ELDRED CROFTER |
Use the invisible familars for the communication though a 'message spell' would be great - try to use the blind spell first though I doubt how effective it will be with the targets saving throws if he is a Pally
We could look like Kids at night first then 'change' to Fey creatures once we attack it would seem to fit the impression of 'disguised' fey. Bull strength with Johan should give him a terrifying CMB to grapple the target - the rest of it fits exactly as suggested with me coming up from behind. If the spell caster with me can summon a creature it would help on the initial round to block possible fleeing especially if using Summon Monster II to get a number of cougars/wolves to help chase/trip surviviors
Johan Hale |
We are too big to appear as kids. And its the middle of the night on an empty road - children playing would be even more out of place and suspicious than savage elven bandits would it?
Lord Cedric Barca |
Did we make a K. Local check on him. Isn't he a know famous Paladin? I think we can assume LG in the LG society among its valiant knights. If the plan is to grapple I would have a +18 if smite works with no other buffs. If Johan would be better suited for dispatching his escorts. His CMD will go up though if he smites any of us. Either way I like the plan of the elves attack.
ELDRED CROFTER |
In the street Eldred takes cover under the eeves of a house and starts singing a bawdy drunken song as the riders pass him.
He is disguised as a vagrant, his bow under his cloak and held in close to his body.
Disguise 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (17) + 19 = 36 + any adjustment for the dark.
Lord Cedric Barca |
Cedric takes a moment to call Ulf to his side. He directs the ape to the southern ally. He then takes up position on the bench in the northern ally disguised as a peasant sitting and drinking a bottle of booze.
Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa |
Where has the Ape been in town? Hanging out at one of the local bars having drinks?
Agrippa grumbles about the dirty streets and general griminess of this place. This is not the place for a nobleman to be skulking about...
DM Aku |
Waiting for their prey, near the dump, dirty and old warehouses. The noise of the waves crashing at the docks could be hear in the distance. From time to time, some sailor or worker cursing some local dialect.
Eldred, further ahead, keeping his disguise sunken under the eeves of a wareshouse starts singing a bawdy drunken song as the riders approach in the night. It was the agreed signal, the ones they were waiting about to arrive.
Johan, casting his spell, summons a writhing, burning lash of black chain, linked bones from a spine, or twisted metal cable. Soon after, Lord Agrippa walks towards him, chanting some magic words making the man invisible, and then the mighty wizard scurry off to hide behind of something. There was no need to risk his skin with such errand.
Sebastian, what spell with short duration are you using?
The knight and his followers pass near Eldred and don’t give the man any attention at all. It’s just one more drunk peasant.
They move somewhat north, intending to skip the small corridors and taking a longer route to get into the port.
Updated the map. Sir Valin is the one with a red cloak and the orange horse.
You can post your surprise round actions.
Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa |
Spells Active: Mage Armor, Protection from Arrows, Bulls Strength on Johan.
Intending to separate the quarry from his allies, Agrippa summons hellbeasts from the deep to grapple the men and horses
Casting Black Tentacles, it should cover the two riders and their mounts just near Sir Valin.
CMB on Rider 1: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
CMB on Rider 2: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30 Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
CMB on Mount 1: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22 Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
CMB on Mount 2: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19 Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
The damage is only if they are grappled.
Lord Cedric Barca |
Cedric ceases the element of surprise. He charges fourth smiting the knight and attempts to pull him from his horse.
Smite Grapple: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (6) + 20 = 26
Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
CMD: for him to Break is 27 if he goes before me, 29 if not because I charged.
Johan Hale |
Johan revels in his invisible state. He waits for the rest of the knot to spring the trap then charges forward, whirling his lash above his head and letting it snap out at the rider on the far side of the street...
Surprise Round
Delay action until after Agrippa and Sebastian
Half charge, looks like about ten ft, to get to within 15 of the rider not engulfed in Black tentacles
Charging, power attack, Chastising lash: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 9 + 2 + 2 = 23; Dmg: 1d6 + 10 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 10 + 3 = 14
If hit target makes will save (DC16) or suffer -1 to attack Johan for 1 round
ELDRED CROFTER |
Eldred puts his arrows into the knights horse trying to cut off his escape while Cedric seeks to pull his target off it..
Rapid Shot w. Deadly Aim 1d20 + 15 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 15 - 2 - 2 = 25 for 1d8 + 4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 4 + 1 = 12
Rapid Shot w. Deadly Aim 1d20 + 15 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 15 - 2 - 2 = 26 for 1d8 + 4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 4 + 1 = 12
Rapid Shot w. Deadly Aim 1d20 + 10 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 10 - 2 - 2 = 16 for 1d8 + 4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 4 + 1 = 14
Sebastian Mayer |
Given the above parameters I will go with extended invisibility on Johan, extended bull's strength on Cedric and shield of faith on myself.
