To Con the Con-man

[Zerith]

[sblock=OoC] A Gnoll without a class level can whip Alden or Alexander at this point, and heir red shirts!? .. Crap…[/sblock]

Alexander would address Wet-Nose first “Our goal is the capture of the half-knife-ear, further there could be knife-ears in the area, if thou smell any we are to avoid them, we do not need to be ambushed to succeed this quest.” He addressed Wet-Nose before adding “also, if thou smell humans, tell me; the orders addressing not being seen are still standing.”
Then he turned to Starfinder “We shall start the search by moving towards the mountain town he was last tracked to, we will need a seldom traveled path to avoid unwanted attention, also it would be preferable if the terrain around the path allowed thou and thy kin to readily vanish from sight if need be. I shall leave it to thou to choose the path and the pace. Finally, tell me when we near any settlements.”

He spoke before addressing the Gnolls in general “We are to capture the aforementioned Half-Knife-Ear, so no killing it; ye, however, are free to wound it if need be, further ye are free to slaughter any hostile Knife-Ears we run into at need, but I should like to capture at least one if the circumstances allow it. Also, when and if we are brought into a battle I will feign madness and divert attention onto myself while ye flank to the sides. Finally, if we are meeting on our way ye are to all vanish wherever ye are able to.” He finished before causing the party to head out.

From here Alexander would have Alden ride a dozen yards in front at the point, to use the mounted man to act as a visible shield for the Gnolls in case something came from in front; if it was other humans who came, namely commoners, Alden would be further instructed to steal their eyes, to make them look at himself for a short while as the Gnolls hid themselves. If a fork in the road, or some other impasse as to the path to be taken appeared Alden would be further instructed to do one of four things:
[sblock=Alden’s orders]If there was nothing coming or in sight he would be told to simply wait for Alexander and the Gnolls to ketch up.
If commoners appeared while he was at the impasse he would naturally, slowly, approach the commoners and make short conversation before ‘going on his way’ until he was out of sight of the commoners, and then double back a few moments later. Meanwhile Alexander would instruct the Gnolls to hide

If Alden saw a couple of Treylor troopers, or another group of foes they could readily beat, Alden would be instructed to abruptly turn tail and flee with all hast past were Alexander and the Gnolls would have been. Meanwhile Alexander would order the Gnolls to hid and then charge, preferably from both sides, as the enemy passed. At this point Alden would have a further order, turn about again and charge down their throats; at this point they would have been caught off guard by the prompt ambush and would “…not be able to adjust to the further shock of their pray turning about and charging them while they’re still realizing they had just ran headlong into an ambush.”

And finally, If Alden saw a force of Treylor troopers, or other foes, that was either risky to fight or simply so large that direct combat would mean death, Alden’s order would have been to, again, turn tail and run; the difference would be that Alden would also be ordered to scream, yell, or flail a free arm; if he was not seen he would be instructed to do a variant of this. He would be told to instead return more slowly so that he would not case the enemy force to become aware by causing a sudden gallop to sound, Alden would in this case also be instructed to wave his arm but would be definitively instructed to not yell or shout. In either case this would be cause to back off and make a wide birth.[/sblock]

Alexander himself would bring up the rear, but unlike Alden he would be close to the Gnolls who he would tell to travel in single file; optimizing their ability to hide between himself and Alden. If viewed from the front or behind.

[Sblock=OoC]Alexander is not one to do things half arsed when he can do them overly complicated! [/Sblock]

 

[HolyMan]

And thus ready Alexander leads his first mission with his new charges. Alden in the lead surely hopes the young man knows what he is doing.

It is easy going for th first part of the journey. The morning his clear and cool and after about twenty minutes Alden is so sore as not to notice the pain anymore. But once they head up into the mountains things start getting rather unpleasant. The uneven trail along with the thick forest has everyone keeping extra alert.

The possiblity of a loose stone causing the horse to tumble added to there being a hundred places the Treylor could hide and send arrows out of without warning has everyone on edge.

OCC: Perception checks plz.
EDIT: Opps I have to remember this is 3.5 and not Pathfinder Spot checks please.

