[Game Thread] Part I • Chapter 2: A Dangerous Business

[CharlesM]

Breeze Breeze grew more and more excited as they approached the gate. He pinched himself occasionally to make sure that he wasn't dreaming. He had thought about leaving the city for a long time; since midway through his first year at school. Thinking about doing a thing was not the same as actually doing the thing, though, or was it? For the second time in his life, he had thought about doing something so often and for so long that one day he woke up, as if from a dream, and realized that he had done it. And like before, it had only taken him a few minutes to do what he had been thinking about doing for months. His mind drifted back through the years to the day he ran away from the orphanage. He had thought about leaving that place for a long time. He had fantasized about what life on his own would be like. About how much better it would be if he didn't have to share a room with nineteen other boys. If he didn't have to run and find somewhere to hide when the bigger kids got bored and decided to entertain themselves by tormenting the smaller kids, or when Mother Mercy made her drunken late-night rounds after a couple who were considering adopting came in for a visit and managed to see through the thin veneer that the orphans were expected to put on to cover up the reality of life in the orphanage. His situation was vastly different now, but just as it had back then, it felt as if he'd gone to sleep dreaming about leaving and awakened a few hours later to discover that it hadn't been a dream. He was really leaving. As the mule that he was riding stepped under the portcullis and into the tunnel that the road made through the wall, tears welled up in Breeze's eyes. I didn't say good-bye to Indigo... He caught himself, though. He had shed enough tears over Horizon and wasn't about to give the place more. So, he gritted his teeth and wiped his sleeve across his face to dry his eyes. By the time he emerged outside of the city, he had managed a smile. The makeshift saddle he was sitting on wouldn't let him keep smiling for very long. The importance of a proper saddle was a lesson he would learn in a few hours. For now, though, he smiled as he rode in silence, listening to the sounds of Horizon fading into the distance behind him.

[Grimbreath]

Kerr surveyed the party, mentally calculating their chances of actually getting to Santa Cora. His impression was not good. Deep inside, though, he had to admit that his own foul temper hadn't helped matters any. It was hard to quietly depart from a watchful city when a heavily armored Inquisitor was barking at everyone who looked at them askance. It was difficult to not feel grim about this endeavor. At the same time, the paladin was glad to be back travelling again. There was a freedom on the open road that always made his heart a little lighter. It reminded him of better days, and other people... Between the gnome's obnoxious shadow and the lizardwoman's strange antics, he was surprised that they'd gotten out of Horizon at all. But gotten out they had. Once they had left the gates of the city behind and they stopped to rest and water the animals, Kerr gathered the group together. He was still unsure about several of them, but both the monk and Bazziox seemed to be veterans of tough action. "We have two possible paths. Normally, pilgrims travel along the road near the coast, north of Gorgoran's Maw. In kinder times it was safer and quicker. My sources tell me that recently this has become far less safe; it's also where anyone following us would look first." The paladin drew a crude map with a stick in the dirt and explained, "I believe our best option will be to travel along a southern route, off the roads, between Gorgoran's Maw the the Abyss. While that will bring us closer to the Abyss, it will also bring us closer to the Great Gold Wyrm. This will be a little slower but we should be able to keep the animals with us up to the Golden Citadel." "At that point," he continued, "The Red Wastes press northward, closer to the coast and we'll have little choice but to travel by the coast. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it, though". "When we set out again I'm going to take us off the road and head northeast for a few leagues, then double back a bit when it seems safe and move southeast instead." The paladin concluded and looked at his comrades, arching an eyebrow to see if any had questions or comments.

OOC Kerr will lead the party along the road for a time then head north, but will have the group double back slightly (in an attempt to shake pursuit) and head southwest to stay off the main road, along a less used path skirting south of Gorgoran's Maw. Also I really enjoy Breeze and Emak's RPing, just having Kerr react to their "antics"

[Roekahs]

