GM Kiora's Wrath of the Righteous

Game Master Kiora Atua

Beatrix's player appears inactive, I will move the round forwards and skip her turn.

Time passes: 1 round.

Unafe doesn’t respond. She swings, her fist striking the Templar’s helm with a sickening crack. The armored figure stumbles, dropping to the ground, unconscious.

A moment of silence hangs in the air, broken only by the faint buzzing of the locusts in the jar on the table. The templars draw their weapons. Then, Grillixbee’s voice hums once more through their minds, her tone almost… amused.

“I gave you an order, Templars. Stand down and do not interfere.” The demon’s gaze flicks back to Unafe, then to the rest of the group. “I would hate to lose such valuable guards over a… misunderstanding. What is your business in the Ivory Sanctum?”

Swift to summon Amber. 7 Rounds of Haste remaining. She moves 60 feet while stealthed (taking a penalty for more than half speed). She spends two spellpoints as a standard action to activate a Totem. It has a 70 foot radius and has no effect through walls. The caster level is 8. It is a totem of Expulsion. The second spellpoint makes it last for 8 minutes. She'll leave Amber (where she's currently standing) on the totem as a free action. A totem allows for Spell Resistance, but Expulsion doesn't require a save. Grillixbee is not currently in the radius.

Stealth (Good, Fast): 1d20 + 27 + 3 - 3 ⇒ (7) + 27 + 3 - 3 = 34
Perception (Good HOpe): 1d20 + 26 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 26 + 3 = 31

Sana's bouncing leg comes to a stop, accompanied by the other for just a moment. "Yessss..." she thinks, glowing with excitement at having gotten them at least somewhere better. "Saving people is what Bis-" she hesitates as she responds quietly, "-we do."

"Four in the bathroom." she whispers to the others via the message spell as she recalls Amber to her side.

"We're on the other side of the Temple. Empty barracks around the corner on the left, and just in the hall my companions are engaging one of the enemy leaders. A Vanity demon. Further south on the right, some of our enemies should be engaged with each other... in theory. No idea how Yui managed it, but she's got them at each other's throats. If you can't fight in your current state, just hunker down. Clean up while you can. There could be some left over gear in the barracks. Move quietly if you can and if you can't... just wait for a bit. Once we're done, I don't know how far we'll have to travel through the Worldwound."

She turns her attention to the Kellid man. "Of course. Aedric, you said? I'm Anna, not a great time for introductions, but what's your name, it should make everything easier when it comes to getting him out." she tilts her head, offering a kind smile, but feeling the need to move build up, starting to fidget. As soon as she gets a name she'll give a nod and take off, moving quickly and hopefully staying mostly out of sight. She focuses on Opal and her connection to both Mother Heartwood and Faith, conjuring a minor abjuration against outsiders, a tiny shimmer left fluttering alongside Amber as she darts into cover near the door her allies are standing outside of.

"If nothing crazy happens, I'm going for the fifth as soon as I can." she informs Rue. Things certainly seemed well at hand for now. Though Desna always did prefer things to be a bit more interesting in her experience.

Hoping to buy Unafe another few moments to close the distance with Grillixbee, Yui steps behind Unafe and dispels her illusion. She didn't need the templars to be confused, she just needed to convince Grillixbee that a discussion was taking place.

Bluff: 1d20 + 23 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 23 + 3 = 38

"Misunderstanding? Is it a misunderstanding that you tried to cover up that succubus pet of Jerribeth's selling out Vang to the crusaders? Have you been working with them all along? What were you hoping to gain?" She says with a scowl, her eyes showing rage and betrayal. "I knew your impartiality was a lie intended to lure Vang and our adepts into trusting you."

"Rue, tell Unafe to go straight for Grillix now while I am distracting him," she sends to her friend, hoping to spur the saurian shaman into acting quickly.

Std action: Dismiss disguise self. Reminder that currently Yui is in human form with no vulpine features at all.

As the heroes of the hour move up ahead of her, Beatrix follows behind, abandoning the pretense of 'sneaking' to jog up behind Rue and Hinagiku. Hearing but not seeing the demon up ahead, she scoffs at the thing's pretend gentlemanly attitude.

There is no angle, nor misunderstanding. They were there to kill all the Adepts and Templars, and to steal their secrets, and they were going to start with this disgusting bug-thing.

She calls out, "Lady Iomedae, bless us with valor, bless us with agility, bless us with power, and we will drive evil from this world!"

She calls a divine blessing of fervor on her nearby allies, transmuting them with a flexible boon.

Beatrix moves 30' and then casts blessing of fervor, lasting 9 rounds.
She is able to target herself, Rue, Ehren, Hinagiku, Yui, and Sana.
Each round, allies choose between:
- +2 to attacks, AC, and Reflex
- Stand up as a swift action with no AoOs
- Make an extra attack with a FRA
- Increase speed by 30 feet
- Add free Silent, Still, Enlarge, or Extend metamagic to a spell level 2 or less

Unafe leaps over the body of the unconscious templar and onto the table in front of the demon, landing with a crack and slamming into the vile thing and attempting to wrestle her into submission.

