TOZ's Assault on the Wound [PbP Gameday VI] (Inactive)

Game Master TriOmegaZero

Again, Lorian lightens the heaviness on Dryden's heart. Such inspiring words and spoken so clearly. Dryden thinks to himself..."well he is part elf after all." ...an uncommon slight smile breaking usually stern demeanor.

The journey away from Silvershore is quiet, with the commotion of the armies drawing all attention away from the Pathfinder strike team. As you make your way north, a winding path in the hills leads up to the top of a great canyon. Ahead, two steely arches sweep back from the edge of the cliff. The sound of battle is audible over the edge of the cliff, where, just before the precipitous drop, a single metallic trap door is embedded in the rock.

Map updated. Please set up a marching order under the compass rose, and feel free to roll a Stealth check for your characters.

I'll go somewhere in the middle (either just ahead or just behind).

Stealth: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (11) - 3 = 8

Oret follows right behind Nemesis, shield and weapon out, ready should anything go down. He recalls his previous attempts to be silent, it did not go very well. His bulky stature paired with his heavy armour clangs at every step of the way.

Stealth: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (4) - 3 = 1

Minata walked in the front of the group, ready to deal with any foes that might come across.

Stealth: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (3) - 3 = 0

Well, that makes that part easy. :P

After tending to what wounds and casualties she can, Ionnia attends the funerals, getting drunk with any mourners who wish to do so.

Ionnia is happy to walk in front, though she does clank around (with all those bottles in her bag).

Stealth: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3

Before opening the trap door, Minata pulled out a firefly from his pouch and uttered a few words in Tien, causing the nodachi to light up.

Stepping to the trap door, he opened it.

Cast light

As the trap door comes into sight, so too does a party of fiendish humanoids. Many stand in loose ranks before the entrance, while others kneel or sit, backs against the massive arches. Almost instantly on spotting the approaching Pathfinders, orders are barked in fell tongues, the relaxed guards leaping to their feet and snapping to attention. The ranks straighten into disciplined lines, crossbows and arcane components at the ready.

28 Dryden

18 Ionnia
15 Enemy
8 Minata
7 Oret
6 Kel
2 Nemesis

Knowledge Planes is the skill for identifying the enemy. If anyone has Profession Soldier trained, I will allow that as well. Keep in mind the extreme starting distance.

P:Soldier: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Minata's knowledge of battle tells him that the way the enemy moves in coordinated fashion shows they have drilled extensively together to move as one single troop, able to bring devastating attacks against their foes.

Troop Subtype: Similar to a swarm, a troop is a collective of individuals that act as a single creature. The troop deals automatic damage to all targets in reach or inside its area. It may move through opponent's square, but provokes AoOs when doing so. It is not subject to flanking, but is subject to sneak attack and critical hits if the component creatures are. It is immune to spells that target a specific number of creatures but takes extra damage from area effects. Spells and effects that do not specify a number of targets work normally. Spellcasting within a troops reach requires a concentration check (DC20+spell level). Minata is unable to identify any special abilities of this specific troop.

"They work like hive of ants. Have them come to us. If you have large area spells, like fireball, put them to use!" Minata yelled in broken common.

Kel will cast Message and Longstrider before the group approaches the bunker (long duration) and will stay in the middle of the group. If area of effect spells are fired at the party, he will use an immediate action for Divine Barrier to protect everyone (effectively gives everyone Improved Evasion).

On Oret's turn.

Oret calls upon the blessings of Adabar, hoping to cause swift justice to end the threat at hand."I have no range capabilities friend, but I will do my best to support the party."

Cast bless and hold position.

I am not certain how this happened but I did not restock my potions of alchemist's fire...sigh...sorry guys I got nothing
know planes: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

Dryden recognizes that despite their disturbing appearance, these are not full demons but tieflings. They likely have minor energy resistances akin to their demonic ancestors, and the ability to summon darkness. Their spellcasting cohort likely wields fire magic to damage enemies.

Not a lot of info to give. If you have specific questions feel free to ask.

Kel whispers to the others through Message during the approach, "I can bless thosse who are better at fighting with fervor, but only if you are within a certain range of one another when I casst my spell."

As Lorian requested Ionnia will hold back waiting for the enemy to approach.

hold action awaiting party

"They are grouped together nicely. I could try to cast a spell that can entangle them perhaps or would we prefer to have the battlefield clear of such things?" Web DC 17 reflex

Reflex: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
Concentration: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27

The sticky threads engulf the massed ranks, fixing many in place. However, the warriors take aim with their crossbows, despite the inconvenience. The battle mages work to burn away the entangling strands with pillars of fire, clearing the sightlines of the archers.

28 Dryden

18 Ionnia
15 Enemy
8 Minata
7 Oret
6 Kel
2 Nemesis

Minata started calling out inspiring words to encourage the group.

Inspire courage, Stay where I Am. Shield of Blades AC 22, power attack.

How far away from the enemy are we, exactly?

Nemesis prays, and is surrounded by a heavy heat distortion.

Kel casts Blessing of Fervor on the party, then moves up so he can stay exactly 25' behind the melee fighters (expecting them to surge forward to attack) with his-now 80ft move speed, using a swift action to draw a Wand of Bless from a spring-loaded wrist sheath.

Please update the distance tracker so I know how much farther you have to move to be on the grid. If you act after Kel, remember to choose one of the blessings from his spell.

The enemy force seems both entrenched along with entangled by the sticky webs. The fires of the enemy mages are slowly burning away at Dryden's spell, however.

28 Dryden

18 Ionnia
15 Enemy
8 Minata
7 Oret
6 Kel
2 Nemesis

Double move to get into position to use that feature as cover and I wait until we can form a active offense.

