Oops.

Klale is relaxed, not paying any particular attention to the planning. Realizing he should speak up, he says Whatever the plan, tell me what you want me to do until it's time to fight.

Phineas takes a few minutes to scout the area around the inn, and then dons his gray cloak and secrets himself in a shadowy corner that will afford him both concealment and a good view of the goings-on.

Ourn returns with news that the town is empty...completely.  There is no explanation as to why, but there are no signs of struggle.  It seems an orderly evacuation took place a couple of days ago as houses are tidy, but sparse.  There are no animals or wagons to speak of.  Tracks lead out of town on the road south.

Night drifts into the town borne on shadows of the hills to the west, but the sunset lingers, reflected off clouds rolling in from the north.  A brisk wind kicks up, a front, possibly a storm is blowing in.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:18, Tue 05 Jan 2016.

There is a slight blur past one of the windows as Ano arrives at the inn, almost bursting though the front door.  Comming through the door he almost looks slightly amazed, but his expression quickly turns dark.  "They are here.  They will be in the town in matter of seconds and they are many.  I counted ten or so our size and many smaller.  They also have two large ones with them and ..." Ano seems to struggle for proper wording for a moment "and something big."

"They did not see me so we should have the element of supprise if we attack when the moment is right, but they will be on us in seconds from now"

Klale makes sure he's adjusted and ready, and he says Hope the big thing isn't Kornari grown.

During the several hours wait prior to Ano's announcement, Toben can be see placing a couple very obvious signs and posting them between the guard tower and the Inn. He points them out to the group. "For your own safety, do not read those signs. You shouldn't be able to trigger them, but ... yeah, I wouldn't even look at them if I were you."

