The Righteous Shall Rise...

Game Master verdigris

"Don't be silly Yani. These are just about done."

Eli flinches as the ghost speaks his name. "My name is Eli, Mathilda. We are not familiar enough with each other to use pet names."

Eli glares at Cole, the man responsible for the new vexation.

Though Cole tries to finish off the last Minotaur, his arrows do not quite do the job, leaving it to Eli (or Jurin or Serra, I'm hand waiving at this point.) to complete. Soon though, silence descends.

and you are out of initiative again.

The room you are in was once the Officer's Court, but now is little more than a large rubble field. Columns hold up the 30 foot ceiling, and a total of 7 door ways exit out of it.

1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (1)

"Aaah!" shrieks the disembodied voice. "What was that Cole?! You're hands became all sweaty and you slipped?! Ew... Focus next time and relax! You'll get the next one for sure!"

Eli flinches as the ghost speaks his name. "My name is Eli, Mathilda. We are not familiar enough with each other to use pet names."

Without missing a beat Miss Congeniality chirps, "Oh -- you can call me 'Math', or 'Hilda' if you wish.

The Voice concludes resolutely if not slightly reluctantly, "I will call you 'Eli' Yani, as is your desire."

Serra turns to try to look at Mathilda.

"Whomever you are, is there any actual assistance you can offer us? Or is there something we can do for you? We have business to do...and, forgive my honesty, but you're not helping."

Jurin shakes his head at the poor madmen.

"Not sure who you guys are talking to, but I could use a few healing prayers over here."

"Oh, do not speak so hastily Brave Knight for I am helping! Do you also honestly think Cole did that all by himself?" asks the Voice with just a skosh of ludicrousness in her tone.

She shifts to a ringing cheery -- almost bragging -- tone, "No! Of course he didn't! That was Me all the way!!!" Reverting to a humbler tone she adds, " Well, almost all the way, anyway. -- Now shall we continue going on about our business after someone heals poor Jurin of the Shiny Shirt over there? -- OH! Wait! Maybe I can do that too!"

After a brief silence nothing happens, and a dejected Mathilda laments, "Oh... no. I guess I can't do that, sorry."

"Aaah!" shrieks the disembodied voice. "What was that Cole?! You're hands became all sweaty and you slipped?! Ew... Focus next time and relax! You'll get the next one for sure!"

Cole shakes his head, Now even the disembodied voices are making fun of my aim! Clearly I need some time on the practice fields.

Cole wonders aloud, "Someone made a good point earlier. We shouldn't necessarily check every room - right? We should head to the basement, if there is one, and pursue the enemy at it's source. Perhaps some of the other denizens will wander off if the leadership is disbanded."

"It does bring up the risk of attack from the rear, but we're going to grind ourselves down to the nub fighting like this. That wand won't last until the basement at this rate..." he frowns.

GM Verdigris, do any of the stairs on our level go down that we know of? I can't tell from the map. If not, we'll have to slog through as we search for stairs or leads to the leaders.

It appears from the map, that stairs leading down to the dungeon might be through a room off the room to the west (room 19).

"Oh, do not speak so hastily Brave Knight for I am helping! Do you also honestly think Cole did that all by himself?" asks the Voice with just a skosh of ludicrousness in her tone.

Serra looks at Cole, knowing that the man can stand up for himself, and says nothing in return to the voice.

"Cole, it appears we have found your better half by twice. And she shares your keen sense of humor and aim," Serra says grumpily. "Since she is incapable of helping us or providing insight, let us ignore it until we are able to either remove the curse from you or set it's soul to rest."

Once Jurin is healed (Serra has no means to do it on his own), Serra opens the door to the east of F16. Moved Serra on map.

"Not sure who you guys are talking to, but I could use a few healing prayers over here."

Eli produces the curative wand, and works Jurin over.

Eli listens to Mathilda discuss the nature of Cole's skill, and snorts. "Just like a god to claim all the success, and none of the failure."

He follows the others as they decide to target the true nature of their mission.

Serra heads back into the previous room (16) and checks out the room off the end. It appears to be private quarters of some kind. Whoever it belong to left in a hurry, and likely worshipped Deskari, as the place is a mess, with papers and clothing scattered about, some of which contains Deskari's holy symbol.

"Thank you Eli. Those cows were quite vicious, but they'll taste good in a stew tonight."

Serra, after casting detect magic and making a slow sweep of the room, is ready for Cole to lead them to the next area.

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15 Perception - loot/items of interest/papers

"Serra, let us not go back, but rather forward. Let us head downstairs."

Cole moves up to the west door (toward area 19) and prepares to open it, bow in his hand, when the rest of the group is ready.

