Rising Unrest [IC]

[jameswllorimer]

Ryar'Bett reacts quickly after checking the gnoll is still alive. A quick glance through the dappled light and the foliage shows that nothing has seen the outburst of violence. He quickly pulls a length of rope from his pack and binds the prone creature securely, then drags his unconscious form into a  nearby hollow. He scrabbles in the soft earth for a moment, and finds a suitable root and ties the rope to that as well, then returns to the edge of the dip, drawing a spear as he does so.

"And so to waiting once more..". A small smile plays across his lips as his Warden-Sergeant's words come to mind.

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Not sure if I need to make a check to bind the gnoll, let me know if I do. Ryar'Bett will return to watching the forest, taking 20 on Notice for 29 total, with a glance every few minutes to keep an eye on his prisoner.

[ludomastro]

Brindlglib spends much of the afternoon shadowing the stranger watching for unusual activities.  He is doing his best to avoid attention but begins to suspect that he's been had as the shadowy stranger tries to lose him in the sparse crowd.  It would appear that the chase is on.

After a bit of walking around town, Halsten notices that a small, well dressed gnome is following him.  One of those adventurers that came into town recently.  Are they looking for me?  He scans the town looking for an opportunity to lose the gnome.  Despite a few attempts, he can't quite pull it off.
Do I make a break for it?

Tavish continues to direct the makeshift redoubts and places of refuge.  He notices that Brindlglib has wandered off but figures that the little guy is really too small to be of much help.  When James returns, he leaves some of the older kids in charge of finishing the plans he has laid out and follows him back to Ryar'Bett.

The two adventurers no sooner meet up with Ryar'Bett, than the trio notices a gnoll patrol heading their way.

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Halsten spots Brindlglib.

Halsten tries to slip away from Brindlglib.

And Brindlglib stays right on him.

[ludomastro]

Tavish, Ryar'Bett and James all freeze when they notice the gnoll patrol.  After a moment of slow breathing, both James and Ryar'Bett notice that in addition to the visible patrol on the road, there are more gnolls in the forest.  Despite Tavish stepping on a twig, neither the patrol (who are closest) nor the others seem to hear it.

Soon the pack will be on top of the group.

---

Brindlglib is still shadowing the stranger who seems to have adopted an attitude of indifference.

Though the gnome is still following Halsten, he has had time to consider that the gnome is not trying to attack him.  Perhaps patience is the better strategy.

[Antilles]

James turns towards the others and points towards nearby bits of cover before using body language to indicate 'get down.' Waiting as long as he dares for the two to get into position, he moves out towards the gnolls just moments before they would've been able to spot the group. James holds his hands up and palms towards them, in a very intentional 'I carry no weapon, I am no threat to you' manner, before speaking in as calm and gentle voice as he can manage, [Catela] "I am James, and I wish to speak to you on behalf of the nearby village."

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Now, James has two goals here. If he can open peaceful talks with the gnolls, great. If not, he'll hopefully distract the gnolls long enough for his fellow party members to maneuver into advantageous positions to open up a can of asswhopping on them.

Also, while standing in the hands up, talking slowly position, can I ready an action? I'm not at all certain that they will not attack me, so if I could ready an action to anticipate the first person to attack me, that'd be great.

[jameswllorimer]

Ryar'Bett is almost taken aback as the habit-clad figure of James steps away from the protection of their group. [Xhosra, to himself quietly] "Courage, and duty. This man is worth watching."

As the monk steps forward, Ryar'Bett signals to the mage, who lies near him in cover, and with some gesticulating shows his intent to move towards the gnolls hiding further into the forest. He crouches low and shifts his weight forwards, balancing with his tail, before moving off through the foliage.

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Ryar'Bett will sneak (Result of 24) towards the second more hidden group and try and get into a position to strike from range, with a spear. He won't draw his weapon however until the last possible moment, in case he is surprised himself, but once in position will ready an action to do so.

[Catodon]

Meanwhile...