As she does she snarls and says, Hallit: "Our business? Freeing Sarkoris from a demonic taint. If you want to help, hold still."

BUFFS ON ALLIES:
. . War Honk (aka Fierce Shout) on all allies (ONLY if my first strike hit; 3 rounds)[b]
1) get +6 dam to first attack per round,
2) can spend a Move to refocus Unafe
.
[b]All within my (currently 5') reach have the benefits of the following aegises:
Inner Peace (aegis)
Mystic Shell (aegis)
Fateless (aegis)
Deathless (aegis)

Ehren does not dignify the vile creature's curiosity with a response, more than happy to let Unafe do the talking - and the smashing. As she makes a beeline for Grillixbee, he activates his force shield and barges into the room, directing his attention to the nearest Templar.

Free action to activate ring of force shield, bumping his AC up by +4. Swift action to assume Offensive Style. Move action to shove the adjacent Templar. Standard action to attack the Templar.

Shove (Touch Attack): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31
Shove inflicts 5 damage and the battered condition.
Unarmed Strike (Good Hope, Power Attack): 1d20 + 14 + 3 - 3 ⇒ (3) + 14 + 3 - 3 = 17
Damage (Good Hope, Power Attack): 1d4 + 6 + 3 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 3 + 6 = 18

+2 to those attack rolls from blessing of fervor if Beatrix is before Ehren's initiative.

“Anna’s in position outside the door, and she’s ready to make her move for the fifth prisoner when the time is right. Everything’s clear so far, but let’s keep it that way,” Rue says telepathically to everyone.

“What are you talking about?” the fly demon’s telepathic voice buzzes, an edge of confusion and annoyance creeping into her tone.

Unafe’s movements are swift and relentless. She shifts her weight and grabs onto the demon, her grip like iron. In one fluid motion, she twists her body and wraps an arm around Grillixbee’s torso, pulling her into a crushing vice-grip. The demon struggles, mandibles clacking together as she thrashes against Unafe’s hold, but there’s no escape. Unafe’s hands are infused with a strange, shimmering energy—making her grip nearly impossible to break.

The room erupts into a flurry of activity as the Templars at the table take a step back, their hands tightening on their glaives but unsure of what to do with Grillixbee now locked in a hold. The demon’s compound eyes dart around wildly, panic flickering in their multifaceted depths.

Unafe’s grip tightens, pulling her in closer, and then, with a sudden burst of strength, she slams her fist into Grillixbee’s side. Grillixbee gasps—an odd, gurgling sound that comes from somewhere deep in her insectoid throat. Her wings falter, twitching erratically. Her wings buzz frantically, the sound rising to a shrill, high-pitched whine as she struggles against Unafe’s ironclad grip. The demon’s body twists and contorts, limbs flailing as she attempts to wriggle free. For a brief moment, it seems like she might break loose—her strength fueled by desperation and rage—but Unafe’s hold only tightens, suppressing the fly-demon’s escape with a crushing force.

Ehren doesn’t wait for the Templars to make the first move. As soon as the force shield stabilizes, he shifts his stance, adopting a more aggressive posture—one that favors precision and power.

The nearest Templar barely has time to react before Ehren lunges forward. He raises both hands and shoves, his palms connecting squarely with the armored figure’s chest. The force of the impact sends the Templar staggering back a step, her boots scraping loudly against the stone floor. With a sharp exhale, Ehren swings his fist forward in a powerful punch, the force of his strike guided by the divine blessing that Beatrix has bestowed upon him. But even with the added power, his knuckles glance off the Templar’s shoulder armor, leaving only a shallow dent. The Templar grunts, twisting away just enough to avoid taking the full brunt of the blow.

Grillixbee is grappled, shaken, battered. Ehren grazes Templar 1 and batters her.

Ehren Init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Unafe Init: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24
Yui Init: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Anna Init: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 8 + 1 = 21
Beatrix Init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Rue Init: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
Hinagiku Init: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Grillixbee struggle: 1d20 + 25 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 25 - 4 = 33

Round 1!

Unafe, Anna, Beatrix, and Yui are up!

Beatrix CL v. Sana SR: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 9 + 2 = 24 Whomp :(
Maneuver Gained: 1d3 ⇒ 2
Sana gains access to fluctuation movement. Illumination 1. Add 1 acid damage to allied attacks within 15' of Amber, Move action to teleport adjacent to Anna. Swift action to become incorporeal, 6 rounds of haste and 5 rounds of incorporeal remaining. She double-moves while flying with stealth.
Stealth: 1d20 + 27 + 3 - 3 ⇒ (10) + 27 + 3 - 3 = 37
Perception: 1d20 + 26 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 26 + 3 = 43

Sana feels the ripples of Beatrix's magic flickering along her form, but then feels something inside of her reach out and attempt to snuff the magic. "Nammit, Yui. This is why we can't have nice things." she thinks, chastising her inner shadow demon for attempting to break the magic before it could touch her. Ultimately the spell settles on and throughout her form. A lot of it overlapped with her inherent speed... but some would be quite effective if she could leverage it.

