[LPF] Lost Imperium

[Systole]

Mirra steps forward, worried that further attempts at negotiation will lead to the hag immediately carrying through with her threat of violence. "I am always ready for a test of wits, mother."

[sblock=OOC]What is the dwarf? K:Nature (1d20+13=22)[/sblock][sblock=Mini Stats]Mirra Weathersmith

AC: 18+2 (13+2 flat-footed, 15 touch)
HP: 28/28
CMB: +4 CMD: 17
Fort: +4 Reflex: +7 Will: +2

Perception: +7
Initiative: +3

Bombs: 10/10
Cognatogen Prepared: Intelligence
1st Level: 1/4
2nd Level: 0/2
Extracts Prepared: Barkskin x2, Enlarge Person, Shield x2

Current Weapon in Hand: Bomb (+6, x2, 2d6+4), Longspear (+4, x2, 1d8, Silver/Reach)
Current Conditions in Effect: None

Used Items:
Alchemist's ice
[/sblock]

 

[GlassEye]

”Do they explain nothing these days?” snaps the hag. ”You bear the axe, yes? Then you undergo tests and trials in Lesovik’s forest until you rescue the innocent. Or the wolves get to her first.”

The vila hanging on Samad’s arm brightens. ”Oh! Then I want a trial by dance!”

The hag rolls her eyes at the flighty vila and seems somewhat placated by Samad’s comments when Mirra puts herself forward for a test of wits. ”Wits? Not your strong suit, I’d wager.” She shrugs. ”Your choice.”

The hag draws forth a round, lacquered game-board of black wood with yellow wood inlaid in a diamond pattern that reminds one of a coiled snake. She sets it on a small table the vila have by their tent and places twenty-four oddly carved pieces on it; twelve of yellow wood in front of Mirra, twelve black pieces in front of herself. Lastly, she places a pair of bone dice on the table.

”Gul Bara is the game. You go first.”

[sblock=OOC][sblock=Perception DC 25]As the game progresses there are very subtle shifts in the game in the hag’s favor. A die will totter on a poor roll then suddenly tumble over into one much more favorable for her. Pieces shift slightly to her benefit. The hag seems to be cheating.[/sblock]
Test of Wits: Gul Bara is a form of backgammon. Remove all of your pieces before your opponent does and you win. To simulate the play and strategy of the game we’ll use contested INT checks. Each two points over your opponents roll results in the removal of a piece. I’d like to resolve the contest in just a few posts so I’ve attached a number of INT rolls for the hag below. Feel free to compare your rolls to these to compose your post and progress the 'game'.
[sblock=Gul Bara rolls] Gul Bara rolls (1d20+4=5, 1d20+4=13, 1d20+4=24, 1d20+4=19, 1d20+4=10, 1d20+4=19, 1d20+4=6, 1d20+4=10, 1d20+4=14, 1d20+4=13, 1d20+4=21, 1d20+4=6)[/sblock]
[sblock=Knowledge: Wood-man] the locals call this creature a Leshy though it isn’t what a natural philosopher like Mirra would call it. She might call it a woodwose or wood wight. The creature is a protector of the forest and has great control over plants. If the stories that Mirra is familiar with hold true the creature has the ability to change its size at its whim. (FYI, this is a 3pp leshy, not the PF bestiary version.)[/sblock][/sblock]

 

[Systole]

Mirra takes a drink from a flask, apparently to calm her nerves, then sits down in front of the board. "Perhaps this is so, mother. But I've often found the competition underestimates my skill at gaming. Or perhaps overestimates their own. Gul Bara, you say? I've never played this exact variant before, but I'm familiar with the theory of the game ..."

With her first few moves, Mirra removes half the hag's tokens from the board, and with her next few moves, half of the remainder. The hag manages to limp along for another a few throws, but the outcome is never in doubt, and the game is decisively over within a few minutes.

[sblock=OOC]Using cognatogen to bump Int to 22/+6. I'm assuming this is a 15 piece game, given normal backgammon. In which case, 9 taken on first roll, 5 on second roll, then hag takes a piece, then game over. Even with cheating, 5th and 6th rolls should make it a rout (I think).

EDIT: Just read the 12 bit. Sorry, bit tired from weekend still. Does that make it a flawless victory?

Gul Bara (1d20+6=23, 1d20+6=23, 1d20+6=21, 1d20+6=26, 1d20+6=21, 1d20+6=26, 1d20+6=16, 1d20+6=10, 1d20+6=14, 1d20+6=11, 1d20+6=21, 1d20+6=7)[/sblock][sblock=Mini Stats]
Mirra Weathersmith

AC: 18+2 (13+2 flat-footed, 15 touch)
HP: 28/28
CMB: +4 CMD: 17
Fort: +4 Reflex: +7 Will: +2

Perception: +7
Initiative: +3

Bombs: 10/10
Cognatogen Prepared: None
1st Level: 1/4
2nd Level: 0/2
Extracts Prepared: Barkskin x2, Enlarge Person, Shield x2

Current Weapon in Hand: Bomb (+6, x2, 2d6+4), Longspear (+4, x2, 1d8, Silver/Reach)
Current Conditions in Effect: Cognatogen (+4 Int, -2 Str, +2 Natural AC)

Used Items:
Alchemist's ice
[/sblock]

 

[perrinmiller]

Pirvinia von Lichenstein, Human Female

Pirvinia watched the game progress with some passing interest and smirked as Mirra soundly beat the hag so fast it was nearly contemptible.

