After all due arrangements have been made and alternatives exhausted, the party meets their rivals in an open field at the appointed time.  Dueling was, of course, illegal under Ustalav law, but this fact was widely overlooked most people with the authority to actually enforce said laws.  Two bands of swords-for-hire settling a disagreement without involving the general public was unlikely to be the sort of thing with official consequences.

Across from the party, the Heroes of Combat began their preparations.  Front and center was Navea the Paladin.  With heavy plate, a thick shield, and the protection of the gods, she served as the party's front line.  Shooting a self-righteous glare towards the party, she raised her longsword high, and began to emit a warm, protective light over her allies.

Behind her stood Chiulu the Vishkanya, a kineticist who was able to infuse her icy blasts with debilitating venom.  The lithe Kineticist drank a potion in preparation, without an obvious effect.

Beside Chiulu skulked Pan, an eccentric and unpredictable elven hunter.  Placing a small token on the ground in front of him, Pan summoned up a great tree in the middle of the otherwise empty field, which he promptly ducked behind for cover.

Sharing the cover with Pan was Raikoy the mage.  A mysterious Samsaran, Raikoy packed deadly offensive magic, but was notoriously frail.  Reading from a scroll, the samsaran cast what the party quickly identified as a haste spell on the rest of his party.

Lastly was Sinetal, the Saurian shaman.  Sinetal was notorious for washing his foes away in a tide of ferocious summoned dinosaurs.  Already by his side (or more accurately, standing directly in front of him) was Dorfan the Troodon, his small yet vicious animal companion.  The druid cast a protective spell on himself, while laying out a bowl so his companion could lap up a potion of it's own.

Navea the Paladin
STANDARD: Activate angelic bond.  Every ally within 20' is protected by protection against evil, with a +3 bonus to saves and AC.

Chiulu the Kineticist
STANDARD: Drink potion

Pan the Hunter
STANDARD: Use feather token: tree.  This creates an oak tree 5' in diameter at the trunk, 60' high, and 40' wide at the crown.

Raikoy the Mage
STANDARD: Cast haste from scroll, effecting every ally but Dorfan

Sinetal the Druid
STANDARD: Cast ironskin on self.
MOVE: Place potion on ground

Dorfan the Troodon
STANDARD: drink potion from ground.

OOC: For simplicity's sake, I'm going to show you one of the enemy's prep rounds now, and the other after your own preparations.  Post your setup, including the two rounds you have to prepare and your initiative.  You can change your starting position if you want, as long as you're within the current map and no further north than the O row.  During prep rounds, you aren't allowed to do anything that meaningfully affects the battlefield north of O.

Audrey really wished she had considered spending the gold on higher potions but honestly too much preparation wasn't her thing. Even the scrolls had gotten annoying with the constant checks. She took a moment to carefully heft a Shovel consideringly before planting it next to her and drawing and configuring a second one without hesitation. It very much looked like she was preparing to launch a shovel like a javelin, even as she took a defensive stance.

"Huh, neat. They're spending a ton of gold on this. Something pissed them off thats for sure."

OOC:
Position: O9
Buffs: None
Turn 1: Plant configured Any-tool Shovel next to her
Turn 2:: Total Defense (AC +4 Till next turn)
06:16, Today: Audrey rolled 17 using 1d20+1.  Initiative
This message was last edited by the player at 13:22, Tue 28 Nov 2023.

Del scanned the arena and their opponents. At the bell, the marksman drew a scroll from is belt and quietly read the arcane script. Dropping the spent scroll he then lightly taps his musket twice before belting out an incantation of his own, "Dyma fi, dewch o hyd i mi os gallwch chi!"

---

OOC:
Prep 1: draw scroll
        cast Fox's Cunning on self
        drop scroll
Prep 2: Swift, imbue musket +1 & distance
        Cast Mirror Image for +4 copies

07:43, Today: Delfrydydd rolled 4 using 1d4+2.  mirror image.

Patagogi hoped that he had prepared for this battle.  His music needed to be heard this time and he found a way to make it easier to accomplish that.  First, he pulled out 2 scrolls and began to read from the first one.  It would hasten his and his companion's movements.  Then he read the other scroll.  This one made his form waver and look as if he was in a different spot than he really was.  Then he began his raging song, bolstering his friends once again with his voice!

