Uzziah glares at the rest of his group, but remains silently quivering with rage. He closes his eyes and takes a few deep breaths. The quivering stops and the elf begins walking to the exit.
Male Chaotic Good Half-Orc Warpriest 9/Bloodrager 1 | HP 85/85 (rage: 100/115; 7 non-lethal) | AC 21 T 11 FF 20 (rage: -2) | CMB +13, CMD 24 | F +16(19), R +9, W +14(18) | | Init +1 | Perc +10 SM +8 | Speed 40' |Fervor 9/9 |Bloodrage 16/16 | Blessings 7/7 | Sacred Weapon 9/9 | Sacred Armor 9/9 | Active Conditions: Haste, Delay Poison, Defending Bone (45/45) |
Tull is also perplexed by the Elf's angry reaction. "Hey, Uzziah, we could really use your help! Stugbu is still toe to toe with that succubus. Do you have any spells that could be helpful against her?"
Out of character, Uzziah, I don't know whether this is your character that is mad about something (connected to all the detect thoughts stuff that you were doing earlier that I never really understood?), or your player?
My apologies all, for some unknown reason I thought that the fight was over. After rereading I still do not know why I thought that. With y'alls permission I'd like to retcon that last post.
'Vincent' gives a smug smirk as the darkness vanishes. He locks his eyes on to the succubus and gathers psychic power.
Casts Mental Block DC 21 SR:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
He channels that power to invade the succubus' mind and block several procedural memories.
That does overcome the SR. Unfortunately the demon resists the mental invasion.
The elf tries to cripple the succubus with a mental block, but she only snarls at him and resumes her assault. Once more, dark energy assaults Stugbu and she drains his life force. 23 damage to Stugbu, and she heals again.
Ember | HP 57/57 (fast healing 1) | NOW: AC 26 t 20 ff 21 | AC 22 t 20 ff 17 | F +7, R +12, W +10 | | Init +5 | Perc +10, darkvision 60 ft | 60 ft fly | B. Perf. 19/19 | Spells 1st 6/6 2nd 4/4 | Active cond.: Mage Armor
Internal Alchemist 8 HP67/67 Fast Healing 4/4 | AC 20, T 12, FF 20 Uncanny Dodge| Fort +11, Ref +10, Will +5 | Init +2 | Perc +12, 60' Darkvision, Bombs (13/13) Fly (8/8) Effects: Ant Haul
Luurg rubs his belly in thought as to best help the fight... he pulls out another banana and eats it down, his arms gaining length as before. He reaches over and picks up his spear and grins. "Kyra can you move sum? Luurg's gut a spear to poke wid!"
Long arm. Picked up spear. Luurg can enlarge if I want even more reach but things seem pretty tight here.. I moved Vincent to have LOS on the succi. Kyra can still reach in to touch Stugbu around the corner, where we'd have cover from our attacks from that position.
Stugbu continues to single-mindedly take on the succubus one-on-one, seemingly oblivious to everything else going on around him. Calling on more of his goddesses' divine healing, he strikes once more at the evil demon in front of him. "Just give up, bad lady! Dawnflower will protect and heal me...but you going to die if we keep fighting like this!"
Stugbu would be happy to take a 5' step backwards as long as the intent is to try and lure the succubus to step forward on her next turn, not for someone to move in to his vacated space. Despite his recent run of bad rolls, I think Stugbu is best placed to go toe-to-toe given both his potential damage and access to healing.
As it stands, Luurg has reach so could move in behind Stugbu to attack and anyone with ranged attacks can reach her.
My intent was to give Luurg and Tull better access to damage her, not replace Stubgu, who's been doing an absolute workload on her. But whatever you guys think best. Perhaps Luurg's reach can keep her from DDooring away? If he steps forward and Stugbu moves diagonally. Stugbu'll still be in reach of the Succubus unless she decides to stand there 10 feet from our reach user.
Stugbu won't be able to 5' step diagonally due to the hard corner, he'd have to go straight back. Perhaps safest he just stay where he is for now, unless there's a groundswell for him to take the 5' step now?
The rules on moving around corners is part of the 'Diagonals' section. One of those things you just remember after the first time it really comes in combat, though.
Diagonals:
When measuring distance, the first diagonal counts as 1 square, the second counts as 2 squares, the third counts as 1, the fourth as 2, and so on.
You can’t move diagonally past a corner (even by taking a 5-foot step). You can move diagonally past a creature, even an opponent.
You can also move diagonally past other impassable obstacles, such as pits.
Internal Alchemist 8 HP67/67 Fast Healing 4/4 | AC 20, T 12, FF 20 Uncanny Dodge| Fort +11, Ref +10, Will +5 | Init +2 | Perc +12, 60' Darkvision, Bombs (13/13) Fly (8/8) Effects: Ant Haul
Stugbu should stay put. Considering Luurg's bad rolls today and the cover penalty, he may just assist Stugbu's attack since he's tearing her up when he hits. We'll win this war.
