JulianReligion: Desna | HP: 96/103 | AC: 27 / T: 23 / FF: 14 / Resist: Fire 5 Defiant Armor - vs Evil Outsiders +2 AC DR 2/- | F: +8, R: +14, W: +8 | BAB +6 CMB: +7 CMD: +30 | Ini: +15 Perception: +15
HP 24/36 | AC 29 (Shield/Pro from evil) T 20 FF 21
Attack Cultist 6 over 25ft throw range -2 to attack Rng Touch :1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 9 - 2 = 20 damage dc 18 for half:2d6 + 8 ⇒ (6, 6) + 8 = 20 Splash = 10 Damage
He ignored the pest behind him as he tried to thin the oncoming herd of foes, his magical defenses were holding soundly enough. Especially now that Rowan had added to them.
As the enemy started to funnel Julian took his chance to lob another at the heart of the oncoming forces while Tarov cleaned up those closest to him...
Rowan took the blow in stride before healing herself and turning to fighting defensively once more. She was quiet as her words wouldn't be understood by the enemy. Instead she let her weapon speak for her! She spun and swung wide at the Cultist behind her, tired of being flanked by the cretins from before.
Surrounded, Tarov spins his ranseur around and attempts to club one of the tieflings with the haft of his weapon, then moves to defend Rowan from further attacks.
Tarov uses Enduring Crane Strike on the nearest tiefling (standard action) then uses Aid Another to boost Rowan's AC (move action).
...none of whom successfully evaded. Agile warriors they were not. The tiefling behind Rowan managed to avoid the blow, however, as Tarov went to work. He managed to strike one of the cultists as they closed, and follow up by crushing the one to his side in a single powerful blow.
That was when the seven living cultists brandished holy symbols of their god... and a series of waves of crackling black energy swept through the corridor and towards the three of you. None of the cultists - or their tiefling allies - seemed affected by the energies, a disturbing indicator of the forces in play here.
Summary: 12 damage to Julian, 11 damage to Rowan, 14 damage to Tarov. On the bright side, you've weakened them quite a lot, and I suspect you'll be able to start picking them off quite handily now... XD Especially with those bombs.
Meanwhile, the two tieflings close enough to attack did so, though apparently they'd begun to realize the futility of their acts, as neither hit...
JulianReligion: Desna | HP: 96/103 | AC: 27 / T: 23 / FF: 14 / Resist: Fire 5 Defiant Armor - vs Evil Outsiders +2 AC DR 2/- | F: +8, R: +14, W: +8 | BAB +6 CMB: +7 CMD: +30 | Ini: +15 Perception: +15
AC 29 (Protection from Evil +2 on all saves) T 20 FF 21 HP: 12/36
Despite being badly injured Julian manages a retort. "Seriously, that the best you got?" He whips togehter a third bomb and lobs it at the densest cluster of enemies. Hoping that his resistance could holdout a little longer, at the very least he would protect his companion's.
Bomb throw rng touch DC 18 reflex to take half damage (add -2 for anything beyond 20ft throwing range and additonal -2 for ever 20ft rng increment.:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18 damage:2d6 + 8 ⇒ (3, 2) + 8 = 13 Splash dmg 10 for all other squares. Use Precise bombs to avoid damaging allies.
As Julian's third bomb blasted the thinning ranks of foes she couldn't help but notice his strength was flagging. She used Tarov's destructive power to defend her as she healed the tieflings injuries with a powerful spell.
Tarov wilts slightly under the tiefling cultists' combined assault, but doesn't falter. "Channel yer dark magics all ya wish, ya ain't gonna stop us! Kenebres will not fall!" he roars as he strikes out again, his hands glowing with a a soft white light.
Tarov uses Aid Another to boost Julian's AC (move action) and uses Blessed Pinions on the next closest enemy (standard action). He takes a 5ft. step to get make the attack, if necessary.
