DM CH-P's CoT: The Bastards of Erebus (Inactive)

Game Master Feral

Appario nods at Maddok.

We're on the same page.

"Listen here. You surrender to me, to the Church of Abadar and answer our questions and I'll give you a free ride out of town. Heck, I'll escort you out. We just want to end the corruption and the rot that plagues this city. You have my word. I am a knight of the Church of Abadar."

Appario sits silent for a moment, pondering.

"By the way, Sandor, do you know anything about an evil devil about to be let loose upon the City? Or is an invasion of the lycanthrope people more likely?"

Appario gives a glare to Bearxath.

The voice laughs, although there's little humor in it. "Ah, the dark ones aren't mine. There are some who find them amusing, even though they wreak havoc with the lives and morale of the other guards."

The voice pauses while Appario speaks. "Your naivety is touching. Ecarrdian will reveal himself when the time is right."

The disembodied voice takes on a more sinister tone. "All this talk bores me. I know some of what you can do, so it's only fair if I reveal some part of my own abilities, yes? That way we can discuss terms on equal terms. Let me see.. You emerge from fire and cold unscathed. How will you fare against my dragon's breath."

***

Current Initiative order:
19 - Sandor
18 - Yahirma
13 - Derek
11 - Maddok (w/archons)
9 - Appario
7 - Xerath

***

An arc of lightning appears out of nowhere, cascading down through the group. Whoever created it remains unseen, however.

Reflex (Appario): 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 11 + 2 = 27 (+2: magic circle)
Reflex (Derek): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
Reflex (Maddok): 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 2 = 11 (+2: magic circle)
Reflex (Xerath): 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 2 = 9 (+2: magic circle)
Reflex (Yahirma): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Lightning damage: 10d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 3, 6, 5, 3, 3, 4, 2, 3) = 38

Appario manages to sidestep the crackling line of lightning entirely, while Derek is able to get partly out of the way (taking 19 damage).

Maddok, Xerath, and Yahirma aren't as lucky, as each take the full 38 points of damage.

***

The voice speaks again. "Now you've had a taste of what I can do. Will you reconsider my offer?"

***

Up next: The PCs. Map as above.

Appario smiles after evading the damage.

"Do you really think you have magicks that can harm me? Abadar protects those who protect civilization. Are you sure you don't wish to surrender now?"

As Appario finds his bearings following the bolt of lightning, the voice answers his last question. "An evil devil, you say? An odd choice of words. All devils are evil. There are plans, but they will fail. Yet, the devil may free itself instead."

Maddok cries out in pain as the lightning scorches his flesh.

"Where is he?", he shouts.

Xerath recovers from the lightning blast that singed his fur to seek out the invisible wizard. He first moves forward while batting Appario aside and to the right to X4. He then sniffs the air. Using scent as a move action to tell his direction.

If you're going to bat aside, please make a CMB check. I have problem with it, but it should be done fairly. I won't even include my dex. :)

"Wait, wut? All devils are evil?"

Appario glances at Livia.

That was a turn of phrase. I can't actually move you, even as a bear.

By Irori, he's an idiot." Bearath thinks to himself, hearing Appario's revelation. "Putting him down would be a public service."

The two spirits drift down and tend to those most injured.

Yahirma: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Maddok: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Waiting to see if Xerath smells anything.

The voice continues its conversation with Appario while the bear sniffs for its prey.

"Ah, so that's why the cold didn't harm you. I wasn't aware of Abadar's fondness for thieves.. perhaps I should reconsider my views of his clergy. Have no fear; I will find something to deal with you as well."

***

***

>>>Current Map<<<

Up next: The PCs except Xerath.

Can I point it out as a free action or do I have to wait until next turn?

"Thieves? I have stolen nothing. So...tell me about the lycanthropes you have working with you?"

Appario glances at the bearXerath.

Appario puts away his tools and advances into W8.

"I have offered you mercy and safety. You have spurned it. You should reconsider."

