PrP: Rapid Reaction Force
Log Info
- Title: Rapid Reaction Force
- Emitter: Benthus
- Characters: Nuanna (Inq4) Curugorm (Ftr1/Rog1) Aevarr (Inq3) Korrani (Rgr3)
- Place: Somewhere between Rune and Dran border.
- Time: Nov 29, 2014
- Summary: Adventurers are called upon to save a group of Rune scouts that are under attack by a large Dranei force.
- APL: 3
- Encounter 1: 15x orcs (cr1/3), CR5
(Start of the scene)
In one of the command tents of a Rune garrison, a situation is developing.
"Sir, one of our forward scouts has spotted a large Dranei force crossing our border."
"Which group of scouts are you talking about?"
"Team Aegis Light, sir?"
"What’s their current status?"
"The enemy units are dangerously close to their position, sir. Relayed messages indicated that the enemy forces came out of nowhere. They managed to evade detection for now, but not for long."
"Tell them to withdraw from the location immediately."
"Relaying message... (Five minutes later) Sir, Team Aegis Light requests to continue monitoring the enemy unit’s movement."
"Request denied. Tell them to get him and his team out of there immediately. That’s an order."
"Relaying message... (Five minutes later) Sir, Team Aegis Light has been discovered... They are under attack."
"What is our closest asset nearest to the site?"
"Strike team Ignite is thirty minutes from area of objective."
"They won’t be there in time. I want an immediate response team there now!"
"Sir... Alexandrian Mercs are on standby and can be dropped on site by our teleporter mages. But they are expensi--"
"Do it now! My son is in that team!"
You and your companions are passing time in your tent when a messenger arrives with high priority orders to extract Rune soldiers engaged against hostile Dranei forces. You are called upon to move immediately as every second counts.
As you were already prepared for an immediate response, you and your companions set forth to the designated staging point. You get more information as you hustle your way to your location. There are four people you need to extract alive. SF Visage, Malarkey, Obis and Costanza. They are being pursued through hilly terrain so movement can be a problem. Your mage in charge of transportation is going to drop you from a high elevation. Special devices on you will activate to slow your decent as soon as you get near ground level. You are to make safe the scouts at all cost. Failure would result in no pay. Intelligence on the Dranei forces is sketchy. Only recurring description is that they are many. You wanted to learn more, but the mage has already begun casting the spell that will drop you near the site of scrimmage. You brace yourself against the side effects of teleportation. Your vision begins to distort and you feel like you innards are being pulled out of your mouth, experiences that you undergone before.
Your vision regains clarity and you find yourself suddenly falling from a relatively high altitude. In the brief moment that you were free-falling, you had the presence of mind to look all around you. You manage to spot what looks like a platoon of oruchs rushing up a stony hill. Ahead of them are three men, one of which is carrying another on his shoulder, while the other is providing suppressive fire with his bow and arrow. The gap is getting really close. It is then that your decent deceleration apparatus begins to kick in and nearly knocks the air out of your lungs. You resist going to G-lock and barely managed to keep yourself on your feet on landing. Still suffering from the lingering effects of g-force your body undertook, you begin to head in the direction where the fleeing scouts are heading. After several steps you regain full control of your faculties and begin sprinting.
Noting the layout of the terrain during your free-fall, you noticed a small choke point to which the scouts were heading. Whether the scout team were intentional heading to this area or not, you proceeded to this location to intercept the hostile forces pursuing them and establish dominance in that strategic spot.
You manage to get there before anyone could come into view. You set yourselves to the side of the choke point, setting up your ambush. You control your breathing, sacrificing a bit of the adrenaline rush that is coursing through your system. You control your need for action, knowing that leaving your position would result in you and your companions getting overwhelmed and lose not only the mission but your lives. You wait for the scouts to pass through the narrow opening that is your choke point, knowing that everything hinges on them making it this far. You wait for what feels like hours. And then you can hear their approach. Only two of the scouts managed to get through the pass, one carrying the other over his shoulder.
It's time to close the gate.
GAME: Curugorm rolls initiative: Roll: 7 + Bonus: 8 = Total: 15 GAME: Nuanna rolls initiative: Roll: 11 + Bonus: 7 = Total: 18 GAME: Aevarr rolls initiative: Roll: 6 + Bonus: 9 = Total: 15 GAME: Korrani rolls initiative: Roll: 13 + Bonus: 4 = Total: 17 GAME: You roll initiative for Dranei Forces: Roll: 15 + Bonus: 0 = Total: 15
===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 1 =====================
---Init--Name----------------Notes--------------------------------------------
18 Nuanna Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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17 Korrani Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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15 Dranei Forces
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15 Curugorm Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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15 Aevarr Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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<OOC> Nuanna says, "would cast two spells just they approach then, first Bless, duration 1 min/level so 4 min. the second is flames of the faithful which is 1 rd/level so 4 rounds and that will be last minute just as they get close, does that work?"
