GM Rennai's Conquest of Bloodsworn Vale (Inactive)

Game Master Rennaivx

five-foot to open up the doorway.

Hmm, she got wordy.Tightening his grip and stepping out of the way of the door as that restless energy settles into hie veins. Feeling that Jetta said things clearly enough Amund opts to tailor his opinion in steel.

guisarme + haste + power att: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
damage: 2d4 + 9 ⇒ (3, 3) + 9 = 15
guisarme + haste + power att: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
damage: 2d4 + 9 ⇒ (4, 1) + 9 = 14
guisarme + haste + power att: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
damage: 2d4 + 9 ⇒ (1, 1) + 9 = 11

Though not very well.

"Ah, so the fools have come to dance for me! Pity for you, though - don't you know? To challenge Vardak, Lord of this Vale and more to come, means death!"

Hairless Goatee-Man | Round 1, Initiative 16

Move: Percival studied the surroundings, hoping to pierce any illusions. He once fought a particularly annoying rogue/wizard...
Will: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25
Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

Standard: Noticing nothing, Percival called out to Abadar, knowing his enemy's love of fire, to guard his allies.
Percy casts: Communal Protection from Fire. All allies gain protection from fire (absorbs 84 fire damage) for 10 minutes.

@GM: If Percival doubts something, he does not cast prot. from energy.

Touch of Law/Protection (7/day), Channel Energy 5/day, 1+1 4th level, 3+1 3rd level, 3+1 2nd level, 6+1 1st level spells remaining

Surprised but spurred into action by the appearance of the foe, everyone surges forward - but then another surprise quickly joins in. For as Slasher darts ahead of Balthus, charging across stone and carpet in his rush for Vardak, the ornate carpets suddenly drop away - and the hound, caught by surprise, tumbles out of sight with a yelp that falls off into a distance. Pit trap, and apparently I can't roll worth a damn today when it's on the party's behalf. :( I'll let the halberd work where I've placed you, Jetta, since there's nowhere else at the ten foot mark and he's on slightly higher ground to make up the distance anyway. Amund, you're technically at fifteen feet because of how diagonals work, but again, I'll let it work for this round.

With the threat revealed, Balthus is able to change his stride and avoid the pit, and Jetta navigates around the opening as well, though it slows her down and she can get in only one powerful swing. Jetta's halberd connects solidly with the wizard, and Balthus and Amund take advantage of the wizard's momentary distraction to land solid blows themselves, though Amund finds himself just too far away to use his guisarme terribly effectively. And this barrage is enough to prove to Percival that the wizard is indeed substantial flesh and blood - the cry of pain and rage is too real to fake. Thus, he bolsters his allies with protection from fire just as Anthuria had bolstered them with speed and surety before.

But the cry isn't wordless. Rasnakh, Kramaszh, here! A door to the west opens with a bang, and two more barghests jostle and squeeze for space in the narrow hallway, snarling and surrounded by a faint fiery aura. Taking advantage of the momentary distraction they provide, the wizard ducks behind his throne and calls out a rasping incantation, ending it with a throaty chuckle. Your paltry blades don't scare me...but I doubt the reverse is true. Shall we see how your will stands to my power? Casts fear! Balthus, Jetta, and Amund, DC20 Will save. Panicked for 10 rounds if you fail, shaken for a round if you don't.

This is it. Somehow, against all the odds, they've reached their nemesis despite only having just entered the mansion. Mairen watches as he friends race forth, only to see the situation grow perilous as a chasm seems to open up and massive reinforcements stride in through the side doors.

"I'll hold them!" she cries. moving forward and stepping into the path of the twin barghests, holding them back from the rest of the room, her blade incadescing with holy flame as she does so. "Kill the wizard!"

Using a standard action to add flaming (+1d6 damage) to her longsword, and then a move action to block the barghests. Any ally within 10' of her gains a +4 to saves vs. fear due to her aura of courage, though unfortunately I think everybody is out of range.

will save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22, pass, only shaken

Balthus cursed the wizard as Slasher went down the pit.

he got up close and personal, just the way he liked it, "You gonna pay for that!"

His axe went up and down on the mage.