The bear can certainly lift a paw in the direction and growl as a free action. I'm a bit unsure of how easy it would be to understand the meaning of that.. I was considering a sense motive check, but in this case it's probably self-explanatory.

***

The voice sighs. "The lycanthropy question wasn't a jape? I know no lycanthropes. Spurned? Yes, I believe I did just that."

***

>>>Current Map<<<

Up next: Maddok, Derek, Yahirma, Appario's standard action.

Then Bearath will do exactly that.

Would it be reasonable to use my Natural Divination power on that saving throw, boosting it to a 19?

Yahirma snaps her fingers for Maddok's attention and motions for him to step a bit closer as she steps to S5 and begins casting a protective spell.

Resist energy, communal for electricity against as many people as I can touch from S5. It's a full round action to touch more than one target as part of the casting, else I would jump to T6. Maddok can take it if he wishes.

Sure, that's fine. Removing 19 points of damage from Yahirma.

Resist lightning applies to Yahirma, Derek, Livia, and possibly Maddok.

Maddok steps back to accept Yahirma's spell, draws a restorative potion, and quaffs it.

3d8 + 5 ⇒ (8, 4, 5) + 5 = 22

"Do either of you have a spell that can remove the enchantment that hides him?"

Bolstered by Yahirma's protection, Derek strides forward. He sees the bear pointing and growling towards the east, where Appario is holding a conversation with himself. Shaking his head at the absurdity of the situation, he decides to go for broke, attempting his last 3rd-level spell to dispel the invisibility effect that surely exists in that direction.

Dispel check: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Unfortunately, his attempt fails utterly.

***

In theory, one would have to see the caster in order to dispel a specific spell effect, but that would make invisibility and its siblings effectively immune to dispelling (other than area dispels), which I doubt is the intent.

I just realized misfortune can be used on dispel checks, and Derek hasn't received one yet :)

***

Misfortune reroll: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Well, at least it was worth a try. Perhaps. I'll let Yahirma (and Derek, once he returns) determine if it was :)

It was a 100% improvement!

The voice continues speaking from the center of the octagonal room. "Ah, more fools. Sandor the Strange is not so easily defeated. Abadaran, you think yourself immune to my magic. But your friends, they are not, hmm?"

Another bolt of lightning cascades through the room, this time from east to west, catching Derek and Xerath along the way.

Reflex (Derek): 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 10 + 2 = 24 (+2: magic circle)
Reflex (Xerath): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Lightning damage: 10d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 5, 3, 6, 4, 3, 5, 4, 1) = 38

Both Derek and Xerath manage to evade the lightning this time, leaving Derek unscathed and Xerath taking 19 damage.

***

>>>Current Map<<<

Up next: The PCs.

"Uhm, yeah. I know it's shocking, but yeah, your comment fails to get a charge from me. I'm positive about it."

Appario walks to where Bearbath is.

"I'll stay here. Go sniff."

Move to X4. Take total defense.

Good strategy, poor luck. i couldn't have done it better myself ha-ha. But I certainly think it was worth a try.

The devil may free itself...he talks like he may know the devil...

"Liebdaga...
Derek does his best to act like he slipped out the name accidentally, trying to gauge any reaction that the name may or may not cause.

Bluff using versitile peformance: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26

The bear-mage roars with pain as he is again singed with lightning. "Is this what I do to people?"

"Stop with the puns or I will destroy you." He glares at Appario before moving in a circle around the room to pin point the caster. This will provoke if he threatens. Once he does so, he attempts to bite him.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

1d100 ⇒ 85

1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

The archons move into the room and bolster the injured.

Xerath 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Derek 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

"Perhaps not so foolish after all," the voice allows in response to Derek's nameslip. "Yes, Liebdaga is it's name. A reckless, childish endeavor, in truth."

The bear moves east in the direction of the scent, and quickly finds its owner (pinpointed in the air above V11). Its teeth bite into human skin, bringing a few droplets of blood back with them. Xerath senses some kind of magical energy being released as a result of his attack.

Xerath doesn't need to roll concealment against a target he has pinpointed with scent.

