Chapter 5: Blood and Fire

[Ken]

Dec 4, 2009 12:34:36 GMT -4 Jeff said:

....a man's shout of pain, followed by a few frightful shrieks from women.

Condign hears this from somewhere behind the half-orc in front of him, who turns his head suddenly, startled as well. Belarin, Kal, Streko, and Grafth hear this in the general direction of the nearest University building, to your right, in whose shadow much of this plaza lies.

"Oh, not now...," moans Belarin. "Just when the sun of opportunity was shining upon me. Alas." He bows to the eladrin and says, "Excuse me, but I fear more of that regional 'excitement' is occurring. And I'd be foolish to rule out any possibility of it having to do with us. Farewell -- temporarily, I hope. Coming, friends?" With that, he dashes off in the direction of the shrieks.

[Darren]

Kal springs to his feet surprisingly quickly, his right leg twisting at a surprising angle as he does so, but if Kal feels the pain he does not show it. He grabs Belarin's shoulder as the other man darts off. "Slowly," he says to Belarin, then looks to all the others, as well. "We don't know that this has anything to do with us or with Malov, and we don't want to draw any unnecessary attention. Let's get close enough to see what's going on, but let us not get involved unless necessary. If at all possible, let us let the local authorities handle the problem. Agreed?"

[Joe]

Dec 5, 2009 11:46:22 GMT -4 Darren said:

"We don't know that this has anything to do with us or with Malov, and we don't want to draw any unnecessary attention. Let's get close enough to see what's going on, but let us not get involved unless necessary. If at all possible, let us let the local authorities handle the problem. Agreed?"

Streko turns toward the direction of the commotion. "Agreed. If this IS related to our mission, we must act quickly. If not, then we might gain further goodwill from the local militia should we stand ready to assist."

He pats Tangat on the back and speaks to him in halfling. "Once more into the breach!" Streko glances down at Tangat, who stands alertly next to him, and smiles at his canine companion. "An elder halfling once told me that, you know," he says in halfling. "He always seemed to be getting himself into trouble, that Spashak Wills."

[Ken]

Grafth

Grafth nods at Kal's comment. "It's better than dealing with more riddles," says the shifter. "I'll go the long way." He begin taking a more circular route toward the disturbance, his long strides allowing him to cover distance quickly, yet in a way that seems oddly casual. He tries to keep an eye on his companions -- and on anyone that may be using the disturbance to get behind his friends.

Belarin:
"Agreed," says Belarin. He looks back at the eladrin one more time. "When next we meet, I'm afraid I'll be bold again. Until then..."


___________
For Grafth: Perception (1d20+11=17)

Hey, creepy yet cool new avatar for me! Belarin is being stalked!

[Jeff]

Condign leaves the half-orc behind and jogs in the direction of the commotion. Weaving around startled students on the pathway, he looks sidelong and catches a glimpse of his companions, who are clustered together around a bench. They clearly have heard the sound as well, and begin to break into motion.

At Belarin's words, the eladrin shrugs. "I'm late for class anyway..."

Kal has the head start. Tangat lingers for a moment beside Streko while he speaks, then sprints off and quickly comes alongside his master. Grafth circles a longer way around.

And there, less than twenty feet from the wall of the closest University building, you each spot the commotion:

At first you suspect it's just a fight between some students—perhaps rival suitors—but you don't see the telltale gathering of onlookers for sport the sport of it. Quite the contrary, people are running away from it—sign of real trouble.

A fairly nondescript young man in studded leather armor is grappling with a well-dressed, slightly older man. The second man looks more like a student himself, while the armored man has more of a ruffian look to him. A fight between the classes? In the hand of the armored man is a wicked knife, and the student already has at least one bloody wound.

What shows this to be more than just some scuffle are the bodies on the ground. A female student lies nearly motionless on the ground only a few paces away, slashed at the collar bone and the arm, bleeding badly and crying from the pain. A male dwarf, also probably a student, lies on his side. You can't see his wound, but the grass beneath him is soaked in his blood.

Another combatant, this one wearing fine gray leather armor, stands a short distance away, a shortbow in hand. Even as you watch, the student still standing and fighting (weaponless) screams as an arrow appears in his back. He crumbles to the ground; now there are three students down, with both unidentified armored men standing, ready to attack someone else. Their eyes are wild.

As you approach the scene from various angles, you can see that this doesn't look to be your fight...or your problem. But the Watch hasn't arrived yet, either, though you can hear some people shouting for them.

_________________________

Yes, I'll provide a map...if you wish to get involved.

[Jeff's backup]

As he nears the injured students and the armed men, Condign slows to a cautious walk, careful not to draw his longsword and complicate matters. He looks across at Kalarian and the others, giving them a brief nod of acknowledgment.

As he takes in the scene before him--the motionless dwarf, the human with an arrow protruding from his back--Condign focuses on the woman lying on the ground. Bleeding badly and obviously unarmed, her painful cries are like a thousand small cuts at the fabric of his memory. His hand drops to the ever-present braid of hair woven around his leather belt. He glances down at the braid, tears welling briefly in his gold-colored eyes. He gives the favor a gentle caress, blinks twice, and looks back at the men. Rage gathers like a thundercloud on his brow.

In a voice as cold and sharp as the honed edge of his longsword, he says to the men: "Explain yourselves. Now."

OOC: If anyone tries to attack, Condign will use Hammer and Anvil against the nearest target.

[Ken]

Grafth

Grafth approaches quietly, keeping a careful eye on the bowman as Condign begins talking. Without making any sudden movements, he withdraws a dagger from his belt.