OOC:
Prep 1: draw scrolls
        Cast haste on everyone
        Move to O3
Prep 2: Cast displacement on self
        drop scroll
        Move, Raging song (allies gain a +2 morale bonus to Strength and Constitution
        and a +2 morale bonus on Will saving throws)
Diamond will aid Patagogi in his defense for +2AC.
21:49, Today: Patagogi rolled 19 using 1d20+6.  Initiative .

This message was last edited by the player at 20:51, Wed 29 Nov 2023.

In the tense moments before the duel, Erisen moved methodically among his party members. He first chanted an incantation, cloaking his hands in a protective aura. With deliberate precision, he touched each ally, bestowing upon them the spell's shield against tainted air, leaving behind a faint ashen residue as a mark of their newfound resilience. Once his comrades were safeguarded, he recited another set of arcane words for himself. As the incantation concluded, he felt an exhilarating lightness, a detachment from the earth's hold. Rising steadily upwards, Erisen took to the air, positioning himself strategically above the battlefield.

OOC:
Round 1: Cast ashen path on everyone
Round 2: Cast fly on self, fly some.
Starting Location: P6, 30ft upwards

Rik looked to his companions and then across at the enemy "So, these guys think I'm a spy or something? I think everyone can tell I'm not cut out for espionage. Lets take'em down and be done with it." He begins chanting and casting his spells.

OOC:

Already active, Life link on everyone of consequence.
Visualization of the Mind (Cha) on me.
Bottled Misfortune is charged with Fortune.
Reminder Mort has Fast Healing 2 from Life Spirit.

Round 1:
Rik casts Share Spirit on Mort
Mort applies a potion of Fly on Rik

Round 2:
Rik cast Contingent Cure Light wounds on himself
Mort applies a potion of Bear's Endurance on Rik

Round 3:
Rik casts Owl's Wisdom on himself
Mort applies a potion of Blur to Rik

The opposing party finished their preparations for combat: Navea called up even more of her patron's holy light to empower her allies, Chiulu drank a potion of flight and took to the air, Pan shot up the tree with the grace of a squirrel, Raikoy began blinking in and out of reality, and Sintal cast another spell while sidestepping to a slightly safer position.

And with that, the duel's guarantor (A cleric of Gorum, who was more than happy to keep the bloodshed honourable,) gave the signal to begin.

OOC: Rik, Audrey, Patagogi and erisen all beat the enemy's initiative (assuming Erisen's talisman goes off) and act first.  Del will get his turn after the enemy acts. Rik didn't get his 3rd round actions because there were only two prep rounds, though I suppose he could do them now if he wants.

Also, a note about the rules: A combatant is considered defeated if they get knocked out at negative hitpoints, or surrender.  People can surrender on their turn (before taking an action), at which point their enemies are obliged to let them leave the field without attacking them further.  Flagrantly attacking a downed or surrendered opponent would be a violation of the duel with post-battle consequences, and summoners are considered responsible for the actions of their summons.  People temporarily disabled by effects such as slumber are considered still in the fight, but an opponent can "count coup" on them in the place of a coup-de-grace action, which officially "defeats" them.

Navea the Paladin
STANDARD: Activate power of faith.  All allies within 30' receive +1 Morale bonus to AC, attack, damage.
FREE: 5' step to D9

Chiulu the Kineticist
STANDARD: Drink potion
MOVE:  Fly to D10, +15'

Pan the Hunter
STANDARD: Cast Spider climb on self.
MOVE: Climb 20' up tree.

