Lastril walks quietly through the night, the woods closing in around him telling him that he is nearing his home, what is left of it. Gaerim, the elder Druid's pixie advisor, was right: the Orcs are being led by somebody, somebody very cunning, and probably not an Orc. Not so surprising, Lasril guesses, from the increasing number of ogres who join in the fight. But the garrison in Aladorn knows almost nothing about what is happening in the woods and the hills to the northeast. Their gaze is southwards, and northwards also but more to the northwest. The Empire is fighting against an alliance composed of the Orcs of the Grey Skull and the Wizards of the Worm, as well as Mannish states and lords to the south. The Grey Skull, Lastril guesses, are the tribe of orcs - their leaders at least like to carry skulls around on their staves, and they have a weathered, grey color to them.

But who are the Wizards of the Worm?

The other thing that is worrying is that the forest no longer seems right. The trees are leafing out, the hickories and dawn redwoods and other giants of wood and bark, but there seem almost silent squeals of pain from the trees as Lastril walks under them. And the night seems deeper than normal.

Suddenly, the centuar scout comes up short. There is something in the bushes ahead, and he draws his shortbow, but does not aim, and approaches cautiously. To his relief, it is his cousins, Kezzryn and Hylaeus, waiting for him. "Glad I am to find you here," the scout says. "No luck. The Empire knew we were having some orc problems, but had no idea of the magnitude of them. Unfortunately, it looks like they've got their own problems, and I think our enemies are the same. There is a tribe of orcs, or alliance of tribes, the Grey Skull. I think that is who we are up against. But there is also something else, called the Wizards of the Worm. I do not know who they are."

"They are wizards. Their name should clue you on what they are about." The new voice came from above, softly, and yet arrogantly. Suddenly, one of the smaller branches above the heads of the three centuars twists as if in agony and then forms itself into the body of a pixie - Gaerim. Gaerim flutters his moth-like wings down to a lower branch, just up above Lastril's head. "Well, did you learn anything else? We knew that there was a cunning enemy leading these orcs, and I knew that the Wizards of the Worm are fighting the Empire."

Listril backs up as he looks up at the pixie. He grimaces, not liking being spoken so condescendingly to - although, admittedly, something that the Fair Folk are notorious for. "I was getting to that, if you please. The Empire is fighting another enemy at the moment, but if we can hold out for a week or two, they might be able to help us. I suppose we still owe them a debt, for what Garin did for us those years ago. I'm glad we do not have to worry about the Dark One any more."

Gaerim does not move, but sits quietly. "You assume, centuar. But yes, Garin - Prince Garin - has friends in high places, shall we say. But surely someone in Aladorn could have given you something..." he says pointedly.

"Yes, although I do not see how it will help." Listril reaches into a sack and pulls out a small wooden amulet. "He said this could help us. No soldiers to spare, but militia. I don't know what that means."

"It means a summoning, of course!" answers Gearim, as he reaches down and snatches the amulet, looking at it, then hands it back to Listril, giving it far more care than the centuar had as he holds it down. Listril almost snatches it away, but holds it gingerly as he takes it.

A tree creaks. Then, suddenly, everything goes utterly silent - you cannot hear anything. Listril opens his mouth momentarily, but there is nothing, not the slightest of sound. Gearim looks up in alarm, but says nothing - if it were possible to say anything.

Listril is a level 1 centuar rogue.
Gearim is a level 6 pixie transmuter.

Kezzryn was about to ask a question about the amulet, when everything suddenly went silent. Alarmed he looked around to see if he could spot any danger.
(Spot: 16+8=24)

Hylaeus quickly grabbed his bow and knocked an arrow. Better to be safe than sorry. It isn't natural for silence like this. This is some sort of spell, and trying to hear anything is completely impossible. Hylaeus kept his eyes sharp and tried to spot anything out of the ordinary.
Spot 17+9=26

OOC: What luck on that roll. Now my next attack will be a one... and I drop my flail on my foot(or hoof).

