Orc Politics (IC)

[Kioran]

Thargol

Thargol flinched as another branch struck him, barely an inch above his left eye. Squinting against the sun and his fear, he looked ahead"Rather inconsiderate of our guide" he thought, eyeing the gnoll ahead.
"Not that I would complain or bring it up. We have disharmony coming up as it is. No, this I will endure.......Nevertheless, I´ll find myself a good, wide brimmed hat at the next oppurtunity"

And in this moment, again, he barely ducked beneath a low branch, only to be struck in the face again by another one. He flinched, and bared his teeth for maybe a small fraction of a second......

[Conners]

A rustling erupts from the bushes. Gaariss stops and looks at them with great interest. A bolt flies out, and lands a few feet from the undergrowth.

((Decide your formation: Tell me how many spaces above, below, left and or right of the "O" you want to be. Note: The circle represents the centre of the party formation.))

            bb
   O   N   bb
          a bb

b = Bush. N = Gaariss. a = shot bolt.

[Enlong]

Krey

Seeing the attackers, Krey channels magic into his staff, charging it with extra power for battle. He then falls into formation behind and to Gaariss' left, and urges Jeff to keep cover behind himself, and falls into a defensive stance.

Spoiler

Casts Shileleigh on my quarterstaff, giving it a +1 bonus, and treating it as if it were 2 size categories larger, (Large, so 1d8/1d8, and add the +1 bonus). Moving one square above and one square to the right, and urging my Riding Dog to move one square above the O.

[MeklorIlavator]

Spoiler

I would like to be 3 spaces above the O(from the ability abrubt jaunt)

Mexanis looks into the bushes, stilling his mind to concentrate on the arcane formulas he imprinted there this morning

Spoiler

Mexanis makes a spot check and readies an action to cast grease(if he can identify targets in the bushes)

[Ulzgoroth]

Retro (the plant):
Arianelle recognizes the feel of snagging on a plant, and turns to examine the situation. Seeing just what she's stumbled into draws a grimace. Ugh, getting that cleaned off won't be easy...isn't there a trail somewhere, so we wouldn't have to go through the brush? Or would it be a bad idea to take the trails? Drawing her sickle, she cuts the caught branch end off from the bush. After carefully wiping the blade on her loose leather pants and sheathing it, she hurries after the group, pulling off bits of stuck plant as she goes.

Encounter:
Arianelle's hands, still somewhat sticky from the plant, go to her pockets. She draws her sling and loads it, watching for attackers.

Spoiler

Positioning at one right and down from the O

[Kioran]

Thargol tenses up and starts to slide his pack from his shoulder, slowly letting it glide to the ground.

Spoiler

Recent events(trees and branches) would put me not far behind the Gnoll, which would be one up, one to the left

[Conners]

"Scree!" erupts from the bushes ((Beast)). The sound is followed by a strange (and remarkably cute) beast with an elephant-like nose (only shorter), bursting from the bushes. The donkey-sized beast squeals again (not unlike that of a pig) and falls to the grass, near death from many bolt wounds.
"Hssshhthhs!" comes out of the bushes.

A kobold dashes out of the bushes. It stops -- for only a split second -- looks surprised and runs back into the foliage. Gaariss -- with a smile promising nothing but trouble -- leaps over the fallen animal and pursues the kobold at full speed. "Scree..." the animal repeats, pathetically. It closes its eyes, and passes into the consciousness one feels only before death.

((OOC: I'll assume that Gauli is directly in the circle.))
Party Formation:

   M        bb
           bb
   JK T     bb
   G   N-B-bb--->
    A    a bb

G = Gauli. K = Krey. J = Jeff. T = Thargol. M = Mexanis. A = Arianelle. B = Injured Animal. N = Gaariss. b = bush. a = used bolt.

[Enlong]

Krey

Krey feels a large pang of empathy for the creature, and seeing that it is so horribly wounded, begins to rush over to it. As he is moving, he calls out to Thargol, who is closer. "Hey, Thargol, could you feed that creature one of the healing potions? I think we might be able to save it."