Raikoy the Arcanist
STANDARD: Cast blink on self: (attacks targeting Raikoy have a 50% miss chance and AoEs do 50% damage)
SWIFT: Activate arcane barrier (+6 temp HP)

Sinetal the Druid
FULL: Cast ashen path on self, Navea, Raikoy, Dorfan
FREE: 5' step to D8

Dorfan the Troodon
No action

Name	Initiative	Position	HP	AC	Touch	FF	Fort	Ref	Will	CMD	Notes
Audrey	17	O9	54/54	24	13	22	+9	+7	+4	21	ashen path, haste
Delfrydydd	5	Q7	38/38	21	15	16	+8	+8	+8	18	4 mirror images, foxes cunning, imbue musket (+1 distance), ashen path, haste
Erisen	8	P6 +30'	57/57	14	14	11	+9	+6	+11	14	fly, ashen path, haste
Patagogi	19	SO3	61/61	18+2	10	17	+14	+6	+11	17	Ashen path, haste (5 rds), raging song (+2 con, str, will, -1 AC), protected by diamond
Diamond		As Pata	27/27	18	15	15	+5	+3	+3	9
Rik	15	Q9	65/65	17	11	16	+6	+5	+8	14	Lifelink x6, Ashen Path, haste, visualization of the mind, fly, contingent CLW, Bears endurance
Mortimer		As Rik	26/26	18	5	15	+2	+7	+6	11	Ashen path, share spirit
Navea	9	D10	49/49	25	13	23	+9	+3	+7	18	Haste (5 rds), angelic bond (prot evil 20', +3 bonus), power of faith (30')
Chiulu		D10, +15	62/68	23	15	19	+11	+7	+1	16	Haste, angelic bond, power of faith, Bear's endurance, fly
Pan		C9, +20'	38/38	20	14	16	+6	+9	+2	22	Haste, spider climb, power of faith, in tree
Raikoy		A9	43/37	13	13	11	+3	+2	+5	12	Haste, Angelic Bond, Power of Faith, blink (5 rds), ashen path
Sinetal		C8	43/43	20	12	18	+6	+2	+7	14	Haste, angelic bond, Power of faith, Ironskin, ashen path
Dorfan		D8	35/35	25	20	18	+6	+10	+4	20	Angelic bond, Power of Faith, shield of faith, ashen Path

11:40, Today: Gorum rolled 9,8,11,15,5 using d20+4,d20+4,d20+1,d20+4,d20+3.  initiatives: Enemies, erisen, Audrey, rik,  del.

As the duel started, Erisen's gaze locked onto the paladin, intent on disrupting the angelic protection shielding her allies. With a swift, intricate hand motion and a forceful chant, "Halo's end, to the void I send." he directed a wave of energy towards the radiant bond. The spell streaked across the field, challenging the angelic light with a wave of potent, otherworldly force.

As the protective aura unravelled and faded away, Erisen couldn't help but remark dryly, "The veil of sanctity falters when confronted with deeper powers." His words carried a hint of satisfaction.

With the shield neutralized, he propelled himself higher into the air, creating a strategic gap between himself and the enemy's ranged combatants. His ascent offered him a clearer perspective of the unfolding battle, positioning him advantageously for his next maneuver.

OOC:

Standard: Cast dispel magic, targeting specifically the angelic bond. Dispel check 21, which should be enough to dispel it.
Move: Fly to P12 + 60'

Roll: Erisen rolled 21 using 1d20+6.  dispel check.

Knowing that everyone had the appropriate spells to manage what was coming Rik unfurls a scroll and starts reading. The spirits were confoundingly vague about how to use the particular spell but he thought he might be able to pull it off. Mortimer Nudged him with his beak reassuringly and used another one of the potions he had stored, feeding some of Rik's own power back to him.

Alas, he fumbled and stumbled through the words. Homing not to waste his potion he began chanting to continue the effect.

OOC:
Mort Standard apply Bottled Misfortune (Fortune) to Rik

Rik Standard Use magic device to emulate an ability score. Failed.
23:21, Today: Rik Feyleaf rolled 27 using 1d20+11.  Fortune Reroll.
23:20, Today: Rik Feyleaf rolled 12 using 1d20+11.  Use Magic Device.

Rik Move Chant to extend Fortune on himself.

Patagogi wasn't sure if he should run in yet so he delayed his action to see if he would have help fighting forward of his friends.

Delay action till the others go.