Neither Kezzryn nor Hylaeus can see anything at first, but then, suddenly, there is a flicker of movement in the darkness to the west that catches the eyes of both of them. But there is nothing to be seen, just trees and bushes and shrubs. The falls of their hooves upon the ground are utterly silent, still, and there is no other sound. No danger is apparent.

Hylaeus does catch Gaerim take off and fly up to the higher branches of the trees, and look around. He does not otherwise do anything to indicate that he has seen anything. Listril continues looking around, his bow out with an arrow fitted to it. He looks like he may have seen something to the north, but makes no signs of seeing anything in particular.

The centuars feel their hearts pounding in their mighty chests, but even that makes no sound.

Scared but keeping calm, Hylaeus sees a flicker of movement but sees no one there. Better safe than sorry, Hylaeus lets off an arrow in the shrubs. It's aimed close to the ground so if it's an animal (it's lunch) or if it's something else the arrow would hopefully provoke further movement... Or maybe even get lucky enough to hit them!

As quick as possible Hylaeus readies another arrow and pulls back. He continues to scan the area.
Spot: 8+9=17

Kezzryn figures that the silence is most likely caused by a spell and he starts to run parallel to the direction he saw the flicker of movement, hoping to get outside of the area of silence. While moving he keeps watching around, hoping that it can keep him from running into a trap.
(Spot: 14+8=22, listen: 4+8=12)

OOC: The Listen check is if Kezzryn success on getting outside the area of silence…

Listril follows Kezzryn cautiously out. As soon as he moves about twenty feet from where he had been standing, sounds start rushing into the centuar's ears. What he hears is the patter of a large number of feet, with the unmistakable rattling of armor, probably chainmail. It is difficult for him to tell where the sounds are coming from exactly, although they do seem to be coming from all directions. Suddenly, from the north, on Kezzryn's left, he hears a several large footsteps approaching him. There is a groaning roar, sounding not unlike the voice of an ogre, and then there is a great thud on the ground just behind him.

Hylaeus' arrow flies out from his bow and - amazingly - strikes an object of some kind, and sticks in mid-air. Blood covers the tip of the bolt, which then falls to the ground. Obviously it hit some invisible creature, and apparently killed it, or at least dropped it.

Kezzryn waves for Hylaeus to come to him, then draws his bow and readies himself for firing at the first enemies to come into view.

Hylaeus moves over to where his brother is standing, and hears many enemies all around, though he still can't see anything. Despite being unable to see Hylaeus decides to take another shot. In the direction he heard the most movement.
Spot: 15+9 = 24
Listen: 19+9 = 28
Attack: 8+12 = 20 (with bow if needed)

OOC: I will post a map later.

IC:

Unlike the previous arrow, the next one sails harmlessly into the night. There are a few hissing sounds, like some kind of communication, but they are brief. The rustling of armor draws closer, coming from seemingly all sides of the three centuars...

Hylaeus stows away his bow and gets out his "Fire and Ice" dire flail. With a twinkle in his eye he moves to put Listril between himself and his brother. Hylaeus contiues to look and listen for anything going on around him. He doesn't want to be caught off guard here.

Kezzryn immediately understood what Hylaeus was doing, Listril was weaker in close combat than he and his brother, and might get killed if he was surrounded, so Kezzryn closed in on Listril’s other side, so as few enemies as possible could get to him. Kezzryn was getting quite worried, Centaurs relied on their speed to get them out of situations they couldn’t handle, but surrounded as they seemed to be at the moment, that option was currently unavailable.
Being able to draw a new weapon very fast, Kezzryn held onto his bow, holding an arrow half-drawn, so he could fire at the first enemy to show up.
(Kezzryn readies action to fire on first enemy he sees)

Combat map

As Kezzryn and Hylaeus take positions, there suddenly is a brilliant flash as a cloud of golden dust appears before the three centuars. Four figures are suddenly illuminated, covered with the shining dust, enough to make out their forms. The three nearest ones suddenly begin rubbing their eyes, while the one in back begins to take steps back toward a tree behind it. There are snarls and grunts as well from the three rubbing their eyes.

