Conquest of Bloodsworn Vale [IC]

[YeOldeAlbatross]

The group pauses, taking a moment for refreshment as adventurers and horses alike enjoy the fresh, clean water conjured by Percivilis. Shandul keeps as eye aloft, to see what Golden can determine about the nature of this strange place.

[sblock=Shandul]Shandul is more convinced than ever that this place is the handiwork of some kind of fey, but he has never come across anything like this before in his travels throughout the vale. Golden, from overhead, can see that the path into the clearing leads on for about 50 feet, before entering another inner clearing within the concentric rings of roses.Between the two rings stand ancient trees, each meticulously trimmed and cared for. In the center, the rings of rose bushes give way to five towering stone monoliths, each rising from a pool of crimson. Nestled in the center of these monoliths is a spiraling staircase descending into the earth.[/sblock]

The party is somewhat apprehensive about the nature of this ordered clearing, but as the trail of their quarry leads further into the circles of rose bushes, there seems to be little choice but to follow Shandul onward.

Shandul begins to lead the way down the path heading for the center of the clearing, when suddenly a thorny vine entangles the ranger's ankle! A nearby tree, attached to the vine, snaps upward violently, yanking Shandul off his feet and leaving him to dangle upside down 10 feet off the ground. The thorn covered vine cuts painfully into Shandul's ankle as he hangs there. OOC: Shandul was caught in a thorn snare trap, similar to snare. He takes 1 point of damage from being violently swept off his feet. 30/31 hp.

(Spot Check: Shandul succeeds, everyone else fails)
Even as this occurs, Shandul notices an odd transformation take place. Three rose bushes (two near to the party, one further up near the center of the glade) shimmer briefly, then change shape, turning into small humanoid figures. Standing just over three feet tall, the creatures have pale, ivory skin, long spindly fingers, and tall pointed ears. Wrapped in what appears to be thorny vines, the lithe fey have shocks of blood red or black hair bound behind their heads. They stare out with equally red eyes, with a look of cruelty and malice. One shouts something in a strange tongue.
[sblock=Sylvan]"Intruders! Leave this place!"[/sblock]

COMBAT, SURPRISE ROUND

Initiative Order, Surprise Round
17: Shandul (30/31 hp)(Ensnared, hanging upside down from tree)
8: Fey x3

OOC: Boddynock, please post Shandul's action for the surprise round. Everyone else, feel free to role-play responses to the situation as it is developing. In addition to a picture of your opponents, I've posted two maps: one to give you an idea of what the glade as a whole looks like, and one to focus more narrowly on the action. Hopefully, everyone can recognize his PC by picture alone. Any feedback about the combats or maps would be appreciated.

 

[FreeXenon]

Aelish Karn (Human Male Herald) HP: 33

Aelish quickly translates quietly for everyone who does not understand "Intruders! Leave this place!". The Herald adjusts to an unaggressive stance and continues loudly so that all creatures in the clearing may hear him

[Sylvan] "

Spoiler

Greetings Sylvan friends, we are not here for blood shed. We would prefer to speak in peace on behalf of the Captain Tolgrith of Fort Thorn of which you attacked his men in a clearing off the road a few days back. We wish to speak about this situation so that may avoid further loss of life.

" [Diplomacy??]

[OOC: I Sense Motive to see if I think we have any chance of really parleying with them. They seem pretty bent on destroying everything, but I can hope.

Excellent maps!]

 

[Boddynock]

Shandul curses as the noose tightens around his ankle and whips him off his feet. Rather than dangle helplessly in the sight of his enemies, he looses the arrow he had nocked, seeking to sever the vine which holds him suspended.

[sblock=OOC]Attack (mighty +1 composite longbow +1) +9, damage 1d8+2[/sblock][sblock=Spells]

Spells per day: 5/4/3

Spells prepared:
Cantrips:      Cure Minor Wounds
               Detect Magic
               Guidance
               Light
               Resistance
Level 1:       Charm Animal
               Cure Light Wounds
               Entangle
               Magic Fang
Level 2:       Barkskin
               Delay Poison
               Restoration, Lesser

[/sblock]

 

[s@squ@tch]

Percivilis, Hp: 43/43 AC: 20/11/19. Jerivan, Hp: 33/33 AC: 21(23 vs ranged)/10/21

"By the Gods!" Percivilis exclaims as he sees the rose bushes turn into humanoids,"What type of fertilizer do they use in these woods?"

