We pick up with our road-weary crew (Merric, Kaleas, and Ehryk) arriving in the city of Fallcrest. A bastion of civilization, employment opportunities, and other diversions for those with the coin to afford such things.

The guards at the gate seem wary and watchful, several are posted on the walls and keep a careful lookout. When you are admitted to the city after the basic 'what brings you here?' and 'mind yourself' directives that all small men in some authority seem to thrive on, an officer, (Captain perhaps?) approached the group. "Hail, travelers. You have the look of adventuring types. If this is true, I have a proposition for you. You interested?" he asked.


OOC: Brom I'm figuring is hanging out near the tavern he was first employed at. Eanon and Ranndal, you can have been propositioned and perhaps are looking to bring more in to guarantee success. You can either be looking and find Brom or hanging near the gate and see the group propositioned by the same captain. I'll leave that up to you both for how it makes sense for you to join up.

P.S. Simple job. We'll pay to have you find and remove the source of the attacks on our supply route. We suspect kobolds, but we don't have the resources to mount a full-scale investigation outside the city.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:02, Sun 26 June 2022.

It was both a good and a bad sign that they were being approached for assistance the moment that they arrived. Good, in that it promised action to benefit the Vale. Bad, in that it implied unusual danger or urgency. The captain's summary of the problem - which Kaleas had no objections to hearing out - leaned toward the latter. He did, of course, ask after what they knew of the attacks thus far; knowing where the strikes had fallen would make the task much simpler, but if there'd been anything unusual in the raiders' tactics, that too was worth knowing.

Whether or not they followed up on the request wasn't entirely his decision, however; he then turned to Ehryk and Merric. "Are you willing to take this on? I feel that it's worthwhile, since it'll benefit Fallcrest, and hopefully head off anything worse that's in the offing, but I won't press if either of you object."

Nodding enthusiastically, Merric exclaims, "Oh, definitely. I didn't really expect when I started doing the adventuring things there'd be so many people so immediately in need of help. Really, it didn't start until I was traveling with you guys. Does this happen to you all a lot? Would be best to get a hot meal in first, all that road food makes me feel like I'm back in the monastery."

"Hrm. Maybe because I'm short I don't look as dependable." He measures himself against Ehryk and Kaleas as they walk.

Brom wandered to the market green.  He knew he wasn't the smartest guy around.  Viscini had told him so and mentioned how lucky Brom was to have a friend like him to make all the decisions.  Brom had the money they had collected for the King's taxes.  Now the dilemma.  What to do with it without Viscini around?

Brom had offered that if the Lord Warden was under the King, they could turn the 'taxes' over to him.  Viscini immediately opposed that idea and spun a tale about the corrupt Lord and the amount Markelhay took for himself.  Only a small fraction of the coin would ever make it to the King.  That was the reason they were here in the first place to make sure the proper taxes were collected.  Viscini would then personally turn them over to the King himself.  No one else could be trusted.  Brom guessed that made some sense.

Brom bought two apples at the green.  He was about to bite into one when he saw some kids watching others play tag.  They looked like they wanted to join but didn't due to hunger.  He knew what hunger was like.  Plus, he wanted to join the game too!

The big guy figured he wasn't going to starve anytime soon, so walked over and held out the apples.  "Here.  Eat."  The kids first reaction to seeing Brom was to run.  He sometimes forgot to turn off his scary face and softened into a smile.  He tossed the apples to them.

Once the apples were snatched up and the kids were in the middle of a bite, he walked over and tussled the boy's hair.  He then touched the girl on the shoulder, "Tag, you it."  The big guy then ran.

A half-elf, dressed and equipped for the wild, lingers near those to whom the Captain had been speaking, and waits for a moment when he won't be seen as interrupting any further discussion. Somewhat hesitantly, he walks over to them, hand raised in greeting.

"Oh, hey, folks," he says, "Yeah, I was talking to the Captain before you arrived. He told you the story, yeah? I thought maybe we could form a sort of team, you know. Safety in numbers and all that. Alright? Oh, I'm Ranndal. I don't want to fight, but I can swing an axe, if that helps. I'm ready to go now, if you want."

He seems like he would really like to leave town as soon as possible, though it doesn't seem like anyone really even notices him, for all that he stands out as an athletic figure bedecked with axes. Anyone who spends time with him notices that he has the slightly haunted look of those who have communed with or channeled primal spirits.

Kaleas looked the man up and down. He appeared capable enough, if perhaps a bit skittish. That, coupled with the nature and timing of his approach, might have been suspicious, but Kaleas intuited something else behind it. No, the half-elf was uncomfortable in the city for another reason.

Still, one point needed clarity. "I don't mind the added company, but if we're dealing with brigands then fighting is all but certain to be part of it, wanted or not," he replied evenly, softening it somewhat with a swiftly-added, "No more than necessary, of course. If words can sway them, I'm open to that."

In reply to Kaleas (msg # 6):

Ranndal looks glum. "Yeah, folk can be hard to reason with." He brightens. "But, hey, what kind of folk are you? He's a halfling, yeah, nice to meet you. Me, I'm a man. I mean, I'm a human man. But also one of my granddads, he married into a fairy family, so, yeah, I've got a bit of Feywild blood in me. But that doesn't mean I'm a bad guy! But, uh, what kind of person are you, eh?"

"Tierian," Kaleas smiled (as always, avoiding any show of teeth), "I've come from the west to help the Vale as best I can." It was a quick but sufficiently-accurate summary; longer talks about their respective life stories could wait for a better moment.

"My name is Kaleas; these fine fellows are Merric and Ehryk," he added, waving slightly toward each in turn as he introduced them, then returning his attention to Ranndal. "Do you have any others to bring with us?"



Per an earlier side scene post:

The pronunciation of Tierian, at least as Kaleas renders it, and allowing for it coming through a muzzle, is two syllables, the first one sounding like the words tier and year blended together, and the second one getting the emphasis and rhyming with bean, so essentially, t-year-een

Eanon wandered with a dark green hood, covering his fraid and messy locks of amber hair.
He disliked the cities, buzzing with life and sound. He was more for the calm of the outdoor, the open road and minor interactions.
That said, he enjoyed company, honesty and any soul he met which had a glimmer of genuine kindness or presence.

Wandering by, he noticed Brom, and had to constrain a laughter. The big burly man appeared as vicious as any, yet had a soul inside, that shone of purpose and distraught of malice. He turned, followed him, and in a kind word halted before or near him.

In a soft, warm tone, he removed his hood, displaying his deep green eyes and asked in slightly dialectic common.
"I seek employment. But I seek purpose equally. You strike me, by actions alone as someone whose ideology resemble mine. Do you perhaps seek or know of a task at hand that I could lend myself too. I am by no means a liability and have my own selection of abilities to bring along to assist. Again, if I am being to forward, my pardons."
He wondered if he overdid it, seemed to eager or misjudged it all. Chances had to be taken regardless.

Brom looked confused for a moment.  He didn’t remember hitting this man.  Maybe if the man pulled back the hood so he could get a better look he would recognize him.  If Brom had struck the man, he must have been a bad person for not paying his taxes.

He didn’t get the impression that was what happened.  This guy seemed nice.  Viscini had made sure tax evaders were punished with death and he obviously wasn’t dead.  Brom gave up trying to puzzle it out.

“I have to return taxes to King.  You could help.”  Brom offered.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:44, Tue 28 June 2022.

Eanon eyed the gruff man and smiled, but not to much.
"I would welcome that, any work is good work. I don't do idling well."
The scruffy clearly elven man, was adorned in mildly colored clothing, slightly loose clothing allowing for free movement and a partially treated staff in hand with curious marks, almosts as carved with a small knife and adorned with colors - pressed flowers and the likes.
They obviously made a curious bunch the two of them.
"Lead the way good sir. I would love to come along"

Brom waved goodbye to the kids.  It seemed there was work to be done.

"Uhhhh....."  Brom paused.  He was about to speak then paused again.  That was the problem right there.

"Brom does not know way.  Only Viscini knew way.  Brom never heard of King before Viscini.  Brom waiting for Viscini, but he not show."  He shrugged in confusion.

Ranndal brings only himself to this adventure. He starts checking his gear in preparation for moving out.

He explains a little more about himself. It's clear that he's not very experienced but eager to prove himself. He claims to be willing to be up in front, in a defensive role, should a fight occur, but it remains to be seen if he has what it takes to remain level headed under pressure.

As Kaleas introduces him, Merric offers a little wave.

Once Ranndal starts voicing his concerns, Merric speaks up, "Don't worry about it so much. Really, I've found in my vaaaast adventuring experience the key is to just not get eaten."

"Always good advice," Kaleas smiled to Merric's point.

"But if you'll forgive me for saying so, you seem unsure of yourself even though you carry yourself as knowing how to use that," he continued more soberly, with a nod toward Ranndal's weapon as he sought for a proper local phrase to express his thought. "Is this a matter of capable but unproven, or does something else trouble you?"

"Oh, yeah. No, friend. Yeah, I mean, it looks like we're gonna be side by side in some nasty situations, and you don't know me and I don't know you. Words only help so much with that, you know?

"But, yeah, I'd just as soon get out of here, and go where my axes are of more use, and if I'm attacked I can at least fight back."

He dons his pack, and doesn't even seem to notice the weight. "Is this all of us? I mean, yeah, because I thought I saw a big fella in town who looked a bit aimless, you know what I mean?"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:00, Thu 30 June 2022.

"It's not the size of the adventurer that matters, you know?" Merric protests as he returns with a bag of fresh bread. He offers some to the other three, before pulling out his knife to work on his own. Quick, steady movements slice the bread in twain as they walk. Juggling items from his pouches and the bags, he stuffs it with jam, sausage and slices some hard cheese to construct an improvised sandwich.

"But if you think he's just a misplaced mercenary, we might as well swell our numbers a little."

Kaleas accepts the offered bread with a quiet, "Thank you," though he has neither the resources or the knack to make anything fancier of it, and so proceeds to merely nibble a piece at a time when he isn't speaking. "The three of us are a little road-weary, and more importantly, need to resupply before we leave, but I see no reason not to bring others who are willing and able. Can you take us to him?"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:49, Thu 30 June 2022.

In reply to Kaleas (msg # 18):

Ranndal looks longingly toward the gate out of town, then grits his teeth for a moment before saying, with a smile for Kaleas, "Yeah, sure, friend. No problem. Big guy like him won't be hard to find. C'mon."

He walks the walk of someone going the opposite of their preferred direction, but also hoping to get the matter over with.

“Uhhh… this way.”  Brom seemed to pick a random direction and start walking.  They walked past the market, past several businesses, into a residential section.  At some point they took one of the cutbacks that navigated the cliffs.  They also passed near the river for a bit along the circuitous route.

“Hungry?”  Brom stated in such a way Eanon wasn’t sure if that was a question to him or a statement of fact for Brom.  He suddenly turned and took a different route toward food.

They were coming up behind four strangers when Brom started looking very closely at the short one.  “Viscini?” He said out loud to himself as he squinted.

Evidently he concluded it was.  Brom shouted loudly, not caring who heard, “VISCINI!”  The big human then charged at Merric from behind with arms outstretched.  “VISCINI!”
This message was last edited by the player at 18:47, Thu 30 June 2022.

Kaleas's ears swiveled at the first shout. Kaleas himself swiveled at the second, accompanied as it was by the sound of heedless onrushing. The move was one of curiosity rather than alarm; the openness and tone of it all was most assuredly not the sound of a threat.

The big man - the same one that Ranndal had suggested, perhaps - appeared to be rushing with intent to hug toward... Merric? That prompted a quick eye-glance toward the latter. Was there some misunderstanding here, or had their companion just been revealed as a purveyor of pseudonyms?

Distracted by his apparently delicious sandwich, Merric pays the noise from behind little mind. It is not until the large man is already near that Merric looks over his shoulder at the sound of approaching footsteps. His eyes widen as he attempts to protest, but with a massive mouthful of sandwich it simply comes out as "WUFF UN HULL".

Leaping into the air, Merric tries to twist in mid-air to escape from Brom. It does not go exceptionally well as he is caught and subsequently leans backwards, pressing his foot against the big man's chest as he leans backward, half-falling out of the embrace. An outside observe might see his movements as much like a cat trying to escape for an over-eager child.

"Aw, yeah. That's him. Good job, friends."

Eanon looked puzzled.
He had not seen that coming. That his new employer, in lack of a better word, was lost in his ability to find who he sought for.
Guess they had a purpose then.
"Say, do tell. Viscini - who is he? Where were you to meet him? Anything you can recall? We can ask around or try and seek him out, I will gladly help!"
Eanons tone was eager and anticipating.

To Eanon prior to meeting others
“Viscini tax collector for King.  Brom help Viscini.  Brom good helper.  Bad merchant named Rashaka beat up Brom.  No see Viscini since.”  Brom just shrugged at any other questions for he didn’t know the answers.

Merric meeting
Brom struggled with the squirming Halfling until he got a good look at his face.  “HEY!  You not Viscini!”  He set the little man back down on his feet and mauled him trying to straighten his clothing.  “Sorry.”  He said dejectedly.

The big guy turned back to Eanon and called, “Not Viscini.”
This message was last edited by the player at 13:58, Fri 01 July 2022.

Eanon gave brom an assuring look, to show appreciation for his forewardness and obvious attempts and to admire his dutifulness.
"Bah, next one maybe! We wont give up just yet!"

Smiling, he eyed around.
He had no idea who to look for.
"Where did you last see Rashaka? Perhaps we go there and seek?"

As he is deposited back on the ground, Merric responds with angry halfling noises around his mouthful of food. Simultaneously, he flails his arms causing a bit of jam and sausage to whip to out of the sandwich still clutched in his fist.

"Hey, new fellows. Hi. Ranndal here. We were looking for you, well, him, but if we knew about you we'd be looking for you too. Not for anything bad! Well, depends how you look at it. But helpful. To the townsfolk. Would you like to help?"

"To be specific: the city guard has asked us to deal with brigand-raids on the city's supply lines. We could use more pairs of hands for the task, if you feel able."

The pair were, as near as Kaleas could tell, searching for someone named Rashaka, and the big one had mistaken Merric for one much-loved Viscini. Neither name was familiar to him; the former sounded distinctly Tarnesse, but that didn't mean much given the Vale's crossroads nature. The more important uncertainty was whether their search precluded other activities. Perhaps Merric, more familiar with the locale than the rest of them, could help with that?

He did manage a half-step to the side to put himself out of spray range of Merric's disheveled lunch, while attempting to calm that part of the scene with a quiet-spoken, "Steady, Merric. You're just feeding the rats like that."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:38, Fri 01 July 2022.

“Brom would help, but got to return tax money to King first.”  The big guy took off his pack leaving the great sword in place.  He reached in and pulled out a hefty bag of coin.  Merric likely could easily estimate the contents to be in hundreds of coins.

“Viscini knew about King.  Viscini knew who needed to pay taxes.  Not Brom.  You help Brom.  Brom help townsfolk.”  They seemed educated.  Surely they could point him to the King.

Closing his eyes and taking a long breath in through his nose and out through his mouth, Merric centers himself. The long exhale lets out a distinct bacon-jam smell. He then begins to chew, before taking a swig of his canteen, and swallowing. Finally, he opens his eyes and examines the crushed sandwich in disappointment.

Tax money? King?

The man seemed honest enough about his statement and intentions, but that meant one of two things, both of them bad.

"Do you happen to know the name of the king that Viscini claimed to serve?"

“He is the King.  Brom never met him.  Viscini know him.  Said he real good King.  Needs us to collect tax money so bad people like…”   Brom quieted and pointed up towards the local castle as if the Lord could overhear the conversation.  “… do not steal the Kings taxes.”

“Viscini knew who did not pay taxes.  Not Brom.  Brom good helper.  We collected taxes for King.”  He jingled the big bag.

Of the two bad things, that had been the second one. A simpler problem in some ways, a more difficult one in others. One point remained unclear.

"Do you remember who you collected the taxes from? Merchants, mostly? Was Rashaka one of them?"

Brom scrunched his face as he thought for a bit.  “Lots.  Many merchants.  Thought Rashka was merchant.  Then turned into big cat face and beat up Brom.”

"Pretty sure he doesn't know, cove. Yeah, look," he says to Brom. "I don't think there is a king, but if there is he can take care of his self for a while. I think, you can just keep his money safe until you meet him. Today, now, you can come with us. Might be even more money in it. Okay?"

If Eanon is there, Ranndal greets him and invites him along.

Brom lights up at Ranndal’s idea.  “Brom help town people THEN King.  You smart, like Viscini.  Brom will help.”

