DM Pendin Fust Wrath of the Righteous - Group B (Inactive)

Game Master theheadkase

"Just think! We could be your role models Nurah", Cassandra puts in, slightly amused by the idea of Nurah considering Cassandra a role model considering her previous dislike.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

Diplomacy, 2 known assists, surge: 1d20 + 10 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (19) + 10 + 4 + (1) = 34

Sir Bastion stands and extending his arm to help Nurah also stand up,

"Well Nurah, well you walk back into the Redeemer's Light."

Cassandra, it looks like you need some healing per your stat line. hp 35/352

Assist to diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

The elven wizard awkwardly points out that the alternative is to flee back to the demons that tortured her, which does not seem to help.

Nurah shakes her head, tears glinting in the torchlight, "I just...I don't...I'm sorry." She collapses in a pile, sobbing. Aron rushes forward and starts to cradle her, when the sound of a drawing sword breaks the tableau. Aron looks up and says, "Sosiel! What are you doing?"

Sosiel points the sword at Nurah. "She has betrayed us. I do not intend to kill, but I do not trust her. As guilty as you feel, Aron, you cannot let your emotions overtake you so. Bind her. We can deal with her on the morrow, after we've slept."

As Nurah is bound, she makes no attempt to resist, only sniffling in response. The night passes uneventfully after.

In the morning, Sosiel and Aron meet you outside the tent where Nurah is kept. Sosiel asks, "Now that night has passed and we've slept, what shall we do with her? Send her back? I do not know that we can spare any men or time. Our only other option is to bring her with us, and give her chance to rectify herself."

This should be it, your decision with what to do with her, then we'll move back to the battle.

I am inclined to follow my goddess example of Her Eighth Act and let Nurah take the long path of redemption. But also like my goddess, if I am played the fool and deceived that she is following the path, there will be no second chance. I will offer my support to Nurah as best I can, and that is all I can offer at this time. So I will take responsibility for Nurah."

The wizard concurs with Sir Bastion's plan and goes to ready his gear for travel and battle. Among that gear he carries the 4 vials of Shadowblood and he wonders how he might turn such an evil thing to their cause.

My apologies. Did you all decide on tactics for the tactics phase of Mass Combat? I will check back later today and update the phases (gosh...i really hate how i've let time get away from me)

I was looking at the Mass Combat guide and I can't see a reason not to use the Ambush condition.

The description of what the tieflings have done to crusaders remains at the ford can only be answered one way, the annihilation of their forces.

After careful consideration in his first command position, Sir Bastion orders the Knights of Kenabres to position themselves around the intended battlefield so that they may ambush the tiefling army. In this position the army will be able to perform a flanking maneuver with both their longbows and longswords.

So the Army of Kenabres will take advantage of the Ambush condition, and will choose the Expert Flankers tactics for the battle (+2 OM/-2 DV).

Knights of Kenabres
HP 16
DV 16; OM +10 ranged
Speed 3; Morale +5
Commander Sir Bastion (Cha +4, Prof(Soldier) 4, Leadership 8, no boons)

[Dice=Ambush]1d20+8
If I read the phases correctly, the chosen tactic is not part of the condition check.

Sir Bastion has posted this a while back.

Yep, as Skorn posted... had a 19 modified result on the Ambush roll, but I can make another if you want. Additionally I had made the ranged attack phase rolls. I have included our ranged phase below.

I am going to be tied up for the test of the day, so gonna do our next phase early.

Range Phase
Tactic expert flankers
[dice=Ranged Weapons(Longbows)]1d20+8+2 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 2 = 30
Current DV 16

Knights of Kenabres
HP 16
DV 18; OM +8 ranged
Tactic expert flankers [+2 OM/-2 DV], standard, withdraw
Resource improved armor, improved weapons(mwk cold iron), mounts, ranged weapons(longbows)
Special aura of courage [immune to fear, auto Morale vs rout], channel positive energy [+1d4 dmg vs undead or heal army], divine health [immune to disease], lay on hands [+1d4 dmg vs undead or heal army], mercy [cure diseased ally army], smite evil [+2 OM vs evil army, +4 OM vs undead or evil outsider armies], spellcasting
Speed 3; Morale +1; Consumption 5
Commander Sir Bastion [Cha +4, Prof(Soldier) 4, Leadership 8, no boons]

Thanks...couldn't find it for some reason! And holy crap that roll!

