DM Talomyr's Council of Thieves
Game Master Talomyr

Addie sleeps as best she can, His Lordship curled upon her chest. Well before dawn she awakens and spends an hour simply staring into the cat's eyes. At the end of the hour, she gathers up her gear and readies to leave the shrine with the others.

Prepared Daze, Guidance, Prestidigitation, Mage Armor, and Sleep. When everyone gets to the ambush site, Addie will use Prestidigitation to change the colors of their clothing to help them blend into the forest (i.e., camouflage) - she will do the same for their skin color to help disguise their features (and maybe give a bonus to Stealth?). Depending on how much advance warning the lookout(s) can give, once she is aware that the Hellknights are approaching she will cast Mage Armor on herself (giving her AC 15) and then Guidance on Cadwyn, Kevorin, Wart, Valeron, and herself, in that order (she knows that Morghrim also knows Guidance, so will not cast it on him).

After laying down for the night plenty early, you are awakened by Janiven during what most would call the middle of the night. Stars still shine in the night sky as you and Janiven make your way through the city heading for Rego Cader, where the gates are not watched as closely.

Another group that was to be a distraction left earlier.

Perception DC15:

Perception DC18:

Perception DC22:

Perception Check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

EDIT:

"Hssst! Do you see that?!" Addie whispers to her companions, trying not to alert the creatures pacing the party. "Those blobs of tentacles and shadows - to the left about 20 to 35 feet!" she warns.

The young witch readies to light a sunrod, hoping the light from the alchemical item will help to keep the shadowy creatures at bay if they approach any closer to the group.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Perception check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

One more request: Bandana's to cover the face for the group.

Wart sleeps soundly, snoring slightly. He wakes as refreshed as can be, and takes a moment to prepare some alchemical concoctions: Extracts: 1x Cure Light Wounds, 1x Disguise Self, 1x Jump, 1x Expeditious retreat (4 mins). Mutagen: Brew a Dexterity Mutagen (1 HR). Bombs:Mixing 4 (unknown)

- * & * -
Seeing Black Addie point, and then noticing it himself, Wart looks to the group to gauge what his reaction should be, beyond his natural inclination of *fear!* and *RUN AWAY!*

Morghrim has 4 sets of caltrops himself but is happy to let the rebel's provide. Before leaving, Morghrim would have requested a robe or bulky clothes as previously discussed, to hide the armour. He refuses to wear a bandanna however.

Perception Roll- 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Ware the flank...Morghrim mutters, drawing his glaive and crouching into a battle stance,

The foul things are trying to flank us... Two over there, and one over here.

Any applicable knowledge checks; what does Morghrim know? Particularly concerning their abilities and weaknesses, as per Monster Lore

Planes- 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Religion- 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Damn what a beautiful set of rolls. Combat will go badly for me now lol.

As the creatures move closer in towards the group, Addie lights a sunrod, halting the advancement of the shadowbeasts.

Ok, the shadowbeasts are 20ft away from you, but not advancing. You currently have a light source that keeps them at bay, but may alert the Dottari patroling the lit major pathways. Your move...what do you want to do? Attack the beasts? Dim the light? Keep moving for Rego Cader? Something else entirely? Let me know.

"Will they stay at bay if we attack them? We can't leave that light on for long."

Kevorin readies his crossbow and points it at the nearest shadow creature.

As a side note, I will post Janiven's reaction after I hear from most of you as to what you want to do. You guys are the stars of this one, so I don't want anything Janiven does to influence how you all choose to play this out. ;)

We can't afford to be seen with lights on... time to clean up the streets everyone; let's start doing our bit for Westcrown!

While the light source keeps them at bay, Morghrim quickly cast's Guidance and Shield of Faith, and waits to let everyone else make their preparations, then finally casts Light on his glaive; then charges at the two Shadow beasts, slashing at one of them with his Glaive.

Initiative
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Charge Attack(expending Guidance)

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
1d10 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

As there will be no shadow when I get into melee with the creatures, no concealment chance I believe.

Hoping to charge to a position where I threaten both shadow's.

Sorry all if i'm forcing an encounter, but Morghrim is an Inquisitor; it's practically his calling to destroy monsters like these. In the time when hes casting Guidance you have a chance to persuade him to a different course of action if you wish.

Seeing Morghrim preparing to attack in melee, Kev puts his crossbow away and prepares his ax. He will attempt to tumble to a flanking position with the Inquisitor.

