In reply to The Dealer (msg # 19):

You can both go. Thge crabs will be going last. Thanks

Izzick continued to regroup with the others as he chanted out spells, slinging from his fingers an array of bolts of force.

Move back and cast Magic Missile, sending all 5 bolts at whichever crabs in the front of the line up.
12:56, Today: Izzick rolled 13 using 5d4+5.  Magic Missile.

Rolled 1, 1, 1, 2, 3....ouch.

Since she had her bow in hand, Zuni let fly two arrows at the closest Crab.

OOC:
Attacks -> 7, 14 (I'm assuming that they miss)
Damage -> 2, 3 respectively

Hmmm. Yeah. Those are like some of my rolls. Well...I'm afraid things are going to get more complicated.

As the bolts, both mystic and physical, ark towards the crabs, you see the sight of Selvin and the chain demon diving from the sky towards the crabs.

Look out! Chandanar's warning comes too late. A second volley of bolts arcs from above, slamming into the glowy elf and chain demon.  From higher above, you can see the shape of a large man with a serious looking crossbow standing on the edge of the northern ridge. Behind him, leaping down to follow up the crabs are eight red and black leather clad warriors. You're by now very familiar with those uniforms. Red Mantis. It seems the Cinderlander's employer is the Queen's favored death cult.

Zuni! Izzy! Chandanar is pulling out his mace. Let Selvin and the skank handle the crabs! You two are the only ones who can go long distance! I think Mr. Crossbow is the main problem!

So...

You have eight Red Mantis a hundred feet above and closing. The Cinderlander is the same distance but not closing. Questions?

1...2....8. That was just great, but their would be assassin had finally showed up. Spinning his fingers around as he chanted, Izzick pushed out an open palm and clenched his fist tightly as ice form around the Cinderlander instantly. They had him now...Izzick hoped.

Casing Icy Prison on the Cinderlander.
Reflex Save DC21 or he is immobile for 10 minutes in a block of ice. With a saving throw, he's Entangled.
Either way, he takes 10 points of cold damage every round he's immobile or entangled.
A creature can break the ice as a full-round action with a successful Strength check DC25

"No problem here with that plan." Zuni said as she nocked and drew back on her bow as she raised it up slightly to aim at the Cinderlander. She loosed a pair of arrows at the Cinderlander.  So much for all of their preparations.  The Cinderlander must really move quickly for him to get ahead of them and set up an ambush.

OOC:
Attack 1 -> 31 (Crit confirm 26)
Attack 2 -> 26 (Crit confirm 18)
Damage 1 -> 5 (15 if Confirmed)
Damage 2 -> 4 (12 if Confirmed)

In reply to Izzick (msg # 24):

The Cinderlander jerks backwards as the icy prison begins to form. He keeps his footing but his arms are wrapped in thick blocks of ice. Oh SONUVAHOTBUTTEREDTURD! he opines eloquently and loudly enough to be heard over the din.

Then Zuni's two arrows strike him, one squarely in the chest. He shouts somethjjng else, but it's drowned out as Selvin smashes one of the crabs to itty, bitty, gooey pieces.

I wonder how they got here so quick... Chandanar muses, echoing the lovely archer's thoughts. Think they coulda used magic?

Just then, two of the Mantis disappear from sight. They are suddenly standing right next to Chandanar, who mutters Well, son of a hot butter- before one of the assassins shoves a blade into his gut. The other one dodges around and begins running towards Sial, who is facing away from the scene.

Cinderlander is entangled. One Red Mantis on Chandanr. Another about to backstab your new "ally'. Ya'lls move.

"Get off of him!" Izzick said, muttering out his spell. He almost thought to hex out one of his rays, but the assassins were too quick and too many. Crackling lightning filled his fingers and electricity bloomed into orbs. This would be better for the one on Chandanar and the rest of the bug-helmet freaks. And, with any hope, he could get them to fry like moths in a flame.

