GM Kiora's Wrath of the Righteous

Game Master Kiora Atua

Ehren

The little boy glances behind him, clearly considering an attempt to run for it. Realizing that Ehren is now within arm's length of him, his shoulders sag. "P-please don't hurt me, sir. Please don't hand me over to the inquisitors." He digs around in his pocket and produces the three gold coins he took from him.

"Here, take it!" He stares at Ehren closely. "I don't get it. You have a whole gold purse of coins. Why don't you buy some shoes?" Looking down, the child is wearing shoes, though holes have been cut out in the fronts where his toes stick out, due to the boy's feet outgrowing his only pair.

While Verseda did her reading, Ary seemed lost in thought, gathering what knowledge she could. Success in her quest, should she manage to walk the path. That was good. She just had to succeed, which had been the plan all along. She started to smile... but a calamity was coming. And on the eve of another Crusade, if rumors were true. But... rumors were rarely ever true. And the kind woman had told her the truth of her past. She would find power in her companions. And... this current new companion was a beacon of power, according to the reading. Wait, they both had owl in their past?

"The owl turned up in both of our readings. What does that mean... or does it represent you, somehow, within your own readings?"

Ary asked, wondering why she hadn't mentioned the Owl in either reading, even as she was still wondering about things. She twisted her shield arm to look at Iomedae's crest upon the face of her shield. He was lost and needed someone to help guide his way, and she needed friends who could help see her through. Or maybe he'd doom them all. Ugh, prophecies...

"Ah yes, well." murmurs Markus. An impossibility, huh? An abomination, more like it. "Thank you for telling me of my inevitable auspicious destiny. I appreciate it a lot."

Li'an smiled and took Valaria's arm. "Certainly! But I insist that you share a story from your travels at some point!"

She turned and gave a quick wave to Anevia. "We're off then, Ma'.. err Anevia," catching herself just in time. "Hope you're able to find some better competition for the targets!"

Markus/Ary

The old woman chuckles. "It could represent myself, perhaps. The owl typically represents nature's path. The difference is, for you, my dear," she says to Ary, "This was not a good thing. The wolves hunt the sheep because that is what they do. I suspect in your past, though, you were the sheep. However, for him," she gestures towards Markus, "The owl was a positive force in his past, even if it was not so clear at the time. The needle in the owl's beak represents its ability to give life, and to take it away. I suspect that in his infancy, there was a little bit of both. But without the past, there cannot be a future."

"Well... I did find my flock." Ary completes the near miss that had been an attempt at a smile earlier. "Did you choose your nickname because of what it means to you?"

Ary consciously moves a bit closer to Markus as she settles on the idea that whether he'd lead her astray, or she'd lead him to the light... leaving someone behind wasn't something she'd ever be good at.

Funny you should mention wolves... I was thinking of asking for a Dire Wolf (or perhaps something more intelligent along those lines) companion once I finally get leadership. :)

Valaria grins. "I suppose I can share a story or two," she says. "Now which to tell." She looks back at Anevia and gives her a wave. "Good luck on your game. Hopefully the next competitors won't be quite so off."

"Shall we walk and talk a bit?" she asks Li'an as she starts down the street. "Let's see a story from my travels... Well, I assume that you know of Galt, correct? I've only been there twice in my life. And well... after the last time the Grey Gardeners want to ask me some questions that I would much rather not answer."

"You see, when I was travelling through Varisia... I think it was almost ten years ago now, I met a dwarf named Rogar Stonecaller who had been investigating some of the old Thessalonian ruins in the area and we ended up travelling together for a bit. He was a bit gruff, you know how dwarfs can get, but a nice fellow. We parted on good term and we occasionally send letters back and forth. Well, I got a letter from him about three years ago now. Apparently, he has a brother. And his brother fancied himself a bard, a comedian of sorts. Well, let's just say political satire is not popular in Galt." She shakes her head at the memory, but a fond smile crosses her face.

Markus raises an eyebrow and flicks a sideways glance at Ary as she sidles closer to him, but he doesn't make a verbal note of it. Life and death in infancy, hm? She must recognize what he is - there is more than a little bit of negative energy flowing through his veins, after all. "Yes, well. Death in infancy is what most people with vampires for fathers get. Everyone says I should count myself lucky." he scoffs again. "But of course you could tell my ancestry. It's usually the eyes that gives it away."

