Thusk opens his eyes, relief flooding his body as he is healed from River's godly magics. The Great Panther, still surging within him, jump-starts his adrenaline once again and Thusk leaps to his feet. Seeing the Baron down, he eyes the Sahuagin near Lanharath as the subject of his aggression. With all the unbridled fury of a wounded hunting cat, Thusk jumps across the deck of the ship and brings down his large sword upon the head of the creature in front of him, spinning around in a complete circle to hack at the creature from the side.
(If the creature dies add the following)
Hulking over his foes mangled body, Thusk howls a blood-curdling scream of triumph that sends a sense of dread coursing through those remaining few who oppose Thusks team.
Holy revenge batman!
So yeah... Thusk wasn't too happy about being nearly killed... so he takes it out on the Sahuagin Guard.
Free Action (if Sahuagin Guard 2 dies): Roar of Triumph. Close Burst 5. When Thusks attack reduces an enemy to 0 hp, all enemies in burst take a -2 penalty to all defenses until the end of your next turn.
Free Action: Rampage (class ability). Thusk gets a free-action melee basic attack after critting a foe. But unfortunately, it doesn't matter cause Thusk rolled a 1.
Relief floods through the little gnomes brain, *That better not be a new trend...* Thinks Pok the caster, *I'm supposed to be the one in trouble, she can't have that too!* realizing he had been thinking "outloud" Pok returns his attention to the battle at hand. *They will fall quickly or retreat from here, and my sister is safe.* Pok adds the last as if an afterthought. Lanharath and Valahad easily spot the attempt at nonchalance for a fake.
OOC
Is there anywhere Pok could hide? he's invisible, and if he doesn't attack he'd like to stay that way.
I've probably rolled a perception check somewhere through here, did he spot anything? Or can you give me an OOC spot that needs a perception DC, that can be done as a minor action?
"RIVER!! Thusk needs help quick! He's bleeding badly! Valahad! Try to give River some relief from the fish-men! Pok.... you keep doing what you're doing!"
With Il'Yannah's blinding light having finished off the Baron, Lanharath stares daggers into the sahaguain guard that tried to attack him. Knowing he needed to finish this quickly so that they could help thusk, Lanharath channels Il'Yannah's will into his blade. Glowing white with the Great Light's blessings, Lanharath's longsword flashes in a horizontal arc, aiming for the creatures throat. The creatures trident comes up in defense, but the glowing longsword cuts through the metal like a knife through butter, and continues on in its arc. The guard looks at you for a moment, unblinking, then his head slowly slides off as his body drops to the ground.
Valahad's mind contacts the raider, as he is bathed in holy light. "Your leaders have fled, you best take the opportunity to do the same." The divine curse of the priest bothers him no more. The paladin steps near the raider, striking out with his blade. The deck of the ship is momentarily plunged into dim light as the paladin buries his blade in the gut of the sea devil.
River wait for Valahad to move and get away from the raider. Once free of any threat, he heals Thusk. He then attack the same raider than the paladin. The holy light hit the raider and a small flash of light bolster Thusk.
Thusk opens his eyes, relief flooding his body as he is healed from River's godly magics. The Great Panther, still surging within him, jump-starts his adrenaline once again and Thusk leaps to his feet. Seeing the Baron down, he eyes the Sahuagin near Valahad as the subject of his aggression. With all the unbridled fury of a wounded hunting cat, Thusk jumps across the deck of the ship and brings down his large sword upon the head of the creature in front of him, spinning around in a complete circle to hack at the creature from the side.
OOC
Guard was dead, He killed Raider 1 instead
Hulking over his foes mangled body, Thusk howls a blood-curdling scream of triumph that sends a sense of dread coursing through those remaining few who oppose Thusks team.
Pok fades from view when the raider connects with him.
This remaining foe shifts away and jumps into the water, disappearing from view
OOC
*Good Job, only foe left is underwater, no LOE or LOS, he's doing a full run retreat. Nice hard encounter to try out your PC's. I hope everyone enjoyed the battle. Please let me know your thoughts on the combat. Would you prefer to see HP/defenses or keep it as this one went?
Valahad nods, and looks over the belongings of the big one. The kalashtar sends his thoughts to the others. "We fought well, though I think we could have done better. I will work on doing so."
Valahad sheathes his blade, once again sending the deck into dim light. He looks into the water. "I don't think they will be back," he says to the half-orc.
ooc
With divine power approved now, I'll be submitting an overhaul. I'll leave it up to renau on how that effects what I've done so far.