Ball Lightning! 3 globes since I cast at +1 Caster Level
Sending one after the Red Mantis on Chandanar
02:33, Today: Izzick rolled 8 using 3d6.  1.

One after the one on Sial
02:33, Today: Izzick rolled 15 using 3d6.  2.

One will go for whoever is closest to Izzick
02:33, Today: Izzick rolled 10 using 3d6.  3.


Reflex DC 20 Negates the damage. Creatures wearing metal armor take a -4 penalty on this Saving Throw.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:35, Tue 10 Apr 2018.

In reply to Izzick (msg # 27):

The Mantis on Chandanar makes a Httt noise as he lights up. Your cleric staggers back and manages to clip the assassin to the side of the head with his mace. He is muttering as he rubs the growing red spot on his stomach. He seems to be healing himself.

Sial turns as his assassin also lights up. He makes a gesture and the Mantis suddenly catches fire. Sial nods to you Izzick before turning back towards the rock crab battle.

The remaining Mantis are trying to split up, with two headed towards Sial and two towards Chandanar. They must be targetting clerical types first.

You notice something Zuni. Two women, obviously associated with the Red Mantis, but clearly officers from their dress. One of them has stopped and seems to be chatting with the Cinderlander as he struggles to break free. The othrr walks to the edge of the bluff, points at Izzick, and begins muttering something.

Selvin, I'm going to write you in. But no rush. Jump in if you feel like it.

Izzy and Zuni, I'm going to assume you guys take the actions that make senee. Tomias, if you are out there, I will write you in when you give me the a-ok. Thanks all.

Selvin, you rip,apart another crab as the other one on you digs a clww into your glowing friend. He has taken 22 HP total. To your left, Sial's Chain Demon knocks one down on her own. You both have one a piece left. You feel a hot energy course through you. Sial seems to be healing you 15 pts healing. Your glowy guy is down 7 pts after this.

Zuni you score a hit in the new spelltosser's shoulder. She whirls around and glares in your direction as her spell seems to fizzle. Izzick, you throw another set of lightning balls. You notice one of the incoming Red Mantis appears to be a halfling...

Selvin and his symbiotic ally let out a grunt of pain as one of the stone crabs tear in to them. But then an odd sensation swept over them and their wounds began to heal. It burned a bit and it felt...uncomfortable to Selvin, though not to "Zak". Selvin shelved that for now.

He grinned ferally and turned all his attention on to the 2 remaining crabs, letting loose a flurry of claws, fangs, horns and stinger.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Swift Action: Arcane Strike.
Full-Round Action: Attack (with Power Attack).
 -Hit AC 19 for 25 dmg (6 of it electrical).
 -Hit AC 15 for 20 dmg (3 of it electrical).
 -Hit AC 29 for 22 dmg (5 of it electrical).
 -Hit AC 29 for 19 dmg (3 of it electrical).
 -Hit AC 15 for 23 dmg (6 of it electrical).

22:27, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 19,15,29,29,15 using d20+11,d20+11,d20+11,d20+11,d20+11.  Attacks (Bite, Gore, 2 Claws, and Tail Sting).
22:28, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 25,20,22,19,23 using 2d6+15,2d6+15,2d6+15,2d6+15,2d6+15 with rolls of 4,6,2,3,2,5,1,3,2,6.  Damage in order (not sure if 15 hits; 2nd die is electrical).

---

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 30):

You snap off the claw on one of the crabs Selvin before delivering the coup de grace with a shot into it's face.

The other one is a bit hardier. It manages to stay standing and clamps down on Zak's 'leg' 12 pts damage

Ya'lls go

Redirecting the ball lightning around, Izzick sends then crashing into the assassins while his left hand begins to make the formations for his next incantation. His finger pointed towards one of the ones near Chandanar this time. Flames enveloped his hands before searing beams of fire shot out towards the assassin on the cleric.


