DM NomadSage's Jade Regent (Inactive)

Game Master nomadicc

Round Five

Heng hops up onto the balcony overlook and pummels one of the giants several times in quick succession, hearing a satisfying impact on each hit. The unfortunate target grunts and growls, but keeps his balance. Kelda hacks into the second giant with a couple of rage-powered slashes, spattering dark blood all around.

In the north wing, Malnival hits his opponent with a pair of slashes, one empowered with a shock. Parity's lingering spell continues to work on the other hobgoblin guard, and with a howl of pain it succumbs to its wounds. He spins and cuts down the first guard with a devastating cut of Suishen from behind.

To the south, Harlan continues to reload and fire, hitting his target again. Skygni hops in, biting at the hobgoblin to break up his aim. One just moves away from the wolf, and keeps shooting arrows at Harlan, hitting him once. The other drops its bow, and brings down its morningstar against Skygni's back.

The giants split their attacks against Heng and Kelda, respectively. Heng's defense remains strong, and he avoids all damage, but Kelda is not as lucky and gets bashed hard twice. In her rage, she only howls and fights back more.

Inputs for R6?

Round 6
AC:23, hp:87/89, Ki 5/9, Stun 2/9, Cold 6/9, dragon stance, air walk

In contrast to his howling neighbor, Heng silently and determinedly continues pounding his adversary. His focus flags a moment however, as he spares a glance around to see how his companions fare.

Flurry 1: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17
damage: 1d10 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 1 = 17 + cold: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Flurry 2: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21
damage: 1d10 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 1 = 16 + cold: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Flurry 3: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
damage: 1d10 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 1 = 17 + cold: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Flurry 4: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
damage: 1d10 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 1 = 15 + cold: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Round 6

Knowing his friends are being hurt as well, Harlan acts to drop the hobgoblin he's been shooting.

+1 Light XBow PBS @Blue: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 12 + 1 = 181d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5
+1 Light XBow PBS @Blue: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 1 = 121d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5

Attack 1:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25
Damage: 1d6 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 4 = 17

Attack 2:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
Damage: 1d6 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 4 = 16

Parity will double move to within 10 feet of a giant.

@ Malnival: What are you attacking?

@ Malnival: What are you attacking?

"I'm attacking the DARKNESS!"

DM NomadSage wrote:

@ Malnival: What are you attacking?

"I'm attacking the DARKNESS!"

"I cast... magic missile!"

Will have to assume by Kozaric's lack of response, he's not paying attention, was abducted by aliens, or both...

Round Six

Heng's flurried assault on the giant continues, and though the massive hobgoblin is able to absorb most of the hits, one cracks hard against its knee. With a roar, the giant falls backwards, slamming its head against the stone wall behind. Once down, it does not move again. Kelda slashes at her giant twice, but it blocks them effectively with its club.

Parity turns from the defeated guards in the north wing and heads to the stairs, a few steps behind Kelda. Malnival follows, but moves past to close on one of the southern archers. Harlan keeps firing at the second archer, but to no avail. Skygni, however, latches onto its ankle with a strong bite and yanks the hobgoblin off balance. It falls prone, cursing.

With its partner down, the remaining giant moves a long stride away from Kelda and Heng, swinging at the latter twice. Heng nimbly ducks them both.

Both of the southern guards drop their bows and take up morningstars, attacking Malnival and Skygni, respectively. Both land good hits, even the second from the ground.

Inputs for R7?

Sorry, Heck of a week at police academy. Sometimes no internet and getting in to late to get on computer. Please BOT me when needed.
I also though I still had 2 hobos on me.

Parity takes a 5-foot step forward and then lunges reaching out to strike the giant hobbie up the stairs (-2 to AC for the round).

To hit: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20
miss: 1d100 ⇒ 9,1d100 ⇒ 92
Damage: 1d8 + 1d6 + 12 ⇒ (7) + (6) + 12 = 25

To hit: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
miss: 1d100 ⇒ 75,1d100 ⇒ 20
Damage: 1d8 + 1d6 + 12 ⇒ (6) + (4) + 12 = 22

Crit?: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Round 7
AC:23, hp:87/89, Ki 5/9, Stun 2/9, Cold 6/9, dragon stance, air walk

Heng is inwardly filled with pride as the giant falls before him though no one except perhaps Kelda sees a trace of tusk show from his faint smile. He immediately throws himself at the remaining giant.
step to T-51, flurry

Flurry 1: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28
damage: 1d10 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 1 = 17 + cold: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Flurry 2: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33
damage: 1d10 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 1 = 8 + cold: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Flurry 3: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
damage: 1d10 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 = 9 + cold: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Flurry 4: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
damage: 1d10 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 = 9 + cold: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Crit threat (F2): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26
damage: 1d10 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 1 = 14 + cold: 1d6 ⇒ 4

well, now.

