[User]
 Temposis: Bound by Loss
 OOC Thread

It's been four months since your family was attacked and you were cast out on your own into the wider world of Temposis. While a difficult life with such little preparation, you have managed to survive on your own with your wits and magic. You've even earned a little bit of money after defeating a bandit camp with a bounty on their heads and taking the odd job here or there. Despite this, it is only now that you've decided to leave the relatively neutral lands around your family home in search of an answer that may lie elsewhere. To east is Amiron, an old land steeped in magic and tradition. To the west is Duramel, a land of progress and power. Your journeys thus far have simply led you to the border city of Lantai, in the north of the continent. Once a military outpost for Amiron, it has since blossomed into a city in its own right, straddling both sides of the Lance River that leads from the Tor Mountains to the Border Sea.

The sun breaks over the horizon, light spilling out across the two massive spires and the uneven rooftops below them and, most importantly for you, through the thin slats of the window in your single inn room.

[User]
 Elizabeth yawns, awaking from an uneasy sleep in the unfamiliar bedroom. Of course, that part is nothing new - Faubern never sleep well. Even with a mostly quiescent 'partner', their dreams are influenced and changed by their use of fel power. Neither is traveling something new; for they travel across the world to go where they are needed. At least, that's what her uncle always taught her.

Who knows what they'll be doing now her father is in charge?

The thought was enough for her to finish waking up, sitting upright with a wince. Behind her, her shadow stretched out its arms, giving a magnificent, exaggerated yawn.
  My  dear  partner.   Drawled Salicia's voice in her head.   I suppose there's no chance we're going to invite that delightful minstrel up to the room and play with her, instead of moving on to Amiron?
  You suppose right.   thought Elizabeth, without hint of rebuke. She was quite used to the succubus' sarcastic ways.   I must find out what happened. Nothing else is permissible.
  Yes, yes, you need to prove yourself to your father. I'm sure showing him up for yet another time will improve his feelings.

As they mentally sparred Elizabeth got dressed, ignoring her shadows lewd motions and flaunting.
  It doesn't matter what he thinks.   Elizabeth lied, knowing full well that neither of them believed it.   Whatever he thinks, I care about my family. I must find out why this happened.
  Become a mercenary. A soldier. A harlot. If you like, I have plenty of positions I could offer you below.   said Salicia. Elizabeth could feel her grinning, and she scowled. That was one step further than she was going to dignify with response.

She put her rapier at her belt, joining her knife within her jacket, and heads downstairs. She dips her head politely at one of the serving staff, and orders breakfast.
  I'd prefer we ordered the serving staff.
 Not today.

[User]
 Lantai
 Morning: June 1, 857

A young half-elf with bright pink hair hurries up to you, bowing. She holds out a menu for you to look through.  "Hello miss, I'm Tena! What would you like for breakfast this morning?"

[User]
 The shadow opens her invisible mouth to reply, but Elizabeth is more than ready to give her a mental   No.  , and she shuts it again.
" Some bread and cheese would be lovely. " she says, giving the waitress a soft smile. " And some ham, if you have some? " she adds, glancing at the menu to see if it's on there.

[User]
 Lantai
 Morning: June 1, 857

Tena beams back at you and nods.  "We do! I'll get you your food soon, ma'am."  She spins around, skirt flaring up, then quickly strides over to the door. After a few minutes, she returns, carrying a platter of bread, cheese, and ham, as well as a cup of water.

 "Will there be anything else, ma'am?"

[User]
 Seemingly from nowhere comes Elizabeth's voice, whispering, audible but just barely, saying " Sit down and join us~ " with a lilting, teasing laugh. Elizabeth tries to speak over it.
" Thank you, no, that's all. " she says, blushing faintly.

[User] In Elizabeth's room, Tiana quietly climbs in through the window and sets about the room cleaning up, a tossed piece of clothing put away here, a vase of fresh flowers there. She puts her well-worn travel bag tucked away in the wardrobe, switching from traveling clothes to a season-appropriate green dress, and comes downstairs, looking to find her betrothed.

[User]
 Lantai
 Morning: June 1, 857

 Originally Posted by Lix Lorn
 Seemingly from nowhere comes Elizabeth's voice, whispering, audible but just barely, saying " Sit down and join us~ " with a lilting, teasing laugh. Elizabeth tries to speak over it.
" Thank you, no, that's all. " she says, blushing faintly.

Tena blinks in confusion, ears twitching slightly as she tries to remember if she had heard that faint line correctly. Shaking away the hesitation, she gives Elizabeth a small bow before heading off.  "It's my pleasure, ma'am. Have a nice meal!"

 Originally Posted by Eldest
 In Elizabeth's room, Tiana quietly climbs in through the window and sets about the room cleaning up, a tossed piece of clothing put away here, a vase of fresh flowers there. She puts her well-worn travel bag tucked away in the wardrobe, switching from traveling clothes to a season-appropriate green dress, and comes downstairs, looking to find her betrothed.

Downstairs, you find the dining hall of inn beginning to fill up, and Elizabeth off in a corner, having recently received her meal from a half-elf with bright pink hair.

[User] She smiles again, and starts to eat. She doesn't say anything to Salicia, but gives her the emotional equivalent of a disappointed glance.

[User] Tiana slides behind Elizabeth and kisses her on the cheek.  Hello, beloved! And hi, Salicia.

[User]
 There was a sharp intake of breath, and then Elizabeth breathed out.
" Tiana. " she said, softly, but faintly accusatory. " You followed me. "
" Tiana! I'm so glad, you followed us. " said Salicia, simultaneously, her whispers amused and teasing.

[User] Teeechnically yes... I am engaged to you, after all.  She sits at the table and smiles at the waiter until her order is taken, and then turns back to her fiance.

[User]
 " If you're going to pull that out, then you should be somewhere safe where you're not in any danger. " she points out, with all appearance of being serious.
" And ideally pregnant! "
" Stop helping. "
" Helping? "

[User] She blinks.  I have herbs for that. And staying behind is boring. I want to see more of the world!

[User] " 'Interesting' and 'dangerous' go hand in hand. " she frowns. " As you yielded, shouldn't you listen to me? "

[User]
 Her eyes go unfocused for a moment, and she chants.  For these are the precepts of the battlemaiden's pride.
You shall suffer no insult to your betrothed, and will honor them.
You shall support them in all things.

Well that's the relevant section at least, there's a lot of those. Long story short, I'm here and staying. How else can you get supported, or more importantly. How else can I hit people that insult you?

[User] " That's from an entirely different noble tradition and you know it. " she huffs. " But clearly you're not going to change your mind, so. I suppose I'll have to account for it. "


[User]
 The Dojo of Stillness

- all walls are made of thick oak
- lighting is daylight-equivalent everywhere
- leaving the premises of the dojo results in disqualification
- you begin at the square marked in blue (N20), the enemy at one in red (M7)

[User]
 Zephyr

Although nervous, the air goblin prepares himself for the challenge.  If he fails but survives, perhaps he will face another foe.

 Spoiler

Init  (1d20+6)[ 23 ]

[User] All is still and silent. You act first.

[User]
 Zephyr

From within his spot in the U-shaped walls, Zephyr slips stealthily forwards, pulling out a bag of caltrops and dumping them on the ground.

 Spoiler

Hide  (1d20+12)[ 17 ]
Move Silently  (1d20+12)[ 29 ]

Move to M22, lay caltrops in L22.

Stance: Child of Shadow:  Move 10', gain concealment (20% miss chance on attack rolls vs. Zephyr, able to Hide)

Counters:  Counter Charge (opposed dex checks with Zephyr at +4 to negate charge attacks)

[User]
 Child of Shadow will not let you hide when Hide in Plain Sight would otherwise be required, as clearly stated in the stance's description.

Listen roll during enemy's turn  (1d20+2)[ 17 ](17)

[User]
 Round 2

Again all is eeriely silent and still. The caltrops glisten on the lacquered wooden floor.

It's Zephyr's turn...

[User]
 Zephyr

Zephyr tosses out more caltrops, then silently pads over to the other corner.

 Spoiler

Oops, right.  Oh well, at least there are walls and corners to hide around.

Caltrops in K22, then move to O22.

Hide  (1d20+12)[ 24 ]
Move Silently  (1d20+12)[ 14 ]

Stance: Child of Shadow:  Move 10', gain concealment (20% miss chance on attack rolls vs. Zephyr)

Counters:  Counter Charge (opposed dex checks with Zephyr at +4 to negate charge attacks)

[User]
 During the enemy's turn, Zephyr listens carefully

 (1d20+2)[ 17 ](17)

[User]
 Zephyr is certain now! There's an invisible creature somewhere close!

 Spoiler

Listen was high enough to alert, but not high enough to pinpoint at +20 DC.

Round 3

Zephyr's turn

[User]
 Spoiler: ooc

Do I get a rough direction?

[User]
 Originally Posted by J-H

 Spoiler: ooc

Do I get a rough direction?

 Spoiler
The check is only slightly higher than the minimum to be alerted at all, but let's say right-ish (and below 30' distance for sure).

[User]
 Zephyr
Zephyr moves back into the corner stealthily and prepares to attack.

 Spoiler

Move to M20.  Readied standard action to charge my opponent if he appears (the walls should keep him in direct line of effect for a charge).
Charge will use Shadow Blade Technique (roll attack twice, 2d20+9; use the higher to-hit roll, or if the lower roll is a total of 20 or higher, I'll use it and gain +1d6 cold damage instead); damage on the charge is 1d4+7

Hide  (1d20+12)[ 26 ]
Move Silently  (1d20+12)[ 24 ]

Stance: Child of Shadow:  Move 10', gain concealment (20% miss chance on attack rolls vs. Zephyr)

Counters:  Counter Charge (opposed dex checks with Zephyr at +4 to negate charge attacks)

[User]
 The Air Goblin skulks in wait.

Next, Zephyr overhears an arcane muttering, momentarily followed by a loud bang that hurts his ears. The goblin grips his blade even harder ready to lunge at the assailant - but instead, he feels the hilt fall out of his hand as fingers lose all strength and black spots rapidly grow on the skin.

Zephyr falls to the ground as darkness engulfs him. The last thing he sees is the Invisibility spell dissipating. A dark-clad figure whose face is hidden behind a skull mask appears, one hand extended as it beckons the final wisp of Zephyr's life energy: the Hand of Death.

 Spoiler

Zephyr dies to an inflicted negative level. Cause: Fell Drain metamagic on a Sonic Snap cast as 1st level spell prepared under Metamagic School Focus:Evocation.

[User]
 Huh, and the description for the guy mentioned arrows.

How does he have access to  Invisibility  at level 1?  A potion is outside WBL, and I cannot think of any LA0 races that have it as a SLA.

[User]
 Originally Posted by J-H
 Huh, and the description for the guy mentioned arrows.

How does he have access to  Invisibility  at level 1?  A potion is outside WBL, and I cannot think of any LA0 races that have it as a SLA.

The arrow guy(girl?) is the third Dagger (who is apparently an annoying stealth sniper)

Invisibility explanation

 Spoiler

The Hand of Death cast Invisibility with the aid of the feats Precocious Apprentice and Arcane Mastery.

