After preparations are complete, Balrok stands in his position tirelessly for hours if need be, axe poised to strike the first advancing critter, shield raised in defense.  As they finally charge, he grins from ear to ear.  "'Bout damn time!"  Muscles bulging, he screams, "Mooooooooooooooooordiiiin!" as his axe chops down.


Beautiful job with "my" map; it's perfect.

  Round 1:
  [Move] None
  [Swift] None
  [Free] Yell his joy of battle to the dwarven gods; RAGE
  [Standard] Attack

Attack: 27
Damage: 14

Initiative: 7

Effects:  Rage, 9 rounds remaining.  (1 use left after this for today)

   * Rage - 1/day (3/day from feat) as a free action.  9 round duration (3 + adj. Con. mod).
         (1) +4 Str. (+2 hit/dam), +4 Con. (+2 HP/level; +2 Fort./Will saves), +2 Morale bonus on Will saves; -2 penalty to AC.
         (2) While raging, can't use Cha-, Dex-, or Int-based skills (except Intimidate); can't activate command-word magic items; and can't use Combat Expertise.
         (3) Tireless!, so not Fatigued when rage ends.

23:46, Today: Balrok rolled 14 using 1d10+5. Damage (reroll).
23:46, Today: Balrok rolled 27 using 1d20+10. Readied Attack (reroll).
23:39, Today: Balrok rolled 7 using 1d20. Initiative.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:56, Thu 23 Aug 2007.

Nikolai sights on the closest kuro bowman and fires, getting off two arrows in rapid succession.

OOC:
07:37, Today: Nikolai rolled 16 using 1d20+8. Shoot Kuro bowman.
07:37, Today: Nikolai rolled 6 using 1d8+2. Damage?.
07:36, Today: Nikolai rolled 21 using 1d20+8. Shoot Kuro bowman.
07:36, Today: Nikolai rolled 9 using 1d8+2. Damage.

OOC: OK, that was my last post before my holiday. Please NPC me DM Jim. Nikolai will continue to fire (rapid shot +8/+8) on the bow-wielding Kuro, or any spell casters that present themselves.

Knowing he has no formal training, Ovi would have tied Muley's reigns to something heavy, (e.g., tree, tree stump) if possible.

22:18, Today: Ovi rolled 16 using 1d20+1. Cha check (handle animal).

Before the Kuro attacked, Ovi had done what he could to keep Muley confined.  For now, at least, tying him to the trees seemed to be working.

Nikolai's bow earned the polishing and attention that he usually lavished on it.  The string thrummed twice and both shafts fell on the closest Kuro archer.  The man beast gave a gurgling howl and dropped bleeding to the jungle floor.

The Kuro with the glowing eyes whistled piercingly and pointed at Balrok.  He barked what sounded like a word of command, and the hyena's pelted over the ground toward the makeshift fort, their master trailing more slowly behind them.

The other axe-bearing Kuro stormed forward as well, but kept his eyes warily on the trees, looking for more arrows to fall.

Lastly, the surviving archer scuttled forward and raised his own bow, sending a shaft toward Ovi, but the shaft spun down more than a yard away from the blond dwarf.

For now, Balrok's axe had to wait to taste Kuro flesh.  The creatures weren't close enough yet to hack into.

OOC: Balrok, I'd call that a readied action to take effect on the monster's next round.  Correct me if I'm wrong, otherwise I'll pick it up when somebody/something jumps the barricade.



Each square is 5' on a side

Key

A - Alexandru
B - Balrok
C - Candlewick
K - Khalid (NPC)
N - Nikolai (currently about 15 feet up in a tree)
O - Ovi
S - Sabu

e - Alexandru's earth elemental
r - rat from bag of tricks to help Ovi with flanking
m - Muley

1 - Monster 1 - Kuro with red eyes
2 - Monster 2 - Kuro
3 - Monster 3 - Kuro
4 - Monster 4 - Kuro
5 - Monster 5 - hyena
6 - Monster 6 - hyena

C - Corpse

T - fallen tree trunk
L - log
c - caltrops liberally strewn
d - ditch

OOC: Initiatives remain:

Nikolai     22
Alexandru   17
Ovi         13
Sabu        12
Khalid      12
Candlewick   8
Balrok       7
Monsters    21

[Private to GM:
1 Fiendish Gnoll – 11/11
2 Gnoll – 11/11
3 Gnoll – 11/11
4 Gnoll – 0/11 - dead (arrows)
5 Hyena – 13/13
6 Hyena – 13/13]

Readied action next round is perfect.

