[Adventure] Serpent's Skull: Souls for Smuggler's Shiv (DM: Mewness; Judge: THB)

The shiv dragon jerks its head, attempting to injure Takahaan further by worrying at him, but the dragonborn braces himself and withstands the shaking.

Gelik moves cautiously to the spot where Kane was hiding before.

[sblock=roll]Shiv dragon basic (-prone, +CA) vs AC, Takahaan; damage
1(1d20) +10 +2 -2 = 11; 8(2d8) +7 = 15 misses. Technically an ally of Taka’s within 5 can now attack the dragon, but nobody is eligible. Castile has a ranged basic but is blocked by a tree.[/sblock]

Ambush the Cannibals: Round 2

The man engaging Noriaki takes a harried slash at him, but narrowly misses, owing to pain from the nearby flames. He backs away from the fire.

The man on the path yells something at the lizard, which seems little interested, before flinging a javelin at Hú Lí and missing.

The lizard scrambles to its feet again. It starts shaking its head so violently that Takahaan seems likely to be snapped in two, but there is a flash of arcane energy from Kane and the lizard ceases its shaking, dragging Takahaan behind a tree.

The cannibal behind the rock steps out to hurl a spear at Hú Lí, but his aim is no better than his fellows’.

The armored cannibal screams at Castile. Ignoring his injuries, he stabs her sharply with his spear, but she feels the blow is a mere pinprick. His compatriot hurls a javelin at Pezock, but it doesn’t even come close.

[sblock=actions and rolls]Cannibal 3 takes 7 damage from the flaming sphere and is bloodied. Cannibal 3 MBA vs AC, Noriaki; damage
12(1d20) +6 = 18; 2(1d8) +4 = 6 narrowly misses. Cannibal 3 shifts away from the sphere, to J9.

Cannibal 4 javelin vs AC, Hu Li; damage
9(1d20) +6 = 15; 3(1d8) +4 = 7 misses. Cannibal 4 moves to L12.

The shiv dragon gets up from prone. Shiv dragon drag vs Fort, Taka; damage
13(1d20) +10 = 23; 12(2d8) +7 = 19 hit for 19, reduced to 11 by Kane channeling shield. Lizard moves to I1, dragging Taka to I2.

Cannibal 5 moves to Q13. Cannibal 5 javelin vs AC, Hu Li; damage
3(1d20) +6 = 9; 7(1d8) +4 = 11 misses.

Cannibal 6 warrior's surge vs AC, Castile; damage
17(1d20) +10 = 27; 4(1d8) +6 = 10 hits for 10 and the cannibal regains 11 hit points.

Cannibal 8 javelin vs AC, Pezock; damage
1(1d20) +6 = 7; 8(1d8) +4 = 12 misses completely.[/sblock]

[sblock=Terrain Rules, etc.]Terrain Rules
The greyish-brown stuff represents a sandy, rocky surface. It is normal terrain, as is the lighter green stuff.

The dark green terrain is heavy undergrowth. It is difficult terrain.

The pale grey splotches are rocks. They are a bit over five feet higher than the surrounding terrain. You can climb onto an adjacent square of one by spending two squares of movement and making a DC 15 Athletics check. The top surfaces of these rocks are uneven, and so are difficult terrain.

The teepees are shelters. The entrances face toward the middle of the camp. They aren’t very solid and can be knocked over as a move action should anyone care to do so.

The dark brown circles are trees; they are blocking terrain.[/sblock]

[sblock=Controlling Gelik and Pezock]Companion NPCs in Combat

Any PC can take a standard, move, or minor action to have an NPC perform an action of the same (or a lesser) type. E.g., if you want Gelik to use Charm of Misplaced Wrath, you spend a standard action. If you want him to move, you spend a move action. An NPC is limited to the usual number of actions each round (but those actions need not all be granted by the same PC). An NPC who has an immediate action can likewise only use it if a PC has an immediate action available to use on his/her behalf.

NPCs can take free actions and opportunity actions normally, without the direction of PCs. They are always considered to have their weapons in hand and don’t need to spend actions unsheathing them.

