Drongos - Heresy of Man (Inactive)

Game Master rpblue

Not so far away...

Puffing and panting, the man in the big red coat looks once more over his shoulder. "I... must... have lost... them by... now," he wheezes to no-one in particular. The sand storm had been blowing for over an hour now, and the heat was making his rosy cheeks stand out red against his flowing white beard.

"Not even close," comes the cold reply that he wasn't looking for. The man in red's blood freezes. Standing before him is a captain of the Pure Legion, adorned plate mail and holding a vicious unholy sword in his hands.

"You... you cannot stop me!" he yells, "Christmas is more than... more than just me!"

"You picked the wrong country to practice your religion, Saint Nicholas," sneers the voice, "I don't care what time of year it is. You and your kind have no place in Rahadoum."

"But the children!" cries Saint Nicholas, "They still believe!"

"Then they shall be punished."

"No!" screams Saint Nicholas, "I decide who is naughty and nice!" With that, Saint Nicholas begins a spell, a spell that is heresy in this Godless realm. "Come Dasher! Come Dancer! Come Prancer and Vixen! Come Comet! Come Cupid! Come Donner and Blitzen!"

In a flash of light, eight flying caribou descend from the skies to strike out one by one at the armored enforcer. They bludgeon and gore him with their antlers, denting his armor and bruising his face. As Saint Nicholas clambers into the sleigh the creatures are towing, he turns with a victorious and mocking smile at the barely conscious captain.

"Ho, ho, ho!" he laughs in a voice devoid of humor, "Merry Christmas!"

Not so far away... Puffing and panting, the man in the big red coat looks once more over his shoulder. "I... must... have lost... them by... now," he wheezes to no-one in particular. The sand storm had been blowing for over an hour now, and the heat was making his rosy cheeks stand out red against his flowing white beard. "Not even close," comes the cold reply that he wasn't looking for. The man in red's blood freezes. Standing before him is a captain of the Pure Legion, adorned plate mail and holding a vicious unholy sword in his hands. "You... you cannot stop me!" he yells, "Christmas is more than... more than just me!" "You picked the wrong country to practice your religion, Saint Nicholas," sneers the voice, "I don't care what time of year it is. You and your kind have no place in Rahadoum." "But the children!" cries Saint Nicholas, "They still believe!" "Then they shall be punished." "No!" screams Saint Nicholas, "I decide who is naughty and nice!" With that, Saint Nicholas begins a spell, a spell that is heresy in this Godless realm. "Come Dasher! Come Dancer! Come Prancer and Vixen! Come Comet! Come Cupid! Come Donner and Blitzen!" In a flash of light, eight flying caribou descend from the skies to strike out one by one at the armored enforcer. They bludgeon and gore him with their antlers, denting his armor and bruising his face. As Saint Nicholas clambers into the sleigh the creatures are towing, he turns with a victorious and mocking smile at the barely conscious captain. "Ho, ho, ho!" he laughs in a voice devoid of humor, "Merry Christmas!"

best. Christmas. Post. Evar.

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"Quiet with your incessant chattering! " yells the Commander of the Pure Legion. "The charges are trespassing and smuggling!" The man bellows as the three Captains slap manacles on Lort, Amaranti, and Ibid.

The leader of the trio feeds a chain through your chains as you mention Agosa's presence. "Find him!" barks the Commander as a Captain goes off in search of the man.

The two remaining Captains oversee the remaining three Drongos as Gunari and Cyrus are patted down.

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"What we do?" Amaranti asks out loud, as the manacles are slapped on him. This is not the first time performing a mission in chains, but it is never pleasant. The summoner is far from helpless even with his hands bound, but his friends might have some trouble if a fight breaks out.

"Smuggling? Please do look at those smuggler's chains over there," Lort insists as he allows the manacles onto his hands, "I smashed them, with this sword, not three minutes ago. Just look so you can let them know at the judgement that the people you are accusing of smuggling were actively destroying the smugglers' equipment.

"I was even going to smash this secret door apart to reveal the tunnels before I heard you approaching. Actually, how did you know to look here?" It must be the alcohol causing Lort to ask a perceptive question. It certainly didn't happen on purpose.

"Exactly, Lort. We are just passing through here. We meant no harm."

'What are they going to think when they find the tankards?'

"Do we really need to do this, Gentlemen? We are on the same side.."

If they find our pacifist cleric, this whole thing is doomed, and they may kill him on the spot. We may be forced to fight...

Cyrus looks on with anxiousness, thinking it may be time soon to take more drastic measures. His mind mulls over the internal focus it takes to vanish from sight.

We might be forced into a situation where we have to fight and disable these chumps... Not sure how they will react to our charge.

2d20 ⇒ (12, 11) = 23

"Speak only when spoken to!" bellows the commander as he cuffs Lort across the face with his gauntlet.