In reply to Brom (msg # 37):

"Why, that's terrific. My name's Ranndal. I swing an axe, as you can see. If you have any kit, you should collect it. When every one is ready, we'll go, yeah?"

It was... less than ideal, not the least for the fact that the money in question had almost certainly been pressed from the very same merchants that they'd be dealing with later. Then again, the proceeds of their venture might do something to alleviate the hurt, and it would get Brom out of their bad books into the bargain. Viscini and his king could wait for another day.

"Yes, it's best that we leave promptly, considering," he concurred with a glance back at the mostly-silent Ehryk, who had yet to voice an opinion on their doings.

"Brom."  He offered as introduction.  Although Viscini usually added some colorful words to it as well.  The halfling had always made sure Brom had his game face on with that threatening look when he gave said introduction.  Brom lacked all the finesse and nuance Viscini managed.

Brom's eyes wandered to the corner of a building.  Did he see it?  Nah.  The tiny form certainly wasn't there.  Especially not here in Fallcrest.  Was it a mouse or a chipmunk?  Perhaps it was following him...

It all started one day on the road during camp.  He had offered the end of a bread butt to the small rodent.  Brom didn't know what it was.  It was gone before anyone else had seen it.  Viscini thought he was making it up.  He had said it was probably a mouse and to stop feeding things or they keep coming back.

Ever since then, Brom would occasionally catch movement out of the corner of his eye.  Something small and insignificant.  Maybe he had made a friend that day.  A shy friend to be certain.  But one that might come around every now and then.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:52, Mon 04 July 2022.

Before the characters managed to leave, a dwarf wearing a heavy leather apron approached the characters. "Oi, well met lads. I were directed to you by way o' the guard as the ones who might be interested in reclaiming me cargo from those dastardly brigands! A shipment of dragon hide was purchased by me to craft a fabulous suit from it. But those brutes stole it. I can pay ye 200 gold for its safe delivery to me. What say you lads?"


(Accept or not is up to the group collective)



Fallcrest is not what it once was. The ruins showing the boundaries of the old city bring to bear the terrible destruction the monsters left unchecked can do in this deceptively calm area. The group traversed the wilds. Brom may or may not have a Squirrel stalker, it is hard to say for sure. The time passed, (travel is by foot), it would be approximately 15 miles would put you at the edge of The Cloak Wood. That’s where our group has arrived…

Will the group set up camp or press onward? (Based on travel, interactions, and resupplying, let's say it's about 4:30pm with darkness to descend around 8pm. Setting camp, getting a camp/cook fire, and cooking dinner would be prudent, but you are free to do as you wish)
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:59, Wed 06 July 2022.

Merric thinks they should try to help the dwarf out.

Looking at the map, Merric remarks "You know, if they didn't name the place 'Kobold Hall' they probably wouldn't move in there so readily."

"Hi Teldorthan."  Brom greeted the dwarf.  He knew of the armorer.  That is where they had picked up some scale armor for the warrior.

"Stealing not nice."  Brom never made these kinds of decisions.  He thought it sounded like a good thing to do though.

On the Road
Brom was excited about being on the King's Road.  He felt if he followed it far enough, he could actually find the King.

He naturally looked to Merric when they paused to decide whether to make camp or not.  He had never made those decisions before and fell back into that habit.

"Kobolds and dragonhide? We'll look, but it's as likely that they've carved it up for their own use as simply stashed it somewhere." Kaleas mused. It was a simple enough ask, and the worst that would likely come of it was empty hands.


"It does make our task easier," he replied to Merric's comment about the name. "If the ones living there are actually the ones that we're looking for. If they aren't then we may be able to parley with them."

"On balance, I think that we're better off camping by the road than within the forest. We're more visible out here, but also more aware, and we'll keep a double watch just to be safe." The early stop would allow that without leaving them all half-asleep the next day.

He looked around at the rest of the group, "Am I still the only one with a tent?"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:39, Thu 07 July 2022.

In reply to Kaleas (msg # 45):

Ranndal starts helping to make camp near the road, ideally still a bit out of sight and with some wind break.

“No tent for Brom.” He replied to Kaleas.  He did offer to help setup camp though.  Brom was good at doing all the work for a camp.

After Merric’s comment, Brom asked the little guy, “Do trees wear cloaks?”

"Well, I've got one now, but I could only carry a small one, on account of," he gestures to his own small stature meaningfully. "So I'm not sure I could share."

In response to Brom's question, Merric points up at the tops of the trees. "Ooh! I actually know this one! It's because the leaves are so dense here that they're like a cloak over the trees. It's supposed to be pretty dark inside."

Brom looked toward the forest trying to see how dense and dark the canopy was.  He wondered how dark it was going to be during the day.  He expected not to be able to see anything at night.  Maybe they would be quick.

"Brom and Ehryk evening; Ranndal and myself midnight; Eanon and Merric morning?" That was Kaleas's suggestion as to the watch rotation given the extra hours. It was also an arrangement that ensured that there would be at least one person able to see well in the dark on each shift.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:58, Sat 09 July 2022.

Merric stomps on the ground to clear a small piece of flat terrain in their campsite.

"Works for me. Lets me get breakfast early."

With that he dumps the constituent parts of his new tent on the ground and begins trying to figure out how to assemble it.

Brom silently said each name as the people were indicated.  Names were hard.  Hopefully he could remember them.  "Ok myself."  He could do a first watch.  Brom was good at watching.

He noticed Merric stomping the ground.  That certainly wouldn't do.  He was too little to get it properly flat.  Brom came over and gently swept Merric to the side with an arm.  Then he laid his big old clompers into the ground like he was trying to stomp some rats to their deaths.  It left no uneven hills or ruts for the halfling to setup on.

OOC: It appears Ehryk has stopped participating. I'll keep them around for another week, but after that they'll fade out. For now assume they are assisting in some manner.



The evening will descend as a gentle blanket. Natural wilderness sounds of bugs and other wildlife will dwindle to the nighttime critters.

Ranndal, you had a rough night. Mosquitos buzzing about your ear, off noises from whoever was on watch, and other various nuisances plagued you. (While not enough to warrant a condition, definitely not a pleasant and refreshing rest!)

The sun rose to bring light and warmth to our group. Merric is likely the first to stoke up the fire for a warm breakfast.

Will any special preparations be made, or will our brave group march in a bold-like manner upon the ruined keep known as KOBOLD KEEP? (You estimate about two hours from present location)
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:41, Sat 09 July 2022.

With the camp packed up and everyone about ready to move out, Kaleas outlined another arrangement."We're about to head into a forest full of kobolds, probably hostile. Even if they aren't, there are liable to be traps scattered about. Ehryk and Merric, you take point together like before, a bit ahead of us, but not ranging far. Brom and Eanon, go a bit ahead of Ranndal and myself; we'll stay just far enough apart that any snares catching one pair won't be likely to get the others."

"Also, everyone stay aware of your partner and sound an alert if anything happens. If anyone needs to stop or slow down for any reason, say so. It's dangerous if we get separated in there, and trying to find one another by shouting through the trees will only attract the worst attention."

This was, in his estimation, just a sensible - if not standard - set of procedures, but with the company's mostly-strangers composition, it felt prudent to set them out nevertheless.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:28, Sat 09 July 2022.

Brom helped pack up.  His own bedroll was packed up quickly.  An apple and some dried, salted meat appeared in his hand from his pack and he gnawed at those for breakfast.

He offered to carry Merric's tent.  "You little guy.  You carry little stuff.  Brom big, Brom carry big stuff."

He didn't have any other ideas to offer Myself.  It sounded as good as anything Viscini would come up with.  He took his position in the middle of the group for the march into the woods.

Munching on day old bread, Merric stares at his half-disassembled tent, trying to sort out how to get it back to the smaller dimensions it was before. After strongly considering it, Merric rejects Brom's offer, "Naw, I'd feel bad. I'm the only one that fits in it, so it's already small like me, really."

After a bit more work, Merric finally gets some semblance of the tent's original form packed away, bulging a bit awkwardly in his pack.

"Right, let's get going then," he says to Ehryk with a nod before they head forward, vanishing into the leaves.

Brom walked along with his new companions in relative silence.  Viscini was a talker and therefore Brom never had to carry the conversation before.  He wasn’t sure how.  A couple of times he opened his mouth to ask something, but fell shotunsure how to phrase it.  Soon they were past the topic of interest and he forgot all about it.

He did keep his eyes out expecting to catch sight of something small and furry.

Youtube Music to inspire while reading this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Zjd-f7bg8c

The trek into Cloak Woods does justice to the name, the bright light of the overhead sun is dimmed by the thick canopy. The various game trails attest to the ample wildlife that calls the wood home. Although, crisscrossing those trails are ample signs of the lizard-like small draconian Kobolds. Their tracks also certify that this wood supports several tribes. Though which has become brazen and bold enough to harry and attack trader wagons remains to be seen...

Your travel down the ancient track to the former manor now only called Kobold Hall brings you to the entry door. The group has taken ample precautions to avoid traps and avoid any encounters, they have arrived. A short discussion and the first of the group scouted below to find the first room with a lone sentry...

Inside the first room, you'll see a long trench filled with a glowing green substance. Carefully hidden among the tiles of the floor are twigs and dead leaves that stepped upon make an awfully loud noise, surely alerting any inhabitants nearby. Beyond the trench, a small, reptilian humanoid stands in a darkened chamber, gaping at you. It carries a sling, and quickly reaches into a pouch at its belt for a stone. It hisses and shouts, “Intrudersss! Intrudersss!”


Map and combat stats forthcoming...

What was that stuff in the trench?

Nothing good, certainly.

Kaleas braced himself for whatever trickery might be in the offing; there was sure to be more to this than one kobold and a single open pit.


As a reminder: add a +1 Shield bonus to your AC if you don't have that or better already!

Carefully scampering across the floor, Merric is just about to let loose his shiny new dagger at the kobold when he leans too hard to prepare the throw and the delicate leaf under his foot crackles.

"Aw, COME ON! I was being so quiet!" Merric yells at the sentry then looks back to the party in obvious frustration before the inevitable need to dodge sling stones occurs.

Brom wonders what is going on ahead of him.  Someone was slurring their s’s.  He waited as this was about the time when Viscini did the talking.

Combat...

Round 1: Both sides are aware of the other.

The Kobold shouted a warning (Free)
Then loaded the sling and launched it at the obvious threat! (Merric, cause reasons to be discovered shortly!)

AC 12 for 5 damage vs. Merric is gonna be a miss I think!

Two more small draconic creatures rush from an alcove behind the slinger...

Declare actions!

Kaleas recognized that there was a danger in moving out into the hall and potentially exposing themselves to whatever snares had been set there, but remaining in the hall wasn't much of an option either. They needed to move in, and just as importantly, move around the pit - which was likely to be the focus of any such snares. Not getting bombarded or knifed in the process was also rather important.

He moved in, cautious but determined, calling to Brom and Ranndal to join him in pressing forward. Merric, Eanon, and Ehryk were better-able to strike from where they were, he reasoned, or in Merric's case, strike better if the enemy's attention was elsewhere.



Move: Tactical Command. Brom and Ranndal can each shift 2 squares as a free action. Brom and Ranndal gain a +2 power bonus to all defenses until Kaleas's EONT.
Move (Std): Walk to K7.
Minor: None.

This message was last edited by the player at 05:54, Fri 15 July 2022.

Ranndal moves into the room, axe out and held in a light and easy grip. He skirts the pit and comes up to the group of kobold.

"Hey, now, let's relax. Put down those weapons and clear out."

---

Minor: activate defender aura.
Move: Walk to L6.
Move: Walk to J2.

Kobolds in I2 and I3 are in the aura. They take a -2 to attacks that don't include Ranndal, and he can make a melee basic attack (as an opportunity attack) if they shift or make an attack that doesn't include him.
Marked enemies are immune to this.

Brom's eyes go wide as he sees the attack miss Merrick.  "NO!  Brom save you other Viscini!"  He called out.

The big human followed Myself's command and moved toward the enemy.  He saw the one called Ranndal headed toward the left side.  Brom would take the right.

He moved up to the green goo drawing a javelin as he went.  Brom wasn't sure which one attacked Merrick so he hurled it straight across at the kobold in front of him.


Free: Assuming Sword was drawn as in in off hand.
Free: Shift 2 squares to I11 (from Kaleas/Myself)
Move: I10, I9, H8, H7 to H6
Minor: Draw Javelin
Standard: Throw Javelin at H3 (Marked)

Brom rolled 22,11 using d20+8,d6+5 with rolls of 14,6.  Brom Javelin vs H3 Kobold.

Note: +2 defenses from Tactical Command

This message was last edited by the player at 15:19, Sat 16 July 2022.

Shuffling to the right, Merric presses himself against the wall as he creeps around the side of the pool. He holds his position for a moment, considering his next move until Brom shouts.

Letting out a noise of annoyance, Merric dashes forward, skidding under the blow of the kobold closest and then swipes at another kobold's Achilles tendon.

"I'm. Not. Not. Viscini!" he utters a articulately under his breath.

Move: G4
Action: Charge to H2, Basic Attack vs Kobold Skirmisher at I2

Kobold at H3 get AoO, missing.
10:02, Today: Player of Merric rolled 7,5 using 1d20+4,1d8 ((3,5)).

Merric attacks w/ Combat Advantage + Sneak Attack. Deals 12 damage to Kobold Skirmisher at I2.
10:09, Today: Merric Lightfoot rolled 18,12 using 1d20+13,1d4+4+2d8 ((5,1,1,6)).

Reactions: Ready to use Second Chance to dodge any attacks from Skirmishers that hit.

Pounding his staff into the ground, Eanon snarled with an almost gutteral sound to his stomach, and closed his eyes, as if a beast grew within.
He extended his staff and cinders spread on the tip.
In a blinding flash, a bird of prey, of pure fire appeared and flew forward at the foe ahead(H3)! The bird diving and burnt the skin of the foe and remain within striking distance of it.

Standard: Firehawk vs H3, hits Ref 19, for 13 fire damage.
11:49, Today: Secret Roll: Eanon rolled 13 using 1d8+5 with rolls of 8.
11:49, Today: Secret Roll: Eanon rolled 19 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 12.  Firehawk Wis vs Ref.
Free: Hawk remains - If H3 provokes AoO, Hawk can attack for free(+7 vs Ref, 1d8+5 damage).
Last until end of next turn!

Ehryk:
Move to I7
Standard: Lance of Faith (+4 vs. Reflex, d8+4) to I2
23:37, Today: GM, on behalf of Ehryk, rolled 20,11 using d20+4,1d8+4 ((16,7)).




K1 (I2) attacks Ranndal (J2) (d20+6 (+1 for adjacent ally)) Critical which means the damage is a max of 8 on Ranndal.


23:22, Today: GM rolled 27,6 using d20+7,1d8 ((20,6)).

S1 (I3) attacks Ranndal (J2) (d20+6) and hits AC 23 for 4 damage.
(Dagger is +5 not +6, correction made)


23:28, Today: GM rolled 24,4 using d20+6,1d4 ((18,4)).


K2 got AoO and then a standard attack. (AoO will be d20+6, and the standard is d20+8 for since two allies are adjacent)

AoO missed (23:30, Today: GM rolled 8,8 using d20+6,1d8 ((2,8)).)

Standard hits AC 27 for 1 point of damage.



23:31, Today: GM rolled 27,1 using d20+8,1d8 ((19,1)).

S2 (B6) will sling attack Brom (G6) 25 vs. AC for 7 damage.

23:35, Today: GM rolled 25,7 using d20+6,1d6+3 ((19,4)).

Map updated.


Summary:
K1 has 4 HP remaining
K2 has 3 HP remaining
S1 is untouched

If the attacks actually land then the following PCs took damage:
Merric took 1 damage
Ranndal took 8 and 4 for a total of 12 damage potentially


If the mass confusion, hisses of outrage, anger and pain are heard. One of the kobolds fled to possibly warn allies or save itself, while the creatures seem in a fight for their survival!

ROUND 2.

Kaleas skirted the edge of the pit and closed in on the slinger, runes flaring on his blade and then transferring to the slinger as he delivered an empowered blow against it. Another strike, this time at the air, and the rune-flare to follow settled upon Ranndal, infusing him with fortitude and the company close-by with enhanced force.


