GM Giuseppe's Council of Thieves

Game Master Giuseppe Capriati

Chapter 3: "What Lies in Dust". Part One: "Within the Crux"

In Westcrown, darkness brings fear and death, the night haunted by the spawn of a terrible curse. Striving to free the city from its decades-old blight, the Irises must reveal a long-buried secret and a treasure locked away for ages. Their journey will set them against the scum of Westcrown’s underworld, denizens of the haunted night, and the very forces of Hell itself, all in an attempt to rekindle the memories of long-dead spirits with stories still to tell. Yet what those souls reveal might prove even deadlier than the city’s midnight curse.
__________________________________
Fame Points: 12

Maps: Online Maps, Westcrown Map

Link to Legal Sources Document: [+]

Link to Loot Tracking Sheet: [+]

Link to Play Document: [+]

Important Posts: The Eyes of Westcrown, Combat Slang

XP tracking: 18,125/23,000


1,151 to 1,200 of 2,137 << first < prev | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | next > last >>

Male CG Human Rogue 1 | HP: 21/21 | AC: 14 TAC: 13 | F:+3 R:+5 W:+1 | Perception +2 | Speed 25ft |Reactions: Nimble Dodge (+2 AC vs one melee attack)

==========
Round 9
==========

Varius quickly helps upt the people who have fallen out of the mouth, occasionally spouting some nonsense at the audience.

"We flee the beast and stand here safe, though the acid doth my elbows chafe!"


========
Round 9
========

Catina stares up into the neck that she's about to climb. She tries to talk some courage into herself, but there's always that nagging voice that tells her she won't be able to do it. She takes a last look at Alessandro, feeling the familiar touch of the songbirds on her bracelet. "I won't tarry, Alessandro," she says, summoning determination. "I know you're putting yourself at risk to help me out. I won't forget that." with that, she sets her jaw and begins the perilous climb. She surprises even herself with getting out in one try.

--

Climb: 1d20 + 2 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 + 4 - 2 = 24


Female LG Elf paladin 1/bard 4 | HP: 32/32 | AC: 19 (14 Tch, 15 Fl) | CMB: +6, CMD: 20 | F: +4, R: +8, W: +6 | Init: +4 | Perc: +7, SM +10 | Speed 30ft | Bardic Performance 12/12, Smite Evil 1/1 | Spells: 1st 4/4, 2nd 2/2 | Active conditions:

==========
Round 9
==========

Petals lowers her hand out to help Catina and quickly realizes she needs no help what so ever. Grasping the lip of the beast she hops down nimbly to the ground. Wincing still since her feet has no skin left on them at all. She could throw up, or cry, or grab her hammer and tear into those monsters in the audience... but she is too tired to do any of it. Instead she sits on the floor and waits til the last of her friends are safe enough for her to collapse.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 5 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 2 - 2 = 20

Dark Archive

Female LN Human Conjurer 5 | HP: 27/27 | AC: 14 (10 Tch, 14 Fl) | CMB: 0, CMD: 10 | F: +5, R: +2, W: +7 (+1 vs devil mind-affecting) | Init: +4 | Perc: +6, SM: +2 (+1 vs Wiscrani nobility) | Speed 30ft | Acid Dart: 7/7; Bonded Object 0/1 | Spells: 3rd: 0/3 2nd: 4/4 1st 4/5 | Active conditions: mage armor (5 hours);

==========
Round 9
==========

Faustinia accepts Varius’ help and turns her attention to Petals. In her cranky Dentris voice, she barks at the clown, “Fool, stop prancing and help our pall-a-dine! I won't have him survive the beast's belly only to splat on the ground!” She moves over to below the contraption and prepares to help catch Petals, but quickly backs up when she sees that the young musician doesn't need any help.


CG Human Ranger 3/Rogue 1 | hp 16/(22) 38 | AC 17, T 13, FF 14 | Fort+5, Ref+8, Will+2 | CMD 17 | Init +3 (+5 urban) | Perc +11 (+13 urban) | -7 Con, -6 Cha | 2 Bleed, Mummy Rot, Filth Fever

==========
Round 9
==========

Reflex DC 15: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 7 - 2 = 24

Alessandro watches as Catina climbs up into the mouth and is glad she doesn't have any trouble doing so. He glances down at the acid and gulps. It's just me. No one to heal me if I fall in.

==========
Round 10
==========

Climb DC 20: 1d20 + 7 - 2 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 7 - 2 + 4 + 2 = 25

Acrobatic DC 15: 1d20 + 6 - 2 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 - 2 + 4 + 2 = 14
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Finally it is his turn. Alessandro has only been in the belly for a minute but it seems like an eternity. He scrambles up as fast as he can. He turns and spits down the throat before tumbling out. As if to spite him, his foot gets caught on the dragon's tooth and he lands on his head. While still on the ground, "We did it." he says weakly. His throat is still raw from the acidic fumes. "What's next?..."


========
Round 10
========

Catina braces herself in the mouth of the beast to help Alessandro up, but quickly realizes that he won't need the help. This soothes her conscience over asking him to stay behind until last. She's too weary to make an elegant jump and twists her ankle on the landing.

Prone on the ground she glares at the audience, with defiance. She knows that they're all doing it for the people of Westcrown, but it's difficult for her to come up with something positive to say about the Wiscrani in the audience.

--

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 1 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 4 - 2 = 5
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6


Council of Thieves Maps

⁞⁞⁞⁞ ACT IV: TRIAL IN THE BELLY OF THE BEAST ⁞⁞⁞⁞

EVERYONE IS OUT OF THE BEAST!

The crowd roars, and amid the medley of hisses, hoots, and shouts, no one in the whole Nightshade Theater could really tell whether the prevailing sentiment of the crowd is one of joy for the success of the actors or rage and frustration for having been deprived of the blood some of them longed for. Anyway, it doesn’t matter, because the curtains soon fall and the actors are granted some rest after their tough experience in the belly of the Beast.

⁞⁞⁞⁞ INTERLUDE ⁞⁞⁞⁞

As Delour Aulamaxa sings with the chorus, the party has some time to heal, rest and chat. No one disturbs them as they take their time to catch their breath.

⁞⁞⁞⁞ ACT V: THE BIRTHING TRIAL ⁞⁞⁞⁞

The interlude soon ends, and the party must step onto the stage again. Act 5 begins!
______________________________
You gain 300 XP each and 85 Popularity points!

We should first work on the document for Act 5, then I’ll explain the mechanics of the next encounter.

GM Notes:

Calsenica Nymmis
hp: 10/13
Conditions: sickened


Male CG Human Rogue 1 | HP: 21/21 | AC: 14 TAC: 13 | F:+3 R:+5 W:+1 | Perception +2 | Speed 25ft |Reactions: Nimble Dodge (+2 AC vs one melee attack)

Varius staggers backstage, collapsing face-first and coughing miserably. He wipes some blood from his lips and slowly, slowly recovers from the horror of the last trial.

"I can't believe I agreed to do this. I am I sane? This isn't something that sane people do."

After a long while he sits up and takes some time to re-apply his makeup, which had been completely scorched off by the acid.

"Is everyone okay? Remind me to donate to your temple, Catina. I think I owe you, and Shelyn a favour or twelve."


========
Intermission
========

Catina likewise drags herself to the Green Room, feeling a bit embarrassed because she hadn't even had to deal with the biting acid. Still, Varius's honesty and gratefulness bring a smile to her face. "You're welcome at the temple, Varius, but don't feel obligated to donate. Please keep doing what you do to help Westcrown and see the beauty of it. That will be enough."

She quickly gets dressed and then gathers everyone around her, including Calseinica. "This challenge took a heavy toll on all of us, but I have some healing power left." She takes the hands of the two persons closest to her. "We'll face the rest of the challenges as we've done so far, by relying on each other and keeping our hearts focused on our common goal." She doesn't want to make it more explicit than that with Calseinica in the circle, but it'll do. After that healing, she touches first Petals and then Faustinia to heal the rest of their wounds.