She once more sinks into the floor and heads towards the torture room, peeking her head up in the prison. If the coast appears clear, she'll finish ascending into the room. It would be best if she entered the room from the south... that was likely her best chance at buying the time necessary to get the child out without the torturer being near enough to prevent his egress...

Lieutenant Medici follows up closer to the next room, trying to get a better look around the walls and her compatriots. Knowing that Unafe was more than tough enough to handle whatever Beatrix threw at her, the Lieutenant silently gestures her spell components and summons a sudden blast of concussive sound into the center of the next room. She hoped to briefly knock the Templars out of the equation so that they could focus on the demon and quickly end the encounter.

Spell Penetration vs. Coloxus: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 9 + 2 = 12
Sonic Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1

Beatrix casts silent sound burst (using the boon from blessing of fervor), targeting the space two squares to the right of templar 1. The sound burst hits Unafe, all three templars, and the coloxus demon.

All three templars make a DC 17 Fortitude save to avoid being stunned for 1 round.

Seeing Beatrix getting ready to cast, Yui waits a moment before rushing in. Summoning and donning her vulpine mask, she moves gracefully into the room, ducking by Ehren and preparing to assault the templar on her right. As she closes she thrusts Kurushimi at the templar, its wicked blade suddenly engulfed in black flames. The naginata's blade connects with the armor and seems to slice through it effortlessly as she gives the weapon a twist and slashes downwards once it's made contact.

Free Act: Summon Nosoi Mask; Mv Act: Move into room; Std Act: Kill the mook!
Attack - Good Hope, Blessing of Fervor: 1d20 + 17 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 17 + 3 + 2 = 32
Damage - Good Hope, Vital Strike, Reaping Strike, Bloodied Strike, Fatal Thrust, Sneak Attack, War Honk: 2d8 + 3d6 + 2d6 + 1d6 + 6 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (5, 7) + (5, 6, 6) + (1, 4) + (1) + 6 + 6 + 3 = 50
If it matters, the damage is 17 neg energy, 6 precision
Also deals 3 Bleed Damage

Unafe gives a guttural honk as the demon squirms in her arms, and then pours everything she's got into smashing her face and body, while gripping her tight in her feathered arms.

BUFFS ON ALLIES:
. . War Honk (aka Fierce Shout) on all allies (ONLY if my first strike hit; 2/3 rounds)
1) get +6 dam to first attack per round,
2) can spend a Move to refocus Unafe
.
All within my (currently 5') reach have the benefits of the following aegises:
Inner Peace (aegis)
Mystic Shell (aegis)
Fateless (aegis)
Deathless (aegis)

With a sudden, explosive burst of power, Unafe drives her feathered fists into Grillixbee’s grotesque fly-like face.

CRACK!

The sound echoes through the room as Unafe’s fist connects solidly with Grillixbee’s chitinous head. The force of the blow rattles the demon’s entire body, sending a spray of dark ichor splattering across the table and the scattered papers. Grillixbee lets out a choked gasp, her mandibles clattering in pain and confusion as her head snaps back, her vision blurring from the impact.

But Unafe doesn’t stop. She draws back and strikes again, her knuckles crackling with energy that scorches the demon’s already-damaged exoskeleton. Another vicious punch lands with bone-crushing force, and Grillixbee’s wings falter, their buzzing turning into a faint, erratic hum.

Unafe can feel the demon weakening, her struggles growing more and more feeble with each punishing blow. She shifts her grip, pinning Grillixbee’s struggling body tighter against her own as she drives her knee up into the demon’s midsection. There’s a sickening crunch as her ribs crack and buckle under the onslaught, and Grillixbee’s telepathic voice lets out a strangled cry.

The demon’s body shudders violently, her limbs twitching as she tries—and fails—to muster the strength to escape. Dark ichor drips from her battered form, her once-opulent robes torn and stained. With a final, thunderous blow, Unafe slams her fist into Grillixbee’s chest, driving the demon back onto the table with a force that sends papers and scrolls flying. The coloxus demon lies broken and bleeding in Unafe’s grasp.

Rue, positioned at the edge of the fray, sees the chaos unfolding. Her focus narrows to the Templar standing in front of Ehren—a momentary opening, a target too perfect to pass up. Her starbow hums with energy as she draws back the string, her eyes locking onto the Templar. With a sharp breath, she releases the first arrow. The celestial magic of the bow channels through the shot, the arrow streaking across the room like a shooting star.

The arrow strikes the Templar dead-on, sinking into a weak point in her armor with a sickening thud. The impact is devastating—the Templar’s body jerks as the force of the blow knocks her off balance, her glaive slipping from her grasp. She stumbles. Rue draws back the bowstring again, aiming for the same target. Her second arrow flies true, embedding itself into the Templar’s chest with another powerful impact. The Templar gasps, her knees buckling under the weight of her injuries as she falls to the ground.

Then, the air around the center of the room shimmers and vibrates as the shockwave of sound explodes from the spell’s point of origin. The blast reverberates off the stone walls, creating a brief but powerful shockwave that sweeps through the room. The demon remains unaffected by the sonic burst beyond the faint shock of the noise. The Templars, however, already wavering after witnessing the brutal beatdown of their leader, are caught squarely in the center of the blast. Their armor rattles under the sonic shockwave, and the force of the spell causes two of them to stagger and stumble.

