Tales of Asydia · Legacy archive
[Asydia] Humble Beginnings
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Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#81"Nim, please enlighten me, for I was wrong about a binary question a few moments ago - is there a legal system in Sen-Rab, or not? For where I am from, cutting someone's throat in his sleep is rather frowned upon, regardless of his apparent guilt."
He went over to the rapidly widening puddle of blood, with its unfortunate source. The sanguine red mingled with the bordeaux of the wine in slow, meditative swirls.
"May I interject? Next time, I would prefer we reach agreement on the topic of murder. Do you concur?"
It was obvious that Sigurd would prefer that Duxo concurred, very much so.
"Also - the fool might have talked; given his inebriated state, with little more than a loud voice as sufficient torture."
He met the other man's gaze, one eyebrow raised, then handed him a bundle of clothes. "Get dressed." -
Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#82Frowning over the cowardly and most heinous act, after hearing Sigurd's objection, Zelas spoke harshly to Duxo.
"Ugly man, either you or the old man owe us some answers. Why did that man need to die? And why didn't you challenge him first? By Axtrami, nobody deserves such an unworthy death, and it shames you to deliver it."
He felt sickened to his stomach. A man killed like a lamb to the slaughter, he never had the chance to defend himself, this ugly foreigner better explain himself, and quickly so. His fingers clenched on the recently named ouzala. -
Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#83Nim sighed. Again.
"I'm not a barrister, but I'm quite sure that kidnapping or aiding and abetting such are capital crimes here, especially if the one doing it is not a noble.
I trust none of you have ever been put in fetters? Beaten? I would kill any who did that to me, and I defy any of you so say otherwise.
And challenge the guard? Seriously? And risk alerting other guards, much as this conversation may likely do? Lets go and play at barristers later."
Coup de Gras is a full round action. Any of you had time to intercede - you all stood watching :) Alignment restricted characters already have issues.
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Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#84"You mean 'alerted any which were as deaf as to miss the previous combat at the crossing, and my hammering away at the chains'? That would be a case of selective hearing if I ever saw one, my dear."
He had quite some experience with sassy peasant wenches, and found it rather amusing. Some other knights might have reacted harshly though, witch or not.
"Also, why challenge? Tie up first, question thereafter, and hang from a tree if his crimes deserve such treatment."
I had a whole 3 hours in the middle of the night to react to the post. Sue me.
Also, my armor check penalty is like -16, so everybody hears my passing. Talking is far less loud than the trumpets that herald my every step. -
Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#85And now Duxo speaks
Ugly man... Duxo stopped, half dressed and started reaching for his knife; pausing at the last second he looked over at Zelas.
"Mage, let us go over for half a second what your muktliff honor would get this man. First, once we delivered him to town he would be locked up until such a time as they got around to finding him guilty of his crimes, then he would be enslaved. His children would be enslaved. He would live the rest of his life a slave. He would die a slave. His death, worthy or not, is the death of a free man; and you ish kalzeen would deny him even that?"
Spitting on the ground at his feet, Duxo finished getting dressed. -
Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#86"Justice can show patience at times, Duxo - fear not, for what he did to you and poor Tar-Sul would have him hanged in my homeland, a feast for the crows."
He smiled, then tossed a blanket from the stores over the dead man.
"I will gladly strike down any brigand whose bread is the misery of others - but with two caveats."
He tapped the stiffening raider with his sword.
"He won't talk like this - for example will he not tell how his master controls the beasts."
Then, he took an apple, half-rotten from one side, yet intact from the other, still tempting from one angle briefly, until the swamp rot's inevitable victory.
"Matters that are clear from one side" he presented the glistening good side "may be different under more stringent observation." He showed the other side.
"Haste begets poor judgment, and the dead rarely return. Though, that's no shame in this one's case."
"But, enough of this, let's search the room, and then go find the other brigands. I think we should have a word with them regarding the topic of kidnapping and other misconduct."