With that taken care of, her thoughts turn to the next Act. "Any idea what we're going to have to face?" Her brow furrows, slightly fearful. "We won't actually have to give birth to a demon, will we? Even the slugs were only an approximation... I'm sure we will have to fight something awful, though. Probably as an 'appetizer' for the final challenge..." Before she heads out on stage, she takes a small peek at the audience. "I just don't get it," she mutters, partly to herself. "Why do we even try, when they're just here to see us struggle and get injured? Or worse?"

Her doubts and lack of focus shows during the next act, and her delivery of her lines is wooden, as if she's just going through the motions, weary of the challenges behind them and anxious about what they have left to face.

--

Channel energy: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 2) = 5
CLW (instead of Bless) on Petals: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
CLW (instead of Sanctuary) on Faustinia: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Perform act 5: 1d20 - 1 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (1) - 1 + 3 + 4 = 7


Female LG Elf paladin 1/bard 4 | HP: 32/32 | AC: 19 (14 Tch, 15 Fl) | CMB: +6, CMD: 20 | F: +4, R: +8, W: +6 | Init: +4 | Perc: +7, SM +10 | Speed 30ft | Bardic Performance 12/12, Smite Evil 1/1 | Spells: 1st 4/4, 2nd 2/2 | Active conditions:

Petals wearily follows the others, not chatting much until the healing waves for beautiful energy engulfs her. Even more than her own magic, Catina's feels like a welcome hug. Which she gives back to Catina in the form of a physical one. You saved us. she says to the cleric with a warm smile, and then a long formal bow.

Then she realizes she's still naked, squeaks loudly, and then runs to get dressed and armed.

I really hope at least one of our trials includes audience participation. she groans, gripping her hammer in imagined anticipation.

acting: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 2 = 12

She manages her lines but with a single emotion only. Anger.

Dark Archive

Female LN Human Conjurer 5 | HP: 27/27 | AC: 14 (10 Tch, 14 Fl) | CMB: 0, CMD: 10 | F: +5, R: +2, W: +7 (+1 vs devil mind-affecting) | Init: +4 | Perc: +6, SM: +2 (+1 vs Wiscrani nobility) | Speed 30ft | Acid Dart: 7/7; Bonded Object 0/1 | Spells: 3rd: 0/3 2nd: 4/4 1st 4/5 | Active conditions: mage armor (5 hours);

==========
Interlude
==========

Faustinia tries to assuage Catina's fears, saying, ”I think it will no doubt involve some sort of egg, but the true challenge is that we shall be facing off in some kind of fight. Hopefully it'll mostly just be Millech’s illusions. Just remember why we're ultimately here.” She doesn't elaborate any more than that with Calseinica around, and hopes her meaning is apparent.

---

Perform (act): 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 2 + 2 + 4 = 25


CG Human Ranger 3/Rogue 1 | hp 16/(22) 38 | AC 17, T 13, FF 14 | Fort+5, Ref+8, Will+2 | CMD 17 | Init +3 (+5 urban) | Perc +11 (+13 urban) | -7 Con, -6 Cha | 2 Bleed, Mummy Rot, Filth Fever

==========
Interlude
==========

Alessandro sits on the floor breathing deeply and steeling himself for the next act. "We've made it this far. Only two more challenges to go." As much as he is on the verge of a mental breakdown he realizes that the others are just as distressed. He seeks out Calseinica. "My lovely, we nearly lost you in there. How are you holding up? I have not known you for long, but I'd be greatly heartbroken is something were to happen to you. If I fight breaks out, stay close to me and I'll defend you to my last breath."

To Catina, "Don't waste any more healing on me just yet. We may yet need it if combat awaits. Alas I lack the ability to channel into the divine yet nor possess any more potions."

Just before the next act, Alessandro seeks out Millech. "Millech, I know we haven't spoken much nor are we friends, but I know some of the others have been kind to you. If I should fail, I beg you do anything you can to protect the others."

Perform (act): 1d20 + 4 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 4 + 2 = 29

Alessandro gives a very convincing act of displaying horror at the next trial because he doesn't need to act. In fact it takes all his will not to flee in terror.


Male CG Human Rogue 1 | HP: 21/21 | AC: 14 TAC: 13 | F:+3 R:+5 W:+1 | Perception +2 | Speed 25ft |Reactions: Nimble Dodge (+2 AC vs one melee attack)

==========
Intermission
==========

Perform: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 2 = 8

Varius snaps on his breastplate and swords before grabbing his glaive.

"I've been dreading this trial the most, but if the true challenge is a fight rather than giving birth - something I lack the equipment and the enthusiasm for, I'm all for it. Let's see what they have for us."


Council of Thieves Maps

HAANDERTHAN
Thesing is majestic in his unholy indignation. ”You have crawled from the maw of the Beast. Let us see what blasphemous lies slither from your treacherous insides. Show them.”

The Bailiff brings out five crimson eggs.

DROVALID
”Dear Asmodeus! Spare us!” Alessandro needs nothing more to utter this line convincingly after the trials they literally went through.

FARUS
Varius groans miserably as he sees the eggs, dreading what comes next. ”I was hoping they’d provide a meal, but I shan’t eat devilled eggs with zeal.”

LARAZOD
”What means these strange crimson eggs?” Catina tries to act surprised, but she’s too focused on how the challenge might by twisted on perverted to make it convincing.

DROVALID
”Oh horror beyond nightmare! The eggs, they burrow deep within us. They hatch deep in our insides, churning our guts to paste and slurping them through gritted devil teeth. They feed on our souls. When these foul devils have eaten their fill, they tear their way free—terrible things! Hideous devil-children bearing our own faces, but filled with hate for all we are. We are mothers to twisted things and look upon our own visage as we die by their taloned hands.” Alessandro gets nauseous just thinking about this.

I remember practicing this line but it seems all too real now. I did not sign up to have my soul feasted upon. Abadar protect us.

HAANDERTHAN
Thesing stands up, takes in a deep breath and looks at Catina with a smirk. His eyes are bloodshot. ”Shall you recant now, or will you give birth to abominations of your very flesh?”

ILSANDRA
Calseinica grins, and delivers her lines with passion. ”Do your worst, fool of a mortal. I am a princess to hell, and no child born of my black soul shall bear malice against me.”

Larazod lifts the Bailiff off the ground by the throat with one mighty hand.

Catina puts a hand on the bailiff, but she’s not sure how she’s supposed to lift him. Could Millech make it look convincing?

As Catina finds out, Millech just moves the illusion upwards, without any contribution, in terms of strenght, by Catina.

LARAZOD
”Ha! Give me your egg, you lickspittle,” Catina starts without true venom in her voice. ”If Asmodeus wishes it, I shall choke the life of my own devilish child with glee. I gulp this egg down before this court and our dark lord’s very eyes.”

DENTRIS
”Well, give me mine.” Faustinia grumbles fatalistically. She holds up the egg and examines it critically. “Not much good it shall avail you. The real Dentris Maltrada was killed ages ago at my own devilish hands when I was born from his old soul. I am a child of this egg.”

In the meantime, Farus gasps, flailing his arms dramatically.

TYBAIN
Petals feigns innocent surprise, loudly explaining ”Truly?! I had no idea!”

DENTRIS
Faustinia comically rolls her eyes. ”If only everyone was as naïve as ye, paladin.”

TYBAIN
She gives out a not convincing laugh, worried beyond worry what these things really are, then with hands on her hips announces ”I like eggs! Red, white, or otherwise. Hand me mine! I’ll eat it raw!”

The companions eat their eggs.


Council of Thieves Maps

⁞⁞⁞⁞ ACT V: THE BIRTHING TRIAL ⁞⁞⁞⁞

The crimson eggs given to each actor are magical devices— eating one of them causes it to hatch inside the actor’s belly, becoming a roiling mass of infernal ooze that the actor then vomits up. The ooze pools on stage, at which point two roiling waves of flesh gush forward. Amid the fatty surge wriggle half-formed limbs and two dripping tumorous faces.

Faustinia:
You were able to realize that the creatures were not born from you vomit, but instead summoned by someone from backstage via a summon monster spell.

