Lightbringer's page

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Lightbringer stays silent for the moment, thinking that him speaking ahead of Rodergo may not help the situation greatly. He looks to the cleric expectantly.

Oh yeah, that’s right, that’s our problem here, all the Karrns ... particularly the guy in the bone armour ... This should be fun!

Yeah, good description of the travel, I used to catch the train every day but very rarely through the countryside (let alone a war-torn countryside...)
LB has travelling papers and identity papers (with portrait) so he should be right unless the Thrane authorities want to make an issue of him being a free warforged. Yes, I think we said that Rod would claim responsibility for his actions in Thrane if it became necessary to do so.

“At this time, let us focus on the task at hand. When we return to Sharn, a visit to the Daggerwatch Garrison will be in order.”

“Politics.” The terse way Lightbringer says the words clearly shows his opinion on the matter.

“It troubles me that we cannot look into these events right now,” says Lightbringer. “I fell that our current quest is too important to abandon or further delay. We must look into this when we return. I do not understand why someone would kill the medusa. Perhaps, if she does truly have some official status as a representative of the leaders of Droaam, her death will be used an excuse for an escalation of hostilities between Breland and the monsters of Droaam?”

First class is somewhat wasted on Lightbringer, though he expresses his appreciation to the House Orien representatives. He spends most of the journey either speaking to his companions or to the House Deneith guards, discussing the finer points of security.

He suggests to his companions that they do not openly discuss their destination, now more paranoid than ever about eavesdropping shapeshifters or scryers. He does not fear Daask or even the monsters of Droaam, but knows that the Mournlands will be dangerous enough; they will need all their resources to succeed there, without worrying about monstrous assassins sent by their enemies.

Lightbringer broaches the subject with Bor when he accompanies him to the shop where they sold his greataxe. “You fought well and bravely against the Daask brigands, and risked much to warn us,” Lightbringer says. “Any debt you may have owed to us is discharged. My concern is that the lycanthropes and the medusa will know you, and Daask may target you in future. We would stay and fight against them, but our current business is more pressing than dealing with lawless thieves. Where we are going is dangerous, and we could use a skilled warrior such as yourself. If you wish to accompany us, we would welcome your help. I must discuss this with my companions, but it seems to me that a share of any gains we come by would be in order.”

I suggest we sell the loot and then go back to the temple for the night. As for the bow, LB and Rolund will roll for it. (High roll wins). 1d20=. :)

Rolund can have the bow.

Lightbringer wrote:

I say we either give Bor a full share of the gains from this loot, or else offer him the hide armour and/or the great axe.

Agreed, give Bor the hide armor and greataxe to get his axe back. Sell the rest except the bow and ring. The bow can go to LB or Rod, even Rol as a former paladin of the Silver Flame; the ring to Janosz or Gil.

Yes, let’s keep the bow – if Rolund wants it, have at it! On checking his character sheet I just noticed he doesn’t have a bow at all.

Lightbringer gives a full and honest report of the attack to Dornas. He will try to seek out the House Orien representative and determine what is happening with the train and its passengers; if the only way forward is to return to Sharn and catch a new train out, he suggests the group accepts Dornas’ offer of a lift.

Either after giving his report or during the ride back to the city, Lightbringer will try to engage Dornas, presenting their battle against Daask as a benefit to the city and the Watch whilst at the same time being careful not to downplay the Watch’s importance in maintaining law and order. Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

If he seems to be building some sort of rapport he will casually comment that Inspector Croke still seems to have his differences with their band – or is there something else getting to him? Has something been eating at him lately, has he seemed different to normal?

It wouldn’t be a terrible idea for LB to upgrade his bow – if nothing else it is his religions favoured weapon! On the other hand neither Runzyl nor LB tends to use bow very much – if anyone is saving up for something and can do with a bit more to their share of the cash we can sell it?