If all of the PCs act in a given round without giving any actions to a particular NPC, I will have that NPC take one non-offensive action. This will most likely be Second Wind if it is needed and available, and movement or Total Defense if it is not. (It won’t be necessary for PCs to spend their own standard actions to have NPCs use second wind.)[/sblock]

[sblock=Gelik]Gelik
HP 22/22, Bloodied 11, Surge value 5; Surges 6/6
AC 14, Fort 12, Reflex 14, Will 16
Speed 5, gnome traits
Skills: Bluff +7, Arcana +11
Hypnotism (standard; arcane, charm, enchantment, implement; ranged 10, one enemy)
Attack: +5 vs. Will
Hit: Choose one: the target uses a free action to make a melee basic attack against a creature of Gelik’s choice, with a +4 power bonus to the attack roll; or, Gelik slides the target up to 3 squares.
[o] Charm of Misplaced Wrath (standard; arcane, charm, enchantment, implement; ranged 10, one enemy)
Attack: +5 vs. Will
Hit: Gelik slides the target up to 3 squares. The target is then dazed until the end of Gelik’s next turn. (1/encounter, as a free action, Gelik can extend the daze for another round.)
Effect: The target makes a basic attack against a creature of Gelik’s choice as a free action with a +2 power bonus to the damage roll.
[o] Fade Away (immediate reaction; personal)
Trigger: Gelik takes damage.
Effect: Gelik is invisible until he attacks or until the end of his next turn.
[o] Second Wind

Conditions: none[/sblock]

[sblock=Pezock]Pezock
HP 25/25, Bloodied 12, Surge value 6; Surges 7/7
AC 16, Fort 12, Reflex 16, Will 14
Skills: Bluff +11, Stealth +10
Flock Effect: Pezock gains a +3 bonus to melee attack rolls when flanking rather than +2.
Striker: 1/round, Pezock can deal 1d6 extra damage when he hits an enemy he has CA against.
Icy Skewer (standard; arcane, cold, weapon; melee weapon, one creature)
Attack: +8 vs. AC
Hit: 1d10+4 cold damage. Pezock gains a +2 power bonus to all defenses against the target’s attacks until the end of his next turn.
Special: Pezock can use this power as a melee basic attack.
[o] Piercing Shard (standard; arcane, cold, illusion, psychic, weapon; melee weapon, one creature)
Attack: +8 vs. Will
Hit: 2d10+4 cold and psychic damage.
Effect: Pezock is invisible to the target until the start of his next turn.
[o] Second Wind

Conditions: none

Fluff Notes: Pezock’s powers represent his having a cool magic sword (Pearl). If he loses the sword, he can’t do that neat stuff anymore.[/sblock]

[sblock=status]PCs
Castile (O8) HP 31/39; surges 13/13; AP used
Dartmoor (K15) HP 33/33; surges 8/10
Hú Lí (L13) HP 29/29; surges 8/8; AP used
Kane (O14) HP 33/33; surges 10/10; AP used, channeling shield
Noriaki (H9) HP 21/33; surges 9/9
Takahaan (I2) HP 18/29; surges 6/8; AP used, grabbed by shiv dragon
Gelik (L17) HP 22/22; surges 6/6
Pezock (O6) HP 25/25; surges 7/7

Flaming Sphere (H7)

Bad Guys
Shiv Dragon (I1) 68 damage taken, bloodied
Cannibal 1 (I10) dead
Cannibal 2 (I8) dead
Cannibal 3 (J9) 20 damage taken, bloodied, slowed, used blood-crazed charge
Cannibal 4 (L12)
Cannibal 5 (Q13)
Cannibal 6 (O7) 28 damage taken, bloodied, marked by Castile, warrior’s surge used
Cannibal 7 (N5) dead
Cannibal 8 (O2)
[/sblock]

[sblock=Enemy Stats]Please read the appropriate block(s) only when necessary to resolve attacks or OAs.

[sblock=Shiv Dragon]Shiv Dragon
AC 17, Fort 19, Ref 16, Will 14; HP 77, bloodied 38
Bite +10 vs. AC, 2d8+7 damage, and the target is grabbed.
Vise Jaws: The shiv dragon does not need to sustain a grab, and conditions that prevent it from making OAs do not end its grab. It has a +5 bonus to Fortitude defense against attempts to escape its grab. If subjected to forced movement, the shiv dragon pulls the grabbed creature with it.[/sblock]
[sblock=Cannibals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8]Cannibal Berserker
AC 15, Fort 14, Ref 14, Will 12; HP 30, bloodied 15
Axe +6 vs. AC, 1d8+4 damage[/sblock]
[sblock=Cannibal 6]Cannibal War Leader
AC 19, Fort 17, Ref 13, Will 14; HP 46, bloodied 23
Greatspear +10 vs. AC, 1d8+6 damage[/sblock][/sblock]

Continuing being pulled around by the vicious lizard, Takahaan grunts as fresh blood squeezes out of the wound on his leg as the fiend thrashes its mouth. As he sees another weak spot open up, he finds purchase in the fleshy underbody of the lizard, but cannot seem to flail the lizard's grip off of his thigh. It shows signs of holding up soon, but for the time being, the beast hangs on with agony.

[sblock=Mechanics] Standard: Intuitive Strike on Shiv Dragon. Hits Will 28 for 7 damage.

[sblock=rolls]Attack: 1d20+9=28

Damage: 1d10+1=7[/sblock]

Move: Escape the grab. Roll of 22 fails DC 24.

