"I doubt sneaking is much of an option for me with all this noisy armor," Joey points out, "If I may, I would really like to be allowed the opportunity to speak with whomever is up there.  If you want to retain the element of surprise, you could find places nearby to hide and watch to see if they turn out to be the sorts to deserve to be attacked by us 'hired killers'"

  "If you're stuck being obvious, intending to be as obvious as possible then Joey?  Michael's idea is less risky as your way means you are their only target to vent their frustrations on if they won't leave the mine because you asked nicely."   On the other hand, a live target is a much better distraction than Ghost sound, if not for the fact Joey wasn't something you could just leave behind.

OOC Style: Peter Rolled a 10... So he gets a 9 Perc check whoops!

EDIT: Peter Initiative *Fistshakes* Rolled. A. Three.  So 7 Initiative
This message was last edited by the player at 01:00, Thu 24 Nov 2011.

Emerald says, "Peter's right, Joey. Let Michael test them with Ghost Sound. He could use the sound of an innocent person asking for help. That should really wet their appetite if they are evil. But if they should attack the sound, you can lead the way through the entrance they aren't going to."

She then gives a nod to Michael. "Do it."

Michael nods to Emerald and then uses his Ghost Sound cantrip at it's maximum range (50ft) from the group's location so he can make it so the sound appears to be coming from near the entrance with the boulders that the group won't be using.

Thus from the spot he picks to be the source of the sound, the voices of two young children can be heard speaking common, a girl crying about being lost, and a boy complaining about being hungry.

Michael thinks it obvious that if the others in the area are evil they would probably attack and either capture or kill wandering children, but if they were good-natured they might seek to help the children. And thus by the reaction the group sees, it should be possible to determine what the next course of action should be.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:51, Wed 23 Nov 2011.

https://docs.google.com/spread...iQ05aOG1ZcVFqWFBTR3c

Michael's initiative is a 16
Durtendin's Initiative is 15
joey init 7
Emmy init 4+3 = 7
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:06, Sun 27 Nov 2011.

The kobolds fall for it and go to check out the ghost sound, though only 2 of them do. They seem to mutter in draconic. Thankfully, Joey knows Draconic, so he is barely able to make out what they are saying.

Kobold 1: "Sounds like human children."
Kobold 2: "How do you know they're human and not elf or something?"
Kobold 1: "Elves don't cry. I think."
Kobold 2: "What about half-elves?"
Kobold 1: "Who cares? Stop being stupid and let's get those children."
Kobold 2: "They sound tender."
Kobold 1: "They will make for a nice snack for our master."
Kobold 2: "Ohhh... I'll love watching their scared faces before she tears them apart."
Kobold 1: "And the screams."
Kobold 2: "And the pleas for their mothers."

They then switch to common. "Heeeere, kiddies! We'll help you! Come here and let us take care of you!"

(OOC: Please finish rolling initiatives. Seth, you may as well also roll for your alt unless you don't have Durtendin done yet and need me to fill the spot for a bit?)

The sounds of children in distress also draws the attention of a lean and tall Wilden wearing hide armor and his blink dog companion. The wilden's skin is a camouflaged pattern of greens and browns. The wilden's eyes are bright emerald.

[OOC: Durtendin's Initiative is 15, Thorn (The blink dog) and Durtendin have both been added to the party listing on the map. Also Michael's initiative is a 16.]
This message was last edited by the player at 01:33, Sun 27 Nov 2011.

OOC: Joey would charge in with a berserker warcry if permitted a surprise round, I'm not entirely sure if he's permitted to by circumstances and the fact that I don't know if Kobolds are allowed to go first....

I feel stupid. Didn't roll init for the kobolds. XD Anyway, Michael and Durtendin are up. Then the Kobolds come next. Then Peter, Joey, Emmy. Map updated to include initiative order. Combat has begun.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:40, Sat 03 Dec 2011.

Michael moves and notices a clump of Kobolds and drops a Winged Horde on them, but only manages to 'mentally scratch' one of the three Kobolds with the attack.

[OOC: Move Action: Moved to G15.
Standard Action Winged Horde at I8, misses M3 and M4 but hits S3 for 1 pt of damage. S3 can't take Opportunity Actions until the end of Michael's next turn. S3's HP 24-1=23HP left.
Minor Action: Not used.

RPoL ate the original post when I was copy/pasting to create Michael's new post, so restoring what I can.]
This message was last edited by the player at 04:12, Wed 14 Dec 2011.

Durtendin and Thorn move 'up' towards the group as the wilden realizes what is going on as he approaches the scene, and he brings forth a vortex of water that appears amidst the two Kobolds that went out to try to 'capture' the children that Durtendin realizes aren't there. While one of the two Kobolds is quick enough to avoid the vortex of water, the other is caught up in it and killed.

