‘Hmm, judging by the end result, either I’m just that good, or things are just that bad’

  Going straight from skimming through legal documents to try and answer Grall’s question, to all of them standing outside some cave people thought bushes would actually hide.  It’d normally take a good hunk of levels before someone could accomplish such.

  Shame all the legal documents he’d been given aside from the latest one were blank.  But it did explain why nobody knew laws until people had the chance to point out they were breaking one.

 ‘And I’ve apparently signed legally binding documents while reality has been out.  Ah well, at least this time I got to actually look at the thing first.  Progress is progress.’

  “So… Are these evil bushes?  Bushes with Beartraps in them?  Or is it a hopeful sign we are dealing with people even stupider than I am?”

OOC: Even though Blake is starting to go crazier from the parade of ‘LoL why didn’t you know that law?... No you can’t know the laws’ events, skipping right to the mission is the more convenient for all involved option.
Though now he's all curious what will happen if he goes to a library <.<
This message was last edited by the player at 21:22, Wed 05 Nov 2008.

Gilant thinks back to how after reading the scroll Bridget had requested everyone sign that if instead of simply signing it, he should have first asked about what was stolen... after all if the stolen property is something dangerous itself, this could be a suicide run than a recovery mission.

But now that the group is outside the cavern blocked by bushes, Gilant considers Blake's comments and then speaks up, "Well these bushes could conceal a trap, this seems way to easy to have found this place. So either these thieves are stupid, in which case it surprises me they weren't captured in the act of stealing the property. It is probably more likely that they either don't care if anyone follows them as they expect to be able to kill anyone attempting to recover the property via traps or in battle; or this could all a decoy they set up to throw us off the track and they are really somewhere else."

"One way to find out!"

Mittens walks up to the bushes and examines them carefully.
22:40, Today: Mittens rolled 8 using 1d20+2. looking for bush traps.  :p.

"Nope!" she says confidently, "No traps here!"

She grabs a bush and pulls it out of the way.

A slight tug is felt while the bush is moved followed by the sound of breaking pottery echoing loudly from within the cave.  The shimmer of a fishing line can be seen leading into the cave from the trunk of the bush in her hand.

"Oops," Mittens says sheepishly, "Well at least it wasn't a trap."
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:53, Thu 06 Nov 2008.

Grall face-palms.

"No.  Not a trap.  Just an alarm to let them know it's time to escape!"

(OOC: Chris mentioned that Bridget would have collected the information from the characters as to what their battle methods are on the way to the destination, so Bridget essentially knows the IC version of everyone's respective character sheets. At least, those who shared. For now, I'm saying Bridget knows about Emmy knowing how to check and disarm traps. On your posts, let me know if you told anything to Bridget about yourselves and what you told her. This message is approved by Mittens Inc.)

Bridget raises her voice "Don't." she says, clearly and loud enough for anyone (including Mittens) to have heard her. But she's too late and Mittens has activated the trap. After Grall says his peace, Bridget speaks firmly but in a cold tone, "Disarming and checking traps is for Emerald, Mittens. If you do something like that again, you are off the mission." After all... even Bridget allows mistakes. But not too many. It's 2 strikes for her.

Bridget turns to look at the others. "We can't let the enemy run with what belongs to Unity. Whoever is with me, follow. But do not charge ahead. Emerald, keep an eye open for traps or anything related. Stay near me."

Bridget goes inside the cave and keeps Emerald nearby so Emerald can do as told without Bridget falling into a trap (Since Bridget is leading the way now).

At the sight of Mittens setting off a trap, Emerald covers her mouth with an expression like "I can't believe she did that", but in an amused way... she is giggling. She really wants to tease Mittens, but since she wants to make a good first impression for her entry into Unity, she decides against it for now.

Emerald follows alongside Bridget as told and keeps an eye out for traps or anything for that matter.

(OOC: Emerald's foxy ears are wide open. She is using Perception, which is 15. So if the traps are "well hidden" as apposed to "Poorly hidden", I'll actually have to roll dice to see if I can find them. Otherwise, 15 is an automatic find.)

