[03] Hero Worship

[Merc]

Session Start: Sun Nov 08, 2009

<Merc> Following the revelations made at the Dalian Academy, the young group of people brought together in battle against Kenmore have made the decision to chase after Kenmore's partner, Barveles, and save the kidnapped prince of Adallia. Interrogating the prisoners quickly reveals some vague information on the kidnappers' camp base.
<Merc> After quickly stocking up on some rations and other possibly necessary items for the trip, the group finds itself at the city gates, where they are bidding farewell to those present, and meeting with the head guard of Ferune.

<Merc> Following Maya's last request for assistance, the head guard has selected one of his best, in fact, he is providing them with a trained tracker to assist them, in case the prisoners were trying to lead them astray in any way, as well as for some peace of mind at sending what amounts to 'children' in his mind, still.

<Merc> The head guard harrumphs, and merely shakes his head. "I still feel this is a mistake, but I suppose we must make the attempt to rescue Prince Fardune. I can't lend you much assistance, as we are stretched thin and cannot leave the town unguarded, not to mention having to send word of the situation to the capital." He looks in the direction of Cerisse and Skydale who nod.

* Aleph objects to being called a child. Predictably.
* Elise doesn't. "We are all children in the eyes of the lord, after all."
* Anassia shoots Elise a faintly cool glance, having lapsed into silence herself.

<Elise> "Our cause is righteous and our will is strong. Who could stand against us?"
<Aleph> "Moyamoya.  It's not like I'd be helping from here anyway." Aleph comments as he shrugs.  As far as everyone else thinks, his departure would probably be a good thing.
<Maya>  "Lots of folks...  But either way, it'd be far worse if our town became known for letting the a prince get kidnapped and killed," Maya eyed Elise. "But we're agreed there."  The dark gypsy brushed her purle hair back, ready to get moving.  "Hopefully, we can sneak by."

<Merc> "We'll try to get to the capital as soon as we can, so the headmaster can explain the situation," Cerisse states. "I hope you have as much success in besting this enemy as the previous one. You've all certainly proven yourselves capable." She smiles as the head guard harrumphs again, before looking at a young man besides him. "Kheldar, make sure none of them dies. Do your family proud," he says quietly.
<Merc> He vaguely looks like he's attempting to avoid looking emotional.
* Kheldar snaps a smart salute at the head guard, clicking his boots together. "Yessir! Duty Before All."
* Elise nods approvingly at this display.

<Merc> Other family members are giving their own farewells, Maya's mother choosing the moment to begin smothering her with kisses, as her father smiles shakes his head. Anassia's own family is standing a bit to the side, not really amongst them, but still looking towards Anassia. Both her parents look concerned, but resigned, while her brother merely looks slightly confused.
* Maya hugs her mother dearly.  "I'll be back safely, Mama...for a bit longer anyway," She smiled, the wanderlust of her family having been nipping at her heels for a while.  This trip though promised to be short.
<Merc> Her father snorts and roughs her hair with a shake, sending the hairs into a mess. "We expected you to want to go out and seek your fortunes outside town, but I don't think even your mother expected it'd be to rescue a prince."
<Maya> "Well, just for now...I can't let this happen here.  No matter where my feet roam, this will be my heart's home," She smiled, turning to the others.  "Are we prepared and iron in our hearts?"

* Aleph stood back, not having anyone to really connect him to the town to say goodbye to, so he only watched as everyone else had theirs.
* Elise observes this. "You have no one to bid farewell to?" she asks.
* Anassia scowls slightly at the sight of her family remaining off to the side, glancing towards the others.
<Aleph> "Not really.  Everyone here generally doesn't care for me on a whole." Aleph responds, turning toward Elise.  "After all, I don't do much work around here, and have a bit of a reputation."
<Elise> "Do you? Then you must have done something remarkable?"
<Aleph> "Mainly flipping skirts a few times."
<Elise> "What?"
<Aleph> "Exactly."
* Elise looks confused, though it's hard to say about what in particular. "Why would you do this?"
<Aleph> "Yeah, let's get out of here."
* Kheldar nods at the general assembly of...heroes, as it may be.
<Aleph> "To see what's underneath, of course." Aleph states back to Elise.

<Merc> "Anyhow, folks, I wish you luck again," Cerisse states as she starts mounting a horse. "If things go well, hopefully we'll meet each other, with you escorting the prince to his home."
<Merc> "Please make sure the prince is not too injured...!" the headmaster adds, still looking nervous at the prospect of explaining the situation.
* Maya nods at the headmaster, beginning to walk off with the group...
* Kheldar bows to the headmaster. "My life for his, sir. He'll come to no harm so long as I draw breath."
<Merc> "Good, good..." the man mutters as he starts motioning his horse to fall in step with Cerisse's and Jayce's mounts.

<Elise> "What's underneath isn't for young men to see!" Elise says in a huff.
<Aleph> "Oh reeeeeally." Aleph states, starting to walk off after nodding to the headmaster.  "Still worth it."
<Elise> "I just don't understand why this is desirable," Elise replies as she walks along.
<Maya> "What are you two babbling about?" Maya stuck her nose in with a smile, not wearing considerably more than she had been when she was performing.
<Aleph> "She's confused as to why I would desire to flip skirts every now and then is all." Aleph responds.
* Anassia moves to follow behind the others as they move off, the conversation bringing a smile to her face.

<Maya> "Well that's simple...it's because he's bad at getting them to take them off for him," She teased.  "Now hurry on, we've got a ways to walk."

<Elise> "Well, you will have no luck with me," Elise says, smacking one thigh by way of demonstration. She's wearing long pants, as she always does regardless of the weather.
<Aleph> "...now that's a cheap shot." Aleph comments, slightly crestfallen at the blow to his confidence
<Elise> "Excuse me?" Elise doesn't seem to understand the slight at all.

<Merc> "Anassia!" they hear a young voice call out once they're a bit of distance away, though still within hearing distance apparently. It sounds like her brother. "Take care and don't blow yourself up!!!" If Anassia looks back, she'll see her brother waving in their direction, and her family looking sad, proud, and still resigned, all at once, though they too are waving.

<Kheldar> "Right." Kheldar strides to the front of the small group. "Here's how it's going to work, folks. I'm on point at all times, since I'm the best tracker you lot have got."
* Kheldar pauses, hoping he got their attention.
* Elise dutifully pays attention to the guardsman.
* Aleph nods. "Sure."

<Kheldar> "I'd like the girl to remain in the middle of us, so she won't easily come to harm. You there, with the hammer, what's your name?"
<Elise> "Elise Taylor, sir!"
* Anassia glances back at the call and gives a weak wave back before turning back towards the others. "The girl?" she asks the guard. "Which?"
* Kheldar coughs and reddens slightly. "Your pardon. I'd like the /youngest/ girl in the middle. As for you, Miss Taylor, please be so kind as to be our rearguard."
<Elise> "Of course! Anyone sneaking up on us from behind will regret their evil ways once I find them."
* Aleph picks up on the reddening. "Moyamoya. Embarassed easily, or is it something else?"