Move: Walk to J3.
Std: Word of Exchange (Destruction) vs Slinger 1 hits for 12 damage. The next attack from an ally before Kaleas's EONT deals 3 extra damage, and the ally gains 3 temporary hit points.
Special: Kaleas enters the Runestate of Destruction: Allies gain a +1 bonus to attack rolls against enemies that are adjacent to Kaleas.
Minor: Rune of Mending (Destruction) on Ranndal. Ranndal may spend a healing surge. All PCs other than Eanon gain a +2 power bonus to damage rolls until Kaleas's EONT.

I'm not sure why it defaulted to a secret roll, but:
06:54, Today: Secret Roll: Kaleas rolled 25,12 using d20+10,d8+5 with rolls of 15,7.  WoE Slinger.

A golden bolt flew from Ehryk's bow, but the kobold proved itself a slippery one. Disappointed but not discouraged, Ehryk circled the northern side of the pit to get a better vantage, which also put him out of view of the slinger in the bar-blocked passage.


Std: Sacred Flame vs K2 misses.
Move: Walk to F4.
Minor: None.

Merric winces at the light blow to his shins from the kobold he tried to slip past. "Ah! That stings!"  Sucking in air, he doubles over to grab it, in clear pain.

One of the nearby kobolds, seeing a chance in his suffering, leaps at him. It is at this point it becomes plain he was acting as he responds with a quick side step and slash to the kobold's neck, using its own momentum against it. The creature falls dead, almost instantly.

Standard: Attack kobold (K2) at I2 for 19 damage, killing it.

12:15, Today: Merric Lightfoot rolled 26,19 using 1d20+16,1d4+2d8+7 ((10,3,6,3)).

Move: None.
Minor: None.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:25, Fri 22 July 2022.

"Hey!"  Brom looks down the hall to see the kobold that hit him.  He steps toward it and realizes the portcullis was blocking his way.  Brom stepped to the side to get cover from the slinger and prepared to stab it through the bars should it come close enough.

Move: Step to F6 then F5
Minor? Look for way to open the portcullis
Standard: Ready Action to stab anything stepping into E6  Attack 17 for 9 damage

Brom's HPs 27/34

Brom rolled 17,9 using d20+10,d10+5 with rolls of 7,4.  Readied Attack vs whatever steps into E6.

Ranndal bats at the kobold who got in the good jab. The creature is flattened. "See, best put down your little dagger now, friend. No more of this nonsense."

---

Standard: 18:37, Today: Secret Roll: Ranndal rolled 17 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 9.  Jarring smash with CA (+8) vs. AC 15 of K1. Hit. Minimum damage is 6, so K1 is killed.
Move: Shift to I2.

Extending his hand, Eanon kept the bird of flame around and commanded it to strike again, using the bolstered actions of his group to assist it to strike home.

The flaming beak struck hard into the remaining foe, with intent of removing it from existence.


^{09:31, Today: Secret Roll: Eanon rolled 16 using 1d8+8 with rolls of 8.
09:31, Today: Secret Roll: Eanon rolled 27 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 19.  Firehawk Wis vs Ref.}
Hits for 16 fire damage!

Brom, there is a lever on the other side of the portcullis, well out of reach, but the bars are spaced that a SMALL creature, such as Kobolds or Not Vicini, could easily pass... But, a portcullis is just a heavy gate, perhaps with enough effort, it could be lifted.

All the creatures this side of the portcullis are down... The slinger cowardly turns and runs away.

"They'll be back with friends, or worse, waiting for us with friends," Kaleas observed tensely as he eased out of his fighting stance. Routing the sentries was liable to be the easy part; they'd soon be dealing with a riled-up warren. He paused to survey the group and its condition, then walked over to the north side of the room, throwing an askance look at the pit and its dubious contents along the way. "Is everyone alright? We need to get that gate open."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:11, Tue 26 July 2022.

Brom grunted as the coward ran away.  Even he could tell he wouldn’t fit through the bars.  When shear strength failed, then they could make alternate plans.  He sheathed his blade and stepped up to the portcullis.

“You not get away.”

After flexing his hands a couple of times, Brom squatted, grabbed the grate and tried to lift it.

Lift gate
Rolled 12
+6 if strength check
+11 if Athletics check

This message was last edited by the player at 13:02, Wed 27 July 2022.

Brom was strong; metal was heavy. Kaleas took a moment to stow his weapon and shield, then stepped forward and grasped the bars to add his own strength to the effort, his muzzle wrinkling into something just shy of a snarl as he heaved upward in tandem with the warrior.


Aid Another adds +2 to Brom's result.

This message was last edited by the player at 16:00, Tue 26 July 2022.

The bruise on the side of his face smarted from the sling stone.  But trying to lift the portcullis felt like it was taking days.  That meant the little bugger who did it was likely going to get away.  So much for a quick payback.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t tell one kobold apart from the next.  He would probably have to throttle everyone of them just to be sure he got the one that hurt him.

Wiggling through Brom's wide stance, Merric pops up on the other side of the portcullis. Once there he darts to the lever and hops up to grab and pull it down.

The weight of the portcullis eased as the counterweights engaged and the gate is held by the mechanisms.

You can hear the Draconic shrieks further down the passageway.  One thing is certain, they know you are here…


Do you proceed onward to certain conflict and possible death or retreat to the dubious safety of the forest outside?

With the gate locked in an open position, Kaleas stepped through and readied his sword and shield to proceed. "Keep moving. The less time they have to prepare for us, the better."

Brom was hesitant to release the gate until he was sure it had locked open.  He gave Merric a nod in thanks and moved on through as directed.  Sword drawn, he followed Kaleas.

"It's too bad we don't have a bard, I could go for some ominous music right about now." Merric chimes in as he creeps after the other two.

Ranndal checks the edge of his axe, peers into the glowing pit, wrinkles his nose and moves after the others, trying to make his way up to the front.

Brom was no bard.  But Not Viscini wanted ominous music.  This was the best he could do.

In a deep voice he started a slow chant that slowly speed up.  “Da… duh…  Da… duh...  Da.. duh..  Da.. duh.. da. duh. da. duh.”

The group made it down the short passageway and then downstairs. The designer of this manor did not think to make a traditional layout, and quite obviously was insane... Cause the next room is a shocking mess. Debris in the form of bits of wood, metal, and stone chips show quite the abuse. The stone coffin nearest you shows signs of projectiles being aimed at it. Clearly, the little beasts use these stone reminders of the dead as target practice...

The room ahead has four stone coffins, all of which show signs of vandalism and abuse. To the left is a series of six niches, set apart into two groups of three. Two more niches along the walls each hold a suit of armor. On the opposite end of the room is a raised section of floor with a makeshift altar to Tiamat set atop it.

With ample warning, the kobolds appear to have gathered at the exit to this weird homage to the dead and Tiamat.

And then an odd scraping is heard...

OOC: Declare your actions and intent.

It took one quick look at the room for Kaleas to decide that something wasn't right. The kobolds had ceded the room to defend the exit, which might have been understandable save for the grinding noise. That, along with the kobold reputation for trickery, was enough for him to conclude that some form of it awaited them in the space between.

"Spread out! Bring them down at distance!" It wasn't a brilliant tactic, but the kobolds had only one slinger to several spear-bearers, giving the company the advantage in any exchange of fire. If they could work out what the grinding sound had been in the meantime... something to do with the coffins?


Move: Walk to AQ-19.
Std: Total Defense. Kaleas gains +2 to all defenses until his SONT.
Minor: Perception/almost certainly failed to spot any clues.

01:07, Today: Secret Roll: Kaleas rolled 9 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 5.

This message was last edited by the player at 02:10, Mon 01 Aug 2022.

Ehryk entered behind everyone else, bow at the ready, and loosed it as soon as he had the chance.


Move: Walk to AQ-17.
Std: RBA vs AG23 hits for 7 damage.*
Minor: Perception (29)/almost certainly spotted clues.

02:19, Today: Secret Roll: Ehryk rolled 19,11,29 using d20+5,d10+4,d20+11 with rolls of 14,7,18.  RBA, Damage, Perception (+ for level/gear).

* Unless the coffins count as superior cover; it will still hit if they're regular cover.

"Hey, yeah," says Ranndal. "You stay back and shoot them. We'll make sure they don't get closer." He moves to the middle of the room, axe at the ready.

---

Move+Move: Walk to AO19.

When Ranndal approached the coffin, the scratching noises became louder and then a hiss and CTHUNK! as the lids of the coffins were violently removed by some mechanism... Up sprang FOUR Skeletal remains, armed and dangerous looking. The empty eye sockets focused on Ranndal (He's next to one if he has any reaction)

OOC: Map updated.

"Ahh, skellytons!"

---

He does not.

With lighting steps Eanon moved with the greatest of ease into the room, passing many like a calm breeze and settling into his location.

Grasping his staff, he did a gutteral howl and out of the shadows, almost a wolf, dark grey skin and hefty man appeared next to him.
Slowly finding its way, it added to the formidable frontline they had formed against the kobolds and skeletons. Poised, he kept his eyes on the field before him.
The wolf moved forward and tried to bite from a side to the closest skeleton, sadly not being able to find a weak spot this time around!

Move: 7 squares to AR 18
Standard: Summon Pack Wolf; AQ 20. Order: Attack closest enemy(none prone).
Move to AP 20, attack vs Ref - 10 miss!

This message was last edited by the player at 13:52, Mon 01 Aug 2022.

Brom moved to cross the room and advance on the little slinger reptile when Randall discovered a closer opponent.  “What the?!?

Brom remembered something about Viscini talking about the walking dead.  Always use a club.  So the human switched to his mace and took a swing.

Move to AP21.

Free: Switch to mace
Standard: Weapon Masters Strike vs Skel4.  15 miss

AC 19, HP 27/34

Brom rolled 15,8 using D20+9,1d8+6 with rolls of 6,2.  Weapon Master Str Mace vs Skel4.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:26, Mon 01 Aug 2022.

Merric studying the path forward, vaguely hears Ranndal's utterance. "What?"

In a state of surprise, he tosses his dagger at one of the new foes and finds it sailing right past them rather than getting a meaty thigh shot. It clatters against a coffin and then returns back to his hand.

"Ah! Skellytons!" he repeats in realization.

Move: None
Minor: None
Standard: Sly Flourish against AO18 / Sk1. Miss.

08:15, Today: Merric Lightfoot rolled 12,9 using 1d20+11,1d4+7 with rolls of 1,2.  Ranged Attack vs AO18 / Sk1. – [roll=1659359742.13644.364034]
This message was last edited by the player at 13:19, Mon 01 Aug 2022.

Skeletons:
19 vs AC Ranndal (If hit, 4 damage)
14 vs AC Ranndal (If hit, 3 damage)
21 vs AC Brom  (If hit, 4 damage)
23 vs AC Brom  (If hit, 3 damage)

Slinger Kobold missed (natural 1)

I'm having a tough time determining if you can move + charge, so count these as double move if a move + charge is not possible. I'll roll if we agree a move + charge is possible. Map upload incoming.

Kobold attacks:
24 vs AC Brom (if hit, 2 damage)
27 (Crit) vs AC Brom (8 damage)
13 vs AC Ranndal (if hit, 8 damage)
27 (Crit) vs AC Ranndal (8 damage)
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:02, Fri 05 Aug 2022.

“Get that little bugger.”  Brom pointed at the annoying slinger in the back he couldn’t reach.  He was pretty sure those standing back could rain hell and brimstone or whatnot on it.  Maybe the thing wouldn’t be able to run away again too!

He then did his best intimidating glare at all the kobolds (and skeletons) that had closed in on them as he took a defensive stance.

Minor:  Glowering Threat - Adversaries within a close burst 2 are penalized -5 on attack rolls
 which do not target the fighter.
Standard: Second Wind (heal 11, +2 defenses until next turn)

AC temp 21 with SW bonus

This message was last edited by the player at 21:43, Thu 04 Aug 2022.

Kaleas was taken aback by the rise of undead from the coffins. That the things hadn't already set themselves upon the kobolds and appeared to be fighting for the kobolds implied that the kobolds had a necromancer among their ranks; the caravan-raids might not have just been for wealth's sake. He didn't have time to ponder this new development, as the kobolds quickly joined the skeletons in rushing the company, putting Brom and Ranndal both in a precarious position.

He could do something about that, at least.

An air-struck rune flared overhead, reinforcing the company's strength and Ranndal's vitality alike as Kaleas pressed past the nearest skeleton and struck downward; veins of power flared and spread from the flat-end tip to form a searing bastion. The kobolds recoiled and two of the skeletons were blasted from existence.


Minor: Rune of Mending (Destruction) on Ranndal. Ranndal may spend a healing surge. All PCs gain a +2 power bonus to damage rolls until Kaleas's EONT.
Special: Kaleas enters the Runestate of Destruction: Allies gain a +1 bonus to attack rolls against enemies that are adjacent to Kaleas.

Move: Walk N-NE to AO-20. This provokes an OA from Skeleton 1, which provokes an OA from Ranndal AND that OA has both the +1 attack and +2 damage bonuses! The skeleton's OA misses even if Ranndal's OA doesn't take it down...

Std: Rune of the Undeniable Dawn (Close burst 3)...
Free: Heroic Effort vs Kobold 1...
...hits all four kobolds skirmishers for 13 radiant damage each.
...hits Skeleton 2 and 4 for 13 radiant damage, destroying them.
...misses Skeleton 1 and 3. (Though skeleton 1 may be down from the OA.)

The burst creates a zone that lasts until the end of your next turn. You and your allies gain a +2 power bonus to all defenses while within the zone.
This is running from AL17 to AL23 on the top to AR17 to AR23 on the bottom. Everyone except Merric is currently in it.


K2: 4/27 HP (bloodied)
K4: 5/27 HP (bloodied)


05:19, Today: Secret Roll: Kaleas rolled 12,21,15,26 using d20+10,d20+10,d20+10,d20+10 with rolls of 2,11,5,16.  vs K1/2/3/4.
05:19, Today: Secret Roll: Kaleas rolled 11,24,11,29 using d20+10,d20+10,d20+10,d20+10 with rolls of 1,14,1,19.  vs Sk1/2/3/4.
05:19, Today: Secret Roll: Kaleas rolled 13 using 1d10+7 with rolls of 6.  Damage.

This message was last edited by the player at 09:54, Sun 14 Aug 2022.

Waiting on the rest? ...

Brom wanted something done about the slinger, and Ehryk, still shy of the fray, was free to do so. His bow-shot caught the creature in the ribs, not quite a lethal hit but still sufficient to draw both blood and a shriek.


Move: Walk to AR-23 (avoids OA from K2).
Std: Ranged Basic Attack vs Slinger crits for 17 damage. (7/24 - Bloodied)
Minor: None.

04:28, Today: Secret Roll: Ehryk rolled 27,7 using d20+7,d10+6 with rolls of 20,1.  RBA Slinger.
04:29, Today: Secret Roll: Ehryk rolled 17 using 1d6+16 with rolls of 1.  Crit damage.

This message was lightly edited by the GM at 07:59, Mon 08 Aug 2022.

Eanon and the wolf split, one going east, while himself went left.
His features during his swift movements appeared animalistic, wolflike, as his hands become claws and struck at the nearby skeleton with heavy intent.
It appeared to fall short and without effect and cursing deeply in his breath remained poised for a retort of attack.


Standard: Grasping claws vs SK1, miss on a 10!
Move: Go to AO17

Wolf: Starts in AQ 20; circle round BROM southwards, AO 23, attack vs ref.
Hits, 10 damage to K2, knocked prone!

14:15, Today: Secret Roll: Eanon rolled 10 using 1d8+5 with rolls of 5.
14:15, Today: Secret Roll: Eanon rolled 24 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 15.  Wolf with CA.

Clicking his tongue, Merric aims carefully downrange at the kobold slinger. Once there is a moment's pause he runs out, shouting "I'll get you skellytons!" before pausing mid run, making a 270 degree whirl and hurling his dagger at the slinger.

It goes wild, slamming into the far wall and bouncing back into an alcove.

"UGH!" Merric utters in frustration as he flicks his wrist a few times to get the dagger to return to his hand.

Move: Go to AM16
Standard: Sly Flourish against AO18 / Sk1. Nautral 1, Again. Miss.

Merric Lightfoot rolled 12,8 using 1d20+11,1d4+7 with rolls of 1,1.  Ranged Attack vs AD23 / S1. – [roll=1659990645.3564.364034]

Frustrated noises result in the dagger ricocheting around the alcove before appearing once more going the wrong direction. It hits the back wall again and instead of returning towards Merric, bounces into the slinger kobold's chest.

The creature falls over backwards as Merric looks to the others excitedly.

"Hey, it worked out!" He shouts as he flicks his wrist, a distance geyser of blood emerging from the slinger as the dagger returns.

