Chapter 6: Crown of Fangs! (Inactive)

Game Master James Martin

"Ruperta, you know we all love you, too. Now heal yourself, so I can dismiss my Wall of Stone. There'll be a pissed off devil and one more maiden waiting behind it.". When the others were ready, Pai dropped her spell.

Just need to confirm all the Maidens were killed.
Moved Ruperta back... ready!

Make no assumptions when it comes to our DM for he is tricksy and evil. I have known him for many years.

In a few moments the Maidens are dead or dying, laid out on the flagstones.

So I think is Wall of Stone dismissal time...
Corbyn, you heal when Ruperta channels.

When the group was ready, Pai dismisses her spell.

Jump on it, guys!

Umm, nothing happens. Wall of stone isn't dismissible.

Ruperta smiles.
"Seems the rats are trapped... What about setting the castle on fire before teleporting out?"

Lol, doggone it, I never knew it wasn't dismiss able. If there is anything flammable, Pai is fine with burning a room at least. Doubt a stone castle would burn too much, but parts of it might burn a bit.

So that is the plan, we set fire to a couple rooms (Ruperta will try to do it in rooms that give a good show to the people outside the castle) and we teleport out.

How about the mage's bedroom? That'd be funny and would really piss them off, I bet.

Good idea!

hey not fighting it's a win! unless of course it blocks the way... then we might need an earth elemental or two to help us out..

I can summon a bunch of fire elementals to run in different directions setting fire, or get a earth elemental to help take down the wall

Fire elementals would be awesome!

That is what I am talking about Paxs! burn baby burn!

A brief discussion ensues regarding the logical next step when a sudden crash makes you turn. Standing in the ruins of the stone wall are three more of those barbed devils you fought before, plus the large horned devil you saw before. The devils grin and it is not a comforting sight!

The horned devil, having just smashed through the wall, allows the three smaller devils to push through and attack!

Devil Claw vs Corbyn: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (7) + 18 = 25 for 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (5, 3) + 6 = 14
Devil Claw vs Slumper: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (14) + 18 = 32 for 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (8, 2) + 6 = 16
Devil Claw vs Slumper: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (18) + 18 = 36 for 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (2, 8) + 6 = 16

Round 3:
25 Ruperta
24 Paxs and Corbyn
19 Slumper
13 Pai
7 Foes!

Heroes are up!

So I guess only 1 round elapsed, we still have 5 rounds of Blessing of Fervor.
Ruperta takes half of Slumper's damage.
Ruperta quickly turns, takes a 5' back and starts firing against the biggest demon.
I'll need Thraks to move away from over her.
Vindicator Attack 1: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (20) + 22 = 42
Vindicator Damage 1: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Vindicator Attack 2: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (14) + 17 = 31
Vindicator Damage 2: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Vindicator Attack Divine Power: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (19) + 22 = 41
Vindicator Damage Divine Power: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Vindicator Critical Confirm 1: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (18) + 22 = 40
Vindicator Critical Confirm Divine Power: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (11) + 22 = 33

Notes: She took the +2 to attack and AC from Blessing of Fervor this round.
If DR applies, her clustered shot feat makes it apply to the total damage, not to each one of them.

Thrak attacks the large demon as well.

Bite 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (20) + 19 = 39, 2d6 + 1d6 + 1d6 + 25 ⇒ (4, 2) + (6) + (5) + 25 = 42
claw 11d20 + 19 ⇒ (17) + 19 = 36, 1d8 + 1d6 + 1d6 + 19 ⇒ (3) + (2) + (4) + 19 = 28
claw 2 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (3) + 19 = 22, 1d8 + 1d6 + 1d6 + 19 ⇒ (2) + (3) + (6) + 19 = 30
claw 3 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (17) + 19 = 36, 1d8 + 1d6 + 1d6 + 19 ⇒ (2) + (1) + (1) + 19 = 23
claw 4 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (15) + 19 = 34, 1d8 + 1d6 + 1d6 + 19 ⇒ (2) + (1) + (2) + 19 = 24
crit confirm Bite 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (3) + 19 = 22, 2d6 + 1d6 + 1d6 + 25 ⇒ (4, 1) + (1) + (5) + 25 = 36
Rend (Ex): 1d8 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19

Im on my phone today, but can Pai target a couple of the baddies with a Black Tentacles without catching any of the party in the radius? If so, she will do that and try to slow their movement.

