GM Toothy's Wrath of the Righteous (Inactive)

Game Master Sir Longears

Once Rukzha sees the cramped situation in the room she mutters. "Damn, I wish I had more castings of glitterdust prepeared for today. It would be perfect for this situation."

@Kai: To move through an opponent's square, the basic DC is 5 + opponent's CMD, and you move at half speed. To move at full speed, you increase the DC by 10. Since I imagine you'd not risk an Acrobatics check of 15+CMD, I'll assume you double moved (moot since you missed your attack anyway).

@Rukzha: I'll give you the information when you actually can see the enemies and thus identify them.

Kai, once more quick with is feet, moves inside the room and past the demonic flies... a bold move but perhaps not the wisest. One of the creatures cackles while an initially small sphere of darkness forms in front of her multifaceted eyes... the sphere soon expands, englobing the whole room in darkness, as well as Elriel and Brevon on the outside.

Effectively blinded, both Elriel and Kai are attacked by the creatures, trying to bite them. The one at Elriel misses entirely, while Kai is hit on his neck. Wounded, blinded and surrounded, the monk fights for his life...

Inside the area of darkness, PCs without darkvision are effectively blinded.

Is this deeper darkness then? Darkness normally only bring normal light down to dim light. Seeing as I'm so far back in iniative I'll wait a bit with posting.

Elriel knew the monk was in trouble after such a bold move. He admired the move but sighed at the potential consequences. "I'm coming, boy..."

He entered the crowded room and attacked one of the flies harassing Kai.

-------------
acrobatics to pass through threatened square and attack fly 3
acrobatics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
reroll acrobatics once per day if failed
acrobatics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
shortsword, favored enemy, piranha: 1d20 + 7 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 2 - 1 = 28
damage: 1d6 + 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 2 + 2 = 10
critical?
shortsword, favored enemy, piranha: 1d20 + 7 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 2 - 1 = 23
damage: 1d6 + 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 2 + 2 = 12

"Blasted-!" Brevon jerks around as the dark fog spills out across the chamber. Seeing Kai and Elriel leap into the room, he calls after them: "Careful, there are many of them! A swarm!" He strikes the one blocking the doorway, hoping to clear a path for the others to enter and help the two men.

Attack, Power Attack: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 8 - 2 = 201d6 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 4 = 9

21 isn't enough to hit Kai's AC in dim light I believe. Would have been enough in darkness though. For my knowledge check, immunities, defenses and saves perhaps?

Rukzha spots the enemy poking it's head through the doorway when it tries to bite Elriel and she keeps track of its movements as it tries to hinder Elriel from rolling past. Gotta make room for the others to get in and help. It's too cramped in the hallway. But it's hard to get a hold of the mind of vermin. She cups both her hand in front of her mouth and lets out a shrill scream. It's some otherworldly quality over it as it clearly carries magic to harm the creatures.

Ear piercing scream sonic damage, DC 16 vs fort or dazed for one round: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 2) = 8

If the enemy is down she'll move to the square S of Brevon and do the same thing to #1

Completely unfazed by the shadows suddenly enveloping the room (yay eidolon darkvision!), Kelumarion bunches his haunches and barrels through the door, shoving past the fly in the doorway and taking up position next to Kai and Elriel. He finishes the rally with a savage bite, trying to take down one of the strange creatures, though it evades the savage maneuver.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20 I'll assume that passes their CMD?
Bite attack, damage with Power Attack: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 6 - 1 = 91d8 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 3 = 11

Too bad glitterdust doesn't actually create light. :/

Arrika, however, didn't have the advantage of Kelumarion's otherworldly eyesight - even his descriptions of what's going on in the room aren't enough to help with directing a spell effect or attacking with her spear. For a moment, she considers conjuring a light and throwing it in...but she immediately dismisses the idea; she'd learned enough about magic from Rukzha to know that the enchantments plunging the room into darkness are far more powerful than any lights she could conjure. Instead, she stays back, letting the other, more capable fighters have room to fight.

Not a lot I can do here - once space opens up more I might move in, but right now I can't really help much.

Kelumarion nimbly avoids any retaliation as he moves inside the room to assist Kai but he misjudges the distance of his target and his jaws close in thin air. Elriel tries to follow Kelumarion inside but this time the demonic vermin impede his movement... luckily he is able to avoid its bite. Not able to get inside, Elriel unleashes his fury on the enemy, taking advantage of Kelumarion's positioning.