After following the stranger for a couple of hours Brindlglib decides a direct approach might be more fruitful. When the stranger stops to eat in a public place the little gnome approaches takes off his hat, smiles and twinkles [Catela] “I see my group are not the only strange faces here. Brindlglib Nibstitch is my name as you may know already.” After waiting for the stranger to introduce himself or not… “There is trouble in the country and human villagers can be suspicious folk,… no, no, I’m just saying. Anyway I am well thought of here and I’d thought I’d make a fellow traveller a kind offer, we could do with a little help shielding these simple folk. What do say?”

[ludomastro]

Two members of patrol ready their weapons and one starts toward James.
A slightly larger gnoll makes a slashing motion with his hand and says, [Najafo] "Ne mortofalcxi!  Li parolas koncerne la vilagxo."

"Claim you this predo?  Where pack-mates?  Bark quickly and fight!  Or are you packless-prey?"  His eyes gleam with hatred.

---

Ryar'Bett sees the hidden patrol stop and stare at the confrontation taking place between James and the patrol leader.  He has an unusual look on his face.

Out of the corner of his eye, Ryar'Bett also notices that the group in the tree-line aren't the only group drifting through the forest.  He focuses for a moment and realizes that there are at least four other groups that can be seen.

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@ James
The pack leader fails his intimidate.  Would you like to activate his error?

@ Ryar'Bett
The gnolls are more interested in James and the patrol than Ryar'Bett

To clarify, there are 4 extra groups, plus the one in the forest seen previously, plus the one on the road by James for a total of six.  RB would assume each has three gnolls for a total of 18 potential bad guys.

[Antilles]

"I need no pack to face the likes of you, gnoll." James replies in an derisive, almost sneering way as he lowers his hands and assume a rather casual stance. "Now, I need to speak to someone of real importance in your tribe, take me to them, please."

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Sure, I'll spend AD to activate his error. Only, instead of rendering me immune to his Intimidation attempts for the rest of the scene, can it instead make him look like a blustering prat in front of his packmates? He's itching for a fight, and I don't have the skillset to calm him down, so if/when a fight breaks out I'll try to make it a one-on-one duel between me and the leader rather than an all-out clusterfuck.

[ludomastro]

The other two gnolls take a step back and regard their leader carefully.  One with a look of curiosity and the other with a look of disdain.

The gnoll seems a little nervous or he would be if he were human.  James is fairly certain a predator shouldn't be swallowing quite so often.

Ryar'Bett and Tavish both notice that all moment has stopped with the groups in the woods.  They all seem intently focused on what is happening with James.

The other two gnolls take a further step back and put their weapons down.

The leader asks in a low growl, "You challenge me!?"

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@Antilles
I like that idea.  So be it.  He has lost face with his pack.  He knows it and is trying to get it back.

[Antilles]

James sighs and shakes his head a little in exasperation. [Catela] "I came here hoping to talk, find a peaceful solution, but I can see you won't listen to reason. Very well..." He assumes a traditional martial stance, legs wide, back straight and head held high (as if looking down upon his enemy), one hand held close to his side with a closed fist, the other stretched out towards his opponent, hand open and palm up. "If I have to beat you into the ground to get to someone worth talking to, so be it. Come!" The last part is said with the cockiest little smirk he can muster, as well as the traditional little wave with his fingertips, signalling his opponent to come at him if he dares.

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Since I don't actually have a proper stance, I was hoping I could treat it as a Taunt action instead, trying to get him so pissed off he'll forgo drawing his weapon and just rush me instead, trying to drop me as fast as possible. I'll also spend an AD on defense in any case, just for shits and giggles.
If allowed, Sense Motive for Taunt check: 1d20+9=12 Not good, but can't really spend an AD on it either, gotta save'em for the combat. How about a synergy bonus from Intimidate? That +2 bonus would come in real handy right about now...
+2 Defense for 1d6=6+1d6=1=7 rounds, not bad.

[ludomastro]

The gnoll's eyes narrow to small points.  James notices that it is almost as if red light is pouring out of them.  The gnoll barks to those around him and points to James, [Najafo] "Cxi tiu estas mia.  Ne interrompu!"