Toben casts Explosive Runes on the two signs and puts the party on the 'nice list'

~~~~~

Startled, Toben jumps a bit as Ano bursts into the Inn. "Sounds a bit more than we expected." He looks out the door. "This storm might just provide a little cover to slow them down."

He waves his staff in increasingly larger concentric circles over his head, mutters a few words, and large dust storm begins to stir about fifty yards from the Inn.

"I guess we get into position now."

Toben casts Dust Storm out in front of the end. If time allows, he'll place an Entangle centered in the dust storm.

Ourn, who has been fiddling with a crossbow that Klale gave him, looks up as Ano bursts in, and is startled for a brief second. He glances down once more at his new weapon and the 20 or so bolts he was able to gather,amd steeles his nerves. At the mention of a certain name, he asks the collective group:

" I know our time is short, but who is this Kornari fellow I've heard you all speak of. What does he look like? I would hate to fire a bolt at an unknown man in the fray that turns out to be on of our companions. ".

Toben looks at Ourn, and with a straight face, asks "Do you believe in magic?" Due to lack of time, he continues without waiting for a response. "You will likely see a great many things tonight that exceed explanation, but if you see anything..." He pauses for a moment to find the right word, "... reptilian in nature, I'd pick a different target."

He looks at Klale. "You might want to step outside for this next one, my friend."

If Klale steps outside, Toben will cast Enlarge on him. After that, he prepares a final spell which he will cast as soon as the attackers come into view.

Enlarge will add +2 to strength, -2 to dexterity, -1 to attack (this will likely be a wash with the +2 str), -1 to AC due to size. Klale's size will increase to large, giving him a reach of 10'. His equipment will also increase in size and raise their damage category up by 1 (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/equi...apons.htm#weaponSize).
This message was last edited by the player at 14:26, Wed 06 Jan 2016.

Ourn's mind is flooded with images of crodile-like men and great beasts with scaley wings, while trying to picture what Toben alludes to.

Fully ready for battle, with his newfound dexterity and confidence from recent successful combat, Ourn only briefly ponders the possibilites of what Kornari could be. He is inwardly happy that the town is empty, and that the potential loss of innocent life is negated for the time. His spirits are high, despite not knowing what he and his new friends are getting in to. Ourn smirks and says " Reptilian you say? That sounds wonderful and dreadful all in the same. ".

He snaps his crossbow up into a salute. " Gentlemen, and lady, may The One smile upon us all. ".

With that, Ourn heads upstairs to a room with a good vantage point on third story.

Grunts and barks come from the gloom and dust, the first warning that they have arrived.  When the creatures spill into the main street, they are shocked at the abrupt end to the dust and it makes them relieved more than wary.  They try to shake the dust from their eyes and for the moment, they can't see anything.

As Ano reported, there are ten of the human-sized creatures, orcs most likely.  They are full of tusks, dark-colored skin, and wiry hair.  Grime and oil covers them and the smell wafts across the clearing makes you glad you aren't eating dinner at the moment.

Behind them, two large creatures lumber out of the dust.  Their heads reach the windowsills of second storied buildings.  One has a mop of dark hair on top, but the other is completely bald.  Their faces are scrunched together and almost flat, barely a pair of holes for a nose, two piggish eyes, and long slits for mouths closed against the dust.  The bald one is missing two of six fingers on one hand.  They hardly bother with clothing, enough to protect the crotch area from attack, which may be a weakness to exploit.  Saris identifies them as mountain trolls, large, strong, and historically stupid.

The sound of wood cracking and breaking follows them.  Something larger follows, something too big to fit in the street completely.  Saris has no name for this, but Xar taps on her shoulder and she nods.  "Vastidon."

There is no sign of the little, fast movers Ano spoke of.

GM:  This is the surprise round.  You get one movement and one action considered simultaneous.  You also need to post your initiative roll which is either take 10 + Init or an actual roll result.  After that, I will post results of the surprise round and an initiative list.  Please post in initiative order so we don't get confused.  There are a lot of us and this is a big battle.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:52, Wed 06 Jan 2016.

Toben frowns as the attackers emerge from the storm without any preceding explosions. Grasping his staff firmly in both hands, he extends it and mutters "Strix hesi mamissi mrith nautkynir qeelak."

He gives the group a once over, nods, and then makes his way to the roof of the Inn.


Toben casts Haste on Klale, Ano, Phineas, Ourn, and Xar and lasts for 5 rounds.
Each recipient gains +30 movement speed, +1 to attack, +1 to AC, +1 to reflex saves, and 1 extra attack when making a full attack.

16:39, Today: Toben Ironsprings rolled 21 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.

Ourn braces himself on the 3rd story window sill, and lines up a shot center mass on the big bald troll. He slows his breath to steady his aim, and waits for the fight to begin before taking the shot, as he doesn't want to give away his position.



22:04, Today: Ourn rolled 13 using 1d20+10.  Initiative.

Klale "greets" the nearest foe. His backhand slash grazes the belly, causing the to realize that there may be little reason to plan for the future. Then the forward slash emphasizes the point.

21:44, Today: Klale Tsolo rolled 10 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.

I'm not taking enlarge so as to keep my DEX.
I think I have this right: Klale is +14 +1 +1 on attack, and +14 +1 on damage. I can take a 15 for an attack roll. I can subtract up to ten from my attack and add to damage. 15+17 = 32 to Attack. I can make it 15+7 and always have a 20+.