Elriel pierces the fly with a his sword, unbalancing it enough for him to clear its head off! Brevon moves atop the dead fly and slashes against another one and soon Rukzha follows up with another spell, causing damage to the creature but not as much as she expected.

Did demons suddenly gain sonic resistance? It's not in the result from your knowledge check. I guess that's why Rukzha didn't expect it :p. It's room for Irabeth to move in now, though I guess it would provoke AoO from #1 :/.

"I absolutely thought this through guys." Kai says, injecting as much irony into the phrase as possible.

He stabs at one of the insectoids in front of him, then follows up with a spinning maneuver, slicing with the other end.

Flurry on #3. One slashing one Bludgeoning if it matters. I had actually intended to move to the farthest spot into the room as I could by tumbling if the creatures were not flat footed, but I guess I should have made that clearer.

Monks Spade, Power attack, Flurry, Grazed: 1d20 + 7 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 7 - 2 - 1 = 21

Damage: 1d6 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 6 = 11

Monks Spade, Power attack, Flurry, Grazed: 1d20 + 7 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 7 - 2 - 1 = 21

Damage: 1d6 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 6 = 12

Kai's spade strikes true at one of the flies even if he was hampered by the low visibility, almost knocking it out. The flies laugh and buzz as they see many of you lined up. One by one, they move left of Kelumarion, with one of them taking flight, and all of them release breathes of acid that envelop Kelumarion, Brevon, and Elriel.

"With all these spells and abilities. Maybe they aren't so mindless after all, unlike their less demonic likes. Their minds are undoubtedly weak." Rukzha says and then focuses her mind to bring the least wounded of the demonic flies into slumber.

Elriel smiled at Kai's optimism, "Keep it up boy, I'm right here with you.

His shortsword flashed towards the wounded fly.

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move in and attack fly 3
shortsword, favored enemy, piranha, flank, sneak attack: 1d20 + 7 + 2 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 2 - 1 + 2 = 12
damage: 1d6 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 2 + 2 + (6, 5) = 22
Ah, that's probably a miss; can I get a reroll? :)

Aw damn, I should have blessed Elriel with luck. That looked like it would have been a critical blow if it had just hit.

Sorry, my fortune is a lot worse than that of a dual cursed oracle. It's a standard action to use.

Brevon spits and coughs as putrid insect-juice covers him. He hefts his shield to block the worst of it from his face, but the substance works its way into the joints of his armor, burning his flesh.

"Gah!" he gasps in pain, whispering a prayer for mercy.

LoH self (swift): 2d6 ⇒ (6, 4) = 10

Then he steps forward, striking at the buzzing demon.

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 161d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Boting Arrika/Kelumarion.

Arrika moves towards Irabeth bestowing her a bite of guidance in the battle, while Kelumarion bite and clawed at one of the wounded flies, sending it to the ground. Elriel moved in position to attack but his stab wasn't strong enough to penetrate the creature's skin. Brevon moved around the corner, exposing his flank to the creature but even if flying it missed him entirely... the paladin didn't miss and cut a couple legs off.

Rukzha send the fly in the middle of the room into a world of nightmares and Irabeth moved in to finish the last standing enemy.

With all the enemies dealt with, Brevon opened the door inside the room, revealing a small room with a shutter (the one you saw before entering this place). Judging by the looks, it seems this room once served as an aerie where the crusaders once sent messages via carrier pigeons.

Feel free to react to this room. I'll move us along though.

Going back to the hall, Elriel finds no traps in the western room but the door is locked. Before unlocking it, he moved to the door to the left which was unlocked. 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.

Back to the locked door, Elriel is able to tell that this is a lock of good quality and knowing it would take him some time to open it, he started immediately. In about a minute he heard a familiar 'click' and opened the door. The southern portion of this room holds a wide alabaster basin filled with bloody entrails. The outside of the basin is carved with images of warriors around a raised sun, holding longswords aloft. A flight of stairs ascends to the west. Six dead crusaders with their bellies open and gaping, and with their entrails removed are scattered around the basin. To the west there is a stair leading to the third floor.

Combat is over!

Elriel checked the sharpness of his sword against the hard skin of the demonic fly. He saved the information on how to best pierce them for a future encounter.

He checked on the brave and stupid boy, "Kai, you gotta be careful. You are hurt."