Now you know of four feats, meaning he is a human or near-human(Azurin, Silverbrow -  as we don't use Strongheart Halflings as they are 3.0 content).

PS. While the Dagger builds aren't entirely secret to the optimization community, they are still very good and only those brave enough to face them can ask about their mechanics. The Ultimate Champion is something else: a-never-defeated-build. The only way to learn about him is to face him in battle and decipher whatever you can with Spellcraft, Knowledges, etc.

[User]
 Makes sense.  At level 1, you can't optimize against everything, and obviously he has a good Spot roll too!  I should have popped my smokestick when you said "invisible person" to deny line of sight (for casting) and to help make him visible.

I'd be happy to take on the others and then perhaps try for a rematch if I beat them.

[User]
 Originally Posted by J-H
 Makes sense.  At level 1, you can't optimize against everything, and obviously he has a good Spot roll too!  I should have popped my smokestick when you said "invisible person" to deny line of sight (for casting) and to help make him visible.

I'd be happy to take on the others and then perhaps try for a rematch if I beat them.

His spot isn't that high. However, he moved (possibly faster than expected) to a square Zephyr had no cover from, and saw the goblin.

At this point a DM could call for a surprise round against you and reroll of Initiative, but it would be all the same. Also, his Initiative is actually very high as he trades Scribe Scroll for a variant with Improved Initiative and has Neverskitter prepared - so LoS+LoE close start arenas also go in his favor most often than not.

Smokestick was a better option, as it would have allowed Zephyr to hide inside.

***

Fighting the third Dagger may end up really prolonged as both of you try to stay hidden, so we won't do that.

The Brute, however, is all ready to face Zephyr. You have a choice between the dojo and the Alabaster bridge as maps.

[User]
 [roll]1d2[/roll
1 dojo
2 bridge

[User]
 arrr  (1d2)[ 1 ]
....

[User]
 Dojo it is (you avoid random weather roll per the DMG).

Brute initiative  (1d20+2)[ 21 ]

Roll yours and go first if you win.

[User]
 Init  (1d20+6)[ 21 ]
I go first due to having a higher modifier.

[User]
 Zephyr moves to P20 and tosses a set of caltrops into P18.

 Spoiler

Not much point in hiding.

Move Silently  (1d20+12)[ 24 ]

Move to M22, lay caltrops in L22.

Stance: Child of Shadow:  Move 10', gain concealment (20% miss chance on attack rolls vs. Zephyr)

Counters:  Counter Charge (opposed dex checks with Zephyr at +4, ie total of +9, to negate charge attacks)

[User]
 First you hear a powerful voice,  "A Gibbin'! Out of all da great warriors, dey send a littl' Gibbin' againt me!"

The Brute walks into sight. He wears a rag of a studded leather armor that does little to hide his ripped Water Orc muscles. A heavy piece of dull steel that appears to have seen a hundred battles - must be a greatsword - is clenched in his fist and rests on the shoulder above. His eyes are protected by cheap bamboo shades, probably costing only a silver.

 Spoiler
Double move to L13. Round 2, Zephyr's turn.

[User]
 Zephyr
Zephyr steps to S20 (putting the caltrops in P18 on an exact diagonal line between himself and the barbarian) and throws a vial of alchemist's fire at his foe.  It shatters on impact, bursting into flame that covers the orc.

 Spoiler

Ranged touch attack  (1d20+2)[ 21 ]  (+6, minus 4 for distance penalty - 7x7, pythagoras says that the direct line is just shy of 10 squares or 50'; I get penalties at 10', 20', 30', and 40')

 I'm going to call a 21 a hit :) I forgot to roll for the 1d6 fire damage and will let you do that.   Alchemists Fire Link.

Stance: Child of Shadow:  Move 10', gain concealment (20% miss chance on attack rolls vs. Zephyr)

Counters:  Counter Charge (opposed dex checks with Zephyr at +4 to negate charge attacks)

[User]
 A few clarifications are needed:

- first, a look at the map. Caltrops aren't a hard corner, so perhaps reconsider positioning in order to avoid pounce.

 Spoiler

- secondly, last action Zephyr threw caltrops. That would have required a hand. I'm presuming he's holding his sword in the other. So if he wants to move and attack, can he draw the alchemist's fire as a swift action? Alternatively, perhaps he started holding the fire and the caltrops, but then he'll be weaponless.

- finally, each range penalty is -2, not -1; still a pretty good roll though

[User]
 Thanks for the map.  I was looking at empty squares and moving my finger around on my monitor and I got it wrong.

I am not used to being in combat with 0 BAB and being unable to draw a weapon as part of a move action.  It looks like I can either not throw the alchemist's fire, or end my turn without a weapon available, and needing to draw a weapon (and not move!) next round.  Correct?

[User]
 Originally Posted by J-H
 Thanks for the map.  I was looking at empty squares and moving my finger around on my monitor and I got it wrong.

I am not used to being in combat with 0 BAB and being unable to draw a weapon as part of a move action.  It looks like I can either not throw the alchemist's fire, or end my turn without a weapon available, and needing to draw a weapon (and not move!) next round.  Correct?

Yeah, I guessed you're used to moving&drawing. BAB 0 is strange. But I'm already waiving it for Finesse and I forgot to warn you about announcing what Zephyr holds at start/tracking draws. So as I final option, I can allow for moving&drawing at 0 BAB.

Your choice.

[User]
 How about I take the murky-eyed flaw (roll twice take lowest for concealment) and then pick up the Quick Draw feat?   Nope, BAB+1 requirement.  Darn WOTC.

I guess I should have gone Warblade and taken a bunch of flaws for some extra maneuvers & stances.

[User]
 Originally Posted by J-H
  How about I take the murky-eyed flaw (roll twice take lowest for concealment) and then pick up the Quick Draw feat?   Nope, BAB+1 requirement.  Darn WOTC.

I guess I should have gone Warblade and taken a bunch of flaws for some extra maneuvers & stances.

2 flaws limit anyway.

[User]
 Zephyr

Zephyr steps back to P21 and readies an action to throw the alchemist's fire at the orc if the orc should come into view/range.

[User]
 Zephyr hears the enemy move to somewhere on the other side of the oaken wall. It sounds as just a single move action, meaning the Brute has most likely prepared a Readied Action too.

 Spoiler
Your trigger expires and it's your turn again

[User]
 Zephyr
Zephyr moves 30' to the east and readies his flask of flaming fluid for flinging.

[User]
 As the Orc advances in sight once again, Zephyr throws the alchemist's fire.

 (1d20-2)[ 14 ](14)  (range penalty 4x -2)
 (1d6)[ 6 ]  fire damage

Flames engulf the Brute, but he is not deterred. After his move, he readies a standard attack if the goblin comes into range.

Roll the other 1d6 fire damage on your turn.

[User]
 Zephyr backs away while drawing his swords.

 Spoiler

 (1d6)[ 6 ]  fire damage.

Move to Y16, standard to draw swords.

Stance: Child of Shadow:  Move 10', gain concealment (20% miss chance on attack rolls vs. Zephyr)

Counters:  Counter Charge (opposed dex checks with Zephyr at +9 to negate charge attack and reposition the target anywhere within 10' - if I'm successful, I'm going to throw him out of the arena)

[User]
 The Brute frenzies and charges.

Zephyr's counter  (1d20+9)[ 23 ]  vs  (1d20+2)[ 18 ]

(whatever happens it won't be the end)

[User]
 "Good" snarls the Brute at Zephyr's impeccable martial technique.

"BUT NOT GOOD ENOUGH!!!" the Orc yells as foam bursts from his mouth. (The Brute employs Mad Foam Rager to delay the effect of the counter).

Pounce attacks

 (1d20+11)[ 24 ]  concealment miss on 1-20  (1d100)[ 17 ]  dmg  (2d6+12)[ 18 ]
 (1d20+11)[ 25 ]  concealment miss on 1-20  (1d100)[ 71 ]  dmg  (2d6+12)[ 16 ]

[User] The Brute's first swing hits only deceptive shadows, but the second one lands true with bone-pulverizing strength. A memory of the Air Goblin will live in yet another scar on the Orc's leathery skin...

[User] Heh, 0/2.  Mad Foam Rager is a handy feat.

[User]
 Originally Posted by J-H
 Heh, 0/2.  Mad Foam Rager is a handy feat.

He also had Instantaneous Rage. Even so Zephyr has better chances against the Brute than many builds.

[User]
 Yeah, 20% miss chance and counter charge.
If I had been able to strike first, I might have won.

1st level combat is rocket tag, and he had a better rocket.

[User] Actually the Champion isn't rocket tag. But that's a story for another time.


[User]
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[User]
 ÆtherFall: The Night       - The First Cycle

He remembered... faintly, in passing. The old church which he once sat. He remembered faintly, a man... a dhampir. He had been... once. There was no pain. No suffering. The priestly figure... he had freed him from his suffering, his grief. Now there was only darkness... He fell through The Night. He felt nothing, just a quite peace. Swept away into the void. His body was only streams of silver light, he struck a strange cloud of shade. He could feel the weight lifted from him. Memories fading in steams of light.

Through the cloud of shadows, light could be seen faintly. It was as if he fell upwards, towards a tunnel, or the sky. Streams of light split off from his luminescent form. The memories of pain. A name. They all begun to fade away, as if peeled away from him. He fell into the distant clouds of shade and into an ocean of light...

There came the light of a brilliant sky. An ocean wonderful night sky of stars. Stars, like him. Swirling spectrum's of light. A dance of stars. He could feel nothing. He could hear nothing. He could remember nothing. There was only a quiet peace as he fell into the night.

Hours. Days. Years. The lights of a million-million souls fluttered past him as the darkness deepened, and the lumens only glowed all the brighter. A millennium, a second. An aeon fluttered, and passed. He fell on and on, until finally there was no light. No stars. Only a perfect blackness. The sense of time. The sense of thought, washed away. His light flickered. Flashes, brief glimpses of a man that was came to mind, within the whirling darkness, as the maelstrom of shade washed upon him. Then he was bereft.... his light extinguished. The luminance of his existence crushed beneath the tide. He could feel nothing. He was nothing.

He sunk into the ocean of blackness. Something, some form began to manifest. Bare-feet. Hands. Neither physical nor incorporeal. It was as if he looked upon some strange figure within a faded reflection upon water's surface in an aged and withered photograph. He has formless, and formed. He was like the half manifested figure of leaves in a harsh fall-breeze. He knew. This thing. This figure.. was himself. Though he looked upon himself, from outside himself. He knew this was him, and he was home...

He stood upon the surface of the endless darkness. He could feel nothing, Yet the Harrow, V'Dri, stood before his mother. She looked over to him curiously. Her wonderful golden eyes the only light within this state of non-existence. She smiled. Her black horns stretching whimsically from her brow. Her mouth moved, but no words were spoken. An soundless echo, that carried no sound entered his mind. Voiceless, as if reading a subtitled script of dialogue within his distant consciousness.   '  Welcome home, V'Dri. We've waited for you.'