----------
Melee (battleaxe +1 keen, 2H grip, power attack, haste), shaken: 1d20 + 9 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 9 + 1 - 2 = 19
damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
iteriative
Melee (battleaxe +1 keen, 2H grip, power attack, haste), shaken: 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 1 - 2 = 21
damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
haste
Melee (battleaxe +1 keen, 2H grip, power attack, haste), shaken: 1d20 + 9 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 1 - 2 = 28
damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
critical on last one?
Melee (battleaxe +1 keen, 2H grip, power attack, haste), shaken: 1d20 + 9 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 1 - 2 = 28
damage: 2d8 + 22 ⇒ (3, 6) + 22 = 31

Will save: 1d20 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 3 + 4 = 21

Flinching as the magic rushes though him and only leaves a fleeting feeling that causes his fingers to shake. Moving to follow Balthus up and falling into a more familiar stance to attack past an ally.

shaken + haste: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
damage: 2d4 + 5 ⇒ (2, 1) + 5 = 8

Percival raised his hands, and shouted a blessing word for his allies' benefit.
Hairless Goatee-Man | Round 2, Initiative 16

Percival Arizian | hp 53/53; AC 17/10T/16FF; +8F/+4R/+12W
Standard: Percival shouted out, "We've seen your map and know your plans, Vardak! You will never succeed in subjugating the Vale while we still draw breath!"

Percy casts: Summon Monster (Aligned) III. With Sacred Summons, summoning is down to 1 Standard action.
Percival summons the Resolute (lawful, DR/energy resistance) Constrictor Snake Quan'Strict to grapple Vardak with +9 (inexplicably provoking AOOs).

Touch of Law/Protection (5/day), Channel Energy 3/day, 1+1 4th level, 2+1 3rd level, 3+1 2nd level, 6+1 1st level spells remaining

"Slasher!" Anthuria races into the room as the dog gives a surprised yelp, though she's far too late to reach him in time. Stricken, her immediate reaction is retribution against the wizard, but the appearance of the barghests makes it clear her attention is needed elsewhere. Mairen is in trouble.

She backs herself against the wall, a pit on one side, a closed doorway on the other. Praying she isn't making a target of herself, she focuses on the thrum of energy surrounding her. Extending a finger, she plucks a chord, as though strumming a guitar. The air trembles as a ripple progresses outward from her hand and engulfs the barghests, disrupting their speed.

Casting Slow against two western barghests. DC 18 Will save.

Active buffs: Mage Armor, Barkskin, Protection from energy, Haste (6 rounds remaining)

Cont. of previous post.

Immediate Action: Cast Liberating Command on Amund.
"Break the chains of fear, son!"

Round 2:

Will: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Jetta moves to help Balthus, but staggers in her advance as Vardak's spell invades her mind. She gasps and freezes in place, feeling all her previous fear and anxiety well up and explode into a full-blown panic. All her discipline and training seems to vanish in an instant, and the Hellknight is quickly reduced to nothing but a scared child. She drops her halberd and flees past Perry into the foyer.

Cancel previous post. Will cast Calm Emotions on round 3.

Dem double 20s, Balthus. o.O

Vardak cackles gleefully as his spell of fear and discord washes over the party. Balthus withstands the necromantic energies through pure anger at his faithful (if cantankerous) hound's disappearance, Amund weathers the storm through calm and reason...but Jetta, usually one of the party's most stoic and stalwart, finds herself torn away, propelled for the doors and the world beyond by a fear completely alien to her training and experience. With an ally out of the fight, Percival summons aid from the Outer Planes and turns to follow Jetta down the hall, while Anthuria uses her magics and Mairen her steel and stalwart stance to keep the barghests at bay and buy Balthus and Amund more time.

Quickly, it becomes clear that Balthus and Amund have made more than effective use of the time they've been given. The two weave a deadly dance, guisarme and axe flashing in unison. Balthus's first attack goes wide, but the second strikes true in Vardak's shoulder. Amund's guisarme strikes the wizard's leg, tearing a rend in the red robes. And, whether by fate, fortune, or simple years of experience, Balthus knows precisely where to place his last strike - his worn-but-well-kept hatchet buries itself to the handle in the aged half-elf's chest.

The cackle fades from Vardak's lips as abruptly as it had risen.

The look in his eyes turns from cruel euphoria to...regret? Fear? Confusion?

And the Lord of the Bloodsworn Vale falls before his throne.

At their master's defeat, the further back of the barghests snarls, a hiss barely recognizable as language. Echefu ndị a! Anyị na-ewere egwuregwu na-adịghị ike n'èzí! He reaches a long-clawed hand for his ally, the two step backward in unison - and suddenly, they are gone as quickly as they appeared, only a hint of sulfurous reek there to show they'd been in the throne room at all.

