Gm DevilDoc's Blood Under Absalom Tier 5-6 (Inactive)

Game Master Awenydd83

Daryus draws his scimitar, and follows Davorin into the room, senses on high alert.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Dreggar peers at the strange situation.

take 10 perception with HA and inspiration: 10 + 1d6 + 11 + 2 ⇒ 10 + (3) + 11 + 2 = 26 +2 vs traps

"Looks like it's ripe for the taking."

The party makes it to the cage with no problems.. and now they must figure out how to retrieve the vase from the cage without it all falling into the river of poo..

"How tall are you, Davorin? I think if I enlarged you once more, you might be able to reach the cage."

If we think this will work, I will use my wand to cast enlarge person on Davorin.

And if nyou can't, I could jump at your back and reach it! It'll be like a circus performance! exclaims Jhon excited to show his abilities.

Davorn looks at Jhon, "Um...no." he says as he looks at his shoulders. "How about we just open it?"

He looks around to make sure nobody else is coming, "Everybody keep your eyes open, we cannot be the only ones down here."

Perception for people coming: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Davorin kneels down and examines the lock carefully as he tries to get the lock on the door open. "If I can't get this, I'm going to need you to try Dreggar."
Perception for traps: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Disable Device: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

"This task does not sound all that enjoyable, but what if someone stands under it to catch it if it falls?" Sareptha says as he looks at the sewage sourly.

perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34

The cage is 8 feet in the air, and suspended over one of the channels, so you have to go up and out.. Lets see what I can do with this so far!

Davorin declines both the magical aid of Daryus and the acrobatic aid of Jhon, but the cage is well out of reach from his position. With no traps in sight, the team confers again, resulting in Sarephta and Dreggar lifting Davorin by his waist while Jhon helps support the man and keep him from falling into the river of poo. Tenuously, Davorin reaches out to the cage from his new vantage and manipulates the lock until it releases. Gently, the man reaches within the cage and withdraws the vase before motioning to be set down. With the vase in hand, the party can now see that it is an ancient relic of a Tien Dynasty sealed with a wax coated cork. Prizing this out with the tip of a dagger, the team finds that the vase contains a number of red paper envelopes, each embossed with an elaborate hand painted print of a jade phoenix. The envelope holds a folded invitation to attend a performance of a traditional opera from Lung Wa, entitled "Dawn of the Jade Pheonix" to be held at a small theater in the Foreign Quarter.

1d20 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20
1d20 ⇒ 18

Suddenly, as the companions are pouring over the vase and its contents, the sound of approaching footsteps reaches the ears of the companions. Sarephta warns the group to be ready, and weapons are drawn as another group enters the room.
"We will take that, thank you!" one of them says, motioning towards the vase and envelopes. He gives an evil chuckle before motioning his friends. "Kill them!" he says, starting towards you.

"Bold May Post"
Peribras
~DarkPaw
Dreggar
Jhon
Daryus
Sarephta
Sorcerer (magenta)
Rogue (Green)
Cleric (blue)
Davorin
Fighter (red)

Darkpaw growls and Peribras pats her head, "Hold, girl". He winds up his sling staff and sends a bullet at the nearest attacker (red), then reloads it.

sling staff, attack, deadly aim, favored enemy: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 11 - 2 + 2 = 27 for bludgeoning, cold iron: 1d6 + 2 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 4 + 2 = 13

-Posted with Wayfinder

Dreggar races down the walkway and stops, axe hanging in hand.

"Who's first to take it, then?"

readied action to strike at the first one that comes into range.

Jhon runs over the other hallway. You want the vase? Come for it and pay in blood he threatens then to come.

Also readying an attack at the first one to come

Peribras holds his wolf in check while he draws first blood with his sling.
Dreggar and Jhon both post up to cover the approaches, ready to meet their enemy head on.

"Bold May Post"
Peribras
~DarkPaw
Dreggar
Jhon
Daryus
Sarephta
Sorcerer (magenta)
Rogue (Green)
Cleric (blue)
Davorin
Fighter (red)- 13 Dmg

Daryus channels arcane power into his blade, and then shows signs of spellcasting once more. His blade crackles with electricity, and he moves into position.