Aid Another (@Julian, +7 AC):1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Ranseur of the Gargoyle attack (Power Attack):1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24 Ranseur of the Gargoyle damage (Power Attack, Blessed Pinions):2d4 + 2d6 + 13 ⇒ (3, 4) + (2, 4) + 13 = 26
Before your actions. | -- | 6 | 4 | -- | 2 | T | J | D | | 8 | 7 | 5 | D | 3 | R | D | - |
Julian's bomb soared through the air again, cracking open atop the sixth cultist and immolating him in fire. The flames spread across the others a moment later...
...and one of them managed to avoid the worst of the flames, but the other three were struck. None of them collapsed, though all of them looked like one more blast would be enough to finish them off. Meanwhile, Rowan provoked an Attack of Opportunity from three enemies as she cast...
...and one of them managed to strike the Paladin in a precise blow.
Concentration (DC 21):1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
However, she managed to hold onto the spell and successfully cast a wave of healing energy over Julian. Tarov crushed the tiefling flanking Rowan a moment later, freeing her from that immediate threat, though there was still the one remaining...
The remaining tiefling in the back stepped down and west to take his fallen companion's place and flank Rowan once more. That was of less immediacy, however, because both of the front cultists and the tiefling all lashed out at Tarov, clearly irked by the way he was helping his friends.
JulianReligion: Desna | HP: 96/103 | AC: 27 / T: 23 / FF: 14 / Resist: Fire 5 Defiant Armor - vs Evil Outsiders +2 AC DR 2/- | F: +8, R: +14, W: +8 | BAB +6 CMB: +7 CMD: +30 | Ini: +15 Perception: +15
Round 6
Bomb throw @ number 7 cultist rng touch DC 18 reflex to take half damage (add -2 for anything beyond 20ft throwing range and additonal -2 for ever 20ft rng increment.:1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 9 - 2 = 20 Dmg Fire:2d6 + 8 ⇒ (3, 4) + 8 = 15
Julian would thank Rowan later as his injuries started to heal, leaving him a little less battered. He quickly mixed together a fourth bomb, hoping to bring the rear cultists down before they could complete whatever ritual they were performing...
Tarov cracks his neck as he fells yet another foe, before trying to smash another with the butt of his weapon. The dwarven knight then aims the ranseur at any who might attack Rowan, guarding the Paladin from the enemies before them.
Tarov attacks the tiefling near Julian (standard action) and uses Aid Another to boost Rowan's AC (move action).
Cast Color Spray at 2, D & 3 if angle allows. AC 26 T 22 FF 18 (Pro from Evil +6 from tarov +2 to all saves) HP 15/48
Blood spilled to the floor as she was struck during her casting, Tarov's powerful defense saved her from a second strike but the damage was severe. She completed her spell and focused on ending whatever these cultists were trying to do...
Taking advantage of their distracted state she spoke in celestial tones before unleashing a blinding array of colors much like Julian had at the beginning of the fight. IN Celestial"The Inheritor's might will crush you beneath her righteousness!" It was her hope to bring down the three cultists in front of her and Tarov.
Rowan, be sure to add the save DCs for spells within your post. ^^
Four cultists vanished in a blast of flame as Julian's bomb went off, removing them rather permanently from the melee. The tiefling flanking Rowan went down a moment later, and the two cultists by Rowan lashed out in attacks of opportunity as she cast a spell at them.
The tiefling was knocked into unconsciousness again, but the two cultists - with minds far more well-trained - were able to completely throw off the effects of the spell. Given the brutality their ranks had suffered, however... they seemed to recognize that this wasn't a fight they could win in melee. Both of them quickly began chanting, their voices eerily identical as blasphemous words poured from their lips in Abyssal.
Abyssal:
<"Lord of Locusts, let your infestation within us grow, and give us the forms and power to do your will!">
Their flesh bulged a moment later, then popped as their bodies were replaced by some kind of twisted creatures. If Mongrelmen were strange combinations of humanoid races, then these creatures were the animal equivalent - they had the bodies and antlers of stags, the wings and talons of hawks, and the head of a slavering wolf. They wasted no time in unleashing attacks upon both Tarov and Rowan.