He turned to the witch, "Can you help him out? Either that or he needs to drink something. I don't think we are not done here."

tag?

new room
Elriel shook his head, "Disgusting. When will the vileness end?"

He looked at the stairs, "See, I told you we weren't done."

He patted Brevon on his shoulder, "That armor still holding up?"

tag?
--------------
I'm assuming we found nothing else after a search so I propose going up

Arrika had seen plenty of gore and wanton cruelty by now...but for some reason, the scene before her still seems to hit her hard. One arm flies to her mouth, as if to both block the smell of blood and death and to ward away the ill fortune that had befallen the crusaders. How...how can we ever beat this? she murmurs, a faint tinge of hopelessness in her voice. What can we do against such reckless hate?

In response, Kelumarion gently pushes his way under her hand, nearly knocking her over with a headbutt of reassurance. We fight. We charge to meet it, and we make them pay for this. We face them until they fall...or we do.

With no more words adequate to describe the cruelty ahead, the pair simply stands and looks for several more moments before Arrika speaks up again. We need to bury them. When we're finished here. They deserve better than this - we need to lay them to rest properly, clean the demons' filth from this place. Or we need to put the whole thing to the torch. This...this corruption can't stand. Turning away from the grim scene, she follows Elriel toward the staircase to the next level.

Ready to move on, again assuming searching turned up nothing else like Elriel said.

"Elriel, the armor is superb, if heavy, and worthy for its cause, to be s--"

As Elriel opens this latest door, Brevon's words catch in his throat. He thought they had seen the worst, but the sight and smell of the carnage causes him to gasp. He turns and brings his gauntlet to his mouth, praying he does not fall ill.

"Yes, Kelumarion, we shall avenge these soldiers," he manages. "And fire, fire it shall be. We'll put the entire Garrison to the flame as a monument, a tribute, and a warning."

"But first, we must find what lies beyond those stairs."

After Elriel asks Rukzha to heal him, Kai says, "Elriel, I don't think that's... I mean you guys have done enough for me. I don't want to be a burden on anyone. I'll be a little less reckless next time."

Heal him anyway! I think. I'm actually not sure how we're doing resource-wise

"Yeah Ginger... We'll make 'em pay. And these poor souls will be put to proper rest. I'll do it myself if I have to."

"But Blondie's right. We need to secure the building first. We can't help anyone until we're safe."

Don't be an idiot, Arrika responds to Kai's modest refusal, seemingly grateful for a brief distraction from the carnage. You've been fantastic - you've more than earned the help, and we'd give it even if you hadn't. We're all in this fight together. Grabbing one of the vials from her pack, she offers it to Kai. Drink it, with our thanks. Although...you may find the taste leaves something to be desired, she finishes with a lopsided half-smile.

Kai drinks the potion offered by Arrika and soon after Irabeth comes closer to once more heal him. "Here, let me help you... just don't charge blindly anymore. There are enough bodies around already." Once she is finished, she nods to Brevon who starts to climb the stairs.

At the top of the spiral stairs, a wide hall stretches for thirty feet before ending in a door. Two alcoves on both sides of the hall hold torches that burn with white light. Each torch illuminates a pedestal, on each of which rests a battered and broken steel helm. In front of the doors stand a fearsome fiendish minotaur. The creature has blood-red fur, glowing yellow eyes, sharp teeth and a pair of bat-like wings.

As soon as the creature sees Brevon, he blows a horn before dropping it and grabbing his large greataxe with both hands. "Na kraju... malo zabave za mene!"

"Ho!" Brevon cries in an attempt to warn his companions. "What fiend is this, that lurks and hides in tower chambers? Come, coward, strike me down if you can!"

Brevon's scimitar ignites in white-hot flame as he leaps forward, even in his armor, slashing furiously at the blood-red creature.

Going to assume this is evil and Swift Action: Smite Evil @ minotaur, Move, and Attack

Smite Evil: +2 attack, +4 damage, +2 deflection bonus to AC. Bypasses DR. If the minotaur is an outsider (evil), add +4 additional damage to first successful attack.

Attack, Power Attack, Smite Evil: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 8 - 2 + 2 = 241d6 + 4 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 4 + 4 = 18

"Another horny dude. But this one is more of the mundane type."

Elriel sauntered in the room and struck at the minotaur.

He yelled back, "I think they know we're for sure. Watch your backs!"