Balrok will yell up to the trees, "Good shootin' elfy!  I kept tellin' Ovi dat yu had tu be gud fer somethin'!  Now he owes me a gold piece, heh heh."  However, he does not take his eyes from the advancing monsters, and keeps his axe tirelessly at the ready for their approach.

Peeking from the top of his small hole where he is laying, Candlewick sees the Kuro horde begin to approach and begins to cast a spell, crouching down to avoid interest from the Kuro.



It's an all round cast, trying for a Celestial Dog.

Round 2:

  [Move] None
  [Swift] None
  [Free] None
  [Standard] Cast Summon Monster I

Attack:
Damage:

Initiative: 8

Effects:  None

Sick 'em, critter. Ovi says to the rat, gesturing towards the nearest hyena. He then moves forward, ducking around the makeshift fort to approach near his brother, using the logs for cover as he does so. Brudder, dey all comin' from one direction. Heh, makin' dis easy. He hefts his spiked chain, ready to lash out at the nearest foe.

Ovi will move to F10

He will use a free action to communicate to the bag of tricks rat and let it know what to attack. The goal is to get it into position to flank.

Complete Adventurer:

Assist Attack
(CAdv p100)
20 Attack trick
The Animal will attempt to Flank the opponent designated by its Master (if it can do so without generating an
Attack of Opportunity). On command, the Animal will use the Aid Other action to attempt to grant his/her
Master (or designated ally) a +2 bonus on his/her attack roll.

I think commanding my animal is a free action, since that's how it is with summoned creatures. It only understand commands from handle animal. If you think otherwise, let me know, I can change it.

Ovi's strategy:
-Ready an action to attack the nearest enemy. This will be aTrip Attack if the enemy is standing.
-If he trips them successfully, he will take his free attack from Improved Trip.
-Threaten a 10' area with his Spiked Chain.
    - If someone standing provokes an AoO by moving to close he will try to trip them.
    - Otherwise he will use his AoO to try to trip a person who attempts to stand after being tripped.
    - If he trips anyone with this AoO, he will take his free attack from Improved Trip.



The rolls: These read from bottom to top.

This may very well be confusing, I'm just trying to avoid having to go back and make several rolls. Let me know if you have any questions or if I missed anything!



12:06, Today: Ovi rolled 6 using 2d4+3. Damage (AoO or Free Attack from AoO).
12:11, Today: Ovi rolled 19 using 1d20+5. Free attack from AoO trip (if needed). (This does not include the -4 to AC prone opponents have)
12:06, Today: Ovi rolled 8 using 1d20+6. Opposed Roll (AoO Trip).
12:06, Today: Ovi rolled 12 using 1d20+5. AoO (Trip if vs. standing opponent).
12:01, Today: Ovi rolled 9 using 2d4+3. Damage (Free Attack).
12:01, Today: Ovi rolled 8 using 1d20+5. Free Attack on Trip'd Foe. (This does not include the -4 to AC prone opponents have)
12:00, Today: Ovi rolled 17 using 1d20+6. Str. check Opposed (for Trip).
11:59, Today: Ovi rolled 16 using 1d20+5. Readied Action Trip Attack (10' reach).
This message was last edited by the player at 19:18, Fri 24 Aug 2007.

Balrok and Ovi stood ready and waiting for their opponents to come to them, even as Ovi’s rat started forward to meet the hyena.

You looked around for Alexandru and his elemental companion, but the pair had apparently decided that discretion was the better part of valor and had faded into the trees and out of sight.

On her side of the clearing, Sabu was standing ready with bared blades, watching for Kuro who might slip out of the woods on your flank.

Khalid whispered a few words from where he crouched, and a tiny dart of energy sped from a wand in his hand and struck the red-eyed Kuro.

OOC: Candlewick, your Celestial Dog will appear at the start of your next action.  Nobody seems to have noticed you yet.

Once again Nikolai's two arrows arched high and drove down on the Kuro archer.  The beast man staggered, but barely kept his feet and raised his own bow.  His arrow dropped into the trench and struck the Calishite in the thigh.  Khalid grabbed at his leg and whimpered.

