Bunch of Tryshards, a
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Appearing =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Barclaiigh 4'5" 202 Lb Mountain Dwarf Male A thick tree-trunk of a dwarf. Wavy auburn hair, loose traveling clothes. Dolan 5'10" 174 Lb Human Male Brown-haired human with scars down his face. Shilde 4'4" 160 Lb Khazad-Aul Female Tall for a dwarf, long blonde hair in a thick braid, big blue eyes. Zofija 5'8" 225 Lb Hobgoblin Female A well-dressed Arvek-Nar with a big hammer. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= As the GM =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Whirlpool Otyugh -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
Most of the jobs assigned to members of the Guild of Explorers aren't terribly exciting. This one is no exception. The Resurrectionists are getting ready to do something, however, and numerous shipments have passed into the city. You've been hired to guard one such shipment on its way to its destination in the city, serving as wagon guards, more or less, for expensive components.
Presently, you're following a wagon loaded with a pair of very heavy crates, being lead by a ruddy, red horse and the wagon-driver, an elven man named Idori, who looks as tired as tired can be. Just a trip across the city. How hard can that be?
Porter is much-better behaved these days. He's had his growth spurt and the winter is through; he's not achy and tired all the time. The big black bear would probably empathize with the driver if he could. But who can empathize with elves? The animal strides heavily in the wake of the wagon to Barclaiigh's right, his paws glinting like the surface of the moon at their tips. His boiled leather armor rattles as he goes.
The Khazad-aul, meanwhile, is on the left flank of the wagon, out from behind where he can scan the street and walksways to that side. His breastplate looks like a weird amalgamation of darkwood and living flame and he carries his green-glowing spear like a walking stick.
"So y'all're sure y'ain't had no run-ins with werewolves, yeah? Cuz if I'm bein' honest I've had m'fill fer a bit..." he grumbles.
Zofija, meanwhile, was garbed in her usual uniform, hat and armor, atop of her dark brown griffon on the other side of the wagon very intentionally. She was awake and alert enough, but the travel was certainly dry business.
"I don't know about any werewolves." She grunts. Shoulda spoke up before we left, I would have brought something for them if we come across any."
"..were..what?" says the elf. "There are werewolves in the city?"
He stares ahead at his horse for a moment and then lets out a very weary sigh.
The wagon bumps a bit.
"... sure as shi... chutes there's a bit'a danged everythin'," Barclaiigh mumbles and nods. "But there're werewolves, too, darn-tootin'. Clackermoth has it out for th'dream lady," he tosses a sausage finger up towards the moon. "'n th'other fella. Grumpy black wyrm. Mountain'a th'Void... Daymoths." The Khazadi druid sniffs, clearly not an expert on gods; he probably worships dirt and rivers and trees. Forest folk. Ech.
Porter sways along behind the wagon, head bouncing to and fro. He occasionally lifts his head up to snort audibly; keeping a nose out. Or stray left and bump into Bar, earning a pat and some scritches beneath the armored plating.
Easy jobs sound good. When this one came along, Dolan fairly jumped at the chance, and now walks along to one side of the wagon, more trudging along than anything. He's shown a definite preference for being on the left of the wagon, his gaze roaming the treeline for anything amiss, although he snorts at the mention of werewolves. "What _isn't_ in Alexandria, my friend?" he asks. "Can't ever assume that something isn't there."
"I'm not surprised there's werewolves in the city. Hopefully not out in the forests, too." Zofi sighs. "As long as no one went parroting what's going on here to the world though, no one has much cause to concern themselves with a small traveling caravan down the road. Doesn't look worth pillaging, really. Still, best to be wary, so we don't get jumped by some desperate folks."
Speaking of were-wolves, Porter suddenly finds himself under assault from a shaggy, canine form.. a blur launching himself from the cobblestones on to the ursine's back. At the same time, a shout. "Oi! Rocky!" And there's Shilde, having managed to intercept the wagon and its escort.. looking none too pleased at her dog's skill with selective hearing.
