[30] On your feet, soldiers! Those wolves'll eat you alive!

[Merc]

Session Start: Sun Mar 06 16:17:12 2011

<Merc> As the tents merrily burned to ashes and Brina looted the bodies of the dead guards and handing her prizes over to Aleph to lug around, Maya and Anassia began to make their way into the camp, a body being dragged atop Coily's skeletal frame. "So we caught Barvales outside the camp..." Anassia says, raising an eyebrow at the destruction to the camp the 'sneaking' group has wrought to the it.
* Brina staggers a bit.
<Maya_Mahabala> "And did away with her," Maya smirked, looking a bit shaky after those hammer blows, but still graceful on her feet.  "So that finishes the cleanup."
<Brina> "Back to town, then? I could use a hot bath... And all this blood..."
* Brina sighs.
<Brina> "Going to be a nightmare to clean out of my clothes.."
<Aleph> "I don't think there's any more willing to fight in here." Aleph comments.
<Maya_Mahabala> "Are you two okay?" Maya looked over them a bit, guessing by the bloodshed that they'd done well.
* Brina levels a hooded glare at Aleph.
<Aleph> "One of the reinforcements got lucky.  Nothing major, though..."  Aleph most definitely tries to avoid the hooded glare.
<Merc> Anassia seems the least wounded from this whole encounter, it probably helps that she was relatively safe atop Coily's head. Brina actually looks the worst off from the group. The guards they fought must have been tougher than the warparty or something!
* Brina clears her throat and holds her pack out to Aleph, staring at him flatly.
* Aleph takes it without a word at this point, grabbing it in one arm. Better NOT to end up like one of those guys that got finished off back there.
<Merc> Anassia looks curiously at the interplay between the two and motions her head towards Maya, wondering what she thinks of that.
* Maya_Mahabala clucks her tongue and starts heading toward town with a sway, noticing but not commenting on Aleph.
<Merc> It takes a few days to get back into town especially with the extra weight being carried such as Barvales' body, though Anassia's pet makes the trip easier by carrying most of the weight...what Aleph isn't forced to by Brina, anyhow. Mixed looks of respect and fear are given to the group due to both Coily's presence and Barvales' body once it's identified as the bandit queen, well former queen anyhow.
<Merc> "You've been busy with your new friends, haven't you Brina?" Lady Bedeveris comments, as she notices you all while you're fetching the bounty.
* Brina hobbles over with slight grimace.
* Aleph is thankful it's not as heavy as it could be for him; bowmanship has at the very least given him a bit more strength to work with
<Brina> "It's been.. Busy, yes. But not all bad, I suppose.."
<Maya_Mahabala> "It was cleanup we should've done anyway," Maya shrugged her shoulders, collecting the reward.
* Maya_Mahabala checks the bounty board a bit to see if anything has changed.
<Merc> "Agreed, although we usually lack the people capable of doing such a thing. We'll certainly enjoy having you around for a while if you all decide to stay for a time," the councilwoman says, pleased.
<Aleph> "Still not taking the raptor job." Aleph comments over to Maya
<Merc> ooc: one minute while I post an updated board
* Aleph can't help but stare a bit, at the very least, when he thought Maya wasn't looking
<Aleph> ...the weight of numerous suits of leather armor and spears does indeed weigh him down a bit.  "...gah...so heavy..."  He crouches down to make the weight of the pack feel a bit more manageable, not thinking at the moment of the view he'd perhaps get from this angle...
<Maya_Mahabala> "Just what are you up to, Aleph?"
<Aleph> "Eh?  What do you mean what am I up to?"
<Maya_Mahabala> Maya glanced back at Aleph struggling with the odd number of packs, not minding the stare.
<Maya_Mahabala> "Where'd all those packs come from?"
<Aleph> "Er...endurance training." he comments.
<Merc> "How dedicated! I can see why your group is so capable," Lady Bedeveres comments, and a few of the mercs around nod, looking thoughtful about such training!
<Maya_Mahabala> "...You?" She stared a bit more as she turned fully toward him.
<Aleph> "...yeah...bit too much slacking off in the village, I guess.  ...also it makes sure i don't get fat ever..."
<Maya_Mahabala> "Alriiight," Maya raised an eyebrow, not having taken Aleph for that kind of fellow.
<Maya_Mahabala> "What do you think on what to take next?  A caravan would probably be a good way to relax and travel."
* Brina nods.
<Aleph> Aleph replies "Sounds like a good enough idea."
<Brina> "That's probably best."
* Maya_Mahabala books them both a room and a caravan, heading over with a quick swish toward the nearby bar for a drink now that they had to wait until tomorrow for it to set off anyway.
* Aleph tries to follow Maya to the bar, the multitude of packs still hanging off of him.
* Maya_Mahabala glances back. "Aleph, why aren't you leaving those as the inn?"
<Aleph> "...because I've somehow lost the ability to think."  he facepalms.
* Brina takes pity on him and takes her own pack.
<Aleph> "I'll be there in a few...minutes...maybe."  he heads up to his room as he prepares to deposit the rest of the packs within.
<Maya_Mahabala> "What did you talk him into taking anyway?" Maya knowingly asked Brina as they walked on to the bar.
* Brina snorts.
<Brina> "Everything.. Don't let him know yet, but he's pretty much off the hook. He missed a shot at the camp, and the arrow wound up in my leg. He's been on penence duty."
<Maya_Mahabala> "Ah...his aim still needs work," She nodded.
<Brina> "I figure all the extra weight will strengthen his arms and endurance. Hopefully, it'll steady his aim."
* Aleph returns after a while, looking exhausted in general as he drags himself to the bar
<Merc-laptop> "What do you suppose is the reason for there being two jobs to the same place and offering different prices? Just available money?" Anassia ponders as drinks arrive for the girls, none for Aleph though as apparently nobody ordered anything for him.
<Aleph> "...competition, likely." Aleph replies as he sits down, ordering a white wine
* Brina nods.
<Brina> "We have a bit of reputation now.. We might even be able to play the offers off of each for a bit more money."
<Maya_Mahabala> "Could be lots of reasons, but why bother?  It's not a lot of money in either case."
<Merc-laptop> "True. We did receive more for getting rid of their 'bandit queen' problem," Anassia agrees.
<Brina> "Yes, but we have to go that direction anyway. Why not get paid for doing so?"
* Maya_Mahabala leans back in her chair with her wine.  "It's really just a convenience.  We're going to have a peaceful ride across the country and we'll have food and such covered while we do in exchange for protection.  It's not like the money is that important."
<Aleph> "Eh, let's just go with the one that's the least skeazy."  Aleph tries to scoot his seat closer to Maya's.  "Best to pick the one who is least likely to screw us, anyway."
<Maya_Mahabala> "That's a better way to look at it."
<Merc-laptop> Brina knows of both merchants, they both actually have decent reputations.
<Brina> "I know both of them.. They're both good people.. Likely.. The price difference is from one of them having something that only has a window of oppertunity and needs to get down there faster than the other."
<Maya_Mahabala> "Well, then we'll take the higher bid and go that way."
<Aleph> "Yeah...might as well.  We get a bit more pocket change in the process, or something."
<Merc-laptop> The decision made, they go talk to the person offering 90 gold and get the job. The man seems rather thankful for having such dependable people around, and lets you know that the caravan will be leaving in two days.
<Merc-laptop> Two days later, the caravan seems to be ready to go, it's actually a set of four caravans, three filled with goods and another with people. Besides the four of you, there only seem to be two other guards, a rather light entourage, honestly.
* Brina finishes speaking with the Caravan Master and returns to the others.
* Maya_Mahabala casually relaxes on the trip, sharing stories and takes with the caravans as they set off.
<Brina> "I'll be running scouting as usual. You three will be responsible for the normal guard duties here. Sound good?"
<Merc-laptop> Anassia nods for her part, sitting on the second caravan, keeping an eye out for trouble from the sides. "Sure."
<Maya_Mahabala> "Not a problem.  I'll keep an eye on the inside of the caravans," Maya smiled, relaxed, having never really done much guarding before.
<Aleph> "Sure, sure..."  Aleph keeps his bow at ready, sitting on the caravan with people and idly looking about toward the rear.  He tries to relax and sneak glances toward Maya when possible and allowed.
