S3: The Scythe of Seto (Bront Judging)[Completed]

[SlagMortar]

"Hmm. I have another idea, Rasereit. You can move forward to threaten the king while still being in the way of the scorpion. The king can only escape you by moving into the square threatened by the pawn. I'm curious to see what 'tall, dark and ugly' is capable of."

[Rae ArdGaoth]

"Why... ye're right, Beams. That's check mate, righ'? Good thing ye're the king! Let's see how Jareth's game works when the king has no options."

OOC: Wow, I can't believe I missed that. (Actually, yes, I can...) Rasereit moves forward 2, to the square SE of the black king. With Razh protected by Ogrin, the king has nowhere to run and nobody to fight for him!

[Manzanita]

The recharged dwarf moves forward into what would be a game-winning position in a normal chess game. The remaining viking warriors are very impressed with this strategy, and applaud enthusiasticly. Once again, Rasereit comes face to face with his nemisis.

He is sure, now, that it is Beamer's face he can see within the blackness of the King's head. And it is a worried face at that, he decides.

The black king does advance, as expected, though, putting himself in range of the pawn. The Albino viking is beside himself with this turn of events. Clearly, there is nothing in the world he would rather do than attack the black king, despite the odds being set against him.

As the battle starts, the young viking braces himself with spear. Sure enough, the King is the first to act. He leaps forward, pulling what seems to be an endless chain from inside his robes. The chain swirls, smacking the pawn across the back. Ignoring the pain, the warrior lunges, digging his spearpoint into the Black King's thigh. Drops of black blood drip to the white marble floor.

The Black king then finishes him off. It's chain whipping about, it smacks the warrior twice more in rapid succession. It's not even clear hwo many chains it weilds. The viking falls, a last defiant cry on his lips.

The other vikings bow their heads.

[Manzanita]

The Black Queen then moves forward, pinning Ogrin.

[rln]

Another pawn down. Ah well, if it bleeds, it can be killed.

"Let's move our unicorn friend a step to the left and prepare for a charge if the king dares step in its way. I can deal with miss Chain."

Ogrin brings out a few bottles of healing potions and swallow the content of a blue one. It appears to be highly effective and his wounds heal almost completely. A visible shiver goes down his spine. "Oh yeah, that's the good stuff, baby..."

Rolls & Tactics

Healed 16 points

Tactics: Ogrin Brings up sword and shield and moves to the northwest corner of his square. When action starts, he'll be just a five-foot step away from his feint+attack routine, unless she pulls back to the edge of her square. If she does, Ogrin will start with a tumble to close without provoking AoO, then slash. Next round will be feint+slash. If the feints appear to be successful, Ogrin will continue on that track, if not, I'll have to reconsider.

[SlagMortar]

"Good idea, Ogrin. Say, I have this bag of animals. You can pull one out before I make the move and it could help you fight the queen. What do you say? If you won't do it for yourself, do it for me in case the ugly chain wench gets a lucky and I'm left next on the chopping block."
Beamer holds out his Tan Bag of Tricks across the divide between their squares.

After Ogrin responds and makes any preparations to face the queen, Beamer directs the unicorn to move one square to the left.

[Rae ArdGaoth]

Razh's eyes narrow as he watches Ogrin's potion work so well. "Oh sure," he grumbles, "His potions work wonders. Ach, that li'l potion peddlin' pissant, vendin' pond scum in place o' potions, Ah swear by the Dog's fleas, Ah'll 'ave his cheatin' hide..."

Catching Ogrin's eye, Rasereit says with a wicked grin, "Oi, mate. Win me a queen an' Ah'll win ye a king."

[rln]

Ogrin is highly sceptical to the bag, but acepts it anyway. "What kind of creature do you have in there? A rabbit? Anything with teeth should've bitten its way through, surely..." He reaches down into the bag, grabbing hold of something cone shaped. It resists a little, so Ogrin has to give it a good yank, and out of the bag comes... a huge, grey monster with one big horn set in its nose. Ogrin lets out a yell of surprise and looks at it wide-eyed. "What's this? A unicorn's ugly cousin?"