***

>>>Current Map<<<

Up next: Maddok, Yahirma.

Forgot one thing:

Will vs aura of menace #1: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

It's going to be tough getting in the room without continuing to stand in a lightning bolt formation.

Maddok discards the empty phial and rushes into the room in hopes of shielding his little brother from the magical onslaught.

Move to X7 and ready to attack if he floats by me and I somehow detect him.

"Because a pitfiend is not something you can control, and Liebdaga is no ordinary pitfiend."
And no, I'm no fool, so I won't take the word of an enemy as confirmation, but it is worth remembering that someone else knew it's name.

The disembodied voice agrees. "Exactly." It continues in an admonishing tone, apparently addressing the bear. "It's been a long time since my blood was last spilled. Let's not do that again."

***

By the way, Derek can do a move or standard action in addition to his bluff; it wasn't so complicated that it would take much time.

Bearath roars in defiance. "It won't be the last time your blood was spilled this day. Now if only I could actually say that out loud."

It occurred to me that I should tell Derek what I've used in the week he's been gone!

I've used one 3rd-level spell (leaving 3/3 used), one 2nd-level spell (leaving 1/5 used), two rounds of bardic performance (leaving 10/21 used), and one use of the Morrowfall's blindness power (leaving 2/3 used).

***

>>>Current Map<<<

Up next: Yahirma, plus Derek's move or standard action.

Hmmm, no, we'll stick with what we got for now.

Everyone is still babbling; clearly hostilities continue.

Yahirma wards herself against hostility and purposefully strides into the hallway (W6).

Sanctuary Will DC 18

If Yahirma wants to join in the conversation, she can. Infernal is a common language to pick up for a Cheliax-based spellcaster :)

***

The bear senses its prey moving away towards the south (provoking), and shortly after a cone of extreme cold spreads from near the southeastern corner of the chamber.

Reflex (Appario): 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 11 + 2 = 21 (+2: magic circle)
Reflex (Derek): 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 10 + 2 = 13 (+2: magic circle)
Reflex (Maddok): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Reflex (Xerath): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Reflex (archon #1): 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 2 = 10

Cold damage: 12d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 5, 5, 3, 5, 6, 6, 6, 4, 4, 1) = 57

Misfortune reroll (Maddok): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

The cold wreaks havoc among the group, except for Appario, who once again manages to escape completely unharmed, and Yahirma (plus one archon), who is covered by the wall.

Maddok slips on something, thus barely escaping most of the cold, while one archon vanishes back to the Heavens it came from, and the rest of the group takes the full 57 damage.

Once aid is taken into account, Derek takes 50 damage, Maddok takes 19 damage, Xerath takes 48 damage and drops to the ground.

***

...

Sorry. That was an unfortunate series of horrible save rolls and very high damage rolls.

***

The voice chuckles. "You see, Abadaran? You should have taken my offer."

***

***

>>>Current Map<<<

Up next: The PCs. I suggest Yahirma makes her way to Xerath and uses the scroll of breath of life.. or someone could bring Xerath to her for the same purpose. Xerath can take an AoO against the unseen spellcaster as he moves.

Well that is unfortunate.

AOO
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Edit: Never mind what I originally wrote here; apparently temporary hit points don't stack even when they're from different sources.

I'm sure Appario will never forgive me for it, but...

Yahirma runs out to P11, drawing the scroll from her bandoleer and garbling in Infernal at the same time. She reads the short invocation, triggers the scrolls magic, and applies it to the fallen bear.

Caster level check on the scroll 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Breath of Life healing 5d8 + 9 ⇒ (7, 8, 2, 2, 2) + 9 = 30

I'm going to guess that Yahirma meant V11 instead of P11.

***

The bear jerks back to life as Yahirma invokes the potent healing magic, and immediately realizes its foe's scent is close by (in the air above X11).

(Xerath is at 12 hit points but with one negative level, thus putting him at 7 current hit points)

***

The disembodied voice shifts to Infernal to answer Yahirma's question.

