Anauroch - The Great Desert

[Thistledown Thurbertaut]

Who's up?

[Brainpiercing]

I'm waiting for your revised action....

[Thistledown Thurbertaut]

No revision.  Just the gas pellets and then Marc is going to stand there, pending any sudden hostile movements.

The war-machine towered over the weakened Vrock.  It paused, wondering how the scenario was going to play out, yet ready to put the hurt on the Vrock in about two seconds if combat were reengaged.

[McPoyo]

Readying action to cast on first hostile target that assaults myself or Mael, since he's the squishiest atm.

[Omen of Peace]

Mael takes this opportunity to tiptoe away, testing the demon's goodwill in the process.

[OOC]

Ready an action to use Doomspeak against Vrock 1 or 2 if they take offensive action.
Move to C27 (provokes an AoO from Vrock 1).

edit: C27 is much too far for Male to reach (20ft speed) - I didn't think. Make it G28.
Also, he takes his whip back in hand as he goes (he dropped it when stunned, but of course it's still tied to his belt by a thread ^^).

[Brainpiercing]

[Mael]

Who is the Vrock talking to when it's talking out loud?

[Brainpiercing]

The other two Vrocks seemed to consider... and as they waited, those how had been stunned by the screech regathered their senses.

But they killed the beasts... All of them. But....they have a goody-two-shoes cleric among them, over there in the hut. Let him revive the beasts,  then we can see, the one who was not blinded said (publicly).

Aye, a good idea, the blinded one agreed.

It was still interesting to perceive the apparent unity in thought, whereas the heads kept mumbling to each other in different languages.

[ooc]

Vrock2's sense motive: 40, damn natural 20s.
Vrock1's sense motive: 24

Everyone listening please make a Sense Motive check, too:
If you make a DC of 7 (duh), you find:

There is a hardly contained malicious undertone in Vrock2's speech.

If you make a DC 20 (hunch):

You suspect that Vrock2 is suspecting that Vrock 3 is lying - but to whom is the question, because he's been "thinking" publicly. Vrock2 might be thinking that Vrock 3 is plotting something - and hence he might be plotting something, too.

[McPoyo]

Sense Motive 23! Finally I rolled well when it mattered! Well, relatively speaking. Watch, my next three rolls are going to be worthless now.

Isul watched warily, ready to rip a spell off into the first demon to make a hostile move. He didn't quite trust the demons, no matter the change of heart the one had.

[Omen of Peace]

"Anyone got a plan?" a friendly telepathic voice (Mael's, but they couldn't know likely, since it was the same one that had warned about the illusion) asked the party. "It seems like that vrock was right in saying that our weapon-wielding types are having trouble... I think I can handle that vrock but that leaves the other two. And the babaus. We can delay a while longer - for Torgthen to heal - but we should act before the other vrock regains his sight.

They want us dead.

Okay, how about this: Marc, can you grow and pin the hale one? He'll have to teleport out and back. Meanwhile we focus on the blind one..."

[Private for BP]

"What do you intend brother? Perhaps you are right and we can't let them go. Perhaps Mother wants them culled. You should protect our lesser kin as best you can without your sight while Brother and I crush the enemy."

[OOC]
The natural 20's not the main problem: the +20 modifier(!) is...
Azur's Sense Motive 1d20+12=21
I'm skipping the communication between Azur and Mael here...

Also, I don't see how the demons can know whether the sendings are private or not? Anyway, this one is.

[Brainpiercing]

We are now having an official Anime conversation - one that can happen between the bad guy launching the doomsday weapon which travels at hyperspeed towards the good guys, and the actual effect happening. There are also really no time constraints for such a conversation, and the main good guy can also have flashbacks and notice minor details in the split second.



No, really, I'm going to be loosely counting posts and determining the start of a new round now and then.

[PRIVATE for Mael]

I don't know about the private/public communication... well, I would assume they suspected it that he was talking publicly... It wouldn't make sense otherwise. I don't think there is anything in the rules. Perhaps it's intuitive, like loud and quiet talking.

And the +20 mod is normal for a 14HD Vrock .

This was a delicate standoff, with everyone poised and ready. Cat was grateful for the respite - after his discovery that his claws were basically useless against the Vrocks there was nothing left for him to do but slink off behind the corpse again.

Perhaps we should do what they say, instead? he thought towards his allies. I for one really can't touch them...

The Vrocks were apparently still debating. The blind one inched towards the babbling Babaus.

[PRIVATE for Mael]

He's bespelled, the blind one now said privately to the others. I won't be able to get through to him.

The other glanced at the third Vrock doubtfully, and also spoke only to the demons.
We can do whatever we want after they have revived the beasts. I really think that's a good idea. Then we can hold onto those who have been affected by Mother, and kill off the others. What WAS your plan, anyway? We're ruining it by arguing too much...

[Sohala]

I have ranks in that!one of the few times this is true... SM 10, 14, 19...yup I believe every word.

Maneuvers granted - White Raven Tactics, Mountain Hammer
Martial Spirit stance

Move to C35, ready action to charge a hostile foe, if hostile action is taken.