<Merc-laptop> roll d100
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 15 > [d100=15]
<Merc-laptop> The first day is pretty quiet until you reach closer to the border point between the two nations.
<Merc-laptop> ooc: Brina, spot check
<Brina> roll d20+12 spot
<Penuche> Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 18 > [d20=6]
<Merc-laptop> Off in the distance during one of her scouting moments, Brina can make out a group of people in armor, some riding horses, and some flags being carried. It's really hard to make out more. They just seem to be patrolling near the border route.
* Brina diverts from her normal patrol route and heads to the Caravan Master.
<Merc-laptop> "Find something, Brina?" the caravan master asks, seeing the girl approach.
<Brina> "Looks like a patrol of soldiers. Looks like just a regular border patrol, but I couldn't make out the standards they're flying. I'll circle out infront of the patrol and and keep an eye out. If they approach, I'll flank them, just in case.. Could simply be well equipped and clever bandits, after all."
* Brina grins at the Caravan Master.
<Merc-laptop> "Oh... You really think it might be bandits?" the caravan master asks with a bit of worry. "Surely it's just one of the border patrols from Vyrdam or Adallia....but I guess I am paying you all to worry over such things, so do what you have to."
* Brina nods.
<Merc-laptop> "Just make sure you don't cause trouble for my caravans if they are soldiers!!!" he warns.
<Brina> "They look like soldiers, but it's better to be prepared for it not to be."
<Merc-laptop> "Should any of us go with you?" one of the other guards asks.
* Brina shakes her head.
<Brina> "No, if too many of us react and spread out, it'll look like we're preparing for trouble. If they are soldiers, it'll make us seem hostile."
<Maya_Mahabala> "I'll come," Maya smiled, heading up into the conversation.  "Two won't be a threat."
<Brina> "I'm not going to meet them, Maya, I'm just going to scout them out. You'd be more help here. You can deal with the more... diplomatically than I can.'
* Brina grins at her.
<Aleph> "I'll just stay here, or something."  Aleph comments
<Merc-laptop> Anassia doesn't even offer to come along, stealth isn't her game.
<Maya_Mahabala> "I'll go meet them.  If they're trouble, they'll show it, if not, we'll have talked with them sooner."
* Brina nods.
<Brina> "I'll shadow you, then.
<Merc-laptop> "Should I keep moving the caravans along the way if you're going ahead, or keep us held here for now?" the caravan master asks.
<Maya_Mahabala> "Keep going, we'll just run ahead," Maya winked, dashing off.
<Brina> "Keep them moving, but go much slower.. If it is an attack, you'll have the momentum going already."
* Brina turns and darts off after her, circling wide and blending in with the terrain.
<Brina> roll d20+13 hide
<Penuche> Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 28 > [d20=15]
<Merc-laptop> He nods as he gives out orders for the other guards, Anassia and Aleph, and makes sure the rest of his workers are secure in the last caravan.
<Brina> roll d20+13 move silently
<Penuche> Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 18 > [d20=5]
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+10
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 26 > [d20=16]
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+10
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 24 > [d20=14]
<Merc-laptop> As Maya and Brina move along the road, Brina takes off to the sides before there's a chance of her getting spotted and leaves Maya to grab their attention as she sneaks along. Maya's easy for them to spot and they seem to go into a defensive position as one of them hails Maya. Focused on Maya, nobody seems to notice Brina.
<Merc-laptop> Their flags also show their allegiance to Vyrdam, Maya recalls seeing those flags a few times the last time they were in the nation.
* Brina palms a dagger, ready to launch into the fray if need be..
<Maya_Mahabala> "Hey!" She waved, walking up clearly without drawing a weapon, though very ready to dodge.  "Is this the Vyrdam border?"
<Merc-laptop> The man gives her a frown. "No, it's the border to Belnord," he replies sarcastically causing a few chuckles from his companions. "Of course it's the border to Vyrdam. Who are you, stranger?"
<Maya_Mahabala> "Maya Mahabala, just surprised to see guards out here.  I thought things were peaceful now."  She lied, not surprised at all, but playing dumb.
* Brina continues to stealthfully position herself, making for being in easy striking distance to the flank..
<Merc-laptop> The guard laughs. "Lady, just because tensions have decreased between our nations doesn't mean we trust your lot or that the tensions are just gone. Honestly, I'd have been happy if the war had broken out then we could have finally put you guys back where you belong." Seems like the guy's one of those people that think Adallia shouldn't have ever broken off from Vyrdam.
<Maya_Mahabala> "I see, I see... I guess we should be careful," She smiled, waving and heading back herself, satisfied at least that these weren't bandits.
* Brina stays in position, just to cover Maya incase they decide to attack..
<Merc-laptop> The guard frowns as Maya just turns her back on them. "Hold, lady! What's up with coming up to us and then just leaving! Seems mighty suspicious to me, you know!"
<Merc-laptop> Hard to tell how much of this is just innate suspicion or a desire to cause trouble, but either way, some of the guards have drawn their weapon, though the leader (assuming he is such, you can only really guess since he's the only one to really speak up so far) is still unarmed for now, just seemingly content with harrassing Maya.
* Brina stays out of their line of sight, content to stay with-in striking range, but not wanting to risk being spotted..
* Maya_Mahabala turns with a disarming smile. "Well, actually I was just making sure you were guards and not bandits.  Bandits wouldn't care as much about their country as you do, so I can tell the trade caravans they can come along since the roads are being well guarded against bandits.  After all, nobody wants trouble."
<Merc-laptop> ooc: roll a diplomacy check
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 1d20+14
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 18 > [d20=4]
<Merc-laptop> The guards seemed a little pleased at the mention of their patriotism, but the lead guard frowns near the end as he crosses his arms. "Oh yeah? Well where's your caravan of traders? Tell you what, you stay here, miss, while I send one of my men ahead to see you're telling the truth and not some sort of Adallian troublemaker! Telan, you go on ahead and check things out!"
<Merc-laptop> "Eh? Uhm, can I take one of the horses at least?" one of the other guards asks, Telan you presume. "In case there is trouble?" The guard snorts but gives his concent. Now you're -pretty- sure he is just harrassing you.
* Maya_Mahabala sighs a touch.  She's pretty sure she could ruin their day and then such, but she really isn't looking for trouble.
<Merc-laptop> roll d100
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 98 > [d100=98]
<Merc-laptop> roll d100
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 34 > [d100=34]
* Quits: Brina (~irondrago@210.5.219.186) (Quit: -=SysReset 2.55=-)
* Joins: Iddy (d205dbba@ircip3.mibbit.com)
* Iddy is now known as Brina
<Merc-laptop> The guard, Telan, rides off on one of the horses, approaching the caravans, and the caravan master tenses a bit at seeing a soldier instead of Maya or Brina. "Are you the caravan the girl spoke of?" he asks as he approaches, looking as tense as the rest of you.
* Aleph peeks out from the back "...Yeah, we are."
<Merc-laptop> "If you mean Maya, then yes. You haven't done anything with my guard, have you?" the caravan master asks, putting a front up as he huffs in front of the young guard. "We have business in the capital, and I have no desire for delays!"
<Merc-laptop> The young guard nods. "My leader wished to check her story, it looks like things check out. Just keep moving along, I'll escort you," he says. It takes a while but soon the caravan comes into the sight of Maya and the border patrol.
* Aleph stands up once Maya's in sight, waving a bit. "Hey, Maya!"
<Merc-laptop> "Seems your story was true," the guard says in a reproachful tone. "We'll be checking the caravans to make sure you're not transporting anything you're not supposed to, but you can go on your way afterwards..."
* Maya_Mahabala waves, heading back to the caravan.
<Merc-laptop> It takes a while for the whole process to finish, the guards purposely appearing to take their time and frustrating the caravan master more than Maya, but eventually they're allowed to pass. Once they're some distance past, the caravan master huffs. "What a terrible group. I've never been treated so badly in previous trips!"
* Brina returns after trailing the patrol to make sure they haven't decided to double-back and hassle the caravan more.
<Brina> "They seem to have dismissed us. We should be clear until the next check point."
<Maya_Mahabala> "They're tense.  They got all geared up for a war that didn't happen."