Search test for brigand goodies which can be re-purposed for the service to goodness -
Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#87Zelas frowned after hearing Nim's words, true as they were. Were all sen-rabbi this callous? Suddenly leaving the babe with one didn't seem at all safe. He changed his mind about this Nim-ty-Lin, pretty as she may be, in her chest apparently beat the heart of a serpent. Yet again he found himself surprisingly allied with the ralkharan, he changed his opinion about him as well.
He turned back to the ugly man, Duxo, as he spoke. At first he found himself seeing the man's point of view, though he still held many reservations, but he darkened as the insult was spoken. Even if he hadn't known rabble, there was no mistaking the spitting. Zelas saw red, he didn't even hear Sigurd's words, his fist flew out suddenly, hitting Duxo squarely in the mouth.
15 +2 dex [correction -1 str mod, I misread the rules]. (unarmed strike) against flat-footed Duxo (10 AC), 1 point of non-lethal damage.
Seemingly unfazed by the hit, the man spat once more on the ground, blood and an accompanying tooth this time, and charged at Zelas with seemingly murderous intent, he punched out and...
Pariah rolled 8 against my AC 16. Also I would just like to point out, that since we resolved this in chat, I didn't opt to leave it openended.
Zelas quickly sidestepped and tripped the man in one fluid motion his father would have been proud of. He stared down at the man with contempt.
"Is this any way of showing gratitude?! You would insult one who rescued you?!" He barked at the man. -
Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#88"Zelas! Duxo!" Auxzali began. "Get a hold of yourselves."
He placed himself between the two, with the intent of blocking them from further attacks.
"We are comrades, brothers-in-arms. We do not, Zelas, hit another, no matter how heinous a crime they commit. And Duxo, we do not insult our comrades so grievously. By Axtrami, I have never been so... Disappointed in two people."
Auxzali glared at each of them, and then stepped back.
"You two are going to shake hands, and forgive each other, or so help me Axtrami, I will chain you both up in this room until you two make amends." -
Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#89Zelas raised an eyebrow. Though his friend may be a priest, he was somewhat taken aback by his lack of secular knowledge. He had only done what any true Ouzquin would have done in that situation, and he hardly saw himself as a comrade to this feral lout, who he had only met minutes ago. But, he reminded himself, he was there to aid Auxzali, until he saw fit to return to Bareka.
Silently, he offered his hand to help Duxo up, wary of further attacks. -
Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#90"Aye, I shouldn't have let my tongue get the better of me." Letting Zelas help him up, Duxo finished dressing. -
Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#91Sigurd observed the scuffle - but did not intervene. Sometimes, it was best to release anger in a harmless brawl, than to let it seethe. Though, their drillmaster would let them fight earnestly once someone threw the first punch, and would box it out with unruly cadets himself if they shirked away.
The lesson?
You can easily start a fight, but not always can you end it.
"But now in earnest - look for immediately useful things, and leave merchandize behind; we will return once there is no danger." -
Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#92Lootin' Time!
While Duxo and Tar-Sul dressed, the rest of the group scoured the room.
Nim out-turned the bandit's grubby pockets, finding several gold coins and a silver ring; flimsy, but engraved with the name 'Terah' on it. A memento of a relationship, perhaps. Leaning on the wall next to the corpse was a short sword which Nim also added to the collection.
Sigurd and Auxzali scoured the room in general, finding a third small pile of belongings; perhaps previously owned by a prisoner who met a sorrier end than the other two. In it were some poor quality clothes which they left. The Sandles were well made with bronze clasps, so they took those. A dagger and copper Sen-Rabbin Necklet were also taken.
Zelas went straight for the table, grabbing the flask then picking up the second one from the floor. He filled each from the tapped wine barrel and secured them in his collection.
Finally, after studying the barrel for a few moments, Nim suddenly nodded to herself and pulled out the short sword she had just collected. She quickly pried the Bronze plaque off the barrel and kept it securely in her pack, her eyes not meeting the rest of the group.
