Age of Darkness

Game Master Mothman

If Laithe points out the general location of the noise I will hit the general area with a Glitter Dust Save DC-14.
Otherwise I will head on to the door as above.

Restrospectivelÿ:

Laithe begins to move, but then catching a hint of sound he halts and points in the direction of the upper door. Rushing through the words of the spell, he hopes to catch the creature in his magical flames.

Casts Faerie Fire in the vacinity of the door where we thought he heard the noise. It's a 5ft radius burst, so I'll try and cover as mush areas around the door as I can. He then continues on his move to L9

As Laithe completes his spell, coloured flames that give off no heat spring up around the doorway … outlining a small, previously unseen imp-like figure hovering in the air just in front of the door. The thing lets out an aggrieved sounding hiss.

Kajetan, do you still want to cast your own spell? Or take an alternative action.

If Laithe points out the general location of the noise I will hit the general area with a Glitter Dust Save DC-14.

Otherwise I will head on to the door as above.

I figured Glitterdust might be better for if/when we meet multiple imps, which is why I sent and cast the faerie fire. If you've got anything to stop it making a quick escape through the door, that'd be good. I guess the glitterdust could still work, if it manages to blind it...

I agree, my vote is save the glitter dust for the other(s). This one is tagged. (what's the duration of FF Laithe?) Even if he gets out of the room, (a distinct possibility unless someone manages to net/grapple him next action) he cannot hide. We can at least fire at him at will. He may even lead us to the others!

EDIT-BUT, that is just my thoughts, please do not let me keep you from playing YOUR character however you want! (Just thought my above paragraph sounded a little too authoritarian, sorry!) :)

NIcholai flinches as Laithe's magical flames burst into being, then grins like the canary that swallowed the cat.

"Gotcha sucker!" He whispers with a grim grin.

Does the faerie-fired imp look like the one Laithe, Alton and Keildrithe encountered in the Valley of the Snails?

Kajetan will change his action if that is OK.

Kajetan fires his newly freed crossbow bolt at the imp, but the shot, while more accurate than his usual offerings is still not accurate enought.

Crossbow attack at the fairie fire imp. (1d20+2=13)

I guess 13 is going to miss by a long way.

He then moves towards the others 20 feet.

No map today at work, so no idea where I am in relation to the others.

Does the faerie-fired imp look like the one Laithe, Alton and Keildrithe encountered in the Valley of the Snails?

In general size and form yes, but my take on faerie fire is that it reveals a basic outline, but not anything in the way of fine detail; thus, you can’t be certain that it is the exact same creature and not just one of the same or similar type (for example, an imp, a quasit, a homunculus and probably half a dozen other similar beasties would look pretty much the same if invisible and lined in faerie fire).

Kajetan’s crossbow bolt slams into the wall about a foot from the creature’s outline.

Nicolai had a readied action, but since he has no line of sight to the creature (he’s directly below it, but there is a walkway in between), he can’t take it now. So onto the next round.

The fiend: 18 (G5 upper)
Alton: 16+ (J11 upper level)
Nicolai: 16 (G5 lower)
Keildrithe: 16 (L11 lower)
Pharris: 12 (L9 upper)
Laithe: 11 (L8 upper)
Kajetan: 7 (E11 upper)
Raspit: 6+ (L10 lower)
Chupo: 6 (K11 lower)
Lumbie: 6- (J11 lower)

The glowing creature spews out a vile sounding string of gibberish, then opens the door (at G5 upper) and ducks out of sight into the darkened room beyond.

Guys, post actions for this round.

The glowing creature spews out a vile sounding string of gibberish, then opens the door (at G5 upper) and ducks out of sight into the darkened room beyond.

Laithe curses in Karandic as the creature ducks out of sight, and says to the others quickly "The enchantment will last about 3 minutes. Should we give chase?"

I'm a little inclined to chase the creature, but if I recall there were some shuttered windows in the direction it was heading, so there's a good chance it will just duck away. Guess it won't hurt to check; It's possible the rest of the creatures are in that room anyway.