* Brina nods.
<Brina> "Caravan Master, if there's nothing else, I'll continue back on patrol."
<Merc-laptop> The merchant snorts. "War happy fools. Well, thankfully there shouldn't be more checkpoints until the capital itself. And go ahead Brina. Just because this was a false alarm doesn't mean we might not encounter trouble before we make it to Viridian."
<Merc-laptop> roll d100
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 5 > [d100=5]
<Aleph> "Well...could've been a lot worse, most definitely."
* Maya_Mahabala nods.  "Hopefully it keeps being peaceful."
<Merc-laptop> Travel seems pretty quiet for the rest of the day, and as night approaches, the group prepares to set camp for the night. The caravan master yawns as he goes into a tent to sleep, leaving the decision of how to handle guard duty rotation for the night to you all.
<Aleph> "I'll take first shift."
* Brina nods silently and turns darting out to continue an orbiting patrol of the caravan and blending in, disappearing from sight after only a handful of yards.
<Aleph> "...or not."
<Aleph> "...second shift, then."
<Merc-laptop> "We can take third shift," the pair of other guards that the merchant had hired offer.
<Maya_Mahabala> "I'll join on first shift," Maya had no desire to get up super early.  Not that she really paid much heed, lazily keeping watch.
<Merc-laptop> Anassia groans. "I'll take the last shift, I guess."
<Merc-laptop> roll d100
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 84 > [d100=84]
<Aleph> "Well...okay then."  Aleph opted to sleep on one of the caravan carts...
<Merc-laptop> Nothing much happens during the first half of the night, but around the dead of the night...
<Merc-laptop> "ARRRRGGHHH!!!" a scream forces most of you out of your sleep. It's one of the pair of guards screaming. "Wolves! Wolves!" the other shouts.
* Brina rolls out of bed and tugs her boots on, palming her dagger and darting towards the scream..
<Merc-laptop> ooc: init
* Aleph wakes up, grabbing his bow...
<Aleph> roll 1d20+4
<Penuche> Aleph invokes Penuche's magic: < 18 > [d20=14]
<Brina> roll 1d20+4 Init
<Penuche> Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 18 > [d20=14]
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+2 anassia
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 12 > [d20=10]
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 1d20+4 init
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 10 > [d20=6]
<Merc-laptop> roll 2#d20+1 guards
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 16, 13 >
<Merc-laptop> roll 8#d20+5 GRRRRs
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 23, 11, 18, 6, 9, 7, 23, 10 >
* Merc-laptop changes topic to 'W1=W7>W3=Aleph=Brina>G1>G2>Anassia>W2>Maya=W8>W4/5/6'
<Merc-laptop> As the group gets up and out, grabbing their weapons, they spot eight wolves surrounding the two guards on duty, two atop one of the guards.
<Merc-laptop> Two more wolves move to join on the kill of the first guard, while another wolf jumps towards the second.
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+11
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 17 > [d20=6]
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+11
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 24 > [d20=13]
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+11
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 30 > [d20=19]
<Merc-laptop> roll d8+7
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 12 > [d8=5]
<Merc-laptop> roll d8+7
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 11 > [d8=4]
<Merc-laptop> roll d8+7
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 13 > [d8=6]
<Merc-laptop> ooc: why did I even bother putting the first guard in init?
* Merc-laptop changes topic to 'W1=W7>W3=Aleph=Brina>G2>Anassia>W2>Maya=W8>W4/5/6'
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+11 trip
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 12 > [d20=1]
<Merc-laptop> The first guard vanishes in a shower of gore and blood as the large wolves feast on the downed opponent! The third wolf draws a chunk of blood from the remaining guard, but fails to take him down to the ground at least. "HELP ME!!!!"
<Merc-laptop> ooc: Aleph/Brina
* Brina darts towards the panicking guard and intercepts the lead wolf trying to bring him down, diving into a roll infront of the wolf to startle it into stopping running, then immediately launching into another roll to come up next to it, ready to slip her dagger into it's ribs..
<Brina> roll d20+19 Tumble
<Penuche> Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d20=1]
* Aleph edges just a bit closer, and then fires a volley of three arrows upon Wolf 2...they seem to not quite be in range for the best shots, but hopefully the element of surprise will mitigate some of that...
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+4
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 5 > [d20=1]
<Aleph> roll d20+10
<Penuche> Aleph invokes Penuche's magic: < 26 > [d20=16]
<Aleph> roll d20+10
<Merc-laptop> Brina seems to stumble a bit trying to twist around the wolf, but the wolf isn't paying enough attention and Brina easily moves into a good position.
<Penuche> Aleph invokes Penuche's magic: < 28 > [d20=18]
<Aleph> roll d20+5
<Penuche> Aleph invokes Penuche's magic: < 10 > [d20=5]
<Merc-laptop> ooc: hit/hit/miss
<Brina> roll d20+15 attack
<Penuche> Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 23 > [d20=8]
<Merc-laptop> ooc: hit
<Brina> roll 1d4+3
<Aleph> roll 1d8+4 hit1
<Penuche> Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 4 > [d4=1]
<Penuche> Aleph invokes Penuche's magic: < 8 > [d8=4]
<Aleph> roll 1d8+4 hit2
<Penuche> Aleph invokes Penuche's magic: < 9 > [d8=5]
<Brina> roll 5d6 SA
<Penuche> Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 23 > [d6=5,6,4,6,2]
<Brina> OOC: 27 damage
<Aleph> OOC: somehow did 17 damage anyway
<Merc-laptop> The two wolves that are attacked make pained cries, and the other wolves notice the prescence of fresh prey!
<Merc-laptop> Meanwhile, the still living guard gives a thankful nod to Brina as he positions himself to flank with Brina and stabs at the beast's side.
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+10
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 14 > [d20=4]
<Merc-laptop> roll d6+4
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 8 > [d6=4]
<Merc-laptop> Somehow the weak thrust of his sword digs into the wolf's hide and the animal yelps once more, followed by a growl that the other wolves join in, all growling as they focus on what prey to target.
<Merc-laptop> Anassia meanwhile joins with Aleph's choice of target, firing off a mystic dart at the beast.
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+8
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 9 > [d20=1]
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+10 concentration
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 22 > [d20=12]
<Merc-laptop> Anassia gives a pained look though as the magic suddenly explodes halfway on its path, a shower of light falling to the ground before vanishing as it fizzles out of existence.
<Merc-laptop> The wolf in question dashes towards the archer, hungry for blood and desiring to give him a new phobia as it leaps for his neck, sharp teeth and slobber closing in to Aleph's eyes.
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+11
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 17 > [d20=6]
<Merc-laptop> ooc: hit?
<Aleph> ooc: If that's against normal AC, that's a miss
<Merc-laptop> Aleph dodges off to a side as the wolf lands just past him! Thank god for his reflexes developed dodging lizards!
<Merc-laptop> ooc: Maya
* Aleph just glares at the wolf as it leaps at him. What the hell is it with nonhumans constantly wanting to attack him? First the lizard, then the snakes, and now the damn wolves are singling him out...
<Merc-laptop> ooc: you -did- just shoot it.
* Maya_Mahabala yawns a bit as she heads out, rushing along to help defend the caravan, aiming to protect Aleph first as she dashes over near him, flipping over the wolf as she tries to behead it.
<Maya_Mahabala> OOC: Expertise -5.  Jump challenge to hit.  tumble challenge AC.
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 1d20+18-2 (for +2
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 27 > [d20=11]
<Merc-laptop> ooc: please say what you're rolling in the roll, not just all in one ooc message. it's easier to know which is which then
<Maya_Mahabala> OOC: That was jump stunt
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 1d20+14 Attack roll (+2 if jump stunt succeeds)
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 15 > [d20=1]
<Merc-laptop> ooc: that actually hits for a one
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 1d20+22-4 tumble stunt away.  OOC: Wow, really?
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 34 > [d20=16]
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 2d8+6 Slashy
<Merc-laptop> ooc: they have shitty AC to make up for being trip monsters
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 16 > [d8=5,5]
<Merc-laptop> The wolf yelps, but continues to stand as two other wolves dash in to help with fighting Maya and Aleph, one going for the gypsie and the other for the archer as they shift into an apropriate position.