Bastion's leadership proves effective as the army's flankers silently creep into range of the tiefling army without them noticing. A hail of arrows falls upon them, most of them dying before realizing they are under attack. By the time any of the tieflings realize and try to defend...a second volley cuts them down. The battle is over before it has truly begun.

The paladins cheer and you are all swept up in enjoyment for a few brief moments.

Aron and Sosiel counsel you to scavenge what gear and supplies you can from the tiefling army. Aron mentions that whatever you find can only help to rebuild Drezen if the opportunity presents itself...goods can turn into gold easily enough.

When searching the buildings of the garrison, a few survivors are found in one stone building. One of them, a badly bruised and beaten female paladin named Kamilo Dann, is a sergeant, the highest ranking soldier left. The dozen or so survivors are in terrible condition, and unfit to go with your army, but they do mention that they heard a greater army lies somewhere north of a place called Keeper's Canyon. Kamilo, finally, volunteers to lead the survivors back to Kenabres. Queen Galfrey needs to know about the loss of the garrison at the ford.

"Sound advise Aron and Sosiel. We should try to recover what we can, and not leave valuable supplies for our enemies. We can have the Knights of Kenabres look for gear and supplies while we search for survivors."

"Also spread the word to keep an eye open for Brimorak demon that Aron said was leading them. Our attack was swift and we may have removed one of the lesser leaders."

Lastly Sir Bastion makes sure to not all of Sgt. Dann's observations and intelligence on their own map.

That evening, the mood in the camp is elated. The paladin army have tasted victory and spirits run high. Kamilo and the survivors are exuberant in living, although tinged with sadness at the horror and loss they suffered.

The next morning, the army packs and departs, Kamilo and her dozen survivors heading back towards Kenabres. You head north along the western banks of the West Sellen river. The sky seems darker and...ominous. Vegetation is scarce and eventually missing over the next day of travel. The ground is desolate and unforgiving. The joy that was present the previous day is muted and eventually extinguished under the oppressive feeling pervading the region.

As you come to Keeper's Canyon, according to your scouts and the reports from Kamilo, you see the gorge where the now dry riverbed would have fed into the West Sellen. Aron rides back near the end of day and reports that there appears to be two armies waiting in the gorge near some ruins. One, a tiefling army roughly double the size of the previous, and the other a small force of demons he names dretches.

Paritosh looks at his companions, "do you think they are ready to feel the wrath of the Inheritor?"

Where we able to find any supplies or goods? Also any results from looking for the Brimorak demon?

Brimorak? Sorry I must have missed that...and if I posted about a brimorak I must be brainfarting...

Units of food and water found: 1d6 ⇒ 4
You also found 3 units of goods in weapons/armor/tools

Brimorak? Sorry I must have missed that...and if I posted about a brimorak I must be brainfarting...

From Here

Aron mentions a cackling, goat-faced demon who seems to be in charge. Nurah perks up and asks about it. Based on the description, Nurah calls it a Brimorak demon.

Assume with Nurah's knowledge you know all about any creatures she identifies.

Thanks Paritosh...I should be less idiotic now that I've finally finished some hellish data scrubbing for a client.

Ok, So I guess back to the next battle. Your post said Aron rides back at the end of the day with his report. Are we at a point in the day that we would be suffering from a Dim-Light or Darkness Battle Condition? If possible, I am sure we would prefer to fight during the day to eliminate those disadvantages.

Additionally, if we think we can hold off the battle until the daytime, could we attempt to infiltrate their encampments and remove their leaders/commanders? You had mentioned in an earlier post there may be things others could do outside of the actual mass combat phases.

I feel compelled to warn you that "sneaking" is not a core competency for Paritosh.

Yes, you would be in the evening and there would be dim light. I am all for you attempting to infiltrate! I will put up a map if/when you stealth up to the camp.