"They don't look too friendly,"Jerivan says as he draws his longsword.

"Aye, they look to have evil in their hearts, what do you say, Jerivan?"

"Give me a moment."

OOC: Is it possible to move through the bushes? (what type of movement cost would it incur?)-- also, how do you want to handle movement -- the map doesn't have coordinates

 

[ethandrew]

Besik takes in an intake of breath, utter surprise etched on his face, "Now I was not expecting that! Are they hostile?" Besik asks only after witnessing Aelish communicate in such a calm voice.

[sblock=Actions]Firstly, since he's surprised, no actions. Besik will try to ascertain intent from the Fey though, using telepathy if possible.[/sblock]

 

[Azgulor]

Aldur draws his battleaxe and waits to see if his friends are successful at talking their way out of this.

 

[YeOldeAlbatross]

OOC: Is it possible to move through the bushes? (what type of movement cost would it incur?)-- also, how do you want to handle movement -- the map doesn't have coordinates

OOC: You can move through the bushes, although that will count as moving through difficult terrain. Also, the bushes are very thorny, so in addition to the movement penalty, characters might find the experience a bit...painful. I will add coordinates to the next map posted, that is an excellent point.

[sblock=Besik, Telepathy]Besik reaches out with his mind and picks up thoughts from these fey. They are quite hostile, with a xenophobic hatred for all 'big folk'. It seems clear that they are willing to use any means necessary to defend their glade and drive away intruders. They wish the party nothing but evil and malice.[/sblock]
[sblock=Jerivan, Detect Evil]Sure enough, these mean little fey have a potent aura of evil about them, full of hatred and malice.[/sblock]

Aelish, having understood the language spoken by these unusual fey, responds in their own tongue. Unfortunately, his words seem to have little beneficial result. The furthest fey shouts back again, in a shrill, angry voice.
[sblock=Sylvan Language]"Despoiler! Your presence here will not be tolerated! Death to all of you!"[/sblock]
[sblock=Diplomacy Check: 13, Sense Motive Check: 18]It seems quite clear to Aelish that these aggressive fey are in no mood for negotation. It's time to fight![/sblock]

SURPRISE ROUND

Shandul attacks vine with bow, hits for 10 damage, severing it. Vine deals 3 damage to Shandul. Shandul falls 10', taking 2 damage. Shandul is lying prone.
Fey #1 ranged attack vs. Aelish with bow, Misses.
Fey #2 and #3 move to flank Shandul.

Shandul curses as the noose tightens around his ankle and whips him off his feet. Rather than dangle helplessly in the sight of his enemies, he looses the arrow he had nocked, seeking to sever the vine which holds him suspended. Even hanging in the awkward position in which he finds himself, Shandul's aim is unerring. Even as the thorns of the vine dig into his ankle, Shandul's arrow cleanly severs the entangling growth. With the vine severed, Shandul falls unceremoniously to the ground below. He lands with a thump, wincing both from the fall and the painful thorns which had dug into his flesh. He lays now upon his back, hurting, but glad to be free of the trap.

The furthest fey raises an odd looking shortbow, and fires a small arrow at Aelish. Fortunately, the fey's aim is off, and the arrow flies wide of the herald.

The two nearer fey advance aggressively, moving effortlessly through the thorny rose bush growth. Surrounding the fallen Shandul, they menace the ranger with thorny bracers strapped to their forearms.