Percival paused as the distant half-elf falls behind Balthus's bloody form, before turning to follow Jetta.

"Jetta, come back! It's over!" he called out.

Loot of Bloodsworn Vale!

Anthuria falls to her knees as a wave of relief falls over her. Immediately, she conjures a gaggle of bobbing, dancing light spheres and casts them down into the pit. "Slasher! Are you alright? "

She calls out to the others. "Careful of the barghests! They may not be finished with us yet!"

Fear races though Amund's veins and clouds his mind. Dropping his weapon in his panic. Turning quickly and fleeing the room, racing down the hall. Outside! I need to leave. Far, far away! Keeping a quiet as he can They might hear! Amund makes to run towards where the horses are.

Blood pumping in his ears, Balthus was about to take his trophy when something inside him made him stop. Slasher!

He looked for his hound after making sure no more threats were evident.

"Anthuria, is this pit going to swallow the dog?" Balthus was ready to jump down and grab his dog.

--------
I was hoping that critical did the wizard in. x3 weapons provide good crits. :)

Jetta rushes out of the building in a blind panic. Perry's words seem distant and muffled, and the only thing she can really hear is her own racing heartbeat.

Balthus and Anthuria peer down into the yawning mouth of the pit...and find themselves greeted with a truly thunderous series of growls and barks. Slasher is bad-tempered, bruised and cut, clearly favoring his right front leg...but he's alive, over a hundred feet below where the two peer down. Strangely, the hound is well-illuminated - it looks as if the pit is designed with an opening to the outside. 36 damage and 6 nonlethal damage to Slasher.

Jetta and Amund rush out of the building in a panic, Percival following behind - and the scene they see is one straight out of a nightmare. Efforts to regroup and see to the wounded had been underway even before the keep's front doors were wrenched open; now, casualties sit in the beginnings of a makeshift field hospital, covered in saddle blankets to keep out the chill. But their attendants, rather than spreading salves or staunching cuts, are on their feet, locked in deadly struggle with the barghests from Vardak's throne room, attempting desperately to keep their injured charges safe.

Percival watches as one of the medics falls to a barrage of bites and rending claws. The other brandishes a sword menacingly at her foe - but then the outsider murmurs a few strangely smooth, syrupy words. The medic's face goes blank, and she hunches over and gathers up an armful of supplies, heading back down the mountain path with her arms full. With a monstrous grin on its almost canine features, the barghest bounds forward, aimed straight for the patients shivering on the ground.

Mairen charges out after the barghests, blazing sword leaving a fiery streak behind her, and pounds down the halls, armor jangling, and back out the front door.

Shouldn't have left them, shouldn't have deserted my post, leaving them without defense, please Erastil safeguard them, please!

The moment she emerges into the open and sees the situation, she lets out a cry of rage and points her sword at the closest foe, calling out to Erastil to fill it with the same wrath she feels - and to direct that anger at her.

Casting Smite on the barghest farthest from them as a swift action, and casting Compel Hostility as an immediate action, DC 13 Will Save or they must attack Mairen.

"Hey, freak-show-names!" Percival shouted, throwing his half-empty inkpen at the closest barggghuhst. "We're right here!"

"Enrico! Use the Horn of Valhalla!" Percival shouted, moving closer and drawing his mace and casting Divine Favor.

Enrico
"Right away, sir," Enrico said, drawing a fancy-looking horn (that looked suspiciously like a drinking horn closer-up), and let out a loud, mournful call. Enrico casts Minor Image
A ray of light seemed to descend from the heavens, as six angelic armored figures began descending from above to circle the barghests.

Ensuring that slasher is, in fact, still alive, Anthuria races down the hallway after Mairen, her bird pendant bouncing to and fro. She emerges out into the daylight just in time to see the barghests attacking the wounded. While her impulse is to fire upon them, she realizes it probably wouldn't stop them. Struck by a moment of inspiration, she thrusts her hand into her satchel, searching for the bound parchments she had found earlier.

Move to move, move to draw the scroll of wandering star motes.

Warned by Percival's call, Mairen and Anthuria rush outside to join Percival in aiding the troops outside, while Amund and Jetta continue to run terrified from Vardak's spell. With a cry of righteous anger, Mairen singles out the farthest barghest and beckons it to her - and whether by the words alone or the effort of will she's invested, the beast rushes toward her, scaring a horse full gallop across the field in terror. As the beast runs, though, it lets out a loud, ululating call; as the sound echoes between the hills, both barghests' muscles suddenly thicken, and they soon stand as tall as houses, dwarfing the horses as they close. Cast mass enlarge! Barghest is 15 feet from Mairen.