1d20 ⇒ 16
Damage: 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

"We received an anonymous tip of smugglers receiving a shipment of religious iconography and violators of the First Law of Man." states the commander plainly as Lort raises his chained hands to dab at the blood from his split lip.

"Boss! I found him! Cleric, this one!" bellows the captain who descended into the tunnels on Lort's guidance. "Found a holy symbol of Serenrae under his tunic!" bellows the Captain as you see Agosa dragged bodily into the room by the man. Agosa looks at you pleadingly, not daring to speak.

The other two captains quickly slap chains and manacles on Gunari and Cyrus, binding them to the long train of Pathfinders, leaving only Finarin to be patted down and chained to join them.

As they push you against the wall nearer to the chained trio, the captains confiscate Gunari's three magical rapiers and Cyrus' magical wakizashi from their sheathes, tossing the short Tien blade into their pack and the rapiers join other items hanging from their satchels.

"Additionally, you have brought a violator of the First Law into the country and trespassed upon the bey's estate. To say that you are innocent is a farce at best." the Commander proclaims.

know local: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

I think we are hosed... Cyrus can vanish and attempt an escape artist, but that leaves himself, and doesn't help anyone else. I think we need to decide if we are going to try to escape now or not. I don't see a way out of this. Ugh... Please weigh in before I take any actions.

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"You have a holy symbol on you?" Lort yells to Agosa, genuinely incredulous, "What kind of f&#@ing idiot are you?"

Well, even if we get let off, this fool is as good as dead now. I guess we're escaping Lort moves next to the man who has his greatsword and concentrates all his strength on his manacles, attempting to break them without seeming too obvious about it. Since they're dead if they don't escape anyway and these Pure Legion soldiers don't seem to know how to

I just hope these manacles aren't terribly well made...

Strength check, strength surge: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 2 = 28

I'm assuming that would count for a surprise round - that 20 certainly surprised the hell out of me (though John's probably rolling his eyes right now).

As combat erupts, Lort realizes something, "Our guide was the only one who knew about this... he f~+~ing sold us out!"

FYI: Open those spoilers and look at those rolls! OMFG the dice gods love me online and hate me IRL.

Cyrus breaths a sigh of relief, falling into the thing he knows he is good at. They tried to do things peacefully, but saving the people of this country from a curable plague wouldn't do any good if they and their pacifist healer were dead.

As soon as Lort bellows out, Cyrus focuses that internal survival instinct, and vanishes from sight. Now that he can't be seen, he tries to slip his wrists from their bindings.

escape artist: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20

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"I shall not be bound!" yells Gunari, as he pulls from the power of his diety knowing that it won't hurt him any more. (fervor for divine favor) as he draws his spare rapier. Knowing he will likely get out of his bonds easily, he just attacks!

Attack w/ me cold iron rapier, VS, DF, PA: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
Second attack roll from greater weapon of the chosen: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
Damage: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (1, 8) + 10 = 19

I have added the grappled status to this, but not his AC, which should be 22, looks like me tag line is in error.

Standing with an unthreatening posture the old man faces the wall with a set of heavy, cold manacles binding his wrists. Over his shoulder he can see a flash of movement from the others, and he even flinches momentarily at the sight of it, causing his stomach to drag uncomfortably across the wall as he ducks and scoots away from the commotion. As Lort, Gunary, and Cyrus all begin to make a move, Ibid can do naught himself but shut his eyes for a moment and cringe at the thought of this escape attempt going terribly wrong and ending with he and all of his friends dead.

Please let know what they are doing... he chants in a mantra to himself. Please let them know what they are doing... Please let them know what they--

"It appears we were set up, my friends," Ibid calls with his eyes still pinched tightly shut, unable to bring himself to see his friends attempt at freedom lest they get cut down before his eyes.

leaving only Finarin to be patted down and chained to join them.

"That ... was a mistake. I am Lord Finarin Moonstep and I shall not be shackled like some common ruffian." He glances quickly at Lort.

"I have tried to be .... reasonable, but it appears that you would choose another course of action. So. Be. It."

Emerging as a ball of steel and magics, Finarin unleashes his unique blend of death.

We like to spell out our actions, draw scimitar as part of 5-foot step (move) cast Shocking grasp defensively (Standard - auto success as the DC is 17 and my modifier is +21), spend arcane pool point to make scimitar +3 keen from +1 keen (swift) and then attack (free w/ spell strike)

Imbuing his scimitar with magical energies, then pouring his spellcasting into his scimitar, blue-cackling electricity begins to oscillate up nd down the blade.