"Wait. A vampire for a father? How does that work?" Ary pursed her lips and tilted her head, squinting at him. She didn't move away at the admission. "I mean, you looked like you needed a bit of sun, and your eyes are on the unusual side, but I just thought 'Tiefling'. I mean... they're kind of all over compared to the rest of the world, yeah?"

Ehren sighs heavily as he snatches the gold pieces out of the boy's hand, not bothering to count them.

"Hurt you? What would be the the point?" he replies bluntly, shaking his head. His tone sounded more annoyed than spiteful; he bore no ill will toward the boy, though perhaps he was doing a poor job of showing it. The urchin's failure was in itself a fair punishment. However, Ehren finds himself taken aback by the boy's question. He looks down at the boy's feet, and then to his own. Ah. Perhaps I was careless.

"This is... a way of life. A choice I made for myself," he tries to explain awkwardly. He never fancied himself a teacher; could over a decade's worth of teachings be described in so few words? No, he doesn't need to understand. "A choice you don't appear to have the luxury of having. Here." Ehren tosses two of the gold coins back at him, returning the one that remained to his gold pouch. "For the occasion. Consider yourself fortunate."

Valaria/Li'an

Anevia waves goodbye to the pair, half-distracted as she outfits a young boastful crusader with a longbow. "Take care you two! And happy Armasse!"

Ary/Markus

Veserda shakes her head at Markus. "No son, I likewise assumed you were demon-blooded. You can't blame me considering the region, hm? Though what you say makes sense..." She stops speaking, looking contemplative.

Ehren

The child takes the two gold pieces, his eyes wide. "Oh... wow! Thank you sir!" Before Ehren can say another word, the urchin runs off, vanishing into the crowds.

For everyone...

A sharp retort, like the crack of distant thunder, sounds from the podium in front of the Cathedral of St. Clydwell. The crowd settles down into a dull roar, turning to face the stage where a high ranking crusader holds a still crackling thunderstone in his fist. Prelate Hulrun Shappok, elderly ruler of Kenabres, has taken center stage to deliver the opening commencement. By his side is High Priest Nestrin Alodae, high priest of Iomedae in Kenabres, a small, rotund gentleman whose demeanor is far too gentle for the crusader city. Prelate Hulrun is mostly renowned for his actions in the Third Crusade, where he spearheaded the witch hunts. Many people were taken in for questioning and publicly executed for suspected demonic involvement, often on the flimsiest bits of evidence. A disproportionate number of the executed were from Kenabres' Sarkorian Kellid population, whose nature and spiritualist oriented religious beliefs were viewed as a form of witchcraft in those paranoid days. Despite that dark smear on his past, Prelate Hulrun's reputation as a tactical genius could not be denied, as he has managed to keep Kenabres safe for the duration of his rule, even during the tumultuous days of the Fourth Crusade.

People begin to shuffle away from the stands to crowd in the center of the square in front of the podium.

Valaria jumps slightly at the sound, looking around to see the source of the noise. "I think I'll have to finish my story later," she says, realizing that a speech is about to start. She tugs on Li'an's arm and pulls her forward into the crowd. "Come on, we want good spots for the opening speech."

She looks up at the stage and recognizes Prelate Hulrun, though only by reputation. Even a few days in town was enough to hear a few stories about the man. She frowned slightly, not able to shake the feeling that his demeanor is entirely too grim for a festival day. "He must be rather jaded, being responsible for a city so near the Worldwound," she reasons. "Still, I hope the priest gives the opening speech. He looks much nicer."

Ary's smile vanishes.

Ary's hand is halfway to her sword, as she starts to spin, her shield naturally moving into a defensive position - her turn valuing placing the shield between herself and the threat at the expense of a solid blow, mid-draw - and even then, shifting her weight to interpose herself between Veserda, Markus and the sound... then she calms when she sees the source.

She breathes a sigh of relief, and lets her hand move away from her sword. "Sounded like a cannon or thunder..." she shook her head.

"Is that who I think it is? And on the arm of a Butterfly, no less." Ary's face returned to a smirk, as she watched the pair move into the crowd. "Should we go bug them, or leave them to their date?" She stopped for a moment, before turning back to Markus. "I'm Ary, by the way."