  “Well let’s just hope they didn’t bother with a second exit then.  Of course, fire code has never been a pressing concern for criminal lairs.” Blake comments as he draws his favorite sharp object (because it’s his, and tends not to stab him) while stepping around the remaining bushes.

  “I wonder if this leads anywhere convenient, they’d have to be able to hear it now wouldn’t they?” he wondered as he considered the length of fishing line continuing on into the cave.  Of course, unless it was a surprisingly complicated one, they’d probably arrive at it’s end destination from the wonders of single existing pathway.

Gilant sighs upon seeing Mitten's impatience end up alerting the criminals to the groups presence and mutters, "There goes the element of surprise." as the Gityhanki draws his sword before moving into the cave with Emerald and Bridget.

"I'm not charging ahead!" Mittens asserts as she walks briskly to take her position in front of the group, "Just doing my job of defending.  I thought the team supposed to follow me what with me carrying this big shield and all."

She stares into the tunnel ahead.

"Wow," she whispers, "Sure is dark in there!  I smell smoke and something like a stable."

Dark enough that even with low-light vision, she wouldn't be able to see well enough to fight effectively.

http://spreadsheets.google.com...GO9l1BM0Og&hl=en
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:20, Fri 07 Nov 2008.

Grall follows closely behind Mittens.  When he sees a dark room ahead he activates a sunrod and tosses it inside.  The sunrod lands on the floor revealing that it's covered in straw.  (indicated in yellow on the map)  From where he's standing, all he can see is a few bales of straw, a pitchfork, and a flat shovel.  Growling emerges from somewhere in the otherwise unimpressive room.  On the far side of the room is a long tunnel that leads to a dead end.  (Indicated in darkening grey...  phb 221 - sunrod spreads bright light in all directions to a radius of 20 squares. But since it landed on a straw floor I'll make it slightly less effective.  Areas of total darkness indicated in dark blue since my monitor doesn't show any difference between black and deep grey.)

"That solves the dark problem," he says while loosing his whip, "And if that growling is any indication, we're about to find out where the smell is coming from!  See any traps, Emerald?"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:55, Fri 07 Nov 2008.

Initiative:

Unseen foe(s) - 16.
Gilant, 15 19.  (forgot we had 2 warlords.)
Mittens rolled 13 using 1d20+4. Initiative (included warlord bonuses from now on).
Grall - 11.
Emerald - 22.
Blake - 5.
Bridget - 13.

House rule reminder:  Gilant doesn't have to wait for Emerald to take her turn, but the rest of the team must wait for the foe to take a turn.  This limitation only lasts for the first round of combat.  For the rest of the encounter, every time the foe takes it's turn, any member of the PC team is free to take a turn regardless of PC initiative order.  (Yes, I realize this means combat could wind up with Gilant choosing to take a turn immediately before and immediately after the foe, but such is the trade-off for allowing for differing schedules.)

http://spreadsheets.google.com...GO9l1BM0Og&hl=en
This message was last edited by the player at 16:27, Fri 07 Nov 2008.

Emerald moves to the end of the hallway to get a much better view of the room and keeps her back pressed up against the wall before peering around at said room. Continuing her task at hand, she kept an eye open for traps or such and is especially concerning herself with the makers of those growling noises. Emerald would then hold up a number of fingers equal to her Charisma Modifier how many enemies she saw.

(Emerald readies an action "Sly Flourish" using Short Sword if any one enemy gets too close.)
This message was last edited by the player at 22:55, Fri 07 Nov 2008.

Realizing the danger Emerald is in, Gilant hurries south and stops next to Mittens as he says softly, "If I don't do something quick, Emerald is going to get herself killed out there," as the Githyanki looks at Emerald and using just the power of his mind he safely hurls Emerald through the air over his and Mitten's heads placing Emerald down just north of Mittens as Gilant says, "Foolish girl, you'll get yourself killed up there by yourself, so your coming back here since a group must fight together or its members will die alone," as Gilant isn't stupid enough to charge into a room and be munched by three growling foes, especially after having lost his Cadre to similar rash actions they did thinking that as Githyanki they couldn't loose.

