Aubrey's Wrath of the Righteous (Inactive)

Game Master Aubrey the Malformed

"You look a little wet behind the ears to be one of the Horned Lord's followers," sneers the tiefling at Sol. "I'm surprised you passed the initiation. How did you endure the trial?"

Knowledge (Religion), DC 15:

know bardic: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

"Standing on one foot," Sol exclaims scornfully. "How do you think I did?"

this is headed south fast. Looks like we're headed for Mulluq mode.

You could always try an Intimidate, which would be appropriate with that response.

OK. But I'm just as happy to get to Mulluq mode.

intimidate: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

The tiefling flinches. "Alright, fine. So did you find anything while you were out and about?"

"Yes we did," Sol's expression eases. "Top secret, but it's big."

"How's Voresh coming? Vhane will want this, but we've orders to clean out the safe houses first."

The tiefling looks annoyed, but replies, "I don't know. I'm just waiting for orders. Minagho will be sending us on to a new city soon, once Vorlesh does whatever they are doing to the other wardstones."

Knowledge (Local) or Knowledge (The Planes), DC 15:

Knowledge Religion (from earlier spoiler) 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Knowledge Planes 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Mulluq watches the exchange with a mix of frustration and anticipation. He wants nothing more than to hurry up and run this wicked being through. He tries to bide his time by consistently adjusting his grip on the sword in his hand, letting the man continue to give them usable info. Once the word is given, however, he will not hesitate to strike him down.

Mulluq switches his general Detect Evil to a single focused one on Faxon, and once he has his answer, drops it.

know local: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

"So Vorlesh is still at the Kite?"

Knowledge Planes: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

Faxon scowls and folds his arms. "Sorry, top secret. So, if you're done here...?" He nods at the stairs back up.

Mulluq:

Sol nods slowly. "So that's how it is. Look we just want to finish our job and get to Drezen with our prize. I don't want to wait here, but if I do, I'd rather know how long we'll be. So I'll make you a deal. You tell us about Vorlesh, and we'll show you what we found. I'll even apologize for getting wound up about you teasing me about my trial."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Faxon narrows his eyes. "Look, send this lot back upstairs. What I've got isn't for their ears but I'll share it with you in private."

Jod works his way down the steps while the others talk and takes up a position leaning against a bookcase. He raises an eye at the tiefling's suggestion, but makes no move to comply.

Sol turns to look at his companions. He jerks his head upward in the direction of the stairs.

Turning back to the teifling, he says,"Sooo?"

he's probably going to try to gut me, but the risk is worth it if I can find out about Voresh.

Know (religion): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

"Nobody is going anywhere," Rhok growls. "Young Sol might be getting all eager and fired up, but I'm still in charge, and I'm sick and tired of being yanked around and told what to do."

Rhok pushes his way forward to the desk; though there is no air movement, his hair is fluttering wildly as if blown by a strong breeze. "I've seen you in my dreams, Faxon - the red-skinned man. However, I've always thought it was a flayed man... Now, there are eight of us and only one of you, and we all passed our tests. Unless you cough up the goods, it might turn out that my dreams were indeed prophetic."

Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (3) + 0 = 3 To see what this guy's about. Is he a wizard? Is he wearing armour?

Oh, and my intimidate check. It should get a decent circumstance bonus.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

Kaygan will also check out Faxon in terms of gear etc. to try to figure out his likely ‘class’ / capabilities. He’ll also try to figure out what Faxon’s intention is, and whether he suspects the group are not what they claim.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Kira's hand moves conspicuoisly to her longsword.

Intimidate Assist: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (18) + 0 = 18

Faxon is dressed in what one might term "kinky leather" (at least, as far as the picture of him in the adventure is concerned) but nothing that might provide meaningful protection. He's also got a morningstar hanging from his belt. So he's either prioritises fashion over survival, or he's probably an arcane caster of some sort - but probably not a wizard.

As Rhok and Kira loom over him, a muscle in Faxon's face twitches spasmodically and he raises his hands in a calming gesture. "Look, I don't know anything. I only took over here a few weeks ago. All I know is, they want to do something to the wardstones, and they're going to use the fragment back at the Kite for that. But I don't know the details. OK?"