"Demon-blooded. I might as well be, for all the good it's done me and who really did parent me." says Markus with a sigh. "Undeath's a dangerous thing. Stray too close and you seem to catch it."

Markus is startled by the thunderstone's roar, and turns to see Prelate Hulrun. Unfamiliar with the man's past but familiar with his respected reputation. "Apparently there's something important going on. Better hop to it, huh?"

Markus looks Ary up and down before offering her his hand. "Markus. Don't got a last name, so just call me that. Or "mage", I guess."

"Mage it is." she shook his hand, leaving a relatively loose grip that she'd tighten to match his. "Thanks much for the reading, Misses Owl! I'll be sure to return the favor some day!" she waves, and is already off towards the crowd.

Li'an was enjoying the story when the crack of thunder interrupted. She looked around briefly to find the source, but before she could spot it Valaria had already determined the source and was suggesting they head over to the stage. Li'an nodded in agreement, allowing herself to be dragged along by Valaria. "Well Lleuad, this certainly is shaping up to be an interesting Armasse. Coming down from the walls was definitely the right choice."

As they approached the stage, she looked up at Prelate Hulrun and the High Priest Alodae. She remembered the witch hunts well, and not the least bit fondly. Her father had even considered leaving Kenabres at one point, frustrated with the crusaders turning on each other. Needless to say she wasn't terribly fond of the man at the center of the events. "Nothing I can do about it though, and there's no doubt the city needs every edge it can get in this conflict."

As the crowd started to close together, Li'an moved ahead. "Follow my lead, I'll get us up front" she whispered to Valaria. "Lend me a hand, Lleuad!" She reached back for the blade and freed its scabbard, keeping it sheathed. Holding it in front of her, she pushed her way through the crowd.

"Crusaders coming through, clear a path!" she called out, attempting to sound as important as possible.

Bluffing w/ a +1 bonus from Signature Moves
Bluff: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 = 13

Giving a circumstance bonus +2 for having an impressive, important-looking sword to brandish while you do that.

Commoners opposed Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

The crowds part to allow Li'an and Valaria through, though the pair can hear audible muttering as they pass.

"Is that woman a tiefling? Demonspawn?"

"Seems like they let just anyone join the crusaders these days..."

"Does Prelate Hulrun know about that? Back in my day he wouldn't have tolerated such a thing! He's gone soft..."

"Probably a spy...but for whose side?"

What will he spend it on? Food? Clothes? Ehren wonders, watching the boy as he runs off. He recalls the kindness he had been shown earlier, when he had been mistaken as someone less fortunate. Would the boy have been treated the same way? If this day were not so auspicious, would they have acted so kind at all? He shakes his head - to even contemplate such questions was maddening.

A crack of distant thunder snaps Ehren out of his reverie. "Ah, it's starting," he murmurs to himself, finally moving from his spot. Fortunately, it was easy enough to find his way to the square. All he had to do was follow the crowds. As for finding a good spot however, he was on his own.

Valaria looks down at her feet as she lets Li'an drag her ahead. The whispers aren't entirely new for her, but she had hoped that for one day she wouldn't have to deal with the prejudice. Suddenly, she grabs Li'an's arm again and pushes ahead past someone that doesn't move quite fast enough at Li'an's call. "Let's not waste time here," she says. "Maybe it will be QUIETER near the front of the crowd." Her eyes flick towards the loudest mutters before she pulls the elven woman through the path she created.

Prelate Hulrun clears his throat and begins his speech, arms outstretched and beaming towards the crowds. He is clad in shining, resplendent armor decorated with the sword-cross of Iomedae. "Noble citizens of Kenabres! Blessed champions of Iomedae, and of her sister faiths in arms! Crusaders and common people alike! We are gathered here today to --"

Before Hulrun can say more, a bright light shines from the west, as if the sun were rising from the wrong direction. His shadow falls huge and distorted across the cathedral's facade. A moment later, the sound of a thunderous explosion rips through the air and earth, along with a violent tremor. The Prelate draws his longsword and shield, standing in front of the plump Nestrin Alodae.

To the west, the fortress known as the Kite, the sacred location of Kenabres' wardstone erupts into violent flame, lightning and smoke, stretching out towards the heavens.