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "Everyone make a perception roll :)" GAME: Zofija rolls perception: (15)+3: 18 GAME: Shilde rolls perception: (4)+11: 15 GAME: Barclaiigh rolls Perception: (3)+13: 16 GAME: Shilde rolls 1d20+7: (12)+7: 19 (Rocky) GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20+4: (10)+4: 14 (Screech) GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 1d20+6: (14)+6: 20 (Porter) GAME: Dolan rolls perception: (7)+8: 15
Good news, everyone!
Your trip through the city is going just fine for now. Sure, it's a little bumpy, but when isn't it? The streets are cobblestone and the wagon has wheels and all. It might be a bit less bumpy if the horse was pushing it, but then you'd just have the cart before the horse anyway.
You're being delayed now, however, by a group of kids playing a game in the street. You're having to wait for them to clear out. Your destination is a residential house in this quarter, after allw, and so winding your way down the streets is normal...
Still, Something doesn't feel quite right.
GAME: Dolan rolls intimidate+1: (10)+9+1: 20 <OOC> Whirlpool says, "Go ahead and pose accordingly, Dolan. You are very scary!"
Stopped. By children in the street. May Andelena forgive Dolan for this, because she'd give him an earful if she knew, and he now it. Sometimes, though, you've got to lay down the law if you want to get anywhere. "Hold on just a minute," he tells the elf, then strides out in front of the wagon, looking as big as possible and letting the light fall across the twisted ruin of the right side of his face. "Oy! Clear out and let the cart go by!" he growls, fixing each of them with both eyes in turn.
"Rocky! Y'danged scalawag!" Barclaiigh perks up, snapping his fingers at the dog and patting Porter's flank. The bear, unamused with his passenger, gives a little bellow and stands up onto his hind legs to dislodge the spelunking pupper. Which leaves the Khazadi wildman to catch the animal and look for Shilde. "Miss Shilde! Huh... h-hello!" he grins, goofily, as he pats the dog.
Porter, meanwhile, has settled his forepaws on the back of the wagon and considers the youths ahead. He snorts and coughs, swinging his nose up high to snuffle again.
The kids don't initially pay attention, but there's something about the look on Dolan's face that has them scurrying ot the sides of the street before long. All of them except one, anyway, who's now standing in the middle of the street and staring at the ruddy red horse, which knickers uncomfortably.
There's definitely something off about that kid, the way he's now looking right at Dolan instead. Unmoving.
"Gods, they're just a couple of kids, it's not like we own the streets we're traveling on." Zofi grumbles. "But, guess we do hae a ways to go and we need to make sure it's done. And, I can't say I feel completely at ease."
The arvek-nar sighs, and watches the children as she waits for them all to move. "Alright, wander off with your mates, we'll be through soon and you can go back to your business."
Ever wanted to see a flying dog? Well here's your chance! It doesn't last long, though, as the disobedient druid companion lands right beside Barclaiigh. He grins up at the druid, tongue lolling out in a puppy dog grin.. which he uses in an attempt to give Barclaiigh a proper puppy dog kiss before wriggling free and prancing over to Shilde's side.. another dwarf whose face might be going a bit red. Is it embarrassment? Then her eyes narrow as she looks sternly at the dog. Nope, not embarrassment. Her expression rather screams 'why I oughta' before she lets it go with a sigh. Some kids will never grow up. "Oi, Barker. Sorry'bout your bear. Rocky's dumb." As if that's an explanation for everything.
Speaking of kids, the yellow haired dwarf turns as Dolan dresses down the children somewhat barring the way. "Spose running 'em over's out of th'question. Dwarf kids learn t'stay out of th'way."
Dolan barely casts a glance backwards at the animal reunion, staring hard at the remaining kid with a stare that turns from threatening to worried. "Hey. Kid." His tone gentles, and he looks back at the others before approaching a step or two closer. "Hey. You okay?"