Mulluq:

Kaygan:

Sol freezes. Then he turns to face Rhok. He doesn't exactly bow, but he makes himself small from the waist up, and backs to one side to make room for his commander.

Ninja'd by Aubrey!

As Rhok steps past Sol smiles at Faxon like he'd smile at a big roast dinner.

"Excellent. In that case, I have no more need of you." With a quick wrist flick, Rhok smashes his mace into the tiefling's face. "Kaygan, watch the stair while we finish this wretch."

Attack roll: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19, damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Roll initiative, everyone!

Initiative 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

Mulluq is surprised by the abruptness of Rhok's decision to strike the man, especially since it interrupted his own plans to do the same.

Can I make a Bluff check (essentially a sleight-of-hand type thing) to mask my attack and make sure he's surprised? Bluff: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Also: Initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Don't forget, Jod gets a +3 bonus to initiative thanks to Kaygan's earlier casting of Anticipate Peril on him (though I wish I'd done it on Rhok now, it will be nice if Rhok gets the drop on Faxon.

I sort of assumed everyone was surprised except Rhok. So we are into a normal round. If Faxon rolls badly (or even if he doesn't) this probably won't last long. 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Init: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Initiative
Kaygan 23
Kira 13
Faxon 11
Rhok 10+
Mulluq 10-
Sol 3
Jod?
Hannik?
Ghroth?

Could someone roll for Jod please as AG is busy with coursework?

Jod Init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

[dice=Jod Init]1d20+2

He gets an extra +3 bonus for a result of 20 from Kaygan's spell.

Map.

Fairly simple. The tower is circular, but this bit is only half of the basement, with double doors to the south. There is a desk and a table (marked) and stairs going up to the wrecked portion above where you came in (this is marked in a slightly darker grey - the stairs reach floor level in this chamber at K7).

Faxon is standing by the desk, making close acquaintance with Rhok's morningstar. I assume that Sol, Rhok and Kira are next to him somewhere as they have been conversing or otherwise interacting. The rest of you are somewhere in this chamber - please place yourselves accordingly.

Kaygan is on the stairs at K7.

Put Kira at K11

J9 please.

Hannik smirks as she brings her crossbow to bear, "He did say we came to wrap up the safe houses. You didn't think they were going to give you a medal for your service did you?"

Ghroth's spine fins rise in anticipation and he draws himself to full height, "Ahh... Now? Blood time?"

Hannik nods, "Yes. It's about that time."

Hannik at M9
Ghroth at M10

Hannik Init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Ghroth Init: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

Initiative
Kaygan 23
Hannik 19+
Ghroth 19-
Jod 17
Kira 13
Faxon 11
Rhok 10+
Mulluq 10-
Sol 3

Map updated.

Need a position for Mulluq and Jod. As before, to save us waiting, someone please decide for Jod.

Put Mulluq in L8, as he was trying to stay out of the conversation. I'd suggest Jod in either L7 or M8, as he said he was staying back and watching.

Kaygan.

Kaygan tries to keep an eye (and ear) out for any movement from the top of the stairs and the double doors, and prepares to cast a spell if anyone else enters the room.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18, ready an action to cast a spell if anyone or anything else enters the room.

Hannik traces a rune with her free hand and passes its luck to Ghroth. The monstrous amphibian lunges between Kira and Rhok spearing the commander with its fang lined tongue. The horror then continues the last several steps while the tentacle writhes and burrows into the traitor before it snaps free and back into Ghroth's fang lined maw.

Hannik casts guidance on Ghroth
Ghroth moves 15' to J11
Ghroth Slam, PA, Guidance: 1d20 + 6 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 6 - 1 + 1 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 2 = 12

Jod

Nice attack by Ghroth there.

Jod is taken by surprise by his cousin's quick move, but he's in agreement with Kaygan - they need to keep an eye on the others - he moves up the stairs to watch for them. He plucks at the mage's sleeve and motions with his head as he moves by.

So with that plan in mind, how far can I get up the stairs and still ready an action to prepare a surprise?

Kira.

May aswell ad to the damage. Kira moves foward to try to end this quickly and quietly before those above are alerted.

5ft Step to J11
Atk with Sword: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20 DMG: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Afraid I blocked you on J11 with Ghroth landing there. You might pass him to I11, provoking, but it seems like his morningstar is still on his belt. So no AoO.