DM Elanmorin's Hell' Rebels

Game Master Nathan Hartshorn

Are you really letting them go hunting halflings for sport?

NO...but I figured we'd deal with these two guys and their pets quickly first, then go after the 'hunters' once we've rescued the woman. Things didn't really work as well as Mel wanted...but we need to get this done. Maybe Mel will follow those guys for us? Keep tabs...or 'charm' one of them? Who knows. We can't afford to split up the whole group right now, and we have an immediate job to do. One disaster at a time? =/

"What the HELLS did she just do?! Those idiots are gonna go on a halfling witch hunt! Kurglunn, with me. We have to stop them before they find some innocent halflings to torment." Rocco weaves a few gestures and casts a spell to freeze one of the men in his tracks.

Cast Daze on Green. DC14

Meanwhile, Kurglunn moves past the small fountain and strikes at the same guard.

Slam: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Horrifying Strike, DC13 or target is shaken for 1d4 ⇒ 3 rounds

"Och 'bloddy-halflings'. Come on!"

Smoke stick are still thrown, how did I do? I put in some temp templates for the smoke if that's OK.

Surprise Round

Lirotha throws a single smoke stick to the thugs with the dogs and hits them causing a small cloud of dark smoke to engulf 2 of them.

Rocco casts a spell trying to stop the halfling hunters from accomplishing their nefarious plans.

Will Save: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13

And he stops one of them from moving further away.

Kurglun follows the lead of his halfling friend and moves towards the 2 miscreants.

Round 1 - Bold may act

Veccio

Hound (Violet)
Hound (Yellow)

Kurglunn
Meliandri
Lirotha
Valrani

Thug (Red)
Thug (Green) - Dazed
Thug (Black)
Thug (Blue)

Rocco

Note that Kurglunn cannot move and attack during surprise

Surprised by the sudden turn of events Veccio decides to see how things turn out.

Delay

The mastiffs are not so patient though: the one engulfed in smoke comes out of it snarling while the other charges Kurglunn!

Charge: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 2 = 23 -> Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Apparently not scared at all by the supernatural nature of his foe the beast bites down on Kurglunn hard!

Round 1 - Bold may act

Veccio - Delay

Hound (Violet)
Hound (Yellow)

Kurglunn
Meliandri
Lirotha
Valrani

Thug (Red)
Thug (Green) - Dazed
Thug (Black)
Thug (Blue)

Rocco

This was well thought out...

Swift action to enchant my deck...Quickly drawing a card and tossing it at the Yellow Dog.

Deadly Dealer Card: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Damage(Magic/Piercing): 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

After his brief hesitation, Veccio rushes into the fray, stabbing at one of the thugs next to Mel.

Rapier: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10 Add +2 if you rule I can charge past the fountain.
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Kurglunn turns to face the dog with a look of sheer horror on his grisly face. He strikes at the beast with two retaliatory slams.

Slam: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Slam: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22 Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

DC13 Will save from the hound or it is shaken for 1d4 ⇒ 2 rounds.

Lirotha misses her shot as the card she threw flies away from hr intended target.
Realizing a charge wouldn't be the best of moves Veccio moves nest to the thug facing Meliandri and stabs him but misses.
Kurglunn bashes down on the snarling mastiff connecting with a punch but missing with the other.
Mel steps away from the fray and starts singing another song about valor and freedom from oppression.

Inspire Courage

The blue thug follows his dog's example and comes out of the smoke cloud, coughing.
The black one and the red one move next to Veccio and slash at him while screaming obscenities.
As Red advances ignoring her Meliandri gets teh chance to stab him for good Mel gains an AoO vs red
The green thug cannot do anything thanks to Rocco's magic.

Attack roll black vs Veccio: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18 -> Damage roll: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Attack roll red vs Veccio: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 -> Damage roll: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Round 1 - Bold may act

Veccio -7hp

Hound (Violet) -2hp
Hound (Yellow)

Kurglunn -7hp
Meliandri
Lirotha
Valrani

Thug (Red)
Thug (Green) - Dazed
Thug (Black)
Thug (Blue)

Rocco

Then start round 2 and Veccio can go again

Rocco steps up to the edge of the fountain and turns to face the crowd of guards attacking her friends and takes a firm stance. He inhales deeply, his arms reaching out by his sides, then unleashes a blood-curdling scream directed at the guard threatening Meliandri.

