Though these people are his company, Alexi still doesn't quite feel like he knows them all that well. Sure, he'd heard their names. But they always seemed to keep their distance, for reasons that the fighter couldn't understand. Really, he was quite adept in battle! He just needs an opportunity to prove himself! And here it is, finally!

Alexi addresses the somewhat quit group gathered before him, "At latht!" the human in red exclaims, standing tall and spreading his arms towards the sky, "We've a chanthe to thhow our combat proweth in!" He lowers his arms after holding the dramatic pose for a few minutes, then brings one to his chin and addresses the group a bit more seriously, "Athuming, of courthe, that we each can pull our weight in the thrtuggle ahead. But I'm thure you already knew that. You ARE tholdierth, yeth?"

The old man stops prodding the grotesque lump of flesh in front of him and stares at the flamboyant man in disbelief.

"Wai- Wha- Slow down a little will ya', these old ears aren't as good as they used to be."

Paik sighs, laying back casually and staring up at the night sky. He'd been hoping that he'd be put with more competent people so he wouldn't have to work as hard, or maybe with those amazonian ladies, but no, fate would not be so kind. Not after forcing him to enlist and kill people. Oh no, he was stuck with a fairy, an old fart, a geek, a pacifist, and a pixie. And here they think that they're going to wade into "glorious battle"?

Ha! That wouldn't be a battle, it'd be a massacre. If he had his way, he'd have already snuck out of here a long time ago. And yet some nagging feeling in the pit of his gut kept telling him that if he tried, even if he went to the farthest reaches of the world, even if he changed himself from the ground up, he would be caught and dragged back into the conflict within a single day.

It couldn't be helped. It looked like it was up to him to keep this group from getting them all killed. Maybe Sir Fancy Pants the Pranciful would be willing to listen to a suggestion or two.

Paik waits to respond as he spends a minute churning the gobbledegook that was Alexi's (he'd at least verified their names beforehand) speech inside his head until it finishes processing. And he slowly responds, "Reluctantly, yes. But I can assure you that I'm not the one whose prowess you need to worry about."

He sighs again, "I can't believe we're stuck waiting here during the night instead of going in under the cover of darkness. All the nobbies I ever ran into had early bedtimes." He closes his eyes, "If it were up'ta me we'd be creeping through the place and have that fellow bagged up, ready to deliver to the princess." [i]Then again, if it were up to him, he'd be with the princess in her tent right now, but his squaddies would probably notice he was missing before he could do anything fun.[i/]

Paik sighs, laying back casually and staring up at the night sky. He'd been hoping that he'd be put with more competent people so he wouldn't have to work as hard, or maybe with those amazonian ladies, but no, fate would not be so kind. Not after forcing him to enlist and kill people. Oh no, he was stuck with a fairy, an old fart, a geek, a pacifist, and a pixie. And here they think that they're going to wade into "glorious battle"?

Ha! That wouldn't be a battle, it'd be a massacre. If he had his way, he'd have already snuck out of here a long time ago. And yet some nagging feeling in the pit of his gut kept telling him that if he tried, even if he went to the farthest reaches of the world, even if he changed himself from the ground up, he would be caught and dragged back into the conflict within a single day.

It couldn't be helped. It looked like it was up to him to keep this group from getting them all killed. Maybe Sir Fancy Pants the Pranciful would be willing to listen to a suggestion or two.

Paik waits to respond as he spends a minute churning the gobbledegook that was Alexi's (he'd at least verified their names beforehand) speech inside his head until it finishes processing. And he slowly responds, "Reluctantly, yes. But I can assure you that I'm not the one whose prowess you need to worry about."

He sighs again, "I can't believe we're stuck waiting here during the night instead of going in under the cover of darkness. All the nobbies I ever ran into had early bedtimes." He closes his eyes, "If it were up'ta me we'd be creeping through the place and have that fellow bagged up, ready to deliver to the princess." Then again, if it were up to him, he'd be with the princess in her tent right now, but his squaddies would probably notice he was missing before he could do anything fun.

Paik sighs, laying back casually and staring up at the night sky. He'd been hoping that he'd be put with more competent people so he wouldn't have to work as hard, or maybe with those amazonian ladies, but no, fate would not be so kind. Not after forcing him to enlist and kill people. Oh no, he was stuck with a fairy, an old fart, a geek, a pacifist, and a pixie. And here they think that they're going to wade into "glorious battle"?

Ha! That wouldn't be a battle, it'd be a massacre. If he had his way, he'd have already snuck out of here a long time ago. And yet some nagging feeling in the pit of his gut kept telling him that if he tried, even if he went to the farthest reaches of the world, even if he changed himself from the ground up, he would be caught and dragged back into the conflict within a single day.

It couldn't be helped. It looked like it was up to him to keep this group from getting them all killed. Maybe Sir Fancy Pants the Pranciful would be willing to listen to a suggestion or two.

Paik waits to respond as he spends a minute churning the gobbledegook that was Alexi's (he'd at least verified their names beforehand) speech inside his head until it finishes processing. And he slowly responds, "Reluctantly, yes. But I can assure you that I'm not the one whose prowess you need to worry about."

He sighs again, "I can't believe we're stuck waiting here during the night instead of going in under the cover of darkness. All the nobbies I ever ran into had early bedtimes." He closes his eyes, "If it were up'ta me we'd be creeping through the place and have that fellow bagged up, ready to deliver to the princess." Then again, if it were up to him, he'd be with the princess in her tent right now, but his squaddies would probably notice he was missing before he could do anything fun.

Aeir gleamed at the extravagant man with glowing aquamarine eyes and nodded her head all the while whilst hearing the speech, lightly bouncing down in the air, periwinkle wings fluttering and keeping the petite figure up.
"Oh yes, yes! We are all soldiers after all."

Aeir turned her head on over towards Paik, a curious look spread across her face. "Aren't we at a disadvantage as well if we go out in the dark? Besides, orders are orders, right?"

Ignoring the party ramblings, Reiyasu try to remember how did things went from bad to "terrible".
Oh right, this stupid war. It was Ronoue idea, "My apprentice always wanted to fight, let's send him without training to a war". Perfect plan.
Anyways, there's no way out now. Let's see what my companions are trying to communicate...


The weirdo is having a rough time talking, well not everyone had a chance to be educated.
We got an old man, he looks rusty but durable.
This Paik think he can lead an army huh, let's see how things go in battle.
And for last a pixie, well our group is well supported, we have a chance of returning alive.

"Going at night is not a great idea either, trying to move a group of persons without being detected is no easy job. But yeah, we probably need some kind of distraction before making our entry. If the military plan is retarded then we make a new one."

>>1893
"I suppose so," Paik muses. He couldn't see much better than any of the others. His glasses were already failing him, even though he'd acquired them not more than a year ago. "But barging in through the front door or climbing over the wall is what they're expecting. And I don't like running into somebody who's expecting me and wants to lop my head off." He wished he could have gotten a better look at the place; there was bound to be a spot where he - that is, they - could just sneak in unnoticed, honor and chivalry be damned.

Alexi decides to slow down both his speech and his movements for the benefit of the elder warrior beside him. This has the side effects of making his hand gestures all the more dramatic as poses with his hands folded in front of his chest and says, "Thplendid!" He adjusts himself, bringing one hand back to his chin as he tucks one leg behind the other, doing his best thoughtful look, "Though I can't thay I'd be too eager to thtart thith fight at night. I am thertain the printheth hath a plan, though. Tho there'th no need to fret."

With this, he gestures one hand dramatically in the vague direction of the princess's camp. "The dethithion weighth on her, thatth eathy to thee. A thraight-forward athault ith too rithky to attempt. Not without--" Another twirl, and an elaborate bow, "--a trump card."

>>1896
Making a sarcastic grin, the cleric reply to Alexi.
"A thrump card? now boy, you have my attention."

While talking, you notice the captain of one of the other squads coming closer. You notice because he's barking orders to some of the nearby squads, about keeping down the noise, or quitting their damn gambling games, or how he's throwing each and every one of them in the Crown's moat.

When he reaches your little camp, a sneer comes over the man's face. "You lot gone and made a fuss, ain't you? No, nevermind, I don't want to hear. Gen'ral's orders, you're to meet her at once. Well, whaddya waitin' for, a red carpet? Get moving!"

He turns, briskly, and walks away. Speaking of captains, you haven't seen your own since he was in a drinking contest just this morning.

The General's tent is pitched further ahead, around two hundred paces away. From what you know of her, she doesn't make very pleasant company, but orders are orders...

At the captain's approach, Alexi bows deeply, sweeping one hand out to the side and crossing the other over his chest as he does so. "Thertainly, thir." He adjusts himself afterwards and shoots the deva a sly grin, saying, "Well, I wouldn't want to thteal the general'th thunder. It'th not my plathe to thpoil the fun! Thall we be off?" Cracking his knuckles and his neck, the fighter heads towards the general's tent to see what she has to say.

"What?!"

Kavakri exclaims in fury, aghast at the ruined gamble. "Who was that?! Just who has the gall to interrupt my game?"

The psion had been inches from her rightful win, just a single moment away! Had Kavakri been allowed to continue uninterrupted for a mere half-second longer, she would certainly have been walking away victorious, towing a rather large bag of gold coins with her.

Looking somewhat crazed, she reaches for her staff nearby. The psion whirls around in the direction of the offender, ready to unite this foul evildoer with the gambling gear at the bottom of the moat by the grace of her Dimensional Scramble.

Fortunately for both parties involved, the psion notices that the culprit happens to outranks her and has already walked out of earshot. Kavakri begrudgingly lowers her staff, and the momentary rage subsides as quickly as it came.

Eventually, she notices that the Ninth Squad is being addressed, and she walks over to rejoin her comrades without sparing a glance at the other gamblers. Noticing her companions stand, she asks the others, "Are we expected?"

>>1904
"Oh yes, very much so!"
Aeir informed Kavakri as soon as she inquired about the situation, her lovely wings fluttering at a faster pace, almost matching the pixie's own heart rate as it accelerated, her figure constantly bouncing in mid-air as if to psych up for what was to come next.

"Oh there she is. Was she gambling? Shes apparently not very stressed about this whole situation"
"Alright, anyone have any idea where is our superior?"

With an elaborate gesture, Alexi indicates the superior's tent, not two hundred paces away, using both hands. "There! Thurely you know our fair general, yeth?" Alexi cocks his head slightly at the deva, then clenches his fists and turns his head slightly, as if wincing as he says, "Thhe'th a hard woman, with a heavy burden indeed, to enthrue the thafety and well-being of the many troopth under her command, and yet--" In one quick motion, Alexi raises both hands in the air as his eyes snap open, scattering red flower petals amongst those gathered, "Thhe truly cares! Yeth, her maiden'th heart beatth true, dethpite her unplethant nature!"

Eflor motions to the goose still dancing about.

"Fair? Well I wouldn't go that far. Still, orders are order so we'd best be off."

Putting his hand on the ground, the iron clad warrior allows the lump of flesh to slide up his arm and take perch on his shoulder before walking in the direction of the generals tent.

"What the? ... Where did those flowers come from!? ... This guy is a weirdo."
"Fine fine ... let's get moving."

The Ninth Squad moves as one (minus their captain), arriving quickly at the general's tent. The guards there salute and make way for you, even going so far as to usher you inside.

Inside is a single table, a map spread out over it, the candle beside it half-spent. Apparently, the general went over the map right before you came, but she now stands examining a canvas laid against the back of the tent.

On hearing you enter, she turns, her gaze passing briefly over each individual member, before centering on Alexi.

"I had heard the Ninth was made up of stragglers, and I see now that the rumours ring true." A short pause. "Congratulations, you in red. You're now promoted to captain. Your old one's gone and drunk himself to death."

She takes a deep breath, then continues, "Moreover, we have a task for you. Among the Blazing Regiment, they say the Ninth is up to anything and everything, as long as it gets them away from this Kordforsaken battle."

>>1911
"Right, but please don't put me as the same level at these guys. Also why is the flower guy the leader? Well everyone else isn't very suited either but ..."
"Alright, so what do we need to do?"

Drunk himself to death, eh? Paik couldn't blame 'em. What a sorry bunch of misfits we are. Though having Prancer giving orders wasn't something he relished. It'd probably take some doing to convince him to take a course of action that wouldn't end in everybody dead.

"You darn well better believe I want this over and done with," Paik huffs. "Have you found a shortcut for winning this war?"

The general merely frowns at Paik's outburst, then she turns her eyes to Alexi and says, "It seems your squad has trouble with discipline. Captain, I trust you know how to handle such outbursts?"

Her look makes it obvious she is expecting Alexi to act on this outburst.

"Aye, milady! It is an honor to rethieve thuch a promotion! A thame to hear of the captain, though," Alexi starts, stepping forward proudly with one hand over his chest.

At the rogue's outburst, the fighter addresses his now-subordinate by leaning over and bringing his face in very close to the rogue's, "Ragamuffin, you'd do well to pay attention to rank while in the army, hmmmm? Thould you give our fair general any more trouble I'll have half a mind to bop you one! Now thssh!"

With that much, Alexi whirls back to their commanding officer, "My apologieth, general. Thith regiment being what it ith, thome of the troopth are a bit uncouth. I athure you, though, from now on there will be a whole new kind of dithipline to our rankth--one befitting troopth under the printheth Tile!" With the mention of the princess's name, Alexi gestures in the air elaborately, one hand on his chest, and the other raised high, suddenly holding a rose. Alexi holds this pose for a few moments, before bringing both hands back to his chest and regarding the general for one last comment, "Tho, what tathk do you have for uth, milday?"

The general regards the unfolding events with muted despair, or, well, she might. You know, not like you can read it on her face.

This party is crazy.

Nameless: There is no doubt that the general regrets her decision of who to promote.

Righting herself, the general responds, "A simple one. Our mages have discovered what they believe to be an intrinsic, magical connection between a keep not far from here and the Crown itself.

"Your task, then, to travel there, ascertain whether such is true and return here. Should your services please us, we will release you from service."

Nameless: As far as you can tell the general is completely sincere.

"That doeth thound like a thimple tathk, but an interethting one," Alexi asserts with a nod. "Very well. Thhow uth where we need to go and we'll take care of that for you."

Paik shrinks back from Alexi, head cast down while he murmurs, "Yes'm." He looks rather surprised, like he didn't think he did anything wrong. He just wanted out of here without being killed dead, is that so bad? Nonetheless, he puts on his best humble face (figuratively speaking) to avoid being yelled at again.

And then he hears mention of being 'released'.

What, just like that they could be let go if they did this simple thing? No more fighting? No more stink of blood and death? No more sleeping in tents? No more cruddy trail rations and stale water? No more marching? No more bad hygiene? No more psychics cheating at poker? No more being woken in the middle of the night by a hulking stone behemoth and being dragged before an angry noble, saying to serve the country or face the guillotine?

It sounded too good to be true. There had to be a catch somewhere. There was no way it'd be this easy. A simple scouting mission was so easy that Paik could do it single-handedly, but they asked the entire squad. Something smelled fishy about it.

Well, whatever, that's just fine. Paik would take any way out he could get that didn't involve fighting. After all, the point of being in a war wasn't dying for your country; it's making the sunuvabitch on the other side die for his.

After his eccentric new captain's performance ended, Paik had only one question burning in his mind : When would they start?

"I'm in." How hard can that be?

And who's cheating at poker?!

The old man pats the blob of flesh sitting on his shoulder.

"Right, sounds easy enough. Hopefully there will be a fight or two along the way, eh?"

Staying silent, the cleric keep his rambling on his own head.
"Scouting mission huh? Why not, better than being army's extra meatshield."

Aeir sat in place in midair while hovering, those periwinkle butterfly-like wings fluttering in place, crossing her legs over each other and tapping her index finger to her tiny chin.
"Ugh...Fighting..right..Majority vote is in and I definitely don't want to be alone, I'm in as well."
Aeir soon sprung up from her position, bowing her head down to her general after not giving the entire situation too much thought.

The general glances over the party again, quietly, as if deciding whether or not to go through with this. Then she turns, motioning the others over to observe the map on the table.

She jabs her finger at one part of the map.

"This is our present location," the woman explains, her finger tracing a route to a nearby red circle. "This, then, is where the smaller keep is. It should hardly be an overlong journey."

She draws a short breath. "As you well know, we will break this siege come the morrow, striking the Crown before the sun reaches its peak. Thus. We cannot afford much time for preparation, and so you leave at once."

Alexi nods in understanding. "Bold ith it to take thuch dethithive action thith clothe to the beginning of the athsault," the fighter emphasizes his speech with a somewhat lighter gesture than before, though he's still holding the rose in his hand, as he continues, "I like it. Very good, milday. Ith there anything elthe we'd need to know?"

>>1932
"So inopportune. A battle of this magnitude makes history, and now I risk missing all of it," the psion speaks in an even tone.

At a corner of the table, two Unseen Servants hasten their quills toward a rough copy of the map, and Kavakri's marionette familiar sits limply, overseeing the task.

She turns to her allies. "Who is responsible for these 'Kordforsaken' ideas?"

Standard action: Unseen Servant.

