Freedom's eyes dim slightly after both Dragonshield kobold's have stuck him. But that is nothing to the expression on the warforged's face when Shale makes 'his' decree. The body language clearly appears to indicate confusion despite the limited faction expressions a warforged's face can make.

Growling Freedom points his sword at the Dragonshield kobold that marked him and once again tries to use spectral thorns that sprout from Freedom's weapon to grasp at the Dragonshield Kobold, but the kobold manages to avoid the thorns as they retract into Freedom's weapon. Grumbling, Freedom renews his mark on the Dragonshield Kobold (1) still adjacent to him, while being thankful that the other Dragonshield Kobold (2) isn't adjacent to him so that he does not remove the Mark that Shale was able to get Dragonshield Kobold 1 to place on it.

_{[OOC: I'm actually glad that Freedom missed, since if he hit, he'd risk overwriting Dragonshield Kobold 1's mark on Dragonshield Kobold 2. (Man what Shale did was funny.)
Standard Action: Thorn Strike at Dragonshield kobold 2.
[308] 09-07-17 00:58:34 CEST - Freedom using Thorn Strike against Dragonshield Kobold 2.
1d20 +7 >= 18 -> 6 + 7 = 13 ... failure
Move Action: Unused.
Free Action: Refresh mark on Dragonshield Kobold 1.
Dragonshield Kobold 1 is marked again by Freedom (effects stack with the -2 from Chilling cloud.)
Dragonshield Kobold 2 is still marked by Dragonshield Kobold 1 (so Dragonshield Kobold 2 has a -4 penalty to attack any of us while it is standing in the chilling cloud area other than Dragonshield Kobold 1. LOL)
BTW, if Dragonshield Kobold 1 tries to attack Shale or Mortin without moving, it triggers Warden's Fury, if it moves before attacking, even a shift, it will trigger Warden's grasp.]}
This message was last edited by the player at 23:44, Fri 17 July 2009.

Randal glances from the dragonshields to Shale and back, rather surprised.  He shakes it off and fires a pair of arrows at the nearest minion, but both shots fail to do any noticeable harm.  He whistles to his hound who hurries to the north.

"Thought you could set me on fire and get away with it?!" Mortin rages at the slinger, oblivious to the hilarity that Shale caused right next to him.

Mortin snaps the reigns of his horse, commanding it to charge at the slinger.  The horse obeys and tramples both minions under it's hooves, but not before one of them manages to injure it with it's spear.  The horse whinneys in pain, but obediently continues the charge, stopping just short of the slinger when Mortin pulls on the reigns.  He takes out his canteen and tries to douse the flames with it, but is unsuccessful.  The charge left Mortin open for an attack from the Dragonshield, but it decides to stay on guard rather than provoke Freedom's wrath.

(( OOC: Standard trample attack.  minor: canteen emptied. :p ))

2 ongoing fire damage to Mortin.


Mortin's horse trample vs west Minion reflex
1d20 +4 >= 13
10 + 4 = 14 ... success

Mortin's horse trample vs east Minion reflex
1d20 +4 >= 13
16 + 4 = 20 ... success

Minion2 AoO vs. Mortin's horse
1d20 +4 >= 17
17 + 4 = 21 ... success 4 damage to horse

Minion AoO vs. Mortin's horse
1d20 +4 >= 17
2 + 4 = 6 ... failure

Mortin saving throw vs. ongoing fire.
1d20
7 = 7

This message was last edited by the player at 00:53, Sat 18 July 2009.

The westernmost Kobold Minion takes advantage of the situation and flanks Mortin and spears him in the back, but the weapon is deflected by the Warlord's chain armor.  The Minion then shifts to the west.

Minion spear vs. Mortin AC (flanking bonus)

1d20 +6 >= 17
4 + 6 = 10 ... failure

The slinger shifts away from Mortin and prepares to a glue pot at his horse but he fumbles the pot and it breaks open harmlessly in front of him.  The slinger's frown looks rather sad.  Nevertheless it darts for cover again.

Slinger glue pot vs. Mortin's horse.
1d20 +6 >= 17
1 + 6 = 7 ... failure

The for a split second, the first Dragonshield's eyes returned to normal and it whimpered pathetically just before succumbing to Shale's control.  When Shale's spell released control, it yelped before the eerie glow returned to it's eyes.  It stays put and attacks Freedom with it's short sword but it just bounces off the Warforged's armor harmlessly.

The second Dragonshield glances from Freedom to it's ally to Michael.  It seems a little confused about what it's supposed to do.  It moves to the north out of Michael's icy cloud then hurls at him, thrusting with his sword at the Wizard, inflicting a painful wound.

D2 short sword vs. Michael's AC (charge bonus)
1d20 +8 >= 17
13 + 8 (-2 from mark)= 19 ... success

Sword damage vs Michael
1d6 +3
2 + 3 = 5 damage to Michael is marked.

