[Game Thread] A Pulse

[julian]

Target, thought Tulis as he crossed the distance between himself and the first Orc. The swordsman's face was marble as his blade arced downwards towards the orc.

OCC melee attack on F02 H/D: 22 (16) / 10 (9) (+1 to H/D if duel of wills was succesfull, +2 D if ignored, -1 to H/D if failed) HP: 36/36 AC/T/F: 20 (against F02; 16 to all others)/15/16 F/R/W: 3/6/7 If the Orc goes down Tulis will assume the Pearl of Black Doubt Stance

[Paul the Bald]

Gavin prepares another arrow.

OoC Initiative 11(7)

[Nasrith]

The eruption of violence was so sudden it almost seemed choreographed. Or at least, it would have if the cries of pain and spilt blood weren't very real.

A bank of fog appeared out of nowhere, entirely thanks to Larissa's magic. It encapsulated almost all of the orc party in its thick banks. Only the axe-wielding orc that had stepped forward was completely free of its banks. The other red-painted orc stood at the cusp of the fog, looking out confusedly at the roadway and around at the mysterious mist. Cries of terror erupted from the lesser orcs behind.

The two arrows that Gavin fired flew true. His shots were far more similar to the man he had stolen his name from than his own, but combat was known to bring out the best in some. His first arrow struck the thuggish orc hard in the shoulder, and he cried out. The cry hadn't even fully developed when the orc was struck by Gavin's second arrow. This one struck the orc hard in his chest, and with a roar of pain, he stumbled backwards.

This wasn't the only place arrows were coming from, though. Aetius was firing away as well. His first shot was faulty, and he only had an inkling of where that landed when he heard a cry of pain from the throng of orcs in the fog cloud. His second arrow was true, and it pelted into the same orc as Gavin's arrows, no doubt causing him even more pain.

All the while, the two immediately visible figures stood still. Varudo continued to speak, as if he were a preacher unable to leave his pulpit for anything, and Tulis fixed a steely veteran's gaze on the pin-cushioned orc, who didn't seem to respond at all well.

Only after this first volley did the two head orcs seem to gather their wits about them at all.

OOC No new map because it's annoying to upload and nothing has changed other than the fog. Everyone needs to post their normal round actions. Julian only had time to get in his stance and such because a surprise round isn't enough for a move/standard action combo. Sorry that took so long to respond to.

[Paul the Bald]

Gavin sees the orc he shot go down with three arrows in him. The orcs look startled, but are starting to organize themselves.

He shifts focus to the other lead orc and releases his first arrow too quickly. It embeds itself in the ground two feet in front of the orc. His second arrow hits the orc, but Gavin isn't sure if it has penetrated his armor.

OoC Using rapid shot: arrow 1 to hit: 11(1); arrow 2 to hit: 16(6), damage: 12(7) HP: 49/49 AC/T/F: 19/14/15 F/R/W: 7/5/1

[The Iron Dragon]

Frustrated that his sharp tongue proved to no avail in avoiding a conflict, Varudo quickly doubles back to create distance between the orcs and himself. As he nears to a halt, he turns around sharply with his hands coming up, forming a crisp yellow energy around them. While trying to aim the bolt at the orc leader, one of his feet slides on a rock lodged in the path, deviating the path of the bolt and causing it to fire blindly within the fog.

OOC Move Action: 30ft back to L20 (I apologize for moving off the grid) Standard Action: Eldritch Spear (Ranged Touch Attack) directed at FO1 To hit:7 (1) Damage: 7 HP: 34/34 AC/T/F: 17/12/15 F/R/W:+6/+3/+6

[Oceanic]

Aetius continued to produce a constant stream of arrows arcing towards the orcs. His hand moved well-practiced motions between quiver and bowstring. However, his aim was getting rusty, no doubt from his long stay in the coastal city. Another arrow plunged blindly into the bank of fog to join his first. He loose his fourth arrow and immediately start moving backwards. The orcs will overrun this spot in mere seconds. Time to retreat from this spot.