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+13 vs Maya
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 33 > [d20=20]
<Merc-laptop> ooc: ew?
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+13 crit?
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 31 > [d20=18]
<Merc-laptop> ooc: actually that probably can't crit, but it still does auto-hit
<Maya_Mahabala> OOC: Bleh auto hit.  Uh, *checks* Definitely not a crit.
<Maya_Mahabala> OOC: AC is currently 34
<Merc-laptop> roll d8+7 bite
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 11 > [d8=4]
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+11 trip attempt
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 16 > [d20=5]
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+13 atk vs Ale[h
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 17 > [d20=4]
* Aleph dodges that wolf too.
<Merc-laptop> ooc: roll against trip attempt. It's a dex or str (probably dex for you) check, iirc
<Merc-laptop> ooc: while Maya goes check trip rules...
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 1d20+4 trip rules checked
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 9 > [d20=5]
<Merc-laptop> The two remaining wolves circle around Brina and the guard and move in for their kills
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+13
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 16 > [d20=3]
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+13 brina
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 26 > [d20=13]
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+11 trip on Brina
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 25 > [d20=14]
<Merc-laptop> roll d8+7
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 12 > [d8=5]
<Brina> OOC: AC is 19. Armor is DR 1.
<Brina> roll d20+4 dex vs. trip
<Penuche> Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d20=16]
<Merc-laptop> Aleph and the guard dodge their wolf attacks, but Maya and Brina are not so lucky as powerful jaws clamp on their legs and drag them down to ground level.
<Merc-laptop> ooc: Maya and Brina are prone which is -4 to attacks and -4 to defense. It's a move action to stand up
<Merc-laptop> Two of the wolves immediately attempt to jump on Brina while she's down on the ground though the third continues to harass the poor guard.
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+11
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+11
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 26 > [d20=15]
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 29 > [d20=18]
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+11
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 22 > [d20=11]
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+11 trip guard
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 28 > [d20=17]
<Merc-laptop> ooc: Penuche obviously is a fan of wolves
<Merc-laptop> roll d8+7
<Merc-laptop> roll d8+7
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 8 > [d8=1]
<Merc-laptop> roll d8+7
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 9 > [d8=2]
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 14 > [d8=7]
<Merc-laptop> The guard joins Brina in the floor as Brina is savaged. Ow!
<Merc-laptop> ooc: Aleph/Brina
* Aleph tries to take a page from Maya's typical book, leaping and flipping around a bit to keep the wolves from doing that whole 'getting an easy shot in on him' thing...
<Aleph> roll 1d20+14 Tumble to avoid AoOs...
<Penuche> Aleph invokes Penuche's magic: < 15 > [d20=1]
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+4
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 13 > [d20=9]
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+4
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 17 > [d20=13]
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+11 one of them gets an AoO
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 12 > [d20=1]
<Merc-laptop> ooc: hah
<Merc-laptop> roll d8+7
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 14 > [d8=7]
<Merc-laptop> Aleph's tumbling is pretty bad compared to Maya's, probably his legs still hurt from carrying so much of Brina's crap. But the wolves seem bad at taking advantage of it, and one actually bites its companion in the process!
<Merc-laptop> ooc: go Aleph
<Aleph> right before launching an arrow at the most injured-looking of the wolves.
<Aleph> roll 1d20+13 only shot
<Penuche> Aleph invokes Penuche's magic: < 31 > [d20=18]
<Merc-laptop> ooc: hit
<Aleph> roll 1d8+9 damage
<Penuche> Aleph invokes Penuche's magic: < 10 > [d8=1]
<Merc-laptop> The wolf harrassing the guard dies with a yelp as an arrow goes through it's eye, and it drops atop the guard, flopping like a marionette with it's strings cut
<Merc-laptop> ooc: Brina
* Merc-laptop changes topic to 'W1=W7>Aleph=Brina>G2>Anassia>W2>Maya=W8>W4/5/6'
* Brina viciously kicks and fights her way back to her feet, spinning to position herself next to the guard and lashing out at the wolf closest (#5)
<Brina> roll d20+15
<Penuche> Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 22 > [d20=7]
<Merc-laptop> ooc: hit
<Brina> roll 1d4+3
<Penuche> Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 6 > [d4=3]
<Brina> roll 5d6
<Penuche> Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d6=4,4,3,4,5]
<Merc-laptop> The wolf yelps as the guard also focuses on beating the same wolf to death with his sword.
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+10
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 19 > [d20=9]
<Merc-laptop> roll d6+4
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 6 > [d6=2]
<Merc-laptop> As the guard's sword digs into the wolf's side, Anassia shoots at the same wolf too with hopefully more potent magic!
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+8
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d20=12]
<Merc-laptop> roll d6+4
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 7 > [d6=3]
<Merc-laptop> The wolf yelps again! He's looking a little battered now, almost as much as the one jumping once more for Aleph's throat!
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+11
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 29 > [d20=18]
<Merc-laptop> roll d8+7 om nom nom
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 8 > [d8=1]
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+11 trip
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 13 > [d20=2]
<Merc-laptop> ooc: roll DR and trip counter. You could probably get out of that trip
<Aleph> roll d20+4 Trip Counter
<Penuche> Aleph invokes Penuche's magic: < 13 > [d20=9]
<Aleph> roll 1d3+2
<Penuche> Aleph invokes Penuche's magic: < 4 > [d3=2]
<Merc-laptop> Aleph turns just enough that his arm is what's bitten, and then he somehow barely shakes the wolf off him instead of getting dragged to the ground like his friends. Lucky him.
<Merc-laptop> ooc: Maya
<Maya_Mahabala> OOC: Yay. :P
<Maya_Mahabala> Maya flexes a bit, practically leaping right too her feet as she pulled away and checked her leg, making sure she could still dance properly.
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 1d20+22 tumbling to my feet and away.
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 39 > [d20=17]
<Maya_Mahabala> OOC: That's it, I have gained 'space and being on my feet
<Merc-laptop> ooc: yeah, he can't touch that tumble check. Go go crazy tumbling harrier machine =p
<Merc-laptop> The wolf that was atop Maya chases after her, dashing on it's four legs and leaping after Maya as the other wolf continues to attack Aleph.
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+11 Maya
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 25 > [d20=14]
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+11 Aleph
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 21 > [d20=10]
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+11 Aleph trip since I know that one hits
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 12 > [d20=1]
<Aleph> roll d20+4 can we do this twice?
<Penuche> Aleph invokes Penuche's magic: < 21 > [d20=17]
<Merc-laptop> roll d8+7 damage
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 11 > [d8=4]
<Aleph> roll d3+2 we did!
<Penuche> Aleph invokes Penuche's magic: < 4 > [d3=2]
<Merc-laptop> Aleph seems a master of not getting knocked down to the ground by wolves biting! Maya seems better at staying standing this time around as her own attacker fails to even chomp on her.
* Aleph is currently very thankful for that armor he acquired during the downtime...
<Merc-laptop> The fifth wolf meanwhile turns his attention on Brina in retaliation for all the damage she did to it, and tries to bite down on her while the other wolf also does the same.
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+11
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+11
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 27 > [d20=16]
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 22 > [d20=11]
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+11 trip
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+11 trip
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 17 > [d20=6]
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 26 > [d20=15]
<Merc-laptop> ooc: I think we should just say you get tripped there. I don't think you can make the 26 >_>
<Merc-laptop> roll d8+7
<Merc-laptop> roll d8+7
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 12 > [d8=5]
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 12 > [d8=5]
<Merc-laptop> Gah! Mangy mutts really hate Brina as they drag her down again! The other two wolves seem more interested in the panicked guard though as they move to ravage him.
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+11
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+11
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 14 > [d20=3]
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 24 > [d20=13]
<Merc-laptop> roll d8+7
<Merc-laptop> roll d8+7
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 9 > [d8=2]
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 14 > [d8=7]
* Merc-laptop changes topic to 'W1=W7>Aleph=Brina>Anassia>W2>Maya=W8>W4/5/6'
<Merc-laptop> The guard screams repeatedly until he finally dies under the assault...
<Merc-laptop> ooc: Aleph/Brina
* Aleph notices that the wolves have left an opening...as he takes a quick jump out and lets three arrows out towards the more injured of the two wolves onto him...