I too, have been thinking about submitting an overhaul for Lan. I see him as more of a leadery type and have been contemplating the idea of switching over from the Censure of Pursuit to the Censure of Unity. This would make him less... manuverable, but would make up a little for his lack of damage (as has been massively proven by the last battle... good thing we had Thusk), AND it would improve the damage of the rest of the group as well (at least a little bit). Here's my reasoning:
Censure of Pursuit's bonus damage is entirely dependent on and in the hands of the DM, because in order for it to work, my Oath of Enmity target has to willingly move away from me. If I have an Oath of Enmity target... that means I want to get in and close so that I can get my double attack rolls. I don't see creatures as being likely to willingly take an attack of opportunity to get away very often. I don't like my "schtick" to be DM reliant. It doesn't give me any tactical way to set up these kinds of situations and without it, Lan has some pretty piss-poor damage capabilities. A +4 damage bonus once every 2 or 3 battles if and when the DM "throws me a bone" isn't very... striker-like.
Censure of Unity: The Censure of Unity works like this: I get an Oath of Enmity target. I move adjacent to it. I get a +1 damage bonus for every ally that is adjacent to my Oath of Enmity. With the feat that I would be taking to replace one of my others, I would also be giving all my allies a +1 damage bonus vs my OoE target while I am adjacent to it. This means that even Pok and River would get this bonus to damage my Oath of Enmity, even if they are not adjacent to it (though having both of them adjacent would be another +2 bonus to my damage). This is double win-win for the group. With good Ally co-operation and tactics, not only would we be focus-firing on critically tough enemies we could be taking out potential damage quicker.
I'd like you guys to chime in on this as I have not yet made my decision. Also, Ren... with the Overhaul, are you allowed to manipulate your stats (str, dex, int, etc)? If not, would I have to "retire" Lan and recreate him?
*kalashtar, I go below decks to check for holes. They may be sawing as we think...* Pok makes his way down to look for anything amiss.
OOC
Switch to Unity, that is just fine!
The trick for Lanharath as a pursueing avenger goes like this.
E is our evil guy
L is lanharath
and D is defender
D marks E, then L OoE's E, then L "Pulls" (many many avenger powers for this) E away from D. Now E either takes -2 and possibly triggers D's mark ability (anywhere from damage to extra attacks), or E steps away from L willingly to engage D.
Win/Win
If you think Unity would be easier to pull off, no problem, and I'm sure Pok will eventually be able to help Unity's static bonus out. and benefit from the static bonus.
it's all up to you, Pok is happy no matter.
@Velmont, I'll do my best to get ranged folks near melee folks in the future. But it won't always happen...
EDIT Thoughts on combat
I like the way you pasted everyones actions in and made the story line exciting and readable. It really made for a great reading experience. The dynamic blending of each persons writing style, layered with your input and the results of die rolls was innovative.
Wouldn't mind if monster knowledge checks were rolled with the initiative at the beginning, and if we score high enough, HP/Defenses get displayed (as well as any extra knowledge we may have), if not, HP/Defenses aren't displayed (but maybe some misconceptions we may have are).
I don't mind if HP/Defenses are hidden, but it requires more updates to avoid confusion.
Also if the round is updated and not the map, would listing each characters coordinates who has moved be possible?
I really enjoyed the map, it looked great! Very expressive and still readable, lots of color, and the icons used to mark status were very helpful.
That's all I've got for now...
EDIT2
What are everyones thoughts on friendly fire?
Pok is going to be ok most of the time (as long as it doesn't stun or restrain) if someone else blows him up a bit...
Some people are completely against friendly fire under any circumstance...
and still others are ok with friendly fire in some circumstances but not others, and therefore should be asked in every instance.
Just let me know, so Pok can avoid blowing your character up if that is unacceptable for you.
Valahad nods at the gnome, "Be careful." After his inspections are complete, Valahad searches for the captain and crew, making sure everyone is accounted for.
ooc
The "striker" mechanic of the avenger is their double rolls. That is the real increase in their dpr, not their censure bonuses. Another way to get that bonus is for us to flank an opp that I've marked. After I attack, I shift away. Now it either shifts away and triggers your bonus or attacks you and takes 9 radiant damage. Whatever you want to do is fine with me though. Valahad will be strikery once he is approved.
Yeah, it works out well that there's another striker-ish PC, with Ata disappearing you're left with one. I've got another PC ready to join shortly to replace him, but he's a melee cleric.
The crew were unharmed and were gathering weapons when you successfully fought off the sahaguins. They are amazed at your skill and speed.