The map has been updated, feel free to roll sneak if you are going to go into the enemy encampment and do some stuff...any battle can potentially be avoided by doing exactly what Bastion suggested. Position yourselves as well for any plan you have.

WOOT!!! Action time!!!

What time of day or natural lighting conditions are we under? And I would suggest approaching from the NE corner so we can use the tents as cover. I can also cast an obscuring mist for us to fall back into when we get ready to leave. Who else is coming on this raid/attack?

Maybe our new cleric companion can cast a silence spell for the group?

I'm happy to go, just recognize that at -5, stealth is not my forte!

Arc falls in with Sir Bastion taking his direction. I've not studied such tactical situations from an army point of view. I am yours to direct.

I could cast silence, but would prefer casting it on a moveable object like a rock or something. While holding it you avoid making any noise, but in battle you can throw it so that it wouldn't destroy most of the spell casting we could do. For obvious reason's, id prefer to avoid having a silence spell anywhere in close proximity towards me.

Sorry Cassandra, was your response also an acknowledgement that you would be joining us on the raid/attack? Also I would expect no different of a use of the silence spell.

Arcessentes, this would not be an army maneuver, but an opportunity for our characters to interact directly with our opponent(s). Maybe take out their leader before the army portion of this upcoming battle.

I am merely suggesting a direction we can approach to minimize our detection and possible spell that would aid us in the approach or direction of of our withdrawl.

I could but would almost prefer not to. Its not that I am unwilling, but more that Cassandra is really terrible at stealth, and it could easily result in losing the element of surprise. So long as she's not in the way, you can bet she will help.

Cassandra's idea is pretty sound. If you do so, gain a +20 bonus to your stealth roll.

SWEET! Now I have a +15!

"Let's go!"

Stealth: 1d20 - 5 + 20 ⇒ (12) - 5 + 20 = 27

Sir Bastion leaves with group in their endeavor to end the battle before it even begins.

Slipping through the country side to the enemies encampment, he approaches with the others.

Stealth: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4
+20 if Cassandra is joining us, as I am still unsure if it was a yes or a no on joining us.

I'll come with. Remember that Silence has a really limited duration at this level, and I don't have a sense of the distance we have to travel, but I'll cast the spell regardless.

Stealth: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

The spell wouldn't be used until we were close enough to use it effectively. Most likely as part of our rush into the camp, 3-4 rounds. Additionally, you could use your mythic ability to cast the spell with a +2 caster level. I have the same ability but I would be a 3rd level caster compared to your 6th level caster.

Arc casts Mage Armor before joining the team.

He is as quiet as he can be.

Stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

I'm good with the stealth plan. Should I take the lead and - if so - where are we trying to get to? Are we looking to find/stealth kill a leader? Also, what type of creatures are in this army? I might use my scale to alter self to blend in better and maybe get a bit of a stealth advantage.

Aron rides back near the end of day and reports that there appears to be two armies waiting in the gorge near some ruins. One, a tiefling army roughly double the size of the previous, and the other a small force of demons he names dretches.

We are attempting to find a leader and possibly end the battle before it begins or at least give them a disadvantage of being leaderless.

The "paladin" is leading a sneaky assassination mission!"

Thanks for the reminder, Bastion. The interwebz is still going a bit slow for me so cycling back through the thread is a painful effort. Since I can't impersonate a Tiefling, when we get close to the army, I'll transform into a nasty looking half-orc for 19 minutes for the darkvision and strength bennies.

Reiko moves quietly through the camp, heading towards the most impressive tents.

Stealth: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

If this goes sideways or incredibly well, we may want to arrange a signal with our army to launch their attack - setting a tent on fire, launching flare, or the like.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12 good thing you're all +20 to stealth with that silence spell....

You successfully infiltrate. Tell me which tent you want look at by updating the map with your icons. Also let me know which direction you're approaching the encampment from.

Big square tent? Or maybe round blue tent? Two guards outside of the big square tent...

My suggestion was to come from the NE, using the large number of tents in that area to help mask our approach. Maybe in order 1, 2, 3 (added numbers on map)

I'd like to check out the blue tent on the way... it might be sleeping tent of some high mucky-muck while the other tent is the Command tent. So I was thinking your NE approach, then #1, then I'll make a quick snoop of the blue tent then meet you guys at #2, and then go on to #3?

