(10)
The blazing ball of fire, called into being by the wizard Aidrin, fades away--leaving a burning portion of the prairie behind.

(8)
The gnoll who has been relentlessly pursuing Perrato swings its axe again--and again finds its mark.  The blade crashes past the priest's shield and armor, hammering into Perrato's chest.

(4)
The other two gnolls concentrate their attacks on the monk.  The first swings wildly, its axe meeting only air.  The second, however, wields its weapon ferociously, and its axe bites deeply into Asher's shoulder.

Three gnolls emerge from the tall grass near Garryn and Caylin.  With laughing barks, they move in with their axes.

OOC:  Perrato is up.
10:39, Today: DM rolled 9 using 1d8+3. Damage vs. Asher.
10:39, Today: DM rolled 19 using 1d20+4. Gnoll attack 2 vs. Asher.
10:39, Today: DM rolled 6 using 1d20+4. Gnoll attack 1 vs. Asher.
10:38, Today: DM rolled 8 using 1d8+3. Damage vs. Perrato.
10:38, Today: DM rolled 24 using 1d20+6. Gnoll attack vs. Perrato.

This message was last edited by the GM at 18:00, Thu 18 Aug 2005.

OOC:  Updated map is HERE.

Perrato, out of potions, out of room to maneuver and out of options, chooses to fight his way out. He takes aim with his morningstar and swings at the gnoll directly to his north [G 20]. His blow falls well wide of its mark. And he is left to take his best chance at defense.

[13:40, Today: Perrato Viatomagne rolled 7 using 1d20+5. Attack gnoll (G 20), morningstar.]

[OOC: This was a big blunder. I was under the impression that the Withdraw action would provoke an Attack of Opportunity, and after biffing my roll I checked the rules on it. Guess it doesn't. Sorry.]

(23)
Perched on Garryn's shoulders, Caylin notes the approach of the gnolls, and views the far-off combat involving Asher and Perrato with worry.  A snarl crosses the halfling's face, and he fires one more arrow towards the distant conflict before leaping to the ground.  Caylin does not wait to see if his shot is even close.

Meanwhile, an arrow arcs in from the north.  The gnoll facing Perrato, slightly wounded, goes down in a tangle of limbs as the downward-tending arrow shears through the creature's brainstem and exits through its trachea.  The gnoll is, emphatically, dead.

OOC:  Garryn is up on 22.
10:31, Today: Caylin Direbrook rolled 19 using 3d6+6.
10:30, Today: Caylin Direbrook rolled 16 using 1d20+4. Critical hit check.
10:30, Today: Caylin Direbrook rolled 24 using 1d20+4. Arrow shot at gnoll on Perrato.
New maps for A & P up
HERE and G &C up THERE.

Asher draws his Kama and reaches out to trip the Gnoll poised between him and Perrato. He easily hooks the Gnolls knee; but may have trouble taking him down.

OOC: Why couldn't I have rolled the strength check first?!

14:09, Today: Asher Willbourne rolled 7 using 1d20+2. Strength check Asher.
14:08, Today: Asher Willbourne rolled 28 using 1d20+9. Trip vs AC 10.

Kev, do you want to roll the opposed strength check or should I? ;)

Asher will drop the Kama rather than be re-tripped. Dodge bonus vs the Gnoll to the west of Asher this round.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:16, Fri 19 Aug 2005.

OOC:  We have a tie.  Re-rolls, please.

Garryn steps forward 5'(E6) and assumes a defensive stance preparing for the onslaught of the gnolls.

(22)
Garryn, rapier in hand, prepares himself to face the oncoming gnolls.

(15)
Asher, drawing the ancient agricultural-tool-turned-weapon called a kama, manages to hook the knee of one of the gnolls.  After a brief struggle, the monk upends the creature, sending it heavily to the ground.

(4)
The downed gnoll struggles to regains its feet, while its fellow attempts to fell Asher with its battleaxe.  The gnoll manages to strike the monk, its weapon slipping past the monk's catlike defenses.

Two of the gnolls facing Garryn and Caylin charge the rogue and the halfling, while the third circles around, yapping excitedly and trying to achieve a flanking position.  The fourth is nowhere to be seen.  Garryn, every fiber of his being focused on defending himself, easily evades the gnoll's charge.  Caylin's size and quickness serves the halfling warrior well, and he just manages to avoid the murderous onslaught of the ravening gnoll.

OOC:  I need AOOs from both Perrato and Asher on the gnoll attempting to rise from prone, and then Perrato is up.
18:54, Today: DM rolled 18 using 1d20+6. Attack vs. Caylin.
18:54, Today: DM rolled 16 using 1d20+6. Attack vs. Garryn.
18:48, Today: DM rolled 4 using 1d8+3. Damage vs. Asher.
18:47, Today: DM rolled 19 using 1d20+4. Gnoll attack vs. Asher.
12:26, Today: Asher Willbourne rolled 20 using 1d20+2. Re-roll.
12:22, Today: DM rolled 17 using 1d20+3. Gnoll re-roll STR check  vs. trip.

