Eyes of the Lich Queen IC

[FuryOfMetal]

Assuming what the archeologist told us was true though, this temple could go far deeper than our current estimate. I doubt it's over a hundred though. My guess would be around 50, including non-coms. Turning back to the lizardfolk Trunk asks <What do you mean attack? Who are you attacking?>

[Sallera]

"<You, who else?>" the lizard hisses. "<It is our land, and we will take it back.>"

[FuryOfMetal]

Well I asked for that one. <What is your purpose here? Who is your leader?>

[Sallera]

"<Our purpose is to keep you from getting any closer. The leader is the one who leads.>" You get the distinct feeling he's being deliberately obtuse.

[MoleMage]

"Ask him how he got that magic. And what this amulet does."

[FuryOfMetal]

<Fine, those were the last words you'll be speaking for a while. You're stuck tight here until we come back, gagged and tied to a tree alone.> Trunk pulls the gag back over his mouth and makes sure the lizardfolk is tied securely. <We'll see you on the way back, you'll have time to consider being mroe useful>

Stepping away from the sadly useless lizardfolk Trunk speaks generally to everybody. Well he was a waste of time, sorry to have wasted our efforts. I'll be leaving him here until we come back, he shouldn't be able to escape. Even if he does, we'll already be inside and active and knowing our luck we'll have half the temple raining down on us. You're free to do what you will with the Lizardfolk.

[FuryOfMetal]

Spoiler

Shameless bump

Well shall we get moving?

[Sallera]

You manage to find your way through the jungle easily enough, and your approach to the blackscales might even have gone smoothly, had Shard not tripped over a root and blundered into Daiya not twenty feet from the edge of the trees. One of the blackscales sitting near the debris-filled fire pit puts a hand to his massive club, staring through the undergrowth in your general direction.

"<Heard something,>" Trunk can hear him say in Draconic, none too subtly.

"<Hmf, animal. Anyone else would run into geckos on trail, and no signal yet,>" replies the other, idly cracking a bone into successively smaller shards.

The first snorts, standing and picking up his club. "<Animals have more grace than that.>" As if to give the lie to his words, the cage starts shaking violently as a white-furred shape inside bashes against the side, perhaps reacting to the movement.

Spoiler

A closer view of the immediate area. You're somewhere in the upper left corner at the moment; the nearer lizardfolk is the alert one.

[MoleMage]

Spoiler

They both spoke, yes? Listen check to pinpoint their locations (since they are greater than thirty feet from me and my various senses don't really help here. Can I smell (scent ability) any other lizardfolk? The wind would have to be in favor.

Picking herself up, Daiya shoots her best effort at a scathing glance at Shard, which comes across largely as blank as always. Quietly, she pulls out her shortbow and prepares to shoot down enemies who enter her senses with aggression.

Spoiler

That's a readied action to shoot the first thing I sense which seems to be actively attacking myself or my comrades.

[TheFallenOne]

When they got closer to the clearing, Grimmgang paused to drink an antitoxin. When Shard stumbled, he stopped dead in his tracks, taking cover and shooting Shard a very angry look; it clearly took him a lot of selfcontrol to keep silent now.

He couldn't understand what the lizards were saying, but it was clear they heard the approaching group. "We're noticed", he whispered. "We have to strike quick now."

Spoiler

(1d20+8)[15] initiative

[FuryOfMetal]

Lets make this quick. I can keep them pinned here with a spell to prevent their escape.

Spoiler

:edit: change of plans! Assuming we get a suprise round against them I'll whack them with my vine ranged attack for an enormous d6, saving my wildshape uses for when they'd really be helpful. If we don't get a suprise round then I'll still whack 'em. initiative (1d20-1)[17] I forgot I had a negative modifier...

And for Drasil [roll]1d20+7[/roll] She will charge the nearest lizardfolk and begin with the bitey bitey. Are they large? Becauses on the map they take up 4 squares.

[TekHed]

It's humanoid form still unfamiliar and awkward, Shard did not see the root waiting to catch its foot.

