Chapter 1: A Peaceable Kingdom

[Jeff]

Kal feels a sudden whisper at his ear, and he knows immediately it's the same spell he himself used earlier. "Who are you, stranger? Are you hurt?" it asks, clearly a male human voice, though the tone is rather apathetic. As he looks upon the three riders, he feels sure it comes from the one in the middle—though all three of them carry crossbows.

Due to the nature of the spell, Kal knows he can freely respond through the same magic whisper.

[Ed]

The wiry half-elf stiffens his posture at Goran's words. "Me? I'm the guy that can take care of those fellas," he says indicating the approaching riders, "before you can get to 'em with your sword or bow."

Oss steps forward, his hands darting into some pouches at his waste. "I love it when they wear metal armor."

______________________________________
Readied action of Lesser Orb of Electricity targeted on the riders in metal armor. The trigger shall be any detection of escalating hostility (the riders increase speed, they level their weapons, etc.)

[Jeff]

Ed: You can only use the "ready" action when in turn-based mode. Did you want to initiate that (i.e. initiating combat, whether there's immediate fighting or not)? The riders have not yet done so.

[Lara]

Shoving the book into her pack, Pellorien moves back to stand near the two other injured rail passengers, keeping an eye on the approaching riders.

"I'll try to protect you from further harm, if things come to that," she says as she takes a position near them.

She pulls a slightly curved piece of wood from the leather sheathe across her back and strings it. In a moment, she has an arrow nocked in a well-used but well-cared-for shortbow. She continues to watch the riders on their approach.
______________________________________
Waiting to see what happens

[Josh]

For a moment, Grafth's attention is disrupted by the sudden appearance of newcomers to the scene. However, a quick glance around shows that his current companions are mobilizing to deal with any possible situation, so he returns to studying the tracks and signs of movement, his bushy brow furrowed in frustrated concentration. If he has heard anyone's comments, he does not show signs of it.

A few seconds pass, and he bends down closer to the ground, almost on all-fours. A wind seems to whip past his body, and only his, the shifter's hair pushing down and back on his head. A dagger still drawn in his one hand, the other seems to tense and relax... in anticipation?

___________________________
Grafth is shifting.
He uses this to track the ones who have potentially fled the scene, hoping to, at the least, determine a direction and timestamp for their departure. His feat should lend a heightened level of detail to his analysis. He is willing to move 50 yards or so to gather as much information as possible, but if the trail leads further, he will pick it back up after returning to the site of the crash.
(Survival Check = 16)

[Ed]

No, I do not wish to initiate it yet. However, if/when combat is initiated, he will have the readied action at his point in initiative. Basically, this will be my round 1 if action is initiated. I was just working ahead as there wasn't much else to do at that moment

[Jeff]

Before stowing the metal-bound book, Pellorien notices that there's both a lock on the book and a sigil carved into the metal above it, suggestive of magic.

As the others prepare for the confrontation ahead—be it a battle or an exchange of words—Grafth drops into a loping posture and plies his trade...

The moment he shifts, the world rushes into greater clarity. Each time he falls into this state, it feels like home, as though his time in the world without such senses are his sojourns abroad. Kal's dog, Tangat, approaches Grafth and cocks his head. Grafth gets a funny impression from the look, as if the dog were saying, 'You too'?

The scent of rich, spilled earth (unequestionably from the cargo), coupled with the healthy countryside of Aundair, fills his being. Yet the pleasant smell is tainted by the sharp, metallic bite of the twisted wreckage of the lightning rail coach. An unmistakable alchemical smell lingers in the air, no doubt remnants of the explosion. The bodies of the fallen mingle with the scent of death....the leather, wool, and silken materials of their clothing, the vaguely musk-like scent of the people themselves.