OOC: If the bowman makes any move to attack, Grafth throws the dagger at him (disruptive strike) as an immediate interrupt.
____________________________

Belarin

Belarin whispers to Kal and Streko, "Their fury... enchantment, or just your standard insanity? Oh well, not to answer now. Don't get too close to me..."

He steps to the right, away from the others, then he makes a dramatic swirl of his cloak. "Excuse me..." he says to the knife wielder, holding his empty hands out, "but you should listen to him." He nods his head in Condign's direction as he walks forward.

OOC: Belarin advances and prepares to use his feyweave clothing's daily power to send out a burst of dazzling colors (close burst 2). If successful, the man (and anyone else in the area of effect) will be dazed. He'll act at the slightest provocation or sign that the man will not obey Condign.

[Darren]

Kal nods at Condign, then at Belarin. His eyes dart to Grath, and he gives the faintest nod in his direction, as well. Then he steps forward, directly in-line with the bowman, his arms spread wide. His chainmail catches the sun where his cloak does not cover it, shining brightly. Barely perceptible sparks dance between his fingertips, but his gesture is one of peace. "I would suggest you explain yourselves," he says calmly. "The Watch is certain to arrive soon, and you may find you'll receive better treatment at our hands than at theirs."

_________________
Okay. First thing's first: Kal will try a spot of Diplomacy.

However, since I fully expect that won't work, Kal will also use Lightning Orb on anyone who tries to attack him.

If the archers manage to hit him, Kal will use his Mithril Chain to half the damage.

[Joe]

Streko glances at each of the three wounded and/or dying "students." He speaks in Halfling loud enough for Kalarian to hear. As he speaks, he slowly removes a healing kit from his haversack.

"I must hurry if I am going to save them. Or at least stabilize them and to do that, I must get in close. And that look in their eyes. It seems familiar, almost as if something of great evil is lingering within them."
____________________________________________________
Streko will wait to see how the students react to Condign, Belarin and Kal before attempting to stabilize the young people. His primary concern is ensuring that all the students survive.

[Jeff]

Grafth deftly draws his dagger, turning it over in his hand as he moves under the boughs of one of the park's trees.

With sword revealed, if not brandished, Condign begins the confrontation:

"Explain yourselves. Now."

The tiefling's manner and his commanding words draw the attention of both knife-wielder and bowman. They turn with a scowl, instantly reacting with renewed grips on their weapons, taking in his measure. They don't seem too fazed by his devilish appearance, but his presence does elicit a few gasps from the nearest bystanders. Those who were last to run away from the attackers have slowed their paces and hang back, fascinated by the unfolding scene and by Condign's appearance.

Belarin dares to move in closer than Condign, presenting himself boldly in front of them as he tries to get within range of his power.

"Excuse me..." he says to the knife wielder, holding his empty hands out, "but you should listen to him."

Eyes slide across to look at Belarin.

And then to Kal:

"I would suggest you explain yourselves," he says calmly. "The Watch is certain to arrive soon, and you may find you'll receive better treatment at our hands than at theirs."

The knife wielder grins, flashing pearly white teeth. He holds up his blade, which catches the sun. "The Watch? I'm counting on it." The man stares back at Kal with feverish intensity, as if studying his opponent for the coming fight. Belarin, Kal, and Streko can see that these men want a fight, want bloodshed. And they even suspect they're just fine with the Watch showing up, though they can't see why...

The bowman tears his eyes off Condign and looks to Kal. With the speed of a marksmen, he sets an arrow to his string. "Show us, then, this 'better treatme—'"

And Grafth waits no longer, sending his dagger end over end at the bowman. The blade leaves a bloody line across the top of the man's right hand before sinking in the grass a ways off. The bowman gasps from the pain but draws back his arrow anyway, swiveling his aim on the nearest threat: Belarin. The man winces from the effort as he pulls back and looses his arrow, but the pain has clearly spoiled his aim. The arrow whines through the air more than two feet away from Belarin, disappearing into the air...and hopefully not striking any of the students nearby.

Now fully aware of Grafth, the bowman steps backward, closer to the wall, reaching for another arrow. Grafth moves in after him, ready to engage at close range.

Meanwhile, the knife-man mutters a curse and launches himself at Belarin, not waiting for the other to come any closer or make his own attack. The ruffian is surprisingly fast; he's no mere troublemaker, but someone trained in combat. The knife blade, already slick with blood, comes in quick. Belarin attempts to deflect the attack with one arm, drawing it high. The tip slashes lightly across Belarin's jawline, leaving a painful cut and one that might even leave a faint scar if not treated quickly.

Condign surges forward, drawing out his longsword and stepping into place beside Belarin. The tiefling sweeps his weapon down, slapping the knife-man on the shoulder with a powerful, ringing blow, then draws it down and away, slicing through the man's armor and opening a savage wound.

With his enemy already upon him and no time to consider another strategy, Belarin makes a flourish with his hands and a spray of multicolored, coruscating light sparks brightly from his fingertips, surrounding both him and the knife-man. Everyone nearby squints and turns their eyes away from the scene, though it is gone a moment later. Condign throws up one arm, shutting his eyes in the nick of time and shielding the worst of the dazzling light from his vision. The knife-man, however, blinks wildly and his expression twists in frustration. Belarin, unaffected by the display, sees the man is clearly offset by its power.

Although Kal hasn't been attacked, it's clear his friends are. He gathers arcane energy in his hands and hurls it in the form of a sphere of electricity. The orb crackles through the air and explodes as it strikes the bowman, who yells from the jolting pain. Tangat then bounds across the field of battle in an arch, coming in behind the knife-man to flank him with Belarin.