OOC Full-round action: Rapid shot 1st arrow H/D: 21 (13) / 8 (6) 2nd arrow H: 9 (1) 5' step back to H19 HP: 34/34 AC/T/F: 17/13/14 F/R/W: 7/10/4

[Lixy Parmenter]

Larissa smiled as she heard the orcs crying out in confusion, knowing that her magic had done its job and held them back for now. Stepping back and reaching into her pack as one smooth motion, the beguiler pulled out something small between her fingers, then began casting another spell with a few waves of her hand and chanted words. A handful of summoned creatures seemed to appear out of the air in front of her, smallish dogs about the size of most guard animals in cities but with a majestic and fierce demeanor. The golden haired creatures snarl at the orcs in and out of the fog cloud, ready to defend their mistress.

OOC Move Action: Is it a separate action to pull out material components/focuses before casting spells? I can't remember, the only caster I played before now was a pathfinder sorcerer who automatically got 'eschew materials'. Anyway, if I need a move action to draw stuff, I do it here. If not, I don't really want to move much anyway, so I'll just take a standard action and a free action. Standard Action: Cast Minor Image (DC 16 to disbelieve if interacted with) to 'summon' 4 'celestial dogs', as a spellcaster might if using a higher level summon monster spell to get a lot of summon monster I goons. 'Dogs' are at I10, H11, F13, E14, and are acting like a summoned creature would be expected to act, pretending to be biting but largely defensive barrier between their caster and the melee enemies. Free Action: 5 foot step to J18 HP: 29/29 AC/T/FF: 18/13/15 F/R/W: +4/+5/+6

[Nasrith]

A line of fighting dogs appeared thanks to Larissa's spell. They snapped ferociously at the first orc, and at the line of orcs that had emerged from the fog looking bewildered after him. If everything hadn't been enough before, this certainly looked like it had put a few of the orcs over the edge. Perhaps the masked man had been telling the truth after all, a few of their faces seemed to say.

The first shot Gavin fired was embarrassing, and he might even consider himself lucky to have not lost the grip on his bow. His second arrow punctures the leather greaves of his target, and a roar of pain is loosed from the edge of the fog where the creature stood.

Aetius's first shot followed his others into the bare-chested orc that he had put a beed on since the beginning of the battle. However, his second one was even worse than Gavin's, and it missed its mark by a figurative mile.

Tulis dashes forward, bringing his blade down in an imposing arc, and scores the first close-combat hit of the encounter. The orc, already peppered with the heads and shafts of arrows from the party's two archers, lets out a furious cry when a bloody red gash appears on his right pectoral.

Varudo's words may have scarred off a few of the orcs and fooled a number more, but his woeful spear-throw wasn't likely to do either. It sailed lamely high and lodged itself behind the first row of attacking orcs.

Having recovered themselves enough to launch a counter strike, the two larger orcs charged their attackers. Tulis was the first to face the wrath of the heavily wounded orc, who by now had flown into a powerful rage. The axe-wielding humanoid mimicked his downward slash with the two handed weapon, but Tulis was able to dodge out of the way of the deadly weapon, at least initially. The first attack had left the head of the axe stuck into the ground, and instead of removing it, the orc simply threw the butt end forward, connecting squarely with the swordsage's jaw.

The other lead orc, along with the few orcs who haven't fled already, confront the line of fighting dogs, seemingly unaware that the things aren't real.

OOC Tulis takes 12 damages. Also, Julian, I used your previous action as the one for this round because I figured nothing would change. Good job all of you so far. Combat map updated in cartographer thread.

[Paul the Bald]

Gavin is amazed to see the first orc get back up with several arrows and a large bloody gash across his chest. He decides to switch back to this one, he seems more dangerous than the others.

He felt his nerves rise up again. What if they failed in their first encounter? He didn't want to die out here in the middle of nowhere. He was too young.

He releases two more arrows, hoping to stop the brute from inflicting any more damage on Tulis.