Nuanna manages to keep from yelling out in excitement at the free fall, after all they don't want to give away their position and the fact they are there a head of time. She actually has to stick her hands over her mouth to keep quite towards the end. After landing she moves into position with the others and then takes a moment to cast a few spells. First she calls on the blessings of Reos, and a glow spread to all her allies, blessing them with accuracy and resisting fear. And then as she hears them getting close, she casts another, calling on Reos and a glowing rune appears on her dragonspitter and flames dance along the barrel. GAME: Nuanna casts Bless. Caster Level: 4 DC: 14 GAME: Nuanna casts Flames of the Faithful. Caster Level: 4 DC: 15
Curugorm is a bit lost following everything going on, getting caught up in the motion and all, but he understands people are in need, and he's here to help. He stands by the side of the gap, where we're supposed to ambush the enemy, and readies his weapon, a pole arm, which oought to give him a good coverage through the area. "Weren't there supposed to be more?" he asks, seeing only the two allies rush through.
Aevarr really does not like falling, but he likes hitting the ground hard even less, so he can tolerate the former. He moves with the others to the very tempting ambush point and sets himself into a suitable hiding spot. Perhaps inspired by Korrani, or his dislike of catching axes with his face, he's readied his own bow. "There were more at one time," he comments absently to Curugorm.
Nope. Korrani isn't liking this one bit. Not the sudden teleport. The talk of no pay if just one person doesn't make it. And by the Gods, definitely not the part where they all get dropped from the sky with no wings and a prayer that the belts they gave were tested and functioning correctly. Once she's on the ground and has her senses back, she begins silently sprinting to the choke point to try and get a lead on the scouts. She slides behind a rocky protected spot and draws her bow, readying an arrow and trying to catch her breath. She takes one deep breath through her nose, holds it, and slowly exhales to get her heart rate down as she watches for the incoming forces.
GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 18.
It is now Nuanna's turn! Korrani is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Nuanna ended. <OOC> Nuanna says, "activate judgement of destruction and shoot closest with my pistol. pbs," GAME: Nuanna rolls ranged+1+1+1-2: (15)+8+1+1+1+-2: 24 GAME: Nuanna rolls 1d6+1+1+2+1d6: (4)+1+1+2+(3): 11
Nuanna takes a position up next to Curugorm and watches as they enemy comes closer. "You have made a mistake, Reos will judge you and find you wanting. Face destruction." she raises that pistol still with the glowing rune and flames along the barrel. She fires, the bullet sailing towards the oncoming foe, flaming as it does and glowing a little with divine energy as well. The bullet strikes and takes the forerunner down bleeding, well maybe not the flames probably searing the wound.
GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 17.
It is now Korrani's turn! Curugorm is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Korrani ended. <OOC> Korrani says, "Going to shoot the closest person to the scouts with PBS Rapid shot" GAME: Korrani rolls weapon6+2+1-2: (4)+8+2+1+-2: 13 GAME: Korrani rolls weapon6+2+1-2: (4)+8+2+1+-2: 13 GAME: Korrani rolls 1d8+2: (4)+2: 6 GAME: Korrani rolls 1d8+2: (8)+2: 10
Korrani closes one eye and squints through the other, trying to get a bead on the next two closest oruchs in pursuit. She releases an arrow and is already reaching for another arrow as the first opponent falls. She adjusts her aim a tick and lets fly another arrow. Thunk! The pursuing Dranei crumples forward.
GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 15.
It is now Curugorm's turn! Aevarr is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Curugorm ended. <OOC> Curugorm says, "If none of them are close, I'll ready to hit the first one I can."
Curugorm is ready, with his lucerne hammer ready to plunge into the first enemy to come through the gap. Seeing two fall, he smiles to Nuanna, "Well done."
GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 15.
It is now Aevarr's turn! Dranei Forces is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Aevarr ended. <OOC> Aevarr will pop up and fire on the next closest one. GAME: Aevarr rolls ranged+1: (13)+4+1: 18 GAME: Aevarr rolls 1d8+1+3: (6)+1+3: 10
Aevarr stands up from his cover and takes aim on the next volunteer in line. He looses and catches the target solid, dropping it in mid-step. "Nice shots," he now comments to Korrani and Nuanna.
GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 14.
It is now Dranei Forces' turn! Nuanna is next!
The Dranei orcs do their best to climb up hill, but the sudden appearance of reinforcements and the immediate casualties on their side has made them slow their accent. Some get knocked back by dead oruchs who fall on them, and others begin hunker down in some of the rocky ledges to avoid being made arrow porcupines...
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Benthus advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 18.
It is now Nuanna's turn! Korrani is next!
<OOC> Nuanna says, "fire again." GAME: Nuanna rolls ranged+1+1+1: (4)+8+1+1+1: 15 GAME: Nuanna rolls 1d6+1+1+2+1d6: (4)+1+1+2+(3): 11
Nuanna lets lose with another shot at the oncoming horde. A little easier since they are just a bit closer this time. The flaming bullet hurls into the chest of the oruch and drops it.
GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 17.
It is now Korrani's turn! Curugorm is next!
<OOC> Korrani says, "PBS and rapid shot on two more of the closest orcs" GAME: Korrani rolls weapon6+2+1+1-2: (7)+8+2+1+1+-2: 17 GAME: Korrani rolls weapon6+2+1+1-2: (14)+8+2+1+1+-2: 24 GAME: Korrani rolls 1d8+2+1: (1)+2+1: 4 GAME: Korrani rolls 1d8+2+1: (2)+2+1: 5
With a new arrow already notched, Korrani shoots one of the oruchs. It goes down in a tumble. "Thanks," Korrani comments to Aevarr. No sooner does she say this than she messes up her second shot. The arrow bites into one oruch's shoulder, but it keeps charging. "Damn," she mutters.
GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 15.
It is now Curugorm's turn! Aevarr is next!
Curugorm holds action.
GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 15.
It is now Aevarr's turn! Dranei Forces is next!
<OOC> Aevarr continues to try and make arrow porcupines. :) GAME: Aevarr rolls ranged+1: (15)+4+1: 20 GAME: Aevarr rolls 1d8+1+3: (5)+1+3: 9
"Don't worry, my dear..." Aevarr begins to re-assure Korrani after her target is only wounded, but pauses to sink another of his own arrows into another politely-catching oruch who falls afterwards. "...There doesn't seem to be an immediate shortage of targets."
GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 14.
It is now Dranei Forces' turn! Nuanna is next!
<OOC> Benthus says, "The two nearest Dranei orc moves up the hill to engage the front liners. Several more gather behind them but can't do much due to the choke point." <OOC> Benthus says, "AoO, please." GAME: Curugorm rolls 1d20+6: (12)+6: 18 GAME: Curugorm rolls 1d12+4: (6)+4: 10 <OOC> Benthus says, "Do you have short haft?" <OOC> Benthus says, "One gets passed your weapon's minimum effective range. Action?" <OOC> Curugorm says, "Step back 5 and hit it?" GAME: Curugorm rolls 1d20+6: (12)+6: 18 GAME: Curugorm rolls 1d12+4: (6)+4: 10 <OOC> Benthus says, "The remaining orcs, draw out javelins and attack the nearest target: Nuanna."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | Name | Race | Class |E Lev| CHP | HP | AC |CMD |For |Ref |Wil | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |Aevarr |HUMAN |Inq | 3 | 16 | 16 | 21 | 18 | 4 | 3 | 6 | |Curugorm |WILD_ELF |Ftr/Rog | 2 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 5 | 6 | 1 | |Korrani |HALF-ORC |Rgr | 3 | 26 | 26 | 20 | 19 | 5 | 7 | 3 | |Nuanna |GOBLIN |Inq | 4 | 28 | 28 | 20 | 16 | 6 | 5 | 7 | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+1: (6)+1: 7 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+1: (7)+1: 8 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+1: (8)+1: 9 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+1: (2)+1: 3 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+1: (6)+1: 7 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+1: (11)+1: 12 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+1: (2)+1: 3
Curugorm manages to catch one of the charging enemies with his lucerne hammer, the complicated head used in it's spear role to impale the fellow rushing in forward. Another fellow gets past him, but he backpedals furiously and swings the huge pole, using the crosswise point to nail the fellow. The leverage he gets with the long weapon drives him to the ground, where he lies motionless.
The first two oruchs made it to the mouth of the gap but none make it any further. The rest switch to range weapon and begin hurtling a volley of javelins at Nuanna. It either hits the side of the gap, or doesn't even get further up the slope.
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Benthus advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 18.
It is now Nuanna's turn! Korrani is next!