Surprise Round
Init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Keeping his position, Sebastian chants a quick prayer, his spell of confusion sweeping over the knights and their mounts.
Cast confusion, DC 20. It has a 15' radius and I'll ensure our target and his mount are caught.
DM Aku |
@Cedric, usually you can’t charge and grapple at the same time. Charge can be used at a surprise round but getting the bonus from charge to apply into a grapple is not possible. If we were to take by RAW, your move would not be possible because you have only one action… In this particular case, let’s assume it’s possible, in future instances, we’ll use the conventional way to grapple. :)
Empowered by Sebastian spell, Cedric moves with unhuman speed as he charges and grapple the unsuspecting knight.
Johan takes the opportunity to lashes at the other mounted warrior with this magic summoned burning lash of black chain, linked bones from a spine. Will: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 The warrior taken by surprise can only fall prey to the foul magic.
Agrippa from a safe distance, summons black tentacles to grab and distract the followers, giving the others time to deal with the main threat.
Eldred don’t waste time and shoots the heir’s mount. It hits, but it’s not enough to kill the beast.
Sebastian uses the opportunity to sew confusion among the good guys, invoking his dark and cursed powers.
Sir Valin: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Sir Valin’s Horse: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Follower: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Follower’s Horse: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
The spell washes over the heir and does nothing to him and his horse. His follower however was unable to resist the spell.
DM Aku |
Combat Initiative:
Agrippa: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Cedric: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Eldred: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Johan: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Sebastian: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Good Guys: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
@Cedric, Sebastian, you may post your round one action. Also, post your current active effects as well.
Johan Hale |
Since it is quite likely that someone will provoke an AoO from Johan since he's got a 15' I'll go ahead a roll one now.
AoO with Chastising Lash, power attack: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 2 = 31; Dmg: 1d6 + 10 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 10 + 3 = 18
Confrim Crit: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25; Crit Dmg: 1d6 + 10 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 10 + 3 = 15
If hit target makes will save (DC16) or suffer -1 to attack Johan for 1 round
Status and effects
HP 72/72
AC 25
Chastising lash: 1/70 rnds
Extended invisibility expired during surprise round
Lord Cedric Barca |
Sorry was gone for holiday weekend. You are right on the charging. It only gives the +2 to CMD rolls to Bull Rush. Sorry about that. Just take the -2 off for charging.
Having gained the upper hand Cedric maintains the grapple.
Maintain Check: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (7) + 20 = 27
Pin Check: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (11) + 20 = 31
Both rolls above are +5 more if I get the bonus for him not breaking the grapple. I guess I would. I have never grappled in the surprise round before. pretty strong that way if you win initiative.
Gaining the surprise on the knight worked to Cedric's strength as he pinned the knight.
HP:74/74
AC: 11, 17 vs knight. CMD:31
Active Effects: Smite Good, Extended Bulls Strength.
I assume I didn't have my Armor. All I brought was my sword.
Sebastian Mayer |
Round 1
Cedric might want to change his action depending on the result of my spell but then maybe he'd simply try to pin regardless.
Effects: Magic Vestment; Shield of Faith.
Sebastian focuses on the two struggling figures on the edge of the field of tentacles and chants another quick prayer.
Hold Person on Sir Valin, DC 19.
Johan Hale |
Spells Active: ... Bulls Strength on Johan. ...
oops, missed this. Makes the total dmg from the Crit AoO above 35 instead of 33
Updated Status
HP 72/72
AC 25
Chastising lash: 2/70 rnds
Bull's Strength: 2/70 rnds ( effective str 25)
ELDRED CROFTER |
I think you may cut the man in half. I think I'll focus on the survivors as Cedric seems to have the knight well in hand
Johan Hale |
His horse is still kicking about...
DM Aku |
Heir's Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
The spell washes over the heir as Cedric takes opportunity and start to choke him out to unconsciousness.
The warrior near Johan tries to move… but only bring his doom as the foul summoned weapon hits the man, ending his life.
Heir captured, the others tangled in the dark tentacle. I’ll consider the combat ended. Use narrative description to tell me what you guys did with the others.
ELDRED CROFTER |
Eldred calmly but with malicious intent smiles as he puts an arrow expertly into the head of each of the warriors accompanying the Heir while the dark tentacles squeeze the life from their steeds.
We should get moving - bind this one and lets get back to our horses and out of town. Johan, are you able to carry the heir?
Lord Cedric Barca |
Cedric chokes the heir to unconsciousness. He looks to the other.
"Everyone take the guise of a wood elf. Eldred move to different positions in different ally's and put arrows in the bodies. Make it look like an ambush from multiple sides. Ulf take to the woods. Leave a trail off away from us. Make it look like a small group moved through the area as best you can. Travel through the trees and meed back at the horn when you are done. The rest of us should move out now with our prize before any others show up.
