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

Game Master Feral

Round 10

Appario continues his skydance with Eccardian, wondering who's blood will paint the tiles below more.

[b]"Deny you?

1d20 + 24 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 24 + 3 = 39 to hit;
1d10 + 9 + 2d6 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 9 + (1, 2) + 14 = 28 damage. (holy, smite)

Haste:
1d20 + 24 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 24 + 3 = 32 to hit;
1d10 + 9 + 2d6 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 9 + (3, 4) + 14 = 40 damage. (holy, smite)

Iteratives:
1d20 + 19 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 19 + 3 = 41 to hit;
1d10 + 9 + 2d6 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 9 + (4, 5) + 14 = 33 damage. (holy, smite)

1d20 + 14 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 14 + 3 = 23 to hit;
1d10 + 9 + 2d6 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 9 + (2, 5) + 14 = 35 damage. (holy, smite)

Appario heals.

5d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 3, 5, 5) = 24 healing

"We are not defined by our birthrights." Xerath says casting a spell on the man.

SR: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20

BoneshatterDC21: 11d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 2, 3, 6, 5, 3) = 41

I still need a little more healing, one more round before I get involved.

Derek begins to move cautiously towards the final enemy, the grand obstacle, the...big...bad.
As he does so, he expends one more charge from his curing wand.

Cure serious wounds: 3d8 + 5 ⇒ (5, 3, 2) + 5 = 15

Yahirma begins to tear at Eccardian's tools, suppressing their magic.

Dispel magic targeting his rapier

Caster level check: 1d20 + 12 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 12 + 4 = 30

Caster level 19, suppressed for 1d4 rounds

1d4 ⇒ 3

The Beast thunders towards the battered barbed devil that had been harassing Xerath and smashes into him.

Cataclysm (heroism, haste, bane): 1d20 + 19 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 19 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 38
Damage: 3d8 + 33 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 1) + 33 + 2 + (4, 6) = 53

Very quickly things go from bad to worse for Eccardian. He manages to react in time to deflect Xerath's crippling spell but is too slow to react to Appario who lands two brutal smiting blows. He rears back to strike the Abadaran back but finds the magic of his rapier unraveled before his very eyes. Below, the Beast cleaves the wounded devil in half while Derek mends his wounds.

Hellcat vs Beast: 3d20 ⇒ (13, 20, 9) = 42
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Primary (dispeled): 1d20 + 22 - 3 ⇒ (17) + 22 - 3 = 36
Will: 1d20 ⇒ 14
Damage: 1d6 + 18 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 18 - 4 = 16
Confirming): 1d20 + 22 - 3 ⇒ (3) + 22 - 3 = 22
Extra Damage: 1d6 + 18 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 18 - 4 = 15

Iterative: 1d20 + 17 - 3 ⇒ (2) + 17 - 3 = 16
Will: 1d20 ⇒ 16
Damage: 1d6 + 18 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 18 - 4 = 15

Secondary Iterative: 1d20 + 12 - 3 ⇒ (4) + 12 - 3 = 13
Will: 1d20 ⇒ 4
Damage: 1d6 + 18 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 18 - 4 = 20

Haste: 1d20 + 22 - 3 ⇒ (1) + 22 - 3 = 20
Will: 1d20 ⇒ 19
Damage: 1d6 + 18 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 18 - 4 = 20

The party is up.

Round 11

Appario 5' steps to AK30 and attacks Eccardian again.

1d20 + 24 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 24 + 3 = 37 to hit;
1d10 + 9 + 2d6 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 9 + (4, 6) + 14 = 42 damage. (holy, smite)

Haste:
1d20 + 24 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 24 + 3 = 33 to hit;
1d10 + 9 + 2d6 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 9 + (2, 5) + 14 = 32 damage. (holy, smite)

1d20 + 19 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 19 + 3 = 36 to hit;
1d10 + 9 + 2d6 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 9 + (4, 6) + 14 = 38 damage. (holy, smite)

1d20 + 14 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 14 + 3 = 22 to hit;
1d10 + 9 + 2d6 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 9 + (6, 5) + 14 = 44 damage. (holy, smite)

Xerath rushes the vulnerable Eccardian, deciding it is time for him to strike.