>>1934
Alexi sighs and turns towards the difficult kalashtar. "Yeth, a gloriouth battle lieth ahead. Yet, we are memberth of the printheths'th army! We go where we are needed. Latht I checked, recording the battle came thecond to fighting in it!"

Alexi sighs a bit. Apparently this "captain" thing was going to be harder than he first assumed.

Bored by the useless rambling, something else take Reiyasu attention. A paper floating, it's as if something was grabing it. Actually "something" is trying to make a copy of the map."I wonder who's the owner of that thing, I had never seen something like this before ..."

In an attempt to find the identity of the invisible creature and its owner, Reiyasu step back a bit and trying to remain silent he use his magic hand to mess a bit with the drawing, like moving where a mountain/river was etc.
Standard action: Mage hand

The general is beyond hiding her annoyance at this point, glaring at the gathered members.

"If you are done, I suggest you head out immediately," she states.

>>1936
>>1938
"Well, speak for yourself, 'captain'. I-"

Kavakri interrupts herself upon noticing her familiar struggling against internal sabotage. "Wha--You, stop that! Do you want us to be lost out there?"

I'll have the servants correct any errors before leaving etc.

Amused by the psion reaction, Reiyasu decide to leave the tent with the rest.
"I hope those guys paid attention to our mission, because I have no idea what she wanted."

Paik shoots an apologetic look at the general lady, quickly followed by a "help I'm stuck with a bunch of insane people, get me out of here please, I'm sorry," look, bows, and follows after the squad. The location is close enough to walk without tiring out his feet, at least, but...

Well, he'll have to assert his usefulness right now, otherwise who knows what their fearless leader would suggest as a course of action?

"If I might make a suggestion," the rogue speaks, "When we reach our destination, I'd like to go in first and scout ahead." He allows himself a confident smirk, "I can assure you, our foes won't see me coming."

The fighter bows to the general, managing a "By your leave, milady," before heading out of the tent with his squad.

"That could have gone better," Alexi mutters, not really being too quiet in the process. He follows it with a rather loud, commanding, "Troopth, the tathk lieth before us. It'd be nithe if you could at leatht pretend to act like tholdierth until thith ith done."

To the rogue's request, Alexi gives a more measured and even reply, "We thould analythe the thituation upon arrival. But motht likely, if the connection lieth within the keep, that'd be a good move." With that much, the fighter makes a quick detour back to their squad's gathering place, grabs the battle standard that carries the squad's symbol, and carries it over his shoulder one-handed upon his return to the rest of the squad. "Now then, letth be off!"

Carry battle standard of the hungry blade in my main hand. Off-hand needs to be free (or grabbing a creature) for defensive features, but there's no rule that says I can't attack with a spiked gauntlet while the hand is holding something.

The Pixie bows with a dramatic gesture toward her new flamboyant general and then stands straight at attention as if they commanded respect. "Right, act like soldiers!"

Aeir giggled and hunched back into her normal position, hovering along with her superior back at campsite fire and placing herself right down on the back of her lifelong fey companion. The pixie rubbed at the panther's smooth neck and pat at it as if to let it know she was ready to start moving again, the same hand patting at one of those assort pouched laid over the back of the beast, soon enough she joined the squad again just a few moments after Alexi had.

Eflor follows the group out with a hearty chuckle. "Ha, this could actually be fun."

He turns and whispers something to his familiar in its native language, the demon lets out a violent shriek of laughter. "Oh yeah, this will be fun."

"Now Red, since you're the leader of this little troupe, just tell me where you want me and whom I'm to kill, I'll happily oblige."

Alexi notes the pixie and her panther companion, nodding with a small bit of affection. "You needn't worry, I'm thure you can hold your own out there. But if you thould need help, thmall ath you are, I'll be the one you can count on!"

Select Aeir for my bonded charge. I can detect when Aeir is in danger as long as she's within 1 mile, and I know their general direction as well. Whenever an enemy attacks Aeir, I get a +1 bonus to attack rolls against that enemy until the start of its next turn.

Turning to the blackguard with a slightly stricter yet still friendly tone, Alexi replies, "Well, thith ith a war, tho it'll likely come to that. Thereth no way of telling what connection thith keep hath to the Crown, though, until we thee it with our own eyeth. Maybe the inhabitantth can be negotiated with."

If everyone is ready, Alexi will lead the party along the path outlined on the map, holding the battle standard high. Gesturing dramatically, he announces, "The thow beginth!"

>>1951
Aeir nodded her head back in response as she looked at Alexi, wings fluttering at an alarming rate.
"R..right,I'll count on you when things look bleak!"

"Now you're speaking my language," Paik cheers. In a swift motion, he reaches into a pocket on his cloak and tosses something high into the air. The object spins rapidly, glinting under the starry sky as Paik rushes forward. He gracefully swerves around the others, turns back, and looks towards the sky with a confident smile, hand raised.

For a brief instant, said smile twitches when he loses track of where the object is. It's only for an instant, so only the most observant would even notice, but he does look rather scared. The next instant is him catching the spinning object in his outstretched hand after making a slight (read : significant) positioning adjustment. Anybody who could see it would find that he just caught a simple-looking parrying dagger, its surface scuffed and dinged from heavy usage. Either it has survived a fair amount of battles, or has been used for some other purpose very frequently.

Paik grins and clears his throat, then sheepishly waits for Alexi to catch up so he can see where the heck they're going. For all his eagerness to get things over with, he's not the one with the map.

Grinning at Paik attempts to show off, Reiyasu doesn't keep quiet. He takes his own parrying dagger and show it to him.
"Hey good catch! Can you try with two at the same time? Haha, not really."

The group ultimately decides to set off, as agreed, towards the unnamed keep Kavarich has on his map. Two-hundred paces became two-THOUSAND paces, as if some force in the universe somehow made a bit of a mistake in measuring distance.

Even so, two thousand steps later, they find themselves looking at the looming form of the keep in the distance, but it is a seriously short distance.

The problem only is that some of the squad've spotted lights moving between the trees: hints that there are soldiers on patrol here, and the chances are good they aren't friendly.

It may be pertinent to avoid them to avoid unnecessary fights.

SKILL CHALLENGE:
Successes: 0/6
Failures: 0/2
Primary Skills: Stealth, Athletics, Acrobatics, Bluff (Hard DC-Bluff only)
Secondary: History, Insight, Thievery

"We should have reached that place already ... what's going on?" Getting a bit worried, the cleric say in a low voice.
"Be aware, those bastards are looking for us ..."
Insight check: What's going on? There's an illusion around etc? http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3327332/

Reiyasu: As far as you can tell, there are no illusions at work, and the DM is simply incompetent.

Stopping short of the sweeping lights, Paik rummages through his cloak for the camouflaged clothes he bought for occasions like this. To his dismay, he can't seem to find them. The changeling gets a sinking feeling in the pit of his gut when he remembers that he left it in the tent back at camp.

Wait, why was he worried? This isn't something that he should be worried about! The camo was just for reassurance at this point; Paik had the skills to avoid detection, and he darn well knew it.

"Well they're not gonna find me," Paik says in a barely audible whisper, proclaiming "I'm going in."

Paik darts forward to the nearest tree, staying within its shadow. He presses his back to it, looks around carefully, then leaps into the shadow of the next one. Within a few feet of movement, not even the party is able to see the slippery rogue, as if he'd just vanished completely.[/i]

Move up 2 squares/ten feet
Stealth check to hide: http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3327818/ (35)

Stopping short of the sweeping lights, Paik rummages through his cloak for the camouflaged clothes he bought for occasions like this. To his dismay, he can't seem to find them. The changeling gets a sinking feeling in the pit of his gut when he remembers that he left it in the tent back at camp.

Wait, why was he worried? This isn't something that he should be worried about! The camo was just for reassurance at this point; Paik had the skills to avoid detection, and he darn well knew it.

"Well they're not gonna find me," Paik says in a barely audible whisper, proclaiming "I'm going in."

Paik darts forward to the nearest tree, staying within its shadow. He presses his back to it, looks around carefully, then leaps into the shadow of the next one. Within a few feet of movement, not even the party is able to see the slippery rogue, as if he'd just vanished completely.

Move up 2 squares/ten feet
Stealth check to hide: http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3327818/ (35)

Paik moves forward, darting through the woods, finding a safe path forward for the rest of the group. The party advances, only to come across another patrol soon enough.

SKILL CHALLENGE:
Successes: 1/6
Failures: 0/3
Primary Skills: Stealth, Athletics, Acrobatics, Bluff (Hard DC-Bluff only)
Secondary: History, Insight, Thievery

With the target in sight, Kavakri attempts to recall what she's read about this location.

History, separate from the skill challenge. http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3327955/

Attempts to remember any information about the current area and just who those torches belong too, hoping to recall any useful tidbit.
History, separate from the skill challenge http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3327961/

Aeir: You know the keep is mentioned as the "Ghost Keep" in some books. Long ago it used to be a battle site, where a group of illustruous bandits known as the "Fog Troupe" had attacked the garrison stationed here.
After slaughtering the garrison, the entire bandit troupe allegedly disappeared, never to be seen again. Since, the castle has not been in use.

Kavakri: You know everything Aeir does. Additionally, you know the castle used to belong to a wizard who was said to have close ties with the Royal Elector. He disappeared a few years prior to the Fog Troupe's attack, and his whereabouts have since been unknown.

Aeir sprawled her fingers through strands of her dark-blue hair in deep-thought as she recollected what exactly she knew of the area, any information surrounding it until the thought of bandits had occurred to her.

Aeir hopped up from her fey panther mount, pushing herself right off the ground, almost looking like she had jumped straight into air as she flew on over towards the psion that sat right by her figure and attempted to whisper. "Hey,Hey, Kavakiri. You think they're trying to play hide and seek with us because they think we're bandits?"
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3329311/

Aeir tries to remember any information about the surrounding areas, but the memory is hazy and blurry. No paths that could lead them past the patrol spring to mind immediately: it looks like the fairy's knowledge is of no use to evading this particular problem here.

SKILL CHALLENGE:
Successes: 1/6
Failures: 0/3
Primary Skills: Stealth, Athletics, Acrobatics, Bluff (Hard DC-Bluff only)
Secondary: History, Insight, Thievery

Kavakri's voice rings inside the pixie's head. 'They may be watching for bandits, Aeir, but I don't think they've noticed we're here.'

Secondary skill check, insight etc. http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3329974/

Kavakri effortlessly determines at the eastern flank of the group of soldiers isn't really paying attention; the torch isn't moving about at all, in contrast to the hurried movements of the other torches. A weakness in the troop's surveillance seems to be there.

Alexi nods at the group Kavakri has indicated, and adjusts the axe-like blade on his right wrist, before using a combination of his strength and the axe to start carving a path through some dense foliage in order for the group to exploit the inattentiveness of the warband. "Thith way!" he calls out to the rest of the party in a hushed tone.

Athletics to carve a path for his party: 36 http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3330131/ (Natural 20)

Using his manly swagger, Alexi clears a path for the rest of the party, who sneak after him through the foliage. The keep is getting closer and closer. At this rate, they'll reach it in no time at all.

The walls are within reach enough, but there's still one more band of patrols around. If they manage to circumvent this band, they'll be able to scale the walls or otherwise find a way in.

SKILL CHALLENGE:
Successes: 2/6
Failures: 0/3
Primary Skills: Stealth, Athletics, Acrobatics, Bluff (Hard DC-Bluff/Stealth/Athletics only)
Secondary: History, Insight, Thievery

Not being the sharpest tool in the shed, Eflor proclaims to the rest of the group.

"Hmm, it appears that a distraction will suffice so that we may pass."

With that, he quickly reaches into one of his pockets and withdraws a hand full of silver coins. He proceeds to lob the silver at the patrol in an attempt to distract them.

Bluff: http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3331283/ huehuehue

>>2008
The potentially disastrous attempt at distraction is thwarted by an Unseen Servant, conveniently standing in the coins' trajectory. The silver pieces fall flat upon striking the conjuration.

Kavakri stares at the blackguard. 'Sir Eflor. What you just did was, to say the least, suicidal. You'll never do that again.'

With cake's permission etc. Also, I won't be using the Unseen Servants to block projectile attacks or anything in the future.

Despite the psionic's intervention, it seems the coins did have an effect nonetheless.

"Hey, did you hear something?"

"I think it came from over there."

"Captain! We think we've found something!"

"Alright, go report to the commander."

The lights from the patrol approach, while one hurries away. It looks like they went to warn the keep.

SKILL CHALLENGE:
Successes: 2/6
Failures: 1/3
Primary Skills: Stealth, Athletics, Acrobatics, Bluff (Hard DC-Bluff/Stealth/Athletics only)
Secondary: History, Insight, Thievery

'Darn it, they heard us!'

The psion's servants quickly gather up the fallen coins to cover the party's trail.

"That was a terrible idea," Paik notes. The idea of running off grows more appealing, but there is still a way to salvage the situation.

"If I can catch up to the party that's heading back for reinforcements, I can snuff out their lights," he remarks to the party. "It should create an opening for you to get past them."

>>2012
'Never mind that; then they'll know for sure someone's here. We need to move away, and quickly.' Kavakri turns to the saboteur cleric. 'You, help me look for a way past those guards, and fast.'

"That was a terrible idea," Paik notes. The idea of running off grows more appealing, but there is still a way to salvage the situation.

"If I can catch up to the party that's heading back for reinforcements, I can snuff out their lights," he remarks to the party. "It should create an opening for you to get past them."

>>2016
'Never mind that; then they'll know for sure someone's here. We need to move away, and quickly.' Kavakri turns to the saboteur cleric. 'You, help me look for a way past those guards, and fast.'

"Are this guy desires to die even stronger than mine? Damn it, just when this shell life was getting interesting."
"... Alright, this may actually give us a chance to move. As long they don't find us we might still sneak in."
Reiyasu continue watching the soldier movements, and wait for the best chance to make their move.
"Alright they aren't looking this side right now, You the Rogue, why don't you give a try?"
Insight check: (26) http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3331335/

Noticing events quickly deteriorating in front of him, Alexi attempts to take charge of the party as their "captain," "Don't! They'll notithe if one of their own goeth mithing for thure!" Alexi turns in a direction perpendicular to the approaching party, looking for cover. "Let'th evade them. If they find nothing, then--" pausing for a moment, the fighter considers another option, looking towards the pixie, "While we ethcape, have your panther remain here, hiding. When thpotted, have it quickly withdraw. With any lucky they'll jutht athume the noise they heard wath a wild beatht, prowling around."

>>2019
'Oh, and all these pouches on a "wild" beast is completely natural, is it, captain? Certainly, they won't think twice of it.' Kavakri points at the said pouches to make sure her point is understood, and stuffs the silver coins into her own pocket. 'Let's just do as Reiyasu says and move, shall we?'

>>2021
"That will only leave them thuth-thuthpithouth!" Alexi hisses, scolding the not-too-forward-thinking psion. "Better to have them at leatht think they have found the thource of the dithturbanthe. I'll carry the pouches if that'th a conthern, though I doubt they'd even notice them if the panther wath hiding in the foliage." As long as the pixie has no objections, the fighter will quickly grab the pouches for temporarily carrying while they run off. "We don't have time to wait out any kind of alert."

While the group argues, it looks like the patrol's still approaching. Coming dangerously close, even. If they don't make their escape quickly, a fight'll be inevitable.

Reiyasu notes that the group's efforts are mostly focused in two directions, leaving them a third to escape from.

If ever there was a time to escape, now's that time.

SKILL CHALLENGE:
Successes: 2/6
Failures: 1/3
Primary Skills: Stealth, Athletics, Acrobatics, Bluff (Hard DC-Bluff/Stealth/Athletics only)
Secondary: History, Insight, Thievery

>>2022
... Pfft.

Without bothering to hide her amusement, Kavakri addresses the captain again.

'If you insist. Of course, you'd do well to remember that those belong to an artificer.'

"Alright, alright, you all go on ahead. I'll stay behind with Whiskers here and make them think it was just a cat."

Paik hides several feet away in a brush and, at the perfect moment, motions for the panther to leap out of the brush and run off.

Now he just has to catch up to the others.

Bluff check : http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3331481/ (35)

Paik's little manoeuvre successfully convinces the guards that it was just wild life passing by. The captain can be heard scolding the soldiers and sending another messenger to alert the keep of the false alarm.

It becomes evident they're patrolling for members of Tile's army instead.

Well, the group still needs to pass this patrol before they reach the walls and can begin looking for a way in.

SKILL CHALLENGE:
Successes: 2/6
Failures: 0/3
Primary Skills: Stealth, Athletics, Acrobatics, Bluff (Hard DC-Bluff/Stealth/Athletics only)
Secondary: History, Insight, Thievery

"Okay," Paik whispers to the group at large after catching up, "Is there any practical history to be recalled about this place? Like its architecture, weak points, back doors, less traveled paths, notorious jail breaks, famed break ins and whatnot?" [i]He looks around the immediate area with an urgent expression, "Anything at all?"

"Okay," Paik whispers to the group at large after catching up, "Is there any practical history to be recalled about this place? Like its architecture, weak points, back doors, less traveled paths, notorious jail breaks, famed break ins and whatnot?" He looks around the immediate area with an urgent expression, "Anything at all?"