Alton looks eager to give chase to the creature. "We should follow it while your spell is still upon it. If we wait, then it'll just have another opportunity to surprise us."

Alton looks eager to give chase to the creature. "We should follow it while your spell is still upon it. If we wait, then it'll just have another opportunity to surprise us."

Obviously a touch out of turn, so others may reach the door before me...

Laithe nods and immediately takes off, changing into wolf form as he goes and loping along the upper walk-way till he reaches the door taken by the creature. He pauses a moment before entering, taking a quick look at the lay of the room.

Move action to G5, then spot check 9 +8 = 17. Will take remaining standard action depending on what he sees/what others have done.

Noted Laithe, I’ll wait to see if any of the others overtake you into the room first.
Yes, those who were out the front do recall seeing windows along that side at this level, there may well be one in this room.

Pharris will run straight in after the fiery imp.

Once inside she looks around to find it and hopefully (if it is close enough) throw the net over it.

If not close enough then Pharris seeks to ready a net attack if it comes within range. Almost blocking the exit.

"Laithe come on in, the imp is lovely! Ha Ha Ha!"

Kajetan will follow her as best he can with his 20 foot movement rate.

Pharris, a single move action puts you at I5, a little way out from the door to the room. A double move will take you within no problems, but you won’t have any actions left to throw a net or ready to do so.
Want to run in, or wait outside?

Kajetan, if you follow Pharris, you will make L9 on a double move; or you could drop something to move faster if you like?

I know that Arctaris, Ragadolf and Twiceborn are a little busy, so I might give them another day or two, rather than DMNPCing half the party.

Apologies for that, Double move and see what's inside. Its fine on waiting for me, it's a busy time all round.

I'm Baaaaaack! (MOstly) ;P

Nicholai spits a vile word of his own as the creature ducks out the door into the next room as Kejetan's crossbow bolt takes a chunk out of the wall next to it.

The dandy runs to the ladder, gently but firmly ushering the last of the knockers up as he hastily climbs to the walkway.

"C'mon lads, up and at'em! This is your moment of glory! The little demon may have just helped us. Not only is he probably running to get the help of the others of his ilk, but if that room has a lower ceiling he just canceled his last remaining advantage over us!" He stage whispers as he climbs the rickety ladder.

Dear DM, had all the knockers made it up yet? If not, perhaps it would be quicker if I went to another ladder and climbed it instead of waiting? Either way, if I do a double move, about where do I end up? I am trying to get up and join the others as quickly as possible.

Bugger, I seem to have misplaced my map … again. Thanks for the one you drew ADMAE.

Nicolai, you’ll actually be better off heading to and up the ladder at B5, rather than heading over to where Keildrithe and the kobolds are. With a double move I’d say you can get there, up, and reach F5 upper (1 square from the door) in one round. Want to do that?

Bugger, I seem to have misplaced my map … again. Thanks for the one you drew ADMAE.

Nicolai, you’ll actually be better off heading to and up the ladder at B5, rather than heading over to where Keildrithe and the kobolds are. With a double move I’d say you can get there, up, and reach F5 upper (1 square from the door) in one round. Want to do that?

Oh, yes please! Thanks! (Fools rush where angels fear to tread and all that!) :)

Nicholai exhorts the knockers to hurry, but realizes that there is simply nothing they can do to get up the ladder any faster. With a quick glance around, he dashes over to another ladder and hastily scrambles up that one. All pretense at silence thrown to the wind as he clomps his way along the walkway until he is close to the doorway. Panting from his rush, he meets Laithe's and Pharris' eyes, and nods once. Bent slightly over, he faces the room and flexes his fingers,...

Well, I think it’s pretty likely that Alton and Keildrithe would simply be moving this round to get to the room, so I’ll go forward based on that assumption…

Alton dashes along the walkway, making towards the now opened door. Double move to J5.