<Maya> "Sir?"  Maya laughed, eying a bit at Kheldor with her deep eyes. "Militant huh...  well, I suppose a little discipline wouldn't hurt.  But do you expect them to hit us on the road?"
<Kheldar> "It's always better to be safe than sorry, Miss Maya. You can never think too far ahead. Besides, we won't be on the road long. I scouted the trail ahead and it leads into the woods northwesterly of here."
* Kheldar points off in the distance.
<Maya> "Alright, that's fair enough," She patted his cheek. "Lead away then...we'll keep after your lead," She was very clearly not a soldier though, taking it somewhat casually even as she fell into the group.
* Anassia frowns slightly to the guard, although she does move towards the center of the party. No point being petulant, after all.

* Kheldar looks a bit startled at the girl's effrontery, but decides to shrug it off. "Jack, you're directly behind me. Aleph, Maya, do as you will, but keep an eye on our youngest. I'd hate to have to explain to her parents why I didn't bring her back." Kheldar nods in satisfaction. "Any questions before we go?"
<Jack> "Yeah, why do we have the untrained mage in the center of all of us?"
* Jack looks at Anassia, "No offense or anything."
<Elise> "She wouldn't be with us if she wasn't a capable combatant," Elise says in Anassia's defense.
* Anassia quirks an eyebrow towards Jack. "Yes, clearly I am prone to exploding at the faintest touch." she remarks drily.
<Jack> "Well, there was that roof..."
<Kheldar> "Untrained though she may be, a ranged attacker is most valuable. Why else are archers protected by their more heavily armored counterparts in battle?"

<Aleph> "Moyamoya.  Don't say that this whole trip's going to be like this..." Aleph objects.
* Kheldar gives Aleph a stern glance. "If you don't like it, young man, you can turn right back around and go home. We have a mission and we're going to do it right; which means all of us coming home alive."
<Aleph> "I guess it is," He rolls his eyes.
* Jack shakes his head.
<Jack> "Let's just get on with it."
<Elise> "Yes. We should not argue amongst ourselves. The enemy is out there. Let us go find it and smite it!"

<Jack> "The sooner we rescue the prince, the sooner I can retire to a life of luxury... I mean, they've got to pay well for that sort of thing, right?"
<Aleph> "Let's just put it this way.  I work better when not ordered to do things."

<Kheldar> "Right. Just...try to keep your companions alive and I'll do my best to keep you alive, in turn. If you can't keep up with the pace I set, too bad. We have a prince to save."
<Kheldar> And with that, Kheldar turns smartly on his heels and begins trotting down the dusty road.

<Maya> "You have a good attitude in battle at least," Maya smiled at Elise.  "I doubt there'll be much pay... excepting in that our hometown will not be besmirched."
<Elise> "It's not about payment. It's about doing what's good for everyone. Why else would we be out here?"
<Anassia> "I dunno.  I wouldn't complain about getting money," she says, shrugging slightly as she follows behind Kheldar.
<Jack> "I'm stickin' my neck out in the hopes of a large payday. No other real reason to do it."

<Elise> "Money is fleeting. Virtue will serve you far better in the end."

<Merc> As Kheldar leads them along the road, doing his best to take leadership of the group, some of them humoring him, others seeming somewhat resentful, but mostly complying for the time being, they come to the area where the imprisoned mook stated was roughly around where there was a light trail of sorts towards the supposed base.
<Merc> OOC - Survival check, Kheldar. Ditto for anyone that wants to do the assist action in checking for trail.

<Maya> "She's not too wrong there," She smirked, though it probably didn't encourage Elise to have the older girl agreeing with her in such a manner.
<Anassia> "It's easier to be virtuous when you have money," Anassia says, glancing to Maya.
<Maya> "I wouldn't know...but I'd think it'd just be easier to spend money frivilously...which would be fun," She smiled.
<Elise> "No, excessive wealth is an impediment to virtuous living. It blinds one to the suffering of others. Charity is a virtue, however."
<Anassia> "How can you be charitable if you don't have more than sufficient wealth?"
* Kheldar sighs.

<Kheldar> roll 1d20+8 Tracking
<Penuche> Kheldar invokes Penuche's magic: < 13 > [d20=5]
<Maya> roll 1d20+0 assist
<Penuche> Maya invokes Penuche's magic: < 6 > [d20=6]
<Aleph> roll 1d20+4 Survival
<Penuche> Aleph invokes Penuche's magic: < 21 > [d20=17]
<Elise> roll 1d20-2 looking at pretty trees and stuff what do I see~
<Penuche> Elise invokes Penuche's magic: < 9 > [d20=11]

<Elise> "Everyone can help out their fellow man in small ways," Elise says. "But charity is a good way for the rich to rid themselves of the burden of wealth."

<Merc> Kheldar seems to have a bit of trouble spotting the trail at first. Aleph, however, perhaps in thanks to his ancestors' roots, is more capable, as he quickly finds a slightly hidden path for the group. Once the trail is found, however, Kheldar shows his expertise as he navigates the group quickly, showing them best spots to move through quickly and quietly.

<Aleph> "Eh.  I'm fine with enough to live by on," Aleph comments as he finds the minor path.
<Jack> "Oh yes, the terrible burden of wealth."
* Jack rolls his eyes.
<Elise> "It's true! What is the purpose of having more than one needs?"
* Aleph never had much use for excess wealth, in actuality. Comfort and freedom are more important than extravagance, the way he saw it...

* Maya laughs at Jack's line.  "Perhaps we should be a bit quiet though as we get near." She waved the others down. "We wouldn't want them to hear us arguing."
* Kheldar nods in approval. "I was about to suggest the same thing." He murmurs. "Surprise is the best that a soldier can hope for. We must be cautions and silent if we hope to surprise them when we catch up."
* Elise obligingly shuts up, at least as long as no one else continues the conversation.
* Anassia nods and falls silent herself, looking around the path curiously.
* Aleph acquiesces with the shutting up. For now, anyway. He didn't like being ordered around, but it at least made sense here...

<Merc> ooc - are you guys basically travelling in a line formation?
<Aleph> (Cross, I'd think.)
<Kheldar> OOC: Roughly, near as I can tell. Unless they've wandered out of the formation I'd hoped they'd stick to
<Maya> OOC: More like a bunch I thing?  With Ana in the center, maya, and jack on the sides, khel in front and elise behind?
<Aleph> (More of Aleph and Maya on the sides.  Khel in front, then Jack, then Ana, then Elise)
<Merc> ooc: okay, cross. Listen checks all around. Spot from Khel as well. Maya and Aleph can make spots checks as well if they wish.