The other barghest glances at the circle of barbarians surrounding, sniffing at the air - and then lashes out at one of the illusory angels, only to find that its claw passes straight through. With a howl of rage, the beast finds a new target for its ire...the priest who'd called out for the deception. Snarling, the beast tears up the ground in its headlong rush, growing even as it runs. Attacks image, then moves to 15 feet from Percival.

Anthuria unfurls the aged parchment, carefully hand-inked constellations and geometric equations revealing themselves as the paper opens. Her brow wrinkles in uncertainty.

She has never cast a spell from a scroll before.

"It can't be too difficult. I've seen students do it plenty of times..."

As if in response, the constellations on the page begin to migrate across it, swirling in miniature galaxies before reforming themselves into words. Familiar words. Taking a deep breath, she begins to sound out the arcane scribblings. With each syllable her voice takes on an esoteric timbre, violet and pinks wisps of smoke flowing from her lips.

Once she reaches the dischordations between the second and third metabridges, the scroll seems to dissolve in her hands. It forms a cloud of purple dust that gently floats through the air and begins settle around the nearest barghest.

casting wandering star motes. DC 16 (10 + spell level [4] + minimum ability modifer [2])

Mairen falls back into a combat ready stance, blazing blade held at hip height and extending out behind her like a tail. A quick glance around the field of battle tells her that this momentary reprieve will soon turn to their disadvantage, so with the massive barghest still a safe distance from her, she extends her hand toward where Jetta's form flees away from the fight and calls out in a powerful voice, "Jetta Stahle! Recall your Hellknight training, your brutal discipline, and fight where you are needed most!"

If Jetta is within 60 feet, she gets to save against fear once more with a +4 bonus due to Word of Resolve. If not, then go with the following instead:

Gritting her teeth, Mairen lets out a cry of defiance, calling on Erastil to guide her blade, and casting aside her shield so as to grip her blade with both hands she charges straight at the massive barghest, aiming to carve out its heart.

Charging Power Attack/Vital Strike: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18
Damage: 2d8 + 1d6 + 17 ⇒ (1, 3) + (6) + 17 = 27

Feet pounding on the ground in time with the rush of blood booming in his ears nearly drowning out the sound of something big running across the battle field. I am not ready to die! Gulping in as much air as he can while continuing his flight from peril.

Now that the wizard was dead, Balthus concentrated on getting Slasher out. The fall had done a number on his pup and the ranger yelled at it to stay put. "I'm coming! Just stay put, damn it!"

The problem was that he didn't know how to get to the dog or access the pit. Was there a door at the bottom? if so, where did it lead from?

The ranger started looking around the throne room for an access...

-------------
perception to find a safe way down to Slasher: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31

Will: 1d20 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 4 = 12

Jetta persists in her headlong escape, heedless of Mairen's call. Both the paladin's voice and the general din of combat are drowned out by the rush of blood filling her ears, and her only thoughts are of the nameless terror that is surely just a few steps behind her...

No dice. Thanks for trying, though. :)

Mairen, you get to do both - Word of Resolve is an immediate action. Too bad Jetta can't roll digital dice to save her life. ;)

The scroll dissolves in Anthuria's hands, scintillating purple dust floating toward the otherworldly monsters. Strangely, the dust moves as if with a purpose - the cloud wafts toward the closest barghest's face and eyes, flitting around as if trying to distract the beast. But unfortunately, it seems to have had little effect on the barghest - while some of the dust stays on its head and shoulders, faintly limning it in a cool light, the creature simply blows most of the cloud away with a puff of sulfurous breath. Dispersing for a moment, it crowds around the other beast, but this one too shakes the cloud away, and this time it stays dispersed. Both made saves v. wandering star motes. :(

Mairen charges for the nearest gigantic monster's heart - for a moment it looks as if the barghest is going to duck away, but its gigantic bulk hampers its movements, and her sword catches its chest a moment before it leaps to the side. The beast tries to retaliate, but a strange, crackling green energy stops the claws an inch from her armor. Smite saves you! Hands shaking, Percival takes advantage of the opening to make his way tentatively forward and take a swing at the barghest. And his Lord of Order's favor guides him - his mace swings solidly into the barghest's chest, opening wider the gash that Mairen had cut. Percival makes an attack and hits for 15 damage - go cleric! ;)

The crackle of faith energy surrounding Mairen seems to have enraged the beasts - both focus their attacks upon her, slavering jaws and scythe-like claws tearing at her. Against her holy protection and heavy armor, though, the monsters find only moderate success - both gaping maws clatter against her armor, though a few claws find purchase. Still, the overall effect leaves the stalwart paladin gasping in pain, though she soldiers on. Mairen, hit for 30 total.

