Hell's Rebels: Flight of the Silver Ravens (Inactive)

Game Master pinvendor

"How did that get in here?" Darian asks as he moves down the pier. He thrusts his blade down at the creature, but fails to pierce its scaly hide!
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Darian Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Moving around to avoid catching Darian in her spell Isabel unleashes the colours she's been draining from her surroundings as a coruscating burst of light, hoping to daze the creature.

Will save, DC14, with a -2 penalty from Hypnotic Gaze :)

@Isabel: Please place your token where you are wanting to be. Hard to guess when you have an AoE spell which could originate from many locations. :)

Knowledge: Nature DC 12: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Galen peers intently at the roused beast for a long moment, trying to discern what manner of creature it could be. An initial thought is lost in the prospects that they face some dreaded aberration from the depths of caverns that delve far too deep into the bowels of the world - something a dwarvish traveler in the old caravans called the Underdark.

"Look out...a deep cavern drake!" cries Galen in a manner that shows no steeling of nerves in the face of danger, yet he moves forward with his dagger already drawn as far as he dares. From the edge of the crumbling wall near the pier he focuses on an old piece of thick wood lying near one of the pilings, envisioning the piece striking the lurking beast in the eye or somewhere critical.

telekinetic projectile ranged attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Yet even Galen knows his aim is haphazard with the improvised piece of debris being hurled at great speed, with the tiny cave drake's scales hardened to ward off even the mightiest of dwarven steel axes!

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Round 1, Initiative 11, “White from the Water”
hp 7/7; AC 13/13T/12FF; CMD 12; +1F/+1R/+4(+5*)W
Effects/Conditions: none
(Spells: 4/4 1st; Pool: 4/4)

MA: move 25’ to junction of crumbling wall and pier
FA: speak, move dancing lights to creature
SA: telekinetic projectile attack on creature

Varian's blessing sends a soft wind rustling through Avrora's hair. And then a roar, a splash, the sound of snapping jaws, and the thrill of battle ring through the air to take its place. Avrora, already on edge, cries out in fury and triumph as she charges in to aid Darian in the fight against the giant reptile.

Double move.

I forgot Bless, not that I think it would matter. Heh

The deep cavern drake freezes for a second and then its body simply goes limp. It begins to slowly sink into the water.

Avrora & Darian may make AoOs against the drake.

Phineas & Varian make take their Round 1 actions now.

Attack, Bless: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Confused by the tactics, Avrora doesn't wait for any explanation,
and strikes hard with her morningstar.

Attack, bless: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 3 + 1 = 181d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Drag it out and CDG!!! Quick! :)

Is it over? This soon?

Varian analyzes the situation for a moment, then decides not to trust his sense and continue the attack.

He moves closer between Avrora and Darian and tries to distract the beast in view of Avrora's next attack. "Now, Avrora!"

Avrora will have a +2 bonus to her next attack roll, provided there will be one!
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Melee attack against AC 10 (aid another): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Since there has been a question...

From what the party can see in the magical light, the water appears somewhere between five to eight feet deep, possibly more. That statue of Calistria is pretty large...and right now she's only visible from the waist up.

Phineas tentatively moves up near Galen, hand trembling as he grips his glowing dagger. He holds it up in a throwing position, craning his neck to see over the water's edge. "A...what? Deep cavern drake? Did you get it?"

Move Action: Move
Standard Action: Ready Action, Throw Dagger if it moves clear of combat

"N-no I didn't do that...if not you t-then Isabel must have..."

Galen peers towards the water where the creature submerged, keeping his glowing lights from bobbing around too much as they might disorient his fellows in their efforts to hunt it.

"As a boy on the roads I met Jornaer Flintfall of Janderhoff on his way to Magnimar, who spoke of the deep cave drake and other terrors of the Underdark realms, their colorless scales and sightless eyes and poisoned vapors they breathe out as surely as we breathe air..." Galen suddenly shouts to the others an urgent plea. "IF IT BREATHES FUMES DON'T STAND TO MEET IT!"