Male Chaotic Good Half-Orc Warpriest 9/Bloodrager 1 | HP 85/85 (rage: 100/115; 7 non-lethal) | AC 21 T 11 FF 20 (rage: -2) | CMB +13, CMD 24 | F +16(19), R +9, W +14(18) | | Init +1 | Perc +10 SM +8 | Speed 40' |Fervor 9/9 |Bloodrage 16/16 | Blessings 7/7 | Sacred Weapon 9/9 | Sacred Armor 9/9 | Active Conditions: Haste, Delay Poison, Defending Bone (45/45) |
When Tull's turn comes up again Tull reaches out and touches Stugbu on the shoulder. "May the butterfly be with you!"
Using War Mind to grant a benefit to Stugbu. Duration is 1 minute and he needs to choose which benefit he wants (for that round) at the start of each round.
War Mind (minor): At 1st level, you can touch an ally and grant it a tactical advantage for 1 minute. At the start of its turn each round, it can select one of the following bonuses: +10 feet to base land speed, +1 dodge bonus to AC, +1 insight bonus on attack rolls, or a +1 luck bonus on saving throws. Each bonus selected lasts for 1 round.
Attacking furiously but with a clear appearance of fear, Avalexi slashes at Stugbu. Fighting defensively for a -4 to attack and a +2 to AC. Stugbu gets hit once for 12 damage. Her AC is now 28, touch 17 so you can determine whether a hit occurs. (You've been fighting her long enough to get a good idea of what will hit or not.)
Internal Alchemist 8 HP67/67 Fast Healing 4/4 | AC 20, T 12, FF 20 Uncanny Dodge| Fort +11, Ref +10, Will +5 | Init +2 | Perc +12, 60' Darkvision, Bombs (13/13) Fly (8/8) Effects: Ant Haul
Luurg steps up a bit and pokes his spear at the evil woman, trying to distract her while Stugbu goes to town with that awesome sword! "Bad people lose. The power of fruit will win!" He gently pokes at her leg, trying to tickle her with his leaves.
Ember | HP 57/57 (fast healing 1) | NOW: AC 26 t 20 ff 21 | AC 22 t 20 ff 17 | F +7, R +12, W +10 | | Init +5 | Perc +10, darkvision 60 ft | 60 ft fly | B. Perf. 19/19 | Spells 1st 6/6 2nd 4/4 | Active cond.: Mage Armor
spontaneous healing 2nd Lvl ‘heat metal ‘ on Stugbu :2d8 + 5 ⇒ (1, 4) + 5 = 10
Oh sorry I edited to get rid of the roll but overlooked getting rid of the description. I thought that the two sizes difference would allow him to share Stugbu's space and use aid another but then I checked and saw that it needs to be THREE. So I eliminated that part.
Archie has a 0 reach so he can't aid another unless he's in the square of the enemy.
That strike would have hit except that she was using fighting defensively. Oh, and I forgot to roll a will save against the Mind Block at the end of her turn.
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
Uzziah, you can sense your mental block is still in place.
As for initiative, it is mute because there is 1 enemy. Therefore, after it acts, we can all go.
'Vincent' sighs in relief that the mental partitions remain in her mind. Now to ensure they stay...
Casts Thought Worm l
Thought Worm I DC 19:
School enchantment (compulsion) [mind-affecting]; Level psychic 2
Casting
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components S
Effect
Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target one creature
Duration 1 round/level
Saving Throw Will partial (see text); Spell Resistance yes
Description
You implant a minor suggestion within the target creature’s psyche that makes it less inclined to resist mental intrusion. The target creature takes a –2 penalty on Will saves against all mind-affecting spells and effects for the duration of the spell.
Ember | HP 57/57 (fast healing 1) | NOW: AC 26 t 20 ff 21 | AC 22 t 20 ff 17 | F +7, R +12, W +10 | | Init +5 | Perc +10, darkvision 60 ft | 60 ft fly | B. Perf. 19/19 | Spells 1st 6/6 2nd 4/4 | Active cond.: Mage Armor
Male Chaotic Good Half-Orc Warpriest 9/Bloodrager 1 | HP 85/85 (rage: 100/115; 7 non-lethal) | AC 21 T 11 FF 20 (rage: -2) | CMB +13, CMD 24 | F +16(19), R +9, W +14(18) | | Init +1 | Perc +10 SM +8 | Speed 40' |Fervor 9/9 |Bloodrage 16/16 | Blessings 7/7 | Sacred Weapon 9/9 | Sacred Armor 9/9 | Active Conditions: Haste, Delay Poison, Defending Bone (45/45) |
Yes, but I'm not sure whether or not the GM is waiting for me to act or whether I've already acted in this particular round.
On Tull's next turn: Tull waits until just after Stugbu's next attack on the succubus. Immediately after this attack, Tull reaches out and taps Stugbu on the shoulder again, this time giving him the benefit of Glorious Presence for 1 minute (War Mind remains in effect as well).
