All that glitters...

[Someone]

Mirdor wears the breastplate (and feels much more macho) just before leaving the small village. Not only Calder, but almost all the hamlet wish you luck (everybody is worried about the two commoners that should be here already)

[assuming you just leave the village]

Vania is a silent guy, (apparently only speak on monosyllables) and gides you thorugh a difficult path that makes you fight against tangled bushes and climb unexpected ledges and streams.

"Is this the shortest path?"

"Yes"

"Maybe another way could be longer, but faster in the long run..."

"No."

But he´s the guide after all. However, when the sun is high and shining thorugh the canopy of leaves, you hear a scream and the noise of clash of arms that come from the left.

 

[CyberVenom]

The scream hits loud and hard as the team makes it's way through the path.

But as much as he'd like to continue the quest, Thokk is thrown into a battle fury, ignoring his groups actions, running to meet whatever adversaries he might come upon, and taking his mighty axe in hand!

 

[shaff]

Percy draws his sword and shield and runs towards the combat/scream.

 

[Someone]

You fllow the scream weapon in hand (if you don´t want to do that just post that and I´ll remove you from the fight) and arrive at a rather large clearing. You see a group of three gnolls trying to surround a female elf, who´s wielding a bow. A second elf (E1) lies on the floor, obviously wounded. When you arrive, the gnolls turn to you and one of them, the one wearing a chainmail (G1, the others wear scale mail) growls some orders and they prepare for battle.

[Gnolls are foul and cannibalistic beastmen with hyena heads, and are dangerous opponents.

Since the battle already started and you were aware of it, you act first. Please post your actions as much detailed as you can; I´ll help you translate them into game terms. And think twice on what you´re going to do - teamwork is important!

Dont be afraid of asking if you have doubts on how something works or how I ruled.]

 

[CyberVenom]

Generally speaking, usually the guy with the best looking armor is usually the toughest, so being a creature of strength (and easily distracted by the shiny plates on the enemy), Thokk charges the "lead" gnoll, swinging his axe toward the creatures head.

"Vermin be gone!" he yelled, trying to kill the creature and cause some sort of opening to the wounded and scared.

 

[jacquesdespiques]

OOC: I'm casting Bane on the gnolls.

Mirdor grabs the holy symbol that hangs around his neck and begins to chant. Spell energy is being released upon the gnolls, but St. Cuthbert determines if Mirdor is in his favor and if the spell succeeds.

 

[Cule]

Seba hides behind a tree and takes shots at the Gnolls with his crossbow.

OOC: He'll first find cover (a tree or something concealing) and then fire at the nearest Gnoll (from the diagram it looks like G1) or the easiest target.

 

[shaff]

Percy runs towards 1 of the gnolls (G2) sword and shield in hand, attempting slay the beast, or at least wound it.

 

[Apotheosis]

Soma teams up with Percy and attacks gnoll G2.

 

[Someone]

Round 1:

Mirdor advances and calls Cuthbert to fill the gnolls hearts with fear while Thokk jumps towards the nearest gnoll, axe in hand, but the gnoll just ducks unders the wild swing.

A bolt sails the air from Seba´s crossbow and sinks on one gnoll´s shoulder

Percivillus and Soma team up with Thokk. The bard´s sword just bounce on the gnoll´s armor, but distracts it enough so he doesn´t notice Soma´s attack! With a mighty leap, the monk jumps and hits it hard on the mouth, making the beast spit blood. The hyena-headed humanoid swings back with it´s axe, but Soma blocks it´s arm and struggles with the beastmean until it starts retreating. However, the two remaining gnolls move in and attack Percivillus and Thokk. The half orc blocks the strike with his axe, but the bard is not so lucky: the gnoll´s axe hits him hard on the side.

The female elf tends the wounded elf´s injuries.

[Mirdor-Notice that Bane has a range of 50 feet. If you want to reach G3, you had to move your maximum movement- 20 feet. Since you must have a hand free to cast splls with somatic components, we´ll assume that you have your shield on, but not your mace. This is important, since you must spend a move action to draw your weapon.
The bane spell was sucessful- two of them were affected.

Thokk couldn´t charge G1: there was a rok in his path. However, he could just move and attack.

Seba moved 5 feet, ending behind the tree´s trunk, loads the crossbow, and shoots.

Soma can charge G2, but doing so would have earned him an attack of opportunity from G1, so instead he charges G1, scoring a critical hit!