As Daiya crashed forward and it toppled facedown into a heavy thud the others stiffened. Slowly and as quietly as it could Shard got to its feet. It didin't flush but the look of embarassment was much the samew as any humanoid. As the other prepared for attack, Shard tightened it's grip on his greatsword, gearing itself up for another charge.

[TheFallenOne]

Spoiler

in the surprise round, I move to the edge of the covering jungle in D5
Hide (1d20+11)[22]
Move Silently (1d20+11)[22]

first turn action depending on where the lizard is after the surprise round

[FuryOfMetal]

Spoiler

Move to D4, I'll wait until the suprise round is over to take my normal actions.
Hide (1d20-1)[14]
MS (1d20-1)[3]

[Sallera]

Grimmgang's approach goes unnoticed, but Trunk is spotted as soon as he reaches the edge of the trees, and the lizardfolk raises his club with a vicious grin. "<Hah! I told you! Now get over here and help me kill them!>"

He charges straight for Trunk, bringing the club down in a graceless smashing arc. His movement brings him close enough for Daiya to sense him, however, and Shard charges out of the undergrowth as well, only to crash bootlessly into the lizard's sturdy legs.

Spoiler

Lizard makes a partial charge to E6/F7 and attacks Trunk; Daiya can roll her own attack, and Shard's bull rush fails.
Attack: (1d20+9)[20]
Damage: (2d8+6)[14]

And begin round 1.

[FuryOfMetal]

Drasil charges the lizardfolk, intent on protecting her allies. Trunk however stays within the treeline, hoping for some cover whilst lashing out with his vines

Spoiler

Trunk stays where he is and smacks the lizardfolk around with his whipping vines hopefully.
(1d20+2)[9]
(1d6)[6]

Drasil acts on my initiative and charges the lizardfolk to F5, hoping to help with a flank.
(1d20+5)[9]
(1d6+5)[11]
Drasil has -2 ac until my next turn, she has an ac of 18


Well the max damage rolls would've been nice if they'd hit.

[TheFallenOne]

Grimmgang emerged from the undergrowth, circling the lizardfolk to give the others room to attack and then lashed out at the beast, determined to take it out as fast as possible.

Spoiler

Autosuccess tumble to D7

Wolf Fang Strike
axe (1d20+6)[24]
damage (1d10+4)[14] + (1d6)[4] skirmish

armor spikes (1d20+6)[25]
damage (1d6+1)[2] + (1d6)[2] skirmish

well, off to a good start I'd say. Pity I stupidly forgot to use Stone Bones

[MoleMage]

"There you are..." Daiya releases her drawn bow, then quickly nocks another arrow to the string and lets fly a second time, carefully maneuvering herself so that Shard and Trunk are between her an the enemies after she releases her shots

Spoiler

(1d4)[2]
(1d4)[3]
(1d20+8)[24]
(1d6+3)[6]

(1d4)[4]
(1d4)[4]
(1d20+4)[21]
(1d6+3)[5]

The second attack roll includes a -4 for firing into melee. If both of the d4s for a given attack show a one, my attack misses due to concealment.

[Sallera]

Daiya's arrow buries itself in the black scales, and although the lizard easily fends off the blows of Trunk and Drasil, this only allows Grimmgang to dash under its reach, opening deep wounds in its flank with axe and armour. It tumbles to the ground, unmoving, as its partner stands, holding its club high at the ready as if daring you to come closer.

Spoiler

That one fell before Daiya's turn, so since Shard hasn't moved yet, we'll just cut the round off here. Initiative is now effectively all of you, then the lizard.

[TekHed]

Spoiler

Declared action in OOC thread so will let that stand for this round. If need be Shard will move action to threaten remaining lizardfolk.

[FuryOfMetal]

Go Drasil! Go!

Spoiler

Saving the resources for the upcoming assualt and continuous danger so I'll carry on playing the meatgrinder. Drasil and I will both smack the lizard about.
Trunk (1d20+2)[10]
(1d6)[1]

Drasil is flanking with Grimm I believe so +2 attack
(1d20+9)[10]
(1d6+3)[4]

Hopefully my encouragement results in a crit or something....