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Acrobatics check to avoid AoO: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Attack roll: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 +2 more if he gets flanking And it begins again...

AOO roll for this round (ten feet reach, hoping they are medium sized)
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
1d10 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

I'm so sorry about the slow posting. Work is absolutely gobbling up my time, and my band has been in the studio for a couple evenings and will be tonight and tomorrow as well. It's been a wild week, but I'm hoping to get back into the swing of things by late tomorrow evening. Thanks for your patience, guys, and don't think I'm quitting! Just have a ton of real life things annihilating my free time as of late. Feel free to take actions for Cadwyn!

Initiative Rolls:
Cadwyn = 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Addie = 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Wart = 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Valeron = 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (5) + 0 = 5
Janiven = 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Shadowbeasts = 21
Kevorin = 16
Morghrim = 3

So the Initiative Order is:
Janiven = 25
Shadowbeasts = 21
Kevorin = 16
Cadwyn = 15
Wart = 13
Addie = 6
Valeron = 5
Morghrim = 3

Here's a Map.

Janiven swings wide, missing one of the beasts. The beast sends what looks to be at least three tendrils at Janiven, stiking her once. Kevorin moves into position and awaits Morghrim.

Cadwyn moves to attack another Shadowbeast, stabbing the creature with his rapier.
Attack:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Damage:1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Wart, Addie, and Valeron are up...I have Morghrim's action.

Whoa.. 31 initiative... I guess i'm not actually initiating the combat, despite my post lol. Initiative 3 says no :P

Im off for the night, feel free to take my actions and be aware I have Shield of Faith up. Don't use my judgement though, Morghrim's saving it for the battle with the Hellknights.

Whoa.. 31 initiative... I guess i'm not actually initiating the combat, despite my post lol. Initiative 3 says no :P

Yeah, I messed up on that one...still a 25 though.

Valeron, Round 1

"Hold on there, m'lady" Valeron calls out, albeit quietly at this hour as he rushes up to join Janiven.

OOOOO! Now THAT is a cool map!

"Well, here I am, a glowing beacon for the Dottari patrols!" Addie thinks to herself as she raises the sunrod aloft. Yet, realizing that she holds the only light source, and that to move from her position to aid one set of combatants would place the others in darkness, Addie maintains her position in the center of the street in an attempt to provide illumination for her companions. However, before Valeron can run off to attack the creatures, Addie whispers a mystic phrase and touches the priest, imbuing him with a bit of the favor of The Gentleman.

Hold position at I-12. Cast Guidance on Valeron, imbuing him with a +1 competence bonus on a single attack roll, saving throw, or skill check; lasts 1 minute or until discharged.

Valeron, Round 1

"Hold on there, m'lady" Valeron calls out, albeit quietly at this hour as he rushes up to join Janiven.

** spoiler omitted **

The creatures are not undead.

Valeron moves up to aid Janiven and Morghrim steps up to lay a fierce hit on the shadowbeast, but still does not end its life.

Meanwhile, Janiven slashes at the beast in front of her, severing one of the beast tentacles.

Waiting on a round 1 action from Wart before moving on to the rest of Round 2

Round 2:
Kevorin attacks the shadowbeast he's flanking again.
Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 2 = 25 Finally!!!!
Damage: 1d12 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (11) + 6 + (4) = 21

Kev lets out a growl of victory and satisfaction as his ax blade finally meets with evil flesh. If that kills the beast, he moves to help Janiven.

The creatures are not undead.

What Knowledge check helps here? Arcana? Planes?

DM Talomyr wrote:

The creatures are not undead.

What Knowledge check helps here? Arcana? Planes?

Planes or Dungeoneering

Wart looks up as the shadowbeasts converge on the group from multiple sides. He notices the reaction they have from the sunrod held by Black Addie.

Wart bends his wrist, causing a hidden dagger to slide into his hand as he moves to help Cadwyn.

Wart moves to aid Cadwyn in his battle with a shadowbeast. The shadowbeasts then lash out at their opponents (Janiven, Morghrim, and Cadwyn). One tentacle finds its mark across Janiven's chest, but Morghrim and Cadwyn easily dodge the clumsy strikes of the shadowbeasts.

Kevorin steps up to follow the shadowbeast that moved to attack Morghrim and sinks his greataxe deep into the creature's back, letting out all of his frustrations from earlier into the hapless creature.