Tarov stands his ground, weapon readied to defend Rowan from the creatures' further attacks. His eyes flash a soft white for a moment as he breathes deeply.
Tarov uses Aid Another to boost Rowan's AC (move action) and he recovers Enduring Crane Strike (standard action).
Aid Another (@Rowan, +7 AC):1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
JulianReligion: Desna | HP: 96/103 | AC: 27 / T: 23 / FF: 14 / Resist: Fire 5 Defiant Armor - vs Evil Outsiders +2 AC DR 2/- | F: +8, R: +14, W: +8 | BAB +6 CMB: +7 CMD: +30 | Ini: +15 Perception: +15
Round 8 (Protection from Evil, +2 on all saves (not included above) Shield +4 AC)
Julian didn't like what he saw going on and seeing their drastic transformation, he leapt into action casting another Energy Missile Spell and lobbing two more blasts of Sonic Energy at their foes...
Cast Energy Missile Attack P in front of Rowan rng touch:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15 Attack D in front of Rowan rng touch:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17 Damage to P:1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 Damage to D:1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
AC 29 T 22 FF 23 (Pro from Evil +2 def, +7 from tarov +2 to all saves) HP 15/48
Attack P with Heavy Mace!:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18 Damage to P in front of Rowan:1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
As Julian's magic tore through the air she followed the energy missile with a swing of her heavy mace in the hop of brining these creatures to heel before they could harm her or her companions!
Tarov wasn't busy murdering things at the moment, but Julian's energy missiles were accurate, and each struck their target for... a bit of damage. The unconscious tiefling had no chance at all of evading - one would have almost had to intentionally avoid hitting them. Rowan, meanwhile, bashed at the creature in front of her and struck it firmly across the head, drawing blood even as it roared in anger.
The two infernal creatures reared up and lashed out a moment later, focusing on Tarov this time to try and cut down his ability to help others.
JulianReligion: Desna | HP: 96/103 | AC: 27 / T: 23 / FF: 14 / Resist: Fire 5 Defiant Armor - vs Evil Outsiders +2 AC DR 2/- | F: +8, R: +14, W: +8 | BAB +6 CMB: +7 CMD: +30 | Ini: +15 Perception: +15
Protection from Evil, +2 on all saves (not included above) Shield +4 AC
Acrobatics to move through threaten space and avoid AoO:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21 So theoretically I should be able to tumble through Tarov's square and attempt to avoid AoO's while I pass through ugly's square. He will than use an Arcana point to give himself +1 to attack as a Sw action and follow up with an attack on Tarov's ugly opponent. Attack P with Einherjar:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30 Confirm!:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24 Damage:1d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 1 = 8 Damage!:1d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 1 = 12
Whoops I miss spelled my own blackblades name. Will correct this.. Anywho. Onward!
Julian found that being stuck in back was beyond aggravating and so focused on trying to get into the fight anyway he could to aid his companions. He waited than for the right moment to tumble past Tarov and his opponent and try and get on the otherside of the enemy...
Utilizing Tarov's defensive posture she struck out at his opponent, hoping to bring it down with a concentrated effort, lest they fight until the enemy fighters recovered themselves from their combined casting...
God they are uglier! I thought that was impossible!
Tarov's blow connected solidly with the creature, and Julian attempted to move past a moment later - but was simply knocked backwards by a strike from its antlers.
AoO:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
It didn't hurt, but it did knock Julian back to his space, preventing him from attacking at all. Rowan's attack was made - but missed - and the two creatures began laughing as they renewed their assault on the dwarven defender.
AC 29 T 22 FF 23 (Pro from Evil +2 def, +7 from tarov +2 to all saves) HP 15/48
Rowan fights defensively as she steps back and opens a hole for Julian to step in and take on the enemy. She bumps him with her shield as she steps back. Once he clears her position she turns her attention to Tarov...