Ser Holton Albright reacts almost instantaneously. "Men! Guardians! Crusaders! To arms! Protect the wardstone at all costs!" He turns to Hrut, stern. "Ingvarson. You are going to stay here. Protect the people. Get them to safety. That is an order, Crusader. This is no time for blind heroics. You hear me?" Once he is satisfied that Hrut will obey his command, he draws his longsword and charges at the Kite.

Meanwhile, a powerful roar accompanies a welcome sight rising from the crowd. Kenabres' most powerful sacred guardian, the ancient silver dragon Terendelev, soars up into the air, previously disguised as a a human crusader attending the opening ceremony. Above, another form appears, as nightmarish as the dragon was breathtaking, pure evil incarnate. A humanoid shape three times the size of any man, with skin coated in fire and lightning, gripping a flaming sword and whip. The creature's identity is immediately obvious, his name known to even small children of Mendev as the boogie man who lives the dark: Khorramzadeh, the Storm King of the Worldwound, has come to Kenabres! His first act was swift: with his mighty flaming whip he lashes at Prelate Hulrun before he can react, striking the leader dead in one fell blow. Father Nestrin is caught in the tail end of the whip, and falls into the crowd, unconscious.

Great fissures and cracks open up in the ground, as if the very Abyss was erupting forth into Kenabres. Demons of every shape and size are disgorged into the streets. Commonfolk scream and run, while noble crusaders draw their weapons and protect their retreat. Above, the dragon and the balor lord clash in a titanic battle.

Roleplay a reaction for me, but not much more than that, please.... no more than what you could do in 1 round of combat if you choose to buff or something of that nature. Assume that while there's demons beginning to swarm all over the place, you are safe from AoOs.

Markus' eyes grow wide as he looks around at the growing calamity. He takes a step behind Ary, whispering quietly - "I guess we know what the Owl was talking about - a catatrophe impending." He touches her on the shoulder, observing the demons spilling out onto the streets. He reaches for his quarterstaff with the other hand. He whispers again - "What do we do, Ary? Fight?"

Valaria looks up at the stage and smiles as the Prelate begins his speech. As the strange light erupts from behind, she spins on the spot but almost loses her balance as the ground shakes and the shadows stretch ominously. Her eyes go wide and her hands tremble slightly as the titanic dragon leaps into the air, only for the massive demon to burst into the air. "Gods preserve us," she whispers reverently as her hands drop reflexively to her starknives.

She stumbles again as the ground disgorges the horde, managing to draw her starknives and fall into a fighting stance. "Li'an, what do we do?" she shouts over the roar of battle erupting around them. She glances back at the fleeing civilians once then to her companion. With steely resolve, she steps forward to face the invaders beside the crusaders. "I hope you're not still cross with me Lady Desna, because I'm going to need every speck of luck I can get to survive this one."

Ehren's anguished scream rips through the air, his gnarled wooden club clattering to the ground as he buckles over, hands gripping the sides of his head. He falls his knees, seemingly oblivious to the panicked crowds and swarming demons around him. And then just like that, the agony comes to an end. Coming to his senses, he opens his eyes and jerks his head side to side, beholding the escalating chaos. He then looks in the direction of the wardstone, seeing the raging violent flames in the distance.

"Oh no..."

"Desna help us... The Storm King," Li'an said, looking up at the demonic figure almost in a trance. A deep sense of hopelessness washed over her, bringing memories of her fateful trip into the worldwound to the fore. The entire event played through her mind, sapping her will to fight. Just as she began to give in to the terror and hopelessness, Lleuad's words echoed through her mind: Forever remeber the oath you swore to Lleuad-a'r-Sêr, and the price she and your father paid for your life, little one.

Li'an had just begun to snap out of it when she heard Valaria's question. She stammered out an answer, still somewhat dazed. "We need... what to do? Help others, defend the townsfolk..." Tucking her scabbard back behind her, she drew Lleuad-a'r-Sêr and gazed at the ornate bronze blade. "Lleuad, today won't be the day I break my oath, I swear!" she yelled out, seemingly at the blade. She took a deep breath as the last of the doubts fled her mind. "Lets hold them off so the others can escape. We'll fight side by side against whatever comes!"