Percivillus can´t charge G2 for the same reason Thokk couldn´t (I swear I placed the rocks randomly J ) but instead can move and attack G1.

If you prefer me not to correct your actions in this way and instead asks for new instructions, tell me. If you can´t do something, I always try to make your character do the most similar thing instead.

Don´t forget your special abilities: rage, stunning fist, and bardic music. And notice that you have now plenty of opportunities to flank you opponents if you make 5 foot steps or use your Tumble skill; though remember that Tumble is risky.

Status: Percivillus 1 / 7 HP, others at full strenght]

 

[CyberVenom]

The battle getting the best of him (and the blatent attack of his teammate Percy), Thokk unleashes a rage on the armored gnoll!

Incumbering in his battle rage only allows the Half-Orc to let out a scream as he pulls his axe overhead with both hands like a steel worker making a sword.

OOC: Thokk uses his rage to attack the gnoll with the armor on.

 

[CyberVenom]

OOC Question: This is just so I know. Since there's a rock there, can a character pick it up and throw it as a weapon?

 

[Someone]

OOC Question: This is just so I know. Since there's a rock there, can a character pick it up and throw it as a weapon?

[It´s a BIG rock, enough to impede movement and give cover! However, don´t give up lateral thinking. That would have been great, say, defending slope or wall.]

However, Thokk doesn´t need any rock having his trusty axe. He steps towards the gnoll with a roar and the axe splits the gnoll´s head in two: brain and bone bits fly everywhere!

[Great damage roll, and the poor gnoll had only 1 hp. Thokk is now north of Soma and just right of G3]

 

[shaff]

OOC: there is a problem with me using bardic music.... this was my first bard, and only after I posted my character I completely read the bardic music charts, so I did not put 4 ranks in perform like I was supposed to, but I did not ask to change it because i figured it was my mistake and I had to live with it. But if you will allow it, I will change it.

IC:
Percy again uses his trusty longsword to smash at the opposing gnoll (g2).

 

[Cule]

OOC: If Seba can make it around and get in a sneak attack he will. I assume the Gnolls would be preoccupied with melee conflict going on right now. If this isn't possible then he will get into a better position and continue to fire his crossbow.

 

[Someone]

Shaff, you can change your skill points (I asked you to change them anyway, since bards in 3.5 have more skills points, and you didn´t, or I missed it) To use bardic music in 3.5 you only need 3 ranks in Perform.

Anyway, the gnoll blocks your blows with the shield and prepare to counterattack. Remember that you can now move 5 feet without provoking an attack of opportunity.

OOC: If Seba can make it around and get in a sneak attack he will. I assume the Gnolls would be preoccupied with melee conflict going on right now. If this isn't possible then he will get into a better position and continue to fire his crossbow.

Seba can move just next to Mirdor and draw a melee weapon; he´ll be ready to move to flank G2. Remember that you can make sneak attacks if you catch your opponents unaware, but also if you manage to flank them. Confirm if that´s what you want to do.

 

[shaff]

OOC: I added more skill points, you must have just missed it. And I realize I COULD move... but I better stay put.... I'll go switch my skill points around though.

 

[jacquesdespiques]

After finishing the spell the cleric openly thanks St. Cuthbert and draws a menacing looking mace with 10 flanges and the symbol of St. Cuthbert scrawled into the wooden handle on one side and "JUSTICE" [St. Cuthbert is the god of retribution] on the other. He then moves to be between Percy and the gnoll that was attacking him.

"Your judgment has come foul beings!" can be heard as Mirdor advances.

[This movement is to be done in appropriate turn order. Unless I can draw the mace as I advance.]

 

[Cule]

Seba will do that flank in which you just suggested then.

 

[Someone]

[This movement is to be done in appropriate turn order. Unless I can draw the mace as I advance.]

In a round, you have a move equivalent action (move, pick up things, open doors, etc) and a standard action (attack once, cast an spell... or you can do another move acion with hat standard action) Drawing a weapon is a move action; however, you can combine that with a normal move if your base attack bonus is at least +1. That means that at first level only Fighters, Barbarians, Paladins and Rangers can do that.

So, at second level you´ll be able to move towards the gnoll while drawing your mace, and then strike.

However notice that you have more options. You could, for example, cast a Inflict Light Wounds spell on the gnoll, or heal Percivillus. The next round you can then move 5 feet (you can always move at least 5 feet, no matter what you do) draw your mace and start bashing.

Cule: I´ll explain you (all) how flanking works with a diagram so you can decide how you want to do it.