Way of the Wicked - a Tale of the Fall of Talingarde
Game Master Mark Sweetman

Lol, may be a bit late for that :p

Albina waits in the doorway, prepared to fling bolts of fire at any corpses that arise to attack her companions.

With a wet snapping sound, one of the coffins in the SW corner of the room explodes outwards as a sodden corpse rises from it's bowels. The once-living dead wears the clothes of a sailor, though it's swollen and rotting flesh suggest it was drowned at sea. It lurches towards you silent but for the wet thud of it's feet upon the ground...

Action Tracker (Round 1): Albina, Mi'Dre, Draugr, Shendalyn and Gurthock, Black Jack

Map will be later tonight - the draugr is roughly 10-15ft from Mi'Dre and Black Jack, the others are back 20-25ft from it at present.

Albina unleashes a bolt of infernal flames from her holy symbol at the lead undead.

ranged touch attack 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
fire damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

She steps forward a single pace, into the room, and seems to sway, as if drunk, as she does. When she stops moving, there are two of her, side by side, hand upraised in the same gesture.

move action to activate copycat, giving her one mirror image for 2 rounds.

Mi'Dre looks at Jack with a weary sigh, before moving forward to lay into the dripping soldier which... was just about what was expected. He was slightly puzzled the floor wasn't wetter if each of these coffins held one of these things.

Mi'Dre will try and get into the best position to set up a flank he can with his 20 foot move without provoking, and then attack. As much as possible he's trying to keep quiet too :p
Claw vs flatfooted: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9 for 1d4 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Albina releases a bolt of fire that slams into the draugr's form scorching it badly. Mi'Dre has less success, missing the zombie entirely with his strike.

The draugr wordlessly swipes at Mi'Dre with a rotting claw...
Greataxe: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 for 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Confirm: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19 for 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11 more And DC 12 Fort save or nauseated for 1 round
...catching the devil with a thunderous blow that knocks him cleanly to the floor.

Action Tracker (Round 1): Albina, Mi'Dre, Draugr, Shendalyn and Gurthock, Black Jack

Map

I have a question about your last post VoV. Is the unded using a greataxe?

Drawing his sword and swing it hard agaist the walking corpse Black Jacks moves in to help the devil.
Move and attack
Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Dmg: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Tired eyes failed to edit everything about the post. Had initially swung with the draugr's greataxe... but greataxe crits are nasty (would have been an outright kill), so I switched him back to the slam attack (which still crit and dropped Mi'Dre - just didn't kill him).
So yes, the draugr has a greataxe... but it is not currently wielding it.

Shaking his head Shendalyn lets slip the dogs.

Standard: Drop fiendish dog on F4.

Dog attack
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Well that was unexpected. Wow, d10 slam...
-4/20, 2 NL, 1 con

Though it doesn't really matter regardless... Fort Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
And in case Albina doesn't get round to the healing, Stabilization roll: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 2 - 4 = 3

As the Zombie clobbers Mi'Dre the devil goes down like a sack of bricks, he has only have a brief moment to let out a soft groan before he collapses to the floor, bleeding.

Black Jack's blade and the fiendish dog's bite combine to tear hunks of rotted flesh from the draugr... leaving it badly savaged. It shudders jerkily, but still remains standing.

Action Tracker (Round 2): Albina, Mi'Dre, Draugr, Shendalyn and Gurthock, Black Jack

Damage Tracker:
NW Draugr - 17 (Near re-death)

Gurthock contemplates the idea of taking a dump on the Gaav, or perhaps eating his face when the half elves voice rings out.

"Gurthock be useful and drag your erstwhile compatriot from the jaws of death would you? That's a good homicidal devil."

Grumbling the miniture pitfiend will move next to the gaav and attempt to drag him away from the draugr.

Shendalyn plays it conservatively. Between his injury and the dog he allows himself the luxury of not putting his own blade to use. Instead he observes from his relatively safe spot outside the door.

The dog itself continues to rip apart the zombie like creature.
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Gurthock moves forward and drags the insensate Mi'Dre away from the rampaging undead figure.

Dog bite will come in post Albina / Draugr action

Albina channels infernal power into Mi'Dre, attempting to staunch his wounds, if it is not too late for the small devil...

Channel energy to give Mi'Dre fast healing 1 for 1 minute.

The draugr lashes out at Black Jack with a sodden and heavy hand...
Slam: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
...though the strike skitters off the man's armor.

Though with a crumpling of wet wood, a second Draugr stands up from one of the coffins in the north east corner of the room... leering out at the living wordlessly.

Shendalyn's summoned devil dog then bites through the draugr's knee, bringing it down where it tears out the undead's throat.

