Flying after the dragon, Del pressed their advantage. Opting to imbue his musket with a portion of his magic as he pursued Vercetorix.

Leveling off at a slightly higher altitude, Del lined up the musket and fired off his round, "Ystyr geiriau Rhewi!". The impact reverberating through the green dragon as frost spread across their scales.

---

OOC:
Move: G5 +25' to G-6 + 40"
Free: Spell Cartridges
Standard: SpellStrike (spell cartridges & snowball): Hit touch AC 18, 24 damage (7 force, 17 cold)
  Snowball Will save DC 18: 17, failed!

11:56, Today: Delfrydydd rolled 18,7,17 using 1d20+12,2d4+3,5d6.  ranged spell strike, spell cartridge+snowball touch ac 8.
11:57, Today: Delfrydydd rolled 17 using 1d20+12.  will vs snowball, dc 18.

As the dragon flew away from him, Patagogi tried to swipe at the thing but missed with his blade.  The thing flew too far away for him to do anything at this time so he cast a spell and suddenly 3 identical; images of him appeared around him.  With a hoot and a howl with his song strong he ran off after the dragon.

Cast Mirror image
Patagogi rolled 3 using 1d4.
move to D/-3

Audrey grumbled at the Dragon flying so far away as she moved towards it but didn't full charge the beast, she wanted to be close enough to draw its ire but not far enough to be completely separated. She seriously considered at least trying to hit the thing with another nail but decided instead to defend herself and ready for the inevitable fight.

"Of course the damned lizard is a smart coward"

Move: Move (Hasted) to I -3. I don't see any tree's in the way to be difficult but if so just stop me at the full 50ft (I -2, I-1, etc)
Standard: Total Defense (+4 Dodge bonus to AC for 1 round)

Rik takes to the sky again to follow Delfrydydd, the man's musket seemed to be their best weapon against the dragon so far and it did not due to let his blessing on him lapse. He continued his wordless throaty chant "UMMMM AHHH DUUUUMMMM AHHH DOOOO" as he flew through the air.

OOC:
Automatic: Just Mort's fast healing.

Move: Fly to I-1 (maybe H0 if I need to scoot around the gas?)
Move: Chant (Del's Fortune lasts another round.)

As Vercetorix fled into the forest, Erisen completed the summoning of a howler. The beast materialized with a ferocious howl, its presence formidable. Together, they surged forward, closing the distance between themselves and the retreating dragon with determined strides. In the heat of the chase, Erisen cast another spell, his words shaping the fabric of reality around the howler. The creature's form twisted and expanded, morphing into an oversized spider in mere moments. Without hesitation, the newly formed spider aimed and launched a thick spit of web toward Vercetorix, hoping to trap her. The web sailed through the air and missed, landing harmlessly among the trees.

OOC:

Erisen:
  Free: Finish summon monster iii, conjuring an augmented howler at Q-R/3-4.
  Move: Move to Q0.
  Standard: Cast alter summoned monster, turning the howler into a Giant Giant Spider.

Howler:
  Move: Move to N-O/-(7-6).

Spider:
  Standard: Web attack vs Vercetorix, misses.

Roll:
  Erisen rolled 4 using 1d20+1.  Web Attack (3rd increment) vs Touch

"I WILL FLAY YOU ALIVE FOR THIS, YOU DAMNED DIRTY APES!"  The dragon howled as Delfrydydd shot her again, nearly incoherent with fury.  Still retching from Shapash' gas attack, she turned away and swooped off into the trees.  Even with their magical speed, the party would be hard pressed to catch up to a green dragon in her home forest, but the anger in her voice indicated that they wouldn't have to.  Vercetorix would be back for revenge, and very soon at that.

OOC:  Vercetorix can cover 200' in a single move action, and can fly through trees without slowing down.  I'm assuming the party can't do anything to her at this point (Correct me if I'm wrong, of course), so we're going to briefly drop out of combat.  The party has a couple minutes before the dragon catches her breath and comes back.  I need everyone to tell me what (if any) actions they take in that time, what position they are in when the dragon returns, and to roll for both perception and initiative.

VERCETORIX
MOVE: fly to L-N, -(52-54), +10' up.

Rik yells out to his companions "Let's regroup back to the cave!" he chants his wordless murmuring chant again just in case the dragon returned.