"Fumes or not, it can't be left to its own devices," Darian says as his blade glows white. He then hops down into,the water and thrusts his sword straight for the beast's skull...
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Swift: Arcane Strike
Full: Coup de Grace

Coup de Grace Damage: 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (3, 3) + 8 = 14, or 7 if underwater combat rules apply.

Fort Save DC 24 (or 17) or die, if damage alone doesn't do it.

Round 2 hasn't started yet, so we'll probably need to retcon Darian's action. But I'll let you make that call.

Encounter: ”White from the Water with bonus Beak Attack!" | Round 1 End | Hazards: Darkness

Avrora Vikta's Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Darian Aulamaxa's Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Galen Mistbringer's Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Isabel Rhelian's Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Phineas Aceron's Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Varian Tanessen's Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

A slight scratch and a bit of dust are all the warning of another threat. This time only Darian, Isabel, and Phineas see it. Two dark shapes are crawling along the ceiling. One squawks and drops down next to Phineas, pushing off the stone with a powerful thrust. This creature looks like a humanoid crow with oily black feathers, glittering eyes, and a sharp beak.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

Left claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Right claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Its powerful push off the ceiling seemed to be building up for a terrible strike, but the ceiling was just too low, and it ends up missing the bard completely.

The other bird-headed humanoid bursts into motion as well attacking Galen.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

This one's push seems to over balance it, and it has to brace itself with one arm leaving only a single attack to tear open the psychic.

Left claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Left claw confirm?: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12 Miss!
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Astonishingly the attack strikes wounding the man deeply. Galen takes 5 HP damage.

If you haven't already noticed, I added an Initiative spoiler up above the campaign. That way you can see it no matter what page your on and don't have to hunt for the post containing the current round's initiative. :)

Encounter: ”White from the Water with bonus Beak Attack!" | Round 2 Start | Hazards: Darkness, Water

I'll stick to my action, but add a bit more dialogue.

"Varian! Avrora! Help the others, I'll try to finish this thing off!"

Isabel scrambles backwards, with less than her accustomed grace. She doesn't quite tip into the water but wobbles on the edge for a moment, before pulling out her crossbow and waiting for a moment to shoot.

Step to new position and load a crossbow bolt. Hold a shot until I can shoot without the -4 penalty.

Coup de Grâce Action

1d20 ⇒ 14

Darian deals the creature a terrible blow. Given that it was already unmoving, its current state of life is difficult to ascertain, and rapidly becoming even more obscured by the water as both Darian and the creature continue to sink into the reservoir. The bard's weight has driven the deep cavern drake out of the reach of anyone not in the water.

The deep cavern drake is effectively removed from the combat, so Phineas and Varian may post freely.

Knowledge: Nature DC 11: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

”AHHHOWW!” Galen’s brief shriek of pain is short as he bites his lip, backing away in a surprisingly nimble hop away from the feathered beast. He still holds his dagger out before him rather shakily, but it is his other arm that he favors, already soaking red with blood and dripping freely down across his trousers and low boots. Aside from the Aria Park Massacre and perhaps one other time in his life, this is proving to be his most dire experience in his young life.

”You…they…CLIFF CORBIES!” sputters Galen with a flash of recognition and an uncharacteristic snarl. ”Stupid cave trash! Tengus favor feather-lice over the likes of you skulkers!”

It’s not entirely certain if the young man’s vehemence and rather stilted gibe is the product of some cultural understanding of these creatures, or even if the beaked beasts can understand his words. Bleeding profusely down one arm, Galen stands there motionless with dagger and bloody hand clenched, almost as if he’s about to explode into some childish tantrum. Yet suddenly an explosion of bright colors rips through the air from a point right in front of his face, swirling and racing across the dank cavern air to strike into the attacking creature and overwhelm it with the barrage of visual stimulus, even as it narrowly misses Phineas in his own fight against the other of the beasts.

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Round 2, Initiative 11, “White from the Water…with Bonus Beak Attack!”
hp 2/7; AC 13/13T/12FF; CMD 12; +1F/+1R/+4(+5*)W
Effects/Conditions: bless (8 rounds)
(Spells: 3/4 1st; Pool: 2/4)

FA: speak, 5’ step
MA: center mind
SA: cast color spray w/ overpowering mind amplification on Beak 2 - DC 15 Will Save

"Galen!" Avrora races back across the pier toward Galen and Phineas, her pulse racing. She swings hard with her mace toward the creature near Phineas, but it moves too quickly and dodges her attack.