"Cole, it appears we have found your better half by twice. And she shares your keen sense of humor and aim," Serra says grumpily. "Since she is incapable of helping us or providing insight, let us ignore it until we are able to either remove the curse from you or set it's soul to rest."

Cole moves up to the west door (toward area 19) and prepares to open it, bow in his hand, when the rest of the group is ready.

Cole visibly pales and the hand that reaches out to the doorknob is a slightly shaky one, though he says nothing.

Round 1, just roll with it
B-3: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Serra Iondri Phaer: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
B-1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Joran the dwarf: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
B-5: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Elyanius Myoch: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (19) + 0 = 19
Cole Zeff: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Jurin: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Cole opens the door to a largish room, with 4 creatures inside. Three are obviously of demonic origin, while the fourth is a dwarf. While his coloring is dark, there is something vaguely familiar about his face. knowledge local/history 17 see spoiler below.

One of the demons attacks the front most person (Cole?) with a longspear, twice.

attack, on cole, from B-3, with a longspear: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 261d8 + 7 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 7 + (6, 4) = 20
attack, on Col, from B-3, with a longspear: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 91d8 + 7 + 2d6 ⇒ (5) + 7 + (2, 1) = 15

Serra is up

Round 1, Init 21, Part 1

Serra looks at the demons and the dwarf, trying access threats.

1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29 Know (Planes) - DRs and any ability to detect invisible?

Knowledge(History): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

"Those visions, when the Warding Stone exploded. Does anyone else remember about someone that looks like that dwarf? I'm pretty sure he's not exactly the same, but the resemblance is there..."

Round 1, Init 21, Part 2

"BABAUS! B'ware!" Serra says, rolling into action. "G'back, Cole! Get behind me!"

Serra casts Magic Circle Protection from Evil 10' and his protective ranseur, and moves next to Cole.

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13 Know (History)

"That dwarf? No...he's nobody."

Round 1, Init 20

B1 joins the attack, attacking Serra this time.

attack, longspear, on Serra: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 281d8 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Sorry, I think I got some movement or something wrong...but it should be evened out now.

Jurin is up!

Round 1

Jurin remembers all too well the lesson of the cowmen, and casts a defensive spell.

Cast Mirror Image.
Images: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Round 1, Init 20

21: B-3:
21-: Serra Iondri Phaer:
20: B-1:
20-:Jurin:
B-2: 15
19: Elyanius Myoch:
16: Cole Zeff:
9:Joran the dwarf:

Jurin casts mirror image on himself, a crowd of brothers sprouting up around him.

B-2 grins and disappears, only to reappear on the other side, next to Ely.

Ely, Cole, are up, and then Joran the dwarf.

Round: 1, Initiative: 16

”Eli, wait for me!”

Cole remembers why he doesn’t like being in front. Still, the door had to be opened. He 5’ steps back along the wall, and though he still provokes from that damnable longspear, he attacks the demon facing him and Eli (Babau 2).

He opens with outsider bane arrows, hoping to drop the demon quickly and allow Eli a chance to do something else.
bow (magic, cold iron, good): 1d20 + 10 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 10 + 5 = 28 (bolstering, point blank, bane)
damage: 1d8 + 8 + 4 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 4 + (5, 3) = 21 (point blank, bane)

bow (magic, cold iron, good): 1d20 + 10 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 10 + 5 = 20 (bolstering, point blank, bane)
damage: 1d8 + 8 + 4 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 4 + (2, 6) = 21 (point blank, bane)

iterative bow (magic, cold iron, good): 1d20 + 5 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 5 = 24 (bolstering, point blank, bane)
damage: 1d8 + 8 + 4 + 2d6 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 4 + (2, 6) = 26 (point blank, bane)

Round 1, Delay Init---> 15

Eli nods to Cole, as the archer cautions a rush to act.

bottom of 1, top of 2

21: B-3:
21-: Serra Iondri Phaer: (-15 hp)
20: B-1:
20-:Jurin:
B-2: 15 (dead)
19: Elyanius Myoch:
16: Cole Zeff: (-32hp )
9:Joran the dwarf:

Cole shoots, provoking an attack from B-2.

AoO on Cole: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 191d8 + 7 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 7 + (1, 3) = 12 only to be devastated by his flurry of his arrows. He remains standing for only a moment, before Ely finishes him off.

Joran, mutters something, then grins at Serra.

"You don't want to be here, my Friend. You should leave this cursed place right now." Suggestion, DC 16 Will

B-3 attacks Serra with everything he's got. 5 foot step forward

attack 1, on Serra, claw: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 311d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

attack 2, on Serra, claw: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 161d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

attack 1, on Serra, claw: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 291d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Cole, that AoO might have missed with the +2 from Serra's MCPfE10'.

