GM Rednal's Wrath of the Righteous (Inactive)

Game Master Rednal

So, is that a "no" to Tarov either still hearing the banging, or the banging being effected at all by Countersong?

Technically, you should ask him... but we're not at an actual tabletop. The sound was heard once, and did not continue.

Tarov doesn't turn back to reply this time, eyes trained on the deeper parts of the shrine. "Only heard it th' once... this glowin', though..." he trails off, pressing forward into the room.

Broken stone benches line this narrow room. The air is cold and stale, and thick layers of dust cover the floor, benches, and a large altar at the far end of the room. The green light seems to be coming from it - and in front of the altar is a robed figure, facing it, just as covered in dust as the rest of the chamber.

Tarov looks the dusty figure over, curiosity etched into his features. "Oi!" he calls out, figuring that he wouldn't be able to sneak up on the figure even if he wanted to. "Anybody in here?"

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

"Cautious," Paige warns. "Whatever that figure is may be the source of the light." She extends a hand toward the robed figure, extending her senses toward it. Evildar.

Ding!

The figure lurched upright and whirled around, bellowing in rage - though plans to surprise people were a bit harder when they were prepared and not going to be surprised so easily.

Initiative (Enemy): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Initiative (Julian): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Initiative (Paige): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Initiative (Tarov): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Initiative (Yukio): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

...And despite its sudden movement, a certain pious dwarf was even more ready to act.

Clarification~ Julian is located outside with the three survivors right? ;) Just wondering as it would take a few move actions to get inside and help~ Thanks!

You're part of the team, so you get the roll! ...Though you can always just say you'll wait outside the whole time and pass each turn.

Gotcha~

Ini
Tarov 28
Enemy 23
Julian 22
Paige 22
Yukio 21

The fun begins :3

Round 1

Tarov readies his weapon, knowing that anything that greets with an angry roar tends to not be all that friendly, so he answers with a bellow of his own. "Rrraaarrrrrghh!" he cries, charging headfirst at the robed creature.

Tarov uses Panthera on the Hunt to engage (full-round action).

Dorn-Dergar attack (Panthera on the Hunt): 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 2 = 12
Dorn-Dergar damage (Panthera on the Hunt): 1d10 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 2 = 12

...You should have rolls for charging and attacking, right? Also, things like Panthera on the Hunt are the type of thing that should be fully included in your alias for quick reference on exactly what they do.

The blow missed the creature, which promptly stepped forward before slashing out with two deadly claws, aiming to dig through Tarov's armor and rip straight into his flesh.

Attack Roll: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23 for Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 plus Disease (Fort DC 12): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Attack Roll: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11 for Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 plus Disease (Fort DC 12): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Both of the claws landed solid hits on the dwarf, cutting into him - though his excellent constitution was more than enough to throw off the potential for disease that the disgusting claws carried.

Party's up - and remember, you can act in any order before your enemy's next move.

Yukio focused on the creature as it sprang up towards Tarov, thinking back over all she'd learned under Himiko's tutelage.

(Std. Act.) Monstrous Intuition (5 left) +2 insight to hit and AC vs target for 1 min, and +1 insight to identify monster abilities/vulnerabilities.
Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 1 = 27

I'm assuming that's sufficient to know abilities/weaknesses

Yukio knew immediately what they were dealing with, a Huecuva. A priest who forsook his god in his dying days, committing blasphemies against them. Their crimes against their deity cursed them to an eternity as an undead abomination. "Be careful all, that's a Huecuva, normal weapons will have trouble wounding it, and its touch carries disease."

Grabbing her holy symbol, she called upon Tsukiyo to guide her hand, that she might fell the foul creature quickly, and moved up until it was in range of her spear.

(Swift Act.) Smite Evil: (0 left) +3 hit, +1 damage (+2 on first hit), and +3 deflection AC vs target. (Mv. Act) Close with Huecuva

Knowledge doesn't actually take an action, you can do a thing.[/ooc

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Paige doesn't recognize the creature before them, but thankfully Yukio explains does, and she narrows her eyes as she looks at it. Her fingers grip her sword tightly as something opens up in her. Feelings of helplessness and uselessness from not being on the surface, repelling demons. There's a need inside of her to be of use somehow, and as she advances toward it, her sword begins to glow with bright light. "Profaner of Torag, betrayer of faith, your end is nigh!"

[ooc]Swift Action: Smite Evil. See Yukio's post, except Paige's Cha bonus is +4 instead of +3.

Once she reaches the creature she swings her blade at it furiously.

Longsword Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 + 4 = 22
Longsword Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 2 = 10

Monstrous Intuition takes an action for the hit/ac bonuses it gives, otherwise I'd be able to attack.

Oh, whoops. Somehow read that as Standard Action: Knowledge Religion. My bad.