<Aleph> roll 1d20+7 Spot
<Penuche> Aleph invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d20=13]
<Aleph> roll 1d20+7 Listen
<Penuche> Aleph invokes Penuche's magic: < 9 > [d20=2]
<Jack> roll 1d20+8 listen
<Elise> roll 1d20-2 head in the clouds~
<Penuche> Jack invokes Penuche's magic: < 13 > [d20=5]
<Penuche> Elise invokes Penuche's magic: < 11 > [d20=13]
<Kheldar> roll 1d20+8 Spot
<Penuche> Kheldar invokes Penuche's magic: < 25 > [d20=17]
<Kheldar> roll 1d20+8 Listen
<Penuche> Kheldar invokes Penuche's magic: < 19 > [d20=11]
<Anassia> roll 1d20+4
<Anassia> roll 1d20+4
<Penuche> Anassia invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d20=16]
<Penuche> Anassia invokes Penuche's magic: < 7 > [d20=3]
<Maya> roll 1d20+5 spot
<Penuche> Maya invokes Penuche's magic: < 13 > [d20=8]
<Maya> roll 1d20+5 listen
<Penuche> Maya invokes Penuche's magic: < 24 > [d20=19]

<Maya> "hey, I hear something up ahead," Maya returned quietly, "Let's slow a second and see if it'll pass us by."
* Kheldar nods. "I hear something as well. I can nearly make out what seem to be wolves...but I'm not sure." Kheldar makes a staying motion. "I'll scout out up ahead."
<Aleph> "Yeah, we've got animals." Aleph whispers.  "It does looks like wolves."
* Elise unholsters her weapon and hefts it in her hands. "Enemies?" she whispers.
<Aleph> "...Wolves."
* Anassia nods towards Kheldar. "Don't get eaten," she whispers back, encouragingly.

* Aleph takes his bow out in advance. "Given that they can probably smell him if he gets close enough..."
* Maya slides her hand behind her back, apparently ready as she slid out her ornate blade.

* Kheldar glides forward silently in the underbrush to get a closer look, doing his best to stay silent.
<Merc> ooc - move silently/hide if you want to get closer.

<Kheldar> roll 1d20+8 Hide
<Penuche> Kheldar invokes Penuche's magic: < 23 > [d20=15]
<Kheldar> roll 1d20+8 Silently
<Penuche> Kheldar invokes Penuche's magic: < 11 > [d20=3]

<Merc> roll d20+4 Listen
<Merc> roll d20+4 Listen
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 9 > [d20=5]
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 11 > [d20=7]

<Merc> As Kheldar slowly moves forward, using the forest trees as cover, he approaches the creatures, getting a good look at them. It looks to be a pair of large wolves, a bit larger than he's used to seeing, with rather dark fur coats. They seem to be gnawing on some kill, and not paying too much attention. One of them almost seems to have a twitch as Kheldar steps on a twig somewhat loudly, but seems more interested in its meal.

<Kheldar> OOC: Can I make a spot check to recognize their kill?
<Merc> ooc: go for it
<Kheldar> roll 1d20+8 Spot
<Penuche> Kheldar invokes Penuche's magic: < 12 > [d20=4]
<Merc> Kheldar is perhaps too cautious about being spotted after his mis-step earlier, and can't get a good look at what the wolves are eating. He'd have to risk moving closer to see what they're eating.

<Kheldar> OOC: How close is "a little closer"?
<Merc> ooc: another hide and move silently check closer!
<Merc> ooc: keep in mind, if you move closer, you also risk being smelled as well.
<Merc> ooc: depends how much you pass by =)
<Kheldar> OOC: Making those checks
<Merc> ooc: Risk taker!

<Kheldar> roll 1d20+8 Hide
<Penuche> Kheldar invokes Penuche's magic: < 9 > [d20=1] FAILURE
<Kheldar> roll 1d20+8 Silently
<Penuche> Kheldar invokes Penuche's magic: < 22 > [d20=14]
<Merc> ooc: pfftt...hahaha

<Aleph> (Yay risks)
<Merc> Kheldar seems so focused on moving silently, watching for evil twigs that he seems to forget to hide at all, only holding a pair of branches as a makeshift hiding spot. The gnawing seems to stop as the wolves just look at Kheldar curiously.

<Kheldar> OOC: -_- You make me look like an air head.
<Merc> ooc: I know. =)
<Aleph> OOC: He does that for me too
<Kheldar> OOC: In any case, can I see the corpse and skeddadle before they decide to attack?
<Merc> ooc: sure, feel free.
<Kheldar> roll 1d20+8 Spot Goddammit, this had better work
<Penuche> Kheldar invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d20=12]

<Merc> While the wolves try to decide between their current meal, or the tasty looking guard with a surprised expression at having been spotted, Kheldar notes that the wolves are merely eating the corpse of some beast, not a human, thankfully.
* Kheldar is feeling particularly foolish at having made such a juvenile mistake. He inches back slowly, ever so slowly, not making eye contact with the wolves. He hopes to fade into the underbrush unmolested.
<Merc> One of the wolves starts growling at Kheldar as he tries to move away.
* Kheldar freezes instantly.

<Kheldar> OOC: How far away are they from me, actually?
<Merc> ooc: about 30ft
<Merc> ooc: others are about 30ft away from you

<Merc> The wolves look at Kheldar, their eyes focused on the man. As Kheldar freezes, one of the wolves moves a bit to the side, and starts smelling at the air, the other maintaining its eyes on Kheldar.
* Jack facepalms
* Kheldar keeps perfectly still, keeping an eye on the two wolves. He has the safety of his charges in mind.
<Merc> The wolf that was smelling at the air stops after a few seconds, and looks at Kheldar once more, as it begins circling around Kheldar, sniffing at the human statue.
* Aleph keeps his eyes on the wolves. If they attack, he's ready to shoot them...

<Merc> ooc: If you want to do anything, I'll allow a handle animal, survival or k:nat check to try and make the wolves less interested.
<Merc> ooc: Otherwise, this is essentially a game of chicken!

* Kheldar projects calmness and serenity, not daring to move a muscle, not even to follow the motion of the wolf circling him.

<Kheldar> OOC: Rolling a Survival
<Kheldar> roll 1d20+8 Penuche, baby, be good to me
<Penuche> Kheldar invokes Penuche's magic: < 14 > [d20=6]

<Merc> Kheldar's training in regards to the wilderness pays off, as his actions seem to be just the right sort of actions in the situation. Luckily, the wolves seem more interested in the meal than Kheldar, and Kheldar hasn't inspired any desire to tear off his face so far. The wolf sniffing around Kheldar slowly moves back towards the corpse, it's partner lowering its face and beginning to chew again.
* Kheldar allows himself a small breath of relief, then backs slowly in the underbrush, taking great care to be quiet. He arrives where he left his charges.
<Jack> "..."
<Jack> "And you're here for our safety? Really?"
* Aleph snrks lightly.
* Anassia quirks an eyebrow slightly toward Kheldar at his arrival, barely suppressing a smile herself.

<Kheldar> "Two wolves ahead. They've just made a kill in the middle of our trail, so I suggest we circle around them." Kheldar shakes his head. "Twas bad luck that they made a kill directly on our trail. We can pick it up again easily."
* Kheldar ignores the jibes. He knows it's better to avoid fights when one can.

* Aleph is in that line of thinking--avoiding big wolves is always nice.
* Maya smiles. "Well, let's just get going.  We're not here to get in a fight with the wildlife anyway," Maya goes along.
* Kheldar resumes point, keeping a wary out out as the group circles around the wolves.
<Merc> As the group circles around the wolves, staying downwind of the wild beasts, they soon pick up the trail again. Kheldar endures the quiet jokes as they progress, it starting to get darker, both due to them going deeper into the forest, and the time spent with that little wilderness encounter. There's still plenty of light out, if you choose to keep going, and according to your directions, it shouldn't be much further.

