Khaaven continues to attack and attract his bandit's attention instead of letting him attack the druid Dreya. Hoping Elwood's bless is still with him to guide his blade and deflect the enemies.

Len thought for a brief moment after the cleric's words. If the other man thought it would be a good idea to go outside, he'd go outside. Len raced through the door and ran toward the nearest foe, battle axe raised.

"Lots of bad guys today" entered the fighter's mind.

Hugh nods in agreement with Elwood's command and follows Len. He attempts to slip through the door, if possible, otherwise he vaults through an open window to engage the unentangled bandits. His goal is to exit the cabin while avoiding the entangled area, if possible.

Cole’s mind is filling with rage from a memory that never gives him peace as his knuckles turn white from the intensity of gripping the blood-stained hilt of Vera so tightly.  With single-minded intent he seeks out the next closest victim for his rage and attacks, careful to skirt the druid’s entanglement spell if the living vegetation should be near.

Bandit #1's sword slashes across Khaaven's arm for 3 damage.

The remaining bandits continue to struggle against the entangling vegetation.  One of them, Bandit #4, manages to break free and stagger out of the spell's area of effect.  Just in time for Cole to slide his sword into his belly.  Cole continues to growl as the bandit slowly oozes off his blade and falls lifeless to the ground.

Elwood stands watch in the middle of the room while Dreya fingers her dagger and waits to poke anything foolish enough to get past Khaaven.

The assassin returns the favor to Bandit #1, cutting his opponent.  The bandit's leather armor almost saved him, but Khaaven's brute strength pressed his sword through to flesh for 4 points of damage.

Len Packer starts toward the door and Hugh starts toward the window, but the door is blocked by Dreya and Khaaven and the window is shut.  Len solves the problem by hurling a crate through the window.  Hugh jumps through the opening and is prepared to unleash violence next round.

Meanwhile, Vecivious Lex wakes up from the nap he was taking in the bunkhouse (can't they just keep it down for 10 minutes?) and wanders into the main room to discover the ongoing excitement.

Current situation: Khaaven and Bandit #1 are playing a game of who can bleed more.  Bandits 3 and 5 are still stuck in the entangling greenery and unable to move.  PCs can engage the stuck bandits in melee, but the PCs will probably end up entangled as well.  On the other hand, Bandits 3 and 5 are ripe targets for missile fire.

What do you do?

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)

Khaaven has taken 3 points of damage.
Bandit #1 has taken 4 points of damage.
10:52, Today: Castle Keeper, on behalf of Khaaven, rolled 4 using 2d4+2.  Damage to Bandit 1.
10:52, Today: Castle Keeper, on behalf of Khaaven, rolled 13 using 1d20+3.  Attacking Bandit 1.
10:50, Today: Castle Keeper, on behalf of Cole Hiller, rolled 6 using 1d8+2.  Damage to Bandit 4.
10:49, Today: Castle Keeper, on behalf of Cole Hiller, rolled 17 using 1d20+4.  Attack Bandit 4.
10:47, Today: Castle Keeper, for the NPC Bandit 5, rolled 3 using 1d20+1.  Escape entanglement.
10:46, Today: Castle Keeper, for the NPC Bandit 4, rolled 21 using 1d20+1.  Escape entanglement.
10:46, Today: Castle Keeper, for the NPC Bandit 3, rolled 6 using 1d20+1.  Escape entanglement.
10:43, Today: Castle Keeper, for the NPC Bandit 1, rolled 3 using 1d6.  Damage to Khaaven.
10:43, Today: Castle Keeper, for the NPC Bandit 1, rolled 16 using 1d20.  Attack Khaaven.
10:41, Today: Castle Keeper, for the NPC Bandits, rolled 4 using 1d6.  Initiative.
10:41, Today: Castle Keeper, for the NPC Party, rolled 3 using 1d6.  Initiative.

---

This message was last edited by the GM at 16:05, Tue 27 Sept 2016.

If the bandit that is attacking the meat shield that is Khaaven is also shouting or cursing or yelling as he swings, Dreya leans around the assassin and says some quick words, trying to create water WITHIN the space her eyes see inside the attacking badit's open mouth.

If she sees tongue, she is going to try to start creating 2 gallons of water in that space.