Action Point
Standard: Sly Flourish against AO18 / Sk1. Critical Hit. 11 damage.

"Hey, back off. And lay back down, skelly!" Ranndal swipes out with his axe, shattering the skeleton and spraying the kobolds with sharp fragments of bone.

---

Standard:
11:26, Today: Ranndal rolled 26,11,14 using 1d20+6,1d20+6,1d20+6 with rolls of 20,5,8.  Sweeping cut +6 vs. AC of SK1, K1 and K3. Hit skeleton, miss skirmishers.
11:28, Today: Secret Roll: Ranndal rolled 15 using 2d10+5 with rolls of 6,4.  Sweeping cut damage, 2d10+5. Skeleton takes way more than 1 point of damage. 17 damage, with the +2 bonus.

8 damage on a miss to both kobolds adjacent to Ranndall.

Death and destruction rain down...

SK2 attacks Ranndal (AC 8 for 3 damage - gonna assume that's a miss!)
K1 attacks Ranndal (AC 12 for 5 damage - probably another miss!)
K3 attacks Ranndal (AC 26 for 5 damage - almost a crit)
K4 attacks Brom (AC 20 for 5 damage)
K2 shrieks, stands and tries to lash out at the wolf while prone... According to the rules this imposes a -2 penalty. Lucky little Kobold rolled a crit, so 8 damage against the wolf.

EDIT: K3 switched to Ranndal
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:46, Sun 14 Aug 2022.

Ehryk sidestepped and sent forth both his dog and a barrage of silver-gray bolts to painfully harry the kobold that had focused on Brom.


Move: Shift W to AR-22.
Minor: Distracting Attack: Ehryk gains combat advantage against K4 until his EOT.
Std: Lance of Faith vs K4 hits for 9 radiant damage. Brom gains a +2 bonus to his next attack against K4.

K4 is at 5/27 HP (bloodied).

01:25, Today: Secret Roll: Ehryk rolled 20,9 using d20+8,d8+4 with rolls of 12,5.  LoF K4.

Shuffling around the skeleton's reach, Merric rushes the nearest kobold. He punches at the kobold, which dodges back to avoid, and whirls into a backfist. The kobold shifts back to avoid and counter attack when suddenly the blade is in Merric's hand and what should have been a narrow miss becomes a slash across the Kobold's snout. The creature's blade goes wild and Merric stabs into its exposed armpit. It crumples to the ground.

Move: AN18
Attack: Sly Flourish to K1 at AN19. Hit for 8 damage.<

20:44, Today: Secret Roll: Merric Lightfoot rolled 30,8 using 1d20+11,1d4+7 with rolls of 19,1.  Melee Attack vs AN19 / K1. – [roll=1660441484.1857.364034]

Its neighbor fared no better, being just a hair too slow to recover from Ranndal's swipe. Kaleas clipped it with a down-stroke, evoking both a sickening crunch and slump from the creature; his followup drove both the remaining air from its lungs and the remaining sense from its gaze.

"Take the skeleton," he urged those to his left. "I'll help the others." He then moved right, reinforcing their line on that side.


Std: MBA vs K3 hits for 8 damage.
Minor: Sustain Rune of the Undeniable Dawn.
Move: Walk S-SE-NE to AP-22.

Runestate of Destruction: Allies gain a +1 bonus to attack rolls against enemies that are adjacent to Kaleas. Currently K2 and K4.

Undeniable Dawn: You and your allies gain a +2 power bonus to all defenses while within the zone.
This is running from AL17 to AL23 on the top to AR17 to AR23 on the bottom. All PCs and allies are currently in it.


K2: 4/27 HP (bloodied)
K4: 5/27 HP (bloodied)


09:31, Today: Secret Roll: Kaleas rolled 15,8 using d20+10,d6+7 with rolls of 5,1.  MBA.

This message was last edited by the player at 09:55, Sun 14 Aug 2022.

Things were dropping around him like it was in style.  This group really knew how to clear a room.  Brom had a hard time keeping up.  He knew one of the kobolds was still right in front of him.  He took the mace and swung it with both hands for the fences.

A solid *thunk* indicated he connected and sent the little critter crashing into the wall to his right.  It stopped moving.


Standard: Weapon Master's Strike vs K4 (16 hit for 11 damage and slide the target to AO23.)
  Kill on K4
Move: None

HP 34/34

Brom rolled 16,11 using d20+12,1d8+8 with rolls of 4,3.  Mace vs K4.

Eanon stood poised and again, with a wall of people before him opted to go for the distance and circle outwards, releasing the hawk of fire outwards, however the target too nimble and moved out of range before finalizing the summoning of it!

The wolf snarled at the blow and delivered a ferocious blow back bringing it down to be torn apart. It would be no trouble for anyone anymore.

Free: Wolf attacks K2, hits for 8 damage, killing it?
Standard: Firehawk vs SK2, missing!

Wolf:
HP: 6/14

With the enemies vanquished the room became as quiet as a TOMB… might not be the best place to set up camp as you hear noises further beyond.

You can withdrawal or take a short rest here, anything longer runs the risk of unwelcome visitors.

What will your merry band of misfits be doing?

Kaleas took a couple of steps back as he surveyed the room, panting lightly; only once assured that there were no more kobolds or skeletons approaching did he slowly lower his weapons. This had been a bloody engagement in a bloody mission and, contrary to some local suppositions, he didn't enjoy that aspect at all, however necessary it might sometimes be.

"Everyone take a moment to collect yourselves. We can't tarry long, but neither should we press on while out of breath."

He poked at and examined the coffins and skeletal remains whilst they all recuperated, trying to ascertain whether they'd been the kobolds' handiwork or merely an extant presence that they'd used to their advantage.



Short rest.

Knowledge check: 01:04, Today: Secret Roll: Kaleas rolled 14 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 9.  Religion.

This message was last edited by the player at 01:05, Fri 19 Aug 2022.

Brom was confused.  Everyone seemed to be breathing.  The only ones not breathing were the kobolds.  He knew he didn't understand everything people said.  This must be one of those moments.

He turned to Merric.  "You fight good.  Way better than Viscini.  Brom had to do all fighting with Viscini.  You not Viscini."  He nodded at the skill of the little warrior.

Finally, when Kaleas went to try and figure out the riddle of the skeletons, Brom helped.  "Brom help Myself."  He lifted coffins.  He moved things.  He held up unknown items or pointed out things Kaleas might have missed that hopefully were of use to the priest.  He had no idea WHAT Kaleas was doing.  But Brom was a good helper.



Aid Another to help Kaleas vs DC10 Success!  Brom gives +3 to Kaleas' Religion check

I'm guessing these were human skeletons and the kobolds just moved in here?  Hopefully Kaleas can tell how/why they were animated.

Today: Brom rolled 13 using 1d20+5 (8)

These skeletons were indeed animated by fell magics. Since they ignored the kobolds, it would be safe to assume they were created as defenses.

"The kobolds have a necromancer among their ranks, or at least someone with enough knowledge of necromancy to give false life to these bones," Kaleas stated grimly. "If we're fortunate then they're only capable of ritual, not actual spell-working, but we should be alert to the possibility." He heaved a heavy sigh and shook his head as he turned away from the sepulchral wreckage.

"Brom?" He'd realized something else in the meantime; having previously supposed that it was a local or personal dialect was the cause, he was now rather more certain that there'd been a mistake made somewhere along the way, and while no harm had been done thus far, the confusion could lead to problems later. "My name is 'Kaleas', not 'Myself'."

It was a simple, matter-of-fact statement, shorn of his tendency to over-translate when speaking Nerathi. Nor was he blaming Brom for the mix-up, either in tone or in spirit; like as not he'd mis-presented himself somehow when they first met.

"Ohh.  That harder."  He tried it out in his head.  Kal E Ass.  Brom snickered.  Her parents were cruel people to name a kid like that.

Brom tried to say the name out loud.  "Kal E..."  He started to grin before he could say ass.

"Kal?"  He offered as a short, easy to use option he could say.  <darkblue>"Brom.  Kal."<darkblue>  He pointed to himself and then to Kaleas.  The single syllable seemed to work well for him.

"kal-LAY-uz," Kaleas restated when Brom began to fumble and grin, not so much more slowly as with greater care for each syllable; he knew that he sometimes muffed them when speaking Nerathi, which in turn led to the assumption that he was also doing so when speaking Tierian.

When it became clear that even that was a bit too much he gamely conceded that, "'Kal' will do," although this in turn led him to silently wonder whether Brom was also a short form for something...
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 15:39, Sun 21 Aug 2022.

"Uh, thanks?" Merric responds to being confirmed as "not Viscini". By the time he has more to say, Brom has wandered off.

While the others investigate the necrotic magics, the halfling rifles through the kobolds' things for any valuables. Once he is done with a particular kobold, he flips them face down to mark it as having been searched and moves onto the next.

After he finishes he comes back around to the two discussing names, holding a bag repurposed from the kobolds with what odds and ends he could find inside for them to inspect.

"It's Merric, by the way. Or Merrr I guess if we're doing first syllables."

Eanon scratched the wolf behind the ear and smiled.
"Until next time.."
In a shimmer of faint dim mist, the wolf vanished undramatically into thin air.
Graspin ghis staff, Eanon went over to Brom and the rest and bowed his head.
"Well, that went well - Introduction is in order I reckon, I am Eanon, a pleasure to meet you all".
He eyed around, still curious and cautious to what happened around him, but felt good about what had happened so far.

Brom was ready to move on.  Viscini had always decided when to go and when to stay though.  He waited until the others were ready and gave the order.

As the group proceeds after a short rest...

This chamber looks like it was once a tomb (Unlike the previous room which also looked like a tomb), but the kobolds have transformed it into what you might almost call a playground.

Four stone coffins lie here, with a sludge-filled pit between them. On the opposite end of the room is a wooden double door. Flanking the double door are two raised platforms, both 10 feet above the floor. Two kobolds stand on each platform.

Arrayed on the coffins are several animal skulls, all of them arranged in small piles. One kobold holds a sludge-drenched stone tied to a long rope that is secured in the ceiling.

Kaleas saw several things of concern when he entered the room. Aside from the kobolds themselves, they were confronting another sludge pit, more coffins - quite possibly home to more skeletons - and a heavy pendulum that could easily send someone sprawling - quite possibly into the sludge pit. It also didn't look like they'd have the luck of facing just a pendulum-swinger if they stayed on their side of the room; this time they needed a more aggressive approach, however greater the hazard.

"Split up! Stick to the sides! If you can cut the rope, do it!" he exhorted as he braced himself, gauging his next move.



Move: Walk to AD-28.
Move: Tactical Command: Brom and Ranndal can shift up to 2 squares as a free action, and each gains a +2 power bonus to all defenses until Kaleas's EONT.
Minor: None.

Brom moves into the room and heads to the far side as he closes on the kobolds position.

Free shift to AD27
Move to AD32
Standard move to AA34

+2 defense thanks to Kaleas

Ranndal also moves into the room, axe and shield at the ready.

---

Ranndal moves to AC27

Eanon kept low and ran to the pillar whereever he could find a safe space.


MOVE: AB-30

Ehryk moved into the room behind everyone else; the arrow loosed from his bow struck true.


Move: Walk to AD-27.
Std: Ranged Basic Attack vs Kobold T-29 crits for 17 damage.
Minor: None.

18:47, Today: Secret Roll: Ehryk rolled 27,13 using d20+7,d10+4 with rolls of 20,9.  RBA S1.
18:47, Today: Secret Roll: Ehryk rolled 17 using 1d6+14 with rolls of 3.  Crit damage.

[Language unknown: "Nimorehe! Anti'plsa!"] the kobold shouts.



Then both on the wall launch stones at the group:
16:32, Today: Secret Roll: GM rolled 22,6 using d20+6,d6+3 with rolls of 16,3.
16:32, Today: Secret Roll: GM rolled 26,5 using d20+6,d6+3 with rolls of 20,2.


Critical return fire on Ehryk for 9 damage.

Eanon, if a 22 hits your AC, you'll likewise take 6 damage!



OOC: I'm a bit perplexed by the damage for Ehryk. Longbow d8 or d10? Also, where'd the crit of 1d6 + 14 come from???

I'm under the impression these are the standing rules:

When attacking, if you land a natural 20, and the total of your attack roll is high enough to hit the target's defense, it's a critical hit!

Maximum Damage: Instead of rolling the power's damage, you deal max damage. For example, a power that deals 2d10 + 4 damage would deal 24 damage. Extra damage dice that were added to the attack (such as sneak attack and hunter's quarry) are also maximized.

Ehryk grunted and returned fire as he took cover behind one of the coffins; his armor had kept the kobold-shot from giving him more than a bruise.

The kobold was less lucky, stumbling and then dropping to the floor.


Std: Ranged Basic Attack vs Kobold T-29 hits for 12 damage.
Move: Walk to AC-29.
Minor: None.

03:58, Today: Secret Roll: Ehryk rolled 25,12 using d20+7,d10+4 with rolls of 18,8.  RBA T29.


GM EDIT: Fix character
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:09, Tue 20 Sept 2022.

Brom once again tries to move forward.  His legs felt like he was walking through the shallows.  He grabs a javelin and throws it at the kobold on the platform in front of him as he advances.

Move to AA34
Standard Action Throw Javelin 22 hit for 11 damage

 Brom rolled 22,11 using D20+8,1d6+5 with rolls of 14,6.  Throw javelin at kobold.

Ranndal sets his axe in its loop and moves toward platform ahead of him at full speed, sizing it up as he approaches. He spits on his hands, and then attempts to scale the surface, using the adjacent wall for some support. He meets with little initial succes.

---

Minor: Stow axe.
Move: Run to U27. Grant combat advantage, -5 penalty to attack rolls SoT.
Move: 21:21, Today: Ranndal rolled 15 using 1d20+10 with rolls of 5.  Climb wall, Athletics (+2 bonus) +10 vs. DC 20. Failure by 5 or more; hadn't started to climb.

Kaleas advanced along the left side, striking a rune into the air that invigorated Ehryk and warded everyone; he wasn't quick enough to make an attempt at climbing or leaping the wall, but if all else failed he'd be well-positioned to help Ranndal make another attempt.


Move: Walk to Y28.
Minor: Rune of Mending (Protection) on Ehryk. Ehryk may spend a healing surge (and does). All PCs gain a +1 (untyped!) bonus to all defenses until Kaleas's EONT.
Move: Walk to V27.

Runestate of Protection: Allies that are adjacent to Kaleas gain resist 2 to all damage. (Currently: Ranndal)

As the stone strikes hard, Eanon snarls, and pointing back at the foe who attacked him, project a bird towards the foe, made from solid flame - and see it singe the flesh of the foe as it assaults out of the blue!

To prevent further punishment, Eanon dived into safety.

Move: TO AB-29, behind the pillar, for concealmeant.
Standard: Firehawk vs kobold - hits for 7 fire damage.
Free: Maintain Firehawk - if target moves or provoke OA, +7 vs Ref, 1d8+5 fire damage.
Dailies used: Summon pack wolf.

13:07, Today: Secret Roll: Eanon rolled 7 using 1d8+5 with rolls of 2.  damage.
13:07, Today: Secret Roll: Eanon rolled 18 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 11.  Firehawk Wis vs Ref.

The two slingers dropped from the damage. Another began to shout... Those that were in sight withdraw.

Though the shouting continues and then a horn sounds...

OOC: No active combatants in sight you have a moment to regroup or decide on your next actions.

Kaleas glanced up at the ledge, then over at the door, then up at the ledge again as he came to what sounded like a conclusion: "Up."

Getting there wasn't likely to be much of a problem without anyone to interfere; the main challenge would be ensuring that they all did before the kobolds could regroup.

Brom quickly closes on the doors.  He checks to see if it looks like they swing into the room.  If so, he braces against them to hold them shut while the others decide what to do.

"Hey, friends," says Ranndal, a bit out of breath. "Give me a boost up, eh? I'd rather be up there than down here, you know?"

---

Ranndal will get to the far left upper platform square and move into that space as soon as possible.

Kaleas stowed his sword and shield for a moment to give Ranndal a boost, then followed him, and in turn helped to pull up Ehryk as the archer dashed over and made a leap-climb.

That done, he readied himself again for whatever the kobolds were about to throw their way...


Kaleas in S-28, Ehryk in T-28?

Ranndal, as soon as you mount the next level, what are your intentions?

In reply to GM (msg # 139):

He'll take his axe back out and go after the kobolds.

Ranndal, as you take a few steps in pursuit you hear the click of a flagstone depressed under your foot. From a shoddy wall, a projectile shot out.

