Chapter 4: Quenching the Burning Plague, Pt.1

Init: 13 + 1 = 14
Listen: 7 + 8 = 15
Spot: 17 + 8 = 25
27%, 42%, 23%

Philo and Tex rush down the corridor after the others, reaching the doorway. Shield out, she crouches next to Krytox (move to C4). "Wow, more of them?" she says, considering. Sharing a glance with Tex, she decides on a course of action. "Watch out, everyone," she yells. Envisioning a flaming sphere across the room above the kobolds, Philo snaps her fingers and one appears. One of the kobolds looks up in horror as the inferno erupts around him. I'll give you a reason to yell fire, she thinks.

Cast spell: Flaming Sphere at O5. 2d6; ref save

Despite every party in the encounter acting in their own time, within the span of six seconds everything appears to occur simultaneously.

Rasa turns invisible and slinks along the edge of the shelves to maneuver into position. All the kobolds except for one immediately lose sight of him. Rasa employs his most potent breathing and posturing tricks while invisible eliminate the already slim chance that the kobold may see him. (Actually, the ability renders Rasa completely invisible - this is just fluff.) The kobold squints, and then looks down at the evidence the dracen's feet have been leaving on the stone floor. Its eyes narrow slightly, and Rasa prepares to strike sooner than he would have wanted.

Squin moves into the room to move the heavy barrel. By now the flour cloud is pretty much dissipated - it may still hinder the ranged attacks of some of the party's weapons in the vicinity of the doorway, but otherwise no longer poses any threat to them. (It'll pretty much be gone next round.) The centaur hunches down and prepares to move the heavy wooden barrel. (It takes a full-round action to move heavy objects - you already succeeded - so Squin is just waiting until next round.)

The flour cloud doesn't even faze Philo's sharp eyes. The elf's gaze falls right upon one of the kobolds, dimly illuminated by the dancing lights. A few gestures and hushed words of power bring forth a sphere of roaring flame that drops down from nowhere onto the hapless creature. Unable to coil away (Reflex save vs. assumed 15 failed), the pitiful reptilian screams as it is seared alive by pure fire summoned with arcane might. (I rolled damage for the flaming sphere since I didn't see you roll the damage anywhere)

The halfling barbarian known as Bloodlust puts Alterith's helpless body into a murderous charge. Through the maddened red haze, he sees himself hurdle the heavy barrel in front of the terrorized kobold before him as though it were an ant's stool and just as short, and even before the halfling can bring his axe to bear, his feet have come millimeters from the kobold's chest. It shrieks as it helplessly watches the underside of Alterith's boots grow bigger... and bigger... and bigger... and raises its crossbow to fire off a shot... (Alterith's draws an aoo from the surrounding kobolds but some of them haven't reloaded and so are unarmed.) Bloodlust flicks his wrist and Alterith watches in horror as the offending kobold's head flies off. (used Alterith's aoo here - the kobold drew one because it used a ranged weapon while threatened. All the kobolds missed their aoos)

Then the halfling's feet bowl into the kobold's dead body, knocking it backward. (This became a charge combined with a jump and bull rush. I resolved the bull rush and Alterith succeeded.) It in turn pushes the kobold behind it out of the way, and, yelping, they both tumble to the ground. Neither have their crossbows ready.

Frightened by Alterith's display of brute force and the group's sudden ability to quickly decimate their ranks, the kobolds lock their eyes on the halfling barbarian who is mocking them openly. As the kobold staring at Rasa is about to strike, he turns from the dracen and trains his eyes down the line at where Alterith has all but destroyed his two kobold companions. With a hiss it raises up its crossbow to attack - just then Rasa strikes, plunging his shortsword into the creature's spindly back. (Didn't see any rolls for Rasa's aoo, so I rolled for him - sudden strike was added.)

The only other kobold able to fire does so, but it is not affected by the barbarian's goading. It turns on Rasa, fires, and misses. The remaining kobolds finish reloading their crossbows.

Krytox moves into position, and the kobolds begin trembling with fear as they look around themselves and see what was once a defensible position come tumbling down. (Looks like Krytox's speed is 30 ft., in which case he can't attack this round because he has to double move to get into range. N4 is a barrel so he'd have to move that first [full-round action] to move into N4)


ooc: Krytox, Squin, Alterith - please make Fortitude saves.