"Over here, you overgrown songbird!
Leave him be!"

Attack, bless: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 81d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

"AHHHH" Phineas awkwardly jumps back in shock and surprise as creatures fall from the ceiling. He quickly starts chanting, throwing out a hand in the creature's direction, seeking to cloud its mind long enough for Avrora to smash it.

Free Action: 5 foot step
Standard Action: Cast Daze on the creature Avrora attacked. Assuming a valid Humanoid Target, DC 13 Will Save or be Dazed 1 turn.

Encounter: ”White from the Water with bonus Beak Attack!" | Round 2 Start | Hazards: Darkness, Water

Galen's mind overwhelms the simpler intelligence of the dire corby who damaged him. Strange patterns of color swirl across its eyes which promptly roll up into its head. It staggers slightly then falls onto the basement floor.

The other dire corby feels a strange pressure in its head from Phineas' magic, but ruffles its feathers and appears to shake it off. Good thing too as that helps it avoid Avrora's attack.

@Isabel: Your action is triggered to shoot Beak 2 as Galen leaps back and causes it to drop into a muscular feathered heap, or you can go ahead and choose to shoot Beak 1, but since there has always been a melee combatant, the -4 would apply.

I'll take the shot at Beak 2. :)

Isabel, poised (and with slightly frayed nerves) lets a bolt fly as Galen replicates the spell she just used and crushes the corby's mind before him. I really need to talk to him about how we do things. The thought flits errantly through her head as she fires, distracting her at a crucial moment.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 (Damage includes Painful Stare)

Encounter: ”White from the Water with bonus Beak Attack!" | Round 2 End | Hazards: Darkness, Water

• Varian: The cleric rushes to Galen's side. "May Milani's grace make you free from your pains."

  Spontaneous cure light wounds: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

• Beak 1: The corby angrily caws some words which sound like curses and brings its wicked talons in quick swipes against Avrora.

  Left claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
  damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

  Right claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
  damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

  One claw digs into Avrora's side between the spaces of her armor.
  Avrora takes 5 lethal slashing.

• Beak 2: The corby lies motionless with its senses overwhelmed by a swarm of colors most humanoids never see. Isabel's crossbow bolt impacts the ground close by its chest, but does no damage to the monster.

A gasp of surprise escapes Avrora's lips as the creature's dirty talon rips into her flesh. For an moment she feels no pain, only the tugging of her skin, but the shock quickly fades and the sting of the wound is accompanied by a spreading warmth as her blood pours freely.

Not quite sure of herself, she grips her mace as best she can and clubs the bird with an overhead swing, topping it off with a thrust of her shield for good measure.

mwk Morningstar, bless: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 2 + 1 = 181d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
shield bash, bless: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 61d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

How much movement could I manage from my position? I assume since the croc has a line through it, our characters (and not just the players) can tell it is out of commission...

Perhaps it is the healing touch of Milani and Varian’s inspirational words, or perhaps it is Galen’s vehemence towards the corbies that so brazenly ambushed them for no good reason. All Galen really knows is that Avrora was viciously slashed by the other one that the young Varisian didn’t take down with his magic, and it makes him mad that she stands alone against it.

dagger attack (w/ bless) vs. Beak 1: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 + 1 = 16
damage: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3

“FILTH!” Galen steps forward with the dagger still in his left hand, his right arm now mostly healed and feeling strong. He switches the grip at the last moment and gives a sweeping stroke upwards as if trying to gut an overly large fish hanging at the Old Kintargo docks.

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Round 3, Initiative 11, “White from the Water…with Bonus Beak Attack!”
hp 6/7; AC 13/13T/12FF; CMD 12; +1F/+1R/+4(+5*)W
Effects/Conditions: bless (7 rounds)
(Spells: 3/4 1st; Pool: 2/4)

FA: speak, 5’ step
SA: attack Beak 1 with dagger

@Darian: I did state it was effectively out of combat...but that doesn't mean dead. So your characters wouldn't know it's dead and quite honestly neither do you players. :)

Does this mean you are forgoing your second Coup de Grâce Action?