One of the templars, still reeling from the concussive blast of Beatrix’s sound burst, doesn’t even have time to react as Yui strikes. The stunned Templar's body hits the floor with a heavy thud, blood pooling beneath him as the deep wound begins to bleed profusely. The Templar is out cold.

One of the remaining Templars, her eyes wide with desperation, realizes the situation is slipping from their control. Grillixbee is battered, three of her fellow Templars are incapacitated, and the battle is clearly turning in favor of the intruders.

Her gauntleted hand reaches out and grabs the jar from the table. With a snarl, she raises the jar over her head and smashes it against the stone floor.

CRASH!

The glass shatters with a sharp, echoing sound, shards scattering across the floor like glittering stars. For a moment, there is silence. Then, a low, droning buzz rises from the broken jar. It starts as a faint hum, but within seconds, it swells into an ominous, overwhelming roar as a swarm of locusts bursts from the shards of glass.

Outside the room, from the far corner of the hallway, an enormous figure lumbers into view—a minotaur, its massive frame barely fitting within the stone corridor. The creature is a monstrous sight to behold: its hulking, muscular body adorned with thick, dark fur, while large, bat-like wings unfurl menacingly from its back. Its bull-like head is crowned with sharp, jagged horns, and its wide mouth opens to reveal rows of fanged teeth, dripping with saliva. Red, glowing eyes lock onto the chaos unfolding in the strategy room, and the beast lets out a thunderous roar of challenge, the sound vibrating through the air like a war horn.

As the enormous fiendish minotaur charges into the hallway, its bellowing roar shaking the walls, Hinagiku reacts instinctively, her keen senses attuned to the sudden shift in the battlefield. The moment the minotaur crosses into her range, she springs into action. Her lithe frame shifts as she pivots on her heel, her movements fluid and precise, and in one swift motion, she strikes. Her open palm lashes out toward the minotaur’s thick, furred hide, targeting a vulnerable point just under its ribcage.

Her palm connects solidly with the fiend’s side, and despite its towering form and thick, armored flesh, the strike lands with stunning force. The impact sends a ripple through the minotaur’s body, and it lets out a deep, snarling grunt of pain as it staggers slightly to the side.

Unafe leaves Grillixbee in critical condition and grappled. Templar 1 and 3 are stunned. Yui KOs templar 3. Rue KOs templar 1. Hinagiku AoOs minotuar 1 and wounds it.

Yui needs to save vs sound burst.

Blessing of Fervor: Rue chooses - +2 to attacks, AC, and Reflex

Templar 1 Fort Save: 1d20 + 8 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 8 - 2 - 1 = 6
Templar 2 Fort Save: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 8 - 2 = 18
Templar 3 Fort Save: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 8 - 2 = 16
Locust Swarm Init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Rue vs Templar 1: 1d20 + 18 - 4 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 18 - 4 + 3 + 2 = 28
Damage: 1d8 + 8 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 12 + 2 = 27
Rue vs Templar 1: 1d20 + 18 - 4 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 18 - 4 + 3 + 2 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 8 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 12 + 2 = 24
hinagiku vs minotaur AoO attack...(unarm.enhance,precogn): 1d20 + 13 + 4 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 13 + 4 + 3 + 3 = 25
Hinagiku dmg (unarm.enhance,precogn): 2d6 + 5 + 4 + 3 + 4d6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 5) + 5 + 4 + 3 + (2, 2, 3, 4) + 3 = 35
Perception: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (16) + 19 = 35

Sana may take a surprise round action.

Sana, Hinagiku and Ehren are up!

Fort Save: 1d20 + 12 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 12 + 3 = 35

Reminder: Ehren has repel vermin up, if relevant.

Ehren chooses the extra attack from blessing of fervor.

Upon hearing the sound of shattering glass and seeing what the remaining Templar has unleashed, he looks at them contemptuously. In a blur, as he steps over one of the defeated cultists the druid becomes an earth elemental once more. Despite being much smaller than his last, he nonetheless towers over the armored Templar. Blessed with alacrity by Beatrix's spell, he hammers down on the cultist with his solid fists.

Slam vs. Templar 2 (Good Hope): 1d20 + 18 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 18 + 3 = 32
Damage (Good Hope): 1d8 + 12 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 12 + 3 = 18
Slam vs. Templar 2 (Good Hope): 1d20 + 18 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 18 + 3 = 38
Damage (Good Hope): 1d8 + 12 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 12 + 3 = 21

Ehren casts elemental body III as a swift action and becomes a Medium earth elemental (will update header shortly). He takes a 5-foot step and full attacks Templar 2.

K(Arcana) (Good): 1d20 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 3 = 17
Maneuver Gained: 1d2 ⇒ 1
Perception (Good Hope): 1d20 + 26 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 26 + 3 = 31

Bluff(Good Hope, Crit): 1d20 + 13 + 3 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 13 + 3 + 10 = 46

Sana gains access to Carnival Swap. Illumination rises to 2. 2 Acid Damage added to allied attacks within 15 feet of Amber. Allies may spend a move action to teleport adjacent to Sana. She spends a swift action to bring Amber to herself and then sends it into the room to hover above the child as a free action. Sana selects the +2 AC/Reflex/Init bonuses from Fervor. Ideally, Aedric winds up south of her if he moves into the light... and is cognizant enough to do so.