[sblock=rolls]1d20+9=22[/sblock]

Minor: None taken
[/sblock]
[sblock=Takahaan]Takahaan Thanazashi Male Dragonborn Bravura Warlord 2
Initiative: +3
Passive Perception: 11
Passive Insight: 10
Senses: Normal
AC:18
Fort:17
Reflex:15
Will:17 HP:18/29
Bloodied:14
Surge Value:8
Surges left:6/8
Action Points: 0

Powers:

Brash Assault
Intuitive Strike
Dragon Breath [x]
Inspiring Word [x]
Vengeance Is Mine [x]
Lamb to the Slaughter [ ]
Spur To Action [x]

Other Abilities:

Second Wind [ ]
Cloak of Resistance [ ]

Conditions
Grabbed by Shiv Dragon

[sblock=Important Features] Bravura Presence: When an ally who can see you spends an action point to take an extra action and uses the action to make an attack, the ally can choose to take advantage of this feature before the attack roll. If the ally chooses to do so and the attack hits, the ally can either make a basic attack or take a move action after the attack as a free action. If the attack misses, the ally grants combat advantage to all enemies until the end of his or her next turn.

Combat Leader: You and each ally within 10 squares who can see and hear you gain a +2 power bonus to initiative.

Dragonborn Fury: When you’re bloodied, you gain a +1 racial bonus to attack rolls.[/sblock] [/sblock]

The Captain strides forth into the battlefield, worried at seeing his men disappear behind a tree. "Troops, to me!" he calls out. Soon, a swarm of piskies and grigs surrounds the Captain, the troops' discipline lasting just long enough to get them there, but not enough to form ranks. One is missing, though. From a vantage point in the trees above Takahaan's shoulder, the Pict runs a tiny hand along his spear. The tiny fey chooses his moment, and leaps. Soaring through the air, eight ounces of concentrated warrior lands on the back of the shiv dragon's neck, his spear slipping through the beasts scales directly into the base of its spine. The dragon shudders and expires. The Pict gives Takahaan a sharp nod, and vanishes into the underbrush.

Meanwhile, Noriaki whirls upon his attacker, ducking under a hasty blow and striking the cannibal down with a single elegant slice. The warrior flicks his blade, a small peal of thunder whipping the blood off of it, as he calls out, "That's another foe defeated by Noriaki Matsumoto!" Without a foe to face, Noriaki takes a few steps toward where he last saw Takahaan, but when he finds the big dragonborn, Takahaan is already prying the dead dragon's jaws from his leg. With a smile, Noriaki turns to the cannibal harrying Hu Li. Like a flash, he charges the man, his sword leaving a deep gash in the cannibal's back. As Noriaki reverses his grip and goes for the final blow, the cannibal turns and catches Noriaki's blade on his spear haft. Looking into the foe's eyes, Noriaki smiles. A smile as cold as ice.




[sblock=mechanics]

Dartmoor:
Move: slip forward to J11
Standard: Get 'em on Shiv Dragon
Attack Roll: 1d20+6=crit!
10 damage! Shiv dragon goes down.
Minor: enter beast form

Noriaki:
Standard: Pressing Strike. shift to J10.
Attack Roll:1d20+8=15, barely.
Damage Roll:1d12+7=13, death!
Howl of Triumph! Cannibal 4 takes a -2 penalty to defenses.

Move: to L8
AP: Charge cannibal 4 with Howling Strike, taking Taka's gambit
Attack Roll: 1d20+14=27, hit!
Damage: 1d12+1d6+7=14
Free Attack:
Attack Roll: 1d20+10=11



[/sblock]

[sblock=Noriaki]
Noriaki Matsumoto
Male Human Thaneborn Barbarian 2
Initiative: +4(+6 with Takahaan),
Passive Perception: 11,
Passive Insight: 12,
Senses: Normal
AC:19
Fort:18
Reflex:16
Will:14
HP:21/33
Bloodied:16
Surges left:9/9
Surge Value:8
Action Points: 0
MBA: +8 to hit, 1d12+5 damage
Howling Strike
Pressing Strike
Escalating Violence [x]
Howl of Triumph []
Shrug it off []
Heroic Effort []
Second Wind []
Swift Panther Rage []
[/sblock]
[sblock=Dartmoor Irregulars] Dartmoor Irregulars – Piskie Swarm (Druid) 2
Passive Insight: 14,
Passive Perception: 19
AC:17
Fort:14
Ref:15
Will:15 --
Speed:6
HP:33/33
Bloodied:16
Surge Value:8
Surges Left: 10/10
Action Points: 1,
Second Wind: not used
Powers: Grasping Tide
Grasping Claws
Swarming Locusts
Scattered Form
Summon Giant Toad
Bear’s Strength
Fiddlin’ Grig
Conditions:
Notes: -3 damage from melee/ranged attacks in Beast Form [/sblock]

Pezock lets out a harsh "SQUAWK" as he strikes with the fury of one who has seen his friends devoured. As he stabs the armored cannibal from behind, Pearl bursts forth a spray of icy mist. It forms a wall of freezing air that momentarily hides Pezock from the wounded cannibal.