Reverie is impressed with the power Shale just wielded and smiles.

"Today is not the kobold's day
If Shale can play that way."

Upon seeing the Dragonshields so close to herself, though, she loses her smile and glances over at the one that's RIGHT next to her with a slight cringe and shrugged shoulder. She explains to the Dragonshield she is cringing from:

"Your situation has just got worse
As I lay on you a warlock's curse."

The Dragonshield notices and figures it's a great opportunity to swing at Reverie and hits her.

Reverie then pulls a mind job on the Dragonshield in response. She whispers something that, well, her allies should probably be grateful they were unable to hear.

Upon hearing what Reverie whispers, the Dragonshield screams in pure terror, rattling the battlefield with the blood-curdling horror in his voice and... were those tears coming from his eyes? Reverie puts her finger on her mouth and says, "Ssshhhh..." and the Dragonshield stares at her horrified.

Upon closer inspection, the light has faded from his eyes and he just seems to be permanently horrified. Apparently, his muscles tense enough that he is still standing even though he's unconscious.

(Reverie has +2 to attack from Eli downing the minion Rev cursed.)
(Minor1: Curse)
(Dragonshield Opportunity Attack: 6+7=13 vs AC = hit)
(Damage: 3+3=6 damage. Reverie is marked.)
(Standard: Dreadful Word: 8+5=13 vs Will. As if Karmic payback, this 13 hit him too.)
(Dreadful word Damage: 2d8... rolled 2 8s! 16+4+3(Curse dmg)=23 damage.)
(Dragonshield is KOed.)
(Move: Duh.)
(Fate of the Void activated! Dragonshield at 0HP means another +2 attack for my next turn. :) )
(Reverie HP: 24)

(OOC: For convenience, I'll be coloring the enemies I curse as being purple. When such an enemy reaches 0 HP, can the GM please color the downed enemy light purple for 1 round so I know to collect on my curse benefit. Between the figs moving and figs dying, I have no way of keeping track of who dies and who doesn't for the curse benefits. >.> And if Shale would kindly pick a color of his own choosing for his curses, that'd be convenient.)
This message was last edited by the player at 13:19, Sun 19 July 2009.

Eli watches the ensuing chaos. Mind control? And what did Reverie whisper that freaked out the kobold so much? Did she tell him dragons evolved from humans or something? Either way, he decides to start getting closer to the commander as soon as he can. It's clear nobody is ambushing them at this point. While he figures he can't get close enough yet, he figures he may as well fire off a spell or two. Another burst of arcane flames appears between the Dragonshield and the Minion and just afterwords, A mysterious looking translucent blue hand appears right in between the two Dragonshields to slap both of them, not causing damage, but obviously providing some humor and distraction.

The flames seem to bounce off the Dragonshield without him knowing or caring. Upon being slapped, the Dragonshield, who still looks permanently horrified, falls over like a statue.

(Move: Q-12)
(Standard: Scorching Burst.)
(Vs Minion: 13+6=19 hit!)
(Minor: Mage Hand)
This message was last edited by the player at 14:47, Sat 18 July 2009.

Freedom mutters, “We can't let them run free if they aren't even acting on their own accord..” as Freedom renews his mark on the Dragonshield Kobold before swinging his sword and finally connecting with an attack as the warforged sends the primal energy of earth flowing into the Dragonshield Kobold, landing a solid blow and slowing its movement.

_{[OOC: Free Action: Refresh Mark on remaining Dragonshield Kobold.
Standard Action: Weight of Earth vs. Dragonshield Kobold.
[338] Freedom's Weight of Earth vs Dragonshield Kobold... success.
[339] Weight of Earth Damage to Dragonshield Kobold, 7pts of damage.
Dragonshield Kobold is now marked by Freedom, and it is Slowed until the end Freedom's next turn.
Remaining Dragonshield Kobold has taken 14pts of damage.]}

Michael grumbles at being struck and repositions himself so that the Dragonshield Kobold literally can't get to him without going around or through Freedom as Michael says, “One done one to go, they clearly dislike the cold,” as Michael once again conjures forth a lingering swarm of ice crystals that chills the remaining Dragonshield Kobold to its bones while making it difficult for the Kobold to attack anyone without remaining inside the cloud, given the slowed state Freedom Placed it in.

_{[OOC: Minor Action: Unused
Move Action: Move to R11
Standard Action: Chilling Cloud, centered at S9
[340] Michael's Chilling Cloud vs Dragonshield Kobold's Fort... success.
Dragonshield Kobold has now taken 18 damage. (18hp left and bloodied)
Effect: Until the end of Michael's next turn, any enemy in the power's area takes a -2 penalty to attack rolls.]}

Remaining silent, Shale moves north next to Mortin while avoiding approaching too close to the remaining Dragonshield Kobold in order to sustain his Shadow Walk power. Shale doesn't bother with placing a Warlock's Curse since the two remaining foes are already cursed by him, instead Shale flings a bolt of dark, crackling eldritch energy at the Dragonshield Kobold causing a nasty wound as it impacts the Dragonshield Kobold.