Action Tracker (Round 2): Albina, Mi'Dre, Draugr, Shendalyn and Gurthock, Black Jack

Map later - but you have a single opponent standing in the NE of the room at present.

Well, good luck! :p

Updated Map

Don't worry Mi'Dre, you'll be back in action soon enough :)

The map link does not seem to work for me, it redirects me to an add of google drive, whatever that is...

Cautiously Jack approaches the new opponent swinging his sword in an whilde arc.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Dmg: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Shendalyn calls some orders in infernal and the dog pads over to the second draugr to begin ripping that apart too.

Dog moves to H4
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Black Jack and the devil dog switch to the new target and proceed to tear strips of rotting sodden flesh from it.

Action Tracker (Round 3): Albina, Mi'Dre, Draugr, Shendalyn and Gurthock, Black Jack

Damage Tracker:
Draugr 2: 12

Albina delays an action to see if she needs to heal Black Jack after the undead strikes. If it doesn't hit him, she'll instead whack it with her mace.

If the Draugr hits Black Jack, channel negative energy to give him fast healing 1 for 1 minute.

If the Draugr misses, step to H6 and mace attack 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

The draugr lashes out at Black Jack with a sodden fist...
Slam: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20 for 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14 and DC 12 Fort save or nauseated for 1 round.
...making solid contact and bludgeoning the warrior.

Albina channel's Asmodeus desire that Black Jack endure and do his duty.

Action Tracker (Round 3): Mi'Dre, Draugr, Albina, Shendalyn and Gurthock, Black Jack

Damage Tracker:
Draugr 2: 12

Fort Save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
The blackguard staggers under the powerful blow but thanks to the profane energies running through his body manage to press on a clumsy attack.
Atack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Dmg: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Calling on Shendalyn and Gurthock...

Gurthock continues deagging the unconscious Gaav out of the room while shendalyn contemplates the wisdom of diving into the fray himself before stepping just enough himself to call forth something other than the dog.

Streaking out of a dark hole of nothingness a hawk made of pure malice descends with claws of hate into the face of the undead foe to rend flesh and rip out bone.

Shendalyn notes the effectiveness of the eagle over the dog.

Dog:
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22 Attack
1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 Damage

Eagle:
2 talons 11d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 Attack
21d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 Attack

1 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 Damage
2 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 Damage

bite 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Black Jack's strike is fouled by the muck around the beast and causes little damage, though the conjured devil dog manages to end the draugr.

However your relief is short lived as two more of the undead foes burst from coffins in the SW and SE corner of the room.

Action Tracker (Round 4): Mi'Dre, Draugr, Albina, Shendalyn and Gurthock, Black Jack

Map

Realized I made an error in the rules. Assume last round was a standard to unsummon gurthock. This round will be eagle round. Dog and eagle will descend on the southern draugr. Keep the rolls from the eagle (unless you'd like me to roll anew).

Dog goes down to chew on the southern draugr.

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23 Attack
1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 Damage

I missed it as well, feel free to roll again for Round 4 Eagle Claw

Just need eagle attacks re-roll and Albina and Black Jack actions.
I know the draugr are a bit monotonous... but we're almost to the good bit ;)

I'll just keep drooling unconscious on the floor ;)

Albina points the pentacle of Asmodeus at the draugr closest to the group and calls hellfire down upon it, hoping to weaken it before the others move into position and block her shot.

fire bolt, ranged touch attack 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
fire damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Eagle:
2 talons 11d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12 Attack
2 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 Attack

1 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 Damage
2 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 Damage

bite 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Jack shake his head to clear his sight for a moment. Seeing the new threat he charges.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 2 = 12
Attack: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

The combined assault of devil dog, demon eagle and the burst of infernal fire from Albina destroy one of the draugr before it has a chance to act further. The sole remaining opponent lurches towards the summoned dog and lunges with greataxe outstretched...
Greataxe: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
...missing as it's sodden feet slip upon the room's floor. The combined weight of your counterattacks and the attentions of Shendalyn's summoned allies tear the last foe to pieces and the room grows quiet once more. Though you fear the remaining four unbroken caskets... no further undead lurch forth to assault you.

Combat over

The draugr possess nothing outside of some rotted and putrescent leather armor and the greataxes they wielded. You are left at the end of the maze of Thorn's challenges... with but a single door left unplumbed...

Mi'Dre slowly stirs, his head aching as he sits up groggily. The last he remembered was trying to hit a 'drowned man', some movement and... He blinks, looking around in confusion, pushing himself to his feet. "Ugh... what happened?"

Once the visible healing ends, Albina casts a spell and calls upon the favor of Asmodeus once again, causing at least some of Mi'Dre's wounds to begin to smoke as they begin to burn away.

More infernal healing, from a spell this time, 10 more hit points healed over the next 10 rounds.