Bloodlust hardly pauses in the slaughter. The blood of his foes coating his axe and his own body only lend further fuel to his raging. Alterith cringes in the corner of his mind that he has been relegated to. Someday he know, this force is going to go too far and turn on his allies. He needs to find a way to maintain control of the rage while allowing it to fuel his fighting. But not today, today he has lost all semblance of control as he was taken by surprise. He can't even begin to resist. These thoughts float through the bloody haze as Bloodlust continues his push.

Fortitude:+8

Random number (1,20) :

7

Attack P5:+9

Random number (1,20) :

12

Damage:+5

Random number (1,10) :

7

2handed strike

Random number (1,10) :

6

AOO Attack:

Random number (1,20) :

12

Damage:

Random number (1,10) :

6

Straining with effort, the centaur slowly slides the barrel into place. Huffing and puffing, Squin takes cover behind it as much as possible waiting for the next barrage. When it doesn't come, he tentatively and cautiously peers out until he realizes that the others have literally crashed into the kobold lines. Normally he would have heard that, and would not have wasted time sliding the barrel. Squin silently curses his slow ability to react to changing fighting conditions. He hopes that his deafness would not be permanent, and that the hindrance it causes will not prove fatal to him or any of his friends.

Fortitude: 19 + 2 = 21

OOC: Fluff until Squin completes action - unless I mis-understood your post (quite possible).

While his estimates for the total number of enemies had been pretty close, Krytox had grossly underestimated the distance to get to them. In the heat of the moment things had seemed much closer, but as he began his sprint across the long room he realized it would take a little extra time. No matter, it seemed like Alterith's taunts had taken the Kobolds' attention, buying him the time he needed. The rest of gap went by in a heartbeat and before he knew it he was on top of his enemies.

The blast of heat surprised him as a giant orb of flames descended on to the screaming creature to his right. He turned his focus back on the one in front of him. The swinging chains pass right through the dancing lights and into the distracted foe.

Attack: 20 + 10(nat) + 8 = 38
Damage: 3 + 4 + 7 = 14
Attack (crit): 15 + 7 = 22
Damage (crit): 1 + 2 + 7 = 10

Fort: 10 + 6 = 16

ooc: Attack is same as before since no attack was actually made. AoO as necessary with trip attempts and bonus attack on every successful trip.

ooc: Rasa, make a Fort save. Squin, make a Reflex save.

The dancing lights wink out. The glowing power of guidance on Squin begins to fade slightly as the centaur moves the heavy barrel. The flour cloud dissipates.

More kobolds are cut down by the adventuring companions. They respond in kind, either drawing spears or firing their crossbow (and the adventurers try to capitalize on their moment of inattentiveness by sneaking in a quick attack). Some of them miss but some of them hit. Even those that successfully attack some of the group find their lives snuffed out an instant later, whether by axe or chain.

ooc: Rasa takes 2 dmg. Krytox takes 4 dmg. Alterith takes 2 dmg.

ooc: Rasa inaction.
ooc: Philo inaction.

The flaming sphere continues to assault the poor kobold. He deftly avoids it and is able to reach down for his shortspear. As he draws it, a quick flick of the wrist from the blackscale sends his spiked chain slicing through the kobold's torso. It falls to the ground, the flaming sphere hovering impassively over its corpse.

The group hear loud sounds of clunking and more bark-like sounds and also muffled, gruff voices from behind Philo, back in the mess hall where they once were.

Bloodlust skirts the flame, using the body of his fallen opponent as a platform to continue his assault. The light from the flaming sphere provides an eerie effect on the combat as his axe blade reflects the orange glow around the room in a strange pattern as it bobs and weaves around the kobolds defenses. With a roar he pushes his advantage forward.

Attack P5:+9

Random number (1,20) :

16

Damage:+5

Random number (1,10) :

6

2 handed

Random number (1,10) :

10

AOO:

Random number (1,20) :

2

Damage:

Random number (1,10) :

10

2 handed

Random number (1,10) :

5

Noting that the kobold has finally succumbed to Krytox's attacks, Philo searches for another target. She raises her hand above her head, lifting the fireball as well. With a sudden drop of her arm, the sphere descends on the back line of kobolds with a whoosh. Move Flaming Sphere to P5.

In the back of her mind, Philo can hear noises from behind her, getting closer. "What is it, Tex?" she asks, maintaining concentration on her spell. "There aren't more of them?"

Damage: 5 + 5 = 10

Now in the right position, Rasa begins to exchange blows with the Kobald in front of him. He already hit the sucker once, but now it was time to put the beast down and move to the next one. He makes a swing that would seem foolish to any person not trained in the art of fighting, luring the Kobald in to an "easy" strike to his side. Unfortunately, this opening was a mere diversion to the shear death that was coming to the Kobald. RaSa knows that if the Kobald takes the bait, it is done forever. A simple trick to luring the enemy into thinking he has you leads to a sure death once they realize their mistake.