[User]
 The Spirit:

So much time had passed since he last felt truly whole, centuries had come and gone and still, he did not truly considered himself complete. Or maybe the centuries were minutes. Or seconds. Or entire ages. How was he to know? The spirit rested here and looked up into the sky, gazing at the stars all around him. He'd counted so many, or maybe none at all. Little made sense in this place, but that was not unusual to the spirit by now.

He found a sort of comfort in it all, organized chaos. Maybe there was a pattern in the stars, some hidden message. It was no pressing matter, he had all the time in the world to figure it all out. He felt safe here though,  safe but small. He was nigh inconsequential. A speck of dust floating through the vastness of space. Sure, there was no one around to harm him, but then there was no one around to talk with either.

He was lonely, always lonely. Memories passed of a woman, she was pretty. Elven. What was elven. What was dhampir? What were the stars? It did not matter. Not really. Nothing mattered to the spirit anymore, if anything ever had in the first place. Was he a star? An elf? A dhampir? Or was he... nothing. Was this what being no one felt like?

Suddenly light, so much light, everywhere, all around. It hurt at first, and he felt like he was burning. Then nothing again. A sea of nothing, of darkness. Of blank space. And here he stayed, floating through the ocean of pitch black nothingness, like a discarded bit of flotsam. This ocean was so dry, it made his self itch. He did not have skin. Did anything have skin? What did skin feel like. Taste like. What was the texture...

What was blood? Peaceful thoughts conjuring images of flayed bodies. Blood, sinew, flesh. He had lived for that. The warmth, the feel, the exotic flavor. Blood was important, but he did not have it. Did he want it? No. No he did not. There was no craving. He simply wanted to see it. To experience it. To experience tracing his tongue across every bit of exposed flesh, meat. To touch. He was jealous. He wanted to be like it, like the body. He wanted one. He missed feeling...

Then he stood. Wait, no. No he did not. The other thing did. The other him. Why did he stand? He did not know. Did he? No, no, no. Simple, simple, what was simple. Then a woman. A beautiful woman, blue, silky, soft. He felt lonely again. He had missed people. Then a name, his name. A nice name. He liked it. It was his. His name. His name. Name... name... n. N. Na... Name, yes.

He spoke.  "Waited? Truly? Why? Why is... the stars, I looked towards the stars. They dud not smile, no, no. There were cold. And made me feel lonely. Very lonely..."

"Mother. Why am I, mother? Why.... Is this?"

"Please..."

[User]
 ÆtherFall - The Night
The women spread her arms before herself, silver streams of vaporous-light emerging from the void. They begun to wrap about his dim-figure, the light beginning to define his form. Again her soundless voice echoed within and through him as unspoken words.   " Young one... you've yet lived at all. Now... gather yourself. Gather yourself and remember what you are..."   His form began to solidify, shapeless-expressionless light in the figure of a man.   "There, isn't that so much better?"   He could 'perceive' himself again, hands, and fingers, though he possessed no flesh or bone. He was light. He felt a whirling hum within himself, a certain cyclonic balance, like a breeze. She smiled, her mouth had already stopped moving as the words begun to echo to him.   " Yes... feel The Gale within you. The wind of your spirit, for you are Harrow... "   an awareness of his own state begun to fill him. He was a spirit. A spirit of the natural world, born of this darkness and the skies of the worlds far away from here. He was the wind... and no body, no form could change that. The Gale, the wind of his spirit was his existence, his heart. He was renewed. The women before him, he knew as his mother smiled softly as her lips finished moving, she waved her hand, an orb of light struck him.  "My gift to you dear child. Your soul is one of The Chosen. The destined to shape the many worlds above. So take these memories..."  He felt himself empowered, a strange knowledge... thoughts filled his mind.  " Your soul V'Dri, belongs to The Children, but you are my son still, and when your mortal days are done, you shall return to here, to The Night. To be made new... I give you the gift, the gift of freedom of choice. Go, live once more... Join The Children once more, or live however you would choose. But know... You will be pulled by those forces greater then yourself, your destiny of great victory... or perhaps, suffering.. or sacrifice, awaits. I wish you all the best. "  She lifted a hand, a gate of whirling light manifesting behind her, like a whirling pool.  "When you are ready... step through, and be made new..."

 Spoiler: The Harrow Spirit (Air) - OOC
 ~ Gained Prime Form  (May access Wakes)
 ~ Gained Knowledge (Reflections) : A mirror of himself that may be created. A native of the world to which he descends. This unique figure of himself is created within the terms of the world which he enters from The Wake willingly. Defined further when the option is available.

   Harrow Soul (Soulbound Abilities)
 ~ Affinity to Air I:  Sonic Damage is reduced by half.

     [Spirit Wind I:]
   [Form I: Soul Form]   - When the Harrow jumps, while unencumbered, or restricted. He may choose to become a gust of air moving the distance jumped as if he had flown. While in this state he is immune to most non-magical physical attacks. The Harrow may use this ability an an  Immediate Action  a number of times per day equal to 3 + Soul Level, of the Harrow.  ( Upon Reaching  SL10  The Harrow may use this ability as a Swift and/or Immediate Action. Using it as an Immediate Action, does not expend the Harrow's next Swift Action.)
   [Form I: Gale Dodge]    - The Harrow may may a Reflex Save against standard non-magical projectile attacks as a Free Action. This ability may be used from multiple attacks from a single target or more. If successful, the Harrow becomes a transparent breeze and the projectile passes through him harmlessly.  (The Harrow gains a +2 Misc Bonus to Reflex Saves. This Bonus Increases by +1/4 Soul Levels. Upon Reaching  SL15  The Harrow may use this ability against enchanted projectile and Conventional-Magic cast at range against himself using either his Reflex or WIll, Player's choice.)

 *******************
 *******************


[User]
 A very fine knife:  "Welcome to Castor, Hair Swordback"

The conversation began with  Welcome to Castor Hair Swordback!  and it didn't improve from there. If you could call it a "conversation". It was more of a word assault.  Herr Frederick Schwartzbach  was on another tedious errand for his Father, the oh so important and illustrious Duke Franz Schwartzbach son of the late Canas Schwartzbach. Mid level diplomacy was  not  Herr Schwartzbach's first passion, and it was especially difficult to be excited about this trip. He was supposed to negotiate duty free wine trade with the Sheriff of Castor. He had a box of fine decorative silver hair pins for the ladies of the house to smooth the negotiations over, but that box was still in his hand and he had hardly seen the Sheriff all night.

Instead, he was waylaid by a "Friar Bellum", who was a tubby little bald man who apparently didn't know the proper etiquette for making conversation. Friar Bellum had something to say about anything and would not let "Hair Swordback" get a word in edgewise or escape. Herr Schwartzbach felt like he had  literally been listening to this boring man talk about census reform forever!

 Spoiler: Sense Motive DC 14 to open (+2 bonus if you have diplomacy; unskilled check)

He's purposely sidelining you. He doesn't want you to talk to the Sheriff.

On and on he droned...  Now during the years under Sheriff Tuscon's census reform plan the clergy didn't need to report at all, because it was assumed that men of the cloth issued no prodigy and paid no taxes. Therefore, their number was irrelevant. This, of course, was a complete disaster! It completely failed to recognize the auxiliary functions of the census, namely its importance to the historical record and clergy itself. But this was still better than the Oswald reform to follow which recorded the number of clergy but failed to subtract the number again before budgeting yearly revenue from levies. Rather it deducted a proportional average of what citizens were expected to make. And the interesting thing is... Blah blah blah...

Herr Frederick longed to be free of this man. He would even prefer to dance. Some of the women of the court were quite agreeable, if not a bit plain but "liberal" looking. The dance itself was a exceedingly simple jig spurred on by primitive string and pipe music. They had much nicer music at home - if you cared for music.

Suddenly the candles in the hall of the Sheriff's keep flickered and extinguished.  Oh my...  One of the ladies in waiting shrieked. The dance obviously halted immediately. One couple had already fallen over another and it was unnaturally dark. Then, as if by... magic? Yes, as if by magic the torches and candles of the Sheriff's keep lit themselves again and there was light.

And magic it must have been. There in the middle of the hall stood three oddly dressed strangers. The first was a man in a long leather coat and high boots. He has grizzled features and a strong stubble covered chin. He was accompanied by two curvaceous women in robes. Their faces were hidden by their hoods, but Herr Schwartzbach felt unsettled by them even without looking at them.

 Spoiler: Spot: DC 12

They are carrying weapons. The man has blades on him and one of the women has a crossbow. The other has a large bulky bag fit for a pack horse.

 Spoiler: Spot: DC 16

The women have horns! And a red tinge to their skin!

 Spoiler: Knowledge: The Planes or Religion DC 12

They are half demon spawn from the Abyss! Goddess help us all!

 Brandi, you twice blasted fool witch! You were supposed to summon us to the refractory of the  church!  The  CHURCH , you twit! Against all probability and common sense. you landed us in a crowded party! There ain't a less disruptive or dangerous a venue that I can think of. You? Can yah think of anything  worse  than a   ******* PARTY?!?!    the man bellowed. His voice was gruff and harsh. He was scolding her like a child and she took it humbly.

 Marshal, I am  so  sorry. I don't know what happened. I had the vision of the church in my mind. I read the incantation exactly. I - I -  she stammered. For some reason, being at a party was a very bad thing. Herr Schwartzbach had been to worse.

 Never mind that now!  He snapped.  How long do we have?
 Seconds at best...  she answered in a panic.  We're surrounded by  people . The Keepers will be here in a matter of seconds!  She was scared.

 Light the candles! Get the ointment!  he commanded.

For whatever reason, these strange gatecrashers had little or no interest in the nobility and staff gawking in a circle around them. Herr Frederick was dressed in the uncomfortable finery of his homeland. The ruffles and tights made it difficult to move, but in a pinch he thinks he could take this bizarre man in a fight. His armour and weapon and other gear were fortuitously readied by his Father's attendant and waiting for him at the door. Frederick had no intention of staying longer than it took to complete his errand and he was ready to leave the instant the box was delivered and a promise of duty free trade was secured. There were some men-at-arms on guard as well, and Frederick could improvise a weapon if needed.

   MAP

 Spoiler: Map Key

You're purple (as usual).
Marshal is blue/grey
Brandi is Red
Unknown lady is Orange
Guards are Brown
Your Father's attendant ("Pip"?) is white
All commoners and nobles are grey including the Friar and the Sheriff

[User]
 Yes. Mm. Of course. Oh my. Is that so? Ho. Yes, well! Indeed, good sir! That truly is a disaster isn't it? Oh my. Well, then. Yes, do go on. And on.     And on. And on. And on. You blithering fool. I'll leave you swiftly and without mercy when next the sheriff is in my sights. There he is talking to his wife. Bah, after this dance I will ask... her to dance, and be rid of this man. I'll make of fuss of her beauty, and openly snub the priest as being quite a deal less attractive as him. I'll... what's this? What's this?! Who?! Magic! And harsh words, not a good group of angry invaders then.

