GM Kiora's Wrath of the Righteous

Game Master Kiora Atua

I'm assuming everything on the map is either common knowledge or we've been filled in on where everything is for us outsiders.

To keep things simple (minimizing back-and-forth on pbp is good): yes

Horgus grumbles, but at Ary and Valaria's insistence, he relents. "Ugh. Fine. Let's just make this quick, then."

Aravashnial offers a mock bow. "Thank you for your patience, Lord Gwerm," he says, sardonically.

Horgus grumbles, turning his back from the group. "Yeah, yeah. Fine."

The heroes settle on leaving for Blackwing and head northwest. Li'an leads the way alongside Valaria, with Ehren, Anevia, Aravashnial and Markus behind them, Hrut with the prisoners behind them, and Ary and Horgus taking the rear.

While they walk, Aravashnial listens to Markus. He seems taken aback that Markus would still want to help him, after their previous arguments. It takes him a few moments, but he responds.

"I've... never heard of such a thing. My interest is piqued. Do you know of anyone in particular? Honestly, I'm amazed that you've even been thinking of me. I'm not sure that I deserve it."

Their conversation is interrupted by a loud scream - a woman's voice. It is coming from a shop a block away - the shop is partially smashed up, but the front-end of the building is still whole. A tattered sign remains outside - it reads "Fine Fittings".

Val lets Li'an lead, keeping just behind her as their walking since she doesn't know the streets nearly as well as the elf. At the sound of the scream, she jumps. "A survivor!" She rushes forward, careless of whether the rest of the group follows immediately or not. "Come on. That scream can't have been a good sign." She

Ary's teeth tugged at her lip, as she stayed in the back, her constant vigilance on the ruins around themselves becoming even more rushed, as she realized that if there was danger ahead, she needed to be careful of danger -behind- as well.

With a wary grimace Ehren follows after Valaria. He takes care to activate his spirit sense first, to determine whether some demons still lingered within the city... or where they were running to.

"Take heed - there are two demons up ahead. Too powerful to be dretches."

"Lovely. Then we have to move fast. We can't leave a woman to demons more powerful than dretches."

Are we assuming all targets of Ehren's ability are demons? They could be undead or fey ;)

"There was a psion professor, but it's not likely we could get him to travel here... I did meet a young woman once -" Markus is explaining, but he's interrupted by a scream. "That'll have to wait. We're moving ahead - apparently someone's in danger inside of a clothing shop."

"Careful, we need to hit hard, not just fast. If there are more demons about, they'll be alerted. It might become nasty fast."

This they could be ;) I've been running on the assumption that the auras would feel different, but the class feature is not explicit about this, that is true!

It could just as easily be the ghost of a half-fiend pixie, but Ehren's not betting on it. ;P

Li'an stops briefly to call upon the magic she'd mastered, linking herself, Valaria, Markus and Ary together so that they can communicate easily. She then draws Lleuad and moves ahead in the direction of the scream, trying to scout ahead as thoroughly as possible without delaying.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

Li'an and Valaria approach the shop. The door is hanging ajar.

Inside, the shop is actually mostly intact. In the back corner are two humans - a man and woman, holding each other and cowering as two rat-faced demons lurk on the other end of the shop. The demons are deformed, horned, hunchbacked monsters with a forked, rat-like tail and two-thumbs on both hands. Curiously, they are ignoring the terrified citizens, preferring to instead ransack the fine clothing on display.

The demons are distracted. The heroes are entitled to a surprise round!

Initiative Rolls

I've been real busy lately and haven't audited your levelling up so if anyone got a boost to initiative this level let me know pleeeasseee.

Markus: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3
Valaria: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Hrut: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Ehren: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Ary: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Li'an: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Aravashnial: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Horgus Gwerm: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0
Anevia Tirablade: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Demon 1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Demon 2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Surprise Round
1. Valaria
2. Ehren
3. Demon 2
4. Anevia
5. Li'an
6. Ary
7. Demon 1
8. Aravashnial
9. Hrut
10. Markus
11. Horgus

Valaria is up.

Battlemap updated.

K(Planes): 1d20 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 3 = 16 DEMONS

"Jealousy Demons. They live to break things that they don't have." Ary whispered.

*cough*someone aid another*cough*

I actually have another +2 to Initiative thanks to my new Deed, but I'm going first anyway so it doesn't matter this time.