Johan Hale |
Aye, Johan responds simply.
He grabs the reigns of the one remaining horse and hoists the bodies of the Heir's companions onto it, then leading it behind his own horse. Waste not want not, He thinks of the hungry hydra and assassin vines waiting back at the Horn.
The Ninth Knot rides off into the night, three butchered horses left behind in the street as testament to their grim work.
Checking the party goers for goodies - Johan needs another Alerion dagger to add to his collection!
ELDRED CROFTER |
You'd have thought Eldred would have checked the bodies but better you than me if you can use detect magic
Eldred uses the circlet to take on the guise of a wood elf and starts shooting arrows into the dead horses and men.
Get my horse back to base. I'll follow on foot, he says to the others. Anything good there big fella?, Eldred asks as Johan searches the bodies.
DM Aku |
@About loot...
The knight was carrying only a crude made longsword, a standard weapon deployed in the military. They had no armor or any better made equipment. It was clear they didn't expected to be attacked inside the town.
Other than that, the heir has a silver and sapphire holy symbol of Mitra ( worth 250 gp).
Packing and disguising, the group make haste fleeing town into the woods. Their destination, the Horn of Abbadon.
The return trip takes some time, navigating in briar at night is not that easy, it was a along and uneventful trip.
Where are you putting the knight?
Johan Hale |
1-26 probably. Its a cell with a good lock. We should station some sort of elite guard in 1-24 though - maybe Grumblejack? We still have two moondog corpses and 8HD worth of onyx too.
I also noted that only Grumblejack Agrippa and Johan had claimed quarters on the 2nd floor. Might want to grab a room before Aku arbitrarily quarters you with the boggards ( they're frisky!)
Lord Cedric Barca |
"I think we should let Ezra hit him a few times and keep him chained up. Sebastian can stone shape some chains into the wall. We just need some chains and manacles. We should keep him near the ritual where we can watch him. If he is weak enough he won't be any risk to break free. This is just my humble suggestion though."
Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa |
Agrippa will go and speak with Faalthraaz the Zebub and Gulugur the Imp.
I have a mission for you...
Agrippa wants Faalthraaz to shadow the Baron as best he can, watch him for 1 day and then report back. Gulugur the Imp will accompany in Raven Form to assist the Devil in his task...
Johan Hale |
Once back at the horn Johan and Cedric talk about their newest guest's accommodations. I don't think we have enough control over that wraith to trust that he will slack his thirst short of killing him. We can keep him weak through other means. As to where to keep him, the Sanctum where we perform the ritual is probably the least secure spot in the Horn, what with that gaping balcony. We have a sturdy cell on the first floor that we restored for just this sort of thing. With a strong and trustworthy guard...that won't eat him, here he shoots a warning look at Grumblejack the heir won't be a problem.
Johan Hale |
Well, if he puts up a fuss you can have his thumbs and toes, and maybe his tongue, Johan replies to the ogre, deadpan. That should take the fight out of him. After all, we just need his still-beating heart. The rest is... unnecessary.
Lord Cedric Barca |
"To truly subdue him we could kill him and have Sebastian restore his life at the time we need to sacrifice him."
he gives a small laugh as he is not entirely serious.
"The cell should do nicely."
Sebastian Mayer |
Seems I had a post on Wednesday go missing, sorry about that. Second the idea of stone-shaping him a special prison. Sebastian will however stay the night in town so he can sort out arrangements for the mithril cog. Not sure if you want to play that out DM?
DM Aku |
What the Baron did? Talked a lot, with a lot of ppl. Instead of being recluse in his manor, he spent the entire day visiting others. What was being talked about: Sir Valin kidnap by elfs from the briar.
During the day, he did not met with Elise or anyone related to her. At night, back at his manor, he spent the entire night writing and reading, letters, missives, making plans.
Plans for what?
ELDRED CROFTER |
Leaving the others to secure the new prisoner Eldred returns to his victim of mental and physical cruelty. The captured priestess of Mitra.
Miss me sweetheart? he asks before beating her down and proceeding to have his way with her.
I am not into this sort of thing IRL but this is something that makes Eldred appropriately despicable
After a time Eldred returns to the group.
Maybe we could smash his ankles? That should put an end to any real risk he poses and shouldn't pose life threatening.
Johan Hale |
Johan looks gleefully intrigued by the idea of killing Darian, preserving him in their magical meat locker and resurrecting him for the ritual, but in the end settles for the simpler and less risky option.
Johan throws Valin Darian, still bound and blindfolded, into the sturdy cell on the first floor and locks the door. He considers working the man over for information, but really, can't think of anything they need to learn. He keeps the key to the cell himself, and makes it his responsibility to visit the Heir once a day for food and water. If the man wants to talk, Johan listens, but is otherwise silent.