Lightbringer finds Bor and thanks the minotaur for his warning and his help. After eliciting a promise from the minotaur that he will not use violence or intimidation to retrieve it, he tells him which merchant they sold his axe to, and offers to accompany him there if the minotaur is returning to the city. He also offers him a share of the treasure in thanks, so long as the minotaur does not intend to work for groups such as Daask again.

I say we either give Bor a full share of the gains from this loot, or else offer him the hide armour and/or the great axe.

“As would Gelb be,” answers Lightbringer. “Or perhaps a man having his mind controlled by a medusa,” he adds, nodding to Janosz.

“Yet you discerned nothing out of the ordinary when you read his mind ... how can we determine this with a certainty? Matilda, do you have any insight, given that you are of the same race as Gelb?”

“There was an emphasis to the way that the medusa spoke Croke’s title that seemed odd,” Lightbringer persists, seeming unwilling to entirely give up his conspiracy theory. “Did anyone perceive the meaning of it? Was it simply mocking his rank?”

“You have noticed sadistic or evil tendencies from him previously?” There is disappointment and perhaps some sadness in Lightbringer’s voice. “He always struck me as harsh but fair. I thought simply he did not like us because he felt we interfered with his job, but that he was truly devoted to law and justice. It seems I was mistaken. I still have much to learn of humanoids.”

Once Croke departs, Lightbringer looks about to ensure that no watchmen are within earshot and then tells his companions, “I sensed the taint of evil from Croke’s soul. This is no guarantee that he is not what he seems – I have learnt to my sorrow that many ordinary people harbour evil within them, often there is little outward sign of it – but it does deepen my suspicions of him. Can it be possible that Gelb has impersonated him, or that at least he is complicent in the changeling’s escape?”

“Our business to the north is important; but so is assisting the Watch in sorting out this mess and providing information that can be used against Daask. The law-breakers would be audacious indeed to make another attempt on us while we are under the direct protection of the Sharn Watch. As this train is not continuing from here, we will certainly return to the city to make our statements, and see that the medusa does not make trouble for your men on the return Inspector.”

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 – trying to get a sense if there is anything more to Croke and Meeralk’s interaction than meets the eye.

“That will be acceptable Inspector,” Lightbringer answers Croke. “Our business will have to wait a day or two. We are happy to assist in any way we can if it will help the Watch bring Daask criminals to justice. Our statement will note that the prisoner was not merely a bystander as he or she claimed. He or she was observed offering the leader of the attackers help and casting a spell that assisted the attacking Daask forces.” I’m not sure if Lightbringer would have been in a position to note this at the time, but I’m sure Ez and the others in the carriage would have figured it out, and we would have all discussed things afterwards.

After a moment the paladin strides forward and nods to Croke. “We have strong reason to believe this was indeed ‘in our honour’ as you say. It appears that the criminals of Daask have decided to squander more resources in an attempt to have revenge on us for disrupting their operations some months back. As you can see we were able to rout the criminals before they could cause more than minimal loss of innocent life and only minor damage to House Orien property. Tragically, we were not present to prevent the death of the train driver, may the Silver Flame accept his soul. While we killed most of the attackers in the process of defending ourselves, the passengers and the train, a small number of wererats managed to escape, two of them headed back in the direction of Sharn.”

Lightbringer looks about at the carnage. “How the Daask were able to gather such resources to attack us at this location at short notice I do not know, as we were discreet in regards to our travel plans. I pray though that the damage we have done to them here, and the resources they have squandered in their attempt on our lives, will necessitate a downturn in their criminal activities in Sharn for at least some time.”

Keeping in mind his recent conversation with Rodergo, and hoping to lay to rest his suspicions (or paranoia) Lightbringer hangs back for a brief moment ... taking a few seconds to scan Croke and Dornas for evil intent or spirit with his second sight. Takes two move actions to scan first Croke then Dornas with his paladin Detect Evil ability (concentrate on one individual within 60 feet and get info as if having studied for 3 rounds).

