Just to be clear, I'm not actually lecturing you, Pierce - Raiyek is lecturing Ash. What Ash said sounds exactly like something someone would say to an old buddy.
OOC
Yeah, I understand. It's alright.
"Raiyek, it is Marley you're talking about. He will know." Ash said with a forced smile on his face. "And Les, in the slums, you always assume you are followed." ending his sentence with a wink to the Warlord. "And, I believe he knows where and who the culprit is. He always have his means."
__________________ Ashurn Dhara (Ash)(Invisible Castle Character Name: Ashurn)
Powers: Sly Flourish
Deft Strike
Piercing Strike Positioning Strike Trick Strike
*Sneak Attack: +2d8 against target I've combat advantage with.
*Weapon Focus - Light Blades: +1 feat bonus to damage roll on attacks with light blades.
*First Strike: Ashurn gets Combat Advantage against targets that have not yet acted in the first round of the encounter.
Last edited by PierceSG; 8th March 2009 at 06:57 AM..
Fat Tom leads the party through a myriad of alleyways until you reach the Marley's loft. Tom leads the way as you make your way up the stairs, and Tom opens the door, knocking as he enters.
"Hey Marley, I brought them folks like you-"
Tom's voice drops off as both he and you survey the carnage. Clearly there was some sort of struggle here; walls are torn up and stained with blood, chairs are overturned, and Marley's wall safe is open, and looks to be cleaned out. Tom swears in disbelief before his vision falls to a furry dead body in the middle of the room. Gasping, he runs over to it, feeling for a pulse. He looks back at the party and shakes his head.
"Dead. Damn it all! Damn Hyann to hell! He's the only one who uses gnoll thugs in this town, why the hell would he pick a fight with Marley? And why NOW? Come on, I know a warehouse north of the inner bay; Hyann likes to keep stuff there. The body is still warm, so if Marley's still alive, that's where he's being kept."
Ash
You are familiar with the warehouse in question, and your knowledge of Daunton's ganglife leads you to believe that Tom's assumptions are correct; Hyann is most likely the one who caused the ruckus here.
Tom starts to leave, then suddenly an idea hits him. He turns and faces the empty vault.
"You know, they MIGHT not have taken everything. We should check, to see if there's stuff in there. Stuff that they didn't take. Er...stuff that can help us save Marley. I'm sure he won't mind."
While you are all sure that Marley probably won't mind if you "borrow" some of his stuff to help save him, you don't think Tom's motives are as puritanical as he would have you believe. But that thought becomes moot as Tom takes a few steps towards the vault.
Something shadowy drops from the ceiling onto Tom, lashing out at him with what appears to be claw-like hands. The thing rips through flesh as though it were butter, and the poor man is ripped to shreds before he can so much as let out a scream. In the light, you can get a better look at the thing; it is humanoid in appearance, wearing noble's clothing that is now stained with Fat Tom's blood. The thing turns to face the party, and it is evident from its large empty eyes that it is indeed an Echo. However, scars criss-cross what would normally be a flawless ivory face, and the thing is wearing a wry smile. You clearly recognize the beast as Marley's Echo, but it is different from the ones you fought underneath the bridge. Rather than hunched over, this Echo is standing upright, and suprisingly, it uses one finger to beckon you forward, its smile indicating that it will indeed relish the combat to come.
Roll for initiative!
OOC
I'll make up a map some time today. It is assumed that you all drew your weapons when you saw what happened to Marley's flat, so you're all armed and at full hit points. Good luck! Trust me when I say that you are going to need it.
__________________ “The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes "Awww!”
- Jack Kerouac Lorik Oh god, the temptation
This fight is cramped, so good luck. Brown squares are normal. Dark red squares are covered in pools of blood, both from the gnoll and from Fat Tom. Looks slippery. The chairs are where you sat and conversed with Marley the first time. They are fairly big, big enough that you can't move through them, but they might be able to provide cover / concealment. Dots have rubble on them; overturned tables, bits of broken wall or ceiling that came down during the fight, smashe furniture, and the like. They count as difficult terrain. Blue squares have a window next to them; since it is daytime, they don't really matter other than to explain where the light is coming from. Yellow square is the entrance to Marley's vault. You can't get a look at what is inside until you get closer, but it looks as though the thieves didn't exactly take everything. Marley's Echo is the M, the dead gnoll is the G, and Fat Tom is the T. I took the liberty of placing you folks on the map.
__________________ “The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes "Awww!”
- Jack Kerouac Lorik Oh god, the temptation
"Damn that Hyann! I should not have left Marley alone." curses Ash, just as he noticed a shadow emerging from the ceiling. "Tom! Watch o--!" shouting a warning to Tom, but it was too late as Tom was shredded to pink ribbons. "No, Tom, no! Beast! You shall pay with your blood!" Ashurn starts towards the shadow but froze in his tracks when he laid his eye on the 'beast'. "Marley...no. What've they done to you?"