Amund and Jetta flee further, though Mairen attempts to bring the Hellknight back to an ordered mind. And Balthus, alone with Slasher and Vardak's corpse, peers down the long shaft, then around the throne room, trying to figure out the quickest way to reach his companion. After a few moments' calculation, he figures out that the light at the base must be coming from a wide opening at the pit's base - possibly even wide enough to allow Vardak's drakes access to the pit trap's victims from outside. Looking at the other floor rug, he notices it sagging slightly - it looks as if this rug conceals another opening in the floor. The walls of the pit are rough-hewn stone and dirt, and the shaft is narrow; using hands and feet on opposite walls, the climb would be relatively simple. DC5 Climb check to climb down the shaft.

Everyone is up!

Encounter Name Freakshownames| Round 2, Initiative ?
Percival Arizian | hp 53/53; AC 17/10T/16FF; +8F/+4R/+12W
Standard: Percival attacks again with his frosty mace, brandishing it twice against the Burghests in a full-attack flurry after taking a 5-foot step to help flank with Marien (If possible).
Attack 1, divine favor + flanking: 1d20 + 8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 3 + 2 = 29
Attack 2 iterative, divine favor + flanking: 1d20 + 8 + 3 + 2 - 5 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 3 + 2 - 5 = 28
Confirmation: 1d20 + 8 + 3 + 2 - 5 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 3 + 2 - 5 = 28
(Double confirmation!)

Damage hit 1 w/Mace + Divine Favor: 1d8 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + 5 + (5) = 17
Damage hit 2 w/Mace + Divine Favor: 1d8 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 5 + (4) = 15
Critical damage hit 2 from x3 weapon: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (1, 4) + 10 = 15

Total 47 damage vs. Burghest 1

Touch of Law/Protection (5/day), Channel Energy 3/day, 1+1 4th level, 2+1 3rd level, 3+1 2nd level, 5+1 1st level spells remaining

Edit: Forgot that the frost enchantment is on the crossbow. That's 38 damage.

Mairen lets out bark of pain as the barghest's claws slam into her armor, denting and rending the sheet metal and driving her almost down to her knees. Divine fury supports her, however, and she rises back to her feet with an upward swing, seeking to take off the barghest's head.

Power Attack+Smite+Flank: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (11) + 17 = 28
Damage: 1d8 + 1d6 + 17 ⇒ (3) + (2) + 17 = 22

Power Attack+Smite+Flank: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26
Damage: 1d8 + 1d6 + 17 ⇒ (2) + (5) + 17 = 24

If Percival already killed the barggy, Mairen will instead charge the second one with vital strike, using the first set of rolls but adding a 1d8 to the damage.

Vital Strike extra damage: 1d8 ⇒ 8

"Bah! So much for celestial enchantments. Better to keep one's boots on the earth, hands in the soil..." Anthuria sucks in a breath and sprints forward a step, drawing on more familiar magicks. Her hands flash green as she summons her energy spheres, four viridescent orbs that transform into tiny, emerald sparrows. They flit through the air and crash into the barghest.

magic missile to target the more injured barghest, and if it falls sending the missiles toward the second.

magic missile: 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 2, 3, 4) + 4 = 14

Percival, Mairen, and Anthuria work together in concert, attempting to send the barghests back to the hellscapes from whence they came. As he swings his heavy mace, Percival feels a sudden rush of warmth and vigor in his muscles; the weapon swings with surprising force and crashes into the barghest's knee, eliciting a howling shriek of pain. And the distraction is enough to give Mairen the space she needs for a powerful upwards swing of her longsword - fortune favors her and the blade cuts deep, sending the foe to the ground with a throaty gurgle. Seeing that one task is finished, Anthuria shifts her focus, sending bursts of verdant energy toward the other beast; as always, the energy pops and crackles across its skin.

And the barrage does not go unnoticed - with a growl, the beast rounds and turns on Anthuria, lashing out with tooth and claw in retaliation. Its bellow of rage turns to a smug, cruel satisfaction as all the attacks find purchase, leaving Anthuria reeling from the assault - but the creature's headlong rush proves to be a sufficient distraction to create an opening for Percival, and once again his mace finds its mark with astonishing accuracy. Anthuria, 38 damage. Percival, AoO for 11 damage to #2.