[OOC: Move Action: Durtendin moves to N16, Thorn moves to M16 (technically they started within the start here area, but RP wise they were moving up towards the area)
Standard action: Grasping Tide at N6, attacks M1 and M2, misses M1, hits M2. As both are minions didn't bother to roll damage as any hit KOs the minion.
Minor Action is unused.]

"Oh, you did NOT just do that!" the remaining kobold minion yells. Mostly because the kobold Durtendin just downed was BFF to this kobold. After all, they liked spending afternoons together, watching people scream and writhe in agony.

The kobold doesn't have much else options but to charge Durtendin anyway. He COULD try to climb over the rocks, but he's a little too upset right now. Give him a few seconds and he might cool down enough to realize he's supposed to be scared. <Draconic>"INTRUDER TO THE SOUTH!"</Draconic> he yells as he runs, effectively sounding the alarm. Even as he says this, he skewers Durtendin in the side!

Kobolds come pouring out from behind the fence and all charge at the three nearest to them. Of the two who charge at Joey, one clangs against Joey's shield, serving as a distraction while the other penetrates the defenses and jabs Joey in the leg! Another one slips past Joey to attack the redhead halfling Emerald, but she raises her own shield in time to block it! Another one, way out of Joey's reach, charges at Michael, easily skewering through the wizard's clothes and into his arm.

The one that just hit Michael yells over his shoulder, <Draconic>"MAKE THAT FIVE INTRUDERS!"</Draconic>

---

Actions of the enemy:
Minion 1
Move: N5 to N10. Then for the charge, from N10 to N15
Standard: charges Durtendin. Hit(20)! damage: 4
Minion 2
Free: Lays on ground doing his impersonation of a possum. Minus the pretending part.
Minion 3
Standard: Full Defense!
Minion 4
Standard: Full Defense!
Minion 5
Move: L9 to G10. Then for the charge, from G10 to G13
Standard: charges Joey. Miss(6)!
Minion 6
Move: J10 to H10. Then for the charge, from H10 to H13
Standard: charges Joey. Hit(24)! damage: 4
Minion 7
Move: I11 to H11. Then for the charge, from H11 to I13
Standard: charges Emerald. Miss(7)!
Minion 8
Move: L11 to F10. Then for the charge, from F10 to F14
Standard: charges Michael. Hit(25)! damage: 4
Slinger 1
Readied Action: Sling Stinkpot vs first PC to enter H9 or I9
Slinger 2
Readied Action: Sling Firepot vs first PC to enter H9 or I9
Slinger 3
Readied Action: Sling Gluepot vs first PC to enter H9 or I9

Updated map to include the defenses of the PCs via comment tab on their names. Thanks again for all your work on the map, Seth! :)

Also, Peter has yet to place himself on the map.

Durtendin HP: 30 - 4 = 26
Joey HP: 33 - 4 = 29
Michael HP: 29 - 4 = 25
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:44, Tue 13 Dec 2011.

  Peter is new at this whole crazy mass combat thing, so he kind of panics and attempts to Bluff his way through this.  "Uh, that is, FINGER OF DEATH!" He points dramatically at the Kobold that attacked Michael, who quietly drops dead.

  '...I'll have to remember that one.'

---

  Joke Bluff Attempt: Rolled a 1, =9.  Peter's not fooling anyone.

  Standard: Taste Of Life Vs M8, Hits (superior Focus gives me reach).

  Effects: 5 Temp HP for Peter.

Minion 8 HP: 1-Death= Dead
Peter HP: 30/25 S 2 V 6.

Emerald attacks with her scimitar and misses the kobold. She then side-steps to hopefully set up for flanking.

---

Standard: Guiding Strike v M7. Miss(6).
Move: I14 to J13

Joey is so enraged by the these evil McEvil kobolds, he lets out a berserker "_rrRRAAARGH!" as he caves in the skull of the one in front of him with a headbutt, steps forward, beheads the one who hurt Emerald with a back-swing of his sword, and faces the last one that's nearby.

He gives it a divine "ROAR!" as a ghostly dragon's face briefly appears over his body, shaking the screen!

---

Virtuous strike v M6
1d20 +7 >= 15
10 + 7 = 17 ... success

Shift north 1 square to H13

ACTION POINT!
Virtuous strike v M7
1d20 +7 >= 15
6 + 7 = 13 ... failure HIT!  Thanks to Emmy's flanking!

Minor: Divine Challenge on M5
This message was last edited by the player at 02:52, Wed 14 Dec 2011.