<Aleph> roll 1d20+11 shot1
<Penuche> Aleph invokes Penuche's magic: < 26 > [d20=15]
<Aleph> roll 1d20+11 shot2
<Penuche> Aleph invokes Penuche's magic: < 14 > [d20=3]
<Aleph> roll 1d20+6 shot3
<Penuche> Aleph invokes Penuche's magic: < 14 > [d20=8]
<Merc-laptop> ooc: actually, all three hit. Remember, they have shitty AC
<Aleph> ooc: wtf.
<Aleph> ooc: Didn't think it was that shit
<Aleph> roll 1d8+9 hit1
<Penuche> Aleph invokes Penuche's magic: < 13 > [d8=4]
<Aleph> roll 1d8+9 hit2
<Penuche> Aleph invokes Penuche's magic: < 15 > [d8=6]
<Aleph> roll 1d8+9 hit3
<Penuche> Aleph invokes Penuche's magic: < 13 > [d8=4]
* Merc-laptop changes topic to 'W1=W7>Aleph=Brina>Anassia>Maya=W8>W4/5/6'
<Merc-laptop> The wolf gives a whimpering yelp as it joins another of it's brethen in death. Right now the fight is two casualties for two casualties! Which side will triumph?
<Merc-laptop> ooc: Brina
* Brina manages to twist around and get her feet under her, launching herself through the tangle of wolves to get clear..
<Brina> roll d20+19 tumble
<Penuche> Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 23 > [d20=4]
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+4
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 5 > [d20=1]
<Merc-laptop> Brina dashes to the relative safety of being around friends! As a bonus, she's in a good position to flank a wolf with Maya...at least until Maya decides to move anyhow.
<Merc-laptop> Anassia meanwhile just shoots the half dead wolf that brought down Brina a short while ago
<Merc-laptop> roll d20+8
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 16 > [d20=8]
<Merc-laptop> roll d6+4
<Penuche> Merc-laptop invokes Penuche's magic: < 6 > [d6=2]
<Merc-laptop> It's still standing somehow after getting blasted with magic, but it really does look like it'll fall in one strike
<Merc-laptop> ooc: Maya
* Maya_Mahabala runs toward the one between her and Brina, leaping over it again to slash and flipping away toward brina, trying to help the girl out.
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 1d20+18-2 Jump stunt to boost Damage.
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 30 > [d20=14]
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 1d20+14 Actual attack
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 30 > [d20=16]
<Merc-laptop> ooc: hit
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 1d20+22-4 Tumble to boost ac
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 32 > [d20=14]
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 2d6+10
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 17 > [d6=6,1]
<Merc-laptop> ooc: and you'd have been next to that wolf actually, so you can't run towards it. Not unless you ran away (needing a tumble or prompt AoO) and then ran back
<Maya_Mahabala> OOC: Prompt AoO.  I'm fine with pulling back and then leaping over it.
<Maya_Mahabala> OOC: AoO is against 39....
<Maya_Mahabala> OOC: If it wants to try its crit chances.
<Merc> roll d20+11 he could still 20 on his AoO!
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 29 > [d20=18]
<Merc> ooc: or not!
<Merc> The wolf attempts to bite at Maya as she jumps around, but it's too confusing a movement and it only gets a sword strike to the back of it's neck as thanks. It simply tries to attack Maya in retaliation again as another wolf as usual focuses on Aleph.
<Merc> roll d20+11 Maya
<Merc> roll d20+11 Aleph
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 21 > [d20=10]
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 21 > [d20=10]
<Merc> roll d20+11 trip Aleph
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 23 > [d20=12]
<Merc> ooc: I think you might be getting tripped this time
<Merc> roll d8+7
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 14 > [d8=7]
<Merc> Two other wolves, one of them fairly injured, go at this time towards Anassia and Brina! The injured wolf goes after its most recent attacker, while the last one focuses on it's constant playmate/prey.
<Merc> roll d20+11 poor Anassia
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 21 > [d20=10]
<Merc> roll d20+11 poor Brina
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 23 > [d20=12]
<Merc> roll d20+11 poor Anassia trip
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 28 > [d20=17]
<Merc> roll d20+11 poor Brina trip
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 14 > [d20=3]
<Merc> ooc: huh, Brina has a chance to not get tripped
<Merc> roll d8+7 anassia
<Merc> roll d8+7 brina
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 10 > [d8=3]
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 8 > [d8=1]
<Brina> roll d20+4 vs. trip
<Penuche> Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 24 > [d20=20]
<Aleph> roll 1d20+4 FFFF MULTITASKING
<Penuche> Aleph invokes Penuche's magic: < 22 > [d20=18]
<Aleph> roll 1d3+2 watch this be a 1
<Penuche> Aleph invokes Penuche's magic: < 3 > [d3=1]
<Merc> This time Brina is the one lucky enough to stand from a bite attack. Aleph comes close, but the wolf just holds on tight and forces him down in the end!
<Merc> Oh and Anassia also goes yelping as she's taken down.
<Merc> The two opportunistic wolves go splitting up, one going towards Anassia and the other one dashing towards Aleph!
<Merc> roll d20+11 anassia
<Merc> roll d20+11 aleph
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d20=9]
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 29 > [d20=18]
<Merc> roll d8+7 anassia
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 10 > [d8=3]
<Merc> roll d8+7 al
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 9 > [d8=2]
<Aleph> roll 1d3+2 Penuche is a big fat bitch
<Penuche> Aleph invokes Penuche's magic: < 5 > [d3=3]
<Merc> ooc: Aleph/Brina
<Aleph> It is a commonly believed fact that wolves, like many animals, react poorly to fire...after all, it inspires a most primal reaction in most...as he reaches into one of his pockets and grabs a flask full of strange black liquid...before smashing it on the ground below one of the wolves savaging him...
<Maya_Mahabala> o_O
<Merc> ooc: I'm pretty sure smashing a flask provokes an AoO...
<Aleph> ooc: Well, fine.  watch as I get doublecritted or something
<Merc> roll d20+11 aoo1
<Merc> roll d20+11 aoo2
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 14 > [d20=3]
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 23 > [d20=12]
<Merc> roll d8+7
<Merc> roll d8+7
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 10 > [d8=3]
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 8 > [d8=1]
<Merc> ooc: scratch first damage roll, that'd miss
<Aleph> roll 1d3+2
<Penuche> Aleph invokes Penuche's magic: < 3 > [d3=1]
<Merc> ooc: so only 8 damage before DR
<Merc> One of the wolves chomps on Aleph hard, but does not prevent him from drawing his flask and smashing it!
<Aleph> roll 1d20+12 RTA
<Penuche> Aleph invokes Penuche's magic: < 21 > [d20=9]
<Merc> ooc: hit
<Aleph> roll 1d6+1 fire damage
<Penuche> Aleph invokes Penuche's magic: < 5 > [d6=4]
<Merc> The other wolf is set alit! And it lets the most horrifying yelping as some of the flame splashes around him and even on Aleph. He doesn't really feel the flames yet, though he can easily tell his armor is on fire!
<Merc> ooc: Brina

[Merc]

Middle of combat positioning:


Combat positioning at end of session:


Combat positioning after Coily shows up:


Combat positioning after Aleph crits and Brina murders injured wolf:

[Merc]

Session Start: Sun Mar 13 16:56:18 2011

<Merc> <Merc> ooc: Brina
* Brina takes a diving roll to the left of wolf #4, then immediately throwing herself into a shoulder roll to come up next to Maya and on #4's flank, lashing out with her dagger..
<Brina> roll d20+19 for tumble
<Penuche> Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 38 > [d20=19]
<Merc> ooc: tumble works
<Brina> roll d20+15
<Penuche> Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 18 > [d20=3]
<Merc> ooc: hit
<Brina> roll 1d4+3
<Penuche> Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 5 > [d4=2]
<Brina> roll 5d6
<Penuche> Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 16 > [d6=4,2,3,3,4]
<Merc> The wolf yelps in anger as Brina drives her dagger into it's hindquarters!