>>2043
"Practical, you say? Well.."
Aeir placed her tiny head right into the palm of her right hand, chin in between the webbing of her index finger and thumb while keeping herself afloat quietly.
"I read up before on this place and it's sometimes called..."The Ghost Keep" because it's a battle site where some mysterious troupe of bandits attacked here but then fluttered away never to be heard of.
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3335368/

From her knowledge of the battle, Aeir actually happens to recall a spot nearby which, as a map indicated, was a route the Fog Bandits had used; it made clever use of a blindspot from where the soldiers on the wall couldn't spot the bandits. 'Course, the patrols might know it too, but if they find that spot, they could reach the castle without problem. Probably.

'A blind spot? I'll go look.'

The psion turns away from the group, and quickly scales a nearby tree. She swings from one tree to another, trying to determine a safe route through multiple lines of sight.

Bracers of Brachiation make this viable. Acrobatics check for this, right?
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3337051/ hard mode encounters yay

Kavakri attempts to get the high ground, but the manoeuvre fails in a spectacular way. She slips, missing one of the branches and tumbling down to the ground, inelegantly falling face-first on the ground, avoiding falling damage for comedic effect.

Less comedic is the sudden shouts of alert going through the patrol, and another scout leaving on orders. It doesn't look like it'll be an easy task to convince them anew it was just an animal...

SKILL CHALLENGE:
Successes: 2/6
Failures: 1/3
Primary Skills: Stealth, Athletics, Acrobatics, Bluff (Hard DC-Bluff/Stealth/Athletics only)
Secondary: History, Insight, Thievery

Alexi looks a bit panicked by the psion's sudden actions, and the apparent reaction of the troops. "Thath no good! Fall in, troopth, let's get out of here!"

With that, the fighter attempts to keep cutting into deeper foliage, but has limited success.

Athletics: 20. Not a natural 20 this time. Sorry, can't do much if I roll a 4! http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3337485/

Despite's Alexi's attempts to shake off the patrol's pursuit, the party makes difficult progress through the foliage. When they reach a small opening, a sudden light bursts alight at their feet, and the cries of, "We've found 'em!" quickly alert the party to their dilemma.

Paik is the fastest on his feet, ready to face the patrol that's drawing near; a few members of the patrol have gone elsewhere. It looks like this is just a weak detachment.

Initiative Order
Paik (28)
Reiyasu (27)
Goat Knight 4 (27)
Kavakri (26)
Goat Knight 2 (23)
Goat Knight 6 (23)
Eflor (21)
Aeir (18)
Alexi (17)
Goat Knight 5 (17)
Goat Knight 3 (16)
Goat Knight 1 (15)

Players
Reiyasu (M-23) 69/69 HP
Paik (L-21) 68/68 HP
Aeir (O-22) 75/75 HP, Riding
Aeir's Panther (O-22) 37/37 HP
Kavakri (N-22) 60/60 HP
Alexi (K-22) 81/81 HP
Eflor (L-23) 81/81 HP

Enemies
Goat Knight 1 (D-20), Light
Goat Knight 2 (C-22), Light
Goat Knight 3 (B-18)
Goat Knight 4 (C-22)
Goat Knight 5 (F-21), Light
Goat Knight 6 (A-25), Light
Candle (M-22)

Notes
- Any square under, over or beyond the trees is difficult terrain and requires an athletics or strength check to pass through.
- Goat Knight 3 cannot be seen by people without lowlight vision.
- Snuffing out the candle is a Minor Action.
- You require Nature or Religion to learn more about the Goat Knights. History may tell you more about these elusive warriors as well.

Skill Challenge:
Successes: 2/6
Failures: 2/3
Primary Skills: Stealth, Athletics, Acrobatics, Bluff (Hard DC-Bluff/Stealth/Athletics only)
Secondary: History, Insight, Thievery

Noticing the incoming guards, Reiyasu use his sharp reaction to the problem to alert their leader. After all, he should be able to handle this better.
"Hey be aware! The enemy is just in front of us!"
Activate casque of tactics power, swap initiative with Alexi

Also, religion check on the weirdos with masks. (27) http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3339503/

Paik clicks his tongue in annoyance. If it was just him, he'd have been over that wall and in the treasure vaults fifteen minutes ago. But being a con-man meant you had to work with other people, gain their trust, and stay amiable with them. Though he didn't feel it was nice to steal from the side he was working for.

Anyway, Paik had a job to do, and that meant he had to take down these grunts. A swift reach into his cloak pocket procured a little-used dagger, one he didn't like to use because it felt so thuggish, killing people. Oh well, it's either them or him, and he chose him.

With a series of weaving movements, he glides towards the nearest goat knight before the poor sap even realizes what he's doing. A clean slice across where the armor failed to protect, and that's one goat down.

"Now you see it," Paik murmurs, once again tossing his trusty parrying dagger into the air. It glints ever so slightly as it hangs overhead, but Paik pays it no attention. While the guards are transfixed by it, the rogue pulls his arm back and hurls the other dagger straight through the trees and nails another guard in the neck. Both daggers return to their respective hands as Paik adopts a defensive stance, hopping from one foot to the other. He quips, "Now you're down."

"They're all yours now, cap'n."

Free action : Draw +2 Footpad's Friend Dagger from +2 Deep Pocket Cloak
Move action: Move to K-20, then H-23, then G-23, and finally F-22
Minor action: Low Slash vs. Goat Knight 5, reflex, combat advantage from class feature http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3339634/ (34, 16)
Standard Action: Sly Flourish vs. Goat Knight 6, combat advantage from class feature http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3339642/ (28, 25)

While Reiyasu urges on Alexi to take the initiative instead, Paik surges forward, towards the nearest of the Knights.

Just as the rogue is about to pass the warrior, however, he lashes out with surprising alacrity and accuracy, landing a solid blow on the rogue; moments later, the warrior crumples from the rogue's precise attack.

The distant knight also falls, and when it falls its light immediately snuffs out, leaving the place of its demise one of darkness.

Reiyasu: These Knights are Tieflings, creatures that are not native to this seed. What you know of them is extensive, however, for you've encountered them more often than is normal.

Tieflings are often in the employ of powerful sorcerors and summoners, serving as guards, chaperones and servants. Like humans, they are a varied lot; some come weak, some come so powerful they could sweep away your entire squad with a bat of their eye.

These Tieflings seem rather weak, lacking traditional Tiefling features such as blazing fire and whatnot. Their swords are the most threatening thing they have, and their acute senses let them strike at you even if you shift!

Casque of Tactics expends its power to swap initiatives of Alexi and Reiyasu.
Goat Knight 5's Opportunity Attack CRITS against Paik for 7 damage.
Paik kills Goat Knights 5 and 6.

Initiative Order
Paik (28)
Alexi (27)
Goat Knight 4 (27)
Kavakri (26)
Goat Knight 2 (23)
Goat Knight 6 (23)
Eflor (21)
Aeir (18)
Reiyasu (17)
Goat Knight 5 (17)
Goat Knight 3 (16)
Goat Knight 1 (15)

Players
Reiyasu (M-23) 69/69 HP
Paik (L-21) 61/68 HP
Aeir (O-22) 75/75 HP, Riding
Aeir's Panther (O-22) 37/37 HP
Kavakri (N-22) 60/60 HP
Alexi (K-22) 81/81 HP
Eflor (L-23) 81/81 HP

Enemies
Goat Knight 1 (D-20), Light
Goat Knight 2 (C-22), Light
Goat Knight 3 (B-18)
Goat Knight 4 (A-21)
Goat Knight 5 (F-21), Dead
Goat Knight 6 (A-25), Dead
Candle (M-22)

Notes
- Any square under, over or beyond the trees is difficult terrain and requires an athletics or strength check to pass through.
- Goat Knight 3 cannot be seen by people without lowlight vision.
- Snuffing out the candle is a Minor Action.
- You require Nature or Religion to learn more about the Goat Knights. History may tell you more about these elusive warriors as well.

Skill Challenge:
Successes: 2/6
Failures: 2/3
Primary Skills: Stealth, Athletics, Acrobatics, Bluff (Hard DC-Bluff/Stealth/Athletics only)
Secondary: History, Insight, Thievery

The situation has deteriorated quite a bit, but Alexi doesn't hesitate a moment when he sees the battle about to unfold. Dashing in, battle standard in hand, Alexi takes his position at the front of the battlefield and calls out, "Yoo-hoo! Cooooooooome aaaaaaand geeeeeet iiiiiiiit!"

This has the most entirely predictable results.

More Action: Move to F-21, using diagonals to avoid difficult terrain.
Standard Action: Use Come and Get It, targets Goat 1 (33) and Goat 2 (28), attacks Will defense. A hit pulls them adjacent to me, I pull Goat 1 to E-20, and Goat 2 to E-21. They then take some damage and I mark them but since they're minions I didn't roll.

The brawler dashes into the combat swiftly, yielding predictable results: his taunt causes the knights to close the distance, and they are quickly dispatched.

Only two remain, now. One of the knights moves quickly, ducking into the foliage before striking at the rogue in a charge. His sword finds purchase with the warrior, opening a wound on Paik.

Goat Knights 1 and 2 die to Come and Get It.
Goat Knight 4 charges Paik, and hits for 7 damage.

Initiative Order
Paik (28)
Alexi (27)
Goat Knight 4 (27)
Kavakri (26)
Eflor (21)
Aeir (18)
Reiyasu (17)
Goat Knight 3 (16)

Players
Reiyasu (M-23) 69/69 HP
Paik (L-21) 54/68 HP
Aeir (O-22) 75/75 HP, Riding
Aeir's Panther (O-22) 37/37 HP
Kavakri (N-22) 60/60 HP
Alexi (F-21) 81/81 HP
Eflor (L-23) 81/81 HP

Enemies
Goat Knight 1 (E-20), [color=red]Dead
Goat Knight 2 (E-21), [color=red]Dead
Goat Knight 3 (B-18)
Goat Knight 4 (E-23), Light
Goat Knight 5 (F-21), [color=red]Dead
Goat Knight 6 (A-25), [color=red]Dead
Candle (M-22)

Notes
- Any square under, over or beyond the trees is difficult terrain and requires an athletics or strength check to pass through.
- Goat Knight 3 cannot be seen by people without lowlight vision.
- Snuffing out the candle is a Minor Action.
- You require Nature or Religion to learn more about the Goat Knights. History may tell you more about these elusive warriors as well.

Skill Challenge:
Successes: 2/6
Failures: 2/3
Primary Skills: Stealth, Athletics, Acrobatics, Bluff (Hard DC-Bluff/Stealth/Athletics only)
Secondary: History, Insight, Thievery

The psion begins by moving up into the fray and dropping one of her staves, before procuring a sunrod from her magical cloak in order to illuminate the area.

Move Action: Move to H-22.
Free Action: Drop accurate aversion staff.
Minor Action: Procure a sunrod from her cloak of useful items, activating it to shed 20-square light.
Hold standard action until we can see better.

Kavakri illuminates the area with a sunrod.

Spotting the distant enemy, Kavakri nods and attempts to use her psychic powers to attempt to make it give up the fight.

Standard Action: Dishearten @ C-19, 23 vs. goat 3's Will.

Kavakri's attack robs the Goat Knight of his will to fight, and the warrior stands by idly.

Initiative Order
Paik (28)
Alexi (27)
Goat Knight 4 (27)
Kavakri (26)
Eflor (21)
Aeir (18)
Reiyasu (17)

Players
Reiyasu (M-23) 69/69 HP
Paik (L-21) 54/68 HP
Aeir (O-22) 75/75 HP, Riding
Aeir's Panther (O-22) 37/37 HP
Kavakri (N-22) 60/60 HP
Alexi (F-21) 81/81 HP
Eflor (L-23) 81/81 HP

Enemies
Goat Knight 1 (E-20), [color=red]Dead
Goat Knight 2 (E-21), [color=red]Dead
Goat Knight 3 (B-18), [color=red]Disabled
Goat Knight 4 (E-23), Light
Goat Knight 5 (F-21), [color=red]Dead
Goat Knight 6 (A-25), [color=red]Dead
Candle (M-22)

<b>Notes </b>
- Any square under, over or beyond the trees is difficult terrain and requires an athletics or strength check to pass through.
- Goat Knight 3 cannot be seen by people without lowlight vision.
- Snuffing out the candle is a Minor Action.
- You require Nature or Religion to learn more about the Goat Knights. History may tell you more about these elusive warriors as well.

Skill Challenge:
Successes: 2/6
Failures: 2/3
Primary Skills: Stealth, Athletics, Acrobatics, Bluff (Hard DC-Bluff/Stealth/Athletics only)
Secondary: History, Insight, Thievery

Move to H/22
Charge to F/23 : http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3345255/ (24)

Eflor singles out and charges down the remaining soldier.

Move to H/22
Charge to F/23 : http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3345255/ (24)

With a mighty strike, Eflor manages to bring down the last of the enemies; the only Goat Knight to be left standing adds one and one together, deciding that flight beats fight right now.

The party, however, has little time to celebrate their victory: the rest of the patrol is emerging from the bushes. Unanimously, the group takes to flight.

However, Eflor, already worn a bit by age, is held back by the weight of his armour and the density of the forest. The party can do little but leave Eflor to the approaching troop.

Like this, the sacrifice of one of their number permits the group to reach the keep's walls unhindered. Now rests the task of scaling the walls, or otherwise find a way inside.

Skill Challenge:
Successes: 3/6
Failures: 2/3
Primary Skills: Athletics*, Acrobatics, Perception, History
Secondary: Insight, Intelligence

* denotes Hard DC

Silenly regreting leaving the oldman back, the cleric follow the rest of the squad to the walls of the castle.
"As long that oldman stay hidden he should be fine ... I hope he knows how to do that."
"... Give a second and I will find a wait to get inside."
Perception check, find a back door, a window or any other clever way to get inside: (20) http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3345396/

Reiyasu's inspection of the walls lead him to a door, seemingly hidden away by bush and other growth. Of course, one needed simply to look where it was relevant to find it...

Trying to open it yields no result, however: the door seems plainly locked. Perhaps scaling the walls is a better idea after all.

Skill Challenge:
Successes: 4/6
Failures: 2/3
Primary Skills: Athletics*, Acrobatics, Thievery*
Secondary: Insight, Intelligence, Dexterity

* denotes Hard DC

Paik sheathes his weapons before he waves Reiyasu aside, saying, "Don't fret, I got this covered." A locked door all the way down here felt like it was just daring him to try and open it. Taunting, so sure of its impenetrability. It was probably supposed to be very loud when it unlocked, too. Or booby-trapped. Better yet, all three at once. Who could possibly pick such a perfect lock without getting caught or killed?

Paik's glasses glint under the candlelight ever so briefly, the changeling smiling to himself, cracking his knuckles. From the look of things, this was a job for the half-diamond and double-ended picks. Then he cooly removes his eyewear and sets it in his pocket. This part was something his other senses were better trained for.

His trusty lockpicks almost flies out of his pocket and into his hands as he presses his ear to the door. With well practiced hands, Paik goes to work. His dexterous digits and specialized tools take only a short while to find the sweet spot where those pins and tumblers were hiding. The tiny clicking sound only he could hear was a testament to his skill at manipulating them quietly. The tiniest little vibration across the big heavy door spoke of all kinds of secrets, much more than he would find by staring straight at it. Those little tells, like a tiny change in pitch indicating a tripwire was on the opposite side of where he was probing, were laid bare. Nobody else would notice those things, but then, nobody else spent their lives lying and stealing to make ends meet and indulge themselves, either. He may as well have had the lock tell him how to pick it.

Before this unbelievable assault, it never stood a chance.

Thievery check to open lock and not trigger traps, plus stealth check to do it quietly
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3345584/ (33 thievery) (38 stealth)

Before Paik's skill and ingenuity at picking locks, the poor lock stands no chance. It is easily swayed by sweet, beguiling promises, giving way to the door to open.

Or so the party thinks. Nothing is less true: the door still refuses to budge. A sliver of magical energy hints that the door has been magically barred... it may need some arcane cunning to properly release the door's lock.

Skill Challenge:
Successes: 5/6
Failures: 2/3
Primary Skills: Athletics*, Acrobatics, Arcana*
Secondary: Insight, Intelligence

* denotes Hard DC

"Tch, a magic lock. Shoulda sprung for a skeleton key." Paik scratches the back of his head and sighs, "Sorry, guys, this is beyond me. Somebody else'll have to take a crack at it."

>>2132
Aeir heard those words, giggling in a fit of childish laughter at the exact choice of words the Paik decided to use. The pixie furrowed her brow as she examined the lock itself, a magical energy surrounding the entire door, the presence it gave off being undeniable proof that an ordinary lock-pick wouldn't be enough for such a thing. Aeir quickly strode over while in the air, fluttering her wings rather quickly and approaching Alexi.
"I'll be needing this back!"
She hovered on backwards while she lifted those pouches that she rightfully owned off of his person, her tiny hands rummaging through the materials placed inside, the items organized messily, only her mind knowing exactly where anything may be at any given moment. Finally her hand popped out with a tiny pinch of residuum and threw it seemingly up inside of her pouch, small sprinkles of the powder coming down to the ground while a tiny blue light came from inside of the bag, the residuum having conjured up a dim blue lit key. With one final and flashy motion, she quickly pulled out her hand from the bag, and raising it up above her head with a smirk, moving off towards the magically-imbued door with determination in her eyes, sliding the glowing key inside the once thought picked lock and hopefully hearing a click again.