Sana's very being recoils at the sight of what's before her. She instinctively pulls the arm with Opal on it away as she pauses for a moment, unable to breathe. Her grip on her shortbow tightens for a moment as her eyes dart about for a solution. She focuses on her toes, tensing them, then every muscle she can think of on the way up, releasing them as she goes, finally allowing herself to breathe once more.

Her brain flickers amongst different plans... it had been silly to assume it would be something so terribly mundane as an adept being in charge of the work. The proximity to the brain collectors hadn't been lost on her... but the probability that brains might be what they were gaining in their little cultural exchange had been. At first, she's unable to remember much of anything about them at all but then she casts her mind back.

It wasn't a common enemy, but Ary had fought it before. She briefly envisioned herself turning away its blows from her allies as Ary would have... but as she recognizes she's alone, the vision shifts to Yui, with herself and the collector replacing the woman and the retriever from memory. She remembered how Ary had said Unafe had pinned the creature while Myrna had violently exorcised it... but none of these were things that she could do. She fights to quell the frustration in her heart, focusing past the cries and listening for any movement from the next room.

Finally, she decides on the only path forward that doesn't end in certain death. "Oi." she calls, trying not to sound nervous. "Vang says playtime is up for today. The crusaders have shown up and it's time to go. Adepts have already taken the other prisoners, and he wants to see the progress you've made with the boy, so I'll be taking him." she says, raising her voice slightly with an air of authority. "Vang's orders."

She sends the little mote of light to float above the boy's head. "Aedric Haile, mae eich brawd Janos yn gofyn ichi symud i'r golau."

The first blow strikes true, Ehren’s heavy, earthy fist slamming into the Templar’s side. The impact is thunderous, the sheer force of it sending cracks through the Templar’s armor. The Templar stumbles, gasping as the wind is knocked from her, but she barely manages to stay on her feet.

Without giving the cultist a moment to recover, Ehren follows up with another strike. His second fist comes down even harder, crashing into the Templar’s chest. The blow shatters her armor, the metallic pieces scattering across the floor as the cultist crumples under the sheer force.

As Unafe’s crushing grip begins to slip, Grillixbee thrashes violently, buzzing her insect wings with desperation. She manages to tear herself free from the shaman's hold, her slender, fly-like body trembling from the effort. Immediately after her escape, Grillixbee flutters backward, her wings creating a furious hum that fills the room. With no time to waste, she reaches deep into her reserves of magic, her form shimmering as she begins to channel her innate teleportation spell.

But in her desperation, Grillixbee falters. The pain from her wounds, the pressure of the battle, and the fierce attacks from Unafe and the others have taken their toll. Her focus wavers just as the magic begins to manifest. A critical error.

With a strained gasp, the arcane energy she was gathering shatters. The shimmer surrounding her body fades abruptly, leaving her in the same spot. The teleportation spell fails. Her compound eyes widen in a mix of fury and desperation as she realizes she’s still trapped in the room with the very enemies she sought to flee. She flutters back just a few feet, trying to maintain some distance.

Grillixbee struggle: 1d20 + 25 - 4 - 3 ⇒ (20) + 25 - 4 - 3 = 38
Conc check: 1d20 + 18 - 3 ⇒ (5) + 18 - 3 = 20

Ehren leaves Templar 2 critical.

Hinagiku uses a swift to use Enhancer and then sets up an Assist Zone.

Grillixbee escapes grapple, 5 ft steps, teleports.

Round 2!

Unafe & Sana are up!

Bookkeeping - 5 rounds last turn of haste, 4 rounds this turn. She moves 20 feet towards Aedric and begins removing his shackles. She recalls Amber to her side. She spends a swift action to increase her illumination by two. She gains her final maneuver - Breath of the Moon. Her illumination rises to 5.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 21 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 21 + 3 = 36
Bluff: 1d20 + 13 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 13 + 3 = 34

"Understood." Sana says and begins moving across the room to approach the boy, keeping her eyes on the creature as she does, her eyes moving to the second, and then finally settling on the sarkorian child. He couldn't be much larger than Fenton. Was Fenton older when Ary had saved him? Had she been older when Fen'wen had saved her? Would she die like this world's Li'an when she attempted to save him? Her heart beats still faster.

She tilts her head, stretching her neck uncomfortably at the thought, switching hands with her bow as she flicks her wrist, multiple devices extending from her gauntlet as she approaches the restraints. She is surprised when she sees she has no need of the tools, and simply reaches to remove them and grab the child unceremoniously, commanding Amber to follow her once more. "The Adepts are intelligent enough to fear you, but they are not blessed to act despite that fear."

"Byddwch yn dda. Os byddwn yn cael ein gwahanu, bydd eich hun i mewn i'r golau, a byddwch yn dychwelyd i fy ochr." she continues, looking to the child, maintaining the commanding tone.

