Keep on the Shadowfell

[Jokes]

Einar

A second after the flashes, Einar looks at Ander. "It's an ambush." he whispers to the group. He draws his sword, motioning for others to do the same.

[Myshlaevsky]

Einar

A second after the flashes, Einar looks at Ander. "It's an ambush." he whispers to the group. He draws his sword, motioning for others to do the same.

Spoiler

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Apologies for not being clearer. Far off to the left, down the dirt-track road.

EDIT: This sounds kind of rude, so please understand I do not mean to be.

[fendrin]

Ander

Ander shrugs at Einar's comment. He knows it was a lucky shot, but he's not going to reject a compliment, earned or not.

When he sees the flashes of light, he gets an idea.
"When they don't get a response, they'll come to investigate. This is a good chance to set up a counter-ambush. They'll dine with our Dark Lady tonight."
He smirks sardonically, making the claw like gesture common to worshipers of the Raven Queen in the southern lands.
"Seems only fair, that's what they were planning for us."

[DiabolicalFurby]

Garith looks around but is not able to see the flashes that Ander and the others have. He frowns at his own lack of perception as he turns his attention to the corpse. He nods when Ander speaks his plan.

"Quickly then, one of use will break off a leafy branch and travel back down the path to cover our foot prints then double back through the bush while the rest of us hide behind the trees. I will take the body off the road." he says in a low whisper. He turns to Ander, by far the most cunning of the group when it comes to matters of stealth. "What say you Ander?" he asks, placing his scythe on his back before he crouches down, ready to move the body.

[Myshlaevsky]

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Okay, here's a horrible map that will have to do for now. I'll work on getting a better system, as the tiler I was planning to use has failed horribly. Thankfully, I'll be able to obtain maps for the keep itself (At least, I sincerely hope so - I have a download, let's pray it all works out).

__|A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M|N|O|
01|T|T|T|T|T|T|T|T| |D|D| | |B|B|
02| | | |T|T|T|T|T| | |D|D| | |B|
03| | | |T|T|T|T| | | |D|D| | | |
04| | |T|T|T| | | |K| |D|D| | | |
05| | | | | | | | | | | |D|D| | |
06| | | | | | | | | | |D|D| | | |
07| | | | | | | | | | |D|D|S| | |
08| | | |B|B| | | | |D|D|S|S| | |
09| | | | |B|B| | | |D|D| | | | |
10| | | | | | | | | |D|D| | | | |
11| | | | | | | | | |D|D| |S| |R|
12| | | | |B| | | | |R|R|R|R|R|R|
13| | | |B|B| |R|R|R|R|R|R|R|R|R|
14| | | |R|R|R|R|R|R|R|R|R|R| | |
15|R|R|R|R|R|R|R| | | |S| | | | |
16|R|R|R|R| | | | | | | |S|S| | |
17|R|R| | | | | | | | | |S|S|S| |
18| | | | | |S|S| | | | | | | | |
19| | | | | |S|S| | | | | | | | |
20| |T| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
22|T|T|T|T| | | | |S|S| | | | | |
21|T|T|T|T|T| | | | |S| | | | | |
23|T|T|T|T|T| | | | | | | | | | |
24|T|T|T|T|T|T| | | | | |B|B| | |
25|T|T|T|T|T|T| | | | | |B|B| | |

Key:
T = Trees. Small copses of trees litter the area.
R = Road. This is the ancient road leading to Winterhaven
B = Bushes. Short but wide leafy bushes with brittle, arrowhead leaves.
S = Stones. These outcrops of rock and boulders vary in size. The larger outcrops are the height of a man.
D = Dirt path. The poorly-maintained track leading off to the left.
K = Alas, Poor Kobold! I knew him well.

I haven't placed your characters because, well, you're about to move.

[Jokes]

Einar

Not usually one for hiding, Einar would rather give the kobolds a fair fight. "I'll be the bait."