Knowledge Planes: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Val sees the demons and recognizes their foul rat-like appearance. "Sh*t, Abrikandilu," she growls. Considering her own appearance, and the group in general, they're all likely to be targets for the demons. "They like to go for the face. Be careful," she warns. Seeing the two figures trapped behind the demons, she draws her blades and charges the nearest demon, hoping to draw their attention from the civilians.

Attack (Charge): 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 2 = 11

Gotcha, edited my copy-paste initiative thingie

Valaria charges at one of the abrikandilu, slashing it on the shoulder. It immediately heals back up.

Miss, just fluffing

Ehren is up.

Ehren raises a hand as though to rub his eyes, but it merely lingers there momentarily before being lowered again. A slight gleam is left in the back of his eyes, which can now pierce beyond the illumination the group had on them. He then moves forward, stopping to look at one of the demons through the window.

Activating cavesight, duration 1 hour.

My out of combat stance gives me a +4 to initiative actually, for a total of +5

Edit:
"I am fine with going to the library before going to the Gwerms, it is on the way."

Now:

"Am I staying with these prisoners or what is the exact plan here?"

Alright, Hrut, I need you to add something to your alias if you want automate stance switching in combat vs out of combat since I was never aware of that- along the lines of what Valaria and Ary have for their automation - I just searched your post history and you've never once declared that you switched to silver crane waltz at any point.

Anevia draws her shortsword and slowly hobbles towards the building. She glances at Hrut. "Well, someone needs to. What do you think?"

Li'an is up

Li'an follows Valaria in charging one of the demons, preparing to strike swiftly with Lleuad before the demons are able to react. As she reaches the demon she lunges forward on one foot, deftly twisting herself to bring Lleuad forward in a vicious backhand, slashing at the creature's face.

Attack vs Flat-footed
Attack(Hit:Charge;Damage:SA): 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 2 = 161d6 + 3 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 3 + (1, 1) = 8
-2 AC for coming round

Ary presses her hand to her scale, and then touches Hrut's Warhammer. "Go. You can keep people alive better than I can with your healing, Shiny." Ary says as she takes hold of the rope.

Standard action to cast Align Weapon on Hrut's Warhammer. Ick. Hit submit rather than preview. Shouldn't matter, though. :|

During the surprise round, you can take a standard or move, but not both. :)

(you can also charge up to your speed, those rules are under the charge rules though, the PRD likes to be intentionally confusing that way)

Ah, forgot it was a surprise round. Just the Blessing, then.

The abrikandilu ducks at the last moment, just barely missing a savage blow from Lleuad.

Aravashnial frowns.

Aravashnial K. Planes (Favored Enemy: Demons): 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 12 + 2 = 24 Know-it-all ;)

"Abrikandilu?...Those are more difficult than they may seem... they are not particularly fast but they do have thick hides. Perhaps we should not have rushed in. Abrikandilu are particularly adept at sundering. They have access to some magic - they can cause fear in their foes and also shatter objects. All abrikandilu loathe only one thing more than beauty- their own reflection. Curiously, the countenances of other abrikandilu do not vex a wrecker demon, but the sight of its own deformed shape drives it into a furious anger. Does anyone have a mirror?"

He turns towards Ary's voice. "Also, Invidiak are jealousy demons. Abrikandilu are wrecker demons," he says dryly, as if he were teaching a schoolchild.

Hrut is up.

"They became Abrikandilu because they broke something precious -out- of jealousy. Envy and jealousy are different." Ary says, slightly annoyed. "Invidiak want what they can't have, Abrikandilu didn't want others to take what was theirs."

Whoops, took two actions last post. I'll roll the move action into my next round action if you don't mind. Also, are the windows intact?

Yep, they're intact.

Sounds good to me. They don't care much for Ehren's face, so no big deal ;D

Haha... yeah that's awkward... Sorry I totally swore I did too, grr, I'm really sorry and will add some simple things that he does.

Edit: Running at a Hrut pace forward.

"Thanks Ary, I was afraid I would have to knock them out then charge in hah!"

Aravashnial is a pesky demonology knowitall: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 12 + 2 = 28

Even in the heat of battle to save innocents, Aravashnial never backs down from an opportunity to lecture about his chosen specialty.

Aravashnial chuckles. "Very good, you've actually listened to Miammir's Introduction to Demonology, I can tell! She is a good friend of mine... though we haven't always seen eye-to-eye on all things." His tone is patronizing.

"The primary difference between an abrikandilu and an invidiak is that abrikandilu can come from a variety of sinful souls - the main thing that they have in common is the fact that they destroy beautiful objects, regardless of the motivation, hence the colloquialism, "wrecker demons." This is to be carefully differentiated from Ulkreth, who specifically like to destroy things on an enormous scale, and are known as 'destruction demons'."