The Khazadi druid-- no, the other one!-- pats Porter to get his attention and points a calloused finger at the elven driver. "Lock," he offers in a voice easily an octave lower. The 'guard' command. The armored black bear does two quick hops and takes up the space Dolan has vacated, lifting his head to look at the tired Sil and chuff 'hello.' <khazdul>
"Awe, shucks miss, he's just excited. Porter felt his oats afore sleepin' the days away'n sproutin' like corn'n growin' season." Barclaiigh grins, his smile entirely unprofessional. But then Shilde is paying attention to the kids and he's cupping the back of his neck and looking away. He might've said 'garsh' under his breath.
"First time I broke m'nose was tryin' t'catch a full barrel onn'a my brothers sent rollin' at me. Yer right; learn real quick."
"They gave me a whole gold piece to hold you here," replies the kid. He pulls the crown from his pocket and holds it up.
"And I think that's probably my cue!"
...why are there so many rats pouring out of the gutters from all directions all of a sudden?
"He sure's gotten big," Shilde comments regarding Porter, then grins at the barrel story. Probably has a few of her own. But then her eyes narrow and the mirth is lost as the child's duplicity is discovered. "Rocky! Trouble!" The dog's hackles immediately raise as he rolls over and immediate lopes over to Shilde's side, teeth immediately baring at the rats as he emits a low, throaty growl.
"Why you little -" Dolan turns and swears colorfully when he sees the horde of rats coming from every direction, his human eye widening. "GET ON THE WAGON!" he roars at the kid, the leather harness he wears hitting the cobblestones of the street and steel flashing in the light of the mana lamps.
"Hope it ain't wererats..." Barclaiigh mutters, shook straight out of his awkward flirting. Yes, that's what that was, don't be mean. Porter rears back again and bellows, raising his arms up and out to present as big a form as he can manage on his hind legs. The damp mud beneath the cobbles squelches when he falls back down onto all fours.
The Khazadi hillbilly pulls his fetish out from under his breastplate, the boar's tusks and wooden Yggdrasil medallion clattering into view. "Folks git back! Filthy varmints can make y'mean sick!"
Zofi looks, and grunts when the kid is making their business known. "Hey, kid? You do realize that whoever is paying you to try and deal with this is more than likely happy to kill you after to keep it hushed up, gold or not. So, you best get into hiding, and tell us who paid you, if you don't want there to be trouble for you later."
"Taking advantage of children for dirty work." The Arvek-nar grumbles, taking her hammer off of her back. "I don't intend to be vermin food today."
"...that's a lot of rats," yelps the kid. He's getting ready to turn and run, and the other kids that had moved to the sides are *backing away*. The youngest one who held the whole thing up for the rats swarm to emerge does exactly as he's told: runs ot the wagon and hauls himself up on it becasue that's a lot more rats than he thought there would be. He's saying some unkid like things.
More rats are emerging. And then there's ... even louder chattering from a rooftop. Is that a rat-person?
...yes, yes it is. It's a rat person on the roof. With a crossbow. It's taking aim at the horse.
...he's not alone.
GAME: Dolan rolls knowledge/arcana: (20)+5+3: 28 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+5: (16)+5: 21 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d8: (6): 6 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+5: (20)+5: 25 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+5: (10)+5: 15 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d8: (7): 7
A second wererat emerges from the shadows on arooftop. It opens fire with its own crossbow, striking the wagondriver immediately with it. He slumps forward, gasping for air as his lung is punctured. Grievously wounded, the poor elf.
Another bolt strikes him a moment later and he slumps into unconsciousness, bleeding out badly. Seems like taking out the driver was the first part of their plan.
There's a chittering between them.
