The Lord of Blades
Game Masters
Ero Sennin
Please allow me to introduce myself: I'm a man of wealth and taste
Posts: 1,314
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Post by The Lord of Blades on Jun 6, 2007 22:15:06 GMT -5
He steps slowly out of the shadows of the valley with his weapon at his side. "Bolt Mouth Mike eh? Last I heard you were dead. Anyway, it's rude to give someone away like that. If I'd been in the position of wanting to remain unnoticed I would've been most displeased at being pointed out. Now formalities aside... About your plan, I'll follow you up and be support. I highly doubt you're as skilled at remaining unseen and unheard as I am, even if you're good at spotting those who are hidden. Also, while you may be resilient... even to what would uh... probably um..." somewhat points at the scarred up face "...yeah. While you may be resilient to harm I think it'd be best that I disarm whatever traps they have set as opposed to terrifying our unsuspecting friends in the tower with the sight of a man climbing out a spike pit and threatening to hurt them twice as bad as that had hurt him."
Turning to take in the three figures below. "I can probably take down two of them before the third has a chance to turn and run. Provided I get a good position and the drop on them. So far the plan seems to involve alot of sneaking around and finding alternate entrances. Perhaps a joint-plan? Maybe you three" as he points to Fuujin, Lameth, and Rychar, "Can try calling those three out, one on one odds each way. If they charge you, good, if Boltmouth and I here manage to position ourselves between them and their fortress before you call 'em out, we can always peg them before they get to whatever 'alarm' system they might have." He chuckles, "besides, I'd hate for you all to feel left out, it is, afterall, your lives too."
A grin creeps across his face. "Although... it does stand to reason that provided these creatures are intelligent, perhaps their masters are more so. Maybe we could reason our way out?" takes one look at Lameth. "...but probably not. Any other suggestions?"
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Post by Cadic's Devoted on Jun 6, 2007 22:16:23 GMT -5
Turning back slowly, his mind just registering the man he saw standing on the bridge he shakes his head slowly, grinning. "Well what have we here? Yet another person apparently stranded in this hell hole." Shaking his head again he continues. "Yes we knew there was a fourth." Gesturing to Livio as he steps from the shadows. "Our friend here apparently is of the sneaky persuasion and likes to stay out of sight." Stepping towards the man he extends his empty right hand, his sword still sheathed across his back. "Glad to meet you, I am Lieutenant Lameth Kaver, Third Regiment of the Knights of Silver. You may have heard of us.. Heck you may have worked for us.. The name rings a bell. Some sort of bounty hunter yes?" Shruging he continues "As for working together, I have no qualms with you working with us, so yes," Turning he grins at Nanaya. "Welcome aboard. As for 'standard' team operations, perhaps we should wait to figure those out till we find out what everyone is best at, eh? Until then..and until we figure out exactly where here is.. I suggest we stick mostly together.
Smiling he turns back to regard the still patrolling guards ahead. Glancing over his shoulder he grins. "By the way, how would you know they are ordered to set off an alarm at any sign of trouble? Looks to me they are just bored guards set on a routine patrol (Sense motive 28: Per Max.). My guess is they aren't expecting any kind of trouble what so ever, since this seems to be their realm. They'd probably be rather surprised if an intruder appeared."
"I do like Double fangs idea over there, although not you two trying to sneak in alone. If you two can get into position either flanking their current position, or beyond them, to cut off any retreat, im pretty sure we can take them down unnoticed. That is assuming, of course, that they dont wish to speak when they see an intruder. So.. A combination of my plan and Livio's then? I'll leave it to a group vote, but thats where my vote goes." Turning he continues to watch the guards, watching for any signs that they may have noticed their ragtag group, and continuing to study them, wishing he could decipher their auras from this distance.