Ball Lightning will go for same targets or closest targets reachable (So 1st near Chandanar, 2nd near Sial, 3rd near Izzick)
Reflex DC 20 Negates the damage. Metal armor = -4 penalty

12:30, Today: Izzick rolled 8 using 3d6.  Ball 1.
12:30, Today: Izzick rolled 11 using 3d6.  Ball 2.
12:30, Today: Izzick rolled 8 using 3d6.  Ball 3.

Then Scorching Ray on the other one near Chandanar - 3 rays, each a touch attack
12:33, Today: Izzick rolled 9 using 1d20+7.  Scorching Ray Touch.
12:33, Today: Izzick rolled 18 using 1d20+7.  Ray 2.
 -12:34, Today: Izzick rolled 15 using 4d6+1. Damage 2
12:33, Today: Izzick rolled 26 using 1d20+7.  Ray 3.
 -12:34, Today: Izzick rolled 19 using 4d6+1. Damage 3

In reply to Izzick (msg # 32):

The gout of flame descends on the assassin. Chandanar stands and nods thanks at you. He then smashes his mace into what was left of his attacker.

Selvin, let me know what your rolls are. You have one crab left. Zuni? You still there?

Zuni gave a satisfied smirk upon seeing the Mantis assassins disappear in a pillar of flame.  She drew a couple more arrows and proceeded to fire them at the remaining crab.

OOC:
Attack -> 24
Damage -> 5

Attack -> 7
Damage -> 5

Your first arrow strikes an eye stalk Zuni. The crab swings wildly at Selvin/Zak butis thrown off balance. Then suddenly it is enveloped in a gout of flame.

Sial nods satisfied as the air fills with the smell of frshkky grilled crab.

Chandanar hefts his mace up on his shoulder and glances around. Yeah...uh. So...where did everybody go?

The crab was the last one standing. The Red Mantis are dead, extra crispy style. And the cliff above is empty of Red Mantis leaders and Cinderlanders. You seem to have conquered.

Sial clicks his tongue. That was a rather paltry effort on their part.

I got stabbed.

Well, at least nothing of value was damaged. Sial smirks as Chandanar rolls his eyes.

Anyhooooo...anyone need healing?

The enemy is either dead or apparently disappeared. Any actions? Thanks

"Selvin, perhaps you and I should head over that cliff and search for them?" Izzick said, pointing to where they'd been. With both of them capable of flying, it seemed the fastest answer to make sure their would-be-assassin wouldn't get away yet again.

In reply to Izzick (msg # 36):

The cliff is bare save for their footprints and large puddles from melting ice.

Your best guess was magic was used. At least one of the women was a spell caster and probably one with some experience.

The bodies of the assassins yeild little. A few coins, 5 stoppered tubes with purple liquid denoting healing magic of some kind. You do find a scrap of paper in one man's pocket.

Tomias, I think they suspect. We need to submit a report soon. is all it reads.

Selvin had leaned back from the gout of flame that had suddenly enveloped the crab creature in front of him. He looked around and then blinked at Sial a few times. "Right. I could have handled it but...thanks I guess."

He looked around and noticed the dead bodies and missing enemies. He nodded to Izzick and took flight, intending to go see what was up at the top of the cliff. The Cinderlander still needed to be dealt with. He looked and shook his head.

He headed back down and reported what he found - or rather the lack of what he'd found. "All gone. I think magic, I didn't see any tracks when I looked." He frowned. "Should we...press on? I mean, I don't think we have a way t'track them, right?"

Zuni pulled another couple of arrows from her quiver and held them in the same hand that she held her bow.  The missing Red Mantis and Cinderlander meant that they could be setting up another ambush, or just changing position to attack them again, although she doubted that the latter was the case.

Not able to fly on her own, she would have to trust the eyes of those who checked out the top of the cliffs.  "I'm no tracker." she replied to Selvins question.  "And if they used magic to get away, we probably couldn't follow them anyways.  I say that we move on and try to lose them with distance."  She eyed the giant crab for a long moment.  "Is it wrong that I want to eat that thing?  I mean, who knows how long our supplies are going to last us and here's a giant meat source.  Are giant crabs edible?"