Easily handing over the pouches to the pixie, Alexi claps his hands briefly, holding them high in the air as he does so. "Thplendid, thplendid! Thothe mookth were hardly worth the effort of getting thhaken up over," the fighter announces cheerfully, apparently completely unshaken by the fight. "And it'd theem that tathk ith well in hand ath well!" He adds, nodding to Aeir's effort.

"I thuggetht you prepare yourthelveth for what lieth ahead," the new captain commands, grasping the battle standard and readying himself for further battle.

Take a short rest, holding Battle Standard of the Hungry Blade in my main hand.

Impressed by the skills of Paik and the fairy-thing, Reiyasu nods with acceptation. But there's still something bothering him.
"You, thief-boy. I was a bit distracted a while ago, I will keep your ass safe next time."

Paik nods his head in satisfaction. The tiny fey certainly had a knack for this sort of thing. "Nice work," he comments.

Paik quietly laughs off Reiyasu's remark, licking his fingertip to wipe away the dried blood on his wound. "That would be appreciated, yes."

The Pixie deftly disables the magical barrier, enabling the group a sight and entry into the room.

It is a seriously bare room: there is a lot of dust and dirt lying about, but keen eyes can tell the dust has been disturbed not too long ago. Someone recently passed through here, though the bare room leaves no clues as to why.

There is a stair case leading to a higher level. No light drifts down from above.

Skill Challenged passed.

"This is way too suspicious. Why is there a secret door here, and who needed to use it?"

Kavakri thrusts the lit sunrod to an Unseen Servant, preferring to be armed with her short staves. Without regard for the clearly incompetent guards, she chooses to voice her thoughts through speech over silent, telepathic communication.

"With a little time, I could tell you what passed through here. And..." The psion pauses, and turns to Paik. "You, the archetypal rogue. I believe you were confident about your ability to scout ahead."

A request: If possible, please use this token instead etc.

>>2147
The 'secret' door probably 'was' too good to be true in retrospect, Paik realizes. But at Kavakri's prompting, he realizes that even the person who set the trap wouldn't expect what he was going to do.

"They'll never see me coming," Paik boasts, "And they'll have a hard time hearing, identifying, or catching me for that matter."

"Ith not the very prethenthe of a magical connection between this odd, out-of-the-way keep and the Crown itthelf thtrange?" Alexi points out, moving to the front of the group. "If you're to invethtigate, do it quickly. We need to finithh our athignment before dawn breakth. Thith whole countrythide could become a war thone thoon."

>>2148
"All right, you'll be doing that."

>>2142
Kavakri turns to the others, gesturing to Alexi with a staff. "Since 'captain' here isn't opposed to sitting around, I'll try the ritual, but one of you needs to give me an estimate of how long ago someone passed through." Any detectives in the party?

>>2153
"Good, that's settled, then."

With another of the psion's gestures, the servant without the sunrod pulls out Kavakri's ritual book, opens it to the proper page, and holds it up to the pixie. "Aeir, you're assisting." Hanyuu, please feel free to make up whatever for the ritual.

Amused by the psion plan, something triggers in Reiyasu. "A ritual? How ridiculous! Why would you need to ask spirits such a simple thing?"
"... Okay so you noticed it as well, right? From a simple glance it's evident this secret door was used recently. But why would you need a ritual to confirm that?" Saying this, the "detective" start making his job. Using the magnifying glass of his set he starts checking the door. "Paik, Would you be kind enough to let me check your hand?-Thank you very much!"
"Now please, stand back, I need to check how fresh this mud is ... damn, it tastes fresh."
"What do you mean with "you don't look like a detective!?" "
Perception check! Check the area using the inquisitive set (feel free to give me a bonus because of the detective stuff.) (29) http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3349975/

Paik hesitates before offering the cleric his hand. "Pardon me for my suspicion," he says apprehensively, "But why do you want to see my hand?"

Amazed with the rogue ignorance, Reiyasu decide to hide omit his comment and simply make a neutral reply
"Simple, to check your fingerprints and compare them with any I can find in the door. Or this place in general."

Reiyasu's investigation reveals that, if anything, whoever last entered this room before them entered at most three bells ago, and at least, well, just a few heartbeats. Having the party barge in did disturb some of the signs, and not even a magic sleuth can determine the time of entry to precision.

Aeir nodded her head and eyed over the page in the book, making sure she knew exactly all of the contents of the ritual before properly assisting Kavakri. "Let's see here...Just needta..hm.." [i]She turned her head while trying to make sense out of the complex words she was reading before rummaging through her pouch for a piece of chalk, surveying the area for a minute while she placed that chalk near her chin in thought before moving over and slowly pressing the white chalk along the ground, creating a circle around the area of the psion. As soon as she was done producing the circle, she began marking zig-zag lines from each side of the circle until it began looking like some sort of complex diagram./i]
"This helps a bit..Yes? Yes?"

Confused by his initial result, Reiyasu focus again in the evidence.
"I'm not very sure. This is recent, maybe 3 or 4 hours ago. But someone definitelly passed over here a while ago."

>>2164
Kavakri glances up from measuring residuum. "Right, that'll do."

>>2166
"That's it? Even more suspicious. Three it is."

The animated marionette sprinkles the powdery reagent around the circle. With one last glance around the barren room, the psion burns the (rather sparse) details into her mind, and concentrates on sending her consciousness back in time.

Ritual: Inquisitive's Eyes
- Level: 8
- Component Cost: 125 gp
- Category: Divination
- Market Price: 680 gp
- Time: 10 minutes
- Key Skill: Arcana
- Duration: Instantaneous
- You cast your senses back through time to observe your current location as it was up to a number of hours ago no greater than your Arcana check result. You can observe the scene as if you were there, although you cannot affect anything.

Observe the scene as it was about three hours ago. http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3353424/

Kavakri's ritual casts her back in time. The room is covered in dust, evidence that no one's passed through here in quite some time.

The door is closed and locked, although there doesn't appear to be any magic guarding it.

>>2171
Kavakri waits for something to happen.

>>2172
Nothing happens!

>>2173
Kavakri fast-forwards until something happens.

Kavakri realises that this is not a television, primarily because it hasn't been invented yet. There is no fast-forward function on the ritual, and the ritual provides a static view of events precisely three hours ago.

>>2175
A shame. Well, nothing to do but keep waiting until that rogue finishes scouting.

>>2175
A shame. Well, nothing to do but wait until that thief finishes scouting.

Look around the area for clues etc. Can I go up the stairs too?

Less than pleased that the group's investigation has spent all this time and thus far turned up nothing, Alexi takes a forward position in the group, battle standard in hand.

"If there'th nothing elthe, let uth protheed with all hathte," he says firmly, moving up to the stairs and preparing to descend them. As an afterthought, he grabs a potion from his pack and takes it into his off-hand, just in case.

Pull out elixir of aptitude and hold it in my off-hand. Hold battle standard of the hungry blade in my main hand.

Paik takes a breather before stopping the party leader.

"Sorry Cap'n, I'll go make sure it's safe."

Not waiting for a response, Paik takes out a small crystal that crumbles in his hands. He takes a deep breath, feeling much more aware of his movements, his footsteps precise and silent. The other item is a flask of a cloudy liquid. When the rogue drinks it and puts away the empty glass, he completely fades from sight.

Only then does he ascend the stairs, gliding up the steps as silently as rolling mist.
short rest
use talent shard (stealth +2)
use potion of invisibility (invisible until eont)
use shadow stride 2x
take 10 on stealth checks to avoid detection

The rogue is the first to ascend the stairs, soon enough finding himself in darkness. The room above smells of alcohol, and light falls into the room from the porous wall to the north.

There's too little light to make out his surroundings.

Paik sighs silently in frustration, confronted with impermeable darkness without any form of night vision. But dammit, those things were too expensive. "Well, better to light a candle than to curse the darkness," thinks the rogue, though rather than a candle, he pulls out a brilliant sunrod that he drops at his feet. Even if it gives him away, well good luck finding him.

Sucks for everybody else, though.

With the room illuminated, Paik strides toward cover.

Minor action : take out sunrod
Standard : sustain invisibility until end of next turn with Ever-Fading Armor
Move action : Use Shadow Stride to move forwards until Paik finds something to hide behind, if anything. Otherwise move six squares
Stealth: http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3358466/ (27)

The sunrod lights the room up. There is no sound from the room to the north, and nothing from any of the other walls. Not loud enough for Paik to hear, in any case.

"All clear," Paik calls down to the others.

Paik stands off to the side and prods the door open from a distance.

Move down and left 1 square
Free: Take out ten-foot pole
Open door with pole

Paik realises there is no door. However, the porous walls seem brittle enough that a solid kick could turn them to dust.

There shouldn't be a wall here, Paik thinks. There's only this brittle shell surrounding the room, as if it were hastily sealed off for some reason.

Suspicious, but there's no other obvious way forward. Paik aims a strong kick at the wall.

Strength check : http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3358580/ (24)
Invisibility stops working by now

Paik tumbles through the wall! He realises, belatedly, that the wall is an illusion. Luckily, the rogue avoids falling and so doesn't suffer from this action.

The room he enters smells of alcohol. From the stacked barrels, it seems obvious that this room is some sort of wine cellar. The smell is powerful, as if someone spilled a whole lot of it somewhere in this room.

Paik tumbles through the wall! He realises, belatedly, that the wall is an illusion. Luckily, the rogue avoids falling and so doesn't suffer from this action.

The room he enters smells of alcohol. From the stacked barrels, it seems obvious that this room is some sort of wine cellar. The smell is powerful, as if someone spilled a whole lot of it somewhere in this room.

The others from the group, on hearing Paik, decide to grace the rogue with their presence and ascend the stairs.

Kavakri and Reiyasu immediately realise the entire wall line to the north is an illusion.

Paik tumbles through the wall! He realises, belatedly, that the wall is an illusion. Luckily, the rogue avoids falling and so doesn't suffer from this action.

The room he enters smells of alcohol. From the stacked barrels, it seems obvious that this room is some sort of wine cellar. The smell is powerful, as if someone spilled a whole lot of it somewhere in this room.

The others from the group, on hearing Paik, decide to grace the rogue with their presence and ascend the stairs.

Kavakri and Reiyasu immediately realise the entire wall line to the north is an illusion.

Alexi quickly follows in behind Paik, and noting him stepping through an invisible wall, follows him through. He comments, "Your conthern for my well-being is touching, though I have to wonder if perhapth itth a bit mithplathed." Alexi apparently isn't afraid of the unknown, striding forward and scanning the area in front of him.

Following the captain, Reiyasu notice Paik's slip.
"Did you really? ... Oh never mind. Anyways Any danger nerby?"

The group advances after their captain, deeper into what is now definitely a wine cellar. The strong smell seems to come from two barrels set upright, their contents spilling over the floor a little, although you'd need to actively search to find the holes in them.

The more alert members of the party can hear the sound of voices on the other side of the door. Then, not long after, everyone in the party can hear a young voice cry out, "That's ridiculous! We're the Eiserne Wacht! There's no need to protect us!"

The voice falls quiet then, and you hear more talk - that is, if you listen.

Perception of 18 or higher is needed to hear the voices behind the door, except for the outcry.

Knowledge on the Eiserne Wacht is a history or streetwise check: both checks reveal different information.

Immediately taking note of the outcry, Alexi hisses a short "Thsssst!" to his comrades before addressing them with a whisper, "There'th something there! Hold a moment!" With that, the fighter presses himself against the door gently, and listens carefully to what's on the other side.

Streetwise (15), History (14), Perception (22): http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3360133/

Paik stops and listens intently.

perception (29) http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3360153/

Alexi: Of the Eiserne Wacht, you've heard little and know little. You know they're an elite corps in the Crown's employ - many soldiers in Tile's army had spoken of them. They claim justice as their byword and have policed the kingdom in the past, safeguarding passage for merchants, diplomats and envoys. Beyond that, you know no particular things about this group.

From beyond the door, Alexi can hear people speaking in agitated tones. The conversation seems mostly turned to a mysterious black knight who has been charging through the ranks of patrols with a fury seldom seen, knocking down ranks of soldiers: this seems to be an indication for the keep guards to protect the Eiserne Wacht, whose main body is at the Crown. You hear four different voices: one youthful voice, and three older voices. They're all male.

Streetwise : http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3360282/ (20)

Streetwise : http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3360282/ (20)

Paik: You know everything Alexi does. Additionally, you've heard more among the soldiers in the camp. The Eiserne Wacht is apparently a unit composed solely and strictly of males, and it often finds itself at odds with the "Seven Sisters", a unit of seven women who are said to be the Crown's fiercest defenders. Supposedly they had a clash once, a battle that lasted for three days and three nights, only to end in the Seven Sisters' flawless victory. It may be that that rumour is greatly exaggerated, though.

Paik hears everything Alexi does, following the same conversation. The rogue does get the feeling, though, that there are at least five people in the room, from the shuffle of feet and the clang of armour. They're about... 30, 40 feet away from the door, or thereabouts.

>>2202
Paik holds up a hand, signalling for everyone to stop where they are. He whispers to them, "Judging by the voices and the sounds of their equipment, I count at least five people in the next room, about fifteen paces away. I think there's a detachment of the Crown's elite Eisern Wacht arguing in there, so I wouldn't open the door until the coast is clear." The rogue smiles slightly, "And it sounds like Elfor's wreaking merry hell on their ranks if he's the 'black knight' they're talking about."

Paik ponders aloud, "Come to think of it, this more or less confirms the Crown's involvement with this keep, but I haven't seen anything 'magical' here beyond the illusion back there and the lock on the door. We'll probably have to probe deeper if we're to find the sort of magical connection we were sent here for."

Now, who were those Seven Sisters again? Oh, right...
Streetwise for more knowledge on Seven Sisters : http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3360489/ (22)
keep listening and wait for people to leave other room

Paik: The Seven Sisters, you recall from raunchy stories by the camp fire, are seven creatures Summoned from the shadowfell by the Royal Elector. They are said to be stunning beauties, one and all, but also capable fighters.

The Tile army has yet to run into the Seven Sisters, so all you know of them are legends and rumours, ranging from how one of the Sisters single-handedly massacred an entire country, to how the youngest of the Sisters has a fondness of chocolate, and that if you pray hard enough, she will hear your prayers (and take your chocolate) and grant you your fondest wish.

Disclaimer: wishes must be related to love. Supposedly, she is a love struck demon.

"However," Paik adds upon remembering, "Were we to run into the famed Seven Sisters, supposedly demons summoned from the Shadowfell, then that would probably count." He sighs lightly, not optimistic about the odds of that happening, "But since they're supposed to be the best the Crown has, the odds of them being here and not, say, on the front lines or defending the Royal Elector are slim."

"They're probably all exaggerations anyway," Paik consoles himself.

When are those Eisern Wacht going to leave?

Had lightbulbs been invented, one would have gone off in Paik's head. The rogue scrutinizes the door first.

Examine the door, look for an opening, a space beneath the door, or a small hole. And traps, illusions, and squeaky hinges (take 10 on perception)

There's an opening under the door for air to pass between the rooms. Light drifts in from beyond the door, although only a little; clearly whatever light sources are in the other room do not shine their light directly on the door.

You require Insight to determine if something is an illusion or not. Currently, no one's passive insight detects any illusions; mind that I will require you to make an active check to determine illusions at times, so do not blindly assume passive Insight nulls all deception.

Finding an opening, Paik takes out a long, wooden tube bound in leather. He swivels it along its joints and kneels down. The rogue forces the larger through the space below the door and peers through the smaller end. Through the crook-eye's mirrors, he gets a much better view of the room.

Insight check : http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3360647/ (24)
Take out crook-eye and slip it through opening to look into other room

Surprised at Paik attempt, Reiyasu comments in a whisper: "Good idea boy, just be careful."
As he say that, he stand up and prepare his mace and his parrying dagger. "Hopefully they will leave soon. What do you think, captain?"

Paik's view through the crook-eye is enabled through the opening below the door. He needs to lie prone to look through it, but look through it he does!

The room beyond has wooden benches blocking most of Paik's view, but he can see that at the far end of the room, a man in heavy armour stands near a door way, talking quietly with another armoured person. It's hard to get a proper fix on their faces, and harder still to recognise either through the crook-eye.

"I can see a couple guys arguing, but that's it." Paik relays quietly. "They're not looking over here, and there's no lights shining this way, so I'm going out there to get a better look."

Without waiting for dissenting voices to be heard, Paik makes a clenching motion with his free hand, the torches nearby snuffing out silently. He judges the door handle position to be yea-high and conjures a mostly transparent hand to open the door from the outside, hoping to bypass any traps. Paik crawls back a little, not breaking eye contact with the hand, until the door has opened just enough for him to squeeze through. When its job is done, he stands up and dismisses it, and it fades away, and the rogue holds the door open with his free hand.