<OOC> Zofija says, "Guess I'll move to attack the small rats" GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20+6: (7)+6: 13 GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20+3: (13)+3: 16 GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20-2: (8)+-2: 6 GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20-2: (1)+-2: -1 (EPIC FAIL) <OOC> Zofija says, "first is a nonmagical bludgeoning, second is nonmagical piercing bite" GAME: Zofija rolls 2d6+4: (8)+4: 12 GAME: Zofija rolls 1d6+: (4)+: 4 <OOC> Whirlpool says, "Okay. The bludgeoning is more succesful than the piercing."
"And it was supposed to be a simple job, too." Zofi grumbles as she spurs the griffon she was riding to meet the incoming rats. The hammer swings in a wide underhand arc, sending some of them flying with the movement, while Screech snaps up several of them and tosses them aside, but many of them get up and wander around, dazed but unharmed. The griffon looks confused. "They aren't normal rats!" She warns the others. Hit em with something heavy, their hides don't seem to puncture easy."
<OOC> Barclaiigh says, "Will have Porter 'attack' the rat swarm on the left side of the wagon. Then Bar will climb up and cast CLW on the driver." GAME: Barclaiigh casts Cure Light Wounds. Caster Level: 5 DC: 16 GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 1d8+5: (4)+5: 9 GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 1d20+8: (9)+8: 17 GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 1d20+8: (20)+8: 28 GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 1d20+8: (4)+8: 12 <OOC> Barclaiigh says, "Bite is B,P,S, and claw is B,S. So should do full damage. His natural attacks are also silvered." GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 1d8+6: (5)+6: 11 GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 1d6+6: (4)+6: 10
"Dang it... distracted lookin' all moon-eyed at a purdy..." Barclaiigh isn't away he's speaking out loud as he climbs up into the wagon. He stops at shotgun and barks at Porter: 'Kill' in Khazdul with a finger thrust at the closest swarm. Then he has the tusks in hand, muttering in the druid cant and setting warm healing magics into the wounded sil. His sausage fingers glow briefly like the noonday sun.
Porter, meanwhile, snaps and bats at the swarm, sending dozens of rats through the air broken and in pieces. He roars, pauses, and cacks to one side. A slimey, deflated clump of once-rat goes tumbling away.
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "Dolan: these swarms can be damaged by regular weapons, But they take less." <OOC> Whirlpool says, "You can ascend to take it to the wererats. That'd be an athletics roll." <OOC> Whirlpool says, "They're on the rooftops, but climbing up to face them is absolutely viable." GAME: Dolan rolls athletics: (12)+5: 17 <OOC> Whirlpool says, "You run for the house and then vault yourself up, grab the end of the roof and go up over it easily!" GAME: Dolan casts Magic Weapon. Caster Level: 2 DC: 14
Dolan, meanwhile, seeing that the child is out of harm's way, takes another tack. Those two - up there. They're the ones responsible for this. He looks briefly back at the wounded sil, but there's not much he can do for him now, so instead, he rgrabs the harness and re-fastens it, then reaches for the sunburst at his neck. "Holy Knight, call down your might upon those that threaten the innocent!"
The blade at his back glows with a sunlit warmth, but he cannot see it, instead takes off running for the edge of the house on which the wererats stand. A leap, grab. and pull that leaves his arms burning and his mind suddenly grateful for all the training days of seemingly endless strength work, and he rolls onto and to his feet on the roof, facing the two rats. "You little shits."
GAME: Shilde casts Call Lightning. Caster Level: 5 DC: 16 GAME: Shilde rolls 1d20+5: (10)+5: 15 (Rocky attack) <OOC> Shilde says, "Rocky misses."
Shilde points at the rats with her left hand, growling "Get 'em!" to her dog.. and as Rocky pounces upon the target rich environment, her right hand grasps the token secured upon the corde of her neck. As she chants, individual strands of hair start to slowly spread out and rise, and there is a building pressure in the air..