She remarked, "Well done, Mirra. Let us hope she does not demand best of three after that arse kicking."

[sblock=Mini-stats]Privinia von Lichenstein
Initiative: +8, Perception: +6 (8 with Mazi)
AC: 13 (17 w/ Mage Armor) (Touch 13, Flat-footed 11)-> 17 with Mage Armor
HP: 32 Current: 32
CMD: 12, Fort: +3, Ref: +3, Will: +5 (Add +1 to Saves with Resistance)
Conditions in Effect: Eschew Materials, PBS, Precise Shot, Ring of Sustenance, Mage Armor

Weapon in Hand: Acid Flask
Spells Remaining: 1st Level: 6/8, 2nd Level: 5/5

Mazi
Initiative: +2 Senses: low-light vision; Perception: +13
AC: 19 (Touch 16, flat-footed 17) -> 23 with Mage Armor
HP: 16 Current: 16
Fort: +0, Ref: +4, Will: +6
Conditions in effect: Improved Evasion, Empathic Link, Mage Armor
Weapon in Hand: Bite [Att: +8, dmg: 1d2-5(1 non-lethal)]

Combat Trained Light Horse
Initiative: +2 Senses: low-light vision, Scent; Perception: +6
AC: 13 (Touch 9, flat-footed 13)
HP: 15 Current: 15
Fort: +6, Ref: +5, Will: +1
Conditions in effect: War-trained, 50ft movement
Weapon in Hand: 2 Hooves [Att: +3, dmg: 1d4+3][/sblock]

 

[GlassEye]

The hag grinds her teeth in frustration as the game starts and its a wonder she doesn't snap them off so loud is the noise. Mirra finds the hag's strategies laughably unsophisticated and soundly beats her before the hag manages to remove even a single playing piece. The old woman gapes at the board populated solely with black pieces. With an inarticulate cry she knocks her pieces from the board and throws the board into the brambles at the edge of the clearing. She stares at Mirra with eyes that flash with blue lightning and suddenly transforms into a tall, swirling black whirlwind. The whirlwind shoots up through the clearing, thrashes branches of the trees and sends a rain of torn leaves down upon the group before disappearing.

The vila stare with wide-eyed terror. The younger releases Samad's arm and both unsubtly shift away from Mirra and the others.

 

[Systole]

Mirra sighs and stands up. The whirlwind was new, but the alchemist had long grown accustomed to the sour anger of her vanquished opponents. "Again? Sometimes I really don't understand people. Or fey. Besides, there's a reason the Gul Bara variant isn't played that often in the north. It's because on the whole, Gul Bara is not that different from naughts and crosses. The player who makes the first move can't lose as long as she adheres to a few basic mathematical principles. Honestly, if there was a test of wits, it was over as soon as the mother said, 'You go first.' Oh, am I rambling again? I apologize."

She turns to the vila and the leshy. "Is there still to be a test of strength and skill? If so, I believe dancing was agreed upon as the skill. We should get those over with and move on. Oh, blast! Excuse me. I shouldn't have presumed you'll lose. It's so hard remembering to be considerate in this state. But the mother was correct in noting that wits is not our strongest suit. Therefore, I anticipate ... ah, there I go again, being inconsiderate. If there are to be further tests, Tsaaruck accepts the test of strength and Samad accepts the test of dancing. Unless you choose to forfeit, of course. We would quite appreciate a forfeit actually, as we would like to proceed with haste."

[sblock=OOC]Mirra has gone into Benedict Cumberbatch/Sherlock mode after taking the cognatogen.[/sblock][sblock=Mini Stats]
Mirra Weathersmith

AC: 18+2 (13+2 flat-footed, 15 touch)
HP: 28/28
CMB: +4 CMD: 17
Fort: +4 Reflex: +7 Will: +2

Perception: +7
Initiative: +3

Bombs: 10/10
Cognatogen Prepared: None
1st Level: 1/4
2nd Level: 0/2
Extracts Prepared: Barkskin x2, Enlarge Person, Shield x2

Current Weapon in Hand: Bomb (+6, x2, 2d6+4), Longspear (+4, x2, 1d8, Silver/Reach)
Current Conditions in Effect: Cognatogen (+4 Int, -2 Str, +2 Natural AC)

Used Items:
Alchemist's ice
[/sblock]

 

[perrinmiller]

Pirvinia von Lichenstein, Human Female

Pirvinia continued to 'stand there and look pretty' as the hag displayed some sportsmanship that would be more appropriate of a child.

She said, "She did say we should know the rules of the contest. We won so I presume we can move along. There was no mention we had to do all three tests when I asked. Let us go and carry on with our quest."