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Post by Bolt Mouth Mike on Jun 6, 2007 22:20:12 GMT -5
[ooc]Mike doesn't actually know what the guards have been ordered to do. He just logically deduced that guards have one mode when on the job...guard. Guarding includes stopping stuff from entering and making a huge deal when something happens.[/ooc]
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Post by Dave on Jun 6, 2007 23:25:19 GMT -5
"Lameth, I agree with you - a two pronged attack would be the most assured course of action here. My vote, if vote we do, will also stand with this plan. As for you, 'Bolt-Mouth', my name is Rychar and I have been human." The man seems to take a good look around the area. "As for more informative introductions, perhaps once we have dealt with these guards, we should discuss each of our own particular strengths, and how they may be used in such a group."
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Post by Bolt Mouth Mike on Jun 7, 2007 21:52:09 GMT -5
Mike grins as he looks towards Livio. "Funny, I would think that most of the people that would spread rumors about me being dead would be...well...dead. As far as giving you away, I had no clue who you were. Trust me, I won't lose track of you again. But, in exchange for knowing where you are, I'll keep that knowledge to myself."
Mike turns slowly and deliberately towards Lameth. "Knights of Silver, oh yeah. We've done business. Don't recall you specifically, but I'm not really interested in the buyer, just the pay." With a jackal-like smirk, Mike snaps his attention back to the whole group.
"Just to clarify, Livio and I approach from each side under cover of darkness, you approach from the front. When they notice you, we neutralize them. We all hope that this occurs before any form of alarm is sounded. Now's the time to modify the plan."
[ooc]BARRING MODIFICATION, Mike stalks away on the far side of the guards. [11+12=23 HIDE, 13+12=25 MOVE] In case it matters, [12+18=30 SPOT, 3+16=19 LISTEN, 16+10=26 INITIATIVE]. I would approach, give the signal, and attempt to coup de gras for non-lethal damage at no penalty, the closest guard with my +1 Longsword.[/ooc]
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Post by Yamazaki on Jun 8, 2007 12:12:10 GMT -5
Nanaya stands there, thinking. "Seems like a solid plan to me. I could send a message spell to signal you both when we're close enough to them. Say at, like 40, maybe 50 feet. We'll try to stay concealed until then." Looking further down the valley's path, it wouldn't be too hard to stick to the shadows. The valley had a ledge on each side that was easy to climb too with a little time and ran the entire length of the valley. The guards were just at the exit of the valley and not far from one of the towers. The wanderer could've sworn he saw something like a door on that tower.
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The Lord of Blades
Game Masters
Ero Sennin
Please allow me to introduce myself: I'm a man of wealth and taste
Posts: 1,314
|
Post by The Lord of Blades on Jun 8, 2007 16:34:06 GMT -5
"Lieutenant... around people who you acknowledge are bounty hunters, it'd be greatly appreciated if you wouldn't tell them about the criminal who probably has several bounties on his head in your group. You're not making a friend outta me by doing it." He frowns at Lameth and then nods slowly, acknowledging that Lameth has learned his lesson (regardless of whether Lameth made any moves or acknowledgements at all). "I'll be able to watch your squad move up, the plan is solid as it stands, times up, let's do this." he says as he slinks directly into the shadows without a noise, slipping into the valley towards the three figures below.
(Hide 30 & Move Silent 30, keeping an eye towards the figures and the group as well as listening for any sudden noises Spot 30 & Listen 28, 23 initiative with Double Fang drawn)
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Post by Cadic's Devoted on Jun 8, 2007 16:58:05 GMT -5
Looking thoughtfully at the disappearing Livio, he merely shrugs wondering what exactly he did to cause such a reaction, before turning to the remaining two. "Shall we?" And with that he moves off into the valley leading to the patrolling guards. Leaving his weapon sheathed he seems rather calm and relaxed in his chain shirt, although his stance still seems wary to the trained eye, and he seems to finger the ring on his right hand nearly continuously. (OOC:14 hide, 10 move silently..And yes..thats in my Chain shirt.. Just imagine if i was in my other armor set. Anyway, 13 Initiative. Readied action to activate my ring of Arming at the first sign of Hostilities.)