Everyone is up! Do it, do it!

Encounter Name | Round X, Initiative X
Percival Arizian | hp 53/53; AC 17/10T/16FF; +8F/+4R/+12W
Standard + Move: Percival rushed up to the Burghest and slammed it with his mace, shouting for support from Enrico.

"Get behind us, Anthuria!" shouted Percival, rooting himself for a full attack the next round.
Attack + charge + flanking: 1d20 + 8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 3 + 2 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

(Assuming Enrico could get in an inspire courage before the attack is resolved, in which case everyone benefits from +2 to attack, damage ,and saves vs. fear (if allowed, please add to total)

Swift:
[ooc]Touch of Law/Protection (5/day), Channel Energy 3/day, 1+1 4th level, 2+1 3rd level, 3+1 2nd level, 5+1 1st level spells remaining

Summoning Erastil's aid, Mairen intones a quick prayer to One Eye and feels his soothing blessing suffuse her body, washing away her wounds and pain.

Swift action to lay on hands on herself.

Lay On Hnads: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 5) = 9

Then, gritting her teeth, she charges the remaining barghest, declaring her final smite upon it, feeling the crackling power of her divine might augment her swing at its neck.

Charging/Inspire Courage/Vital Strike/Smite/Flank: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (6) + 19 = 25
Damage: 2d8 + 1d6 + 19 ⇒ (6, 1) + (2) + 19 = 28

Everything happens so quickly. Before Anthuria can react, the creature is on her, grasping her arm between its teeth and jerking back and forth. She can feel her flesh rend, the muscles shorn by the force of the attack, but strangely there is no pain. Her scream is instead a product of horror.

But there is Mairen, her flaming sword cleaving a line between them, drawing the monster's ire toward herself. For a moment Anthuria fears her own arm has been removed, and it is with great relief she finds that it is still attached to her person, and still working (even if somewhat bloodied).

Stumbling backward (5-ft step), she unleashes another arcane detonation, green sparks fizzing in all directions.

magic missile: 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 4, 4, 3) + 4 = 16
cast defensively DC 17: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21 success, no AoO

So much noise. Screaming and death behind him. Slowing down would let that thing catch him. Amund does not want to be the one screaming in pain. So he keeps running and ignoring the burn in his lungs.

Surprised by the fury of the coordinated onslaught, the barghest reels backward, huge claws scratching on the rock as it attempts to scramble out of the way of Mairen's sword and Percival's mace. But with their strategic positioning, it's clear small, cautious movements aren't going to get it clear of the fearsome weapons, and it's apparent the creature is too badly wounded to go much further. Softly, it lets out one more utterance. Ị merie.

Desperation etched into its features, the barghest screws up its face in concentration, and Percival recognizes the beginning of a spell casting. He alerts Mairen, and both ready themselves to take advantage of an opening in the creature's focus - but fortune does not favor the doughty fighters. Evading their attempts, the barghest is there...and then, with a flash of fire in its eyes, it is not.

Remembering the spell that had brought the barghests outside the castle in the first place, Percival signals to Mairen, and both run to opposite sides of the mountaintop ledge, scanning the landscape below. Just visible on the Nirmathas side of the mountains is a large speck lumbering down the mountainside - Anthuria immediately begins calling forth more bursts of energy, but dispels the barrage once she realizes the distance is too great. The barghest has escaped...but the small army sprawled before Vardak's castle is safe.

Fight is complete! Reactions? Nothing else immediately springs forth, so Amund and Jetta will come out of their fear and Balthus will have time to consider a rescue plan for the pup.

Anthuria clutches her injured arm close to her body. The shock is fading and the wound has begun to sting. She hisses in frustration as the barghest flees into the hills.

"Come, we need to hurry. The fire seed must be here." She turns to the castle and calls out for Balthus. "Is Slasher alright?"

"Now, If I were a wizard," she muses, her eyes traveling up the enormity of the castle and pausing at the highest tower, "Where would I keep a devastatingly destructive artifact?"

The foe is driven from the field, and though Mairen feels a pang of remorse and frustration over its having gotten away, she steels her emotions and takes a deep breath, standing up straight despite the pain and looking over her friends and their forces.

She searches for Jetta and Armund, and gives a sharp nod when she sees them beginning to make their return. Wiping her blade on a sash that hands from her side, she sheathes it, quenching the flame, and removes her helm so as to wipe away at the honey colored bangs which are plastered to her brow.