* Aleph is also keeping lookout.
* Maya keeps on unless the others start complaining, not too tired yet.
* Aleph isn't tired yet. It's a break from village life anyway

<Merc> Time is of the essence, for this group, all of them choosing to continue. There is a prince to save!

<Merc> ooc - spot checks
<Aleph> roll d20+7 spot
<Penuche> Aleph invokes Penuche's magic: < 26 > [d20=19]
<Maya> roll 1d20+5
<Penuche> Maya invokes Penuche's magic: < 19 > [d20=14]
<Kheldar> roll 1d20+8 Spot
<Penuche> Kheldar invokes Penuche's magic: < 17 > [d20=9]
<Jack> roll 1d20+8
<Penuche> Jack invokes Penuche's magic: < 15 > [d20=7]
<Anassia> roll 1d20+4
<Penuche> Anassia invokes Penuche's magic: < 10 > [d20=6]
<Elise> roll 1d20-2
<Penuche> Elise invokes Penuche's magic: < 0 > [d20=2]

<Merc> As the group continues onward, they start seeing a bit more light up ahead. Looks like a clearing up ahead. Except for Anassia and Elise, they also note, however, a duo standing off in the distance, a man and a woman in some armor.
* Aleph maintains his attempts at moving stealthily. They looked loaded for combat, and...distinctly not hooded like those yoiks...
<Maya> "I think someone might be waiting for us," Maya noted quickly, preparing her sword, none too unseen at its size in her hands.  "Do you recognize them?" She wondered at Kheldar.
* Aleph readies his bow in the process
* Kheldar surreptitiously loosens his blade in it's scabbard behind his back, then strides forward to meet them, taking care to put himself between the duo and the group. "I wasn't told that I'd be meeting someone along the way. Be wary."

<Kheldar> OOC: Spot check to recognize them? Or will I not recognize them regardless?

<Merc> The man and woman seem to be just chatting, neither of them familiar to any of you. The man occassionally makes wild gestures, revealing the spear in is hand, and the woman seems to occassionally laugh.
<Elise> "How many are there?" Elise asks, not having spotted them yet.

<Aleph> "Just looks like two."
<Aleph> "Don't look hostile, though, but we're not sure..."

* Anassia blinks at the revelation there are others present, frowning as she follows behind the others. "So, what, just walk up to them?"
* Kheldar nods. "If they were enemies, I think they would have lain in ambush. We'll approach them but be on your guard."
* Kheldar strides towards the duo, waiting patiently for them to notice him.

<Merc> ooc - ...So. You guys are just openly approaching?
<Kheldar> OOC: I am. They might decide to be smarter
<Merc> ooc - or just Kheldar?
<Maya> OOC: Just Kheldar :3?  Maya wouldn't mine jumping in if they seem hostile.

<Elise> OOC: Well, I'd guess they're actually guards waiting for people like us, but Elise is all ready to just bust heads.
<Merc> ooc: Are any of you guys approaching,or just staying 80ft away? And are you hiding or anything?
<Jack> ooc jack will hide so he can get his back stab on
<Anassia> ooc:  Anassia will be going with the majority, to appear all the less threatening in comparison.

* Elise follows Kheldar in approaching the strangers.
* Aleph approaches stealthily. One can't be sure...
* Maya nods to the two. "We'll circle," Maya headed with Jack and Ana and Aleph a bit circularly around through the woods, going slow as to get closer, but get to watch what was going on from the side.

<Merc> It takes a bit of time for Kheldar to get their attention, as the woman seems more interested in the man's statements, and he in making them. Still, Kheldar isn't particularly hiding, and they eventually catch on to his presence. They don't seem to take well to it, as they fumble into a guarded position. "INTRUDERS!!!" the man shouts out, as the duo guardedly point their spears at Kheldar and keep a wary eye on the others visible.
* Kheldar raises his hands in a placating gesture. "Good day to you, sir. Might I ask in whose domain I'm intruding upon?"

* Maya rushes forward at the shout, using the two up front to hide her motion as she rapidly built speed...

***

<Merc> ooc: Are you planning to attack? If you are, initiative
<Elise> OOC: I assumed the guards would attack, really.
<Kheldar> OOC: I didn't really *want* to attack.....
<Maya> OOC: Sure.  :)
<Elise> OOC: If they're actually gonna stop and talk to Kheldar, great!
<Maya> OOC: Maya isn't used to being disciplined.  Aerial stabbage. :)
<Merc> ooc - they just spotted four of you and they called for help. If you guys want to talk, they'll be happy to wait until they're not outnumbered!!!
<Kheldar> OOC: bah, fine. Gut them. Who cares?
<Maya> OOC: They can talk, Maya can stab :3

<Merc> ooc - So again, just roll init if you're going to attack. If one of you does roll init, all of you do =p

<Maya> roll 1d20+4 init
<Penuche> Maya invokes Penuche's magic: < 17 > [d20=13]

<Merc> ooc: such violence. Alright, init people! =p

<Kheldar> roll 1d20+4 Init
<Penuche> Kheldar invokes Penuche's magic: < 8 > [d20=4]
<Anassia> roll 1d20+2
<Penuche> Anassia invokes Penuche's magic: < 11 > [d20=9]
<Elise> roll 1d20+2 init
<Penuche> Elise invokes Penuche's magic: < 10 > [d20=8]
<Aleph> roll 1d20+4 init
<Penuche> Aleph invokes Penuche's magic: < 11 > [d20=7]
<Jack> roll 1d20+4
<Penuche> Jack invokes Penuche's magic: < 15 > [d20=11]
<Merc> roll d20+1
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 11 > [d20=10]
<Merc> roll d20+1
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 6 > [d20=5]

* Merc changes topic to 'Maya (17) > Jack (15) > Anassia = Aleph = Man (11) > Elise (10) > Kheldar (8) > Woman (6)'

*** ROUND 1 ***

<Merc> ooc - Go Maya
* Maya rushed along the forest path, her footwork swift as she leaped against the nearest tree, bouncing up to a branch in a dazzling display of acrobatics before leaping right over the surprised Jack to slash at the spear wielding guard from above.  OOC: Tumbling attack.

<Merc> ooc: do your tumble check
<Maya> roll 1d20+18 tumble to remove ADB
<Penuche> Maya invokes Penuche's magic: < 36 > [d20=18]
<Maya> roll 1d20+8 there's no way that they beat that tumble check anyway.
<Penuche> Maya invokes Penuche's magic: < 15 > [d20=7]
<Merc> ooc: hit
<Maya> roll 2d8+6 as she brings her blade down across the spear wielding man, seeking to take him out and shatter their resolve.
<Penuche> Maya invokes Penuche's magic: < 12 > [d8=3,3]

<Merc> The male guard cries out as Maya's blade slashes a deep bleeding gash right down his chest, and marring most of his face. "Aaaaah!!!" he screams in pain, as he tries to keep the blood out of his eyes.