--------------
move in and attack
shortsword, piranha, sneak attack: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 7 - 1 = 26
damage: 1d6 + 3 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 2 + (6, 6) = 22
critical?
shortsword, piranha: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 7 - 1 = 16
damage: 1d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 2 = 9

"It'll take me a quarter of an hour to prepare another healing spell. Not sure we want to spend that time now that they undoubtedly know we are here. Between the wands and all the potions we picked up we do have plenty of healing though, just drink the one Arrika offered you."

---

"What's done here is grisly, but at least they are spared further pain now in death." Rukzha says in a somber voice after witnessing the awful sight of the disemboweled crusaders. She far too well remembers what the inquisitors did to cause her pain while she was still alive. "We just got to stop the demons from doing this against more people."

When Brevon suggests to burn down the building she says. "I'm not sure destroying more of our city is what we want to do Brevon. But we'll sure do what we can against the demons. But first we got to stop them from turning the wardstone against us. We can't lose sight of our mission because of their atrocities, then we'll just play into their hands."

---

Knowledge Arcana?(+3 if planes): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Another powerful enemy. I'm not sure my hex will even work against this one. Hopefully it's size means it has more brawn than reflexes and that it'll get caught in my web. She starts chanting and wrap her hands around herself as if to hug herself tight.

-
"G͕̜͓͍̮̈́͊̾́͐͑ę̛̟̰̙͎̻̹̳̌t̨̝̺̰̳̘̱͂̍ ̡̱͔ͫ̇ͥ̀c̷̪̖̟͙̼͍͋̀̎̅ͥ͋̐̚̚͠͡a̺͋̆͊̋͐ͪͮ̀͢ͅu̱̱̳̩̰̱̺̯ͫ̈́̄̃ģ̝̗̰̫̰̙̮͇ͤ͒̆͐ͥͮ̾ͨh͔̉̾ͯ̇ ͍̲̪͚͉̜͓̙t̡̪̤̺̟͒ͥ̈̆̈́ͦ͘ ̽͒ͦ̚͏̧͖͎͈̩͉̫̮ï͖͔̹̯ͤͫn̗͉̠̰ͩ̓̃ͪͮ ̘͖̫͎ͪ̌̑̾͛̂̎̆ͅm̹̳͋̑̓̋ͭͥ̚y̡͉̙̝͋̃͗̎͑ͥͪ̄̆ͅ ̷̫͙̙ͭ̀͑̏͐̊ͨͭ͟w̲̯ͤ̅̏͊̒͢e̹̔̂̀̀̍̐ͩ̚b̟͎̠́͌̇̽͌̓ͬͥ ͫ̌ͪ̋ͪ̄̓ͨ̓͏̵̞̦̬͎̻͢a̡̛͔͔̟͚͎͙̤ͮͦͨ̔͠n͍̯̠̰̹̖̯ͩ̈́̐̑͒͟ď̷̦̪̰̦̝̣̰̰ͬ̓̓̏ͪ̅͞ ̱͙̜͇̳̼͓̻̾ͦy̴͎̬̹̲̺͓ͧǫ͓̫ͧ̍ǔ̡̼͎͔̞̺̬̦͙̊͡ ̷̶̜͉̿͋̿ẇ͓ͩ̔́͜ŏ̟͓͍̻͖̲͚̙̓̆̔ͯ̃ͩͅň̷̸̖̬͚͍̣͖̎̍͟'̨͇͍̭ͯ̍͆ͪ̒͂͘t̶̶̙̥͍̖͇͖͊̽ͩ̅ ͭ͒̾ͩ҉̥͎̺̺̭̣͎ḡ̟̙̞̝̦̎̊͛̅e͕͈͋̒͆ṱ̨͍͕̠̦̤̝̏̑͌̏̀͜ ͙͎͇͓̯͍̮ͥ͋̎̎o̵̹̫̭͉̰͕̺͂̆͆̈́͠ͅͅu̡͓͈͔̲̭̠͋͋͗́̓͟ͅt̴̲̘̪̘̱̣̳̯̖̏͌̃ͨ̍"
-

Web Bolt DC 16 vs reflex

Botting Kai.

Kai moves towards the fiendish creature and, to his surprise, the creature is much more aware than he had anticipated! Luckily for him, the large beast misses with its massive axe. Kai, on the other hand, slashes the creature, even if its skin resists some of the damage. Brevon also reacts quickly, drawing his scimitar and empowering it with the blaze of his faith and slashes the creature's skin, this time with no resistance.