Swift action to activate arcane pool, standard action to channel shocking grasp into his sword, and move action to move.

Pre-posting my action.

The following will occur only if I'm not attacked, or as long as I do not have anybody in my threatened area.

Davorin: I went ahead and had the others put you down and yall were examining the vase and letters, so you could stow the vase and then have a move action left to you.

Daryus charges his blade and rushes to stand the line as well.

Delaying Sarephta

The sorcerer casts a spell as the team moves into position, and suddenly, Daryus, Dreggar, Davorin, and Jhon all feel like lead weights are pressing you down, the air itself is compressing against you like in a bad dream.. DC 16 Will negates SLOW
SR Check vs Dreggar: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

The rogue lifts a bow and fires an arrow at Daryus, but it skips off of the stone wall near him!
Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

The half orc cleric shouts a challenge and rushes Dreggar. "Puny dwarf! You shall know pain before I put you out of your misery!!"
Demoralize: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
Damage: 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (3, 3) + 8 = 14
He brings his sword down in a mighty arc, hitting Dreggar a solid blow.

Davorin stows the vase and then draws his sword and shield.
Still have a move if you wish to take it.

The fighter launches a throwing ax at Daryus, then draws his great ax and moves in.
Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

"Bold May Post"
Peribras
~DarkPaw
Dreggar- Shaken x1, 14 dmg, Will save
Jhon- Will save
Daryus- Will Save
Sarephta x2
Sorcerer (magenta)
Rogue (Green)
Cleric (blue)
Davorin- Will Save
Fighter (red)- 13 Dmg

Will save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Daryus shrugs off the spell, and charges at his opponent.

Charging Scimitar attack: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 2 = 26Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8Shocking grasp: 5d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 5, 5, 1) = 15

Charging Scimitar crit confirm: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 8 + 2 = 22Crit damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9Shocking grasp crit damage: 5d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 6, 1, 4) = 15

Additional +3 on attack if he is wearing metal armor. And that was a possible crit.

Will Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Davorin moves forward, sword and shield at the ready. (Using the move action you noted.)

Davorin shrugs off the spell then moves forward to add pressure to the line.

Daryus also resists the power of the sorcerer before charging the ax wielding fighter with his blade. Yes, he is wearing chainmail
The scimitar slices through the mans chainmail, arcing and sparking with electrical force before cleaving into the man. With a gruesome twirl, the blade comes out the other side, flinging blood in a long spray of crimson droplets as the lifeless body falls sideways into the poo channel.. right where it belongs.

"Bold May Post"
Peribras
~DarkPaw
Dreggar- Shaken x1, 14 dmg, Will save
Jhon- Will save
Daryus-
Sarephta x2
Sorcerer (magenta)
Rogue (Green)
Cleric (blue)
Davorin-

will check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
shaken power attack with axe: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 8 - 2 = 7

Dreggar slows in mid swing and slams down hard on the ground as the half-orc quickly sidesteps.

Did my readied attack hit on the half-orc as he attacked?

Thank you for catching me on that.. Yours was the only one to come into play and yes, it hit. Tracker updated!

Dreggar feels the very air resist him, as his ax comes nowhere even close to his target!

"Bold May Post"
Peribras
~DarkPaw
Dreggar- SLOW, Shaken x1, 17 dmg,
Jhon- Will save
Daryus-
Sarephta x2
Sorcerer (magenta)
Rogue (Green)
Cleric (blue)- 21 Dmg
Davorin-

will save with charmed life: 1d20 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 3 = 6

The sorcerer's spell fully affects Jhon, who starts to move slower than usual. then, seeing he could not reach anyone without some help, uses his blue scarf to increase his reach an attacks the half-orc who's attacking Dreggar.

You'll need more than one spell to take me out! he shouts at the sorcerer, clearly bothered to not been able to go near him to let his rapier do the talking.