AC 27 for 3 damage, if struck stunned till next round.

With assistance, the others can get up on the side with Ranndal. Otherwise, I'll need to see rolls.

Ranndal, you can hear activity and commotion around the corridor.

"Take a quick look," Kaleas suggested to Ranndal. "Both ways. If the door is safe and nothing is coming, we'll pop it open."

If the door is safe because he wouldn't put it past the kobolds to have something rigged up on the near side. And nothing is coming because the kobolds were clearly doing something down there.

Brom continues to hold the doors shut.

 Jodie.  U31-32

Ranndal shakes off the effect of the trap. "Yeah, there's something up here, so watch your step if you come up here." Shield up, he then moves to see what's going on, then comes back to tell the others.

Ranndal, an impromptu barricade is set up across the hallway, you can see several kobolds moving behind the barricade. Also, the floor appears to be littered with make-shift caltrops.

Once everyone is up on his side, Ranndal will move toward the barrier, defending himself with his shield as much as he can and watching his steps through the caltrops.

More gibberish is cried out, as Ranndal will begin his advanced.

(Anyone else doing anything?)

"Brom! Come through!"

There might be a trap built into the door itself, but seeing as it was the kobolds' main route through the complex - climbing up and down the platforms every time would be impractical - it struck Kaleas as very unlikely.

What he thought more likely is that the barricade might not be the only obstacle ahead of them; he made a point of glancing at the floor, walls, and ceiling for any telltale signs of trouble before advancing alongside Ranndal.


Move: Walk to T31.
Standard: Remove the door-bar.
Minor: None.

This message was last edited by the player at 01:14, Wed 12 Oct 2022.

Brom stopped bracing to try and keep the doors from opening into the room.  When Kaleas called out he tried to pull the doors open.  If that failed, maybe they opened the other direction and he tried to push them open.  If that failed, he was out of ideas as he only had encountered doors that open in or out.

Ranndal keeps creeping up, axe at the ready.

---

Minor: Defender Aura active (if it wasn't).
Standard: Total defense.
Move: Walk to P31 in such a way as to avoid caltrops.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:50, Tue 11 Oct 2022.

OOC: I keep waiting for a fourth post, but forget that Ehryk isn't back yet... Ah well, moving forward then. Give me 15 minutes.

EDIT: And I was right, Eanon hadn't posted anything.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:02, Sun 16 Oct 2022.

(Stupid restart of PC - sigh...)

Okay, Ranndal edges closer to the barricade and shuffles through the caltrop field (No save needed).

Kaleas opened the door.

Brom helped open the door.

The kobolds are confused by these tactics but launch their javelins at the group:
Attacks vs AC of 15 & 25 against Ranndal (Note the 25 is a critical)
Attacks vs AC of 06 & 24 against Kaleas

Each hit normally deals 5 damage.


Map update incoming in a couple of minutes

Kaleas let out a grunt as he caught the bolt on his hastily-raised shield; a split second later and he would have been sporting a gouge, at the very least.

His attention now fully on the threat ahead, he swirled his blade in the air before advancing guardedly down the hallway. A rune briefly flashed where the steel had passed, invigorating and encouraging the company.


Minor: Rune of Mending on Ranndal. Ranndal may spend a healing surge.
  All PCs and the wolf summon gain a +2 power bonus to damage rolls until the end of Kaleas's next turn.
Move + Move: Walk (half speed to avoid caltrops) to O32.

Runestate of Destruction: Allies gain a +1 bonus to attack rolls against enemies that are adjacent to Kaleas. (Currently M3 and M4.)

Ehryk descended the short flight of stairs, raised his bow, and loosed a luminous arrow. It struck and slightly weakened the barricade, but the kobold hiding behind it was left none the worse for wear.


Move: Walk to S30.
Std: Sacred Flame vs M4 misses.
Minor: None.

20:32, Today: Secret Roll: Ehryk rolled 8,10 using d20+2,d6+5 with rolls of 6,5.  Sacred Flame / Superior Cover (?).

Not sure what else to do, Ranndal chops at the barricade.

---

12:06, Today: Secret Roll: Player of Ranndal rolled 18 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 12.  Jarring smash +6 vs. AC of barricade.
12:07, Today: Secret Roll: Player of Ranndal rolled 13 using 1d10+5 with rolls of 8.  Jarring smash damage, 1d10+5.

Status:
At barricade.
HP: 36/36.
Surges: 7/10.

Keeping the wolf back, Eanon extended his hand and send a fiery hawk at the foes before him, trying to navigate it over the barricade.
The bird flew over the foes but did not do much. Flying by, it vanishes into thin air.

16:02, Today: Secret Roll: Eanon rolled 9 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 2.  Firehawk Wis vs Ref.
Wolf to U30 as free.

Kaleas boosted his companions!
Ehryk fired an arrow, but missed.
Ranndal, breaks the barricade barrier erected in front of him.
Eanon missed with his Firehawk.
Brom guarded the door.

---

Ranndal, you took damage last round. Since it was a critical hit, the damage should be 8 resulting in 28/36.

---

The kobolds unleashed another attack against Kaleas and Ranndal:
Against AC 18 & 12 for Ranndal
Against AC 19 & 7 for Kaleas

If those hit, take 4 damage.

Ehryk kept clear of the hall as he loosed another radiant bolt down its length. With the barrier gone there was nothing to stop its flight; Ranndal was bathed in its glow as the nearest minion fell to its power.


Standard: Sacred Flame kills M4. Ranndal gains 2 temporary hit points.
Move: None.
Minor: None.

22:07, Today: Secret Roll: Ehryk rolled 15 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 9.  Sacred Flame / M4.

This message was last edited by the player at 22:11, Mon 24 Oct 2022.

Several sharp blows reduced the other half of the barricade to rubble, fully clearing the way to the kobolds that had taken refuge behind it, as Kaleas called, "Brom! Forward, please!"


Minor: Rune of Mending (Destruction) on Kaleas. Kaleas spends a healing surge.
- All PCs and the wolf summon gain a +2 power bonus to damage rolls until the end of Kaleas's next turn.
Std: Word of Exchange (Protection) vs Barricade hits for 14 damage, destroying it.
Move: None.

- Runestate of Protection: Allies gain resist 2 to all damage while adjacent to Kaleas.


22:17, Yesterday: Secret Roll: Kaleas rolled 14,14 using d20+10,d8+7 with rolls of 4,7.

Ranndal steps into the breach he created. "Hey, sorry, friend. We need to get past you. Maybe your friends should run off while they can, eh?" But it's too late for the kobold in front of him, because Ranndal's axe comes smashing down.

---

Minor: Activate defender aura.
Standard: Shift to O31 with stalk and strike.
22:32, Today: Ranndal rolled 26 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 20.  Stalk and strike +6, vs. AC of kobold M4. Hit. 17 damage, with Kaleas's bonus.
If M4 is dead:
Move: Shift to N31.

Status:
17/17/15/14
Location: O31, resist 2 all, while adjacent to Kaleas.
HP: 32/36.
Surges: 7/10.
Defender aura active.

Brom had been doing a great job guarding the door.  It hadn’t gone anywhere since he took up his post.  A job well done, it seemed he was needed now by Kaleas.

He moved up behind Randall in support and hurled a javelin at the front ranks as he approached.

Move to P31 Or behind Randall if he is still there
Action throw javelin at closest enemy still up
 Hit AC 16 for 7 damage

With the frontline filled, Eanon kept himself back and the wolf also, and tried from distance, over his comrades, to strike down and weaken them.
The fiery birds appear again, flying over the foes, but yet again, the nimble kobolds duck in time!

With a deep sigh, Eanon took cover and pondered his next move.
Firehawk vs Ref - 11, missing!

Three kobolds are dropped between Ehryk, Ranndal, and Brom. The barrier is destroyed removing the intervening space.


The drakes and kobold surged forward to attack Ranndal.


If an AC of 25 strikes, then Ranndal takes 11 damage from the first drake, the kobold and other drake missed.

Kaleas grimly stepped forward and dropped the remaining kobold with a deceptively light-looking strike; its collapse appeared to have more to do with the rune-chains that snaked into place around it than the force of the blow.


Move: Shift N to O32.
Std: Word of Binding vs Kobold Minion hits for 4 radiant damage. The kobold is immobilized until Kaleas's EONT (but that's probably redundant, since it's also down).
  Ranndal gains a +3 power bonus to all defenses until Kaleas's EONT.
Minor: None.

Runestate of Protection: Allies gain resist 2 to all damage while adjacent to Kaleas.


H:29/29  S:6/8

01:03, Today: Secret Roll: Kaleas rolled 26 using 1d20+10 with rolls of 16.

This message was last edited by the player at 02:19, Fri 04 Nov 2022.

Ranndal makes an incoherent sound as he turns to the beast that attacked him and lays into it with a jarring smash. It has little effect, but it alerts the creature that ignoring the warrior will be a problem.

---

Standard: 14:44, Today: Ranndal rolled 13 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 7.  Jarring smash +6 vs AC of drake that damaged him. Miss.

17/17/15/14 (currently +3 to all)
Location: O31, resist 2 all, while adjacent to Kaleas.
HP: 21/36.
Surges: 7/10.
Defender aura active.

Brom moved up to engage as he could.

Move: If Kobold is still there attack it.  If dead, move to N32 and attack Drake

Attack: Weapon Master's Strike with Great sword vs Kobold or Drake
  Attack 16 for 6 damage

Heavy Blade: Until the end of your next turn, you gain a +1 power bonus to AC against the target's attacks.

HP 34/34
AC 18 (+1 against target of WMS)

Ehryk used his unusually sharp teeth to tear the fletching off one side of his next arrow. He whispered a brief prayer and then leaned into the hallway where the commotion was taking place. He angled his shot toward the wall slightly and loosed. The arrow collided with the wall in a small shower of sparks and ricocheted directly toward one of the drakes!

The huntsman smiled slightly to himself, good to be back...


Move: R,31
Standard: Longbow Attack - Ehryk rolled 24 to hit for 7 piercing damage.

Eanon left another hawk appear from his hand and swerve down on a drake, causing it to sear it's skin.
As it did, it linger just above the drake waiting to strike if opportunity presented itself.

Eanon nodded joyfully, and kept back for now, allowing the wall of people to shield him and the wolf which advanced to find an opening.


Wolf moves to Q32.
Eanon remains, firehawk vs left drake. Hit vs ref 17, 7 damage(fire).
Firehawk remains, free action, if AoO is provoked, strike vs ref(+7, 1d8+5 fire damage).

Kaleas dropped the last Kobold minion.
Ranndal missed.
Brom moved up and dealt 6 damage to D2
Ehyrk dealt 7 damage to D2
Eanon's Fire Hawk struck D1 for 7 damage.



The drakes cannot ignore Ranndal's presence... They strike with deadly synchronization.


17:15, Today: GM rolled 25,15,26,14 using d20+6,d10+9,d20+6,d10+9 ((19,6,20,5)).

Ranndal takes 15 from the first drake (He's still up with 6 HP), and 19! from the second as it lands a critical blow.


D1 - 7 damage dealt, max HP 48. 41 HP remaining (41/48)
D2 - 13 damage dealt, max HP 48. 35 HP remaining (35/48)
Ranndal - 34 damage dealt, max HP 36. Ranndal was already listed as HP: 21/36 I believe this drops him to -13 HP of the allowed -18 before instant death.

Recap for Death and Dying:

"Ranndal! Stay with us! Sink your fangs into life and hold it by the throat!"

The sound uttered by Ehryk was perhaps more like that of the druid's summoned wolf than an utterance made by man. The huntsman was surprised and then angered to see Ranndal go down! He glowered at the drake opposite his fallen comrade and with a voice that sounded more feral than human, he called upon his Goddess...

"Dread Maiden, guide my hands and those of my pack as we tear these creatures apart!"


Minor: Healing Word - Randall receives 8 hp and may spend a healing surge! (1 of 2 remain)
Standard: Cause Fear - vs Will against D1 - Ehryk rolled 7 using 1d20+4 ((3)). Pffft.

Ehryk rolled 8 using 1d6+4 with rolls of 4.  Healing Word.
Ehryk rolled 7 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 3.  Cause Fear vs Will.

"Covering Ranndal!"

Kaleas's last strike had been subtle. His next was anything but: stepping forward to shield the fallen Ranndal, he brought his sword down in an arcing sweep, the rune-flare along its length discharging with concussive force and a ghostly midair flash of the same sigil, sending the leftmost drake tumbling back, hurt and confused.



Move: Shift NW to N31. (Kaleas can occupy the same space because Ranndal is prone.)
Std: Divine Rune of Thunder (Protection) vs Drake 1 hits for 12 thunder damage. Drake 1 is Dazed until Kaleas's EONT and pushed two squares north to K31.
Minor: None.

Runestate of Protection: Allies gain resist 2 to all damage while adjacent to Kaleas.

This message was last edited by the player at 04:40, Sat 12 Nov 2022.

Brom didn’t have eloquent words for the moment.  He simply roared, “Raaahhh!”  More brawn than brains, quickly switched weapons to his mace.  Two handed, he took a swing for the fences on the drake in front of him hoping to push it back away from their fallen comrade.

Free Action from WMS: switch weapons to mace
Action: Weapon Master Strike vs D2
       Hit AC 18 for 8 damage and slide target 1 square to L31 if possible, L32 if not
Move: Brom steps up to M31

Runestate of Protection: Allies gain resist 2 to all damage while adjacent to Kaleas.

Weapon Master's Strike [Fighter Attack Level 1]: At-Will martial, weapon, Standard Action, Melee weapon
Target: one creature
Attack: Strength vs. AC
Hit: "1[W] + Strength modifier damage. In addition, the target takes an additional effect based on the weapon you wield.
 "Mace: You slide the target 1 square.
 "Heavy Blade: Until the end of your next turn, you gain a +1 power bonus to AC against the target's attacks.
Effect: "Before making this attack, you may sheathe a weapon and draw a different one as a free action."[Dr382:46]


This message was last edited by the player at 01:18, Thu 10 Nov 2022.

As divine healing courses through him, Ranndal pushes himself up from where the Drake had tossed him. His eyes blaze and any hint of a friendly demeanor has left him. He moves up to the nearest drake and batters it with his axe.

---

Move: Stand from prone with a shift into M32, since N31 is occupied.
Minor: Enter Berserker Fury.
Standard: 21:28, Today: Ranndal rolled 21 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 15.  Jarring smash +6 vs. AC of drake in L31. I believe this is a hit.
21:31, Today: Ranndal rolled 16 using 1d10+1d8+5 with rolls of 9,2.  Jarring smash damage, 1d10+1d8+5. 16 damage.
Target drake grants combat advantage until the end of Ranndal'S next turn.

17/17/15/14
Location: M32, resist 2 all, while adjacent to Kaleas. Adjacent to Brom, engaged with drake.
HP: 17/36.
Surges: 6/10.
Berserker Fury active (+1d8 damage to MBA and at-wills).
This message was last edited by the player at 05:40, Sat 12 Nov 2022.

Eanon tried to push forward but the tight corridors and the group standing head to face with the beasts meant he could not move closer. The fiery hawk appeared again, but missed the target, as he and the wolf remained for now, waiting for an opening.

Wolf remains.
Eanon remains, firehawk vs left drake. Miss drake.

Party advances like a grim death pushing the drakes before them. Both drakes are up.
The one drake, despite advantage, failed to land a blow against Ranndal.

Next round...

Heedless of his injuries and the rules of decorum, Ranndal emits and oath and presses his advantage against the battered drake. Both he and the drake are momentarily confused by what has just happened.

---

Standard: 23:17, Today: Ranndal rolled 14 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 6.  Jarring smash (with CA) +8 vs. AC of drake at L31.
Probably a miss, but I have to roll damage anyway.
23:19, Today: Ranndal rolled 17 using 1d10+1d8+8 with rolls of 1,8.  Jarring smash damage, 1d10+1d8+5.

17/17/15/14
Location: M32, resist 2 all, while adjacent to Kaleas. Adjacent to Brom, engaged with drake.
HP: 17/36.
Surges: 6/10.
Berserker Fury active (+1d8 damage to MBA and at-wills).

Randall's ferocious attack seemed to shake the hallway, and in the instant both were trying to recover their wits, Ehryk found his opening. He stepped across the hall and drew down. He let the arrow fly and watched it speed towards the nearest drake!

Nearby, he could hear the snarls of the wolf, and those same primal sounds seemed to emerge from his own throat as well...


Move: 15' to [P,33]
Standard: Arrow Attack hits AC16 for 6 piercing damage.