 

[Axel]

Riding out the front isn't so bad, Alden thought as the horse trudged through the morning, with his mind wandering. At least I'm free of the pompous git's opinions out here, and Poo-Breath. Can't get far enough away from him. Besides, if there's going to be any fighting I'll probably be dead before I know what's going on. Humans and elves look the same from as far as they can probably shoot a bow. Dead...now that's an unpleasant thought. Why would I think about being dead? And how the hell did I go from having a cushy job running errands for Marty to riding at the front of a convoy of these stinking dogs?! At least I can't feel my butt aching anymore.

With a quick glance over his shoulder to check that the dogs were still following, his thoughts returned to macabre musings.

 

[Zerith]

[FONT=&quot]Alexander thought lightly on the possibility of Alden not being able to turn the horse about and getting away if trouble arose because of his lack luster horsemanship, but even if Alden failed miserably at controlling the mount and turning it about when it mattered, he figured the horse would at lest have strong enough survival instincts to turn tail and run; if not, it could not be helped and it was better Alden then him. There were numerous reasons o have Alden far in front after all, and while Alexander did not bring a great surpluses of pawns, he was already one up from Wet-Nose bringing two and it was always better to seed a pawn then lose the king…

[/FONT] After thought, that was to minor for Alexander to act on, aside he was not paying any particular attention to anything along the path, it was not even noon and he figured nothing would be so close to gnoll camp and be willing to expose itself. It was an assumption he might soon regret. Instead he had three options, talk to the Gnolls, Sing and or hum, or be stoic.

He chose to hold off on talking to them, he would need something, moderately, engaging to do latter, and he also chose to hold off on singing or humming, first impressions were important and carelessly making idle sounds was not exactly productive, also, it might confuse the Gnolls if their commander was singing and not simply giving out orders. Thus he chose to be stoic, he leered strait forwards unbrokenly and sternly. Their objective was forwards, and he did not need to look away from it, or so he thought.

 

[HolyMan]

Suddenly from the bushes in front of Alden a strange large cat jumps onto the path. It growls menacingly before Alden watches in horror as the skin covering it's face starts to fold backward.

Soon the pink muscles are all that can be seen covering it's head where there was once flesh and fur. Giving off a high pitched screech it sets itself to attack.

Alden has no time to react as his horse rears up <ride check to stay in saddle plz> before bolting back down towards and past the others.

Alex hears the screech and then witnesses the horse rearing, before it statrs to gallop by. <with or without rider still to be determined>
[sblock=Image]

[/sblock]

 

[Axel]

[sblock=OOC]
Am assuming that Stay in Saddle DC=5, as per PHB p80. If not, will edit the relevant portions.
[/sblock]

What in the nine hells is that? A demon??????!!!!! was perhaps the last thought to fly through Alden's head, as the transforming cat screeches and sets to pounce.

Clutching wildly at the pommel of the saddle and leaning forward as his horse reared up at the sound and smell of the creature, he was perhaps saved from an ungraceful fall more by his balancing instinct than any particular ability at riding. Horsemanship became a moot point as the animal turned to flee the creature, Alden's desire to put distance between it and himself dovetailing nicely with the horse's instinct.

As the mounted man galloped past the column of Gnolls, it was possible for the others to make out a panicked "Deeeemooooon!!!!" before he was past the column and made any attempt to slow down.

 

[HolyMan]

After Alex watches the man and his horse bolt by he turns to see what caused the sudden flight.

Poo Breath also notices what it is and says, "Ghost-cat! All of you go after that one," he says pointing towards where Alden fled down the road. "You know he is riding off towards the pride. Protector and I will deal with this one."

OOC: GtG with the DC 5. Everyone roll INIT please.

 

[Axel]

Hearing barking behind him, Alden suppresses a giggle at the absurdity of the situation. Of course the first thing we find is a cat! The dogs are going to chase it all the way to Rem!! Why didn't I bring a ball along to keep them amused?

Suddenly realising the seriousness of the situation, and the consequences of choices he would have to make in the next few minutes Alden attempted to rein his horse in, ready to turn back towards the Gnolls and Alex.