Stuffing the scope into one of his hundred pockets, the rogue takes out another cloudy potion and drinks it quickly. The faster he does this, the less likely he is to be discovered - at least, that's what he thinks. As soon as he disappears from sight, he slips through the door crack, closing it gently behind him on the empty bottle, as a door being shut is usually noisy, while a small transparent bottle is fairly innocuous.

Now that he's outside, Paik looks around, ready to hide again at a moment's notice.

Prestidigitation : Snuff out both torches to avoid having light fill the room
Conjure Mage Hand through Hedge Wizard's Gloves to open door from the outside, only enough for Paik to slip through
Stand up from prone
Dismiss Mage Hand
Put away crook-eye
Take out and drink invisibility potion, invisible until eont
Stealth check to avoid detection http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3360730/ (40)
Shadow Stride to E/7 using above stealth check, cannot be detected during move unless passive perception beats stealth
Place empty bottle in door crack to keep it from slamming shut

As Paik opens the door, the group hears one of the Wacht proclaim, "Intruders, everyone. These the rabbits that snuck past? Let's give them a warm welcome."

Before anyone can react, the one speaking, Cornelis, advances forward, uncumbered by his heavy armour. The guard he was talking with also advances, setting himself by the door post: he cannot see Paik, which is a blessing of itself to the rogue.

It doesn't look like the others are as quick to react: another Keep Guard, a tall man wearing robes and a boy in cloth armour seem a bit more surprised by the door suddenly opening... and then closing, quietly.

"All right, remember, we're to bring justice to them," the boy says, "so try not to kill them."

Cornelis moves.
Keep Guard 1 moves, and readies an action.

Initiative Order
Cornelis (30)
Keep Guard 1 (26)
Paik (24)
Roland (23)
Aeir (22)
Hamlet (21)
Reiyasu (19)
Keep Guard 2 (17)
Alexi (14)
Kavakri (13)

Players
Reiyasu (D-3) 69/69 HP
Paik (E-7) 54/68 HP
Aeir (C-3) 75/75 HP, Riding
Aeir's Panther (C-3) 37/37 HP
Kavakri (B-3) 60/60 HP
Alexi (C-7) 81/81 HP
Eflor (Not Present) 81/81 HP

Enemies
Cornelis (F-10)
Hamlet (J-13)
Roland (L-12)
Keep Guard 1 (E-8)
Keep Guard 2 (J-11)

Notes
- Opening the door is a Minor Action, as per RAW.
- You can use History or Nature for knowledge on Cornelis, Hamlet and Roland. Nature for the Keep Guards. History because the Eiserne Wacht is known, so you just need to know these three people. You can only make these checks when you have line of sight to the creature.
- The squares in Cornelis's aura are Difficult Terrain to the party. Enemies ignore this aura. If you leave the aura, you are Slowed until the end of your next turn - if you are Slowed during movement, your movement ends if you already moved 2 squares. If you did not, you may continue moving until you've reached 2 squares, at which point you cease movement. (I believe this is per the rules.)

"Oh shit!" Paik curses under his breath, "I didn't notice anybody over there. Who are these people?"

knowledge checks, nature, then history
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3360841/
Cornelis : 24,20
Hamlet : 13,18
Roland : 19,13

Paik: You know Hamlet and Cornelis, but you've never heard of the red-haired boy.

Cornelis, from simple looking, obviously makes extensive use of the massive iron fist that is his right arm. Just a hit from that would likely send you to the ground with ease (primary attack, Crushing Fist, prones the target on hit and has Reach 2). Moreover, he looks stalwart, so much that it looks impossible to push him away or to get away from him (Cornelis cannot be pushed and has Threatening Reach 2). From what you heard of his voice earlier, he is a frightful person whose very challenge would be irresistible (his Demanding Voice pulls a target). Cornelis is a Human.

From rumours, you know that he is a stalwart defender who stands at the front lines, guarding his allies by drawing attention to himself (Cornelis is a Soldier, and can Mark with a Minor Action). Not giving him this due attention when locked in battle with him is said to be very punishing (Cornelis uses a special Opportunity Action against Marked targets who provoke an Opportunity Action).


Hamlet... you got nothing from just looking.

What you've heard about him is that he specialises in the use of Barriers and confusing the enemy (Hamlet has a Power that Dazes). He is a supporter among the Eiserne Wacht.


Roland, although you've never heard of him before, looks sturdy despite his age. The golden fist affixed to his right arm is more imposing than Cornelis's, and the sword at his hip looks dangerous enough as well. The golden fist doesn't look powerful enough to knock you to the ground, but a hit would likely leave you with a headache (Roland's Obliterating Fist dazes). You're not quite sure about the sword, which seems more as a secondary weapon to fall back on. He doesn't seem quite human.

Alexi is so distracted by the rogue's incompetence that he reacts poorly to the beginning of battle. "Goth darn it!"

Use my background benefit to waste an init reroll. http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3361720/
Still wanna swap with Aeir, if he's willing.

>>2196
I'm a bit late, but I want to make a history check for Eiserne Wacht.
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3361774/ (26)

A dagger appears from out of thin air and slices at the guard, driving him back several feet. Paik fades back into view, looking sheepishly at the door before forcing it open. "Sorry, cap'n, didn't see them there. Door's all clear now," he apologizes, scowling at the Wacht. "And shame on ya, spouting justice nonsense allying yourself with the Crown. Don'tcha know the prince is a prick?" Having given his two cents, Paik ducks out of the way, though he does stumble a bit in the process.

Free action : Draw Footpad's Friend Dagger +2
Standard action : Positioning Strike on Keep Guard, non-lethal, slide to G-11
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3361950/ (39, 25)
Minor action : Open door
Move action : Move to G-5
Stealth check to hide again : http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3361955/ (23)

A dagger appears from out of thin air and slices at the guard, driving him back several feet. Paik fades back into view, looking sheepishly at the door before forcing it open. "Sorry, cap'n, didn't see them there. Door's all clear now," he apologizes, scowling at the Wacht. "And shame on ya, spouting justice nonsense allying yourself with the Crown. Don'tcha know the prince is a prick?" Having given his two cents, Paik ducks back inside, though he does stumble a bit in the process.

Free action : Draw Footpad's Friend Dagger +2
Standard action : Positioning Strike on Keep Guard, non-lethal, slide to G-11
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3361950/ (39, 25)
Minor action : Open door
Move action : Move to C-8
Stealth check to hide again : http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3361955/ (23)

A dagger appears from out of thin air and slices at the guard, driving him back several feet. Paik fades back into view, looking sheepishly at the door before forcing it open. "Sorry, cap'n, didn't see them there. Door's all clear now," he apologizes, scowling at the Wacht. "And shame on ya, spouting justice nonsense allying yourself with the Crown. Don'tcha know the prince is a prick?" Having given his two cents, Paik ducks back inside, though he does stumble a bit in the process.

Free action : Draw Footpad's Friend Dagger +2
Standard action : Positioning Strike on Keep Guard, non-lethal, slide to G-11
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3361950/ (39, 25)
Minor action : Open door
Move action : Move to G-5
Stealth check to hide again : http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3361955/ (23)

A dagger appears from out of thin air and slices at the guard, driving him back several feet. Paik fades back into view, looking sheepishly at the door before forcing it open. "Sorry, cap'n, didn't see them there. Door's all clear now," he apologizes, scowling at the Wacht. "And shame on ya, spouting justice nonsense allying yourself with the Crown. Don'tcha know the prince is a prick?" Having given his two cents, Paik ducks behind a bench, though he does stumble a bit in the process.

Free action : Draw Footpad's Friend Dagger +2
Standard action : Positioning Strike on Keep Guard, non-lethal, slide to G-11
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3361950/ (39, 25)
Minor action : Open door
Move action : Move to G-5
Stealth check to hide again : http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3361955/ (23)

Paik's sneak attack on the Keep Guard works well, hitting the unfortunate man in a lethal place, though not wounding him quite enough to draw blood. The warrior is sent backwards toward Cornelis, who steadies him.

"Captain? So there's more of you, is there?" Cornelis growls. Though Paik tries his best to hide, without any superior cover, it becomes an impossible feat.

Roland advances then, swiftly covering the distance. "Move, everyone!" he calls out, and Cornelis and Hamlet quickly advance closer to the door. "Don't show your backside to 'em! Like Tile herself, her underlings rely on deceit!"

With no targets in sight, Roland steels himself for attacks.

Paik's stealth fails: there is no superior cover nor total concealment to hide with.
Roland moves, then uses Let's Move! to slide Cornelis and Hamlet 1 square.
Roland uses Total Defence.


Initiative Order
Cornelis (30)
Keep Guard 1 (26)
Paik (24)
Roland (23)
Aeir/Alexi (22)
Hamlet (21)
Reiyasu (19)
Keep Guard 2 (17)
Alexi/Aeir (14)
Kavakri (13)

Players
Reiyasu (D-3) 69/69 HP
Paik (G-5) 54/68 HP
Aeir (C-3) 75/75 HP, Riding
Aeir's Panther (C-3) 37/37 HP
Kavakri (B-3) 60/60 HP
Alexi (C-7) 81/81 HP
Eflor (Not Present) 81/81 HP

Enemies
Cornelis (F-9)
Hamlet (I-13)
Roland (F-13) +2 to all defences
Keep Guard 1 (G-11) -25 HP
Keep Guard 2 (J-11)

Notes
- Opening the door is a Minor Action, as per RAW.
- You can use History or Nature for knowledge on Cornelis, Hamlet and Roland. Nature for the Keep Guards. History because the Eiserne Wacht is known, so you just need to know these three people. You can only make these checks when you have line of sight to the creature.
- The squares in Cornelis's aura are Difficult Terrain to the party. Enemies ignore this aura. If you leave the aura, you are Slowed until the end of your next turn - if you are Slowed during movement, your movement ends if you already moved 2 squares. If you did not, you may continue moving until you've reached 2 squares, at which point you cease movement. (I believe this is per the rules.)

Finding no safe place to hide, Paik gives up on stealth. "These looked much taller through the crook-eye," he sulks, before turning towards the Eisern Wacht. Time for plan B. "Wait, I know you," he says, trying to make conversation with his aggressors instead, showing recognition of them. "You're the legendary Eisern Wacht, aren't you? I may be a lowly foot-soldier, but even I've heard tales about how you fight for justice and make the roads safe for us all."

Everybody likes praise, right? Paik goes for that route, pandering to their pride. He looks at each of them in turn as he speaks, while at the same time relaying his observations to his allies. [/i]"And you, you're Cornelis, right?" he asks casually, a hint of admiration in his voice as he gently goads them into talking, "Able to knock punks down from a ways away with that giant fist of yours, and famed for never yielding ground or letting crooks escape your grasp? And a powerful, commanding voice, it looks like."

He looks to Hamlet, inquiring, "You're Hamlet, yes? 'fraid I don't know much about you from looking at you, but I've heard around the campfires that you've got some powerful barrier magic. Also heard you can befuddle the minds of miscreants with your spells. Or am I wrong about that stuff?"

Finally, Paik examines Roland, looking confused, "No idea who you are, friend, sorry. But hey, you look like you've got a lifetime's worth of experience in being a tough S.O.B. in ya, and you seem to be more than meets the eye anyway. Though not in a bad way, mind." His tone is conversational, friendly even. "Lessee... That big fist of yours looks like it'd pack a wallop, and that sword's pretty scary, but why ya got it sheathed? Is it in case of emergencies?"

He frowns, now preying on their guilt, "What're you doing here anyway? This was supposed to be a regular ol' scouting assignment for us. It was based on flimsy rumors of the Crown involvement here, and we just had to look around and report back, then we could all go home. It was my ticket out of having to hurt people, but no, it couldn't be that easy." Paik grumbles, his distaste for violence and the unexpected difficulty of this assignment completely sincere.

He pauses for a moment, then looks as though he just thought of something, "Waaaait just a tick... If the best of the Crown's soldiers are here and not at the main keep, then that must mean..." he leaves the sentence hanging intentionally, letting the Wacht fill in the blanks with their own imaginations and his party think of the implications.

Taken aback by the torrent of words, the air itself flees, attempting to seek refuge from talk-kun's endless vocalizations.

(USER WAS DRAGON SLAVED FOR THIS POST)

Alexi seems a bit exasperated at the rogue's sudden soliloquy. "Of all the timeth... gah!" The fighter suddenly charges headlong into the room, and quickly assesses the situation. Spotting the biggest threat nearby, the brawler moves to engage him directly, drinking down the potion in his hand. "You look like a toughie! Let'th tuthle!"

Alexi reaches back with his now-free hand and turns what first appears to be a punch into a grappling motion, attempting to entrap the tough-looking soldier in his grasp.

Use casque of tactics to swap places with Aeir initiative.
Minor Action: Drink potion of clarity. At one point before the end of the encounter, I can reroll a level 5 or lower daily or encounter attack power.
Move Action: Attempt to move to E-8. This may provoke an OA which may knock me prone. If it does I'm going to use a second move action to stand. Otherwise:
Standard Action: Use grappling strike on Cornelius, 25 vs. AC. If it hits, 14 damage and the target is grabbed, which automatically breaks at the end of my next turn. If it misses I'll use heroic effort for the +4 to the attack.
Note: I mark him with combat challenge.
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3364291/

"Sorry, cap'n! You know how much I like talkin', sometimes I get carried away!"

With heroic effort, the grappler manages to latch on to Cornelis, firmly holding the warrior.

"What, now, a private fight?" Cornelis says, with obvious surprise.

Meanwhile, Hamlet moves further up, staying at a distance as a silvery bolt of light streaks from his finger tops. It flashes past Alexi once, then towards Paik.

While Alexi notices nothing from the attack, the rogue cannot say the same. As if something's tearing into his mind and ripping it apart, a strong headache builds in Paik's head.

Alexi successfully grabs Cornelis.
Hamlet moves, then uses Mindcrusher, missing Alexi but hitting Paik for 10 psychic damage, and ongoing 10 psychic damage (save ends).

Initiative Order
Cornelis (30)
Keep Guard 1 (26)
Paik (24)
Roland (23)
Aeir/Alexi (22)
Hamlet (21)
Reiyasu (19)
Keep Guard 2 (17)
Alexi/Aeir (14)
Kavakri (13)

Players
Reiyasu (D-3) 69/69 HP
Paik (G-5) 44/68 HP, ongoing 10 psychic damage (save ends)
Aeir (C-3) 75/75 HP, Riding
Aeir's Panther (C-3) 37/37 HP
Kavakri (B-3) 60/60 HP
Alexi (E-8) 81/81 HP
Eflor (Not Present) 81/81 HP

Enemies
Cornelis (F-9) -14 HP, Grabbed, Combat Challenge
Hamlet (E-15)
Roland (F-13) +2 to all defences
Keep Guard 1 (G-11) -25 HP
Keep Guard 2 (J-11)

Notes
- Opening the door is a Minor Action, as per RAW.
- You can use History or Nature for knowledge on Cornelis, Hamlet and Roland. Nature for the Keep Guards. History because the Eiserne Wacht is known, so you just need to know these three people. You can only make these checks when you have line of sight to the creature.
- The squares in Cornelis's aura are Difficult Terrain to the party. Enemies ignore this aura. If you leave the aura, you are Slowed until the end of your next turn - if you are Slowed during movement, your movement ends if you already moved 2 squares. If you did not, you may continue moving until you've reached 2 squares, at which point you cease movement. (I believe this is per the rules.)

"Who allowed the smart guy to open the door? Captain, things look bad right now."
A bit slowly, the first thing Reiyasu notice is one of the enemies using a mental shock to attack the rouge and red-guy. Well that would be if he allowed the weirdo to damage Paik. "Don't worry, I got you covered."
Immediate action: Reverent mettle! Reduce the damage Paik received by 10!

Just as Reiyasu show off with his magic and *** , he start making more awesome stuff. "You look good enough" The cleric say, as he look at the psion. "Help me distracting those weirdos."
Now with everything right on the world, he moves and give everyone a better look. Sure let's also attack this tough guy.
Minor actio: Favor of the gods to Kavakri, now she can re-roll the first attack roll she miss before the end of my next turn, also I regain the use of Reverent Metle!
Movement action: Move to E-6
Standard action: Astral seal against Cornelis! (22 vs reflex) http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3366136/
If it hits the Cornelis suffer a -2 penalty to all defenses until the end of my next turn, also the next ally who attack it before the end of my next turn regain 9 hit points!

Also: please give me infos http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3360878/

The detective fails in his attempt to shield Paik, main cause chiefly that he cannot actually see Paik, and undirected might is dangerous at best and catastrophic at worst.

As he moves into the room and away from Cornelis, the Eiserne Wacht launches into an attack, his fist sending a spiralling shockwave at Reiyasu.

Reiyasu moves away from Cornelis, which provokes an opportunity attack. The attack hits. Does anyone want to interrupt this action?

Moreover, Divine Mettle is not expended, as Reiyasu had no line of effect to Paik and could therefore not engage the power. You may choose not to bestow your favour of the gods.

"Oh no no no, dear!" Alexi says, acting like he's going to punch Cornelius, but stopping at the last moment. "I'm your target here!"

Immediate Interrupt: Use combat challenge attack. Miss with a natural 1. http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3366603/

And so Cornelis pays no further heed to Alexi, his fist's attack connecting with Reiyasu in frightening way. The cleric's knees buckle beneath his weight and he drops to the ground.

