<strong>Ellen</strong><br/><br/>Rath sighed, "Oh, that would be nice." He sarcastically remarked, for the first time showing some hostility towards the ghost, "Let 'em live so they can just come back with<em>more</em>warriors next time.."<br/><br/>He shook his head, but offered another smile as if to say 'Just teasing.' Still, he did as she asked, screaming in Auran at their foes. She couldn't tell if he was offering a retreat or not, though... A rattled conversation erupted in the riders' ranks. They were silenced by a third member, apparently taking control with the leader's absense. They all circled around, drawing bows and firing at Rath from atop their mounts. He batted one aside with his short sword and cut at the talon of a Griffon as it flew away. Ellen's telekentic charge was resisted by the rider as a pair of arrows hurtled towards the Ghost and her companion. She blocked one, and the half-celestial ducked underneath the other.<br/><br/>He whirled back up, slashing across a griffon's arm and then bringing it back down through a soft spot between its' ribs. The beast screached in agony and removed itself from his deadly reach, the rider barely maintaining his position atop it as it fled.<br/><br/>In retaliation, the rider drew his shortbow and sent another arrow towards Rath, it missed him wide... but left him open to another attack from his comrade. He drew his wing around his body for protection and then threw it out, the projectile harmlessly bouncing off of it as if it had hit a rock wall.<br/><br/>At the moment, the four remaining riders at their height had surrounded them and were whirling around in a circle, with the first dismounted rider soon to return to the fray. Rath turned his head to Ellen, "Huh... If they're going to keep their distance like that, I won't be able to catch up. They're just too fast."<br/><br/>He bobbed his head, "At least their aim is so shoddy."<br/><br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide</div><div class="spoiler_body">Talking's a free action... unless you use Intimidate. (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/skills/intimidate.htm) ;-)<br/><br/>But Rath's not going by the books on this one, he rolls a 17 on Intimidate. Three of them can't hear it, and it works on #3 and #2 of the remaining four riders. Those two appear to consider the offer, but are rebuffed by their comrades. The chain of command looks like it's breaking down with the female's departure.<br/><br/>Going to stop making maps, since the featureless sky doesn't require very much tactical maneuvering and the griffons can pretty much outrange either of you. From now on, I'll just say that the riders are either 'In Melee' or 'Not in Melee' :P<br/><br/>Riders have stopped coming into melee with Rath. They're still circling, but are now all drawing shortbows.<br/><br/>#3: Out of Range. Flings an arrow. Miss.<br/>#6: Out of Range. 50 Feet below.<br/>#4: In Melee w/ Rath. Flies away, takes 7 damage from Rath's AoO. Avoids falling off. Flings an arrow. Miss.<br/>Leader: Out of Range. Picked up by Griffon. 130 Feet below.<br/>Ellen TKs #2. He resists.<br/>#1: Out of Range. 10 Feet below. Flings an arrow. Miss.<br/>Rathael full-attacks 2's mount. Hit. 6 damage. Critical Hit. 16 Damage. Resists falling off.. barely.<br/>#2: In Melee w/ Rath. Flies away, flings an arrow. Miss.<br/>#5: Out of Range. ...Flings another arrow. :P This one hits! Damage reduction negates it.<br/><br/>Current Damage Totals:<br/>Leader's Griff: 32<br/>4's Griff: 27<br/>2's Griff: 22<br/>Rath: 37</div></div><br/><strong>Leander</strong><br/><br/>The sultry adventuress planted her hands on the wall, removing them from the cascading rain water just momentarily until the elf reassume their lustful embrace. She lowered her head, wet strands of hair dangling as she panted. She rocked forward with every thrust, her palms no doubt uncomfortable upon the harsh stone wall... but it hardly mattered. Liah took in all in stride, panting and sighing pleasurably with every loud smack that rang through the air.<br/><br/>"Hey." She abruptly uttered, looking over her shoulder and drawing back some strands of hair from her face, "Not to ruin the mood~Ah~, Leander." She panted with a smile, "But you better not~unh~"<br/><br/>She swallowed a lump in her throat, "~be trying to sire any half-elves."<br/><br/><strong>Ivette</strong><br/><br/>The Minister closed his eyes and smiled, "No need to be modest of your accomplishments, Lady Ivette. You did well." He replied as she curtsied, "I did not ask you to rescue the nobles, so it does not reflect poorly upon your performance. In fact, you exceded my expectations. Had I known that Idao was under such a dangerous hex, I probably would not had sent you in the first place."<br/><br/>He walked forward, his figure ever obscured even if he was apparently mere feet away from her. Still, more and more of his face was hazily becoming visible, if only in vague shapes and outlines. An attractive face, with a narrow jaw-line, his nose and other features appeared almost hawkish, and his golden eyes penetrated all concealment. Though... he had to be in his thirties at the very least if his eponymous title was indeed reflective of his occupation, and in his seventies at the very most.<br/><br/>The man shut his eyes and smiled, bringing his thumb up to his teeth as he took a moment. His composure returned in short order, "Unfortunately..." He said with an audible sigh, "No."<br/><br/>The Minister shook his head dismissively before tilting it to the side and asking, "Now... Was that your<em>only</em>question?"