Thurst, slow: 1d20 + 13 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 13 - 1 = 21damage: 1d6 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14

Swict action and spending panache in the swordmaster flair (blue scarf), standard action attack, 5 step
I think having the blue scarf at hand is reasonable as we were expecting trouble, but if don't yous change the attack for retrieving and activating it

No, that is a reasonable request/assumption, and we can go with it.

Jhon flutters his little flag in the air, and is able to reach across the poo channel to strike out at the cleric, bringing the half orc down before too much more trouble can be caused.

I am really going to have to step up my game here.. yall are just walking over the top of everything I throw at you!

"Bold May Post"
Peribras
~DarkPaw
Dreggar- SLOW, Shaken x1, 17 dmg,
Jhon- SLOW
Daryus-
Sarephta x2
Sorcerer (magenta)
Rogue (Green)
Davorin-

Quick question - can you clarify. Are the channels of crap just the three in the middle, or is the surrounding ring filled with it as well? If not, is it just a hard surface? How far down is it?

Sorry for the delay...I usually don't post on Sunday.

Sarephta moves quickly toward the enemies, and once she arrives, tries to skewer one with her longspear. She aims for the caster with the pink sash.

+1 Longspear Attack (power attack): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 271d8 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
CRIT?: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 142d8 + 20 ⇒ (8, 4) + 20 = 32

The channels of poo are just the three brown streaks on the map, covered by walkways. The walkways are the light grey spaces running horizontally across the map. The dark grey perimeter is actually the tunnels one level below you and are not part of the room that you are in. I have marked the walls with red lines.

Sarephta: No worries, I understand my posting is quite opposite of most everyone elses in almost every way.

Sarephta moves up into range, and then when the opportunity presents itself, she skewers the magic user! With a burble of blood a a futile curse, she slowly slides down the wall to die.

"Bold May Post"
Peribras
~DarkPaw
Dreggar- SLOW, Shaken x1, 17 dmg,
Jhon- SLOW
Daryus-
Sarephta
Rogue (Green)
Davorin-

The last remaining attacker stands in awe.. his mighty companions fallen at his feet in the turn of a sword. He looks about at you, and decides that discretion really is the better part of valor. He backs slowly away from the team, and withdraws completely from the fight.

Out of Combat!

"You run! Run all the way home to your masters! Tell them the Pathfinders will always find a way to kick you from one curb to the other," Davorin yells at the empty space the rogue used to occupy.

He sheathes his weapons and looks to the party, "Should we get out of this stinkhole?" Without waiting he turns and starts heading out.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Dreggar will saunter (slowly) next to Sarephta as they leave.

"If you wouldn't mind flashing my wand a few times, I took a nasty hit there."

Supress SR as a standard action as needed.

CLW wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6CLW wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6CLW wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Sarephta takes Dreggar's wand and gladly heals him.

Looking at the corpses of the enemies, she says "That was lamentable. All this, for entry into a game?"

She follows Davorin as he leaves the stinking sewer.

Davorin frowns at Sarephta. He walks over to one of the fallen bodies and pulls out a bronze coin, which he unceremoniously drops on the floor. Grinding it into the muck with his boot he says solemnly, "Aspis snakes. They deserve what they are getting, just like that one in the tavern. Their like killed my friends. Don't think of this into entry into a game, think of this as a life for every name they've chiseled into our Wall of Names."

He ponders for a second, [b]"I can hold back against anybody not Aspis if it would help address your concerns."

Sarephta shakes her head in disagreement.

"A loss of life is always lamentable, even for the misguided Aspis. In fact, it may be worse, since they are past the point of redemption. Do you not believe people can change?"

"Well done, team." Peribras glances at the dead Aspis and shrugs. "Can't say it's the first time."

-Posted with Wayfinder

Davorin, even if I share your cheerfulness for having pass the tests, we should not shout like that. Remember we've been told to "maintain as much secrecy as possible", so we're only associates fighting here for the money, ok?

Then he looks at Sarephta; Milady, for your words I can understand you're not very happy for all what we're doing here, but you honor your word to our bosses and do your job.