[sblock=Die Rolls]Aelish Diplomacy Check (1d20+14=15)
Aelish Sense Motive Check (1d20+9=18)
Shandul Attack roll vs. vine with bow (1d20+7=20)
Shandul Damage roll with bow (1d8+2=10)
Shandul damage from thorny snare (1d6=3)
Shandul damage from 10' fall (1d6=2)
Aelish Initiative (1d20+4=5)
Aldur Initiative (1d20+1=4)
Percivilis Initiative (1d20+1=2)
Jerivan Initiative (1d20=4)
Besik Initiative (1d20+3=12)
[/sblock]
END SURPRISE ROUND


Initiative Order, Round 1
17: Shandul (25/31 hp)(Lying Prone)
12: Besik (22/22 hp)
8: Fey 1
8: Fey 2
8: Fey 3
5: Aelish (33/33 hp)
4: Aldur (59/59 hp)
4: Jerivan (33/33 hp)
2: Percivilis (43/43 hp)

 

[FreeXenon]

5 - Aelish HP: 33/33; AC 21/25; [Hasted]

Aelish shakes his head in disappointment at their decision. Seeing an opening the Herald winces as he runs past Shandul and trusting in his Herald training to avoid flailing combatants while maneuvering about the battlefield, he makes his way up to the archer (G-3; not charging while attempting to minimize AoO).

In the process of moving past Shandul (h8) he attacks Fey #2 with his readied Thin Blade (which should qualify for a Skirmishing Spring Attack).

[OOC: I do not think it will matter overmuch, but my Diplomacy skill is 14 and not 12, which would make it 15.

[Including Bsik's haste a few posts down]
Dodge will be to the Archer: AC 21
1 AoO to Archer: AC 25

1 AoO AC from Fey#3: 23 at square h9 and 24 at square h8)
Spring Attacking Fey#2

Attack on Fey #2 (1d20+10=18)
Skirmish Damage with Thin Blade to Fey #2 (1d8+1d6+4=13)

Assuming things don't change overmuch these are my actions for this round.]

 

[s@squ@tch]

Percivilis, Hp: 43/43 AC: 20/11/19. Jerivan, Hp: 33/33 AC: 21(23 vs ranged)/10/21

"There is nothing but malice and hatred in their souls," Jerivan says as he grits his teeth and grips his longsword tightly.

"To arms!" Percivilis shouts as the evil wannabe-rosebushes advance upon the party. He draws his longsword, the blade quickly becoming shrouded in flames as it leaves its scabbard.

He quickly chants a prayer to Iomedae for protection, which is quickly answered -- a shimmering half-globe of energy emanates from Percivilis, enveloping all those near him.

Jerivan, his actions sped up by the magic of the elf, moves with blinding quickness past Percivilis and appears alongside the dwarf, swinging his longsword in a mighty overhand arc, the cold wrought iron blade crackling with positive energy as it comes down upon the thorn wielding fairy.

OOC:

Percivilis will cast Magic Circle against Evil, +2 deflection bonus to AC and a +2 resistance bonus on saves against evil creatures, 60 min duration, 10' radius centered on Percivilis.

Jerivan moves to H10, attacks Fey #2 with his Cold Iron Longsword and use a Smite Evil Attempt (+3 to hit, +4 damage, 2 left for the day)

Jerivan attack on Fey, Haste/Smite Evil (1d20+12=23, 1d8+6=10)


Spells left: 5/7/6/3

 

[ethandrew]

AC: 14; HP: 22/22

With a grin, Besik sidesteps back and intones a few words in draconic, his fingers delicately weave an intricate dance before finally a flash emits from each of his allies, bolstering their speed and actions.

OOC: 5' Step to I-11, Casts Extended Haste, Duration 12 Rounds. Affects all allies. A hasted creature gains a +1 bonus on attack rolls and a +1 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves, plus an additional 30' of Movement, and an extra attack at full Base Attack while performing full attack option. You all know the drill.

Besik After Haste and Magic Circle: AC: 16; Saves: F- 7 R- 8 W- 12

[sblock=Spells Remaining]1st: Unseen Servant, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Magic Missile, Reduce Person, Enlarge Person
2nd: Invisibility, Bull's Strength*, Scorching Ray, Gust of Wind, See Invisibility
3rd: Haste*, Fly*, Fireball, Leomund's Tiny Hut

*Extended Spell (Metamagic School Focus Transmutation)

DC (Transmutation):
1st: 16 (17)
2nd: 17 (18)
3rd: 18 (19)[/sblock]