"Invidiak are interchangeably known as envy, jealousy, or even simply shadow demons. That sword of yours, Radiance - did you know that Yaniel wrote a famous series of manuscripts on demon hunting? I quote, from Manuscript XII, page 5 - 'Those compelled to their vile acts out of anger become vrocks, those driven by jealousy become invidiaks, those fueled by greed become nalfeshnees - though amongst murderers there are several specific kinds of demons depending on the nature of the murder itself.' Ah, if Blackwing is intact, we must find their copy. You need to read them, her writing is extraordinary, easily the best new contribution to the field within the past three decades."

Alright Hrut, looks good! It's no big deal, I just don't like making tactical decisions for you guys - but I'm fine with executing some if/then style statements to speed things along

Markus is up.

K(DEMONS): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

"I... actually did not know a lot of that. About Abrikandilu, that is. Or that Invidiaks were so widespread in creation. Kind of neat. We should probably talk more about this stuff later. I'll try to find whichever books you can recommend; it's going to be important that I know what we're dealing with, so you can fill in the rest." she suggests. The tone of annoyance having vanished as she realizes exactly what a lifetime study of demons entailed. Especially for an elf. He could have spent an entire century... in fact, maybe he had... just on this one topic, and still have lived a full life. "Thanks, Avi."

Markus moves up beside Anevia, smiling reassuringly at her and imbuing her (and everyone else around them) with morale-boosting magicks - he had heard Aravashnial's words about what the demons could do with fear, and he wanted to help protect his friends.

MA to move up, SA to cast bless. 3 minutes, +1 to attack rolls and saves versus fear effects.

We're in the surprise round so MA or SA :) I moved you back and checked - you are still close enough to hit the whole group with bless.

Unlike Ehren, you are ~pretty enough~ to catch their attention so it does matter for their tactics.

Anyway, everybodies got bless

Horgus moves up closer to the middle of the group, not wanting to be in the rearguard as a fight broke out. He eyes the nearby ruined buildings warily, as if strange men were just waiting to jump out at him.

Round 1

Aravashnial smiles at Ary. "Of course. I'd love to talk further. I'm glad you're inquisitive. Miammir complains often of new recruits falling asleep during her lectures - can you imagine? This stuff is fascinating -how could anyone do that?"

Valaria is up

"As fascinating as this conversation is, perhaps we can focus on killing the demons before they tear our faces off." Val attacks again, going for one clean strike with her knife.

Attack (Bless): 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 1 = 11

The abrikandilu bounces out of the way of Valaria's knife, staring hungrily at her with its beady little eyes.

Ehren is up.

Seeing Li'an and Valaria engaging the demons through the window, Ehren hurries on inside, approaching the survivors.

"Are you all right?" he asks, looking them over. Well, as all right as you can be, he ponders humorlessly.

The two townsfolk stare up at Ehren. They are currently huddled behind an immense vat of what once was vivid blue dye - only the residue remains to help indicate its original function. The entire shop appears to be an upscale clothing store - there are clothes on racks, all over the floor, and other accessories such as belts, scarves, cuffs, and handkerchiefs.

Finally the man speaks, peering at Ehren. "Is... this all a dream? Please don't rob us. We already gave all the money we had to the last group of crusaders that came through. Please."

The abrikandilu engaged with Li'an turns to face Valaria. It lunges at her face- Valaria raises her starknife at the very last second, supernaturally aware of the attack from Markus' divine blessing, and instead delivers a deep cut across its face instead. Despite her weapon having no holy properties - the wound does not heal. The creature snarls and claws wildly, managing to edge close enough to her and mislead her into a early parry. With a twist it curls other her offhand and delivers a deep cut above her knee.

Anevia draws her shortsword and heads up to the doorway. She focuses, and her shortsword glows with light, illuminating the dimly lit shop. "Li'an," she murmurs. "Get in position!"

As she prepares to attack the demon again, Li'an recalls the lessons her father gave her on channeling arcane energy into a weapon. At the time she hadn't understood it, but he'd assured her many times that once she'd begun to be able to work magic it would come naturally. She only needed to keep practicing her forms. Finally the years of practice repeating those forms pay off, as the final piece clicks into place in her mind. "Working spells with somatic components involves manipulating the magic, guiding and channeling it through the various gestures. In much the same way, the forms I've learned are designed to allow me to channel energy through a blade," she thinks, grinning at the epiphany.