Yet even amidst this medley of aromas, Grafth is able to discern individual traces...of movement and trampled grass just beyond the wreckage. As he searches these telltale signs, he latches on to the scent of the gnome; he recalls it even from his brief encounter with him on the rail. Grafth has the definite scent of the gnome now—a scent like oil, leather, and nervous perspiration. Even when his shifting ends, Grafth has established a definitive link between the gnome's scent and the light tracks he made; a small-footed break in the tall grass. He feels certain he can follow the tracks when the time comes. They trail off toward the nearby farmstead.

During the inspection, Grafth notes another trail; something he would have missed without the scent. That of another shifter, barefooted (as shifters often are), which seems to wend itself away from the wreckage in an uneven, easterly path. The shifter who made the tracks is either wounded or drunk. Possibly both.

[Paul]

Cutter strides forward to stand by the others watching the riders approach. His hands are still resting on the pommels of his knives.

[Darren]

Kalarian appears to be concentrating for a moment, then looks to see others of his new companions by his side, ready to fight. "Hold for a moment, my friends. One of the riders is attempting to communicate with me through magic."

Kal speaks to the rider, though he does not try to mask his part of the conversation from the others. "No, we are not hurt. And I think the better question is, who are YOU? If you do not intend us harm, I suggest you approach slowly and announce yourself. And tell your companions to lower their weapons, or they'll find that my friends and I have you well in our sights. If you do intend us harm, then please...let us begin..."

He looks over at Goran. He's beginning to like the half-elf. "Well," he says, "it seems we've got their attention. It's their move, now." He then shifts his attention to Oss. "He's right, you know? We need someone to watch our backs. They might have us surrounded, indeed."

[Jeff]

There is a gesture from the central figure, and the crossbows are lowered among them. To Kal: "Of course. My name is Davin, captain of the Merevind militia. We saw the crash from afar. Be at ease, man. I'm speaking to you like this precisely so there are no misunderstands with weapons drawn. We have no healers, but we can ride the injured to our village. How many are hurt?" The man's whispered voice is hard to read into.

The riders are nearly 100 feet away. You can just make out the blue colors of Aundair's emblem.

[Darren]

Kalarian turns to his companions. "They claim to be local militia, and they are offering to help. I am going to ask them to approach to help the wounded. Do not be outwardly hostile. Put away your weapons, but stay on your guard."

"Come forward, Captain. I apologize for our inhospitable welcome, but you can understand that we're a bit suspicious, having just been attacked. I am Kalarian Jaeren d'Deneith, and on behalf of those among me, I thank you for your offer of assistance. There were many wounded passengers who I am sure could use your help."

Kalarian turns to Goran and Oss. "We may have bought ourselves a little time. We have a few priorities. We need to find that gnome, but I think Grafth and Tangat have that under control. I want to know where that shifter and the paladin went. I want to know what's in that wreckage that's giving off that magic aura. But most of all, I don't want to be here when the investigators from Orien arrive. We need to split up and do as much as we can as fast as we can." He turns to Pellorien. "Would you stay here with me and help the militia see to the wounded?" To Cutter he says, "You seem ready for a fight. I don't want to start a confrontation with these militia if all they want to do is help the wounded. Someone should watch our backs, though. The attackers may still be somewhere nearby. My friends, we must work together, or we will most certainly all fall..."

With that, he retrieves his scythe and turns to await the arrival of the militia.

[Jeremy]

Goran eases his bow, replaces the arrow in his quiver and slings the bow over his shoulder. He looks back at Pellorian and smiles genuinely, appreciating her efforts to tend to the wounded. Looking at Oss, he says flatly,

"No offense meant. We should all do what seems best to us. It was, as I said, just a suggestion."

He loosens his sword in its sheath, however, and keeps a sharp eye on the riders and, for that matter, Kal. He seems honest, and Goran senses the Dragonmarked is not a 'bad' sort, but (Goran) being naturally distrustful...well, old habits are difficult to break. Better to be suspicious and alive than a trusting crossbow pin-cushion. Nonetheless, he speaks to Kal, keeping his eye on the newcomers.