Round 2, Init 21

1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 2 = 24 Save vs. Suggestion

Serra takes the blows from the Babau and begins to fight back. He fleetingly charges around both Babaus (no AoO) and strikes at the dwarf (swift action, mythic).

1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 2 = 29 to hit;
2d4 + 5 ⇒ (3, 3) + 5 = 11 damage (bypasses DR).

Pot Crit:
1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 2 = 16 to hit;
2d4 + 5 ⇒ (1, 4) + 5 = 10 damage (bypasses DR).

Then Serra casts Greater Invisibility on himself and 5' steps so the dwarf won't know his location.

"You don't want to be here, my Friend. You should leave this cursed place right now."

"Friend?! FRIEND?!!! I don't think so! Cole -- he doesn't look very sincere. Let me at him!"

Round 2, Init 20

21: B-3:
21-: Serra Iondri Phaer: (-15 hp)
20: B-1:
20-:Jurin:
B-2: 15 (dead)
19: Elyanius Myoch:
16: Cole Zeff: (-20hp )
9:Joran the dwarf: (-21hp)

Serra easily shakes off the dwarf's suggestion, then fleetingly charges the man for his temerity. He strikes solidly, wounding him in the thigh.

B1 chases after Serra, attacking with his longspear

attack on Serra: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 321d8 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Jurin, Ely and Cole are up

possible crit on Serra: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 311d8 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Round 2, Init 15

Eli once again bats clean-up, should Cole riddle the next demon full of arrows.

+1 Legendary Hammer, Power Attack: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 9 - 2 = 26 for 1d12 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 6 = 13 damage

If Cole proves more than effective on Babau 3, Eli moves into flank with Serra on Babau 1.

"I know I've seen that dwarf somewhere before..." Eli keeps looking behind them, worried that more demons could be working around into flank with their strike team.

Round: 2, Initiative: 16

Cole, that AoO might have missed with the +2 from Serra's MCPfE10'.

It did, as you say, miss - thanks for the protection… and the reminder. :)

"Friend?! FRIEND?!!! I don't think so! Cole -- he doesn't look very sincere. Let me at him!"

A shaky Cole cries out, ”Get out of my mind!” He shakes his head to try and free the demons in his head, so he can focus on the ones in front of him. ”You want him, go get him!”

After stepping back out of reach, he fires two more outsider bane arrows, and when that portion of his quiver is empty, he finishes with a holy arrow.
bow (magic, cold iron, good): 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 10 + 2 = 22 (bolstering, point blank)
damage: 1d8 + 8 + 1 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 1 + (2, 1) = 16 (point blank, bane)

bow (magic, cold iron, good): 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 10 + 2 = 14 (bolstering, point blank)
damage: 1d8 + 8 + 1 + 2d6 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 1 + (2, 5) = 21 (point blank, bane)

iterative bow (magic, cold iron, good): 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 5 + 2 = 24 (bolstering, point blank)
damage: 1d8 + 8 + 1 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 1 + (3, 6) = 22 (point blank, holy)

Watching one of his arrows miss the mark, he leans in to Eli, "Go on, one more shot!" He uses his mythic powers to grant Eli a free swing at +2 to hit and bypassing all DR*

Hearing Cole's rally, Eli doesn't think twice as something he associates with a sudden gust of wind brings his hammer to effortlessly swing 'round a second time in as many seconds. His muscles don't complain for the expenditure of energy not his own.

+1 Legendary Hammer, Power Attack: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 9 - 2 + 2 = 21 for 1d12 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 6 = 20 damage

Round 2

Jurin moves up to the demon next to Eli.

The map had me way back, I assume I was with the group? If not then I'll double move to the pillar and attack next turn.

Cold Iron Magic: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Damage: 1d6 + 16 ⇒ (4) + 16 = 20

Eli barks at the dwarf. "You seem out of place here, dwarf. Why fight alongside demons, when you can find redemption in returning to the fold of humanity? What is your name? Would you surrender here, if we truly and honestly asked you to?"

Round 3, Init

21: B-3:
21-: Serra Iondri Phaer: (-15 hp)
20: B-1:
20-:Jurin:
B-2: 15 (dead)
19: Elyanius Myoch:
16: Cole Zeff: (-20hp )
9:Joran the dwarf: (-21hp)

The concerted efforts of Cole, Ely and Jurin bring down B-3, leaving only the dwarf and the lone remaining demon.

Joran flinches from Ely's appraisal. He almost looks as if he might answer, before his gaze falls upon the remaining demon.

He considers his options, then casts a spell on himself. His wounds heal up a bit.

Round 3, Invisible Serra is up, followed by B-1, remaining demon

Round 3, Init 21

Serra does something that no one can see.
Gr. Invisibility 2/7.