<Merc> ooc - Jack
<Jack> ooc if I can hold my action without being spotted, I'll do that
<Merc> ooc - alright. no rolls necesary right now.

<Merc> ooc - Aleph
<Aleph> "Shit.  We have no real option now!"  Aleph curses as he fires two shots from his bow at the spearman.  He wasn't ready for Stealth Infiltration Action to get his allies back...
<Aleph> ...nor was he ready to deal with any of them dying.

<Aleph> roll 1d20+4
<Aleph> roll 1d20+4
<Penuche> Aleph invokes Penuche's magic: < 7 > [d20=3]
<Penuche> Aleph invokes Penuche's magic: < 17 > [d20=13]
<Merc> ooc - second attack hits
<Aleph> roll 1d8
<Penuche> Aleph invokes Penuche's magic: < 6 > [d8=6]

<Merc> Even as Aleph makes his shot, the heavily injured guard attempts to stab Maya with his spear.

<Merc> roll 1d20+4
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 15 > [d20=11]
<Merc> ooc - what's your AC, Maya?
<Merc> roll d6+1 (nvm, just saw it's 16, and you'd charged so it should hit)
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 4 > [d6=3]

<Merc> Even as his spear punches through Maya's armor, prompting a smile from the guard, a pair of arrows fly through, one slamming into a tree, the other, however, goes right into the man's skull, the man dropping, a smile still on his face.

<Merc> ooc - Anassia

* Maya winces, not downed but not pleased that he managed to clip her with his spear.
<Aleph> "Tch.  Guess it's quantity over quality, then." Aleph comments
<Merc> "Dirk!!" the woman screeches, tears in her face.

* Anassia sighs heavily as she realizes both the 'sneak past' and 'parlay' plans have failed. Instead, she points to the remaining guard. "You!" she says, eyes turning back to their red. "Submit yourself, lest you be slain!"
<Merc> ooc - browbeat attempt?
<Anassia> ooc: Oh, right, it's not just a *bamwin*; gotsta check the rules on browbeat real quick
<Merc> ooc - just roll intimidate, and that's my mook's DC
<Anassia> roll 1d20+14 Mage's Intimidate Rocks.
<Penuche> Anassia invokes Penuche's magic: < 22 > [d20=8]
<Merc> roll 1d20+7 BAC check with a +5 bonus for wanting to kill Aleph and Maya rather than submit.
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 11 > [d20=4]

<Merc> However much the woman wants to stab out Maya's and/or Aleph's eyes out, the arcanist is one scary looking slip of a girl. The demonically glowing yes probably helped make her case though, as the woman stammers and just looks uncertain of what to do.
<Merc> OOC - Unless somebody attacks her, she won't attack this round

<Merc> ooc - Elise

* Elise approaches the cowering guard with her weapon in hand. "How many others are in your camp? Tell us, now!" (OOC: basically just moving up right next to her and calling that my turn.)
<Merc> ooc: If you want her to babble, roll intimidate. If it was just RP though, we can move to Kheldar.
<Elise> roll 1d20+5 intimidate then (wasn't sure it'd be necessary with her already scared)
<Penuche> Elise invokes Penuche's magic: < 8 > [d20=3]
<Merc> roll d20+2
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 15 > [d20=13]

<Merc> Elise fails at being more scary than the magic user, and the girl mostly just continues shaking, keepin a wary eye mostly on Anassia, and wishing for reinforcements to show up.

<Merc> ooc - Kheldar
* Kheldar draws his sword from over his shoulder, gritting his teeth. "Take care of her. I'm going ahead." With that terse command, he sprints ahead down the path behind the woman, hoping to catch the kidnappers and murderers.

* Jack sneaks around toward the back of the camp.
<Merc> As Kheldar heads ahead into the clearing, and Jack sneaks, the female guard just shakes.

*** ROUND 2 ***

* Topic is 'Maya (17) > Jack (15) > Aleph (11) > Anassia (11) > Elise (10) > Kheldar (8) > Woman (6)'

<Merc> ooc - Maya
<Maya> "You chose a bad path...  Choose a better one next time," She stepped hard and twirled, building speed suddenly as she twisted her blade in her hand, using her momentum to bring the large flat of it against the side of the girl's head.

<Maya> OOC: Tumble attack, since apparently I have a big minus to overcome to manage to use the blunt of my sword ;_;
<Maya> roll 1d20+18 tumble succeeds
<Penuche> Maya invokes Penuche's magic: < 35 > [d20=17]
<Merc> ooc: roll your attack and then damage
<Maya> roll 1d20+6
<Penuche> Maya invokes Penuche's magic: < 26 > [d20=20] SUCCESS
<Merc> ooc: *snorts*
<Maya> roll 1d20+6 non-lethal crit for comedy?
<Penuche> Maya invokes Penuche's magic: < 26 > [d20=20] SUCCESS
<Merc> ooc: ....max non-lethal damage for the win?

<Merc> The girl falls like a puppet with its strings cut out, as Maya's well placed strike rattles her brain into mushy stuff, sending her into la-la unconscious land.

<Maya> "Let's hurry up after him.  He's going to get into trouble," She waved to the others, holding her side slightly.
* Anassia frowns to Maya. "Your wound..." she says, blinking to her. "Let me see it."
<Maya> "Huh...alright," She lifted her hand..it seemed like it was just a glancing cut along her side.
* Aleph sighs, "...this went well. Maybe." ...right before he continued on off the trail, trying to remain hidden from any guards that'd come along from the call
<Merc> As the girl is knocked into unconsciousness, reinforcements seem to be getting ready as a lot of people come out from tents in the clearing, with awkwardly put armor. Amongst them is the large female leader of the bunch, who scowls particularly at Maya as someone points her out and chatters wildly. The kidnappers seem more focused on the group coming from the trail, as Jack continues quietly sneaking.
<Aleph> '...or not.'

<Merc> ooc - free actions for the moment again.

*** Combat Round Ends ***

<Merc> ooc - if you stay in the forest area, you're hidden. If you step out into the clearing, you're not.

* Aleph sizes up the leader. 'Holy shit that's a tall woman.'
* Anassia nods slightly, offering her a smile. "Try not to get hurt anymore. But let us to save our 'protector'."
* Elise moves forward to keep pace with Kheldar. No good letting anyone in the group get isolated, right?
* Maya nods, following a step behind Elise and Kheldar. "This is why we needed to hurry...but it seems we're already too late for that.  Let's lead them to the trees," She encouraged.

<Merc> "You there! Are you the one responsible for Kenmore's death?" The woman they recognize to be Barveles shouts out as she points a scimitar at Maya, though she also keeps an eye on Anassia, who her informant is also speaking about apparently. Barveles is a tall muscled dark-skinned woman, currently wielding a scimitar and shield, and covered in armor.
* Aleph remains in the shadows and foliage. Apparently Maya's got a rep here...

* Kheldar stops and scowls. He calls, "We don't talk with murderers and kidnappers, wench. Hand over the prince and we might yet let you live."
* Kheldar brandishes his greatsword to add weight to his words.
* Elise points an accusing finger at Barveles. "He was a criminal and met only divine punishment! Stand down before you receive the same!"
* Anassia glares daggers at the informant, eyes still their unnatural color.