Cast Cause Fear, DC 15 Will save; failure the target is frightened for 1d4 ⇒ 1 rounds, or success and the target is shaken for 1 round

Round 2 action:

"Mel, give me a hand!" Veccio stabs quickly at the black-shirted thug before stepping closer to the bardess.

Standard action attack, free action 5-foot step. Rolls include inspire courage.
Rapier: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 7 + 1 = 19
damage: 1d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 = 7

Will Save (Dog - Violet): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Will Save (Red): 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (7) - 1 = 6

Kurglunn's attack makes the mastiff shake in fear while Rocco's spell breaks the red clad thug's willpower making him run for his life

AoO from everyone threatening Red, Mell still has another AoO against the same target and she can only make 1 AoO per round I believe

Meanwhile Veccio's rapier easily penetrates the thug wearing black clothes defenses, causing him to bleed profusely.

Despite his fear the mastiff with the strange violet collar attacks Kurglun again while the other one charges at Valrani!

Attack roll (Dog - violet vs Kurglunn): 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 - 2 = 3 -> Damage roll: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Attack roll (Dog - Yellow vs Valrani): 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 3 - 2 = 20 -> Damage roll: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

While Kurglunn avoids the scared mutt's jaws with ease Valrani who had previously moved near the other dog isn't so lucky and gets a nasty bite for her troubles.

Round 2 - Bold may act

Veccio -7hp

Hound (Violet) -6hp, shaken
Hound (Yellow)

Kurglunn -7hp
Meliandri
Lirotha
Valrani -8 hp

Thug (Red) Frightened
Thug (Green)
Thug (Black) -7hp
Thug (Blue)

Rocco

Lirotha seeing the dog savage Valrani steps up (drawing her starknife in the process) and touches her back carefully with her free
hand applying her healing Hex to the distraught Druid.

"Stupid dog! Back off!"

Healing Hex: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Still feeling the sting of the dog's bite (as much as a phantom can feel such things), Kurglunn once again swings two massive, ectoplasmic fists at the hound that assaulted him.

Slam, IC: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 3 + 1 = 24 Damage, IC: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 = 6
Confirm Crit?: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 3 + 1 = 23 Crit Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 = 4
Slam, IC: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 1 = 16 Damage, IC: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

If that Crit takes the hound out, the second attack will go toward Black.

"Ouch!" cries out the startled Valrani. "I was just trying to save your life."

She swings her scimitar at the foolish dog.
attack, inspire: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 1 = 8
damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 1 = 8\

But the pain of her wound makes her rush the strike.

Just a reminder: Veccio and Mel have 1 attack or opportunity each against Red

Lirotha uses her magic to heal Valrani. While not enough to erase her wounds the druidess feels rejuvenated by the spell.
On the other hand Kurglunn unleashes his fearsome potential putting down both the hound and the blackclad thug.
Valrani on the other hand fails to do the same to the last remaining hound while the thug in red runs away Or not if Veccio and Mel's AoO kill him

Confronted with such brutality the green thug seems ready to bolt but decides to stay in the fight for one last attack.

Attack roll green vs Veccio: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 -> Damage roll: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

His companion in blue does the same chargin at Valrani.

Attack roll Blue vs Valrani: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 2 = 11 -> Damage roll: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Neither of them connects though.

Round 2 - Bold may act

Veccio -7hp

Hound (Violet) Out of commission
Hound (Yellow)

Kurglunn -7hp
Meliandri Delay
Lirotha
Valrani -3 hp

Thug (Red) Frightened
Thug (Green)
Thug (Black) Out of commission
Thug (Blue)

Rocco

As before Veccio can start round 3 and remember your AoO

Rapier (AoO, green): 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 1 = 14 Probably won't hit.
damage: 1d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9

Round 3 action.

"Oh no, you don't!" Veccio recklessly charges towards the retreating thug, ignoring the other one in his reach.