Li'an focuses and works Lleuad-a'r-Ser through a series of quick sweeping motions, drawing upon her inner reserves of magic as she does. When she finishes, a sheath of silvery light, not unlike that of stars in the night sky, encompasses the bronze blade. Li'an sidesteps into position, moving behind the nearest demon to place it between herself and Valaria.

Swift Action: Arcane Pool +1 enh to Lleuad, Full-Round: 5' step and attack

Unfortunately, her focus was entirely on the blade, and she clipped the desk in the corner as she moved around the demon, throwing her off balance and causing her attack to swing wide.

"Kül və alova meşə!" she cursed as she regained her balance.

Ary takes up the rope and keeps the prisoners busy, moving between them (I know, I know...) to better defend her allies.

"Well, yeah... I'd be up there killing them, too, but someone has to hold the rope, and guard the flank. If you want to trade, I'm alright with it," she offers, but doesn't continue the conversation with Avi, just now.

The other abrikandilu approaches Valaria, slowly moving to circle around her. It savagely rips into her with its claws. Valaria falls to the ground, unconscious. The monster turns to stare at Li'an - its claws slick with gore.

Hrut moves into the room, hoping to distract one of the monsters from Li'an, but the creature grabs a piece of broken furniture and flings it at him, distracting him just enough for his massive swing to miss.

Markus moves up so that he can see through the window, and attempts to cast cause fear on the closer of the two demons. It shakes his encroaching influence from its mind, though it is left shaken by the experience. Both demons peer through the window at Markus, suddenly distracted from the two crusaders in the shop with them....

Abrikandilu #2 Bite vs Valaria (Power Attack): 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 9 - 2 = 19
Parry (Bless): 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 1 = 20
Riposte: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 No, I didn't forget about DR, these guys don't have any :p
Abrikandilu #2 Claw vs Valaria (Power Attack): 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 9 - 2 = 9
Abrikandilu #2 Claw vs Valaria (Power Attack): 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 9 - 2 = 27
Abrikandilu #2 Claw Crit Confirm vs Valaria (Power Attack): 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 9 - 2 = 20
Abrikandilu Claw critical damage (Power Attack): 2d4 + 8 + 8 ⇒ (3, 2) + 8 + 8 = 21
Li'an Attack(Hit:Bless,Flanking;Damage:Sneak Attack, Arcane Enhancement) vs Abrikandilu 2: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 9
Li'an Fumble Confirm: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 26
Abrikandilu #1 Bite vs Valaria (Power Attack): 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 9 - 2 = 8
Abrikandilu #1 Claw vs Valaria (Power Attack): 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 9 - 2 = 25
Abrikandilu Claw vs Valaria (Power Attack): 1d4 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 4 = 10
Abrikandilu #1 Claw vs Valaria (Power Attack): 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 9 - 2 = 26
Abrikandilu Claw vs Valaria (Power Attack): 1d4 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 4 = 12
Hrut Attack/Damage vs Abrikandilu 2 (Bless): 1d20 + 8 +1 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 17
1d8 + 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + (6) + 4 = 14

Blessed weapon from Ary? Whatever that does[/ooc]

It makes your weapon good aligned as align weapon

Bless saved you from that first attack and saved you from a lot of damage - let it never be said I don't try really hard to help you guys (my f2f group claims im out to kill them :<)

EDIT: Nvm, my dice are on a rampage and are out to kill you, some sort of horrible karma from them sucking last night. I guess? Meanwhile, you guys REALLY need to roll higher than 10 plzkthx.

ROUND 1 SUMMARY: Abrikandilu #2 smashes Valaria for 21 damage from crit damage, wounding her, but she parry/ripostes his bite for 8 damage back at him. Abrikandilu #1 then cuts down Valaria for an additional 22 damage, leaving her at -6 HP. Markus casts cause fear on the closer Abrikandilu - it makes its save and is shaken.

Round 2

Valaria lays on the ground, bleeding out from her wounds. She is dying. The heroes must act fast.

Valaria stable?: 1d20 + 2 - 6 ⇒ (1) + 2 - 6 = -3 yeah that's what I figured- NOW I fumble

Ehren is up

I think Ary posted an action in discussion last night if you want to use that.

Ah, gotcha, thanks! Editing.

A dream? More like a nightmare.

"I am afraid not," Ehren replies softly, feeling a pang of sympathy for these folks. What the man said about the crusaders he met before however brought on a creeping suspicion. "We are not here to rob you." Before he can give the man more reassurance, or ask him more about the robbery, the sound of Valaria's body dropping to the ground reminds him that there was a battle going on. His face hardens once more.