He dances past his opponents striking out against the red leader looking guy

Scimitar Attack W/ +3 Scimitar keen, wearing metal: 1d20 + 15 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 15 + 3 = 34
Scimitar Damage w/ +3 Scimitar: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Scimitar Attack W/ +3 Scimitar keen, wearing metal, trait CRIT CONFIRM: 1d20 + 15 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 15 + 3 + 1 = 23
Scimitar Damage w/ +3 Scimitar: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Shocking Grasp Damage, intensified: 8d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 4, 2, 1, 1, 6, 6) = 27
Shocking Grasp Damage, intensified, CRIT: 8d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 2, 4, 2, 1, 5, 3) = 29

Scimitar Attack W/ +3 Scimitar keen: 1d20 + 10 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 10 + 3 = 24
Scimitar Damage w/ +3 Scimitar: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

So if his FF AC is more than 24, 37 damage; if his FF AC is 23/24 or less: 93 damage

I love all of the rolls and such, so I will try to adjudicate, but some of these will not activate.

As Lort posted first, I will give him priority as a surprise round action.

Lort decides that enough is enough, so the half-orc summons his strength to try and break the manacles.

Strength Surge is a standard action, so you could activate it in the surprise round, but it would only last until your next turn. As this means you wouldn't be able to make the Break check (also a standard action), I will ignore the Strength Surge.

However, these appear to be high quality manacles and the half-orc is unable to break the iron binding him, even after putting all of his strength into the attempt.

The guards have masterwork manacles which is a DC 28 Strength check, which is unbeatable by even a natural 20 for you, Lort. :(

At this attempt, the captains scowl with their falchions drawn and the commander yells. "Subdue the prisoners!"

Initiative:
Cyrus: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Finarin: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Lort: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Ibid: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Amaranti: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Gunari: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
Pure Legion: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
1d2 ⇒ 2

@Lort/Cyrus: If you wish to keep your actions from what is posted, then I will do those posted actions.

@Gunari/Finarin: Since your actions fall after the enemies, your current posts are invalidated. Sorry. :(

@Lort: How are you using the manacles as a flail when they are strapped to your wrists? There is no long heavy metal thing to swing like a flail.

Initiative:
1st: Ibid; Lort; Amaranti; Cyrus
2nd: Commander; Captains (Red; Blue; Yellow)
3rd: Gunari; Finarin

Status:
Manacles (Grappled Condition + Cannot move more than 5' from nearest Drongo) - Lort; Gunari; Cyrus; Ibid; Amaranti

Uh... grappled condition from manacles, really? What's the CMB for concentration check?

@GM: Wow, a 26 doesn't pass? Regarding Strength Surge, you are correct that it is a standard action, but it's a supernatural ability and all it requires is that you "touch a creature". I didn't make it clear, but I figured that activating it wouldn't draw any attention (half-orcs touch themselves all the time) and Lort could do it prior to breaking the chains (since we weren't yet in combat rounds). So I don't slow things up, here are some conditionals.

If you are allowing the strength surge prior to surprise round...

If a 28 passes, steal the greatsword, if not steal the keys.

Steal combat maneuver as above (or if you want me to roll again):

Steal greatsword/keys back: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24 -- 22 to steal the keys, since he'll be grappled.

If you are not allowing strength surge prior to surprise round...

The strength surge would have been the surprise round. Lort knew it would be hard to break the manacles (and wouldn't have tried without Kurgess's help unless he had to). Struggling to break free wouldn't have necessarily started combat (though it may have). It would be very generous of you to allow me to keep the roll above for my round 1 action... and in that case for my move action (if a 28 passes), I'd move around the guy who has my greatsword. If not (pray for a 20 again)

Break manacles (take 2): 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 2 = 20

Regarding the flail, I figured the manacles had chains attached and that they didn't have us in the chain gang arrangement just yet. That status thing clears it right up, though.

If I can't act as above... Lort's round 1 action:

Lort attempts to steal the keys from the man about to lock Finarin up.

Steal keys, grappled: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 10 - 2 = 23

No matter what happens, my characters are buying masterwork manacles! That's some hard to escape stuff!

@Amaranti: There is no listed penalty for being manacled, so I went with my gut. I'm open to other ideas of you are. CMB would be +18.

@Lort: The problem with Strength Surge isn't that they could see it, but that you wouldn't be able to use it to break the chains. Even if you Strength Surged before the surprise round, definitely possible, it wears off before you can do another standard action (break the chains). Right?

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Seeing his friends begin to lash out and the situation on the verge of a life and death conflict, the old man turns from the wall to face their enemies. His bow is no longer in hand, nor could he use it with these restrictive manacles binding his wrists. A crushing weight of despair passes over him, shadowing his thoughts and reminding him of the all too familiar feeling of being trapped in a corner, surrounded by writhing black cords of magic and being unable to help his friends in anyway.

Looking down at the manacles, Ibid knows he is far too weak to ever break them in a test of shear might, but perhaps he could use the proper amount of leverage and induce a shear load to the stress-risers where the metal chain met the manacle body at a sharpe angle.

Twisting his arms and grinding his teeth together, the old man estimates he has at best a five percent chance of succeeding...

Strength check to break manacles, w/ inspiration ability (adding +1d6 to roll): 1d20 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 2 + (6) = 16

crap, sorry guys. Ibid got the +6 from inspiration he needed, but not the nat 20 on the roll...