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Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#93Zelas felt pleased with his new additional bottles, he was very tempted to try a swig, but decided against it during these circumstances. He was dying for a smoke as well, but the caverns were probably not well-ventilated enough. He gave a mournful sigh.
After Duxo had finished dressing, he took out his liquor filled canteen and tossed it to him. "Drink." He offered. Thinking it would be a good way to wash the taste of blood out. Then he turned to the old man.
"Right. Tar-sul, was it? We were supposed to find you and to put a stop to any further kidnappings, if memory serves. So, what do you know about the people who abducted you? What kind of resistance can we expect to face in these caves? We've already fought some very persistent rats." -
Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#94"Two men came to take me; and a White-Orc, would you believe!? One o' those giant brutes I hear are from Esgoloth! He was massive! And I don't know about no rats, but he had two massive black panthers with him; they did just what he told 'em to do, too - must have been real well trained! I don't know much about these caves; i was dragged straight here. For all i know there could be an entire army in here!"
Tar-Sul rolled a 1 for bluff so i wont bother with sense motive checks :p
Tar-Sul looked to Zelas guiltily, "I... I don't know why they kidnapped... Well..." under the Quinnix man's stare Tar-Sul crumbled, "Alright, look. I found this lockbox in the muck, right? It looked real expensive and ir was just lying in the mud so i took it! It was heavy, too; must have been something valuable in it! Anyways, i had a drink too many and must have spilled the beans at Werstone that i found something that will get me out of the Muck. Must have been overheard by the wrong people, because that afternoon the Orc came. They Didn't find the box, though, i know that much! That's why they were keeping me here; so id spill the beans on where i hid it."
Tar-sul looked to the group pleadingly, "Look, I seen a key on the White-Orc's belt - it has to go to the box! Let me tag along. If you kill him and get the key for me, I'll split whatever is in the box with you, half each!" -
Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#95Zelas frowned. Another unscrupulous sen-rabbi, he was really beginning to dislike their kind. They were to commit murder and theft for this man? Zelas didn't have anything in particular against orcs, sometimes they traded with the Ouzquin, though he knew they at times showed more unfavourable aspects. And though it was true they had abducted these two, seemingly in Tar-sul's case, they had only caught themselves a thief. And given the violent nature of this Duxo man, no doubt he too had wronged them in some way.
"Auxzali. A word if you please." Zelas said and walked a few steps away from the group, when his priest friend followed, he spoke in Quinnix.
< "My friend, I do not feel comfortable with this. This man asks us to commit murder and theft for him, when seemingly it is he who has wronged this white orc, stealing this box. And I do not doubt the other one is guilty of similar transgressions. I will not aid a thief, if the white orc is the true owner of this box, then we are in the wrong helping this old fool.... What are your thoughts on this?" > Zelas looked inquiringly at Auxzali. -
Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#96
Auxzali paused, and then continued. -
Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#97Nim frowned at the side discussion, though this did smell off.
The land they came from must be some paragon of law and order, for them to be so naive. White-orcs lied more often then they breathed, and could only be trusted when outnumbered, outfought or spellbound.
A sudden suspicion came to, and she asked Tar-sul :
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Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#98 -
Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#99 -
Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#100Zelas found himself nodding. True enough, he hadn't looked at it that way, and they both agreed hearing the orc's story might clear things up. He grimaced at the last part, the memory hitting him like a wet branch.
< "Let's not pick at old scabs. I had just broken up with Nasja, I was in a bad place." >
He stopped to rub his neck.
< "Did I ever thank you for that? I was pretty angry at the time. If not, you have my thanks." >
He patted Auxzali's shoulder and smiled, then he turned and walked up to Tar-sul and Nim.
"Tar-sul, by your own words, you appear a thief to me. But if this white orc isn't the true owner of this box, and in fact could prove the wrong hands to hold it, then, and only then, your cause will be mine. I will hear the orc speak before I decide."
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Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#101Ah, finally, someone spoke in a common tongue.