Although annoyed at being struck, Michael realizes he can do more damage by repeating his attack on the three Kobolds that are still clumped up together. This time only one of the the two Kobold Minions remains standing as the other screams and collapses, and the Kobold Slinger is again struck by the Winged Horde and continues to be left unable to react to Michael allies’ maneuvers for the time being.
“It appears that my ruse to distract some of the Kobolds also drew the attention of a potential ally.” as Michael knows that there were only 4 in the group that left the town, but that the Kobolds claim there are five intruders. Michael doesn't care that he may have just revealed that he does in fact understand, and thus can speak, Draconic.

[OOC: Move Action: Unused.
Standard Action Winged Horde at I8, misses M3 (rolled a 1+5=6), hits M4 (7+5=12>11) dropping M4, and hits S3 (17+5=22>12) for 5 pt of damage. S3 can't take Opportunity Actions until the end of Michael's next turn. S3's HP 23-5=18HP left.
Minor Action: Not used.]

“I guess they forgot to count Thorn... soon they will realize why ignoring a Blink Dog is a bad idea. But for now, sticks and stones...” says Durtendin as he throws two magic stones without lowering his guard due to clever usage of his staff at the two minions that have moved passed the fence, but while he manages to strike the minion adjacent to him pushing it up to the north as it collapses, the other stone misses the minion by everyone else.

Then Durtendin moves to join up with the group as Thorn (a blink dog) moves up to the fence while adjacent to Joey, Durtendin, and Emerald.

[OOC: Minor action is unused.
Standard: Magic Stones vs M5 and M1, misses M5, hits M1 pushes north 1 square and drops M1.
Move Action: Durtendin moves to I13 while Thorn moves to I12.
Allies adjacent to Thorn can teleport to any other square adjacent to Thorn as a move action due to Blinking Pack Aura.]
This message was last edited by the player at 04:28, Wed 14 Dec 2011.

The one minion still left near Joey decides to try to eek his way out of this situation. "N-no more! I beg mercy! I beg of yoooou!"

The others at the ramp seem unphased and uncaring as they stand their guard like a couple sentinels.

---

Sorry, but you forgot Minion 4 used full defense, which brings his defenses up by 2, so Michael didn't hit him. Minion 4 still lives. I marked it on map this time.

Minion 3 and 4: Full Defense. Again.

Minion 5: Employing plead-for-life tactics.

Slingers revised readied attacks for when people get in range.

  Peter moves over to the western wall, a shot with his sling going wide over the Kobold's heads...  He's used to aiming at people that have normal height okay!?  "You would be more convincing if you dropped your weapons you know." He comments to the freaking out Kobold.

---

  OOC Style: Seth pointed out that he can't legally, even with our fast and loose initiative outlooks, go again before Joey goes.  So Joey can't wait for Seth's alts unless Chris COMPLETELY skips his turn.  And that would be terrible.

  As it is, it's the animal companion and the Vampire who are manning up to the front lines first.  Get with it Mr. Paladin ;P

  ALSO!  Okay, I'm hazy on the LoS for Slinger 1 and 2... but know for a fact Slinger 3 can't make a shot (now LoS or LoE) at I9 or H9 from where he is, in a 5 foot deep pit.

Move: H15 to D15
Standard: Ranged Basic vs M3, Miss (Rolled a 2).

Peter HP: 30/25 S 2 V 6

Joey leans forward to snarl at the surrendering minion, then punches it in the gut with his sword's pommel, knocking the creature out.  He then snatches it up by sliding his sword under it's belt and walks toward the other Kobolds.

"SKUM!" he hollers at them, "SURRENDER LIKE THIS ONE, AND LIVE!"
He pushes his fist forward then retracts it so the unconscious Kobold slides off his sword, hits the ground, and rolls down the ramp.

---

Standard: Virtuous Strike Joey v M5 1 14 + 7 = 21 ... success.  Minor: pick up KO Kobold.  Move from H13 to H10.  Free: Drop KO Kobold.

Emerald manages to suppress a yelp into a cute halfling squeak as she watches her team mates slaughter the enemy. The kobolds looking at the unconscious one look back at Joey and look scared. "The only scum here is this one who surrendered!"

Emerald points at the kobold with authority and answers, "You lie! And your breath stinks!" which causes the one kobold to keel over.

---

Move: J13 to H11
Standard: Vicious Mockery v kobold minion 4. hit(17)!

Kobold minion 4 = KO. Emmy actually isn't killing anyone. Yet.

Michael uses Winged Horde once again and this time manages to make the now last remaining Minion slump to the ground with its mind destroyed by the power, while S3 continues to swat at the seemingly annoying sprites eating away at his mind as he now becomes bloodied by the repeated Winged Horde attacks.