"They communicate with you, without speaking? I didn't know humans were capable of such things...at least, not without some serious magic first. Perhaps you should speak for us, for now. You are more comfortable with words than I." He pauses, weighing his next question.

"Do you trust them? Are they who they say?"

[Paul]

Cutter glances at Kalarian.

"I"m not looking for a fight. But if one comes looking for me, I mean to be ready."

He glances over his shoulder at the line of trees, then back at the approaching riders. He makes a decision and nods.

"Fine. I'll scout through the trees." He turns to leave, then pauses and grins suddenly at the half elf. "If you get into trouble, just give a shout. I'll see if I can bail you out."

[Jeremy]

Goran snorts at Cutter, and smiles back in a way that can only be described as quite insane. Then his smile fades as Cutter scampers off.

"What is it about bald guys?" he mutters to no one at all.

[Jeff]

Grafth appears to have found something, from the way he moves across the wreckage site. As he continues his tracking scent, Grafth finally encounters a very localized, burning sort of smell. Between the scattered bodies and the overturned coach itself, one of the doors lays propped against its side. The smell is strong, but doesn't reach far. The scent of fire quelled quickly, or of sudden frost.

When Grafth approaches it, he sees the armored legs of a man sticking out from beneath the door. Unquestionably, it is the Thrane man. Fragments of a shield are grasped in a skeletal hand, but he can see nothing more unless he moves the door aside.

Goran puts his arrow away, Cutter turns away.

Oss, with his hand lingering near his spell pouch, observes as the crossbows lower—

—but the rider in the middle holds up what appears to be a wand. And with a flick of the man's wrist, two burning points of light explode into the air at frightening speed, and in a flash close the distance between the two groups...and the magic darts come together as they slam into Kal! The pain is intense for just a moment, then it pushes him into unconsciousness.

The riders are 80 ft. away up the slope.

____________________________________

COMBAT HAS BEGUN!

Everyone should roll their initiative; if you're not sure how, I'll do it for you. Then declare what your action is this first round. Oss can choose to ready another action if he wants, but he can give another alternative in case his initiative cout isn't as high as he wants.

Here's how this is going to work: 1 round of combat will be 24 hours of real time, or until everyone posts their action.

Kal takes 5 points of damage, which means his nonlethal hit points now exceed his current. He falls unconscious, although he's not dying.

[Jeremy]

If the riders are far enough away that swordplay is not possible, then Goran will take his action to nock another arrow to his bow, and stand in front of Kal while doing so. I presume I cannot draw, load and fire as one action? If I can, I aim at one of the men who had a crossbow.

DM's Edit: Jeremy, I modified my post above to provide range. They're well within range for Goran. He can knock an arrow (a free action), move, and fire once in a single round. Sound good?

Yup! Goran will nock and fire his mighty composite bow! Hopefully, he won't be too rusty!

[Darren]

Just before the rider lifts his wand, Kalarian turns to Goran. "No, actually, I don't think I do trust them, but we should probably...."

The rest of his words are cut off as the missles strike him and he falls unconscious.

_______________________
Kalarian has learned to never trust anyone again. Ever.

Also, did my protection from arrows not reduce any of the damage done? Does that not count for magic missles? Did I get a spell resistance roll? Finally, why does everyone hate me?

[Jeremy]

Finally, why does everyone hate me?

Aww. Goran doesn't hate you. He doesn't hate anyone. Except...well, I can't tell you that yet...or Jeff will be angry.

Not to worry, the grumpy half-elf is defending your fallen, prostrate self!

(But I think those rider guys DO hate you. Don't take it personally. In fact, whomever they hit first was probably the one who they most feared, so take it as a compliment. I'm kind of miffed they didn't go after me, actually. But then again, it sure is nice NOT to be a passed-out sack of potatoes on the ground right now).

Yet.

