Taking the druidess' silent departure as acquiescence, Menhir likewise follows suit. Sinking down into the cobblestone floor to its waist, the now knee high earth elemental exits the room in its companions' wake; content to be resuming its journey towards the encroaching star rock.
As you all gather to leave the side room you notice the fan-fair was dying quickly as the auspicious gathering was disputing rapidly. Only about 20 people remained within the hall gathered near the back exit talking amongst themselves. As you all listen you can hear them telling stories of the destructive weather in the area surrounding the events of the starfall. One man talks of having to patch areas of his thatched roof because of corrosive rains as another mentions having to move cattle indoors in these nasty storms because they were developing nasty sores from the acidic rains.
None of you happen to notice the last two individual still in the pews lining either side of the halls set up for this occasion. Both individuals are dressed in brown robes that were loose and light. There hoods came up over there heads covering there bodies to anyone's visage. They showed no signs of threat but had been there all the long, yet hidden in the crowd. As the door is opened and you exit and begin listening to the villagers talk the both standing an instant (held action) and heft heavy crossbows and take fire at Menhir and Eltyr(rolled randomly I assure you). 1d20+2=8, 1d20+2=9.
Both shots miss horribly as apparently there aim is worse than their patience as they waited all this time to get a shot at you. As they throw back their coverings you notice they are surprisingly lithe looking hobgoblins. Even more strange is the patches of skin that seem to be on fire but not. Both of them have random patches of visible skin almost pure white visually, yet seem to be emitting an eerie blue low flame. Each of them cocks back the pin on their crossbows in hope for another shot. The group as it stands now is about 30 from their assailants.
Hobgob1: Levels his crossbow this time at Berrek and lets one fly 1d20+2=15, 1d10=8..... but sadly there just don't seem to be equipped correctly for an assassins call....
ooc
If you can't post in order of Inits I understand because of online time differences and online usage restrictions due to r/l.. I just ask you try you best all to stick to the init listings for when you post while in combat to make it easier on me as the DM
__________________ Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust....... ok who casted disintegrate!? You Bastard! Has Returned! Check Us Out! Players Wanted!!!
I don't believe you, rolling 2 for three attack in a row. And Berrek with highest init has almost lowest score eh, vagaries of dice. Did you hear from hafrogman, I believe he hasn't posted except once or twice in IC
Berrek moves toward hobgoblins pulling out his daggers as he does so. He doesn't hurry too much, waiting for more robust members of the company to take the lead.
A little surprised as a bolt hurtles by, Eltyr recovers quickly as he turns to face their assailants. Taking in the situation and figuring they should capture at least one if possible, he casts a sleep spell, targeting both hobgoblins if thinks he can or the one which still has a bolt loaded in its crossbow it he can’t, before moving hastily to find some cover from future projectiles.
OOC
Sleep spell [Save DC: 15 (Will); Range 130 ft., affects up to 4HD of creatures in a 10 ft. radius burst]; then 30 ft. move to find something hard he can hide behind (if possible).
Failing to recognize the arrow whistling past it as an attack, the earth elemental is initially more surprised by the defensive actions being taken by its companions. It's only once Menhir glances past them and picks out the two dissimilar humanoids hurriedly readying their weapons that it realizes that the group is under attack. Quickly sinking down out of sight beneath the ground, Menhir glides easily forward past the front ranks of its companions before suddenly surging up. Raising the gold dragon scale up before it defensively, the earth elemental appears much as a low stone wall as it tries to shield the group from further assault.
OOC: Waiting to see whether Eltyr's sleep spell subdues the pair before posting Menhir's attack actions for this round.
Neither of the assailants seem to be effected much from the sleep spell. Whoever sent this pair knew what they were doing... their aim might be off but there experience is not as Hobgob2 dashes about 30 feet to the right of his companion to make them less of an easy target.... Menhir has a clear shot on the Hobgob1 though as he spent his action this round loading and firing at the heros....
__________________ Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust....... ok who casted disintegrate!? You Bastard! Has Returned! Check Us Out! Players Wanted!!!
The crystals prisms studding the elemental's body seem to pulse softly with their own inner light as the earth recalls the pain of the star rock's impact. Surging forth like a cresting wave, Menhir's form increases slightly in volume and height as bits of the cobblestone floor are swept up and embed themselves into the elemental's body. Raising its arms up over its head and bringing them down like the falling star rock itself, Menhir impacts the first hobgoblin.
OOC
Continuing Menhir's initial move action to bring it adjacent to hobgob1, while charging if possible. Initiating rage. Putting +2 into Power Attack to gain +4 to damage. Slam attack as a standard action: slam +10 to hit (+12 if charging) 1d6+16 damage.