Michael then moves forward and coldly says, “These Kobolds showed no mercy to those from the town that they attacked so why should we show them mercy? We aren't attacking their home, we are reclaiming an area they recently stole from the townfolk who requested our assistance. I will not stop others from showing lenience if they wish to, but I will not hold back against those who I know would seek my death if given a chance. I believe that mercy is for the weak and the weary, but never the wicked.” Michael has a disgusted look on his face as he reveals that like Joey, he too overheard and understood the two minions that were joking about feeding defenseless children to their master, presumably the small dragon. “And make no mistake, these Kobolds are wicked. I overheard two of them carrying on about how they couldn't wait to feed the defenseless children they heard from my cantrip to their master.”

[OOC: Minor Action: Unused.
Standard Action: Winged Horde, finally hits M3 (19>13) and S3 (24>12) S3 takes 6 physic dmg and still can't take Opportunity Actions until the end of end of Michael's next turn. M3 is out of the fight, and S3's remaining HP is 18-6=12HP and is now bloodied.
Move Action: Move to H12.
If Joey could overhear the two Minions with a passive perception of 10, then Michael's Passive perception of 12 would have let him hear them as well.]

Durendin and Thorn move around the fence and forward until they are adjacent the start of the stairs but neither of them sets foot on the stairs yet, figuring they should let the Paladin go first. Durtendin then calls forth a sudden growth of natural plant-life, making the area near S2 and S3 difficult terrain. Durtendin then says, “While Nature can be cruel, information can be more useful so at least taking a few prisoners will enable us to find out more about what is going on here.” as Durtendin calls forth smoke as the ground around Slinger 3 and Slinger 2 blackens as foul smoke rises in a roiling wall that shrouding part of the battlefield in a toxic smoke. The already bloodied Slinger 3 gasps for air as he collapses unconscious to the ground. Slinger 2 grasp at the ground as the smoke tries to force him into the pit and manages to grasp some of the new growth to avoid falling, presumably to his own demise, but is now prone on the ground where he previously stood.

[OOC: Move action: Durtendin moves to I11, and Thorn moves to J10.
Minor Action: Place Nature's Growth centered at I6. (Close Burst 1 so actually it affects the southern slope of the pit, both at H5 and I5 and 1 square beneath that, which happens to make climbing down the rope ladder a bit more difficult as it would take 4 squares of climbing to move down just to the edge of the area where the rope ladder leaves the zone of Nature's growth. Due to having to first move to either H5 or I5 and then down 1 square, thus 2 squares of difficult terrain. Not that Durtendin even realizes there is a rope there, he was just targeting the area between S3 and S2.)
Standard Action: Wall of Smoke hits both S3 (23>12) and S2 (19 > 12) for 13 damage. S3 is KOed as 12HP-13=-1HP left and out of the fight. S2 is now bloodied as 24HP-13=11HP. S2 makes his save so he isn't slide NW 1 square into the pit and falls prone in his current square (J5) while S3's unconscious body is not slid at all.
The Wall of Smoke persists until the end of Durtendin's next turn, while it persists, each square it occupies is lightly obscured AND any creature that ends its turn within the wall will take 4 poison damage.
S2 is lucky I checked how much damage it would have taken if it had failed the save, and it would have taken 20 damage from teh 20ft fall (max dmg on a 2d10 roll and that would have killed it... so I think S2 may be a bit worried atm as in a single move another of the slings was dropped and he was bloodied and almost killed.)
Yes S2 is both prone and lightly obscured so he'd currently get a +4 bonus vs any ranged attack (unelss the person is adjacent to it and then it is only +2) made against him, and would be at -2+2=0 for melee attacks area and close attacks are at normal defenses as neither prone nor partial concealment affect those attacks.]
This message was last edited by the player at 19:59, Thu 15 Dec 2011.

When Joey got within sight/range, the slingers all loosed their shots at him. And all missed or bounced harmlessly off his armor. Of course, Durtendin downs one of them.

Slinger 1 books it. <Draconic>"I'm warning the others!"</Draconic> he yells as he hops down the hole. Apparently, there must be some way for these kobolds to go down that hole without committing suicide.

The remaining kobold says, "Curse you!" and hops down the pit after his friend.

---

Durp. Forgot to do readied actions against Joey when he entered line of sight. Oh well! All of them missed!

But that was readied actions. Actions this round:

Slinger 1: RUN Move to put, climb down as part of move.
Slinger 2: Stand. Then RUN move to climb down pit.

Encounter over ...unless you give chase before resting.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:23, Thu 15 Dec 2011.

Seeing the kobolds fled, Emerald walks over to the others.

Emerald says, "Mercy is for anyone who will have it, but I heard what the kobolds said too. If every kobold here likes watching children scream in pain, then sure, I vote we kill them all. However, those two might very well be the only ones in this camp who think quite like that. Unlikely, but still there's a chance."