OOC: Revised tactics. The Rhino goes first with a charge from the far end of the square. Then, similar tactics as given before, ie feint/attack etc.

Rhino statistics

[Manzanita]

9:27 am - Jareth's Temple.

The black queen, who had been whirling her chains and eyeing Ogrin avericiously, is also taken aback by the appearence of the rhino. It is a huge animal, dwarfing Ogrin by no small amount.

The Queen frowns and looks back at her king, shaking her head. Two minutes pass as Black seems to reassess. Then the king motions to his remaining bishop, the one mauled by the centaur earlier. It drags itself over one square, to threaten the White King from another angle.

OK - you're making me keep track of time here. Let's say the Rhino was summoned at 9:25. It lasts 10 minutes.

[SlagMortar]

"Oh, good choice, Ogrin," Beamer says with a smile. Knowing time is now important, Beamer quickly makes his next move. "Fair unicorn, protect me. Move forward 4 squares to block the bishop and threaten the king."

OOC:
I can't look up the unicorn stats at work to give battle tactics. I think I recall some bonuses on a charge, so starting with a charge is probably a good idea. Also, remember it has a permanent magic circle against evil, I think.

[Manzanita]

The game seems to be reaching a climax. The black king this time makes no move to protect himself from the unicorn, perhaps sensing the futility of hiding. Instead he advances his queen. Instead of going through the imposing rhinoseros, she makes a dash for the pawn.

She acts very quickly, striking out at the Viking's legs with her chain. She loops it defty around his ankle and pulls him down. With lightening speed, the other end of her chain is flying down to strike him. The viking rolls aside, releasing his longspear. He rolls to his feet, drawing his warhammer. Her chain catches him again as he does so, but he pulls free.

She moves forward relentlessly, this time whipping the hammer out of his hands. It clatters across the hard floor. The warrior draws his last weapon, his throwing axe, as he steps towards her. He slashes at her, slipping into a roaring fury. His axe penetrates her chainmail, and splatters red blood on the marble.

The queen holds her ground, and whips her chains about furiously. She wraps it around his little axe and sends it flying off the board. The pawn is now weaponless, but doesn't seem to care. He hurls himself at the woman, attempting to wrestle her to the ground. She smacks him hard with the chain, splattering red blood over his white visage, and preventing him from getting a hold on her.

With one last swing, the dark queen cuts down the unarmed viking and raises her arms in triumph. Then she stalks forward, gloating, and eyeing Beamer only a short distance away.

[SlagMortar]

Looking between Eusebius and the Black Queen, Beamer says, "She seems tough, but our viking friend acquitted himself well. Can you take her? Before you do, let me speed your actions with a spell."

OOC:
Beamer intends to send Eusebius to fight the queen after casting haste on him and allowing Eusebius to cast any self buffs. Beamer will cast his haste spell the round prior to the battle being joined.

[rln]

"Ya. I'm thinking you should've kept the bag." says Ogrin and frowns.

[Rae ArdGaoth]

"Wait!" Rasereit holds up a hand and assesses the situation. "If Beamer moves up an' right the queen's got two options t'keep us in check: fight the bishop an' then fight Ogrin an' his... friend, or fight me. Either way, she's goin' down." He glares menacingly at the queen.

[SlagMortar]

"If I move over, the queen could attack Banion or Eusebius anyway without warning. Sure the unicorn could then attack the king, but I don't think our friend unicorn can defeat the king on his own, and I think the Black King would risk himself to further punish our ranks.

No, I think it is better to let Eusebius deal with the queen now. Ahah, I just recalled, I have a scroll that will make Eusebius larger and even more capable of dealing with her."

OOC:
Eusebius is a decent matchup against the queen, especially if he uses his buffs. His touch AC is pretty good, his spiked chain gives reach so that even if he is tripped he can still attack. I just remembered Beamer has a scroll of Enlarge Person. A size Large, buffed Eusebius will be difficult to trip or disarm. rln, care to cast a tie-breaking vote?