Nicolai makes his way up the north west ladder and edges towards the doorway. [/ooc]Double move to F5.[/ooc]

Keildrithe climbs the ladder, gaining the walkway above, then reaches down to take the Devil Box from the knockers, hauling it up with him. Keildrithe up to L10, now with the Devil Box under one arm.

Pharris sprints around the walkway and bursts into the chamber beyond. It is relatively small and dark, lit only by meager spill light through the doorway, and the dim flickering glow of the faerie fire rimmed fiend by the open window. The pervasive smell of bleach is somewhat masked by a series of smoking incense sticks arranged on a small but heavy looking wooden desk. Pharris can also make out a smallish but extravagant four poster bed, an unlit fireplace and a painting hanging on one wall. However, before she can take in all the detail of the room, a small figure stands up from behind the desk and fires a crossbow at her, the bolt slamming into her mailed midriff and causing a nasty bruise to the flesh beneath for 3 points of damage.

Almost at the same moment, another rat-man steps out from the shadows behind the half open door, and slams the door shut, turning the bolt, before turning to face the warrior woman.

So; Pharris double moves to G3 before the enemies take their readied actions to spring the trap.

The room is the same dimensions as the one below, E2 to G4. There is a small sized four poster bed occupying E2, a wardrobe taking up part of E4 (the space is still usable), a small desk between G2 and G3 (can be climbed or jumped over, DC5. Can be fought across the top of, but both combatants gain +4 AC due to cover), a fireplace in the wall at D/E 3, a portrait hanging on the wall at G2, and windows at F 1/2 and G/H 3.

The glowing imp is hovering just outside the window at F1, the small figure with the crossbow is at G2 behind the desk, the wererat is at G4.

Laithe (who’s spot check did not see the hidden enemies in the room) dashes along just behind Pharris (to G5), only to have the door slammed in his face. Laithe has a standard action remaining.

Kajetan hurries towards the action as best he can double move to B5.

The kobolds move up the ladder (L11, K11, J11).

So Laithe’s standard action, then the fiend in the next round.

Oh dear, poor Pharris.

Lol! 'Poor Pharris?' I was about to say 'Poor stoopid rat-man!' Pharris may be outnumbered, but no one in their right mind locks themselves IN a room with an angry woman! Especially not one with a sword! :)

I just looked at her character sheet though, Pharris is fairly low on hit points, and flanked ...

The closed door is wooden, but looks relatively shoddy, flimsy.

She does have one or two tricks up her sleeve.

Pharris laughs out loud, "Run cowardly imp. Your master will know you fled!"

Laithe (who’s spot check did not see the hidden enemies in the room) dashes along just behind Pharris (to G5), only to have the door slammed in his face.

Hmmm, posted this last night but it seems to have gone missing again!

Following on the heels of Pharris, Laithe-wolf is shocked to find the door slam in his face before he can enter. He sizes up the door for a second and, shuffling back a couple of steps, launches himself at it, hoping the strength lended him in wolf form is enough for him to bust through.

Strength Check 14 + 3 = 17.

Where are we now, initiative-wise?

DM to post re Laithe's doorbusting, then its the top of the round and the imp(s) go then us.

Laithe smashes the door open, the timber around the lock splintering at his blow.

The fiend at the window screeches out an incantation, and two streaks of green light dark from it towards Laithe and Pharris, hitting the pair with some force. 3 points of damage for Pharris, 2 for Laithe. The creature then flaps out into the night.

The fiend: 18 (out of sight)
Alton: 16+ (J5 upper level)
Nicolai: 16 (F5 upper)
Keildrithe: 16 (L10 upper)
Pharris: 12 (G3 upper)
Small Rat-creature: 11++ (G2)
Rat-man: 11+ (G4)
Laithe: 11 (G5 upper)
Kajetan: 7 (85 upper)
Raspit: 6+ (L11 upper)
Chupo: 6 (K11 upper)
Lumbie: 6- (J11 upper)

Alton, Nicolai, Keildrithe and Pharris can all take their turns, in no particular order.