Herr Frederick Schwartzbach, Knight of the Goddess (in training),  (self-declared) Keeper of the King's Peace and Brave Warrior of the Proud and Noble Schwartzbach Linage would not stand for ... whatever exactly it was those intruders were doing.   Ho there, Marshal. What business do you have with the church? If you are ever eager, I would that you allow me to escort you away from these people. That is to say, you will come with me to the church or you will come with the guards to a cell. However, first you  will  apologize to the woman for your tongue. Or you will lose it. I will not tolerate such a tone to be levied against one of the fairer sex. Even if she is, quite clearly, a witch of some sort. You bevile the whole affair with your abuse.

Frederick looked back across the room at Pippit, his loyal and strong, if not dense, companion.   Pips! Escort Lady Lucy to me at once! I would have her by my side! And you, get out of his way, official Knight business.   His last comment was to the people between him and the door, and more importantly, between him and his Lady Lucy, the Lucerne Hammer; the fist of the Goddess. Wrath of the King. Slayer of Demons and Devils alike. Mm. Terror of Tyrants, Defender of Good, Hammer of... Justice.   And so forth. I don't know. The bards will figure it out when they sing of me.

A smile curled up under his nose, and youthful eagerness woke his weary body. Things had suddenly gotten interesting, and if took a sudden and strange invasion to silence the jabbering of that annoying old friar, so be it! And as of yet, nobody has noticed the fourth figure to emerge from seemingly nowhere.

 Spoiler: Actions

Lots of free action talking.
1 Full round action to summon a minion. At X5, and hope nobody notices him. But even if they do, surely word of the Mighty Hero who can bring forth Heroes of Lore Long Forgotten is know well enough for them to not quake in fear at the mighty warriors brought worth by the Brave and Noble Herr Frederick Schwartzbach! Hopefully.

Err, well actually, this is illegal, I just found out. I must summon it within 10ft. But I ... summoned it before, because they don't even have a duration, so why not? So, maybe I just had it waiting on the other side of that wall.

I will pick an Orcish Unstable Scout, which can teleport 20ft as a move action, so it actually makes plenty of sense. Anyways. There's one there all of a sudden. Player handwaving. Haha. Or I will just summon it next to me... if you like.

He'll appear as an orc wearing pearl colored leather armor studded with sapphires, wielding a mighty blade shaped entirely from silvered and well polished steel. Atop his head is a pearl white leather helm, out of which his hair, white with age, falls out in thick braided coils.

[User]
 Originally Posted by darklink_shadow
   Ho there, Marshal. What business do you have with the church? If you are ever eager, I would that you allow me to escort you away from these people. That is to say, you will come with me to the church or you will come with the guards to a cell. However, first you  will  apologize to the woman for your tongue. Or you will lose it. I will not tolerate such a tone to be levied against one of the fairer sex. Even if she is, quite clearly, a witch of some sort. You bevile the whole affair with your abuse.

The Sheriff of Castor joins Herr Frederick in his indignation.  Quite right! How dare you enter my keep with your dark majiks and dark arts! I demand you leave at once!

"Marshal" has the most dumbstruck and inane expression at the end of Herr Frederick's harangue and the Sheriff's temper tantrum. You would think someone had crashed  his  party! He answers, almost absent mindedly,  You have my most sincere apologies for allowing my mouth to run afoul, my dear.  He says this as spins about in one place, looking for something, or perhaps taking notice of the nearest exit.

 Apology accepted...  she says while pulling a candle the width of a man's thigh from her bag. The wick is as thick as a thumb. She struggles to set it upright, which she does, right on the floor.  They're almost here...  she gasps.

The castle guard have now drawn their weapons. Marshal looks for an exit, or something that will help him. His gaze turns to Herr Frederick.  Nice tights  he quips  Are you any good with that thing?  he asks, referring to Herr Frederick's weapon. He pulls out a flask of oil or ointment and begins openly lathering his oddly shaped blades with the substance. His other companion draws a heavy crossbow and begins oiling her crossbow bolts.  If you want to live, you'll drench yer killing tools in this here ointment. Your real enemy is coming, fancy pants...  Marshal's eyes are wide and steely  and they don't apologize to nobody.

 Spoiler: Sense motive DC 18

These three are absolutely terrified of something, and it isn't you.

 Originally Posted by darklink_shadow
   Pips! Escort Lady Lucy to me at once! I would have her by my side! And you, get out of his way, official Knight business.
  And so forth. I don't know. The bards will figure it out when they sing of me.

Pips comes running up with Herr Frederick's armour and weapon. Ever eager to please, he presents Lucy arms outstretched in humble supplication. Herr Frederick's armour clanks on the stone tiles in the pack horse's saddlebag which is set down beside him.  Lucy is ready, my Lord.  Pips is a good boy. Loyal too! But very young an naive. He is only twelve years of age and not an especially talented squire. He hasn't even grown an adolescent's mustachio yet. Still, with time and training he will make a fine squire. If the fool boy doesn't get himself killed in his eagerness to see real battle...

 Roll Initiative - Free action only until initiative is sorted out

[User]
 Frederick mused for half a moment.   Ha. Alright, these enemies of yours that are coming... if they are truly as dangerous as you suggest, and they threaten the King's Peace, I will sort them out. I will aid either you or them, whichever side is less noble.

Frederick took his hammer at once and nodded to his squire.   Hastily, my friend, that woman seems sure the threat is upon us.

Gesturing to the intruders, Fredrick speaks to the Sheriff.   Until this is over, I ask that you stay your wrath against these intruders. It would appear their magics have brought them to the wrong place. While they are crass, and uncouth... they appear to mean us no harm. Should that change, I will bring them to justice.
  I wonder who is coming... I hope it's demon worshipping barbarians. That would be a good first quest to start my song. Or an undead scourge. A betrayer of the light? Something that rhymes with hammer?

[User]
 Spoiler: Initiative Order

Brandi
Herr Frederick
Ordinary Folk
Keepers
Marshal
Janet

The keepers aren't on scene yet but combat has begun! Map coming, but positions haven't changed.

The one called "Brandi" lights the heavy crimson candle with a shaky wrist. It emits a soft and captivating blood orange glow. Herr Frederick feels a bit proud at having identified the woman as a witch, but wonders what spell she's cast here...

 Spoiler: Spellcraft DC 18 to find out

The Candle is an anarchic magic item which has the effect of "magic circle against law" when lit. It's area of effect is a radius of 10ft (the area of light cast). Unlike the the spell, the candle will last for 24 hours but if the flame is extinguished the item becomes useless.
A +2 deflection bonus to AC and a +2 resistance bonus on saves to all within the light. Lawful characters may enter and still receive the benefit.

 Spoiler: Spellcraft DC 17 concerning the ointment

Another Anarchic magic item. It lasts 1 hour and adds a +1 bonus to your weapon and aligns your weapon as "chaotic". This will add 2d6 to damage against keepers. Lawful characters may use, but it doesn't feel right to them.

 They're here...   Brandi shutters...

[User]
 What? Already?   Frederick pushed Pips back a step.   Pips, go stand by the Sheriff, and keep him safe. I will handle this. Keep my armor safe as well. It's older than both of us together. It was Ser Canas Schwartzbach's armor so treat it with as much care as you would Lucy.

Moving to the ointment, he spread it across Lucy's face.   Warpaint for my Lady of Lucerne.

 Spoiler: Actions

Should be move and standard to move to and use the ointment, right?

[User]
 Battle of the Keepers in Sheriff's Keep!

Herr Frederick wanted an epic battle worthy of song and praise. He was about to get it, though whether anyone would ever hear of his deeds was doubtful...

The goodly Sheriff was wise and well liked by the people of Castor for good reason. He was a shrewd man, and was able to evaluate the situation in an instant.  Nobody move! No one is to panic! Is that Franz's boy, Frederick? Mhmm... yes, I heard that you might be here tonight. If you think there is an innocent explanation to all this, then I'll pause to hear it! Explain yourself strangers! Or I'll have you arrested.

His words said temperance, but his hand gesturing his retainer to surround the intruders said mistrust. They drew their swords and stood at the ready. Ready to stain the dresses of pretty ladies or brutally subdue any that dare defy the Sheriff.

 You are under attack, Sir  pronounced the magician.  And I'm afraid, you're doomed!
 W-W-Wha-What? *Guffah!* A likely story!  The Sheriff's confidence waivers.  I see no other intruders Madam! And I think I've had enough explanation! Guards, arrest these -- UNHAND ME! GUARDS! GUARDS!

They came with a silence and swiftness that was unnatural. They seemingly came from  nowhere at all.  People with powder blue skin and a strangely focused aura about them entered the hall en mass. The wore plain monk's robes and had eyes of burning white fire. It was not clear whether they were male or female; they appeared androgynous to the young sire. The had no hair of any kind. They were eerily perfect and ordered in some inexplicable way. Immediately they ran to the nearest person and seized them. The guards at the front doors were ready and struck these blue invaders first.

 Spoiler: Combat

Guard 1  (1d20+2)[ 16 ]  dmg  (1d8+1)[ 8 ]
Guard 2  (1d20+2)[ 11 ]  dmg  (1d8+1)[ 3 ]

Keeper 1 Touch  (1d20+6)[ 24 ]  Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 26 ]  Opposed Grapple  (1d20)[ 12 ]  Will Save  (1d20)[ 3 ]
Keeper 2 Touch  (1d20+6)[ 24 ]  Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 16 ]  Opposed Grapple  (1d20)[ 13 ]  Will Save  (1d20)[ 19 ]
Keeper 3 Touch  (1d20+6)[ 7 ]  Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 7 ]  Opposed Grapple  (1d20)[ 18 ]  Will Save  (1d20)[ 7 ]
Keeper 4 Touch  (1d20+6)[ 21 ]  Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 16 ]  Opposed Grapple  (1d20)[ 9 ]  Will Save  (1d20)[ 20 ]
Keeper 5 Touch  (1d20+6)[ 10 ]  Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 22 ]  Opposed Grapple  (1d20)[ 3 ]  Will Save  (1d20)[ 10 ]
Keeper 6 Touch  (1d20+6)[ 21 ]  Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 25 ]  Opposed Grapple  (1d20)[ 4 ]  Will Save  (1d20)[ 12 ]
Keeper 7 Touch  (1d20+6)[ 9 ]  Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 9 ]  Opposed Grapple  (1d20)[ 14 ]  Will Save  (1d20)[ 17 ]
Keeper 8 Touch  (1d20+6)[ 24 ]  Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 9 ]  Opposed Grapple  (1d20)[ 1 ]  Will Save  (1d20)[ 16 ]
Keeper 9 Touch  (1d20+6)[ 8 ]  Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 19 ]  Opposed Grapple  (1d20)[ 18 ]  Will Save  (1d20)[ 19 ]
Keeper 10 Touch  (1d20+6)[ 8 ]  Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 17 ]  Opposed Grapple  (1d20)[ 17 ]  Will Save  (1d20)[ 3 ]
Keeper 11 Touch  (1d20+6)[ 17 ]  Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 21 ]  Opposed Grapple  (1d20)[ 9 ]  Will Save  (1d20)[ 5 ]
Keeper 12 Touch  (1d20+6)[ 11 ]  Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 23 ]  Opposed Grapple  (1d20)[ 5 ]  Will Save  (1d20)[ 8 ]

More coming...