<Merc> ooc: Anassia
<Merc> ooc: Maya while Anassia catches up on logs
<Maya_Mahabala> OOC: Heh
<Maya_Mahabala> "Brina, look out," Maya leaped over her, swinging downward at the neck of wolf #4, trying to ensure that Brina wasn't trapped between them anymore before flipping back toward Anassia.  OOC: Jump/Tumble.
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 1d20+18-2 Jump to damage
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 29 > [d20=13]
<Merc> ooc: works
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 1d20+14 attack
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d20=6]
<Merc> ooc: hit
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 1d20+22-4 defense against the one I moved close to.
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 32 > [d20=14]
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 2d8+8
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d8=4,8]
<Merc> The wolf will not get a chance to trouble Brina further as Maya quickly decapitates the beast.
<Merc> ooc: tumble check to avoid AoO that will certainly miss against you when moving closer to #5, Maya
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 1d20+22 yeah miss
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 23 > [d20=1]
<Merc> ooc: *snorts*
<Merc> roll d20+4 he could actually beat that tumble
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 24 > [d20=20]
<Maya_Mahabala> OOC: Good pooch, now roll vs AC 39
<Merc> roll d20+11 bite AoO which can only hit if he 20's
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 19 > [d20=8]
<Merc> ooc: he obviously wasted his 20
<Merc> As Maya almost trips on her way back in the direction of Anassia to assist against her furry friends, one of the wolf tries to bite her ankle, but Maya's still too fast to get taken down twice.
<Merc> ooc: Anassia
<Anassia> Since she is being faced down by two wolves, Anassia does the only thing that really comes naturally.  Try and kill them.  She moves quickly away from the two of them to avoid getting further bit, before calling forth the power to throw it at the one that looks like it's about to drop!
<Anassia> 5-foot step SE, dart to W5
<Anassia> roll 1d20+8
<Penuche> Anassia invokes Penuche's magic: < 24 > [d20=16]
<Merc> ooc: hit
<Anassia> roll 1d6+4
<Penuche> Anassia invokes Penuche's magic: < 10 > [d6=6]
<Merc> The wolf yelps and falls under Anassia's dart! It was already injured and just could not take the strain of the blast...
* Retrieving #truesteel modes...
* Merc changes topic to 'W1=W7>Aleph=Brina>Anassia>Maya=W8>W6'
<Merc> The wolf near Aleph ignores its fallen comrades as it tries to bite the downed Aleph, tearing through his armor and flesh!
<Merc> roll d20+11
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 12 > [d20=1]
<Merc> The wolf burns it's snout on the small bits of flame dancing on Aleph's armor and yelps as it pulls back! Aleph is safe for a few more seconds!
<Merc> The wolf that tried to bite Maya continues to attempt to bite her again, forgetting about Brina for the moment, apparently taking offense at the sight of so much movement near it's snout and not being able to sink its teeth into it!
<Merc> roll d20+11
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 13 > [d20=2]
<Merc> But it's no good, the gods continue to favor Maya as she dances around its attempts to bite her.
* Maya_Mahabala smiles, swaying past the wolf.  "Anassia, get some room."
<Merc> roll d20+8
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d20=12]
<Merc> ooc: I really need to start putting initiative counts in the topic, not just the order.
<Merc> ooc: sec
* Merc changes topic to 'W1=W7>Coily>Aleph=Brina>Anassia>Maya=W8>W6'
<Merc> Attracted by the sounds of battle and the smell of burnt fur (do undead snakes have a sense of smell actually?), Coily bursts into the scene, hissing at the sight of his mistress under attack! The burning wolf, simply tries to put out the burning fire, apparently smart enough to know to drop and roll while the other wolf ignores the giant snake and attacks the worst person possible to inspire its further ire, Anassia!
<Merc> roll d20+11 bitings
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 15 > [d20=4]
<Merc> Anassia just pulls back as Coily darts forward and attempts to show that wolf what a bite is really like!
<Merc> roll d20+12 (+2 charge, -6 combat challenge: +3 to damage)
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 15 > [d20=3]
<Merc> roll d8+7
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 10 > [d8=3]
<Merc> The wolf has a chunk of fur savaged out of it's body by the undead snake as Aleph rolls on the ground to stand, then moves in the direction of the others as he prepares to shoot another arrow once he's had a chance to aim properly at a wolf.
<Merc> roll d20+15 tumble
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 28 > [d20=13]
<Merc> ooc: Brina
* Brina darts towards wolf #6, taking advantage of Maya's position to slip around behind it and drive her blade into the wolf in an effort to sever it's spine!
<Brina> roll 1d20+15
<Penuche> Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 30 > [d20=15]
<Merc> ooc: hit
<Brina> roll 1d4+3
<Penuche> Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 5 > [d4=2]
<Brina> roll 5d6
<Penuche> Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 15 > [d6=4,2,2,5,2]
<Merc> The wolf howls as Brina's dagger digs into it's body!
<Merc> ooc: Anassia
<Anassia> Anassia glances to the giant snake skeleton.  Talk about timing.  She will, however, continue attacking the other wolf that was attacking her.  Stupid puppies can't mess with her and /live/.
<Anassia> (( Same as last round; 5' away and dart-attack ))
<Merc> ooc: You're flanking it with Coily if that means anything to you!
<Merc> ooc: heh, okay
<Anassia> (( It really doesn't~ ))
<Anassia> roll 1d20+8
<Penuche> Anassia invokes Penuche's magic: < 28 > [d20=20]
<Anassia> roll 1d20+8
<Penuche> Anassia invokes Penuche's magic: < 15 > [d20=7]
<Merc> ooc: crit
<Anassia> roll 2d6+8 Oh my god, a crit.
<Penuche> Anassia invokes Penuche's magic: < 15 > [d6=5,2]
<Merc> The wolf can only yelp in pain and growl as it looks between the undead menace and it's mistress!
<Merc> ooc: Maya
* Maya_Mahabala rushes toward wolf eight, trying to save Aleph from any more trouble, leaping over any fighting in her way as she twirled in a beautiful flying slice.
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 1d20+22-6 Tumble to Damage
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 25 > [d20=9]
<Merc> ooc: go for it
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 1d20+13  (Attack Challenge -4 for damage
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 18 > [d20=5]
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 2d8+12
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 23 > [d8=6,5]
<Merc> The wolf growls as the blade slashes through it's hide and it attempt to jump Maya and bite one of her arms!
<Merc> roll d20+11
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 19 > [d20=8]
<Merc> The wolf fails to get anything between it's sharp teeths as Maya blocks its path with the flat of her large blade, keeping it from biting lest it bite down on sharp steel!
* Maya_Mahabala leaps back, not nearly off balance enough from the hard cut to get caught again.
<Merc> The wolf trying to bite Maya earlier turns around and attempts to bite Brina, what with Maya pulling a disappearing act on it!
<Merc> roll d20+11
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 19 > [d20=8]
<Merc> ooc: AC, iddy?
<Brina> 19
<Merc> roll d8+10 chomp
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 12 > [d8=2]
<Merc> roll d20+11 trip
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 26 > [d20=15]
<Merc> ooc: reminder counter trip is dex or str, whichever is higher
<Brina> roll d20+4 dex
<Penuche> Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 16 > [d20=12]
<Merc> Brina once more is dragged down to the ground as a wolf bites down on her and drags her to the earth!
<Merc> ooc: also roll DR unless it was just DR 1 (I forget)
<Brina> OOC: DR1
<Merc> Brina looks pretty badly off! Thankfully, none of the other wolves jump on the downed prey, the wolf surrounded by Coily and Anassia moving ahead to bite Anassia! It's not a domesticated dog, what good are bones to it? The other wolf having put out the fire jumps towards Maya!
<Merc> roll d20+11
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 24 > [d20=13]
<Merc> roll d20+11 Maya
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 16 > [d20=5]
<Merc> ooc: I maybe should have rolled them backwards to improve Anassia's chances
<Merc> roll d8+10 chomp arcanist
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 18 > [d8=8]
<Merc> roll d20+11 trip
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 15 > [d20=4]
<Anassia> Opposed Str or Dex, right?
<Merc> ooc: yup
<Anassia> roll 1d20+2 Oh god
<Penuche> Anassia invokes Penuche's magic: < 4 > [d20=2]
<Merc> Anassia is also dragged to the ground with a yelp, though the burnt wolf doesn't have as much luck with Maya. Coily roars in rage at the outrage and slithers closer to bite on the wolf!