JulianReligion: Desna | HP: 96/103 | AC: 27 / T: 23 / FF: 14 / Resist: Fire 5 Defiant Armor - vs Evil Outsiders +2 AC DR 2/- | F: +8, R: +14, W: +8 | BAB +6 CMB: +7 CMD: +30 | Ini: +15 Perception: +15
Protection from Evil, +2 on all saves (not included above) Shield +4 AC
Delay Ini to Rowan's
SwA: Use one Arcana to give Einherjar FA: 5ft step forward / if 5ft step isn't enough than use MA. :) Attack P in front of Rowan:1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 9 + 1 = 23 Damage:1d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 1 = 11
"Alright you ugly bastards! Now lets settle this..." IS all Julian says as he steps up and slashes at Tarov's opponent with Einherjar. His blackblade thrumms with the thrill of the fight to come.
No need to delay Initiative - I resolve in posting order. Yes, you can totally use that to your advantage. ^^
One thing they don't often tell in the stories is how tiring continuous combat can be. Indeed, it's not like most of an army simply stands behind the front lines - in many cases, they're busy rotating in and out so that those who have fought for too long can rest. Meanwhile, Rowan and Julian were busy swapping places, bringing the tiefling forward to strike at the enemy there.
"At least we KNEW our mothers!" the demonic creature Julian had struck growled, laughing at him even as it joined its companion in continuing to assault Tarov. However, they seemed to be switching strategies slightly...
The second beast had turned to actively helping the first, and his counters didn't seem like enough to stop the sudden tag-team effort to wear down his defenses and - quite literally - rip his heart out with their teeth.
| - | - | - | -- | P | T | - | - | | - | - | - | D | P | J | R | - |
JulianReligion: Desna | HP: 96/103 | AC: 27 / T: 23 / FF: 14 / Resist: Fire 5 Defiant Armor - vs Evil Outsiders +2 AC DR 2/- | F: +8, R: +14, W: +8 | BAB +6 CMB: +7 CMD: +30 | Ini: +15 Perception: +15
Protection from Evil, +2 on all saves (not included above) Shield +4 AC
The one that spoke would regret his choice of words as Julian's eyes fell on them... The fell glow that filled them was one filled with death. "My Mother..." Einherjar flashed and blood sprayed the ceiling in the hallway. "... was a saint you steaming dung heap. Not quit talking and hit me." He smiles as all his wards swirl around him.
AC 29 T 22 FF 23 (Pro from Evil +2 def, +7 from tarov +2 to all saves) HP 15/48
SA: Cast ASkew Balance on Tarov's opponent - Fort save DC 14 or fall prone.
As Julian blade slashed through his opponent Rowan focused on brining down Tarov's with a single gesture. Spinning her finger in a circle she hoped to bring Tarovs foe crashing down and open it up to attack...
Tarov looks worse for wear as the two creatures continue their assault on him. He drops back and then takes a stab at one, trying to ward them off with his weapon.
Tarov takes a 5 ft. step backwards, attacks the creature Rowan cast the spell on, then uses Aid Another to boost Julian's AC (move action).
Ranseur of the Gargoyle attack (Power Attack):1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22 Ranseur of the Gargoyle damage (Power Attack):2d4 + 13 ⇒ (3, 4) + 13 = 20
Aid Another (@Julian, +7 AC):1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Julian probably had a point - as did his sword, when he used it to cut the beast's wolf head right off and send its broken body slumping to the ground. Meanwhile, Rowan's spell went off without trouble...
Fort:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
...and the creature didn't so much as flinch. Not from that, anyway - it did flinch under the brutal blow of Tarov's weapon, but it didn't quite fall, and trotted forward before attempting to gore Rowan.
He slams down one of the potions they found and reveled at the feeling of his injuries nearly completely closing.
Julian walks upto the fallen Tiefling and draws his other scimitar blade before driving it into their chest with a firm and merciless resolve. "For killing in the name of the dark power your sentence is death."
He heads back up the hallway and heads towards the door they initally passed on their left...