Both hyenas pelted across the clearing, heading directly for Ovi.  Maybe they’d had too many encounters with rabid things before and were avoiding Balrok in his foaming rage.  The first tried to leap the treetrunk, but caught his hind leg in a vine and crashed to a sudden halt.  The other sailed over effortlessly, and even though Ovi’s chain lashed around its legs twice, it jerked free each time and kept coming.

Just as the hyena opened its jaws to snap at Ovi, Balrok stepped in from behind and split its spine with the fall of his axe. OOC: Took the liberty of adding a 5’ step for you.  Hope that’s ok, but I didn’t want to wait any longer after the recent delays so that I could ask.  If it’s a problem, yell and I’ll edit.

The other two Kuro moved steadily forward with their own axes ready, though they didn’t look quite as confident as before.



Each square is 5' on a side

Key

A - Alexandru
B - Balrok
C - Candlewick
K - Khalid (NPC)
N - Nikolai (currently about 15 feet up in a tree)
O - Ovi
S - Sabu

e - Alexandru's earth elemental
r - rat from bag of tricks to help Ovi with flanking
m - Muley

1 - Monster 1 - Kuro with red eyes
2 - Monster 2 - Kuro
3 - Monster 3 - Kuro
4 - Monster 4 - Kuro - DEAD
5 - Monster 5 - hyena, prone
6 - Monster 6 - hyena - DEAD

C - Corpse

T - fallen tree trunk
L - log
c - caltrops liberally strewn
d - ditch

[Private to GM:
1 Fiendish Gnoll – 6/11
2 Gnoll – 11/11
3 Gnoll – 3/11
4 Gnoll – 0/11 - dead (arrows)
5 Hyena – 13/13
6 Hyena – 13/13]

OOC: And that should take care of all of the readied actions.

Initiatives become:

Nikolai     22
Balrok      21
Ovi         21
Monsters    21
Sabu        12
Khalid      12
Candlewick   8

Thanks brudder. Ovi mutters after Balrok cuts down the first hyena. Hurry up ya damn'd varmant! He yells at the rat. He attempts to swing his chain to trip up the nearest hyena, but is unsuccessful.

He also keeps an eye toward the other approaching kuro, ready to lash out if needed.

Ovi attacks the nearest creature. If anything provokes an AoO this round, he will use his attempt to try to trip it. I rolled the attack, opposed roll, and damage from the free attack if needed.

He will drop his chain if his opponent fails his trip attempt, and reacts to trip him. He would pick it up as his move action as long as it would not provoke an AoO.

23:17, Today: Ovi rolled 12 using 1d20+6. Attempt to resist trip if failed trip.
23:13, Today: Ovi rolled 8 using 2d4+3. Damage AoO'd target free attack. (Does not count the -4 AC targets have if prone)
23:13, Today: Ovi rolled 9 using 1d20+5. Free Attack on AoO'd Trip'd Target.
23:12, Today: Ovi rolled 17 using 1d20+6. Opposed Roll (AoO Trip).
23:12, Today: Ovi rolled 19 using 1d20+5. AoO trip (if needed).
23:11, Today: Ovi rolled 7 using 1d20+5. Trip Attempt on Hyena.

Balrok moves to his brother's side, heavy boots squishing the corpse of the fallen hyena as he does so.  Blood squirts from the creature over his black chain armor, but Balrok only grins.  "Dis du best yens got?  I've faught diaper-werin' goblin welps dat die harder den ye pieces of flagstone!"  Leveling his waraxe to point towards the biggest goblin in the universal sign for "calling you out, punk", Balrok switches to Undercommon.  "Comeon, Redeye, gimme yer best shot--elf-lovin' piece uh hyena dung!"

Balrok will continue trash talking in any language he thinks the creatures might understand, for two basic reasons:  1) He enjoys it; 2) It might help to keep some of their attentions fixed on him rather than others (which he also enjoys!).  He will ready an attack against the next approaching creature.