Ehryk rolled 16 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 10.  Arrow Attack.
Ehryk rolled 6 using 1d10+4 with rolls of 2.  Arrow Damage.

Somehow they had the big lizards on the defensive as they were pushed back.  Brom switched back to the big sword and continued the assault.  “Meat!”  He called as he swung.

Free: Change weapon (weapon master strike)
Move: To next Drake as needed, if the one in front of him is dead
Action: Attack WM Strike (hit 21 for 15 damage)
  Brom Marks the target
  Brom gains +1 AC vs that target due to Weapon Master Strike

"Forward! Forward, pin it down!" So exhorted Kaleas with the first drake fallen and the other only now recovering its wits after having been flung against the wall. He made good on his own words, closing the distance and delivering several quick strikes.


Move: Tactical Command: Ranndal and Brom can shift up to 2 squares as a free action, and each gains a +2 power bonus to all defenses until Kaleas's EONT.
Std: Charge to L31 vs Drake 1 hits for 7 damage.
Minor: None.

Runestate of Protection: Allies gain resist 2 to all damage while adjacent to Kaleas.

19:04, Today: Secret Roll: Kaleas rolled 22,7 using d20+11,d8+5 with rolls of 11,2.

Eanon advanced ahead with his wolf close by.
Not a fan of the closed and confined spaces they kept close and waited for openings.

Move: O33(Eanon); O34 Wolf.
Standard: Firehawk vs nearest Drake, hits Ref 23, for 12 fire damage.
Free: Hawk remains above, if OA is provoked, free attack vs it(+7 vs ref, 1d8+5 dmg).
This message was last edited by the player at 12:02, Mon 21 Nov 2022.

D2 dropped and D1 is injured severely. D1 feebly lashed out at Kaleas but missed.

The huntsman placed another arrow upon his bowstring and stepped a bit to one side, waiting for a shot to present itself. When it finally came, he hesitated just a bit too long, and in so doing saw the opportunity pass even as his arrow sped along its path...

Move: Shift 5' to [P,32]
Standard: Arrow Attack hits AC13 for 8 piercing damage.

Ehryk rolled 13,8 using d20+6,d10+4 with rolls of 7,4.  Arrow Attack, Damage.

Kaleas delivered a death-blow to the drake before pulling back a step and looking sharply left to right. They'd breached another area, and while nothing had come lunging toward them from around either corner as of yet, he wasn't about to make any assumptions about the spaces beyond being empty. Nor, for that matter, was he taking those areas that they could see being safe. It was a kobold warren, after all.


Std: Word of Exchange (Destruction) vs Drake hits for 10 damage. Drake 10 is dead.
Move: None. (Unless something else is spotted?)
Minor: None.

01:59, Today: Secret Roll: Kaleas rolled 28,10 using d20+10,d8+5 with rolls of 18,5.

This message was last edited by the player at 02:24, Tue 29 Nov 2022.

Brom was a tad slow for the killing blow, but stepped in and severed the head of the Drake.  He then picked the head up, held it away from his body, and let it drain.  Maybe he could scare the next batch away with it.

Brom rolled 30,10 using D20+10,d10+5 ((20,5)).

Ehryk paused a moment to listen for further sounds indicative of the sounds of battle having not gone unnoticed. He then proceeded to gather whatever spent arrows he could find, and then move toward the righthand branch to observe where it led whilst his companions prepared to continue their exploration.

"Curse the confines of these halls," he muttered, much preferring the out-of-doors for hunting his quarry.


Moving up to L,34 to [carefully] see down the hall on the right (east)

Ranndal has to take a moment to bring himself back under control. He slumps against the wall, sweat streaming off of him, his breathing ragged.

There are sounds of items linking, and whispered phrases going back and forth beyond. It would seem the presence of the group is not unnoticed. Do you wish to proceed or fall back and recover?


OOC: Technically, the next encounter should start, but I'll give the group a moment to decide whether to press forward or fall back since you've been in non-stop combat for effectively 3 separate encounters now and that was on me for having them intelligently fall back and warn the next rooms. So, the choice is to continue onward or pull back and have a rest.

"Brom. Give me that and take the other one," Kaleas murmured low as he wiped off and stowed his sword and shield. "Then we pull back." He didn't elaborate - that wouldn't be wise while the kobolds could potentially hear him - but he clearly had a plan in mind.

It was Keeta, Ehyrk's hunting dog, who alerted the huntsman to his comrade's difficulty breathing. Randall's wounds were still fresh and still in need of attention.

Ehryk placed a hand upon the man's shoulder and uttered, "Maiden, please attend to this warrior!"



Healing Word - Randall receives 8 hp and may spend a healing surge!

Ehryk rolled 8 using 1d6+4 with rolls of 4.  Healing Word.

 Rom shrugged and handed over his two handed sword.  He pulled out his mace to use as indicated by the Runepriest.

Kaleas simply inclined his head toward the one that Brom had so recently separated and drained as he patiently clarified, "The drake head, Brom, not your weapon."

Brom grunted wondering why he didn’t say that in the first place.  He set the head down next to Kaleas and proceeded to sever the other head as well.  Again, he held it away from his body to drain hoping not to get covered in gore.

"Good. We'll pull back now." Back to the crypt area, at least - far enough that they could dim their lights and not have them visible from the swinging-blundgeon area. Someone would have to keep watch down the stairs, of course, but it would force the kobolds to come to them - and in the meantime, the two headless drakes might just mislead the kobolds into thinking that they'd only come to trophy-hunt.

It finally dawned on Ehryk what Kaleas and Brom were about. He nodded at the idea of the gruesome trophies and then retreated with the others to get a rest. He motioned to Keeta to stay by his side and keep alert, but the hunting dog was bred for just that purpose and the admonishment was unnecessary.

With the ministrations of his ally, Ranndal feels much better. He rolls his shoulders, relaxing after his outburst of energy. "Hey, uh, sorry for, uh, losing control a bit there. I'm better now."

---

17/17/15/14
Location: Resting with group.
HP: 34/36.
Surges: 5/10.

The group is able to withdraw.

Short rest or long rest?

Short rest - no call for long yet (which would also need to involve pulling out of the place entirely).

Ehryk nodded at the wisdom of some far away discussion.

You have a short rest reprieve. There are some small noises back where the remainder of the kobolds remain. One head will poke out and notice your group before retreating. If you had to guess, you'd assume they were checking to see if the nasty two-legs had left their home.

The huntsman spent his rest glancing in the direction of the continuance of their quest. Like the predator he was, he held perfectly still when the kobold scout peeked at them, but his fingers were on his bowstring, ready to snap off a shot should an ambush follow.

Offering a quiet prayer under a long breath, Ehryk rise and made ready to advance.

Once the group was ready to move forward (nicks and scratches tended to, along with the more serious injuries that Ranndal had taken), Kaleas set forth his reasoning in preparation. "They know that we're coming, and they'll have had time to get ready for it. Maybe they'll think we were just here for the drakes and be less guarded, but let's not count on it. Ehryk, you're our spotter, so I think that you should be up front next to Brom. Brom, keep him safe if anything does jump him. Ranndal and I will follow a short distance behind, and Eanon a bit behind us so that he can see what's happening and direct his magic accordingly. If we're caught at that junction, each pair can take one side and Eanon stays between us. All approve?"

It was only a very basic plan, and really only covered their deployment, but it was difficult to propose anything more elaborate without a better idea of what they were getting into.

"That sounds like a good plan Kaleas,. I share your trepidation with regards to what might lay in store for us."

The huntsman petted his faithful hound. They had a job to do.

Anyone else? Otherwise I’ll move this forward tomorrow…

OOC: Sinus headache so sorry for the delay.

When the group makes its way back, the hallway with the previously destroyed barricade is rebuilt into a crude lattice of spikes laying on the floor.

Otherwise, things are unchanged.

How will you proceed?

Kaleas was well back from the lead pair, but the spikes covering the floor were obvious enough that he could see them nonetheless. Spikes on the floor weren't much of a threat in their own right, but this being a kobold warren, it was a pretty safe bet that there was more to it than that.

It was up to Ehryk to determine just what that was, and if he couldn't find anything then they'd have to proceed the slow and noisy way: by breaking up the lattice. Just blithely running through wasn't much of an option.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:01, Thu 15 Dec 2022.

Ehryk edged forward with Keeta at his heel. He silently scolded himself for not having the foresight to scatter the materials from the barricade they'd breached earlier. He had his bow at the ready, realizing that such an obstacle might afford a clever enemy a way to take pot shots at them while they floundered to get past. He waited to see if such a volley would come and then looked over the construction to see if there were a clever way to dismantle or bypass without much effort and noise, perhaps cutting a key bit of cordage or leveraging one or more of the spikes in some fashion.


OOC: As he approaches, he'll seek cover behind the barricade lest the party is attacked at range. Dungeoneering +5, Perception +11

There is no cover to speak of. The nasty beasts lashed together. Latticework and spikes to the lattice. It covers most of the floor but nothing insurmountable just a pain to cross.

There are bits of twine that hold it in place from the walls… odd, it sure is a lot of threads.

Off in the distance you feel more than hear an odd rumble. Also, the drake corpses and kobold corpses are gone.

Ehryk scratched absently at the back of his ear. Looking down, he saw that the hunting hound was doing a similar activity only with a hind leg instead of his front paw - that is - hand...

The extra cordage seemed odd. Perhaps there was more to it than appeared. Ehryk returned to the group.

"I think they might have rigged the barricade. There's a lot of twine being used to tie it in place. I wonder if anyone has a spear or a longer weapon we might use to cut the cords holding it, but keep a little distance in the case that it's under tension?"

The huntsman drew his large hunting knife for the undertaking, but he'd need to be uncomfortably close to use it!

Kaleas half-turned to address their druid rear-guard. "Eanon? Can you cut or burn it from a distance?" No one would need to get anywhere near it that way, and they weren't about to take the kobolds unawareness no matter what they did now.

With a hand to his chin and a discerning eye, Eanon made a quirky expression.
"Perhaps. I can call a hawk of pure fire, and direct it at it I wonder, but whether it burns enough, is unknown to me. If we are in agreeance I do however gladly will a try on it?"
He grasped his staff strongly and rubbed the wolf behind the ears, making it give a delighted whimper.

Kaleas nodded and stepped to the side to make room for Eanon to pass. "Go ahead."

Extending one palm, he placed his fingers on the flat palm and twirled them in a circular manner.
Sparks flew and in a sudden roar, he raised his hand up high as a hawk of pure fire appeared.
In a fluid motion, as agreed, he extended the hand towards the twine, directly sending the hawk towards it, as a projectile, hoping it would burn them over quickly.

The twine burned, many suspended rocks fall onto the latticework and a few bells sounded beyond. Consider the area rough terrain with a mixture of rock, spikes and debris now. But you can pass it.

(Using the same map as before, you'll come to a fork - Left or Right? The left appears to be less space, while the right opens up and has another raised wall/platform)

"As we planned: Brom and Ehryk check right; Ranndal and I look left. Stay in sight of Eanon."

Which Ehryk did with a nod of his head and a few cautious steps around the corner. He tried to notice movement first and secondarily anything out of place or odd.

They wanted to rest.  Brom rested.  He didn't understand why, but if they were tired, it must be they weren't as big and strong as Brom.  So, he rested.

Once they burned the twine and the alarm was triggered, Brom moved carefully through the area.  Back at the location of the drake's death and he wondered where the creatures had gone?  How could they see where they were going without their heads?!?  It was a mystery he likely wasn't going to figure out as Kaleas wanted him to go right.

Brom grunted acknowledgement, hefted his Drake Head with both hands and marched around the corner.  He wondered what Kaleas was going to do with the one he wanted?

You returned to the chamber with a 20-foot-tall ceiling. Before you is a 10-foot tall wall that leaves passages open to both the right and left. Kaleas and Ranndal move 'left' to check things out, while Brom and Ejryk check 'right'. Chittering above you as two kobolds sling stones at you as the rumble from earlier returns. The floor shakes, dust cascades down from the ceiling, and something big and heavy hurtles toward Kaleas and Brom!

Roll Initiative!
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:00, Mon 19 Dec 2022.

14:32, Today: Ranndal rolled 5 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 2.  Initiative, +3.

Brom Init 9

Ehryk heard the rumble and felt the vibration through the worn soles of his furred boots. The games of the kobolds were now afoot!

Ehryk rolled 15 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 11.  Initiative!!!

Eanon kept low and nodded - trouble was closeby!

09:17, Today: Secret Roll: Eanon rolled 9 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 4.  initiative.

20 - Boulder
16 - Baddies
15 - Ehryk
12 - Kaleas
09 - Brom
05 - Ranndal
04 - Eanon

---

The boulder barreled down at the unsuspecting duo, Kaleas managed to dodge out of the path (10 vs. Reflex), but Ranndal appeared to get clipped (20 vs. Reflex for 5 damage and knocked prone).

Two slingers launch a sticky substance at Brom (20 vs. Reflex) and Ehryk (12 vs. Reflex - missed).

Ehryk would see the boulder coming toward them! (Ehyrk is up!)

His instincts honed by countless hunts deep into the warrens of his prey, Ehryk reacted to the sudden presentation of dangers! As was often the case when instinct took over, the huntsman uttered a prayer to his Mistress as he loosed an arrow he didn't even realize he'd drawn! As it left his bowstring, icy blue flame flared in its wake as it sped toward the kobold above him. The sticky webs of the kobold's troublesome missile were singed and burned away just as Brom was about to be struck!