If my bow fails me, I'll be joinin' ya soon in la-la land!

[Ed]

"Damn it! I hate it when I'm right!" Oss says before muttering indistinct phrases and weaving his hands before him in intricate patterns.

________________________________________________
UPDATE: Roller works from home: Initiative 22 (nat 20)

Ranged touch for Orb of Elec against a metal armored feller: 22 (nat 20 again, check database

Damage: 2 +3 for Warmage edge (plus any extra since target is in metal armor)

[Lara]

As the events unfold around her, Pellorien takes a long look at the trio and changes her mind about her next action. With one of her own down and the two injured passengers a concern, she decides to try a spell rather than arrow, hoping the effect will take down more than one of the aggressors.

She lets the nocked arrow fall to the ground, throws the shortbow over her shoulder, and reaches into the pouch on her waist. With a brief gesture and softly spoken word, she blows a bit of sand in the direction of the attackers.
_________________________________

Initiative = 21

Unless the three folks look like elves or warforged (constructs?), who would be immune to the spell, Pellorien's casting Sleep (100-ft range; 1 round to cast; duration 1 min.; affects 4HD of creatures). Dropping the weapon should be a free action; if the description of her actions needs to be changed to reflect accuracy rather than color/flavor, just do it.

[Josh]

Grafth turns, clutching a dagger indecisively.

_________________________
Initative = 5 (WTF!)
If a rider gets close enough, he will thow a dagger at the horses neck, then draw his handaxe.
If a rider is thrown by the actions of another party member, Grafth will move within range and throw a dagger at the enemy, and draw his handaxe.

[Jeff]

Initiative Order
22 = Oss
21 = Pellorien
18 = Cutter
14 = Goran
13 = Kal
12 = Chainmailed warriors
7 = Davin / Tangat
5 = Grafth (heh heh)

Round 1:
______________________________________________

The two riders in chainmail begin to gallop down the slope. Oss prepares to hurl an orb of electricity, but realizes the enemies are still out of range. He readies the spell, however, for the moment one of the riders gets close enough.

Pellorien blows sand into the air, triggering a spell...

Cutter, too, is forced to delay, as none of his attacks can reach 80 feet away.

Goran places himself in front of the fallen Kal, draws an arrow, and turns his masterwork composite bow against the enemy. He pulls back the string of the powerful bow and lets fly an arrow. The missile strikes the right-hand crossbowman directly in the throat, pushing the man from his horse and killing him without even allowing time for him to scream. The horse, riderless now, slows in confusion.

"Khyber's blood!" the other rider in mail curses. The moment he reaches 25 feet from the party, crossbow aiming, Oss throws his conjured ball of electricity. The aim is true, and the orb dissipates when it strikes the rider in the chest as tendrils of lightning play across his body. He screams from the pain, even as smoke rises from his clothing, but continues his course. The crossbowman redirects his aim from Pellorien directly to Oss, loosing a bolt. But the pain of Oss's electric attack has unsteadied him, and bolt flies harmlessly high.

From his "safe" distance, the central rider (who introduced himself as Davin to Kal) discharges another pair of magic missiles (Pellorien and both Oss recognize them for what they are), this time blasting Goran, who grits his teeth against the pain but manages to stay on his feet. Davin then urges his mount a few paces back, looking as though he's ready to bolt away and flee this fight.

Tangat races to stand beside Goran, poised protectively over the prone form of Kal. He growls but makes no other move.

The rider has moved close enough now, so Cutter sprints forward, drawing one of his long, exotic knives. He reaches up and slashes the rider in the leg as the horse gallops past. The rider screams again and begins to fall from his seat...

...just as Grafth hurls a dagger, which sinks into the ground near where the rider lands. Grafth pulls out his handaxe.

When the rider hits the ground, he rolls end over end and lays still. He is evidently injured, possibly even dying, and certainly knocked into unconsciousness from the fall. The horse slows and veers to the side, its momentum gone.