Patagogi stopped his raging song for now.  The fact that the dragon fled meant that it was afraid it would lose.  "We can regroup but a lot of our spells will expire.  I am not suggesting we chase it but perhaps we find its hoard and see if there is something of value to defeat it?"

Del followed Vercetorix for only a couple of seconds before he realized he couldn't keep up. Returning to the group around the cave, he let gravity embrace him once more. "That dragon was moving! But yeah, we can check the cave out. We should keep an eye out for Vercetorix for when she returns."

---

15:19, Today: Delfrydydd rolled 13,18 using 1d20+10,1d20+3.  perception, initiative.

  “A capital idea.” Shapash agreed, and dashed to the cave, carefully avoiding the nauseating fumes.

She quickly cast a detect magic spell to ascertain spells, traps, and the direction to the best loot.

"Tsk, makes sense. I'm not sure I agree with all of us looting the hoard though because that's obvious. Maybe we have a few of us like myself that are loud do that while the stealthier ones hide and ready spells? A few summoned monsters behind her would lock the dragon down if it comes in the cave."

Audrey knew now that the Dragon was intelligent, without a trap she doubted they could hold it in place without a few lucky strikes.

Erisen began retreating towards the cave entrance as the enormous spider dissipated into the ether. "I doubt Vercy has any desire to follow us inside," he remarked calmly. Retrieving a vial of shimmering liquid from his cloak, he held it up, eyeing the contents thoughtfully. "The open forest is her domain, her preferred stage," he continued. With a subtle nod, he uncorked the vial and drank its contents in one swift motion. As the liquid took effect, his form began to blur and fade. "I'll watch from the shadows," he said, his voice lingering in the air as his figure melted into invisibility.

OOC:
Perception: 26, Initiative: 23
Drank Potion of Invisibility, Cast Ironskin on self.
Standing at O8.
Erisen rolled 26,23 using d20+12,d20+4.  Perception, Initiative.

The majority of the dragon's hoard was of no use to the party: there were things like gold bullion, marble sculptures, and decorated arms and armor of equal or lesser quality to the gear the group already held in hand.  After a few minutes of searching, they did turn up a few interesting pieces of kit: There was a magical lance whose marking made it clear it was meant to slay dragons (+1 dragon bane lance), as well as a few potions still intact within a gilded reliquary (a potion of protection from acid, and a potion of cure moderate wounds).

As Erisen stood watch outside the cave, he could feel the duration on his potion tick down second by second.  His magical experience had given him a fairly precise internal clock, and he could tell that his three minutes of invisibility were coming to an end.  Just as he was considering his options, a faint rustle in the distance caught his attention.  Peering into the forest, he was just barely able to make out the figure of Vercetorix stalking through the trees towards his position.  She didn't seem to detect him, so the advantage was his.  But whatever he meant to do, he would have to do it fast before his protective invisibility wore off.

OOC: We're not technically back in combat, yet, but we'll be going back to round-by-round actions.

Erisen sees the dragon, though nobody else is aware of it yet.  If Erisen does something like attack or cast a spell, he gets a surprise round (standard action), then we go by initiative order.  If he stays quiet, he can take a full turn and combat won't start until someone does something to alert the dragon.  He has three rounds left on his invisibility potion.

Everyone else can also take a turn, though they don't see the dragon, and the dragon doesn't see them.  Picking up something from the stash is a move action, the only useful items at hand are a +1 dragonbane lance, a potion of protection from energy, and a potion of cure moderate wounds.

VERCETORIX:
FULL: Double move 40' to Q-S,-(17-15), hiding (11 plus distance modifiers, gets spotted by Erisen)

Disappointed, but not surprised, with the results of their search, Del looks at the lance once more then smirks towards Pat and Rik, "I don't suppose either Diamond or Mortimer could wield that from your back... Nah, I didn't think so."

Feeling the passage of time Del made his way back towards the entrance of the cave.

---

move to about E8 or so

Also, think I forgot to mention that Del has loaded another dragon bane alchemical cartridge in the interim.

Patagogi was a bit discouraged by the loot that the dragon had.  Yes, they could use the gold later but now was the more pressing time.  With his buffs almost gone, he moved quickly like the others to the front of the cave mouth again, ready to take it to the dragon once more.

Move to D7

Erisen slowly stepped away from the prowling dragon, his unseen eyes fixed on the verdant beast seamlessly blending into the natural backdrop. He swallowed the urge to deliver an all-too-ready soliloquy meant to draw her out into the spotlight, uncertain if his troupe had finished plundering the hoard. He needed to direct this scene with precision. Damn dragons...