Who is Dornas again? Have we met ... him? Presumably Croke’s offsider?

“You are as much a part of our successes to date as anyone else,” says Lightbringer, placing a heavy hand on Rodergo’s shoulder. “You have no need of self doubt.”

Lightbringer looks at the priest. “Sometimes I believe that feeling is the Silver Flame telling us that something is not right. Sometimes it is just paranoia. You are right, Croake seems to be a difficult person. I think he does not like that ‘adventurers’, as he must think of us, are able to achieve gains against criminals that he cannot as an officer of the law. Even so, I felt that in our last contact we had come to some sort of understanding with the man.”

The warforged thinks for a long moment – Rodergo might imagine he can hear the gears turning inside his head. “I wonder if your paranoid feeling was a divine warning of sorts – The Flame works in mysterious ways. Our enemy is a changeling, apparently escaped from custody ... I wonder if he has infiltrated the Watch? Perhaps – and I hesitate to say it – perhaps even replaced Croake or someone close to him. There is one possible explanation for the Watch not being helpful with information. If you mentioned in your meeting about our destination, or if a disguised changeling read your thoughts – can they do such? – it might also explain how Daask was able to quickly and confidently gather such force to use against us at this place.”

The paladin looks at Rodergo and shakes his head. “Perhaps it is now I who have become paranoid friend Rodergo.”

Lightbringer helps his companions manacle (LB carries a pair for such occasions) the portly man, and suggests he is gagged for good measure if he is a mage.

He then accompanies Rodergo on his tour of the passengers, expressing relief that none were injured by the wererats. “It is indeed disturbing that these creatures still exist in numbers, and are allied with the Daask scum,” he agrees with the priest. A pauses for a moment and slightly flexes his shoulder plates, the warforged equivalent of a sigh.

“I feel we must deal with Daask for good at some point,” he says after a moment. “We can continue fending off their attacks, but their increasing brazenness is a danger to innocents. Whether it is in our power to destroy their criminal organisation for good I do not know, although the Flame willing I would do so. If not, we must hit them hard enough that they realise it is futile – a waste of resources – to try to attack us. Of course, our current mission is more pressing; it will need to wait.”

He looks at the priest. “I wonder if these last few attacks were the work of Daask as an organisation, or revenge attacks planned by the escaped changeling. What did you learn from the Watch of his escape?”

Lightbringer looks out the window to see that the fleeing wererats are out of sight and likely beyond catching. Shaking his metal head in regret, Lightbringer turns back and hauls the battered gnoll corpses from the carriage, flinging them to the ground beside the train. He then looks about the carriage for any civilians. “Are you damaged?” he asks any that he can see.

“Prepare for eternity evil-doers,” intones Lightbringer, as he hefts his sword and swings it shockingly fast at the two gnolls.

Swift action: choose gnoll leader as smite evil target. Full attack with power attack, on gnoll leader, any additional attacks after he drops go to the other gnoll. Subtract 4 to hit and 9 to damage for the other gnoll.

Attack 1: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (16) + 18 = 34, Damage: 2d6 + 27 ⇒ (4, 2) + 27 = 33
Attack 2: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (4) + 18 = 22, Damage: 2d6 + 27 ⇒ (2, 3) + 27 = 32
Attack 3: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27, Damage: 2d6 + 27 ⇒ (4, 2) + 27 = 33

Ah, sorry, re: the threadjack, I'm obviously way behind.

Back to the game, a geography question of sorts - is LB in a doorway or standing with his back to a window? Would I be able to reach him if I flew over to his position?

I think he's standing in the doorway - with his back to the open doorway presumably.

For reference, the gnolls' attacks both missed (assuming the gnolls are evil - if not, the boss's attack hit.

Lightbringer wrote:

Wow, Rolund is intimidating!

You can say that again. Oh, look at that, I guess you did!

Watchu talkin' 'bout Willis? ;-)

Wow, Rolund is intimidating!