Spoiler

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Einar will stand next to the dead kobold, at I5, unless you can convince him to do otherwise

[Eldmor]

Sounds fine to me. No one will mind with me hiding far away. As Luke goes behind an outcropping of rocks, it's odd that it looks like he knows how to hide. He folds in the flows of his clothes, and puts his back to the rocks, like an assassin in an alley.
Or in Luke's case, a child that's an expert at "Find the Flmyff", a popular game for feyish children. One child is the Hunter and the rest are Flmyffs, who have a minute to hide.
Luke sighs to himself at the flashback to a childhood game. I'm out here risking my life now, not playing Flmyff number 27. Focus.

Spoiler

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Luke will be at G-20, hiding behind the rock outcropping and occasionally peeking at Einar to see if the kobolds have attacked him yet.
Stealth - (d20+8)[11]

[OnnaOtaku]

Kuan-Ti Lu

Kuan hides in some bushes. He takes a look at Einar and makes a silent prayer. May Kord watch over us in battle. Be strong friend.

Spoiler

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Kuan will be at D7 hiding behind some bushes. Stealth - (d20)[17]

[Myshlaevsky]

Five minutes pass uneventfully, with the dull heat pressing down on you. Crouched behind bushes, or rocks, you're even more uncomfortable than you were walking. Einar glimpses something moving up ahead, but it turns out to simply be a bird flitting from tree to tree.

[DiabolicalFurby]

Garith nods his head when Einar volunteers to be the lure in this, hopefully, deadly trap. Garith stands back up and makes his way westwards, into the trees, hoping the trees and the underbrush will help hid him from the enemy.

Spoiler

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Moving to F2.
Stealth. (1d20-1)[6]

[OnnaOtaku]

Kuan-Ti Lu

Kuan is slightly unnerved by the lack of action. Something seems wrong. Why is no one coming? Kuan looks around from his hiding spot to see if he can find any sign of the enemy approaching.

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Perception - (d20)[19]

[fendrin]

Ander

Looking at Einar with a vague expression of disapproval on his face, he responds simply,
"Just remember when they appear to draw them back to the road, don't run to them."

With that he climbs a tree at the edge of the nearby copse and waits silently and patiently.

Spoiler

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Climbing the tree at G3.
athletics - (1d20+5)[21]
stealth - (1d20+9)[11]
perception - (1d20+5)[6]

[Myshlaevsky]

Ander:

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From your high vantage point, you are able to clearly make out the Kobolds as they emerge from the patches of wood to the north of you. There are eight of the red-scaled, lizardlike creatures - two of whom wield enormous fang-shaped shields. From their squawking, babbling cries and flitting gestures you know that they have seen Einar, but do not know whether you yourself have been noticed.

Terrain:
__|A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M|N|O|
01|T|T|T|T|T|T|T| | |D|D| |T|T|T|
02| | |T|T|T|T|T| | | |D|D| |T|T|
03| |T|T|T|T|T| |T| |K| |D|D| |T|
04| | | | | |T| | | | | | |D|K|T|
05| | |S| |K|K| | | |K| |D|D|K| |
06| | |S|S| | | |K| | | |K|D| | |
07| | | | | | | |T| | | |D|D| | |
08| | | |T|T|T|T| | | |D|D| | | |
09| |T|T|T|T|T|T| | | |D|D| | | |
10| |T|T|T|T|T|T|T| | |D|D| | | |
11|T|T|T|T|T|T|T|T| |D|D| | |B|B|
12| | | |T|T|G|T|T| | |D|D| | |B|
13| | | |T|T|T|A| | | |D|D| | | |
14| | |T|T|T| | | |C| |D|D| | | |
15| | | | | | | | | |E| |D|D| | |
16| | | | | | | | | | |D|D| | | |
17| | | | | | | | | | |D|D|S| | |
18| | | |B|B| | | | |D|D|S|S| | |
19| | | |W|B|B| | | |D|D| | | | |
20| | | | | | | | | |D|D| | | | |
21| | | | | | | | | |D|D| |S| |R|
22| | | | |B| | | | |R|R|R|R|R|R|
23| | | |B|B| |R|R|R|R|R|R|R|R|R|
24| | | |R|R|R|R|R|R|R|R|R|R| | |
25|R|R|R|R|R|R|R| | | |S| | | | |
26|R|R|R|R| | | | | | | |S|S| | |
27|R|R| | | | | | | | | |S|S|S| |
28| | | | | |S|S| | | | | | | | |
29| | | | | |S|S| | | | | | | | |
30| |T| | | | |L| | | | | | | | |
32|T|T|T|T| | | | |S|S| | | | | |
31|T|T|T|T|T| | | | |S| | | | | |
33|T|T|T|T|T| | | | | | | | | | |
34|T|T|T|T|T|T| | | | | |B|B| | |
35|T|T|T|T|T|T| | | | | |B|B| | |

