Jokum charges in and fires his arrow at the nearest target not engaged with his friend or sprawled on the ground. He grunts in pleasure as he watches Iavdi and Arthas swing their swords into the cultists' necks. Ha. They hardly need me here at all...
Voren moves forward slightly before activating his wand. Two bolts of force shoot out and hit two of the enemies.
Time seems to stop as Karthak's axe falls towards the cultist like creature!
And then it impacts causing a deep gash on its brow!
Round 1_____
Karthak Ironbreaker_____
As he notices the blasphemous creatures Karthak moves in, shield raised and axe on the ready, and strikes at the first one on his line of sight!
Dakota Bloomingdale_____
Dakota moves ahead to get in range and casts grease among no. 4, 5 and 6.
10 ft. square, reflex dc 14.
Saves!
Fails, falls down.
Arthas Sword of Ragathiel_____
Arthas charges forth to strike #5. Radiance held high casting its brilliant holy light throughout the desecrated chamber like a lighthouse on a foggy night, the paladin holds his black shield up for defense as he crashes into his target.
"I am Arthas Baumhal, last of my chapter, Sword of Ragathiel, and in His name I strike you down. Behold my vengeance and righteous holy anger for what you have done to my Lady's house!"
The one handed blow comes in so fast Radiance shrieks as though it has life of its own.
Lavdi_____
Knowing her companions cannot understand her, Iavdi remains silent, and charges number 3 as well.
Jokum of the Breakbones_____
Jokum charges in and fires his arrow at the nearest target not engaged with his friend or sprawled on the ground. Move 30' toward the cultists and attack one who's not going to give me penalties to hit!
Voren the Outsider_____
Voren moves forward slightly before activating his wand. Two bolts of force shoot out and hit two of the enemies.
Move Action: move to S6
Standard Action: Activate wand of magic missile. Two bolts. Attacking red 4.
(npc) Lissandra_____
Lissandra enters the room but holds back, wary of enemies she can’t see or reinforcements coming out of the East door.
Enemies__________
Now that you are close enough, you recognize them as human Cultists of Deskari, Demon Lord of Infestation and Locusts!
Red 1 shrieks a call to Deskari, is wreathed in foul red-yellow aura, then lunges at Iavdi in a frenzy.
for a possible slashing damage.
Red 2 shrieks a call to Deskari, is wreathed in foul red-yellow aura, then lunges at Karthak in a frenzy.
and fumbles, hitting her buddy Red 1 for slashing damage.
Red 4 carefully stepped out of the Greased area, raised his holy symbol and Channels Negative Energy on you heroes. Karthak and Arthas will take negative energy damage, Iavdi will heal as much. Halve that with a Will save DC11.
Red 6 shrieks a call to Deskari, is wreathed in foul red-yellow aura, then lunges at Arthas in a frenzy.
for a possible slashing damage.
1:10
2:11
4:7
6:15
Round 2__________
Players take their turn in order of posting, enemies will go last.
As the cultist in front of him falls cut down by Iavdi the dwarf aims for his next target: the clumsy cultist on his right!
"Karthak! Clear!"
Jokum growls deep in his throat as he sees the cultist in the back call on the demon lord. "Beast. I will send you to your Fly-God." His bowstring thwacks as he advances down the room. "Tentak! Help the dwarf." The badger charges in, bounding forward to snap at the cultists' heels.
Voren decides to move up and shoot the wand at the cultist that is engaging Karthak, eyes glowing red. "You! Cultist! Return to Deskari in shame that you have failed! And let him know that his influence in Sarkoris shall come to an end!"
Arthas emboldened by the spectacular destruction of his patron's enemy, powers through the negative energies channeled by the chaos lord's minion.
"Your lord's powers wash off of me like rain off a duck's back!"
"I am HIs will made manifest!"
Radience comes down on #6 as Arthas makes a five foot step to his left.
"Be cleansed in your own filth minion. Only now do you see the ruin you have brought upon your immortal soul!"