Use your detect evil and detect magic guys those will work through tent walls just fine.

Good thought Paritosh :)

You sense evil and magic coming from the big, square, orange tent. The blue tent has a feeling of residual magic (and evil) but it doesn't feel active. The guards are half-heartedly going about their duty, obviously lulled into complacency with numbers and location inside the borders of the Worldwound.

As you creep along towards the blue tent you quickly duck behind some wagons as a sentry walks past. You slip into the circular blue tent and find a sleeping space with a mattress and frame, a small writing desk, and a round table with a plate of half-eaten meat on it. There's a trunk at the end of the bed. No living creatures can be seen inside.

Paritosh points towards Reiko and motions her to the trunk.

Arc casts Detect Magic and surveys the scene, trying to discern what type of creature uses this place based on the meal. matress and other furnishings. He then goes over the the writing desk and looks it over.

Reiko cautiously approaches the chest, checks it for traps, and then proceeds to try opening it.

Perception (Trap Finding): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Disable Device: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29 w/MW Tools

Sir Bastion will maintains his concentration of detect evil while facing the tent entrance.

60' cone to detect any evil coming into the cone.

Reiko does indeed find a trap on the trunk, a simple blade on a spring which she easily disarms. Inside she finds nothing but some vials of dark, sticky-looking liquid.

Arc, meanwhile, detects some magic but it has faded. He can see that this tent is used, but by nothing humanoid. The indentations on the bed and the lingering magical aura would suggest a demon of some sort.

Discussion! Please feel free to discuss anything.

Please also give me your timezones here.

Arcane support reporting in. I am very happy to be posting here - thanks for the chance to play. Also very impressed with how quickly you made your selections. Impressive.

If anyone has any comments or recommendations on my build I will happily listen. I look forward to playing with this group very much!

And I am in the Central Time Zone (Alabama for those who might be interested.)

Checking in! Can't wait to start! PST

I had my choices on a spreadsheet and rated them as I reviewed initially. I went through a couple reviews and changed any ratings I gave initially where I thought it was needed. Ravana threw me a curveball which prompted the decision for 2 games. So it made it really easy to have the selections up. I try not to make any "picks" until the last 3 days of selection. Then I have to tweak my 1st set of picks based on party balance/experience of players.

If anyone is interested in shared backstories or just wants to RP a bit please do so in the gameplay thread. I'll be posting the intro this weekend sometime.

Also, please put basic info like Mirel did in your profile so it shows up under your name...makes my life SOOOOOO much easier.

Mine is there in the spoiler. You prefer to not have it in spoiler?

Oops! I didn't see the spoiler...thanks! But the message serves for everyone else too :)

"Pssh, thanks? Whatever. Like I wasn't gonna get picked to kick some demon butt, I mean heck just look at how.. hey they tossing the bones over there? I'll be right back, just gonna get me a little extra spending coin."

Despite Lirrathan's opinion, thank you for selecting me. I actually found out from a player in one of the games I run congratulating me. I had been doing Honey-do chores all morning.

I'm EST, but as a shift worker, my hours are always changing. So, I post anytime I can get on.

Hey Lorrathan, you and I were born to clash. We are pretty much opposites. Law an chaos. Outdoor ranger and book worm. Living with other elves and raised by humans. Arcesentes will not know what to do with you. He has spent very little time with other elves since there are so few in the area. Interesting that we are both neutral in what is suppose to be a "good" Campaign. I hope we will become fast friends...

Mwaahahahaahahaha!

It would be almost sad if Lirrathan was used as a model for elven behavior. He has the free spirit thing down, but otherwise that's about it. Sadly, given Lirrathan's personality, he would most likely have nothing but snarky comments, as that's just all part of his 'charm'.

Howdy! I made it. Update the profile with a cheat-sheet for the judge. Got it.

I still have one outstanding language. Anyone have any recommendations? He already knows Common and Abyssal. I figure both of those are going to be important. (And I need to write a basic description.)

Hello guys! I am very happy to be here. Looking forward to play with you all.

@Terry: Maybe one of the human languages. I picked up Kellid.