Lady Faustinia’s Knowledge (planes) check (+2 circumstantial bo-nus): 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 10 + 2 = 18

Faustinia:
These creatures are lemures, the least of devilkind. Lemures roil forth from the ranks of souls damned to Hell, shapeless masses of quivering flesh. What spark of instinct or memory lingers on within a lemure's semi-consciousness regularly shapes its features to mimic those of its tormentors or the tortured souls around it. Grotesque and use-less, a lemure's features speak nothing of what it once was. Many exhibit multiple terrible visages or are nothing more than churning pillars of cancerous flesh. Only their knobby, flailing limbs work as they should, and those they merely use to destroy any non-infernal life that draws too near. Moving lemures typically congeal in forms over 4 feet tall and weigh upward of 200 pounds, though when at rest these disgusting fiends often appear to be little more than lumps of melted flesh and malformed features.

Although among the most loathsome creatures in existence, lemures serve a vital role in Hell's perverse ecology. When at the end of a mortal life a creature's soul is damned—whether because it revered diabolical forces or failed in the worship of another deity—it joins the masses of suffering souls filling the plains of Avernus, Hell's first layer. Here a soul's torments begin as lesser devils marshal it along with similar spirits in preparation for a long, perilous journey to one of Hell's deeper layers—typically one suited to the punishments appropriate to the soul's crimes, or merely the domain of a devil who has need for slaves. Upon reaching the realm of their damnation, souls face untold lifetimes of torment at the hands of devils, other fiendish beings, and the deadly machinations of Hell itself. As the formerly mortal essences slowly go mad, they forget their lives, grow bestial, and eventually become little more than automatons of fear and hatred. After ages of such existence, the cruel processes of Hell either utterly annihilate the soul or—in the cases of the most profane spirits—reconsecrate such forsaken beings into lemures, the building blocks of devils, unthinking waves of filth and diabolical flesh. Such repulsive beings assemble in vast mobs, waves of putrescence thousands upon thousands strong. Greater devils can spot the most corrupt of these fiends and, either through mysterious tortures or the powers of Hell itself, reshape them into true devils, newly born and ready to obediently serve in the legions of the damned.

DR 5/good or silver
Immunities fire, mind-affecting effects, poison

---

Having consumed and then vomited the egg has some noxious effects on the actors.

FORTITUDE SAVES
Alessandro: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Catina: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Lady Faustinia: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Petals: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Varius: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Alessandro and Catina are nauseated for 2 rounds. Lady Faustinia, Petals and Varius are merely sickened for 2 rounds.

---

The crowd roars and applauses, amazed by the illusion of devils coming into being just in front of them. Many in the crowd, however, start to root for the actors, inciting them to overcome the odds they’re faced with.

As soon as the devils appear, the other actors, except for Calseinica, are quick to move offstage.

▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁
⁞⁞⁞⁞ ROUND ❶ ⁞⁞⁞⁞
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
First Lady Faustinia, than me, then the rest of the party for Round 1 and Lady Faustinia for Round 2.

▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁
⁞⁞⁞⁞ INITIATIVE ⁞⁞⁞⁞
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Active effects: none

Lady Faustinia (Conditions: sickened; Status: 14/14 hp)
Lemures (Conditions: none; Status: ? hp)
Petals (Conditions: sickened; Status: 18/21 hp)
Varius (Conditions: sickened; Status: 20/21 hp)
Catina (Conditions: nauseated; Status: 23/24 hp)
Alessandro (Conditions: nauseated; Status: 24/30 hp)
______________________________________________________

GM Rolls:

Summon monster: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

--- INITIATIVE CHECKS ---

Alessandro: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Catina: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Lady Faustinia: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Petals: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Varius: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Lemures: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (17) + 0 = 17

Dark Archive

Female LN Human Conjurer 5 | HP: 27/27 | AC: 14 (10 Tch, 14 Fl) | CMB: 0, CMD: 10 | F: +5, R: +2, W: +7 (+1 vs devil mind-affecting) | Init: +4 | Perc: +6, SM: +2 (+1 vs Wiscrani nobility) | Speed 30ft | Acid Dart: 7/7; Bonded Object 0/1 | Spells: 3rd: 0/3 2nd: 4/4 1st 4/5 | Active conditions: mage armor (5 hours);

==========
Round 1
==========

Faustinia wipes some slime from her mouth with the sleeve of her robe, staring at the summoned devils with disgust. These foul children of ours are hellspawn nonetheless! Their flesh will yield to silver, and the touch of good magic such as yours, Pall-o-Dine,” she tells the others, trying to stay in character. Faustinia draws her crossbow and starts digging in her component pouch for a spell. ”But first, let's show these creatures that they can't stand up to the originals!” Faustinia unleashes an arcane syllable and an oily patch appears under their revolting foes.

---

Move action: draw crossbow. Standard action: cast grease (DC 16 Reflex) in the area marked on the map.


Council of Thieves Maps

▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁
⁞⁞⁞⁞ ROUND ❶ ⁞⁞⁞⁞
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
The lemures slip in the grease conjured by Lady Faustinia, but quickly regains their normal position—defining their position as properly standing is a longshot, but that’s the best they can get to. Unfortunately, the heroes are not ready to attack and take advantage of the situation in time, and once the lemures are again able to attack, they do so without hesitating. To make things worse, another lemure sprouts from the vomit, and it immediately joins the others in the assault.

The attacks are directed against Catina, Petals and Varius respectively. Fortunately, the actors manage to avoid all of the attacks against them, although especially in Catina’s and Varius’ cases, it was a close call.

▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁
⁞⁞⁞⁞ INITIATIVE ⁞⁞⁞⁞
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Active effects: none

Lady Faustinia (Conditions: sickened; Status: 14/14 hp)
Lemures (Conditions: none; Status: ? hp)
Petals (Conditions: sickened; Status: 18/21 hp)
Varius (Conditions: sickened; Status: 20/21 hp)
Catina (Conditions: nauseated; Status: 23/24 hp)
Alessandro (Conditions: nauseated; Status: 24/30 hp)
______________________________________________________

GM Rolls:

--- REFLEX SAVES ---

Orange: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Red: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

--- LEMURES’ ATTACKS ---

Claw attack (orange): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Claw damage (orange): 1d4 ⇒ 3

Claw attack (red): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Claw damage (red): 1d4 ⇒ 3

Claw attack #1 (yellow): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Claw damage #1 (yellow): 1d4 ⇒ 1
Claw attack #2 (yellow): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Claw damage #2 (yellow): 1d4 ⇒ 1


Male CG Human Rogue 1 | HP: 21/21 | AC: 14 TAC: 13 | F:+3 R:+5 W:+1 | Perception +2 | Speed 25ft |Reactions: Nimble Dodge (+2 AC vs one melee attack)

===========
Round 1
===========

Silver. Of course. Well, none of that.

Recovering from the misery of dealing with the eggs, Varius is quickly overwhelmed by the lemures, thankfully avoiding their attacks.

Oh Gods, I've never fought anything like this before... well, a stab is a stab. Here goes!

With nowhere to really maneuver, he simply lunges in with his swords.

Attack-Double Attack-Sickened: 1d20 + 7 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 - 2 - 2 = 7 Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Attack-Double Attack-Sickened: 1d20 + 7 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 7 - 2 - 2 = 23 Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Crit: 1d20 + 7 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 7 - 2 - 2 = 20 Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Attacking the lemure in front of Petals.


Female LG Elf paladin 1/bard 4 | HP: 32/32 | AC: 19 (14 Tch, 15 Fl) | CMB: +6, CMD: 20 | F: +4, R: +8, W: +6 | Init: +4 | Perc: +7, SM +10 | Speed 30ft | Bardic Performance 12/12, Smite Evil 1/1 | Spells: 1st 4/4, 2nd 2/2 | Active conditions:

===========
Round 1
===========

Pall-o-D...? OOOh!! Petals gets it after a second of not being so bright. With a smile, she nods at her wizard friend, then whispers Please mother, help deliver us from this filth as she grasps her hammer in her hands, pouring her goddess's love into the shaft, and bringing divine beauty to its head. The rose covered silver head connects with a sickening squish and crunch. I do not accept you, child of mine. she tries to act amidst the whacking, unfortunately badly.

swift action to smite evil, standard to attack
+2 attack, +2 damage(assuming it is an evil outsider), bypassing DR, also +2 deflection bonus all toward the one in middle, orange

attack orange with the hammer: 1d20 + 5 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 2 - 2 = 21
damage: 2d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (6, 6) + 3 + 2 = 17


CG Human Ranger 3/Rogue 1 | hp 16/(22) 38 | AC 17, T 13, FF 14 | Fort+5, Ref+8, Will+2 | CMD 17 | Init +3 (+5 urban) | Perc +11 (+13 urban) | -7 Con, -6 Cha | 2 Bleed, Mummy Rot, Filth Fever

===========
Round 1
===========

The foul vomit affected Alessandro worse than the others. He remains on his knees and continues to spew up more acrid slime. He tries to stand and fight but he immediately gets dizzy again and vomits some more.