Lamara, who you've almost forgotten, now appears on the scene, drawing a long, slender knife and looking all-too-willing to shed blood herself. Inquisitives, who make livings out of poking around where they're not wanted, must always be ready for conflict.

With both enemies engaged, Streko sees his chance to help the fallen. As he rushes across the grass, he decides that the dwarf, who lays utterly still, is in the greatest need of aid. He closes the distance, and readies his bandages equipment.

________________________________

As always, the map represents the end of the round, now exactly where everyone was when it began. The "S" people are student bystanders who linger nearby to watch. The ones with the red slashes are the wounded ones.

Round 1

20 = Grafth (immediate interrupt: disruptive strike)
20 = Ruffians
18 = Condign (hammer & anvil)
17 = Belarin (feyweave)
13 = Kal (lightning orb) / Tangat
10 = Lamara
9 = Streko (double move)

Ken, I didn't mean to disregard your Perception roll earlier. Just that there wasn't anything new to notice until now. And now, it's Insight that matters. As usual, Invisible Castle is down when I need it. So here are the WotC dice roller rolls:

Insight checks: Belarin (19), Condign (10), Grafth (9), Kal (21), Streko (29).

• Grafth's attack (disruptive strike): d19 +5 = 24 (hit) / damage is d2 +3 = 5 to bowman
• Bowman's attack: 17 -6 (Grafth's disruptive strike penalty) = 11 (miss)
• Knife-man's attack: 24 / 5 damage to Belarin
• Condign's attack (hammer & anvil): d11 +8 = 19 (hit) / damage is d5 +4 = 9 to knife-man
• Belarin is granted a free melee basic attack (which can take place at the top of round 2, if he draws a weapon) with a +3 on the attack roll.
• Belarin's attack (feyweave power): d5 +6 = 11 vs. Condign's Will save (failure)
• Belarin's attack (feyweave power): d20 +4 = 26 vs. knife-man's Will save (success) / knife-man is dazed (granting combat advantage to anyone who attacks him, can only take a standard or move or minor action)
• Kal's attack (lightning orb): d18 +5 = 23 / damage is d6 +4 = 10 electricity damage to the bowman
• Streko makes a double move.

[Jeff's backup]

Seeing Belarin cut by the knife-man, Condign twists to his right, bringing his shield around almost behind him. The tiefling's muscles bulge as he shifts his weight forward and uncoils like a tightly-wound spring, bringing the shield around in a tight arc. With thunderous force, the shield smashes into the body of the knife-man. As burnished metal meets armored flesh, Condign yells: "Belarin!"

OOC: Condign uses Furious Smash and conveys the bonus to. . .well you can guess. ;D

[Darren]

Despite Kal's earlier warning to his friends about getting involved, he smiles and appears more than ready to fight. Juggling his sharrash from his right hand to his left, he reaches down to remove Skyfang from its sheath among the straps surrounding his leg. Even as he does so, he advances on the bowman, pointing the dagger at his foe. Electricity gathers along Kal's hand, focusing itself through the blade of the dagger and hurling itself from the tip in a ball of electricity that flies through the air towards Kalarian's prey.

________________
Kal will use a free action to draw Skyfang.
He will advance three squares forward from his current position.
He will use Lightning Orb on the bowman (assuming he's still alive) using Skyfang as an implement.

[Joe]

Streko approaches the dwarf and immediately begins stabilizing the wounded student.

Once the dwarf is no longer at a point where death is imminant, Streko will move to the next student and ensure that one's survival, at least for the time being.

Throughout this, however, he keeps an eye on the enemy combatants, ready to defend himself if necessary.

[Ken]

Grafth

Grafth quickly pulls out his handaxe and advances on the bowman, hoping to drive him back toward the tree. Carefully mixing combat with a sense of the surroundings, the shifter slashes, but with little effect. Grunting with dissatisfaction, he nevertheless tries to press his advantage.

OOC: Careful Attack attack vs. AC (1d20+8=11) -- not even worth rolling damage.

______________________________________

Belarin

Wincing from the pain across his chin but aware of the opportunity that Condign has created, Belarin feints backward, then slashes out with his pact dagger. "Ha! See how YOU like it!" he says. Then spurred on to even greater action by Condign's attack, he steps back and focuses his will on the knife wielder's mind. "You who spill innocents' blood / Soak in my wrath, fall in the mud." He calls upon his arcane patrons to curse the man, then scintillating energy flashes across Belarin's eyes.

OOC: For the free attack at the beginning of the round, Belarin slashes with the pact dagger: 19 (1d20) + 3 (base) +2 (CA) = 24.
Damage: Pact Dagger damage, with bonus from Hammer & Anvil (1d4+4=5)
Shift back 1 square.
Minor action: Place Warlock's Curse on him.
Standard action: Eyebite on the knife wielder -- I'm trying to knock him unconscious, though.
Attack: Eyebite attack vs. Will, with pact dagger and bonus from Condign* (1d20+9=23) - total will be 25 if he's still dazed
Damage (non-lethal intent): Eyebite psychic damage plus Condign's bonus, and Warlock's Curse (1d6+7=9, 1d6=3)

*Assuming Condign's last attack succeeded, of course.