Audrey let the anger of the Raging song full her but was still cautious in her approach, hefting the second shovel as she marched forward fully planning to bear the brunt of the first wave of attacks. She picked up her second shovel, moved forward slowly as if she didn't have haste, and planted the shovel once more next to her. Raising her last one in a defensive action she exhaled as she braced herself for the incoming attacks.

Free Action: Pick up the spare shovel
Move: Walk to L9
Free Action: Plant/drop spare shovel
Standard Action: Full Defense (+4 AC)

Audrey advanced cautiously, and on the other team, Navea mimicked her slow advance.

Meanwhile the flying kineticist Chiulu swooped after Erisen, closing the distance and blasting him with a beam of frost.

Pan the hunter drew one of his special arrows from his quiver, and after a quick "eeny meeny miney moe", he sent it arcing down from the top of his tree.  The enchanted arrow flew straight and true, striking the half-human Rik and wounding him.

Raikoy the arcanist, hiding behind his tree, followed up the arrow with a conjured ball of fire, which scorched the shaman just a little.

Sinetal the druid followed Navea forwards, using the paladin for cover while summoning forth scaly reinforcements.  Two crocodiles appeared around Audrey, one in front and the other behind.  They snapped at the surly fighter, but couldn't breach her solid defenses.  Meanwhile Dorfan the Troodon launched itself across the field of battle like a missile, snapping into one of Delfrydydd's mirror images with it's sharp jaws.

Navea the Paladin
MOVE: Move to G9
STANDARD: Total defense

Chiulu the Kineticist
MOVE: fly to L12 +60'
STANDARD: launch cold blast at Erisen.  Hits Touch AC 22, for 17 cold damage.

Pan the Hunter
MOVE: Climb 40' up tree, to crown at C9.
STANDARD: Fire +1 human bane arrow at Rik, with deadly aim.  Hits AC 29 for 17 damage.

Raikoy the Arcanist
FREE: 5' step to B9.
STANDARD: Cast flaming sphere, spending arcane reservoir to increase DC by 2.  He makes his blink check, and Rik fails the DC 19 reflex save for 4 damage.

Sinetal the Druid
MOVE: Move to F10
STANDARD: Cast Summon monster III, using rod of giant summons.  Summons 2 giant young crocodiles.

Dorfan the Troodon
FULL: Charge to P7, attack Delfrydydd.  Misses by less than 5 and destroys a mirror image.

Crocodile 1
STANDARD: Attack Audrey, miss with a 10

Crocodile 2
STANDARD: Attack Audrey, miss with a 13



17:08, Today: Gorum rolled 10,13 using d20+8,d20+8.  Crocodile attacks vs Audrey.
17:03, Today: Gorum rolled 17,5 using d20+11,1d6+4.  Dorfan charging Del.
16:50, Today: Gorum rolled 2 using 1d3+1.  summoning crocodiles.
16:31, Today: Gorum rolled 46,4,13 using 1d100,3d6,1d20+5.  Raikoy flaming sphere vs Rik, DC 19
16:26, Today: Gorum rolled 29,17 using d20+11,1d8+2d6+6.  Pan human bane arrow vs Rik.
16:23, Today: Gorum rolled 3 using 1d5.  Pan's target.
16:20, Today: Gorum rolled 22,17 using 1d20+8,3d6+3.  cold blast, vs Erisen.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:27, Thu 07 Dec 2023.

Rik flys up and away to escape the the flaming sphere. Meanwhile he starts shouting a prayer to the spirits "Trap them, Burn them" are the only discernable words in the gibberish.

Mortimer is along for the ride but still nuzzles his master administering another potion.

OOC
Free, Mort Splits the Fire Damage, 10 damage from Rik to Mort
Automatic Life Link Erisen is healed 6, Rik takes 5
Automatic Mort Fast Healing 2

Rik Move: Fly up and away along positive Q. Q12 or 13 I think.
Rik Standard: Cast Burning Entanglement on top right corner of F12 (I think)
As circles are drawn I THINK that position puts Audrey in a corner but hits Chiulu and the gator, plus most everyone else.
Mort Standard: Invisibility potion in Rik

Like this


Feel free to delete this image if it's inconvenient but that's how I want the AOE to land.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:25, Thu 07 Dec 2023.