Castile takes a moment to glance at how the fight is proceeding elsewhere. It is not encouraging. Takahaan is being dragged around by the huge lizard, Hú Lí engaged in melee with one of the cannibals, and javelins are still flying everwhere. Castile wavers, wondering if she should help one of the others and leave the cannibal for Pezock to finish off.

[sblock=Castile actions / stats]Standard: Pezock's Piercing Shard vs Cannibal 6 hits Will 26 for 16 cold and psychic damage. Not quite enough to kill it. Pezock is invisible to Cannibal 6 TSNT. (1d20+8+3=26;2d10+4=14;1d6=2)
Cannibal 6 is not marked anymore.

No move or minor actions this turn.


PC:Castile (Dekana) - L4W Wiki- Female Dwarf Fighter 2
Passive Perception: 18, Passive Insight: 13
AC:19, Fort:17, Reflex:14, Will:13, +5 saves vs poison, Speed:5
HP:31/39, Bloodied:19, Surge Value:9, Surges left:13/13
Initiative +1
Action Points: 0 (encounter)

Conditions

Powers
MBA: Waraxe, +8 vs AC, 1d12+7 damage (see Combat notes below)
RBA: Waraxe, +8 vs AC, 1d12+7 damage, 6/12
Combat Challenge, Pass Forward
Crushing Surge, Tide of Iron
Dwarven Resilience, Hack and Hew
Dwarven Thrower Waraxe, Villain's Menace
Combat notes: +2 melee / close damage with THP, +2 to attack roll on OAs, OAs stop enemy movement
[/sblock]

As the cannibal turns, Hú Lí looks him straight in the face, and bares her sharp, vulpine teeth in a way that only the cannibal can see. As she steps back, she appears perfectly normal, yet the foe is doubtful enough that when she gives another sharp tap on her drum, he stumbles backwards, right on to Noriaki's waiting sword.[sblock=Actions]Minor: Fox Spirit Trick vs. Cannibal 4 Bluff Check vs. Cannibal 4 Passive Insight: 17(1d20) +12 = 29
Move: Shift to K14
Standard: Staggering Note (Will) vs. Cannibal 4: 6(1d20) +6 +2 = 14 4 damage, and Cannibal 4 is pushed to K10 and Noriaki makes a basic attack against it.
Noriaki MBA vs. Cannibal 4: 14(1d20) +8 = 22; 6(1d12) +5 = 11[/sblock][sblock=Hú Lí]The Black Fox Fox Spirit (Changeling) Bard 2
Initiative: +2, Passive Perception: 17, Passive Insight: 19
AC:18, Fort:12, Reflex:16, Will:17
+3 vs. AC, 1d6-1 damage

HP:29/29, Bloodied:14, Surge Value:7, Surges left:6/8
Action Points: 0, Second Wind: unused
Powers: Fox Spirit Disguise, Wild Shape, Staggering Note, Vicious Mockery
Blunder, Fox Spirit Trick, Grasping Claws, Majestic Word x2, Words of Friendship, Vistani Tambourine
Stirring Shout, Canon of Avoidance

Virtue of Cunning: Once per round, when an enemy misses an ally within 9 squares of the Black Fox, the Fox may slide the ally 1 square as a free action.

Conditions:
none
[/sblock]

As the cannibal stumbles back at the beat of Hú Lí's drum into Noriaki's flashing blade, kane brings the sphere of fire up behind him to finish him.

He turns his attention on the foe harrying Castile. Though the man looks nearly finished he decides that a dead foe is better than a badly wounded one. With the strike of his sword through the air Kane attempts to cut into the man's mind but he is unable to pierce through the thick greasy layers of madness that surround his core.

Cursing without even the slightest hint of a stutter he turns to face the cannibal nearest to him.

[sblock=Actions] Move: Move sphere to L9: Cannibal 4 will take minimum 6fire dmg at the start of his turn which I think should finish him off
Standard: Phantasmal Assault ...
oops I enter again while the computer was thinking and it rolled twice. Seeing the damge came out underneath then the first roll must be the valid one ... which means a miss. Not Kane's day today ... Lucky its everyone else's!

Prepared: Aegis of Shielding if cannibal I have marked ignores me again
[/sblock]

As the cannibal slides to the ground, his life receding, Noriaki flicks the blood from his blade. "Perhaps later, minstrel, you might sing a tale of my valor." he says with a wink, sheathing his sword again.