OOC: Asher rolled a 14 for the AoO (1d20+7BAB+2flanking).  And I forgot the +4 "prone".

21:00, Today: Asher Willbourne rolled 14 using 1d20+9. AoO.
21:47, Today: Asher Willbourne rolled 5 using 1d8+2. Damage AoO.

This message was last edited by the player at 02:51, Sat 20 Aug 2005.

OOC:  Garryn's updated map is HERE.  Perrato's and Asher's map has not changed substantially, except that the gnoll in J-20 is attempting to get up.

Perrato, heartened by the recent successful strikes on the gnoll to his south [J, 20], decides to take another go at him in hopes of delivering a finishing blow. With a swift sidearm motion from his weapon hand his morningstar hits its mark.
[22:19, Today: Perrato Viatomagne rolled 20 using 1d20+7. Attack Gnoll (J, 20).
 22:20, Today: Perrato Viatomagne rolled 4 using 1d8+1. Damage Gnoll, morningstar.]

The Palonard then decides to remain in his current position, threatening with his morningstar, in order to preserve the flanking advantage for his ally, Asher, hoping that he can evade just one more attack. "¡Su madre es una pequinés, Señor Perro!"

(3)
The gnoll shows no recognition of Perrato's Palonish taunt, but snarls as the priest brings his morningstar to bear once more.

New round.

(23)
Caylin scrambles backwards through the tall prairie grasses--just out of reach of the hyena-headed creatures.  The halfling curses softly in his native Phanarian, and launches two arrows, targeting the sorely wounded gnoll and one of the two others.  Both strike home.  The wounded gnoll topples with an arrow through its throat, while the other, wounded, issues an angry-sounding series of yelps and advances upon the halfling.

OOC:  Garryn is up next on 22.
20:58, Today: Caylin Direbrook rolled 4 using 1d6+3. Damage, Arrow 2.
20:58, Today: Caylin Direbrook rolled 21 using 1d20+11. Arrow shot 2, MW, w/in 30'.
20:57, Today: Caylin Direbrook rolled 7 using 1d6+3. Damage, Arrow 1.
20:56, Today: Caylin Direbrook rolled 28 using 1d20+11. Arrow shot 1, MW, w/in 30'.

OOC:  G & C map up HERE.  A & P map is unchanged.

Asher makes two attempts at finishing the Gnoll in J-20, before taking a step to turn on the other Gnoll.

OCC: Hopefully this is enough to finish him.
23:17, Today: Asher Willbourne rolled 4 using 1d8+2. Actual Damage strike 2.
23:16, Today: Asher Willbourne rolled 20 using 1d20+7. Unarmed strike 2.
23:15, Today: Asher Willbourne rolled 11 using 1d20+7. Unarmed strike 1.

Asher finishes his move with a 5' step to J-19.

This message was last edited by the player at 05:13, Sat 20 Aug 2005.

(15)
Asher's initial strike, using the edge of his hand, is ineffective against the gnoll as it whips its upper body backwards to avoid the blow.  The monk's subsequent side-kick, however, catches the creature in the throat, crushing the trachea and major blood vessels in the region.  The gnoll's body folds gracelessly, flopping to the ground.

With Caylin having dropped the gnoll in front of him Garryn attacks the gnoll Caylin wounded. His rapier strikes true and deep into the gnolls side.

Garryn the Grey rolled 16 using 1d20+8. Att on Gnoll. (wounded one)
Garryn the Grey rolled 8 using 1d6+2. Damage on Gnoll.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:34, Sat 20 Aug 2005.

(22)
Garryn's rapier pierces the gnoll, wounding it gravely--but not finishing it.

(15)
Asher's initial strike, using the edge of his hand, is ineffective against the gnoll as it whips its upper body backwards to avoid the blow.  The monk's subsequent side-kick, however, catches the creature in the throat, crushing the trachea and major blood vessels in the region.  The gnoll's body folds gracelessly, flopping to the ground.

(4)
The gnolls facing Garryn and Caylin are yelping madly--the wounded one seems particularly vocal.  Lashing out with its battle axe, the wounded gnoll manages to clip Garryn, scoring a long, shallow cut along the rogue's upper arm.  The other gnoll attempts to bring its axe to bear on Caylin, but misses by a large margin.

The gnoll continues to assail Asher, wielding its axe with some ferocity.  The monk easily evades the gnoll's attack, however, springing aside to avoid the blow.

OOC: 14:09, Today: DM rolled 9 using 1d20+4. Gnoll attack vs. Asher.
14:04, Today: DM rolled 7 using 1d20+4. Gnoll attack vs. Caylin.
14:03, Today: DM rolled 4 using 1d8+3.
14:02, Today: DM rolled 23 using 1d20+4. Gnoll attack vs. Garryn.
Perrato is up on segment 3.