Nice to see you back Aubrey.

Lightbringer takes a brief moment to repair some of his damage, due to the grace of the Silver Flame, then runs into the carriage next to the one that the group was traveling in, hoping to catch any wererats still within.

Swift action to lay on hands to self, repairing 3d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 2) = 9 points of damage. Move to BD 20 within carriage, not enough actions left to attack.

Does anyone want to make an effort to stop the fleeing wererats? I couldn't care less about the gnolls, but the shapeshifters should be dealt with.

LB would certainly like to, but I don’t think he’ll be able to catch any of them.

EDIT: Actually, with haste he could probably just reach rat 2 with a charge, depending on Bor’s movement. Bor might charge the fleeing wererat himself, it would get in LB's way but might take it down. O nthe other hand, Bor might be more inclined to try to chase down the gnoll who was harrassing him.

Bor’s AoO: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28, Damage: 3d6 + 9 ⇒ (2, 1, 2) + 9 = 14

Lightbringer closes in on the remaining troll, swinging his sword quickly and mightily.

5 foot step to AV 22. Full attack on the troll.
Attack # 1: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30 Damage: 2d6 + 18 ⇒ (3, 5) + 18 = 26
Attack # 2: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33 Damage: 2d6 + 18 ⇒ (4, 4) + 18 = 26
Attack # 3: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29 Damage: 2d6 + 18 ⇒ (5, 4) + 18 = 27
If the troll falls, LB will keep hacking away at him anyway to make sure he stays down.

Edit: Crit confirm roll for attack 2: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15 Damage: 2d6 + 18 ⇒ (2, 3) + 18 = 23
Crit confirm roll for attack 3: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27 Damage: 2d6 + 18 ⇒ (6, 3) + 18 = 27

So should be about 106 points of damage there - not bad for a non-smite attack. Pity I didn't decide to take the first attack on the gnoll before I stepped away.

heal myself again....3d8+7 burned meld into railroad car, because it doesn't work.....it's not stone.

wheee!!!

Wanna roll for Bor so you get to hit something?

The remaining troll swings at Lightbringer.

Troll 1: Club 1 1d20+12, damage 2d8+10, Club 2 1d20+12, damage 2d8+10, Bite 1d20+7, damage 1d8+3

First club strike hits. Bite just misses, thanks to haste and protection from evil.

Rodergo is up.

Shaak down. Troll 2 staggered. Yeah, stupid over-powered paladins.

Hmmm, maybe that dude was onto something ... ;-)

Ez is up.

Lightbringer continues to bring the power of the Silver Flame – and his sword – to bear on the troll leader, hacking swiftly at the distracted hag thanks to Matilda’s magic.

Full attack. Attacking Shaak (smite evil, power attack, flanking etc). If the troll-wife goes down (and she was injured by fire after LB last attacked her, so these wounds should count), he will take a 5 foot step to AW 22 and make any remaining attacks on Troll 2. This will not be smite evil attacks, so subtract 4 from attack rolls and 9 from damage rolls.
Attack 1: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (8) + 20 = 28 Damage: 2d6 + 27 ⇒ (1, 5) + 27 = 33
Attack 2: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (10) + 20 = 30 Damage: 2d6 + 27 ⇒ (3, 1) + 27 = 31
Attack 3: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 23 Damage: 2d6 + 27 ⇒ (6, 1) + 27 = 34

Rodergo Xativa wrote:

that's no orc.....that's my wife!!!

Ooo...sorry. I mean...congrats on her great personality!

She's only half an orc really ...

We could have avoided most of this fight by sending Gil to the engine and having her Use Magic Device to make the train go. I would have loved to have seen Shaak’s face as she tried to have kept up on her rhino. Not to mention the trolls and the gnolls left behind.

That would have left the gnoll commandos and the ones inside the carriages which we could have taken down easily.

Live and Learn.

That would have been pretty cool.