He begins to slide his axe free and then stops.  "No.  I hunt you like animal."  He then loosens his bola from his belt and begins the swirling motion needed for a good throw.  He obviously knows what he is doing.

The other gnolls begin to stream out of the woods barking to one another.  Bits of bone and what look like scraps of metal and perhaps a few coins are trading hands.

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I'd love to give it to you but I don't see Intimidate as appropriate here.  However, I will give you a +2 circumstance bonus as the gnoll just made an idiot of himself.

Unfortunately, he just makes the save.

(The red eye comment is from a Notice check.)


Initiative:
James - 19 (11 and 19)
Gnoll - 5

[Antilles]

James suddenly dashes towards the head gnoll, covering the distance faster than expected. He gets close enough to feel the gnoll's breath on his face, and for a moment he stares hard into the gnoll's eyes. Suddenly he begins to dodge an attack, almost before the gnoll has started to make it.

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Half Action: Standard Move right up to the gnoll.
Half Action: Anticipate the gnoll using Touch of Cool Waters trick: 1d20+9=19. Success, as the DC is maximum 16. I gain a +3 dodge bonus to Defense for 1 round, he suffers a -4 penalty to damage for 1 round, and I assume he's an adversary? If so, I gain 1 Edge.

Current Defense: 21

[ludomastro]

The gnoll's eyes widen at James' speed.  He swings wildly trying to use the bola as a whip but misses.  Barking, the gnoll drops the bola and throws a haymaker only to momentarily lose his footing.  His shoulders sag as he gathers himself and faces James again.

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His misses with the fist attack.
And he misses with his haymaker.
Fails an internal morale check.

---

The shadowy figure nods politely to Brindlglib.  "I'm listening.  What do you have in mind?"

[Antilles]

James mixes things up a little, by seemingly continuing defensive movements before suddenly jabbing two fingers into each of the gnoll's arms. Not directly harmful, but the sudden pain and slight swelling in the biceps hamper his movements ever so slightly, enough to perhaps give James a critical edge.

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Half Action: Anticipate vs. Gnoll using Touch of Cool Waters trick: 1d20+9=22. Same procedure as last round, now at 2 Edge.
Half Action: Standard Attack vs Gnoll using Cheap Shot trick (targeting Strength): 1d20+7=17, damage 1d3+4=7 subdual.

[ludomastro]

James has a moment of confusion come over him as he watches the gnoll.  Though the blows were solid strikes they weren't intended to do a lot of damage.  However, the look on his opponents face tells a very different story.  The blood drains out of his face as he looks past James.

The group clearly sees two impressive looking gnolls come into view.  One is riding a monstrously over-sized wolf and wearing what appears to be skull.  The other is fairly tall for compared to the other gnolls.  He stands proud but is clearly deferring to the older gnoll atop the wolf.

[Najafo] "Haltu!  Kio okazas cxi tie?"  The younger gnoll runs forward and throws his own axe to the gnoll engaged in combat with James.  Due to his arm wounds, he drops the awe.  He pales and tucks his tail even further between his legs.

The old gnoll pulls the skull down over his eyes and begins chanting.  James' antagonist begins to cower and finally throws himself forward as if to attack the elder.  He doesn't make it more than a few steps before he is beaten down by the remnants of the circle around the fight.  

Once this is done, the older gnoll begins speaking while the younger one translates.  "You are brave.  I am unsure about your companions in the wood but there is tactical sense to an ambush too.  Though we are too many.  Nonetheless, there was no need to fight this unworthy specimen."  He gestures to the fallen.  "He had fallen victim to the influence of the ..."

The younger is cut short by the older gnoll but then continues, "The village is ours but the inhabitants are not our prey.  Do not interfere and no one else needs come to harm.  We give you until sunset to remove the craven ones.  Then we come."

With that he barks a few words and the pack begins to march back toward the forest.

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Really not looking good for our furry friend.

I was planning something for this round anyway but I'll approach it slightly differently than before.  A less savory outcome for this gnoll, though.