Ary's shield once more became a wall between herself and the destruction at the Kite. This time, her sword made it all the way out, erupting into a flame with no heat. As Demons began to pour out, she once more placed herself between the Dhampir and the apparent threat. "I don't know. What can you do? We have to protect the people and get them somewhere safe." Her stance was wide and low, definitely attempting to make herself into a wall, rather than a threat. Her grin had shifted into a thin line.

"Fen'Wen! If you can hear me, a Crusader and another, right back here!" she raised her voice, but whether she could break the din of screams was anyone's guess.

Is there a backup plan for getting people to safety in the event of something like -this-? One that Ary knows about?

K(Favored Enemy): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Primary question being: How many different types of Demons are there, here. What kinds can she identify quickly? Names are less important than -numbers- of names. Five different kinds of demons pretty much means 'get people out', as an example, as compared to 'defend people'. Because there are few demons that mortals without training can survive for any length of time.

Hrut gives a silent salute to Albright, a silent fist over the chest, as a probable goodbye and a definite 'will follow your order without question'. Drawing his battleaxe and shield he begins shouting at anyone and gesturing them in the closest exits, attempting to coordinate the flows of panicked into some semblance of order,

"You there this way... No ma'am you and your children back the other way... for your safety sir back this way... Well sir you should not go that way because of the Huge Demon is that way!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Might be more then a turns worth of actions but almost none are strategic other then the weapon draws.

First - Responses to your skill checks

@Ary, re: demons

Not putting this under a spoiler due to stuff I went over in discussion

Among the demons you can identify the following:

• One balor lord.
  
• Invidieks
  
• Dretches (the most numerous)
  
• Vrocks (second most numerous)
  
• Babau (third most numerous)
  
• A handful of hezrou.
  

There are also other demons that you all do not know, including strange goat-men like creatures, and several other enormous insectoid type demons flying about, at least two distinct types. K. Planes/Favored Enemy to identify - gotta choose which you want.

Hrut successfully manages to funnel nearby citizens out and away from the conflict, but looking out towards the rest of the city, he can see smoke rising from the outer rings. Regardless, heading away from Old Kenabres seems to be the wisest choice for the panicked commoners.

Kenabres setting note: Kenabres is formed of a series of four districts, each consisting of a series of walls. The center is known as Old Kenabres (which is where you all are), so named because before the Crusades that was all of Kenabres there was! As the city grew to accommodate more and more crusaders, the city was expanded and more walls were put up.

The festival square has become a great melee of demons fighting crusaders, and panicked townspeople fleeing the streets. However, one thing catches all of your attention: Father Nestrin Alodae, unconscious and wounded, but alive, lays on the ground before the podium. Approaching him are two foul demons - dretches. The hideous creatures are malformed and bloated, their flesh quivering with every step, yet they are surprisingly fast. They lurch towards the priest, eager to deal a finishing blow. The other crusaders are all preoccupied. Someone needs to do something!

Initiative Rolls:

Markus: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15 I believe this is written wrong on your alias? Confirm for me please, I had -1 in my notebook.
Valaria: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Hrut: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Ehren: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Ary: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Li'an: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Dretch 1: 1d20 ⇒ 4 Handwaving tiebreaker
Dretch 2: 1d20 ⇒ 4

Initiative Order

Initiative Order is shared in campaign description so you can glance at it from your campaign summary pages. If someone does not like this, then let me know and I'll only put it on the tab.
1. Ehren
2. Ary
3. Markus
4. Valaria
5. Li'an
6. Hrut
7. Dretch 1
8. Dretch 2

Battlemap

Battlemap has big cracks into the earth. You can use acrobatics as appropriate (use the default DCs in CRB) to try and jump, if you wish. The cracks go in deeper than you can see. Falling would be bad. If you fail an acrobatics check and fall, a DC20 reflex save will save you! Cracks do not get in the way of line of sight, but you obviously can't charge over them.

While you are literally surrounded with fleeing townspeople, demons fighting crusaders, and general chaos, assume that what you have on the battlemap is all you need to worry about from a tactics perspective for simplicity's sake.

Ehren is up.

K(Favored Enemy)Type 1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
K(Favored Enemy)Type 2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Firm, resounding 'no'. :)

When Hrut finally gets to go

Since he had already been on the ground, Ehren took the opportunity to gather up a few small pebbles off the street. The passing city folk might have thought him insane for starting his rock collection now of all times; that is, if they were not so busy being terrified. As the crowd in the square thins, the druid catches sight of some of the terrible creatures nearby, about to attack a defenseless man. Ehren glances again to the west, remembering his sacred duty... but for now, it would have to wait.