Dark Archive

Female LN Human Conjurer 5 | HP: 27/27 | AC: 14 (10 Tch, 14 Fl) | CMB: 0, CMD: 10 | F: +5, R: +2, W: +7 (+1 vs devil mind-affecting) | Init: +4 | Perc: +6, SM: +2 (+1 vs Wiscrani nobility) | Speed 30ft | Acid Dart: 7/7; Bonded Object 0/1 | Spells: 3rd: 0/3 2nd: 4/4 1st 4/5 | Active conditions: mage armor (5 hours);

==========
Round 2
==========

Faustinia grins as the devils fall, but her smugness turns to embarrassment as no one is quick enough to take advantage of the flailing lemures as they get up. She puts a hand over her face at the tactical mistake and grumbles something under her breath before she begins casting another spell.

---

Begin casting summon monster I.


Catina tries to listen to Faustinia, but finds it hard to focus. The thought that such a devil could be born from a disgusting ooze, and that she had that in her stomach... The mere thought makes her retch again. She doesn't even have the breath to apologize to the others.


Council of Thieves Maps

▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁
⁞⁞⁞⁞ ROUND ❶ ⁞⁞⁞⁞
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Petals brings down one of the lemures with her holy power, while Varius precise thrust only manages to injure another one (yellow). As Varius can notice, Lady Faustinia’s suggestion was correct—these abominations seems to be resistant to ordinary weapons. “Come Lazarod!”, says Calseinica as she pulls back the tiefling. “Don’t let them touch you!

▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁
⁞⁞⁞⁞ ROUND ❷ ⁞⁞⁞⁞
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Lady Faustinia starts casting a spell, but in the meanwhile another lemure sprouts just where the other was killed by Petals! The lesser devils all attack the closes enemies. Two of them focus on Petals, while the other attacks Varius. Only one attack, however, succeeds. Petals gets clawed by the devil, taking a slight wound at her hip.

Petals takes 1 point of damage.

▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁
⁞⁞⁞⁞ INITIATIVE ⁞⁞⁞⁞
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Active effects: none

Lady Faustinia (Conditions: sickened; Status: 14/14 hp)
Orange lemure (Conditions: none; Status: ? hp)
Red lemure (Conditions: none; Status: ? hp)
Yellow lemure (Conditions: none; Status: -4 hp hp)
Petals (Conditions: sickened; Status: 17/21 hp)
Varius (Conditions: sickened; Status: 20/21 hp)
Catina (Conditions: nauseated; Status: 23/24 hp)
Alessandro (Conditions: nauseated; Status: 24/30 hp)
______________________________________________________

GM Rolls:

--- LEMURES’ ATTACKS ---

Claw attack (orange): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Claw damage (orange): 1d4 ⇒ 3
Claw attack (orange): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Claw damage (orange): 1d4 ⇒ 1

Claw attack (red): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Claw damage (red): 1d4 ⇒ 1
Claw attack (red): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Claw damage (red): 1d4 ⇒ 3

Claw attack #1 (yellow): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Claw damage #1 (yellow): 1d4 ⇒ 3
Claw attack #2 (yellow): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Claw damage #2 (yellow): 1d4 ⇒ 1


Female LG Elf paladin 1/bard 4 | HP: 32/32 | AC: 19 (14 Tch, 15 Fl) | CMB: +6, CMD: 20 | F: +4, R: +8, W: +6 | Init: +4 | Perc: +7, SM +10 | Speed 30ft | Bardic Performance 12/12, Smite Evil 1/1 | Spells: 1st 4/4, 2nd 2/2 | Active conditions:

Shelyn did not disappoint as the devil crumbles under the hammer, but Petals feels the divine power leave her. She was never able to hold it long, another of her failings. The devils push through their ranks, she concentrates on the one now threatening Faustinia behind her. Without the grace of her mother she has a harder time connecting.

smith evil ended, last round of sickened

attack with silver hammer: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 5 - 2 = 9


Male CG Human Rogue 1 | HP: 21/21 | AC: 14 TAC: 13 | F:+3 R:+5 W:+1 | Perception +2 | Speed 25ft |Reactions: Nimble Dodge (+2 AC vs one melee attack)

Varius' years of training come into play as the disgusting blob claws at him. He easily keeps it back with pokes of his sword, still frustrated as his inability to maneuver, wishing he had the space to pull out his glaive.

"Drovalid, friend, can you give one some space? Methinks a sharp glaive wouldst put this devil in its place!"

Can Alessandro move out a bit so Varius can use his reach weapon? Varius will hold until Alessandro can move and then act.

Dark Archive

Female LN Human Conjurer 5 | HP: 27/27 | AC: 14 (10 Tch, 14 Fl) | CMB: 0, CMD: 10 | F: +5, R: +2, W: +7 (+1 vs devil mind-affecting) | Init: +4 | Perc: +6, SM: +2 (+1 vs Wiscrani nobility) | Speed 30ft | Acid Dart: 7/7; Bonded Object 0/1 | Spells: 3rd: 0/3 2nd: 4/4 1st 4/5 | Active conditions: mage armor (5 hours);

==========
Round 3
==========

As Faustinia finishes casting her spell, the familiar eagle with golden, glowing eyes appears behind the newly formed lemure. It draws on its celestial power and tears at the creature’s thick, amorphous flesh with its claws and beak.

Faustinia, in the meantime having recovered from the sickening ooze in her stomach, steps back from the approaching roiling mass of devil flesh. She loads her crossbow before unleashing the bolt at the creature.

---

Celestial eagle:
Bite on Orange, flanking: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 2 = 14
Damage, smite evil: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5 Bypasses DR/good

Claw on Orange, flanking: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 3 + 2 = 18
Damage, smite evil: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5 Bypasses DR/good

Claw on Orange, flanking: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 2 = 13
Damage, smite evil: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4 Bypasses DR/good

Augmented celestial eagle combat defenses:
AC 14, touch 13, flat-footed 12 (+2 Dex +1 natural +1 size )
HP 7 (1d8+3)
Fort +5, Ref +4, Will +2
Resist cold 5, acid 5, electricity 5
SR 6

Faustinia:
Light crossbow on Red, into melee: 1d20 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 1 - 4 = 7


CG Human Ranger 3/Rogue 1 | hp 16/(22) 38 | AC 17, T 13, FF 14 | Fort+5, Ref+8, Will+2 | CMD 17 | Init +3 (+5 urban) | Perc +11 (+13 urban) | -7 Con, -6 Cha | 2 Bleed, Mummy Rot, Filth Fever

==========
Round 2
==========

Alessando finishes throwing up and wipes the last bit of spit on his sleeve. He sidesteps to the left allowing Varius to move into position. "Sorry for the delay. I should be okay now." Nausea ends after this round.


Male CG Human Rogue 1 | HP: 21/21 | AC: 14 TAC: 13 | F:+3 R:+5 W:+1 | Perception +2 | Speed 25ft |Reactions: Nimble Dodge (+2 AC vs one melee attack)

============
Round 2
=============

Varius tosses his swords to the ground, instead yanking out his glaive as Alessandro steps back. Now with a bit of range and a heavier weapon, Varius stabs out at the lemure in front of him... missing terribly.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

5' step back, free action to draw swords, move to draw glaive, standard to attack.


Catina finishes retching as well, but she's not so cheerful about it as Alessandro. "How could they do this to us?"