At Pellorien's final gesture, she points to the distant rider, Davin, still 80 feet away, who sways for a moment, then falls limp on his horse. Pellorien knows he will slumber only for 1 minute.

______________________________________________

Ed, the lesser orbs aren't like their more powerful counterparts that can be affected by things like metal armor, nor do they have the medium range. Regardless, when he was able to cast the spell, Oss confirmed the critical (attack roll of 15) and inflicted a total of 6 damage from his orb.

Goran rolls a 20! And gets a total of 25. Check the roll! (Then confirms a critical hit with a 24, therefore dealing 3d8+6 damage in lieu of the usual 1d8+2 damage for a single arrow!) His arrow hits and deals 21 points of damage. Damn!

The crossbowman gets an 8 on his attack against Oss, missing.

The wand-user, Davin, hits Goran with two Magic Missiles, dealing a total of 6 damage against him. Goran, whose regular hit points and nonlethal hit points are exactly the same right now, sways unsteadily on his feet. If he takes 1 more point of damage either way, he'll fall unconscious.

Cutter hits the rider with a 16 on his attack roll, dealing 4 points of damage.

Grafth's dagger throw gets a 4, so the dagger sticks harmlessly in the ground.

Pellorien's spell would come into affect at the beginning of her turn on the next round, but since at her point in the next round "finishes" the fight, I've included the results here.

Not bad for 1 round! The battle is already over. Although it could begin again, unless the two unconscious enemies are dealt with in some way.

[Paul]

Cutter carefully cleans his knife on the fallen man's clothes, then looks around for something to bind the unconscious attackers. (Any vines, or some kind of binding from fallen luggage?)

He pauses in his search and looks at the others. "Any of you lot got any rope?"

[Josh]

Grafth runs quickly up the slope toward the slumbering attacker, swooping down to grab up his misguided dagger along the way.

_________________________________________
Upon reaching the attacke (Davin), he will disarm him and search for items if no one else has done so. He will also position himself to attack if the man awakes.

[Lara]

"The one I hit -- he'll be asleep for about a minute," Pellorien calls after Cutter. "Search them for anything that might be useful for healing. Can we catch the horses, too?"

Pellorien then glances at the halfling and young man, catching the conscious one's eye as she moves to where Kal has fallen. Kneeling beside him, she looks for a potion or wand that might be useful for healing.
____________________________________________

• Search check=25
  
• Heal check=2
  

[/color]

[Jeff]

Cutter begins to fish around for something with which to bind the wounded soldier. Nothing obvious presents itself; searching through the items carried by the passengers would certainly take time.

When Grafth reaches the slumbering form of Davin, who still lays slumped on the horse, he does a quick assessment of the man's equipment: He wears thin leather armor, a short sword at his belt, a light crossbow (which has fallen to the ground and remains primed), a small quiver of bolts, a couple of pouches, and a slender wand made of some hard calcareous material (which he still clutches in his hand). Grafth tosses away the man's weapons, including the wand, and readies his axe. There doesn't appear to be a single affiliating emblem upon the man, although the tunic he wears over his armor does feature have the Aundairian colors.

Pellorien assesses Kal, and decides there's nothing she can do for him short of magical healing. He is in no immediate peril; having been banged up in the crash just made it too much for him. The magic blasts from the stranger's wand pushed him past too far. Some good rest or a small dose of magical healing will awaken him.

She searches Kal for anything that might aid him, and finds the dragonmark on his forearm still warm to the touch, its indigo huge almost glowing. On his person, she notes a few items, though none of them appear to be of immediate use. His dog, Tangat, watches her constantly, reaching over to sniff at her hands even as she looks.

The halfling nearby isn't conscious yet, but the young man with reddish-brown hair and the shard of metal in his hip fixes his glassy eyes upon her. He fishes through a number of pockets in the breeches he wears and produces two vials of liquid. Every motion is an apparent agony. "One for me, miss," he bargains with a pained voice, "and one for whoever else you want. Your friend, there, or the little one. Sound like a deal?"

