nerdytenor's The Missing Warlock

[nerdytenor]

"An excellent idea," Mardrick says to Todarr. "So excellent that I've already had it," he adds, smugly. "I've been rubbing these flowers between my fingers for the last ten minutes, and it seems to congeal quite nicely. Here, look." He shows you some greenish yellow muck in his right hand. It has a very faint sickly-sweet odor. "I tested it on myself, and it appears to have the desired effect. Here, each of you, take some flowers and make some paste. Should the need arise, you can rub the ointment on your weapons and give Elloen a small cut. If you cut her any more than is strictly necessary, you will be made to pay," he adds fiercely. He hands you some flowers, and about twenty minutes later you each have a small stash of sticky smelly goop. [sblock=OOC] You each have three doses of goop. New powers if the need arises: "Go Go Gadget Goop" Minor action - apply goop to weapon (or spell - flavor as you see fit) Goop lasts for one attack, hit or miss (flies off on miss). "Go Easy on the Warlock's Wife" - melee or ranged basic attack, does exactly one damage, but has a -2 to hit penalty [/sblock]

 

[The Digger]

"So what's the plan then?" Joshua is somewhat curt as he gingerly accepts the paste from Mardrick. "Are we going to scout out the village for a bit before going in, or what?"

"To some extent a rest would be useful as it would give us a chance to recover some of our powers. But on the other hand I quite like the idea of striking while the iron is hot."

[sblock=OOC]I assume any dailys that have been used are out of the equation but that we will have recovered our encounter powers.[/sblock]

 

[nerdytenor]

"Can we go a bit farther? We're not that far off of town now, and I have a good hiding place for us in mind." The party continues on, somewhat impatient for action. The Dead Forest thickens to the north, and a new patch of trees begins to folllow the road along the south. As you travel, you begin to pass a few small groups of people. Some of them carry sacks. Others push carts. All of them look pretty miserable. "More former members of Greensfen," Mardrick comments, ruefully. "Can't say that I blame them. Can't be hard to find a better life elsewhere." As you get closer to town, you pass a larger cart and begin to approach another one. Four men are manning each of the two carts. Behind the second cart, a man and his (pet?) wolf stop. "That's them. Ready, men!" The man with the wolf at his side barks his orders loudly. He is dressed in leather armor and several daggers line his belt. He has a professional manner that contrasts with the men by the carts. At his order, the men pushing the carts pull weapons out of their respective carts. They are crude weapons mostly - pitchforks, clubs, stones. They do not look too enthusiastic holding them. The leader speaks to you. "There is one among you we wish to, ah, speak with." He points at Mardrick, who pales. "He is to come with us. Leave him and no harm will come to anyone." "You have my word." He bares his teeth, his hand at his belt.

 

[nerdytenor]

Situation Map

Green squares are trees, bushes, what have you. They are difficult terrain and provide cover from ranged attacks if you in or behind them. Brownish red areas lining the road are rubble and are difficult terrain. Carts provides cover against ranged if you are adjacent. G1-G8 are the grunts L is the leader W is the wolf

 

[nerdytenor]

And now the map

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3209/2823251970_c92ab51d45_o.jpg

 

[PennStud77]

Assuming of course that we have not already dropped into initiative:

Todarr flourishes his well-balanced battleaxe in a fashion that shows he knows how to use it very well, as he begins to speak, projecting his words so that both groups will hear him: This one gesturing to Mardrick stays with us. However, you may escort him where you wish, we will just accompany him. Agree to this, and you may all keep your lives. You have MY word. gesturing to their pitiful equipment as he says this last phrase. [Intimidate +10]

 

[nerdytenor]

The leader of the gang loses his smirk after Todarr's impressive display. His underlings mutter amongst themselves, clearly rattled. "I'm afraid I cannot do that," he says. "I have strict orders from Bara... from my superior. And going against his orders means death. Remember that, men," he shouts all the louder. "Lethani!" [sblock=Elven] "A show of arrows for our guests, if you please!" [/sblock] From somewhere to the south, two arrows land at Moreen's feet. "You are surrounded. My archer stands at the ready. Even skilled ones such as yourselves must recognize that the odds are against you." His smirk, bordering on a sneer, returns. "And you are clearly not from Greensfen. What is it to you what happens to Mardrick?" He rubs his palms together, taking a step forward. "Because I'm such a reasonable fellow, I will offer you 100 gold if you release Mardrick to me. Is that not more than reasonable? Give me Mardrick, turn around, and head back to your homes." Mardrick's face has been getting paler and paler. He whispers to Karis. [sblock=Karis] "The common folk, this rabble - most of them I recognize. But this leader is not from Greensfen." [/sblock]

 

[PennStud77]

Todarr glances briefly, almost imperceptibly, at his mates for encouragement [OOC: if anyone wants to take the money over the fight, a small "no" shake of the head will stop him from the following: ] It appears we care for the citizens of Greensfen more than these reasonable fellows Todarr spits the word reasonable. As for the odds being stacked against us Todarr cracks a huge grin that only makes it more fun and leaps into battle snarling.

[sblock=OOC]I really hope this battle is okay with everyone, because I think this moment, composed of the last two short monologues, is my favorite one for Todarr this whole adventure thus far.[/sblock]

 

[nerdytenor]

Fight! (Todarr and Rellek are up)

[sblock=OOC] Gonna post initiative order. If you anyone in the party does NOT want to fight, speak up and I'll pause the action and/or roll back the battle. [/sblock]

[sblock=Status and initiative order]
Rellek (37/37)
Todarr (29/29)
Leader
Joshua (30/30)
Archer (hidden south of the road)
Karis (25/29)
Mardrick (15/16)
Wolf
Moreen (40/40)
Grunts 1-8
[/sblock]

 

[covaithe]

[sblock=ooc]I was going to try to do something with stealth, but then I read the thread you linked to about revised stealth rules, and now my brain hurts. I have absolutely no idea how that is supposed to work, and I really don't think I can be bothered to figure it out. My intent was to have Karis get into the woods to the south and try to go after the archer(s?), but now I've just lost interest. Stealth really is the new grapple. So I guess Karis will hang out with the rest of the party and wait for the fun to start.[/sblock]

Karis waits, eyes locked on the leader, ready to spring into action when the fun starts. Remembering Joshua's words during the last fight, she refrains from doing anything overt... until Todarr suddenly attacks. Then, with a smile, she whips out her sword, and, with a last glance towards Joshua to see if he has anything destructive planned, darts silently towards the enemy.

[sblock=more ooc]I'm game for a fight. I figure the G's are probably minions, so I'm hoping to be able to delay until after Joshua to let him blow most of them up, without giving away first strike CA. Karis is low on tricks to get CA anyways.[/sblock]