Well, it is a bit silly that you cannot cast verbal-only or mental spells in manacles without succeeding very high concentration check (DC 10 +18 +spell level.) But if grappling rules are used, that's how it works. I'd like to argue against the grappled condition, but to keep the game moving, I'll resort to plain old violence :)

Looks like the time for peaceful negotiations is over. Amaranti would like to get out of the manacles, but he just witnessed the priest of Kurgess trying to break the manacles without success. So best make best use of the situation he is in, and allow Finarin to work his magic on these men. Hoping to catch his opponent unawares, he concentrates his arcane powers to his gauntlet, and attacks the closest enemy.

Spiked gauntlet, PA, grappled: 1d20 + 12 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 12 - 2 - 2 = 17
Damage, PA, Arcane Strike: 1d4 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13
Spiked gauntlet (iterative), PA, grappled: 1d20 + 7 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 7 - 2 - 2 = 21
Damage, PA, Arcane Strike: 1d4 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

Hoping the enemy is flat-footed

@Lort: The problem with Strength Surge isn't that they could see it, but that you wouldn't be able to use it to break the chains. Even if you Strength Surged before the surprise round, definitely possible, it wears off before you can do another standard action (break the chains). Right?

The effect lasts for 1 full round. So, the way I understand the ability, it would take effect immediately after my action in the round I activate it, and end just after my next round's action. Otherwise, I could never (effectively) use it on myself.

I don't want to argue too much on semantics for this one, though. I think you know what Lort is trying to do, so I will accept whatever ruling you make on this regarding his success on it and his round 1 action. Just let me know.

So, that is (as it turns out) correct. No strength surge.

Edit: Also, +1 against the grappled condition. If it is a grappled condition, we should be allowed a combat maneuver to 'escape' it. I haven't looked through RAW, but I'm 95% sure manacles don't confer grappled. I'm fine with a 'leash', though, provided there's a separate break DC for the chains vs the manacles.

Further edit: Crossed out the above, and clarifying my action.

"Curse these shackles!" cries the still manacled Lort, attempting to grab the keys off his jailor.

Result of 23 on the steal combat maneuver to take the keys off him, as above. If he can't see keys, he'll try to grab his greatsword instead.

Sooooo..... Apparently trying to escape from Manacles is a 1 minute action... not a standard action. If that is the case, I would rather just stay bound. I will still stay with my swift action to vanish though, per my ninja trick. Below will be my actual move/standard.

Now that he is invisible, Cyrus can grab what he needs without worrying about his intentions being known clearly from the beginning. Without his Wakizashi, he is far less effective in this fight, and he knows it.

Finarin seems to be able to do what he needs, despite the chains. Lort, it appears, can make up for whatever weapon he is lacking with brute force. Invisibly, Cyrus' hand reaches into the haversack and wills a scroll to appear in it.

Use Magic Device, DC 27 (level 4 spell): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23

He stares at his mentor and friend, then back down at the scroll he wasn't able to activate. He steels his mind, and prepares to try again.

Swift action as above, vanish. Move action, retrieve scroll of freedom of movement from handy haversack. Standard, fail to cast with UMD. Will (probably) try again next round to cast it on Ibid, who could then attack with his bow. Please convince me otherwise if this isn't the best idea... Amaranti or Lort? It is a wasted spell on Cyrus, I could do almost as much damage with my dagger if I am able to use sneak attack, and that is more positioning than anything. Finarin appears capable of doing tremendous damage currently... need more of that! :)

@ Cyrus: For using the freedom of movement scroll on Ibid, I would first need to confirm where Ibid's bow is. I'm not sure if it's on the ground, of if one of the mobs has it. So I would just need to find that part out in order to determine how easy it will be to get it back in his grasp.

Finarin seems to be able to do what he needs, despite the chains.

A lot going on here, FYI I am unbound and ready to kick some ass

Alright, let's try to work this out. :D

First, grappled is the wrong penalty. I talked it over with Damo and Entangled fits way better, so that is my final adjudication on the penalty of the manacles.

Ibid struggles against the manacles as he tries to escape, but the iron-wrought clamps stay firmly attached. Cyrus and Lort take different tactics with the former trying to evoke from the pages of a scroll grabbed from his pack as the latter moves to steal his greatsword back from the Pure Legion Captain.

Surprisingly, the Captain is quick on his feet and is able to strike out at Lort as he lunges for his sword.

Falchion @ Lort-22 AC w/ Penalties: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28 Combat Reflexes - AoO Before Activating
Falchion Confirmation @ Lort-22 AC w/ Penalties: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Damage: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (4, 2) + 6 = 12

The slash knocks Lort off guard as he lunges for the sword, keeping it from his grasp.

Damage taken as an AoO subtracts from a CMB roll, thus making your check an 11.

Amaranti decides to go on the offensive as he lashes out at the blue-garbed Captain, punching him rapidly in the face twice, bloodying his nose and caving in his cheek.