[sblock=OOC]
D'oh! First natural 1 for the thread. And it came before a natural 20... Figures. I am well known in my RL gaming circles for having abominable luck. Looks like it extends to internet games too
[/sblock]

 

[Zerith]

[sblock=OoC]Um, aren’t Alden and Alexander on horses, and thus considered large? ; oh well, moot point given what I’m about to do. :3[/sblock]

Alexander did not know exactly what to make of the, thing, in front of them. But the name told him it was not something to be take lightly, and that Alden was about to charge into a pride of them did not bold well, and Alexander never truly needed a reason to shout orders to a commoner. “You’re Riding into more of them you twit!” he informed Alden with an not so gentle shout before setting his attention onto the thing in front of them

Alexander did not yet see a reason to second guess Starfinder’s… advice, but that did not mean he was just going to rush the thing because the Gnoll thought it wise.
Alexander hoped off his mount, and then summoned a suit of arcane armor.
“Hol Vra Kor” he evoked with voice and jester before being bathed in an aura of violet so deep and thick it was nearly black. The Aura shimmered and formed into a smoky vapor that wrapped and coiled about him until it condensed and formed into armor formed of pure arcane energy that was steaming off excess power. Materialized onto the material plane the armor developed further; the helm mimicked the shape of his hair while his cape was gathered and absorbed into the aura. It bellowed and flowed around him obscuring most of its form.

A blinding golden glow flared through the aura briefly before consolidating as embodiments on the cape and detailing and rimes. The Helm hade the same V shaped golden pattern on its numerous leafing plates as Alexander had on his locks of hair and its face appeared as little more than a deep void with two small brilliant golden irises peering out. While it might have been impressive visually to most, a more experienced mage would have seen it as a wasteful display; allowing arcane energy to just dissipate away really was not the most efficient way to make a defense, but he compensated by simply using more energy in the first place; thus the display.

His armor was in place almost as quickly as he evoked the words, and with it in place he inquired to Starfinder “What is this banshee, what can it do?” before drawing his weapon and carefully advancing so that he was in line with the Gnoll, his words were warped by the raw magic he bathed himself with.

[sblock=OoC]I Gota try drawing Alexander’s Mage armor latter :3
... Just thought of somthing, think Alexander's mage armor is going to give credence to that one Gnollish belief that human magic is evil?
Addon: ack, consider the actions taken after he evoked his armor to be pending actions: the fast dismount was so close yet so far >_<[/sblock]

 

[HolyMan]

"It is a ghost-cat. And it never hunts alone," Poo Breath says griping his spear in both hands tightly, his body tensing. "The other man, he is in danger."

Alex and the gnoll watch as the strange cat stalks closer it's tail twitching back and forth in a slow way. It stops and paws at the ground growling low in its throat.

________________________________________________

Down the path Alden desperately tries to stop his fleeing horse. He...

[sblock=OOC]Notes: Alden needs a Handle Animal check DC 10 to halt his mount. If not it runs another 70 feet and sorry but into an ambush.

Gnolls + Wet Nose run at 30 * 5 = 150 feet Rd1 (puts them 35 feet off map 2)[/sblock]

[sblock=Combat]

Character      AC  HP  InHand/Condition
Alex           [COLOR=RoyalBlue]16[/COLOR]   8  rapier/[I][COLOR=RoyalBlue]mage armor[/COLOR][/I];[I][COLOR=Lime]mounted[/COLOR][/I]
Alden          14   6  reins/[I][COLOR=Lime]mounted[/COLOR][/I]
gnolls(3)      13  11  spears/none
Wet Nose       ??  ??  b.axe/none
Poo Breath     ??  ??  l.spear/[I][COLOR=Orange]ready[/COLOR][/I]
krensharA      [COLOR=Cyan]19[/COLOR]  11  none/[I][COLOR=Cyan]totalDef[/COLOR][/I]
krenshars(4)   15  11  none/[I][COLOR=Orange]ready[/COLOR][/I]

[/sblock]

[sblock=Actions]
Round 1:
Alex - cast mage armor, guide with knees(auto success), draw rapier
Alden - need handle animal check (and then actions plz)
gnolls - run x5
Wet Nose - run x5
Poo Breath - Ready action
krensharA - move, total defense
krenshars - ready[/sblock]

[sblock=Recap] Alden is up to help finish the round. If he succeeds on his check I take it he is turning his mount around and putting gnolls between him and the krenshar. If not I have some partial charges to make.

And yes you should be taking up two spaces being mounted just note that the space behind the direction you are facing is the horses rump.

And remember attacking from higher "ground" grants a +1 to hit - "ground" in this case is from horseback[/sblock]