Based on that:

21:46, Today: Klale Tsolo rolled 12 using 2d10 with rolls of 2,10.  Damages.

2 + 10 +1 = 13 Damage

10 + 10 + 1 = 21 Damage

Ano follows Klale out the front door of the inn and looks out over the group of enemies, noting the location.  Ever since he revived Nestael's blessing, Ano has seemed more restless and twitchy then normal, and when Toben's spell hit him he felt like he was almost vibrating in place.  He felt like he had energy to burn.

Ano picked out two orcs out of the crowd and takes a slow step towards them. When his foot hits the ground he surges forward at incredible speed, and aims to drive his fists into the gut of both orcs.  After that he follows up with a pair of fast, whirling kicks directed at the two.


Ano takes 15 on his 4 attacks, so that's 23 to hit with each attack
09:29, Today: Ano rolled 35 using 4d8+16 with rolls of 6,6,3,4.  damage for 4 attacks.
So that's 17 damage to the first orc and 18 damage to the second orc.
09:05, Today: Ano rolled 14 using 1d20+3.  Initiative.

Saris finds a spot hidden from view within the first floor of the inn.  She sits down, crosses her legs and closes her eyes.  There is only the steady, deep breathing of meditation from her after that.

Xar waits for Toben's spell to finish, then in a blur disappears into the night shadows of the town.

Phineas tenses himself to readiness in the shadows, then quietly springs to the nearest orc, Masterwork dagger at the ready, taking a stabbing lunge at the creature's back. Toben's mysterious incantations allow him to strike twice before dancing out of the creature's range and hopefully immediately out of the others' sight, hoping to preserve his advantage of surprise.

13:05, Today: Phineas Highwood rolled 25 using 1d20+7.  Initiative.
Takes a 10 on to-hit, yielding 16 with weapon finesse.
13:14, Today: Phineas Highwood rolled 9 using 2d6.  attack 2, sneak attack damage.
13:14, Today: Phineas Highwood rolled 4 using 1d4+1.  attack 2, base damage.
13:13, Today: Phineas Highwood rolled 8 using 2d6.  attack 1, sneak attack damage.
13:13, Today: Phineas Highwood rolled 5 using 1d4+1.  attack 1, base damage.

This message was last edited by the player at 19:15, Thu 07 Jan 2016.

With Toben's spell speeding up an already Maiar-enhanced group, the toll on the Valaraukar invaders begins to tell.

Klale lays into one of the orcs, but though the creature staggers back and sports two serious wounds, it is in now way out of the fight.

Ano's attacks also stagger two orcs, just managing to get the dust out of their eyes.  Though they also seem to be significantly hurt, they also don't seem near death.

Phineas' attack does not penetrate the heavy hide armor the orc is wearing.  Though thankfully the monster did not see where the attack came from as it rubbed the last of the dust from its eyes.  The young rogue is able to step back into the shadows and remain hidden while the orc readies himself and tromps towards Klale.

The creatures blink the dust out of their eyes and look around.    One of the orcs take a second glance at a sign post with recent paint.  Suddenly the sign explodes with arcane energy throwing the orc back along with two others that happened to be nearby.  A second sign explodes across the way, flinging two more orcs backward into one of the mountain trolls.  Angered by the sudden impact, the mountain troll grabs one of the orcs and uses it like a crude club to swat the other one through a storefront wall.  Then it continues to drag the orc it grabbed, which is now unconscious, like a club through the dirt towards Klale.

*Name                 Init   AC/DR     HP/HP    Notes                                                    *
Ourn (O)               13    26/--     24/24     Regen +2/rd, held action
Phineas    (P)         25    20/--     24/24     Regen +2/rd
Toben      (T)         21    12/--     30/30     Regen +2/rd
Ano        (A)         14    15/--     22/22     Regen +2/rd
Xar        (X)         ??    24/--     45/45
Klale      (K)         10    23/--     66/66     Regen +2/rd
Saris      (S)         14    18/01     55/55     holding action


Orc(o)                  9   ?22/??    -34/??
Orc(o)                  9   ?23/??    -17/??
Orc(o)                  9   ?23/??    -18/??
Orc(o)                  9    ??/??    -21/??     prone, Exp. Runes
Orc(o)                  9    ??/??    -11/??     prone, Exp. Runes
Orc(o)                  9    ??/??    -11/??     prone, Exp. Runes
Orc(o)                  9    ??/??    -27/??     unconscious, Exp. Runes, held by M1 and used as a club
Orc(o)                  9    ??/??   -49+/??     unknown, went through a building, likely dead
Orc(o)                  9    ??/??     ??/??
Orc(o)                  9    ??/??     ??/??
Mountain Troll (M)      8    ??/??     ??/??
Mountain Troll (M)      8    ??/??     ??/??
Vastidon (VVV)          7    ??/??     ??/??

???                    ??    ??/??     ??/??

GM: The surprise round is over.  You have initiative for Round 1.

Just before Ourn can loose a bolt at the large, bald troll, he notices a shadowy creature on the second story balcony, making a leap for someone down below. He swiftly shifts his attention and aim and lets his projectile fly, hoping to at least knock the creature off course.

Ourn takes a 10 on his single attack, yielding a 19 total.
09:04, Today: Ourn rolled 2 using 1d10.  Attack with Masterwork Heavy Repeating Crossbow.
09:17, Today: Ourn rolled 3 using 2d6.  Sneak Attack Damage.
As a free action, Ourn cycles the reload switch on his crossbow. 4/5 loaded bolts remaining.

Making a full attack under the effects of haste, Ourn fires a second bolt, taking 10 for a total of 19.
09:11, Today: Ourn rolled 2 using 1d10.  Attack with Masterwork Heavy Repeating Crossbow.
09:18, Today: Ourn rolled 9 using 2d6.  Sneak Attack Damage.
Free action reload> 3/5 loaded bolts remaining.

The two bolts whiz through the air one behind the other and find their mark in its back. The shadowy creature's trajectory is horribly skewed from its intended landing spot, and it plops upside down in the middle of the street with a thud. Its neck is twisted, and its head is cocked at an unnatural angle.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:33, Fri 08 Jan 2016.