The figures' race is impossible to tell with the outline alone, but their squat postures hint at the most likely explanation that these are orcs. The sounds continue to draw around all three centuars, however; not all of the nearby creatures, whatever they are, have been illuminated by the gleaming dust.

+13/+13/+8/+9/+9, 2d6+8+1d6/2d6+4+1d6/2d6+8+1d6/1d6+4/1d6+4 damage

Hylaeus looked at the outlined creature in front of him. He had seen a lot of orcs (usually right before bashing their heads in), and guessed this was one as well. With believing this to be an orc, and assuming an ally would have shown themselves, he quickly decided to attack. He took a short step forward and swung multiple times.

Move to o,p,12,13 (to the left one square)
Full Attack: Attack / Damage if hit
13 + 5 = 18 / 1+6+8+3(fire) = 18
13 + 11 = 24 / 2+6+4+5(cold) = 17
8 + 10 = 18 / 4+4+8+1(fire) = 17
9 + 8 = 17 / 1(hoof)+4 = 5
9 + 13 = 22 / 3(hoof)+4 = 7
total possible damage 64 hp

OOC: Beren I think it would have better to have given us the AC and hp of the orcs…

IC:
Kezzryn had no doubt that it was Gearim that had revealed the enemies with a glitterdust spell, and he tried to bring as many down as possible by quickly shooting a number of arrows at them.
(Readied action attack: 3+12=15, 2+2+8=12 damage
Full attack with rapid shot:
Natural 20, critical confirmation: 5+10=15, 4+5+8=17 damage (if critical: 4+5+6+3+4+2+24=48 damage)
12+10=22, 1+4+8=13 damage
12+5=17, 2+4+8=14 damage
Kezzryn targets E1 first, if/when he goes down then E3, and then E4, please roll concealment checks for me if necessary…)

While firing his arrows, Kezzryn listened for enemies that had not been revealed by the glitterdust.
(Listen: 12+8=20, note: If you beat an enemies move silently check by 20 you will locate the square he is in)

Listril starts as the creatures are illuminated by Gaerim's glitterdust spell, and draws his bow, but does not shoot yet.

Hylaeus steps forward and strikes the first of the now-revealed enemies. His first blow connects only glancingly, but it connects, and there is a rush of heat from one head of his flail, and the creature slumps, but before it can even hit the ground, the other head hits solidly, splattering the creature into a bloody mess, its frozen head - definitely an orc - slides off to the side. There is a jittering around Hylaeus as he looks over his fallen prey, but there is no time for more than one jitter, as Kezzryn's arrows strike home. The first arrow strikes cleanly the one in front of him, cleaving through the creature's body and erupting blood out of its back as it slumps to the ground. The next two shots are just as deadly, managing to hit the illuminated creatures through the bushes without difficulty, droppinmg them both to the ground in a heap of gold-covered material. Listril lowers his bow for a moment, no longer having anything to shoot at.

Then just as Kezzryn begins listening for more enemies, the attack comes. Before he can react, a club appears out of nowhere and strikes his heavy leather, the orc wielding it behind it, but is unable to deliver much force against such a large creature Orc 5, miss. At the same time, there is a bang as a spear-wielding orc appears on Kezzryn's right side, but the point just happens to slam harmlessly against the centuar's buckler Orc 7, miss. More sounds happen, and Kezzryn is just in time to evade a battle-axe being swung behind him, which glances off his armor, but leaves a bruise Orc 6, hit, 7 damage applied to vitality. Luckily for Kezzryn, the best-aimed attack with a falchion manages to miss, the attacker stumbling as his body hits Kezzryn's backside Orc rogue 1, fumble, takes 3 vitality damage

Another orc behind Listril swings, but his scimitar glances off of Listril's hide Orc 8, miss.