Good advice, Emil. A little time looking through the Golariopedia and I think I should pick up Hallid, as the more native human language of the area.

Terry's SUPPOSED to be a local, anyway!

EDIT:

I forgot to say it: Central (Texas)

A melee ranger, inquisitor, cleric, wizard, and rogue. Pretty well-balanced group mechanically, though we will probably need to be careful/tactically aware during combat.

Melee rangers and melee inquisitors are both usually strikers and not tanks. No one has a con higher than 13. I see a lot of sound builds but no one can take a hit. Mirel has a con of 10 making her particularly fragile for a front liner. We will have to finesse things. :)

That's why this group got the cleric :-)

I don't plan on being exactly up front lol 15 feet away whipping demons sounds good to me ;)

That's why this group got the cleric :-)

Roflol

By the way GMT-3, Brasil.

Emil is a melee guy but his main weapon is a reach one, so his ideal place would be second line.

EDIT: Just realised there is no such language called kellid. The kellid people speak hallid, so thats the one I picked too.

Okay, so for the campaign traits, we have:

Touched by Divinity - Emil (Gozreh), Mirel (Calistria)
Riftwarden Orphan - Arcessentes
Chance Encounter - Terry, Lirrathan

I don't know if any of you had wanted to link up backstories, I think Terry and I having the closest opportunity with the trait. The only problem is my event was about 70 years earlier, so it could make things difficult.

Well, the shared trait info on Chance Encounter very much talks about having them be different events, and the connection being formed based on the common interaction with the Desnan archer.

I don't see any difficulty there.

So, I started with a portable Alchemy lab. (what else is a wizard gonna spend money on. :) )If anyone has left over gold I would be pleased to turn that resource into alchemicals at the crafting price, which I believe is half retail.

DM, Are you ok with Arcessentes having scribed a scroll or crafted an alchemical before we begin?

Yes, but the beginning of this AP is unlike any I've seen...so maybe we should do the intro (soon as I get home today) and then we can retroactively have that stuff if need be.

Sure. :)

Sorry, I would have posted sooner, but I didn't even realize there were posts in the gameplay thread yet. For some reason I was waiting to se a (# new) pop up, I don't know why.

There are posts in the Gameplay thread? I guess because I have not dotted it yet it is not showing me that.

6 different posters in the gameplay thread! Huzzah!

The opening scene is probably one of the coolest I've read published.

And now, Arcessentes, you see why I was hesitant to say what equipment was included at the start of your adventure. :) There are special notes for the GM at this time talking about what equipment might have been potentially lost or what people were ACTUALLY carrying with them. I've got a couple of funny scenes planned around the items that survived the fall.

I will NOT break any weapons/armor or class skill animal companions. But some of the flavor items (like camping gear or foodstuffs) might be missing for now.

I agree - different sort of start for an AP. And I doubt that Arcessentes would have an alchemy lab with him at the celebration. It would be back where ever he was staying. Not sure I understand the point though. Are you saying that attended objects we wear or carry could be broken from what has happened? Interesting. Hard to imagine breaking a scroll. :)

Well, the leaving stuff at home type thing was more what it was about. But falling rocks and whatnot could cause some damage to other items. I could also see really hyperrealistic GM/groups losing equipment in the initial attack and all that.

Net effect is that I lost more than half my starting gold already - If we do not get back to the surface. That is plenty harsh. :) Wishing I had just bought some scrolls I think.

Net effect is that I lost more than half my starting gold already

Me, too.

Ah, well. That's how the story goes. Things can be replaced. In the D20 system, they get replaced a LOT.

I like and dislike it. I like it because the story is supposed to impart the suddenness and ferocity of the attack and impart some horror onto the players. I dislike it because all the stuff you purchased that shows dedication to the character...gets taken away.

I'm torn as to what Lirrathan would/wouldn't have on him. His weapons and armor, no doubt. His hip flask and belt pouch with his whetstone, for certain. The only question is whether he would have his backpack, bedroll, rations, and waterskin. He is staying in town, but I don't know if he would leave his stuff at the inn or anything, as a gambler he is ready to skip out on a debt at a moment's notice. Then again, they are just bulk traveling items, and something he could fairly cheaply replace if needed. All the same, if he needs to skip town, he may need food water and a bedroll.

