at Kyrsus, but is yet again the blow is knocked away by his shield. The other four that surround Marcus attack him while he is on the ground, three strikes clanging harmlessly off his armor, but one finds its way to flesh, dealing 9 damage.

The tax collector mounts his horse, ready to run if the situation would turn bad. He watches the fight nervously.

Jermaine looks with worry at the fallen soldier and his wound, but is unable to step into the battle to aid him. He stands up, and tells the village people to go back to their homes.

Spoiler

Show

Huh, there was an extra soldier in there somehow. Doesn't mess with the fight much, so there was 11 guards to begin with. G10 was the one to drop his spear.