My first thought when we found out Daask was going to try to get us on the train, and there was a bridge ahead, was that they would have tried to take out the bridge. That probably would have taken too much time for them to organise, but we probably should check the bridge before the train gets moving again just in case, assuming we all survive this.

No point in rolling an Acrobatics check with Janosz’s modifier. He should safely hit the ground prone.

Wererat leader, Portly Man, and then Rodergo.

I keep expecting the kitchen sink to become animate with all these guys coming out of the woodwork. Daask really went all out.

I'm starting to think they don't like us.

Which reminds me that I've forgotten abut the DR provided by Good Devotion: DR 2/Evil is quite helpful.

Yes, keep it in mind for this series of attacks. How bad a state is Janosz in? Can he retreat and self heal, or move near Rod or LB?

LB is hit once, 18 points of damage.

Lightbringer swings his great blade around, the sword’s silvery goodness nearly slicing the wererat’s head form it’s shoulders as it tries to crawl away. The brief step back is enough to put him out of harm’s way when a fireball suddenly explodes beside him, incinerating the troll he had just sliced up as well as barbequing the rhinoceros to a crispy-skinned consistency.

The paladin’s gaze turns to the apparent leader of the criminal force, the female troll that stands before Rolund.

“Turn and face me trollwife, so that you may know who bears the sword of justice against you,” he calls, before lumbering into a charge, running up atop the charred rhino corpse and leaping down onto the trolless, his silvery blade swinging.

Swift action to choose Shaak as my new Smite Evil target. Charge to AX 22 and attack Shaak. Will potentially take AoOs from Shaak and Troll 2 – AC against Shaak is 29, AC against other trolls is 25.
Charge attack (flanking with Rolund, power attack, charging smite): 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (7) + 22 = 29 Damage: 2d6 + 36 ⇒ (5, 5) + 36 = 46

EDIT: aw hell, Bor did not just walk in front of me to block that charge ... I suppose I could target the other troll, but I’m not really sure it makes sense for Bor to move out of the carriage, risking an AoO from the wererat and leaving Rod who is looking in a bad way, to face it – as well as the two mages. I would think he would attack the wererat?

The wererat on the ground by Lightbringer recognises its peril and tries to crawl to safety.

Acrobatics as a full round action, to crawl 5' to safety without provoking an AoO. DC is LB's CMD + 5. 1d20+13. Looks like he made it - just - unless LB's CMB doesn't include his Bull's Strength.

LB’s CMD as listed on his character sheet does not include the benefit of Bull’s Strength. As he already has a belt of giant strength, bull’s strength only brings his effective strength up to 20, increasing his CMD by 1 to 24. The rat’s DC to crawl away safely is CMD + 5 = 24 + 5 = 29. So he just fails.

EDIT: Ninjad by Fates!

EDIT 2: Post action soon ... my boss just walked in here at work ...

Lightbringer wrote:

Aubrey the Demented/Malformed wrote:

Bor strikes at the wererat, htting once. His blows should have made mincemeat of the creature, but its preturnatural touchness sees it through. It snarls and hisses at the minotaur.

Should Bor have hit twice? Two of his attacks hit AC 23, which was his best result.

Mis-type - he did hit twice.

No worries.

Lightbringer’s magically enhanced reflexes allow him to step neatly aside as the wererat comes crashing through the carriage window to land, winded, at his feet. The paladin glances around and down. “Take the moments you have left to you to repent your sins, rat,” he advises.

In anticipation of the wererat doing something that threatens an attack of opportunity (such as standing or trying to move away…)

Bor strikes at the wererat, htting once. His blows should have made mincemeat of the creature, but its preturnatural touchness sees it through. It snarls and hisses at the minotaur.

Should Bor have hit twice? Two of his attacks hit AC 23, which was his best result.

Your weapon counts as silver, so he's in for a world of hurt...

Indeed. He goes before me though ... but if he tries to stand or move I should get an AoO.