The sorceress was not so trusting that it was going to be easy and she was prepared to start flinging spells at the first sign of hostility.

[sblock=Mini-stats]Privinia von Lichenstein
Initiative: +8, Perception: +6 (8 with Mazi)
AC: 13 (17 w/ Mage Armor) (Touch 13, Flat-footed 11)-> 17 with Mage Armor
HP: 32 Current: 32
CMD: 12, Fort: +3, Ref: +3, Will: +5 (Add +1 to Saves with Resistance)
Conditions in Effect: Eschew Materials, PBS, Precise Shot, Ring of Sustenance, Mage Armor

Weapon in Hand: Acid Flask
Spells Remaining: 1st Level: 6/8, 2nd Level: 5/5

Mazi
Initiative: +2 Senses: low-light vision; Perception: +13
AC: 19 (Touch 16, flat-footed 17) -> 23 with Mage Armor
HP: 16 Current: 16
Fort: +0, Ref: +4, Will: +6
Conditions in effect: Improved Evasion, Empathic Link, Mage Armor
Weapon in Hand: Bite [Att: +8, dmg: 1d2-5(1 non-lethal)]

Combat Trained Light Horse
Initiative: +2 Senses: low-light vision, Scent; Perception: +6
AC: 13 (Touch 9, flat-footed 13)
HP: 15 Current: 15
Fort: +6, Ref: +5, Will: +1
Conditions in effect: War-trained, 50ft movement
Weapon in Hand: 2 Hooves [Att: +3, dmg: 1d4+3][/sblock]

 

[BigB]

Tsaaruk watches the exchange and the very short test, not entirely understanding all that happened, but it is clear the Hag lost and was not pleased with losing. As Privinia mentions moving on he does not hesitate, although confident that they can win any test he does not want to be delayed any longer than necessary. "All right then lets find the girl"

[sblock=mini stats]
Tsaaruck
Initiative +1
AC: 20 (with shield/ Flat:19, Touch: 12)
HP: 54 current: 54
CMB: +9 / CMD: 21 Fort: +7 / Ref: +2 / Will: +2
Resistence: 0
Current Weapon in Hand: Shield & Warhammer
Rage: 12/12
Renewed Vigor: 1/1

http://livingpf.wikia.com/wiki/Tsaaruk(BIGB)#Finances
[/sblock]

 

[GlassEye]

The vila and the leshy are dazed from the hag's quick and complete route on the gameboard and subsequent spectacular temper tantrum and make no move to hinder the group as they leave the clearing.

The trail quickly narrows until it is little more than a game trail. Brambles jut into the path and snag at your clothing but it is more an annoyance than injury-causing. The trail winds down a hill to a small dell where the group discovers an improvised camp. There is an old fire pit ringed round with stones and ashes have been scattered around. The underbrush is filled with small wooden dolls, paint faded and peeling, that ring the camp as if watching over it.

[sblock=K (local or religion) DC 15]The dolls are proxy sacrifices left on altars and set adrift in streams by superstitious villagers throughout the region.[/sblock]

 

[perrinmiller]

Pirvinia von Lichenstein, Human Female

Pirvinia sent Mazi scouting ahead as soon as they left the clearing with the vila and they knew they were not going to be stopped. Overall she had not liked the hag and her brood, but she could not be unhappy with the results.

Upon discovering the abandoned camp, she had Mazi look around carefully.

The sorceress whispered, “This could be another place for a test or trial… or it could be nothing. Anyone know what the story is with the dolls?”

Perception (Pirvinia & Mazi) (1d20+8=14, 1d20+13=29)
[sblock=Mini-stats]Privinia von Lichenstein
Initiative: +8, Perception: +6 (8 with Mazi)
AC: 13 (17 w/ Mage Armor) (Touch 13, Flat-footed 11)-> 17 with Mage Armor
HP: 32 Current: 32
CMD: 12, Fort: +3, Ref: +3, Will: +5 (Add +1 to Saves with Resistance)
Conditions in Effect: Eschew Materials, PBS, Precise Shot, Ring of Sustenance, Mage Armor

Weapon in Hand: Acid Flask
Spells Remaining: 1st Level: 6/8, 2nd Level: 5/5

Mazi
Initiative: +2 Senses: low-light vision; Perception: +13
AC: 19 (Touch 16, flat-footed 17) -> 23 with Mage Armor
HP: 16 Current: 16
Fort: +0, Ref: +4, Will: +6
Conditions in effect: Improved Evasion, Empathic Link, Mage Armor
Weapon in Hand: Bite [Att: +8, dmg: 1d2-5(1 non-lethal)]

Combat Trained Light Horse
Initiative: +2 Senses: low-light vision, Scent; Perception: +6
AC: 13 (Touch 9, flat-footed 13)
HP: 15 Current: 15
Fort: +6, Ref: +5, Will: +1
Conditions in effect: War-trained, 50ft movement
Weapon in Hand: 2 Hooves [Att: +3, dmg: 1d4+3][/sblock]