Insight's "The Shadow of Set" - IC Thread

[Redclaw]

[sblock=group2]
We should take news of their loss to those in the temple. Asad says, pointing to the Temple of the Eternal Sun.
Even as he says this, he looks at the dead and dying, and ponders the wandering priest's words. Knowledge (religion) check at +3 to see if he knows of similar punishment from the gods, or who might be likely to believe in such a thing, for a 7 . Oh well, it seemed like a good idea.[/sblock]

 

[Insight]

[sblock=Group 1]

Droban smirks at T'shara's comment about being the smartest. The dwarf reaches out a calloused hand, and grabs the outstretched purse. "You needn't fret about the purse's arrival at its destination, and not a coin shall be missed. The task is easy enough. Consider it done!" Still, the dwarven warrior clutches Marakul's haft just a little tighter.

T'shara hands Droban the leather purse. "Go then, and be wary."

"Tis a fool's errand," the blind beggar former priest remarks.

"Shush you," T'shara barks at the beggar.

"Let the man speak," Droban growls at T'shara. Before setting out across the crowded marketplace, he turns his full attention toward the beggar and asks respectfully, "Why do you say so, priest?"

The beggar smiles. "Arden's blessing upon you, dwarffriend," he replies. "No disrespect meant, and I am certain you could physically complete the task, but..."

T'Shara grimaces, glaring at the former priest. "Not one more word, beggar, son of a dog!"

Ignoring the merchant's exhortation, the beggar continues, "Keep your hand on that purse... and your dagger closer. This bazaar is a place of many grabbing hands, grabbing all they can. Any loose coinpurse will be swallowed whole."

Avardis flashes a lopsided grin and says, "I suppose we are the fools, then." He holds his hand out for a moment, as if bidding some unseen person to stop and mutters a few words. A rosy glow surrounds him briefly, then fades. "Let's be off, my friends."

Isphet, silent this entire time, fumes as the trio walks away from T'Shara's cart. "Words of a blind man, I wouldn't take heed. What can he possibly know?"

The group takes one more step and three men, drawing shortswords, shout and charge for T'Shara's cart!

"Die, heretic!" they shout.
[/sblock]

[sblock=Group 2]
Once the caravan arrives at the marketplace, the merchants take their leave of you. Shub'Nagal wishes you well and makes his way towards the Temple of the Eternal Sun.

G'Sharn grimaces, disgust plain upon his face. "Still stinks," he mutters, glaring about the bazaar with his hand hovering near the hilt of his scimitar. "What now? It's a lot easier when there's tracks to follow."

He's clearly uncomfortable surrounded by so many people....

"We should take news of their loss to those in the temple," Asad says, pointing to the Temple of the Eternal Sun.
Even as he says this, he looks at the dead and dying, and ponders the wandering priest's words.

The group starts toward the Temple, and, across the bazaar, three men, drawing shortswords, shout and charge for a merchant's cart!

"Die, heretic!" they shout.[/sblock]

 

[Insight]

CHAPTER ONE: LOOSE ENDS
The Mad Prophet al-Sutah began this sequence of events in motion, centuries before Majoor blotted the lip of the Cerulean Sea. Sealing a scorpitaurean pact so long ago, al-Sutah became a GOD among the mad men who called the Blasted Desert home. The Mad Prophet crushed his competitors, one by one, until only the Cult of the Frog spit at him from the wet south. Unable to marshal his forces into that marsh, al-Sutah was satisfied to rule the desert with impunity for many centuries.

The Lord of the Desert slowly gains in power, both physical and spiritual, as his minions spread across the Blasted Desert in search of unknowable knowledges, untenable treasures, and inescapable destinies.

The heroes gathered in the Majoor marketplace, events are even now set in motion that brings the story to its inexorable beginnings...

***

All right folks, the adventure officially begins!

We're starting off with a combat (if you wish to participate...)

INITIATIVE TRACK
Avardis: init (1d20+2=21)
Dirk: init (1d20+3=19)
G'Sharn: init (1d20+6=18)
THUGS: init (1d20=16)
Asad: init (1d20+6=15)
Isphet: init (1d20+3=12)
Droban: init (1d20+1=11)

THE SITUATION
The Thugs are 30ft west from the merchant T'Shara's cart. Group 1 is 60ft south from the cart. Group 2 is across the marketplace, about 150ft south from the cart.