Cole would be damned if another innocent was lost this day! The thought invaded his mind as events from his past were blending and blurring with the here and now. The blood still dripping from his last kill, Cole sheaths Vera at his side and quickly whips out his bow, the fury unabating as he shoots the bandit directly in his view.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:35, Tue 27 Sept 2016.

Khaaven will continue his dance of death with the bandit.

Elwood hears Khaaven grunt with pain, and quickly glances over his shoulder.  Seeing that his colleague's wound isn't too severe, he maintains his watch for anything coming from the secret entrance.  However,  he readies himself to cast Current Light Wounds should Khaaven take another blow.

Not wishing to exit out through the window, Len turns to ask the others what they think he should do. With that, he spots Lex coming in from the north.

"Watch out!" he yells as he rushes his foe, battle axe ready to do its job. Although he has concern about his teammates, dispatching Lex is of great importance to Len. But then, it occurs to him. Is Lex one of the bandits? He's a bit too clean to be one of the bandits. And he's currently not prepared to fight. Len stops in his tracks.

"Are you one of the bad guys?" he softly asks the newly arrived man.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:50, Wed 28 Sept 2016.

With a scratch to his head, followed by a yawn with stretched arms, Vecivious looks upon the battle with confusion. Last he recalled, he and a young brunette apprentice were discussing the finer things of potion ingredients on a soft satin comforter. Then some raucous burst forth and he finds himself admist a battle.

He rubs his eyes to ensure it isn't some twist in the dream that stole the young lass from his mind. Realizing his dream is lost, a scowl crosses his face as he suddenly chants "Med dessa ord som bar, skall du snart snarkar" while throwing a pinch of sand at the group.

OOC: Cast sleep indiscriminately

Hugh is reluctant to enter the entangled area and doesn't much fancy attacking defenseless bandits.

If he can get to Khaaven's side without becoming ensnared by the druid's spell, he will. The warrior seemed like he could use a little help and he will gladly assist knocking some sense into the bandits.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:33, Wed 28 Sept 2016.

Bandit #1 may be dumb, but he's not stupid.  Sensing the battle is lost, he spins and runs for it.  His sudden retreat stuns Khaaven and Hugh for a moment.  They strike at the bandit once they recover, but by then it's too late and the bandit is out of reach.  With his great speed, Hugh can chase down the bandit if he wishes.

Meanwhile, Bandit 3 and Bandit 5 continue to struggle to escape the vicious vegetation.  With a mighty heave, Bandit 3 staggers out of the spell's area of effect.  Bandit 5's efforts are so far ineffective.

Bandit 3's celebration is short lived.  He looks at Cole to say something, but Cole's crossbow bolt plants itself deep into the middle of Bandit 3's forehead.  The bandit falls backwards as a death rattle shakes loose from his throat.

Dreya's face falls as she is unable to get her spell off before Bandit #1 turns and hides his mouth from view.  She takes some comfort in the knowledge the spell will still be available next round.  Bandit 5's mouth is wide open as he shouts his surrender.  His pathetic begging is just beginning to get entertaining when Lecivious's sleep spell drops Bandit #5 and Cole Heller into a deep slumber.

Elwood watches carefully as Len and Lecivious become reacquainted.

What do you do?

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
07:46, Today: Castle Keeper, on behalf of Vecivious Lex, rolled 4 using 2d4.  Number of HD put to sleep.
07:42, Today: Castle Keeper, on behalf of Cole Hiller, rolled 6 using 1d8.  Damage to Bandit 3.
07:41, Today: Castle Keeper, on behalf of Cole Hiller, rolled 9 using 1d20.  Damage to Bandit 3.
07:40, Today: Castle Keeper, on behalf of Cole Hiller, rolled 11 using 1d20+3.  Shoot Bandit 3.
07:38, Today: Castle Keeper, for the NPC Bandit 5, rolled 6 using 1d20+1.  Escape entanglement.
07:38, Today: Castle Keeper, for the NPC Bandit 3, rolled 12 using 1d20-1.  Escape entanglement.
07:35, Today: Castle Keeper, on behalf of Hugh, rolled 3 using 1d20+2.  Attacking bandit 1.
07:34, Today: Castle Keeper, on behalf of Khaaven, rolled 7 using 1d20+3.  Attack bandit 1.
07:31, Today: Castle Keeper, for the NPC Party, rolled 4 using 1d6.  Initiative.
07:31, Today: Castle Keeper, for the NPC Bandits, rolled 5 using 1d6.  Initiative.