   MAP

[User]
 Spoiler: More Combat

Marshal Readies an attack
Janet  (1d20+9)[ 18 ]  Dmg  (1d10+1)[ 2 ]  Archaic Dmg  (2d6)[ 6 ]

Red line = disappeared
G = Grappling

   MAP

The guard at the door sinks his sword deep into the ribs of one of these robed blue men. A geyser of magic and... essence bleed from it. The injury is soon repaid, however, when the guard's sword suddenly disappears.  POOF   What  are  you?  exclaims the guard.  We are the Keepers of ORDER  it answers.  You are out of time.  Its hands graces the guard's cheek and  POOF  he is gone too.

The Sheriff struggles with one of the blue strangers. He attempts to pull his wrists free, but the taller blue stranger has him firmly by both hands.   GUARDS! GUARDS!   He hollers, but to no avail. Throughout the castle, Herr Frederick can hear the commotion and screams of similar wrestling matches. The guards are preoccupied...

 Herr Frederick!   calls Pip, innocently.  Someone has the Sheriff!  he cries, stating the obvious. And someone soon has Pip as well! A pair of substantial blue hands fall on Pip's shoulders. Herr Frederick is looking directly at the young lad when the unthinkable happens. Pip evaporates in a puff of powder blue mist. It is as if he were pulled from reality itself.  POOF

Some manage to resist disappearing. They look blurred, like they might be here and elsewhere at the same time. A lady in a green dress vanishes in a dusting of that odd blue aura. Others evade the bizarre people entirely.

 You are all out of place.  says one of the blue strangers.
 You must be restored.  says another.

 Restore this *******  calls the woman with the crossbow. A bolt flies straight through one of the blue stranger's eyes. Eddies of the blue mist swirl through the air. It appears only slightly injured... if it is injured.

  Stay within the light of the candle kids... Stay safe. There's nothing we can do for these folks. They'll be fine anyway. But we won't. Hold yer positions...   Marshal mutters to his companions. But Herr Frederick can hear him.

[User]
 Pips? PIPS! NOOOOOO! Goddess, no! Why? You damnable scourge! Pips! Pips... no.

Frederick shook with rage, and seethed with hatred. He directed his minion to charge one alien monster, and he rushed after another.

Swinging his weapon with all his fury, he screamed his squire's name again.   Pippin van Der Boor!

 Spoiler: Actions

My minion, Krusk, Champion of the Sun Fist Orcs, will lay waste to the northern Keeper at location V3.

 (d20+4)[ 18 ]
 (2d4+4)[ 9 ]

I will attack the nearest one to me, at V13.

 (d20+5)[ 10 ]
 (2d4+4)[ 10 ]

I will stand at V11, and my minion at V4.

Remember, I have reach!

Also, touch attacks? My armor wouldn't have helped me anyways. Also... Pips had my armor... and my sword and my shield... is that all gone now?

Edit, no literal charging going on here. Just attacking. Also, dang. A 5? Dang.

[User]
 Herr Frederick's hammer comes crashing down on the castle's tile floor hard causing it to split and buckle against the stone around it. His minions has better luck. The mighty "pig man" of legend grinds his weapon into the blue being, whom appears to feel no pain. Krusk, Champion of the Sun Fist Orcs would be a startling sight to ordinary folk, but tonight's intruders overshadow him.

People lose their minds! Goblets of wine are tossed on the floor, a tapestry is torn from the wall, and a couple of shoes are left behind. Screams echo loudly in the Sheriff's, the loudest of which belongs to the Sheriff's wife who watches her beloved husband wrestle with one of the blue attackers. Then the pushing starts. Everyone wants to get away from these terrifying blue people who make mortals vanish with a touch and who don't fall when struck with a sword. They shove and they pull each other down to get closer to the center of the hall, because... the blue people... they are all around. Panic causes the crowd to push over Brandi, Janet, Herr Frederick, and many others. Some aren't able to get back up immediately and remain on the castle tile. They are stepped on, not over. Herr Frederick's hand is stepped on. The grizzled man called Marshal, for his part, is able to push the crowd back and keep them from knocking over the large candle he and his friends have set up.

 gYYYAAAAARRrrr! BACK OFF! I'll cut yer heads off, I SWEAR TO ORCUS I'LL DO IT!  he screams while raking his scimitar against the floor. Sparks fly enhancing the spectral of his threat. It appears to have an effect on the crowd.

 Spoiler
Next turn the grey dots will move to avoid Marshal.

Janet just manages to pull herself up. Her hood is thrown back and Herr Frederick can clearly see two horns protruding from her otherwise beautiful golden hairline. She loads her heavy crossbow and scowls, saying  They're going to knock it over, Marshal. We've got to get this under control...

A magical pulse is released when Brandi is struck to the floor. Her assailant instantly collapses unconscious. She pulls herself up immediately and throws out her hand towards some of the crowd. A kaleidoscope of sparkling colours issues from her fingers and knocks five more people unconscious.  Back off!  she commands.

Meanwhile the blue strangers continue the advance. They vanish three more people, including a frightened young lady who was on her knees pawing at Herr Frederick's sleeve.  Please  she says. Please what? Please save her? Please don't let it end like this? Please tell my children I love them? It doesn't matter. She's gone now. Right before Herr Frederick's eyes.

 Spoiler: Ye Common Folk

Break Grapple?  (1d20)[ 12 ]  vs  (1d20+6)[ 16 ]  and  (1d20)[ 6 ]  vs  (1d20+6)[ 23 ]
 The grey dots (noble folk and servants) and brown dots (guards) have become a "Huge" "swarm"!  These dots are individuals, but actions may be taken as a group if the numbers remain high. This turn, they are congregating in the middle of the hall and are "attacking" themselves, you, Marshal, Janet and Brandi. "Attacking" in the sense that they are performing overrun and trample as an action. You may take an Attack of Opportunity if you actually wish to strike down panicked party guests.

Overrun Marshal  (1d20+8)[ 14 ]  vs  (1d20+3)[ 21 ]  Trample  (1d4)[ 4 ]  Marshal wins
Overrun Brandi  (1d20+8)[ 19 ]  vs  (1d20+3)[ 15 ]  Trample  (1d4)[ 1 ]  Prone
Overrun Janet  (1d20+8)[ 25 ]  vs  (1d20-1)[ 4 ]  Trample  (1d4)[ 1 ]  Prone
Overrun Herr Frederick  (1d20+8)[ 24 ]  vs  (1d20+3)[ 21 ]  Trample  (1d4)[ 1 ]  Prone
Overrun  (1d4)[ 3 ]  Grey/Brown dots  (1d20+8)[ 26 ]  vs  (1d20)[ 12 ]  Trample  (1d4)[ 4 ]  3 Prone

 Spoiler: Keepers

AoO Touch (grab) attack  (1d20+6)[ 26 ]  Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 18 ]  vs  (1d20)[ 13 ]   e7 success
AoO Touch (grab) attack  (1d20+6)[ 10 ]  Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 19 ]  vs  (1d20)[ 5 ]   m7 fail to grab
AoO Touch (grab) attack  (1d20+6)[ 23 ]  Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 21 ]  vs  (1d20)[ 8 ]   v5 success
AoO Touch (grab) attack  (1d20+6)[ 8 ]  Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 14 ]  vs  (1d20)[ 19 ]   v13 fail to grab
AoO Touch (grab) attack  (1d20+6)[ 17 ]  Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 19 ]  vs  (1d20)[ 16 ]   f11 success
 Touch (grab) attack  (1d20+6)[ 23 ]   Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 17 ]  vs  (1d20)[ 13 ]   e7 success - will save failed
 Touch (grab) attack  (1d20+6)[ 13 ]   Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 8 ]  vs  (1d20)[ 14 ]   e12 fail - grapple broken!
Touch (grab) attack  (1d20+6)[ 10 ]  Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 13 ]  vs  (1d20)[ 14 ]   m7 to p11 - fail
 Touch (grab) attack  (1d20+6)[ 25 ]   Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 10 ]  vs  (1d20)[ 18 ]   L15 fail - grapple broken!
 Touch (grab) attack  (1d20+6)[ 20 ]   Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 8 ]  vs  (1d20)[ 10 ]   v5 fail - grapple broken!
Touch (grab) attack  (1d20+6)[ 19 ]  Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 8 ]  vs  (1d20)[ 2 ]   v13 - success - will save failed
Touch (grab) attack  (1d20+6)[ 12 ]  Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 11 ]  vs  (1d20)[ 15 ]   f5 to A9 - fail to grapple
 Touch (grab) attack  (1d20+6)[ 17 ]   Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 8 ]  vs  (1d20)[ 9 ]   f8 fail - grapple broken!
 Touch (grab) attack  (1d20+6)[ 24 ]   Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 9 ]  vs  (1d20)[ 16 ]   f11 fail - grapple broken!
Touch (grab) attack  (1d20+6)[ 23 ]  Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 20 ]  vs  (1d20)[ 9 ]   F14 to E11 success - will save failed

 Spoiler: Marshal's Gang

If prone then get up as a move action. AoO not taken by mob.
Marshal Intimidate  (1d20+3)[ 15 ]  vs  (1d20+1)[ 11 ]  Success!
 Janet Rapid reload if not prone and attack  (1d20+9)[ 28 ]  dmg  (1d10+1)[ 4 ]   Janet stands and reloads
Brandi IF overun, retributive spell "sleep" cast
Sleep 1 Will save DC 16  (1d20)[ 16 ]
Sleep 2 Will save DC 16  (1d20)[ 1 ]
Sleep 3 Will save DC 16  (1d20)[ 18 ]
Sleep 4 Will save DC 16  (1d20)[ 19 ]  - one person sleeps
Action: stand (if overrun) cast color spray
color spray 1 Will save DC 16  (1d20)[ 7 ]
color spray 2 Will save DC 16  (1d20)[ 11 ]
color spray 3 Will save DC 16  (1d20)[ 18 ]
color spray 4 Will save DC 16  (1d20)[ 11 ]
color spray 5 Will save DC 16  (1d20)[ 9 ]
color spray 6 Will save DC 16  (1d20)[ 11 ]  A sweep! All but one!

   MAP

[User]
 Herr Frederick pushed himself upright and then lifted his hammer and slammed it back into the ground.   Fair Citizens! Run out the front door! Flee to your homes! You must not stay here where the threat is! I see just as clear you you the threat at the door, but you must surge past them, and escape! At once! These seemingly intrusive people have clearly come to aid us, though I would not yet call them friends, but I will save your Sherriff just as I will save my dearest friend Pippin, and your loved ones, but flee now! This is no place for you! GUARDS! To me! Rally to me, and fight in the King's Name! I am Ser Schwartzbach, heir of Ser Schwartzbach, son of the Legendary Canas Schwartzbach! Rally to me! For Sherriff Alaric! For King Totila! Stand together, or die alone!

 Spoiler: Check

 (d20+8)[ 9 ]  Diplomacy, or maybe intimidate. I do not get penalties for intimidating people, even after I leave, they still love me!
Curses. CURSES!