Haste, Heroism, PA: 1d20 + 13 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 13 + 3 - 2 = 17

1d6 + 17 ⇒ (4) + 17 = 21

Derek, deciding that he might as well try to get in one blow in the main contest, activates the flight ability of his armour, and as the translucent wings bears him aloft, he flies towards Eccardian.

Attack: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (17) + 19 = 36
Damage: 1d8 + 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (7) + (5, 2) + 7 = 21
Self damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Even without allies and his weapon depleted of its magic, Eccardian is still a skilled and mighty combatant but it's not enough to keep the trio of Gardeners from striking him down. As Derek drives Duskhunter through the tiefling's gilded breastplate, the last of the life is snuffed from Eccardian's hate-filled eyes and he drifts like a tattered leaf to Westcrown's bloodied streets. For a moment, there's near silence as the assembled crowd grows still to watch their would-be savior take his last shuddering breath.

Suddenly the silence is shattered by a titanic hellish roar as an enormous hand composed of molten gold wreathed in greenish hellfire bursts from the square's flagstones and engulfs Eccardian's remains. The hand clenches into a fist around the body grinding its prize and a heartbeat later slides back into the earth leaving no sign of Mammon's son and pawn, save a single half-melted golden coin.

"W-what happened?" a frightened citizen calls out from the crowd. "Is it over?" another asks.

We're just about done guys. There's just some wrap up and epilogue to get through.

Appario flies down, intent on getting a prize for his betrothed, but stops short as another gets to the body first. Appario isn't about to rassle hellish greenfire.

Appario looks to the citizen, then to Yahirma.

"I don't know yet," Appario replies. "There is always more...is there no more? Yahirma? Xerath? Is there more?"

Derek lands lightly and looks down at the single coin at his feet.
"I think it is indeed over, Mammon has claimed what was promised to him, Eccardian's soul has been taken as a trophy to be added to the hoard of Mammon."

"I would advice that this coin be blessed and then destroyed, lest it's lingering aura corrupts someone else."

He then turns to the crowd, assumes a suitably heroic pose and calls out.
"People of Westcrown, rejoice. For today a tyrant that sought to crush you under his boot has been defeated.
The council of thieves have ben crushed, and the person ultimately responsible for the terrors that until so recently haunted the night has been defeated for good."

Stabbing Dusk hunter into the sky, Derek gives voice to a call of triumph, allowing himself to fall into the role of not just saviour but also the saved.

Yahirma hears Appario's question and seems able to parse its meaning as her comprehension of mortal languages returns. She marvels at the afterimage left by the supernatural manifestation for a moment before answering. "This seems to be all. There are no signs of other spiritual energies that I can perceive."

She pauses for a moment as Derek voices another interpretation. "That fits with what we just witnessed, and it has a certain ring of finality. A foe defeated, a city saved, a scene that wraps it all up together quite nicely… There is a slim possibility that Mammon has catered to our dramatic sensibilities and yet lurks with foul intentions, yet the chances that I am over-thinking matters are far higher." Yahirma gives Appario a tired, wry grin. "I imagine even in the former case we would not know for many years to come."

She startles momentarily when Derek strikes a pose. "But that is a threat for another day. The enemy before us lies defeated."

Xerath lands on the ground, his organs still bleeding from the strike from Eccardian. "He deserves no less than his fate."

"It is hard to believe that it is over. I do not remember what it is like without him staining this city."

The Beast's hulking forms shudders and breaks apart leaving Maddok in his place. This time the big shoanti is quick to regain his senses and put a hand on Derek's shoulder.

"The struggle for survival is never truly over but with the Council defeated, Westcrown might finally have the chance it needs to heal and grow."

Sure enough, with Eccardian defeated and his plans put to ruin what splintered Council cells remain are disorganized and easy pickings for the rest of the Gardeners leaving the heroes free to work directly with Westcrown's desperate citizens for the first time. The party works through the night tending to the wounded, digging victims from ruined buildings, and answering questions about the self-proclaimed Golden Scion but even the dawn doesn't give them a reprieve as a young Gardener approaches, breathless, with a scrap of paper clutched in his fingers.

"Forgive me sirs and ladies, there's dire news. Word of the Westcrown's troubles has reached Egorian and a fleet of the Imperial Navy's been dispatched lead by General Vourne himself. We should have seen it sooner but they're to arrive today... within a few hours. What should be done?"