Tarov winces as the Huecuva scratches him with its wicked, claws, and growls low when Yukio informs that it is a fallen Toragian. "You've nothin' but the Dark Smith's forge awaitin' ya, blasphemer! STRIKE HIM DOWN!" the dwarven knight cries, swinging his weapon with all of his force while ordering his comrades.

Tarov uses his Inspiring Commands ability to Inspire Courage (move action) and then uses his Enduring Crane Strike (standard action).

Dorn-Dergar attack (Inspire Courage): 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 1 = 16
Dorn-Dergar damage (Inspire Courage): 1d10 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 = 9
Enduring Crane Strike heal @Tarov: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Round 1 actions

The sounds of a struggle reached Julian and the rest outside after Tarov's shout echoed through the large cavern. "Thats not good..."

Julian holds his ground, barely among the wounded survivors, focusing his attention towards the only entrance. That he knew of. While hoping the others could handle whatever it was they had come across...

SA: Readied Action - Attack anything that attacks me w/my Scimitar.

@Tarov: You are taking a step back, I take it? As I understand it, your flail doesn't let you attack directly next to you... and you should still be able to take a five-foot step.

Paige's longsword digs deep into the undead monstrosity, though it's not enough to bring the creature down - nor is Tarov's blow, which the creature managed to partially turn aside before stepping forward and renewing its ferocious attack, single-mindedly dedicated to the death of a follower of Torag.

Melee Attack (Claw): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22 for Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Melee Attack (Claw): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22 for Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Paige takes another furious swing with her blade.

Longsword Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 4 = 9
Longsword Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 = 11

"Your judgement has finally come priest, let Torag mete out whatever fate you've earned in the hereafter," she called out to the priest calmly as she took her final steps towards the fallen priest. Unlike Paige's righteous indignation and Tarov's condemnation, there was only pity in her voice as she addressed the creature.

Yukio let her momentum carry the spear forward when she stopped, the spear's tip glowing with a silvery light as it shot forward towards the Huecuva.

Attack(Spear): 1d20 + 5 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 171d8 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 14

The spear pierced through the undead's body, and it collapsed, his soul at least trying to move on to its next destination - perhaps Pharasma had an opinion on what to do with it. With the undead gone, the shrine was emptied of enemies... but still in relatively poor shape. However, with eight hours of work, the shrine could be cleaned and consecrated - to Torag or another deity - and returned to being a proper holy place. That's aside from the small amount of treasure, mostly kept on the huecava's body - two potions of cure light wounds, a knotted gold ring, and a masterwork warhammer that's been left lying on the ground (but is still in usable condition).

Tarov didn't actually need to spend those abilities and regains them, at the beast was already down. ^^

Whoops. Deleted that post, then.

Tarov grunts as the undead creature slumps to the floor, poking it with his boot to make sure it was finished. "May ya escape Droskar's forge only when ya deserve it," he says, placing a hand on his holy symbol.

Looking up, the dwarf frowns at the state of the shrine. "This ain't a pretty sight," he mutters. "Do we got time t' neaten this place up? E'en if nobody uses it, a shrine is a shrine, an' what kind of dwarf would I be t' leave it like this...?"

Hearing the fighting die down Julian quickly tries to move the other three survivors inside. Arriving just after Tarov started talking about the shrine. Julian however arrived with scimitar in hand. He tried to hide the slight shake that ran through his sword hand, he had been very uncomfortable not being their to aid his companions.

Seeing things were alright he sighed in relief and sheathed the Scimitar. "Desna wouldn't forgive me if I didn't clean this... Shrine up before moving on. It'll gives us times to heal Anevia as well."

"You want to stay down here longer?" Horgus asked, a clear twinge of annoyance in his tone. "The city could still be in danger! This place hasn't been touched in ages - Torag's not going to care if you wait to fix it until after we're safely out of here! Might even like it better - you should help people before focusing on objects and all that, right?"

"It is never a bad thing to pay tribute to the gods." Aravashnial countered as he slowly made his way forward with Anevia's help. "I have learned never to underestimate the power one person in the right place can bring to a cause, but-" he began coughing. "-with our foes being who they are, I don't believe there is such a thing as too much divine aid. "

Anevia just stared up at the shrine, then shook her head a few times. "You'll need something more potent than I've seen so far for this leg." she said to Julian, grimacing slightly. "Cost me a fair bit last time I had an injury this bad, though... I wouldn't mind being able to rest for at least a few minutes." It was clear she didn't like admitting that - but she also knew the dangers of not being honest about injuries, especially in a land as dangerous as this one.

Tarov looks conflicted. "Aye, I agree 'at above ground might need our help... but if th' seven of us are all it takes t' tip th' balance, havin' Torag's hammer on our side would be all th' better," the knight postulates, running a hand through his beard. He turns to the others, giving first Julian, then injured folk, and finally the whiny tag-along a long look, before turning back to the women who had stood beside him in defeating the Heucuva.