[Jeff]

Round 2

20 = Grafth (careful strike)
20 = Ruffians
18 = Condign (furious smash)
17 = Belarin (eyebite)
13 = Kal (lightning orb) / Tangat (aid another)
10 = Lamara
9 = Streko (Heal check)
________________________________

Seeing the knife-man still reeling from Condign's blow, Belarin follows it up with a quick slash of his own, feeling his pact blade slice through leather and deal and painful wound.

More nimble than he looks, the bowman evades every one of Grafth's swipes. He fixes on Grafth, studying him even as he steps backward, allowing himself to be maneuvered closer to the tree. Even as he does this, he draws out another arrow and looses it quickly at Grafth. The aim is perfect. Only Grafth's agility turns a fatal shot into a merely deadly one: the arrow thuds into his hip, eliciting a pained growl from the shifter's throat.

Still dazed by Belarin's light show, and unable to both strike and move away, the knife-man blinks hard and decides in a second's time which enemy to address: Belarin himself or Condign. Of the two, Belarin looks easier to hit and is obviously a good deal "softer." The ruffian barks a curse and stabs at Belarin. His skill with the dagger is evident, as the point of his weapon punctures the other man's feyweave clothing. Belarin feels a wellspring of pain and warm blood somewhere in the vicinity of his right ab.

Even as Belarin gasps from the injury, Condign's shield crashes into the ruffian's body, setting him off-balance. Pain alone can't prevent Belarin from unleashing his curse, so when he spits out the malevolence of the benefactors, he does so with renewed vigor. With only a flash of fey lights to show for the attack, a short, panicked scream escapes the knife-man's lips. His fear turns to anger quickly, then confusion: Belarin knows he's just become invisible to the man, though Condign doesn't.

Kal sees Grafth struck with an arrow, and turns his eyes on the bowman. With Skyfang in hand, Kal moves forward, summoning another orb of lightning at its tip, then hurling it at his target.

Tangat, meanwhile, snaps at the heels of the knife-man, dividing his attention and giving Condign a few precious seconds for his next attack.

Both Kal and Grafth see Lamara dash nimbly around the bowman. With her long dagger, she steps into place behind the man and weaves into melee, lashing out with her blade. The man curses and swings his bow wildly at her, slapping away her dagger just before it catches him on the arm.

Peripherally, Streko is happy to see that his companions have the battle well in hand and that he himself is untroubled to deal with the wounded. As quickly as he risks it, he rolls the unconscious dwarf over and winces at the sight of the deep stab wound in his gut. His face is white and he's lost a lot of blood, but he's not beyond saving. Streko calls on his Jorasco training and binds the wound quickly, knowing it'll keep the dwarf alive long enough for proper healing later.

The man with the arrow wound in his back also lies still; his fate is uncertain. The young woman with the two cuts continues to writhe in the grass. She looks up at Streko helplessly. "Please...it hurts...I'm scared." She, too, is quite pale. These attackers know bloodletting well

The bystanders nearby watch, riveted despite the danger, as your party battles the attackers with spells and weapons. Aundairians are far more accustomed than most at seeing arcane magic at work, but not to accustomed to seeing it used in combat on their university grounds.

None of you can spare the attention to see if the Watch is in sight yet.

_________________________________

• Belarin's free attack (from Condign's hammer and anvil power): 25 / 5 damage to knife-man
• Grafth designates the bow-man as his quarry (a minor action).
• Grafth's attack (careful strike): d3 +8 = 11 (miss)
• Bowman's attack: 27 / 12 damage to Grafth
• Knife-man's attack: 23 / 6 damage to Belarin
• Knife-man's saving throw to end ongoing effect (being dazed) = 6 (fail) / he remains dazed
• Condign's attack (furious smash) (1d20+8=25) +2 (combat advantage) = 27 (hit) / 3 damage to knife-man
• Belarin is granted a +3 power bonus to attack and damage rolls on his next attack.
• Belarin places Warlock's curse on the knife-man.
• Belarin's attack (eyebite): 23 +2 (combat advantage) = 25 (hit) / 12 damage to knife-man
• Knife-man is bloodied.
• Belarin is invisible to the knife-man until the start of Belarin's next turn.
• Kal's attack (lightning orb) (1d20+6=20) / damage (1d10+5=10) to bowman
• Bowman is bloodied.
• Tangat's assist (1d20+7=18) (success)
• Condign is granted a +2 bonus on his next attack.
• Lamara's attack: 15 (miss)
• Streko's Heal check (1d20+12=31) (success) / The wounded dwarf is stabilized.

[Jeff's backup]

When Condign hears the gasp of pain from Belarin, understanding his friend has taken a second wound from the knife-man, he call out: "Belarin, worry not! The day will be ours! Honor and courage will always prevail!"

After offering his words of encouragement to Belarin, Condign moves low to attack the knife-man's knees, only to shift at the last second, bringing his longsword upward and attempting to skewer the knife-man through the gut.

OOC: Minor Action: Inspiring Word for Belarin
Standard Action: Ordinary longsword attack on knife-man
Attack Roll: 1d20+4=5
Damage Roll: Condign is lucky he didn't give himself a vicious paper cut!

[Darren]

"Take them alive, my friends," Kal calls out as he advances a few more steps. He playfully flips Skyfang in his hand, then once again points it at the bowman and unleashes another ball of electricity at the man.

______________
Kal is only moving forward far enough as is necessary to have line-of-sight and be in range of the bowman. Then he is using Lightning Orb again.

It is Kal's intention to not kill the man, if at all possible.

[Ken]

Grafth

Grafth, in a good deal of pain from the arrow wound, growls with satisfaction as Kal's lightning attack sears his foe. The smell of the man's burnt hair and skin stings the shifter's nostrils. He steps forward and continues to swing away with his axe, hoping that the man is less proficient with melee combat than he is with the bow.