They are in a nice group in front of us. I think you very well can get them all without affecting us.
Black Tentacles

Ruperta's bolts strike the largest devil, knocking him back slightly and causing him to swear in deeply profane Infernal. Thrak has to make a ten foot movement, too little to allow a charge and too much to allow a full attack! His bite hits, but does not confirm! His acid and fiery energies don't seem to affect the devil! Pai sends a spell of grasping tentacles into the room! CMB: 1d20 + 12 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 12 + 4 + 1 = 18 However, the tentacles don't seem to find purchase on the devils!

[ooc}Slumper and Corbyn are up![/ooc]

Slumper attacks the nearest devil with his trusty rapier and shield hoping it still has a little magic left in them taking +2 to attack and ac weapon of awe is still on the shield

1d20 + 19 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 19 + 2 = 28rapier
1d6 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 14 + 2 = 22rapier
1d6 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 2 = 31rapier
1d6 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
1d20 + 22 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 22 + 2 = 29shield
1d4 + 9 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 9 + 1 + 2 = 13
1d20 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 17 + 2 = 32shield
1d4 + 9 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 9 + 1 + 2 = 13

1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 9 + 2 = 20rapier crit confirm on #3
1d6 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Slumper lashes out at the nearest barbed devil, dealing damage, but taking 4d8 + 24 ⇒ (1, 1, 6, 5) + 24 = 37 damage from the spines on the thing.

Corbyn, take your round and we'll insert you here!

The barbed devils fight back!
Versus Corbyn:
Claw 1: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (2) + 18 = 20 for 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (2, 1) + 6 = 9 and Grab: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (17) + 22 = 39 and requires a Will Save DC 20 or be frightened for 1d4 ⇒ 1 rounds!
Claw 2: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (19) + 18 = 37 for 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (1, 7) + 6 = 14 and Grab: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (2) + 22 = 24 and requires a Will Save DC 20 or be frightened for 1d4 ⇒ 1 rounds!

Versus Thrak:
Claw 1: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (8) + 18 = 26 for 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (7, 4) + 6 = 17 and Grab: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (16) + 22 = 38 and requires a Will Save DC 20 or be frightened for 1d4 ⇒ 4 rounds!
Claw 2: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (13) + 18 = 31 for 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (2, 2) + 6 = 10 and Grab: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (5) + 22 = 27 and requires a Will Save DC 20 or be frightened for 1d4 ⇒ 2 rounds!

Versus Slumper:
Claw 1: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (12) + 18 = 30 for 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (7, 5) + 6 = 18 and Grab: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (15) + 22 = 37 and requires a Will Save DC 20 or be frightened for 1d4 ⇒ 4 rounds!
Claw 2: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (11) + 18 = 29 for 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (8, 1) + 6 = 15 and Grab: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (5) + 22 = 27 and requires a Will Save DC 20 or be frightened for 1d4 ⇒ 1 rounds!

The horned devil laughs his delight as his minions strike. He lashes his spiked chain at Thrak, choosing to take his largest foe down!
Spiked Chain, Improved Vital Strike: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (20) + 26 = 46 for 6d6 + 11 ⇒ (6, 1, 5, 2, 1, 3) + 11 = 29 and Fort Save DC 27 or be stunned for 1d4 ⇒ 4 rounds!

Possible Crit vs Corbyn: Claw 1: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (3) + 18 = 21 for 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (7, 3) + 6 = 16 damage!

Possible crit vs Thrak w/spiked chain: Spiked Chain, Improved Vital Strike: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (2) + 26 = 28 for 2d6 + 11 ⇒ (6, 5) + 11 = 22 extra damage!

Round 4:
25 Ruperta
24 Paxs and Corbyn
19 Slumper
13 Pai
7 Foes!

Corby is up for Rounds 3 and 4. The heroes are up for Round 4!