Ionnia will double move towards the opposite horn as Dryden, hoping to split focus though unable to flank (120 ft.) and prepare to attack

Free Action enters rage
Current AC = 7 HP = 99

Seeing the slow approach of the Pathfinders, the squad of archers looses a volley at both Ionnia and Dryden. The mages continue to work at clearing the webs away from their comrades.

Crossbow Volley, 80ft line: 5d8 + 10 ⇒ (6, 2, 5, 4, 5) + 10 = 32
Ionnia Reflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Dryden Reflex: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

28 Dryden (Damage: 16)

18 Ionnia (Damage: 30)
15 Enemy
8 Minata
7 Oret
6 Kel
2 Nemesis

Thanks to diagonal distance, Ionnia and Dryden were unable to reach the arches for cover. The party can see that ranged attacks from the troop are difficult to defend against, hence the saving throw rather than an attack roll.

I choose +2 attack/AC/Reflex, and run as far as I can, which in medium armor I think is 60 feet. Don't forget my entropic shield....

Unfortunately, their crossbows have no attack roll so the miss chance does not come into play. I will give a +2 circumstance bonus on the save for it however.

Good enough.

Minata started sprinting towards the troop of tieflings, Nodachi raised high. as he continued to spout words of encouragement.

Maintain Inspire courage, Blessing of fervor +30'. Double move. Now 50' away.

Oret follows right alongside Minata, shield held high, ready for the offensive.

Blessing of fervor +30'. Double move. Now 50' away as well.

Blessing of Fervor Round 2 of 7:

Kel takes the +2 to Attack, AC, and Reflex Saves
Current AC: 23; Touch 13; Flat-Footed 20 / Reflex: +6

Kel will double-move up so he is between Minata, Oret, and Dryden, trying to stay in position so as many allies as possible are within 30 feet of him as possible (so he can use Divine Barrier as an Immediate action if any energy-based AoEs are thrown at the party).

(It's hard to tell exact squares on parts of this - hope my text was specific enough - thanks!)

The Pathfinders close the distance across the killing field, as the tiefling archers reload their crossbows with practiced ease.

28 Dryden (Damage: 16)

18 Ionnia (Damage: 30)
15 Enemy
8 Minata
7 Oret
6 Kel
2 Nemesis

No worries Kel, this is a bit theater of the mind until you get onto the grid.

It looks like I have a charge lane to the enemy through clear area, taking movement from BoF. Will leave me 5 ft short of them due to reach

Charge, Power Attack (goes to AC instead of Attack from Reckless Abandon),Rage

Attack: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 35 DMG: 1d8 + 10 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 10 + 6 = 17
Confirm?: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19 Addt DMg if so: 3d8 + 30 + 18 ⇒ (3, 7, 5) + 30 + 18 = 63

Either 17 or 80 DMG Current AC = 3

Why do I get the feeling that we are sitting in the front row of a Gallagher show. Edit: Did you add in for the Inspiring courage?

Gallagher or a re-enactment of a certain scene from 300!

Oops no I didn't I assume it's plus +1/+1, so confirmation roll would be 20 instead, and damage would be either 18 or 84. Yeah this is what happens when I get bored, I try really silly things like making barbarians who can get into the negative ACs (soon, not quite yet I can get down to 1 now). She hasn't died, yet. Though this particular enemy definitely has the potential.

Correct, +1/+1. No matter what, 84 points of damage in one swing is going to put them in a world of hurt.

Dem crits yo.

Dryden moves forward to join Ionnia in the fight.\ Swift action uses spell dance ability. +20 movement and +4 against AOO. He also uses the benefits of Blessing of fervor for an extra defenses and attacks the leading aspect of the horde. +2 AC and reflex.
1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 181d6 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

Dryden moves gracefully in, slashing out at the front ranks, who manage to avoid more than grazing wounds with coordinated movements. Then Ionnia strikes like a meteor, cutting several of the front rank down with a sweep of her naginata! The discipline of the remaining tieflings dissolves, as ranks break and scatter to every direction!

As the foes disperse, Ionnia and Dryden can see the fields of battle below. The Armies of the Open Road, under the command of Marcos Farabellus, surge in a long battle line against a horde of demons, ever shifting skirmishes making the bold division writhe like a snake. Winged fiends wheel and swoop among flying agents both arcane and martial, mounted warriors riding warhorses that charge through the sky as well as elevated mages unleashing potent waves of magic on the massed enemies. The melee is enormous and brutal, even from the height of the cliff, as massive warty demons send squads flying with brutal swings of trunklike arms. You allies give as good as they get, but the sooner the battle can be ended, the better.

Kel does a quick sweep of the area with Detect Magic before seeing if anyone needs healing prior to the group entering the bunker.

Kel notices a magical aura on one of the dead tieflings.

Mintata was impressed as to how quickly the group made short work of the troop of Tieflings. Waving his hands for a moment, the blood from the foes is quickly cleaned off of Madam Ionnia and Dryden Nightember. In addition, some words written in Tien appear on the blade of the Naginata.

デーモンスレイヤー...敵に向かってこの終わり

Cast Prestidigitation

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25

Unable to get the exacts, Kel instead concentrates on the Detect Magic spell

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20 (Kel can at least tell what school of magic is present as long as the spell level of the aura is 5th or less)

Kel points out the auras to the others, though. "If anyone else can decipher magical auras, I ssense something over here."

Kel recognizes that the pattern is a strong transmutation aura in the pocket of one of the fallen tieflings.

Drops out of rage, I could use some healing.

From my wand
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Ionnia will follow up the healing with a swig of whiskey and draw a potion of Enlarge Person to carry in one hand with her naginata in the other when eeryone is ready to move on.