"You'll pay for that whelp!" bellows the man as he retaliates with his falchion.

Falchion @ Amaranti-16 AC w/ Penalties: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
Damage: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (2, 2) + 6 = 10

Amaranti feels the cold steel plunge into his body, but he still seems to have the upper hand as the Captain next to him lashes out at Finarin. "You haughty elf! Prepare to be struck down!"

Halberd @ Finarin-16 FFAC: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23
Halberd @ Finarin-16 FFAC: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Falchion @ Finarin-16 FFAC: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
Falchion Confirmation @ Finarin-16 FFAC: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Damage: 2d4 + 6 + 2d10 + 16 ⇒ (4, 3) + 6 + (9, 4) + 16 = 42

The two Pure Legionnaires lash out at the elf, severely hurting the man landing all of their hits, but the Drongo is able to dodge a brutal cut at the last second to avoid death.

The man with the bloody lip yells at the top of his lung as his falchion strikes Amaranti. "The Laws of Man will protect me! I need no god to heal my wounds. The power of man will overcome!" he yells as a few wounds miraculously heal in front of you.

The last man swings his falchion around, drawing attention to himself and yell to them. "Surrender now or we will kill you!"

Dazzling Display: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15 Shouldn't work on anyone.

Initiative:
1st: Ibid; Lort; Amaranti; Cyrus
2nd: Commander; Captains (Red; Blue @ 24; Yellow)
3rd: Gunari; Finarin

Status:
Manacles (Entangled Condition + Cannot move more than 5' from nearest Drongo) - Lort; Gunari; Cyrus; Ibid; Amaranti
Lort @ 61/73 HP
Finarin @ 15/57 HP

Assume any weapons that have been taken are on the nearest Captains to you.

Gunari roars out, pissed that he has been bound, raging against the god-haters. He calls upon The Drunken Heroes power to charge his Armor and his cold iron blade (sacred armor to add +1 to his armor's enchantment bonus, and sacred weapon as a fervor with that to add +1 keen to the rapier). None of this can directly be heard by the others do to the nature of the magics, but then he makes his own will be known by attacking blue.

+1 keen rapier, PA, Entangled, Greater Weapon of the Chosen, vital strike: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Second roll of same: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Crit confirm: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Normal damage: 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (8, 4) + 9 = 21
Crit: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

if that confirms, this will activate surge of success for next round.

So the greatsword is on his person (backpack I'm assuming, since he's wielding a 2-handed falchion... and had it drawn while shackling and disarming us). My 23 to steal was including a -2 penalty (same with grappled as it is for entangled). I just want to check if the 23 didn't meet/exceed his CMD or if something else happened (like he somehow stepped out of my reach). I couldn't tell from the description. I mainly ask because 24 CMD seems quite high for a mook, even at this level... so I'd like to know if I need to wet myself or what the 'something else' was.

Now that the element of surprise is gone, Amaranti doubts his chained fist-fighting will be any match against the armed legionnaires. With Gunari moving in with his rapier, the Garundi uses the distraction to his benefit, and quickly moves behind the warpriest. Now, beyond the reach of the rahadoumian blades, the summoner starts calling for aid from the celestial plane.
Summon monster IV SLA, Concentration check, DC 19: 1d20 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 3 = 29

The air behind one legionnaire suddenly implodes, and the space is swiftly replaced by a form a canine humanoid. "I see thou art in trouble again, Amaranti of Garund. And I shall aid thee, as thou hast requested. But know that it will give me no pleasure, for these men harbor no evil in their hearts. They may be misguided in their ways, but corrupt they are not." The archon's voice sounds clear and perfectly understandable, even if it is hard to say what language the creature is actually speaking. Dutyfully, it raises the heavy blade, and strikes the legionnaire fighting with Finarin.

Greatsword vs yellow, flank, PA: 1d20 + 9 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 9 + 2 - 2 = 17
Damage, PA: 2d6 + 3 + 6 ⇒ (1, 5) + 3 + 6 = 15
Greatsword, flank, PA: 1d20 + 4 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 - 2 = 7
Damage, PA: 2d6 + 3 + 6 ⇒ (3, 3) + 3 + 6 = 15
Bite, flank, PA: 1d20 + 3 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 2 - 2 = 11
Damage, PA: 1d8 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 4 = 11

"I am sorry. I do not wish to harm you, but I cannot let you harm my allies. I truly hope you would rather surrender..."

5ft step, the summon Hound Archon. I'm assuming the legionnaires are neutral. But if they are evil, we are protected by the archon's magic circle against evil.

EDIT: Oops, Aura of Menace works against non-evil too. The enemies need to make DC16 will save, or take -2 to attack, AC and saves

Cyrus looks at Ibid who does not have his bow.

Why do I feel so impotent without my weapon?

He grimaces invisibly as Finarin takes a massive hit from the misguided zealots.

This spell has to work, this spell has to work he mumbles in his head.