Move: Shift again to get in melee combat. If he can get into a flanking position with Lamara, so much the better.
Attack: Basic attack with +1 handaxe: 1(1d20) + 6 = 7. Ay yi yi...!

___________________________

Belarin

"Take them alive, my friends..."

"I'll take that under advisement," says Belarin grimly, holding his free hand over the wound in his abdomen. "Perhaps my blood can act as a sleep-inducing agent."

"Belarin, worry not! The day will be ours! Honor and courage will always prevail!"

Inspired by Condign's words, Belarin gathers his will and again aims another burst of psychic energy at the knife wielder. Then, impressed by the tiefling's martial prowess, Belarin hurls a blast of silver-and-red fire at their opponent. "Merchant of fear / Your anguish I'll cheer!"

Belarin uses a healing surge (thanks to Condign's Inspiring Word) and regains 9 hit points.
Standard: Belarin again attacks with eyebite.
Attack: 17(1d20) + 6 = 23 vs. Will. Add +2 if knife-man is still dazed.
Damage: 6(1d6) +4 = 10 psychic, plus 4 (Warlock's Curse)

Belarin spends an action point, and gains whatever benefit is available through Condign's Commanding Presence (I don't know which one Brian chose).
Standard: Attack with eldritch blast, with non-lethal intent.
Attack: 12(1d20) + 6 = 18 vs. Reflex. Add +2 if knife-man is still dazed.
Damage: 4(1d10) +4 = 8 points

Update: I just edited this to remove the extra point from Warlock's Curse on the second attack. Warlocks can inflict curse damage only once per turn, no matter how many attacks they have.

[Jeff]

Note to Brian: What Ken's referring to is, in fact, Condign's inspiring presence, a passive class feature that grants any of your allies a boon if they spend an action point in sight him.

Note to Ken: Belarin will get 4 more hit points back for that. I'll account for all this in my next post.

[Joe]

Streko sees that the girl, while still in pain, is at least conscious.

"Fear not, young lady. Allow me to tend to your friend here and then I shall ensure your pain fades to nothing more than a memory. Stay where you are and you will be fine. I shall attend to you shortly."

Streko's next move, once the dwarf has been stabilized, is to point at the knife wielder and lash out with Olladra's spiritual energy. "See how you like it, fiend!"

Once his attack has taken place, Streko moves to attend to the young man with the arrow in his back. At the same time, he keeps a close eye on the knife-wielder.

"Tangat," he calls out in Halfling, "guard please!" He moves to the downed student and administers aid as quickly as he can.
____________________________________________________
Streko casts Lance of Faith at the knife-wielder, after which he will spend an action point and move toward the second fallen student. Please let me know if Streko can do this, otherwise he will move after his attack, when he is able. Heh.

Attack is wisdom v. reflex - attack to render unconscious only.
Damage rolled is: 1d8+4 [5,4] = (9)

Initially rolled with a +5 modifier, but it should have been a +4. Sorry. Here is the actual link: 1d8+5=10

[Jeff]

Round 3

20 = Grafth (careful strike)
20 = Ruffians
18 = Condign (furious smash)
17 = Belarin (eyebite and eldritch blast)
16 = half-orc ruffian
13 = Kal (lightning orb) / Tangat (aid another)
10 = Lamara
9 = Streko (Heal check)
________________________________

Despite Grafth's pressing attack, the bowman just barely evades the swipe of the axe, though he finds himself caught between both inquisitive and shifter. "Now would be a good time!" the man growls as he ducks Grafth's last swing.

Just when Grafth feels he's gaining the advantage, something throws him off...

The bowman's face suddenly blurs and seems to rearrange itself. His lightly-tanned human skin darkens and seems to sprout coarser hair...a shaggy mane of red-orange hair, a mustache and beard, and thick sideburns. Even his hands, gripping, seem a bit furrier. Grafth is momentarily startled by the fact that he's looking at himself...

But then, not quite. The match isn't perfect, but it's still pretty close. The lines on his face, the set of his eyes, it's not exact. But it takes Grafth only a moment—long enough to fail to get a good hit in—that he's facing off against a changeling! Only Lamara, Grafth, and Kal notice this at first.

The changeling seems to decide that Grafth is the greater threat than Lamara, dropping his bow and drawing out a knife of his own. He lunges forward and slashes Grafth across the arm, even as the shifter's axe goes wide in a backswing. Another nasty hit!

Condign:

"Belarin, worry not! The day will be ours! Honor and courage will always prevail!"

Mere seconds later, the knife-man takes a defensive stance and both Condign and Belarin watch as the man's facial features soften and reshape themselves—some illusion or defensive magic? But no, in a matter of moments his face resembles Belarin's own!

Belarin, having spent time in the company of Pel, and one or two others in the past, realizes he's looking at a changeling. Condign, though he's heard of them, has never encountered one before, and for a moment he finds himself doubting which one is the real Belarin. It's not that he doesn't know which is which, but it's surprising to be suddenly facing a second Belarin. His gut twists; tricks like this he'd always associated with the shapechanging fiends of Fah'lrrg.

It's enough to spoil his attack. The changeling sidesteps the tiefling's attack almost too easily, a nasty smile reaching the false Belarin face.