Clenching the three stones in his fist, Ehren raises his hand to his mouth and murmurs quietly to them in a tongue few would understand.

Casting magic stone. Hope the pebbles aren't too far-fetched - they magically find their way into my shoes all the time. :P

Ary is holding her action to after Markus' to give him room to do whatever it is he wants to do.

Markus is up.

Markus glances at Ary to see that she's tensed into a combat pose, and that she's got her gaze fixed on the far dretch. Markus narrows his eyes and takes a breath to steel his resolve. His breath, shaky as it is, helps him as he points to the other, closer dretch. "This is what I can do." he says to Ary. "Let's hope it's enough."

He focuses in on the dretch, performing several arcane gestures and reciting the formula that he'd been taught, before speaking to the demon,

Markus casts cause fear on the closer dretch. He is entitled to a DC 16 Will save. Failure means that the dretch is frightened for 1d4 ⇒ 3 rounds. Success means that it's shaken instead, for 1 round.

If the spell takes, Markus does his best to move to the side of the downed priest. If it doesn't, he draws his quarterstaff and stays where he is.

Dretch 1 Will Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

The dretch in front of Markus trembles all over, though its dim little mind is not entirely sure of the reason why. It starts looking around for an escape route.

Ary shifts into the fray, moving to interpose herself between the downed priest and the further Dretch, trusting Markus to stay out of the fray as best he can. As she gets into position she checks the Dretch with the cold iron spikes of her shield.

Shield Bash Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 2 - 2 = 19
Damage: 1d4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 2 = 6

Ary clocks the dretch with her shield, smashing into the creature like a boulder. The spikes on the shield burn into its flesh, leaving ragged burns on its body.

Ary deals 6 damage to Dretch 2

Valaria is up.

"Why didn't I buy cold iron weapons when I had the chance," Valaria chastises herself as she watches the slobbering creatures close in. "I'll just have to make the best of it." She closes in on the nearest demon to put herself between it and the fallen priest and lashes out with one of her knives.

Move 10 feet south so I'm NE of Dretch 1 and attack.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

If that hits:

Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

An elusive maneuver and thrust scores a deep hit on the creature's shoulder, but the flesh heals right back up as soon as the damage was done.

Fluff, obviously, they don't have regenerate, hah.

Valaria's hit on Dretch 1 is absorbed by DR.

Li'an is up.

Moving down and attacking.

Li'an moved up shoulder-to-shoulder with Valaria, attacking the Dretch despite the fact it was unlikely Lleuad would be able to damage it.

Attack(Hit/Dam): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 91d6 ⇒ 5

"We need to get the High Priest up and moving! Can you see if you can rouse him, Valaria? I'm not sure we'll be able to kill these without proper weapons, and we may need to fall back. I'll cover you!"

The dretch dodges surprisingly nimbly out of Li'an's reach, eyes wide with pure fear.

Hrut moves down to the priest's side, and adopts a fighting stance.

Dretch 1 flees, its arms in the air waving wildly.

Dretch 2 focuses its attentions on Ary. It bites and claws at her. Ary manages to force one claw away with her longsword, but that leaves her vulnerable to its other hand, which slices a long gash down her cheek. It withdraws, licking her fresh blood from its hand.

Dretch 2 bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Dretch 2 claw: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Dretch 2 claw: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Dretch 2 claw damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Li'an misses. Hrut activates Pugilist's Stance. Dretch 1 withdraws, running south in a straight line. Dretch 2 deals 2 damage to Ary.

Adding HP totals to the campaign tab in a moment.

Round 2 Start.

Ehren is up.

Ehren moves the enchanted stones around in his fist, transferring one beneath his thumb. He then takes aim and with a flicking motion, fires the pebble at the demon across the crack.

Magic Stone: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 = 9 I changed my mind, I wish I had that natural 20 now. :(
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Unfortunately, his aim left much to be desired.

Botting Ary while she is away for the evening.

Ary slams her shield against the dretch, its sharp spikes digging into its vulnerable skin.