Perhaps it is me that must be free... He thinks, realizing that he might be able to help more than he originally thought.

UMD, DC 27: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15

Ugh, I am useless...

Ok - I have an idea, but I need a ruling. My gut says this won't work, but since we are chained to each other, I feel like it should be affected somehow. Or I am grasping at straws.

I have a potion of reduce person. I would like to reduce my size and then just slip the manacles off since they are sized for a medium sized person. However, this line here is where I think my downfall likely is:

All equipment worn or carried by a creature is similarly reduced by the spell.

If it will work, then I will draw the potion with my remaining move action, and drink it next round. Thankfully, I am still invisible from my vanish ninja trick. Still feeling useless.

GM can I use my previous rolls? Attack against the red guy to my NE, then my Iterative attack vs yellow in front of me. Unless the red guy to the NE is our cleric, then attack yellow first, then blue. Please add in flank for blue if we go with that.

The old man feels the heavy manacles move none as he strains against them in a futile attempt to break the bonds. Giving up with this foolish attempt, knowing he is far too weak for such an endeavor to have any hope of working, he pushes forward from the wall. A few steps later, he is adjacent to an enemy with his allies rebelling all around, and his longsword is now in hand to his own surprise.

As his feet slide across the floor to a stop, the old man now shoulder to shoulder with Lort and Gunari, and he draws back on his longsword then thrusts the blade forward.

Move Action: Move 5-feet to current position, drawing longsword as part of the move action
Standard Action: Attack @ blue outlined foe

Attack @ blue outlined enemy, w/ longsword (entangled condition -2): 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 9 - 2 = 25
damage, longsword: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

@Finarin: For future reference, I usually ask people to look within on dice rolls. I find that if a player rolls really well, they want to use the old roll, but if they roll bad, they will reroll. I will use the old roll, but in future circumstances, ask yourself "Would I ask to use a bad roll if I already rolled it?" If yes, then I will always use your old roll, if no, then always post a new set of rolls. :D

Gunari spears the man with his rapier in a single thrust, cutting through him and stabbing his heart killing the Pure Legionnaire outright.

Amaranti summons a Hound Archon that lands a blow with its greatsword on the Rahadoumi man, but doesn't seem to cut him down as Cyrus still feebly attempts to cast from his scroll, but has problems.

In a single electric slash, Finarin cuts down the Pure Legion Commander through sheer will as he mows him down as he draws his weapon.

Lort sees the fallen man and sees an opportunity to grab his weapons as Ibid slams his longsword into a Captain.

Initiative:
1st: Ibid; Lort; Amaranti; Cyrus
2nd: Captains (Red; Yellow @ 22)
3rd: Gunari; Finarin

Status:
Manacles (Entangled Condition + Cannot move more than 5' from nearest Drongo) - Lort; Gunari; Cyrus; Ibid; Amaranti
Lort @ 61/73 HP
Finarin @ 15/57 HP

Lort grabs his sword back from the downed guard (move).

"We were happy to be nice," grunts the half-orc, "But you just had to search the cleric. We're here to help your citizens... and you act like evil idiots. Your deaths are meaningless, and you have only yourselves to blame."

Lort steps up and slashes at the yellow guard.

Greatsword, power attack, entangled: 1d20 + 13 - 3 ⇒ (18) + 13 - 3 = 28
Damage, power attack, vicious: 2d6 + 17 + 6 + 2d6 ⇒ (3, 4) + 17 + 6 + (3, 5) = 38
Damage to self (vicious): 1d6 ⇒ 3

The power of his sword causes his wounds to become even more extensive and he grins through the pain.

Lort cuts down the second Captain, slaying him outright, leaving the bodies of three Pure Legionnaires at your fettered feet. The last man squares off against you and swings.

1d20 ⇒ 7

But his impudent swing is glanced off of Lort's armor as you quickly dispatch him, leaving four corpses in your wake. Lort quickly cuts through the chains, freeing you and a hidden door to the left of the room creaks open.

A head peeks out and looks relieved to see the Pure Legion dealt with. "Hey! I'm your contact!"

Lort rushes up to him with his sword still drawn.

"You're the rat bastard who sold us out?" he yells at the contact, "Or do you have alternative explanation for who told them we were here?"

Lort ignores the blood that streams down his tunic.

"Cyrus, why don't you work to get us out of these things? You can get me last... You never know I might get lucky. " Gunari pulls out his Tankard of the Drunken Her from his Pathfinders Poucho, and pours a drink into it (from his divine source, because they've already slain several of the pure legion here, so who cares? this will give him heroism for 30 minutes. in 5 minutes, it will undo his manacles if they are or higher than DC25

"Lort, why don't you patch yourself up, and let me talk to the nice, scared man? What is your name, sir? And why did you not reveal yourself prior to this? Answer, please. "

Roger that GM - even if it was bad probably still keep them as it is such a pain to adjudicate those rolls :). Not like I Damo rolled: 4, 11, 16 is actually average.