Belarin feels bolstered by Condign reassuring martial presence beside him, but he, too, is startled by the not-quite-perfect-but-pretty-damned-close mirror image of his own face worn by his opponent. His fey-driven magic attacks the changeling's mind, and the changeling's false face winces from the scathing blast. He immediately follows it up with spray of red-and-silver fire, making the blast so brief as to not kill his victim. The blast sends the changeling crashing to the ground, scorched but intact. It's a surreal experience to Belarin to watch "himself" fall under his own fey magic. The voices in the back of his mind snicker.

Then Belarin sees a newcomer dashing into the scene...

Condign watches as the changeling before him falls to the grass with a thud under Belarin's power, though he still tries to make sense of the scene. But before he can figure out what to do next, stars explode in his vision and a distant roar of pain bursts somewhere inside him. He feels warm blood at the back of his neck.

Belarin, standing a few paces behind Condign, sees it all...much faster than he can react to. A half-orc in studded leather armor has charged up behind Condign and swung a heavy mace straight into the back of the tiefling's head. Only the tiefling's own resilience, and the plated portion of his chainmail, allowed him to survive to heavy blow. To an unarmored human, the mace would have caved in the skull...

Condign, a veteran of many battles, reels under the assault but he keeps his feet and turns to face the new enemy: the half-orc who'd approached him, clearly revealed now to be in league with the changelings. Perhaps a changeling himself? The half-orc looks smug...until he sees Condign whirl around, still quite alive and angry.

Kal, vaguely aware of a newcomer to the battle, sends another orb of lightning at his chosen target. The orb crackles into the Grafth-looking-changeling, turning part of his fine gray leather black and eliciting a gasp of agony from the man.

Tangat barks angrily and dashes around, flanking the half-orc brute who now faces off against Condign.

"Changelings," Lamara spits, seeming to address both Grafth and Kal. "This was definitely rigged. Can't let any get away." Instead of attacking with her dagger, she draws a slender, plain-looking wooden wand from his coat and swipes it in the air. There is a spray of mist-like light which falls over the changeling, but you see no immediate reaction.

The changeling snarls. "Quite a thinker, aren't you?" But the changeling's head turns this way and that, and it does look like he's looking to run.

The wounded student continues to moan. "I don't want to die...please..." Through her pain, Streko knows she can't be reasoned with right now. She's in shock. Streko jumps up and shouts out at the knife-wielding ruffian...only to realize that the ruffian looks like Belarin (but still wears the leather armor), and that Belarin just smote him with a spell. Realizing there's no need for his own prayer attack, Streko turns his attention to what matters most: the dying student with an arrow in his back.

The halfling quickly pulls the arrow out—using an effective Jorasco technique that minimizes the damage—and binds the wound. The student is in bad shape, but he won't bleed out.

_________________________________

• Grafth's attack: 11 +2 (flanking) = 13 (miss)
• Bowman shapechanges (minor action).
• Bowman changeling's attack = 19 (hit) / 6 damage to Grafth.
• Bowman shapechanges (minor action).
• Knife-man's saving throw to end ongoing effect (being dazed) = 18 (success) / he is no longer dazed
• Condign uses inspiring word. Belarin is healed 9 hit points.
• Condign's attack: d1 +4 (Str attack) +3 (proficiency) +1 (magic +1 sword) +2 (flanking with Tangat) = 10 (miss)
• Belarin's attack (eyebite): 23 (hit) / 14 psychic damage to knife-man changeling
• Belarin spends an action point, and Belarin heals 5 hit points due to Condign's inspiring presence.
• Belarin's second attack (eldritch blast): 18 (hit) / 8 damage to knife-man changeling
• Knife-man changeling falls unconscious.
• Half-orc's attack: 26 (hit) / 13 damage to Condign
• Kal's attack (lightning orb) (1d20+6=18) / damage (1d10+5=8) electricity to bowman changeling
• Streko's Heal check (1d20+12=20) (success) / the student is stabilized

Joe, no need to waste an action point on an attack Streko no longer can make.

Belarin uses a healing surge (thanks to Condign's Inspiring Word) and regains 9 hit points.

Ken: Condign's inspiring word heals 8 hit points (Belarin's healing surge value) + 1d6. Did you roll it for Condign and get a 1? How'd you get this number?

[Jeff's backup]

Condign stares hard at the half-orc, anger building within him as he feels the blood trickle down his back. "Sadly, my friend, you will live to regret that," he says. Raising his shield and longsword, Condign embraces his mounting fury, letting it suffuse every fiber of his being with a rage forged from love and loss.

With a Ghaash'kala battle cry, Condign channels that white hot wrath into a brutal attack against the half-orc. The tiefling's longsword crashes down on the creature, hoping to render it unable to continue fighting.

OOC: Minor Action: Infernal Wrath with Unbalancing Wrath
Standard Action: Bastion of Defense
Attack Roll: 1d20 + 10=27 + 1 for Infernal Wrath totals 28
Damage Roll:3d8 + 4=15 + 3 for Infernal Wrath totals 18

[Ken]

Grafth

"Changelings," Lamara spits, seeming to address both Grafth and Kal. "This was definitely rigged. Can't let any get away."

"Wasn't planning to," mumbles Grafth. Irritated by his failures to get through the changeling's defenses, the shifter begins a series of vicious chopping attacks to the changeling's midsection and legs. His goal is to bring down the impersonator without killing him.

Grafth attacks with hunter's bear trap using his +1 handaxe.
Attack: 17(1d20) + 6 + 2(CA) = 25 vs. AC.
Damage: 13 points plus 2 more from hunter's quarry (non-lethal intent), and the target is slowed and takes ongoing 5 damage (save ends.)