[User]
 Spoiler: Ye common folk

They scatter and run as indicated on the map. No overrun or trample this round.
 4  5 provoked AoO
 AoO  Touch (Grab) Attack  (1d20+6)[ 14 ]  Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 21 ]  vs  (1d20)[ 12 ]  Will Save  (1d20)[ 9 ]
 AoO  Touch (Grab) Attack  (1d20+6)[ 9 ]  Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 20 ]  vs  (1d20)[ 18 ]  Will Save  (1d20)[ 14 ]
 AoO  Touch (Grab) Attack  (1d20+6)[ 9 ]  Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 12 ]  vs  (1d20)[ 1 ]  Will Save  (1d20)[ 8 ]
 AoO  Touch (Grab) Attack  (1d20+6)[ 22 ]  Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 16 ]  vs  (1d20)[ 3 ]  Will Save  (1d20)[ 2 ]

 Spoiler: Keepers

10 Keepers top to bottom and then right to left
 AoO  Touch (Grab) Attack  (1d20+6)[ 8 ]  Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 19 ]  vs  (1d20)[ 18 ]  Will Save  (1d20)[ 5 ]
 Touch (Grab) Attack  (1d20+6)[ 18 ]  Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 9 ]  vs  (1d20)[ 19 ]  Will Save  (1d20)[ 7 ]
 Touch (Grab) Attack  (1d20+6)[ 26 ]  Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 15 ]  vs  (1d20)[ 13 ]  Will Save  (1d20)[ 2 ]
 Touch (Grab) Attack  (1d20+6)[ 14 ]  Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 16 ]  vs  (1d20)[ 20 ]  Will Save  (1d20)[ 15 ]
 Touch (Grab) Attack  (1d20+6)[ 11 ]  Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 17 ]  vs  (1d20)[ 3 ]  Will Save  (1d20)[ 8 ]
 Touch (Grab) Attack  (1d20+6)[ 11 ]  Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 7 ]  vs  (1d20)[ 2 ]  Will Save  (1d20)[ 7 ]
 Touch (Grab) Attack  (1d20+6)[ 12 ]  Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 8 ]  vs  (1d20)[ 14 ]  Will Save  (1d20)[ 1 ]
 Touch (Grab) Attack  (1d20+6)[ 17 ]  Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 23 ]  vs  (1d20)[ 2 ]  Will Save  (1d20)[ 13 ]
 Touch (Grab) Attack  (1d20+6)[ 16 ]  Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 25 ]  vs  (1d20)[ 18 ]  Will Save  (1d20)[ 1 ]
 Touch (Grab) Attack  (1d20+6)[ 8 ]  Grapple  (1d20+6)[ 23 ]  vs  (1d20)[ 7 ]  Will Save  (1d20)[ 1 ]

 Spoiler: Marshal's Gang

 Marshal  Ready attack - no action
 Janet  Attack with hvy crossbow  (1d20+9)[ 14 ]  Dmg  (1d10+1)[ 11 ]
 Brandi  casts a spell

Marshal's threats have an effect. Ser Frederick Schwartzbach... not so much. People flee from the mad sword wielding gatecrasher but stop short of running directly into the mysterious blue men. They cower in huddled groups helplessly. These aren't warriors! They're fops!

Only one guard gathers the courage to rise and stand beside Ser Schwartzbach. His hands are trembling, but he holds his long sword up at the ready.  I'm with you, Sir.  he says.

The summoned servant runs through the blue stranger. His attack would have killed a mortal man, but it only passes clear through the blue monster. That odd mist bleeds out though... Frederick is convinced that these creatures can be hurt. And killed...

But for the most part his rallying is lost over the intense sound of screams. The blue people continue their onslaught unabated. They systematically grapple and disappear five more people, including one of the noble ladies knocked unconscious by the demon sorceress's spell.

The group of party wreckers around the candle is not phased. By now, it is clear that the "Marshal" and his gang couldn't care less about the innocents that are being disappeared into thin air. One fires a crossbow bolt and misses. The sorceress cast a spell to levitate her candle and keep it from being knocked over by a stray foot. The Marshal himself does nothing at all. He watches passively as more people are taken by the blue menace.

   MAP

[User]
 Invigorated by the courage of the man beside him, Herr Schwartzbach swung his mighty hammer once more.   Stay beside me, and ready yourself to attack.   He commands the guard.

The gilt orc shifted his weight and morphed into lightening once more, before spinning to deliver vicious attack.

 Spoiler: Attacks

Frederick:
 (d20+5)[ 16 ]
 (2d4+4)[ 8 ]
Summon:
Move: Teleport across the guy for more zap damage.  (1d6)[ 1 ]  (to V6)
Swing falchion
 (d20+4)[ 13 ]
 (2d4+4)[ 12 ]


[User]
 Early January, 201X

As New Year's celebrations fade on into memory, the time has come for the students of Gakuen Academy to return to their labors for the third and final term of the school year... which means the time has  also  come for Principal Ohno's desperate bid to ensure that Gakuen manages to  complete  said school year. The Rose Tournament will be officially commencing this afternoon. Everyone already knows that, but it hasn't stopped the Principal from calling all the students to an assembly this morning to officially announce the official commencement, so that you're all officially informed so that you may be officially prepared.

That assembly will be starting soon, but for the moment you have a chance to mingle with students from across the school; one of the very few times all year that the entire student body has been gathered together under the same roof. Of course, there  is  some tension in the air, with every girl knowing that after the end of classes today, anyone and  everyone  could be her love rival. In truth, though, you only see a few girls who seem likely to have a chance at winning the Rose Groom's hand... yourself included, of course. You might not  technically  be a finalist yet, but you might as well be, right?  I mean, who else looks like a protagonist around here?

Maybe now would be a good time to scope out the competition?

[User]
 Yukika yawned loudly, kicking up her sandals on the back of one of her latest victims. The Boss was in full swing today. She knew what was coming: A chance to kick ass and win a prize for doing it. And the fact that it was school sanctioned violence was just that lit up her day even more. She had only demoralized, bruised, or otherwise attacked three people today, one of whom was now being used as a foot rest for the delinquent queen. The assembly, whatever it was, was coming up, and Yuki wanted to ensure she was well rested when the time came to wail on the other girls.

A wide, malicious smile spread across her face at the thought of the gleeful violence. She eyed the "competition", and her smile widened. Nothing made the hood rat happier than the thought of an easy conquest.

[User]
 "Team huddle! On the double!"

The members of the girls hockey team gathered around their captain, already resigned to whatever was coming next. If Ayumi noticed, she didn't give any impression of it; she just wore that usual grin.

To normal students, it would have just looked like an encouraging grin. Anyone who had spent more than five minutes in the locker room or on the field, however, would recognise it, and the gleam in her eyes, for what they truly were.

 "Listen up girls," Ayumi said.  "I wanna be clear on this: I don't care if Madoka  is  on the line, that's not gonna be an excuse for skipping hockey practice! And I don't want any competition to affect the game. Remember, there's no 'Madoka' in 'Team'!"
 "And also remember,"  she added more softly,  "all is fair in love and war."

And from her expression, it was clear that Ayumi considered the contest for the Rose Groom's hand to be both.

[User]
 Pearl was just sitting on the bleachers. Her legs swinging as she attacked the salad she had on her lap with some interest.

 So, Zoey. That's my competition...... Any impressions of them. I need all the info I can to fulfill, our lord GM's will.  Pearl pipes up.

[User]
 Spoiler
Um... I hope me posting again is okay? If it isn't, disregard this, and I'll delete as soon as possible.

The hockey girls gave a rallying cry to Ayumi's speech, not out of enthusiasm, but because their captain wasn't going to like it if they didn't.

She still didn't like it.

" Is that it, " she demanded softly. "  That's  how much this matters to you...? "

Her eye's narrowed. How was a weak-willed team of quitters supposed to win a match, let alone Madoka?
Well, okay,  Ayumi  was going to win Madoka...but still. This was a competition, and her team wasn't putting any energy into it. Such a lacklustre effort would make Ayumi look bad in front of her future husband.

Her shoulders stiffened. That made her  angry .

Clearly, they needed some motivation...but the school hadn't been eager for her to bring her hockey stick to an assembly. Instead, her eye's scanned the room, falling onto...

" Hey. You. " Ayumi pointed at the bleachers. " You're the hockey teams cheer leaders. Get down here and cheer! "

The fact she had decided Pearl and Zoey were cheerleaders only in the last five seconds wasn't an excuse for theit dereliction of duty.

[User]
 "We're not cheerleaders." Zoey pipes up. "I mean Pearl's not exactly aerodynamic." She says gesturing to Pearl with a dismissive thumb, to which Pearl rolls her eyes.

"And I'm not exactly.... the cheering type." She says fingering the edge of her gothic clothing.

Pearl picks up this moment to pipe up.  Besides, I contribute to the schools bake sales, why do I now have to cheer for a team?

[User]
 The hockey team went so quiet that you could have heard a pin drop. In fact, those nearby did; one of the girl's hands was shaking so badly that she dropped her hairpin to the floor.

Ayumi didn't react. At least, not at first. She just looked at the two with a glare.

Then, slowly... well.
She didn't seem to get angrier. The opposite in fact. The passion, the anger that had been mounting... all at once, it vanished. Her eyes became suddenly cool, a smile -slow and slick- spreading across her face.

" Come here, " she repeated. " Either you show the school some spirits or I will. "

[User]
 Originally Posted by Quiver
 The hockey team went so quiet that you could have heard a pin drop. In fact, those nearby did; one of the girl's hands was shaking so badly that she dropped her hairpin to the floor.

Ayumi didn't react. At least, not at first. She just looked at the two with a glare.

Then, slowly... well.
She didn't seem to get angrier. The opposite in fact. The passion, the anger that had been mounting... all at once, it vanished. Her eyes became suddenly cool, a smile -slow and slick- spreading across her face.

" Come here, " she repeated. " Either you show the school some spirits or I will. "

 You're going to cheer? Why not just actually get the cheer squad?  Pearl questioned.


[User] I'll be using  a map on google docs here  using a utility I made ages ago. Turns out I'm too lazy to learn something else! Who knew? Anyway, just specify your movements using the grid.

[User] Lucien will move to X7, shield and warhammer in hand.

[User]
 Grunthar

Grunthar plods forward. He pauses at the door briefly and motions for silence.

 Spoiler

Move to x6
listen check for beyond the door  :  Listen  (1d20+8)[ 16 ]

[User]
 Soran follows Lucien slowly, stopping nearby.

Going to W7

[User]
 Sagat

The undead steps lightly to U6, the shadows seeming to fold and blur around him as he moves.

 Spoiler

Child of Shadow stance, 20% concealment until start of next turn if move 10' or more

[User] You don't hear anything beyond the doors.

[User] With a brusque nod to his companions Lucien reaches out and opens the door directly in front of him.

[User]
 Past the door, you see a bird flying slowly across the room. It's a about four feet long and has an odd number of limbs. When the door open, its eyes lock to you.

Party action.

 Spoiler: OOC
As a reminder: You can assume almost anything you encounter is hostile.

[User]
 Grunthar

Grunthar briefly debates moving to the far corner to scout the rest of the room from safety, but decides that waiting is for sissy mages. Grunthar charges at the freakish bird hoping to take it by surprise.