EDIT: Underwater movement and breathing applies if Darian is underwater. He'll need to make DC 12 Swim checks each round he stays in the water, and it will be a full round action to pull yourself out of the reservoir by hauling yourself and all your gear over the lip. No gradual incline of shore here. This room was built to be a pool for stormwater.

Darian reaches up and hauls himself up onto the level ground above.

Mine (and Darian's) rational: even if we just addled this thing and it is unconscious: it is reflexively gonna start inhaling water and begin the drowning process. Either that, or it is already dead. So win/win. If it manages to survive: it is in a solid pool with no gradual shore. We can finish it off, drag it out, and skin the hide for boots later.

Isabel comes forwards carefully as her hands extract a new bolt from the small quiver at her waist and fit it into her crossbow. She halts 5 feet from the unconscious bird and focuses her will on the one still standing.

Move to current position and move action(?) to reload crossbow. Hypnotic Stare on 2nd corby.

Phineas quickly scurries backwards, heart racing as the creature throws itself viciously at Avrora. "No! STOP!" Phineas quickly chants the same arcane phrase, seeking to daze the creature's mind to give Avrora an opening to strike. I hope that thing has enough of a mind to feel this...

Move Action: Move backwards
Standard Action: Cast Daze, DC 13 Will Save

Encounter: ”White from the Water with bonus Beak Attack!" | Round 3 End | Hazards: Darkness, Water

Beak 1 Will: 1d20 ⇒ 13

For a second, the dire corby seems caught up in Isabel's gaze and Phineas' spell starts to take hold, but then it once again ruffles its feather and its focus returns with a caw as Galen drives his dagger into one of its arms.

Varian moves up to support his comrades and help provide another target other than Galen. He draws his morningstar to prepare for hand-to-hand combat.

Beak 1: The corby is angered by the damage it took but seems confused as to its source.

A=1, G=2, V=3: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Getting it right despite the mind effects from Isabel and Phineas, it lashes out with both talon tipped hands.

Left claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Right claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

The second wild strike rakes Galen harshly.
Galen receives 5 HP damage.

Encounter: ”White from the Water with bonus Beak Attack!" | Round 4 Start | Hazards: Darkness, Water

Isabel keeps her gaze on the corby still fighting, glancing down just long enough to aim carefully and fire a bolt into the throat of the corby which was knocked out by Galen's spell.

CdG: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6
Fort Save: DC16

"Come ON!" Phineas throws out a hand in frustration. Does it not have a sophisticated enough mind? What can I...

Phineas wavers, then tries one last time to attack his opponent's mind, seeking to daze it before calling out in the direction of the entrance to the Long Roads. "Shelly! There are...creatures attacking us down here! Help!"

Standard Action: Daze, DC 13 Will Save

"No you don't!" Avrora cries as she tries to bludgeon the bird once again.

Mwk morningstar, bless: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 51d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
shield bash, bless: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 2 + 1 = 181d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Darian rushes forward to rejoin the fray, seeing only one still fighting, he rushes around to get in position to strike!

This time the slash of the wicked corby rakes right across his chest, with blood spurting forth down across his tunic and nearly sending Galen to a crumpled heap, a sharp intake of air feeling like he’s sucking in fire.

dagger attack vs. Beak 1: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 + 1 = 17
damage: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3

He’s not known this kind of pain before. Galen feels fear grip him…but he knows that running away is just about the worst thing he can imagine, the image of Dany looking at him in shame and contempt as a coward sealing his mind to the decision. It’s a street fight or sorts now, blade against claw. Galen shifts his grip and tries to plunge the dag into the corby’s side after a feint upward slice as he had done moments before, then wisely takes a step back to almost dare the creature to finish him off, calculating that even if he falls the beast will be wedged between Avrora and Varian for a quick end soon after.

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Round 4, Initiative 11, “White from the Water…with Bonus Beak Attack!”
hp 1/7; AC 13/13T/12FF; CMD 12; +1F/+1R/+4(+5*)W
Effects/Conditions: bless (6 rounds)
(Spells: 3/4 1st; Pool: 2/4)

SA: attack Beak 1 with dagger
FA: 5’ step

.