Ary shield slam: 1d20 + 5 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 2 - 2 = 17
Ary shield damage: 1d4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 2 = 6

Ehren misses. Ary deals 6 more damage to Dretch 2.

Markus is up.

Markus dashes into the fray, positioning himself such that Ary is between himself and the remaining dretch (that hasn't fled due to his necromantic magic) and such that he is beside the unconscious priest.

Willing the magic of life from a reservoir of power within him, the tips of Markus' fingers begin to glow with positive energy. It stings something fierce, but it doesn't harm him, and it might save the priest.

"That dretch will only be away for a few moments. Finish off the other one before more demons come."

Markus uses rebuke death on Father Nestrin, healing him for 1d4 ⇒ 4 points of damage.

Father Nestrin groans, his eyes fluttering open. "What...what? Oh, sweet Inheritor.." he gasps out at the horror unfolding around him.

Father Nestrin Initiative: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (1) - 2 = -1

Valaria is up.

Valaria looks across at the strangely pale man and smiles. "Nice work," she says. She sheaths one starknife and offers a hand to help Father Nestrin stand. "Up you get. You need to get out of here. There's too many of them and you're still hurt." Her eyes dart warily around, looking for any other demons that might threaten the high priest.

Prepare an action to attack any demon in reach that threatens Father Nestrin.

Li'an is up.

Li'an looks around and sees the large crusader that was behind her and Valaria preparing to charge the Dretch that was being fought by... "Ary? I thought I heard your voice calling earlier!" she called out as she began moving quickly towards the demon.

As she came around to the side of the Dretch, she tried to catch the large man's attention, signaling him to move around to flank the creature if at all possible.

Swinging Lleuad, she tried her best to distract the demon for few moments.

Attack(Hit/Dam): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 201d6 ⇒ 4

If possible Hrut will take Li'an up on the flanking if no acrobatics check is required hah!

Hrut sees an opening on the dretch and moves in, flanking across from Li'an.

Pre-Rolls:

Battleaxe: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Shield: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Battleaxe Damage: 1d6 + 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (5) + (6) + 4 + 2 = 17 Strength, Group weapon
Shield Damage: 1d6 + 1d4 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + (3) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 14 Strength, trait, group weapon

Scything through the air, Hrut's battleaxe intersects the dretch's path and cuts deeply, cleanly chopping one of its arms off. With his other hand he bashes into the creature, nearly staggering it.

Nestrin Alodae is too weak to move much. Instead, he grabs onto Markus' hand, and whispers. "Be brave, lad." Soothing light glows where their hands meet, and Markus is suddenly filled with courage.

Father Nestrin casts Greater Heroism onto Markus: +4 morale bonus for attack rolls, saves, skill checks, immunity to fear, and 11 temporary hit points. Duration: 11 minutes.

The frightened dretch keeps on trucking, running as fast as his short little legs can take him. He keeps on running, and when Markus' effect on its weak mind wears off, it forgets what it was doing before it became so frightened. It focuses its efforts on a nearby group of crusaders, instead.

The other dretch keeps his focus on Ary. It snarls at her, attempting to bite her. It butts its head out like a ram and sinks its teeth into her shoulder. As it withdraws, it collapses to the ground, unconscious.

Dretch 2 bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Dretch 2 bite damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Hrut deals 21 damage (subtracting 10 to DR), disabling Dretch 2. Dretch 1 keeps running. Dretch 2 bites Ary, but the effort KOs it.

I almost had Nestrin channel, then realized he would probably obliterate Markus into dust if he did that.... whoops. :P

Combat Ends

Thank you for botting me! In addition to shield slamming, Ary will move to be able to aid either of her allies should the Dretch attack them; the good priest no longer being helpless. Or not! It didn't matter! Posting times are overpowered!

"Hey, Fen'wen." Ary said, brushing her hair out of her wound. "Not much time to talk. They're playing fast and hard." Ary shook her head. Then her smirk returned, even as blood slid down her face. 10/12 "I like your new girlfriend, though."

Then she turned her attention back to who they'd defended, "We need to continue getting people out, I think. What do you think, Father?" she made a mental note to mention that he was unconscious; she didn't know that that would matter for possession... but it seemed like it made sense. If it wasn't a thing, then no harm done. She'd make certain to only mention it to a Crusader that didn't do the whole 'witch hunt' thing, though.