"I wish that defeating the wizard spelled the last of our challenges, but somehow I doubt it." She followed the direction of Anthuria's stare, and then gives a curt nod. "Something about that tower does indeed draw the eye, does it not? Perhaps we should unnail the entrance and make our way to the top."

Perception check on the tower's windows - any movement?: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Her eyes scan Anthuria's form and lingers on her bloody wound. "Can I help with that?"

Assuming Anthuria doesn't protest...

Lay On Hands: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 4) = 13

Mairen places her hands gently over the torn flesh, closes her eyes, and whispers a prayer to Erastil. The interstices between her fingers glow golden, and then pain recedes as the flesh knits itself anew.

Inhaling deeply, Mairen smiles at Anthuria and sets to ordering their remaining forces, sending the wounded to the back, lifting morale with both commands and wry jokes, congratulating the soldiers on their bravery and ensuring they'll be willing to hold the line once the group heads back inside.

Diplomacy to rally the troops: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

The noise has stop. That is bad. There is nothing to stop the horror from focusing on him now. His lungs are burning and his legs hurt. But why was he running. What about the wizard?

Slowing down and looking back. Kicking at the ground, "Damn mages!" Gulping in deep breaths of air, "Never gonna hear the end of this one."

Forcing himself to start jogging back and ignore the fatigue in his muscles. Spotting Jetta on her ways back Oh look I shall not be mocked alone. Misery shared is misery halves right? Offering a wave to her but continuing on to the castle.

Having come back to her senses, Jetta rushes back to the group. Before her stay in the Bloodsworn Vale she would have been much harder on herself, but now her main concern is for her companions. Seeing that everyone is more-or-less in one piece, the Hellknight lets out a sigh of relief. She waves back to Amund with a look of shared embarrassement as the two reach the others.

"Sorry about that," she says to the group. "I promise you, it won't happen again."

Turning her attention back to the task at hand, Jetta looks up at the castle. "Let's not rush this. We still have plenty of time, and the wizard probably laid more traps like the one we sprung before. I suggest that we start by inspecting the tower and the throne room, and then resume our clockwise rotation through the rest of the structure."

Basically taking 20 on Perception and scanning for magic everywhere as we go, with special attention towards possible traps and secret doors.

Walking into the room, "Where magic is concerned I make no promises."

Looking around and feeling pleased to see that at least everyone is mostly in one peace before moving over to the pit and looking down. "Rope?"

How deep is that pit? Cause I could lower Balthus and lift both back up.

The pit is 100 feet to the bottom, so it'd take two lengths of rope. A very doable lift, although it may be easier to have Balthus take 10 on climbing down and back up and just use the rope to get Slasher up. However it's done, you'll be able to do it, and so shall it be.

With the troops without seen to, the exploration of the castle resumes. Cautiously, Mairen, Anthuria, Percival, Jetta, and Amund return to the throne room to find Balthus peering down into the pit at his hound below. Stepping forward, Amund withdraws two lengths of slender, well-made rope from his pack and begins tying them together as Balthus starts a careful descent of the narrow shaft. With hands and feet braced on opposite walls, the climb is almost laughably easy for the seasoned ranger; soon, he reaches the bottom and comforts the angry canine with a few grumbled words and rough pats. (Slasher, for his part, accepts the gruff affection perhaps slightly more eagerly than usual.) Once Amund has secured the lifeline, he lowers it to the pair with a coat tied to the bottom to serve as a harness; it takes some coaxing, but Slasher finally consents to climb inside, and the two ascend.

While the rescue is ongoing, Jetta and Mairen begin a methodical search of Lord Vardak's throne room - as he descends, Balthus warns them to steer clear of the other rug, which also conceals a deep pit. Carefully they look over the room and its contents, looking for any other surprises...and anything that could be of use to the keep. On the way in, Jetta had already gathered up the map in the planning room, rolling it carefully to take back to Sir Tolgrith. Now, searching here, she finds a handful of flawlessly shaped gems worked into Vardak's strange stone throne, and the self-styled Lord holds a panoply of wealth. There is the usual collection of flasks, scrolls, and baubles one expects to see on a seasoned adventurer, but perhaps the most striking is his staff - made of ebon wood, it holds an amber stone the size of a closed fist in a cage of latticed mithril. What he does not have on hand, though, is any gem that could serve as the master to the one currently menacing Fort Thorn - it seems to find this, the search will have to continue.