Ehryk shouted as he brushed by the warrior, "Look out Brom! Move!" He scrambled to get himself out of the boulder's path!

~~~

Standard: Sacred Flame at Kobold [J,32] - Critical Hit! for 11 (max damage) and Brom can choose to make his Save!
Move: 6 spaces to J,38

Ehryk rolled 24 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 20.  Sacred Flame vs Reflex against Kobold [J,32]

Bit in doubt if I can move around the boulder, so assuming here!

With swift movement, the lean elven man of the woods stormed forward, moving around the boulder and found himself close to one of the slingers!
As he moved, his presence changed - hair grew and his features became wolflike and ferocious to eye on! Snarling, it clawed and grasped it hard to cause it anguish.

If doable:
Standard: Grasping claws. Hit AC 22 on J31 Kobold. 7 damage. Slowed UEOMNT.
Minor: Wild shape - Wolf like.
Move: K30
Free: Sudden bite - Slinger provokes OA - Free strike, +7/1d8+5

11:06, Today: Secret Roll: Eanon rolled 12 using 1d8+5 with rolls of 7.
11:05, Today: Secret Roll: Eanon rolled 22 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 15.  Grasping claws.

If unable to move, firehawk vs same foe - Crit! 13 fire damage and hawk remains, and as above, if Slinger provokes OA, it gets a free strike - +7/1d8+5 damage.

At Ehryk's shout, Brom moved just in time to avoid the annoying little heathen's shot.  He stepped to the side of the wall and attempted to climb up to the kobolds.


Step to J34
Climb check 16  Failed

Ranndal rolls to his feet after throwing himself to the ground to avoid being crushed by the rolling sphere. Then he hefts his axe and shield and moves to the wall, out of the things path. He casts about for a way to reach their attackers.

---

Move: Stand from prone.
Move: Walk to F27, and see what can be seen from there.
Minor: Activate defender aura.

Status:
17/17/15/14
Location: F27
HP: 29/36.
Surges: 5/10.
Defender aura active.

While the slingers were focused on the right, Kaleas came up to their left, and one booming stroke later the nearer of the two slingers found itself in a screeching and confused tumble that ended with it sprawled beneath its fellow after a frantic scramble to not go off the edge right above the boulder's path.

Kaleas then struck a rune into the air before him, the motion almost a salute, and the power fortifying the company against what was sure to follow.



Move: Climb to J30.
Std: Divine Rune of Thunder (Protection) vs Slinger 1 hits for 13 thunder damage. Slinger 1 is bloodied, pushed to J32, falls prone (saved vs falling to K33), and is Dazed until Kaleas's EONT.
  Kaleas enters the Runestate of Protection: Allies gain Resist 2 All while adjacent to Kaleas.
Minor: Rune of Mending on Ranndal. Ranndal may spend a healing surge. All PCs and their summons gain a +1 bonus to all defenses until Kaleas's EONT.


07:13, Today: Secret Roll: Kaleas rolled 21 using 1d20+10 with rolls of 11.
07:18, Today: Secret Roll: Kaleas rolled 14,13 using d20+10,d8+5 with rolls of 4,8.
07:22, Today: Secret Roll: Kaleas rolled 16 using 1d20 with rolls of 16.  On behalf of Slinger 1..

Ehryk struck K2 for 11 damage and moved to J38.

Kaleas struck K1 for 13 damage, it was pushed into J32 (Can't legally end there) and ended up at J33 (Not Prone since the power doesn't force a prone state).

Brom moved to J34 and attempted to climb the brickwork wall but couldn't find proper handholds this round.

Ranndal rose from prone and moved to F27 to meet a variant drake...

Eanon moved to K30. But is out of melee range, so instead fired the Eagle at S2 (for 13 damage which dropped it)

The boulder sphere kept its enormous momentum and followed Brom around the corner! However, Brom managed to evade the boulder by leaping over it as it passed (DC 20 Athletics).

The lone slinger took a shot at the immediate threat of Kaleas: 14 vs. AC 20 should be a miss.

The Spiretop drake (D3) takes flight, attacked Ranndal (Flyby attack, 23 vs. AC 17 should hit for 8 damage), and moves to F30. (Flyby attack does not provoke OA)

The Wyrmpriest (W) launched an orb of ice at Ranndal, 20 vs. AC 17, for 11 cold damage.
K1 and K2 stay in place.

Two zombified headless drakes just drop off the ledge to slam into Ehryk...
The first took Ehryk completely by surprise by landing on him (Slam attack, critical for 14 damage), and I kid you not, this was the results of the die roller - 00:31, Today: GM rolled 26,14 using d20+6,2d6+2 ((20,6,6)). It rolled max damage... What a waste of a 20.

The second zombified drake clipped Ehryk 21 vs. AC 20 for 11 damage (That's 25 damage total!!!)
Since one of them cannot occupy the same space as Ehryk, it is shifted to an adjacent square.

Also, because they are dropping from 10' they both took 9 damage from the fall.
Back to the rest of the group...

(Stupid magic world not following physics... At least Brom made his jump.)

Ehryk looked like he was in trouble.  The headless drakes had dropped out of nowhere, their corpses dangerous again.  Brom should have taken the entire body...

He drew his blade and charged over like Viscini had trained him.  Brom assaulted the headless beast to give Ehryk a chance to get to safety.  "I protect you!"

Minor: Draw Sword
Move: Straight over to J37
Action: Covering Attack vs Undead Drake2 (Mark Drake2)
        Attack 12 (miss)
        After Heroic Effort, Attack 16 (Hit), Damage 14
        Ehryk can shift 2 squares as Free Action
Free: Heroic Effort (gives +4 to Covering Attack)

34/34 HPs
10/10 Surges (11 each)

Encounter
1/1 Second Wind
1/1 Action Point
0/1 Covering Attack
1/1 Glowering Threat
0/1 Heroic Effort

Daily
1/1 Comeback Strike

Ranndal wipes blood from where the drake slashed him. Then he moves to the base of the stairs and charges up them, trying to put his axe into one of the kobolds.

---

Move: Walk to D29.
Standard: Charge K2. 23:41, Today: Ranndal rolled 21 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 14.  Melee basic attack, with charge, +7 vs. AC of K2. Probable hit.
23:42, Today: Ranndal rolled 10 using 1d10+5 with rolls of 5.  Melee basic attack damage, 1d10+5. 10 damage on a hit.

Status:
17/17/15/14
Location: D31
HP: 17/36.
Surges: 4/10.
Defender aura active.
Immediate reaction: Ignore pain. If an attack takes off more than half of his remaining HP, he'll use it to gain THP equal to the damage.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:40, Tue 27 Dec 2022.

Necromancy. Necromancy that had been worked with surprising alacrity, at that: either the kobolds were harboring a necromancer, or there was something down here capable of revivification.

Neither was a pleasant prospect, but they had more immediate concerns. Kaleas closed on the still-recovering slinger and put it down before it even realized its danger. That left three sources of threat, and they were now dangerously divided between them. "Eanon, get over to Ehryk and Brom before the boulder comes around again." It was coming around again at its present rate, though whether that was due to enchantment or some form of impetus hidden in the stonework was still unclear.

Ranndal had run after the drake and was now confronting no less than four-to-one odds and a disadvantageous position. He was going to need help; Kaleas trusted that the others could handle the zombified drakes in the meantime.


Move: Walk to J32.
Std: Word of Exchange (Protection) vs Slinger 1 hits for 11 damage. Slinger 1 is dead, so the other effects don't matter.
Minor: None.

Runestate of Protection: Allies gain Resist 2 All while adjacent to Kaleas.

00:40, Today: Secret Roll: Kaleas rolled 23,11 using d20+12,d8+5 with rolls of 11,6.

This message was last edited by the player at 00:52, Tue 27 Dec 2022.

Ehryk gasped in pain and tried desperately to defend against the horrific monsters that had ambushed him! Keeta, sensing its master's plight, barked and snarled savagely and pulled at the huntsman's leggings to rescue him from danger! Thankfully Brom was soon there! His cry and dangerous swings afforded Ehryk the protection he needed in order to extricate himself from the fray.

Ehryk rebuked the undead by the power of his Goddess. "The Maiden's wrath upon you!" he snarled. He then reached toward one of the animated corpses and attempted to throw it into the path of the rolling stone!

After this effort, he used Brom's distraction to reposition and take a brief moment to catch his breath...

But those breaths came only as ever more feral snarls and growls! The huntsman roared in anger and pain! Even his appearance began to change as the beast within sought to break free!

~~~

Standard: Channel Divinity (Turn-Undead) - 23 vs Will or takes 8 radiant damage (13 total with vulnerability?) and Und1 is flung 4 spaces to F,34 (intent is to hurl it in the boulder's path!), whilst Und2 is flung to L,34
Free: (from Brom's Covering Attack) 2 squares to J,36
Minor: Razorclaw Shifting - +2 movement, +1 to AC and Reflex until end of encounter
Move: 4 spaces to G,39 (from J,36) to seek partial cover behind that corner. If the area to the east is another platform, Ehryk will use the rest of his movement to go four spaces up the (assumed) stairs to H,40

HP: 04/29 - Bloodied, AC: 20, Reflex: 15
This message was last edited by the player at 15:43, Tue 27 Dec 2022.

Noticing Randall at a disposition with the flying foe. Eanon moved up to aid him.
Noticing Randall out of the way, Eanon took a deep breath, raised his hand, and projected thorns upwards to the foes above, to anger them and cause their skin to tear.

Move: To F29
Standard: Thornspray, hitting all D3,K1, K2, W - Hitting all but priest for 11 damage and -4 to all defenses UEOMNT.
Free:If attacked, and enemy provokes OA - use Sudden Bite. (+7 vs Ref: 1d8+5 dmg, slowed UEOMNT)

09:41, Today: Secret Roll: Player of Eanon rolled 11 using 1d6+5 with rolls of 6.  damage.
09:41, Today: Secret Roll: Player of Eanon rolled 17,14,23,11 using 1d20+7,1d20+7,1d20+7,1d20+7 with rolls of 10,7,16,4.  ThornSpray vs Ref.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:45, Mon 09 Jan 2023.

The boulder struck the dead body knocking it over (prone) for 11 damage (UHD1), and barreled over Eanon (24 vs Reflex) for 5 damage and knocked Eanon prone.

K1 minor to Shift to C32, both K1 and K2 attacked Ranndal and missed (12 and 13 vs. AC respectively)
The Drake (D3) attacked Ranndal and also missed.
The Priest (W) attacked with an Orb 15 vs. Reflex for 10 damage.
UHD1 move to stand, and then standard to charge Brom (I36. 20 vs. AC for 8 damage)
UHD2 attacked Brom (natural 20 and dealt 14 damage)

Having shaken off his earlier rage, Ranndal now exhibits some amount of poise - enough for him to use his enemies' quickness against them. Realizing this, the kobold foregoes subtlety, and just accepts the cost of it.

---

14:46, Today: Secret Roll: Ranndal rolled 18 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 12.  Melee basic attack (axe), +6 vs. AC of K1.
21:31, Today: Ranndal rolled 7 using 1d10+5 with rolls of 2.  Melee basic attack (axe), 1d10+5. K1 takes 7 damage.
K1: 29/36
This message was last edited by the player at 05:37, Thu 12 Jan 2023.

Recovering from his quick strike and seeing himself surrounded by foes, Ranndal brings his weapon around in a wide arc, causing all of them to scatter. One of them fails to get out of the way quite as quickly as the others.

---

Standard: 21:44, Today: Ranndal rolled 19 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 13.  Batter down +6 vs. AC 18 of K1. Hit.
21:44, Today: Ranndal rolled 19 using 2d10+5 with rolls of 6,8.  Batter down damage, 2d10+5. K1: 19 damage and knocked prone.
Move: None.
Minor: None.

Status:
17/17/15/14
Location: D31
HP: 17/36, bloodied.
Surges: 4/10.
Defender aura active.
Immediate reaction: Ignore pain. If an attack takes off more than half of his remaining HP, he'll use it to gain THP equal to the damage.
K1: 10/36, bloodied, prone.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:49, Thu 12 Jan 2023.

"Hold fast!"

Kaleas half-climbed and half-vaulted down from the upper tier, struck an empowering rune into the air and, teeth bared, closed on the nearer of the two zombie drakes, where a few vicious blade-strokes swiftly left it torn and twitching on the floor.


Move: Walk (climb) to I32.
Minor: Rune of Mending (Destruction) on Brom. Brom may spend a healing surge. Brom and Kaleas gain a +2 power bonus to damage rolls until Kaleas's EONT.
Std: Charge to I35 vs Zombie 1 crits for 15 damage and auto-destroys it.

Runestate of Destruction: Allies gain a +1 bonus to attack rolls against enemies that are adjacent to Kaleas.

This message was last edited by the player at 04:18, Thu 12 Jan 2023.

Brom heard the rune priest and was invigorated.  He raised his big sword and put the beat down on the remaining headless Drake.  He thought he had killed these once, but must have been mistaken.

Weapon Mater Strike vs UHD2.  25 hit for 8 damage
It is Marked with Combat Challenge
Brom gains +1 AC vs UHD2 from WMS until end of his next turn


25/34 HPs. (Was at 14 and bloodied, used surge from Kaleas to get back to 25)
 9/10 Surges (11 each)
Encounter
1/1 Second Wind
1/1 Action Point
0/1 Covering Attack
1/1 Glowering Threat
0/1 Heroic Effort
Daily
1/1 Comeback Strike
This message was last edited by the player at 18:36, Thu 12 Jan 2023.

Ehryk tried to gain a position of vantage where he could line up a shot. The red haze at the edges of his vision seemed to pulse with every heartbeat, but he felt somehow quicker in his movements. He drew an arrow and lined up a shot, waiting for Randall to distract his target a bit before loosing.

~~~

Not wishing to hold up the game, I'll just give my intent and let DM sort it out. Ehryk would like to get onto the platform if there are stairs where he's at. If Climbing is involved then he'll stay on the lower level. If he's able to get up there, he's got extra move now with Shifting, he'll try for H,39 or I,39 to get a better shot at the kobolds surrounding Randall.

Move: 5/6 spaces to H,39 or I,39 (assuming stairs)
Standard: Ranged Attack vs W [D,33], Ehryk rolled 16 [17 if Randall Flanks] vs AC to hit for 11 damage.

HP: 04/29 - Bloodied, AC: 20, Reflex: 15
Razorclaw Shifting - +2 movement, +1 to AC and Reflex until EoEnc

Eanon moved north, unwell from the blow of the stone.
With haste, he moves to aid Randall!
Strained, he remained close to ensure he could get into the thick of it, and away from the rock, but he was out of breath...for now.

Move: Stand up
Standard: Exchange to Move: Go to D30

Boulder enjoys its jaunt around the block... Just rollin' along.
K2 @ D32 attacks Ranndal (D31) AC 20 for 6 damage.
W @ D33 attacks Rhryk @H39 Reflex 15 for 8 cold damage.
D3 @ C30 attacks Ranndal @D31 AC 8 for 7 damage (Miss I'm betting)
UHD2 @ K38 attacks Brom @J37 AC 17 for 11 damage.

Kaleas circled and closed on the remaining drake-corpse to strike it down, an act that involved no discernible hatred, just a few forceful sword-strokes. He stepped back from it and turned toward the platforms. Getting onto the northern one was going to be a problem, judging by the sound and fury ringing from the occupied stairs, and on the eastern one... oh, no.

He lifted his sword point-up before him in a gesture that resembled a salute, contrasted by a grim-faced look and near-closing of his eyes as he then tapped the sword-guard against his chest. A rune rapidly flared into being upon him from that touch, matching ones appearing on Brom and Ehryk; perhaps it was just a trick of the light that led watching eyes to imagine a much smaller swirl of runic text shimmering about their periphery.

Kaleas held steady. Invoking this was always uncomfortable, to say the least, but will demanded and faith endured.


...the Rune of Sacrifice, ensuring that he or she who gives strength in the name of the gods will also receive their protection.


Move: Walk E-E-SE to J38.
Std: Word of Exchange (Destruction) vs Zombie Drake hits for 14 damage, (re)killing it.
Minor: Shield of Sacrifice: Kaleas loses a healing surge. Brom and Ehryk each regain hit points as if they had spent a healing surge. Brom, Ehryk, and Kaleas each gain a +5 power bonus to AC until Kaleas's EONT.

Runestate of Destruction: Allies gain a +1 bonus to attack rolls against enemies that are adjacent to Kaleas.

10:58, Today: Secret Roll: Kaleas rolled 26,14 using d20+10,d8+7 with rolls of 16,7.

This message was last edited by the player at 23:07, Mon 23 Jan 2023.

Ehryk sensed the impact of something very cold, but in his primal state, he barely felt it. He tried to raise his bow to slay the foul creature which had hit him. It was then that he realized something was wrong. He felt lethargic and chilled. He shivered and slumped to the floor.

As he was slipping into icy oblivion, he heard the voice of Kaleas, far away... and felt a little warmth return to his limbs.

~~~
Prone, cover?
HP: 07/29 - Bloodied, AC: 20, Reflex: 15
Razorclaw Shifting - +2 movement, +1 to AC and Reflex until EoEnc
This message was last edited by the player at 21:23, Tue 24 Jan 2023.

Ranndal whips his axe back around, but not before the kobold dragonshield raises its... well, you know.

---

Standard: Today: Ranndal rolled 8 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 2.  Jarring smash, +6 vs. AC 18 of K2. Miss.
Move: None.
Minor: None.

Status:
17/17/15/14
Location: D31
HP: 17/36, bloodied.
Surges: 4/10.
Defender aura active.
Immediate reaction: Ignore pain. If an attack takes off more than half of his remaining HP, he'll use it to gain THP equal to the damage.

UHD2 @ K38 attacks Brom @J37 AC 17 for 11 damage.  AC 18, MISSED

Brom was ready to keep pounding on the headless drake that he thought he had killed already when Kaleas arrived and finished it.

He turned and rushed over to assist the others fighting across the room.  He paused long enough to glare at the kobolds like Viscini had taught him.  Then prepared to rush up and support them when he got the chance.

Move to E33
Minor: Glowering Threat (should effect K2 and W)
Action (Dash?) to D29

+5 AC from Kaleas Shield of Sacrifice this round

AC 18
34/34 HPs
 9/10 Surges (Heals 11 each)
Encounter
1/1 Second Wind
1/1 Action Point
0/1 Covering Attack
0/1 Glowering Threat (minor)
0/1 Heroic Effort
Daily
1/1 Comeback Strike

Glowering Threat [Fighter Utility Level 2]: Encounter, Minor action
Target: Adversaries within a close burst 2 are penalized -5 on attack rolls
 which do not target the fighter.

Being close to the priest, Eanons appearance shifted to that of a hybrid elf and wolf, prolonged teeth and claws appearing - replacing his normal appearance, for a moment as he clawed out and snarled.
He clawed out and wounded the leg of the beast, trying to keep it docile and in place to shift the battle in their angle.

Standard: Grasping claws. Hits. Target D3 is slowed until end of next turn. Hits for 11 damage.
Move: Remain.
Minor: No action.
Free: Sudden Bite: Enemy provokes OA: Use above(+7 vs ref 14, 1d8+5 damage).

Boulder goes WHEEEEE!
D3 @C30 attacks Ranndal (D31) AC 18 for 5 Damage
K2 @D32 attacks Ranndal (D31) AC 13*1 for 9 Damage
W  @D33 attacks Ranndal (D31) AC 7*1 for 13 Damage

NOTE: *1 -5 Applied from the Burst effect

Ehryk took a moment to draw in several deep breaths and work the coldness from his body. When he began to feel the lifeblood flowing again, he gripped his bow tightly and got painfully to his feet. He seethed as he wiped blood from his face. He felt greatly compelled to rush the platform where his enemies were cornered. A terrible snarl escaped his lips...