You could have had enough common sense to learn Sen-Rabbin prior to coming here, Sigurd!, the knight chided himself.
"That sounds reasonable. If the orc had a legitimate claim on the box, he would have gone through legitimate channels or attempted to contact Tar-Sul peacefully. His instant resort to kidnapping lets me think otherwise; it's him choosing the rogue's path first which marks him as the villain. Still, I would hear his tale.
Tar-Sul was merely opportunistic, and I cannot think ill of him for picking up seemingly discarded goods. Especially considering that the Muck claims anything unguarded within the blink of an eye."
Seeing everyone had looted whatever they fancied, he proceeded towards the exit.
"Of course, hearing any tales from any orcs has several prerequisites - such as finding them and convincing them to talk. Whoever wants to hide behind the obvious target with the huge sturdy shield during said activity is free to follow." -
Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#102"Sorry, I've been rude. Our friend here doesn't have friends rich enough to pay 500 for him out of the goodness of their hearts. I doubt the motivation of our employers. " -
Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#103Zelas found himself lost for words. Was there no end to this sen-rabbi trickery? He pinched the base of his nose and blinked his eyes shut hard. Was Tamyra in on this as well? He had better stay away from all sen-rabbi women he decided... In fact, the sooner he got out of this country, the better. The swamp seemed to be rotting away on their hearts. He hoped fervently that the Rowanyna woman didn't rub off on the babe any of their wiley ways. He shook his head.
"Is nobody in this god forsaken swamp honest?" He asked resignedly.
Then he composed himself and continued.
"If they try to cheat us, we'll deal with them when the time comes. In fact, that matter might be well considered before we exit this cave. Perhaps we could take precautions before going further... I don't suppose anyone here knows how to set traps? One or two, near the exit would suffice to prevent any unwanted company from sneaking up on us. Otherwise, we'll just have to press on and hope we can handle everything Axtrami see's fit to throw at us." -
Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#104And so the group pressed on. First, they backtracked their way to the fork in the cave, and with Sigurd leading the way and Nim providing light from her magic, they traveled down the other tunnel.
This cave meandered on further than the other tunnel, twisting and turning several times and slowly descending further into the earth. The occasional dripping of water from stalactites and the smell of damp was all that accompanied the party.
then, up ahead, the tunnel turned sharply once more; the flicker of torchlight shone around the corner and Sigurd signalled the party to stop. Voices could be heard ahead; at least two people were having a quiet conversation. -
Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#105"Put that light out, I'm going to take a look; I promise not to kill anyone taking a nap this time too."
Duxo made his way over to the bend and inched his head around the corner to get a look at the next room.
Rolled a 6 for stealth, +9 == 15 -
Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#106A moments thought and the light winked out.
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Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#107The light dimmed, Duxo cautiously stuck his head around the corner. The tunnel expanded into a fair size cavern. Dozens of man-sized stalactites and Stalagmites decorated the area, and several torches were hung along the right wall of the cave, casting long shadows across the cave. On the left side of the area, taking up nearly a full third of the cavern, was a pool of still water, its depth hidden by its murkiness. On the far side, the cave floor ascended quite steeply; the top rise met the far cave wall, where a small tunnel was capped by another rough, wooden door.
At the far end of the cave two men of Sen-Rab descent stood, talking to one another. They were dressed in leathers and each had a short sword strapped to their belts. Duxo strained his ears to listen in on the conversation... pm incoming...
Satisfied, Duxo began to slowly draw his head back around the corner, but then he paused suddenly, spotting movement in the shadows! There! Not one, but two more people stood; a man and a woman, silently waiting in the shadows of two Stalagmites. Their eyes were peeled on this cave entrance, and if Nim's light still shone they would surely have spotted Duxo when he put his head out. The woman held a short bow, arrow nocked but not drawn back, and the man leaned against the rocky pillar, a spear propped up next to him.