Hi Team! Remeber you all have the following bonuses:
16 temporary hp
Attack Roll: +1 Morale
AC: +2 Deflection vs. Evil (1 hours)
Resist Energy 30 (fire) (10 minutes)
Saves: +2 Resistance vs. Evil (1 hours)
Will Save: +1 Morale
Poison Save: Temporarily immune to poison (1 hours); +4 Morale (11 hours)
Fear effects: +4 Morale
Able to breathe freely, even underwater or in a vacuum, as well as making them immune to harmful gases and vapors, including inhaled diseases and poisons and spells like cloudkill and stinking cloud. In addition, the shell protects subjects from extremes of temperature (per endure elements); immune to any attempts to possess or exercise mental control over the target, and prevents bodily contact by evil summoned creatures unless we make an attack against or tries to force the barrier against the blocked creature) for 1 hours.
He can also choose from the following benefits:
* Increase its speed by 30 feet.
* Stand up as a swift action without provoking an attack of opportunity.
* Make one extra attack as part of a full attack action, using its highest base attack bonus.
* Gain a +2 bonus on attack rolls and a +2 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves.
* Cast a single spell of 2nd level or lower as if it were an enlarged, extended, silent, or still spell.
Ruperta will delay to see what is the best she can do... attack the bigger demon? Use her domain power to try and help one of his companions to be free from a grab? Channel Energy to heal them?
So I need your help knowing your status and HP Total.
Slumper: How much damage has Ruperta taken from him using Shield Other?

152/152 2 temp hps left Ruperta you took 13 dmg because I took the +2 both missed! I can take all the damage if that's an option....which would put me at 143/152

Slumper dodges fiercely catching a claw on his shield before fighting back. taking +2 again!

1d20 + 19 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 19 + 2 = 25rapier
1d6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 14 + 2 = 20rapier
1d6 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 2 = 13rapier
1d6 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
1d20 + 22 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 22 + 2 = 35shield
1d4 + 9 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 9 + 2 + 1 = 15
1d20 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 17 + 2 = 27shield
1d4 + 9 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 2 + 1 = 14

I want to see what sort of luck Corbyn has before Pai makes her action. I want to have the Telport on deck in case he doesn't do much damage and we can pop out before it gets too hairy.

We can't choose, but Ruperta can dismiss it if needed.
Still waiting to see Corbyn and Thraks needs before acting.

Thrak has 28 hp, Will vs fear 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
save vs stun 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23, stunned

Maybe not the the best course of action, but it's what I think Ruperta will do, try to save Thraks.
Ruperta moves behind Thraks while praying.
"Mother of the night please protect my friend!"
She cast an Extended (the BoF bonus this round) Sanctuary, trying to protect him for 14 rounds (DC: 15).

Sorry, guys

Round 3
Attack 1: 1d20 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 18 + 2 = 22
Damage 1: 1d6 + 6 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 6 + (3, 5) = 16

Attack 2: 1d20 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 16 + 2 = 19
Damage 2: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Attack 3: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 13 + 2 = 19
Damage 3: 1d6 + 6 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 6 + (4, 2) = 16

Attack 4: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 11 + 2 = 22
Damage 4: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Will Save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22 Success!

Round 4
Attack 1: 1d20 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 18 + 2 = 32
Damage 1: 1d6 + 6 + 2d6 ⇒ (6) + 6 + (6, 4) = 22

Attack 2: 1d20 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 16 + 2 = 21
Damage 2: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Attack 3: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 13 + 2 = 19
Damage 3: 1d6 + 6 + 2d6 ⇒ (5) + 6 + (6, 3) = 20

Attack 4: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 11 + 2 = 23
Damage 4: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Only a single attack by Corbyn penetrates the thick hides of these things, but they recoil from Serithiel's light all the same. Corbyn takes 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13 damage as his hands are cut by the devil's barbs.

Slumper's shield hits twice on the barbed devil, as he takes 2d8 + 12 ⇒ (4, 2) + 12 = 18 damage from the fiendish porcupine. Thrak seems to sway, as the hit from the big devil knocks him hard.

Round 4:
25 Ruperta
24 Paxs and Corbyn
19 Slumper
13 Pai
7 Foes!

Pai, then devils!

Pai decides to not waste any more time, and grabs her friends, casting Teleport to pop them out of the castle. Back to the super secret hideout if possible.

Ruperta smiles and hugs Pai.
"Good call, Thraks was is a very bad shape already."

With a soft pop, the party is back in the underground lair of the resistance. Marshall Kroft looks up with a slightly shocked expression. "How did things go? Any news?"

"Well, we got some hard fighting over there, but at least we all are in one piece. And Pai got herself a new set of books!"
Ruperta laughs freely.

"Spellbooks from the fat bastard, but he was too quick for us. We didn't bring him to justice. He's still out there. There are a million devils in that place, though, that much we are sure of. It'll be tough to fight our way in there. The wizard is clever...I wonder if we could try and lure him out, and face him on our ground, instead of his?"