_{[OOC:
Move Action: Move to S4, sustains Shadow Walk for +2 to all defenses.
Standard Action: Eldritch Bolt vs Dragonshield Kobold.
Minor Action: Unused.
[341] Shale's Eldritch Bolt vs Dragonshield Kobold's Reflex...Success.
[342] Shale's Eldrtich Bolt + Warlock's Curse damage to Dragonshield Kobold, 12 damage.
Dragonshield Kobold has now taken 30 damage (6hp left and blooded, slowed, and marked by Freedom.)]}

Randal gasps at the blood-curdling scream the dragonshield lets out when Reverie whispers it to death!  The hackles on him and his hound are both now sticking straight up.  He gulps down the lump in his throat, snaps the reigns, and whistles to his hound.  The two of them race east then close in on the dragonshield and flank it.  Randal reaches for his sword as he commands his dog to "sic 'em," but before he can even take a swing himself, the dog already has the weakened dragonshield on the ground and defeated.

"Good boy!" Randal commends before thinking to himself, ~You put the poor thing out of it's misery before the demoness witch could steal it's soul!~


Randal's hound Synchronized Strike vs. dragonshield AC (C.A.)
1d20 +7 >= 18
19 + 7 = 26 ... success

hound damage vs dragonshield
1d8 +2
8 + 2 = 10

"You're going down!" Mortin declares to the Slinger as he advances on the foe that set him on fire.  His longsword catches the Slinger in the arm, inflicting a deep wound, but Mortin swung with such force he nearly slips off his horse!  The slinger sees an opportunity to retaliate, and thrusts his daggar at the warlord, but Mortin was more than expecting the counter... he was counting on it!

"Gnome!" he shouts, "Finish it!"

The flames afflicting Mortin flicker and die out.

((Brash Assault Effect: The target can make a melee basic attack against you as a free action and has combat advantage for the attack. If the target makes this attack, an ally of your choice (Shale) within 5 squares of the target can make a basic attack against the target as a free action and has combat advantage for the attack.))

Mortin Brash Assault vs. Kobold Slinger AC
1d20 +9 >= 13
14 + 9 = 23 ... success

Brash Assault damage vs. Kobold Slinger
1d8+5
5 +5 = 10 damage to slinger

Kobold Slinger Brash Assault AoO vs. Mortin AC /w C.A.
1d20 +7 >= 17
6 + 7 = 13 ... failure

Mortin ongoing fire save thrwo
1d20 = 14
This message was last edited by the player at 22:03, Mon 20 July 2009.

Shale instantly transforms into silver mist that streams a short distance and reforms on top of the ruined defensive turret closest to Mortin when Randal and his hound defeat the Dragonshield Kobold, settomg Shale up for  allowing you to flee or maneuver to set up a deadly attack.

When Mortin yells out for Shale to finish the Slinger, Shale replies, “My name is Shale...” as the gnome warlock flings a bolt of dark, crackling eldritch energy at the Kobold Slinger resulting in a nasty wound that drops the Kobold to the ground.

As the Kobold drops to the ground, Shale instantly transforms into silver mist again and streams over to Mortin and reforms adjacent to Mortin as Shale continues, “... Please remember it.”

_{[OOC:
Free Action: Misty Step to V5
Free Action: Basic Attack: Eldritch Bolt vs Kobold Slinger
[348] Shale's Free Basic Attack vs Slinger (Eldritch Bolt) ... success
[349] Eldritch Bolt does 11 Damage to the Kobold Slinger. Dropping it to -9HP
Free Action: Misty Step to Y5
]}

Mortin does a double-take at the sudden appearance of the gnome by his side.  ~Wasn't he just 30' or so behind me?!~ he asks himself, confused, ~And didn't that voice and shot come from on top of the stone turret just a split second ago?!

He stares in bewilderment at the gnome.

"That it is!" he says, "With amazing powers like yours, bards will be singing the tale of Shale for a long time to come!"

He looks around and sees that the other foes have been vanquished.

"Good work, everyone," he commends, then reads the relaxed look on the hound's face, "Looks like the coast is clear.  Regroup at the cart and tend to any wounds."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:50, Mon 20 July 2009.

Reverie returns to the cart as ordered and begins looking her wound over with a pouty look on her face.

"Oh dear, oh dear
I know not how to heal, I fear."

While she does seem to be bleeding red blood, it seems to glisten more than normal and around her wound is some faintly green tinted sparkling.