A light mace chooses this moment to glance ineffectually against Hylaeus' armor from his right side Orc 9, miss. However, while Hylaeus is distracted, a long knife hits home, slicing along the centuar's armor and making a long scratch across his rump Orc rogue 2 *sneak attack* hit, 9 damage applied to vitality. Last, two more orcs, with bows, appear in front of Hylaeus, one launching an arrow way over his head but the other arrow coming close enough that he has to duck his head violently in order to avoid it Orc archer 1, hit, 5 damage applied to vitality; Orc archer 2, miss.

And then, although Kezzryn cannot see it, something large comes up behind him, and a solid blow strikes the ground beside him U, miss


----Round 2----

Combat map

Bushes grant 20% concealment for one square, 30% for two, and total concealment for more than two.

Enemies:

Orc 1 dead
Orc 2 0/1/6, dying
Orc 3 0/1/6, dying
Orc 4 0/0/6, dying
Orc 5 2/12/6, AC 15
Orc 6 4/13/6, AC 15
Orc 7 4/15/6, AC 15
Orc 8 3/12/6, AC 15
Orc 9 2/14/6, AC 15
Orc Rogue 1 0/12/6, AC 15 fatigued
Orc Rogue 2 4/12/6, AC 16
Orc Archer 1 3/13/4, AC 15
Orc Archer 2 1/11/4, AC 15
U *unknown* invisible

Party:
Gaerim [will add stats as needed later]
Hylaeus 39/63/20, AC 21
Kezzryn 46/63/20, AC 26
Listril 20/29/14, AC 17

[This message has been edited by Beren V (edited 05-31-2007 @ 10:19 AM).]

Kezzryn dropped his bow, rose up on his hind legs and kicked with both front hooves at the orc in front of him (O7), while drawing his greatsword at the same time (Quick draw). The orc managed to block one hoof with his shield, but the other hit him in the chest with enough force to weaken him, but not enough to take him down. Ignoring the fact that the orc was still standing, Kezzryn used the momentum of his kick to whirl around, and swinging his greatsword with full force, he took the heads of both orcs standing behind him. Knowing that the real threat was the large invisible being behind the two orcs, Kezzryn stepped over their dead bodies and tried to hit the invisible creature with his greatsword, but he missed…
(2x hoof attack on O7: 4+9=13, miss, 10+9=19, hit, 2+4=6 damage, O7 is at 0/13/6
Attack on O6: 6+15=21, hit, 1+6+5+14=26 damage, O6 is dead,
Cleave attack on R1, 19+15=34, hit, critical threat: natural 20!, 3+1+4+4+2+1+28=43 damage, R1 is (very) dead.
5 foot step towards U, 50% concealment check: 40, miss)

[This message has been edited by Kris Lighthawk (edited 05-31-2007 @ 06:40 PM).]

+13/+13/+8/+9/+9, 2d6+8+1d6/2d6+4+1d6/2d6+8+1d6/1d6+4/1d6+4 damage

Hylaeus continued attacking with his dire flail, first swinging and hitting the first orc who was trying to heft a light mace. He lifted the mace to block, but Hylaeus's massive power drove it aside throwing wide his only deffence and smashed into his skull. The one hit dropped the orc to the ground instantly. Hylaeus swept back with his off hand towards the second orc. This one was quicker and tried to dodge, but did not move quite far enough. He got caught in the side and fell.
Moving a step ahead Hylaeus took another swing. The orc to his corner made a spectacular parry with his scimitar completely throwing the flail to the side. He couldn't stop both hooves from comming down on his chest though.
Attacks / Damage
20+13 = 33 (critical threat) 3+13 = 16 (critical confirmed) / 4+6+8+4(fire) + 3+4+8+4(fire) = 41 - O9 dead and decapitated
8+13 = 21 / 2+5+4+6(cold) = 17 - R2 (0/0/6) dying
Five foot step - Move to - p,q 12,13
3+8 = 11 / miss
8+9 = 17 / 6+4 = 10 - O8 - (0/5/6)
14+9 = 23 / 3+4 = 7 - O8 - (0/0/4) dying

Gaerim takes off from his perch in the trees up above, and flies through the canopy to take a new position closer to the fight. For the moment, he wishes not to reveal his presence any more than he already had: the orcs probably are unaware the source of the glittering dust, although the spell is such classic faerie magic that they would only expect a fey. Gaerim moves to l17.