<Merc> Barveles looks amused. "Are you serious? You guys are -horribly- outnumbered. If you took down Kenmore, you might take down a lot of us, but you'll certainly die in the attempt. Talking's your best bet to stay alive."

<Maya> "Kenmore, let's see, generous, appreciates the arts, fires crossbows into innocent crowds before ordering their slaughter?"  Maya hummed, "You could say I took his head," She glared at her.  "And if you're lucky, you'll run before I take yours."  She taunted.
<Merc> The woman scowls at Maya's words. "Then again, somethng could be said for too loose a tongue..." she mutters.

<Kheldar> "Are you comfortable dying yourself? For even if we all fall, you surely will."
<Merc> "And if I fall, so does your precious little prince, don't you think?"
<Merc> The woman looks smug, certain she holds the upper hand.

* Aleph almost gets into staring a bit at the woman. Certain aspects to be precise. Before he remembers that she's about to try to kill everyone.
<Maya> roll 1d20+8 "Something could be said for too tight a woman.  You couldn't handle me even by yourself."
<Penuche> Maya invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d20=12]
<Merc> roll d20+2
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 6 > [d20=4]

* Kheldar smiles grimly. "If you harm him, you'll surely die. Do you think that there are not others prepared to throw their lives away for him? I am."
<Merc> The woman shrugs at Kheldar's words, and begins to speak, throwing a glare at Maya, her hand tightening around her blade. "I have no plans on killing the prince, he's more of insurance than anything. He only dies if I do, or my demands are not met." (ooc - more)
<Merc> "As I mentioned before, I do not think that you have much of a chance against us, but I have something of a...well, grudge with that loose-tongued witch, and I would like to avoid losing too many of my men. I was thinking of a small...'match', to decide the prince's fate," she looks rather predatorily at Maya.

* Aleph maintains his distance. A duel? Well...that'd save dealing with the rest of the men...
<Kheldar> "Why should we trust in the word of the leader of a band of murderers? What insurance of our own do we have that these rabble won't simply set themselves upon us once this woman rips that insolent tongue from your head?"
<Maya> "You lose, the prince comes with us?"  Maya smirked back, not even hinting at being intimidated by it.  "I don't know, do you even still have the prince?  I would hardly want to just beat a girl to death without a reason."  She brushed back her purple hair, standing there with a smirk on her face.
<Merc> The woman smiles at Kheldar. "As I mentioned, if I die, so does the prince. On the other hand, if I'm alive, I can always honor the deal. And yes, girl. The prince goes with you if you defeat me. Me? I either kill you all, or...well, you surrender and I still kill at least you."
<Merc> "I'll even allow you all to take your shot at me, although you speak bravely enough that I'm -sure- you'd like to try and fight alone, girl?"

* Jack sneaks along the through the camp checking tents for the prince.
<Jack> roll 1d20+9 sneak
<Penuche> Jack invokes Penuche's magic: < 21 > [d20=12]
<Merc> ooc - roll your sneaky skills
<Jack> roll 1d20+9 move silently
<Penuche> Jack invokes Penuche's magic: < 25 > [d20=16]
<Merc> As the others keep the kidnappers' attention on them, Jack takes the opportunity to hunt through the tents searching for the prince.

<Merc> roll d100
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 26 > [d100=26]

<Merc> The first tent is sadly empty, though Jack continues to search while everyone is distracted outside.

<Maya> "That seems rather cowardly of you...I'd take you up on it, but really, if I kill you I lose but you can kill me?  I guess I took you to be a bigger woman than that.  I'll have to remember what you really are in the future," She taunted further.  "Why not whoever is still standing takes the prince."
<Merc> "If you want to face me alone, girl, I'd be -happy- to keep it to those terms of a duel to the death," Barveles purrs.
<Maya> "Cocky.  Kenmore needed three men to keep up with me.  He didn't have much of a sword really.  I suppose I should let you try and rescue his bad name...  All of us get our shot?  Why not, we'll knock you down together if you're that bold.  But if you think you can catch me with your slow feet, I'm sure I can oblige you with the tip of my blade."
* Aleph decides to wait for the duel, meanwhile. And is...well, somewhat distracted undressing the other exotic-looking woman with HIS MIND. ...well, in his mind. As much as he can imagine. Because he's a 17-year-old perverted slacker archer.

<Merc> Barveles nods as she looks ferally at Maya. "Oh, we'll see how well I can keep up." The mooks cheer as they part, forming a loose large ring for Barveles and her opponents. (ooc - assume a circle of 50ft diameter, with the mooks forming a half-ring circumference blocking way to tents)

<Merc> "Boss...there's one missing. I think there were five of 'em..." one of her minions points out after looking at the group, and counting them, only counting four with Kheldar, Maya, Elise and Anassia.
<Merc> "Now, is it just four of you? My friend here says there should be a fifth of you..." she notes, as she stares in the direction of the trail.

<Merc> roll d100 enough time passed that Jack can have searched a second tent~~
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 12 > [d100=12]
<Merc> Jack continues to search fruitlessly through the tents.

<Elise> "You are very a confident to take on all of us without assistance," Elise says. "I would compliment you on your strength of will were you not a vile murderer." She steps into the circle--cautiously, of course, watching to make sure none of the troops seem ready to interfere.
* Kheldar shrugs. "Are you that eager to have a fifth opponent? We left him wounded some ways back. He was slowing us down."
<Aleph> Aleph glared.  Treating him like a burden on the party...but he'd let that pass for now.

<Merc> ooc - bluff check, Kheldar
<Merc> ooc - if you don't have bluff, it's your charisma modifier.
<Kheldar> roll 1d20 Bluff
<Penuche> Kheldar invokes Penuche's magic: < 10 > [d20=10]

* Maya smirks back, staying where she is, and watching carefully.  "Yeah...  your guards got lucky back there but it seems that your luck is running low."
<Maya> roll 1d20+8 assist
<Penuche> Maya invokes Penuche's magic: < 19 > [d20=11]

<Merc> roll d20+6 disbelieve vs dc 12
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 12 > [d20=6]
<Merc> ooc - ouch

<Merc> "Right....well then, you won't mind if I send some men to check," Barveles notes undisturbed at all by the lies as she motions for three men to head towards the trail.
<Kheldar> "Do as you wish. All you'll find is a wounded man with a bandaged leg. I'm sure he'll be good sport for your fighting men." Kheldar's words drip with contempt as he moves into a fighting position.
* Aleph watches the men as the head down the trail, remaining in hiding as they pass him by...situation averted...
<Merc> "Hrm, well, I simply wish to verify things. Very well, the four of you versus lil' ol' me..." Barveles states. "Let's play..."