"What do ya think, lady Paige, lady Yukio?"

Paige takes in a deep breath and looks toward Horgus. "Please," she says, trying to keep as gentle as possible. "If this shrine were to whichever god you worship, would you want to see it in squalor? It will not take long if we work swiftly, and give everyone a chance to rest up and gather their energy. It would only get worse if we pushed Anevia and Aravashnial further than they can go."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

She puts her weapons down on one of the pews and stretches a little, ready for the prayers and cleaning required to restore it as a holy place. "In the most dire times, it is important we not turn away from our faith. Today has been a grave day, but the gods likely feel the sting of this defeat more than we do; let's give the Father of Creation proof that the demons have not shaken our belief."

Julian gave Horgus a withering look, for once his calm completely cracked. His patience for the noblemen was wearing thin, far more quickly then he expected. He bit back his remarks as Paige spoke first. Of which he was thankful.

He looked to Anevia, restraining his anger for Horgus and not trying to take it out on Anevia as he said. "That doesn't mean we don't try, besides you have more then just broken bones. At least we can alleviate that, but I w..." He bites back the words, having said too much already. ... won't abandon anyone again. "Excuse me, I will get a spot ready for you." His last words were softer, his anger abating as he restrained and crushed it back down once more.

He cleaned a place for Anevia to rest her leg first and foremost. He rolls up his bedroll and sets it where she can place her foot on something more comfortably. Followed by a spot where Aravashnial could meditate momentarily before he turned to cleaning the shrine.

With most of the party agreeing, Tarov gets to work in cleaning the shrine. He works tirelessly, sweat gleaming on his brow, to return it to its previous glory. ''s'only right,' he thinks to himself, determination burning in his eyes.

When necessary, he instructs the others what to do to help, but he mostly keeps to himself until the area is once again in serviceable order.

Cleaning shrines was something ingrained in Julian from a young age, having traveled extensively with his mother through Mendev before she passed from this world. It wasn't out of respect for Tarov or even Torag really, it was out of respect for all the goodly gods. Desna's teachings preached showing respect to holy place and setting them back into good working order when you found them out of balance.

However he accepts Tarov's advice respectfully and gracefully, knowing that dwarves had a deeper understanding of Torag's teachings more so than any other race. He works at a steady pace, sweeping and brushing away debris as they beautified the forgotten shrine.

He left the healing of Anevia to Yukio who's healing power was more useful then his extracts at the moment.

He never did quite figure out how to affect others with it but he still had his trump card if needed...

After eight hours of effort - surprisingly quiet work, as even Horgus sullenly settled down in the back of the are, clutching the pack of supplies tightly - the shrine is finally in a presentable condition. The metal is shining, the dust has been removed, and everything has been arranged to at least some decent semblance of order. It's not the greatest shrine ever built, but it has been well-tended by now, and the green light fades as the place finally looks the way it should. The light is soon replaced by a much warmer, friendlier yellow light that seems to emanate from somewhere deep within the metal.

Somehow I wasn't getting updates, blah!

Yukio looked around the desecrated shrine and knew that the correct thing to do was to restore it before moving on. Removing the taint of the spirit was important both for its release and for avoiding the displeasure of those to whom the shrine belonged. "I agree with them as well," she said gesturing to Tarov, Paige and Julian. "Apart from it being the right thing to do, if we've any hope of escaping down here and helping out up top we'll need the gods on our side."

She set aside her spear and pack and began aiding Tarov and the others in cleaning, ignoring Horgus' whining about the delay.

Knowledge(Religion): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 3 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 10 = 21

The change in the atmosphere lightened Julian's mood and banished the unsteady shaking in his hands. A restlessness born from the inaction years ago when he lost his companions. The emanating light from the metal made him smile, he felt... almost welcomed to remain in this place. Desna and his mothers teachings weren't for nothing then.

He inspects the shrine for anything else they may have missed now that everything was much cleaner.

Perception Check - Inspect fountain: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

He starts at the main door, searching the small entry area and working his way towards the fountain. He tsked as he had poorly chosen not to memorize his Detection spells during the festival. Which meant his search was probably going to be unfruitful at best. That is if he didn't accidentally find a trap somewhere...

Perception Check - Inspect Alter: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

He moves into the inner chamber then, starting with the Alter and working his way to the walls and rest of the building. Hoping to find something useful that they may have missed.

Take 10+5 = 15 Perception to slowly check the rest of the shrine.

Julian, despite hours of cleaning, continues to remain busy, searching and exploring. His inquisitive nature and search for usable reagents drove him to find different, more useful chemical mixtures. Perhaps down in this dark place their was something useful...