Dakota rushes ahead and tries to boost Kartak's AC:
Round 2__________
Karthak Ironbreaker_____
As the cultist in front of him falls cut down by Iavdi the dwarf aims for his next target: the clumsy cultist on his right!
Lavdi_____
Iavdi, seeing number 1 directly in front of her, will continue her assault from last round, hopefully downing the next vile cultist in line.
Jokum of the Breakbones_____
Advance 25' as a move action, fire at Red 4 (who sadly gets a +4 bonus to AC if Karthak is still between us), and command Tentak to attack as a free action.
Voren the Outsider_____
Move Action: move to Q6
Standard Action: Activate wand of magic missile. Two bolts. Attacking cultist 2. Will cost 1 charge from wand.
Arthas Sword of Ragathiel_____
Radience comes down on #6 as Arthas makes a five foot step to his left.
Dakota Bloomingdale_____
Dakota rushes ahead and tries to boost Kartak's AC:
Aid Another defensively, +4 to Kartak's AC if successful: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 1 - 4 = 15
(npc) Lissandra_____
She Waits.
Enemies__________
Red 1 shrieks a call to Deskari again, and tries to smite Iavdi in a frenzy.
for a possible slashing damage.
1:10
Round 3__________
Players take their turn in order of posting, enemies will go last.
With only one cultist left Karthak swings his axe again towards his head!
Dakota moves into position and helps Iavdi's attack, hoping she will send the last cultist to his final, hellish rest:
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Her sword arcs out towards the cultist's neck, with the aim of decapitating him.
Feeling her sword strike home, Iavdi exclaims in pleasure as her Lady again guides her weapon.
"Does your soul scream out for redemption yet fiend? What did your lord promise you?"
Karthak chuckles at Arthas words:"I second the sentiment but I think he's gone already. Whatever he bargained for with his foul masters is certainly lost and gone... as it should be!"
Dakota gives a loud whistle of approval "Well done lady Iavdi! That was truly awesome! Woohoo!" then improvises a quick jig around her friend.
Voren grins and says, "Yes! We did it! The righteous shall always succeed!"
And Iavdi neatly removed the last cultist's head. This battle is over.
Searching the enemy, you find each one had:
potion of cure light wounds,
scroll of cause fear,
scroll of comprehend languages,
unholy water;
Other Gear
mwk chain shirt,
mwk scythe (cultist of Deskari),
dagger,
spell component pouch,
unholy symbol,
10 gp
What do you do next?
Once the last cultist falls Karthak starts checking on the room, making sure no secret passages or traps are present.
Voren looks at the magical items in interest. "Should I be in charge of the potions, scrolls, and the scroll component pouches?"
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"We can probably sell their mundane gear, but I will not allow their accursed symbols or cursed water to stay on this plane. We can save them for later, however. As for that.."
She glances over at the pile of body parts on the altar.
"Again, we do not have the time to clean it up properly, but once we have finished cleansing this place, we will take time to clean everything."
"I am carrying two cure light wound potions. Divide the others. I would like each of us to have at least one on their person. Divide up the scrolls amongst those who can use them. We will destroy the symbols and water when we can. The weapons can be repurposed, the steel itself is not evil nor is the armor."
"This is an afront."
Arthas takes one of the scythes and begins to uncover the altar.
"I will clear this. The stone beneath has had the holiest of rites done upon it. Hopefully it remains pure at its core. While I do this give prayers and make quick work. The disease here cannot foul me."
Karthak glances from Iavdi to Arthas clearly torn on the subject of reconsacrating the altar:"You are both right... maybe we can take some time to rest after all... and do this most holy of works. Also we could try to recompose the bodies of these unfortunates and give them the proper rites. When all is done we'll need to give them proper burial"
Voren begins to take the potions and divide them amongst the group. He then takes the scrolls and passes them out between those who can use them. He also takes the coins and tries to divi that up as well.
He then proceeds to aid in the restoring the altar where he can.