I will draw a rough reference map for you lads tonight after work, hopefully, to help explain the cave! -
Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#108Duxo made his way back to the group,
"Alright, there's four of them in there. Two of them are at the back of the cave engrossed in conversation, with another two guarding the entrance; do either of you two mages have a spell that could put at least the two guarding the entrance to sleep? And Ser Knight, I promise not to slit their throats; I'd prefer not to get sucker punched by an over zealous mage again." -
Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#109"I can target either pair - or all of them if you bring em together somehow," Nim said quietly.
"Also, a small distraction while I cast the spell would be nice - I don't want to catch an arrow mid spell."
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Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#110"I think I could hold off four for a brief moment, if I get one of those stone pillars to cover my side."
There was a glint in the Ralkharan's eye, a defiant streak that somehow cherished the idea of fighting such odds.
He seemed also entirely serious about his ability to do so. -
Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#111Zelas smiled under his cowl as he heard Duxo's insurance, glad to hear his lesson had sunken in. Still, he wasn't sure if the man would just be repeating his misdeeds. There was just something about the idea of the poor drunken guard killed in his sleep that didn't sit right with him. Probably because he could relate to that situation. But in this case, it didn't seem likely that all the guards could be spared, no matter what they decide on.
"I have a ghost sound spell. I could make it seem like a battle is taking place, or like someone is shouting to them from far away, or even a small animal of some kind. But no guarantees that they will all come check it out though. If Ser Sigurd runs up to them alone, that would probably be our best bet to get them all engaged."
He paused to think for a moment.
"If the spell takes effect, I'll run up and tie at least one up with my rope, and perhaps disarm the others, see if we can't spare as many as possible." At that, he looked pointedly at Duxo, and then continued.
"Personally, I would see the woman spared at the very least, if possible. If the spell fails however..." He touched his hemisa in a silent prayer to Axtrami. -
Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#112"Perhaps if you used this spell, this 'ghost sound' spell, to make them hear sounds of intruders here, where we are, while we waited in ambush further back. Then we could defeat them either all together or in groups of two; a task that I believe might be far easier than the current arrangement."
Auxzali paused. "What are your thoughts, sir knight? To the best of my knowledge, you are the only one of us to be in a battle that allowed the use of tactics. I know that I myself am a doctor, not a warrior." -
Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#113The Ralkharan was thinking hard on Auxzali's question seemingly, meanwhile Zelas could see the sneak Duxo getting more and more restless. Things were reaching a boiling point, not to mention the guards could end up hearing them if they went on whispering for much longer. Zelas rolled his eyes and took out a small lump of wool, he whispered the incantation into the wool and gestured to a nearby point down the tunnel.
The spell kicked in, and the sounds of a small battle started echoing throughout the tunnels, a muffled disembodied voice cried out indistinctly in what might pass as sen-rabbi, a cry for aid.
Okay, not sure how this works, but it counts as an illusion so I'm guessing I roll and add my Int mod; 16 +5, and the guards then do a will save to disbelieve.
Zelas looked at Nim and nodded. Here goes nothing he thought and squeezed his ouzala. He took the rope out of his backpack in preparation. -
Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#114rolling the dice...
As soon as the clattering and banging down the tunnel began, the two guards at the front stood to attention. The woman drew an arrow into her bow, and the man grabbed his spear, "What's that...? The prisoners! They're free!"
The woman's voice could be heard; "damnit, Jorge is useless; the bastard must have gotten drunk again! Come on!"
"Wait!" a third voice further back yelled in an uncertain manner, "It doesn't sound right..."
If the others listened to the third guard, it didn't show, because soon three sets of footsteps came clomping loudly towards the tunnel mouth. Around the corner came the two front guards and one of the rear which Duxo had spied on just moments ago. The bandits yelled in surprise as they rounded the bend, nearly running headlong into Sigurd's Tower shield!
3 guards have come, one disbelieved the spell and is holding back for now. The guards are surprised by your presence!