_{[OOC:
Move Action: Move south 3 squares.
Move Action (Instead of Standard Action): Use Telekinetic Leap on Emerald, & moved her 4 squares maintaining line of sight between me and her during the move. (Also, if a wolf moves 1 square east of Mittens it is still adjacent to Emerald and thus Emerald's readied action will still be triggered. Nasty surprise for the poor critter. And much wiser than any other option I had that would result in at least one person being flanked.)
Minor Action: Unused.
]}

The wolves were irritated enough by the crashing of the pottery.  Add to that a sudden extremely bright light and unfamiliar scents and an intruder!  They round the corner and charge!  The hall is too narrow for all 3 wolves to attack.  The instincts of the two that can tell them that the Githyanki is the best target, and they both attack him!

20:46, Today: Gray Wolf rolled 28 using 1d20+8. charge attack vs. Gilant. Critical!  (8 damage)
20:46, Today: Gray Wolf rolled 19 using 1d20+8. charge attack vs. Gilant.
20:48, Today: Gray Wolf rolled 4 using 1d6+2. damage from bite attack.

Emerald's readied sly flourish hits!

20:35, Today: Mittens, on behalf of Emerald, rolled 16 using 1d20+8. readied sly flourish vs. Wolf 1.
20:40, Today: Mittens, on behalf of Emerald, rolled 10 using 1d6+7. sly flourish damage.

Wolf defenses:
AC 16; Fort 14, Reflex 14, Will 13

Wolf 1 HP: 28 of 38
Wolf 2 HP: 38
Wolf 3 HP: 38

Gilant current HP: 19
This message was last edited by the player at 02:02, Sat 08 Nov 2008.

"If you're thinking of payback against my foxy friend," Mittens challenges the wolf in front of her, "Think again!"

She jabs at the wolf with a holy strike, but the wolf evades the attack!

21:17, Today: Mittens rolled 10 using 1d20+7. holy strike vs. Wolf 1.

Wolf 1 is marked with Mittens' divine challenge.

"Gilant!" Grall says, snapping his whip at the injured wolf in front of Mittens, "How 'bout some sweet revenge on this one?!"

(Inspiring word minor power used on Gilant.  Gilant recovers 11 HP.)

21:54, Today: Grall rolled 25 using 1d20+7. furious smash vs. Wolf 1 Fort defense. 4 damage.  Grall grants +3 to Gilant's next attack and damage rolls.  Wolf 1 also takes a -2 penalty to attack rolls agains Mittens until the end of Grall's next turn.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:29, Sat 08 Nov 2008.

After Gilant is struck by both of the wolves that attacked him, he glares angrily and looks injured but not bloodied. When Grall uses his inspiring words to help Gilant recover, the Githyanki looks quite relieved as he says, "Gladly," as the Githyanki strikes at the wolf (Wolf one) and when his blade strikes, a sizzling bolt of lightning leaps
from the wolf, nearly strikes the wolf standing next to it, although the second wolf manages to avoid the bolt.

<sub>[OOC:
Minor Action: Aegis of Shielding on Wolf 2.
Standard Action: Lightning Clash attacks Wolf1, secondary Wolf 2.
Move Action: Not used.
22:04, Today: Gilant rolled 26 using 1d20+10. Lightning Clash vs Wolf 1. Will Suck.
22:06, Today: Gilant rolled 8 using 1d10+7. Lightning Clash dmg to Wolf1. Will Suck.
22:07, Today: Gilant rolled 9 using 1d20+7. Lit. C. 2nd Att vs Ref. Wolf 2 Will Suck.
It seems 'will suck' isn't so effective for Gilant.

Wolf1 16hp left
Wolf2 38hp left
Wolf3 38hp left

Gilant 30 hp left, 10 Surges left.
]</sub>
This message was last edited by the player at 04:38, Sat 08 Nov 2008.

  “Stop trying to eat my recent acquaintances.  Well, unless the alternative is eating me.”  Blake’s commentary was followed up by taking a shot at the Wolf everyone else seemed to be focusing on... Well, at least he showed that patch of wall who’s boss.