Bazziox is relieved to finally be moving again. Horizon has been a comedy of errors and he isn't laughing. The worst part is that no one member of their party is to blame, for if that were the case, Bazziox would have readily converted that member into a projectile with his large taloned foot. In fact, the only one who had not unduly drawn attention to himself within Horizon had been the monk. Bazziox slides into the saddle and finds himself staring at Scabbard of Iron. When he catches the monk's eye, Bazziox gives the slightest of nods - a genuine acknowledgement of the monk's efforts thus far. Yet, there is something else in the monk's eye. The joining of their gazes had not been accidental. Slowly, Bazziox follows the warrior's signal to land on a lad. At first Bazziox's brow furrows. Then the red dot is shown and his jaw falls slack. Only a for a moment, but by the time Bazziox stands in his stirrups to dismount and give chase, the lad has disappeared. With a resigned sigh, the dragonborn resumes his seat and spurs the black beast forward ready to be done with Horizon for the foreseeable future. It should not have been unexpected, but the passage out of Horizon goes about as well as everything they had done inside the city. Somehow they manage to wriggle through the watchful eyes of the city guard and escape to the open road. Of course the incident at the gate results in a return of the pipe that had been stowed in a vest pocket. Even as the pipe smoke washes over his senses, another sense washes over his soul. A sense of freedom. There is no city in a few days' time. To continue forward is to head into true openness. It has been some time since the dragonborn has been free of cities and walls and people. With only a slight glance around to make certain everyone is accounted for, the dragonborn sets the pace away from Horizon, stretching the limits of the mules. On more than one occasion, the dragonborn requires a reminder of the mule pace. When they stop to water the horses, Bazziox is relieved when Kerr gathers them together to discuss the plan. The dragonborn stands resolutely, listening and puffing gently on the pipe - the same pinch of pipeweed from the gate still smoldering in the bowl for the smoking on the road had been one of relaxed enjoyment rather than irritation. Another wave of relief washes over Bazziox as Kerr outlines his plan. When the warrior finishes, Bazziox nods once and says, "It is a solid plan. I have no objection." Bazziox pauses before continuing, "I feel that it is important to urge vigilance. There are powers at work that are beyond our knowledge. Our passage through Horizon did not go unnoticed. Although I do not understand the portent, Scabbard and I were shown a red dot as we departed. The messenger escaped into the crowd before we could pursue. At present, I am more concerned with what lies behind us than what lies before us, though whether that concern is warranted is yet to be seen." Once more Bazziox pauses, this time to take a puff of his pipe - a long, gentle draw - before blowing a slow steady stream of smoke into the air. As he replenishes the air in his lungs, the dragonborn captures the gaze of Kerr and then Breeze. "I know you have not been fully apprised of our mission, but that must change if you are to be able to contribute in a meaningful way." Bazziox drifts slightly toward Jolene, reaching out a hand to place on her shoulder. "Jolene must be delivered to Santa Cora. She carries a message that may very well be the key to maintaining the balance between Light and Dark. We are not meant to know the details it would seem, so we must trust in the Priestess. Just understand that if we must make a choice, her safety - her life - is paramount." Bazziox falls silent. The dying embers of the pipe finally have nothing left to give, though the dragonborn seems oblivious to that fact. He told them most of the truth; the important part of the truth. Was it enough? Too much? The paladin he has little concern about, but is the gnome ready to lay down his life for this? Bazziox smiles slightly. Probably as much as he himself is.

[GrandCommander13]

Scabbard of Iron Scabbard of Iron nodded his consent at Kerr's plan. The smart thing for any enemy to do would be to wait for them near the Golden Citadel, where they had little choice but to pass. Still, if an impatient enemy could be easily thwarted then it would be best to do so, and save their strength for more implacable foes. What did they have to fear from demons? Plenty, the monk was well aware, but he sensed danger in any path they could take. There would be no escaping it in the end. He also nodded as Bazziox impressed the importance of the Princess's life upon the paladin Kerr. The man seemed to be a skeptical sort, so he would demand more answers in time, but right now he was sworn to assist them—hopefully that would be enough. It was important that he knew what would mean their victory, as he also seemed to be quite a practical man; if it came down to protecting the Princess or a more capable fighter the monk had no illusions that the man would save the damsel in distress unless it was clear she must be protected at all costs. More difficult conversations would come later, but hopefully they would come after they had been able to come to trust one another; hopefully Kerr would wait until such a time to press for such knowledge in the first place, being content with his suspicions until then. There was another matter that needed to be discussed, however. Bazziox was right: their passage through Horizon had not been unnoticed. Though the intent of the red dot was as inscrutable to him as it was to Bazziox, it had certainly been meant to communicate something. Perhaps someone more familiar with such things could suggest a meaning, but something else had happened that was plainly understood. "I believe the time has come for Jolene to leave the legion," he said. She had drawn a lot of attention to herself with Emak, and her name and cover story were part of the official record of Horizon's guard. "If the legion comes across her as she is now, she may be in danger." He looked to the Princess, gauging her reaction. It was good that her instinct had been to help Emak, who could have met a grisly fate without her timely intervention, but in doing so she had put herself at risk. Perhaps she would make a good Empress. Perhaps she would make a good warrior. She knew the discipline of the court, and as the monk was well aware discipline was a skill that traveled far and did much.

