(CSRHoD) Creamsteak's Red Hand of Doom [IC]

[Arkhandus]

"Err, I don't think a wall of fire would spook those dogs. Aren't they the fire-breathing kind? They certainly looked kind of fiendish last time we fought some with the hobgoblins." Warren mentions.

"Also, I think you should use that flight spell on me, and I'll go take out the archers in the towers. Unless Siobhan or Avril want to handle that. I don't think I'm quite good enough yet at climbing to get up those towers by hand." he adds.

 

[Redclaw]

Larian smiles, although there seems to be the smallest bit of annoyance in it.Well, my short friend. There seems to be one fire hound on this side, and one on the other side, and a whole encampment of hobgoblins and who knows what else. We may have to deal with the second hound, but the wall might dissuade some of the others from joining the dance.
As for the flight spell, I'm fine with using it on you, but it certainly makes you the most likely one to confront the dragon, does it not? Besides, how do I know you won't use it to leave the minute things look grim for us?

[sblock=Arkhandus] I hope you know that the annoyance is entirely Larian's. I'm having fun with Warren's attitude, but I can see the haughty elf running out of patience. [/sblock]

 

[Dalamar]

"Climbing one of the towers could prove useful for using the bow later," Siobhan ponders. "It would, however, lessen the chance of everyone benefitting from some of the prayers I am going to use."

[sblock=OoC]Judging by the picture, there's stairs leading up to the towers[/sblock]

 

[Arkhandus]

"That's fine, if I have to keep the dragon occupied for a bit in the air, I will. As long as everyone else is shooting the thing to pieces while I do so. Flight is the fastest and sneakiest way to reach the towers and dispatch the archers." the halfling replies.

"But I'd suggest that if you're going to put up an illusory wall, you make it look like a tall, iron wall. That might fool the hound or any other reinforcements without giving them the idea to just risk running through it." The halfling doesn't hesitate to school the wizard on better wizardry, even though he knows practically nothing on the subject.

"Oh, and if you really thought I'd just run away before the fight even started, then why wouldn't I just take off now? It's not likely that any of you could stop me or catch me if you tried." he boasts.

[sblock=Redclaw]Indeed! [/sblock]

 

[Redclaw]

Larian chuckles, a little condescension in his reply.Actually, Warren, I'm worried about the hound seeing through the illusion, and a wall of fire is a perfect solution, as the hobgoblins won't think twice about a hellhound charging through a real one. If that same hound saunters through a wall of iron, however, the illusion proves useless.

Now, your other point is valid, and I'll make you invisible and flying. That should get you a free shot at the first guard, and then a chance to fly over at the second while Siobhan and Avril deal with the hounds. Tyrla and I will strike the dragon immediately, and then I'll create the wall. Hopefully that will buy us some time to finish off those on this side.

Larian waits until everyone is at the edge of the treeline, in position to burst out and attack the enemy, then he draws them close so that all are in range of his spells and begins to work his magic, after a final word of warning to Warren, Now hold still, energetic one. I'm going to make you invisible first, and I don't want you sneaking off before I finish my casting. The laste will be my spell of swiftness. You can begin as soon as that's done.

[sblock=ooc] When we are in position to strike, but still hidden from view, Larian will cast Energy Resistance, Mass (acid), invisibility, bull's strength, fly, haste (extended) and then a fireball aimed at the dragon (8d6 damage, Ref save DC 17 for half).
If anyone wants to adjust that plan, I'm fine with it. I just knew CS wanted to get this started, and I'm off to work soon and won't be able to write more for 12 hours or so.[/sblock]

[sblock=spells]Spells Prepared
0-Ray of Frost, Ray of Frost, Detect Magic, Daze
1-Feather Fall, Feather Fall, Magic Missile, True Strike, Feather Fall (Trans)
2-Scorching Ray, Scorching Ray,
3-Displacement,

Spells in Effect
Mage Armor--10 Hours
Energy Resistance, Mass (Acid) on the entire party--60 minutes
Invisibility on Warren--6 minutes
Bull's Strength on Warren (or whoever else wants it)--6 minutes
Fly on Warren--6 minutes
Haste (extended) on the entire party--12 rounds (11 after the fireball)

Rod of Extend--1 uses left
Pearl of Power--available [/sblock]

 

[Arkhandus]

Warren the halfling, HP 39/39, AC 23, Assassin's Stance active

"Right, I got it..... I'll go take out the guard in the closest, left-side tower once you're all set, then dispatch the other nearby guard. I'll move on the rear guards if it doesn't look like you all need my immediate help with the dragon. The hounds and the dragon I'll leave mostly to you tall folk, but I'll pitch in when I must." Warren says.

[sblock=ooc]As noted in the Rogues Gallery thread now....

Active Stance: Assassin's Stance.
Readied Maneuvers: Burning Blade, Cloak of Deception, Death Mark, Flashing Sun, Shadow Blade Technique.[/sblock]

 

[Creamsteak]

The group hits the edge of the forest, then casts their wards (I assume) before getting any closer. They then close the gap, getting as close to the tower as possible before they are spotted by one of the sentries. During the "surprise round" the sentry fires a single arrow north-east.