Listril rears up and kicks at the orc who was closest to him. He stumbls, but manages to regain his balance, but not quickly enough to recover the strikes he was planning to make. (natural 1)

The orc behind Kezzryn grins momentarily. The centuar is distracted! He quickly moves in to make a swing, but the centuar's armor manages to resist the blow (miss). The orc next to Listril whom Listril stumbled on makes a quick stab at the centuar's midriff, but this time Listril could see the orc, and dodged easily (miss) The two archers continue firing at Hylaeus, and one of the arrows landed, but nothing is able to even bruise the centuar.

The still-invisible massive creature near Kezzryn takes a step back, and then suddenly there is a whooshing sound but no wind as something swung over Kezzryn's head.

But more attacks come from the still hidden attackers. Another orc appears behind Kezzryn and smites at Listril with his club, missing badly O10, miss. Another appears on the opposite side of Listril, who managed to dodge but throws himself off-balance in the process O11, hit, 8 damage to vitality. Judging Listril to be a weaker target, another appears behind him and swings a battleaxe, inadvertantly hitting him with the flat of the blade O12, hit, 5 damage to Listril's vitality. Another one suddenly swings at Hylaeus as he moves forward, making a short slash along his armor aimed for his chest, but fortunately manages not to pierce the centuar's skin O13, critical threat, confirmation failed, 3 damage taken to vitality. There also is a renewed volley of arrows. Three are launched at Hylaeus, two of which would have been solid hits to the chest were the centuar moving only a split second slower R3, *sneak attack* hit, 7 damage applied to vitality; R4, natural 20, confirmation failed, 8n damage to vitality; A3, miss. A fourth was aimed at Kezzryn by an orc firing straight through the area occupied by the unknown invisible monster, but the shot was deflected harmlessly away by the centuar's deflecting magic A4, miss. One more aimed at Listril, but the shot missed way over his head A5, miss.


----Round 3----

Combat map

Bushes grant 20% concealment for one square, 30% for two, and total concealment for more than two.

Enemies:

Orc 1 dead
Orc 2 0/0/6, dying
Orc 3 0/0/6, dying
Orc 4 0/0/5, dying
Orc 5 2/12/6, AC 15
Orc 6 dead
Orc 7 4/15/6, AC 15
Orc 8 0/0/3, dying
Orc 9 dead
Orc 10 2/14/6, AC 15
Orc 11 3/14/6, AC 15
Orc 12 3/11/6, AC 15
Orc 13 1/14/6, AC 15
Orc Rogue 1 dead
Orc Rogue 2 0/0/5, dying
Orc Rogue 3 2/12/6, AC 16
Orc Rogue 4 2/12/6, AC 16
Orc Archer 1 3/13/4, AC 15
Orc Archer 2 1/11/4, AC 15
Orc Archer 3 1/13/4, AC 15
Orc Archer 4 4/12/4, AC 15
Orc Archer 5 2/13/4, AC 15
U *unknown* invisible

Party:
Gaerim [will add stats as needed later]
Hylaeus 21/63/20, AC 21
Kezzryn 46/63/20, AC 26
Listril 7/29/14, AC 17

Note: A3 has +4 AC from cover; R4 has +8 AC from cover. R3 has 20% concealment and +4 AC for cover from Kezzryn. A5 has 20% concealment and +4 AC from cover from the orcs in front of him. If anybody aims at A4, just roll your attack.