I hope is not too much to ask you to keep your sorrow to yourself. Yes, it's an honorable feeling, but in this competition everybody know we'll have to fight and kill, or die. And if someone hears you, he can wonder why is in the tournament someone who will prefer to not need to kill anyone.

Now that the Aspis have been fought off.. for now, the team regroups and heals up. Advancing from their position, they move through the rest of the sewers at at quick step, descending back down to the lower tunnels through the west exit of the dry room. After exploring the tunnels here and finding nothing, you eventually come back up another pump tube similar to the one hidden by the lake of poo. This leads to a long hall with another trap door and pulley system which leads back to the arena.

Emerging from the sewers relatively unscathed, you are greeted by applause and cheers from the crowds that remain in the stands. One of the judges of the Tournament approaches you to verify your find. Davorin digs the jar from his pack, and presents the envelopes containing the invitations to the play. With a bow, he declares these to be authentic, and leads you from the floor of the stadium.

It is now late afternoon. Would you like to return to the Inn where you spent the night before? If so, please adjust your tokens appropriately on the sixth slide to reflect your current activities. Any room is open to you should you wish to turn in for the night. If not, please explain what you will be doing for the evening.

Davorin shrugs, "If the snakes have found us, I don't think secrecy is much of an issue. That cat's already been let out of the bag." He shakes his head sadly.

Continuing their slog out of the tunnels he explains his position, "Sarephta, I don't believe Aspis can change - every time we've given them the opportunity to show some degree of honor, they slither up from their holes and kill my friends. This is not an oversimplification, they killed hundreds on their assault on the Grand Lodge last year including our own Master of Scrolls. In the years before that they killed hundreds in the field. Every one of those were my brothers and sisters, and even Sarenrae teaches us that eventually redemption is not an option. If we were a nation that would be considered grounds for war. So please excuse my vigilance and lack of sympathy when they turn their blade on me."

He ponders for a moment at Jhon's claim that everybody must die and looks disappointed, "I do think it's too much to ask Sarephta to contain her moral compass, and we should respect it. In this competition we aren't required to kill anything, and Kurgress would tell us that sportsmanship is better than killing. So in respect for her stance, unless my own life is on the line, if it's not an Aspis, or somebody stabbing you while you lie helpless, or an evil flying spirit ogre blasting me with cold, I'll try for the flat side of the blade. You have my word." He notds at Sarephta.

Upon reaching the inn.

Davorin decides to get a meal before turning in and heads off to the main room to find some grub. He will retire after that.

Dreggar smiles to himself at all the crosstalk about the Aspis. If you attack or threaten me or my friends, I will put you down as harshly as I can. Healing is cheap if your life is worth it. He thinks, but does not speak.

Dreggar will concentrate on a good meal and some nice ale, then retire to a room as well. If there is no bathing suite here, he will use a nearby fountain to clean his stinky parts.

Sarephta agrees to disagree regarding the possibility of redemption, even for Aspis. Still, they have much to accomplish and it seems a difficult position to defend those that are attacking them.

"Should we stay somewhere tonight that is less known than the inn? If we stay somewhere they don't anticipate, it would be more difficult to attack us tonight."

Davorin nods, "That is a solid idea. If the Aspis continue to dog us, perhaps shaking up the plan would be a good thing. Maybe check into the inn and head to somebody's manor or house?"

Does anybody have a vanity like ship, house, etc? I unfortunately do not....but I could!

I have the temple vanity...I guess we could sleep there!

Davorin speaks up, "Say, Sarephta, perhaps your temple could put up a group for the night? I think we'd all be willing to tithe something."

What god is it?

Sarephta explains her devotion to Iomedae and suggests that perhaps they might stay overnight in the temple's back room.

"I built the temple...I suppose I am okay with that!"

"That was a very good idea you came up with. Let's check in at the inn to throw off the scent of those Aspis snakes."

Davorin goes and signs in at the inn before heading with the group to the temple. He also returns briefly and lets the handlers at the Grand Lodge know where they are for any future missives of where to go next.