Strategy and stats for Eusebius, if we decide to have Eusebius attack the queen.

Spoiler:

Cast bull's strength and aid. At the same time Beamer uses his scroll of enlarge person on Eusebius and then casts haste on Eusebius, Ogrin, the Elf Cleric, and Beamer. Beamer then directs Eusebius to attack the Queen.
Stats:
Spells in effect: mage armor, bull's strength (+2 attack and damage), aid (+1 attack, 1d8+3 temp hit points), enlarge person (+2 Str, large size, -2 AC) haste (+1 attack, AC, and extra attack)
Initiative: +5
Unarmed strike: +9/+9, damage 1d8+4
Flurry of blows: +7/+7/+7, damage 1d8+4
Spiked chain: +10/+10, damage 2d6+7
AC: 20, Touch: 13
Trip check: +8, Disarm check: +16
20 ft reach with spiked chain, 10 ft reach with unarmed strike
Strategy:
First round: If Eusebius wins initiative, 5 foot step and full attack with spiked chain. If Eusebius loses initiative, note he has combat reflexes and can take an attack of opportunity if the Queen moves in.
Next rounds: If not prone, full attack with spiked chain. If prone, trip the Queen with the spiked chain until she is also prone, and then just use attacks to damage.

[rln]

"Attack is the best defense, I've heard. Buff Brother E here, and he should take her down with ease..." ...I hope.

[Manzanita]

We haven't heard from Boddynocks for awhile. I don't want to NPC him in a life-or-death fight such as this.

[Rae ArdGaoth]

Rasereit pouts a little. "Ah, fine. Guess one dwarf can't 'ave all the glory." He shrugs at the remaining vikings.

OOC: Good, it sounds like Eusebius should be able to easily handle the queen. I was thinking of the cleric side of him, not the monk side, so he may actually be a /better/ choice than Rasereit, since he essentially can't be disarmed! And with the buffs, it's a surefire bet.

[Boddynock]

OOC: I'm at work at the moment, but I'm just chiming in to say E has been champing at the bit for this opportunity. What SM suggested sounds good, but I'll double-check when I get home and then post accordingly!

[Boddynock]

Originally Posted by SlagMortar

Strategy and stats for Eusebius, if we decide to have Eusebius attack the queen.

Cast bull's strength and aid. At the same time Beamer uses his scroll of enlarge person on Eusebius and then casts haste on Eusebius, Ogrin, the Elf Cleric, and Beamer. Beamer then directs Eusebius to attack the Queen.
Stats:
Spells in effect: mage armor, bull's strength (+2 attack and damage), aid (+1 attack, 1d8+3 temp hit points), enlarge person (+2 Str, large size, -2 AC) haste (+1 attack, AC, and extra attack)
Initiative: +5
Unarmed strike: +7/+7, damage 1d8+2/1d8+2
Flurry of blows: +5/+5/+5, damage 1d8+2/1d8+2/1d8+2
Spiked chain: +8/+8, damage 2d6+4/2d6+4
AC: 20, Touch: 18
Trip check: +6, Disarm check: +14
20 ft reach with spiked chain, 10 ft reach with unarmed strike
Strategy:
First round: If Eusebius wins initiative, 5 foot step and full attack with spiked chain. If Eusebius loses initiative, note he has combat reflexes and can take an attack of opportunity if the Queen moves in.
Next rounds: If not prone, full attack with spiked chain. If prone, trip the Queen with the spiked chain until she is also prone, and then just use attacks to damage.

OOC

Unfortunately Eusebius has already cast his Bull's Strength, so unless Beamer has one up his sleeve, he'll have to do without.

Spells prepared

Prepared spells:
Level 0:        Resistance x4
Level 1:        Bless x2
                Shield of Faith
                Protection From Evil (Good domain spell)
Level 2:        Bull’s Strength
                Spiritual Weapon (converted to Cure Moderate Wounds)
                Aid (Good domain spell)