[This message has been edited by Beren V (edited 06-05-2007 @ 01:59 AM).]

OOC: Orc 7 was hit by Kezzryn last turn and is at 0/13/6…

Despite that it had not hit him yet Kezzryn felt that the large invisible creature in front of him posed the greatest threat. He quickly kicked backwards with both his hind hooves to rid himself of the orcs coming from behind. Taking the orcs by surprise, he hit one orc in the head with his right hoof, then somehow managed to continue the kick into the shoulder of the other orc. That orc was also hit in the head by Kezzryn’s left hoof and both orcs went down with severe concussions.
(11+9=20, hit, 5+4=9 damage, O5 is at 0/5/6
Cleave attack: 14+9=23, hit, 2+4=6 damage, O10 is at 0/10/6
17+9=26, hit, 1+4=5 damage, O10 is at 0/5/6)

Taking a step forward, Kezzryn tried to hit the invisible creature again…
(50% concealment: 56, no miss, 14+15=29, If hit: 5+4+4+14=27 damage
(50% concealment: 4, miss)

GM: I am not editing the map for this post.

Kezzryn brings down the two orcs behind him, and moves a few steps forward to challenge the invisible creature. Both of his swings cut through nothing but thin air - and then, suddenly, it dawns on him. The thudding hits to the ground should at least stir up leaves, and they don't. The swing that narrowly missed his head should have been accompanied by a rush of air, and it wasn't. Kezzryn has been swinging at a phantom: the monsterous invisible being isn't even real!

Round 2, Kezzryn DC 15 Will Save (rolled secretly by me): 7 + 7 = 14 *fail*
Attack that misses with such a strong swing, plus no feeling of air from whooshing of sound gives +2 circumstance bonus
14 + 2 = 16 *success*
H is an illusion

With no oppenents left within reach Hylaeus turned and moved toward the archers that appeared first. With the time spent moving he could only make one swing but he made it a good one. While using both hands he did an overhead swing that obliterated the skull of the orc to his right corner. It left the body with a smoking stump, burned from the magic of the dire flail.
Move to k,l / 12,13
Attack / Damage
15+15 = 30 - hit / 4+2+13+2 = 21 - R3 dead

----Round 4----

Listril, still surrounded by enemies, makes a swift kick at the orc that barely dodged Kezzryn, and the blow strikes the orc glancing off of his head, but is enough to send him to the ground (attack on O7, 12 + 8 = 20, hit, 2 + 3 = 5 damage, O7 is 0/9/6). His other strike misses wildly, however (natural 1).

Gaerim flies a few feet forward and initiates a spell, touching Kezzryn on the head. (Gaerim moves to s16, casts Haste on Kezzryn)

Meanwhile, the orcs still surrounding Listril continue swinging at him. The one with the shortspear just barely misses him 3 damage to vitality. Luckily, the axe-wielding orc also just barely misses as the centuar dodged at the last possible moment 2 damage to vitality. The scimitar, however, finds a mark, slashing a bloody line up Listril's human chest Critical hit; 2 damage to extended wounds, 2 damage to vitality. Listril cries in pain, as there is something more than just metal on that scimitar...

Surprised at seeing the pixie descend and cast something at Hylaeus, the two archers targeting Kezzryn both take shots at him. However, neither one is anywhere nearly good enough to hit the tiny faerie A4 and A5, both miss.

Sensing that Listril is in danger of going down and that he is the messenger with the information, two more of the archers aim for him. One of them, the assassin-type, manages somehow to stumble on a branch and lands flat on his face critical fumble, 4 nonlethal damage, DC 12 Fort save success. The other is far luckier; his arrow takes Listril full in the chest, above the split. The warrior is splayed out on the ground, easy prey for the next blow... Critical hit, 5 core wound damage, 8 extended wound damage, DC 20 Fort save 12 + 6 = 18 *failed* Listril is dying!