Reiyasu's feeble attempt at an attack goes awry and misses the warrior, to make matters a whole deal worse.

The Keep Guard, eager to support the Eiserne Wacht, jumps on the table and rushes over it, swiping his sword at Reiyasu with determination.

However, perhaps unbalanced by jumping off the table, the attack doesn't quite hit home.

Alexi's Combat Challenge misses.
Cornelis's Opportunity Attack uses Crushing Fist, hitting for 21 force damage, and Reiyasu is knocked Prone.
Reiyasu's attack misses.
Keep Guard charges Reiyasu, but misses.

Initiative Order
Cornelis (30)
Keep Guard 1 (26)
Paik (24)
Roland (23)
Alexi (22)
Hamlet (21)
Reiyasu (19)
Keep Guard 2 (17)
Aeir (14)
Kavakri (13)

Players
Reiyasu (E-6) 47/69 HP, Prone
Paik (G-5) 44/68 HP, ongoing 10 psychic damage (save ends)
Aeir (C-3) 75/75 HP, Riding
Aeir's Panther (C-3) 37/37 HP
Kavakri (B-3) 60/60 HP
Alexi (E-8) 81/81 HP
Eflor (Not Present) 81/81 HP

Enemies
Cornelis (F-9) -14 HP, Grabbed, Combat Challenge
Hamlet (E-15)
Roland (F-13) +2 to all defences
Keep Guard 1 (G-11) -25 HP
Keep Guard 2 (F-6)

Notes
- You can use History or Nature for knowledge on Cornelis, Hamlet and Roland. Nature for the Keep Guards. History because the Eiserne Wacht is known, so you just need to know these three people. You can only make these checks when you have line of sight to the creature.
- The squares in Cornelis's aura are Difficult Terrain to the party. Enemies ignore this aura. If you leave the aura, you are Slowed until the end of your next turn - if you are Slowed during movement, your movement ends if you already moved 2 squares. If you did not, you may continue moving until you've reached 2 squares, at which point you cease movement. (I believe this is per the rules.)

[/i] Aeir lost most of her energetic personality and took up a more of quiet tone. She opened up her lips and made a low growling sound with her vocals that only her panther companion could possibly understand after being with her for so long. Soon enough the animal ran across the surface of the floor while she gripped tight around it's body with her feet, it begun to turn the corner and enter inside the nearby doorway. All the while one of her more spacious pouches that were draped on the beast began to shake and rustle, her familiar attendant holding Aeir's weapon of choice; a well-sharpened dagger with a leaf-covered handle.

Aeir took the dagger in her right-hand as she finally made it toward her destination, her hand gripping tight onto that leaf-covered handle, a shining blue light pouring out from the tip of the blade before she attempted a swing at the Keep Guard that had tried to attack her comrade. During the same moment while she stayed on top of her panther companion, her left hand shook slightly before it raised up into the air with a lime-colored light circling around her palm while it extended out towards Paik, showering him with energy. [/i]
Free action: Draw Accurate Dagger of Long Range +2
Move action: E-7
Minor action: Healing Infusion targeted on Paik.
Standard action: Magic Weapon on Guard 1 (Successful: Adjacent Allies gain +5 power bonus to attack and damage rolls until end of your next turn.)
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3366915/ 26 Attack roll from Flanking + CA aura. (Mistake just found out after rolling.)



History checks: http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3366925/

Aeir lost most of her energetic personality and took up a more of quiet tone. She opened up her lips and made a low growling sound with her vocals that only her panther companion could possibly understand after being with her for so long. Soon enough the animal ran across the surface of the floor while she gripped tight around it's body with her feet, it begun to turn the corner and enter inside the nearby doorway. All the while one of her more spacious pouches that were draped on the beast began to shake and rustle, her familiar attendant holding Aeir's weapon of choice; a well-sharpened dagger with a leaf-covered handle.

Aeir took the dagger in her right-hand as she finally made it toward her destination, her hand gripping tight onto that leaf-covered handle, a shining blue light pouring out from the tip of the blade before she attempted a swing at the Keep Guard that had tried to attack her comrade. During the same moment while she stayed on top of her panther companion, her left hand shook slightly before it raised up into the air with a lime-colored light circling around her palm while it extended out towards Paik, showering him with energy.
Free action: Draw Accurate Dagger of Long Range +2
Move action: E-7
Minor action: Healing Infusion:Resistive Formula targeted on Paik.
Standard action: Magic Weapon on Guard 1 (Successful: Adjacent Allies gain +4 power bonus damage rolls and +1 power bones to attack rolls until end of your next turn.)
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3366915/ 26 Attack roll from Flanking + CA aura. (Mistake just found out after rolling.)



History checks: http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3366925/

The tiny alchemist rides into the room in style, throwing around boons and hurt. The soldier is shocked with magical energy, empowering both Reiyasu and Alexi for a while.

Paik receives Resistive Formula's effectss, and gains a +1 bonus to AC.
Aeir's magic weapon hits Keep Guard 1 for 11 damage, and Reiyasu and Alexi gain a +1 bonus to attack rolls and +4 bonus to damage rolls until the end of Aeir's next turn.

Aeir: You know all Paik does in lore of the others. Of Roland, you know more. Frighteningly more.

In the books related to this keep, you recall descriptions of a "youth wielding a golden arm whose blazing sword cut low all attackers"... it strikes you that this is that very Roland. It was said that his fury was a sight to behold, empowering Roland and adding a fierce edge to his attacks (Roland's Berserker Fury improves his accuracy and defences, and adds secondary effects to all his attacks; he enters this state when first bloodied). Of course, for Roland's enemies it spelt doom and death.

Supposedly, his pursuit of justice led him to burn his own father at the stake for going against the kingdom: all history books agreed that no stauncher ally of the kingdom existed than Roland of the Eiserne Wacht, son of the very leader of that Wacht.

Initiative Order
Cornelis (30)
Keep Guard 1 (26)
Paik (24)
Roland (23)
Alexi (22)
Hamlet (21)
Reiyasu (19)
Keep Guard 2 (17)
Aeir (14)
Kavakri (13)

Players
Reiyasu (E-6) 47/69 HP, Prone, +1 to attack rolls and +4 to damage rolls until end of Aeir's next turn
Paik (G-5) 44/68 HP, ongoing 10 psychic damage (save ends), +1 to AC
Aeir (E-7) 75/75 HP, Riding
Aeir's Panther (E-7) 37/37 HP
Kavakri (B-3) 60/60 HP
Alexi (E-8) 81/81 HP +1 to attack rolls and +4 to damage rolls until end of Aeir's next turn
Eflor (Not Present) 81/81 HP

Enemies
Cornelis (F-9) -14 HP, Grabbed, Combat Challenge
Hamlet (E-15)
Roland (F-13) +2 to all defences
Keep Guard 1 (G-11) -36 HP
Keep Guard 2 (F-6)

Notes
- You can use History or Nature for knowledge on Cornelis, Hamlet and Roland. Nature for the Keep Guards. History because the Eiserne Wacht is known, so you just need to know these three people. You can only make these checks when you have line of sight to the creature.
- The squares in Cornelis's aura are Difficult Terrain to the party. Enemies ignore this aura. If you leave the aura, you are Slowed until the end of your next turn - if you are Slowed during movement, your movement ends if you already moved 2 squares. If you did not, you may continue moving until you've reached 2 squares, at which point you cease movement. (I believe this is per the rules.)

While weaving destructive psionic magic, Kavakri calls to her new enemies. "Hi, Eiserne Wacht. We're here to investigate the magical connection between the crown and this keep. Can you tell us anything?"

Minor action: Call Shaped Consciousness to G-9.
Free action: I can see my enemies now. Would >>2232 apply this time, or should I roll separately?

Free action: Staff of Psicraft to increase Dimensional Scramble's area of effect to Burst 2, and I'll Augment 2 to regain the power. Since this is a daily item power, Aeir's Arcane Rejuvenation feature grants me 10 temporary HP, unless I missed something.

Standard action: Dimensional Scramble! From the Shaped Consciousness's square, and Area Burst 2 within 10, thanks to Staff of Psicraft. Centered at H-11, elevation 2. http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3369160/
- Assuming the attack against Keep Guard 1 missed, here's a reroll. If it didn't miss the guard but missed Roland, please use the same roll against Roland. http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3369166/
I'll teleport Cornelis to G-14. If hit, Keep Guard 1 teleports to F-14 I don't think I hit Roland, but if it happened, I'll teleport Roland to G-13, elevation 5. Since I'd be teleporting him into the air, he would make a saving throw against the teleport effect.

- Action Point - Standard action: Dishearten, Augment 2. From the Shaped Consciousness's square, and Area burst 1 within 10, centered at F-14. Aeir's Resourceful Leader feat gives me a +3 to damage rolls. It definitely targets Cornelis, Hamlet, and Roland, unless Cornelis's fortitude defense is over 29. It might target Keep Guard 1, depending on whether the Dimensional Scrmable from before hit. http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3369192/
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3369194/
Those hit take a -5 penalty to attack rolls until the end of my next turn.

Move action: I'll move to D-6, and move the SC to I-9. I should still have line of effect to there.

>>2300
Scholar master race Knowledge checks.

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3369255/
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3369257/
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3369258/

Kavakri conjures a part of her consciousness within the room, assaulting the Eiserne Wacht from the safety outside the room. However, Roland proves too difficult to hit with any attack, and while the first manages to harm Cornelis, Alexi's Feyslaughter Gauntlets disallow him from passing through the fabric of physics and move to a new place.

Hamlet isn't so lucky, and feels hindered by Kavakri's attack. The unfortunate Keep Guard caught in the storm looks in very bad shape now, and might fall soon.

In the face of all this, Cornelis feebly tries to escape from Alexi's grasp, but finds himself unable to. Left with no recourse, he swings his fist at Alexi, but can't quite hit the warrior properly.

"Rogue, don't you dare run!" Cornelis bellows, while the Keep Guard nearby strikes at Reiyasu, drawing blood from the fallen warrior and sneaking away.

Kavakri's Dimensional Scramble hits Cornelis and Keep Guard for 8 damage, but misses the rest. Keep Guard is teleported, but Cornelis is not due to being affected by Alexi's Feyslaughter Gauntlets.
Kavakri's Dishearten hits Keep Guard and Hamlet for 23 damage, Hamlet +5 damage due to Scholar's Use Vulnerability. Hamlet and Keep Guard suffer a -5 penalty to attack rolls until the end of Kavakri's next turn.
Cornelis fails to Escape from Alexi's grab.
Cornelis misses with Crushing Fist.
Cornelis marks Paik until the end of Cornelis's next turn.
Keep Guard 2 attacks Reiyasu with longsword, dealing 11 damage and shifting to F7.

Kavakri: Of the others, you know everything everyone else does, save that the Keep Guards use their longswords in battle and shift around a lot.

On Hamlet, you know he is known for his ability to assault the mind and spring up barriers. When nearing Hamlet too close, there's a chance of being repelled by the protective wards he has around himself (Hamlet's Reactive Barrier Push pushes 3 squares). Additionally, Hamlet has the ability to invade an enemy's mind and move them as he pleases (Hamlet can Inspire Movement and slide a target 2 squares). His power to invade the mind includes a brutal assault on it (Hamlet's mindcrusher does ongoing psychic damage, saving against which causes you to be Dazed until the end of your next turn). Lastly, Hamlet is known to box in his enemies with barriers, preventing escape for them (Hamlet's Grand Barrier immobilises the target).

Initiative Order
Cornelis (30)
Keep Guard 1 (26)
Paik (24)
Roland (23)
Alexi (22)
Hamlet (21)
Reiyasu (19)
Keep Guard 2 (17)
Aeir (14)
Kavakri (13)

Players
Reiyasu (E-6) 36/69 HP, Prone, +1 to attack rolls and +4 to damage rolls until end of Aeir's next turn, Bloodied
Paik (G-5) 44/68 HP, ongoing 10 psychic damage (save ends), +1 to AC, Marked by Cornelis until end of Cornelis's next turn
Aeir (E-7) 75/75 HP, Riding
Aeir's Panther (E-7) 37/37 HP
Kavakri (D-6) 60/60 HP +5 to damage rolls against Hamlet until end of next turn
Shaped Consciousness (I-9)
Alexi (E-8) 81/81 HP +1 to attack rolls and +4 to damage rolls until end of Aeir's next turn
Eflor (Not Present) 81/81 HP

Enemies
Cornelis (F-9) -22 HP, Grabbed, Combat Challenge
Hamlet (E-15) -28 HP, -5 to attack rolls until end of Kavakri's next turn
Roland (F-13) +2 to all defences
Keep Guard 1 (F-14) -67 HP, Bloodied, -5 to attack rolls until end of Kavakri's next turn
Keep Guard 2 (F-7)

Notes
- You can use History or Nature for knowledge on Cornelis, Hamlet and Roland. Nature for the Keep Guards. History because the Eiserne Wacht is known, so you just need to know these three people. You can only make these checks when you have line of sight to the creature.
- The squares in Cornelis's aura are Difficult Terrain to the party. Enemies ignore this aura. If you leave the aura, you are Slowed until the end of your next turn - if you are Slowed during movement, your movement ends if you already moved 2 squares. If you did not, you may continue moving until you've reached 2 squares, at which point you cease movement. (I believe this is per the rules.)

Kavakri conjures a part of her consciousness within the room, assaulting the Eiserne Wacht from the safety outside the room. However, Roland proves too difficult to hit with any attack, and while the first manages to harm Cornelis, Alexi's Feyslaughter Gauntlets disallow him from passing through the fabric of physics and move to a new place.

Hamlet isn't so lucky, and feels hindered by Kavakri's attack. The unfortunate Keep Guard caught in the storm looks in very bad shape now, and might fall soon.

In the face of all this, Cornelis feebly tries to escape from Alexi's grasp, but finds himself unable to. Left with no recourse, he swings his fist at Alexi, but can't quite hit the warrior properly.

"Rogue, don't you dare run!" Cornelis bellows, while the Keep Guard affected by Kavakri regains his bearings and tries, feebly, to assist Cornelis. However, his sword finds no purchase with the grappler.

Kavakri's Dimensional Scramble hits Cornelis and Keep Guard for 8 damage, but misses the rest. Keep Guard is teleported, but Cornelis is not due to being affected by Alexi's Feyslaughter Gauntlets.
Kavakri's Dishearten hits Keep Guard and Hamlet for 23 damage, Hamlet +5 damage due to Scholar's Use Vulnerability. Hamlet and Keep Guard suffer a -5 penalty to attack rolls until the end of Kavakri's next turn.
Cornelis fails to Escape from Alexi's grab.
Cornelis misses with Crushing Fist.
Cornelis marks Paik until the end of Cornelis's next turn.
Keep Guard 1 attacks Alexi with longsword, but misses.

Kavakri: Of the others, you know everything everyone else does, save that the Keep Guards use their longswords in battle and shift around a lot.

On Hamlet, you know he is known for his ability to assault the mind and spring up barriers. When nearing Hamlet too close, there's a chance of being repelled by the protective wards he has around himself (Hamlet's Reactive Barrier Push pushes 3 squares). Additionally, Hamlet has the ability to invade an enemy's mind and move them as he pleases (Hamlet can Inspire Movement and slide a target 2 squares). His power to invade the mind includes a brutal assault on it (Hamlet's mindcrusher does ongoing psychic damage, saving against which causes you to be Dazed until the end of your next turn). Lastly, Hamlet is known to box in his enemies with barriers, preventing escape for them (Hamlet's Grand Barrier immobilises the target).

Initiative Order
Cornelis (30)
Keep Guard 1 (26)
Paik (24)
Roland (23)
Alexi (22)
Hamlet (21)
Reiyasu (19)
Keep Guard 2 (17)
Aeir (14)
Kavakri (13)

Players
Reiyasu (E-6) 47/69 HP, Prone, +1 to attack rolls and +4 to damage rolls until end of Aeir's next turn
Paik (G-5) 44/68 HP, ongoing 10 psychic damage (save ends), +1 to AC, Marked by Cornelis until end of Cornelis's next turn
Aeir (E-7) 75/75 HP, Riding
Aeir's Panther (E-7) 37/37 HP
Kavakri (D-6) 60/60 HP +5 to damage rolls against Hamlet until end of next turn
Shaped Consciousness (I-9)
Alexi (E-8) 81/81 HP +1 to attack rolls and +4 to damage rolls until end of Aeir's next turn
Eflor (Not Present) 81/81 HP

Enemies
Cornelis (F-9) -22 HP, Grabbed, Combat Challenge
Hamlet (E-15) -28 HP, -5 to attack rolls until end of Kavakri's next turn
Roland (F-13) +2 to all defences
Keep Guard 1 (E-9) -67 HP, Bloodied, -5 to attack rolls until end of Kavakri's next turn
Keep Guard 2 (F-6)

Notes
- You can use History or Nature for knowledge on Cornelis, Hamlet and Roland. Nature for the Keep Guards. History because the Eiserne Wacht is known, so you just need to know these three people. You can only make these checks when you have line of sight to the creature.
- The squares in Cornelis's aura are Difficult Terrain to the party. Enemies ignore this aura. If you leave the aura, you are Slowed until the end of your next turn - if you are Slowed during movement, your movement ends if you already moved 2 squares. If you did not, you may continue moving until you've reached 2 squares, at which point you cease movement. (I believe this is per the rules.)