  Round 3 (I think):
  [Move] 5' step to the west onto the hyena corpse
  [Swift] None
  [Free] Talk/taunt
  [Standard] Ready an action to attack at approach

Attack: 28
Damage: 13

Initiative: 21

Effects:  Rage, 7 rounds remaining.  (1 use left after this for today)

   * Rage - 1/day (3/day from feat) as a free action.  9 round duration (3 + adj. Con. mod).
         (1) +4 Str. (+2 hit/dam), +4 Con. (+2 HP/level; +2 Fort./Will saves), +2 Morale bonus on Will saves; -2 penalty to AC.
         (2) While raging, can't use Cha-, Dex-, or Int-based skills (except Intimidate); can't activate command-word magic items; and can't use Combat Expertise.
         (3) Tireless!, so not Fatigued when rage ends.

09:53, Today: Balrok rolled 13 using 1d10+5. Damage.
09:52, Today: Balrok rolled 28 using 1d20+10. Readied attack, d. waraxe.

Candlewick will keep his head low in the depression while he bids his magical guardian to advance on one of the nearby hyenas.  He'll also keep looking around for any sneaky Kuro.

Sabu heard her charge whimpering, and even though he was still visibly safe and fighting, she pulled back to a guardian position.

Khalid fired off another of his mystic darts at the archer, though his wand was shaking wildly, and ther was panic in his eyes.

Candlewick's dog bounded toward a hyena and bit down, but the hyena's thick mane kept the teeth out of its flesh.

Nikolai raised his bow and fired again, but one of his shots fell short, and the other grazed a branch of his tree perch and was sent skittering off course.

Ovi's chain had no effect on the hyena, but Balrok's taunt brought the red-eyed Kuro leaping and snarling forward over the tree trunk only to die on Balrok's waiting axe.

The other Kuro darted around the scattered caltrops and leapt to the top of the tree trunk, his axe whizzing toward Balrok's head when suddenly Ovi's chain snarled around his legs and sent him crashing to the ground.  The chain spun around and down, trying to crack its skull, but the Kuro rolled away, letting the chain thud into the tree trunk.

Behind Ovi, the hyena jerked free from the glowing canine, gathered its legs under itself and snarled, snapping out to sink its fangs deeply into the fleshy part on the back of Ovi's thigh while the dwarf was busy with the Kuro. OOC: Ouch, 14 points damage.



Each square is 5' on a side

Key

A - Alexandru
B - Balrok
C - Candlewick
K - Khalid (NPC)
N - Nikolai (currently about 15 feet up in a tree)
O - Ovi
S - Sabu

e - Alexandru's earth elemental
r - rat from bag of tricks to help Ovi with flanking
m - Muley
d - Candlewick's Celestial Dog

1 - Monster 1 - Kuro with red eyes - DEAD
2 - Monster 2 - Kuro, prone
3 - Monster 3 - Kuro - DEAD
4 - Monster 4 - Kuro - DEAD
5 - Monster 5 - hyena
6 - Monster 6 - hyena - DEAD

C - Corpse

T - fallen tree trunk
L - log
c - caltrops liberally strewn
d - ditch

[Private to GM:
1 Fiendish Gnoll – 0/11 - dead (MM & big axe)
2 Gnoll – 11/11
3 Gnoll – 0/11 - dead (arrows & MM)
4 Gnoll – 0/11 - dead (arrows)
5 Hyena – 13/1
6 Hyena – 0/13 - dead (axe)]

OOC: Initiatives remain:

Nikolai     22
Balrok      21
Ovi         2
Monsters    21
Sabu        12
Khalid      12
Candlewick   8

"GOOD SHOT BRUDDER!" Balrok roars as the kuro falls prone in front of him.  Balrok takes this opportunity to bring the axe down executioner style towards the kuro's exposed neck as it lays sprawled across the log.  If this knocks the kuro unconscious, Balrok will then move to the hyena that just took a bite out of Ovi.  "Dwarf's tasty, ain't it boy?" he will growl at the hyena.  "How was it fer a last meal?"

Round 4:
  [Move] (contingent) move to E10 if kuro dies
  [Swift] None
  [Free] Talk/taunt
  [Standard] Attack prone kuro, PA -2.