The Thugs took a surprise round to draw their weapons and approach from the west (to their current location as above). The initiative order continues now as above.

T'Shara doesn't appear to have any bodyguards. The only other person nearby is the blind beggar.

COMBAT
Here's how we're going to handle things. I'm going to make all of the rolls, but I'll link them from Invisible Castle so you can see them. Please let me know asap if I've missed anything (bonuses, etc) that would affect your character's rolls.

That said, what I need from each of you is a general description, diaglogue, etc, and then, inside an sblock, please include any pertinent stats, bonuses, actions taken, etc.

I'll compile all of the stated actions into a combat post. If you have any questions regarding rulings or anything ooc, please use the ooc thread.

 

[Redclaw]

Asad--Monk 1, HP: 9, AC: 16, F+3 R+4 W+4

Asad's attention is stolen away from the dead and dying people around him by the shouting from across the square. Although he isn't sure what is happening, he is grateful for a chance to act after days of fruitless travel and unanswered questions.
Without pause or even a thought regarding his two new companions, Asad heads toward the disturbance at full speed.
[sblock=ooc] Full run to close to about 30' south of the cart, denied dex bonus to AC, so AC 10.

By the way, what happened to G'Sharn in the initiative count? [/sblock]

 

[Insight]

[sblock=ooc] Full run to close to about 30' south of the cart, denied dex bonus to AC, so AC 10.

By the way, what happened to G'Sharn in the initiative count? [/sblock]

[sblock]Hmmm... good question. Lemme fix that

EDIT: Well, SOMEONE still hasn't posted their character in the RG!

That someone doesn't get to act til their character is posted.[/sblock]

 

[Rolzup]

[sblock]Hmmm... good question. Lemme fix that

EDIT: Well, SOMEONE still hasn't posted their character in the RG!

That someone doesn't get to act til their character is posted.[/sblock]

[Sblock=OOC]
Guilty! But now taken care of.
[/sblock]

 

[Rolzup]

"At last!" G'sharn snarls, his eyes lighting up. He whispers a series of words as he breaks into a jog, his teeth lengthening slightly as he spits out the last syllable. He quickens his stride, suddenly leaping forward and changing in mid-air into his sandcat form....

[sblock=OOC]
Cast Magic Fang, shapechange as a swift action, move 50' towards the stand. I've been assuming, by the way, that his Druidic Avenger movement bonus doesn't apply in beast form...if it does, I'll be happy to be wrong, though.[/sblock]

 

[Necro_Kinder]

Dirk Redhand; HP: 10 / 10

Dirk watches as the three men draw their swords and descend on the merchant's wagon. He notches an arrow, whispering a prayer to Arden. He aims towards the nearest assailant and lets fly with his arrow.

[sblock=ooc]
Dirk fires at the nearest target, assuming he can get a clear shot. If he can't, he'll just move forward to about 100' from them. Attack + 2 (+4 normally, -2 long range), 1d8 damage.[/sblock]

 

[Ilium]

Avardis dashes back toward the cart, dodging through the crowd as best he can. "Come along, my friends," he shouts back over his shoulder. "It seems T'Shara has irritated someone besides us!"

As he reaches the stall and skids to a halt between T'Shara and the newcomers, he holds up a hand and says, "Gentlemen, I'm sure there's a misunderstanding! Let's all stay calm!"

[SBLOCK]Full move back toward the cart, which should just get me there in time to interpose myself. Actually, it occurs to me that the beggar might be the "heretic" in question, so make sure Avardis is between the thugs and the beggar, if at all possible. Given that I have a +0 BAB, I can't draw my sword at the same time, so I'll show up unarmed. I did declare casting Shield in my pre-combat post, though, so I've got a 19 AC.[/SBLOCK]

 

[YeOldeAlbatross]

Droban Ironthane

Droban whirls around at this new disturbance, only to see Avardis go racing off back towards T'shara's cart. With a heavy sigh, he pumps his short legs as fast as he can, trying to futilely to keep up with his taller companion. Seeing the fanatical gleam in these assailants' eyes, Droban huffs, "Avardis, I think the time for staying calm has passed!" With waraxe and shield in hand, Droban steels himself for the violence which he fears is inevitable.

[sblock=Combat Action]Droban takes a full move of 40' to head back towards T'shara's wagon. As he does, he draws his waraxe.
HP: 13/13, AC: 18 [/sblock]