The bolstering boon Aeir gave him earlier is swiftly invoked to combat the oncoming headache as vigor flows through Paik's body. The challenge issued by Cornelis rings in his ears and serves to exacerbate the pain he's feeling, and Paik is very upset that his tirade was ignored by these thick-headed justice-spouting brutes. The fact that Cornelis' ignored his superior's call for a one-on-one fight like some thug was just icing on the cake of how upset he was.

Fine, they wanted a fight, they got one. And Paik fought dirty.

"Well if you aren't gonna fight fair, then I sure as hell won't either," the rogue warns, rushing forward and leaping towards Cornelis. His movement as he closes the gap between them is quick, nimble, and erratic, leaving the guard and the Eisern Wacht unable to counter or even react before it's too late. In a very short period of time, Paik is less than three feet from his aggressor, and brings up his dagger in a motion to slash at Cornelis' face... Only to feint and leave the member of the Eisern Wacht unable to defend himself against his real attack. The rogue artfully lets the momentum carry him as he pivots around on his heel. Raising the dagger high, he drives his knife between the plates of Cornelis' armor with brutal accuracy, catching the soldier off guard and leaving him hobbled, then slips the blade out just as easily.

Paik backs away and holds up both knives in a protective position, hopping from one foot to the next as he stays light on his feet. His stance is like that of a boxer, but with knives. Ready to take advantage of an opening without leaving himself open to attack in the process. For a con man, he seems oddly sure about fighting.

Free action before turn starts : drop bonus to AC from Resistive Formula to receive my surge value + 4 in THPs
Move Action : Tumble to shift to F-8
Minor Action : Changeling Trick for combat advantage against Cornelis (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3372210/ 24)
Standard Action : Piercing Strike vs. Cornelis' Reflex (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3372216/ 25, 17+14 damage)
No Action : Low Blow on Cornelis, dazing him until the end of my next turn

The bolstering boon Aeir gave him earlier is swiftly invoked to combat the oncoming headache as vigor flows through Paik's body. The challenge issued by Cornelis rings in his ears and serves to exacerbate the pain he's feeling, and Paik is very upset that his tirade was ignored by these thick-headed justice-spouting brutes. The fact that Cornelis' ignored his superior's call for a one-on-one fight like some thug was just icing on the cake of how upset he was.

Fine, they wanted a fight, they got one. And Paik fought dirty.

"Well if you aren't gonna fight fair, then I sure as hell won't either," the rogue warns, rushing forward and leaping towards Cornelis. His movement as he closes the gap between them is quick, nimble, and erratic, leaving the guard and the Eisern Wacht unable to counter or even react before it's too late. In a very short period of time, Paik is less than three feet from his aggressor, and brings up his dagger in a motion to slash at Cornelis' face... Only to feint and leave the member of the Eisern Wacht unable to defend himself against his real attack. The rogue artfully lets the momentum carry him as he pivots around on his heel. Raising the dagger high, he drives his knife between the plates of Cornelis' armor with brutal accuracy, catching the soldier off guard and leaving him hobbled, then slips the blade out just as easily.

Paik backs away and holds up both knives in a protective position, but when his headache leaves him, he ends up leaving himself open to attack as his attention is diverted.

Free action before turn starts : drop bonus to AC from Resistive Formula to receive my surge value + 4 in THPs
Move Action : Tumble to shift to F-8
Minor Action : Changeling Trick for combat advantage against Cornelis (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3372210/ 24)
Standard Action : Piercing Strike vs. Cornelis' Reflex (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3372216/ 25, 17+14 damage)
No Action : Low Blow on Cornelis, dazing him until the end of my next turn
Saving throw : http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3372274/ (18) (dazed until end of next turn)

Paik tumbles closer to Cornelis, attempting one of his racial tricks to distract Cornelis momentarily.

The blade finds purchase, dealing some more damage to Cornelis. Not quite enough to draw blood, however.

At this point, Roland decides to move. The warrior moves forward, quickly jumping onto the table while at the same time forcing Cornelis's movement away from Alexi and unto the table as well.

"Take a load of this!" the red-head yells, unsheating his sword. A spark of fire snaps from the sheath, and the weapon lashes out at Alexi and Reiyasu, coiling like a serpent.

The fiery attack leaves Reiyasu bleeding, while scorching the captain.

Paik's Changeling Trick tricks Cornelis!
Paik's Piercing Strike hits, dealing 17 damage to Cornelis, then another 14 damage with the sneak attack, and he leaves Cornelis dazed.
Roland uses Let's Move!, and slides Cornelis to G-8, and Keep Guard 2 to F-7.
Roland uses blaze blade, hitting Alexi and Reiyasu both for 24 fire damage, and Reiyasu is Bloodied.

Initiative Order
Cornelis (30)
Keep Guard 1 (26)
Paik (24)
Roland (23)
Alexi (22)
Hamlet (21)
Reiyasu (19)
Keep Guard 2 (17)
Aeir (14)
Kavakri (13)

Players
Reiyasu (E-6) 23/69 HP, Prone, +1 to attack rolls and +4 to damage rolls until end of Aeir's next turn, Bloodied
Paik (F-8) 44/68 HP, 6 tHP, Dazed until end of next turn, Marked by Cornelis until end of Cornelis's next turn
Aeir (E-7) 75/75 HP, Riding
Aeir's Panther (E-7) 37/37 HP
Kavakri (D-6) 60/60 HP +5 to damage rolls against Hamlet until end of next turn
Shaped Consciousness (I-9)
Alexi (E-8) 57/81 HP +1 to attack rolls and +4 to damage rolls until end of Aeir's next turn
Eflor (Not Present) 81/81 HP

Enemies
Cornelis (F-9) -53 HP, Combat Challenge, Dazed until end of Paik's next turn
Hamlet (E-15) -28 HP, -5 to attack rolls until end of Kavakri's next turn
Roland (H-9)
Keep Guard 1 (E-9) -67 HP, Bloodied, -5 to attack rolls until end of Kavakri's next turn
Keep Guard 2 (F-6)

Notes
- You can use History or Nature for knowledge on Cornelis, Hamlet and Roland. Nature for the Keep Guards. History because the Eiserne Wacht is known, so you just need to know these three people. You can only make these checks when you have line of sight to the creature.
- The squares in Cornelis's aura are Difficult Terrain to the party. Enemies ignore this aura. If you leave the aura, you are Slowed until the end of your next turn - if you are Slowed during movement, your movement ends if you already moved 2 squares. If you did not, you may continue moving until you've reached 2 squares, at which point you cease movement. (I believe this is per the rules.)

Not really worried from being attacked while hugging the floor, Reiyasu say a chant to protect Alexi.
"Captain, give them a good trashing."

Not really worried from being attacked while hugging the floor, Reiyasu say a chant to protect Alexi.
"Captain, give them a good trashing."
Immediate action: Reverent Metle to protect Alexi (10 points of damage reduction)!

Not at all deterred by the flames, Alexi spins and slams his fist into the not-so-injured grunt, saying, "Let'th you and me go for a thpin, hun!" Before the poor sap even realizes what's happening, Alexi is dragging him across the room, and unceremoniously slams him to the ground. "Don't worry, boyth, there'th plenty to go around!" the fighter calls out, planting his battle standard on the ground with a great deal of force. The magic of the battle standard activates, pulling all of the enemies towards Alexi and away from his allies.

"Now," Alexi announces, pulling the leather straps over his fists taunt and adopting a fighting stance, "Don't even THINK about attacking them again, capiche?"

Spend an Action Point!
Free Action: Grappling Strike, 23 vs. Keep Guard 2's AC. http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3372541/ A hit deals 23 damage (+3 from Resourceful Presence) and grabs him. Mark keep guard 2 with combat challenge.
Move Action: Use Forceful Drag, move to F-9, slide keep guard 2 to E-8, move to F-10, slide keep guard 2 to F-9, end because slowed. End the grab and knock keep guard 2 prone. This provokes an OA from keep guard 1.
Standard Action: Plant battle standard of the hungry blade in my space, activates a zone in a burst 3. Pull Roland to G-10, pull Cornelius to G-9, affects both keep guards but they stay where they are. All four of them are slowed until the start of my next turn. Battle standard of the hungry blade creates a zone in a burst 3 that lasts until the end of the encounter or until the battle standard is removed. At the start of my turn, I pull each enemy in the zone 2 squares towards the battle standard, and they are slowed until the start of my next turn. An enemy adjacent to the battle standard can remove it as a standard action, but doing so provokes an opportunity attack from me and my allies.
Minor Action: Use glowering threat, each enemy other than Hamlet takes a -5 penalty to attack rolls against creatures other than me until the end of my next turn.

As Alexi grabs and drags about one of the Keep Guards, the other feebly tries to interrupt him with a deft slash. However, this attack misses, despite the Guard's best intentions.

Alexi places a battle standard, drawing nearly all enemies close and further imposing them with his glowering threat, trivialising the threat the enemies can bring to bear against the party.

Hamlet, meanwhile, further attempts the assault on the mind. This has middling effects, again failing to penetrate Alexi's mind. However, it manages to find a way into Reiyasu's mind, swiftly brutalising the fallen warrior.

Just as Reiyasu attempts to move, however, the psychic assault ends the cleric's grasp on consciousness and he slips into a state of limbo. Seeing this, Hamlet retreats to the back of the room.

Alexi hits Keep Guard 2 for 23 damage, and drags Keep Guard 2 around before knocking him prone.
Keep Guard 1 makes an opportunity attack, but misses.
Hamlet uses inspire movement and slides Aeir's panther two squares, pixie included.
Hamlet hits Reiyasu with mindcrusher for 13 psychic damage. Reiyasu suffers ongoing 10 psychic damage (save ends).
Reiyasu's turn starts and he takes 10 psychic damage! Reiyasu is dying.
Reiyasu succeeds at his saving throw.

Initiative Order
Cornelis (30)
Keep Guard 1 (26)
Paik (24)
Roland (23)
Alexi (22)
Hamlet (21)
Reiyasu (19)
Keep Guard 2 (17)
Aeir (14)
Kavakri (13)

Players
Reiyasu (E-6) 0/69 HP, Prone, +1 to attack rolls and +4 to damage rolls until end of Aeir's next turn, Bloodied, ongoing 10 psychic damage (save ends), Dying
Paik (F-8) 44/68 HP, 6 tHP, Dazed until end of next turn, Marked by Cornelis until end of Cornelis's next turn
Aeir (E-7) 75/75 HP, Riding
Aeir's Panther (E-7) 37/37 HP
Kavakri (D-6) 60/60 HP +10 tHP, +5 to damage rolls against Hamlet until end of next turn
Shaped Consciousness (I-9)
Alexi (F-10) 77/81 HP +1 to attack rolls and +4 to damage rolls until end of Aeir's next turn
Eflor (Not Present) 81/81 HP

Enemies
Cornelis (G-9) -53 HP, Combat Challenge, Dazed until end of Paik's next turn, -5 to attack rolls against non-Alexi until end of Alexi's next turn, Slowed
Hamlet (K-17) -28 HP, -5 to attack rolls until end of Kavakri's next turn
Roland (G-10) -5 to attack rolls against non-Alexi until end of Alexi's next turn, Slowed
Keep Guard 1 (E-9) -67 HP, Bloodied, -5 to attack rolls against non-Alexi until end of Alexi's next turn, Slowed
Keep Guard 2 (F-9) -23 HP, -5 to attack rolls against non-Alexi until end of Alexi's next turn, Slowed, Prone

Notes
- You can use History or Nature for knowledge on Cornelis, Hamlet and Roland. Nature for the Keep Guards. History because the Eiserne Wacht is known, so you just need to know these three people. You can only make these checks when you have line of sight to the creature.
- The squares in Cornelis's aura are Difficult Terrain to the party. Enemies ignore this aura. If you leave the aura, you are Slowed until the end of your next turn - if you are Slowed during movement, your movement ends if you already moved 2 squares. If you did not, you may continue moving until you've reached 2 squares, at which point you cease movement. (I believe this is per the rules.)

With tremendous force of will, Reiyasu clings to his sanity, able to maintain his consciousness. He is, however, alive only through pure force of will, and this may not last long.

Barely being able to keep his brain working, the cleric instinctively stand up and heal himself. Getting most of his wounds healed thanks to his awesome healing skills, Reiyasu say in a calm tone.
"Not bad"
Then he gives a scary glare at Roland, it appears than the Cleric is preparing to curse him ... however to everyone surprise Reiyasu start chanting something weird. But wait, are those real words or just strange sounds? Maybe we will never know.
Minor action: stand up (minor with boots, lol super useful)
Minor action: healing word on myself (+41 hit points omg) http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3373000/
(btw I also get +2 power bonus to attack and +7 to all defenses against the next attack done to me, yes I'm god)
Standard action: Hymn of Resurgence!
Keep guard 1 (34 vs fortitude) (sorry, I derped)
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3373017/
Keep guard 2 (30 vs fortitud) Cornelis (21 vs fortitude) Roland (crit)
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3373020/

Save throw: (7) http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3373025/

Keep Guard 2 desperately reaches for banner.

Initiative Order
Cornelis (30)
Keep Guard 1 (26)
Paik (24)
Roland (23)
Alexi (22)
Hamlet (21)
Reiyasu (19)
Keep Guard 2 (17)
Aeir (14)
Kavakri (13)

Players
Reiyasu (E-6) 42/69 HP, +1 to attack rolls and +4 to damage rolls until end of Aeir's next turn, ongoing 10 psychic damage (save ends), +2 bonus to attack rolls/+7 to all defences against next attack until end of next turn
Paik (F-8) 44/68 HP, 6 tHP, Dazed until end of next turn, Marked by Cornelis until end of Cornelis's next turn
Aeir (E-7) 75/75 HP, Riding
Aeir's Panther (E-7) 37/37 HP
Kavakri (D-6) 60/60 HP +10 tHP, +5 to damage rolls against Hamlet until end of next turn
Shaped Consciousness (I-9)
Alexi (F-10) 77/81 HP +1 to attack rolls and +4 to damage rolls until end of Aeir's next turn
Eflor (Not Present) 81/81 HP

Enemies
Cornelis (G-9) -53 HP, Combat Challenge, Dazed until end of Paik's next turn, -5 to attack rolls against non-Alexi until end of Alexi's next turn, Slowed
Hamlet (K-17) -28 HP, -5 to attack rolls until end of Kavakri's next turn
Roland (G-10) -5 to attack rolls against non-Alexi until end of Alexi's next turn, Slowed, -2 to all defences until end of Reiyasu's next turn
Keep Guard 1 (E-9) -67 HP, Bloodied, -5 to attack rolls against non-Alexi until end of Alexi's next turn, Slowed, -2 to all defences until end of Reiyasu's next turn
Keep Guard 2 (F-9) -23 HP, -5 to attack rolls against non-Alexi until end of Alexi's next turn, Slowed, Prone, -2 to all defences until end of Reiyasu's next turn

Notes
- You can use History or Nature for knowledge on Cornelis, Hamlet and Roland. Nature for the Keep Guards. History because the Eiserne Wacht is known, so you just need to know these three people. You can only make these checks when you have line of sight to the creature.
- The squares in Cornelis's aura are Difficult Terrain to the party. Enemies ignore this aura. If you leave the aura, you are Slowed until the end of your next turn - if you are Slowed during movement, your movement ends if you already moved 2 squares. If you did not, you may continue moving until you've reached 2 squares, at which point you cease movement. (I believe this is per the rules.)

"Hey, hey, don't touch that!" Alexi calls out, noting the prone guard's attempt to grab the banner and attempting to grab him in turn.

Opportunity Attack: Use grappling strike, 23 vs. AC (forgot to add combat advantage, so 21 becomes 23). Hit deals 17 damage and grabs him, which ends at the end of my next turn.
Use my main hand for the attack, use off-hand to grab. Mark with combat challenge. This should be assumed to be standard for all my attacks, btw, unless I say otherwise I'll be attacking with my MH and grabbing with OH.

Aeir reared her head towards Hamlet just at the wrong opportune moment as she and her companion that her feet were latched onto were slid across the room, her animal's feet just barely stopping the two from falling straight to the ground from sheer force, the animal's feet pressed against the back of the wall. Just like that though, the same attendant that seemed like a miniature pixie to anyone else came from her bag, holding her trusty want, another leave-embroidered handle near the base of that wand. Aeir quickly held it steadily as she growled back at her panther, a tiny bit of anger seen through her once blue colored eyes, the glowing bulbs now turned to a darkened shade of vermillion, her pixie wings turned to a maroon shade whilst her panther kicked off, running straight onto the table toward the group of her allies as well as foes. Angered pixie now moving her wand around in circles, a sort of green-tinted air swirling up around the tip of the weapon, the nearly clear substance stacking around itself multiple times before Aeir let loose the magical energy, targeting it straight onto the very being of Alexi while at the same time, her familiar threw a gold-piece sized gem that shined with an azure brilliance, right at the man's feet. "He said don't touch it!" She said with her voice shaking.