Charging red. Rolls include inspire courage. Will provoke from green.
Rapier (charge, red): 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 1 + 2 = 15 Ugh, that one might hit?
damage: 1d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 = 11

Veccio slashes at the fleeing red thug wounding him deeply and then does the same against his green cohort bringing him down with one fell swoop of his blade

These guys have really bad AC... XD, note that the fleeing one is red while the one standing near Veccio is green. Waiting for Rocco before adding round 3 actions

Seeing that his friends seem to have the guards handled pretty well, Rocco, moves to the doghouse and checks it over to see if there is a safe way they can get Lucca out of there without her being hurt any further. He kneels down in front of the cruel device and speaks to the young woman inside in a gentle voice. "Miss Lucca? Are you alright? We're here to help."

Perception (how to get her out safely): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

The place you are on the map is not the doghouse Rocco, it's the access to a bridge leading to the doghouse. You double moved there but you've still got to pass the bridge to reach the prisoner

Rocco moves away from the fight and the last remaining dog attacks valrani again!

Attack roll Dog (yellow) vs Valrani: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23 -> Damage roll: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Threatens critical

Critical confirmation Dog (yellow) vs Valrani: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 -> Damage roll: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

And the dog makes the druidess pay dearly for her previous kindness!

Round 3 - Bold may act

Veccio -7hp

Hound (Violet) Out of commission
Hound (Yellow)

Kurglunn -7hp
Meliandri Delay round 2
Lirotha
Valrani -8 hp

Thug (Red) Frightened
Thug (Green) Out of commission
Thug (Black) Out of commission
Thug (Blue)

Rocco

"Get away from her!"

Lirotha steps up and slashes her starknife at the thug next to Valrani.

MW Starknife w/Arcane Strike and Bard Song: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 1 = 20
Damage(Magic): 1d4 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 + 1 = 7

Is there something preventing him from crossing the bridge? If not, he'd use his full movement to get as far along as he could, which I believe was one or two more spaces.

Kurglunn, sensing his master turning his attention away from the enemies he has been pursuing, move to follow after Rocco. As he comes, Rocco calls back to the phantom, "Go help Valrani! Take care of that mutt attacking her like you did the first one!" With his objectives clear, Kurglunn charges headlong at the dog, swinging a his arm down at the slobbering beast.

Slam, IC, Charge: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 1 + 2 = 17 Slam, IC: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5

"It appears I need better armor" moans the wounded Valrani.

She continues to direct her wrath at the ungrateful dog.

attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Between Valrani and Kurglunn the last hound doesn't stand a chance and falls.
Lirotha advances on the thug threatening Valrani hitting him hard anc causing him to bleed profusely.
The red thug supernatural compulsion to flee ends but he quickly decides to keep running, this time for entirely mundane reasons!
After a brief moment of hesitation his companion in blue follows his example and tries to run away from the fight as well!

Withdraw no AoO

Suddenly the secluded area is silent again ans the Silver Ravens survey the results of the furious fight they just won. They immediately join Rocco and reach for the dog house. The half naked girl laying there presents several bruises and clear symptoms of dehydration and cowers inside the makeshift shelter despite the spikes dotting its interior.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

"Lucca? We're here to help. Mel is here and everything, see? Now hurry up and come with us. We need to get out of here quick."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

Ohhhhh that charming halfling and his phantom of terror... XD

Rocco's words seem to soothe the girl's fears and she scurries out of the dog hose. The girl cannot be older than 15 or 16 at most. She's wearing torn down rags, she's filthy, bruised and it's clear she's doing her best not to have a crying fit.
Stifling her tears she asks:"Are you here to save me? Where should we go? Where are we? Who are you and... where have those nasty bullies with their giant dogs gone?"

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

"Who is this? This is not the woman you described to me?"

OOPS! I also forgot...I will hit her with my Healing HEX...and anybody else who needs it.

Healing Hex(Girl): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Healing Hex(Somebody other than Valrani?): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Better give that to Veccio. I'll take care of Kurglunn shortly.

Valrani approaches.

"We are here to help you. We thought you someone else, but will just as happily rescue you. Come now, for we cannot wait. And if you stay here I doubt those returning will treat you kindly."

Applying the previous healing roll to Veccio then.

Her face a mask of tight anger at the young girl's condition, Lirotha cleans her starknife and moves toward the 'doghouse'.
Putting away her weapon, she quickly kneels and gathers a decent pile of dry leaves and twigs from the park and throws them
inside.