The skiff continues its river journey without incident, despite a tense night of watch. The captain commends you for the valiant efforts in saving his crew, he had heard that the sea devils were spotted in the area, but thought it was old fisherman telling tall tales to keep other out of their area. He writes each of you a note, with the Lyrandar seal at the top. The note details the events of the evening, the efforts of you to save Lyrandarian property and personnel, and the rewards that Captain Dumain recommends be given for your work. He finishes by imprinting his signet ring in the note at the end certifying the note.
NOTE
This note will be for 100 gold pieces each and the thanks of Lyrander (in-game benefit, whenever this note is presented to a member of House Lyrander gain either a 10% discount in their transportation services or a +1 to any social skill (except Intimidate) in dealing with them.
The Horrible Fall puts into the relatively underdeveloped docks (especially when compared to Sharn's) and a steady rain has begun falling dampening spirits and chilling you to the bone. As you begin to exit the boat, Lanharath overhears some of the dock workers talking about the recent influx of refugees into the town. Mentions they are all gathered in the center of town.
As you are preparing to leave, Thusk looks up at you weakly, his face white and he seems like he lost 5 kilograms overnight. He complains of searing pain in his head. River realizes that this is the early effects of Mindfire, a deadly disease that will require immediate attention to cure before the barbarian enters a coma. Captain Dumain will offer to take him back to Sharn, he doesn't think Moonwatch has anyone capable of overcoming such a disease. Thusk waves weakly at you and says "If I am able, I'll come and find you" before heading back to his bed.
Valahad tucks the note into a belt pouch. Genuinely thanking the captain, he grasps his hand and shakes it. Pulling his cloak tight against the rain, the paladin ducks his helmed head. As the other kalastar tells them of his observations, Valahad makes his own, meeting the gaze of several workers and, judging their attitude toward the refugees.
OOC: Passive Insight 27
ooc
Did we get an extended rest in the overnight then?
Valahad communicates back to his allies, popping into their thoughts in quick succession. "Perhaps the refugees are forced away by cultists? We should go talk to them."
Forgot to mention it, but yes, you got an extended rest.
Valahad
Many of the workers feel a bit angry at the refugees, thinking them liars and they're worried about the influx of new people in the area that might take away their jobs.
Speaking in the minds of the others again. "I sense the townsfolk don't trust the refugees. At first I thought to speak to the townsfolk, but I don't think that is a good idea now. Let's move directly to the refugees."
Pok's mood is pleasant and chipper, the rain makes visibility more difficult, and that makes Pok happy. Instead of traveling with the main group the gnome falls back as they walk, ducking behind crates, and creeping in shadows. *I know you see me, but practice makes perfect.* Pok thinks toward Lanharath and Valahad.
People watching the spectacle may think Pok a shy child, the way he hides behind Lanharath, and ducks behind crates.
River, how does one hide from disease... Thusk looked so healthy on the way over, and then... Pok's face dips as if remembering a dead friend, then he notices the people still moving, and continues his hiding exercises.
It was about this time that Valahad gave his assessment of their situation.
Ask the refugee's? Out in the open? No, this is nothing like the missions I've done before... Are you sure we can't do something that will attract less attention to our cause? Maybe a closed door meeting... Listening for rumor at the local tavern... Bribing local authorities... Something that doesn't let others know what we want.
Pok feels terribly uncomfortable in doing things so straightforward, the last few years of the war had been stealth missions only. Very little chatting, lots of snatch and go, Pok's presence being known was a distinct disadvantage. He kept up with the group though, confident that if things went south, he knew what to do...
Valahad nodded at the gnome, seeing his uneasyness. "I shall go to the square. If you wish go to a nearby tavern and find out things on your own I won't stop you. We should play to our own strengths. Perhaps you can inquire on room prices as well."
Valahad then speaks in the mind of his kalashtar friend. "I am usually not in favor of splitting us up. Perhaps you could join our gnome friend, keep on eye on him, making sure he doesn't get in trouble. And keep out of sight of course."
ooc
Quote:
Valahad nodded at the gnome, seeing his uneasyness
I assume I can figure that out with a passive insight of 27?
Hiding anything from Valahad and Lanharath is almost impossible for Pok. So when he has some emotion, unless I give a roll to oppose, assuming Valahad spots it passively is fine.
If I give an opposing roll, either bluff or stealth, and its stellar, then maybe Valahad and Lanharath might have to "try" to read Pok, but otherwise he is an open book for them. You guys just made such and amazing duo, lie detector and radar, Pok's got no chance of throwing Valahad or Lanharath off the scent of truth.
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