Alton charges in after Laithe, dashing towards the window as the fiend escapes into the night "C'mon back and play, little coward!." he shouts, trying to see the little demon.

After a moment of trying to spot the demon, Alton turns his attention to the rat-man behind the desk.

Spot 3 Awesome.
Move to G2, if possible. I'm assuming it takes a single move action to get to the window. If not, ignore the second part.

Move to G2, if possible. I'm assuming it takes a single move action to get to the window. If not, ignore the second part.

Hey Alton, there appears to be a bit of a bottleneck at the door, with the ratman standing just inside the now open door and Laithe standing just outside it, which would make moving inside a bit tough. You can possibly take a stab at the ratman in the door way though...

Keildrithe shakes his head in frustration, feeling there is little he can do to assist Laithe and Pharris at the moment without compromising the safety of the knockers. He decides instead to set the devil box against the wall (J9), then stands ready at the nearest door with sword in hand, in case someone should burst throught it. He occasionally glances over his shoulder, keeping an eye out for the little invisible demons, and listens intently for them as well.

Moves to J8 and readies an attack, if the door should open. Spot: 9 + 3 = 12; Listen: 13 + 2 = 15.

Pharris drops the net in disgust, "contempible imp!"

Then she draws her greatsword and turns on the creature in the doorway, "you should have run too."

Attack roll=12(inc flank), Damage=10

Nicholai pulls up short as the door is slammed shut in Laithe's face. When the druid-wolf bursts through the dilapidated construction, Nicholai hesitates as he sees the roadblock of shattered door, angry druid-wolf, furious swordswoman, energetic swords-gnome and spitting ratman. He waits for an opening, or to see if the others actually need any help, and upon hearing Pharris' curse he concentrates instead on his empathic link.

'Shining one! Look for the small demon! It tries to escape! He burns with light! Find him!' He hastily sends to the golden-winged Eagle.

"Where is it? Is it escaping? I only need a shot!" He whispers eagerly thru the message spell as he waits for an opportunity at the door way,...

"Where is it? Is it escaping? I only need a shot!" He whispers eagerly thru the message spell as he waits for an opportunity at the door way,...

Laithe-wolf hear's Nicolai's whispered question clearly, though in his current form he cannot whisper a reply to him. Instead, he concentrates on trying to push the ratman clear of the door so the others can join in the fight. He launches himself at the ratman's back attempting to push him past Pharris and further into the room.

Strength check 12 + 3 = 15. Hoping to push the ratman back and to the side (F3). If he manages to beat the ratman's strength by 5+, he will push him 10ft to F2, in order to clear the door completely.

Sorry about the delay guys, it’s been a busy week. In the odd moments I’ve had to post here and there, I haven’t had my map with me, nor the time to draw another.

Alton darts towards the doorway that Laithe has smashed open, but finds his entry into the room blocked by another sword wielding ratman.
Arc, Ash is correct that the way into the room is blocked. You can reach H5, but the rat-man blocks your way into the room. You could either attack him through the doorway (single attack, standard action after moving) or attempt to tumble at half-speed through his square into the room (DC 25 tumble check, failure will result in no movement and an attack of opportunity by him).

Nicolai stands ready for the situation to change. Delaying I presume?

Keildrithe leans the devil box against the wall, then stands ready by the other door, not hearing anything beyond the sounds of battle. Keildrithe, I think you meant L8 not J8.

Pharris spins to attack the were-rat behind her, but her long blade catches on the door-frame, giving the creature time to dodge aside.

The small creature behind the desk (it somewhat resembles the rat-men, but is slightly shorter even than Alton, gnarled and twisted, and wears a faded, tailed coat and a dented top-hat) throws down its crossbow, and draws a short, thin blade. It thrusts across the desk at Pharris, but even though the woman has her back turned, comes no-where near to hitting or even reaching her. The rat-man she faces is not so unlucky though, scoring a glancing strike on the swordswoman’s arm for 2 points of damage.