Elriel is the next to join the fray, striking a precise stab at the creature, pinning its right arm on his body, making him unable to properly wield his greataxe. To complete his misery, Rukzha coats him in thick webs.

Severely wounded, grappled by webs, and surrounded, the fiendish minotaur tried to free his arm with a growl, but soon gives up and drops his weapon. His eyes acquire a blackish tone as he channels profane energy and soon attacks Elriel with its full power. He starts with his claw, that isn't able to pierce Elriel's armor, but soon follows with a mighty gore attack that pierces the half-elf's shoulder and, taking advantage of his unbalance, also bites his arm, almost ripping it off!

Knowing he could not survive another attack like that, Elriel mustered his remaining strength into what could be his final assault.

"I'd be happy if I kill this demon-bull-man."

He stepped closer and unleashed his twin blades.

-------------
5'step and attack, I don't think I'm flaking but if so, please add +2 to hit and +2d6 damage
shortsword, piranha, TWF: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 5 - 1 = 9
damage: 1d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 = 7
shortsword, piranha, TWF: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 5 - 1 = 19
damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5

Too bad the grapple restraining one arm doesn't stack with the critical restraining one arm. At least the grapple made the claw attack fail :).

"Elriel! Why do they always target you?" Wand still in hand she takes a step closer and touches his wounded arm with the magical stick. A soft white light flows out from it and cover up the grievous wounds. Sadly the magic of the wand is not enough to completely clear the damage.

cmw: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (5, 7) + 3 = 15

I believe you can cast the spell from the wand then move to avoid AoO. If I'm wrong it's probably better to intimidate... If Elriel delays until after my turn he'll benefit from the healing before attacking. With 3 charges used, that means 6 left?

Brevon gasps in horror as the elf's arm is nearly ripped from its socket. He was sure the demon would have responded to his insults, but now he knows better. He strikes hard, stabbing his blade deep into the minotaur's gaping maw.

Attack, Power Attack, Smite Evil: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 8 - 2 + 2 = 211d6 + 4 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 4 + 4 = 15

Later (assuming we live...)
"The enemy is shrewd, Rukzha. Despite my taunting, the demon clearly saw the strength of my armor. It opted instead to attack those less protected. Such is the way of demons, it seems."

Kai whirls his weapon about and strikes the large beast, aiming for his nethers.

"It just needs to know who's boss around here!"

Monk's Spade, Power Attack, Flurry: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 7 - 2 = 22
Damage: 1d6 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 6 = 15
Monk's Spade, Power Attack, Flurry: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 7 - 2 = 13
Damage: 1d6 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 6 = 16

Hearing the disruption above, Kelumarion tenses, prepared to rush up and join the fray...but Arrika stops him before he runs off, setting a ward of guidance over him with a soft kiss on his brow. Now - go! With his caller's blessing radiating from his fanged grin, he charges up the stairs, ducking past the creature's long reach and trying to sink his teeth into the fiendish flesh as Arrika rushes behind.

Acrobatics to move in without provoking: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 Yeesh, yeah, that might provoke.
Bite attack, damage with Power Attack, guidance: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 1 - 1 = 251d8 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 3 = 13

Kelumarion bolts inside the room and even if the minotaur was able to react and try to bit him, the agathion evaded the attack and locked his teeth on the demon's leg. Not wasting any moment, Kai stroke the creature twice, finally bringing it down... the creature still breathes, but is unconscious in the ground.

Rukzha is able to mend a couple of Elriel's wounds but not enough to bring him back to his full fighting condition. She also notices that the horn the creature used is magical, a horn of battle clarity. The demon also carried six ivory figurines in a belt pouch, each depicting a nude humanoid woman with disturbing animalistic features (they are worth 45gp each).

The door to the east is locked (Disable Device DC 30).

Combat is over!

"That thing could withstand a lot of blows, but at least you all had no problem hitting it. Good work everyone!" Rukzha smiles.

Her smile disappears as she looks over at Elriel. "It did a lot of damage back though. Even with the healing from the wand you are still hurt. You should probably drink another potion, unless Brevon or Irabeth got more healing." She looks from Elriel over to the Paladins then back to the half-elf.