Spoiler

On a side note, I don't know how many feet one "space" is

[Kioran]

Thargol

"But what about our guide? We cannot let him rush off to get himself killed. Please take care of the beast!" he says, then starts to run towards the bushes, trying to clear the injures Animal with one mighty leap.

Spoiler

Jump Check: (1d20+9)[29]

[Enlong]

"Right. I'll be right there." Krey moves over to the wounded animal, and takes a moment to try and bind its wounds.

Spoiler

Move Action to reach the Tapir, Standard action to make a Heal Check with the intent of delivering First Aid; that is, stabalizing the creature.

(1D20+6)[10]

[Conners]

Thargol easily bounds over the injured animal. He is quickly on his way to catch up with Gaariss.

Krey, meanwhile, finds that his first attempt at healing the creature is unsuccessful in properly binding its wounds. Life still remains however -- even though death stands but a yard away from it.

[Enlong]

Seeing his first effort to heal the creature fail, Krey swears loudly and rummages through his pack "Can't waste any more time. Here." Krey produces the small potion he received from Gaariss earlier, that is, the potion of of Cure Light Wounds. He uncorks the bottle and tips the liquid into the creature's mouth. "Here. Drink this." Seeing the potion take its effect, he follows after Gaariss and Thargrol, urging Jeff to follow him.

Spoiler

I use up my potion of Cure Light Wounds to heal and stabalize the tapir, and take my move action to follow Gaariss

---

* post roll count doesn't match database

[Ulzgoroth]

Arianelle hurries past the animal and into the bushes, chasing after Gaariss.

[Conners]

After the realization that it wasn't dead, the animal lets out a happy, "SCREEE!!" Seeing Arianelle run past, it decides it's some sort of game, and begins to make chase. The creature runs in small stumpy bounds, often causing the unwary adventurer to say, "Awwww"
"Scree!" it said happily at the cleric.

[MeklorIlavator]

Mexanis runs to follow Krey, hoping to support the others.

[Kioran]

Thargol
Barreling through the bushes, Thargol still tries to keep up with Gaariss, occassionaly castching glimpses of the Gnoll. Battingh aside a low hanging branch in front of his face, he tries to orient himself, looking for signs of the Kobolds

Spoiler

Spot Check: (1d20+4)[11]
Listen Check: (1d20+3)[5]

[Conners]

((Sorry for not posting for so long. We were busy preparing for a house inspection.))

The group begins to catch up with Gaariss. "Grah-grah," he says to the party, still running.

Crash!

The gnoll finds himself at the bottom of a fifteen-foot pit. "Scree!" says the Beast, catching up. It head-butts Krey friendlily and licks his face. The bushes rustle... The group is now surrounded by kobolds in the heavy foliage.

Krey, although distracted by the beast's affection, manages to see hear the kobolds before their appearance.
Gauli was snagged by a wait-a-minute-bush and notices the kobolds only as they ambush.
A large branch- which Gaariss had pulled forward shortly before - had swung at Thargol. The kobolds arrive just as he dodges it.
Mexanis' wary nature allows him to hear the kobolds' approach.
And Arianelle was just close enough to hear the leader give the signal to attack.
Everyone roll for Initiative (taking too long to post will result in moving one further in the cue).

Formation:

  ##      # ##  # #  ## ##       
t   #### #k#k#t ## #k#####       t
     #k########k#k#########             
  ##k###       ###           #
    ##    M         #k###  t    t     
          B      OOk #k#### #        t   
 t      t JK T   OO #k###k
 k#       G         #k##k#     #
# t        A         #k#    t 
       #  ##       #t    
 t    #k###k##     #k#         t
       # k#  #      #    t

M = Mexanis. K = Krey. J = Jeff. A = Arianelle. G = Gauli. T = Thargol. B = Beast. O = Pit that Gaariss fell into.
k = Kobold (all kobolds are standing in folage, granting 75% cover. # = Foliage. t = Tree (when directly in between a ranged attack and the target, the target receives cover if of medium size [small creatures gain twice the cover bonus]).

Surprise Round: Everyone but Gauli and Thargol can perform one action this turn (roll for initiative anyway).

