Doug M's Way of the Wicked (Inactive)

Game Master Douglas Muir 406

From the base of the stairs, the two dwarves stare at you intently. Their frowns are turning to scowls.

They begin ascending the stairs, taking deep breaths as they go. Behind them, the other dwarves are crowded around the door at the base of the stairs.

DM, when do you intend the Solar to make an appearance?

No rest for the Wicked

"You wouldn't know anything about that, would you, Magister?"

Cуровую briefly does some calculations in her head.

Surely if they sent a runner to the Dalliance and back they would not have had time to send runners again to the entrance of the city.

She goes with that.

'The Lady Sackville North was ...'

The 'magister' tries to pick words that are appropriate.

(cough)

'Difficult. Yes, she was quite difficult and demanding, pompous and entitled. While her aid was rather pleasant and helpful I found the Lady Sackville herself to be wanting in the very social graces she said we men of the North lacked.'

'When I said we had to cut our meeting short, she was fuming, I of course offered her the assurance I would meet here as soon as I was able but alas ... well like I said she was difficult. Send a runner to the town's perimeter. I would not be surprised if they left already. She said the commander, myself and our good but missing Father who failed to meet her altogether would all be mentioned at court. Good riddance if you ask me.

(cough)

Please work Bluff!!!! 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29

From the base of the stairs, the two dwarves stare at you intently. Their frowns are turning to scowls.

Xen, room 41 is open and the dwarves would not be able to follow you there. And you can recast Vanish .

'Now captain, I do realize you are doing both your duty and looking into matters that affect the security of the fort.'

'I assure you I am doing just the SAME!

The 'magister' draws himself up to his full height and locks eyes with the captain.

'I am THE MAGISTER of Balentyne, master of Evocation and YOU sir are in MY Quarters, while I am in the midst of conducting final preparations for the cure the commander himself had me attempt to produce. MEN ARE DYING AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO!'

'One captain was already the cause of the untimely death of another, are you prepared to answer for the death of other men sir? When the cure is within my grasp?

Intimidate 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Niiice. Rolling hot, rolling hot. The soldiers and the acolyte are clearly impressed; they cower away from you.

Captain Varning, not so much. He looks steadily at you, face still expressionless.

"Well, Magister, certainly there's important work to be done. I've never seen you get upset like this before, even in combat. And it's interesting to see you so concerned about the men.

"But, all right, we can report to the Commander. I do think we need to find this mysterious 'Lady Sackville-North'. In fact, I have reason to think she may be here in the Tower. Indeed, here in the Keep itself. Men," he turns to the guards, pulling out his sword as he speaks "draw, please. It's possible we may need to make an arrest."

The guards look confused, but draw their weapons.

On the stairs, the dwarves stop by Xen (who is in the rear). They glare at him -- then, rather rudely, shove their bearded faces right up against his torso, sniffing and grimacing.

Sir Edmin feels something large brush against him. It is the invisible Grumblejack, moving down the stairs past him, towards the dwarves.

Xen, your Vanish is expiring right... now. Are you recasting it?

During this time Dren would have snuck up to where he can see and hear what is going on.
Via message, He knows, kill them all.

Into the Captains mind Dren goes...the blackness...the darkness it comes to take away his free will...the dark voices whispering into his mind.

Gift of Madness DC 19 Will power Save or confused for 5 rounds. 1d100 ⇒ 30
01–25 Act normally.
26–50 Do nothing but babble incoherently.
51–75 Deal 1d8 points of damage + Str modifier to self with item in hand.
76–100 Attack nearest creature (for this purpose, a familiar counts as part of the subject's self).

I am not sure who is where at this point. Morsum will ready an action to attack the captain with a bite/ trip. The Judge will ready an action to cast Haste on everyone.

Also, the Judge would have cast Mage Armor on Morsum in the dungeon before entering the tower since it lasts an hour from the wand.

Captain Varning, not so much. He looks steadily at you, face still expressionless.

"Well, Magister, certainly there's important work to be done. I've never seen you get upset like this before, even in combat.

-

The 'magister' clearly still irked by this invasion of privacy.

Gentlemen, DM is playing the game known as chicken, seeing who of us loses nerve first. If we initiate combat, he wins. If we don't act intelligently, he wins. Move to area's that are advantageous and recast spells need recast. Let us see where this goes. I don't think we are found out just yet.

----

'I doubt she remains in the tower, she was escorted out by your men and was rather less than amiable with our 'treatment of her' - her words I assure you, not mine.'

The 'magister' casually points to the captain's anxious men outside of the doorway.

'These are the men of Balentyne Captain, I am sure you will find your man ... or in this case, find your pain in the arse woman, do give her my regards if you find her.'

'As for me, if the commander wishes it I can even Fly around the town's perimeter to help search AFTER I have perfected the cure. As for the security of my tower ...'