[AwesomeEllie]

Emak the Meek and Guythraxix the Hungry The thought that someone had signaled to them was concerned, when Bazziox revealed that, had her thinking. Emak had stayed silent for the trip so far, uncharacteristically so for her even if one accounted the new faces, and it was almost entirely because once again, she had mucked things up. This was, by all appearances, a sudden and new trend that would serve as her personal motif for this mission, and that beat down on her heavier than any training-under-a-waterfall ever could. The described symbol was there, tip of her tongue, and it felt like she could envision it, but her doubts weighed down, her previous failures squeezing around her lungs and preventing her from breathing deep enough to voice the threads of thought that might be correct. Might be, but probably weren't, after all. So even when she opened her mouth to speak, for the time being, she only fell silent, instead nodding her agreement both to Mister Kerr's plan as well as Mister Scabbard's suggestion. A suggestion that was, yet again, only now necessary because of her specific failures. She had already endangered not only herself, getting distracted like that, but also The Princess herself by her highness going out of her way to get Emak out of trouble. Lizardfolk rarely deflated, but Emak was quite deflated indeed.

 

Emak the Meek Emak the Meek HP: 54/54 AC/PD/MD: 18/16/17 Recoveries: 8/8 (4d8+2) Battlecries Hang Tough! (temp hp) Pull it Together! (2/2 per battle, recovery) Take Heart! (early end condition) Spells At-Will: Battle Chant (L3, attack at range with battlecries), Crescendo (close range escape attack) Recharge: Vicious Mockery (damage and damaging debuff), Song of Heroes (Attack bonus and save bonus for everyone) Daily: Charm Person (duh), Song of Thunder (song for many attacks) Expendables: Healing Potion (1) Effects: Circlet of Approachability (looks as if she belongs here) Action: Dice Check to recognize the red dot symbol (+5 Book Wyrm +3 Int + 4 level): 1d20+12 (19)+12 Total = 31

[Aethera]

The first mile of travel out of Horizon had each member of the odd party lost in each his own thoughts, and on a wide range of topics both past and present. After they'd been traveling for only a short while, a grassy area leading to the sparsely forested low hills off south of the road was a convenient place to stop and decide on their path going forward. It didn't have a particularly good trough for the horses, it leaked and had to be refilled, but it was time to put their heads together. Kerr knew the roads, and the dangers, and his plan made sense. As Bazziox confirmed, there were those behind them now who knew their passage and which direction they had gone. Even if the road didn't appear to have anyone following behind them yet, that may not remain the case for long. Emak had read enough pirate fiction based in fact to recognize that a black spot was a warning that one's life was forfeit by decree of a superior or pirate king figure, fictional characters likely representing the Prince of Shadows in reality. If the dot meant something similar, what was the red color? Too many things were associated with the color for it to be an easy interpretation. The Red, as the lizardwoman's mind skipped to, was probably not going to be something warned of by a thief in Horizon. Other red influences in the area could be the demons that seemed to be in abundant supply of late, the Diabolist potentially, but it could also just mean blood, and a warning of bloodshed wasn't really telling them anything they didn't already know.

Red was also the color of Jolene's uniform, red with the golden dragon badge of the Dragon Empire, which Scabbard of Iron was quick to point out may not be a great option for her to continue wearing. With the guards at the gate wise to her cover story, sooner or later they would realize she had no business wearing the uniform, officer or otherwise. The princess nodded and slipped out of the uniform tunic, turning it inside out and stowing it in a saddlebag for good measure. She didn't look all that different by comparison, the leather armor just didn't tie her immediately into the army. It would not be enough if the guards from Horizon sent someone after her, but would they? Their business was Horizon, not some traveler.