The two archers next to Hylaeus manuever to attack him. The one immediately next to him pulls out a dagger and takes a swipe, but Hylaeus dodges it easily A1, miss. The other moves to the south and takes cover behind another tree, and fires; the arrow clips the centuar's hair, an inch from his head, but does not strike A2, hit, 7 damage applied to vitality.

The illusory ogre or whatever it is does nothing more against Kezzryn. However, at this moment, two more beings appear to the north: one is a robed figure, the centuar cannot quite get a good view of him. The one in front fills him with dread, however: it is the Dark Prince whom the hero Garin sealed away, supposedly forever, suddenly brought before him!

Note: The new arrivals are out of eyesight for Hylaeus, but if he sees them, he cannot see the Dark Prince; instead, he will see only a wraith-like shadow. He will see the robed figure just fine, though.

Combat map

Bushes grant 20% concealment for one square, 30% for two, and total concealment for more than two.

Enemies:

Orc 1 dead
Orc 2 0/0/5, dying
Orc 3 0/0/5, dying
Orc 4 0/0/4, dying
Orc 5 0/4/6, dying
Orc 6 dead
Orc 7 0/8/6 dying
Orc 8 0/0/2, dying
Orc 9 dead
Orc 10 0/5/6, stable
Orc 11 3/14/6, AC 15
Orc 12 3/11/6, AC 15
Orc 13 1/14/6, AC 15
Orc Rogue 1 dead
Orc Rogue 2 0/0/4, dying
Orc Rogue 3 dead
Orc Rogue 4 0/12/6, AC 15, fatigued, prone
Orc Archer 1 3/13/4, AC 15
Orc Archer 2 1/11/4, AC 15
Orc Archer 3 1/13/4, AC 15
Orc Archer 4 4/12/4, AC 15
Orc Archer 5 2/13/4, AC 15
U illusory but Hylaeus does not know that yet!


Party:
Gaerim [will add stats as needed later]
Hylaeus 14/63/20, AC 21
Kezzryn 46/63/20, AC 27, hasted
Listril 0/19/9, dying

[This message has been edited by Beren V (edited 07-17-2007 @ 08:40 PM).]

”Listril! No!”

Letting go of his greatsword Kezzryn turned around and snatched a potion of healing from his belt pouch with his left hand (quick draw). Grabbing Listril’s humanoid torso with his right hand, Kezzryn carefully poured the potion into Listril’s mouth making sure that it continued down his throat. (Full action used to administer a cure moderate wounds potion to unconscious character: 3+7+3=13, Listril is healed of 5 core wound and 3 extended wounds.)
Kezzryn couldn’t believe what he was seeing coming towards them while he was saving Listril. The Dark Prince! That couldn’t be right, he was supposed to be locked away for good! Kezzryn didn’t know how he knew that this was the Dark Prince, he just knew! But having already been fouled once by an illusion in this battle, Kezzryn was suspicious and not about to let himself be fooled easily again, so he stared hard on the Dark Prince, trying to determinate if he was real or not. (Will save: 8+7=15)

Hylaeus heard Listril go down and was infuriated. He hammered at the archer in front, and with two solid hits the orc was definitely dead. He swung back around and taking a quick step he threw another swing into the legs of the new orc. Hyleaus’s powerful blow took out the orc’s left knee and he fell to the ground screaming in pain. However, he wasn’t dead. YET. Hylaeus stomped the orc into the ground with his decorative hooves. Though they were now mostly covered in blood.

Attack/Damage
5+13 = 18 – hit – 2+5+8+2(electricity) = 17 (A1 – 0/0/3)
13+13 = 26 – hit – 6+5+4+1(electricity) = 15 (A1 – 0/0/0) DEAD)

Five foot step to l,m-13,14

13+8 = 21 – hit – 3+6+8+3(electricity) = 20 (O11 – 0/0/3)
17+9 = 26 – hit – 3+4 = 7 (O11 0/0/0)
19+9 = 28 – hit – 2+4 = 6 (O11 0/0/0) DEAD

----Round 5----

Gaerim takes off and flies over towards Listril's body, now rising again in something of a daze as Kezzryn's healing potion does its work. Gaerim mutters a few words and gestures, and then touches the centuar's back, and Listril suddenly swells with a new vigor and blood rushes anew from his still-present wounds [Gaerim casts Bear's Endurance on Listril].