Ashurn expression of shock, turns to sadness and then anger. Gripping his dagger so tight that his knuckles turned white. "No, you are not Marley. I will destroy you. I will find Marley and your creator will rue the day he laid his hands on my friend!"
__________________ Ashurn Dhara (Ash)(Invisible Castle Character Name: Ashurn)
Powers: Sly Flourish
Deft Strike
Piercing Strike Positioning Strike Trick Strike
*Sneak Attack: +2d8 against target I've combat advantage with.
*Weapon Focus - Light Blades: +1 feat bonus to damage roll on attacks with light blades.
*First Strike: Ashurn gets Combat Advantage against targets that have not yet acted in the first round of the encounter.
Last edited by PierceSG; 8th March 2009 at 07:01 PM..
Reason: Forgot to add the IC link.
Kruk, armor now flickering in red flames, feels a surge of power flow through his viens as draws his weapon and gets ready to charge. "Are you still hungry Mr. Echo? How about a side order of axe!"
Throughout this fight I'm going to watch the echo carefully to try and spot what makes it different from the last ones we fought. I'm not sure what skill would be best for that, so I rolled Arcana (22), Perception (14), and Insight (12). Use those how you will.
"Keep heart; Marley could still be alive! Let us finish this perversion of nature quickly!" Raiyek readies for the battle, his eyes flashing with the power of his goddess.
Also, did the book mention whether or not Echoes have certain vulnerabilities in general? Now would be a good time to know
Edit: Defender Tactics: I'm not sure whose mark would be better in this fight ... I think if it just stays in melee most times, Kruk's would probably be better. If it teleports or does some other funky stuff that can get it away from Kruk easily, Raiyek's is probably better. Either way, I will probably DC him most rounds so I can get the damage boost with Holy Strike; if Kruk's mark is better for this fight, just keep overwriting DC.
Raiyek stats
Raiyek Meliam - Male Elf Paladin (Palladys) 1 Passive Perception: 20, Passive Insight: 18; Low-light vision AC:20, Fort:15, Reflex:16, Will:15 -- Speed:6 HP:27/27, Bloodied:13, Surge Value:6, Surges Left:11/11 Resist 5 poison
Action Points: 1, Second Wind: not used Powers Valiant Strike, Holy Strike, Divine Challenge, Lay on Hands (3/3) Piercing Smite, Channel Divinity, Elven Accuracy, Hunter's Quarry Paladin's Judgment Group Awareness: All non-elf allies within 5 squares of Raiyek gain a +1 bonus to Perception.
The sudden attack causes Les to jump into action. As Tom's body is being torn to shreds, she stares in horror, but whips her chain out of her bag in a flourish. "What the hell?! Is that Marley? Does this mean they got to him to?"
Les looks to the dead gnoll and her eyes narrow. Whoever this Hyann was, they were likely involved with the Oan's and that did not bode well for them.
This has nothing to do with the fight, I'm just sharing some thoughts.
It occurs to me that Echoes could be a reflection of the person's soul. For example, Rebekkah's Echo was clothed in dirty rags, but had pure, clean, ivory-white skin. Is that your poetic way of saying that even though she was a "street girl", she was pure of heart, Don? And Marley's Echo is (no doubt) a fearsome fighter, because he had an incredible fighting spirit or somesuch?
INITIATIVE
Sessadore: 24<<Your Turn!
Pierce: 23
Dawn Raven: 22
Dimsdale: 19
Echo of Marley: 17
JNC: 17
__________________ “The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes "Awww!”
- Jack Kerouac Lorik Oh god, the temptation
"Palladys strike you down!" Raiyek leaps forward with a yell, slicing the Echo with an expert strike as the power of his goddess smites the Echo through him.
"Let's hope there's only one, otherwise we may be too late to save Marley!"
Actions
Minor: Divine challenge the Echo. Move: to E6. Standard: Holy Strike on Echo: 1d20+6=26 vs. AC, 1d8+6=14 radiant damage. Wow ... a crit, and natural max damage too. Cool
Raiyek stats
Raiyek Meliam - Male Elf Paladin (Palladys) 1 Passive Perception: 20, Passive Insight: 18; Low-light vision AC:20, Fort:15, Reflex:16, Will:15 -- Speed:6 HP:26/27, Bloodied:13, Surge Value:6, Surges Left:11/11 Resist 5 poison
Action Points: 1, Second Wind: not used Powers Valiant Strike, Holy Strike, Divine Challenge, Lay on Hands (3/3) Piercing Smite, Channel Divinity, Elven Accuracy, Hunter's Quarry Paladin's Judgment Group Awareness: All non-elf allies within 5 squares of Raiyek gain a +1 bonus to Perception.
