GM Raltus' Demon Hunting

Game Master Raltus

Unable to get his plate armor on, Khaz grabbed his mace and rushed downstairs. He would have to rely on his goddess to protect him.

Str12 Dex12 Con14 AC11. Let’s see how this goes!

Jocasta bolts upright from her bedroll, sweat beading on her brow. The nightmares are becoming real, she thinks before she grabs for her blade.

Without her breastplate, she is deeply vulnerable, but nevertheless she rushes to join the fray.

There are advantages to lighter armor, one of them is the ability to sleep in it reasonably well. Too bad there seemed so little cause to do so while in the safest place at hand. AC13/T13/F10

Terry grabs his weapons and follows Firinn to the roof, stringing his bow as a final step before moving out into the potential fray.

Lorena groans as she's woken up by the bell. She grabs her spear and other essential gear before calling on the power of the shadows to protect her. She moves carefully down to the ground floor, hoping that nobody will mistake her for the enemy in confusion.

Cloak of Darkness: +4 armor bonus to AC (identical to the mithril shirt) and +2 circumstance bonus to stealth for 1 hour

Firinn sees it first for the party, it looks like 2 lone figures rushing towards Defender's heart. Other archers appear on the roof, some with bows other with crossbows all standing at the ready hoping. Irabeth leads those who are more melee oriented, inside the group sees Aniva try to hobble out to help.

"You stay in here, I don't' want you more injured and we don't need you to be a liability to those who are able to defend with sword and spear." Irabeth tells her wife.

Aniva scowls at her wife but nods at the assessment. Once everyone is outside Irabeth organizes people into a loose formation to meet the enemy. As the two figures draw closer it can be seen that one is an elderly man in armor that seems to be slowing him down, the other is clad in steel, helm on so you cannot see who or what he is, his size betrays him as a man.

Out of the shadows of some buildings comes a group of cultists. "Go! I will delay them." The Steel Clad man shouts, as he does he draws a dull steel long sword, brining the overly large shield he carries to bear. From this distance you can see him swing and Kill swing and kill, each blow looks like it becomes more powerful, as the last cultist goes down. 3 tall demons come from a different angle, one lower's it's head an charges at the steel Clad figure, the horns are blocked by the man's Large shield, another swings what looks like a Halberd at the man scoring a blow.

Answering in return the man cuts a deep furrow in the demon, purple ichor stains the cobble stones. The Older man continues to run towards Defender's heart, he is still about 300 meters out as a 4th demon appears out of an alley way. "Eterrius another of your friends is here!" The old man shouts, the steel clad warrior turns his head, as he does 5 radiant wings sprout from his back as he takes off to help the older man.

They are 300 meter out, 3 demons remain, no Map Theater of the mind, Party is up. They are south of you towards the Noble district on the Kenabres map

Firinn curses quietly, pulls arrows from his quiver and begins to fire smoothly and steadily into the sky.

Attack, -2 range: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 6 - 2 = 10 Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

Khaz stood in formation, watching helplessly. He was in no position to charge forward, and was slow enough that he would likely be outpaced anyways by the fleeing men. He was also completely unable to perform any healing, as he was tapped out for the day. To move forward would just endanger everyone. So he held his ground with the others.

Jocasta moves into position next to Khaz, sword resting easily in hand, her hair disheveled. While her nightgown isn't exactly much protection against demons, she seems resigned to the realities of the situation: This is war, after all, war for survival.

She waits grimly for the demons to advance on their position.

Current range puts me at a net of -2 to attack with my Composite Shortbow, so, yeah.

Seeing the distance between the archers and the demons, Terry curses lightly under his breath and decides to make himself at least somewhat useful. "Shortbows! Let's make sure the longbowmen have enough arrows! With a little luck they'll never get close enough for our arrows to count!"

Terry retrieves a few arrows form the barrel which should be nearby and holds them out for Firinn. With enough paranoia, the barrel might be inside the door, but it should be close to the rooftop archer post.

meters or feet? big difference there...

Hoping that the demons are sufficiently distracted by the fleeing men and the arrows flying from above, Lorena sets out carefully, drawing the shadows about her and staying out of sight as much as she can.

stealth, starting from inside: 1d20 + 11 - 5 ⇒ (16) + 11 - 5 = 22
double move, 25 ft each time, 50 feet up, preferably to a place with some sort of cover or concealment

also, try to identify the demons, especially if they have darkvision:
knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Meter since I am Canadian and we use that,it is 984 feet

Lorena makes her way outside to a dark corner that are in abundance at this time of the night.