Beatrix and Yui are up!

Now threatened by a minotaur, and seeing more demonic abominations coming in from the next room, Beatrix chooses to protect herself. She couldn't do anyone any good if she was cut to ribbons. She cries out, "More enemies coming!" followed by, "Unafe, keep fighting, here!"

Then, with a brief prayer to Iomedae for protection, Beatrix shrouds herself in a shield of darkness. Where the tiefling priestess once apparently stood becomes an amorphous shroud of magical darkness, masking her exact location and making it more difficult to attack her.

FA: 5' step
SA: Cast shield of darkness, which grants Beatrix total concealment using magical darkness for 9 rounds. It does not allow her to utilize stealth unless she is surrounded by darkness.
MA: Refocus Unafe
From blessing of fervor, Beatrix chooses +2 atk/AC/Reflex, increasing her AC to 24.

Suggest Yui kill Grillix and then PCs migrate back out this way. Which way is the altar?

Attack: 1d20 + 17 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 17 + 3 + 2 = 34
Damage - Vital Strike, Reaping Strike, Bloodied Strike, Good Hope, War Honk: 2d8 + 3d6 + 6 + 3 + 6 ⇒ (3, 2) + (5, 3, 3) + 6 + 3 + 6 = 31

Stepping over the cultist she'd left bleeding out, Yui closes on the fly demon to take advantage of it stepping back from Unafe. She puts her weight into a downward slice aimed at Grillixbee's shoulder, the blood-drenched blade biting into the creature's now shattered exoskeleton.

Unafe continues to fight with everything she can, emboldened by Beatrix's support.

BUFFS ON ALLIES:
. . War Honk (aka Fierce Shout) on all allies (ONLY if my first strike hit)
1) get +6 dam to first attack per round,
2) can spend a Move to refocus Unafe
.
All within my (currently 5') reach have the benefits of the following aegises:
Inner Peace (aegis)
Mystic Shell (aegis)
Fateless (aegis)
Deathless (aegis)

Unafe's first strike is devastating. With a mighty roar, Unafe drives her fist forward, aiming directly for the demon's weakened form. The impact of her strike lands squarely in Grillixbee’s side. The demon lets out a high-pitched, insectoid shriek as the blow sends her sprawling. She crumples under Unafe’s second blow. Her grotesque fly-like body collapses, her wings twitching one last time before going still. Her compound eyes flicker and then dim, fading as her body falls limp on the bloodstained floor.

As Beatrix’s form melds into the shadowy darkness, Rue's voice rings out once more in the telepathic link, reaching the others. "We should move! The altar is in the direction that minotaur came from."

Rue wastes no time and nocks another arrow. She releases, the string vibrating as the arrow streaks across the room. The arrow embeds itself deep in the minotaur’s shoulder, its wings faltering as it stumbles forward.

Just then, Arueshalae steps in to finish the job. Her bow hums with energy as she draws back an arrow and releases it. The projectile flies true, striking the minotaur directly in the throat. The creature’s roar dies in its throat as it chokes on its own blood, its wings spasming wildly. The hulking minotaur collapses to the ground with a thunderous crash.

Rue vs Minotaur 1: 1d20 + 18 - 4 + 3 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 18 - 4 + 3 + 2 - 2 = 28
Damage: 1d8 + 12 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 12 + 3 = 21
Rue vs Minotaur 1: 1d20 + 18 - 4 + 3 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 18 - 4 + 3 + 2 - 2 = 25
Damage: 1d8 + 12 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 12 + 3 = 20

Unafe KOs Grillixbee. Rue KOs Minotaur 1

Rue takes the extra attack on FRA from blessing of fervor.

Yui's submitted action is no longer valid.

Yui, Hinagiku and Ehren are up!

Attack: 1d20 + 17 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 17 + 3 + 2 = 34[ooc]
[ooc]Damage - Vital Strike, Reaping Strike, Bloodied Strike, Good Hope, War Honk: 2d8 + 3d6 + 6 + 3 + 6 ⇒ (3, 2) + (5, 3, 3) + 6 + 3 + 6 = 31

With Grillixbee dead, Yui turns her attention to the remaining templar, sweeping her naginata in a wide arc, aiming at their midsection.

Yui’s attack strikes cleanly, the sharp edge of her naginata slicing across the templar's midsection. The armor crumples under the sheer force of the blow, and with a final gasp, the templar collapses to the ground, her glaive slipping from her hands as blood pools beneath her. She watches as the locust swarm, which had been unleashed earlier, begins to shirk away from Ehren's protective aura. The insects buzz frantically, pressing themselves into the far corner of the room, unwilling to come any closer to the druid’s repel vermin spell.

Yui kills Templar 2.

Hinagiku and Ehren are up!

Blessing of Fervor: +2 to attack rolls/AC/Reflex saves.

"Finish them, Unafe!" Ehren rumbles encouragingly, before turning to head back out into the hallway. With Grillixbee and the Templars neutralized, they could move on to the temple.

Move action to restore Unafe's martial focus and another to move into the hallway.