DM, any idea of what's in his spell book? Pai would love a few new tasty spells!!

These, to start:
7th -prismatic spray, project image
6th—disintegrate, greater dispel magic, summon monster VI
5th—cloudkill, cone of cold, feeblemind, overland flight
4th—dimension door, fear, greater invisibility, illusory wall
3rd—dispel magic, lightning bolt, nondetection, stinking cloud
2nd—bear’s endurance, blindness/deafness, glitterdust, mirror image, scorching ray, spider climb
1st—charm person, feather fall, magic missile*, grease, ray of enfeeblement, shield

Ill sit down in the morning and see which spells Pai needs, and can memorize.

Ruperta takes 9 more dmg and Slumper is at 145/152

Ruperta will channel twice to heal them all.
Channel Energy: 6d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 2, 5, 4, 6) = 24
Channel Energy: 6d6 ⇒ (4, 6, 1, 2, 6, 1) = 20
44 HP healed on everyone, she is back at full.
She also casts Breath of Life on Thraks, healing him.
Heals: 5d8 + 12 ⇒ (2, 6, 5, 6, 2) + 12 = 33
That is 77 hp healed on Thraks. Does he (or anyone else) need more healing?

Thrak looks fully healthy again.

"Thank you Ruperta he is doing just fine again."

Pai can add cloudkill, cone of cold, fear, illusory wall, nondetection, bear’s endurance, spider climb. Taking ten, she can auto succeed at learning those spells. Can Paxs learn any of them? I'd think we could sell the rest of them as scrolls, except for those two 7th level spells.

I need to check if any spell of Ruperta needs changing, but if not I think I will go with the same ones.
Any other recommendation for Ruperta Spells/Boons?

Your last batch was pretty good, IMHO. I don't see any changes needed.

Me neither, all good stuff

So, the first Castle visit was brief, but productive. Overnight the Marshall tells you that patrols of Grey Maidens coupled with female devils have increased and they seem to be extra alert. What's the plan for the next sortie?

Reposting our checklist! Three of them achieved...

1) A new “hero of the people” has been fighting rebels in the streets. These rebels are false; they’re not my people, and I suspect that this hero, a man named Trifaccia, is false as well. Find out who or what he is. DONE!
2) I have it on good authority that the rumors of a black dragon taking nest in Castle Korvosa are legitimate. If the rumors prove true, the dragon must be defeated. DONE!
3) The role of castle seneschal is currently held by a bloated wizard named Togomor. If you can capture or defeat him, we’ll avoid a long legal complication over the revelation that Neolandus still lives.
4) Ishani Dhatri, Abadarian priest and vocal opponent of his church’s public endorsement of Ileosa, has vanished. My initial investigations indicate that he was last seen approaching the castle——perhaps some clues to his fate lie hidden within?
5) I suspect that there are Red Mantis agents sheltered in the castle. Proof of the alliance between Ileosa and the Red Mantises would be very helpful; forcing the Red Mantis to abandon Korvosa, perhaps by finding and defeating their local leader, would be even better.
6) The Gray Maidens are certainly a menace; they need to be stopped. Sabina Merrin is the commander of the Gray Maidens— —find and defeat her, and you’ll throw the entire organization into chaos long enough for us to reclaim the streets from them. Vencarlo and Grau believe that she can be reasoned with, and that she may not be as loyal a minion of the queen as she seems. DONE!
7) Rumors of devils involved with the monarchy disturb me as well. If you can find proof that Ileosa is trafficking with devils, or that devils dwell within Castle Korvosa, that should significantly help our case against her in the eyes of the city’s government.
8) Ileosa must answer for her crimes. She hasn’t been seen publicly recently but for brief appearances on the castle walls. If we can capture her, a lot of our work will be easier.

Looks like we have proven number seven on our list of tasks now as well. Finding the Abadar priest, finding Red Mantis assassins, and catching Togomor seems like our next tasks. Unless we get lucky and have a shot at the Queen. I suppose heading back into the castle is our only hope. Does Sabina know anything about the priest or the Red Mantis?

I would say number 1 has not been accomplished yet, as we don't know what Trifaccia is yet...
I think, for our next attack on the castle we can try and rescue Ishani Dhatri, what do you say?
Does Sabina knows where he is?