The plan as laid out by Kerr would also help to distract anyone following their trail, leading them parallel to the road far enough to get out of view of the real path taken when the party diverted back and more southward. But as the group finished talking and turned back to their horses, they heard a shout of alarm from up the hill and were barely able to see a silhouette of someone making a spectacle of himself near a tree stump at the edge of the spotty tree cover at the top of the hill. Whatever was going on, whoever it was seemed to be in trouble, and without waiting for the others to decide whether or not they'd stay to help, the princess turned and started jogging up the hill, making the decision for the others.

What they found there was not a tree stump at all, but rather a creature disguised as one, complete with a vacant-looking rabbit seated on top; both a redheaded half-elf and a small goat were tangled in animated vines which seemed to have disturbed them while they were still asleep from the way things were laid out on the ground still. Without waiting, the princess drew a wand from her belt and cried "Nil'gnos!" A missile of pure magic shot from the wand and bounced off the stump, which emitted an unpleasant screech.

GM Please welcome Grenadier's Tel and Babble to the group... and enjoy combat as a group for the first time. Target numbers are in the stat block below, so you can know if you hit or not. Good luck! I use group initiative for PbP streamlining, and it got the surprise round, so you can all act now. Escalation Die: +0 EDIT: Roekahs pointed out that I failed to quantify the status of Tel and Babble wrapped in vine-tentacles, so I've made it an "until end of next turn" deal. If the stump (which is so much faster than typing out 'wolf in sheep's clothing') uses the same attack on its next turn, it's entirely possible they will remain stuck, but it will have to keep focused on Tel and Babble if it wants to keep them there.

 

Characters	Hit Points	AC (PD / MD)	Recoveries	Tokens	Icons	Conditions
Telephus	48 / 48	15 (16 / 14)	4d6+28 / 8		Elf Queen5	stuck until end of stump's next turn
Kerr	60 / 60	24 (16 / 17)	4d10+2 (Strong Recovery)9 / 9	W	Diabolist5	Ring of Defense, prevent 10 damage IF the attack does seven or moreRT 7
Bazziox	60 / 60	22 (17 / 17)	4d8+38 / 8	W	-	nil
Scabb	48 / 48	19 (17 / 17)	4d8+19 / 9	W	-	nil
Emak	54 / 54	18 (16 / 17)	4d8+28 / 8	W	The Three6,6,6,Wyrm cursed2	nil
Breeze	42 / 42	+2 vs Opportunity Attacks15 (15 / 16)	4d6+18 / 8	WW	-	Ring of Defense, prevent 10 damage IF the attack does seven or moreRT 7
Maelona	52 / 52	20 (Resist all 12+16 / 17)	4d8+18 / 8	-	-	nil

Enemy	AC (PD / MD)	Damage Taken	Conditions
Wolf in Sheep's Clothing	20 (14 / 18)	4	engaged with Tel and Babble, Silver Warrior Advances OK

[GrandCommander13]

Again the Princess acted impulsively, and again her impulse was to help others; it was good that she was being taken to the Priestess, but her upbringing had already apparently been admirable. Upon hearing the screech emitted from the stump Scabbard of Iron had heard enough—whatever this awful creature was, it needed to be subdued quickly. He ran forward until he was just outside of his range of the thing, then dropped into a fighting stance. Following the tendrils back to their source all one could see at first was a stump, but it moved with a predatory instinct.

The Princess's attack had caused it to seek to defend itself, but as Scabbard of Iron observed it with light feet and a guard stance up he sensed a weakness in its wall of defense and lashed out. Lunging forward, he jabbed at it with a hand that could dent plate armor then pulled his body back out of range before the creature could attempt to retaliate.

OOC: Scabbard of Iron hits for 18 damage. Since he used an Opening move he gets +1 AC, bringing his AC up to 20.