Improved Feint (Feinting as a move action): bluff : 17 + 5 = 22

Attack: 14 + 1 = 15

Damage: 3 +
FROST: 5
Sudden Strike: 2
= 10

FORT SAVE: 11 + 1 = 12

Krytox gives the hint of a smile as he strikes down the second distracted Kobold. It was always satisfying using his skills to beat an opponent, but even more satisfying when he was given an assist from a companion. He sees another opening now that the front row of reptilians was basically down. He vaults over the row of barrels and continues his assault. In the back of his mind, he hopes the sounds coming from the previous room are only a small scout-type party and not a big force. While Kobolds weren't very hearty, they could still do a lot of damage in large groups...

Jump: 14 + 12 = 26
Attack: 18 + 8 = 26
Damage: 4 + 3 + 7 = 14

ooc: Attack P4, threaten all others. AoO for trip with Improved Trip. If successful, bonus attack to just use standard attack.

Reflex: 14 + 7 = 21

If Squin fails his reflex save or is interrupted by another event.

Spoiler:

If Squin succeeds in his reflex save and is not interrupted by another event.

Spoiler:

ooc: Rasa experiences a mild burning sensation run throughout his body.

Rasa's spiked gauntlet smashes into the face of the kobold in front of him. It crumples to the floor, lifeless. Squin misses the enemy kobolds, striking one of the barrels instead. The top on the barrel he had just moved explodes with movement as a rat swarm emerges near Philo, even as the elf's flaming sphere makes short work of the kobold once standing before Alterith, rendering the barbarian's axe ineffective upon the burnt corpse. Krytox finishes off another kobold, and it is too much for the sole remaining one - it retreats into the corner and cowers, its will to fight broken.

Meanwhile, the reinforcements arrive... and immediately the mixed kobold-goblin group fire upon Philo!

ooc: Philo, take 2 damage.

Bloodlusts fury continues to burn, frustrated that the enemy before him falls to the flame instead of his axe, he turns to shout at their newest companion and sees a swarm of rats hurtling towards him/her. Thinking this will distract her from stealing another of his kills, he races past the burning sphere of magical fire and races to finish off the last kobold cowering in the corner. Alterith shoves forward in an attempt to prevent the slaughter about to occur. He despises the creatures, but this one has given up the battle and is defenseless before him. Unfortunately the rage of his body lends further strength to Bloodlust's control and he is powerless to stop what is about to happen. He cringes in the dark corner of his mind and blocks out the blood being spilled before him.

Attack:

Random number (1,20) :

8

Damage:

Random number (1,10) :

8

Philo whirls around to see the enemy reinforcements rushing up behind her. Her Flaming Sphere has just fizzled out - in her haste, only one other spell comes to mind. Desperately hoping the stray patches of moss she's noticed in the crevices of the cave will prove strong enough, Philo marshals their energy. As she jumps on Tex's back, she lifts her hands like a puppetmaster, directing the mosses to form into tight, rope-like vines and flinging them toward the kobolds and goblins. "Hurry, Tex, get us to the back of the room with the others!" she yells. Move to L4.

Concentration: 11 + 7 = 18
Cast spell: Entangle 1 space to left of A4

Krytox yells to Alterith as he sees the Halfling rush the remaining Kobold. He was all for destroying his enemies, but this one had thrown down its weapons in defeat. There was something to be said in knowing defeat, but it didn't mean he needed to die in this way. His calls were too late to stop the attack, he could only hope that Alterith could pull the axe from Bloodlust.

On the other side of the room the noises of more troops grew loud. Krytox' attention was diverted from the massacre in the corner. He could see what was about to happen, but there wasn't much he could do about Philo's situation either. When it looked like she would be overtaken, she jumped on Tex and moss erupted from tunnel grabbing at the new enemies. His jaw dropped in surprise at the power of their newest ally. After a moment of awe, he finds his legs and moves back toward the door to take on their new enemies.

Jump: 6 + 12 = 18
Attack: 2 + 6 - 6 (range) = 2
Damage (hah.): 2 + 5 = 7

ooc: move to J6. Attack with throwing axe against A4.