To Sebastian, If you want to shape a customized prison for this man, then by all means do so. In the mean time let's station the hound archon outside his prison, with orders to let none not of the Ninth Knot pass.
After that is taken care of, the group gets back to the business of summoning a deamon lord.
DM Aku |
Let’s move things. Here is a Recap of the first Seven weeks:
DM Aku |
Some more days passes with nothing to disturb the band of villains, and then a new carrier arrives.
The message reads as follows:
To the Ninth:
A new group of adventurers are in town – they are too visible to attack directly. They assault the Horn soon, unsure of the exact time of arrival. They mentioned something about the ‘center eye’. Third level entry?
Traya DeMarco – the leader, a sorceress of some sort.
Hassan J’raaq – a strange foreign barbarian with red skin, horns and a large curved sword.
Tasker Twelve-Knives – half-orc knife specialist, a weakness for pretty women.
Posca the Merchant – dwarven cleric of a god of merchants, greedy above all else.
-- Z
Johan Hale |
Johan is satisfied to see that their new message drop off system is working.
He reads the message, and is a little suspicious about tis whole "too visible to attack directly" business.
The seventh doesn't sound sure about the third floor entry - lets make sure the guards on all entry points are on highest alert. If they do try the third floor, well that's Ezra the wraith's domain. It will be educational to see the undead fiend in action. We should make sure one of us is on watch in the sanctum at all times, using the eyes to scan for intruders.
He scanned down the list of names on the note and a vicious half-smile played over his mouth. Let them come, he thought. Johan was eager to finally test the defences that the Ninth had worked so hard to put in place.
Since the only way to and from the sanctum is to walk down that bloody long spiral staircase or fly from the balcony, we need some sort of signal system from there to the rest of us. That or only characters that can traverse the distance quickly should be on watch. Would a signal horn blown from the balcony be enough to alert the rest of the horn?
Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa |
Agrippa can use his Alarm spell and keep it on at least 1 entrance at all times. Probably 2 if he uses up all his spell slots.
I can ward an entrance Master Hale. I will know if someone trespasses.
Johan Hale |
Can you place a ward on the alter in the sanctum? Whoever is observing through the Eyes can trigger it the moment these adventurers try to enter, and you can alert the rest of us. Johan muses for a moment. Of course that won't tell us where they are trying to enter will it? Maybe an old fashioned signal horn will work best... a number of blasts matching the level that is under attack made from the balcony should be hear by all the sentries at least. I think we still have one of the horns from Branderscar kicking around. We could do some drills tonight and see if it works.
Uncomfortable with doing the group's heavy thinking, Johan is open to alternate strategies from the knot's more erudite members.
Lord Cedric Barca |
"Why guess or give them the opportunity to destroy defenses. We can await on the balcony. When we see them we will simply invite them up. We can destroy them in the hall with Hexor and Vexor supporting us."
Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa |
Agrippa, less inclined to put himself in harms way says Let the Wraith deal with the invaders...
Johan Hale |
Johan frowns ( his default facial expression :> ). Except that we are surrounded by dense forest on all sides. We may not see them coming until the last moment from the balcony. Also, there is no means to get from the ground to the balcony, save flying, or a long dangerous climb that they would be fools to try knowing we were watching. To invite them in requires them entering through one of the other levels, then us revealing the hidden staircase to them.
From this description they don't sound like Mitrans: "foreign," "greedy," "a weakness for women." - which makes them less predictable. What if we allow them to enter to challenge us - which any righteous Mitran knight would do - but instead they turn their attention to other areas of the Horn seeking plunder. We would all be stuck on the balcony hundreds of feet above while they ran unchecked below.
No, I think Agrippa has the right of it. Elise says they will enter through the third level. We let the wraiths deal with them. If they defeat him, then we have them trapped between Hexor and Vexor and whichever one of use is stationed on the balcony above, and the rest of the ninth below - and we will have rid ourselves of a potential problem with the wraith. If the undead win, then we cement our deal with him, by delivering him lunch.
Johan rubs his stubbly scalp with a calloused hand. We will each take an 8 hour shift on the balcony, using the eyes to monitor the Horn. Hexor and Vexor can watch the forest from the balcony. When these adventurers are spotted, The lookout can sound a code on the signal horn to tell the rest of us where the attack is coming from. I will station Cytheria Rex on the balcony to ferry the lookouts quickly back and forth.
He looks around at the other members of the Ninth. Objections? Flaws? Concerns?
ELDRED CROFTER |
Sounds very solid Johan - especially with the Wraiths. He sits down to work out the horn codes - one for ground entry, two for flying invaders etc. It gets a little complicated but he sticks with it and with the others until everyone gets it Assuming they have the patieince for it