[Grimbreath]

Kerr reached the strange creature behind Scabbard of Iron, whose lightning fast reflexes had seemed to make him travel at the speed of the Princess' magic. As he ran he tried to recall ever seeing a monster quite like this in his time on the road, but he could not. Times are getting darker to bring these strange beasts out so far from the Rift, he thought as he closed with the beast, sprinting despite his heavy armor. He pulled his familiar iron-shod war club from his belt. He knew that a blunt object such as this club would be less effective than his sword; but he doubted that he could draw blood on this strange vine-beast, and he dared not take a chance that curse would then have its way. Bringing the heavy iron club down, it connected with one of the thicker vines near the trunk. He heard a satisfying thud as his blunt weapon nonetheless took a thick chunk out of the monster.

OOC Kerr hits for 15 damage.

[CharlesM]

Breeze Breeze didn't have anything to add to the discussion of their route. It was all new to him, so one way was as good as another as far as he was concerned. As he listened to the discussion he began fidgeting with the steel and bronze ring he wore on his right hand. It was calming to watch the light play on it when he set the bronze part to spinning over the steel. Bazziox drew his full attention, though, when he brought up their mission. As the Dragonborn spoke, Breeze realized, I bet that's why he seemed so uptight back in Horizon. I wonder what she knows that's so important? He swallowed hard and nodded to Baz to indicate that he understood the point about making her safety the highest priority. As he did, the pieces clicked into place. Baz hadn't invited him to join the group out of friendship, or at least, not entirely. He was meant to protect Jolene. That's why he was asking if I could control my abilities. He's not worried about a little chaos. He thinks it might be useful, and he's not wrong. Breeze smiled to himself. It felt good to be a part of something; to have someone recognize his worth. He turned his attention back to fidgeting with the ring. If he were being honest about it, he'd admit that the ring was largely responsible for the control over the power that he had. Something about the lights and colors reflecting from the spinning surfaces came together in his mind as a spell, or perhaps a series of spells is more accurate. He was seldom aware of it happening, but when he needed them, there they were. And now, true to form, as the shout of alarm and Jolene's reaction pulled his attention from the ring, the form of a spell flashed into his mind. He leaped to his feet to follow Jolene toward the shout and released the spell, a spell of defense, as he ran. The energy he released surged through his body, making him feel somehow stronger and more alive. And as the magic bolstered him, another spell sprung into his consciousness.

OOC   Breeze casts Chaos Blessing which grants him 12 temporary hit points as he chases after Jolene.   Dice for Spell Type, Attacking Warp, Icon, and High Weirdness.: d6rc3 5 (Rerolls: rerolled 3) d6 6 d12 11 d100 64 Results Attack Attack Defense Defense Icon Icon Spell Type , Air: You gain flight until the end of your next turn. Earth: Until the end of your next turn, each enemy that misses you with a melee attack is stuck until the end of its next turn. Fire: Until the end of your next turn, you can pop free from staggered enemies as a quick action. Water: You gain a bonus to disengage checks until the end of your next turn equal to your Dexterity modifier. Metal: Until the end of your next turn, when an enemy disengages from you, it takes damage equal to your Dexterity modifier (double your Dexterity modifier at 5th level; triple it at 8th level). Void: During your next turn, you can use a move action to teleport to a nearby location you can see. Attacking Warp , Blood of Warriors: Crusader Blood of Warriors: Dwarf King Blood of Warriors: Great Gold Wyrm Blood of Warriors: Orc Lord Light of the High Ones: Archmage Light of the High Ones: Elf Queen Light of the High Ones: High Druid Light of the High Ones: Priestess Twisted Path: Diabolist Twisted Path: Lich King Twisted Path: Prince of Shadows Twisted Path: The Three Icon , 13 True Ways pg 18High Weirdness   HP: 54/42 AC: 15 PD: 16 MD: 16 Recoveries: 8 Melee attack: 4d4 vs AC Ranged attack: 4d4+3, +3 vs AC

[Roekahs]

Bazziox reacts much slower than he would have liked to the shout. In fact, Scabbard and the two new recruits react before he does. At least they are jumping in with both feet. Bazziox quickly springs into a loping dash, quickly closing the distance with the others and the strange creature. A writhing tentacle whips through the air, presumably seeking the assailants that had already landed blows that could be heard even as the dragonborn was still approaching. With surprisingly little nimbleness Bazziox joined the fray, elbowing Kerr aside as the massive, glinting mace arced toward the creature. A solid, sickening thud resounded as the blunt face of the Priestess' gift landed squarely on the vacant looking rabbit. Then a glimmer. A flicker. Something that appears far too rarely. Bazziox barely notices the resounding vibrations wracking his scaly arm. It is only through experience that he recognizes the odd formation - one that disappears when he looks directly at it. Still it is there. An opportunity if he can just ... determine how to use it. Time flows strangely here. It is a small error, but it is definitely there.