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 39):

Chandanar stands up, a large gob of crab in one hand, cheeks extended like a chipmunks. Hahbnt 'ill me 'et. He swallows. Hasn"t killed me yet. I doubt this would keep, so might as well have a nosh now. It probably won't make for good rations.

How charming, Sial says dryly in Chandanar's direction.  He turns While I'm not particularly concerned about it, I am curious: why are the Red Mantis so intent on killing the lot of you?

For anyone who tries it, the crab is delicious.

You hike out of the canyon and head northwest. You make camp in what appears to be a dry riverbed. Sial has Chainy keep watch and retires a short way off to commune with the various dark spirits.

The sky is clear and the stars overhead are especially bright. For thefirst time in a week, you all feel lkke you can exhale and unclench your fists. At least for a moment.

I will post the new thread tomorrow or Saturday. Thenew player has bailed on us, so I will be advertising again. If anyone wants to post IC chat around th3 campfire, please feel free.

We are about 2/3 of the way through Book 4. Thanks for hanging in there.

Izzick takes some of the grab, waiting for it to be cooked on the fire unlike their rather voracious cleric, eyeing Sial. It was definitely a sensitive subject and he looked to his companions as well, not wanting to put their full hands forward. "Korvosa's going downhill fast and it's all too easy to make a lot of enemies there. Necromancers, Plagues, Demon-possessed nobility." He licked his fingers off as the meal ended, hoping the answer would suffice, at least for now.

Zuni took some of the crab as well, trying some of it raw and taking some for cooking later.  Eating raw crab wouldn't be the worst thing that she's had to eat, growing up on the streets of Korvosa, but those were times of desperation unlike now.  As she ate the cooked crab, she would occasionally break out into a soft giggle, picturing  Chandanar with puffed cheeks full of crab.  It was hilarious and she'd be laughing over it, and making puffed cheek faces at Chandanar for at least another day.

Zuni simply shrugged in response to Sials question, hoping that Izzicks answer would suffice.  She had introduced herself to him as Lady Zunithia and entourage so maybe the man would think that she was important enough to warrant someone trying to kill her, which might also entice the dark magic user and she wasn't interested in putting such ideas into his head.  She waited until Sial had gone off to pray or whatever before she decided to speak about him.

"Sials pretty useful, eh?" She said to the others.  "Still a little creepy but useful.  What do you think his game is?"

"Usefulls a good word for it. Can't figure out his aim for the life of me though," Izzick said, prodding the fire with a stick to shake up the ashes a bit and re-ignite it. As sparks kicked up, he pulled the piece of wood back and looked to the rest of them, golden eyes alight with the fire. "He's definitely lying though. And we have way too many enemies for that to be a coincidence. But if he's not joining the assassins...then, well, damned if I can figure it out." He guessed for now, their path was dangerous enough. And it would be a good thing for them come purple wurm eating them to have someone who was capable enough to get them out...if he wanted.

Selvin shrugged and gobbled up some of the crabmeat. His companion didn't really eat food per se, but Selvin did. Having done so, he then proceeded to cast a few spells on his Eidolon to heal Zak a bit. The poor thing had taken a bit of damage in the fighting.

He glanced over at Sial and shrugged. "We're very popular. It's a curse." He grinned widely and chuckled.

To Izzick he gave a slow nod. He agreed but didn't have anything to add. He raised an eyebrow at Zuni's 'noble name and title', not sure if she was lying or not, but not caring either way. She was a good person to have watching one's back regardless.

16:34, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 7 using 1d10+5.  Rejuvenate Eidolon Lesser.
16:34, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 11 using 1d10+5.  Rejuvenate Eidolon Lesser 2.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:34, Wed 16 May 2018.