[Enlong]

Spoiler

Right. Initiative roll for Krey (1D20)[1]

And not to be picky, but you forgot my Animal Companion in your chart. I'll roll his initiative, as well

Jeff's a riding dog, so he's got 15 DEX, so thats +2 (1D20+2)[19]

Edit: Wow, The dice have not been on Krey's side recently at all.

[Ulzgoroth]

Spoiler

Initiative for Arianelle: (1d20+2)[9]

Would that signal have been in a language Arianelle speaks? Or does she hear but not understand?

Also, curious about the effects of 75% cover, if you're willing to expand.

[MeklorIlavator]

Spoiler

(1d20)[11]

Seeing the Kobolds, Mexanis shouts(in Draconic)We mean no harm. No one needs to be hurt here

He moves to the tree next to Krey, ducking to avoid possible incoming missile weapons.

[Kioran]

Spoiler

Initiative (1d20+1)[2]

[Conners]

((Note: I got mixed up with cover an concealment when I said 75%. They actually just have normal cover.))
Here's the initiative order:

7 kobolds
Mexanis
3 kobolds
Arianelle
9 kobolds
Krey
Thargol
Kobold
((I've messaged Faithdreamer. I'll NPC Gauli if he doesn't post soon.))

Seven kobolds fire their javelins at the party before Mexanis can move. "Ssshhrekkth!" hissed one of the kobolds. (note: the name of the roll is target of the attack)
Mexanis - (1d20)[7] Krey - (1d20)[13] Krey - (1d20)[2] Jeff - (1d20)[7] Gauli - (1d20)[5] Arianelle - (1d20)[15] Thargol - (1d20)[19]
Damage Rolls (if the attacks hit): Mexanis - (1d4-1)[1] Krey - (1d4-1)[2] Krey - (1d4-1)[3] Jeff - (1d4-1)[1] Gauli - (1d4-1)[2] Arianelle - (1d4-1)[3] Thargol - (1d4-1)[2]

The group manage to block and avoid most of the javelins. One, however, hits Thargol in the leg (2 damage to Thargol). The arrow sized javelin would have to be removed when there's time.
"Scree!!" says the beast. It runs off in a full dash towards a non-kobold-infested bush, and hits into a tree.

Mexanis manages to reach his destination after jumping over a shot. Seeing him run, three kobolds make him their target. Luckily, they fire just as he had reached the cover (attack rolls in new post). New Formation:

  ##      # ##  # #  ## ##       
t   #### #k#k#t ## #k#####       t
     #k########k#k#########             
t ##k###       ###           #
#   ##    M         #k###  t    t     
 \-------/B      OOk #k#### #        t   
 t      t|JK T   OO #k###k
 k#     <-G         #k##k#     #
# t        A         #k#    t 
       #  ##       #t    
 t    #k###k##     #k#         t
       # k#  #      #    t

MediumTurquoise = direction Mexanis travels in. Magenta = direction Beast travels in.

[Conners]

Attacks on Mexanis: Attack - (1d20)[6] Attack - (1d20)[19] Attack - (1d20)[12] (note: Mexanis has cover from the tree).
Damage rolls if attacks hit: Damage - (1d4-1)[2] Damage - (1d4-1)[1] Damage - (1d4-1)[1]

The first two javelins are caught on a brach and the trunk, but the third manages to score on Mexanis' side through a gap in the tree. The wound- though little to a warrior -pains Mexanis deeply and, for a moment, causes his vision to blur with pain.

Arianelle's turn.

[Faithdreamer]

Gauli had lost himself in his thoughts after pulling up his jerkin to guard against the insidious tickles. The only reason he escaped injury from the initial ambush was because he was kneeling to tie his boot. Bleary-eyed, he looked around the forest without really understanding what was going on. "It was so cute." He mumbled.
As soon as he understood the stick near his heel was actually a javelin, he shrank back with a yelp. “Kobolds!” He shouted. “Ambush, weapons this way! Ambush over here! We’re being attacked!”

Spoiler

Initiative - (1d20)[10]

[Ulzgoroth]

The javelin leaves a short gash in Arianelle's leather vest before deflecting harmelessly off her armor. Seeing the mage bombarded with more of the little darts, she draws her sickle in her left hand and moves to better screen him against the nearest Kobolds, while calling her proposal in their general direction.