"Stay here," he says to the townsfolk as he concentrates on a spell. For him in his current state, it was a simple matter to reconstitute the spells he had prepared earlier. His divine magic was all powered by the same source, after all.

Ehren whispers a brief incantation, calling up positive energy into his hand, before cautiously stepping forward to touch Valaria.

Converting snowball into cure light wounds. The touch itself shouldn't provoke, as far as I know.

CLW: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Ugh, forums were being weird for me a minute there, looks like it's sorted itself out though.

Moved you to a spot on the map where you can reach Valaria and not take an AoO. As far as I know as well, you only take an AoO if you yourself are threatened by an opponent while casting a spell, not if the allied target of your spell is. Someone who is more in tune with the rules should feel free to correct me on this, though.

Ehren kneels down to touch Valaria, and her wounds heal. Her eyes flutter open, and though she is still severely wounded, she is no longer dying.

The abrikandilu between Valaria and Li'an seems distracted. Its eyes dart to the door, which is blocked by Hrut and Ehren. It lifts a nearby mannequin and flings it at the window, shattering it. Li'an and Hrut take the opportunity to strike at the abrikandilu as it does this. The abrikandilu blocks Hrut's blow with the mannequin, but leaves itself vulnerable to Li'an. Like sunlight slipping into a dark corner, her overhead swing slips between the demon's defenses.

Anevia circles around, moving slowly into the room with her glowing shortsword. 2x move to avoid AoOs

Abrikandilu #2 Improvised Ranged Weapon vs Window (AC 10, Improvised Weapon Penalty, Shaken): 1d20 + 7 - 4 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 7 - 4 - 2 = 12
Abrikandilu #2 Improvised Ranged Weapon Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Li'an AoO vs Abrikandilu #2 (Bless,Flanking;Damage:Sneak Attack, Arcane Enhancement): 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 20
Li'an damage vs Abrikandilu #2: 1d6 + 3 + 1 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 + (1, 2) = 9
Hrut AoO vs Abrikandilu #2 (Bless): 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 1 = 14

Summary: Valaria is now at -2 (she lost an HP on her turn due to failing the stabilize check, I forgot to mention that and now I can't edit that post.) She is conscious, critical, prone and disabled. Abrikandilu #2 shatters the window with an improvised weapon, triggering AoOs from Hrut and Li'an. Li'an strikes it for 9 damage.

Li'an is up.

The act of casting is what provokes. There's nothing distracting or overexterting about touching your friend's shoulder. :)

The sight of Valaria getting savagely shredded by the two demons caused Li'an pain. She worked on remaining focused though, trusting Ehren and the others to make sure she'd be alright.

Li'an calls out to the group as she maneuvers behind the two fiends. "We need mirrors! Like Aravashnial said! These aren't anywhere as trivial to deal with as the dretches we fought."

Li'an looked around desperately for anything she could use as a mirror. As she did, a thought occured to her. "Ehren! You can conjure water right? Create as much as you can manage on the floor! Markus or Anevia, see if you can get a light up in the ceiling! Use a dagger or something to get it stuck up there!"

Li'an will look around for any shards of the shattered window that are large enough to get a decent reflection out of (or a mirror if one is handy) and pick it up. If she's able to, she'll try to get the creatures attention to get him to look into it.

If Li'an can manage that as a move action, and gets their attention, she'll do Total Defense (+6 AC, +4 from total defense, +2 from 3 ranks in acrobatics) to buy time.

Li'an perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Li'an finds a partially cracked full-length mirror, mostly hidden under a big pile of shredded clothes, five feet to her left.

It will be a move action to pick it up, and it will provoke an AoO - are you going to do this?

May regret this... but how shiny is my 4-mirror armor? And! FML this is the only character I have ever made w/o a mirror!

You didn't mark #2 cause you didn't hit him. If you want me to automatically mark opponents when you AoO, list that in your tactics on your alias please :)

4-mirror armor isn't actually a mirror, just disks. Sometimes they were polished to resemble mirrors, but I looked up some pictures of actual four-mirror armor so i dont think theyre actual mirrors.

In the future, if you'd like to take a moment and have Hrut polish his armor and/or shield until it is reflective and shiny specifically for future abrikandilu encounters I would have it work as you expect. :)

(Armor upkeep is actually a big deal to Torag worshippers so it could serve also as a religious practice - pretty cool!)

Well, that sucked. Apparently the GM dice hate me again :P

Bah! I thought the 17 from above hit him, not a biggie, he will get smacked soon enough!