Council of Thieves Maps

▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁
⁞⁞⁞⁞ ROUND ❷ ⁞⁞⁞⁞
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Petals misses the devil, her hammer clashing against the ground harmlessly to none but her. Varius has no better luck with his attack, and while both Catina and Alessandro start to feel better, Calseinica shivers as her hands reach out for a stiletto hidden around her calf.

▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁
⁞⁞⁞⁞ ROUND ❸ ⁞⁞⁞⁞
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
As the golden eagle suddenly comes into the Material Plane, the crowd cannot hold back an amazed expression. Cheliax is definitely in love with summoning. The celestial eagle claws and bites the lemure, the holy power it bears delving deep wounds in the fiendish mass of infernal flesh composing the lemure. Unfortunately, lemures are a tough lot, and the fiend manages to resist. Faustinia’s bolt fails to hit the target and deliver the killing blow to the devil, and the fiends retaliate immediately thereafter. Worse of all, their number keeps increasing as another lemure joins the fray.

Lady Faustinia dodges both the attacks against her, and Petals does the same with the attacks from the lemure in front of her. Catina isn’t equally prepared, and the devil manages to wound her with the first attack, although the tiefling manages to avoid the second—exactly contrary to Varius, who’s able to deflect the first attack but is caught by surprise by the second one from the lemure in front of him.

Catina takes 2 points of damage. Varius takes 4 points of damage.

▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁
⁞⁞⁞⁞ INITIATIVE ⁞⁞⁞⁞
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Active effects: none

Lady Faustinia (Conditions: none; Status: 14/14 hp)
Green lemure (Conditions: none; Status: ? hp hp)
Orange lemure (Conditions: none; Status: -10 hp)
Red lemure (Conditions: none; Status: ? hp)
Yellow lemure (Conditions: none; Status: -4 hp hp)
Petals (Conditions: none; Status: 17/21 hp)
Varius (Conditions: none; Status: 16/21 hp)
Catina (Conditions: none; Status: 21/24 hp)
Alessandro (Conditions: none; Status: 24/30 hp)
______________________________________________________

GM Rolls:

--- LEMURES’ ATTACKS ---
Claw attack (green): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Claw damage (green): 1d4 ⇒ 4
Claw attack (green): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Claw damage (green): 1d4 ⇒ 2

Claw attack (orange): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Claw damage (orange): 1d4 ⇒ 1
Claw attack (orange): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Claw damage (orange): 1d4 ⇒ 1

Claw attack (red): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Claw damage (red): 1d4 ⇒ 2
Claw attack (red): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Claw damage (red): 1d4 ⇒ 2

Claw attack #1 (yellow): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Claw damage #1 (yellow): 1d4 ⇒ 2
Claw attack #2 (yellow): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Claw damage #2 (yellow): 1d4 ⇒ 4


Female LG Elf paladin 1/bard 4 | HP: 32/32 | AC: 19 (14 Tch, 15 Fl) | CMB: +6, CMD: 20 | F: +4, R: +8, W: +6 | Init: +4 | Perc: +7, SM +10 | Speed 30ft | Bardic Performance 12/12, Smite Evil 1/1 | Spells: 1st 4/4, 2nd 2/2 | Active conditions:

The beast before her is torn into by the majestic eagle, lighting her heart. The elf raises her hammer to finish the beast but on hearing the cries of alarm behind her, Petal spares a look to see she is almost complete surrounded by the devils. Further more she sees the unarmed starlet and her two nauseated companions threatened by the beasts. Turning her back on one of these things is probably insane but she's worried about her sanity enough over the years, she's not going to let that stop her. Die, abomination she cries out as she spins and slams her hammer down on the shoulder of the one behind her. Happy as she is at the dull thud and cracking noise, she knows it is not down for the count yet.

[ooc]flanking, silver so should bypass DR, sickened should be over[/occ]

attack green with hammer: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 2 = 25
damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (1, 6) + 3 = 10

Dark Archive

Female LN Human Conjurer 5 | HP: 27/27 | AC: 14 (10 Tch, 14 Fl) | CMB: 0, CMD: 10 | F: +5, R: +2, W: +7 (+1 vs devil mind-affecting) | Init: +4 | Perc: +6, SM: +2 (+1 vs Wiscrani nobility) | Speed 30ft | Acid Dart: 7/7; Bonded Object 0/1 | Spells: 3rd: 0/3 2nd: 4/4 1st 4/5 | Active conditions: mage armor (5 hours);

==========
Round 4
==========

The summoned eagle continues its barrage of attacks opposite Petals’ massive hammer strikes. Its eyes flick maliciously toward the one on its left as well, ready to direct its fury wherever necessary.

Faustinia takes a step back again, launching a bolt at the one that just newly appeared. ”Disgusting infernal blobs!”

---

Celestial eagle:
If the Orange one dies, the eagle will 5-foot step to flank and use its remaining attacks on the Yellow one.
Bite on Orange, flanking: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 2 = 12
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Claw on Orange, flanking: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 2 = 20
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Claw on Orange, flanking: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 2 = 9
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Augmented celestial eagle combat defenses:
AC 14, touch 13, flat-footed 12 (+2 Dex +1 natural +1 size )
HP 7/7 (1d8+3)
Fort +5, Ref +4, Will +2
Resist cold 5, acid 5, electricity 5
SR 6

Faustinia:
Light crossbow on Green, into melee: 1d20 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 1 - 4 = 15
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7


CG Human Ranger 3/Rogue 1 | hp 16/(22) 38 | AC 17, T 13, FF 14 | Fort+5, Ref+8, Will+2 | CMD 17 | Init +3 (+5 urban) | Perc +11 (+13 urban) | -7 Con, -6 Cha | 2 Bleed, Mummy Rot, Filth Fever

==========
Round 4
==========

Kukri: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 2 = 14
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Sneak Attack: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Alessandro draws his kukris and swings one at the lemure in front of Calseinica. "Don't even think about it, hellspawn! My weapon isn't silver but hopefully it still has a bite."


========
Round 4
========

The Lemure's strike against her is enough to shock Catina into action. She takes a firm grip on her glaive and steps back to give herself room to swing. "Calseinica, don't put yourself in danger. Step back, behind Faustinia." It's not that Catina doesn't appreciate the help, but she's seen in the belly of the Beast that the actress doesn't stand up well to punishment such as this. She swings at the devil in front of her, but she spasms as she strikes, causing her weapon to fly wide.

--

Attack red: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12


Male CG Human Rogue 1 | HP: 21/21 | AC: 14 TAC: 13 | F:+3 R:+5 W:+1 | Perception +2 | Speed 25ft |Reactions: Nimble Dodge (+2 AC vs one melee attack)

=========
Round 4
=========

Varius yelps as he's clawed and looks around with increasing frustration as he's boxed in on all sides with his reach weapon, and unable to move without being a free target for three lemurs. Shaking his head as he tries to ignore the blood trickling down his clothes, he stabs at the lemure past Petals, but is unable to hit.

Attack-Cover: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 5 - 4 = 6 Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5


Council of Thieves Maps

▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁
⁞⁞⁞⁞ ROUND ❸ ⁞⁞⁞⁞
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Petals brings her hammer down on the lemure in front of her, and although she sends a good portion of the devils’ disgusting corporeal mass to splatter all around, she’s not able to kill the fiend. In the meantime Varius tries to stab at another lemure, but he fails to connect. Fortunately, Catina and Alessandro are now ready to join the fray!

Catina misses wildly, however, and Alessandro manages to hit his target by a inch, but that enough to kill…well, at least to force the creature to disappear!

Calseinica nods to Catina and steps behind Alessandro, grabbing his hand for a moment before suddenly letting it go.

▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁
⁞⁞⁞⁞ ROUND ❹ ⁞⁞⁞⁞
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Faustinia’s celestial eagle keeps striking terror in the devils’ ranks! Although only one of the eagle’s attacks actually lands, it is more than enough to make another lemure disappear. Most spectacularly, though, Lady Faustinia hits one of the lemure with incredible precision, and she even manages to deal some damage to the fiend!