OOC Baz hits for 18 damage. I think a 14 on the trick die is going to be used for an attack; Aeth gets final say here since it is technically before the start of my next turnanyone can use the 14 as their attack roll.   Bazziox the Enigma Bazziox, Imperial Advisor, Princess Protector, and Otherwiseawesomedood HP: 60/60 AC/PD/MD: 22/17/17 Active Invocation: -nil- Action: Smack with large blunt object (i.e. mace) Quick Action: Trick Die Dice Trick Die: d20 14 Skill Check to Nat 20: 1/1 daily Recoveries: 8/8; 4d8+3 Quick Actions Invocations, 1/battle: (first round only)Roll a d6; as a free action after the escalation die equals, allow ally to reroll a single attack roll with a +2 bonus.Invocation of Knowledge As a free action, at some dramatic moment, you or an ally of your choice can roll for one icon relationship that might have an effect on the battle.Invocation of Love/Beauty This battle, attacks against you by enemies that moved to engage you during their turn miss on natural odd rolls.Invocation of Trickery Spells/Other: Someone nearby heals using a recoveryHeal (2/2 battle) Someone nearby heals using a free recoveryCure Wounds (daily) 1 nearby gains 40 temp hp; 3 nearby gain 20 temp hpDivine Endurance (daily) When engaged, roll d20; assign to any attack before end of next turnTrick Die (0/1 battle) +8 vs. PD, 4d6 fireBreath Weapon (1/1 battle) Actions! : +7 vs AC, 4d6+3 (4 miss)Mace Bash! Anyone nearby can make "save ends" roll (crit melee=auto success)Combat Boon (At-will) : +8 vs PD, 3d6+4 (+1d6 vs undamaged)Javelin of Faith (At-will, Ranged) : 1 nearby spends recovery, heals 2x; 3 nearby heal with RecoveryMighty Healing (daily, Ranged) : +8 vs PD, 7d6 dmg, lowest hp=+4AC; Miss: lowest hp=+2 ACSpirits of the Righteous (1/1 battle, Ranged)

[Grenadier]

"Confound it all," Telephus muttered as a maleficent weed attempted to yank his feet out from underneath his center of gravity. He managed to keep his feet by balancing with his arms, but his balance was wobbly and he made for quite a spectacle as a result. Fortunately, he was nearly a mile removed from potential witnesses.

Unfortunately, he was stuck in place. A little goat entangled within another sprout of vines bleated repetituous chorus of panicked cries.

"I appreciate your input, Babble," Tel responded flatly. His reached for the vines entangled around his ankles, but they latched onto his wrists every bit as quick as he seized upon them. "But I'm fully aware of the present danger." His tone was strangely calm, despite the seemingly dire circumstances. After all, he had forecast his horoscope no more than a few hours ago, and there was no mention of his impending doom.

At least, that is what he kept reminding himself in the back of his mind. Still, there was an instance of desperation, a moment of fear. Then, something touched the rounded points of his elven ears. He recognized the subtle commotion

"Equally..." Telephus started to say, but as soon as he spoke a magic spark shot down the length of the archer's wand and sprang forth in a pellet of arcane energy. Just as instantly, the shot seemed to richocet off of the stump and sizzled just past the sorcerer. "Vexing!" he yelped, as the rabbit gave a horrendous cry and the vines clutched ever tighter.

Casting a glance back, Tel found that a merry little band of misfits had come to his aid. By the look of things, the charge was being led by a slender Imperial soldier. That could not have been the whole of the matter however, because the soldier brandished a wand. Following up behind this fellow was a trio of warriors that were soon swarming around Telephus. Two of the men had the looked of grizzled vets, but Tel was certain that the third had scales which added another layer of oddity to the situation. As strange as the situation was, it was obvious that this was a capable fighting force, as the lot of them began to whittle away at the bizarre creature that had entangled Babble and Telephus. Save for the little one in the back, who seemed to glimmer with enchantment.