-Posted with Wayfinder

"Sneaky. I like it." Peribras will stick with Davorin and Sarephta

-Posted with Wayfinder

The pathfinders decide to commit a bit of subtle misdirection, and heads over to Sarephta's temple for the night. Settling in, they enjoy a quiet evening.

We are in a holding pattern here. Shifty said last night that we had approx 36 more hours before this section concludes and we move into the next part. There is an interlude here, but it is of little overall consequence and would overlap with the timeline, so its a no go. Keep up the RP, or post up what you are doing when please.

Sarephta welcomes the others to the small temple of Iomedae, a simple place helping those in need.

"I suppose we are in need, too, of shelter from our enemies. Hopefully we will find it here. Make yourselves at home," she says to the others.

***OVERSEER ANNOUCEMENT***

Overseer thread

Small groups of challengers slowly begin emerging from the tunnels, some elated at having a vase, some looking crushed with defeat as they stare at their empty hands. Victorious or vanquished, they drift off into the night to get clean and well rested after a crawl through a sewer.

"I appreciate your hospitality, Sarephta. I may worship Sarenrae primarily, but I have traveled several times with a paladin of Iomedae, and we were once good friends. Iomedae seems to be a noble goddess to follow."

Daryus drops a gold piece into whatever offering receptacle is present.

Thanks to yalls ingenuity, I had to come up with something new! I hope that this map brings elegance and homage to your temple, Sarephta. I couldn't find anything under that link that really fit what I needed and you described, so I found this!

New map up.

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
1d20 + 15 ⇒ (1) + 15 = 16

The team beds down for the night in the safety and sanctuary offered by Sarephta. The night grows long, and the dreams hold you fast after the long couple days of worry, toil, and battle. As the night draws near to the darkest hours before dawn, the stillness is suddenly broken as darts come flying across the room. The Aspis finally found you, and wishes to exact some payback!

R vs D: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
B vs J: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
G vs S: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Davorin: 1d4 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 2 + (6, 5) = 14
Jhon: 1d4 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 2 + (1, 1) = 6
Sarephta: 1d4 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 2 + (6, 5) = 14
Please make DC 17 fort saves vs poison or take Strength Dmg: 1d2 ⇒ 1

The assassins move into the temple, swords ready!

"Bold May Post"
Assassins
~Red
~Blue
~Green
Davorin- 14 Dmg | Fort save
Jhon- 6 Dmg | Fort Save
Peribras
~Darkpaw
Sarephta- 14 Dmg | Fort Save
Daryus
Dreggar

Fortitude vs. poison: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30

Davorin seethes as he quickdraws his falcata, "See Sarephta, they try kill my friends while they sleep. The Aspis snakes have no honor."

He swings, splitting his blows in the hopes that he can take out two opponents.

Full Attack, 2-handed, Power-Attack, Combat Expertise
Target 1st Attack: Red, Target 2nd Attack: Blue

Remembrance (2H, PA, CE): 1d20 + 11 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 11 - 2 - 2 = 21 Damage (Silver): 1d8 + 5 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 2 + 6 = 18
Remembrance, 2nd (2H, PA, CE): 1d20 + 6 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 6 - 2 - 2 = 21 Damage (Silver): 1d8 + 5 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 2 + 6 = 16 (Crit Chance)

Remembrance Crit Confirm, 2nd (2H, PA, CE): 1d20 + 6 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 6 - 2 - 2 = 21 Damage (Silver): 2d8 + 10 + 4 + 12 ⇒ (2, 6) + 10 + 4 + 12 = 34
If attack hits on AC 21, confirmed crit will do 50 damage to blue.

Cool, three 21's on the nose after bonuses/penalties!

GM Note: Current AC 24.

Didn't see Dreggar on the map, so I started him prone next to Sarephta

Dreggar opens his eyes to the sound of battle and springs up, drawing his axe as he moves.

A couple of questions since we were sleeping (or were we?). Where are we in terms of spells/extracts, do we still have the ones from yesterday, since we haven't had time to prepare new ones? Also, for those in heavier armor that don't want fatigue, are we assumed in our bedclothes?