Only two lemures remain, and they both mindlessly attack the closest target, meaning Petals and Varius respectively. Both of them, fortunately, manages to parry the devils’ assaults!

▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁
⁞⁞⁞⁞ INITIATIVE ⁞⁞⁞⁞
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Active effects: none

Lady Faustinia (Conditions: none; Status: 14/14 hp)
Green lemure (Conditions: none; Status: -14 hp)
Orange lemure (Conditions: none; Status: -16 hp)
Red lemure (Conditions: none; Status: ? hp)
Yellow lemure (Conditions: none; Status: -6 hp)
Petals (Conditions: none; Status: 17/21 hp)
Varius (Conditions: none; Status: 16/21 hp)
Catina (Conditions: none; Status: 21/24 hp)
Alessandro (Conditions: none; Status: 24/30 hp)
______________________________________________________

GM Rolls:

--- LEMURES’ ATTACKS ---
Claw attack (red): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Claw damage (red): 1d4 ⇒ 4
Claw attack (red): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Claw damage (red): 1d4 ⇒ 4

Claw attack #1 (yellow): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Claw damage #1 (yellow): 1d4 ⇒ 4
Claw attack #2 (yellow): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Claw damage #2 (yellow): 1d4 ⇒ 3


Male CG Human Rogue 1 | HP: 21/21 | AC: 14 TAC: 13 | F:+3 R:+5 W:+1 | Perception +2 | Speed 25ft |Reactions: Nimble Dodge (+2 AC vs one melee attack)

==========
Round Five
==========

Seeing an opening, Varius quickly steps back, finally giving himself enough room to get a clear attack in. However, he misses again as he tries to get used to using the glaive.

Gods, they hired me to fight things. Can you get fired from being an Iris?

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9 Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6


=======
Round 5
=======

Bolstered by her companions' excellent performance in fighting the Lemures, Catina lashes out with her glaive again. "Stand with me, companions," she intones. "We will defeat this challenge as we've done the others, and show the justness of our cause!"

--

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12


Female LG Elf paladin 1/bard 4 | HP: 32/32 | AC: 19 (14 Tch, 15 Fl) | CMB: +6, CMD: 20 | F: +4, R: +8, W: +6 | Init: +4 | Perc: +7, SM +10 | Speed 30ft | Bardic Performance 12/12, Smite Evil 1/1 | Spells: 1st 4/4, 2nd 2/2 | Active conditions:

============
Round Five
============

For a moment all Petals could see was devil spawn all around her and a moment of abandoned panic. Countless people have left her, abandoned her like her parents or simply faded through the years... but now wasn't like that. The valiant cries of her companions, Faustina's eagle tearing flesh from the fiend, a crossbow bolt slamming into another. She was not alone.

attack yellow with hammer: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (6, 6) + 3 = 15

Heartened, she spins to her right, skirts flaring, bringing her hammer up in a arch and connecting with a thud into the chest of another creatures.

Dark Archive

Female LN Human Conjurer 5 | HP: 27/27 | AC: 14 (10 Tch, 14 Fl) | CMB: 0, CMD: 10 | F: +5, R: +2, W: +7 (+1 vs devil mind-affecting) | Init: +4 | Perc: +6, SM: +2 (+1 vs Wiscrani nobility) | Speed 30ft | Acid Dart: 7/7; Bonded Object 0/1 | Spells: 3rd: 0/3 2nd: 4/4 1st 4/5 | Active conditions: mage armor (5 hours);

==========
Round 5
==========

The eagle moves on the devils fall, ready to hack at their tough flesh with as much fury and energy as ever.

Faustinia is surprised that she manages to land a wound on one of the creatures, and feels confident as their numbers dwindle and her friends tear the fiends apart. As far as the trials went, this one seemed to be going quite smoothly! She takes a step to the side, loading and firing another shot.

---

Celestial eagle:
Bite on Yellow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Bite on Yellow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Bite on Yellow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Augmented celestial eagle combat defenses:
AC 14, touch 13, flat-footed 12 (+2 Dex +1 natural +1 size )
HP 7/7 (1d8+3)
Fort +5, Ref +4, Will +2
Resist cold 5, acid 5, electricity 5
SR 6

Faustinia:
Light crossbow on Red: 1d20 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 1 - 4 = 3
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2


CG Human Ranger 3/Rogue 1 | hp 16/(22) 38 | AC 17, T 13, FF 14 | Fort+5, Ref+8, Will+2 | CMD 17 | Init +3 (+5 urban) | Perc +11 (+13 urban) | -7 Con, -6 Cha | 2 Bleed, Mummy Rot, Filth Fever

==========
Round 5
==========

Kukri: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 4 + 2 = 21
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Sneak Attack: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Kukri: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 2 = 22
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Sneak Attack: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Alessandro steps up to flank with the eagle. He swings both swords at the lemure; their blubbery flesh absorbs the kinetic energy of the strikes.

"Hey, over here!" he shouts, trying to drawn its attention.


Council of Thieves Maps

▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁
⁞⁞⁞⁞ ROUND ❸ ⁞⁞⁞⁞
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Petals spins to her right, skirts flaring, bringing her hammer up in a arch and connecting with a thud into the head of another lemure. The silver of her hammer strikes through, and the fiend disappears with a gurgle. Varius fails to connect again, but Catina behind him is ready to strike and takes advantage of the distraction created by her companion to swing her glaive at the lemure. Alessandro steps in and delivers the killing blow to the fiend. The Irises of Westcrown have triumphed!

The crowd roars, any residual hope of seeing one of the actors devoured by the lemures gone. Now the whole crowd is rooting for the actors. There’s something special in the air, the feeling that tonight’s show can be special—even if no one dares to say it aloud, everyone has started to consider the idea of witnessing a complete show of the The Six Trials of Lazarod, and the resulting excitement runs through the audience as a power surge.

---

The curtain goes down, and the actors are granted a few minutes to rest, clean their costumer and heal their wounds while Visbaronettes Delour Aulamaxa entertains the audience with a dramatic aria.

---

After a few minutes, however, it’s again the party’s turn to step back onto the stage and face Act Six!
______________________________________________________
You gain 400 XP each and 97 Popularity points!


Male CG Human Rogue 1 | HP: 21/21 | AC: 14 TAC: 13 | F:+3 R:+5 W:+1 | Perception +2 | Speed 25ft |Reactions: Nimble Dodge (+2 AC vs one melee attack)

=============
Intermission
=============

Varius heads back, annoyed with himself but beaming nonetheless.

"Impressive! I... can't say I've ever had to fight anything like -that- before, but I seem to have signed up with the right people. We may actually do this. To be honest I didn't really have much doubt until I started the damn thing and I think I lost my fingerprints in the Beast. When we went into the birthing trial I thought some abomination would crawl its way out of my stomach - I hope nobody minded my little ad-lib there, but who could resist a deviled eggs joke? I'm sure I heard the director giggle. ... I'm also babbling. Well done. Is any more of that wonderful healing magic available or should I drink this last potion of mine?"

He removes his breastplate, obsessively checking over the wound from the lemure to make sure it hasn't given him some foul disease or something.

"So our next stage direction is that we fight 'a legion of devils'. That sounds nice. I think I'll start with the glaive in hand since my poor swords don't have enough punch. I'm going to spend a lot of moeny getting you all drunk once we're through this."

Perform for the next act: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 1 + 2 = 22

Varius will drink his potion of CLW for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 if there's no general healing available.


=========
Intermission
=========

Now that the crowd is finally firmly rooting for them, Catina feels the same exhilaration as the day before, during the dress rehearsal. Was that only yesterday? It seems like ages ago. She hurries off the stage with the others, bouncing with energy. She takes Varius by the shoulders and shakes him before she realizes he's hurt. "You were great, all of you. We're really going to pull this off, aren't we? - Oh, sorry." She lets him take off his breastplate, then gently examines the wound. "I'm sorry, but I'm nearly out of spells. We'd best stick to potions for now, if you still have one. It's OK to be nervous, Varius. I'm sure we all are. But if we stick together, we're going to pull through." She checks her own lemure-invoked wound, but finds that the wound was very shallow and her devil-infused skin is already starting to heal.