It's most cost effective to drink the CLW potions first

"As before I could prepare another healing spell, but it would take fifteen minutes. At the moment the only offensive magic I have left is my power to put things to sleep. That doesn't work against powerful enemies like this one though, so I kinda feel like it would be safer to prepare another spell before proceeding. For example that minor web spell I just used, sadly I don't have enough magic in me to prepare the major version I used outside.. Though with the horn being sounded, any enemies nearby might take countermeasures against us. It might be wiser to proceed without delay. What do you all think?" Rukzha looks uncertainly around at her companions, meeting each of their gazes, she's unsure if they should proceed with haste or stop to refresh her magic.

----

"That horn is a magical Horn of Battle Clarity. If sounded it'll prevent anyone nearby from being surprised. It might be useful if we are ambushed. Though I'm not sure how often it'll actually be better than simply casting a spell or attacking the enemy, but it's nice to have the option. I guess I can carry it for now since I'm nearly out of magic. Unless anyone think it's a better idea that they carry it?"

Elriel thought he had found the doll that he wanted to give his little adopted sister. A closer look revealed some nudity and disturbing features better left out of the reach of children.

He thanked Rukzha for the healing and winced as his arm and shoulder were still very tender. "I hate to do it but I don't think our troubles are over." He then gulped down two healing droughts and smiled as the warm magic closed his major wounds.

He then stopped Rukzha from preparing another spell, "We have no time for this. That bullman and his horn warned whoever is inside here. We must strike now. A demon could very well be teleporting other demons. The time to strike is now."

He then went on to the door and checked it for traps and started working on the lock.

----------
2 CLW potions: 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (3, 4) + 2 = 9, which brings me to 32/35 hp
perception traps: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (9) + 16 = 25
disable device: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26
Assuming no traps, can I just keep trying?

Brevon lifts his hands, each wielding an instrument of battle, and smiles weakly. "I fear I need both my hands."

Re resting...
He speaks low and quick. "We've no idea what lay on the other side of this door. But that monster sounded his horn for a reason. We must move quickly."

As Elriel works, Brevon looks over the body of the minotaur once more, marveling at the size of the axe. "A true miracle you survived, Elriel. Praise The Light."

Rukzha is relived to hear Elriel's strong opinion on the matter and quickly banish her doubts.

Rukzha ponders their options while Elriel works. "Hmm, since we do in fact not know what's on the other side of the door, maybe we should prepeare extra? Either with invisibility or protection from evil. Though since it's locked, there might be nothing there... I don't know. Give Elriel protection from evil and Kai and Brevon a ring and a cloak each. You guys will need it the most on the front lines."

Brevon accepts the folded cloth bundle, unfurling it to find a silver, crystaline ring nestled neatly within.

He drapes the cloak around his shoulders, folding it back to ensure it won't interfere with his arm movements, then exposes his hand. He fears the ring will be too small, but it slides easily over his finger and slides snugly into place. Immediately, he feels more focused, more sure of himself.

"Remarkable," he breathes, reclaiming his sword and shield. "We are blessed to possess your insight, Rukzha. Whatever the source of your strange magic, you are a treasure to our cause."

Stats updated for the +1 ring and cloak.

Elriel cursed as the lockpick kept slipping at the last moment not finding the right leverage to open it. This was the most difficult lock he had tried to open by far.

Exasperated with himself, he lashed out, "Whoever or whatever is in there is probably summoning demons up the wazoo or getting really ready for us. I suggest we do the same."

One more failure and he said, "I may need some help here. Anybody?"
-----------

disable device: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16
disable device: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29
assuming someone either helps another or casts guidance, Elriel takes 3 rounds to open it so 3 rounds of buffs for them us

"I'm afraid I'm not much for such things." Brevon momentarily sheathes his scimitar and pulls on a silver chain around his neck. He produces a stunning rendition of a Sarenite ankh cast in silver. "But I can offer us the blessing of fire, to guide our way through whatever darkness awaits."

Ready to cast bless before reclaiming scimitar and bursting in!

Upon receiving the Cloak and Ring, Kai thanks Rukzha, mumbling something along with Brevon.

"Haven't got much to prepare with. I haven't got the know-how to help you either im afraid. I am grateful to have been in all of your company. Let's hope this isn't the last time I can say that." He says with a grin.

He hefts his spade into both hands and steels himself for battle.

Stats edited to reflect the ring and Cloak.