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "RAT SWARMS crawl all over porter and Zof!" GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d6: (6): 6 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d6: (1): 1 GAME: Zofija rolls fortitude: (9)+6: 15 GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 1d20+7: (13)+7: 20
The swarms are ... swarm. Rats are crawling all over Porter, all over Zofija and Rocky too!
Compelled to attack, no doubt, by the wererats above, they're eager to chomp and chew, gnashing their terrible tiny teeth in their direction.
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "A wererat draws a sword and leaps at Dolan, shocked yb how quickly he made it to the rooftop." <OOC> Whirlpool says, "The other reloads their crossbow and takes a shot at him." GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+5: (6)+5: 11 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+5: (4)+5: 9
The wererats are caught off guard. One's jaw hangs open as Doland plants themselves there and it swiftly draws a rapier, springing into action, dark fur bristling as it lunges. Dolan is easily able to avoid the strike, and in doing so, ducks under the crossbow bolt too.
Meanwhoile, the wagoneer is stirring back to consciousness. He was badly injured and he's no doubt shocked to be alive. There are a couple of bolts in him, after all.
GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20+6: (14)+6: 20 GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20+3: (6)+3: 9 GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20-2: (4)+-2: 2 GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20-2: (8)+-2: 6 GAME: Zofija rolls 2d6+4: (8)+4: 12 (nonmagical bludgeoning)
Zofi is going bowling for rats it seems, as she sends another swing through the bodies after she throws the ones on her off. Many are sent flying, and the remainder seem to scamper off. "You big ones are next, and I won't go easier on you either." She grunts, pointing the giant mallet at them.
Screech is having much less luck, hampered by the biting bodies, but they are still successful! or feel succesful, at least.
GAME: Barclaiigh casts Call Lightning. Caster Level: 5 DC: 18 GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 1d20+8: (11)+8: 19 GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 1d20+8: (19)+8: 27 GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 1d20+8: (13)+8: 21 GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 1d8+6: (8)+6: 14 GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 1d6+6: (1)+6: 7 GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 1d6+6: (1)+6: 7
The wavy, auburn hair of the portly dwarfly begins to stand on end in much the same fashion as Shilde's. Barclaiigh holds onto the teeth and chants, his voice turning guttural as clouds begin to swirl and assemble overhead.
The black bear, meanwhile, continues to stand, swat, slam, bite, claw, and backhand through the writhing swarms of the rats. They continue to fly through the air and bounce lifeless and near-death across the cobbles or against the nearby walls.
<OOC> Dolan says, "Magic Weapon / Power Attack" GAME: Dolan rolls weapon1+1-1: (19)+6+1+-1: 25 (THREAT) GAME: Dolan rolls weapon1+1-1: (13)+6+1+-1: 19 (Confirmed) GAME: Dolan rolls 2d6+4+1+2d6+4+1: (6)+4+1+(9)+4+1: 25 <OOC> Dolan says, "Not as silver."
The leather of the harness goes over the side of the building to fall into a heap on the cobblestones, and Dolan brings the blade around, nimbly dodging the crossbow bolt and bringing the massive greatsword to bear, letting the smaller rapier skitter off of it. "My turn." He reverses it and brings it screaming down into the wererat. Blood sprays in every direction, showering the Daeusite and the roof itself as it opens a bone-deep gash from shoulder to hip.
<OOC> Shilde will call lightning down on the archer, and Rocky will attack rats if there are more. GAME: Shilde rolls 3d6: (17): 17 <OOC> Whirlpool says, "Plenty of rats. Roll it." <OOC> Shilde says, "Reflex save for half. DC 16" GAME: Shilde rolls 1d20+5: (4)+5: 9
Rocky continues to frolick amongst the rats, though it looks more like he's trying to bat them around with his paws than actually catch one in his teeth. Maybe recent experiences have soured his taste of rat.
