Chapter 4a: Battle in the Dunes

[Longman]

OK.

Teruk and his guys run forward and throw from long range. That's 6 spears launched and 2 bowshots from the rangers.

Only one arrow finds its mark. Almost all the other attacks fall short. Several spears bounce off the shield. The resulting arrow hit does only one hit point. The pirate mage laughs!

The turtle-man priest runs forward as well and is now with Teruk. He can't fight defensively as there are no rules for that in Core, which is explained in the post on combat rules. He withdraws into his shell but it has no great effect. (PS - yes the pirate mage did get his -2 penalty and still saved. He is the BBEG of the scenario and wants to sell you all as slaves. Read the background posts).

Rostam charges forward but takes no action and his rifle is still unloaded.

The pirate mage casts a spell on the group that has just charged. A wave of confusion passes over 6 people - the turtleman, the paladin, Teruk, and the three 3rd level fighters. Others were not affected or too spread out.

Elias fails his save. The paladin succeeds. Teruk succeeds. All the three fighters fail! The results of the spell will be known next round!

The pirate Ash shoots one of the 3rd level fighters for 2 hit points.

Maju, you may now act after the pirate mage. Then we go to the next round and the rest of the party may all act - including the confused ones!

[MevlyTM]

Maju moves such that both the pirate captain and his compatriot are lined up from him. He then casts Lightning Bolt at them. As the electrical power sprang from his finger tips, he was unsure whether the spell would be effective…perhaps if the efreeti's fire had damaged him enough.

OOC: I was hoping not to have to do this in order to save his possessions. Also, depending on the rolls and how many hp he has remaining, it might only piss him off.

Also, if I understand the rules correctly, his Shield should do nothing vs Lightning Bolt, correct? Shield only blocks Magic Missle, and increases AC if my reading is correct.

[Longman]

Maju must move forward 40 yards to affect both pirates. The range of lightning bolt is 100 yards outdoors, so he can hit both!

A bolt of blue lightning flies from the Kona-mage's fingertips and strikes the pirate mage and then arcs onto the pirate camel!

All 3 fail their saves. Unfortunately the damage from 5d6 is only 14 hit points and no one dies. However, the camel rears up in pain and fear, and the pirate Ash has to spend the following roubd calming it down again - or trying to do so.

NEW ROUND - please all post actions. Once again, Maju may wait for the mage to act.

[quozl]

Teruk yells to his men, "Attack the one on the camel!" then charges the camel-rider.

[Longman]

Given that Elias is now confused (and in control of the DM), we're just waiting on Rostam to complete the round.

[MevlyTM]

As before, Maju will wait for the mage to act.

[Rhialto]

OOC: Does the rifle have a strap to carry it over the shoulder? If yes, Rostam will switch it for the scimitar. Else, he will drop the rifle and draw the scimitar. Either way, if he can still move, he will move towards Jab-Afri - which would put him at 15 years if I am not mistaken.

Jab-Afri, you scoundrel. Your time has come!
Rostam will not give quarter to such a criminal and he is too honest to pretend otherwise.

[Longman]

Rostam swaps weapons and runs forward. He is now within 15 yards of the pirate mage, swinging his scimitar!

The 3 3rd level fighters all flee 80 yards, flailing their arms around and gibbering like madmen.

The two rangers fire their bows at the camel pirate. One hits the pirate and does 5 hit points.

Teruk and the 2 2nd level fighters charge the camel pirate with their spears. The resulting two hits do a full 19 hit points of damage. The camel pirate (Ash) has now taken 38 hit points and looks on death's door!

Elias seems very confused indeed. He has been muttering the whole time about whose side he was on. He charges one of the rangers and swings his staff at the man. The resulting hit does 7 hit points. The ranger yells in anger and prepares to fight the turtleman...

The pirate mage fires a lightning bolt at Maju. Maju succeeds in making his saving throw but the damage is enormous (53). He therefore takes 26 hit points and dies.

Really sorry, but you were such a threat and he didn't know you didn't have another lightning bolt.

Also - your powder horn fails its save and explodes so your body is pretty messed up. Your grenade and pistol also explode. Spellbooks are ruined, as are potions. The brass bottle remains unharmed, which is lucky. Teku hovers above your body, keening in sorrow.

Um, well, now it was Maju's turn but it isn't any more.

The pirate Ash tries to steady the panicking camel so he can ride away. The camel dies underneath him from its wounds last round. and he dismounts and draws his scimitar...

Rostam and Teruk can now act. I have control of Elias.

[quozl]

Oh crap.

Teruk orders his men to retreat and attempts to finish off Ash.

[Longman]

I don't want to be too railroady, quozl, but I will suggest that this is a good opportunity to deal with Jab-Afri. He has cast a lot of spells, just been hit with a lightning bolt, and there are still 6 of you - Rostam, Teruk, his 2 2nd level fighters, and 2 rangers.

Alternately he may kill you all and my advice is terrible. I don't know how the dice will fall.