Blood dripping from two massive wounds, Finarin glances to the cleric. "Well the ruse is ... over. For now at least. Can you spare come curatives magics or at least use .... my personal store?"

If the cleric cannot heal me I will pull out my CLW wand from my Pathfinder Pouch

Ignoring that fact that his companions are still shackled, Finarin produces a Ring of Protection. "Friends, if none desire this ... " he slips it on his finger. Taking a moment, he recalls Shocking Grasp with his pearl of power.

"Now who are you and how did these .... so called Legionnaires know of our arrival?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

See another crit!

With the chains cut through so easily by Lort's blade, Cyrus first fishes through the dead legionnaires pockets, looking for the key.

"I could probably pick the locks, but why waste the effort?" he shrugs, taking the key to each of his friends and unlocking the clasps around their wrists. He hesitates to use the key on Gunari, thinking that perhaps the man wants to see if his faith will unlock them.

"It's a pity really, we tried to be peaceful and reasonable with them, but they wouldn't have any of it. Their zeal for destroying anything associated with divinity was their downfall here, just as it is killing their people with this plague." The look on the ninja's face is far from pity, and more akin to apathy.

Cyrus inspects the dead bodies one more time to make sure there isn't anything useful, then rolls them over to the side of the small room.

"No doubt if anyone finds this our reputation as murder-hobos will be enhanced. I think we should push them into the sea, and let Gozreh handle the rest." he smirks at the irony of his statement.

Cyrus then looks up to his elven friend. "That ring suits you Finarin. I have one like it. Should we have some of us don these robes? And I wonder if this commander's insignia would be useful? Better snag that too, just in case." Cyrus throws the robes and the insignia in his haversack to have just in case.

With the minutia handled, Cyrus retrieves his precious wakizashi and folds his arms, waiting for the cowardly contact to answer Lort's question.

Lort makes sure everyone is dead before channeling the might of Kurgess in a holy burst of healing energies.

Channel positive energy, everyone: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 6) = 17

He then sacrifices a bear's endurance and a weapon of awe to further heal Finarin.

Cure moderate wounds, Finarin: 2d8 + 7 ⇒ (8, 7) + 7 = 22

"Care for a top-up from my chalice?" asks Lort, giving Finarin one of the channels he saved last night, before drinking one himself.

Chalice #1: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 4) = 6
Chalice #2: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 3) = 11

I think that's everyone to full, right?

"Now... I guess we can follow this guide," grumbles Lort, a little annoyed at how friendly Gunari was being to this man who almost certainly betrayed them, "We'll just kill him if he looks at us wrong. Oh, and you...!" Lort turns upon their ward, "Carrying a f@$&ing holy symbol on your person without properly concealing it? Are you brain dead?" Lort grabs the symbol of Sarenrae from him and puts it in his Pathfinder pouch, shaking his head all the while.

Lort screws up his nose at the idea of going anywhere disguised... but nods in agreement with Cyrus's wisdom on this matter.

Thanks Lort <3

Starting to remember that I'm also a cleric.

Rubbing his wrists where the manacles had previously dug uncomfortably into his skin, the old man shakes his head in annoyance. It didn't have to go this way, he thinks, looking down at the bodies as the group decides how best to dispose of the evidence. We are here to help your people and didn't want to fight you.

But... I understand, you were just doing your duty. We were doing the same, Ibid thinks feeling a growing sadness for the lives of these men lost for naught. I am sorry it went down this way. You were brave souls.

Picking up his bow from the grasp of the deceased captain, Ibid again feels the familiar weight of the weapon. With his free hand he sheaths his longsword, and vows to not let the bow from his grasp for a good long while. Raising the longbow up, he restrains from loading an arrow and turns to their contact who has now appeared.

"Your timing could have been better," the old man mutters sarcastically.

Gunari helps toss the bodies out I tot he sea, wanting to cover up what they had to do. He makes sure that they are devoid of identifying items, just in case. This, of course, after he is freed by either the tankard or Cyrus.

"Anyone else hurt?

"Just my feelings," grumbles Lort, "This Pure Legion isn't evil, is it? Why do you suppose they had to act that way? I guess there are rebels in any group. They refused to listen to my shouting - or your reason. Dip s#+$ down there didn't help by carrying contraband, but we could have beaten the smuggling charges.

"You hear that, Agosa? These mens' lives are on you!" Lort is suddenly abashed, realizing too late that he is going over the top in shaming the cleric. He stubbornly refuses to apologize and instead takes out his frustrations on the secret door, smashing it to pieces with his adamantine greatsword.

The small, ugly man approaches you obsequiously, constantly bowing and lowering his eyes. He doffs his fez and throws himself on the ground.