"Let us by now, or someone will end up badly hurt! We'll take the Gnoll with us..."

Spoiler

Taking a 5-foot step left on the map.
Now holding the sickle in the hand with the buckler...

[Conners]

The only attention the kobolds pay, is that Arianelle moved. And so they throw their javelins at her, as well as the other party members.
Arianelle - (1d20)[2] Arianelle - (1d20)[7] Krey - (1d20)[18] Krey - (1d20)[2] Jeff - (1d20)[9] Gauli - (1d20)[15] Thargol - (1d20)[16] Arianelle - (1d20)[13] Gauli - (1d20)[8]
Damage rolls if hit: Arianelle - (1d4-1)[1] Arianelle - (1d4-1)[0] Krey - (1d4-1)[2] Krey - (1d4-1)[3] Jeff - (1d4-1)[3] Gauli - (1d4-1)[1] Thargol - (1d4-1)[1] Arianelle - (1d4-1)[0] Gauli - (1d4-1)[2]

Krey's head feels a burning sensation as a javelin cuts across his head. A hairline fracture appears on the gnome's skull. (2 points of damage to Krey)
A tiny splash of blood erupted from Gauli's left shoulder. The javelin was lodged firmly. (1 point f damage to Gauli)
Thargol was also not without injuries. In his attempt to doge, a javelin caught his arm. (1 point of damage to Thargol)

((More later. For now I must go to work))

[Faithdreamer]

When he finally felt the wound, he did not scream.
He had already grit his teeth in a strange growl, and simply growled louder when he finally tore it out. Saliva dripping across his lips, he realized there might be little wooden slivers inside the wound. He let his wounded arm go limp and brought his axe to his side.

[Conners]

((OK, initiative order....))

Kobolds
Jeff
6 kobolds
Mexanis
Kobold
Gauli
2 kobolds
Arianelle
9 kobolds
Krey
Thargol
Kobold

It is now Krey's turn.

[Enlong]

Rubbing his head, Krey thinks to himself <Okay, looks like they're not going to listen to reason at all. Only recourse left is to fight> Krey turns to his right and sees a kobold through the bushes. He goes toward it, and as he's doing so, points to another Kobold in the bushes ahead of Menaxis, and tells Jeff "Get him, Jeff". As he reaches the Kobold, he grips his staff and takes a nice swing at him.

Spoiler

Move Action to go 15 feet south to reach the Kobold just two squares south of Arianelle (I am in the bush just next to the Kobold now). Free action during that move action to tell Jeff to Attack the Kobold in the bushes in front of Menaxis (Attack as a Bonus Trick, used as a Move Action due to Link with my Animal Companion) Standard Action to attack the Kobold in front of me with my quarterstaff, which is still under the effects of Shillelagh, so is treated as a +1 medium Quarterstaff for the time being.

Rolls
Handle Animal Check (1d20+8)[24]
To Hit; (1d20+5)[10]
Damage Roll (if it hits) (1d8+1)[9]

[Conners]

((You can't use a move action and a standard action since it's the surprise round.))

Kobold
Jeff
6 kobolds
Mexanis
Kobold
Gauli
2 kobolds
Arianelle
9 kobolds
Krey
Thargol
Kobold

((Edit: OK, map update... yeah, fun.))

  ##      # ##  # #  ## ##       
t   #### #k#k#t ## #k#####       t
     #k########k#k#########             
t ##k###       ###           #
#   ##              #k###  t    t     
                 OOk #k#### #        t   
 t      t JK T   OO #k###k
 k#     M G|        #k##k#     #
# t       A|         #k#    t 
       #  #K       #t    
 t    #k###k##     #k#         t
       # k#  #      #    t

M = Mexanis. K = Krey (now in cover). A = Arianelle. G = Gauli. T = Thargol. B = Beast. O = Pit that Gaariss fell into.
k = Kobold (all kobolds are standing in folage, granting . # = Foliage. t = Tree. | = line of travel.

The kobold, seeing Krey come forward, blinks for a moment before drawing his/her (it's hard to tell with kobolds) spear.

**Surprise round end**