Fast heal 6

Current hp: 65

Torgthen was rightfully confused about the turn of events that had transpired, but certain things were starting to make sense, while others were not. "They see those such as these, as kin...but if such is the case, why would one try to defend us...Are we truly changing...Will it be to the likes of them, or perhaps the roving mobs...Are they connected..." With the apparent lack of effect from his martial skills vs. these demonic creatures, compounded by his thoughts, he took a slow pace to over by the tent, but kept his eyes on the lookout for betrayal.

[Omen of Peace]

[Private for BP]

"Too much arguing? True that. Strife was in our nature, but Mother has blessed us and now we have to change our ways.

I do sense something in them, but perhaps it is not Mother's touch, if you don't feel it at all. My plan was only a sketch, but they would be easier targets for our breaths - even our blind brother's! - should they gather up.

How do you know one of them can resurrect creatures?"
This time he's the one who appears suspicious.

[OOC]
I agree the clock needs to keep ticking, and in a way Azur is indeed stalling, but telepathic communication ought to be pretty fast too.

[Brainpiercing]

The second Vrock seemed a bit confused.

[PRIVATE for Mael]

Huh? I thought you were trying to fool them into something..., the second Vrock thought to his allies. There's a cleric in that hut, you can tell because of the fat holy symbol he's holding. He's praying and looking pretty scared, but still, most of these human clerics can raise the beasties from the dead. Not us, if we die, though. I haven't the slightest what would happen to us... if we reform in the middle of the Abbyss.... he seemd to shudder, mentally.

So on which of those did you feel Mother's touch? Let's single them out and kill off the others...

[ooc]
Yes, it's fast, which is why we can do so much of it.

As Torgthen moved towards the hut, a mental sneer formed in everyone's head. It coincided with a particular grimace on the second Vrock's heads, so it was probable it came from the same.

That's the spirit... now don't do anything stupid.

[Snizor]

His body on the verge of collapse, Daelric was very grateful for this surprising turn of events. He warily moved towards the hut as the demon had instructed, knowing that it could kill him in the blink of an eye if he angered it.


[OOC:]

Sense Motive: 8
Withdraw to B34 (provoke AOO for Vrock 3)

[Brainpiercing]

[ooc]

Why don't you FRA withdraw? Anyway, Vrock 3 moved away from a you a bit, IIRC, I just haven't updated all the positions.

On another note, the MARC already took his Round 10 action, so it takes to reason we just move to round 10. I will update the positions on the map ASAP. For those who haven't stated any, please do in your next posts.

Round 10

[Snizor]

OOC:

Because I rolled a natural 1 on my INT check on knowledge (rules)  , edited

[Omen of Peace]

"Let's not clump up too much or they will get us with their energy breaths" Mael warns.
"Marc, ready to grab?"

[OOC]

TT was already in round 10?? I thought he had only posted round 9. I'm soooo confused...
Anyway, Mael readies a Doomspeak against the blind vrock.

[Private for BP]

"You are hard to please, brother!" the vrock snarls, then he manages to calm down, a testament of his now less-than-chaotic nature.
"Who to spare - at least at first? The human closest to me and the halfling, methinks.

Is your sight not coming back brother? Do we wait for that or not?"

He edges closer to his blind kin.

[OOC]
5ft step to the north.

[Brainpiercing]

Doyle had been moving after Mael, but after the warning he angled off to the north.

The Babau that had just breathed on Daelric suddenly stopped babbling.
'What the...?' it yelled in Abyssal and Draconic at the same time. Noting that no open combat was happening right now, it looked around quizzically.
Are we killing them or what? it then thought publicly.

It got no answer - at least none that was publicly noticable.

[PRIVATE for Mael]

On team radio, the blind Vrock thought Shut the fuck up. Sight tight and get ready. And stop attacking the human, fool, he might become one of us.

The other Babau also suddenly stopped babbling, but instead of becoming coherent, shambled away from the group.

As the MARC grew to Gargantuan size, the Vrock in front of it eyed it suspiciously and took a step back. Something so big was never good news.
Oh no, you're not.... it thought publicly, with a threatening undertone.

[PRIVATE for Mael]

To his team, the second Vrock thought Say the word...I can still tear it apart. Now it's just easier to hit.

[ooc]

I've update the map for the new positions.

MARC's round 10 action was increasing size, so any hostile actions will happen immediately in Round 11, if you are so inclined.

By the way: Whenever you read the thoughts, you can assume it was via public telepathy.

[Sohala]

Maneuvers granted - White Raven Tactics, Mountain Hammer, Shield Block
Martial Spirit stance

Stay at C35, ready action to charge a hostile foe, if hostile action is taken.

Fast heal 6

Current hp: 71

Even deep in thought, Torgthen kept up his stoic stance and careful watch on the enemy.

[Omen of Peace]

Mael, confused at the utter lack of response from his companions, decided it was still time to try and act. Telepathy meant a botched attempt would cost him little.
"Go!" he sent to them.

[OOC]

Since he wasn't sure people would act, he delayed rather than readied, so his action will come after the readied ones.

[Private for BP]

The vrock, perhaps detecting a hint on the halfling's freckled face, sent an "Attack!" message. But he was already a second too late.

The body of the "friendly" vrock goes rigid even as mayhem erupts on all sides.
"Wha-?" he croaks mentally but he never even finishes the question.