"Time to clear this place out... No more surprises." Not really concerned with stealth Julian moves more quickly...
Deflecting the blows as best she could she focused on her defense as the beast pressed its assault. Tarov and Julian had it in hand as they both swung out at the advancing man-demon.
She knew that pointlessly swinging at it wasn't what she needed to do right then, instead she stepped back behind Tarov again.
K-Planes - Try and understand what the cultist turned into. Or summoned.:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
Finally, the last of the demons fell to Tarov, leaving only that one cultist - easily dispatched by the method of your choice. The floor was slick with blood, and bodies - and parts of bodies - were everywhere, but it seemed you'd bought yourselves at least a few moment's reprieve. There didn't seem to be anything in the way of magical equipment amongst the bodies, though, and perhaps more importantly, the fact that you weren't currently being attacked didn't mean the fortress was empty.
There were quite a few exits in this room - one to the west, another to the north in a small alcove, to open arches (also to the north - and quite close to your current position), and a pair of doors to the south. This was probably the main corridor for the upper floor, and if you were going to examine the place, it would be best to do so swiftly. Things might not turn out so well if enemies charged you from behind while you tried to destroy the wardstone's fragment...
Tarov slumps to the ground, breathing heavily and swearing under his breath. "I hope that was most o' these bastards. I ain't so sure I can pull that kind of nonsense off again," he grumbles. He fumbles for a potion tucked into one of his belt pouches, unstopping it and greedily drinking the contents.
JulianReligion: Desna | HP: 96/103 | AC: 27 / T: 23 / FF: 14 / Resist: Fire 5 Defiant Armor - vs Evil Outsiders +2 AC DR 2/- | F: +8, R: +14, W: +8 | BAB +6 CMB: +7 CMD: +30 | Ini: +15 Perception: +15
Going to use the roll for the potion above in the spoiler if that is okay >.>?
Downing a potion and releasing the Cultist from their mortal coil was easy enough for Julian. Finding no gear of value he planned on returning and stripping their corpses properly at a later time. Instead he focused on starting from the first door The door leading to the room above P13 and working his way back towards the stairs.
He was not up for anymore painful surprises...
Removed Pro from evil as its 1 min duration is gone, shield should have around 2 min's left unless you say otherwise Rednal. Updated AC in the above bar and the HP gained from the potion. Minusing the potion from party inventory as you read this. :)
"Lets be meticulous guys, clear this place room by room, no more surprises eh?"
Should take around 3 rounds for Julian to reach the door and perhaps open it at end of third round of actions. (Drink potion, Coup De Grace Tiefling, Move to door, Open door.
Feeling the rush of batle burning in her veins she stopped to heal her own injuries as Tarov drank down a potion. "Best be prepared Master Tarov, I somehow doubt this is the end of them. They were well prepared... We better expect a similar ambush, save it will be far worse now that they have tested our mettle and failed." She hoped her pause went unnotived because she didn't like this one bit. Was there a spy at Defenders Heart? Or did Irabeth's group fail... Several doubts shot through her mind as she looked to see what Julian was upto.
Tarov remember Rowan healed you as well ;) Just an FYI reminder~
As her injuries healed up she shrugged off her doubts and watched the Tiefling end one of his own kind with a dubious expression. He did it with such ease it was unsettling to her, instead of questioning it she would speak to him after the fighting was done. Finishing her second potion and casting the bottle away she hurried to catch up with Julian before he opened the door. "Lets get ready, Julian is about to rush into trouble..."
I added that 8 HP to my total, as well. I just have way too damn much!
Tarov uses his weapon to lift himself up and nods at Julian's suggestion and Rowan's warning. "Can't be lettin' these fiends be finishin' whate'er it is they're doin' here. We'll take care of 'em t' the last man."