Laithe barrels into the rat-man from behind, trying to bodily force him further into the room. The creature swings his sword wildly at the druid as he closes in, missing, but manages to grab the door-frame with his free hand, set his feet, and avoid being moved.
He got a 17 on the opposed strength check, so the bull-rush fails. Also, I’m not sure it would have worked anyway, given that Laithe was in G5, and my understanding of a bull rush is that the opponent needs to be pushed back in a straight line. Anyone have a different take on this?

Kajetan’s go, and Alton can also take his attack or tumble.

Pharris weaves, more than a little dazed from the blood loss. She grips the greatsword tighter causing the arm wound to keep weeping.

"I am death," she mutters to those close by.

Presume away! (Yes) ;) I will delay, for now. Waiting for either the rat in the door to get dropped, or to come to the aid of my companions with a spell if needed to deal with it.

Nicholai bares his teeth in frustration as the battle in the doorway sends splinters of wood flying. But if he has learned anything, it is to wait for the right moment before using his magic.

He stands, slightly crouched, almost bouncing on the balls of his feet. He deliberately takes a deep breath and tilts his head to one side, stretching his neck.

'Wait for it,...'

Who are we waiting on, I have a horrible feeling it is me.

You and Alton, I believe the man said. Save my cute little tush please.

Well Nicholai, for one, refuses to allow Pharris' cute Tush to go down without trying to save her! :) If Alton does not post by when I go to bed tonite (Midnite, CST) Then I will happily blast the rat in the doorway with a MM spell. Hopefully that will drop him (Can our luck change that much?), and maybe Alton can continue into the room to engage the other one?

I think if Arc was going to post on the weekend he would have done so by now. Given that, and that it probably makes most sense for him to attack the ratman, I’ll do so for him; a hit, but one that appears to cause little damage.
So Kajetan and Nicolai’s delayed action (if he wants) before the next round.

NIcholai's delayed action,...

Nicholai bounces on his toes, watching as the small but deadly warrior leaps in and back from the ratman, easily scoring a hit.

The Rat-man's lips are not even fully pulled back in what was meant to be a sneer before it grunts again. It looks down in surprise at the two scorchmarks on it's torso, then back up at Nicholai, his hands still extended, the glow of the spell fading from his outstretched palms.

"Move it, Or die." He enunciates very clearly. He raises one eyebrow.

"I have a date with a devil, and you are in my way." He adds calmly.

1d4+1=3, 1d4+1=3

Magic missile, 2 bolts, 6 pts total. I hope that hurt it! I'm half down on spells, I need to start strategizing! ;P

Nicolai’s magical missiles slam into the rat-man, jolting him and bringing a screech of rage or pain to his lipless mouth.

Paging Kajetan!

Sorry for the delay, my business is in trouble and trying to keep it afloat is taking a lot of time, stupid recession.

Kajetan tries to get as close to the door as he can so he can see the room clearly.

He then attempts to get a crossbow shot off at the guy in the doorway, while yelling, "Use the box! Use the Box! Before it gets away!"

Crossbow attack, I have not taken cover or firing into combat into account. (1d20+2=10, 1d8=8)

The crossbow bolt shoots harmless into the wall.

Sorry for the delay, my business is in trouble and trying to keep it afloat is taking a lot of time, stupid recession.

Sorry to hear it mate. No worries.

There is no visible action from the fiend out the window, so we are back to Alton, facing off against the ratman in the doorway.

Just a reminder, It's only been a round or so, But I did call to Wij'kan through the empathic link. Hopefully he will be able to spot the glowing devil.

Alton again attacks the wounded rat-man in the doorway, but his rapier misses and his sickle is seemingly unable to penetrate the creature’s flesh.

Nicolai, you get a mental impression from Wij’kan. Above! See the prey.

Nicolai, Keildrithe and Pharris’ turns.

Pharris remembers her lessons and ignores the pains and aches.

She waits for the ratman in the doorway to make a move then stab straight forwards for his chest.

Greatsword attack 10+6=16, Damage=10pts