Shilde complete her ritual.. when her eyes open, they glow slightly, almost like there might be a miniature storm inside them. Her gaze falls upon the remaining crossbow armed ratman... and with a gesture, a jagged line of light briefly splits the sky vertically, centered on the Ratman. It is accompanied by a loud CLAP, and moments later by the smell of ozone.
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d6: (4): 4 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d6: (1): 1 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d6: (1): 1 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d6: (6): 6 <OOC> Whirlpool says, "Barc, porter, zof and rocky need to make fort saves as rats pour in!" GAME: Barclaiigh rolls Fortitude: (20)+7: 27 (CRITICAL SUCCESS) GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 1d20+7: (10)+7: 17 (Porter Fort) GAME: Shilde rolls 1d20+6: (16)+6: 22 (Rocky Fort) <OOC> Whirlpool says, "Rats are now on the horse, which is panicking, and barc and the driver" <OOC> Shilde says, "Whirl, Ratman Crossbow needs to make a reflex save DC 16 vs. 17 damage." GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+7: (11)+7: 18 (Reflex for ratman, Evasion) <OOC> Whirlpool says, "Okay. One were rat backs the fuck away from Dolan because ow, and throws a t anglefoot bag at hiom instead!" <OOC> Whirlpool says, "The other is zapped by lightning and turns his attention on Shilde." GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+5: (15)+5: 20 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d8: (5): 5 GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+5: (14)+5: 19 <OOC> Whirlpool says, "ref save from Dolan." GAME: Dolan rolls reflex: (7)+1: 8 <OOC> Whirlpool says, "Dolan is stuck to the rooftop at the moment!" <OOC> Whirlpool says, "He can tear or cut himself free on his action."
Realizing it's outmatched, given that its *gushing blood everywhere*, the wererat confronted by Dolan ditches his sword with a clank as it falls from his hands, down the rooftop and to the ground below, before drawing a thin, cloth satchel that he *hurls* at Dolan. it splatters all over him, hardening into a terrible kind of glue. Tanglefoot.
It chitters madly darting down the rooftop to leap to another one, a call to its comrade.
GAME: Dolan rolls sense motive: (9)+10: 19 GAME: Shilde rolls sense motive: (16)+3: 19 GAME: Barclaiigh rolls Sense Motive: (15)+5: 20 GAME: Zofija rolls sense motive: (10)+1: 11
The rats are coming to the realization that this group is WAY too much for them. They're getting ready to flee. Dolan's big hit really rattled the fuck out of the were rat.
The other were rat quickly throws another alchemical object down towards the ground. It BOOMS loudly with an explosive pop, which startles the horse -- which was already getting increasingly spooked by the rat swarm, what, and stomping its hooves..
GAME: Barclaiigh rolls Handle Animal: (17)+8: 25 <OOC> Whirlpool says, "Barc manages to keep the horse from bolting." GAME: Shilde rolls fortitude: (5)+7: 12 GAME: Shilde rolls 1d20+6: (18)+6: 24 <OOC> Whirlpool says, "Shilde is temporarily deafened!" <OOC> Whirlpool says, "The swarms are weakened and scattered, and the thunderstone probably killed a few with a shock xD"
Whatever the first rat said to the second seems to've had an impact. A quick nod from the rat-man and it draws a small, brown disc from the belt pouch it has on its waist and throws it towards the earth. It shatters with a loud pop that spooks the horse, kills a few rats, and deafens Shilde. Loud.
Seems running is their plan.
Meanwhile, the spooked horse is able to be held onto by Barclaiigh, preventing it from lurching too far forward, or worse, out of control. The boy screams loudly, bleeding from his ears.
<OOC> Zofija says, "then I'll hit the rat swarms" GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20+6: (13)+6: 19
... to be continued...
Combatty
===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 1 =====================
---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
23 wererat 2 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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23 Wererat 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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19 Zofija 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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17 Barclaiigh 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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13 Dolan 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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13 Shilde 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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3 Rat Swarms
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