 "Grrrrrrr"

 Spoiler

HP: 43
AC: 15  (17-2 charge)
Init:   (1d20+0)[ 16 ]   (Don't remember if we are using group init or what)

Charge from X6 to AB10

Attack :  (1d20+11)[ 17 ]
Damage :  (3d6+7)[ 19 ]        (+SA - if applicable)   (2d6)[ 6 ]

(if the bird moves first and moves into melee range - Grunthar will just attack  -2 from the above roll and +2 to AC.)

[User]
 Gunthar cuts the beast in twain. Advancing, he also sees another bird in the room.

 Spoiler
Your charge was obstructed, so I replaced it with move-attack. You still hit.

(still) party action.

[User]
 Lucien moves to Z9 and attacks!

 Spoiler: Actions

Move Action - move 20' to Z9
Swift Action - Wand of Divine Sacrifice(wand chamber of warhammer)
Standard Action - Smite Attack  (1d20+11)[ 30 ]  Damage [roll]1d8+5[/roll]+[roll]5d6[/roll]
Note* -10hps for Divine Sacrifice

[User]
 Spoiler: Damage Rolls
Try that again:

 (1d8+5)[ 12 ]
 (5d6)[ 16 ]

[User]
 Sagat
Sagat moves into the room, still surrounded by flowing shadows.

 Spoiler

Double move to AB 8.  20% concealment from stance.

[User]
 Both beasts are slain!

Total resource cost: Divine Sacrifice charge + 10 HP.

Would you believe that encounter was CR5?

 Spoiler: Treasure
The room contains 500 GP.

[User]
 Soran shrugs and moves right behind Sagat. He takes a careful look around the room, hoping that no one will notice how useful he was in this particular encounter.

(OOC: Do we roll spot or it's up tp you? I think that I missed that)

[User] I'll be handling all perception rolls.

[User]
 Grunthar

Grunthar takes his share of the coins and tucks them in his pack.  "Do you need a moment to recover? " he asks the paladin.  He dusts himself off and moves towards the door. He waits patiently until everyone else seems ready before touching the door. He idlely shakes off some blood from his sword.

 Spoiler

Move to T10

Listen check again at the door:  +8

[User]
 Lucien looks at Grunthar and then to his hand clutching his warhammer, noting the blood seeping from beneath his gauntlet,  "Thank you friend, let's continue on, shall we."

 Spoiler: Lay on Hands
 (2d6)[ 3 ]

As the dragonscaled Paladin walks towards the door he begins humming first to himself, and then louder and louder.  The tune seems somewhat martial in nature, but also rather uplifting.

 Spoiler: Move
Move to T12

[User] Through the wooden door, Your hear a rapid ticking or clicking sound.

[User]
 His comrades at his side Lucien sings,

"Against the tyrants, we fight the power of gold
With steel and sinew, as our fathers fought of old
The whole land echoes, our triumphant shout
The night of want is breaking, and day will see their rout."

 Spoiler: Inspire Courage & LoH(take two)

Everyone gets a +2 attack/+2 damage(morale bonus) starting now and ending 5 rounds after he stops singing

First roll for LoH was terrible so here's #2 for the day  (2d6)[ 5 ]

He nods to his left and right to confirm he's ready to face what's waiting beyond the next door.

[User]
 Grunthar

Grunthar opens the door. He grits his teeth in anticipation.  "Here we go! "  he whispers.

[User]
 Sagat
Sagat is right behind him, hoping to not miss the entire battle this time.

[User]
 The door opens to a centaur and some sort of pile of vines and thorns on the ground nearby.

The Centaur charges Grunthar, clocking him in the face with a hoof.

The creature -- plant? -- skitters towards Lucien, swinging a thorny vine towards him that scores a mark.

 Spoiler: OOC
Grunthar, you are struck for 10 damage. Make a DC15 fortitude save or you are stunned for the round.

Lucien, you take a whopping 1 damage from the vine.

[User]
 Fort save:

 Spoiler

 (1d20+10)[ 26 ]

[User]
 Grunthar
 "OOOOHPH"  Grunthar exclaims and nearly has the wind knocked out of him.  "Kicks like a ....horse"  he says finally straightening upright again.

He takes a step closer to the beast and swings his sword wildly.

 Spoiler

AC: 17
HP:  35/43

movement : 5 ft step to S10

Attack with great sword

Attack :  (1d20+11)[ 21 ]
Damage:   (3d6+9)[ 18 ]

[User] The centaur is wounded, but still alert.

[User]
 Sagat
Sagat steps forward and around, ducking and weaving as he moves up to the centaur and lashes out with blade and fist.

 Spoiler

Tumble to avoid possible AOO  (1d20+10)[ 26 ]  vs DC 15
20% concealment from Child of Shadows stance

Using Wolf Fang strike, which is effectively 1-round TWF (-2 to both attacks)

Mwk Short sword attack  (1d20+6)[ 23 ]
Damage  (1d6+4)[ 7 ]

Unarmed strike  (1d20+5)[ 14 ]
Damage  (1d6+4)[ 7 ]

[User]
 Lucien will stop singing, step forward and attack the centaur.

*There are a few 'effects' going on that will effect everyone below.

 Spoiler: Actions - Stance/Aura/Inspire Courage

5' step to S12(assuming Sagat moved to S11)  -  Anyone adjacent to Lucien and an opponent counts as flanking because of his  Island of Blades Stance ;  His  Master of Tactics aura  grants everyone flanking an opponent a competence bonus to damage equal to his Charisma modifier(+4);  add that to the Inspire Courage(for the next five rounds) and that would be a total of  +4 Attack/+6 Damage IF you are adjacent to Lucien.

On the centaur - Attack  (1d20+11)[ 21 ]   Damage  (1d8+9)[ 16 ]   IF Crit damage  (3d8+27)[ 44 ]

[User]
 The combined assault of Sagat and Lucien slays the centaur.

The other creature (vermin?) flails again at Lucien, but the blow is deflected off his shell.

Party action.

[User]
 Lucien turns on the thorny-vined, vermin like creature attacking him and swings his warhammer.

 Spoiler: Attack

Assuming one of Lucien's compatriots steps up next to him:  Attack:  (1d20+11)[ 13 ]   Damage:
 (1d8+9)[ 13 ]

[User]
 Grunthar

Grunthar moves up beside Lucien and takes a swing at the remaining enemy.

 Spoiler

Move to T10

Attack :  (1d20+13)[ 18 ]
Damage :  (3d6+13)[ 19 ]        + Sneak attack  (2d6)[ 12 ]

Note: not sure if sneak attack applies against this .. thing.

[User]
 Sagat
Sagat steps up and hits the creature with blade and fist.

 Spoiler

Nothing fancy. 5' step.  +4 attack/+6 damage from stance/inspire courage listed above.

Mwk Shortsword attack  (1d20+10)[ 20 ]
Damage  (1d6+10)[ 11 ]

Unarmed strike attack  (1d20+10)[ 18 ]
Damage  (1d6+10)[ 13 ]

[User]
 For their troubles, both Grunthar and Lucien get hands and faces full of thorns, taking 3 and 2 damage, respectively.

However, Grunthar's blow finishes off the beast (man? Nah, beast).

The Centaur was carrying a satchel with 600 GP, two wands, and a scroll.

[User]
 Lucien will step over and collect his share of the coin and examine the wands and scroll.

Noting the goliath's wounds he'll attempt to heal him with his innate abilities.

 Spoiler: LoH

 (2d6)[ 9 ]
this probably isn't the best idea, but he'll UMD one of the two wands(away from the party) to see if he can activate it  (1d20+8)[ 23 ]

Full Round Action for LoH(#3) and another Standard Action for UMD

[User]
 As you activate the wand, you are instinctively aware of a choice.

 Spoiler: The choice
Good dog, good owl, good beetle, good badger, good monkey, evil rat, evil crow, evil hawk, evil snake, evil scorpion, evil spider, or evil grub?

[User] With a rather baffled look on his face Lucien's mind settles on the image of a dog.

[User] A large dog with fluffy white fur appears next to you and looks at you for guidance. After a few seconds, it vanishes into a puff of mist.

[User]
 Lucien looks at his two friends,  "this could come in handy" .  As he waves the wand around.  He reaches out and picks up the other wand, pointing it away from the party.

 Spoiler: Why Not?
Might as well try to activate the other wand blindly as well.  I suspect I'm not going to be nearly as lucky with this roll -UMD:  (1d20+8)[ 14 ]

[User]
 Grunthar

Satisfied that Lucien seemed to be done fiddling with the new toys, he moves on to the next door.

 Spoiler

Move to L13 and wait for at least one other person to move closer, then open the door.

[User]
 Sagat
Sagat steps up and opens the door.

 Spoiler

20% concealment from moving 10' in stance.

[User]
 Lucien sticks the wands in his belt and rushes over to join the party.
 Spoiler: Move
L14 Island of Blades Stance, Master of Tactics Aura

[User] The room beyond appears empty.

[User]
 Grunthar

Momentarily perplexed, Grunthar ventures into the room with his sword at the ready.

 Spoiler

Move to F13

Search :  +6   (no trapfinding yet)
Spot:  +8
Listen:  +8

[User]
 Lucien will move into the room, keeping his back to the near wall and scanning what appears to be an open doorway.
 Spoiler: Actions
Move to J15, Spot:  (1d20+8)[ 23 ]

OOPS, got my games crossed up, forgot you were doin' the rolling

[User]
 Sagat
Sagat stands at the door for a moment, and checks behind him before surveying the room.  He looks up.

 Spoiler

Pretty sure the DM is rolling our passive checks so that we don't know when we roll a 1 like Belkar.

[User] The room erupts in fire. Lucien and Grunthar each take 14 fire damage.

[User]
 Grunthar

Grunthar retreats out of the room and away from the fire.

"OW"

 Spoiler

Move to M14

If Lucien retreats, Grunthar will close the door if he can with out getting burned.

[User]
 "ACKK!"

Lucien back peddles out of the room as quickly as possible, trailing a powerful stench of burnt hair.

 Spoiler: That was Dumb
LoH:  (2d6)[ 6 ]

[User]
 Grunthar
 "Either that was a trap or an invisible dragon. " Grunthar suggests to no one in particular.

[User]
 You've closed the door behind you. The room looked pretty empty other than the, you know, fire.

 Spoiler: Note
I'm rolling all automatic reaction rolls and perception for the sake of speed. Feel free to roll manual checks.

[User]
 Lucien pulls out the wand again and tries it,  "Man this would be great if it were healing magic."   As he speaks tiny wisps of smoke drift lazily toward the ceiling from his eyebrows and hair.

 Spoiler: Wishful Thinking
Why not UMD:  (1d20+8)[ 11 ]
*Disregard - if it were a healing wand, he wouldn't need to UMD it

[User]
 The wand emits some sparks, which shoot lazily upwards.

 Spoiler: OOC
For the record, that was 3 encounters by the book.

[User]
 Looking around at his two compatriots who seem stunned and silent by the turn of events, the dragonscaled paladin will examine the scroll that they retrieved from the centaur, and then summoning his innate powers place his hands upon his chest.