OoC 1st arrow: H/D 23(13)/8(3); 2nd arrow; H/D 22(12)/10(5)

[The Iron Dragon]

Varudo swears from behind his mask, frustrated by his unsteady hand. He focuses his hands together once more, concentrating the yellow energy and firing a more focused and precise beam at the same target. As he fires the beam, the force of the shot drives his shoes deeper into the dirt, solidifying his position. "Focus on their leaders! The pawns are only useful until the king finds his demise!" he shouted to his allies.

OOC Move Action: - Standard Action: Eldritch Spear (Ranged Touch Attack) directed at FO1 To hit: 24 (18) Damage: 9 HP: 34/34 AC/T/F: 17/12/15 F/R/W:+6/+3/+6

[Oceanic]

Aetius was dismayed to find two of his arrows missing his mark and Tulis reeling from the back-handed blow of the frenzied orc. Cursing his own aim for failing him at this time of need, Aetius gritted his teeth and fired two more arrows at the bloodied orc. Although he was not sure of his first arrow due to all the commotions, his second shot flew true and embedded itself in the vicious orc. Looks like a porcupine enough for me. He smiled wryly. Although I'd rather find a dead porcupine than an alive and kicking one.

OOC Full-round action: Rapid shot at FO2 1) H/D: 13 (5) / 6 (4) 2) H/D: 27 (19)/ 3 (1) HP: 34/34 AC/T/F: 17/13/14 F/R/W: 7/10/4

[julian]

Damn was the only thought Tulis could form as the Orc's blow struck him. Gritting his teeth the swordsman shifted his feet just before bringing his sword back again against his tenacious foe.

OCC Move Action: Standard Action: Melee attack against F02 H/D: 13/11 HP:24/36 AC/T/F: 20 (against F02; 16 to all others)/15/16 F/R/W: 3/6/7

[Lixy Parmenter]

Grimacing and resisting the urge to make smart-assed comments about Varudo's suggestion, Larissa remains totally focused on her spellcasting. Attempting the difficult task of casting one spell while maintaining another, Larissa attempts to keep the illusion of the dogs believable while casting almost simultaneously casting sleep. The 'guard dogs' lunge, fall back, bleed, and attack (ineffectually) as real dogs would in a fight, while the tiefling pulls a pinch of sand from her pouch and tosses it in the air while chanting and gesturing.

OOC Standard Action: Cast Sleep, centered at D11. Will save DC 15 or fall asleep, effects up to 4 HD total, targeting those with least HD first. Move Action: Maintain concentration on Minor Image HP: 29/29 AC/T/FF: 18/13/15 F/R/W: +4/+5/+6

[Nasrith]

The sleep spell that Larissa loosed on the orcs was exceptionally effective, and both orcs in the area of the magic fell to the ground, totally asleep, mid swing.

Gavin's two arrows expertly avoided Tulis's body, pelting one after another into the orc's shoulder and stomach.

Aetius's first shot was a bit closer to hitting his companion, burying itself in the ground between Tulis's legs. The other one hit its mark, finally causing the massive orc to topple over. He let out one final gurgle in response to the arrow, and then he died.

Reacting quickly to the death of his enemy, Tulis spun to face the other red-painted orc. He jabbed his sword into the creature's gut, drawing more blood even than before.

At the same time, Varudo sent a spear of energy towards the orc, who roared, both because of the pain and because he had just watched his companion fall.

Instead of raising his mace to return the blow to Tulis, the still standing orc turned tail, bellowed a retreat, and dashed off into the fog, but not before the swordsage hit him one last time. The other orcs, save the two who were fast asleep on the ground turned to follow their leader away into the forest as well.

When the noise of the orcs crashing haphazardly through the underbrush subsided, a calm quickly overtook the forest path. Only the two sleeping orcs, snoring contentedly, made any noise at all. The bare-chested and bloodied orc that the group had slain lay face up on the ground in the middle of the path.

[Paul the Bald]

Seeing the dead orc on the ground, blood pouring from his wounds, Gavin leaned against the tree and promptly vomited.

"I just helped kill a living being," he thought. "I'm not sure I'm up for this..."