A = Ander
E = Einar
G = Garith
L = Luke
W = Kuan-Ti


K = Kobold
C = Corpse

Einar:

Spoiler

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You are able to make out the approaching Kobolds from the flashes of dark red scale and armour that you catch amidst the undergrowth. Their high-pitched, rapid barks and squeals make you certain they have seen you. Unfortunately, you cannot get a clear estimate of their numbers due to the intervening trees and terrain. You can see four on the road ahead - one of whom carries a huge, sloping shield, shaped like a scale or fang.

Garith:

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Almost immediately after you enter the wood you can make out the sound and sights of approaching creatures - undoubtably Kobolds. From the quick glances you catch through the layers of tree of undergrowth you understand they have seen Einar, but do not know if they have noticed you. Your vision is blocked heavily, preventing you from guessing at their numbers, but there seem to be quite a few.

Luke and Kuan-Ti:

Spoiler

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You cannot see anything, but a serious of reptillian barks and hissing squawks let you know that your enemy is approaching.

[DiabolicalFurby]

Garith looks grim as he sees the small dragon kin approaching near the trees. He lowers his gaze, causing his long black hair, braided with raven feathers, to fall over his face while he grips his holy symbol as if were his only salvation. After a quick prayer to his unyielding mistress he looks back up and gets closer to the tree, trying his hardest not to give himself away now that his prey are so close to the trap.

[Jokes]

Einar

Noticing the little kobolds in the distance, Einar picks up the mirrored shield and starts flashing it randomly in their direction.

[Myshlaevsky]

A wave of small Kobolds charge towards Einar, slinging short, carven javelins from their backs as they go. Stopping just short of the Swordsage, each lets loose his their missile with a tongue-flickering bark of relish. Two fly over Einar's head, but the third hits home and strikes him on the shoulder.

Behind these creatures come the Kobolds hefting their rust-coloured, pointing shields, embedded in each a small blade at the tip. These knives, and the short, stabbing swords that they draw from their scabbards, glitter in the light as they approach. At the back of these two another one of the creatures flicks a sling towards the trees, but the flying stone passes harmlessly through leaf and underbrush.

The last of the Kobolds veer off sharply to the right, approaching by the far side of the woods.

Terrain:
__|A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M|N|O|
01|T|T|T|T|T|T|T| | |D|D| |T|T|T|
02| | |T|T|T|T|T| | | |D|D| |T|T|
03| |T|T|T|T|T| |T| | | |D|D| |T|
04| | | | | |T| | | | | | |D|D|T|
05| | |S| | | | | | | | |D|D| | |
06| | |S|S| | | | | | | |D|K| |
07| | | | | | | |T| | | |D|D| | |
08|K| | |T|T|T|T| | |K| |D|K| | |
09| |T|T|T|T|T|T| | | |D|D| | | |
10|K|T|T|T|T|T|T|T| |K|K|D| | | |
11|T|T|T|T|T|T|T|T| |D|D| |K|B|B|
12| | | |T|T|G|T|T| | D|D| | |B|
13| | | |T|T|T|A| | | |D|D| | | |
14| | |T|T|T| | | |C| |D|D| | | |
15| | | | | | | | | |E| |D|D| | |
16| | | | | | | | | | |D|D| | | |
17| | | | | | | | | | |D|D|S| | |
18| | | |B|B| | | | |D|D|S|S| | |
19| | | |W|B|B| | | |D|D| | | | |
20| | | | | | | | | |D|D| | | | |
21| | | | | | | | | |D|D| |S| |R|
22| | | | |B| | | | |R|R|R|R|R|R|
23| | | |B|B| |R|R|R|R|R|R|R|R|R|
24| | | |R|R|R|R|R|R|R|R|R|R| | |
25|R|R|R|R|R|R|R| | | |S| | | | |
26|R|R|R|R| | | | | | | |S|S| | |
27|R|R| | | | | | | | | |S|S|S| |
28| | | | | |S|S| | | | | | | | |
29| | | | | |S|S| | | | | | | | |
30| |T| | | | |L| | | | | | | | |
32|T|T|T|T| | | | |S|S| | | | | |
31|T|T|T|T|T| | | | |S| | | | | |
33|T|T|T|T|T| | | | | | | | | | |
34|T|T|T|T|T|T| | | | | |B|B| | |
35|T|T|T|T|T|T| | | | | |B|B| | |

