1 - 014: The First Piece

[K Man]

Romar - The vampire seems to delight in the fight you have put up, not only physically but now verbally.



"The only reason you have remained alive to this moment is because I have respect for you...as a prey."

"Continue this resistance and you shall learn the meaning of pain and degredation."

"I make this final offer...you may even retain your precious 'life' while in the first term of your service to 'The Master', but serve now or be a forgotten stain on the land..."

The vampire takes a stance, much like he would have in life as a monk of dedicated body-prowess. He seems intended to attack...

{Since there was enough banter and no threatening actions this round, I have re-rolled intitiative: You, Hirsuthe The Vampire. (Still the same. :}
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Everyone else -

Hero lowers her weapon again and fires. {Attack Roll = 12} The projectile falls a few feet short of one of the stunted attackers.

Yuri closes his eyes and begins to focus his mental energies. {Concentration Check = 21, Success. You have Psionic Focus.}

Galdren, now nearly surrounded, brings his weapons to bear in an attempt to annihilate those around him. {Attack Rolls = 22, 10} {Damage Roll = 11} The kobold is cut low by the blade, the contents of its stomach spilling onto the ground through the open wound. The second attack, directed at another kobold, missed the small creature entirely.

{23 creatures left.}

Garor moves to the wall, drawing the nearest weapon and attemtping to lay down 'cover fire'. {Attack Roll = 10} The bolt flies but falls short of the battle.

Under the directin of Hero, the archers loose their arrows next. {Attack Rolls = 10, 18, 15, 8, 5, 11, 12, 8, 17, 13} {Damage Rolls = 2, 7, 4} Another kobold catches an arrow directly in the chest and falls to his death. Two more are critically wounded.

{22 creatures left.}

Krysta stands back and sees the odds before her. The giant is down, the female elf has already been drug away. There are still over twenty capable fighters in the area with only three companions standing. This will a fight for their lives if it is to continue...

Balin screams into the early morning air, threatening every goblin and kobold he can see. {Attack Roll = 5, (Nat. 1, DEX Check = 190) } The rage has nearly blinded his attacks, for he almost loses the grip on his weapon, but manages to retain it.

Callian will attack again. {Attack Roll = 11} The attack misses a quick-moving goblin.

The goblins and kobolds from teh woods move next, attack en masse. {You all still have at least 3 attackers on you, if not more.}

Girud's body is surrounded by six goblins as they begin to lash ropes around his ankles to drag him off.

Galdren is swarmed by small attackers armed with short swords and spears. {Attack Rolls = 20, 8, 8.} The first attack stirkes deep, driving a metal spear tip into his gullet. {Damage Roll = 4}

Callian is next to be swarmed. {Attack Rolls = 5, 12, 10} Luckily, Callian avoids every strike sent his way.

Balin feels the attack pressed at him by the swarm. {Attack Rolls = 4, 12, 7} All of the attacks fall short of striking him as well.

The remainder of the force begins to move around the fighters, cutting them off of from the Freehold.

The battle rages on...

{14 creatures remain in front, all kobolds and goblins, the orcs and some others move behind, for a total of 8 creatures behind you.}

{Initiative: Hero, Yuri, Galdren, The Archers and Garor, Krysta, Balin and Callian, The Ambushers.}

{Please track your HP accordingly...I have a lot of numbers to deal with. }
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[sonnetinkinston]

Unsure of my whereabouts, since I'm still unconscious.
Joy... ;D

[BluSpecs]

Garor contnues to fire

+2 to hit 1d8 Dmg

[VemuKhaham]

Romar does not share the delight the vampire seems to have in this conversation, and he knows that any attempt to fight him will result in his death. The words of the vampire would, in such a situation, tempt many a man, but this day was already lost because of betrayal (and he thinks of Mordrid), and he will not descend to such a low stature as he did, especially not for the words of such a foul monster. He knows this, and thus he signs his death:

"If it is my life that you want, then come and take it!"

---

Again the full defense: dodge AC +4 for next round: AC=20 (I'm trying to waste time with this strategy, so that my horse will return to my service)

[Hero]

reload, fire. keep the archers firing

[Jevva]

Galdren continues to slash through the ranks of kobolds.

OOC:Totally forgot about it, but I have cleave... Doubt you can retro that into the last combat round, but for future reference... +4 to hit, d10 +3 and d6 +3, cleave with katana if possible, but with wakizashi if katana doesn't take anything out.

[TheUdjat]

Caelith continues to try and organize an organized, cohesive defense of Freehold, whilst allowing the warriors to provide cover fire for those fighting down below, ofcourse.

He feels a bit guilty, ofcourse, for not helping out - But somebody's got to tend to the rest of the matters around the Freehold, don't they? And the Duke - a scathing glance cast at that man - is certainly no help.

[GeneralMHB]

Yuri takes note of people being dragged away, still alive, being taken prisoner perhaps. He also notes with what they are bound with. Then he has an idea.

He grabs a nearby shield and walks down the wall. With shortspear and shield in hand, he charges into the frey.