After his third try, Elriel is finally able to open the locked door. This circular room's original purpose is unclear, but now it seems to be a trophy hall of some sort. A low stone pedestal sits on the floor in the middle of the chamber under a domed ceiling. Atop the pedestal is an iron, barbed cage, and within the cage sits a chunk of softly glowing white stone.

Besides the pedestal stands a cultist and a dretch. The cultist, once a beautiful half-elf woman, now posses a twisted foot and a deformed, insectoid arm. She carries a scythe in her hands that glows faintly and is protected by an armor made of bones. Despite her menacing appearance, the woman makes no threats to you, being in fact a bit shaken...

Before they enter Rukzha will busy herself with providing guidance for Elriel, leaving her with little time to buff the others, though leaving Arrika free to do so. Protection from evil from the wand along with two of either guidance or magic fang I imagine.

Knowledge planes twisted half-elf: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

I'm going to go ahead and assume she's indeed too powerful to put down with slumber.

"You deal with the twisted girl, I'll clear your way!" She says hurriedly along with anything she remembers about creatures such as this. Her voice quickly turns pained as she focused to put the lesser demon to sleep so it can't spew a cloud of nauseating gas nor do anything else to hinder them.

Slumber DC 17 on dretch

The glowing white stone. This must be it. The wardstone.

Elriel barged in the room intent on killing the demon and the cultist guarding it but his last foe gave him caution.

Perhaps Rukzha was right and it was time to fight smarter or at least use every advantage possible.

He yelled at the monk, "Get on the north side of the room so we can have the cultist in our midst."

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delay and then run in and hopefully be able to flank

The demon falls into a deep sleep once Rukzha overpowers its will with her own. The cultist grabs her scythe even stronger.

As Rukzha bolsters everyone with magic before entering, Arrika follows suit, using the wand they'd obtained to create protective wards over everyone. Yep, protection from evil from me. :) She also calls upon the last of her spell energies as she sets a hand gently on Kelumarion's snout; his teeth begin to radiate a soft glow, and he huffs out a small, pleased chuckle. Magic fang on Kelumarion, and I believe that's my last first-level spell for the day.

When Rukzha overcomes the dretch's mind, Arrika silently cheers; so distracted is she by the small victory and the twisted form before her, in fact, that it slows her reaction just a hair. C'mon, lemme act, lemme act...;)

I'll be out of pocket for the next couple of hours so I'm going to post assuming the monk complies with Elriel's request. Please adjust as necessary.

Seeing the monk in place and the dretch in nightmares, Elriel moved in behind the half-elf abomination and slashed with his blade.

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move in and attack, hopefully flank but adjust
shortsword, piranha, sneak attack, flank: 1d20 + 7 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 7 - 1 + 2 = 14
damage: 1d6 + 3 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 2 + (2, 5) = 17
that's probably a miss :(

"Be not fooled by a semblance of innocence. We have seen what this terror this creature is capable of inflicting," Brevon crows as he storms recklessly into the room, around the south side of the statute, and behind the cultist (double move).

"Child of sun, do not forget the fires from which you were forged. They burn, still, within me. And I am bound to return them to you." Brevon's scimitar ignites, shimmering against the hues of his armor. Swift action: smite evil v. cultist.

Kai nods to Elriel, then rushes in along the wall, drawing the attention and focus of the woman and the demon nearby. After positioning himself, he moves in and feints with his polearm and kicks the cultist hard, hoping to stun her with his surprise attack.

Move at regular speed, drawing AoOs.
Attack Cultist with Unarmed Strike, Use Stunning Fist DC 15 Fort.

Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Well that aint gonna hit either. Elriel can charge without fear of reprisal on his turn though, Would that additional +2 matter?

I got a bit consumed on which one of you Arrika used the wand of protection from evil... you had 3 rounds to buff and she stated that she also cast magic fang... since Brevon and Kai have the ring/cloak, I think the most logic choices are the remaining front liners (Elriel and Kelumarion).

The cultist swings her scythe against Kai but fails to connect... he is too fast for her. With not a good start and already almost surrounded, the cultist sidestepped and cast some vile spell... soon after a black and red miasma swept over the rooms, sickening and hurting all of you. Even if the attack was powerful, Arrika and Elriel managed to resist it somehow. On the other hand, Kelumarion was specially affected and now lies unconscious on the floor.