The goblins and kobolds hiss and squeal in dismay as weeds, thorns, breambles, and other small plants suddenly force themselves violent up through the cracks of the stone floor and attempt to wrap themselves around their legs and bodies. One of them manages to squirm away, keeping the waving grasses at bay, but many of them become entangled within the mass of new plant life. Alterith finishes off the lone kobold in the corner as Rasa looks on. Krytox toseses a throwing axe at the new enemy but it is lost among the small but dense foliage. Squin’s guidance spell wears off and the centaur stares in amazement at the newly discovered power of the elf.

The enemies try to fight back, but none of their ranged weapons find their marks - there are just too many waving grasses, grabbing weeds, entangling underbrush to fight off. With growls of exasperation, they continue trying to feverishly cut away at or forcibly pull themselves out of this new phenomenon.

ooc: Alterith, make a Fort save.

Seeing the lizardman turn and rush the other way, Squin turns around only to be surprised by Philo moving in so close to them and a thick forest/jungle/plant wall thing in the way. There appears to be creatures caught in it, so it seemed to have been caused by the elf. The centaur reaches for another arrow but pauses as he watches the lizardman's axe fly in and do nothing. Not sure what to do, he watches what seems like a trapped rat struggle while occasionally glancing at the others to see what they're up to. Soon, Squin is just mesmerized by the waving plant wall, just staring at it waiting for something to happen.

As the last foe before him falls, Bloodlust relinquishes control of the body back to Alterith. As he passes, he takes with him all the rage and str that comes with it. Alterith is left standing over the mutilated body of a kobold that had surrendered, it's blood still warm as it drips from his hands and his axe. A lethargy and weakness not born just from Bloodlusts passing sweep over him, and his axe drops from suddenly nerveless fingers to crash on the floor. Alterith slips down next to it, tears flowing from his eyes as he tries to stanch the bleeding of the creature before him, but to no avail. After only a few moments he realizes the attempt is futile and sits back against the wall, resting his head in his hands. The barrels block his view of the vines and grasses, and it is a bit before he realizes that his companions have turned away from this new fight and are carrying battle to another enemy. He then remembers the rats and the thoughts that went through his head. He is torn from his self remorse at the thought of his new companion alone in the hallway with a horde of rats pursuing her. He stands up just in time to see the vines deflecting the attacks of other enemies down the hall. Grabbing a crossbow from the hands of a fallen kobold, he begins cranking it and loading it, then stages it in front of him on the barrel as he grabs another.

Fortitude:+6

Random number (1,20) :

14

Krytox watches his axe get consumed by the tangling vines. He spits in disgust at his weak throw and swears at himself in Underlost. Over his cursing he hears the familiar cranking of a crossbow and looks back in the direction of the noise. Alterith, who is presumably back in control, is readying as many crossbows as possible. Genius! What a great thought He thinks to himself as his eyes light up. He runs back behind the barrels to help. Philo had bought them time with her magic and now they could use the enemies' weapons against them. He nods to the Halfling, acknowledging his idea, then gets straight to work.

ooc: Move to O5 and reload as many crossbows as possible.

Though pleased with the success of her Entangle spell, Philo knows it won't hold back their opponents forever. Hearing the sounds of weapons readying behind her, she instinctively jumps off Tex's back and ducks. She turns around to see the others grabbing the crossbows from the fallen kobolds and decides to follow their lead.

Move to P6.

Soon the centaur realizes that the big lizardman and the elf are no longer nearby. He didn't see them go forward either. Heart pounding faster and faster, Squin gets scared that maybe they found another passage and had left him behind. Worried and hurriedly, the centaur spins around only to see them all by the barrels focused on doing something. Breathing a sigh of relief, it takes a few moments to dawn on Squin that they're reloading the crossbows. What a brilliant idea! The centaur joins them in reloading the crossbows, if they're any still left that needs to be reloaded.

Rasa smiles as the halfling jumps at the Kobald still next to him and crushes it. Why dirty his gauntlet with the stench of Kobald when Alterith so willingly throws himself (somewhat literally) right at it?

But now it's time for the next foes. Rasa Pulls out his Hand crossbow and gets some bolts ready. Time to take on what is coming next. He scans the area for obvious shots....

The enemies struggle with all their puny might, but they are still entangled. With beady, red venomous eyes they stare at the companions as they pull weakly on their plant bonds. The group manages to load four enemy crossbows.



: Everyone make Spot checks.

Alterith nods to the others as they assist him in loading the weapons. As he finishes loading the first he grabs a 2nd and slides a bolt into place before cranking the draw back and placing it on the barrel to use it as a guide in his aim. He figures 2 should be sufficient for his purposes here.

Spot:+0

Random number (1,20) :

4