Just as Ehren rounds the corner, the heavy clomp of hooves and a low, guttural growl announce the arrival of new enemies.

Another fiendish minotaur—larger and more vicious-looking than the last—steps through an open door, its red eyes glowing with demonic fury. The creature’s massive, clawed hands grip a brutal-looking greataxe, and its bat-like wings stretch wide as it bellows a challenge. Behind the minotaur, a crab-like monstrosity skitters into view, its body covered in twitching eyes and grotesque, bulbous blisters filled with humanoid brains.

The other heroes can attempt the K.Arcana checks in this post

Hinagiku uses Blessing of Fervor: +2 to attack rolls/AC/Reflex saves. Sets up assist zone.

Round 3!

Unafe and Anna are up!

K. Arcana (grazed): 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 14 - 1 = 21

Beatrix recognizes the brain collector behind the fiendish minotaur, recoils a bit, and prepares to unleash holy retribution on the creature for its sins of stealing brains and using them to fuel its own magical strength.

Free action to Leave Amber. Sana uses a swift action to become incorporeal and withdraws 195 feet as a full round action, the first 5 feet into the ground, heading back to the bathroom. Illumination rises to 6, +2 AC/Reflex from Fervor. 3 Rounds of haste remain. 4 rounds of incorporeal remain.

Sana's brow furrows at the understanding that the creature was... letting her go? Was it respect? Fear? She knew so little of the creature it had always been a gamble to even approach it diplomatically to begin with. "Understood. Thank you." she says, still clearly confused.

"Dw i'n mynd i deithio o dan y llawr at dy frawd. Rhowch ychydig eiliadau i mi, yna symudwch eich hun i olau Amber." she says to the boy as she sinks into the ground, before rushing directly to the bathroom once more. She was more worried for the child than if her ruse had lasted a few moments longer...

Along the way, Sana sends word to Rue.

Hearing the commotion in the hall, Unafe lets the saurian spirits surge through her and she swells to her full size.

Spotting a fiendish minotaur from her new position, she bounds past Yui into the hall. With a nod to Beatrix and Ehren, she silently coordinates to share their space as she slams her fist into the minotaur's shoulder, and then grabs attempts to grab and restrain them (and keep them blocking the door).

BUFFS ON ALLIES:
. . War Honk (aka Fierce Shout) on all allies (ONLY if my first strike hit)
1) get +6 dam to first attack per round,
2) can spend a Move to refocus Unafe
.
All within my (currently 15') reach have the benefits of the following aegises:
Inner Peace (aegis)
Mystic Shell (aegis)
Fateless (aegis)
Deathless (aegis)

Arueshalae speaks to the others, her voice calm despite the chaos around them, "Anna's making a run for it with a kid, but there's a chance they could get separated. Keep an eye out for him—he may appear here soon."

Unafe seizes the minotaur's moment of weakness, swiftly grabbing and locking the hulking beast into a powerful grapple. With a sharp twist, she follows up with a crushing strike, her fist slamming into the creature’s body. Blood trickles from its mouth as it struggles, but Unafe’s grip remains unbreakable, her strength clearly overpowering the fiend. However, as Unafe continues her assault, she feels an unsettling mental pressure invade her mind. One of the brain collectors moves past her while she is distracted by the minotaur.

Rue narrows her focus on the fiendish minotaur still struggling in Unafe's grip. Her hands move swiftly, drawing back her starbow and releasing. The first arrow strikes true, embedding itself deep in the creature’s torso, causing it to stagger under the impact. The second arrow flies just after. The minotaur stumbles, its strength fading rapidly. With a final grunt of pain, the minotaur collapses under the weight of its injuries, its massive form crashing to the ground. Rue lowers her bow, exhaling sharply as the fiend lies motionless. With one quick movement, Rue turns and aims at the second minotaur and fires, the arrow finding its mark. The shot pierces through the minotaur’s shoulder, sending blood spurting from the wound. Though still standing, the creature is visibly weakened.

Now that Ehren has left the strategy room, the locust swarm, surges forward. With a loud, incessant buzz, the swarm descends upon Yui, their tiny, gnawing mandibles biting at her exposed skin. The cloud of insects swarms over the large table at the center of the room, where maps and documents are meticulously spread out.

The locusts devour the maps and papers with alarming speed, shredding the carefully laid-out strategies and battle plans into scraps. What was once a trove of vital information is quickly reduced to dust, the swarm feasting relentlessly on the documents as the room fills with the sound of wings and chewing.

Unafe grapples and grazes and shakens Minotaur 2.

Unafe must make 2 DC 16 will saves or become confused.