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Post by Dave on Jun 8, 2007 20:45:10 GMT -5
Rychar seems to shrug his shoulders about Livio's response, and he follows after the paladin, with the end of his chain held in his other hand. [OOC] Hide 11, Move Silent 20, and I've got Initiative 4 (bad roll) with a readied action to leap forward and strike at any approaching threat. [/OOC]
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Post by Yamazaki on Jun 9, 2007 0:20:31 GMT -5
The wanderer had learned a few things about being sneaky. Nothing too special or intense, like the rogue or the bounty hunter, but enough to be able to get pretty close to the trio of guards. The three main fighters had reached the 40 foot mark without incident. It had seemed that they were either oblivious or just weren't paying too much attention.
[ooc] Surprise round for the party!! Don't you love how a good plan starts off well? The fighters (Rychar, Lameth, and Fuujin are 40 feet away while Mike is on the far side at 30 feet away and Livio flanking at 25 feet away. Combat initiative (aka posting order for this combat) goes as follows: Mike at 26, Livio at 23, Fuujin at 21, Lameth at 13, Baddies at 10 (starting next round), and Rychar at 4. Just give me to hit rolls (and describe your actions, of course) and I'll figure out the damage. I will post at the end of the round to announce results, including hits and damage. This should make this faster, or so I believe. Oh, and all three guards are armed with Daedric long swords. I'll leave up to you to figure out what the material does. [/ooc]
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Post by Bolt Mouth Mike on Jun 9, 2007 13:25:26 GMT -5
Mike slinks up to the guards at the signal and places the pommel of his +1 Longsword squarely on the back of the nearest guard's skull. [ooc]I sneak up and non-lethal coup de gras the closest guard. 16+13=29 to hit.[/ooc] Mike then proceeds to beat the man into unconsciousness with the flat of his blade (this is like one of the helmet-less guys). Once the guard is subdued, Mike sheathes his blade and shoots the remaining two guards with a +3 Light Crossbow. [ooc]16+15-2=29 (amazingly I rolled two 16's). I fire 3 shots a round (manyshot is the -2 penalty, and I rapid load crossbows as a free action), and the first one deals 2 strength damage. As always, I spot and listen every round as my free actions as well (I can do cool stuff).[/ooc]
EDIT by GM: I'm going to rule that the coup de gras you attempted (and succeeded), was your action prior to the surprise round, since that's a full round action. You snuck up to the guard after giving the signal and smacked him. Also, you'll have to drop the sword instead of sheath it since that also takes a standard action (which is not what you want if you want to cap the remaining guards during the round). I apologize for having to edit your post like this, Joe. -Max, GM
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The Lord of Blades
Game Masters
Ero Sennin
Please allow me to introduce myself: I'm a man of wealth and taste
Posts: 1,314
|
Post by The Lord of Blades on Jun 9, 2007 15:23:51 GMT -5
Seeing the signal, Livio rapidly crept up behind the helmed one, suspecting him to be the strongest or their leader and thus a helmet denoting his elevated status... or to hopefully intimidate underlings. Slowly letting the notion drift aside, Livio blanked his mind, readying Double Fang and aiming at a precise spot on the creature whose back was now only a few feet away.
"Quickly. Without mercy. Strike swiftly and aim for the weaknesses of the armor. First you mortally wound them... then you kill with the highest level of efficiency... then you leave the corpses standing to make the others fear you. If you empty your mind of everything but hitting the target, it should be easy. Humanity, idealogy, classes... these act as obstacles, wipe them from your mind. They are thoughts for lesser men and women. They will weaken you with remorse and guilt. In the end, you are going to kill them. Nothing else matters. If you use your skills to the fullest, you won't even have to see their face before you've killed them." Livio gave a cruel smile. The grimace of a hardened killer as he remembered the words of his former Master and the lessons he'd learned as a Blade of Mask. He'd sworn to do the order proud, even if they no longer wanted him, he didn't enjoy doing this, he simply knew it's necessity and resigned himself to do it well. As a master it was his duty to continue to uphold these standards, should Livio ever take on a pupil, these are things he would be required to teach.