Raiyek charges at the Echo, slashing it with his sword. Marley's Echo looks caught off-guard by the attack, and as it jumps to dodge it accidentally leaps into the blade rather than away from it. Raiyek's blade strikes true, causing a familiar violent spasm from the creature. The Echo of Marley looks surprised that the attack hit, and perhaps a little embarassed, but undaunted.
INITIATIVE
Sessadore: 24
Pierce: 23<<Your Turn!
Dawn Raven: 22
Dimsdale: 19
Echo of Marley(DC, 14 damage): 17
JNC: 17
OOC
The book mentioned nothing of the vulnerabilities of Echoes.
__________________ “The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes "Awww!”
- Jack Kerouac Lorik Oh god, the temptation
Last edited by Don Incognito; 8th March 2009 at 10:13 PM..
Anger mingled with sadness, the emotion that is coursing through Ash now propels him towards the target.
Move Action & Acrobatics check
To D5 if possible. Acrobatics 20. Can't I move to Raiyek's square and then a diagonal move to D5?
Taking the advantage of the momentary distraction, Ashurn strike at the side of the beast!
Trick Strike
1d20+8+2=29 vs AC. (3d4+5)+2d8=17 damage (Trick Strike + Sneak Attack)
Effect: Slide the target 1 square towards F5 (Slippery terrain).
Until End of Encounter: Everytime Ash hits the target, Ash can choose to slide it 1 square.
Note: For daggers, I believe a natural 19~20 is their crit range? If so, please correct the damage to 3d4+5 max for 17 and 2d8 max for 16, meaning Ashurn crits on his target for 17+16=33?
Looking like he was aiming for the side of the target's abdomen, the beast leaps away effortlessly. But Ashurn planned for it to react to how he wanted! In a blink of an eye, the gleaming dagger swipes across the air in an arc, drawing blood as it slices across the beast's throat!
"Hah! You ain't Marley! He wouldn't fall for such an obvious trick!" goated Ashurn as the hit strikes true.
__________________ Ashurn Dhara (Ash)(Invisible Castle Character Name: Ashurn)
Powers: Sly Flourish
Deft Strike
Piercing Strike Positioning Strike Trick Strike
*Sneak Attack: +2d8 against target I've combat advantage with.
*Weapon Focus - Light Blades: +1 feat bonus to damage roll on attacks with light blades.
*First Strike: Ashurn gets Combat Advantage against targets that have not yet acted in the first round of the encounter.
Last edited by PierceSG; 9th March 2009 at 12:11 AM..
__________________ “The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes "Awww!”
- Jack Kerouac Lorik Oh god, the temptation
Powers: Sly Flourish
Deft Strike
Piercing Strike Positioning Strike Trick Strike
*Sneak Attack: +2d8 against target I've combat advantage with.
*Weapon Focus - Light Blades: +1 feat bonus to damage roll on attacks with light blades.
*First Strike: Ashurn gets Combat Advantage against targets that have not yet acted in the first round of the encounter.
Last edited by PierceSG; 9th March 2009 at 10:41 AM..
You aren't flanking, so there goes that +2. Also, you only crit on a 20. Sorry.
Ash sprints into action, springing over the chair and landing before lashing out at the Echo of Marley with a flourish. The Echo is taken at back by the attack, and retreats into the pool of blood. Strangely, you notice that as the Echo walks on the blood, its food does not break the surface tension, creating no ripples or splashes.
INITIATIVE
Sessadore: 24
Pierce: 23
Dawn Raven: 22<<Your Turn!
Dimsdale: 19
Echo of Marley(DC, 31 damage): 17
JNC: 17
__________________ “The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes "Awww!”
- Jack Kerouac Lorik Oh god, the temptation
Ashurn gets Combat Advantage against foes whom have not yet acted in the encounter. Rogue's Feature, "FIRST STRIKE
At the start of an encounter, you have combat advantage against any creatures that have not yet acted in that encounter."
Damage Breakdown
Trick Strike Damage: 12. Sneak Attack Damage: 5. Just for your information.
__________________ Ashurn Dhara (Ash)(Invisible Castle Character Name: Ashurn)
Powers: Sly Flourish
Deft Strike
Piercing Strike Positioning Strike Trick Strike
*Sneak Attack: +2d8 against target I've combat advantage with.
*Weapon Focus - Light Blades: +1 feat bonus to damage roll on attacks with light blades.
*First Strike: Ashurn gets Combat Advantage against targets that have not yet acted in the first round of the encounter.
Last edited by PierceSG; 9th March 2009 at 10:28 AM..
OOP: he did sneak attack so he must have had CA and that's where the +2 came from. another thing also, could you(DonI) please post an xp summary at the end of the adventure and please do not scatter the xp posts around so it becomes really hard for me to find and approve the xp(also to mention the players has to put less links at their character pages) so please, at the end or when you think the players are gonna level up.
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