Attack: 14 (this does not include the prone kuro's -4 to AC)
Damage: 15

Initiative: 21

Effects:  Power Attack, -2 to hit, +2 damage (until start of next turn)

Rage, 6 rounds remaining.  (1 use left after this for today)

   * Rage - 1/day (3/day from feat) as a free action.  9 round duration (3 + adj. Con. mod).
         (1) +4 Str. (+2 hit/dam), +4 Con. (+2 HP/level; +2 Fort./Will saves), +2 Morale bonus on Will saves; -2 penalty to AC.
         (2) While raging, can't use Cha-, Dex-, or Int-based skills (except Intimidate); can't activate command-word magic items; and can't use Combat Expertise.
         (3) Tireless!, so not Fatigued when rage ends.

00:00, Today: Balrok rolled 15 using 1d10+7. Axe, +2 PA.
00:00, Today: Balrok rolled 14 using 1d20+8. Axe attack, -2 PA penalty.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:08, Fri 31 Aug 2007.

Vicious critter. Seeing his brother's axe descent on the prone kuro, Ovi swivels to focus his attention on the hyena near him. He deftly manipulates the chain, attempting to encircle the hyena's legs and pull it off it's feet.

Round 4:
  [Move] (contingent) 5' step to F11 if Balrok leaves the spot.
  [Swift] None
  [Free] Talk
  [Standard] Attack Hyena (Trip Attack)

The Rolls for my trip attack and an AoO if any is provoked. Read from bottom to top.

11:51, Today: Ovi rolled 16 using 1d20+6. AoO Opposed roll to avoid being trip'd.
11:51, Today: Ovi rolled 11 using 1d20+6. AoO opposed Roll.
11:50, Today: Ovi rolled 22 using 1d20+5. AoO Trip Attack (if needed).
11:49, Today: Ovi rolled 7 using 2d4+3. Dmg (free attack).
11:48, Today: Ovi rolled 24 using 1d20+5. Free Attack on Trip'd foe. (Does not include -4 AC when prone)
11:48, Today: Ovi rolled 25 using 1d20+6. Opposed Roll to avoid being tripped.
11:48, Today: Ovi rolled 13 using 1d20+6. Opposed Roll to Trip.
11:47, Today: Ovi rolled 16 using 1d20+5. Trip vs. Hyena.

Nikolai switches targets to the hyena menacing Ovi, sending two arrows towards the rabid mutt. His aim is a little uncertain, as he is little used to firing into a melee.

OOC: I had made my rolls assuming there was a bowman standing. He needs to take an extra -4 from firing into melee, but gets +1 from Point Blank Shot i.e. his attacks rolls were 21 and 23. Read results from the bottom up please.

19:41, Today: Nikolai rolled 6 using 1d8+2. Damage.
19:41, Today: Nikolai rolled 26 using 1d20+8. Shoot Kuro bowman.
19:41, Today: Nikolai rolled 7 using 1d8+2. Damage.
19:40, Today: Nikolai rolled 24 using 1d20+8. Shoot Kuro bowman.

As Balrok's axe split the kuro's head like an overripe melon, Nikolai's shafts and Ovi's chain sent the last hyena toppling to the dirt, though it was unclear whether it was still living when Ovi struck.

Silence fell again on the clearing, except for the whimpers coming from Khalid as he struggled to pull the Kuro shaft from his leg.  As the barbed tip pulled clear, you could clearly see that the point had been smeared with some gummy substance.  Already, Khalid's breathing was shifting... becoming ragged and uneven.

Ovi brushed himself off, then noticed Khalid's ragged breathing.

Aww, hell. Dem sneaky bastards. Wicky! He shouted. Khalid needs some o' yer healin' magic, now! I ain't no healer, but it look's t' be poison t' me.

Ovi will scan the surroundings to make certain there are no addition Kuro laying in wait as he moves toward Khalid, chain ready, to guard him while Wicky moves to do his work.


23:38, Today: Ovi rolled 22 using 1d20+4. Listen.
23:38, Today: Ovi rolled 12 using 1d20+4. Spot.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:39, Wed 05 Sept 2007.

Balrok glares around for more creatures to hack through.  When Ovi calls for Wicky, Balrok seems to snap out of his rage, looking around at the fallen Khalid.  "Sandstone an' pyrite..." he grumbles as he stumps over to Khalid and inspects the wound (or helps Wicky to do so).

[Balrok has 3 ranks in Heal prof, as battlefield healing; he was the "cleric" of the dwarven duo before Ovi purchased his wand!  If that is the most ranks in healing, Balrok will do the following.  If Wicky has more ranks, Balrok will use Aid Other on Wicky's attempt.]