Berrek charges moments after Menhir starts 'running'. Trusting that sturdy elemental can handle one opponent, Berrek heads to intercept the other one before he can reload his weapon.
OOC
Charge the other one before he can draw weapon. Two attacks with brute gauntlets providing +2 to hit and damage (for total of +8/+8; 1d4+1+1d6 sneak attack if for some reason flat footed).
Position so that help from Menhir sets flanking situation. Tumble around the enemy as neccessary if others join the fray. Full defensive after initial attack (total defense action) until help arrives.
Watching the others rush forward and attack, Anton knows his help might be needed in the fray, should grievous injuries befall his new companions. He moves quickly in his heavy armor, his large shield strapped to his arm amd trying to avoid that which was left from the large gathering. He tries to reach Berrek in time, and if possible to boost his strength, but Anton isn't sure if he can make it.
OOC
Anton will move to support Berrek and cast Bull Strength on him if he can reach him with his 20' movement this turn. If not, he will double move to threaten the second hobgoblin.
Lidia is taken by surprise at the suddenness of the attack and freezes for a couple of second. Quickly pulling herself together and hoping that her companions have not noticed the lapse, she quietly speaks a few words in druidic and a bright light briefly flashes in the face of one of the hobgoblins. Lidia then readies her shield in preparation for further attacks.
OOC: Cast Flare on Hobgoblin 1.
Flare
SRD Page 267{1}
Evocation [Light]
Level: Brd 0, Drd 0, Sor/Wiz 0
Components: V
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Effect: Burst of light
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw:Fortitude negates
Spell Resistance: Yes
This cantrip creates a burst of light. If you cause the light to burst directly in front of a single creature, that creature is dazzled for 1 minute unless it makes a successful Fortitude save. Sightless creatures, as well as creatures already dazzled, are not affected by flare.
{1} Page number my vary depending on which version of the SRD is been used.
Hobgob2 takes aim at Berrek and lets fly one last crossbow before drawing his own short sword seeing melee combat imminent... 1d20+2=22, 1d8=8.... the assassin catches Berrek in the shoulder for 8 points of damage and waits for his assailants to close into close quarters combat...
(NPC'ing Edvik for the sake of flow here) Edvik charges the at the now spaced Hobgob1 as he swings his mighty bastard sword being careful not to expose his bad knee to his opponent.... 1d20+8=14, 1d10+3=11,.... sadly Edvik's advance is also slightly off it's mark...
Menhir's strike JUST misses it's mark as the hobgobs white-patched skin distracted the elemental while he strikes... 1d20+12=15, 1d6+16=20
Berrek is JUST able to land a solid blow with his gauntlet as he moved to strike hobgob2... 1d20+10=16, 1d4+1=2... you are flanking him now menhir you gets your sneak attack dmg of 1d6=4....
Anton double moves to threaten hobogb2 and sets a flank in fact with menhir and berrek....
Lidia flares at her opponents... Hobgob1 that Edvik is on seems to be a bit stunned though the other uses Berrek and Menhir as a shield from the light and is not effected by the spell at all.
Round Two Begins....
Hobgob1 sees Edvik move in and draws his sword to slash it his pristine looking armor... 1d20+2=11, 1d6+2=4 luckily for Edvik he misses....
__________________ Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust....... ok who casted disintegrate!? You Bastard! Has Returned! Check Us Out! Players Wanted!!!
Finding his spell didn’t have the desired effect, Eltyr lets fly with magic missile targeting Edvik’s opponent with two bolts of glowing force, before looking around to make sure there are no other opponents moving to attack them, alerting the others if there are.
OOC
Eltyr casts magic missile at Hobgob1 [2d4+2 force damage; range 130 ft., save: no , spell resistance: yes {don’t forget Eltyr’s Spell Penetration feat if appropriate}]
Its crystal prisms still glowing with the earth's power, Menhir continues its assault on the harried hobgoblin as it brings its powerful earthen limbs down upon him like a rock slide.
Anton decides to take the opportunity to strike down hard with his heavy mace, holding his shield in his left arm between him and the cloaked hobgoblin, he brings down his weapon in an overhead arc.
Round 2 Actions
Anton's attack (with flank) is +6 with 1d8+1 damage. If this hobgoblin is killed before his turn, he will move to engage the first hob that Edvik is battling.