Encounter: ”White from the Water with bonus Beak Attack!" | Round 4 End | Hazards: Darkness, Water

Beak : Beak 1 Will: 1d20 ⇒ 5

This time the dire corby is caught up in Isabel's gaze and Phineas' spell causes its eyes to glaze and it becomes briefly confused as to its surroundings. Taking advantage, Galen once again cuts it with his dagger, bloodying the large birdfolk. Darian draws closer.

Beak 2: Beak 2 Fort: 1d20 ⇒ 7

Isabel's crossbow bolt strikes the creature in the throat, and it dies noisily sucking in its own blood into its lungs.

• Varian: The cleric steps up and takes a heavy swing on the dazed corby.

  Blessed morningstar: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 + 1 = 14
  damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

  He cracks his heavy weapon on the corby's tough shoulder.

• Beak 1: It simply stands there trying to understand why it's there.
  

Encounter: ”White from the Water with bonus Beak Attack!" | Round 5 Start | Hazards: Darkness, Water

Catching up on Avrora's damage.

Avrora steps up and smacks the corby with her morningstar and shield. It squawks and seems to stagger drunkenly.

Encounter: ”White from the Water with bonus Beak Attack!" | Round 5 Start | Hazards: Darkness, Water

Darian channels a part of his arcane energies into his blade as his magic tutor trained him, and thrusts it forward into the bird-man's side!
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Swift: Arcane Strike
Attack, Bless (Been Forgetting), Flank: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 1 = 12

Phineas hesitates for a brief second before scrambling forward. As his companions surround the creature, he slips into the last gap where it could escape and flails awkwardly at it with his knife, managing to draw a shallow gash on the creature's body.

Attack, Flanking: 1d20 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (20) - 2 + 2 = 20
Confirm Crit, Flanking: 1d20 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (9) - 2 + 2 = 9

Damage: 1d4 - 2 ⇒ (3) - 2 = 1

mwk morningstar, bless, flank: 1d20 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 + 1 + 2 = 16
dmg: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
shield bash, bless, flank: 1d20 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 + 1 + 2 = 16
dmg: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Avrora thrusts her shield forward and, reeling back, simultaneously delivers a solid blow with her morningstar from the side. The metallic weapons clash in the unmistakable sound of battle.

Isabel holds, everyone else has the creature surrounded. She heads back towards the docks and starts looking around for the crocodile to check whether it is likely to be coming back up.

Encounter: ”White from the Water with bonus Beak Attack!" | Combat Ends
Hazards: Darkness, Water

As most of the party delivers grievous wounds to the two dire corbies, a melodious voice calls out.

"Wait, please!" A figure steps out of the shadows to the south. "Let me speak to Chough before the end." It gestures to the down corby most of the party surrounds. It moves slowly and watches the party closely trying to nonverbally communicate it has no hostile intent.

The speaker is clearly another birdfolk, but this one is dressed and armed differently, a hooded robe with a chain shirt and a large kukri sheathed at its side. A stark difference from the bare rags the two corbies wear.

Also, if this character was a PC, it would be making a Diplomacy check in case that isn't clear.

Darian whirls around, shield and sword raised. "And why should we trust you, birdling, when we've just been ambushed. Twice!"

Knw Local: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Isabel approaches the bird-man, laying her hand on Darian's arm. "They wouldn't have spoken if they intended to ambush us. Let them speak. In the end it will do little harm." Assuming that everyone lets the bird people speak unmolested... Isabel waits for the conversation to finish before speaking again. "We have come here in peace to find a friend who has gone missing. May I ask what you are doing here? It seems an unlikely place to find a Tengu."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

Darian looks to Isabel with a concerned look before relaxing his stance. He keeps his weapon in hand, but lowers the blade down to allow the bird-men a chance to explain themselves.

Avrora steps closer and levels the spikes of her weapon toward the Tengu, her eyes just visible behind her shield. They flash quickly between the bird, Darian, and Isabel, waiting for a resolution. Or another ambush.