The 'magister' smiles and casts Mage Hand to pull back the tarp over the concealed golem.

'I would like to see any imbecile foolish enough to endanger our fort try to get through that'

The magister shows the pride of a father introducing his son for the first time.

'Fortune favors the bold captain, as it were. Let me know of your findings. Post a guard at my door with CLEAR instructions I am am NOT to be disturbed until the commander arrives. And DO shut my doors on your way out.'

With that the 'magister' heads towards room 41.

Xen, your Vanish is expiring right... now. Are you recasting it?

Xen if you recast and move away you still are at +26 (?) or what have you stealth.

As the magister walks to his room he casually slips his hand into his robes and grasps his Pearl of Power to recall a spell.

Sir Edmin feels something large brush against him. It is the invisible Grumblejack, moving down the stairs past him, towards the dwarves.

Edmin secure Grumble please!

I am not sure who is where at this point. Morsum will ready an action to attack the captain with a bite/ trip. The Judge will ready an action to cast Haste on everyone.

My assumption is that the people who were counting on stealth are still downstairs in area 31, skulking in the shadows. Even with your high stealth scores, it would be very difficult for these two (Dren and Morsum) to get through the busy, cramped, brightly lit area 34 -- there are 7 people in there, and five of them are crowded right around the top of the stairs. I won't say it's impossible, but stealth has its limits.

If you really want to be up here, say so and I'll roll for it.

Also, the Judge would have cast Mage Armor on Morsum in the dungeon before entering the tower since it lasts an hour from the wand.

During this time Dren would have snuck up to where he can see and hear what is going on.

Via message, He knows, kill them all.

See above.

Although, now that I think of it, everyone right now is staring up the stairs. So you'd have a pretty good chance to sneak up into area 34. Still not within range of Captain Varning, but you could zap one of the dwarves easy.

I am going with what the group wants to do. I think we should just kill them quickly. Apparently the dwarves have scent or something because my stealth is currently +33.

Gentlemen, DM is playing the game known as chicken, seeing who of us loses nerve first. If we initiate combat, he wins. If we don't act intelligently, he wins. Move to area's that are advantageous and recast spells need recast. Let us see where this goes. I don't think we are found out just yet.

Mm.

Captain Varning is moving after you -- keeping quite close to you, in fact -- and he has his sword out.

"Yes, that thing. I remember what a hellish time we had getting it back over the wall. You flew the head back, but my men had to carry the rest of it through the wildlands and up the pass. Four days watching for an ambush by the monsters and wondering if that thing was going to blow up or come to life and kill us all.

"You remember what I said to you when you met us at the front gate?"

Xen moves into a position to grant a flank, and plunges the sharpened Della into the captains back, magic energy flaring out of his body and down the shaft to the point just as it lands.

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23 for 1d6 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 + 1 = 6

Apparently the dwarves have scent or something because my stealth is currently +33.

"a revolting, eye-watering ammoniacal stench that is immediately obvious to anyone within 30'."

The dwarves specifically asked for "the smell of harguk-zum gone bad", in order to make sure that it would be something they'd recognize. They even provided Father Dunnigan with a bad harguk-zum to incorporate into the spell. Then after he was done, they hurled the harguk-zum into the river and went home and took a bath.

Whoaaaaa we were still Bluffing !!

Cуровую was about to Charm the captain!

If Xen has not attacked because he is not close enough, five foot step closer to the golem then cast Charm Person on the captain.

DC 20 (Spell Focus Enchantment, Greater Spell Focus Enchantment, Fox's Cunning

Bluff to make it seem the 'magister' is casting to activate the golem and not casting Charm 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27

Whispering to the captain, 'Did you say it was this acolyte who led you to believe I was harmed? That is rather questionable.'

Dren attacked a while back with his gift of madness, he just approached you with a sword and to use charm you have to cast it which everyone else would recognize you are doing Zimu…the jig is up in this instance. Also the rest of the party said they think attack, so here we go.

I did not know we were in combat. To be honest I am waiting for Edmin and Jax and others to post.

Whatever the group wants.

If you guys go to combat please say nice things at Cуровую's funeral.

Maybe Initiative to see who goes first, between us? I mean if the captain is Charmed would you still strike?

Initiative 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Again if the group wants to fight I said my peace against it, I am at a disadvantage because others have not posted their actions yet, I'll do what you guys want.

Evening here. I'll feed the kids, then check in and see what's up.

Since two players have already attempted to start combat, I'm going to say combat starts unless y'all agree to change your minds in the next hour or so. (But note that Dren can't hit the Captain this round -- he's too far down. He can zap the boss dwarf if he wants to, or withdraw the roll.)

HERE Dren Attacked the captain

Here and the post below] Jax and Edmin said combat time.

See above.