OOC: Move to N14

Rik looks through the treasure with the rest of the party and hefts the lance "I'm not an expert but just about anyone should be able to use one of these pretty well against a dragon. Even without a mount it's a serviceable spear, Audrey or Patagoti would be better with it than me. I have a... scholarly physique."

Feeling a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth he stabs himself in the foot with his spear. Careful not to hit anything important.

OOC
Standard, Stab myself for nonlethal damage and administer a healing potion.
10:32, Today: Rik Feyleaf rolled 17 using 1d8+9 ((8)).

Move, Follow the party to C10

If it's ok and no one else wants it I'll have shouldered the lance in the intervening minutes.

Shapash was in ambush, far from the others as she did not want to make an easy target for the dragon’s acid breath again.

She readied an action to cast a spell on the dragon as soon as she would be in sight. A single clean shot.. that was all she needed.

Move to D4 and hide
This message was last edited by the player at 21:05, Fri 17 May.

Audrey focused on moving forward with a sigh, the clatter of her armor was obvious and a hint on why she wasn't even trying to hide. She adopted a lazy pose as if she was 'on guard' in the lackadaisical manner of many guards. She would have moved faster but rather wanted the dragon to enter the cave, not just spit her breath inside.

Standard Action: Full Defense (+4 Dodge AC)
Move: Move to -B14
This message was last edited by the player at 06:34, Sat 18 May.

Unaware she had already lost the element of surprise, Vercetorix moved closer to the party and prepared to pounce.  Erisen could see the bloodlust in the dragon's eyes, a wounded draconic pride that could only be remedied with death and destruction.  This eagerness for revenge did Vercetorix no favors, and her final advance had more boldness and less discretion than her earlier creeping.

OOC: Rather than try to figure out surprise rounds and new initiatives, I'm just going to say it's the party's turn and everyone can go.  Once again, you'll have to beat her stealth in order to target her directly, though I imagine her location is quickly going to become clear even to those who don't spot her.  She currently has concealment within the tree.

I'm going to say that Shapash can't take her readied action, since combat technically hadn't started.  That may sound a bit unfair, but the situation is still giving the party first strike, as it is.

VERCETORIX
MOVE: fly stealthily to L-O,-(1-3).  DC to spot is 13, +1 for each 10' of distance.

Ooc: thats fine! I was planning on waiting until she’s clear of concealment and all that before shooting.

Noticing a stir at the cave entrance, Erisen swiftly conjured an old acquaintance with a commanding, "From the depths, I call thee!" The oversized Howler materialized beside Vercetorix, its massive jaws snapping dramatically against the equally formidable dragon, but unable to break through the invisible barrier shielding her.

OOC:

Erisen:
  Move: Move to O8
  Standard: Cast summon monster iii, expending prayer, summoning a Giant Howler (Augmented) with Improved Damage (bite) at O-Q,-(2-0).

Howler:
  EDIT: Howler auto-makes the DC13 check with +13 to perception.
  Standard: Attack Vercy, miss.

Rolls:
  Erisen rolled 25,91,18 using d20+11,d100,3d6+8.  Giant Howler Bite Attack, Concealment (high hits), damage.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:07, Yesterday.

Del's eyes passed over the spot that Vercetorix was hiding in without seeing her. As he continued his scan, the half-elf's attention snapped back to the summoned monstrosity savaging the dragon. "Rwy'n herio disgyrchiant!" and moves himselves out of the cave entrance and into air.

---

OOC:
Free: spot check, fail
Standard: reactivate Flight hex
Move: E,8 to I,4+30

09:41, Today: Delfrydydd rolled 16 using 1d20+10.  perception DC 19 with distance??

Patagogi had no idea where the dragon was but he saw the large howler appear just down the way from him and thought it may be that way.  Beginning his song once more, Patagogi moved into position to see if he could get a look at where the dragon was.

Move to H2
Begin Raging Song

His Fortune blessings having run their course and his spells nearly being exhausted Rik shakes his head and mutters "I guess there is nothing for it then." He hustles out into danger to get in a position to aid Erisen's Summoned creatures.

OOC:
Double Move N6

Are most of our buff gone by now? Minutes per level Fly I could Fortune the Howler