[Lara]

"Here, he has some rope!" Pellorien calls out, seizing a bundle of silken ropes from Kalarian's possessions. She suddenly slows her movements and lowers her voice, eyeing the wolf-dog warily. "Hi, puppy... I hope you don't mind if we borrow this rope... We're not hurting your friend, and we'll return it to him, I promise..."

[If the wolf-dog doesn't react, she'll pitch the rope towards Cutter and Grafth. Otherwise, I guess she'll find herself negotiating with a wolf-dog!]

At the young noble's words, she returns to his side. "Thank you. These will heal?" Taking the vials from him, she unstops one and sniffs at it. "I'm not much of a medic, but I don't like the look of your wound. Here, let me help you..."

She kneels beside him to help. After he drinks the contents of one vial, she turns to the halfling to try to assess the woman's condition. With one potion and two injured, she knows this next decision must be weighed carefully.
_______________________________
I believe that the boy's been described as having a chunk of metal in his side, right? Is a Heal check required here in addition to use of the potion? Does the chunk of metal need to be removed, the wound bound, and the potion quaffed, or is quaffing the potion enough?

• Heal check (young noble)=11
  
• Heal check (halfling)=5
  

[Ed]

Oss nods appreciatively at his fellow travelers and says, "Very nice, people."

He looks at the unconscious Kal. "He may be a dandy, but he ain't stupid. We need to get moving before more of these fellas or the law comes."

"You," he says indicating the shifter, "can you lift that ass with the wand? And you," this time indicating Cutter, "can you get the other unconscious attacker?"

He turns to Pellorian and the young injured man with the vials, "Sounds like a deal to me. I say we give one to the dandy, maybe we won't have to carry him, too. What do you say, young fella? Will you stay here and tend to the halfling until help arrives...being sure to note to any that ask that you were unconscious and have no idea where the dead horsemen came from and that you didn't see anyone else?"

Oss offers the youngster a wink.

________________________________________
Roller works now, yay!

Oss gets a diplomacy check of 24 with the young man.

[Darren]

...zzzzzzzz......

[Jeff]

The dog, Tangat, lingers near Kal. He doesn't seem bothered by Pellorien's proximity, but he keeps woofing and looking pointedly at Kal, refusing to be ignored. When she tosses the silken rope towards Cutter, he dashes over to intercept it. Taking a several strands of the rope into his mouth, he immediately carries the coil back over to Kal's body. He woofs again.

The metal shard in the young man's leg needs removing first. But with a healing solution in hand, it's only a moment's intense pain in extracting it. With Pellorien's help, he drinks back the potion and the severity of the wound melts away. It looks like it was once a serious wound, but no longer. The bleeding has stopped entirely. "Thanks, miss. My name is Onin."

From the bad angle and obvious swelling, Pellorien thinks the halfling woman's arm is merely broken, but she can't tell how serious it is. A healing potion could no doubt mend it, though it depends on how powerful the potion is.

"You can help your friend. I'll tend to the little one." Onin limps his way over to where the halfling lays. He immediately starts to tear off pieces of his coat to make a sling.

Onin looks up to Oss. "Yeah, I can stay here. You folks seem to know more about what's going on. My....my concern is that others like the men you just took down will come. If so, I'm in no shape to defend myself or the little one." He looks down at the wreckage of the rail coach and the bodies strewn about. "Sovereigns, what did this? And...you want me to say nothing about your presence? I....can do that. But it's probably best to just wait for help, isn't it? If you weren't involved, what do you have to hide?"

Pellorien and Cutter are the first to notice a shape of something large winged on the western horizon. Looks like it's coming your way.
_______________________________________________

Cutter and Pellorien make successful Spot checks, 20 and 24, respectively.