Mi'Dre sighs softly again as the infernal warmth flows through him, sitting down and letting himself recover until the spell ran out again. Once it had run it's course he opened his eyes and pushed himself to his feet again. "Alright, lets find this stupid amulet then..." he muttered, heading for the door, pausing to make sure everyone is ready and pulling it open.

Shendalyn allows the fiendish animals to forge ahead while he scoops the mithril snakes into his backpack.

"Right so lets remove the head of whatever's wearing the amulet and be done with this farce. My arm is beginning to itch from the blood caking."

Tark - the devil dog and eagle would only have a round or two left of duration assuming you wait for Mi'Dre to heal to full. Might be best to resummon fresh ones just before opening the door?

A plaque is on the door that reads Serve thy master well and be rewarded and next to the padlock is a heavy blackened iron key.

The lock on the final portal is drawn open with the provided key and the door pushed wide. Beyond is another square room, though with a significantly different decoration. At it's core is a man in full plate armor, longsword in hand and shield emblazoned with Iomedae's sigil. He is knelt in a prayer that is interrupted by your appearance. He straightens and regards you with cold and calculating eyes.

It is then that you recognize the figure... it is Sir Balin of Karfield himself, Sword of Iomedae and known to some of you in ways most personal. Around his neck is a pendant of silver and sapphire. Seeing the devilry of Mi'Dre he spits "Foul servants of a weak god... you draw your last breath, use it to repent and I will kill you mercifully and swift"

They stick around for two minutes. About how long will they be sticking about once the door is opened?

20 rounds - 16 rounds for Infernal Healing (first one has to expire before second could be applied) - 4 / 2 rounds of combat = about a round for the dog and about three for the eagle

Keeping both then until they pop. If I popped in fresh ones it'd just crowd things further.

Yea...you wish. Blackjack says drawing his sword and smiling.

Iniciative? Or do you guys want to parley?

Kn: Local check:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Heh, so Mi'Dre does indeed knows who he is then... Anything else you care to tell me with that VoV?

As Mi'Dre recognises the figure he frowns, reconsidering a few of his assumptions. He'd assumed the boy they'd tortured earlier had been magically conditioned and manipulated to serve a role in this task, and reused when the current group was done with him. That they had actually captured the boy and his Master seemed to indicate otherwise...

As Balin blathers one Mi'Dre rolls his eyes, before stepping into the room, starting to circle around the man, keeping out of reach of his sword for now. "I'm afraid we can't off you the same promise..." he observes, grinning at the man, exposing his sharp teeth from amidst the innocent features of the blonde youth who he appeared as. He glanced back at the others in the group then, Albina and Shendalyn seemed to have personal grudges against the man, Jack as well possibly, but it was hard to tell since he was not the talkative sort...

Sir Balin is one of Talingarde's most fated witch-hunters, rooting out the last vestiges of Asmodean heretics. He is known to be incorruptible and a shining light in the church of Iomedae.

Mi'Dre's attempt to circle the knight is not unnoticed, and Sir Balin paces backwards in key with the devil until his back is near to stone. The look in his eyes suggests any attempt to approach closer would be met with flashing steel.

Guess I'll let the others have a chance to post before Mi'Dre starts anything :p

Parley? Oh, I think not. Shoot first. Speak with dead later.

Albina's eyes narrow as she recognizes the knight who testified at her trial and, reportedly, was involved in her arrest. (She was quite high at the time, and remembers none of that night.)

"You do not understand your role in this drama, Sir Balin. On this night's page, the end of your story is writ large." she says, spitting the word 'Sir' as if it were a slur.

Her hand reaches to clasp her silver pentacle, and the symbol of Asmodeus flares as she prepares to unleash the fires of hell.

Whenever she gets an action, fire bolt at Sir Balin, preferably before anyone else engages him in melee, so that she doesn't have to deal with the -4.

ranged touch attack 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
fire damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Bad villains monologue their plans to the hero. Good ones just kill you without saying a word.

"Less talk more gratuitous carnage please I'm feeling peckish and it's almost supper time. Sorry for not giving you the time you undoubtedly deserve sir knight but I am afraid you are a mere footnote in this epic tale of sorrow and love."

Dog and Bird will charge.

Dog
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Bird:
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Action Tracker (Round 1): Black Jack, Albina, Sir Balin, Mi'Dre, Shendalyn and Pals

As it is clear combat is inevitable, Sir Balin refrains from speech and instead sets his jaw stoically to await what comes.

Albina reacts quickly and unleashes a bolt of infernal fire that slams into him forcefully, and the heat burns through his finely made armor.

Damage Tracker:
Sir Balin - 5

Black Jack up - he's against the wall in a 30ft square room opposite the entrance.

So we're not getting free shots then? :p