<Merc> roll d20+14 (-4 atk challenge)
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 28 > [d20=14]
<Merc> roll d8+6 (man, for a huge snake, he does less damage than the wolves)
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 13 > [d8=7]
<Merc> Aleph looks worried as he sees what happens to Brina and Anassia by the corner of his eye. Deciding Maya's probably good on her own, he switches from targetting the wolves that were harassing him and tries to save Brina! Hopefully he doesn't shoot her through the leg again, or worse!
<Merc> roll d20+11 shot 1
<Merc> roll d20+11 shot 2
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 16 > [d20=5]
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 31 > [d20=20]
<Merc> roll d20+6 shot 3
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 10 > [d20=4]
<Merc> roll d20+6 shot 2 crit check
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d20=14]
<Merc> ooc: I don't really need to roll damage, but let's check...
<Merc> roll 3d8+27
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 38 > [d8=2,1,8]
<Merc> ooc: wait, 4x not 2x
<Merc> roll 2d8+18 more damage
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 23 > [d8=4,1]
<Merc> ooc: Yeah, that wolf is toast
<Merc> The wolf looms over Brina, growling and things might have looked bleaked except two shots slam into the wolf, the corpse actually flying further away until it collapses, bleeding heavily! Aleph breathes with relief.
<Merc> ooc: Brina
* Merc changes topic to 'W1=W7>Coily>Aleph=Brina>Anassia>Maya=W8'
* Brina rolls to her feet, a little slowly, and gives Aleph a small smile of appreciation for the help before gathering herself and darting towards wolf 1, going into dive to it's left as she nears, and going into another as she comes to her feet, trying to get into a good flanking position..
<Brina> roll d20+19 tumble
<Penuche> Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 24 > [d20=5]
<Merc> ooc: hit
<Brina> roll d20+15 for stabbity death.
<Penuche> Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 32 > [d20=17]
<Merc> ooc: hit
<Brina> roll 1d4+3
<Penuche> Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 6 > [d4=3]
<Brina> roll 5d6
<Penuche> Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 16 > [d6=3,4,4,1,4]
<Merc> Aleph tosses her a thumbs-up gesture as she flashes by him and manuevers into a spot right between Anassia and the wolf, driving her dagger into it's eye and jabbing hard as she makes her landing. The wolf howls in agony briefly only to fall as the dagger drives deep enough to reach its tiny brain and shut it down in a flash.
* Merc changes topic to 'W7>Coily>Aleph=Brina>Anassia>Maya=W8'
<Merc> ooc: Anassia. reminder, you're prone, standing is a move action
<Anassia> ooc: I forget: currently threatened?
<Merc> ooc: nope, Brina just took care of that problem
<Anassia> Anassia lifts herself up slowly, wincing as her wounds protest.  She glances toward the other wolves, before tossing another arc of energy at the wolf closest (as well as sicing the snake on it) after smiling toward Brina.  "Thanks,"
<Anassia> roll 1d20+8
<Penuche> Anassia invokes Penuche's magic: < 10 > [d20=2]
<Merc> Anassia's magic fizzles out, apparently being dragged to the ground didn't agree with her ability to concentrate on her arcane might.
<Merc> ooc: Maya
* Maya_Mahabala glances at the wolf behind her before crouching and leaping into another of her very acrobatic displays, dropping in a twirling strike at wolf eight's back before backing away a little from wolf seven.
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 1d20+18-4 jump stunt for damage
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 23 > [d20=9]
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 1d20+14 actual attack
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 33 > [d20=19]
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 1d20+14 actual attack crit check
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 26 > [d20=12]
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 1d20+22-6 dodge versus wolf 7
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 25 > [d20=9]
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 4d8+18 damage against wolf 8
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 35 > [d8=4,3,8,2]
* Maya_Mahabala flips easily back away from the sliced up corpse of a wolf.
<Merc> roll d20+4 BAC against jump stunt
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 21 > [d20=17]
<Merc> Maya's sword brutalizes the wolf's side and it's standing on its last legs, panting and crying as it focuses its eyes on Maya, trying to take her down with it.
<Merc> roll d20+11
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 16 > [d20=5]
<Merc> But it was not to be. The other wolf moves into a position to try to best assist its packmate, biting at Maya's back. Perhaps it'll have better luck!
<Merc> roll d20+13
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d20=7]
<Merc> Or not.
<Merc> ooc: Anassia, command Coily to attack #8? It'll go for #7 if you don't specify a target.
<Anassia> ooc: Definately.
<Merc> ooc: definitely #8 or definitely #7? ;p
<Anassia> ooc: Let's finish off #8
<Merc> Coily obeys the command given to it and slithers towards one of the remaining wolves, biting into the flesh of the injured wolf and finishing it off. The other wolf doesn't even attempt to bite at the undead monstrosity as it passes near it.
<Merc> roll d20+14 (-2 atk challenge)
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 32 > [d20=18]
<Merc> roll d8+5
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 7 > [d8=2]
<Merc> ooc: My mistake, Drac pointed out an error. Maya finishes off #8. Coily goes after the burnt snake
<Merc> ooc: burnt WOLF
<Merc> Coily bites the wolf, covering it in not just burnt marks but bloody flesh wounds and Aleph follows it up with a trio of shots, trying to finish off the last wolf off.
<Merc> roll d20+11
<Merc> roll d20+11
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 26 > [d20=15]
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 12 > [d20=1]
<Merc> roll d20+6
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 22 > [d20=16]
<Merc> ooc: THOSE ONES!
<Merc> roll d5 (2 hits Coily, 5 hits Maya)
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 1 > [d5=1]
<Merc> roll 2d8+18
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d8=1,1]
<Merc> Two arrows slam into the wolf's side and it looks like it's considering retreat now that all it's packmates are dead!
<Merc> ooc: brina
* Brina runs towards the wolf, darting around Anassia, and taking advantage of Maya's position to get behind it..
<Brina> roll d20+15
<Penuche> Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 31 > [d20=16]
<Merc> ooc: hit
<Brina> roll 1d4+3
<Penuche> Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 6 > [d4=3]
<Brina> roll 5d6
<Penuche> Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 19 > [d6=3,4,5,1,6]
<Merc> And Brina steals the kill, not giving the beast a chance to retreat even as it considers such actions. Too bad.
<Merc> ooc: free actions
<Anassia> "Tsch," Anassia says flatly, surveying the carnage.  "Why is it that everything decides to try and kill us."
* Brina breathes deeply an wipes as much of the blood off of herself as she can, checking for deep wounds..
<Maya_Mahabala> "That's how it goes...  I mean, it's not like heroic ballads just write themselves," She walked over to Brina, leaning near, "ARe you okay?"
* Brina grunts a little.
<Merc> As the thrill of adrenaline begins to decrease as the last foe falls, you can note the screeching horses tied up trying to get away and people peeking from the caravans looking worried. The caravan master himself whimpers out, "I-is it over? Are we safe now?" as the sound of combat vanishes.
<Merc> The light of fear doesn't vanish though, even though it's still dark, the light from the campfire and the lightly burning embers from the splash of Aleph's flask lighting a terrifying view of Coily. And the rest of you look pretty terrifying covered in blood and scratches too...
<Brina> "Looks like nothing too deep.. Just lots of bites and scratches.."
* Maya_Mahabala lends her a shoulder, "Aleph, are you alright too?  Didn't burn yourself up?"
* Brina sighs and waves at the Caravan Master.
<Brina> "It looks like we got them all. For now, stay where you are. We'll clean up and make a quick patrol for stragglers."
<Merc> Aleph colors at Maya's show of concern but waves it off. "It was just a bit of splashing, it got put off as soon as I started moving on it's own..."
<Anassia> Anassia doesn't seem to realize the situation, glancing over to Coily after looking over herself for any serious wounds.
<Merc> "There shouldn't be more, except possibly some pups or such. All the hunters would have been here in this attack, packs of wolves like this don't tend to split up much," Aleph pipes in, offering some of his knowledge from trying to keep farm animals safe in the past.
* Brina nods.