Firinn's arrow skitters along the ground well short of his mark

The Older looking man continues to retreat towards Defender's heart, as he gets closer his companion flies towards the closer demon, his long sword cutting deep into the demon but not killing it. The 2 left behind lower their heads and charge forward still to far away to attack anytime soon.

Party can act, 900 feet out

Cripes - 9 range increments. I can't do anything!

Firinn waits, taking a moment to enspell his bow.

Gravity Bow

stealth: 1d20 + 11 - 5 ⇒ (16) + 11 - 5 = 22

Lorena continues her slow but steady approach, though she's still far too far away to do anything.

Move another 50 feet - total 100. I'll probably stop and retreat after 1-2 turns if they don't come significantly closer.

Jocasta takes a moment to ensorcel her dueling sword.

Cast magic weapon.

Khaz held his ground. As he did so he thought that at least if he fell his mace would be found by another paladin. But what would happen on the morrow? He could use it, but could he defend it? The foe was after it. And in his state would he just be taking it to the enemy? Maybe he ought to give it to Irabeth. It would be painful, given how it had taken the form of his goddess’ holy weapon. But this wasn’t about him. It was about the crusade. He couldn’t be selfish about this. He steeled himself. But that was for tomorrow. First he had to survive this night.

The Elderly man, seeing his opening continues to run towards Defender's heart. The Steel Clad warrior cuts the demon down, making what looks like a safe opening for the elderly man to run straight on home.

Party is up, right now the streets are safe, The elderly man is basically at the red arrow on the first map

"Khaz, should we advance to give the old man cover?" asks Jocasta, her fingers flexing on the hilt of her sword.

”Carefully. We are unarmored. We go too far and we’ll need saving ourselves.”

"I'll match your pace."

How far forward are you going? 40' 80'?

40 and doing so carefully, eyes open and weapons out

Lorena moves up yet again, cautiously, still sticking to the shadows. She finds a place to conceal herself and stays put, waiting for the approach of the others.

stealth: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

30 more feet, total 130 away from the start. I'll stick here until you catch up.

Terry and Firinn keep a watch out from on top of Defender's heart, the 3 demons in the back continue to rush forward, they have caught back up to the Armor clad man but as he is currently flying they ignore him and move towards the Elderly man on the ground. The Elderly man continues to run forwards 80' the group moves forward to support him. Diving down on top of one of the Demons' the Armor clad man wounds it but does not kill it.

Firinn the enemies are now 750' out but they will be on the man next round

750'? Out of range for any shortbow, still, then. Inside the 7th increment, so -12 for a composite longbow or -14 for a Longbow. HUGE penalties.

”We can’t reach them, lass.” Khaz said grimly. ”All we can offer is our prayers.”

still holding position, 130 ft out

Attack: 1d20 + 4 - 14 ⇒ (2) + 4 - 14 = -8 Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Firinn once again tries a speculative shot.

The Arrow whistles out of Firinn's bow, the wind catches it driving it well off of course. The elderly man hears this, looking up he smiles a bit and continues to run.

670' out, he cannot keep this up for much longer running 80' a round

The Steel clad figure lays another solid blow into the demon he is fighting, the Demon staggers not dead yet though.

Cricket

Go, team, go! Still out of range for every tool I have to contribute.

Even just intervening to give the man time to retreat would be beneficial

With 20ft movement don’t think I could reach him sprinting. And if I did that might end up fatigued...and I have no ranged weapons. Speaking of which are there any bows around that Khaz could run for?

Problem is, given the ranges involved none of us have much we can do. I can keep wasting arrows, but since its a nat 20 or nothing there isn't much point. Rio isn't large yet so she can't help either.

How? Our going to the rooftop with the archers was a mistake for your goal for this scene, but we had no way of knowing that when it started. Longbowmen can throw "covering fire" at this point (not in the rules, but could be provided a story effect), but the only rules-based opportunities to make a difference are on the ground. A full run for "normal" heroes reduces the distance by 120' a round (80' for short or armored characters). Starting the scene with over 1000' distance made most of this a display, not a participation event. Had they started running immediately, and the armored men fleeing towards us moved so as to maintain some defense, it would take 9 rounds to have the groups reach other from 1000'. It never occurred to me that we would be looking a that sort of range in a Pathfinder rubble-filled ruin of a town. <shrug> Heck, the rules include enough distance penalties for Perception, that spotting a battle from 300' is at a -20 to the Perception roll, after adjusting for the loud sounds of battle. That's to notice the combat, not to spot any details. The rules prevent interaction at these distances.