______________________________________

Belarin

When the changeling falls to the ground, Belarin barely has time to say, "Stealing my face borders on sacrilege..." when the half-orc rushes up and delivers a pulverizing blow to the back of Condign's head. Belarin isn't sure what's more impressive: the savagery of the attack or that Condign is still standing.

After Condign's action, he takes a step back and mentally curses the half-orc. Belarin knows that, in some part of its spirit, the half-orc feels it, and he smiles at that. He points his dagger and says, "Coward who would strike from behind / Strong your arms, but feeble's your mind!"

OOC: Jeff, yes, I did roll a 1 on the d6 for extra healing. I realized afterward that, as it's Condign's ability (passive as it is), you or Brian should've made the roll. Noted for future reference. As it is, Belarin is back to full health, thanks to Condign.

Move: Belarin shifts one square west.
Standard: Belarin attacks with eyebite again, using the pact dagger.
Attack: 11(1d20) + 5 = 16 vs. Will
Damage: 3(1d6) + 4 = 7 psychic, plus 3 more from warlock's curse

[Darren]

Deciding that Grafth and Lamara have the false Grafth under control, Kal instead turns his attention on the new combatant. Seeing him somewhat out of range, Kal begins to rush towards the half-orc. As he does so, he lets out a bellow. A strong force emanates from Kal, stopping him in his tracks. It is as though his very will has been sent out in a physical force, rushing towards the half-orc, a low rumble following behind it.

Kal smiles.

_______________
Jeff, you'll need to use some of your own judgement on this one. The intention is for Kal to move to where he can successfully cast Thunder Slam on the half-orc. I don't know exactly where that would have to be, so I'll trust you on that one.

Kal is attempting to not kill the half-orc.

If the attack hits, Kal will shift the half-orc in whatever direction allows the most attacks of opportunity for Belarin and Condign, but preferably AWAY from Streko.

[Joe]

Streko looks around quickly, taking in his immediate surroundings. "Olladra preserve me, but I do seem to be the only person between the half-orc and escape. Well, the only one not wounded previously. Let's see if I can do something about that."

Streko reaches into his haversack and retrieves a tanglefoot bag. He lobs it at the feet of the half-orc and hopes it is able to do it's magic quickly, keeping the creature in place.

He then turns to the last wounded student. "Death will not come for you today, child."

He goes to her, the conflict around him quickly set aside to ensure the well-being of his charges.
____________________________________________________
Tanglefoot bag results (as inconclusively as they may be):
1d20=11

[Jeff]

Round 4

20 = Grafth
18 = Condign
17 = Belarin
16 = half-orc ruffian
13 = Kal / Tangat
10 = Lamara
9 = Streko
________________________________

After only two quick strikes, Grafth's enemy gasps from his injuries. He stumbles to his knees. Seeing his opponent defeated, Grafth slaps the flat side of his axe into the side of the changeling's head, sending him sprawling awkwardly to the grass.

Now both changelings are down, though they retain their shapechanged form. Grafth, Kal, and Streko know that changelings automatically revert to their natural forms when they die. If merely sleeping or unconscious, they usually retain their last assumed forms, depending upon the changeling's own measure of mental discipline.

Condign's longsword hits the half-orc squarely on his armored chest, slipping past the brute's parry attempt. The half-orc grunts and stumbles back, a large rent in the boiled leather of his breastplate, and now glimmering with blood. Then the thug winces under Belarin's mental assault, his eyes narrow as he realizes the attack came from the warlock, then widen again when Belarin seems to vanish.

"Stay out of my head, human rat!" he shouts, presumably at Belarin, but turning his fury upon the Condign. He rushes back at the tiefling with his flanged mace gripped in two hands. Condign's shield takes the worst of it, but the force of the half-orc's savage attack throws him off balance. The tiefling stumbles to the ground, his body aching from the assault.

Belarin sees Kal rush into place beside him, swiping Skyfang in the air as if the small blade were a hammer. A half second later a thunderous vibration seems to hit the half-orc. The brute doesn't even have time to react, his body is suddenly flying through the air....where he folds up and hits the grass fifteen feet away, lying still. It's clear he's still breathing, but old cold.

Once again, Streko finds his companions seem to have things handled first. The halfling has his tanglefoot bag in hand, but before he can take aim, the last combatant (the half-orc) goes flying through the air and crumbles to the ground. Streko then tends to the woman, binding the worst of her wounds quickly. Now that he's helping her, she stops panicking. Instead, she cries quickly. Streko can see how painful the slashes must be.

The battle, it seems....is ended.

Lamara looks at Grafth as she kneels beside the Grafth-shaped changeling. "Excellent work," she says to the shifter, then reaches her hands to the changeling's head and neck, checking for a pulse. She looks up to survey the rest of the makeshift field of battle. She nods, then jumps up and moves to the second, Belarin-shaped changeling to check his pulse too. "Check to make sure the orc-blood is still alive," she calls out. "And look for snipers. If these are Kreelo's goons, there may be more, watching."

Meanwhile, a cheer goes up among the nearby students, those who lingered to watch.

