The Romance of the River Kingdoms

Mystal assures himself that there are no (visible) crossbowman hidden somewhere.
OOC: If he finds them apply following actions to them instead of the group.

Mystal draws his rapier and teleports behind the group while they were still walking. He remains silent, stalking last of the men, focusing for decisive strike. He holds his finger over mouth in sign for silence for his companions hoping to remain undetected.

[sblock=Actions]
as soon as they appeared, shadow jaunt behind them

ready action to Focused Strike one who looks like caster or simply last of them. Mystal remains 10' behind, within reach of 5' step + attack, but beyond immediate senses (roll stealth as needed)

if there is time, Mystal will recover shadow jaunt (this depends on how long they talk, needs full round after they stop) - low priority

Also, as a free action, once hostilities errupt he will shout at the top of his voice to startle opponents (use of Intimidate against the group?) - consider it KIAI shout
"NOW! Kill them all!"

If attacked in melee, Fire Reposte as immediate reaction to the offender
[/sblock]

[sblock=Stats]
Char Sheet

HEALTH: 18; GRACE: 20
AC: 23
Touch: 18
Flat: 19

Fortitude: +1+1
Reflex: +3+4
Will: +3+3

Init +9;
Hide: +10
Move silently: +13
Concentration: +8
Intimidate: +0
Rapier +8 ;1d4 -1 piercing; 18-20/x2


Active Stance: Flame's blessing

Readied Maneuvers:
Shadow Jaunt
Shadow Strike Technique
Fire reposte
Cloak of Deception
Stone bones
[/sblock]

[sblock=Walking Dad]
No. You recognise the other two who escaped last time as well. They look more unhealthy than before, but not, perhaps, undead.
[/sblock]

Ah, well met again. Three Flowers answers to the man he recognices with an elaborate bow. And how may we help you this time?

Three Flowers' elaborate courtesy brings the man up short momentarily. He sniffs, wipes his nose on the back of his hand and stares at the group before him.

"I know you," he says finally. "You had that statue... thing." He looks around at his men and back at Three Flowers with a crazy grin on his face. "There's more'f us this time." He smacks his club into the palm of his hand.

In the square, the old woman shoos the little girl into her general store, then waits at the door, gripping her broom tightly. The two old men pause in their game of dragon scales. Only the tinker continues oblivious, the rythmic hammering as he smooths the dents out of an old wok echo around the courtyard.

[sblock=Shakou]
This man, and his followers, are clearly under the influence of... something. Like they are drunk or drugged but not the effects of any substance Shakou knows about.
[/sblock]

[sblock=Walking Dad]
There is something unnatural affecting these men, but to Ape they seem quite alive. Perhaps they are drunk or drugged, possibly under a spell but a substance seems more likely.
[/sblock]

[sblock=Neurotic]
Three Flowers' delay gives you time to recover Shadow Jaunt.
[/sblock]

Indeed there seems to be. Three Flower admits to the man's boast.

Yet a thousand bees
No matter how hard they try
Dent a dragon's hide.

[sblock=OOC]Kind of playing time, trying to assess what they are up to. Yet be ready for attack.[/sblock]

Annika takes a step back warily, and invokes protective magic to create a shield of spirit around herself.

"This doesn't have to lead to bloodshed," she tells the men. "But we will not be your victims. For now all we want are answers."

Shakou blinked, tilting her head briefly as she looked them over, her hands resting hear her shortsword and bow, in case she needed to combat then quickly.

"I don't think they're going to be reasonable... they're drunk or under the influence of something else... that's why they look ill." Shakou looked at them, frowning briefly. "Look, it is obvious you've fought most of these guys before, and it sounds like you lost. I can assure you that you don't want to try again. Not that you'd follow my advice, I'm just trying to save you another trip to the Vashti's infirmary..."

AC 15 (T15, FF13), HP 39/39, F +5,R+3,W+6 (Spells: 0:5/5, 1:4/4, 2:3/3)
Ape Form (AC: 17, Touch: 17, Flat Footed: 13)

"Whose who live by the sword will die by the ... staff." Ape says, gesturing at his staff that seems now somehow more massive.

[sblock=ooc]

Casting Shillelagh

--------
Spells (CL: 3, DC: 13+spell level)
5/Day Level 0: Cure Minor Wounds, Detect Magic, Light, Purify Food and Drink, Read Magic
4/Day Level 1: Produce Lightning, Shillelagh, Summon Nature's Ally I.
3/Day Level 2: Summon Nature's Ally II

Baboon Traits:
AC: 17, Touch: 17, Flat Footed: 13
Fort: +6
Refl: +5
Will: +6
Move: 40', cimb 40'
Init: +4
Listen/Spot: +9
[/sblock]

The leader of the thugs seems to be weighing up your words for a moment. The he shrugs, dismissing any doubt or thought.

"See 'em off lads," he grunts to his men. Makeshift clubs and heavy blades appear in meaty, sweaty hands as the men shift into combat stances.

Suddenly there is a shout from behind them.

"NOW! Kill them all!"

Mystal Marr seems to appear out of nowhere and steps up behind the rear-most thug. With a single thrust his little rapier skewers the man, and the thug drops to the paving stones, his blood mingling with the rain-water.

[SBLOCK=OOC]
Initiative order:

Mystal Marr - focussed strike 20+8=28, gives bonus 2d6 damage. Attack 16+3+2=21, hit (I added bonus +2 for surprise from behind). Damage 1d4-1+2d6=7. This is on thug #9.

Next up:

Shakou
Annika
Thugs 2-8
Growling Ape
Thug #1
Three Flowers

Locals are marked as X on the map. The old lady is next the shop, two old men next to the tavern and the tinker is in the top left. The building marked "lair" is where the men cam from.
[/sblock]

Annika frowns thunderously, and a thin, transparent aura of flames seethes into being around her. She lifts her hands and with a flick of her wrists dislodges a pair of ghostly, flaming feathers drifting through the air towards the leader. Despite the fire, the feathers are made of spirit-stuff, and the heat is felt in the subtle body rather than the physical...but the damage is no less real for that.

(Magic Missile! 2d4+2!)