***

>>>Current Map<<<

Bearath is prone.

Up next: Appario, Derek, Maddok, Bearath.

Appario frowns mightily as Bearbath falls to the ground.

"Oh no."

I might have been wrong about him...maybe he's not one of them.

Maybe.

Oh god. That was a brutal damage roll. 57/72!!!

The archon, enraged by its fallen sister, glows brightly in anger and fires a pair of rays at the invisible mage.

1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 1 = 16
1d100 ⇒ 34
1d6 ⇒ 5

1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 = 7
1d100 ⇒ 97
1d6 ⇒ 4

Following the wounded bear's growls and the archon's beams of light, Maddok charges across the room and tackles the open air at that location.

1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 15 + 1 = 32
1d100 ⇒ 69

I don't know if he saved against this archon's aura yet or not.

Round 3

Appario brushes of the frost from his armor.

"Now that was cold. I-cee you're still in a bad mood. Feel freeze to surrender at any time."

Appario draws a potion of Cure Moderate Wounds and administers it to Derek (with a 5' step).

2d8 + 3 ⇒ (2, 4) + 3 = 9 healing

"Ow ow ow, so this is how a polar bear feels like after he gets skinned and tossed into the sea?
If anyone has a drink, I can let you have my fingers for ice cubes."

I wish I could use the full power of the Morrowfall, but one spell requires a visible target, the other would blind us all...

Derek stops performing long enough to cast a healing spell on himself, then begins anew.
Cure moderate wounds: 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (4, 3) + 8 = 15

Inspire courage +2, 11/21 rounds used.

Maddok: He hasn't saved against that archon because it hasn't yet approached within 20 ft of him.

Which square does the archon (and by extension Maddok) attempt to hit? The ceiling is 10 ft above the floor in these chambers, so there's essentially an upper and lower square at every map location.

Maddok will move to Y10 and the archon will move to W8.

I was under the impression that Bearath was pointing out his square. The archon and Maddok attack that square.

Bearath hasn't even posted yet since he awoke from the dead.. perhaps the bear will be more interested in getting away from the person who killed it than pointing out where that person is :)

I'll resolve those attacks after Xerath posts.

Well for what its worth, I appreciate it Yahirma. Bearath will point out the invisible caster with a shaky/weak paw and retreats as far as possible.

Appario will take a quick glance at the library and bedroom...

...is there anything resembling a spellbook about? Or items of value or interest?

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27 Perception

Xerath makes his way back towards the room where Livia keeps an eye on the prisoner while attempting to figure out what's going on behind her. She turns quickly towards him as he approaches.

"What's happen..!" She abruptly stops talking as she sees the bear, instead attempting to slink stealthily and quietly into a ceiling corner.

***

Both light rays hit the wall, neither striking the person they were intended for. However, guided by the bear's paw and the archon's subsequent rays of light, Maddok somehow finds his way to the caster's feet and grips them tightly.

The disembodied voice in the central chamber hisses angrily, and real emotion shines through its speech for the first time since the group entered. "Unhand me, brute!"

***

A wave of mind-numbing terror washes over several of those nearby.

Will save (Derek): 1d20 + 5 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 4 + 2 = 29 (+4: aura of courage; +2: magic circle)
Will save (Maddok): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Will save (archon): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Both Derek and Maddok are shaken by the terrifying images conjured in their minds, while the archon is thrown into a sheer panic as it flees as quickly as possible (which basically means it must use greater teleport for the next 12 rounds!)

Appario is also caught in the wave, but he shakes the terror off as if it was nothing.

***

I suppose I owed you some good save rolls!

***

>>>Current Map<<<

Up next: The PCs. Maddok is grappling the unseen spellcaster.

The archon might leave him with a menacing gift before it leaves:

Will vs aura of menace: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

But he resists the effect.

***

From his current position, Appario doesn't see much of the bedroom. However, in addition to the books and various valuables in the study/library, he notices a miniature model of the Walcourt main building on a table in the center of the room.