[sblock=Pender]You are currently in the middle of a fist-fight with one of the lesser grunts. You've already taken down one of the others today, and he's in the tent to the north-west resting. You've curerrently taken 20 points of non-lethal damage from the fighting, but you've dished out more than that between your two opponents.

Suddenly, an arrow comes crashing down not 10 feet from the Hobgoblin Lieutenant. He immediately takes note, and starts barking orders to the other hobgoblins, though the one you're currently fighting seems to be more than willing to ignore his orders and continue his brawl with you.[/sblock]

Initiatives
Pender 25
Warren 22
Larian 15
Tyrla 14
Hobgoblin Warriors 13
Lieutenant 12
Avril 11
Dragon 9
Siobhan 4

The regular group can start anywhere within the red dashed outline in the south west, or if you would have stayed even farther back (off-map) you can state so (pick an increment of 10 ft. "away", such as "100 ft. south-west").

Pender, you are in the dashed circle outline in the north-east. The circle represents the "imaginary ring." You are currently unarmed and unarmored (the hobgoblin lieutenant has that gear), and in the middle of a fist fight with one of the hobgoblin grunts (he's also within the outline).

 

[Dalamar]

Siobhan had been hoping for a moment's respite before they are spotted. As the hobgoblin shoots an arrow, she reads scroll she had been keeping ready and then readies her warhammer, holding it in both hands.

Allies who are currently within 50ft of Siobhan gain a +1 morale bonus to attacks and on saves against fear.

[sblock=OoC]Cast Bless, and Shield of Faith on Siobhan (both last 6 min) and Protection from Energy (acid) (82 points, 60 min). Since she will be wielding the bow later, she's not wielding her shield and will wield the warhammer in two hands.

Divine Power lasts for 7 rounds.

AC 21, Touch 14, Flat-footed 19
(+6 Armor, +1 Dex, +1 Dodge, +3 Deflection)
Protection from Acid 82 points
Ref +5
----
Speed 40ft (reduced from 60ft)
Melee Warhammer +16/+16/+11 (1d8+10/x3), or
Ranged Composite longbow +9/+9/+4 (1d8+5/x3, 110ft)
Base Atk +6; Grapple +12
----
Str 16/22 (+3/+6)[/sblock][sblock=Spell prepared] CL 6, +1 for Conjuration (Healing) spells
3rd - Cure Serious Wounds (CL 7), Prayer
2nd - Cure Moderate Wounds (CL 7), Lesser Restoration (CL 7), Resist Energy, Spiritual Weapon
1st - Cure Light Wounds (CL 7), Divine Favor
0th - Create Water, Cure Minor Wounds (2) (CL 7), Guidance, Light
Domain Spells 3rd - Keen Edge, Magic Vestment; 2nd - Bull's Strength, Heat Metal; 1st - Enlarge Person, Magic Weapon[/sblock]

 

[Pinotage]

Avril - Human Druid - AC 20 - hp 42/42 - Spot +12 - Listen +12

A battle with a group of hell hounds and hobgoblins was one thing, nerve wracking in its own way, but add a great green dragon to that, and things became much, much more dangerous. She was quietly thankful for the little additional protection she had from her armor against the dragon's breath.

She prepared as best she could, and before heading closer to the battle, she quickly cast two spells that would aid her in the coming battle. The rest she would hold for later, when the time came. If the time came. Heart pounding, she moved closer with the others, hoping to get some sort of drop on the creatures before they were spotted.

[SBLOCK=OOC]
OOC: This takes Avril up to the approach. Will post her action once I get clarification on a few things. Avril will cast Barkskin and Produce flame (Extended, using her rod) on herself before heading closer.

Spells and Abilities Active:

Barkskin (Avril, +3 Natural Armor, 1 hour)
Extended Produce Flame (Avril, 1d6+5, 120 ft., 12 minutes)

Spells Cast and Abilities/Items Used:

Barkskin
Produce Flame (Extended)
Metamagic Rod of Lesser Extend (1 Used)

Spells Prepared:

Spells Prepared (Normal 5/3/3/2, Wis 0/1/1/1):

Level 0 (5): Cure Minor Wounds (2), Detect Magic (2), Guidance
Level 1 (4): Cure Light Wounds, Enrage Animal, Produce Flame
Level 2 (4): Bull's Strength, Bear's Endurance, Flaming Sphere
Level 3 (3): Call Lightning, Cure Moderate Wounds, Sleet Storm
[/SBLOCK]

 

[Arkhandus]

Warren the halfling, HP 39/39, AC 24, Assassin's Stance

Warren, invisible and girded with spells from his allies, flies around and up to the nearest tower-watchman as quickly as he can.

(start in space D-31, flying at a double-move towards space I-28 in the room with the sentry. Note that the Haste increases his base flight speed by +30 feet, so speed is 90 feet. First he flies around to space I-35, using up 25 feet of movement, then goes vertical 75 feet. Stopping once he gets to the level of the guard, at which point he'll use any remaining movement to move in towards I-28 (after 75 feet, if it's that high, he'd still have 5 feet of horizontal movement left, and I dunno how tall the tower is). Buffed presently with Fly, Haste, Invisibility, and Bless.)

(Larian, who was the Bull's Strength cast upon?)