Balrok nods at Ovi's diagnosis.  "Aye, an' a mean one lest I miss me guess.  Boil me up some wader, brudder, and grab me me kit.  We'll do what we can fer him, but he's fightin' up hill not bein' a dorf an' all...."

Balrok will try to clean out the wound, tie off Khalid's foot or leg, and whatever else might help him to fight off the poison.  Or, he will Aid Other on Wicky doing those things.

00:01, Today: Balrok rolled 7 using 1d20+3. Heal. (Khalid had better hope I am just Aiding Other!)

Nikolai remains in his perch for now, in case the kuro attack again.

Once the final Kuro has fallen, Candlewick will quickly head to Khalid's side, shaking his head and frowning when he sees the substance on the bolt.

"Hmm, this doesn't look good.  If the stories and tales are correct, the Kuro oftentimes use various poisons on their weapons.  I believe that the poisons come from various cave frogs that they raise, but little is known beyond that.

Anyway, it's probably best to deal with this as quickly as possible.  I know some magics that can slow down the spread of the poison, but they won't last forever, so we should get him to a healer quickly.

You kept your eyes and ears open for more Kuro as you busied yourselves with the task of helping Khalid.  After a short time, when there were no attacks and the normal sounds of the jungle began to reassert themselves, you decided that you were once again alone, though the distant drums still continued to pound, reminding you that somewhere out there, you were still being hunted.

Khalid was whimpering steadily, as the burning sensation of the venom wound its way into his veins.  After watching him for a while, Balrok decided that the poison probably wouldn't be fatal, but the young noble staggered and nearly fell each time he tried to put weight on the leg.

After one more try, he looked up at the dwarves and said, "It's no good.  Sabu will have to try to get me back to the port.  The rest of you can press on toward the mines and the gems."

"Buck up, lad--ye ain't gunna die of it.  At least quit yer bellyachen' long enuff tu give us some decent directions."

Balrok will listen intently as Khalid dumps his knowledge, tilting his head so that his good ear is towards the human, and everyone once in awhile grumbling in dwarven about whiny humans and their intolerance for pain and poisonous substances.

Does Alexandru come back?

Candlewick will bid farewell to Khalid, imploring him to take it slow on the journey back.  Before he departs, Candlewick will cast a Delay Poison on him, to further ward off the effects of the Kuro-tainted bolt.

Damn shame ya haf t' leave us, but least you'll live... Ovi bids farewell to Khalid and Sabu, giving her a sly wink and a charming grin as he waves them off.

He then proceeds to search the bodies of  the Kuro. He is particularly careful of poison or poisoned arrows, handling the materials very carefully as to avoid injuring himself.


Take 20 on Search = 28
This message was last edited by the player at 23:51, Thu 06 Sept 2007.

Of Alexandru and his stony friend, there was no sign.  It was almost as though the jungle had swallowed them up.

Ovi's search didn't reveal much more than he would have expected.  The kuro's weapons were rough, though well cared for, and the one that had shot Khalid didn't have any more arrows that bore the smeared marks of the venom, though there was a tiny bamboo tube tucked into its belt that held a tarry black substance.  Ovi thought that was probably the poison, and there might be one or two doses left.

He did make one rather startling discovery.  The red-eyed leader of the kuro had a small, crude leather pouch tucked into its belt.  Inside, there were three small, rough emeralds.

Sabu looked grim as she contemplated the trip back.  She returned Ovi's grin with a joking, "Sure you wouldn't like to come with me?"

Khalid looked pensive for a moment after Balrok's comment, tried again to stand on his leg withough leaning on Sabu, then sighed and pointed at one of the trees the Kuro had come through.  "I'd just seen these while we were building our 'walls'.  Do you see these marks, with three dots in a triangle, with the top point slightly to the right, and an arrow?  That's the trail mark for this mine, and they don't cut them more than a mile or two away, but do cut them in case the hunters that bring in food get lost.  Follow the arrows, and you'll find the mine.  Watch out for the ones where the top point leans to the left though.  They're decoys, and usually point the way into something... well, usually something nasty."

"When you get back to port, look me up... if I make it back myself... and I'll reward you for any information you can bring us.  Take your fee out of what you find."