Embolden by the turn of fortune, Tel snatched his own wand from his belt and made circlular gesture over his head with it. "Laumin dalesin!" the sorcerer bellowed; his voice a deep rumble. With the crack of his wand towards the vines ensnaring Babble, there came the rumble of thunder and the crackle of lightning. Magical energy surged towards the creature, but some of it also lingered in clouds around Telephus.

OOC My random energy type is cold. My random familiar abilities are Agile, Alert, and Counter-Bite I forgot to add my wand to my attack and damage. It still hit, but it should be 17 thunder damage with an additional 8 to the first enemy that hits me with a melee attack before my next turn. Babble will be set to counter for 4d4 at the first opportunity.

[AwesomeEllie]

Emak the Meek and Guythraxix the Hungry The sudden rush of battle was the last thing Emak wanted, but in some ways it was nice. It was still best to stay thinking in a fight, but everything was so simple and straightforward that way. Less constant doubts and more the rapid flurry of hits and beats, a near musical blend. Made that much more musical as Emak scurried forward, Guythraxix in hand. She moved up, right behind Scabbard in the hopes that, were it to come this way, she wouldn't be in its sights. At least not first. Instead of throwing blades or what have you, though, her sword stayed on her hip and she instead clutched tighter to Guythraxix, a trilling sequence of notes piercing through the fight and weaving into its rhythm to strike out viper-like. Unfortunately, she had clearly misjudged the reverberation point of her notes, the dirt right behind the tree thing kicking up as it was struck by the vibrations. "Give us just a moment!" was the shout she directed at the fellow ensnared in the tentacles, hoping that at the very least the others would be able to save him - after all, she was once more uselessly flailing away at trying to help, her efforts for naught once more. The crushing around her lungs only got a little bit tighter, squeezing in, setting its roots ever deeper into her heart.

 

Emak the Meek Emak the Meek HP: 54/54 AC/PD/MD: 18/16/17 Recoveries: 8/8 (4d8+2) Battlecries Hang Tough! (temp hp) Pull it Together! (2/2 per battle, recovery) Take Heart! (early end condition) Spells At-Will: Battle Chant (L3, attack at range with battlecries), Crescendo (close range escape attack) Recharge: Vicious Mockery (damage and damaging debuff), Song of Heroes (Attack bonus and save bonus for everyone) Daily: Charm Person (duh), Song of Thunder (song for many attacks) Expendables: Healing Potion (1) Effects: Circlet of Approachability (looks as if she belongs here) Action: Use Battle Chant on the sheep! Dice Battle Chant (+5 Cha + 4 level + 1 Wand) VS MD, damage (+5 Cha + 1 Wand): 1d20+10 (7)+10 Total = 17 2d4+6 (2, 4)+6 Total = 12 On the natural odd roll, Emak uses Hang Tough! to grant Telephus 5 temp ho

OOC Telephus gains 5 temp HP

[Aethera]

In spite of the princess' rush to involve herself in combat, the resulting wave of damage the party dished out was downright impressive. However big and scary the aberration in front of them might have been, it definitely looked worse for the wear now. Whatever it might be, it was probably regretting its choice to attack Tel and Babble with such admirable heroes nearby.

Might seemed to be the right approach, since the two spells only gained them small boosts, while the various attacks with weaponry had definitely taken some chips out of the wood-like material forming its body. But it was equally deadly, it seemed, for it once again attacked Tel critical hit! 36 damagewith a tendril, Scabbard of Iron earning 18 damagethe other vine-tentacle whipping out at him, and with such a good grip on Tel it dragged him in closer and the constricting tentacle 6 additional damagesqueezed him uncomfortably tightly. At least Babble managed to get free, and between Tel's thunderous reverberations and the goat's nimble darting forward 14 damage to stumpto bite the vine wrapped around his master, it loosened its grip on Tel, though not quite enough to release him completely. The sorcerer was now looking staggered at 11 hpequally shabby, that attack had hurt. Luckily for him, not only did they have a cleric in the group, the princess had been trained in divine magic as well as arcane. A benediction-like gesture with her free hand brought a sense of peace to the half-elf, and some of his wounds 17 hit points regained with a recoveryvisibly improved, bruises getting lighter and muscles easing. When she shouted the same command word as before, unfortunately it had the same effect, bouncing off the stump and doing 4 miss damage to stumplittle real damage.