Lidia starts chanting in a strange language, simultaneously making obscure gestures. A mist starts to form near one of the hobgoblins. As Lidia keeps chanting, the mist becomes translucent and a shape appears to be rapidly approaching. As its comes closer it can be seen to be bear shaped. Suddenly Lidia shouts a single symbol and claps, the mist disappear and where it was stands a black bear. The bear moves close to the nearest hobgoblin and takes a viscous swipe. Its sharp claws taking a chunk out of the hobgoblin's hide.
ooc: Going to be play Edvik once more... and if hafrogman doesn't post here or in the ooc thread soon I'm going to open up recruitment soon....
Edvik takes another swipe at Hobgob1 with his trusty bastard sword....1d20+8=18, 1d10+3=10... this time as his opponent stands before him dazed he gets a shot in and lands a nice little blow to the hobgobs thigh leaving in nicely gashed which he falls face first from on the floor...
Eltry unleashes his missiles at hobgob1 who has no chance of escaping ther targeted projectiles and takes them both to the chest but still stands... probably because no one managed to hit him last go around.....
Edvik is the only one within 10 feet of this hobgob as he goes down so he is the only one that needs to make a reflex save.... (if someone else is within ten feet of this hobgob and I missed the move please let me know..)... 1d20+3=18... The corpse starts to almost instantly shake as it hits the ground lifelessly.. the entire body within seconds catches aflame in the same low blue flame as the patches on its skin. Luckily Edvik notices the shaking and has a chance to step back a bit before it explodes in a violent eruption of a fine and almost water like liquid that seems to be on fire somehow....1d10=3.... he takes 1 damage as he was able to avoid the brunt of the blast....
Hobgob2 take a swing at Menhir quickly before turning to notice his friends demise and then turns tail to flee... The hogbob finds purchance SOMEHOW on the little earthen beast as he strikes a very VERY well placed blow between the half embedded armor pieces... 1d20+2=22, 1d6+2=3 as he turns to flee Menhir Berrek and Anton all get AoO's... 1d20+10=24, 1d20+7=18, 1d20+4=12
Menhir and Berrek both hit and deal enough damage to fell the creature where he stands.... Berrek barely scratches it but Menhir on the other hand crushes nearly every bone in the hobgob2's chest as he slams him.... all around the body however needs reflex saves to try and dodge the splash as the body erupts and blows up as the other did... 1d20+1=15, 1d20+8=25, 1d20+0=4... Menhir JUST darts out of the way as to not take the brunt of the explosion, Berrek rolls out of the way a bit but still man can't manage to escape it entirely and poor Anton in his heavy armor takes mosy of the blast upon himself.... 3d10=21 (8,9,4) (four dmg each for everyone...)
Thus ends combat
__________________ Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust....... ok who casted disintegrate!? You Bastard! Has Returned! Check Us Out! Players Wanted!!!
Berrek takes out small vial and collects sample of the fluid remaining after death of strange hobgoblins.
Thinking
"Interesting combination of fire and water, maybe it's acidic. Or raw magic, oh, man, that would be something!"
After it is done he concentrates briefly and moonstone on his belt winks out as his wounds close. Healing belt charge (2d8=15)
OOC: phew and wow, I thought I'll need to spend two charges
Lidia has a good look around to make sure that everything is secure.
If so, she says "Well that was interesting and totally unexpected. Is everyone OK? Does anyone need healing? I have some skill in healing as well as some minor healing spells."
OOC:
Will normal healing, Cure wound spells, etc. work on Menhir?
I can't find anything in the MM or SS that says you can't heal an elemental normally. If he was a construct that would be different, but he's not so healing effects on an elemental or fine.
On a side note... Berrek when you decide to examine the liquid more closely... please let me know... you need to make a spellcraft and a knowledge (arcana) check to study the substance....
__________________ Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust....... ok who casted disintegrate!? You Bastard! Has Returned! Check Us Out! Players Wanted!!!
Menhir hefts the huge dragon scale to shield itself from the exploding bugbear carcasses. And just like that, as swiftly and unexpectedly as it had begun, the battle is at an end. Although the crystal prisms studding the elemental's earthen body loose their inner glow, the creature retains its increased mass and size; a small quantity of the hall's flagstone floor seemingly now permanently fused to Menhir's stony form.
And yet, the earth elemental doesn't seem to have escaped completely unscathed; the mysteriously glowing hobgoblin ichor drips from a number of pockmarks pitting the surface of its body. Aware that there's something terribly wrong, the elemental raises a stubby stone finger to gently prod one such oozing pit on its chest – only to have the surrounding stone surface crumble away as if made of the softest sandstone. Menhir pulls its fingers away quickly as the prisms studding its body flare briefly at the familiar sensation. Menhir turns imploringly to the druidess, its demeanor somehow conveying the elemental's alarm and confusion.
OOC: And yes, elementals (and most every creature except undead and some constructs) can benefit normally from curing magic simply by virtue of being alive.