OOC:  G & C map is HERE and A & P map is THERE.

Perrato sees the wounded and unconscious Aidrin out of the corner of his eye, and, unaware of the wizard's current physical state, the cleric covers the distance between the two and prepares to assist his fallen comrade.

[OOC: Taking a double move action this round, Perrato positions himself in E 15. Next round he intends to revive Aidrin.]

(3)
Perrato, finding himself no longer imminently threatened, moves quickly aid the fallen wizard Aidrin.  The Palonish priest, upon reaching the unconscious Phanarian, finds him to be gravely wounded, but stable.

New round.

(23)
Caylin scrambles backwards again, plying his bow with ferocity.  Two arrows thud home up to their fletchings, both piercing the gnoll's chest, and killing the creature instantly.  Suddenly, Garryn is no longer faced with a foe.

(22)
Garryn seeks to engage the remaining gnoll, but his footwork is impaired by the tall grass.  The rogue's rapier blow goes badly awry, and Garryn just barely catches himself from a potentially disastrous fall.

(15)
Asher continues to battle the gnoll, throwing a powerful punch designed to be stunningly forceful...but the gnoll ducks under the blow--right into Asher's knee-strike to its face.

OOC:  23:27, Yesterday: Caylin Direbrook rolled 9 using 1d6+3. Damage, arrow 2.
23:26, Yesterday: Caylin Direbrook rolled 28 using 1d20+11.
23:26, Yesterday: Caylin Direbrook rolled 6 using 1d6+3. Arrow 1 damage.
23:25, Yesterday: Caylin Direbrook rolled 29 using 1d20+11. Arrow attack 1.
23:24, Yesterday: DM, on behalf of Garryn the Grey rolled 11 using 1d20+4. Fumble avoidance, DC 10.
23:23, Yesterday: DM, on behalf of Garryn the Grey rolled 9 using 1d20+8. Attack vs. gnoll.
Caylin takes a 5' step to B-9.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:07, Tue 23 Aug 2005.

(4)
The gnoll facing Asher is locked in a death battle with the monk.  Snarling and yipping, the creature swings its axe in a hard, horizontal arc.  The monk nimbly ducks the blade.

The gnoll facing Caylin once again tries to kill the deadly halfling archer--the creature's only hope of surviving now that its prey has turned the tables.  Caylin easily springs aside from the gnoll's downward axe strike.

(3)
Perrato's up.

Arriving at the side of the fallen Phanarian, Perrato immediately says the Prayer for Well-Being and Salubrious Mending, "O Vagrane, plagas amici mei sanare imploro!" The Palonard hopes that this will bring Aidrin back to consciousness.
[21:56, Today: Perrato Viatomagne rolled 7 using 1d8+1. Cure Light Wounds--Aidrin.]

Then the cleric moves to return to Asher's side to assist him in his struggle against the gnoll. "¡No me olvides, Señor Perro!"
[OOC: Perrato moves to (I, 15)]

New round.

(22)
Garryn engages, taking a sidelong, oblique approach to the gnoll in order to avoid an attack of opportunity.  Flanking his foe, the rogue stabs deeply with his rapier, dropping the creature as it goes into a paroxysm of final throes.

(21)
Caylin, having delayed his action to allow Garryn the flank attack, moves over to the small rock pile and climbs it.  The halfling, able now to actually see above the grass, peers out over the prairie.  "A gnoll's tryin' t get some'at offa tha' big dead one an' his big, dead, o'ergrown mount, Garryn.  Should we try an' dissuade 'im, like?" Caylin, bloodied and badly wounded, asks calmly.  In addition, the halfling actually appears to be patting his pockets in search of his pipe and tobacco as he queries Garryn.

(15)
Asher is up.

OOC:  00:32, Today: Caylin Direbrook rolled 17 using 1d20+2. Spot check.
21:39, Yesterday: DM, on behalf of Garryn the Grey rolled 11 using 3d6+2. Damage, rapier, +sneak attack damage.
21:38, Yesterday: DM, on behalf of Garryn the Grey rolled 17 using 1d20+10. Attack on gnoll, flanking.
New maps for G & C up HERE and for A, P, & A up THERE.

Inspired by the sight of the cleric bringing a party member back from deaths door, Asher strikes with confidence and precision.

OOC: Welcome back Aidrin.
03:15, Today: Asher Willbourne rolled 6 using 1d8+2. damage 2.
03:15, Today: Asher Willbourne rolled 3 using 1d8+2. damage 1.
03:14, Today: Asher Willbourne rolled 20 using 1d20+5. unarmed strike 2.
03:14, Today: Asher Willbourne rolled 18 using 1d20+5. unarmed strike 1.

This message was last edited by the player at 08:36, Tue 23 Aug 2005.

Aidrin groggily stands to his feet and nods his thanks to the priest. He coughs slightly, retrieves his light crossbow and scans the horizon for enemies.