Minor action: Adaptive Strategem (Until the end of your next turn, the ally gains his or her choice of a power bonus to damage rolls equal to your Intelligence modifier (+5) or a power bonus to saving throws equal to your Charisma modified (+1).
Move action: G-8
Standard action: Gale-Force Infusion: Ally target (Alexi)
Free action: Equip in mainhand Master's Accurate wand of Static Shock +2.

Alexi manages to strike the prone Keep Guard, further wounding the man but not quite preventing him from dislodging the banner and taking it for himself.

Aeir then does this thing where she hits things, removing Alexi's grasp on the Keep Guard and damaging the warriors all around.

Aeir's Gale-force Infusion hits all targets for 14 damage, and Roland for 31 damage due to a Crit. This bloodies Keep Guard 2.
The slide breaks Alexi's grab.

Initiative Order
Cornelis (30)
Keep Guard 1 (26)
Paik (24)
Roland (23)
Alexi (22)
Hamlet (21)
Reiyasu (19)
Keep Guard 2 (17)
Aeir (14)
Kavakri (13)

Players
Reiyasu (E-6) 42/69 HP, +1 to attack rolls and +4 to damage rolls until end of Aeir's next turn, ongoing 10 psychic damage (save ends), +2 bonus to attack rolls/+7 to all defences against next attack until end of next turn
Paik (F-8) 44/68 HP, 6 tHP, Dazed until end of next turn, Marked by Cornelis until end of Cornelis's next turn
Aeir (E-7) 75/75 HP, Riding
Aeir's Panther (E-7) 37/37 HP
Kavakri (D-6) 60/60 HP +10 tHP, +5 to damage rolls against Hamlet until end of next turn
Shaped Consciousness (I-9)
Alexi (F-10) 77/81 HP +1 to attack rolls and +4 to damage rolls until end of Aeir's next turn, +6 to AC until end of Aeir's next turn, Slowed until end of next turn
Eflor (Not Present) 81/81 HP

Enemies
Cornelis (G-9) -67 HP, Combat Challenge, Dazed until end of Paik's next turn, -5 to attack rolls against non-Alexi until end of Alexi's next turn, Slowed
Hamlet (K-17) -28 HP, -5 to attack rolls until end of Kavakri's next turn
Roland (G-10) -31 HP, -5 to attack rolls against non-Alexi until end of Alexi's next turn, Slowed, -2 to all defences until end of Reiyasu's next turn
Keep Guard 1 (E-9) -81 HP, Bloodied, -5 to attack rolls against non-Alexi until end of Alexi's next turn, Slowed, -2 to all defences until end of Reiyasu's next turn
Keep Guard 2 (F-9) -54 HP, Bloodied, -5 to attack rolls against non-Alexi until end of Alexi's next turn, Slowed, Prone, -2 to all defences until end of Reiyasu's next turn

Notes
- You can use History or Nature for knowledge on Cornelis, Hamlet and Roland. Nature for the Keep Guards. History because the Eiserne Wacht is known, so you just need to know these three people. You can only make these checks when you have line of sight to the creature.
- The squares in Cornelis's aura are Difficult Terrain to the party. Enemies ignore this aura. If you leave the aura, you are Slowed until the end of your next turn - if you are Slowed during movement, your movement ends if you already moved 2 squares. If you did not, you may continue moving until you've reached 2 squares, at which point you cease movement. (I believe this is per the rules.)

"Good going, sir. They took our banner, and you're in the way!" [i]Kavakri exclaims, stepping into the fray.

Looking frustrated, Kavakri focuses her magic away from Alexi, including three fewer targets in the discipline's area than she would have liked.

Move action: To G-6. SC to H-8.
Standard action: Dishearten, centered at H-10. Shaped Consciousness is immune to my attacks. http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3374640/
Minor action: Activate Skald's Aura.

"Good going, sir. They took our banner, and you're in the way!" Kavakri exclaims, stepping into the fray.

Looking frustrated, Kavakri focuses her magic away from Alexi, including three fewer targets in the discipline's area than she would have liked.

Move action: To G-6. SC to H-8.
Standard action: Dishearten, centered at H-10. Shaped Consciousness is immune to my attacks. http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3374640/
Minor action: Activate Skald's Aura.

Frustratingly, Kavakri's attack doesn't quite manage to affect Roland, whose spirit remains strong. Cornelis, however, begins to see futility, and the strength behind his attack weakens... but not enough to still send the unfortunate rogue straight to the ground in a bloody mess, even in spite of Alexi's Glowering Threat.

"And that," Cornelis groans, "is for your backhanded attacks, scoundrel."

The Keep Guard, meanwhile, stands and faces Alexi, swiping at him with his blade, but he just cannot find a way to land a hit.

Kavakri's Dishearten misses Roland, but hits Cornelis for 12 damage, and Cornelis takes a -2 penalty to attack rolls until the end of his next turn.
Cornelis hits Paik with Crushing Fist for 13 damage, knocking Paik Prone.
Keep Guard 1 stands and attacks Alexi, but misses.

Initiative Order
Cornelis (30)
Keep Guard 1 (26)
Paik (24)
Roland (23)
Alexi (22)
Hamlet (21)
Reiyasu (19)
Keep Guard 2 (17)
Aeir (14)
Kavakri (13)

Players
Reiyasu (E-6) 42/69 HP, ongoing 10 psychic damage (save ends), +2 bonus to attack rolls/+7 to all defences against next attack until end of next turn
Paik (F-8) 37/68 HP, Prone, Dazed until end of next turn
Aeir (E-7) 75/75 HP, Riding
Aeir's Panther (E-7) 37/37 HP
Kavakri (D-6) 60/60 HP +10 tHP
Shaped Consciousness (I-9)
Alexi (F-10) 77/81 HP +5 tHP, +6 to AC until end of Aeir's next turn, Slowed until end of next turn
Eflor (Not Present) 81/81 HP

Enemies
Cornelis (G-9) -89 HP, Dazed until end of Paik's next turn, -5 to attack rolls against non-Alexi until end of Alexi's next turn, Slowed, Prone, -2 to attack rolls until end of Kavakri's next turn
Hamlet (K-17) -28 HP
Roland (G-10) -31 HP, -5 to attack rolls against non-Alexi until end of Alexi's next turn, Slowed, -2 to all defences until end of Reiyasu's next turn, Prone
Keep Guard 1 (E-9) -81 HP, Bloodied, -5 to attack rolls against non-Alexi until end of Alexi's next turn, Slowed, -2 to all defences until end of Reiyasu's next turn, Prone
Keep Guard 2 (F-9) -54 HP, Bloodied, -5 to attack rolls against non-Alexi until end of Alexi's next turn, Slowed, Prone, -2 to all defences until end of Reiyasu's next turn

Notes
- You can use History or Nature for knowledge on Cornelis, Hamlet and Roland. Nature for the Keep Guards. History because the Eiserne Wacht is known, so you just need to know these three people. You can only make these checks when you have line of sight to the creature.
- The squares in Cornelis's aura are Difficult Terrain to the party. Enemies ignore this aura. If you leave the aura, you are Slowed until the end of your next turn - if you are Slowed during movement, your movement ends if you already moved 2 squares. If you did not, you may continue moving until you've reached 2 squares, at which point you cease movement. (I believe this is per the rules.)

Aeir's wings quickly turned green along with that pair of eyes while she fluttered, looking in Paik's direction right as he was swung at, knocked straight down to the ground.
"Keep your guard up!!" She shouted out, her voice seeming much louder, no longer any shake in the sounds she created, the voice having boomed throughout the hall.
Immediate action: Powerful Warning (On Paik)

Being healed himself, now it's time to attend the others.
"Stay strong Paik!"
Immediate reaction: Shield of devotion on Paik! He recovers 9 hit points!

In spite of feeling like he was badly hung over, Paik hears his comrade's warning and quickly drives his knife into Cornelis's sword arm. The rogue twists the dagger for added effect, but the blow still connects and knocks him on his arse. Fortunately, the cleric soothes some of his wounds after he hits the ground.

"Oh yeah?" the rogue slurs, scooping up a fistful of grit. "Well this scoundrel says justice is blind!" he retorts, throwing the grit and bits of stone at Cornelis' eyes with one hand and stabbing him in the unarmored bit of his foot with his good dagger. Venting like this purges the lingering effects of the psychic attack from his mind. His clarity returned, Paik gives a grin and a thumbs up at Aeir and Reiyasu for their help once he pulls his knife out, showing he's more or less okay thanks to their efforts.

Even a rogue can be grateful to people.

Free action attack : http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3375621/ (34, 27)
Standard action : Sand in the Eyes vs Reflex
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3375627/ (24, 23)
On a hit, Cornelis is blinded until the end of my next turn

The rogue's sneak attack hits Cornelis square in the eyes, blinding the unfortunate warrior. It seems even elite warriors aren't able to stand up to a ragtag group of cunning misfits.

Roland, meanwhile, gets up from the floor, raising his golden fist on high and slamming it down towards Alexi with force! Alexi attempts to reach hold of Cornelius, but sadly misses the grab and takes the force of the attack head on, crushing against his head. The warrior is quite dazed by the rotating fist's attack.

Meanwhile, Roland instructs his allies to move, settling himself to a fight with Alexi.

"Now how's about you surrender already?!" Roland attempts. "We're causing an awful ruckus, and unless you intend to face the entire Keep, there's no reason to keep fighting."

Paik's first attack hits for 27 damage, second for 23 damage, and Cornelius is blinded until the end of Paik's next turn. Additionally, he is bloodied.
Roland hits Alexi with Obliterating Fist, and Alexi's interrupt misses on a natural 1. The attack hits for 16 damage and Alexi is dazed until the end of Roland's next turn.

Initiative Order
Cornelis (30)
Keep Guard 1 (26)
Paik (24)
Roland (23)
Alexi (22)
Hamlet (21)
Reiyasu (19)
Keep Guard 2 (17)
Aeir (14)
Kavakri (13)

Players
Reiyasu (E-6) 42/69 HP, ongoing 10 psychic damage (save ends), +2 bonus to attack rolls/+7 to all defences against next attack until end of next turn
Paik (F-8) 46/68 HP, Prone, Dazed until end of next turn
Aeir (E-7) 75/75 HP, Riding
Aeir's Panther (E-7) 37/37 HP
Kavakri (D-6) 60/60 HP +10 tHP
Shaped Consciousness (I-9)
Alexi (F-10) 66/81 HP +6 to AC until end of Aeir's next turn, Slowed until end of next turn, Dazed until end of Roland's next turn
Eflor (Not Present) 81/81 HP

Enemies
Cornelis (F-9) -139 HP, Bloodied, Blinded until end of Paik's next turn, -5 to attack rolls against non-Alexi until end of Alexi's next turn, Slowed, Prone, -2 to attack rolls until end of Kavakri's next turn
Hamlet (K-17) -28 HP
Roland (G-10) -31 HP, -5 to attack rolls against non-Alexi until end of Alexi's next turn, Slowed, -2 to all defences until end of Reiyasu's next turn
Keep Guard 1 (E-9) -81 HP, Bloodied, -5 to attack rolls against non-Alexi until end of Alexi's next turn, Slowed, -2 to all defences until end of Reiyasu's next turn
Keep Guard 2 (E-8) -54 HP, Bloodied, -5 to attack rolls against non-Alexi until end of Alexi's next turn, Slowed, Prone, -2 to all defences until end of Reiyasu's next turn

Notes
- You can use History or Nature for knowledge on Cornelis, Hamlet and Roland. Nature for the Keep Guards. History because the Eiserne Wacht is known, so you just need to know these three people. You can only make these checks when you have line of sight to the creature.
- The squares in Cornelis's aura are Difficult Terrain to the party. Enemies ignore this aura. If you leave the aura, you are Slowed until the end of your next turn - if you are Slowed during movement, your movement ends if you already moved 2 squares. If you did not, you may continue moving until you've reached 2 squares, at which point you cease movement. (I believe this is per the rules.)

Alexi tries to grab at Cornelius but he slips away. Is that peon or whatever it called itself really complaining that I used the standard to pull them into position? Feeling a bit dazed by the somewhat silly nature of Kavakri's complaint (or maybe it was Roland's attack, Alexi wasn't sure), the captain responds confidently, "Nevermind that now! Time to take out the trath! Clenching both fists, now empty, Alexi smacks both Roland and one of the guards quite hard, causing the two to stumble around a bit.

Immediate Interrupt: Body Shield, attempt to grab Cornelius. Lol natural 1: http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3375662/ Moving along...
Standard Action: Use funneling flurry, 34 vs. Roland AC for 19 damage, 33 vs. Keep Guard 1 AC for 20 damage. http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3375677/ Slide Roland to G-9, slide keep guard 1 to E-10. Can't knock prone due to the fact that the slow wears off at the start of my turn, unless Reiyasu's attack can knock prone more than once. Use combat challenge to mark them both.

The group's captain attacks with a flurry of strikes, hitting both Keep Guard and Roland.

It is at this time that Hamlet interferes with his attack. Although he catches one of the Keep Guards in the non-lethal attack, and Reiyasu manages to protect himself and avoid the attack quickly enough, the rest are caught in the whirl of barriers, swiftly appearing and enclosing the party. Before long, they are wreathed in a zone of barriers, and find their powers impossible to sustain outside the area.

Not yet finished with the assault, Hamlet proceeds to mindcrush Aeir and Alexi; both find their minds assaulted by a growing headache.

Alexi hits Roland and Keep Guard for 19 damage and 20 damage respectively. This kills Keep Guard, and marks Roland.
Hamlet uses Grand Barrier, missing Reiyasu and Paik, but hitting Keep Guard 2, Aeir, Aeir's Panther and Kavakri for 20 damage, and they are immobilised (save ends). This bloodies Aeir's Panther.
The burst creates a zone!
Hamlet uses an Action Point! Hamlet attacks with mindcrusher, hitting Aeir and Alexi for 7 psychic damage, and they take ongoing 10 psychic damage (save ends).
Hamlet uses inspire movement to slide Alexi 1 square.
Reiyasu's turn starts, and he takes 10 psychic damage.

Initiative Order
Cornelis (30)
Keep Guard 1 (26)
Paik (24)
Roland (23)
Alexi (22)
Hamlet (21)
Reiyasu (19)
Keep Guard 2 (17)
Aeir (14)
Kavakri (13)

Players
Reiyasu (E-6) 32/69 HP, Bloodied, ongoing 10 psychic damage (save ends), +2 bonus to attack rolls
Paik (F-8) 46/68 HP, Prone
Aeir (E-7) 48/75 HP, Riding, Immobilised (save ends), ongoing 10 psychic damage (save ends)
Aeir's Panther (E-7) 17/37 HP Bloodied, Immobilised (save ends)
Kavakri (D-6) 50/60 HP Immobilised (save ends)
Alexi (E-9) 59/81 HP +6 to AC until end of Aeir's next turn, Dazed until end of Roland's next turn, ongoing 10 psychic damage (save ends)
Eflor (Not Present) 81/81 HP

Enemies
Cornelis (F-9) -139 HP, Bloodied, Blinded until end of Paik's next turn, Prone, -2 to attack rolls until end of Kavakri's next turn
Hamlet (G-15) -28 HP
Roland (G-9) -50 HP, -2 to all defences until end of Reiyasu's next turn, Combat Challenge
Keep Guard 1 (E-10) -101 HP, Dead
Keep Guard 2 (E-8) -74 HP, Bloodied, Prone, -2 to all defences until end of Reiyasu's next turn

Notes
- You can use History or Nature for knowledge on Cornelis, Hamlet and Roland. Nature for the Keep Guards. History because the Eiserne Wacht is known, so you just need to know these three people. You can only make these checks when you have line of sight to the creature.
- The squares in Cornelis's aura are Difficult Terrain to the party. Enemies ignore this aura. If you leave the aura, you are Slowed until the end of your next turn - if you are Slowed during movement, your movement ends if you already moved 2 squares. If you did not, you may continue moving until you've reached 2 squares, at which point you cease movement. (I believe this is per the rules.)
- Creatures within the zone do not have line of effect to squares outside the zone. Creatures outside the zone ignore the zone. This means Skald's aura is only active within the zone.

Analizing the current fight, Reiyasu choose his next target. "Paik got Cornelis busy, let's strike that Roland again." Then, the cleric shift away from the aura influence and shout at his target.
"So, you think of yourself as an ally of justice, right? Oh man, that's pathetic. The only thing you guys do is to follow orders and apparently you aren't even very good with that. You know, we are a weird bunch, but we won't lose against people like you!"
Movement action: Shift to F-5
Standard action: Denunciation against Roland! (32 vs Will) It leaves Roland dazed, and with a penalty of -5 against attack and all defenses!

A little change.
I will move instead to E-5
Also, using stream of life with my minor action (I won't save this turn).
Also, for hamlet thingie (11) http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3378079/

>>2391
"Is attacking your allies such a good idea, Sir Hamlet? After all, you absolutely need all the help available to you."

Kavakri counters with a psionic barrier of her own. For a touch of insult to injury, she copies Hamlet's motions.

Immediate interrupt: Intellect Fortress for +5 power bonus to Reflex until EoNT.