***

<Merc> ooc - roll initiative
<Merc> ooc - you too Jack, just to see when to roll my d100

<Kheldar> roll 1d20+4
<Penuche> Kheldar invokes Penuche's magic: < 5 > [d20=1]
<Elise> roll 1d20+2 init
<Penuche> Elise invokes Penuche's magic: < 17 > [d20=15]
<Merc> roll d20+5
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 17 > [d20=12]
<Anassia> roll 1d20+2
<Penuche> Anassia invokes Penuche's magic: < 18 > [d20=16]
<Maya> roll 1d20+4
<Penuche> Maya invokes Penuche's magic: < 16 > [d20=12]
<Merc> roll d20+2
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d20=18]
<Aleph> roll 1d20+4
<Penuche> Aleph invokes Penuche's magic: < 11 > [d20=7]
<Jack> roll 1d20+4
<Penuche> Jack invokes Penuche's magic: < 13 > [d20=9]

* Merc changes topic to 'SearchSquad (20) > Anassia (18) > Barveles = Elise (17) > Maya (16) > Jack (13) > Aleph (11) > Kheldar (5)'

*** ROUND 1 ***

<Merc> The goons search for signs of a fifth person!
<Merc> roll d20+4
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 11 > [d20=7]
<Merc> ooc - Aleph, roll hide vs dc 11
<Aleph> roll 1d20+6
<Penuche> Aleph invokes Penuche's magic: < 22 > [d20=16]

<Merc> Aleph continues to hide stealthily, however.
<Merc> ooc - Anassia

<Anassia> "Dammit," Anassia says, closing her eyes for a moment, chanting out soft words under her breath, calling power to her, to her bidding...
<Anassia> roll 1d20+2 v 6
<Penuche> Anassia invokes Penuche's magic: < 18 > [d20=16]

<Anassia> As the magic comes to her bidding coallescing around her hands again, she extends a hand towards Barveles, a faint light moving from her hand towards the sword her opponent holds.
<Anassia> ooc: Fort save to negate
<Merc> roll d20+6
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d20=14]
<Anassia> ooc Aight.  Awesome. :(

<Merc> Anassia's magical energy envelops Barveles, who feels an attempt to change her in some fashion. By pure stubborn muscles, or something of the sort, she resists Anassia's fiendish magic. Although normally such an action would be quick to draw her attention, Maya's cheeky attitude has well called for some direct attention.

<Merc> roll d20+6
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 19 > [d20=13]
<Merc> roll d6+3
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 6 > [d6=3]

<Merc> Barveles rushes at Maya, and swings her sword, drawing blood.
<Merc> ooc - Elise

* Elise screams and swings her hammer at Barveles, aiming to shatter the woman's weapon. "AND THE LORD SAID THAT THE SWORDS OF THE WICKED AND PRIDEFUL SHOULD BE RENT ASUNDER, SO THAT THEY MIGHT KNOW HUMILITY AGAIN!"

<Elise> roll 1d20+8+4+2 (+4 for two-handed weapon on a sunder attempt, +2 from Child of Faith)
<Penuche> Elise invokes Penuche's magic: < 23 > [d20=9]
<Merc> roll d20+6 opposing attack
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 19 > [d20=13]
<Merc> ooc - okay, hit
<Elise> roll 2d6+7+4 all your weapons are belong to me (+4 from CoF's other bonus)
<Penuche> Elise invokes Penuche's magic: < 16 > [d6=1,4]

<Merc> A long line of cracks form on the blade as Elise attempts to pulverise Barveles' weapon. "Hey! Do you know how much this -cost- me?" the woman complains.
<Merc> ooc - Maya

<Elise> "Do you know how many lives your attack cost US? And you complain about MONEY?"
<Merc> "I'm a bandit, yeah, money's kind of important to me!" she counters.
<Maya> "More than your hide is worth, bitch," Maya winced at the cut, twirling past her rapidly to strike at her blind side, using the woman's own back and shield for cover.  OOC: Defensive Stunt, Tumble to AC.  3 raises.

<Maya> roll 1d20+18 tumble to raise my own ac :)
<Penuche> Maya invokes Penuche's magic: < 21 > [d20=3]
<Merc> roll d20+6
<Maya> OOC: She gets an AoO attempt.  I'm moving to flank her.
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 7 > [d20=1] FAILURE
<Maya> roll 1d20+8 flanking attack.
<Penuche> Maya invokes Penuche's magic: < 24 > [d20=16]

<Merc> roll d20+4 AoO attempt
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d20=16]
<Merc> ooc - and your own attack hits

<Maya> Roll 2d8+6 vengeful strike~
<Merc> ooc: oh you and your crazy amounts of rolls and modifiers
<Penuche> Maya invokes Penuche's magic: < 13 > [d8=6,1]
<Merc> roll d2+3
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 4 > [d2=1]

<Merc> Maya dances around Barveles, who attempts to swing at the dancing gnat, only to miss and receive a wound herself.

<Merc> roll d100
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 3 > [d100=3]
<Merc> ooc - eesh

<Merc> As Elise and Maya make Barveles regret her decision to fight them as a group, Jack has little luck searching tents. Where is that blasted prince hiding anyway?
<Merc> ooc - Aleph

* Aleph remains in hiding. There's a good chance that if he were to attack now, things would go to hell...
<Merc> ooc - Kheldar

* Kheldar grunts as he swings his sword at the bandit leader! "You'll not escape from me alive!"
<Kheldar> roll 1d20+6 Head-lopping sword power!
<Penuche> Kheldar invokes Penuche's magic: < 8 > [d20=2]
<Merc> Kheldar's swing goes wide, unluckily.

*** ROUND 2 ***

<Merc> ooc - round 2, search goons
<Merc> roll d20+4 seaaarch
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 18 > [d20=14]
<Merc> ooc - Aleph
<Merc> ooc - roll hide
<Aleph> roll 1d20+6 hide
<Penuche> Aleph invokes Penuche's magic: < 24 > [d20=18]
<Merc> ooc - eesh

* Aleph is a stealthy bastard!
<Merc> The goons continue searching fruitlessly for Aleph.
<Merc> ooc - Anassia

* Anassia narrows her eyes as her spell wears off, instead calling on her mystical abilities to call forth a sparkling sphere of energy into her palm, it flying off to hit the bandit queen.
<Anassia> roll 1d20+5
<Penuche> Anassia invokes Penuche's magic: < 6 > [d20=1] FAILURE

<Merc> Anassia's spell just goes flying off wildly.