"Well, without a mayor to receive him, I would say a temporary council will have to be assembled to greet him.
We should find and organize the most important remaining citizen of Westcrown, quickly."

"What should be done?"

Appario looks over the courier-Gardner, then to the Gardeners.

"We should call m'Lady Chammady to negotiate with them. She is known, and completely innocent in all that happened. Her voice, along with the weight of her family name and honor, will pacify General Vourne," Appario says with confidence.

"Her, along with the Head Banker should suffice in this. I shall attend as well to lend my voice, as needed."

"Probably the head of the Dottari as well as the leader of the Hell Knights.
I suppose we should make an appearance too, just in case..."

Unfortunatly with the few hours they have before the navy's arrival the party is unable to muster much of Westcrown's remaining political forces. Much of the dottari fled the city when the Leibdaga made his presence known and those that remain are too busy struggling to restore order; the Hellknights are all but unseen as they remain cloistered in their citadel discussing what is to be done with the traitors within their order and how such an embarrassment will be prevented in the future; and even the Headbanker declines the invitation as he's needed to oversee the liquidation of several high profile accounts - fleeing supporters no doubt of the vanquished Council of Thieves.

In fact it's only the Gardeners and their leadership that stand at the docks alongside another crowd of Westcrown citizens. The Imperial fleet stops several hundred feet away and figures can be seen loading into a smaller vessel. The boat approaches without fanfare and docks a few minutes later but it's not scouts or some courier that steps out onto Westcrown's docks but the General Vourne himself along with a dozen marines. The General is a grizzled and harshly cut man (who would be frightening to most). A jagged scar runs the length of his temple and up into his closely cropped salt and pepper hair.

Arael stands close behind the party but looks to them to lead. Chammady releases her betrothed's hand as the general and his retinue approach.

"I can speak if you'd like but I believe it would be best if you and your friends did it. Westcrown owes its safety to all of you after all."

Kept waiting to see if Derek or Yams wanted this one. Feel free if you want it. Otherwise, it's his Lady Chammady and Appario & the Head Banker.

Appario nods to Arael, thinking upon the first time he met Arael and all that had transpired since their meeting.

I have profited. We all have.

Appario looks down at his gilt armor, feeling Extortion at his back, and his betrothed at his side.

No one can doubt my wealth nor my standing in the Bank of Abadar.

Appario steps forward with Chammady.

"We shall great the General," Appario says, yet inviting Derek or Yahirma to step forward if they wish.

See above. Head Banker is not present.

Hmmm, well, let's start by feeling out the generals mood, then we will take it from there.

Derek steps forward, but rather than the typical flourishing bow the favours, he instead makes a more military salute by putting his fist over his heart and bowing more shallowly.

"Greetings General Vourne to Westcrown. You find us in perhaps less than pristine condition, but we can happily state that the troubles that have up until recently plagued us has now been dealt with.
If you will allow us to take you to a suitable locale (seeing as the mayors home lies in ruins) we can give you a detailed report of what has been going on in the city."

Derek’s charm is clearly lost on the joyless General. He looks down on the bard with a visible sneer (despite being roughly the same height).

”I see rumors of the ruin that has fallen on this city were not wholly exaggerated. What’s become of Lord Mayor Aberian Arvanxi?”

The General’s marines level halberds at the party but the aged chelaxian has the weapons lowered with a brief gesture. ”And who are you? Not many commoners would have the fortitude to address me directly.”

"As for your first question, the lord Mayor saw fit to jump ship as it were, but not before tasking us with putting down the demon who was rising from the secret vault underneath the hill upon which the mansion stood.
And I am more than will to swear to the accuracy of my statement and be subjected to truth telling spells."

"After Liebdaga (that was the fiends name) was put down, the leader of the council of thieves (after removing the rivals to his power) attempted to do a hostile takeover of the city, the after march of said battle can be seen before you.!"

"As for me, my name is Derek Kegan, and not to brag or be insulting, but after staring into the visage of a pit fiend, I dare say nothing mortal will ever intimidate me again."

Is Xerath done? Should we continue to wait for him?

Appario awaits the General's response.

"I am no commoner. I am Xerath Carthagnion. Derek is correct. The mayor was a coward. It was up to us to put down the traitorous Eccardian and the pit fiend."