Standard: Take Second Wind = +7 HP (7/8 Healing Surges remaining)
Move: Stand Up

HP: 14/29 - Bloodied, AC: 22, Reflex: 17
Razorclaw Shifting - +2 movement, +1 to AC and Reflex until EoEnc
Second Wind - +2 to all defenses until EoNT

There was no way that he was getting up the stairs and into the fray. The stairs themselves were thoroughly crowded, and that rock was in the way. Time for a bit of improvisation: Kaleas dashed over to the base of the central wall, sheathed his sword, and snatched up a dagger that one of the kobolds had dropped.



Move: Walk to J34.
Minor: Stow weapon.
Minor: Pick up weapon.

Runestate of Destruction: Allies gain a +1 bonus to attack rolls against enemies that are adjacent to Kaleas.

Ranndal chooses that moment to surge forward, moving the kobold warrior away from the stairs and moving himself to the top platform.

---

Standard: 19:16, Today: Player of Ranndal rolled 20 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 16.  Bull rush, +4 vs. Fortitude of K2. Likely success. Push K2 to C33, shift into his space, D32.

Status:
17/17/15/14
Location: D32
HP: 12/36, bloodied.
Surges: 4/10.
Defender aura active.
Immediate reaction: Ignore pain. If an attack takes off more than half of his remaining HP, he'll use it to gain THP equal to the damage.

Eanon stayed poised and tried to restrain the foe before him again, but his blows fell short much to his dismay!

Standard: Grasping claws. Miss!!!
Move: Remain.
Minor: No action.
Free: Sudden Bite: Enemy provokes OA: Use above(+7 vs ref 14, 1d8+5 damage).

Brom followed Randal up to get in the kobolds faces.  Give them something tasty to chew on as Viscini used to say.  Brom didn’t think it was a good thing he was ‘tasty’ but Viscini said the women would think it was.  That was a lot of people so Brom went with the majority.

He took a swing at the kobold in front of him.

If Ranndal’s push was successful, Move C32
Action: Weapon Master Strike vs K2. (Attack 17 for 13 damage). Mark K2

AC 18
34/34 HPs
 9/10 Surges (Heals 11 each)
Encounter
1/1 Second Wind
1/1 Action Point
0/1 Covering Attack
0/1 Glowering Threat (minor)
0/1 Heroic Effort
Daily
1/1 Comeback Strike

Brom rolled 17,13 using D20+10,d10+5 with rolls of 7,8.  WMS vs K2.

Ehryk heals himself
Kaleas moved to his destination and collected a dagger.
Ranndal moved the Kobold.
Brom dealt some damage!


Boulder just continues along happy as can be...
K2 @C33 fails to strike Ranndal @D32 (AC 12 for 4 damage)
D3 @C30 flyby attack against Eanon @ D30 AC 20 for 6 damage, and flies to E28
W @D33 Encounter Breath Weapon - Close Blast 3 of Cold striking Brom, Ranndal, and Eanon for (Natural 20 (26 Fortitude), 13 Cold damage)

Kaleas rounded the corner and pitched the knife at the drake. It connected, wounding the beast, as Kaleas dashed forward again, drawing his sword as he rounded the corner to the bottom of the stairs.


Move: Walk to F33.
Std: RBA vs Drake hits for 7 damage.
Minor: Draw sword.
AP: Walk to D29.

Runestate of Destruction: Allies gain a +1 bonus to attack rolls against enemies that are adjacent to Kaleas.

Ehryk could see and hear, could even smell his friends fighting with his heightened senses. He knew he needed to act quickly. He dropped off the ledge and raced toward the fray. A primal cry rose from his lips. It sounded wild and defiant. His faith flared like a beacon of hope to his allies!

"Fight on Randall!"

He then sent another white-feathered shaft streaking towards the wyrm priest!


Move: Walk to F,31
Standard: Beacon of Hope (Daily) - Close Burst 3
Enemies in Burst: +6 vs. Will - Targets are weakened until end of their next turn.
Effect: You and all allies in burst gain 5 hp, your healing powers restore +5 hp until EoE.
Minor: Healing Word on Randall - he gets a Healing Surge plus additional 16 HP
Action Point: Ranged Attack vs W hits AC20 for 12 damage

HP: 19/29 - AC: 20, Reflex: 15
Razorclaw Shifting - +2 movement, +1 to AC and Reflex until EoEnc

Brom saw the kobold with a shield leave an opening when it went for Ranndal.  He took a swift cut at the creature.

Interrupt from Combat Challenge since Brom marked K2 and it swung at Ranndal
Basic attack rolled 28 for 6 damage.
Brom takes 11 damage from cold breath.
+5 hps from Beacon of Hope

Brom hadn’t expected that.  How such a little thing could project a nasty blast of cold that hit all of them was disconcerting.  Maybe it was a baby dragon!  He turned his attention on the wizard and stabbed at the wyrmling/kobold thing.

Action: Attack WMS vs W rolled 21 for 9 damage, mark W
    Brom gets +1 AC vs W
Move: None

AC 18
28/34 HPs
 9/10 Surges (Heals 11 each)
Encounter
1/1 Second Wind
1/1 Action Point
0/1 Covering Attack
0/1 Glowering Threat (minor)
0/1 Heroic Effort
Daily
1/1 Comeback Strike

Snarling Eanon sought redemption and fervor against the foe leaving west bound.
He charged, and his skin yet again, transforming into a beast like manner, his fingers turning to claws and his teeth elongating making him appear like a werewolf of sorts, but still retaining some of his distinguishing features. With claws he swung hard and forced the foe back.

Move: E29
Standard: Savage rend - Hits for 9 damage. Slides Foe to E27.
Free: if D3 provokes OA - Sudden Bite: +7 vs ref, 1d8+5 damage. target is slowed UEOMNT.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:14, Tue 14 Feb 2023.

Ranndal surges to his feet, axe whirling to block the remaining kobold's actions.

---

Move: Stand from prone.
Minor: Activate defender aura.
Standard: 22:16, Today: Ranndal rolled 10 using 1d20+6 ((4)). Miss.

Status:
17/17/15/14
Location: D32
HP: 25/36, bloodied.
Surges: 3/10.
Defender aura active.
Immediate reaction: Ignore pain. If an attack takes off more than 10 HP, he'll use it to gain THP equal to the damage.

The wyrmpriest stabs Ranndal for 3 damage (AC 24, 3 damage)

Everything else is dead... The boulder keeps on rolling, enjoying the good life.

Kaleas ascended the stairs at a dash and into the press, coordinating with Brom and Ranndal to harry the remaining kobold and deny it any ready targets.


Move: Tactical Command: Brom and Ranndal gain a +2 power bonus to all defenses and may each shift up to 2 squares as a free action.
For the sake of brevity I'll suppose that Ranndal is okay with shifting into C33, or if not, then Brom is.
Minor: None.
Std: Charge to D32 (or C32) vs Wyrmpriest misses.
Runestate of Destruction: Allies gain a +1 bonus to attack rolls against enemies that are adjacent to Kaleas.

This message was last edited by the player at 05:25, Sat 18 Feb 2023.

If Brom's mark was still good, Immediate Interrupt when it attacked Ranndal via Combat Challenge.  Attack 20 for 12 damage.

No order to spare the kobold was issued so Brom just assumed it needed to be cut down like everything else.  He brought his blade around on the wizardry looking kobold guy.


Attack: WMS vs Kobold W (attack 14 (or 15 w/ Kaleas) for 10 damage)  MISS
Move: I can have Brom shift to C33

AC 18
28/34 HPs
 9/10 Surges (Heals 11 each)
Encounter
1/1 Second Wind
1/1 Action Point
0/1 Covering Attack
0/1 Glowering Threat (minor)
0/1 Heroic Effort
Daily
1/1 Comeback Strike

Ehryk fired another arrow, imbued with the essence of faith. It lanced toward the remaining foe. Unfortunately, the nimble little runt was able to duck at the exact instant. The streak of light however ought to have been guidance enough to Brom for his blow to strike true!

Standard: Lance of Faith vs Wyrm Priest dude - Ehryk rolled 8 to miss. However, Brom gains a +2 bonus on his next attack roll against the same target, so that should give him a hit!
Move: Duck into the alcove at F,26 to avoid the bouldering boulder!

HP: 19/29 - AC: 20, Reflex: 15
Razorclaw Shifting - +2 movement, +1 to AC and Reflex until EoEnc

"Why don't you just stop?" asks Ranndal, batting aside the kobolds blade. He swings his axe to emphasize his suggestion.

---

Minor: Knack for success +2 to Ranndal's next attack roll.
Standard: 18:56, Today: Ranndal rolled 13 using 1d20+8 ((5)). Possible hit.
If so: 18:58, Today: Ranndal rolled 12 using 1d10+5 ((7)). Also, the kobold grants combat advantage until the end of Ranndal's next turn.



Status:
17/17/15/14
Location: D32
HP: 22/36, bloodied.
Surges: 3/10.
Defender aura active.
Immediate reaction: Ignore pain. If an attack takes off more than 10 HP, he'll use it to gain THP equal to the damage.

Eanon noticed the last for remaining, puzzling enough refusing to give up with his brethren having been vanished.
He nodded and let a hawk of fiery fire go and fly at the foe - however distracted by the presence of an ally caused him to misaligned the birds trajectory fully.

Standard: Firehawk vs last foe - Rolled 10, missing!

"Don't hurt Bile, Bile stop fighting!" The kobold shrieked. "No fight, no fight! See? Not hurt, leave Bile alone!"

Kaleas pulled back a half-step and held brought his sword to a ready position but held rather than striking with it, calling on the others to do likewise with a simple, "Wait. Stop." One word might have been enough, but Brom's tendency to misunderstand bore guarding against.

He was willing to give the kobold one chance. If it tried anything funny, that would be that.

His voice was not quite calm, but his words were measured as he addressed the kobold in question. "Bile. Your clan has been raiding along the King's Road. Why?"

"Must give master shinies! Bile adores master, master desires many shinies. In return master would grow big and strong and keep Bile's clan safe!"

Kaleas's ears twisted about in a fashion that clearly communicated the phrase 'Uh oh'.

"Who and what is your master?"

"You want to adore master? Master is a glorious dragon! Yes, yes, adore master like Bile!"

Kaleas paused for a beat as he chose his words - and his change of topic - carefully; he also took the opportunity to ease out of his fighting stance into a merely guarded one. "Bile. How many of your clan are now left?"

"Have clutch of eggs, if gather bodies and give to master can animate bodies to serve until new clutch ages. But, Bile last one," it said.

Kaleas couldn't help but be surprised by one of those claims, but he dutifully kept his reactions in check. "Your dragon-master is also a necromancer? That's unusual. What else can they do?"

"Come, you meet and master can accept your adoration!"

"That sounds like a pretty bad idea," Ranndal says to the others.

Kaleas managed to slip in a sidelong glance of agreement before returning his attention to the kobold.

He took a deep breath before proceeding. "Bile. You need to collect the eggs and leave. A master that raises the dead, no matter how glorious, will bring a bad end to your clan." He paused to point to the bodies littering the area. "The others are dead now because the master had you raid for them. And if the master will raise them as undead to serve, the master may do even worse with your eggs. You are not being protected by your master, you are being used."

The huntsman tended to his companions as best he could whilst the interrogation of the remaining kobold took place. His shoulders, neck and shoulders still ached from the icy blast he'd been served by the little runt... which meant there was not a whole lot of sympathy. Even so, Ehryk could understand the defense of their lair and the subservience to a more powerful creature. Nature was rife with such circumstances...

After gathering whatever arrows he could find that weren't damaged, Ehryk asked, "How do we disable the boulder?" It was still running its course around and around and around..."

"What color is your Master, Bile? You do realize that your master will probably kill you for your failure here, but rather than raise you again, he'll likely just eat you. How far away is his lair?"

Brom wasn’t sure of some of the looks or where the conversation was going.  At a pause he did pipe in.

“Can’t have Brom’s coin.  Gold for King.”  He set his sack of 700gp down in front of the kobold to prove it.

"Oh, all gold is for glorious White Master, lovingly called Szartharrax by the true followers. Yes, give gold big man and you will be exalted as loyal and rewarded, yes yes!"

Bile gave a strange look at Kaleas. "Why would master punish Bile? Master adores Bile, Bile raised Master. Master is destined for greatness. Meet master and he will prove himself worthy of such praises and adoration!"


Bile spoke a word in draconic and the boulder rolled itself back into its starting position. "Boulder obey Bile!"

Kaleas seemed about to say something, then switched to a slightly different subject. "You raised him? How did you find him?" His ears angled together in a fashion reminiscent of raised eyebrows on a human face. "And did you give him that name?"

"Raised him, yes! Found him, yes, blessed by the high one, yes! Found the egg, while seeking a home. And master declared his own name when he hatched, such a wondrous master!" The kobold seemed to be experiencing some weird paternal adoration, which considering kobolds, is unheard of, ...  "Come, come I show you to master, next generation of eggs and you'll worship him, and all violence toward kobold stop, yes?"

Kaleas was silent for a moment, clearly feeling the weight of the options being weighed. Then he looked about at each of the others present as he asked quietly, "Does anyone wish to say anything to this?"

“NO TAKE KING’S GOLD!”  Brom counters in a loud threatening manner as he packs the hood away again.

Intimidate 12

There was only grim silence from most and a loud repudiation from Brom. Kaleas's attention focused back on the kobold, not quite grim but certainly sober and serious. "Bile. Kobolds often worship dragons. Others rarely do. To others, a white dragon is most often a threat. Something to be eliminated. So are raiders who strike and take for the sake of a master, dragon or otherwise. If we don't do it, others will come in our stead, and they will kill you, and your master."

He paused for a moment as if considering whether to say more or simply let their blades do the talking, but in the end he chose to speak again. "There is only one way that I can see to keep that from happening: you and your master must take the eggs, and nothing else, and leave. Not just this catacomb: leave the Vale. There are colder lands to the far north that would better suit a white dragon. Go there, away from all others, and don't raid again. Give your master only what you can produce yourselves."

"If you are gone, and the things that you took are returned, then the Vale-folk will have no reason to continue striking against you. This will be difficult, I admit, and your master may not be willing to agree to it. If not, you may still take your eggs and leave without your master. Your clan will still have a chance to survive elsewhere without him. It won't if it stays here with him. Do you understand?"

"Leave for colder climes and not bother Vale... Yes, Bile will see if master agrees to this plan," the kobold said. Threats of violence hinted were not lost on the kobold. Live another day to worship master where not many bad people try to kill clan is smart!

Unless Kaleas (or another stops Bile) the kobold will head out...

Kaleas didn't stop Bile. He did motion for the others to follow, and himself followed Bile a few paces back and slightly to one side, at least until the point that Bile reached whatever room his master dwelt in. There he waited at the entrance, or whatever vantage would least intrude while allowing them to observe the exchange between kobold and dragon.

He had a feeling that it would go poorly, but at least there was a chance...

OOC: not going to type out the entire exchange…

Bike used masterful pleas and entreated the master to the benefits of relocating to a remote location far from adventurers who would kill the clan or master. The dragon agreed that it was far wiser to live away from civilization and grow stronger as a tribe. They gathered the few remaining survivors, their pet rock, and eggs and departed never to be heard from in the vale…

Kaleas felt a sense of relief when the dragon, against all odds, proved amenable to reason. There'd been enough blood spilled for one day, and while there was no guarantee about the future, a white dragon that was willing to put wisdom ahead of pride was enough of a rarity to let live, and the kobolds might remember his words when the next temptation came.

That was for the future. For now, they were leaving. He even helped them to collect their things in preparation for moving out.

Inside the cave where the master resided was a shallow pool with a shrine to some undeath deity. The necromantic aura from that pool was nauseating to any that drew near.

And dragon or not, anything with intelligence would realize the veracity in which the group tore down its followers is a battle best to avoid. Dragons are cunning and would learn from mistakes.

With the draconic assemblage gone, Kaleas returned to the final chamber and stared hard at the necro-pool. That had to be dealt with.


Which deity (or equivalent) is that shrine to?

Unless it seems too potent/cursed to do so safely, Kaleas (and hopefully also Ehryk) will dismantle the shrine and perform a cleansing/sanctification to get rid of its influence before we leave.

00:44, Today: Secret Roll: Kaleas rolled 18 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 13.  Shrine?

This message was last edited by the player at 00:49, Mon 13 Mar 2023.