I hope this works He thinks to himself Willpower, don't fail me now

(+0 Atk, 1d6-1 Damage, AC 17 with the shield, AC 15 if unable to find one within reach)

[Merovingian]

Newt feels useless right now, but does what he can to help the defense, if any one remains to defend the keep come night fall.

[Fangor the Fierce]

As she sees the archers fell some more of the ambushers, she knows that they must either be saved, or left to perish. I will not lose any more lives this time!

With her continued trek with the horses, she would charge them into the closest group attacking her newfound comrades, holding onto the other horses reins tightly, and hacking at the enemy with her Bastard Sword, trying to throw panic into the enemy.

+5 Normal Attack, dmg 1d10+2 19-20/x2 without charge bonuses.

OOC - Horses attack are also up to you to figure out what type of horses I ran out with.

When seeing that they are not killing them, only trying to drag them off, she will try to stop them, by charging forth, with the horses, and going straight for helping the first comrade.

This round would be spent on yelling to the others to get on the horses, time is short. We need all available fighters at the keep. Continued attack, holding onto the other horses, trying to get them to fight as well. Hopefully the enemy is getting scared, as our numbers increase, and theirs decrease...

IF the others fall or more enemy tries to advance, she will withdraw, yelling at the enemy that they will pay for this, with their lives.

[K Man]

Romar - The vampire seems to delight in your ability to refuse to submit...even seeming so anxious that you swear that you can see the saliva drip from his teeth as he bears them. He sees you raise your weapons in defense and moves forward, ever so slightly.

Domintating Gaze

{Romar Will Save = 8}

Those eyes...

With but a single gaze the vampire seems to have you locked in a perpetual state of wonderment. You hear the Vampires haunting voice...but it seems less..terrifying.



I will take your life in time for I DO desire the lifeblood that flows through your veins, however, for the moment you are more valuable alive than dead.

Come...let us rejoin your friends. We will bring your mount as she will provide sufficient food for the troops.

The vampire smiles wickedly and moves towards the forest that you just rode so hard through. You are aware of the scene unfolding before you, but are powerless to stop it.

Those eyes...
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Everyone Else -

Hero fires from the top of the wall again. {Attack Roll = 6} The projectile again falls short, nearly striking Krysta as she rides to teh rescue.

Yuri, in a feat of mental prowess, exits the keep and begins to make his way across the battlefield. You're unsure of his purpose...but there is little time to debate with your numbers rapidly dwindling.

{Yuri, you will arrive at the end of this round.}

Galdren continues to press his attack. {Attack Rolls = 21, 20.} {Damage Rolls = 9, 5} {Cleave Attack Roll = 9} The hardened warrior manages to strike one goblin dead before him, and crippling another nearby. Using his training, he manages to take another swing through the falling body of the dead, but misses his next target.

{21 Creatures left.}

Garor looses another bolt. {Attack Roll = 8} The bolt flies over the battle, harmlessly into the trees beyond.

The archers return another volley. {Attack Rolls = 3, 3, 8, 5, 17, 5, 16, 21, 19, 21.} {Damage Rolls = 6, 7, 3, 6, 4.} {DEX Checks X2 = 9, 10} Two of the archers pull their bows too tightly in a frantic effort to loose more arrows, snapping their strings in twain. The efforts were not totally lost, as 3 more of the creatures around the companions drop.

{18 Creature Left.}

Krysta pulls tightly on the reigns of her mount, leading it headfirst into the fray. {Ride Check = 22} {Attack Roll = 24} {Damage Roll = 4} The horse heads directly into the fray and Krysta runs the length of her blade over the back of an orc, drawing blood in rivers down the creatures spine. The creatures gasps as it bleeds to death.

{17 Creatures left.}

She begins to yell for the remainder of you to mount and ride out of here.
{The horses are not warhorses, they can only defend themselves weakly if attacked.}

Balin attacks again. {Attack Roll = 11} The attack misses the small creatures surrounding him.

Callian swings his weapon, {Attack Roll = 8} cursing his luck, and the luck of everyone else involved when he misses.

The attack from the ambushers presses on. A few of them move to swarm Krysta as she just joined the battle.

Galdren, despite his best efforts, find himself attacked by two small goblins. {Attack Rolls = 17, 18} {Damage Rolls = 5, 4} The spears dig into his sides, drawing more blood from the wounds.

Callian is surrounded by three small figures, all chittering wildly in anticipation of the attack. {Attack Rolls = 18, 15, 8} {Damage Roll = 7} Only one of the ambushers manages to find the weak spot in Calian's defense, striking deeply with a short sword.

Balin is jumped by two kobold and an orc. {Attack Rolls = 16, 10, 17} {Damage Rolls = 5, 6} The orc and one goblin find the strength to dig their blades into Balin.