Glorious Presence:
Glorious Presence (minor): At 1st level, you can touch an ally and grant it a glorious blessing. For 1 minute, the ally becomes mesmerizing to her foes. This functions as sanctuary (DC 14), except if the ally attacks an opponent, this effect ends with respect to only that opponent. This is a mind-affecting effect.
(Note that Glorious Presence will end as soon as Stugbu makes his next attack on the succubus, but hopefully it might prevent her from being able to attack him on her turn).
Uzziah was the last PC I was waiting on for that turn.
Uzziah:
You sense that your thought worm failed -- and what is worse, your previous mental block is crumbling against the powerful fiend's will. By her next turn, she will be able to cast spells and use skills again.
The Succubus continues to attack, with less caution as she strikes against Stugbu. The sanctuary effect seems to have no effect on her. 16 damage to Stugbu.
Drawing strength from the support of his friends and his faith in his god, Stugbu's blow strikes the succubus straight in the heart. As the blade sinks into her chest, dark blood bursts out from her body and she screams an ear-piercing scream into the room. At the same moment, the emblem of the Dawnflower on the paladin's chest seems to glow with radiant light for a moment, as the pure faith of the big half-orc channels the power of his god into the killing blow.
Withdrawing his sword from her chest, Stugbu turns to his new friends and smiles a huge, tusky grin. "See! Good guys always win!"
The body of the succubus collapses onto the floor. "I..impossible..." she manages to gasp before expiring.
As the succubus dies, the aura of dread and evil lingering over the catacombs seems to fade. You take stock of yourselves -- everyone is alive, wounded but alive. After a brief rest to heal as needed, you pick the unconscious cleric back up and ascend the stairs.
As you are wearily making your way out of the abandoned shrine, Kasadei comes up with a squad of city guards, looking to see if you need aid. She is relieved to see you all alive. "When that creature dropped out of the sky, I ran for help. Glad to see you didn't end up needing it."
Later that day, when you are all recuperating at Heidmarch manor, Kasadei arrives with a promissory note for the Bank of Abadar, for 3,000 gold sails as promised. An agent of the church of Sarenrae comes as well, offering an additional reward for the protection you have provided for that faith in the city. As Zadendi was once a cleric of Sarenrae herself, they have taken her into their custody and their inquisitors will be attempting to redeem her. (Despite the name, the Sarenite inquisition is much kinder and focused on redemption than one might expect.)
The Sarenite provides a set of potions of cure serious wounds, and also offers your group a choice of a +1 flaming scimitar, a +1 blinding buckler, or an ioun stone of your choice from a rainbow of colors. The ioun stones offered are the ones that give +2 to a stat. These will be on the chronicle sheet, and you get to pick one to be available, so it doesn't matter which one you choose, but feel free to RP the decision.
Sheila is grateful and promises to make sure the leaders of the Society and your factions are aware of your valiant deeds.
Ember | HP 57/57 (fast healing 1) | NOW: AC 26 t 20 ff 21 | AC 22 t 20 ff 17 | F +7, R +12, W +10 | | Init +5 | Perc +10, darkvision 60 ft | 60 ft fly | B. Perf. 19/19 | Spells 1st 6/6 2nd 4/4 | Active cond.: Mage Armor
Kyra is unbelievably happy!
”Team! Thank you very much for all your support to help this community to fight and evil that was threatening our church! It was justice that one of our greatest heroes, Stugbu, a paladins of the Dawnflower was able to defeat this demonic creature!!“ Kyra says smiling.
Internal Alchemist 8 HP67/67 Fast Healing 4/4 | AC 20, T 12, FF 20 Uncanny Dodge| Fort +11, Ref +10, Will +5 | Init +2 | Perc +12, 60' Darkvision, Bombs (13/13) Fly (8/8) Effects: Ant Haul
Luurg does a long armed fist pump as Stugbu and that sweet sword of his drops the she demon "You go Stuggy!" He reaches over and gives him a big hug, his hands sticking slightly to the man's armor.
Luurg gathers up all his dropped equipment during the struggle and helps carry out the KO'd cleric, smiling. "Dat was real gud team! We dun great tings today! Saved sun people n stuff!"
As the gold coins and the magical items get heaped on Luurg and the team, that smile grows even larger. This form having returned to normal by then, the obese Luurg happily takes all that is offered, while quickly offering apples and pears in return for anyone that will take them. "Eat eat! Long day, need lotsa gud fruits!"
Ezren nods respectfully to Stugbu. "That was fine and noble fighting indeed. I hope to never witness such dire straits again but, if so, I hope you are there to deal with them." He turns to the rest. "Indeed, I thank you all for your help in dealing with this threat. I am most satisfied by the outcome."
Stugbu looks proud but also a little embarrassed at all the praise he receives from the group. Despite having almost died at least once during the battle, the big half-orc now barely has any wounds to speak of. When Kyra calls him a great hero, he wipes his eyes with the back of the hand. "Me got dust in his all of a sudden!"
He shakes hands, hugs and generally celebrates with the rest of the group, accepting both an apple and a pear from Lug, eagerly eating the fruits."Stugbu would be dead if not for you guys. You goodest guys me ever fight with!"