Key:

Spoiler

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A = Ander
E = Einar
G = Garith
L = Luke
W = Kuan-Ti


K = Kobold
C = Corpse

OOC:

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I can't believe I hadn't mentioned this, but the trees are difficult terrain. If anyone wishes to change their moves, you may do so. This is what lack of sleep does to me, obviously. Check: Poorly Crafted Excuse: (1d20)[14]

Einar takes 4 damage, as well.

[Jokes]

Einar
As the Javelin hits his shoulder, Einar drops the shield. Grinning through bared teeth, he runs back to the low outcropping of rocks where Kuan-Ti is hiding.

"Hoo, that was fun." He wipes at the blood on his shoulder. "Bah, just a scratch." He seems almost disappointed. His expression changes as he prepares for the fight.

Spoiler

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move to F20,
total defense (+2 to defences, taken into account below)
(HP: 26, AC: 21 F: 15 R: 16 W: 14)

[fendrin]

Ander

The halfling remains as still as possible, thinking to himself.
Almost there... just a little bit farther... I hope nobody springs the trap before the kobolds are in position...

He attempts to determine whom the slinger was shooting at.

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Are we using the initiative order from before? If not, here is a new check:
initiative - (1d20+4)[18]

I'm guessing it's Perception check to try to see whom the slinger targeted, but let me know if I need to roll something else:
perception - (1d20+5)[18]

Also, I am not going to change Ander's position, I figured the trees were difficult terrain. That's why he's on the edge... difficult terrain only costs extra move to enter, not to leave.

I do want to specify that he's about 10-12' up, though. I'm going to be trying out the new falling damage rules... 1d10 damage per 10' - half of a trained acrobatics check. At most I will only take 4 damage...

[OnnaOtaku]

Kuan-Ti Lu

Kuan steps out from the bushes he was hiding in, holds out his flail, and charges one of the kobolds.

Spoiler

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Kuan will move 6 squares and then charge for 6 more squares, thus he will be at I-11. He will attack the kobold diagonal from him at J-10. I had messed up my previous post. I rolled a 9 before for my charging attack but it will need to have a 5 added to it. So my new roll is 14. Damage from charge attack - (d10+3)[13]

[Eldmor]

Luke rounds the corner of the boulder he hid against and sees the kobolds. Filthy little things. I can't stand their sores on my sight.
Negrad!
Luke points his wand at a cluster of kobolds and a near-transparent orb of energy quickly erupts from the tip, slamming into a kobold about to engage Kuan-Ti in combat and exploding into the back of the one just charged.

Spoiler

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Move: Move to I-29.
Free: Wand of Accuracy
Standard: Force Orb, Attack Reflex and Damage (K10 Primary: 1d20+8=21, 2d8+5=14; J10 Secondary: 1d20+8=18, 1d10+5=10)
Minor: Chuckle to self.

[DiabolicalFurby]

Gairth remains in the trees, immediately believing that the shot was directed at him. He places himself closer to the tree he is near and focuses his energy on staying defensive.

Spoiler

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Full Defense this round.

[Myshlaevsky]

While Kuan-Ti Lu's flail narrowly misses the evasive Kobold, the Orb of Force let loose by Luke crushes both the creatures into a mess of splintered bone and shredded flesh. The Kobold to the far right wails horribly and tosses another javelin at Kuan-Ti, stepping forward a little. Fear must have wasted the thing's arm, however, because the missile sinks into the ground barely 5 feet from the thrower.

Something small and brown flies haphazardly by Ander, and the creature that fired it cries out in lizard-tongue and then moves foward, probably to get a better shot.