Krysta and her recent arrival of horses is next, falling victim to the wave of horrible creatures from the woods, two orcs and a kobold that stabs at the horses flanks. {Attack Rolls = 3, [DEX Check, Success], 22[Crit Confirm, success], 8} {Opposed Ride Check = 12} Although depserately trying to maneuver the horses to block the orc bringing his axe down, Krysta feel the pains of the dirty blade as it hits her in the lower back. {Damage Roll = 23 [7+2STR+6+2STR+4+2STR] } A lethal blow for certain.

The two horses in two are attacked by the goblins. {Attack Rolls = 12, 8} Both attacks miss and the horses seem scared out of their wits...

You see more ambushers coming to the edges of the woods, preparing to enter the fray.

{Initiative: Hero, Yuri, Galdren, The Archers and Garor, Krysta, Balin and Callian, The Ambushers.}

{Sehanine and Girud have been drug away to unknown fates. The rest of you, remember to track your HP for me as I have way too much to track as is. Callian, (Which is Wizard's character, is at 5 I believe. Anyone want to double check?) }

{I have, Balin, Callian, Krysta, Yuri and Galdren on the field with the ambushers Right?}
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{EDIT: Changed damage for Krysta, it ended up being the same anwyay.}

[BluSpecs]

Garor thinks about how all of those that left the keep are doomed. Without hesitation, he continues trying to lay down cover fire for them.

+2 to hit 1d8 Dmg

[Hero]

Hero, reloads and fires, commanding the archers to do the same. She orders those with broken bows to fetch new ones.

"No one else goes out there!!! It's suicide you idiots! We need to make an orderly defense if we're to have any hope!"

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quote:

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Krysta and her recent arrival of horses is next, falling victim to the wave of horrible creatures from the woods, two orcs and a kobold that stabs at the horses flanks. {Attack Rolls = 3, [DEX Check, Success], 22[Crit Confirm, success], 8} {Opposed Ride Check = 12} Although depserately trying to maneuver the horses to block the orc bringing his axe down, Krysta feel the pains of the dirty blade as it hits her in the lower back. {Damage Roll = 23 [7X3+2STR] } A lethal blow for certain.
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This is a moot point but a crit from a battle-axe weilding orc would be 3d8+6, not 1d8 times three plus 2.

[Fangor the Fierce]

Yeah, what SHE said...3D8+6??? And I am assuming that Krysta took the damage, not the horses, right?

Sorry for posting this here, please move or delete if possible...

[VemuKhaham]

OOC: oops; guess I chose the wrong tactic . By the way; I assume I can still think freely after reading your words; if not, skip the thoughts part and only heed the actions.

---

Those eyes...

Romar's will fades when he looks into them. He cannot help but lower his swords, resisting is futile. He then sheats them both and follows the vampire to whatever fate he has in store for him.

Thoughts: "No... Húna... What will they do to her? What will they do to me, and after they have dealt with me, what will become of the people in Freehold? They could never face this vampire alone, even with all their numbers combined, let alone an entire army. But I cannot stop it..."

[K Man]

From the SRD:

Multiplying Damage: Sometimes you multiply damage by some factor, such as on a critical hit. Roll the damage (with all modifiers) multiple times and total the results.

{Well, I'm fired. I'll edit the above post.}

{And yes, it was Krysta that took the damage not the horse(s).}

[Fangor the Fierce]

Krysta, feeling the heat of battle suddenly feels a sharp pain, and then nothing. Her body slumps forth, (NOT SURE IF YOU ROLLED HER 50% TO BE THROWN FROM SADDLE FOR ADDITIONAL 1D6 DAMAGE) and lets the gods take care of her.

(-1 HP, plus whatever else happens, as now the horse should bolt, and then the attackers get AOO's, so she should be dead by now)

[sonnetinkinston]

To quote John "I still live." I think so, anyway.

[TheUdjat]

Caelith pauses from his duties surveying the defense-making process to overlook the field of battle. He frowns, in much the manner he imagined he would frown when he considered pausing to overlook the skirmish. "They're all going to die out there," he mutters, mostly to himself. But one thing also becomes abundantly clear to him: They're dragging people away - People who, by the looks of things, aren't entirely dead yet.

Puzzling.

Why would they bother dragging off the living, taking some of their own from the battle in order to do so? Why not just wait until they bleed to death, and continue fighting erstwhile? Is there some purpose here unknown to the defenders?

"They're not killing us. They're kidnapping us." He looks around briefly, at those they were meant to protect here - The children, the elderly, the simple folk not bred for war. Death would be one thing, but to be captured by the Master's forces for whatever nefarious plot he might have in mind?

Something should be done. The innocent need to escape this fate. But how?

[Jevva]

If I can, I want to take a 5 foot step away from the two goblins and chug my potion of cure light without taking AOO's, but if I can't... um... damn. If I can't chug my potion, I attack the wounded goblin with my katana, cleaving if possible of course, and since I'm currently at 0, I fall unconscious afterwards.

I forgot, if I've got two weapons but am only attacking with one, do I still get the two weapon fighting minuses? If so, +4 to hit, d10 +3 dmg. If not, +6 to hit, d10 +3 dmg.