 Spoiler: Actions
Try to decipher the writing on the scroll
Last LoHs of the day: [roll]2d6[/roll]

[User]
 Sagat
  "Do we have a way to stop this trap, or should we seek another route?"


[User]
 The First Wave

You’ve been here before- or more accurately, you will be here in about a century. It only took the illithids months to destroy the world once the fighting started, but before that, they’d always been around. Several cults dedicated themselves to the illithids destruction long before the war, but those groups were the highest priority targets once the global invasion began.  It wasn’t even a difficult goal to achieve, once the proper number of mind flayers had been amassed- though how they managed to ‘breed’ so damn many of themselves is still a mystery.

You’ve been back for almost a month, and though you’ve memorized all history detailing illithid involvement in these past days, the earliest information you have doesn’t reach back quite this far. As you were told, time travel isn’t an exact science, and they overshot their desired time by about a decade. Currently, you don’t have enough quintessence to make another attempt- you could get back to your temporal origin, but certainly not back again, and there is no guarantee that your allies could survive another raid on an illithid hive in an attempt to get more.
So, you are stuck here. Having two choices, you elected to search for signs of illithid plots currently active. The nearest Hive is only a day’s travel to the west of your cave on foot, and you have a map of all the tunnels in your time and what your researchers the topology of the tunnels looked like now.
On the surface and below, nearly a day’s walk in the opposite direction is the regions crowning human city, Domix. The trade based economy is controlled by human merchant houses, with contracts with the dwarves and gnomes who make up more than two-thirds of the populace, working the mines and enjoying a mutually beneficial trade with their human and half-elf neighbors further north, through those same merchant houses. Skilled laborers Based on the map you have, there should be another, more militant group of humans south of the trade-city, living in wooden-walled forts allied with roving bands of psychic marauders that were essentially the city-states version of a military, you haven’t yet traveled so far south, and most of the civilians you’ve spoken to simply say to steer clear of that whole region, but they know little else.
Gifted laborers are sometimes awarded the privilege of becoming members of the, brought on as retainers to craft items of value for the ruling body.
What you do know is that amongst the ruling merchant houses in Domix, there is one house, house Ardolba, that has developed psychic ability- though psychoportation and psychokinesis are cultivated to the exclusion of telepaths and seers.

Where to go from here?


[User]
 The sun rises on a fierce little ship sailing east-southeast out of Champoor.  The wind is favorable, the sky is clear, the sea is not.  Finally, after an unusually long stretch alone across the waves, the lookout has seen something.  A merchant ship flying the flags of Prasad, trudging down from the northeast, making for the islands south of your dark city.  Surely they carry something of value.  Is this the start of some excitement?

Eyes fall to the captain, even as the crew prepares for what they think they'll hear.  A chase, of course.  With little chance they won't catch up.

[User]
 Through the spyglass, Ayda observes it's make and armaments.   Probably nothing they couldn't handle.

 "What do you think lads and lasses?  Think we have room for a bit more cargo?"

She lowers the glass from her eye and glances down to the crew.  Her eyes fall onto Vael,  the old man who has been traveling with her a while.   Man was a brilliant fighter, and could weather any storm.   She tended to let his advice carry a bit more weight.

 "Or we gonna earn some good favor with the local merchants and see about providing escort?"

While her whims changed, it wasn't uncommon for Ayda to aid other vessels in dangerous waters.  Her real only steadfast rule on the vessel was keep it classy.  Killings really weren't necessary.   Sure one or two people have fallen to her blade, but that was in defending her ship from the more ravenous bunches.

[User] Vael furrows his brow when talk drifts to piracy. Granted, the captain was a very civil pirate. Always with the please and thank you and she never stabbed anyone who didn't deserve it. Still, people's livelihoods were at stake. The tension leaves him when Ayda pitches another plan.  "I'd rather the latter. Better t'have friends right now."  He drums his fingers on Adorei's hilt, waiting for the rest of the crew to chime in.

[User]
 Grin leans on the rail, her sharkskin coat wet with seaspray. She spits over the side, and then turns to the others and replies in her poor Riverspeak (though it's much better than when you first met her).

Is ship of Dragon Empire of Prasad, yes? Bad Empire, love slave, hate free, love rule Champoor-tribe. I say is time for brave free heroes getting rich and full-bellied!  She rubs her stomach and grins, her sharp fangs making it perhaps less friendly-appearing than it's supposed to be.
 Or...  she pauses, having second thoughts.  Maybe is bad idea.  She squints at the ship.  Maybe we go see ship. Is merchants having lots of sharp-spear guards. or just sailor, no want fight? Where merchants going? What merchants carrying? Is delicious food, or slaves who want join our crew? Or just boring carpets? Then captain decides.
She sits on the railing, and looks at you.  Always knowing is best. Merchants don't expect free peoples like us be cunning! So be cunning, is winning. That's advice of Grin.  She taps her chest, grinning, but then shrugs.  But captain is more experience.

[User]
 "I'm with the barbarian, much to my surprise,"  a light contralto voice drawls in the accents of Champoor. Gleam detaches herself from the mast-shadow cast by the morning sun and strolls toward the rail, wincing faintly as she shades her eyes with one hand. The sunlight is almost offensively  bright , spilling into every crevice and corner, lighting up everything on the ship in garish colors.

(Including, unfortunately, her own garb - she had let her father pack for her, and that had  clearly  been a mistake. Her shirt is a vivid blue, as bright as the waters on which they sail; she still feels completely ridiculous. What sort of garb is  this  for the daughter of Champoor's greatest assassin (retired)? At least her belt and the chain wrapped around it are still a reassuring cool weight on her hips, loured with black-and-violet shadows.)

 "Can you make out the ship's name, Captain?"  she asks, eyeing the spyglass somewhat covetously.  "Or any banners or other insignia of a noble house or trading company?"

[User]
 Ayda pulls back up her spyglass.   She sets sight on the mast and scans the sails.   She let essence pierce the speckles of light on the lens.     A clear picture would be painted.   "It's Prasad,  buuuut lets see if there is more to it than that."

 Spoiler: ROLLS

Perception 3 Awareness 3 +1 at the ships wheel,    3 motes personal for 10 dice,
 (10d10)[ 10 ][ 6 ][ 10 ][ 4 ][ 8 ][ 1 ][ 9 ][ 3 ][ 10 ][ 5 ](66)

Stunt if applicable
 (2d10)[ 5 ][ 2 ](7)

Personal Motes 10/13
Peripheral 33/33

[User] While the captain peers through his spyglass, Grin leans over and stage-whispers to Gleam.  Barbarian has low animal cunning, like dolphin. Is well-known fact. You will agree much times.  She winks and smiles in a self-satisfied way.

[User]
 "Mmm."  Gleam nods thoughtfully.  "Never did trust dolphins."

She turns to study her sharkskin-wearing crewmate more closely.  "Do all people have teeth like that, where you come from? They are most impressive."

[User]
 She nods.  Of course. Is normal, is for bite fish. Western peoples like you need flat teeth, for eat bread. But we no eat bread. You will need eat fish on ship though. Bread is rot. If you don't know how catch fish, I teach you.
She speaks quietly, so as to not distract the captain, but keeps her eyes on the merchant ship, just glancing occasionally at Gleam.

[User]
 The Bandit Prince watches the crew and the strange assortment of...characters as they bustle about the vessel at the sight of a ship bearing the banner of Prasad. He watches as two of his own coterie, the contracted Darkwater Privateers Hoark and Oellai, bustle around as well as orders are barked from one of the Captain's own. He glances left and right to the other two at his side. First to the swarthy, muscled right-hand Tya and "contract coordinator," Three-Fanged Vela, who returns his glance with a shrug and a cold, calculating stare. Second, to the bespectacled "courtier" and bookkeeper Oran, who nods and exchanges an unspoken word about the contract Tenepeshu hired Ayda's vessel for.

With that settled, Tene-kichiro takes a long drag on his pipe, idly exhaling smoke rings before calling out to Ayda.

  "Aye, Captain, I see no harm in adding some more. Though it annoys me so, to have to issue reminders as such, please remember to take care for the cargo and contract with Tenepeshu you so graciously agreed to earlier. No doubt in my mind, mother dearest would be most displeased if our fortune were to run afoul in an off-contract activity."

[User] Grin glares at the smoking man.  Captain is spying, is rude to bother she while spying. Cargo is fine,  she continues, tapping her chest,  we is mighty heroes. Is why Ten Pesh U hires us, yes? Have trust in mighty heroes.

[User]
 Tene-kichiro eyes the sharkwoman at Ayda's side, giving her another one-over. With a smirk, he takes a long drag and exhales before responding.

"Surely a mighty hero like you, my dear, knows that one must be capable of spying with one's eyes while aiming a harpoon at prey. I fail to see how a little business conversation would sap any more concentration than that.

He pauses, taking another drag followed by another exhalation. His gazes narrows but his smirk remains,  his expression like that of a cat with a toy.

  And aye, that is why Tenepeshu hired you. However, with might comes hubris, and not even the mightiest of heroes are capable of seeing all things and preventing all mishaps. Now, I do enjoy a bit of raiding myself from time to time -  when the urge strikes. So long as the vessel isn't sunk and we haven't lost the cargo, I'm sure mother will overlook any dalliances we choose to engage in along the way to Volivat."

[User]
 Grin squints at Tene-Kichiro, finding it difficult to follow him.

 Have you pirate before, then, drylander?


[User]
 It had been a beautiful world, once. The trees, majestic and strong, forming a bulwark against the sky. The smell of pollen and sodden soil filling nostrils. The songs of birds, the rustle of leaves, the scratching of creatures against bark, the voices of people living in happiness and harmony... the sounds of life, enriching the air. Demi-paradise. Once this was Lothair's homeland, a realm of villages dotted in a thick upswell of glorious life. But now...

 Spoiler: To set the tone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsRmNnGi3-o

They had come, from where Lothair did not know. One day a burning star, fearsome red to sully the life-giving gold of the suns, plummeted to the earth, destroying a place the locals had called the Old Mountain, and it was from there the fire spread. Cruel beings in red-shining armor, each at least seven feet tall, and some reaching even higher. They took to the forest with axes and with flames, burning, killing everything. And though the people put up a fight,  it was to no avail, the survivors of attacks thrown, living, onto great bonfires.

As for yourself, you attempted to defend people, making your way as fast as you could towards the Old Mountain, fighting and even killing some of the creatures as you went through, finding their armor empty save for the flames which burned your fingers. When you finally reached the slopes, you started to climb, ash clining, painfully to your skin, rising above the thick smog which now blanketed your realm until finally you reached the summit to find... nothing.

Where the star had hit the mountain, a vast, flat plateau now stood, deep tracks in the ground showing where some immense structure had been built and now.. was gone. And as you looked out upon the desolate, roiling tops of the smog, you feel hopelessness set in.

  "They are, I trust you realize, gone now."   a voice speaks from behind you. You turn to see a strange creature, a cat if it were not for the elongated ears, the three, wavering tails, and the slim, white ridges running down its spine. The ears twitch, and the creature speaks again.   "And not just the ones who killed this realm. Everyone else in it. Except for me, you're alone now."