Cadwyn delays ever so slightly allowing Wart to provide a distraction to the beast, then stabs at the beast with his rapier and slashing with his shortsword, ending the creature's life.

New Initiative Order:
Janiven = 25
Shadowbeasts = 21
Kevorin = 16
Wart = 13
Cadwyn = 12
Addie = 6
Valeron = 5
Morghrim = 3

Addie, Valeron, and Morghrim are up!

Valeron, round 2

Holding his shield towards the beast, Valeron moves dangerously through the creature's reach, attempting to taunt it away from Janiven.

"Here... here..." he calls, although he highly doubts the creature understands his words.

Once he has it's attention, he circles around behind it and swings, his longsword glimmering with the infusion of Addie's magic.

Although, it seems if Valeron's attention is more focused on taunting the creature, than landing a proper strike - he almost drops his longsword in his zeal to distract it.

Seeing the creature in front of him go down between his and Kevorins mighty blows, Morghrim grins at the big half-orc.

Told ye we'd be happy to have ye along yer big lummox!

Charging into melee, securing a flank if possible.

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
1d10 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Valeron moves into position, drawing a swipe of a tentacle from the beast, but the beast misses. Unfortunately, Valeron misses too.

Addie stows the sunrod, as to not draw the Dottari, relying on the light spell Morghrim cast upon his glaive.

Morghrim determinedly charges at the last remaining shadowbeast and plunges his glaive deep into the creature's back, ending the threat.

Well that was impressive. I figured that battle would go a little longer than that. 260 XP each.

You move as quickly and quietly through the street of Westcrown you reach Rego Cader. Once in Rego Cader, the threat of Dottari patrols is significantly less, so having a light source is not detrimental.

You travel through the northern ruins of the city and out the broken city wall, arriving at the bridge that crosses the Sedna River.

Here is a MAP of the ambush site. Let me know where you want to set up. NOTE: the Sand/Rock and River areas are considered rough terrain (1/2 movement, no charge through) and the Deep River sections will require as swim check DC12.

SECOND NOTE: The Rebels that are on the map already are your allies.(i.e. other Westcrown Rebels).

Morghrim surveys the ambush site with an expert eye for tactics. He ensures caltrops are scattered in squares H10-K10 to ruin any attempt to push onwards with the horses, and any remaining caltrops can be used to protect the rebel's position at the edge of the forest.

Hmm... if the rebel's are firing from there, i'm thinking we should hide by the south side of the bridge, so we're more likely to not get tangled up in a large scale fight on the north side.

Let's position ourselves on the south side, and open the battle with a volley of missile fire. Charging in will be difficult due to this terrain, and they are likely to react to us before we get the drop on them; so crossbow fire and spells are how I believe we should proceed.

Is that map to scale with 5 feet to a square etc.?

When the lookout reports that the foe are near, Morghrim will cast Shield of Faith once more, followed by Guidance.

When they are halfway across the bridge Janiven, I suggest that will be the best time for your allies to open fire; we'll catch them in the middle between a caltrop trap and our own party so they will struggle to get away.

Is that map to scale with 5 feet to a square etc.?

That is correct, 1 square = 5ft. What square do you want Morghrim to start in?

Once I have placements for everyone, (I'll let you guys place Janiven), I let the Hellknights show up.

L17, i'm assuming the bridge has... a banister/railing (wrong word I know, can't think of what i'm trying to say) which rises up over the water, so if i'm crouched they won't have line of sight on me as they pass. Effectively I want to be hidden behind that spot, but be able to rear up and take a shot at someone.

L17, i'm assuming the bridge has... a banister/railing (wrong word I know, can't think of what i'm trying to say) which rises up over the water, so if i'm crouched they won't have line of sight on me as they pass. Effectively I want to be hidden behind that spot, but be able to rear up and take a shot at someone.

Correct there are guardrails and moorings for the bridge, and are impassable from where you are, but do provide cover and a +5 circumstance bonus to stealth. (i.e. you'll have to go around) to get up on the rail from the bridge surface is a DC 5 Climb check

Stealth Check (includes circumstance bonus and armour check penalty)-

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Morghrim has his buckler strapped on and his heavy crossbow loaded. AC 22 once SOF has been cast, Touch AC 15.

If there are enough shadows to hide in at F18, he'll hide there, otherwise he'll hide at G17.