“Oh, effendi! A thousand blessings be upon you! And a thousand pardons for Masur the Ill-favored, your poor and humble slave. I have failed in my duty, and I beg and crave your forgiveness. I was to meet with you below on the beach, but something terrible has happened. While we were preparing for your arrival, who should arrive at our gates but an entire company of the accursed Pure Legion! May they be smitten with the mange of a thousand jackals.” Masur fairly trembles with righteous fury and pants to catch his breath.

“Though we have longed for your esteemed presence and have yearned to show you all the delights of Qassabah Heb Amar, the blessed Bey El Makkra sends word that you may not ascend to the rooms above. For, if you do, you will certainly be captured by the Pure Legion”— at this Masur spits on the ground—“and that would be tragedy indeed. The bey cares not for his own security, but for yours alone, I assure you. I am bidden to take you to another route, whereby you may pass through the stronghold undetected and go on your blessed way in safety.”

The small man bows again and once again covers his balding head with his fez as you free yourselves from the chains.

---

Agosa dusts off his shift and eyes Lort coldly. "Do not place blame for your actions upon me. Tell me, should I have hid better knowing that you would give me up at the slightest provocation?" he asks.

"Your righteous indignation is misplaced." he says, gesturing to all of you. "You are in violation of the Rahadoumi law. You have been smuggled into the country. Half of you are holy men from other temples and the rest of you benefit willingly from their aid. The Pure Legion had every right to arrest you and instead you put them to the sword and blame me. Not a single attempt to render the men unconscious or apprehend them non-lethally." Agosa says with his own indignation, the uncertain attitude of the man gone, now that he is emboldened by the land beneath his feet.

As Gunari steps towards the bodies, Agosa pulls on his overly long collar with one hand, exposing a tattoo of the holy sun, evidently his holy symbol as it glows as divine magic pulses through it, as his other erupts in a fiery, bright substance. "Step no closer to these bodies unless you wish to draw my ire." the cleric of Serenrae says with fire in his eyes.

Lort towers over Agosa, "Excuse me for thinking there might be a peaceful solution and that a priest of Sarenrae didn't want us to simply cut down the rightful authorities of the land. We are here to help these people, right? We are supposed to be here without them knowing, and if we leave them unconscious... what will happen when they wake up?

"We may be from other temples, but we at least took precautions to hide it. Have you not heard of make up? You want to tattoo yourself, then it has to be like this. So fine. Just stay out of my f!+*ing way while we kill these people to save them, you gods be damned hypocrite."

Lort storms over to Masur the Ill-favored. "Ill-favored, are you?" asks the furious half-orc, "Well, this secret way had best be as you say it is and not some trap or you will find out exactly how true that moniker is. If you are leading us into a trap, I will kill you before I save my own life. This, I promise."

I love that Agosa found some attitude. The silly man is trying to get into a shouting match with a half-orc, though. ;-) Happy to continue on.

"I'm sorry. I was never to deal with the Pure Legion as the Society had loaned me six supposedly-intelligent Pathfinders to accompany me. Instead, I get you lot. You practically get arrested and then you tell them of my location." Agosa says, irate that Lort dare talk back to him.

"Additionally, the peaceful solution includes outright slaying them? Haven't you ever heard of magic? Rope bindings? Hell, even chaining them up. There are ways to make people forget, you bloody idiot. You didn't even try to resolve this peacefully aside from some half-assed attempts to reason with the Pure Legion... Idiot isn't half as severe as it needs to be to describe your actions." he says, not backing down from the half-orc and watching him turn to address Masur.

The slave cowers as the steaming Lort approaches in a huff. He seems to shrink back from the man, a valuable skill for a proper slave. "Ummm... it's not a trap, master. The bey has told of this path to Masur, his devoted slave. The bey would not lie to Masur, Masur believes this more than the words of all the gods." the Ill-favored says meekly.

Interposing himself between Lort and Agosa, "Ah, Agosa. If only life were that .... simple. Yes we could have just merely disabled these ... legionaries. We could have bound and shackled them. And pray tell ...then what? Left them chained up .... until we departed? Left them to die in these ... smuggler caves? Tried to again reason with those that ... would not be reasoned with?

"I do not take their deaths, or any deaths .... lightly. Yet it is folly to wish things would be different. The die is cast, the decision is made. Pray we may resolve this situation .... peacefully. I shall pray ... Nethys grants me power to stave off death little while longer."

"Come, Masur. Show us this path."

Cyrus stands to the side while Lort and Agosa let their frustrations out. He nods at Finarin's wisdom for the situation.

"Sorry we had to kill them Agosa. But I'm not sorry it was them instead of us, or them instead of you. I have no faith in a group of men whose purpose is to remain faithless, and I have no faith in their legal process. Maybe they would have spared our lives, but that wasn't a chance I was willing to take. If I am going to die, it will be with my blade in my hands."

Or invisible, desperately trying to cast something from a scroll after I let them take my blade.

Cyrus turns to the slave. "Very well then Masur, lead the way. Let's get on with this and hope that more people don't have to die to save the truly innocent plague victims in all of this."