Rue vs Minotaur 2: 1d20 + 18 - 4 + 3 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 18 - 4 + 3 + 2 - 2 = 26
Damage: 1d8 + 12 + 3 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 12 + 3 + 8 = 29
Rue vs Minotaur 2: 1d20 + 18 - 4 + 3 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 18 - 4 + 3 + 2 - 2 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 12 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 12 + 3 = 18
Rue vs Minotaur 3: 1d20 + 18 - 4 + 3 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 18 - 4 + 3 + 2 - 2 = 18
Rue vs Minotaur 3 fumble?: 1d20 + 18 - 4 + 3 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 18 - 4 + 3 + 2 - 2 = 31
Rue vs Minotaur 3: 1d20 + 13 - 4 + 3 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 13 - 4 + 3 + 2 - 2 = 27
Damage: 1d8 + 12 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 12 + 3 = 18
Rue vs Minotaur 3: 1d20 + 8 - 4 + 3 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 8 - 4 + 3 + 2 - 2 = 9

Rue KOs Minotaur 2 and grazes Minotaur 3

Yui takes 1d6 ⇒ 2 swarm damage and must make a DC 12 fort save or become nauseated.

Beatrix and Yui are up!

Fort Save: 1d20 + 12 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 12 + 3 = 22

Yui fights off the locust swarm and heads out of the room to join the others. As she rounds the corner, she spots a horde of hideous crab monsters heading down the hall.

Knowledge(Arcana): 1d20 + 19 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 19 + 3 = 41

"These creatures are Neh-Thalggu, Brain Collectors. They are magic users, and their strength comes from the brains they've stored in their sacs. Allow them to come towards us, I can keep them from being able to cast on us for the time being."

Weaving conjuration magic, an explosion of ash and cinders floods the hall, coating everything with a thick layer and making it impossible for the Neh-Thalggu to see down the hall.

Mv Act: Move out of room; Std Act: Cast ash storm

Unafe feels the crab-like monstrosity try to meddle with her mind, but between the bright hope Myrna had passed on to her allies and Goryon's own tough resistance, she easily resists it.

Will, GH: 1d20 + 16 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 16 + 3 = 35 Will, GH: 1d20 + 16 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 16 + 3 = 33
Will, GH: 1d20 + 16 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 16 + 3 = 22 Will, GH: 1d20 + 16 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 16 + 3 = 24

The Lieutenant claps the Archdruid on his rocky shoulder, imparting some of Iomedae's grace, wisdom, and strength onto him. Then, she proceeds down the hallway towards the dead minotaurs and the leaders' rooms. "There are many neh-thalggu and minotaurs that way," she calls. "Are we sure we want to go that way?"

SA: Use Touch of Good on Ehren, granting him +4 sacred to attacks, skills, saves, and ability checks
MA: Move to next to the dead minotaurs.

The remaining visible minotaur roars and lashes out at Unafe, but its attacks are clumsy and desperate. The bite misses entirely, and the minotaur stumbles from the force of its own failure, biting down hard on nothing but air. The self-inflicted shock leaves the creature reeling, its next bites weakened by the mishap. The minotaur shakes its head, dazed, as the battle continues to rage around it.

Meanwhile, the large room to the south fills with templars, demons, and adepts, their hurried footsteps echoing off the ivory floors. Though their numbers swell, most of the templars are only half-armored, their helmets still in hand or their breastplates unsecured.

Minotaur 3 attack vs Unafe: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28
Minotaur 3 attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Minotaur 3 bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Minotaur 3 bite fumble?: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 1d6 ⇒ 6 NL damage and a -2 penalty on attack rolls with the bite attack for 1d4 ⇒ 3 rounds

Hinagiku, Ehren, Unafe and Anna are up!

I'll delay until Yui/Beatrix

"Aedric should be right behind me." Sana says, looking towards Janos as her discomfort grows once more, as time passes bit by bit, feeling too long by half.

Ehren sets his jaw as the enemy assembles in the south, forming quite the formidable group. The druid's earthen body surges with power as he taps into the nearby ley line, setting his gemstone eyes ablaze. Drawing on his mythic nature, he weaves another devastating fire spell, evoking a column of holy flame amid the hapless Templars.

Ehren uses place magic and spends 1 MP to cast empowered flame strike at CL 13th.

Caster Level vs. Brain Collector SR: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 11 + 2 = 19 Will legendary surge as an immediate action if necessary.
Fire/Divine Damage: 13d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 2, 4, 2, 5, 6, 4, 6, 5) = 53*1.5 = 79
Reflex Save DC 22 to halve the damage.

The Brain Collector barely has time to react as the searing light descends, scorching its twisted, crab-like body. It attempts to scuttle out of the way, but the divine fire still consumes it, leaving it badly burned.

The templars fare even worse. Though two manage to leap aside at the last moment, the others are not so fortunate. Two templars are instantly incinerated, their screams cut short as the holy flames consume them, while the others are left barely standing, their armor charred and barely clinging to life.

Neh Thalggu Reflex: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 8 - 2 = 20
Templar 4 reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Templar 5 reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Templar 6 reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Templar 7 reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Ehren leaves Brain collector 1, templars 4 and 5 all in critical condition and kills templars 6 and 7.

Unafe is up!

Unafe's fists rip into the minotaur with saurian ferocity.

BUFFS ON ALLIES:
. . War Honk (aka Fierce Shout) on all allies (ONLY if my first strike hit)
1) get +6 dam to first attack per round,
2) can spend a Move to refocus Unafe
.
All within my (currently 15') reach have the benefits of the following aegises:
Inner Peace (aegis)
Mystic Shell (aegis)
Fateless (aegis)
Deathless (aegis)