Initiative is as follows:
Valadaar
Pariah
Gossamer
Bandits (after surprise round)
Caesar
Echo
Tar-Sul
Bandits are flat-footed and surprised for round 1. Do what you will :)
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Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#115As soon as the guards began to react, Nim was drawing upon her magic. In their minds, the kiss of the warm afternoon sun invited them to take a nap.
4hd of targets must save vs will
(15) to avoid nappy nappy time...
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Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#116saving rolls: 7, 3, 14
Under the gentle guidance of Nim's suggestion, the two male guards immediately slumped to the ground, succumbing to the weave of her arcanery. The woman stood strong for several seconds, blinking in confusion as she attempted to fight off the lull of sleep, but finally she too fell to one knee, and then dropped fully to the ground, the enchantment wrapping itself around her and sending her mind to dream.
3 down, sleepy! One unaccounted for. -
Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#117As the three guards fell, Duxo stepped around the corner with his sling whipping through the air. The slung bullet shrieked outwards, only to end it's journey hitting the far wall, its intended target entirely unharmed. -
Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#118The second the woman slumped to the ground, Zelas was there to tie her up with his rope.
Hempen The DC to escape hemp rope bonds is equal to 20 + the CMB (-1) of the creature that tied the bonds. Ropes do not need to make a check every round to maintain the pin. If the DC to escape is higher than 20 + the tying creatures CMB, the tied up creature cannot escape from the bonds, even with a natural 20 on the check. This rope has 2 hit points and can be burst with a DC 23 Strength check.
It doesn't say what kind of action this is, but I'm taking for granted that it's at least a standard so that's the end of my turn. -
Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#119Stepping out of the curve after Duxo, Auxzali tried, once again, his only ranged option. Once again, he called upon the power of Axtrami to send a Storm Burst towards the guard.
Attack Roll: (16:06:44) Minion: caesar193 rolls 1d20 and gets 7. I'm gonna assume that's a miss.
As it did with the rats, the sphere hurtled and crashed against the wall. -
Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings
#120The far wall of the cave wept rubble and rocks as Duxo and Auxzali relentlessly assaulted it. Meanwhile, the unharmed guard flinched; the projectiles had missed him soundly, but he was now fully aware of the trickery of the party. Sigurd noticed the man draw his shortsword, but then turn to look at the far door in the cavern - he was going to make a break for it and probably retrieve re-inforcements!
The Ralkharan knight could not stand for this! Somehow, time seemed to slow as Sigurd stepped out and raised his tower shield high. A whispered Prayer to Zevoah, the One-God, was barely heard out of Sigurd's lips before he tensed his muscles and gritted his teeth. He ran.
The charge felt like it took minutes, not seconds - his footsteps dropping in time with his heartbeat. Ahead, the bandit gasped and began to turn to run, but he had hesitated too long. The bandit made a desperate swing as Sigurd caught up to him, but the sword rung off the shield as though striking a gong, not slowing him in the least.
Sigurd hadn't even bothered drawing his sword. He rammed into the guard with the full force of his metal-clad body, the Tower shield caught his foe in the chest squarely! The bandit yelled as he flung back, stumbling on his feet in an effort to remain upright. He failed, though, and rolled without grace a full ten feet back from the Knight. Where he landed in a crumpled, groaning heap.
Meanwhile, Tar-Sul knelt down next to Zelas. With a wordless nod to the Wizardly sand-walker, he aided the man in tying the slumbering foes' hands together.
Sigurd attempts to Charge and Bullrush as a full-round action, with the intent to knock down.
Attack of Opportunity for bandit: (11:54:01) Minion: Shadoweagle rolls 1d20 and gets 16. Miss!
(11:53:16) Minion: Shadoweagle rolls 1d20 and gets 16.
+2 Charge bonus to Bullrush
+4 CMB
= 22 vs Bandit's CMD of 14
Hit!
Final bandit is knocked prone in the cavern.
The three sleeping bandits have been bound roughly by Zelas, with Tar-Sul's aid.
Quite a successful round! Round 2:
Val is up!