Listril stands up and kicks back at the orcs behind him. Both hooves connected solidly with the orc directly behind him who fell back instantly, and Listril turned around. "Thanks," he says to Kezzryn and Gaerim. [10 + 6 = 16, hit; 17 + 6 = 23, hit; 2 + 1 + 3 + 3 = 9 damage to O12. O12 is dying.]

The enemies begin to withdraw, as the fight is clearly against them now. Even their attempt to bring down Listril failed, although, that said, the Dark Prince, or what appears to be him anyway, continues advancing on Kezzryn. The robed figure pulls out a potion and quaffs it, vanishing into the night.

Combat map

Notes: A4 is 10 squares off of the map to the right of x17. A2 is 6 squares south of k26. A3 is out of sight, but can be located if you chase it.

Bushes grant 20% concealment for one square, 30% for two, and total concealment for more than two.

Enemies:

Orc 1 dead
Orc 2 0/0/4, dying
Orc 3 0/0/4, dying
Orc 4 0/0/3, dying
Orc 5 0/3/6, dying
Orc 6 dead
Orc 7 0/7/6 dying
Orc 8 0/0/1, dying
Orc 9 dead
Orc 10 0/4/6, stable
Orc 11 dead
Orc 12 0/1/6, dying
Orc 13 1/14/6, AC 15
Orc Rogue 1 dead
Orc Rogue 2 0/0/3, dying
Orc Rogue 3 dead
Orc Rogue 4 0/12/6, AC 15, fatigued
Orc Archer 1 dead
Orc Archer 2 1/11/4, AC 15
Orc Archer 3 1/13/4, AC 15
Orc Archer 4 4/12/4, AC 15
Orc Archer 5 2/13/4, AC 15


Party:
Gaerim [will add stats as needed later]
Hylaeus 14/63/20, AC 21
Kezzryn 46/63/20, AC 27, hasted
Listril 5/27/18 Bear's Endurance, ends in round 65

Enraged with the thought of Listril going down Hylaeus swept back to the centaurs side. Hylaeus grabed his dire flail and chopped down with it like an axe at the closest orcs head. The orc try to block but his weapon was thrust aside as the cold spiked head struck him. The skull crushing sound was loud and sickening. However, it made Hylaeus feel much better.

Move to:
p,q / 12,13
Attack / Damage:
8+15 = 23 (hit) / 3+5+13+5(cold)= 26 (O13 DEAD)

Kezzryn’s eyes told him that this was the Dark Prince or at least some that looked exactly like him, but he also knew that it could not really be him, not here and not now. Confused and unsure what to do Kezzryn stepped back and took up a defensive posture, as he called out to his friends.
“Are you seeing the same as me? Is that really the Dark Prince??!”

(Kezzryn takes a 5 foot step to q-r16-17 and use the total defense action)

I'm breaking out of rounds here, as the fight is over for the moment.

Kezzryn DC 18 Will Save 15 + 2 (premonition) + 2 (Gaerim's advice) = 19, success

Gaerim snaps back toward Kezzryn and looks where the centuar is pointing. "No, that is a phantasmal killer," he says nonchalantly. Kezzryn's intuition has been right all along, and he feels only a shiver as the thing swings its blade expertly into his chest.

Listril looks around at the orcs fleeing away. "Well, you saved me, at least. Let's get moving: they will have a hard time chasing us on the move..."

Quite a bit shaken from his experience with the phantasmal killer, Kezzryn needed a moment to pull himself together before he could answer Listril:
”yes we should go, you lead the way Listril…”