It wasn't defeated yet, but it certainly had less going for it now than it did before. All they had to do was keep dishing out damage the same as they had been, and it would fall apart (or un-possess the stump, if that was its mechanic).

GM Charles, all your spells should be cast at 3rd level, so you actually get 12 THP from Chaos Blessing. Grenadier... uh... sorry? I wasn't anticipating that crit. Since you were at full health, I didn't trigger the Aegis shield. Luckily there was something I could do about that. Escalation Die: +1

 

Characters	Hit Points	AC (PD / MD)	Recoveries	Tokens	Icons	Conditions
Telephus	28 / 48	15 (16 / 14)	4d6+27 / 8		Elf Queen5	stuck until end of stump's next turn, Shield cast at level 4 if hit AC under 75% health (36), force reroll attack with +2 AC, must accept new resultAegis
Kerr	60 / 60	24 (16 / 17)	4d10+2 (Strong Recovery)9 / 9	W	Diabolist5	Ring of Defense, prevent 10 damage IF the attack does seven or moreRT 7
Bazziox	60 / 60	22 (17 / 17)	4d8+38 / 8	W	-	nil
Scabb	30 / 48	+1 AC USoNT20* (17 / 17)	4d8+19 / 9	W	-	+1 AC USoNT
Emak	54 / 54	18 (16 / 17)	4d8+28 / 8	W	The Three6,6,6,Wyrm cursed2	nil
Breeze	42+12 / 42	+2 vs Opportunity Attacks15 (15 / 16)	4d6+18 / 8	WW	-	Ring of Defense, prevent 10 damage IF the attack does seven or moreRT 7
Maelona	52 / 52	20 (Resist all 12+16 / 17)	4d8+18 / 8	-	-	nil

Enemy	AC (PD / MD)	Damage Taken	Conditions
Wolf in Sheep's Clothing	20 (14 / 18)	98	bloodied; engaged with Tel, Kerr, Baz; Silver Warrior Advances OK

[CharlesM]

Breeze The random, chaotic way that Breeze interacted with magic was a battle in and of itself; a struggle for control. As far as he could tell, spells seemed to come to him in a completely unpredictable manner as if the power were taunting him; refusing to allow him to take control. Once he became aware of the spell he could also see how it would alter the world around him when he released it. His only hope of maintaining even an illusion of control was to think quickly enough to find a way to turn the effect to his advantage. This particular spell actually changed the shape of space itself for a moment. He realized immediately that in an instant he could fold space in upon itself such that any two nearby creatures would instantly swap locations. He thought he saw a way to make it hurt when it happened, too. He just needed to be closer to that stump. Feet, don't fail me now, he thought and he clicked his heels together. Suddenly he was standing next to the stump, and he released the spell before his shoes could send him back to where he had been the moment before. When the power of the spell left his mind it somehow grabbed him as it reached for the stump. Quicker than anyone could follow the movement, space folded in on him and the tree stump. The folding was accompanied by The stump takes 7 damage.the sound of wood snapping. And by the time the sharp sound was heard, Breeze was already back between the stump and their camp where he had been just a few moments earlier and another spell was rising into his consciousness.   Breeze activates his shoes of convenience as a free action placing himself nearby the stump monster as the spell he is about to cast requires. Then he casts Shadow Dancing to exchange places with the stump monster and deal it 2d6=7 points of damage. Once the spell has been cast his shoes return him to the location where he was when the round began. The recharge roll failed, so he will not be able to use the power of the shoes again until after a full heal-up.   Thanks to an attack warp, Breeze is able to fly and does not take damage from missed attacks until the end of his next turn.   HP: 54/42 AC: 15 PD: 16 MD: 16 Recoveries: 8 Melee attack: 4d4 vs AC Ranged attack: 4d4+3, +3 vs AC

[Aethera]

GM Due to the chaos mage being, well... chaotic... I will rule that all engaged persons are no longer engaged, just "nearby". I was tempted to be a stickler about Tel being attached to the stump, but that seems like a lot of effort for a starter combat. Let's just free everybody and see what comes.