Round 7

"Hang on Mal!"

Harlan moves over to Mal and heals him.

CSW+1 Charge: 3d8 + 11 + 2d8 ⇒ (4, 6, 6) + 11 + (2, 7) = 36

Ugh, I had this post typed up and ready to hit send when the power went out... this is the quick re-do...

@ Malnival: No worries, just work back into the game when you can.

In a whirlwind of movement and attack, Heng closes on the remaining giant and lands a number of punishing punches. Striking vulnerable spots and flawlessly anticipating the giant's attempts at defense, Heng pounds on the foe relentlessly until it succumbs. "Munasukaru!" it roars in agony before crashing to the floor in a mangled heap.

Shocked by how quickly Heng dropped the giant hobgoblin, Parity and Kelda turn to the southern guards. Parity sprints over to attack the prone hobgoblin, leaving a deep cut across its back. Kelda races to Malnival's side, bringing her sword down to leave a critical wound in the second guard's shoulder. Malnival finishes that one off a moment later with a pair of quick scimitar slashes.

Harlan runs over to heal Malnival, while a badly-wounded Skygni witdraws from the melee.

The lone hobgoblin, despite its certain doom, curses group evilly while swinging its morningstar at Parity's crotch. He easily sidesteps the clumsy attack. To meet its end honorably, the hobgoblin stands up.

Draws an AoO from Parity... Inputs for R7?

I'll have a map out later, if required, but the only remaining foe is blue, who is still at X-44. Parity at W-45, Harlan at V-45 and Kelda at V-47.

Round Seven

Parity will cut him down.

to hit: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23
miss: 1d100 ⇒ 97,1d100 ⇒ 100
damage: 1d8 + 12 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 12 + (5) = 21

Gonna need more than that... Further inputs for R8?

Round 8

Sensing the battle drawing to a close and not wishing to waste further spell power, Harlan moves to Skygni while drawing the wand of healing and taps him with it.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

After the above, Skygni will be at 14/30, and Kelda is as 24/77 (post-rage).

Attack 1: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16
Damage: 1d6 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 4 = 13

Round 7
AC:23, hp:87/89, Ki 5/9, Stun 2/9, Cold 6/9, dragon stance, air walk

With each solid impact and crushing blow, Heng's orcish blood rises until he stands over the fallen giant with fangs fully bared. His raging mind only half registers the name called out as he turns to follow Parival against the last foe.

I'm assuming it's a name. I've got plenty of move to W44

+1 frost fist: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23
damage: 1d10 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 1 = 17 + cold: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Parity cuts the hobgoblin as it stands, and Heng moves over to finish it off with a single, crushing hit.

End of Combat!

These hobgoblins are geared like the previous ones, and between them have 4 CSW potions. The giant guards wear and carry large armor and weapons, all masterwork, but little else of monetary value.

The north and south wings are empty but for the arrow slits viewing the trapped central room. The balcony area has two exits, doors leading south and north. All is quiet here except for the low moaning of the hanging victims.

Harlan rubs his chest where the arrows penetrated his armor, then views his injured companions.

Use the potions of CLW and then the wand? Roll up however much healing you need and I'll track the charges.

He taps Skygni with the wand.

Wand CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Wand CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Skygni 30/30

Then Kelda.

Wand CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Wand CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Wand CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Wand CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Wand CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Wand CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Kelda 52/77

Then finishes the group off with a quick spell.

CLW Mass: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

And a wand hit for himself.

Wand CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

16 charges left on the wand, we'll need a new one after this.

Current
AC:23, hp:89, Ki 5/9, Stun 2/9, Cold 6/9

The half-orc's eyes are wide and lips spread back in a savage grin to bare his fans. In fact he looks quite crazed with blood lust in a manner his companions have never seen. The gentle radiance of Harlan's healing spell brings him back to himself. It takes a few moments for the monk to recompose himself and then his complexion darkens again in that rarely seen phenomenon for the orc-blooded, a blush.

The monk wipes the the sheen of sweat from his shaven head and stretches his fingers that were so tightly compressed into fists. He shakes his head as if clearing bad memories, but says nothing.

Finally, the moans of the suffering souls on the doors draws his attention. In a voice cracking from the exertion of the dragon roars, he turns to Harlan. "Can we help them?"

and I'm honestly expecting undead here...
know religion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Not undead... One of the living victims in the trapped room is too far gone, but the other is probably rescue-able.

Harlan looks at the victims helplessly.

"I'm not sure..."

Spellcraft?: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18

What are you spellcrafting?

Trying to sort out the souls and how I might help them.

The one is still alive, a simple healing spell would suffice. The other would need a heal or better to save.

"Sword through the heart could help that one as well," Parity offers

I must still be half asleep, for some reason I was picturing a door with actual souls in it. Teach me for not backtracking the thread.