The General looks to Xerath with slightly less derision.

"Carthagion? Good, someone with some sense. I'm glad the city isn't completely run by vigilantes and apostates. Who is this Eccardian and what's his connection to the pit fiend's escape? And where are the damned Hellknights? I expected to see these docks lined with racks."

Derek, finding himself grooving less impressed by the hard noses military man which each passing second, but at the same time, he is not worth telling off...except in subtle ways.
"I think they are still reorganizing their ranks after half of them being put under domination by Eccardian's pet vampire lord.
What remains is still at the citadel.
Since they were compromised, they were forced to rely on outside help."

Appario adds an answer for the Hellknights.

"Ah, the Hellknights. They had their own uprising within their own ranks. However, with our aid, they were able to restore order. I believe you can find Paralictor at the Citadel. I believer there might be an internal inquisition of their traitors," Appario informs.

Appario breathes deep.

"We are glad you are here, General. The Grand Bank and citizens have restored order, but more forces might be needed to root out remnants of the Council and their companions. However, the city seems at peace now, order has returned. Soon," Appario glances at his Betrothed, "soon we will have new elections to elect a new mayor."

""The Hellknights compromised? And the Grand Bank has come to the city's aid? Now I've heard everything", the General says with another scowl.

Despite his visible disgust, it's clear that the party's efforts have appeased General Vourne for now. He gestures again and his marines are put further at ease.

"Very well citizens. Show me what's left of this rotting city and tell me precisely what's happened."

***

Over the course of several hours General Vourne reviews the city's remaining infrastructure and interviews what minor officials can be tracked down. In a surprising turn he even speaks with parts of the assembled mobs and in doing so learns the full extent of the Gardener's efforts in the city's salvation. By the time his assessment is complete his contempt has melted away, replaced with something else… resignation. He calls for the party's attention on the docks once again while his forces begin returning to their vessels.

"It appears much of what you've told me cannot be disproven", the General says coldly. "And, while I cannot condone the flagrant vigilantism that you and your organization has encouraged, I am not a fool. I am aware that Westcrown's survival could not have been accomplished without your intervention and that you have averted what would have been a grand embarrassment for the empire. I should put the city under martial law and ensure all traces of this Council have been eradicated but I believe that such an action might set a blaze to the tinderbox that Westcrown's become but my men and I have better things to spend our time on - as much as I wouldn't mind stamping out some unruly riots. It's for that reason that my recommendation to the Queen will be for Westcrown's independence - for now. Independence will allow the empire to divorce itself from this mess."

He pauses to study the party.

"I trust your Gardeners can handle the task before them?” the General asks while wiping his hands clean. ”Do not make me regret this decision.”

Derek makes a show of rubbing his chin as if deep in through, considering all the options.
Eventually his normally cocky grin returns to his face and he nods.
"I think we'll be up for the task general, you won't have to regret it...much."

"Do not make me regret this decision."

Appario stands next to Derek, echoing the man's sentiment.

"The Grand Banker stands beside civilization as much as any, General. The Bank does not wish to profit by upheaval, but with the normal course of commerce. We joined this struggle to ensure that people may trade and barter freely...we could no more surrender that ideal than cut out our own hearts," Appario rejoinders.

Appario stands thinking whether he should bill the General for his services rendered to the City, but eventually decides against it.

"We can handle it. We could not do worse than the empire."

The General departs without anymore bluster or threats and an hour later the Chelish fleet sets sail for less troubled waters.

In the weeks to come the Gardeners work fast to rebuild Westcrown's infrastructure that was either destroyed by the climax of Eccardian's machinations or corrupted by his Council of Thieves. The Hellknights' power is broken irrevocably as the truth of their failings and diminished numbers comes to the public's attention. Even after their inquisition is complete they're incapable of inspiring the same sort of terror they once wielded but their loss isn't missed as the reformed Dottari, headed by Janiven, do an excellent job of giving Westcrown the peace, safety, and proper justice it's been denied for so long.

As the weeks turn to months, Westcrown enjoys a religious renaissance as all manner of faiths, once practiced in secret, go public. Though the bulk of these conversions are to Abadar (truly the god behind the Gardeners and Westcrown's salvation), the works of these churches further help stabilize the mending city. Arael naturally fills the role as the city's leader of religious affairs and effortlessly juggles the difficulties involved in getting so many disparate faiths to peacefully coexist.