Round 3, Init 20

B-1, not one to scare easily, attacks Eli.

long spear on Eli: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 261d8 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Jurin, Eli and Cole are up!

Round 3, Init 15

"Dwarf, come now. Surely you can speak. We're here to face the demons. What are you here for?" Finding it difficult to speak with a spear in his side, Eli tries to swat away the demon obstructing his view of the man.

+1 Legendary Hammer, Power Attack: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 9 - 2 = 24 for 1d12 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 6 = 12 damage

Round: 3, Initiative: 16

Cole, satisfied the fight is over the hump, turns back to his normal cold iron arrows and attacks the un-frightened B1.

bow (magic, cold iron, good): 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 10 + 2 = 25 (bolstering, point blank)
damage: 1d8 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 1 = 10 (point blank)

bow (magic, cold iron, good): 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 10 + 2 = 18 (bolstering, point blank)
damage: 1d8 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 1 = 12 (point blank)

iterative bow (magic, cold iron, good): 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 2 = 14 (bolstering, point blank)
damage: 1d8 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 1 = 13 (point blank)

He sighs at his feeble attempts, and wonders if he should be attacking the dwarf...

Round 3

Jurin swings around to help on the last demon.

Cold Iron Magic: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Damage: 1d6 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 22

”Get out of my mind! You want him, go get him!”

[...]

He sighs at his feeble attempts, and wonders if he should be attacking the dwarf...

A bored sigh permeates the air above the ruckus of the battle.

More emphatically and sincerely she adds, "I could get the dwarf -- if only you would in the very least just aim at him..."

Round 3, Init 9

21: B-3: dead
21-: Serra Iondri Phaer: (-15 hp)
20: B-1: (-22hp)
20-:Jurin:
B-2: 15 (dead)
19: Elyanius Myoch:
16: Cole Zeff: (-20hp )
9:Joran the dwarf: (-4hp)

Jurin misses the demon completely. Eli returns the demon's attack, wounding him in the side. Cole takes aim as well, but only one of his arrows sinks true.

The dwarf weighs their words, jumping as Mathilda's voice fills the air. "What?!? Who was that?!! I see what your about now!"

He casts again, this time hoping to negate Cole's bow, in case he takes the voice's advice.

DC16 Fort, or Cole is blinded

Fort: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
whew...

"Look dwarf, do you want to talk, or do you want to die - enough playing games. The voice does not speak for us all - not yet."

He draws an arrow and waits... uh until his turn anyway...

Sorry, Serra is up in Round 4, followed by B1 and then the others.

Round 4, Init 21

Serra does something that no one can see. Gr. Invisibility 3/7.

Round 4, Init 20

B-1 steps closer to the Eli, forgoing his spear to attack with claws and teeth.

claw attack 1 on Eli: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 201d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

claw attack 2 on Eli: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 261d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
bite attack on Eli: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 171d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Now, Jurin, Eli, and Cole are up.

Round 4, Init 15

Eli sighs in pain, as his blood starts to soak his garments. Frustrated with the continued violence, the old man tries to put down the rabid dog. He lets Cole do his work, then adds his damage on the backside.

+1 Legendary Hammer, Power Attack: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 9 - 2 = 19 for 1d12 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 6 = 18 damage

Round: 4, Initiative: 16

Cole steps back a little and attacks the remaining demon…
bow (magic, cold iron, good): 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 10 + 2 = 17 (bolstering, point blank)
damage: 1d8 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 1 = 16 (point blank)

bow (magic, cold iron, good): 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 10 + 2 = 13 (bolstering, point blank)
damage: 1d8 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 1 = 12 (point blank)

iterative bow (magic, cold iron, good): 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 2 = 17 (bolstering, point blank)
damage: 1d8 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 1 = 10 (point blank)

As the arrows fly past the demon, he wonders about attacking the dwarf. Will I have better luck? I wonder...

Cole begins to think… he remembers the boy…

Round 4

Jurin whistles as he continues to chop towards the demon.

Cold Iron Magic: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17

Round 4

21: B-3: dead
21-: Serra Iondri Phaer: (-15 hp)
20: B-1: (-57hp)
20-:Jurin:
B-2: 15 (dead)
19: Elyanius Myoch: (-30hp)
16: Cole Zeff: (-20hp )
15:New D, S
9:Joran the dwarf: (-4hp)

Jurin chops into the creature, hurting him significantly. Eli too manages to bloody his weapon in the demon's sounds, but Cole misses with all three shots.

Joran watches the demon bleed and weighs his chances. He cocks his head at a clatter coming from somewhere behind him, then grins.... and disappears.

Round 5, Serra is up