Standing again, Lirotha tosses her voice over her shoulder.

"Stand back."

Holding her left hand out, fingers splayed in a fan a she chants in a guttural-like language that seems to emanate from every
elemental plane at once, but from none truly. Blue fire erupts in a wave, catching the tinder pile and throwing light and more
smoke on the situation.

Casting her unused Burning Hands spell on the doghouse in an attempt to destroy it.

"We need to go NOW my sweeties. No more time for standing around! Rocco, see if Kurglunn can keep an eye on our back-trail to
make sure we're not followed."

Lirotha will attempt to herd everyone out of the immediate area quickly, throwing her own patchwork cloak over the girl's
dirty and torn form.

Rocco nods to Lirotha, agreeing to have Kurglunn keep an eye on their tails as they retreat. Before they head out, however, he lays a hand on Kurglunn's "wound" from the hound's bite, spiritual energy flowing between the two to mend the gap in the phantom's form.

CLW: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

He then pulls a coffee bean from a pouch at his side and pops it in his mouth. With the bean still on his tongue, the halfling chants a few words, then swallows. His eyes close for a moment, and when they open again, they seem to glow with some inner brightness.

Cast Heightened Awareness, +2 on Perception and Knowledge checks for the next 20 minutes

Rocco looks around to see if he can spot any sign of the escaped thugs.

Perception, HA: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 2 = 17

He then has Kurglunn shift to his incorporeal form while they make their own escape.

Game on hiatus for a couple of days people. I had an idea of where I wanted this to go but now I need to change a few things, and tomorrow I'll be making a short jurney so I won't be able to post

@everyone: I'm unsure if I told you about background skills. I believe I allowed them for everyone but if you haven't already added them to your character sheet do it now please.

Just dotting, so that I do not miss any updates.

Also dotting this.

.

Updated with background skills, GM!

Lirotha's spell quickly reduces the doghouse to ashes, the only thing remaining the cruel iron spikes used to torture its unfortunate occupants.

Realizing evey second may prove their undoing as the fight happened right on Barzillai Thrune's doorstep the party decides discretion is the better part of valor and flees Aria's Park with the unidentified girl in tow while Kurglunn covers their retreat.

For once everything goes smoothly as if no one noticed or even cared about what just transpired.

Once safely out of eyesight, the party resume their interrogation of the girl they just rescued. Still apparently in shock she tells the group her sad story: her name is Teria and she was one of the protesters at the Aria's Park rally. When the huge hellhound and the dottari broke the rally she and a few others fell into the clutches by a group of overzealous Chelish Citizens thugs commanded by a despicable priestess of Asmodeus named Aula Tannesen. They were kept prisoners for days, barely fed and then "sentenced to penance". Hers was the doghousing the party just sabotaged. She thanks you profusely for saving her as she thinks she would have surely died if the excruciation had gone on a little longer. Then, before leaving you she adds:"It's funny you called me Lucca. There was one girl named like that in the dungeon where they kept us.. that Tanessen b$++$ took her away personally muttering something about the key for her revenge being finally at hand..."

Hearing this has a strange effect on Meliandri. Suddenly she grows pale and quickly takes her leave, faithfully followed by Veccio.

Fate has dealt a heavy blow to the Silver Ravens it seems. You lost 2 of your founding members in one strike. It seems you'll need to regroup and decide how to deal with the new situation.

Ok: now I introduced Morricone so he's right with you. As for Talon and Oren. The former is a mysterious vigilante and who knows when you'll get to meet him ;P? The latter is fortunately yet another of Laria's acquaintances. After hearing about what happened with Veccio and Meliandri the resourceful halfling shakes her head and, knowing Oren's feelings about Thrune goes to fetch her... Basically Oren and Morricone can be considered "in the known" and meeting the rest of the party at Laria's coffehouse, Talon is free to make his presence known whenever he wants... after all the Silver Ravens recently foiled a string of homicides that were supposed to be the work of the reviled professor Mangvhune... a subject he was investigating

Valrani sits in the Silver Ravens abode with a set of law books.

"Somewhere in here, I'm sure there must be something that can be used to stop these excruciations." she sighs.