None of you can now see the two creatures skulking past the wood, but they burst on Garith from the foilage around him, striking out at the surprised cleric with spear and javelin. Luckily, both blows fall short.

Terrain:
__|A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M|N|O|
01|T|T|T|T|T|T|T| | |D|D| |T|T|T|
02| | |T|T|T|T|T| | | |D|D| |T|T|
03| |T|T|T|T|T| |T| | | |D|D| |T|
04| | | | | |T| | | | | | |D|D|T|
05| | |S| | | | | | | | |D|D| | |
06| | |S|S| | | | | | | |D| | | |
07| | | | | | | |T| | | |D|D| | |
08| | | |T|T|T|T| | |3| |D|3| | |
09| |T|T|T|T|T|T| | | |D|D| | | |
10| |T|T|T|T|T|T|T| |C|C|D| |2| |
11|T|T|T|1|T|T|T|T|W|D|D|1| |B|B|
12| | | |T|4|G|T|T| |D|D| | |B| |
13| | | |T|T|T|A| | | |D|D| | | |
14| | |T|T|T| | | |C| |D|D| | | |
15| | | | | | | | | | | |D|D| | |
16| | | | | | | | | | |D|D| | | |
17| | | | | | | | | | |D|D|S| | |
18| | | |B|B| | | | |D|D|S|S| | |
19| | | | |B|B| | | |D|D| | | | |
20| | | | | |E| | | |D|D| | | | |
21| | | | | | | | | |D|D| |S| |R|
22| | | | |B| | | | |R|R|R|R|R|R|
23| | | |B|B| |R|R|R|R|R|R|R|R|R|
24| | | |R|R|R|R|R|R|R|R|R|R| | |
25|R|R|R|R|R|R|R| | | |S| | | | |
26|R|R|R|R| | | | | | | |S|S| | |
27|R|R| | | | | | | | | |S|S|S| |
28| | | | | |S|S| | | | | | | | |
29| | | | | |S|S| |L| | | | | | |
30| |T| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
32|T|T|T|T| | | | |S|S| | | | | |
31|T|T|T|T|T| | | | |S| | | | | |
33|T|T|T|T|T| | | | | | | | | | |
34|T|T|T|T|T|T| | | | | |B|B| | |
35|T|T|T|T|T|T| | | | | |B|B| | |

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Okay, Ander and Einar can take their turns. As a side note, I hate these Kobolds. They cannot hit. One of those ones in the woods should have hit, even with Garith's full defense. Attack rolls for this turn: 2, 6, 2, 1 - nice.

[Jokes]

Einar

Einar barely catches his breath when Kuan-Ti leaps over the barricade. Grinning, he leaps back into the fray.

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*Sigh* I was hoping to draw them in a bit closer, which is why I ran away...
Move action: L15
Standard: Charge to L12, attacking kobold at L11
-Basic attack: (1d20+6)[21]
-Damage: (1d8+2)[9]
Minor: Aegis of Shielding, Kobold at N10
(HP: 26, AC: 19 F: 13 R: 14 W: 12)

[fendrin]

Ander

Of all the people to... I figured he's understand the value of a pincer attack... Not time to worry about that now, though. I need to take out that slinger.

Ander reaches forth his spirit and commands the raw energy of the feywild to strike at the eyes of the offending kobold.

He then drops from his perch hitting the ground in a tight and controlled roll, and using the momentum from his fall to spring forward in a swift sprint, pirouetting around the kobold that just failed to hit Kuan with a javelin.

Calling upon his deep reserves of energy, Ander sends a pair of daggers flying at the faces of the hopefully now blinded slinger and one of the two shield-bearing kobolds.

He then quietly crouches, hoping to hide his location from those he just blinded.

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Ok, a lot to cover here...