"Can someone here please help me out?
How well I'd do I highly doubt.
Though forgive me and don't be bitter,
But there is poison where you see glitter."

Eli first waits to see if anyone else will help Reverie since his ability with bandages and such wasn't much better than Rev's. But if needed, he could speak a word and heal her. Then again, the captain seemed to need it more... but then, the captain also seemed to be bandaging himself just fine.

"I'm not much of a healer." he admits, "But once a day, I can heal someone with a word. So if everyone is well enough, I'll save that for when or if we really need it..."

While not understanding how Shale did what the gnome did, Freedom is quite aware that Shale teleported, fired off a bolt of energy, and then teleported again.

When Commander Mortin gives the order to regroup at the cart, Freedom silently complies and after returning to the cart, the warforged dismounts to tend to the wounds suffered in battle. “I'll live, just need a moment to patch myself up,” when Reverie mentions that she might be poisoned, Freedom asks, “I'm not an expert on other races, but I would be more worried about myself if I was leaking red fluids,” as Freedom points out that the 'blood' of a warforged looks more like a black oily sap like substance, although with Freedom's effort the 'bleeding' is quickly stopped as the warforged patches the wounds that the kobolds had inflicted.

_{[OOC: Spending 2 healing surges during the short rest, recovers 16 hp, which brings Freedom back up to 35 HP and having 7 surges remaining.]}

Michael grins at Shale's rapid teleporting as Micheal grasps the tactical advantages being able to teleport can provide.

After Mortin instructs everyone to return to the cart to recover, Michael tends to his wounds and asks, “I'm sure who ever had these Kobolds prepare an ambush will eventually notice what has occured here, so we shouldn't stay here too long before moving on.”

When Reverie inquires about her wound, and Freedom makes the comment about Freedom's own blood, Michael is left wondering if Reverie's blood is normally like that as he speaks up, “If the Kobolds were using poisoned weapons several of us would now be feeling the effects, including myself.”


_{[OOC: Spend a healing surge to recover 8 HP, restoring Michael to 33 HP total and having 7 Healing surges left.]}

Shale just grins and upon being instructed to, the gnome asks Mortin,
“Will you need any assistance in tending to your horse?” before the gnome returns to the cart.

Shale wasn't injured in the battle so he glances around to see anyone really needs help, but upon hearing Reverie's statement that the gnome looks a bit worried since if there is poison going around, Shale doesn't want to fall victim to it.

Mortin is the worst off of all the adventurers, but he tries to make it look like it's no big deal.

"Thanks," he answers Shale before tending to his own wounds, "But I'm sure he'll be fine.  I'll need yours and everyone else's sharp eyes on the look-out for our missing person.  With any luck, these were the ones who kidnapped the driver and left him nearby."

Mortin glances at Rev's wound... then stares.  He's never seen anything so bizarre.

"Just patch yourself the same way you see the rest of us doing it...  You'll be fine."

((OOC: Mortin was 2hp from passing out.  Spending 4 surges to regain full HP.  By way of reminder, the guy we're looking for is "an old human man who lost a leg in the war."))
This message was last edited by the player at 21:19, Tue 28 July 2009.

Randal has his hound reacquire the driver's scent who in short order finds the poor cripple tied and gagged in the underbrush to the east.  The dog wags his tail and barks excitedly.

"Found him!" he shouts to the others as if to translate the dog's words before using his sword to cut the man's bonds.

"Thank you so much!" the old man says as soon as the gag is removed, "But there's no time to lose!  We need to get to South Port Road!  My crew could be in serious danger!"

Reverie watches the others and carefully bandages herself as best she can. Then after hearing Freedom and Michael, is both grateful and disappointed they didn't understand what she meant. Soon as she's done, she hears the old man speak of South Port Road and gets herself ready to go with the captain.

Eli isn't sure if anyone heard him since nobody responded to him, but for now the urgency of the now-free man asking for aid in making sure his crew is safe certainly takes precedence. He listens for an order from the captain, also ready to follow.

"It was assumed that the ones who captured you would have captured the others and gone the same way," Mortin explains as he helps the man onto the cart, "It's good you were well enough to report so we can find them.  You seem well enough to drive so that will be your duty, sir.  We'll be be returning to the City first both to report, and because there's no other path to Southport Road from here."

The veteran is a little conflicted.  On the one hand, an officer calling him "sir" because he's a civilian now is a bit awkward, but on the other he appreciates being given a task at all in spite of being a helpless victim just a moment ago.  It does a lot to help him feel he's regained his dignity.

Mortin has the team load up the cart with the bodies of the Kobolds.  Time may be of the essence in regards to rescuing the mercenary team, but he feels returning these creatures to the City is worth the little extra time, though he gives no reasons for his orders.  He then leads the group back to Unity's south gate.

(( Closing this thread as it's now merging with the Chapter 1 thread. ))