"But I havn't found it yet."

Laria shakes her head at Valrani:"If anyone can find a loophole it's you but I've asked around... apparently Barzillai didn't sanction these excruciations at all. And considering how he didn't order immediate reprisal for your little scuffle from a couple of days ago either he'snot happy with these unsanctioned excruciations or he's using very stealthy agents to hunt you down..."

Then she adds:"Anyway... since Veccio went after Meliandri I thought you might need some help managing things in the phisical department... so there's a friend of a friend of mine I took the liberty of informing about your activities... Her name's Oren, she's good at punching things but also at brewing alchemical concotions. Not something anyone can do, she shares your dim view of Barzillai and I think she could be an asset for your little organization..." the halfling woman finishes by opening the door of her office and motioning for the rest of you to meet Oren

The Tien native smiles broadly as she enters the room. "People are buzzing about you standing up for the common townsfolk. There are other brave folk out there, and I think it is time for us to join you.". She was wearing a flowery robe, but upon closer inspection, there was just a tiny glint of metal visible underneath. She had two handaxes strapped to her sides, and had quite a few tiny vials and powder packets along her belt.

Longtime natives of the town might recognize the woman from her time working at Madame Odde's herbalist shop, before it went out of business. Since that time, she's been a constant at several of the markets in town, peddling her poultices, herbs, and alternative healing and curative methods.

"This is my adoptive home, and I'm here to stand up and defend it."

Bowing deeply Morricone address the group. His voice is expertly modulated."My name is Morricone Aulamaxa. Do not get impressed by the Aulamaxa last name, I am the white sheep of the family, so to speak. I was, no I am a friend of Meliandri and I will miss her. She called in a life favor and asked me to take her place. This can not be denied. I am here, at your service."

Rocco steps through the door and plops himself down into one of Laria's halfling-sized chairs, his arms folded and a foul expression on his face. "Yeah yeah. We're all bloody heroes and owe our lives to one person or another. Now that we have all the unimportant stuff figured out, let's get to the point." He holds up a fist and starts counting out fingers as he runs through the rebellions list of problems. "We need to figure out who or what is responsible for summoning a bunch of tooth fairies that killed a bunch of folks in the Devil's Nursery, someone's apparently infiltrated our base and is trying to sabotage and/or kill us all, and we still haven't even saved Mel's friend Lucca. Apparently she's being held by some Asmodean priestess, name of Tanessen. In other words, as it stands right now, we're boned. Either of you newbies have any brilliant ideas 'bout how we're gonna sort any of this out?" He folds his arms again and stares at Oren and Morricone for a moment, then flinches like something smacked him in the head and says, apparently to himself, "Fine. I'll try to be nice. stupidghost." He turns to the new recruits again and adds, "I'm Rocco, by the way."

"Did you investigate the scene at the Devil's Nursery? Perhaps there's a clue there to be found. Have you asked about town for information on this Tanessen? Tell us the steps you have taken, and perhaps we can assist with your troubles."

Know. Local 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15 for the name Tanessen

"O' course we investigated the scene. Cost us a fair amount o' gold too. We know that someone was using bodies to summon the itty bitties, but haven't really found anything about who might be able to do such a thing. And we just found out about Tanessen when Mels and Veccio up and left, so we haven't been able to do much about that just yet. Believe me, though, I intend to do something about it." Rocco cracks his knuckles menacingly as he talks about the priestess, his face full of anger at her supposed bid for vengeance.

"Well, how about that priestes Tanessen? Where does she live, how can she hold people hostage?"
Morricone ponders for a few moments. "And maybe we should find an expert on those tooth fairies!"

Talon enters Laria's Coffeehouse. Out of all the places in Kintargo, this was one of his favourites. Considering his line of work some good coffee comes in rather handy. When're he's asked why he drinks so much coffee he usually chuckles and replies with "I work nights."

Anyone paying close attention would have noticed that he's been spending a lot more time at the Coffeehouse than usual. Today is no exception. Shortly after Morricome and the group entered, so did Talon Bishop enter the Coffeehouse.

Talon enters and gives his usual smile to the waiters and waitresses and walks over to a table and takes a seat and motions for some service. When approached he replies with "Your house coffee please and keep it coming. Many thanks."