Damnit I cannot hit anything! this is funny.

[TheFallenOne]

When the blackscale fell before his axe, Grimmgang immediately went for the second one, sacrificing safety for speed. It's defensive posture clearly indicated it was stalling, and Grimmgang wasn't willing to give reinforcements the time to arrive, even if he had to take a hit for it. Once he was within the guard of the lizardfolk, he delivered a brutal overhand chop at its chest with all his strength.

Spoiler

so it didn't change position, right?
Move to H11, running start
Swift: jump to I13, autosuccess
Tumble at full speed to avoid AoO (1d20+13)[20] DC25 I could have sworn I had +14, so that last turn was no autosuccess after all. Failed on 1 (1d20)[10]
Standard: Mountain Hammer
Attack (1d20+8)[25]
Damage (1d10+4)[13] + (2d6)[6] + (1d6)[6] skirmish

[TheFallenOne]

"Two more in the huts!", Grimmgang called out as he buried his axe to the handle into the lizards scaly flesh.

[MoleMage]

Daiya moves cautiously towards the sound of the voices, keeping her allies in 'sight' and holding her bow at the ready.

Spoiler

I need to know what I sense as I move towards where the lizardfolk and Grimmgang were talking. This will determine my actions. 30ft tremorsense, 30ft blindsense, scent, and 60ft detect magic.

[Sallera]

Spoiler

If you take a full move action closer, you can sense the one Grimmgang is fighting and another in the northern hut.

[MoleMage]

Daiya indicates which tent has an enemy in it, calling to her allies before firing off an arrow at Grimmgang's opponent.

[Sallera]

The lizardfolk swings its club in a long upward arc as Drasil approaches, before drawing it back overhead and smashing it down. It loses its grip on the weapon as Grimmgang's strike impacts heavily, leaning backward as it strives to keep its balance, only to find its throat transfixed by Daiya's arrow. Trunk, ignored, takes advantage of the opportunity to assume the form of a wooden bear, and the shouted warnings prove shortly unnecessary as two more blackscales emerge from the huts, eagerly engaging Shard and Grimmgang.

Spoiler

Daiya's attack scores a crit, dropping the second lizard well past dead.
Attack on Drasil: (1d20+7)[21]
Damage: (2d8+6)[16]
Attack on Drasil: (1d20+7)[11]
Damage: (2d8+6)[10]
Attack on Shard: (1d20+7)[14]
Damage: (2d8+6)[14]
Attack on Grimmgang: (1d20+7)[20]
Damage: (2d8+6)[19]

[FuryOfMetal]

On them, my friends! Before more are aware of our presence!

Spoiler

Trunk will double move to K10, enjoying a well spent turn I thought last turn i spent my move action but nevermind.

Drasil will move to a square that would be advantageous to Grimmgang, yet to be decided. She'll attack the K12/L13 lizardfolk for a massive critical! (1d20+7)[13] (1d6+3)[4]

Or as usual my flavorful companion fails

[TheFallenOne]

Grimmgang narrowly managed to deflect a savage axeblow from the newly arrived lizards, the weapon leaving a scar on his shield. Not wanting to be caught between both blackscales, he circled one of them to get it between him and the second lizard, then attacked it while he regained his balance after his all-out attack.

Spoiler

attack 20 is the most narrow of misses thanks to +1 skirmish AC.

Regain Warblade Maneuvers
attack with full Stone Bones
(1d20+4)[16]
(1d10+4)[12] + (1d6)[5] skirmish. Gain 8 temp hp
Tumble (1d20+13)[18]
curious, I can't figure out why I didn't put another rank in there

edit: oops, location. L14

[MoleMage]

Daiya feels her target fall and notes the large lizard coming out of the north hut. Muttering something to herself, she casts out her hand and fires a ray of heat which blisters the air around her.

Spoiler

Cast Searing Ray at the blackscale I can feel. Sorry for not rolling these last couple; I'm posting from work.