Anything else to do in here? Which way next? Map is up on the link.

Percival examines the dead wizard silently.

Heal to see if dead or age: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

"This was almost too easy," Percival said softly, wiping off the blood of the Burghests off his mace on the wizard's cloak. He then turned to join the others and retrieve the vale map. Replacing the tapestry cautiously with Enrico's white-and-red picnic napkins, Percival felt a savage grin on the comparative sacrilege.

Took the map and tapestry.

He then released another burst of healing to top off everyone.

Channel Energy: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 6) = 15

Stepping away from Balthus and Slasher, "We still need to see if there is anything else here and I would like to try and find the drakes."

Back inside the throne room, Anthuria lies flat on the edge of the pit, reaching with her hands to grab Slasher and support him from underneath as Balthus hauls him up. Standing, she reflexively casts the dirt from her clothing with a prestidigitation and smooths her hair.

"Well, now that everyone's back together and in one piece...shall we?" She points toward the western passages.

With hunter and hound reunited and the throne room stripped, the group moves on. Across from Vardak's throne is the door the barghests had emerged from (I definitely didn't have them coming from the wrong side of the room by accident *innocent whistle*); the door still hangs open, and Mairen looks inside to confirm that the room is a small sleeping quarters. Beneath one of the beds is a blood-stained sack. Gingerly, Amund opens it to find a severed hand, still bearing an ornate ring in the shape of a ram, as well as a handful of jingling platinum coins. On a shelf near the door, two potion bottles rest, full of a scintillating orange liquid.

Two doors open at the end of the narrow hallway to the west of the throne, one each to left and right. After allowing Balthus to search the right-hand door, she opens it to find an opulent four-poster against the far wall. The sheets and curtains look to be made of finely-woven red silk, and the blanket is surprisingly reminiscent of the flame drakes who had been serving Vardak - on closer inspection, it becomes clear that this is, indeed, a cured flame drake hide made into a blanket. An oak wardrobe stands in the corner; upon looking inside, you find only a few sets of clothing and a collection of work aprons, some stained with varying fluids of questionable provenance.

Next, the group moves to the left-hand door, once again carefully searching it before opening. This opens onto what appears to be a kitchen. A worktable covered in utensils and cookware sits immediately next to the door, and on the opposite side of the room is a wood-fired oven. Next to the oven, a poker lies abandoned on the floor next to a small smattering of still-warm coals and ashes - and in the soot from the ashes, Balthus makes out two small, identical sets of goblinoid footprints, one headed toward the north door and one headed toward the south. The south door hangs slightly ajar; a richly-appointed dining area peeks out from beyond. Two doors on the east wall open onto food storage pantries.

Cautiously, the group presses forward into the dining room. A long oak table dominates the center of the room. Three plain wood chairs sit at either side of the table, while an opulent red-upholstered chair bedecked with a pair of vair pillows sits at its head. The dishes on the table are heaped with a feast far too reminiscent of the Rose King's. And the source of the footprints in the kitchen becomes apparent - a small goblin, wearing a flour- and blood-stained apron, lies sprawled at the end of the table, huge claw marks across its back. Carefully, Jetta and Balthus creep forward to investigate...and from nowhere, claws materialize to strike at Balthus and Jetta from above!

Two barghests get a surprise round! Balthus, 22 damage; Jetta, 16 damage. Balthus, Percival, and Anthuria are up for round 1! Both barghests are in the air, out of reach of normal weapons but within reach of reach weapons if you're directly below. Icons are set up on the map.

Anthuria collects the potions (the threat of fire seems real enough) and follows the others. She visibly jumps when the barghests appear, clutching her bird locket and emitting a small squeal. The noise carries the timbre of an arcane surge that electrifies the air and stimulates the senses.

Casting Haste

Percival raised his hand to bless his companions and took a better position to flank for his next attack, moving ahead.

Standard. Bless: +1 sacred to attack rolls and saving throws vs. fear.
Move. 5-foot step to set up flank (moved in map)

Touch of Law/Protection (5/day), Channel Energy 2/day, 1+1 4th level, 2+1 3rd level, 3+1 2nd level, 4+1 1st level spells remaining

Balthus grunts in surprise as the new entities materialize.

He quickly has his axe in his hand and tries to strike at the barghest closest to him.

Having just healed Slasher, he instructs his dog to stay out of this.

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not sure if it's possible to attack. What did they do in the surprise round? Attack and move or do these creatures have reach and just attacked?
I'd like to attack if possible...