Although, now that I think of it, everyone right now is staring up the stairs. So you'd have a pretty good chance to sneak up into area 34. Still not within range of Captain Varning, but you could zap one of the dwarves easy.

Cуровую has a Bluff of 27 to try to make it look like the 'magister' is activating the golem, instead of casting Charm, there are only two men in the magister's rooms, all of them are still outside his door. I doubt they have Spellcraft.

I can pull this off, but if you guys want combat I don't want to cause anyone to be upset so in case, Cуровую Initiative was 20.

I am sure when combat does begin all my sexy rolls will come to an end.

Irin's reading

Know your enemies. Stealth is your tool. Know your enemies. Poison is your tool. Know your enemies. Trickery is your tool.
Your champion is your champion. When you face the White Hero, all of you must fight. But put him to the fore and strengthen him with your magic. If he strikes first, you will prevail.

Via Message.The jig is up. Kill these fargin iceholes!

"Ragnar, Fass!"

The Champion of Darkness brings the Branderscar Headsman's ax to the ready and yells in rage. "I am Sir Edmin Al'Roth! Now you shall die!

Intimidate (Demoralize) with Aura of Obedience: 1d20 + 14 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 14 + 4 = 24 with in 10 feet, -4 out to 30 feet.

Ragnar lunges at the Captain.

Charge Bite:1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 2 = 28 Trip if CMD is 28 or less. -2 if can not charge.
Confirm Crit:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Damage:1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Crit Damage:1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

If Dren couldn't get by using steath he would have burned the scroll of invisibility to get up there, this is where we were planning to ambush the commander so the rest of our plan rides on it, the scroll means little to Dren so he wouldn't have held onto it.

UMD for the scroll 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26

Dren attempts his original action per my post above from the shadows.

Phew. Poor Captain Varning.

Okay, it is on.

Dren, mark off the scroll of invisibility, please. Morsum is still downstairs.

Surprise round. Xen did six points of damage on Captain Varning.

The Captain rolls his save against Dren's mental attack... 1d20 ⇒ 19

Since Zimu made a point of dragging the Captain around the Magister's rooms, Ragnar can't get a charge in -- there's not a straight line from here to there. But he can still attack normally, and a 26 will certainly hit. So, another 5 points of damage on Captain Varning.

You roll Ragnar's trip attack separately on a successful attack, BTW -- you use CMB, not melee attack.

note that SOMEONE gets to flank with Xenfal, I assume Jax will do it

Can goblin sneak attack too!?

Xenfal init

[dice]1d20+5/dice]

Zimu rolled a 20 for initiative. You can roll as you announce your actions in the surprise round. Dren, Xen, Edmin and Ragnar have acted. I'll do Grumblejack now.

"KREEGAH! DIE, DWARF, DIE!" Grumblejack hurls himself down the stairs at the unsuspecting dwarf. 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 2 = 15

Unfortunately, this is one of those dwarves that has the standard racial +4 AC against attacks by giants. (In fact, this is exactly *why* most dwarves have that racial +4... it's natural selection against being squashed to pulp.)

That leaves Zimu, the Judge, Jax, and Morsum (downstairs).

Let's try to keep things in order, yeah? With six PCs, Morsum, Ragnar, and Grumblejack on your side, and the Captain, acolyte, guards and dwarves on the other, this could be a complex combat. If we get scrambled, it's going to be hard to unscramble. Right, carry on.

I have the bite attack counting as the trip also as all one roll. I will research try to look it up because I can not remember where it was from.

Can goblin sneak attack too!?

do it!

Xenfal init

1d20+5/dice]

Let's try that again? Xen's initiative is 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Dang, he grabbed one of my 20s!

Xen-25
Zimu-20

Grumblejack 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (8) - 1 = 7

Edmin 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Ragnar 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Judge 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Dren 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Jax 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Morsum 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Dang, should have let you roll your own. Anyway, still surprise round, still waiting on Zimu, the Judge, Jax, and Morsum (downstairs).

hooray for phone posting errors!

In the first round I will attack the Dwarven leader with my confusion ability. If I can't see him from the Magister's room hit the leader again.

Gift of Madness DC 19 Will power Save or confused for 5 rounds. 1d100 ⇒ 58
01–25 Act normally.
26–50 Do nothing but babble incoherently.
51–75 Deal 1d8 points of damage + Str modifier to self with item in hand. 1d8 ⇒ 4
76–100 Attack nearest creature (for this purpose, a familiar counts as part of the subject's self).

Current Stats:
HP: 41/41
AC: 20 (darkness armor, size, dex) currently a halfing
Many Forms: 3/5 minutes left
Gift of Madness: 6/9
Cloak of Darkness:4/5 hours left
Spells: 1st-7, 2nd-5

And then try to slink back into the shadows behind a table or something.
stealth armor size 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 10 + 2 + 4 + 1 = 34