Currently flying, feel free to jump in ahead of Julian wherever you want. I don't mind. Just wanted to do a little searching before we moved on~ ;D

The waters of the fountain area are fairly old, but still seem to shimmer with a holy light - if bottled somehow, you could actually bring this holy water with you. There doesn't seem to be anything else of value - or interest - besides what you've already found.

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Paige keeps quiet and respectful throughout the process, dutifully cleaning and occasionally stopping for prayers to Torag where appropriate. Far removed from her bellowing fury at the desecration when she struck the monster, she seemed mournful and low-key, focused on the task and faith.

Tarov nods, cracking an honest smile once the restoration is completed. Somewhere, in the back of his mind, he recalls the great masses in Thanehelm's Church of Torag. Moving to the dias, he kneels, his armor clanking against itself. Starting slowly, he begins to recite dwarven prayers to the Father of Creation, his voice not loud, but still powerful in this small room. With no real religious training, the knight simply speaks from his heart, praising Torag and asking his assistance in these dark times. "И пусть наши молотки всегда справедливы. Ангелы." he ends the prayer, a reverent look on his face as he finishes reconsecrating the shrine.

Standing, the dwarf turns to the others and thanks them. "Ya've earned me respect," he tells the gathered, nodding deeply. "I won't forget what ya did here, t'day."

As Tarov finishes his prayer, a surge of sacred energy erupts out of the shrine and the sound of a hammer on an anvil rings in the air, filling the building and the cavern it's in with a sense of holy power. Much of that power is focused on the party - and all four of you can quite literally feel the favor of Torag for what you've done.

You have gained the benefits of a Bless spell for the next 24 hours.

taking some bottles out of his kit he attempts to scoop up some of the water from the basin, hopefully he could check it out later to determine its properties.

Tarov seems even prouder than before, his eyes full of vigor now that the shrine is once again whole. "Right, then. Ya ready t' move on?" he asks the gathered.

"I am, although it took us quite a while to restore the altar. Mistress Tirablade, Master Aravashnial, are you two ok to continue? Do you need to rest?" Yukio said to the two with a look of concern.

"Been resting for hours." the woman said, grinning slightly. "Took a nap, even. I don't think this is going to be fun, but I'm as ready to go as I'll ever be." Aravashnial simply nodded as he slowly stood up (with assistance from the injured scout) - Horgus had to actually be woken up with some prodding, and he flailed about for a few minutes before glaring around unhappily.

Julian, having gathered what he could from the basin, nodded. "Plenty of explosives left, have plenty of extracts as well. At least we can return here if needed, solid structure to rest in." Before they left he made sure to gather the other items in the shrine, namely the masterwork warhammer.

normal marching order~

I'm assuming that, as part of the cleaning, the priest's corpse was taken out of the shrine and buried.

Yukio grabbed up the two potions and the masterwork hammer they'd found and tossed them on her pack as they started to head out. As they filed out of the shrine she looked at the restored altar with a sense of satisfaction, such things being uniquely important in her faith. That Torag had seen fit to bestow a blessing upon them for the deed was also quite comforting to her. Clearly the gods were watching and knew they had a stake in the battle to come.

As she began heading out to the cavernous area that held the temple she looked at the area where the priest's remains were interred. She bowed her head in silent prayer and spent a few moments pondering the priest's fate. "I'm not sure what turned you from Torag, or what you did to earn this curse. I can't begin to fathom what would cause me to forsake my own teachings. Nevertheless, I hope that we have freed you from the hate that consumed you, and that you will be able to make peace with your god in the hereafter. Eternity is a long time to bear the burden of such hatred." Satisfied, she turned and headed towards the exit along with the group.

Tarov nods appreciatively at all the good that the others have done in this place, and then starts leading the party back from whence they came. "We'll keep movin'. Hopefully, we can fin' our way outta this mess, an' see what's goin' on up on th' surface."

It doesn't take very long to find the next cavern once you exit the location of the shrine - things open up before you to reveal a wide area. Stone figures are carved into the walls of this cavern - each depicts a different crusader clad in armor and wielding weapons, but their carved stone features contain expressions of sadness.

However, as you step forward, everything turns pitch-black! Darkvision functions. All others are blinded.

Initiative (Enemy): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Initiative (Julian): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Initiative (Paige): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Initiative (Tarov): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Initiative (Yukio): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Tarov's eyes glow slightly as his darkvision pierces the sudden shadow. Looking around, he notices two figures floating above him and his companions. "Enemies! Stay sharp!" the dwarf calls, weapon readied.

Tarov uses his Defensive Focus ability, with his dorn-dergar readied as a reach weapon.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Julia's eye's glow in the darkness and he catches movement up above the group. "Two creature's twenty feet above us."