---

Khaaven will ready his crossbow and attempt to go after the fleeing bandit long enough to get a shot off. Not wanting any escaping bandits to later return to the parties new found base of operations when in this area.

If the goal is to shoot Bandit #1, Khaaven might as well take his shot now.  He is about an even match for the bandit in terms of running speed.

Khaaven will take the shot now then to try to stop him from fleeing, not to mention might get bonus for the back shot.

Bouncing around weird in frustration as her first attempt with the create water spell flubbed, if bandit #5 fell asleep with his mouth hanging open, she will cast her create water spell with the same intent as last time.

"No I'm not one of the bad guys, you buffoon!" old man Lex growls as Len. "If anyone is a bad guy it's whoever is responsible for creating this raucous and disturbing my nap!" he rambles on angrily.

With a scowl he surveys the main room, eyebrows raising curiously as he notices the entangling vegetation now occupying a fair portion of the room. Returning his attention to Len Packer, the old man grabs him by the chin and softly turns his face left then right. Releasing his grip, Vecivious asks "Heeeey, do I know you? Did you ever adventure in the ruins of Rkund?"

"ZZZZZZZZZZ"

Len's eyes show that he thinks for a moment.

"Rkund? Is that the place up in the mountains where the bad guys were making bats swarm the village? Or was it by the lake where those creepy monsters kept knocking over boats and chomping on the fishermen?"

Len gives a small "hmm."

"I'm glad that you're not one of the bad guys. Sorry about your nap."

As Elwood goes over to Khaaven to check his wounds, he carefully eyes both Vecivious Lex and Dreya, hoping they won't cast Sleep or Faerie Fire on him.

If he is able, and if it won't interfere with Khaaven's combat, Elwood will cast Cure Light Wounds on Khaaven.

"I thought it was an old ruined fortress, but I've adventured with so many folks it's hard to tell." the old man mutters. "Anyhoo, ya seem familiar and friendly. The names Vecivious Lex, but most folk tend to call me just Lex for some reason." Vecivious says as he offers his hand in greeting.

Hugh takes off after the fleeing bandit. His goal is not to kill the fleeing bandit, but to sweep his feet and knock him to the ground.

Calling ahead, "There's no use running! I will catch you! Stop now and you will receive fair treatment..."

OOC: Non-lethal attack or grapple if necessary

Len shook the other man's hand.

"An honor sir."

A look of confusion crossed the large fighter's face.

"What does Vizzid... Vessidi... Vevisi... That other name mean? I have never heard it before."

Suddenly, Len recalled that there were teammates outside.

"Uh oh. I wonder how the others are?"

Len started to head through the door to the outside.

Just as Hugh is about to catch up to Bandit #1, Khaaven's crossbow bolt pulls ahead in their race and slams into the bandit's spinal cord.  Bandit #1's arms fling out to his sides as he face plants into the ground.  Hugh checks for a pulse and confirms the villain was slain.

Dreya wiggles her druidy fingers and chants until water begins to explode out of Bandit #5's mouth.  The bandit chokes and gags himself awake.  He manages to cough out an extraordinary amount of water before collapsing, exhausted, back into the vegetation.  You can easily hear his raspy breathing accentuated by the occasional wet cough.

Elwood lays hands on Khaaven and heals 5 points of damage to the assassin.

The situation has calmed.  All of the bandits are dead with the exception of the partially-drowned Bandit #5 who is incapacitated and stuck in the entangling yard vegetation.  Chisel is snoring away in a drunken stupor inside the hunting lodge.  Two shockingly fast orc zombies have fled through the secret door to the dungeon underneath the lodge.  Snarg has vanished to parts unknown.

The party needs to plan its next move.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
16:55, Today: Castle Keeper, for the NPC Bandit 5, rolled 20 using 1d20+1.  Saving throw against drowning.
16:52, Today: Castle Keeper, on behalf of Elwood, rolled 5 using 1d8.  CLWs Khaaven.
16:51, Today: Castle Keeper, on behalf of Khaaven, rolled 3 using 1d10.  Damage to Bandit 1.
16:50, Today: Castle Keeper, on behalf of Khaaven, rolled 24 using 1d20+5.  Shooting Bandit 1.

---