Beacons of Hope: Wrath of the Righteous!

Game Master GM the Fifth

@Telerin: It does! Only it is quite solid.

You can target everyone with Haste.

In that case does Smite reactivate?

Yes, it does. This is without a doubt the same berbalang, just in physical form. I accounted for the added bonus to hit, and the rolls were still not good enough to meet its AC.

With the party closing in, the berbalang spreads its attacks. It attempts to bite Darya, and slashes at Alexa and Arloric with its claws.

bite vs Darya: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

claw vs Alexa: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
slashing damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

claw vs Arloric: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
slashing damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

@Alexa, @Arloric, I need DC18 Fort saves to avoid paralysis

It steps back 5', deeper into the chamber.

Round 6

Effects: Haste, Echo of Nature's Song, Power of Faith

berbalang
Telerin, Darya, Arloric, Alexa <---

>>> Combat Map <<<

Of I can target everyone I will.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19 ranged tpuch arraThe elven wizRdress will spread out her hands as an arrow of acid flies pit, stijing at the creature.

2d4 + 2 ⇒ (4, 3) + 2 = 9 acid arrow

Fortitude Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Mythic Surge: 1d6 ⇒ 4

The claw swipe from Alexa would have frozen her to the spot were it not for a surge of mythic power from deep within her core. Alexa retaliates!

Stab *Haste*: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Damage?: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Stab *Haste*: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Fortitude: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Mythic Surge: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Arloric too would have been paralyzed if a similar surge of power hadn't burst forth from within! He keeps the song going as he strikes back!

Cold Iron Broken-Back Seax: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 161d10 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

everyone should be hasted

Effortlessly deflecting the bite attempt, and embracing her divine fury, Darya steps forward, unleashing a flurry of attacks against the berbalang.

Radiance/Smite/Haste: 1d20 + 12 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 12 + 3 + 1 = 34
Magic/Smite: 1d10 + 3 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 6 + 1 = 12

Radiance/Smite/Haste: 1d20 + 12 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 12 + 3 + 1 = 22
Magic/Smite: 1d10 + 3 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 6 + 1 = 17

Radiance/Smite/Haste: 1d20 + 7 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 3 + 1 = 17
Magic/Smite: 1d10 + 3 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 6 + 1 = 18

smite evil attacks automatically bypass any DR the creature might possess.

Please mind the map: the berbalang took a 5' step back along the wall. Alexa, you are attacking around a corner. This is fine but they are going to get a cover bonus to AC. Darya needs a 5' step to make a full attack, Arloric needs to move.

I'll make what I think is the most logical movement for you.

Telerin's acid arrow strikes the berbalang, leaving a patch of acid sizzling on its flesh. Alexa tries to stab at it around the wall, but is not able to come close. Arloric steps up, leaving room for Darya, and has similar difficulty landing a blow.

Darya, however, steps up and slashes with her sword. The first blow lands and the berbalang howls in anger.

It lashes out, sending a bite and claw at Darya, and another claw at Arloric.

Berbalang, bite attack vs Darya: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
Berbalang, claw attack vs Darya: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Berbalang, claw attack vs Arloric: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Frustrated, the creature steps back again along the wall.

It is hurting badly. Arloric and Alexa, you are finding this thing very, very difficult to hit.

Round 7

Effects: Haste, Echo of Nature's Song, Power of Faith

berbalang
Telerin, Darya, Arloric, Alexa <---

>>> Combat Map <<<

It takes abothrr 2d4 ⇒ (4, 1) = 5 acid damage

If I were to move into the room and fire a direball in the corner, woukd it be enough to get tbe berbelang abd not us?

Yes. Right now, the party would not be inside the 20' radius spread.

Acid damage applied.

She walks in and seeing where here foe is abd where her allies are unleashes a fireball. 6d6 + 2 ⇒ (1, 4, 1, 2, 3, 5) + 2 = 18 refkex dc 17

Berbalang, Refl save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Cleansing flames engulf the berbalang, and it screams in pain.

It is very seriously injured now.

Arloric keeps the song going and waits for Telerin's flames to dissipate before stubbornly marching up and swinging at the berbalang!

Cold Iron Broken-Back Seax (Hasted): 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 1 = 271d10 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Cold Iron Broken-Back Seax (Hasted): 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 = 91d10 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

EDIT: Crit Confirm?: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 1 = 17

Arloric steps forward to engage the berbalang. He strikes twice with his seax and the first swing lands a powerful blow...which leaves not even a scratch on the berbalang's flesh.

There is definitely some DR in effect here, and cold iron is not getting through.

Please note the map: with Arloric stepping forward, either Darya or Alexa can make a 5' step to full attack, but not both.

Round 7

Effects: Haste, Echo of Nature's Song, Power of Faith

berbalang
Telerin, Darya, Arloric, Alexa <---

>>> Combat Map <<<

Darya takes a step forward alongside Arloric, barely waiting for the flames to dissipate before she begins to attack, blade flashing out with furious intensity, seeking to drop the vile enemy.

Radiance/Smite/Haste/Power of Faith: 1d20 + 12 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 12 + 3 + 1 + 1 = 29
Magic/Smite/PoF: 1d10 + 3 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 6 + 1 + 1 = 18

Radiance/Smite/Haste/Power of Faith: 1d20 + 12 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 12 + 3 + 1 + 1 = 34
Magic/Smite/PoF: 1d10 + 3 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 6 + 1 + 1 = 17

Radiance/Smite/Haste/Power of Faith: 1d20 + 7 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 3 + 1 + 1 = 19
Magic/Smite/PoF: 1d10 + 3 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 6 + 1 + 1 = 15

Darya steps forward, sends Radiance crashing into the berbalang, and it falls to the ground, dead.