Ailyn Ghontasavos returns with a force of Pathfinders and resources, and with the Gardener's aid, clears out what few remaining unquiet dead haunt the abandoned Pathfinder lodge. In time the lodge is rehabilitated and returns to function. It quickly becomes one of the biggest hotspots in Cheliax for aspiring scholars and explorers as the Pathfinders, as an organization, still see so much scrutiny in other parts of the Empire.

Appario and Lady Chammady Drovenge are wed in what is without a doubt the most opulent wedding Westcrown has ever seen. With their fortunes joined, Appario instantly becomes the most wealthy and one of the most politically powerful men in the city. His dream fulfilled, Appario sets himself to seeing his better half's achieved and with so much power at their disposal it's an easy feat to have Chammady voted in as Lady-Mayor of the independent city-state. Together, the power-couple becomes known as one of the biggest influences toward Westcrown's rebuilding and growth.

Maddok and Vahnwynne are also wed in an adaptation of a shoanti union ritual but the ceremony is diminutive compared to the Lind-Drovenge wedding with only a few of the couple's closest friends invited. With his home and love safe and at peace with Shu-Ak’eh-Di, Maddok is truly happy for the first time in his life but it does not last. After a time wanderlust begins to take hold and he considers returning to his Quah in hopes of rejoining his tribe. A moment with the Beast helps Maddok realize that the Shiikirri-Quah are not his people anymore and instead he leaves with Vahnwynne to see the world. They visit the farthest corners of Golarion together seeking out new adventure - their travels eventually taking them to other worlds.

Despite the Council being vanquished for good, Derek and Amaya find themselves incredibly busy. With Thesing 'missing', Derek becomes the undisputed most talented and acclaimed actor in the city. Soon every aspiring actor in the city begins vying, desperately, to be his understudy. Keegan's Brewery™ similarly takes off in light of the party's celebrity and with the guidance of his dwarven allies, Keegan's brews become celebrated as far as the City at the Center of the World.

After finishing a trinket powerful enough to bridge the space between worlds, Yahirma makes good on her promise to see the bound elder elemental within the Pathfinder lodge returned to its home plane. Her final task complete, Yahirma packs her things and prepares once more to go where the Wendo bids her. She's joined by her loyal followers, the soul-bound dolls, Khazrae the pseudo-erinyes, and the lusty satyr Madjaw and leaves for parts unknown. Yahirma briefly returns to Westcrown sometime later before leaving again for the Hagwood as it seems that with Eccardian dead and her sisters avenged, the Mother of Flies is truly dying. Brave/foolish loggers later report that the Maggot Tree is dead and the bravest among them claims to have scaled the hideous tree and found the Mother of Flies' withered remains, but no sign of Yahirma or her followers.

Following the city's official status as an independent state, the bulk of Westcrown's influential noble families liquidate their holdings in the city and withdraw - including House Carthagnion. This has the side effect of leaving Xerath and his mother safe from the family patriarch's vengeance and in control of the powerful noble house's remaining resources and influence. Despite his complaints Xerath takes to the work associated with nobility easily and still finds time for his true passion as the new leader of Westcrown's Gardeners. Though the group is official disbanded amid the city's reconstruction, Bluehood knows that someone must always watch the watchmen so that a Council of Thieves and the ruin it nearly brought to Westcrown can never happen again.

It would be a few months before things got back to what might be considered normal, and as things began to slow down, the gardeners began to slowly drift apart.
Wanderlust and responsibility are not easy bedfellows, and while there was never any doubt as to the loyalty and comradery shared by all, they desired different things in life in the long run.

The last evening spent together was an event to be remembered.
Derek had staged a new play, celebrating their victory, and it was directed by none other than a certain demon director of the party's acquaintance.
A feast would naturally follow, with good food and plenty of drinks, and towards the small hours, they would do nothing but just sit around and talk, reminiscing over the extraordinary events they had already witnessed.

As time passed, Derek increased his holdings somewhat, adding a tavern and an inn to his growing "empire".
And over time, the tavern would slowly fill with mementos and trophies from many strange and wondrous locations.
The tavern would serve as something of a living storybook and museum to the patrons that came to visit.