_________________________________

• Grafth's attack (hunter's bear trap): 23 +2 (flanking) = 27 (hit) / 15 damage to changeling, and the changeling is slowed and takes 5 ongoing damage (save ends).
• Bowman changeling is unconscious.
• Condign's attack (bastion of defense): 25 +2 (Tangat flanking) = 27 (hit) / 18 damage to half-orc, half-orc is pushed 1 square, and half-orc grants combat advantage to all Condign's allies until the start of his next turn
• Everyone except Lamara (who is out of range) gains +1 on all defenses until the end of the encounter.
• Everyone except Lamara (still out of range) also gains 8 temporary hit points.
• Belarin's attack (eyebite): 16 (hit) / 10 psychic damage to half-orc
• Half-orc is bloodied.
• Half-orc's attack: 19 / 11 damage to Condign, and Condign is prone*
• Condign is bloodied.
• Kal's attack (thunder slam) (1d20+6=23) / damage (2d10+5=20) to half-orc, and pushes half-orc 3 squares
• Half-orc is unconscious.
• Streko's Heal check (1d20+12=25) (success) / female student is stabilized

Nature checks: Belarin (1d20+6=13), Condign (1d20+2=13), Grafth (1d20+9=24), Kal (1d20+1=19), Streko (1d20+7=19).

Darren: Thunder slam has a range of 10 squares, so...that's easy. Also, the power specifically pushes (not slides, which allows you to decide where), so Kal doesn't have a choice which direction the target moves. Pushing always moves the target directly away from you.

*When you're prone, you're lying on the ground: you grant combat advantage to enemies making melee attacks against you, you get a +2 bonus to all defenses against ranged attacks, you take a –2 penalty to attack rolls. But in this case it doesn't matter, since the battle seems to be over. But for reference, a move action is required to get up again from prone.

[Darren]

Thanks for the clarification, Jeff. I'm never sure if line-of-sight is an issue anymore, either.

Slipping Skyfang back into it's sheath, Kal leans on his sharrash and surveys the battlefield. "Gather them all up here," he says, pointing to where the Belarin-changeling has fallen, "and bind them. You there," he says, directing his attention to one of the bystanders, "go and get the Watch." Seeing the bystander gawking, he adds, "Quickly, now...."

[Ken]

Grafth

Grafth is already securing the captured changeling when he hears Kal's request. "Unless you want him dragged, a little help would be welcome as... oh, never mind," he calls out. He stands up, the arrow shaft still sticking out of his thigh. After a moment, he limps toward his companions and -- as promised -- is dragging the changeling by one leg.

As he walks, he scans the rooftop of the main building behind them, wary that the attackers may have had allies watching from above.

OOC: Perception check, please.

_________________________

Belarin

Belarin raises an eyebrow at the success of Kal's attack. "Nicely done, Kal," he says sincerely. "Of course, I've known for a while that you were capable of painful noise, but this...?"

He walks over to Condign and offers him a hand in standing up. "And you... I didn't see much of your fighting earlier, but you're very impressive. I mean that. Just watching you in action gave me the oddest extra burst of confidence in myself -- a bar that is already set fairly high. Most extraordinary, and greatly appreciated in a fight. Thank you."

He looks to Streko as he begins to tie up the "other" Belarin. "What news, Good Streko?" he asks. "Are they... will they be all right?" He indicates the fallen students.

[Joe]

"What news, Good Streko?" he asks. "Are they... will they be all right?" He indicates the fallen students.

"Their conditions are stable, for the moment. But they need true healing. Certainly House Jorasco employs several healers at such a large institution as this? Perhaps you might convince one of the students to call for their aid."

Streko looks around and notices that both his friend Grafth and the Tiefling are dealing with major injuries. Assessing each in their own turn, he moves quickly over to Grafth.

"It seems not just your coat needs mending this time, Grafth!"

Streko places a warm hand over the most serious wound and calls out to Olladra. The healing word seems to tkae on a visual life, as a soft, white light envelops the halfling's hands and seeps into the wound beneath them.

He looks over at Condign. "I am unsure as to his physiology. Will healing magic work on tieflings, or cause them more pain? Blast my ignorance!"

He goes over to the tiefling. "Does healing magic work on your kind, friend? I wish to ease your pain to some extent, but fear injuring you more. What say you?"

[Jeff's backup]

Condign, laying prone on the ground, props himself up by his elbows. For a surreal moment, the soft grass feels incongruously comfortable against the backdrop of the skirmish just finished. He turns his head to assess the battle field. . .and visibly winces. With his battle rage subsiding, he now feels the full extent of the blow to the back of his head: searing pain thrums in chords of agony; waves of pain flow from his head down his back and shoulders.

Careful not to move his head much, Condign slides his eyes across the university plaza. From where he lay, he can not see the half-orc. From everyone's demeanor, however, he can tell the battle is over. He wishes fervently that the half-orc still lives. He would like some answers from the creature.

Condign sees Belarin and Streko approach from opposite sides with expressions of concern on their faces.

Belarin:

He walks over to Condign and offers him a hand in standing up. "And you... I didn't see much of your fighting earlier, but you're very impressive. I mean that. Just watching you in action gave me the oddest extra burst of confidence in myself -- a bar that is already set fairly high. Most extraordinary, and greatly appreciated in a fight. Thank you."

Steeling himself against the pain he knows is coming, Condign accepts Belarin's hand and stands. Clenching his jaw as nausea washes briefly across his injured visage, the tiefling stands still for a moment, letting the episode pass.

"I am Ghaash'kala--one of the Ghost Guardians of Fah'lrrg. We are trained from early on to inspire and rely upon our fellow warriors. I still have much to learn." Condign looks soberly at his new friend. "Thank you, my lord Belarin. You may very well have saved my life."

Streko:

He goes over to the tiefling. "Does healing magic work on your kind, friend? I wish to ease your pain to some extent, but fear injuring you more. What say you?"

Condign turns slightly to address the halfling: "Yes, my lord Streko, healing magic works on tieflings. . .and would be greatly appreciated. I seem to have developed a headache."