She makes a round of the group, making sure everyone is all right and giving several of them some words of encouragement. "I still have some healing potions. Please taken one if you need, don't by stingy. We'll let Ar- our friend make some more, once this is over." She nods at Varius's prediction of the last challenge. If they could bring out these fiends on stage, I'm sure they can provide more. We'd best be prepared. Petals, I've seen that your weapon is most effective against devils. Once the fight starts, I'll bless you with great strength to aid you in swinging that hammer. Calseinia, I know the script calls for all of us to stand together - you and I in particular,"[/b] she adds with a slight blush, "but please don't get yourself in danger. Try to find a safe space behind us once the fighting starts."

--

Catina has 4 healing potions left. She'll keep one for emergencies, which means three are up for grabs. Please don't be shy in claiming them. You can roll the healing for yourself, if you decide to use one.

Perform act 6: 1d20 - 1 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (18) - 1 + 4 + 3 = 24


Female LG Elf paladin 1/bard 4 | HP: 32/32 | AC: 19 (14 Tch, 15 Fl) | CMB: +6, CMD: 20 | F: +4, R: +8, W: +6 | Init: +4 | Perc: +7, SM +10 | Speed 30ft | Bardic Performance 12/12, Smite Evil 1/1 | Spells: 1st 4/4, 2nd 2/2 | Active conditions:

=========
Intermission
=========

I just thought they made my hammer silver cause it was prettier that way. Petals admits wiping the rose carved silver head of her hammer with a smile, then adds with loving warmth and a shared look with Catina Our goddess merges beauty with function.

As the plan is laid out, Petals has a suggestion If I am fighting more, maybe you should take the wand? she offers the ivory colored piece of wood to Catina.

After getting prepared, she looks out on the stage in worry. We fought very well together, but I am afraid of what they throw at us next. Legion of anything sounds really bad. looking at each of them, she adds Good luck everyone.

perform act 6: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 2 = 5

Dark Archive

Female LN Human Conjurer 5 | HP: 27/27 | AC: 14 (10 Tch, 14 Fl) | CMB: 0, CMD: 10 | F: +5, R: +2, W: +7 (+1 vs devil mind-affecting) | Init: +4 | Perc: +6, SM: +2 (+1 vs Wiscrani nobility) | Speed 30ft | Acid Dart: 7/7; Bonded Object 0/1 | Spells: 3rd: 0/3 2nd: 4/4 1st 4/5 | Active conditions: mage armor (5 hours);

==========
Intermission
==========

Faustinia smirks at Varius. ”I wouldn't say no to a drink, but your money may be better spent acquiring a silver blade than dropping silvers on a bar. It's anathema to devils, and you never know what kind of diabolists are around until it's too late.”

She checks over her crossbow and nods. ”Catina may be running out of spells, but I've still got plenty. Whatever legions they throw at us, we'll put them down before we need to recover. Besides, these trials have hurt us most when we submitted ourselves to cruel and unusual tortures. If that fight with the lemures shows anything, we're much harder to kill when we're allowed to fight back.”

---

Perform act 6: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 2 + 2 + 4 = 18


CG Human Ranger 3/Rogue 1 | hp 16/(22) 38 | AC 17, T 13, FF 14 | Fort+5, Ref+8, Will+2 | CMD 17 | Init +3 (+5 urban) | Perc +11 (+13 urban) | -7 Con, -6 Cha | 2 Bleed, Mummy Rot, Filth Fever

"Lady Catina, if you don't mind, I'll take one of those potions. I don't need it now, but I'd like to be prepared if additional healing is needed during the next act. Trial by Combat and Love, the next act is called. How bad can it be? You don't think those Asmodeans would let us peak behind the curtain, do you?"

Perform (act): 1d20 + 4 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 4 + 2 = 20

Potion of cure light wounds?


=========
Intermission
=========

Catina accepts Petals' wand with a smile. "Blessed be the Rose Eternal," is her slightly formal - not nonetheless - heartfelt reply to the elven woman's invoking of Shelyn.

She hands Alessandro one of her potions. "Please, don't call me Lady," she says, looking away slightly. "It sounds... wrong. Just Catina." She takes a look at the door when Alessandro mentions what's in store for them. "We're just going to have to wait for what they throw at us. Good luck, everyone. After this one, we'll have really pulled it off!"

--

They are indeed potions of Cure light wounds. I've removed one from my sheet. I haven't added the wand, since that will be returned to Petals after this fight.


Council of Thieves Maps

HAANDERTHAN
(Aside) ”How can this be? Four trials broken, and still they prevail. Asmodeus smiles upon them. Does the Dark Lord truly know of my compact with the Abyss? It cannot be, or I am utterly undone. True or nay, I must try the last. I shall plunge their faith in pitch and acrid stew, and see if they hold to the cause.”

Catina knows that she’s not supposed to react, since Haanderthan speaks in an aside, but she cannot suppress a glum smile at seeing Thesing having to act out doubt and confusion.

Thesing turns to Lazarod and his companions. ”You sickly whelps profess undying devotion to one another. Another smoldering lie flung from your dark holes. You but conspire to confound this court and our Dark Majesty. ’Tis ye who contract with demon-spawn and seek my undoing, in service to some slimy mistress or master of the putrid Abyss. Your vile benefactors have thus far warded off justice’s dark hand, but let us see if you hold steadfast before the promise of oblivion.” Thesing concludes with a particularly unnerving grin.

DENTRIS
”More?” Faustinia gasps with empty fury. ”I cannot last. My old heart gives out.” She approaches Catina and places both hands on the tiefling's shoulders. ”Go on without me, master. I served your father faithfully. Alas, I am found lacking in the face of his half-breed son. The challenges, ever dire, cleave my soul from me. May Asmodeus keep me.” She sighs and turns away from Catina, starting to shuffle away, dejected, before kneeling and holding her face in her hands.

LARAZOD
Catina boldly strides up to Faustinia, crouches next to her and jovially wraps an arm around her shoulder, ”No foolish talk, old wizard. Haven’t you claimed immortality a thousand times to any bent ear? Old Dentris Maltrada cannot die, ye said. I’ve eaten the heart of an ancient Red Wyrm, and warmed by his fire, my soul burns eternal. Get up, my dear friend, more father to me, than ever any father was. Your duties are not abated. Your task is yet undone.” Catina’s look at Faustinia is slightly sympathetic, for having to go through the trials, but proudness and determination shine through brightest. Faustinia keeps her hands over her face and shakes her head slowly.

TYBAIN
Petals squats down to look Faustinia in the eyes. ”Let him die! She shouts. He’s suffered long enough, and we’ve suffered his blustery speeches even more keenly. Standing again, she kicks as if kicking dirt into her face. Kick off, old bag, and be done with ye!”

DENTIS
Faustinia whips her head around to shoot Petals an evil look. ”Why you shiny beetle!” she spits indignantly. She rises to her feet and stomps toward Petals, forcing her to retreat as Faustinia drives her back, poking the paladin in the chest with every insult and threat. ”You quivering pall-o-dine of a young whelp-turned-demigod! You plump kettle! I’ll bring the all-encompassing powers of a thousand worlds crashing down upon your head! The keening song of dead gods warble at my command. I’ll leave your mind a tatterdemalion of a sad rag. Die! Die, you say! Nay, not till I’ve seen the last oafish breath squeezed from your lungs by tongs of fire—you simpering Aro-din-din!”

TYBAIN
Petals can’t help laugh aloud. Hearing Faustina, the elegant intelligent lady calling her a plump kettle with such ire has made her giggle each and every time, which is probably why this act has always been her worst. She finally managed to say with a smug grin and hands on her hips ”Looking more lively now, aren’t we?” Smug, that is until she suddenly attacked by Farus.

FARUS
Varius staggers back, pinwheeling his arms as Faustinia drives Petals back with several pokes to the chest, leaving the poor woman tripping on her own feet and ending on her rump with a squeak. He finally collapses flat on his back before kicking out his legs and spinning to his feet, his brightly-coloured glaive twirling. ”An old man may seem frail and done, but a with a little spark he doth flare like the sun!”