As you clear the fallen altar, your mind wanders. You notice the deeply inset and barred stained glass imagery, up above where it had been desecrated. Paramount is the image of Iomedae, arm outstretched and hand... it's like the hand is holding something you can't see. It's incomplete somehow. It reminds you of the Shrine to Radiance, the brackets holding a sword that wasn't there...
"There's something here... probably a secret door of some sort, but the opening mechanism is puzzling... It seems I can't find a way to open it" says Karthak pointing at the wall where the secret door should be
"Bah. Have you forgotten we have a task here? Why investigate a broken temple's corners?" Jokum scowls, and starts to head for the door.
"Because there are hidden secrets and weapons here Jokum. This chapel has weathered three crusades. There is a riddle here and no happenings can be hand waived as happenstance. We may be closer to the gods than at any other time of our lives."
Arthas holds Radiance up as though offering it to the Lady. Pondering what it is they need to do. Then he lays it on the altar.
"Karthak has a sharp mind and eye. If the paint is intact, the vaults contents must be as well."
Voren nods at Arthas's statement. "Yeah, Jokum. There's a lot of useful things here. We just have to look."
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"I do believe we shouldn't waste time here. I know I sound hypocritical, but I cannot pray over these hacked off limbs while those responsible may still be here!"
"We should, however, check the secret panel out. Perhaps it is a store of weapons that was not able to be reached at the time of the assault."
Voren meticulously divides up the things and passes them out to everyone.
Arthas kneels down before the altar as he had in the smaller shrine.
"My lady you must forgive me. I am a warrior that seeks to serve your General on this plane and to avenge and protect those faithful to your righteous paths. But I find myself at a loss on how to figure out the riddles you have placed before us. I pray that you will grant me or one of our party some insight. Let us be your sword, let the servant of your General avenge you and yours in this place."
"Arm us with your secrets my Lady."
Voren looks on at Arthas's actions with interest and curiosity. He looks around, deciding to try and be useful. He heads over to the spot that Karthak pointed out and says a chant. "My eyes see all. They see any magic to aid me in my knowledge of learning more." His eyes glow a bright blue as he scans for magical auras.
Jokum scowls and leans against the doorway they came in through, tapping his foot impatiently and peering around the room.
This door, if it's here at all, is probably plastered over and painted, probably several times over the centuries. If you are real determined, you need a sledge and chisels to do a proper job of getting it open.
Karthak puts his right hand on the space where the passage is supposed to be and closes his eyes mumuring a brief prayer to Torag, then he opens his eyes and turns towards the others:"I can't be 100% sure but I think the opening mechanism could be unlocked by the use of a secret phrase. Something about Iomedae's faith I think"
“Let us inherit thine arms, Iomedae.”
"That was the hidden message!"
Voren frowns that his efforts seem to have not bear any new fruit. Ayne crawls out from his hood and waves a pincer. 'Don't fret, boy. It was a valiant effort.' He then turns to Karthak as he speaks his thoughts on the possible opening. He then looks to Iavdi and Arthas, wondering what's going to happen.
Seeing Jokum's impatience, Voren tries to placate him. "Not much longer, Jokum. We might be onto something here."
At the sound of Arthas' phrase spoken aloud, there is a chorus as of high sweet voices raised in song. A bright blue line outlines a door in front of where Karthak was tapping and swung silently open.
Voren's mouth opens as the door opens with the song of a sweet choir and blue light. When Iavdi asks what could be beyond the door, Voren decides to take action. He walks to the door and moves past it to investigate.
"Thank you My Lady. Your General's soldier lives to serve your will."
Arthas strides over.
"Indeed. What has been placed here with such care. Whatever it is we must take it with us. The vault may be the last unsullied spot within the chapel."
Arthas removes a handful of bloodied miniature silver swords.
"A fitting place to intere these. The owners died true to their oaths and cause."
Jokum's eyes widen when the door swings open--clearly, he wasn't expecting to actually find anything. He approaches cautiously.
"This could also be a trap," he growls in warning.