Swinging one blade of Double Fang up and under (natural 20, confirmation roll -> 17+9 = 26 ---- damage: 1d8+3 (x2 crit modifier) and 4d6 sneak attack damage) the helmed man's shoulder rapidly (aiming to deal piercing damage rather than slashing, a precise stab), attempting to drive the sharpened point of the first blade into his upper chest under the armpit. After the first stab, swinging the sword around to stab with the other blade in one fluid motion towards the neck, jabbing the blade straight as though to pierce entirely through (10+9 = 19 to hit) follow by jumping back a step and then lunging forward with one more stabbing thrust aimed directly at the center of the creature's back (14+4 = 18 to hit).
After the furious attack all directed on one creature (even if it falls after the first blow, the gruesome display of execution is a goal of the attack. Livio is aware that his strength lies in stealthy kills, not in direct combat and is thusly hoping this will intimidate the others having barely seen his attack) Livio intoned silently to himself: "May Mask steal your soul and with it, buy the world."
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Post by Yamazaki on Jun 9, 2007 16:02:06 GMT -5
Nanaya Yukito sprang off his feet. A small dust cloud was left behind as he dashed towards the third guard. He smirked as he saw Mike smash the butt of his sword against the skull of a fiend and Livio stabbing the helmed one. One left... Let's finish this now! The last standing guard spun around to see his comrades fall, and then caught the wanderer bolting down the valley in the corner of its eye. It was too late, though. Nanaya drew his sword and struck with incredible speed and precision. Fuujin, using pure speed and momentum, cleaved through the armor on its chest and sliced through its flesh (17+13 = 30 flat footed using Sapphire Nightmare Blade; 1d10+7 + 5d6 iaijutsu and Sapphire bonus damage). "Tch."
Results of the Round!! 2 unconfirmed fiends have died. One is knocked out. Combat has ended. [insert victory music of choice here]
Looting... or rather, liberating, reveals that each one had a long sword of some strange material that was very uncomfortable to the touch. The one with the helmet had an augment crystal on his sword. After checking for magic auras, each sword was revealed to be basic magic swords, likely only +1 long swords (made of some sort of creepy material), while the augment crystal seemed to be a least Crystal of Fire Assault. Their armor, also made of the same creepy, almost fleshy material, was grafted to their skin.
Nanaya sighed. "I wasted a shield spell for THIS?! Bloody hell."
[ooc] As I mentioned to some of you before, XP is rewarded via quests and finishing goals. Remember that - 'cause you don't need to fight every battle unless you want to. [/ooc]
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Post by Cadic's Devoted on Jun 9, 2007 16:24:46 GMT -5
Walking calmly up the valley to the point of assault, a look of disappointment seems to cross his face before he shrugs and begins liberating the downed bodies of any usefull looking equipment they may have on them, placing said equipment in piles off to the side.
As he works, he concentrates on the still living one, bringing his senses to bear on the man...and is suddenly overwhelmed with the sheer evil that seems to radiate from him..or it.. His eyes squinting as if looking directly at a bright light, before he lets his focus go. What the heck are these things? I've seen demons and devils that radiate less evil than this...Lathandar, what have we gotten ourselves into? Shaking his head grimly, he finally moves over to his piles and looks over them slowly. "Interesting...." Picking up one of the swords he looks at it oddly for a moment "That feels...Odd.. Hmm."
Shaking his head he stands and moves over to the nearby wall, one of the enemy weapons in hand. Watching closely, he swings the sword around from the right and slams the blade into the wall. With a rocky sort of clang the blade sinks into the wall. Releasing it, he quickly pulls his own sword and slams it into the wall just above the enemy's. With a metal on Rock clang it sinks in, slightly less so than the other. Shruging he pulls his sword out with a tug, placing it back in its sheath, then pulls out the strange sword, and tosses it back onto the pile. "Well, to the victors" motioning to the three that did all the work, "Go the spoils. A very nice performance, if I do say so myself." Nodding respectfully he moves off a few steps past where the battle occured, looking around to get a better glimpse at this fort, and to see if anyone seemed to have noticed the battle.
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Post by Yamazaki on Jun 9, 2007 16:41:32 GMT -5
[ooc] Quickly, before I go out - you have not set off any alarms that you know of. There doesn't seem to be any form of reinforcements or traps or anything else of that nature. And with that, I'm going to head out. be back later tonight. -Max, GM [/ooc]
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