Stalth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

If there are enough shadows to hide in at F18, he'll hide there, otherwise he'll hide at G17.

Stalth: 1d20+4

Morning through mid-day there should be enough shadow at F18 for to hide there.

Valeron crouches low, pulling up his bandana, trying to hide himself from the view of any approaching Hellknights.

Hearing word of their approach down the road, he calls forth for a blessing of Iomedae to provide them valor in combat.

Valeron crouches low, pulling up his bandana, trying to hide himself from the view of any approaching Hellknights.

Hearing word of their approach down the road, he calls forth for a blessing of Iomedae to provide them valor in combat.

** spoiler omitted **

"Hey! Get off my head!! Go find your own spot!!!" Kevorin grumbles about clerics with no perception bonus to speak or, then realizes it probably means that he's gotten himself really well hidden.

Talomyr...is there enough of a slope down from the road or undergrowth to provide screening for Kevorin that he might be able to sneak around behind the convoy and take it from the rear?

Talomyr...is there enough of a slope down from the road or undergrowth to provide screening for Kevorin that he might be able to sneak around behind the convoy and take it from the rear?

Possibly, but it gonnna take a pretty good stealth check to make it work.

"Hey! Get off my head!! Go find your own spot!!!" Kevorin grumbles about clerics with no perception bonus to speak or, then realizes it probably means that he's gotten himself really well hidden.

Sorry that was my fault I had you in G18 (which will work for what you are trying to do.

As the companions take their positions for the ambush, Addie touches each of them and herself, casting Prestidigitation to change the color of their clothing and skin to blend with their hiding places (not sure if this would grant any type of bonus to Stealth, but it should help to disguise their features from any Hellknight witnesses, at least). Then she hunkers down in her hiding spot, His Lordship by her side (and none too happy for being so close to water!) and waits for the lookout's signal.

Addie hides in square G17 (Stealth: 1d20 + 4 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 4 + 5 = 23). Depending on how much advance warning the lookout(s) can give, once she is aware that the Hellknights are approaching she will cast Mage Armor on herself (giving her AC 15) and then Guidance on Kevorin, Valeron, and herself, in that order.

As the companions take their positions for the ambush, Addie touches each of them and herself, casting Prestidigitation to change the color of their clothing and skin to blend with their hiding places (not sure if this would grant any type of bonus to Stealth, but it should help to disguise their features from any Hellknight witnesses, at least). Then she hunkers down in her hiding spot, His Lordship by her side (and none too happy for being so close to water!) and waits for the lookout's signal.

Addie hides in square G17 (Stealth: 1d20 + 4 + 5). Depending on how much advance warning the lookout(s) can give, once she is aware that the Hellknights are approaching she will cast Mage Armor on herself (giving her AC 15) and then Guidance on Kevorin, Valeron, and herself, in that order.

Good grief, there's a veritable orgy going on in G17!! Kevorin is fine with G18, by the way.

Hey party on the hidden half-orc!

I was about to post about moving to F17, but I see _something_ is happening in our map currently. GULP! 10 hellknights + boss GULP!

And if we can get 3 rounds of buffs, I'd add a Virtue to myself as the first spell I cast. If not, no problem.

I'm pretty certain we'll get at least three rounds, we'd see them coming long before they got to the bridge.

Almost forgot: After settling down in her hiding place, Addie uses her Harrowed feat for the day. Suit drawn: 1d6 ⇒ 6 (Attribute: Charisma); card drawn: 1d9 ⇒ 7 (The Tyrant: Indicates a ruler who is a blight upon those ruled. Whoever this person is, he does harm to those over whom he holds sway.)

Addie frowns worriedly when she sees the card, then carefully places it back in the pouch with the rest of the deck and stows the pouch in her pocketed scarf.

No one said this was going to be easy ;)

As the prison carriage approaches, with its escort you notice what appears to be a very large crossbow (scorpion) mounted on top of the wagon.

As the prison carriage approaches, with its escort you notice what appears to be a very large crossbow (scorpion) mounted on top of the wagon.

Upon seeing the caravan approach at a distance, Valeron mutters to Kevorin, "oh great, they have a ballista."

Flood at work meant time went from moving to dealing with this shennanigans for 18 hours now...and counting...

Wart moves to his position near the bridge, and does what most halflings do in these types of environments....seems to look everywhere but at where he is actually looking, and goes about, picking rubbish on the side of the road.

** spoiler omitted **

That would be fine.