LARAZOD
”Peace, old man. The pall-o-dine works a righteous healing upon your old bones—applying the only balm your withered heart desires—spitting ire and uncouth rage. Bile for balm, bile for balm—what a wolfish old man, a terror to kings and angels. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Dentris Maltrada. He knows no equal.” Catina turns to the audience for those last words, finally starting to enjoy being on stage and seeing all of her friends play out their parts, confident that they can face whatever could be thrown at them.

DENTRIS
”Enough, pup! I am much abused. Lay not your hands on me, pall-o-dine!” Faustinia grumbles, swatting away Petals’ proffered hand. ”I’ll rise without your young god’s urgings. I’ve work left indeed.” Brushing stage dirt from her costume, Faustinia stomps off away from the others, crossing her arms standoff-ish-ly in the corner to make room for the others in the scene.

ILSANDRA
Calseinica looks at Lady Faustinia with the inquisitive eyes of a true erinni. ”Strange old wizard, loyal and dear heart. He’ll join us in the marriage bed and one last night of bliss will be his for the taking!”

Varius slaps his hands against his face with a ‘wow’ expression at Ilsandra’s remark. His falling glaive bounces off of his foot before he neatly catches it.

LARAZOD
”A lovely sentiment, my princess of Hell, disturbing though it may be.” Catina doesn’t have to act being disturbed by the thought - she’s barely used to having to play out such intimate scenes with Calseinica.

DROVALID
”Enough. It is time. I am not long of your company, but know that I would stand by you all through six hundred trials. Take hands with me, half-breed. My sins and yours are one. Our destinies intertwine, and I walk your path with you to the bitter burning end.”

Alessandro takes his allies hands to “lead them through Hell”.

LARAZOD
”I’m honored.” With this, Catina gives a formal bow to her former torturer. Could it be like this, in the real world? That we bind former enemies to our cause and fight together for a better Westcrown?

HAANDERTHAN
Thesing interjects, disgusted, as he spits on the floor. ”How touching. *Puah!* These sentiments of yours are nothing but dreamy clouds, soon to be shred by Asmodeus’s blasting winds.”

LARAZOD
”Face of hazy dream-like bliss, kiss like fire. I burn for you, princess. Cling to me, dig your talons into my chest and touch my heart with white-hot caress.” Catina no longer stumbles over the words, but she still can’t recite them without adding colour to her cheeks. The exhilaration of being on stage, practically feeling the victory in their grasp, makes her giddy and bold. She reaches for Calseinica’s waist and draws her in, pulling the starlet tight to herself.

ILSANDRA
Calseinica clearly does not have the same difficulties as Catina to play out this scene. But perhaps, it’s just because she’s used to such scenes. Be that as it may, Calseinca abandons herself in Catina’s embrace. ”I am yours for one thousand blissful years. Drink my sizzling blood from my wrist, or anywhere else you like— let us seal this sinful compact and consummate our love in the heat of battle.”

TYBAIN
Managing to get up and stand by Faustina, she fakes whispers to him, ”Dentris, you old cur, dog curled by your master’s feet. I can’t call you friend, but a truer servant I’ve never known. Loyalty is the mark of greatness. Know that my sword is yours even as your spells bend to Larazod’s cause. We stand as one, and we always shall.”

Faustinia keeps her arms crossed and her brow creased as Petals addresses her. Her frown softens, and after a beat she acknowledges the paladin’s friendship and loyalty with a nod. Strangely the sentiment, though she knows it is acting, makes Petals get flustered with being so accepted.

ILSANDRA
Calseinica turns to Alessandro with eyes full of determination and courage. The compliments he’s going to make to Alessandro makes her feel good, apparently. There’s something in the way in which Calseinica looks at him. ”Great Tormentor, Drovalid Vorclune, let it be said a man who can bear the vicious ministrations he renders upon his foes is a great man indeed. Though I am pledged to this young half-breed, know your courage sends shudders through my loins.”

Alessandro blushes at the thought of sending shutters through Calseinica’s loins. Embarrassed, he stumbles through his final lines.

DROVALID
”You do me sweet honor, great lady. I stand in awe of your passion, and these worthy nobles’ unshakable courage. Even this milksop of a pall-o-dine stands hard against the torments of Hell—harder than the fiercest witch.”

The companions fight off a legion of devils.


Council of Thieves Maps

⁞⁞⁞⁞ ACT VI: TRIAL BY COMBAT AND LOVE ⁞⁞⁞⁞

In this penultimate act, the tormented heroes find support in each other’s loyalty, only to face a legion of Hell’s blasted souls come to take them below. The legion of devils is an illusion from Millech, and the actor need only to act as if they were fighting against the fiends, with no real fight involved.

As this act ends, the curtains along the back portion of the stage part to reveal a second stage beyond, decorated as a swampy, dreary hellscape. Waiting within are two huge, terrifying creatures. They seem to be the evil remains of two once mighty trolls. Their hands end in claws, and their bestial skulls have hideous, tusked underbites. If such an abomination as a skeleton troll is possible on this world, then that’s what these creatures are!

Picture of the scene, including a nice depiction of the undead trolls.

DC 18 Knowledge (local + religion)*:
These creatures are skeleton trolls. Combining the physical might of a troll and the undead resistances of a skeleton, this creature is a very powerful foe. Unlike a normal troll, fire and acid are not needed in order to stop the skeleton troll’s regeneration, although just like an ordinary skeleton, you will need bludgeoning weapons in order to bypass its DR. As all undeads, troll skeletons are immune to cold and have all of the undead traits. Troll skeletons have darkvision, count as undead of the giant subtype for the purposes of all abilities depending on these factors, and share the physical attacks of ordinary trolls. They have a reach of 10 feet and can make two attacks with their claws and one with their bite.

▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁
⁞⁞⁞⁞ ROUND ❶ ⁞⁞⁞⁞
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Watch out, Lazarod!” Unusual as it may seems, Calseinica is the first one to react to the danger. She screams to warn Catina, but it’s too late—the troll skeletons immediately move forward and attack Catina! Their terrifying, huge figures towers above the brave Lazarod. The crowd holds its breath.

Catina is not ready, regardless of Calseinica’s warning—one could argue that it’s very hard to be ever ready to something like this at all. Anyway, the first troll skeleton bites Catina’s left arm, its hard, bony teeth plunging into Catina’s flesh with stunning strength. Fortunately, Catina has her tiefling heritage on her side which protects her at least to some degree from worse injures. The pain has the side effect of making finally Catina shake herself out of her fear, avoiding the bite of the second troll just in time.

Catina takes 6 points of damage before damage reduction.

The crowd had whispered its pain at seeing Catina bitten so roughly, and rejoices when the tiefling avoids the second bite.

▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁
⁞⁞⁞⁞ INITIATIVE ⁞⁞⁞⁞
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Active effects: none

(Blue) Troll skeleton (Conditions: none; Status: ? hp)
(Red) Troll skeleton (Conditions: none; Status: ? hp)
Lady Faustinia (Conditions: none; Status: 14/14 hp)
Alessandro (Conditions: none; Status: 24/30 hp)
Catina (Conditions: none; Status: 21/24 hp)
Varius (Conditions: none; Status: 21/21 hp)
Petals (Conditions: none; Status: 17/21 hp)
______________________________________________________
* In order to have some information about these terrible and quite rare enemies, the group members must succeed at both the checks indicated. This means that a character can either attempt both the checks, provided he/she has at least one rank in the indicated skill, and if he/she succeeds at both, gets the info contained in the spoiler; or attempt just one check, and rely on the others to make the other check. If the two checks are made, regardless if by the same characters or two or more different PCs, the whole group gains the information contained in the spoiler.

GM Rolls:

--- INITIATIVE CHECKS ---

Alessandro: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Catina: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
Lady Faustinia: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Petals: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Varius: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Troll skeletons: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Calseinica: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

--- TROLLS’ ATTACKS ---

(Blue) Bite melee attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
(Blue) Bite damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

(Red) Bite melee attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
(Red) Bite damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

1,151 to 1,200 of 2,137 << first < prev | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | next > last >>
Community / Forums / Online Campaigns / Play-by-Post / GM Giuseppe's Council of Thieves Gameplay Thread All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.