Harlan reaches out and heals the one that can be saved.

CLW: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

"Nothing to be done for the other. Maybe a swift death to ease his passage."

Harlan's healing stabilizes the living prisoner, who on closer look is a Tian man of perhaps thirty years, but he remains unconcious. His clothes are shredded to rags and covered with blood and grime. Besides being hung from a meat hook, the marks of sadistic torture are all over him.

Parity will dispose of the other prisoner.

... for some reason I was picturing a door with actual souls in it.

ha! my florid language threw ya ; )

"It is probably a mercy Parity, but let the Gods judge who survives and who dies. They have suffered greatly physically and mentally. It will likely take much time for their recovery. Maybe the spirits can help them once we cleans this place."

Parity stays his hand at Hengs cautioning words. Shrugging he returns to listening to the east

Heng gingerly removes the men from the hooks and seeks to make them as comfortable as possible. He digs through his pack until he recovers two small clay vials recovered long ago and half a world away. He gently pours one down the throat of the man in better condition.

clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

pfft. and the other.

clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Malnival stands silently and watches.

Harlan fidgets as the men are cared for.

"I wish I could do more. But I think we're going to need all we have for the...next bit."

If I say it's name it might hear me...

After Heng administers healing to the man, he slowly comes to his senses. He is too weak to react much, but you can clearly see the surprise in his eyes. "What's happened? Who are you?" he asks weakly.

"Do not be alarmed. We have killed the hobgoblins and freed you. How did you come to be here? We had heard that the oni were sealed within."

The man make a feeble sign against evil spirits. "Thank you. I was kidnapped with a few others from my village, a few... uh, some time ago... I'm not sure how long it's been. I don't know of any oni, just these cursed hobgoblins and the crazy old crone they serve like a goddess. They tortured us constantly, or made us watch them torture others." He looks around the area, eyes having trouble focusing. "Did you rescue anyone else?"

"Can you tell us more about the crone? One of the giants yelled something as it died, Munasukaru I believe."

Heng puts a hand on the man's chest, beckoning his to rest. "There is another that suffered as you have. We are uncertain that he will recover."

The man sits up slowly, nodding at Heng's words. "'Munasukaru'... that's what they called her, the crone they worship. She didn't seem much of anything, but she's wicked and sadistic. She only watched as they tortured and killed us... smiling." He shakes his head, shuddering.

He glances at the other victim, and his shoulders slump as he looks away in despair. "Tu, my friend, spirits guard his soul."

"This woman must be the oni. Who else would rule this place? Odd that so many hobgoblins would be here. Heng, do you think we should pause our assault and recover our strength with some good strong chili, or press on?"

I know what I want...

Heng rubs his tattooed scalp considering. "I have avoided injury thus far and my ki remains strong. On the other hand, you've put much effort in healing us, Harlan and these oni have proven difficult foes. What do you think, Parity and Malnival?"

I am prepaired for more combat. As long as Harlan agréés.

I am still full of arcane energies, for the most part and barely scratched. Lets press.

"Ok, let's do this then. Skygni, Kelda?"

Harlan looks to the newly saved man.

"Wait here friend, we'll be back."

Heng puts a hand on the man's shoulder, "There are stairs beyond the door that lead to the surface, however the upper way is full of spider kin and dangerous. If you wait for us, we can lead you to our caravan once we have dealt with the oni."

onward and eastward.

The Hallway of Endless Agonies

The doors to the north and south both lead into the same corridor. Broken bodies, some of which seem to have died where they were tormented, line the walls. None of these victims are alive. The ceiling is arched, and the walls are decorated with carvings and figures of torture and anguish.

At the north end of the hallway is a stone shelf, perched sixty feet above a large cavern. A shaky-looking wooden ladder climbs down from the ledge to the floor of the cavern. The overwhelming roar of a waterfall to the east echoes across the huge chamber.

***

The Great Cavern

Faintly luminescent fungi and the red, glowing embers of burning coals provide you enough light to see most of the cavern clearly. Strange hovels constructed from assorted debris clutter the floor. The waterfall along the north wall crashes into a dark pool while a deep pit runs through the southern portion of the cavern, bridged by two stone arches. So large is the chamber, that a small stone keep has been constructed far away in the gloom to the south. Freshly fallen rocks litter the floor, amid a profusion of animal droppings and fungi. As expected, the stench of rot and manure is powerful.

Over a score hobgoblins are in view, but they are not all like the well-equipped veterans you've recently faced. Just across from the ledge appears to be a kitchen cul-de-sac, where a dozen hobgoblins slave before a blazing fire pit. Others herd a number of boars around the cavern. A couple of the veterans stand guard at the bridges.

Map sent. No one has (yet) noticed you. Actions?

Perception: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (2) + 22 = 24