  “While it’s good that I’m accurate enough not to hit any of you people in the back of the head,"  Seriously, Blake had to shoot past like, the entire party, but considering the entire party was between him and pointy teeth death, not so bad,  "I think at this rate mild singeing and a blasted enemy would be preferable... So, is the guy outside equipped to handle captured wolves?”

  Of course, there was the possibility that Unity didn't give a damn for things that didn't speak common.  Or have fingers.

  [ (Standard: Eldritch Blast, Miss ;  Minor: Curse Wolf 1 )
  Yet ANOTHER 3 on my die (Even if Bridget had time to boost me, it wouldn’t help).  3 seems to be a magic number alright.  A magic number of I HATE YOU.  And considering the wolves and the rest of our little group, I’ve come to the unfortunate Dejavu feeling of ‘oh *censored*.  Everyone else has ludicrous dodge (AC), so my above average dodge will be useless’ once more in a game.]
This message was last edited by the player at 05:17, Sat 08 Nov 2008.

Emerald lets out a fox yelp as she suddenly gets telekinetically grabbed and thrown aside to a safe place. "Thanks, Gilant." she says in an honestly grateful tone. "Guess my curiosity got the better of me." Once again, temptation arises as she is tempted to say something to the effect of "I can handle myself, though," but knows that such a statement sounds egotistical and would only discourage an ally from bothering to help you whether because the ally believes you or because they are angry at you for being ungrateful. Either way, she doesn't take it for granted when someone is watching her back.

Emerald decides to take Gilant's advice even more and uses her dagger on the wolf of everyone's aggression, slicing a nasty wound in the wolf before weaving between her allies for Bridget to take her place near the wolf.

(11:47, Today: Emerald rolled 23 using 1d20+9. King's Castle.)
(11:49, Today: Emerald rolled 8 using 2d4+5. King's Castle - Damage.)

....maaaaaybe Unity didn't give a care about wolves. But rules are rules. Bridget is one to follow the letter of the law. And while they appear to be wolves, they could be evil druids in wolf form, someone's pet under mind control, doppelgangers with a weird fetish or any number of reasons to be in trouble for killing them.

Bridget doesn't say much on the yanking and Emerald's venturing forward since it's time to fight. Nor does she object to Mittens being in front. Bridget isn't a control freak or a psychologist, nor does she care about either... she simply is someone who does what she can to get the task done in the most efficient way she knows possible. That said, Bridget takes the cue from Emerald and gets into an ideal position. Seeing the wolf has not much left in it, Bridget decides to conserve her harder attack for later and brings her sword down on the wolf, causing not quite enough to finish the thing off. However, as she was harming the wolf, she leaves an obvious opening to Mittens for both the first wolf and the second... her choice.

(11:55, Today: Emerald rolled 21 using 1d20+7. Furious Smash - Attack.)
(Furious Smash does 5 damage. No roll for damage.)
(Mittens now has a +2 vs either Wolf1 or Wolf2)

(OOC note: First off, I goofed and accidentally rolled Bridget's attack with Emerald's name. Secondly, if any of you think I'm going "no kill!" because that's the kind of guy I am OOC, it's coincidence, I swear! Bridget would kill if the law allowed it. But until it's necessary, Bridget is going to just put her enemies into submission since that's the law.)
This message was last edited by the player at 18:01, Sat 08 Nov 2008.

The first wolf is reeling from the team's onslaught, but is still able to retaliate.  It snaps at Mittens but it's teeth don't get around her shin guards.  It decides to cut it's losses and shifts back cautiously, snarling menacingly.

The second wolf answers Gilant's aegis with another vicious bite!  It shifts to it's right to protect the first wolf.

The third wolf happens to be the alpha male of the group.  It's noticed that Emerald is the one who's hurt the first wolf the most, making her the favored target.  Problem is, Mittens is blocking the way.  Only one way to solve that problem - grab her and pull her out of the way.  It snaps it's jaws around Mittens' shin guard and prepares to pull her!