<OOC> Nuanna says, "will shoot one of the ones that just threw a javelin at me." GAME: Nuanna rolls ranged+1+1+1: (7)+8+1+1+1: 18 GAME: Nuanna rolls 1d6+1+1+2+1d6: (3)+1+1+2+(3): 10
Nuanna blinks, "Hey now, no goblin pincushions." she stammers as the javelins go flying by her and she takes the moment to raise her pistol and fire another flaming bullet, that drops another of their foes.
GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 17.
It is now Korrani's turn! Curugorm is next!
<OOC> Korrani says, "Rapid shot too more times. PBS" GAME: Korrani rolls weapon6+2+1+1-2: (9)+8+2+1+1+-2: 19 GAME: Korrani rolls weapon6+2+1+1-2: (6)+8+2+1+1+-2: 16 GAME: Korrani rolls 1d8+2+1: (1)+2+1: 4 GAME: Korrani rolls 1d8+2+1: (1)+2+1: 4
Two more arrows fly towards the oncoming oruch's. Only one falls to Korrani's arrows. "Yep. Still plenty more," she sighs.
GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 15.
It is now Curugorm's turn! Aevarr is next!
<OOC> Curugorm says, "OK, I'll 5' back to my starting place and ready to attack again."
Curugorm finds his lack of opponents a relief, and he hurries back to his position guarding the gap, standing ready with his polearm to strike down more enemies.
GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 15.
It is now Aevarr's turn! Dranei Forces is next!
GAME: Aevarr rolls ranged+1: (4)+4+1: 9
Aevarr takes a shot at one of the running oruchs, but mis-times the shot and hits the ground where it was, not is.
GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 14.
It is now Dranei Forces' turn! Nuanna is next!
<OOC> Benthus says, "Again, two more orcs make it up to the mouth. Curugorm, AoO please." GAME: Curugorm rolls 1d20+6: (7)+6: 13 GAME: Curugorm rolls 1d12+4: (9)+4: 13 <OOC> Benthus says, "One more orc gets near you." <OOC> Curugorm says, "I will backup on my turn, then"
Curugorm's defense is successful once again at defending the gap, dropping another oruch as he pushes through, though another goes by as he's spearing the first. "How many are left?" he asks worriedly.
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Benthus advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 18.
It is now Nuanna's turn! Korrani is next!
<OOC> Nuanna says, "5' step back, shoot one of the other orcs in range, leaving that one for Curugorm." GAME: Nuanna rolls ranged+1+1+1: (12)+8+1+1+1: 23 GAME: Nuanna rolls 1d6+1+1+2+1d6: (5)+1+1+2+(1): 10
Nuanna blinks as one of the oruchs gets close she moves back just a little and shoots at one of the others with a flaming bullet. It drops that orc as well but just after that there is a pitter and the flames and run on the pistol vanish.
GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 17.
It is now Korrani's turn! Curugorm is next!
<OOC> Korrani says, "Rapid shot PBS :)" GAME: Korrani rolls weapon6+2+1+1-2: (5)+8+2+1+1+-2: 15 GAME: Korrani rolls weapon6+2+1+1-2: (15)+8+2+1+1+-2: 25
GAME: Korrani rolls 1d8+2+1: (2)+2+1: 5 GAME: Korrani rolls 1d8+2+1: (7)+2+1: 10 GAME: Curugorm's initiative total changed to 14.
Korrani keeps unleashing a hail of arrows rapidly on the oncoming oruch's, laying more cover fire than targeting kills. She fells one, and another keeps coming. "...not enough time to line up shots," she curses.
GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 15.
It is now Aevarr's turn! Dranei Forces is next!
<OOC> Aevarr will try and finish off the wounded one. <OOC> Benthus says, "Roll it." GAME: Aevarr rolls ranged+1: (3)+4+1: 8
"Don't worry, "I've got this..." Aevarr traverses to aim at the one Korrani winged... or only in his general vicinity as the loosed arrow flies well wide.
GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 14.
It is now Dranei Forces' turn! Curugorm is next!
<OOC> Benthus says, "Orc nearest Curugorm and Nuanna attacks Curugorm..." GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+5: (13)+5: 18 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d12+4: (4)+4: 8 GAME: You damaged Curugorm for 8 points. 12 remaining. <OOC> Benthus says, "Okay, two more orcs go up the hill." <OOC> Benthus says, "AoO, Curugorm." GAME: Curugorm rolls 1d20+6: (5)+6: 11
Two more oruchs make it to the mouth of the gap and begin attacking the defenders there. Curugorm gets hit by one of their great axes...
GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 14.
It is now Curugorm's turn! Nuanna is next!
<OOC> Curugorm says, "Back up 5 and stick the guy in my face" GAME: Curugorm rolls 1d20+6: (5)+6: 11
Curugorm gahs as he's struck by the oruch weapon, sparks struck against his mail as he winces in pain. He's waving his weapon more than attacking with it, and he can't seem to make it hurt people. "This is where plans fail, yes?" he shouts worriedly.
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Benthus advances the initiative order.
Round Five - Init 18.
It is now Nuanna's turn! Korrani is next!
<OOC> Benthus says, "Two more orcs in melee range, Nuanna." <OOC> Nuanna says, "drop my pistol and attack with my heavy mace on one of them." GAME: Nuanna rolls melee+1: (8)+4+1: 13 GAME: Nuanna rolls 1d6+2: (3)+2: 5
Nuanna drops her pistol as the oruchs get closer and she whacks one of the close ones with her mace, dropping it as it had been wounded already.
GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
Round Five - Init 17.
It is now Korrani's turn! Aevarr is next!
<OOC> Korrani says, "Firing two more shots. Hopefully better than earlier" GAME: Korrani rolls weapon6+2+1+1-2: (12)+8+2+1+1+-2: 22 GAME: Korrani rolls weapon6+2+1+1-2: (19)+8+2+1+1+-2: 29 GAME: Korrani rolls 1d8+2+1: (5)+2+1: 8 GAME: Korrani rolls 1d8+2+1: (5)+2+1: 8
Korrani takes the time to line up her shots this time. Each one is released as she holds her breath. Each arrow finds its mark and drops an oruch.
The last two dead oruchs finally routed the remaining Dranei forces, causing them to drop their weapons and scramble fast down the hill. Some tumble down the rocky hill in their haste to not get killed by those guarding the gap on top.
Aevarr is prepared to loose another arrow when the oruchs decide they've had enough fun running uphill to die tired. "Well, it seems the chase is off. Should we see to our rescuees?"
Nuanna blinks a little, "Well I expected a little more than that." she picks up her pistol and looks around. She blinks and moves over to the scouts, "Here let me help." she says as she moves to heals the critical scout.
As the orcs retreat, Curugorm says, "Ah, I was getting worried there. I guess they'd finally had enough?" The question isn't directed to anyone in particular, and he's watching the approach like a hawk to see if they're trying to approach by stealth when open assault has failed.
Korrani slides her bow over her shoulder. "Well, that was tense, but went off well. Except for the part where we're missing some of our scouts," she sighs as she rises slowly to a stand.
Nuanna looks over at the others, "Well done everyone." she says and then gives attention back to the wounded scouts using what blessings she has to stabilize them for returning back to Rune.
Curugorm sees that the enemy is not simply regrouping, or at least has backed off a little ways, and takes a rag to clean off his weapon, which is mostly a shaft with a lot of bits at one end and needs a bit of elbow grease to get all the gore off it. He winces a little as he speaks, and says, "Yes, well done. You guys were taking the apart pretty handily. Hopefully the rest of the war goes this well?" He's never been in a war before, so he's got no basis for comparison. But he's forthright, at least.
"It'd doubtful," Aevarr points out to Curugorm. "This was just a skirmish, and we had the advantage. Wars are messy, bloody, and often profitable affairs... but they're never easy nor go well."
Curugorm nods slowly to Aevarr, and looks over at the two we'd saved. "I thought there were more of you. Where are the others?" He's hoping they went another way, or got away somehow. It'll mean finding them, but that's better than the alternative.
Korrani walks over to the others, looking over their injuries. "Yes, I thought there were at least four that we were told about," she adds.
Aevarr keeps an eye on their surroundings, just in case, but he remains conversational. "I hope that they managed to escape and evade, for their sake. The oruchs didn't seem much in a mood for prisoners."
The scout leader replies. "Killed in action. One died during the start of the skirmish. The other died trying to buy us some time."
Curugorm looks between Aevarr and Korrani, but it seems she's not taking any of the talk about these oruchs personally. Maybe it's true that it's a regional thing rather than a racial thing? He winces as the scout leader replies with the bad news, but nods grimly. "Then let's get you two out of here and back to ... where you belong." Because we're not taking them home, are we? Just back to their camp? "Er, which way do we go?"
Nuanna nods, "Well lets get you out of here now that you are stable." she looks around to the others and then back.
Location to the nearest settlement is not too far. This was probably the intended target by the Dranei forces. Heading to this settlement would be the first port of call.
(End of Plot)