Phineas lurks in the shadows, concerned that his most formidable attacks seemed to have no effect on the weakest of the attackers. Rather than launching another attack, he watches carefully for any more effective opportunities to engage.

Toben reaches the top of the stairs, and eyes smile a little when he hears the explosions go off. He walks over to a window closest to where the fight is taking place, and peeks out to survey the field.

Deciding to target the squeals coming from within the dust storm, he launches a small stone into the storm. He waits for the following explosion before turning and continuing his trek to the room of the Inn.


Toben casts Exploding Stone modified by silent spell.
13:15, Today: Toben Ironsprings rolled 27 using 1d20+15.  spellcraft check .
13:16, Today: Toben Ironsprings rolled 15 using 5d6.  Exploding Stone damage. GM's discretion as to which creates, if any, it hits.

Ano's hands blur as he delivers a pair of lightning fast punches to each of the two orcs.  He aims for joints and vitals, trying to take themdown quickly.  He then quickly turns and sends three snap kicks at the head and ribs of a third orc.

Ano uses his flurry of Blows and takes 15 for his 7 attacks.  So that's 22 for each attack.
19:29, Today: Ano rolled 63 using 7d8+28 with rolls of 3,7,1,6,5,7,6.  Flurry of Blows 7 attacks.
So that's 18 damage to the first, 15 to the second and 30 to the third.
Unless you prefer it all split evenly for simplicity

This message was last edited by the player at 01:39, Sat 09 Jan 2016.

Klale, distracted, nearly lets his sword slip, so deals comparatively little damage with is first stroke. However, he makes up for it on his return.

21:06, Today: Klale Tsolo rolled 11 using 2d10 with rolls of 1,10.  Damages.

12 first, then 21.

The creature Ourn drops in the air is likely a goblin or a close relative.  None have time for a closer look, so the name sticks in the head of those who think it.

Toben's rock silences the squealing from the dust, but it is anyone's guess whether the silence comes from death or caution of the intended targets.

Ano knocks two orcs around and causes one to stagger and fall to the ground from the damage it took in quick succession (more than half in one round).

Klale, hardly aware of the goblin that almost landed on his back, spins and slashes at the knee of a mountain troll, before returning to his original target for the killing blow which knocks the creature several feet back before it realizes it is dead.

Mimicking the goblin's move, Xar leaps from the damaged building onto the back of the orc-wielding mountain troll.  He stabs swift and sure with both knives using them to both wound and find purchase as the giant creature flails about trying to remove him.  At the opportune moment, he somersaults over the troll's questing hand and lands on his feet near his next target.

Free of the dust and hurting, the orcs retaliate.  Whether its because he is the most devastating, or seems to be the weakest target, they converge on Ano.  Only one is able to land a blow [8 DMG], but it stings.

One of the mountain trolls, angered by Klale's audacity, swings a mighty club at the fighter.  Klale doesn't even feel the breeze of a near miss.  The other troll is unsuccessfully chasing after Xar with the orc in hand.

Then out of the dust lumbers the Vastidon.  It is a six legged draconian creature covered in scales and with three rows of short ridges down its back from head to toe.  The head is long and flat like an alligator with a mouth full of dull, squarish teeth for grinding bone.  It's eyes are small and surrounded by scales and spines, near impossible to strike with anything but piercing weapons.  It plods alone with a distinct waddle, crashing through the fronts of buildings on either side due to its incredible size, wider than a mountain troll is tall.  It sees its prey and lets out a terrifying roar that shatters the windows of more than a block of businesses and homes in Dunstan.  It's tail ends in a club-like ball of bone, which does nothing for the structural integrity of already highly damaged buildings.  It sees Klale and starts in his direction.

*Name                 Init   AC/DR     HP/HP    Notes                                                    *
Ourn (O)               13    26/--     24/24     Regen +2/rd
Phineas    (P)         25    20/--     24/24     Regen +2/rd

Goblin                 23   19?/--    -16/??     DEAD

Toben      (T)         21    12/--     30/30     Regen +2/rd
Ano        (A)         14    15/--     16/22     Regen +2/rd
Xar        (X)         ??    24/--     45/45
Klale      (K)         10    23/--     66/66     Regen +2/rd
Saris      (S)         14    18/01     55/55     holding action


Orc(o)                  9    22/??    -55/52     DEAD (Klale)
Orc(o)                  9    22/??    -35/52     Ano
Orc(o)                  9    22/??    -33/52     Ano
Orc(o)                  9    22/??    -21/52     Exp. Runes
Orc(o)                  9    22/??    -11/52     Exp. Runes
Orc(o)                  9    22/??    -11/52     Exp. Runes
Orc(o)                  9    22/??    -27/52     unconscious, Exp. Runes, held by M1 and used as a club
Orc(o)                  9    22/??   -49+/52     unknown, went through a building, likely dead
Orc(o)                  9    22/??    -30/52     Ano, prone
Orc(o)                  9    22/??     ??/52
Mountain Troll (M)      8    ??/??    -10/??    Klale
Mountain Troll (M)      8    ??/??    -57/??    Xar backstab, Orc club
Vastidon (VVV)          7    ??/??     ??/??

As further insight completely fails to come to him, Phineas shrugs, mutters "I'd better do *something*" to himself, and launches at the nearer of Ano's two attackers. Unfortunately, his traditional battle luck seems to have returned, and his blows skitter off the orc's armor. He does his best to quickly duck out of sight once more.

07:48, Today: Phineas Highwood rolled 11 using 1d20+6.  to hit (attack 1).
07:48, Today: Phineas Highwood rolled 13 using 1d20+6.  to hit (attack 2).

This message was last edited by the player at 13:50, Tue 12 Jan 2016.