<Brina> "Still, it's best to check and make sure. The last thing we want is a repeat. Other predators might be attracted by the blood, too."
<Merc> Aleph frowns. "It's still dark out, not the best time to conduct a search. The safest thing to do might be to just move the camp if anything," he tries arguing.
* Brina nods.
<Merc> "Also...you're pretty injured," he adds after a short pause, hesitantly. "I don't think you're in any condition to really go scouting."
<Brina> "Of course I'm not. But you can."
* Brina smiles serenly at him.. Though it's just tad more creepy than anything else with all the blood...
<Merc> Coily merely stands there, towering over the scene while focusing its skull's eyeholes on Anassia as if staring, waiting for a new command.
<Maya_Mahabala> "You should learn to jump, Aleph.  That way you get out of the fire," She teased the boy, helping Brina toward the wagons.  "And you guys should rest.  I can keep watch."
<Merc> "I don't want to scout either! They may not be lizards, but they're ranking up there as stuff I don't want to meet again!" Aleph exclaims at Brina's idea, literally recoiling backwards.
<Anassia> Anassia will repeat the order to have Coily head off a distance; she'll clean him up a little later.  She turns back to the group.  "Anyone going to die?" she asks, bluntly.
<Brina> "Does feeling like it count?"
<Merc> ooc: Anything else from anybody, or skip ahead?
<Maya_Mahabala> OOC: Skip ahead
<Merc> The rest of the night is quiet, if full of restless sleep. Brina's wounds don't seem quite as bad in the morning, though she still has a bit of a limp. Anassia also feels like wincing each time she takes a step, but that's what the caravan is for. The caravan master sighs as he looks over the crude graves dug for the two dead guards, as well as all the savaged wolf corpses.
<Merc> "A pity the skins are in too bad a condition to salvage..." he mutters. "I would feel better about losing two men if some good could come from their deaths."
<Merc> He gives a short prayer as he stands over their graves, ending it with some thanks for their warning cry. "Are you all in good enough condition to keep moving? I hope to get to Viridian as soon as possible, I do not wish for more trouble along the way," he asks of your group.
<Anassia> "Yeah, don't mind me," Anassia says, shaking her head slightly.  "I'll be fine, I'm sure."
<Brina> "I'll be a little slower in my patrol routes, but I should be able to keep up well enough."
<Merc> "I'm alright, though I got bitten hard in one of the legs, I'll need to stay inside one of the caravans," Aleph says, an effortless lie obvious to Anassia and Maya, well used to his lazy antics.
<Anassia> Anassia just eyes Aleph flatly.
<Merc> Aleph just whistles nervously as he looks away, limping back towards a caravan in a very dramatic fashion.
* Brina snorts and makes an off hand comment about lazy men being useless to women.
<Merc> roll d100
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 82 > [d100=82]
<Merc> roll d100
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 50 > [d100=50]
<Merc> No trouble arises over the next few days, to the pleasure of everyone involved, and soon the gates of Viridian are in sight! It's an amazing sight, the capital much grander than that of Adallia, and a bit of envy rises in their hearts.
<Merc> Aleph gives a low whistle. "That's some city..."
<Maya_Mahabala> "See, this is why traveling is great," She grinned, "Think about all the amazing sights we'll see!"
<Merc> "Man, I was born in the wrong kingdom," Aleph says enviously. "Wonder what the castle's like compared to Adallia's"
<Merc> The caravan master laughs. "I still prefer the food and women of Adallia to those of Vyrdam. They don't raise strong women here like back home to keep you on your toes!" he says with a laugh, and Aleph makes a face at that. "Definitely born in the wrong kingdom..." he mutters.
* Brina sighs.
<Brina> "I'd be ashamed of you, if you were my little brother, after saying things like that. I'm ashamed of you, anyway. Everyone should be willing to at least pull their own weight."
<Brina> "But, I guess that's why you still don't have a woman of your own."
<Merc> Aleph just grumbles. "And you -like- having women 'keeping you on your toes'?" he complains to the caravan master, prompting another bout of laughter.
<Anassia> Anassia glances again toward Aleph, before looking back to the city.  "It's... big," she says, finally, simply.
* Brina nods.
<Merc> roll d100
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 49 > [d100=49]
<Brina> "It shouldn't be too hard to figure out, though.. To be honest, this is about as far from home as I've ever traveled myself.."
<Merc> The gates positively put those of Ferune, let alone Adallia's, to shame, towering high up into the sky as you approach closer and closer, making the vast capital city loom larger and larger. Man, it's a good thing war never broke out, storming this place would have been a nightmare.
<Merc> The caravan master motions for you guys to stay near the caravans as he moves up ahead to speak with the guards, some of which begin to search for anything illegal, some nodding in acknowledgement of your group, others looking at the women with disdain.
* Brina uses the years of experience from raising her siblings to level a flat, half-lidded stare at the guards.
* Maya_Mahabala smirks, back, waving at the guards with bemusement.
<Anassia> Anassia doesn't notice (or act like she does) the looks of disdain, looking up to the walls and shielding her eyes from the sun.  "That's a lot of stone."
<Merc> Aleph has nothing to do except keep his bow at his side and wait. With none of you picking a fight with the gate guards, things proceed smoothly, and you're soon on your way in, the caravan master leading the way towards the market where you can be paid and be on your way. It's really amazing, the place is bustling with activity, people always darting about, animals, carts and caravans as well. [ooc:more]
<Merc> Some stalls are set up along the way, but by and far most shops seem to be stores and buildings, people stopping in front of nice windows to browse the wares. Thankfully fashion does not seem much more advanced at least, or you might feel self-conscious however nice your clothes were.
* Brina takes a moment to remove her cloak and brush off the trail dust, before putting it back on, the muted grey colors on the outside this time.
<Maya_Mahabala> "Mmm, they don't seem to have anything fun, but we should go shopping," Maya seemed to insist that at every town.
* Brina nods..
* Anassia looks at the stalls and vendors curiously as they go past them.  "I suppose we must, seeing as we're in a new country," she says, thoughtfully.
<Brina> "It'd be good to. In a larger city like this, we can find better quality items, and hopefully at better prices.."
<Merc> "Given where we're from, who knows on those prices," Aleph notes, pointing at how some people seem give a wide berth to the caravans and them. You'd almost think Coily hadn't stayed well outside the city gates and was right besides you. "Not to worry. When it comes to shopping, nobody really cares where you're from, just whether you can pay or not," the caravan master says, still looking jovial now that he's in a nice safe city.
<Merc> "I wouldn't recommend walking into a dark alley alone though, particularly you ladies...though in your case, it'll probably result in some dead gentlemen, I imagine!"
* Brina puts a hand to her cheek.
* Maya_Mahabala laughs, and pats the caravan master on the shoulder.  "Now now, hunting for pick-pockets is a little beneath us."
<Brina> "My, my, that wouldn't be very proper.. But you're not wrong, either.."
<Merc> "Jack would love it if he wasn't too busy playing up to the image he's built up back home," Aleph says with a snort.
<Merc> ooc: He's replying to Maya's line, since it's not very clear, btw
<Anassia> "I've no intention of wandering into dark alleyways," Anassia says simply, stretching out slightly before wincing.  "Or anywhere we'll be likely to be stabbed.
<Maya_Mahabala> "Anyhow, we'll have to spend some time shopping.  If we don't, we'll regret it."
<Merc> "I'm sure it's safer than outside with the wild animals and bandit gangs, but never hurts to play it safe," the caravan master agrees as they finally reach their destination apparently. "Alright, then," he says as he digs into his pack, pulling four packs of coins and tossing them at each of you. Maya can spot two more bags, a reminder of their furry encounter along the way.
<Merc> "A pleasure having you along, you were worth ever coin spent."
<Brina> "Thank you, sir. We appreciate the compliment."
<Merc> "Will you stick around and join me on the return trip? I'll be around for a week or so doing business here, but I would love to hire your group again..." he asks.
<Brina> "We can't promise anything, but we'll certainly keep it in mind."
<Merc> "Hrm, well, please come look me up if you are around in a week then. If not, I'll put up some announcements at the local merc guild house," he says as he starts ordering about his workers to help him set up their goods and gets ready to walk off and talk business with his Vyrdamite assosciates.