Combat has ended

Alexa hisses in pain. "...that was unpleasant."

The wizardress will cast detect magic.

The only magic you see is the evocation aura from an ongoing spell that is centered on the roof of the tomb. It seems to be responsible causing the magical darkness. The more you study it, in fact, the more you get the feeling that it's two spells that are linked in some fashion.

"I can imagine." Darya says gently resting a hand on Alexa's shoulder, and channeling healing energy into her as she flicks the last of the gore off of her sizzling blade.

Lay on Hands: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 3) = 6

"How are you doing, Arloric?"

Arloric gives Darya a thumbs up.

"Thing only scratched me a bit. I've endured worse," he says, gesturing to his scars briefly.

"Now, what was so important here that they needed to guard it?" he wonders aloud as he begins checking the room.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

"Something that thrives in darkness." Darya conjectures as she looks around.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 6

She will tell the party what she has discovered.

Your searches don't turn up anything other than the smashed urns and cremated ashes of those who were buried here.

"I don't understand..." Arloric says. "Why make it seem like something important was here if in the end we can't find anything?"

Those who have Knowledge (religion) can make a check here to try and get some insight into what's going on. Let's make it "basic question" level, so DC 15. Assists are OK if you want to put your heads together.

Religion check 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Telerin has it.

The important thing here was likely the berbalang, itself. It wasn't guarding anything, this was probably where it made its home. Berbalangs are known to lair near human settlements, and to attract undead for their own protection.

is it ok to leave then?

Moving around through the chamber to give the daylight spell surrounding her a chance to touch every part of the room, Darya checks for any other signs of activity or anything of importance.

Darya explores the tomb thoroughly, but doesn't turn up anything of interest. All the urns have been smashed, and the contents--most likely the ashes of the dead who were entombed here, are on the floor.

"Alright, let's keep moving. Unless we can disable the darkness spell, we've done what we can in this spot by slaying the berbalang." the paladin says, leading her team out of the crypt.

"May Pharasma guide whatever poor souls remained trapped in this place to freedom and peace," Arloric adds, making the sign of the spiral on his chest before following Darya.

As you exit the tomb, you become aware of the sounds of the battle raging to the south. You carefully make your way through the graveyard, watching for ghouls as you advance. None emerge to challenge you.

Why that is seems clear after you get a look at the battlefield. Dozens of former ghouls lie motionless on the ground, most with multiple arrows protruding from their bodies. Behind the ghouls' former defensive line, you see the line of paladin soldiers pushing them back, and slowly encircling those that are still fighting.

It takes a half hour in all. Groups of ghouls make several thrusts into the paladins, attempting to paralyze the soldiers so that they can break through, but each attack is repulsed. The paladins, in turn, move slowly and carefully, wary of their foes' abilities.

Once the circle is complete, they close in carefully, whittling away at the perimeter of the now-surrounded ghouls, shrinking the circle of undead one by one. When the ghouls are reduced to just a dozen or so, they surge wildly in all directions, and are quickly cut down.

When the last ghoul is fallen, you hear a horn blow from the edge of the graveyard. The army reassembles into companies, and several fan out to ensure the graveyard is secured.

Breathing a sigh of relief as the ghouls are vanquished, Darya leads their squad to find Irabeth's command position to discuss thier next course of action.

"Looks like that creature really was what was drawing and empowering the ghouls."

May Kethepyes and Alseta meet them at their journey's end. she speaks in Elven.

When Alexa watches the spectacle of battle this time, she doesn't look away.

The sight of ghouls being methodically butchered has a decidedly opposite impact on her, compared to watching enemy combatants die--she watches each undead beast get hacked apart with a gradually growing smile.

"...good." She nods. "Undead are among those creatures that may be slain without guilt."

Darya smiles at Alexa's quiet comment, taking joy in her expression,and the knowledge that this was a battle that left her without the weighty internal conflict that was prevalent in their dealing with living enemy soldiers.

Alexa sidles up to Darya and slides her arm around her hip.

You make your way out of the graveyard and up towards command tent. Irabeth waves you over, and as you enter you note that there is quite a bit of activity.

"What did you find in that tomb? I see the magical darkness still surrounds it, but you don't look particularly alarmed."

"Some burbling monster, I think Telerin called it. Made of smoke, but we killed it, and it looks like there was nothing else in the tomb except the dust of the dead," Arloric explains.

"Berbalang." Alexa corrects Arloric. "Supposedly, it was the creature responsible for empowering the ghouls."

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Irabeth nods thoughtfully. "Berbalang. I've heard of them. They like to prey on communities. They can make themselves look human. Not for long, but for long enough. A graveyard filled with ghouls seems like their kind of home.

"I don't like having a patch of darkness in our new city. Sends the wrong message," she says, frowning. "I'll send Sosiel to look at it once we're sure there are no more ghouls. Maybe he can figure out how to get rid of it.

"In other news, I received a sending this morning, just as the attack was starting. The timing was lousy but the news is good: there are reinforcements on the way, arriving this evening. Remember the garrison at Vilareth Ford? Sergeant Dann made it to Kenabres, and command sent a small contingent to re-occupy it and watch our backs. One company of soldiers was sent on ahead with a couple more specialists to catch up to us. They've been able to move fast because we cleared the way for them.

"I want you to keep an eye out for them. Make sure they don't run into any surprises on the way in."

"Will do! The reinforcements will be a welcome addition before hitting the main stronghold and the demons within." Darya says, pleased to hear that the Sergeant had made it safely to Kenabres after all.

Alexa nods. "We'll make sure they arrive safely."