<Merc> Barveles growls at Maya. "You gnat, stop jumping around!" she screamsas she slashes at Maya.
<Merc> roll d20+4
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 12 > [d20=8]

<Merc> She's too angry to target, let alone hit Maya very well.
<Merc> ooc - Elise

* Elise continues her assault. "LAY DOWN YOUR ARMS AND STAND IN THE LIGHT OF THE LORD!"
<Elise> roll 1d20+8+2 flanking bonus attack roll (sunder again)
<Penuche> Elise invokes Penuche's magic: < 24 > [d20=14]
<Merc> roll d20+6 counter!
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 24 > [d20=18]
<Merc> ooc - hit due to forgotten +4 bonus Elise-chan gets
<Elise> roll 2d6+7+1 spending a weapon token SHATTER
<Penuche> Elise invokes Penuche's magic: < 18 > [d6=6,4]

<Maya> "Gnat... I think what you call a chest might be more fitting for that name," Maya smirked as Elise's hammer came down on the outstreched sword.
<Merc> "MY BLADE!!!" Barveles screeches as her blade shatters. "YOU WITCH!!!"
<Merc> ooc - Maya

<Maya> "And down on the ground you go," She twirled, deceptively taking advantage of the distraction and her position to weave fully behind Barveles again, almost swaying down to the very ground as she twisted and brought her blade painfully against Barveles ankle.
<Maya> OOC: Tumble to inflict penalty.  Can I? :)   Aiming for a -4 to defense and to put her knees to the ground.
<Merc> ooc - go for it, do your tumble check
<Maya> roll 1d20+18
<Penuche> Maya invokes Penuche's magic: < 30 > [d20=12]
<Maya> OOC: 28 to defend
<Maya> roll 1d20+8 actual hit
<Penuche> Maya invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d20=12]
<Maya> roll 2d8+6 fall down
<Penuche> Maya invokes Penuche's magic: < 16 > [d8=8,2]
<Merc> roll d2+3
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 4 > [d2=1]

<Merc> Barveles stumbles as Maya's manuever puts her on unsteady feet, made worse as Maya's blade cuts through her. Outside, mooks scream for their boss to hang on...

<Merc> roll d100
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 11 > [d100=11]
<Merc> ooc - Penuche hates Jack
<Anassia> Or the prince.
<Merc> ooc - that too. At least, it's a +80 modifier next round.
<Merc> Jack continues searching for the prince, fruitlessly.

<Merc> ooc - Aleph
* Aleph scans anything in the area that he can throw to distract the searching henchmen...

<Merc> ooc - Robo-Kheldar
<Merc> "Good job, you two!" Kheldar states as he sees the effect of Elise and Maya's tag-teaming Barveles. "I shall take care of the rest! For justice!"

<Merc> roll d20+6
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 12 > [d20=6]
<Merc> roll 2d6+6
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 8 > [d6=1,1]
<Merc> roll d2+3
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 5 > [d2=2]

<Merc> Thanks to Maya's actions, Kheldar strikes at the kidnapper's leader successfully, drawing even more blood from the injured woman.
<Merc> "Uggh, annoying pests!"

[Merc]

*** ROUND 3 ***

<Merc> roll d20+4 seaaarch
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 24 > [d20=20]
<Merc> ooc - hiiiide Aleph
<Aleph> (And this...is why I was searching for something to draw their attention with. ^^;)
<Aleph> roll d20+6 HIDE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD
<Penuche> Aleph invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d20=14]

<Merc> "Boss! There is a guy here! He doesn't look that injured!!!" they shout out as they manage to luckily stumble onto Aleph. "I'M A LITTLE BUSY HERE!! HE'S NOT THAT IMPORTANT!" is the shout made in reply.

<Merc> ooc - Anassia
* Anassia scowls slightly when she notices that the bandit queen doesn't actually submit like expected in responce to Maya's blow. "You needn't die here today, bandit. Surrender, and your life may be spared."
<Anassia> roll 1d20+14 (browbeat)
<Penuche> Anassia invokes Penuche's magic: < 22 > [d20=8]
<Merc> roll d20+6
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 10 > [d20=4]

<Merc> ooc - Anassia sucks, no bear hug for Maya. ;_;
<Anassia> ooc - don't hate me 'cuz I'm scary.
<Anassia> ooc - actually, no that may be a valid reason.

<Merc> "Ugh...FINE, you pests bested me...is that what you wanted to hear?!?" Barveles bellows as she throws her shield to the ground. "I yield. Someone get that damn prince..."

*** COMBAT ENDS ***

<Merc> roll d100
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 74 > [d100=74]
<Merc> ooc - combat over. Jack finds -now- of all times the prince.

* Maya stands up, keeping a sword near her Barveles as she waits. "That's right you do..." She smirked.
<Merc> The mooks all look rebellious, but a glare from Barveles gets them moving. If nothing else, they're loyal to their boss. "You take your blade off her! Boss said she's giving up!"
<Merc> They shout that much at least as they head for a particular tent.

<Merc> Most keep an eye on Maya and Elise though.

* Aleph rolls into a standing position, looking ready to put an arrow through the mooks that found him if they try shit
* Elise steps back, but keeps her weapon handy just in case trouble starts up again. Bandits aren't known for keeping their word.
* Maya pulls back her blade, keeping an eye on her none the less.  Expecting honor from thieves isn't really how things go.
* Anassia lets out a long sigh when she yields, glancing around as the bandits proceed to disperse.

***

<Merc> "...who are you? You don't look like the others, here," the prince mutters as Jack finally finds the right tent, spotting a tied up prince.
<Jack> "Mine name is Jack Long, and I'm here to rescue you."
* Jack unties the prince, "C'mon, let's go."
<Merc> "Oh? You are? Thank god..." the prince mutters. "I was not expecting to be kidnapped at school..."
<Merc> As Jack proceeds to untie the prince, the tent's flap shifts, as a group of mooks mutter. "Alright prince Fardune, looks like you get to go fr...what the hell?!?"

<Jack> "Shit."
* Jack puts himself between the bandits and the prince.

<Merc> "Hey!?! Who the hell are you?" the mooks exclaim, as they shift between looking at Jack and the Prince. "He came to fetch me, don't you know?" the prince replies. "I am a free man!"

<Merc> The mooks scratch their heads. "I thought we were suppoed to fetch the prince..." they mutter amongst themselves.

<Jack> "Right. Well, we'll be leaving now. Gotta take the kid to the boss, n'all."
<Merc> The mooks just look at each other and shrug. "This way..." they state.

***

* Elise looms as a only a fanatic with a giant hammer can do, keeping an eye on Barveles. "What do you plan to do after this? We have thwarted your vile plans and will do so again if you make another attempt."
<Merc> Barveles simply snorts and remains silent.

* Aleph comments over, looking at the scene out of the corner of his eye, commenting. "You know, despite all that she's done and tried to do, she's still kind of attractive."
<Merc> "Yeah, boss is hot, isn't she?" the mooks standing around Aleph comment in agreement.
<Merc> One of them pauses and adds, "Dunno how well scars will work out for her look after this thou'..."
<Aleph> "...yeah, that is a pity."
<Merc> "...Can we put some wounds on you to make up for it?"
<Aleph> "I doubt you'd want to try."
<Aleph> "You know how bad bows at point-blank are, right?"
<Aleph> "Or, I've got some worse stuff."

<Merc> ooc - Jack, just following mooks?
<Merc> ooc - or still resisting urge to backstab?

<Merc> "Eh...not worth the trouble, anyway, even if he's probably the weakest, hiding off in the woods," the mook finally decides, as he goes back to watching the boss. Meanwhile, Jack and the prince come out to the nice scene of Barveles resting, looking depressed and angry.
* Aleph glares death at the mook.

<Merc> "Wow, you had your minions best their boss? You -are- a rather good rescuer, aren't you?" the prince notes in awe at the scene, as he looks at Jack as if he were his new hero.
<Jack> "All in a day's work."
<Merc> --- ooc ---