It doesn't matter to me either way, I leave it up to you, I was just thinking about it and could see it either way.

I assume that Mirel has her weapons and armour, holy symbol, and spell component pouch and the rest is wherever she was staying

Lirrathan, storywise it sounds like your character would DEFINITELY have his stuff with him. Gambler...in a town with a festival going on...yeah.

Mirel, if that makes sense for you character :)

I said it to the other group and it's true here too...this is going to be fun! You all are making my story better than it could have been by itself!

I'll wait a bit for Emil's character reaction and then will post the next segment.

Map is up. This group can click on the WotR - B link under my name.

The characters are positioned as I kind of thought where your character was located in approximation to each other. Feel free to rearrange though.

Now, I haven't gone in combat yet, but since I was rooting through the rubble (and the pair of maggots are likely dead before my turn anyways), is it okay if I move my icon to beside the rubble? I would think right about in the middle (Lirrathan is self-centered after all), next to the number 2.

Yes feel free to move all your icons around!

I will agree, I felt like I was just adding on picking up the scales after the fact, even though in character Lirrathan was going to grab them for their presumed value anyways.

So, are people really not going to introduce themselves?

Arc and Terry made their introductions to each other, Lirrathan introduced himself twice with no response from anyone, and the nobleman bragged about who he is. Beyond that we have 4 people still who have yet to give us a name to go on, and before long they will end up with Lirrathan given nicknames that he will more than likely use throughout.

As for the scale interest, Terry and I had actually began with looking through the rubble for useful items (I included that I was looking for valuable items as well) before the combat began. So it's not really a sudden interest just because they were numbered or called out.

Sorry if Lirrathan's attitude is a little grating, he's really just about having fun, and saving his own skin. He's not against helping others, but he's also not always going to stick his neck out for them either. A little bit of a survival of the fittest mentality, and he personally thinks he's the fittest, at least where he is now.

Whenever I have PC's with possibly abrasive personalities, I try to apologize up front, and make sure it's clear they are only his issues. At the same time, I don't push the "I can be an @$$hat because of my alignment" concept. He will still play well with others, and be a part of a team, because to him playfully talking trash and teasing the party is all in good fun.

If it becomes an issue, or one of you find it too irritating, just let me know and I'll dial him back.

I haven't seen any issues that bother me a a player.

I stated my opinion as a player on the scales already, I think. The metagame that each of the PCs are supposed to have a scale seems pretty obvious (whether it is right or not is a different story). Because I'm not IN the story, it makes sense to me to just distribute the randomly and get on with life (as it were).

The thief in-game should be less generous, but the thief isn't actually trying to help other people enjoy themselves. I am.

Sorry all, I got a little lost in my own thoughts while reading :)

I'll have a post up tomorrow (today is jammed pack full of work and church) about the scales. I missed that Terry had started collecting already.

As far as anything useful when you started searching, Lirrathan, you wouldn't have any reason to think the scales were immediately useful after what just happened. You'd be thinking about food and weapons and such. Which you did :)

True, but in the same post where I searched the rubble, the perception check says:
"looking through the rubble for anything useful (valuable works too)."

He would have grabbed at least one for its supposed value (whether he knows what it is really worth or not).

Mirel just hasn't gotten around to introductions yet, as she has been too busy making sure everyone was safe/fighting/getting people walking...

Lirrathan, fair enough :)

I like my scale just fine, but would there be any issue trading them around the group?

Oh I fully expected some funny scenes between characters regarding the scales. And I'm quite pleased that BOTH groups decided to have someone grab 2 of the scales :)

Decided? It was pure instinct! <eg>

Drat.

The main reason Emil grabbed a scale is to try ressurect the dragon one day, or at least have someone do it...

Need to warm you guys about something the DM malready knows. I am leaving today for vacations and will spend the next 2 weeks on the road. The first week I will be camping at the nevada desert so no internet connection. Should be able to find some hotspots on the second week when I get back to civilization. Please bot Emil as needed. Have a good one guys.