Whether they should or not is a different long conversation. The rules make the Welsh Longbow impossible, for example. A unit of Welsh bowmen have more in common with siege weaponry in Pathfinder than they do archers. Indiscriminate, indirect fire is an environmental hazard, not use of a weapon or unit.

at 540 feet away, there's literally nothing I can do.

Hmm Ya I never really thought of the distance being that big of an issues, as no one had spells for speed and such prepare.

Speeding things up.

[b]"A burst of speed comes from the elderly man, magic ensorcles him legs pumping he closes triple the distance in the blink of an eye His steel clad companion finishes the demon and takes to the air.

At 200' out, Firinn and the archers set up to lay down some covering fire from the roof top.

Perform...being useful: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

”Come on, ye’re almost there! A wee bit closer and we’ll escort ye in!” Khaz called out as he ran forward 40ft.

Jocasta rushes alongside Khaz, desperately hoping that the two of them can make it in time to save the man during his approach.

Shot!: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 4 - 2 = 13 Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4
Shot!: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 4 - 2 = 20 Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6
Shot!: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 4 - 2 = 19 Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 3
Shot!: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 4 - 2 = 15 Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6
Shot!: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 4 - 2 = 20 Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

If it looks like the demons are going to get the old man I'll throw an Entangle down between them instead of shooting.

Firinn aims and fires, trying his best to deter the demons as the man gets closer.

160' out

Firinn lets arrows fly out of his bow faster than he thought he could ever do. a few find their marks on the demons but only seem to do minor damage.

The demons pour on the speed almost catching up to the Elderly figure. The Armor Clad figure dives down on one of the demons, his sword cutting deep into it, purple ichor stains the cobble stones.

Party UP

40ft move

Khaz kept running...and realized how stupid he was being. Unarmored, cursed with weakness, his reserve of divine power tapped out...what was he doing?! He would need rescuing as much as the old man. But still, he couldn’t stop. He couldn’t just watch as an innocent died...

"Khaz, should we run the rest of the way?" suggests Jocasta as she jogs alongside the dwarf.

If we all-out run for a round we cover 4x speed, which would be 80'. Lose Dex bonus to AC, but only as long as we keep running. We can come up short and ready to fight.

”Alright...fook it let’s go!”

Full run, what’s the worst that could happen?

Terry starts throwing wood downrange as well.

Composite Shortbow in 3rd range increment: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 6 - 4 = 15
Cold Iron Piercing Str Bow: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

A shot in the 200' range? Not expected to let me retcon, but I'll throw numbers on the screen.

Composite Shortbow in 3rd range increment: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 6 - 4 = 15
Cold Iron Piercing Str Bow: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Almost identical numbers. Guess it wouldn't have mattered if I had inserted this above the others since I thought of it after previewing those numbers.

Seeing Jocasta and Khaz charging ahead, Lorena moves up carefully one last time, trying to stay unseen until she can plunge her spear into one of the demons...or at least try to.

move the last 20-25 feet up, strike from stealth (if not noticed) and/or flank.
stealth: 1d20 + 11 - 5 ⇒ (15) + 11 - 5 = 21

attack (cold iron mw longspear vs flatfooted if stealth): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 seriously? come on...
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Firinn shoots a lot to little effect (see above! :))

No reason to waste cold iron arrows, this is is the Cinematic, you get free arrows but they pack no punch :)

The group moves forward to assist the elderly man, "Thank you children." The man says smiling at you, "Eterrius there should be back to us in a minute, he is having to much fun slaying demons." At this last comment Eterrius kills the final demon that is closet, the others back off into allies giving what you would take as rude gestures.

The old man is played by Deckard Cain from Diablo

”Is he now? Good. He’ll keep them busy, but let’s get ye inside. We’ll keep ye safe as we move. Jocasta, take him in. I’ll hold the rear.”

And by Hold the rear he means having 20ft move speed

Jocasta wavers a moment, then says, "Don't hesitate and put yourself at risk, Khaz. We're in a very vulnerable state out here." She herds the old man closer to Defender's Heart while keeping her sword handy.

"Well, as long as he doesn't get too distracted out there... Let's go." Her efforts having made little impact, Lorena begins to move back slowly, making sure to stay near Khaz.

it may or may not seem like she just pops out of nowhere, depending on whether you've been paying attention or not :D