JulianReligion: Desna | HP: 96/103 | AC: 27 / T: 23 / FF: 14 / Resist: Fire 5 Defiant Armor - vs Evil Outsiders +2 AC DR 2/- | F: +8, R: +14, W: +8 | BAB +6 CMB: +7 CMD: +30 | Ini: +15 Perception: +15
Julian nods in agreement as he reaches the door. The first door on the left above P13 He gives a One, two, THREE! nod before pushing his way into the room first with Einherjar readied to defend him...
Bookshelves line the walls of this small library. Many of the tomes have been torn to shreds, and smoldering piles of ashes fill the room with an acrid stench. One small stack of books on a circular table seem to have escaped destruction.
The surviving six books are history texts, tomes on geography, and tactical manuals. Each is worth 50 GP. The seventh tome is a manual of war - not useful to any of you, but quite valuable in its own right.
A long table engraved with a relief map of Mendev stands to the east in this long room. A dozen bodies lie scattered about the room, each bearing a gaping empty hole in the chest. There's no sign of what killed them - though it's quite possible you already eliminated their murderers. A quick search turns up nothing of interest or value.
JulianReligion: Desna | HP: 96/103 | AC: 27 / T: 23 / FF: 14 / Resist: Fire 5 Defiant Armor - vs Evil Outsiders +2 AC DR 2/- | F: +8, R: +14, W: +8 | BAB +6 CMB: +7 CMD: +30 | Ini: +15 Perception: +15
Julian shifts to the next room...
Stepping over the corpses in the hallway he checks the door south of the stairs (just below P10 on the map. He wasn't as cautious as he should be, knowing that his wards were likely to fail in the next couple of minutes. However they needed to get it done with so they could find and destroy the fragment.
A painful jolt zaps Julian's hand as he touches the door - not enough to actually hurt him, but a definite sting. Several abyssal seals appear on the door a moment later, then slowly fade from sight, and the door remains locked.
JulianReligion: Desna | HP: 96/103 | AC: 27 / T: 23 / FF: 14 / Resist: Fire 5 Defiant Armor - vs Evil Outsiders +2 AC DR 2/- | F: +8, R: +14, W: +8 | BAB +6 CMB: +7 CMD: +30 | Ini: +15 Perception: +15
He cursed as he nodded to the others. "Keep an eye on this door and stairs brcause I think I just told them where we are..." Moving more quickly he moves on to the other door next to this one at the end of the hall.
Unless he runs into something that stops him he's going to keep searching. After this floor is done he will get ready to go to the first floor. :)
Six cots sit in two orderly rows in this room. The bedding has been tossed on the ground, and an iron lockbox lies on its side, empty. A lidless box holds scraps of moldering food, while a pair of large barrels nearby look to be filled with water. This was almost certainly where some of the tieflings you fought earlier had been resting when some alarm had been tripped.
Across from the barracks is an open archway leading into another room. Stacks of scrolls, books, maps, and more sit atop a large hexagonal table in this chamber. The walls are painted with detailed maps of Sarkoris, over which features of the Worldwound have been painted.
Julian searches each of the room quickly and thoroughly with an eye for detail.
When he came upon the document room he took the time to sift through them and imprint the map of Post WOrldwound Sarkoris into his memory for later reproduction. However he wasn't about to let imprortant documents escape his grasp, especillay if their first strike failed...
He nods at Tarov's words before speaking. "Don't underestimate them though, they could have something far worse than cultist fodder." He shifted another document, scanning it over for its importance before adding. "Lets leave that locked door for last. We will clear the entire first floor as well. When this is done the Grey Garrison will be ours..."
The documents on the table contain an incredible amount of information on troop movements, tactics, defenses, resources, and general war plans for Mendev's armies - the kind of information most generals can only dream of acquiring. The return of these documents would be of immeasurable help to Mendev - not in terms of the strength it would add, but in the harm doing so would prevent.
A single scroll of restoration was tucked in with the documents, and rather more immediately useful.
Rowan approaches the locked door and casts her last arcanist spell of the day. Creating a spell ward centered around the stairs and bordering the locked door. If anything crossed the doorway it would set off the alarm. She followed Julian and Tarov into the other room and began searching among the items as well.