13:16, Today: Gray Wolf rolled 16 using 1d20+7. wolf 1 bite attack vs. Mittens. Miss.
13:27, Today: Gray Wolf rolled 27 using 1d20+7. wolf 2 bite vs. Gilant. Critical!  8 damage.
13:35, Today: Gray Wolf rolled 16 using 1d20+2. wolf 3 grab vs. Gilant. Mittens (str vs. reflex) Grab!  (PHB 290)

Gilant 22 hp left, 10 Surges left.
Wolf1 3hp left
Wolf2 38hp left
Wolf3 38hp left (has Mittens in a grab)
This message was last edited by the player at 20:37, Sat 08 Nov 2008.

Grall notices the third wolf preparing to drag Mittens away.

"That's what you think!" he barks at it while swinging his whip at the wolf, lashing it across the face!

"Mittens!  Strike this one!"

19:27, Today: Grall rolled 16 using 1d20+7. furious smash vs. Wolf 3 Fort defense. Hit!  4 damage.  Target takes a -2 to attack rolls against Mittens.  Mittens gains +3 to next attack and damage roll against Wolf 3.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:46, Sun 09 Nov 2008.

"Thanks for not blasting me, Blake," Mittens answers Blake, "And I'm sure we can handle these dogs without any outside help - especially once they've been subdued."

"Oh that was clever!" she commends the wolves after they use wolf tactics to save their injured member, then looks at the wolf that grabbed her, "But not so clever to get a mouth full of steel, pup!"
(Wolf 3 is marked with Mittens' Divine Challenge.)

She takes Grall's advice and brings her longsword down on the wolf.

19:34, Today: Mittens rolled 19 using 1d20+9. enfeebling strike vs. wolf 3.
19:36, Today: Mittens rolled 8 using 1d8+6. damage from enfeebling strike. Wolf takes -2 to it's attacks.

Wolf1 3hp left (No longer marked)
Wolf2 38hp left (marked with Gilant's Aegis.)
Wolf3 26hp left (has Mittens in a grab, is marked by her divine challenge, takes a -2 to attacks and another -2 to attacks vs. Mittens.)

After taking yet another hit, Gilant notices that a wolf grabs Mittens and then grins as that wolf takes a beating from Mittens and Grall. Gilant snarls, "Let go of her. And if you grab me, I'm sure Mittens will just use her Divine Challenge on you, so try something else. Now, I'm getting tired of you wolves. Fear my sword!" as Gilant sweeps his sword releasing a blast of force against the two wolves adjacent to Gilant.

<sub>[OOC:
Minor Action: Place Aegis of Shielding on Wolf 3 (the wolf that has grabbed Mittens)
Move Action: Not used.
Standard Action: Sword Burst Attacks Wolf 2 and wolf 3.
Dice Result: 12 (With +4 from int bonus it becomes a 16, which hits wolf 2
http://rollr.appspot.com/view/...CxIIRGljZVJvbGwYqDgM
Dice Result: 11 (With +4 from int bonus it becomes a 15, which hits wolf 3
http://rollr.appspot.com/view/...CxIIRGljZVJvbGwYvzUM
Dice Result: 2 (With +4 int bonus it becomes 6 points of force dmg to the wolves.)
http://rollr.appspot.com/view/...CxIIRGljZVJvbGwYszgM

Wolf1 3hp left
Wolf2 32hp left (No longer has aegis of shielding on it)
Wolf3 20hp left (has Mittens in a grab, is marked by Shield of Aegis, takes a -2 to attacks and another -2 to attacks vs. Mittens, plus -2 to everyone but Gilant.)
]</sub>
This message was last edited by the player at 01:43, Sun 09 Nov 2008.

  Another day, another failure to hit a near dead hardly moving target.  “It’s not a good sign when I’m considering attempting to punch it in the face as an alternative means.”

  Look at it this way.  If the wolf was biting his face off, at least then Blake would have succeeded in making contact with the damned thing.

[ (Move: Duh.  Standard: Fail as usual)
I wonder if they would accept ‘Failure: Standard Action’ as a rules update?]