1. Eyebite vs. slinger
   • attack - (1d20+4)[12] vs. will
   • damage - (1d6+4)[10], and Ander is invisible to the slinger until the start of my next turn.
2. Acrobatics check to reduce falling damage (by half the check)
   • acrobatics - (1d20+11)[12]
3. Movement: East 4 squares to K13 then Northeast 2 squares to M11, this will provoke an opportunity attack from the kobold at L11, Ander has an AC of 22 vs. Opportunity Attacks.
4. Spend an Action Point to gain an additional standard action.
5. Blinding Barrage (close burst 3, will hit the slinger and the shield bearer at M8
   1. vs. slinger
      • attack - (1d20+8)[13](+2 if eyebite hit) vs. AC
      • damage - (2d4+4)[10], and slinger is blind until the end of my next turn.
      • sneak_attack - (2d6)[5](if eyebite hit)
   2. vs. shield-bearer
      • attack - (1d20+8)[28] vs. AC
      • damage - (2d4+4)[7], and shield bearer is blind until the end of my next turn.
6. Stealth check (at -5 for having moved, blinded characters have to make a perception check at -10 to identify what square he's in)
   • stealth - (1d20+9)[20]

OK, critical hit against the shield bearer, so 12 damage. Two rounds, two crits... this streak can't last long.

on the other hand, I rolled a 1 on the athletics check.. still, that's 6 damage reduced, better than the average damage of the fall, so...

I just hope that the slinger's will is no higher than 12 and AC no higher than 15... so that both attacks hit

[Myshlaevsky]

Ander's blast of fey energy hits the slinger and the Kobold wails, looking around desperately to see the origin of the attack. Moments later his life is ended by one of the halfling's flung daggers. It thunks into the creature's brain, and he dies without a sound.

The javelin-thrower takes an abortive swipe at Ander as he dashes past, but the swing goes wide and the Kobold is cut down an instant later by Einar.

The other Kobold hit by Ander's dagger squeals in pain as the knife takes him in the left eye, blinding him in his own blood and ocular fluid. He swings his long snout from side to side, vainly sniffing at the air.

The other shield-bearer looks round at the carnage, barks a short cry, then sets off fleeing down the road.

[DiabolicalFurby]

Garith, seeing that he is now all alone, in the woods, facing off two Kobolds, one of which is already in melee with him, curses under his breath. He brings his scythe to bear against the Kobold nearest him, whispering a prayer to his Mistress, hoping that she will take this vile creature into her loving arms when he is done with it.

As his scythe comes crashing down Garith idly wonders if he can keep these two Kobolds occupied until his companions are finished with the rest.

Spoiler

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Priest's Shield against Kobold 4 standing next to me.
(1d20+2)[3] vs. AC.
(2d4)[3] Damage if struck.

No move action.

Minor: Ready Scythe.

[Eldmor]

Luke watches the javelin-thrower fall and Kuan-Ti engage the next kobold. He approaches slowly and aims his wand at one of the farther kobolds.
Ciga-sa! A faintly-blue bolt of energy flies from the wand and shoots toward the kobold. Surprisingly, it is not a straight path. The missile whizzes in a tight circle as it flies.

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Move: Move to I-26.
Standard: Magic Missile J-8 (Attack Reflex, Force Damage) (1d20+5=17, 2d4+5=8)
Flavoring my own powers is always neat.

[OnnaOtaku]

Kuan-Ti Lu

Kuan moves to the kobold next to the bushes and attentively strikes the kobold, making sure he'll pay if he tries to withdraw from combat.

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Move action: M-10
Standard action: Viper's Strike against Kobold #2
Attack: Viper's Strike - (d20+5)[17] vs AC
Damage: Damage - (d10+3)[9]

[Myshlaevsky]

The combined assault of Kuan-Ti Lu and Luke finishes off the blinded, bleeding Kobold and his beaten body falls to the ground.

In the woods, one of the Kobolds circles around Garith - opening himself up to an attack, but forcing the cleric to be pincered between both creatures. While you dodge the sidling creatures spear, the javelin of the Kobold behind you scratches you across the back.

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Garith takes 4 damage

[DiabolicalFurby]

Garith takes the blow in stride, seemingly undisturbed by the wound or the fact that he is currently flanked. He grits his teeth and brings his scythe up into an aggressive stance. He focuses on the Kobold before him for the time being, watching its movements as it ducks and weaves, waiting for the attack it knows Garith will initiate. With a grunt of effort he swings his scythe around in a wide arc, hoping to catch the little dragon kin in the middle.

Priest's Shield Vs. Kobold 4 again.
(1d20+2)[20]
Damage
(2d4)[5]