HELL'S REBELS ala Fabian (Inactive)

Game Master Fabian Benavente

"Unless" Hob asked in sudden hope "You can hold this place? Devils are coming, even now. More on their way." He looked downcast, sincerity in his voice. "Breaks my heart to smash a work like this."

Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Eirik nodded his head in respect to the archons, surprised that even entities like such had been bound to defend the keep, and irritated that their protection seemed to extend no further than the walls of their hidden chamber. But such were the ways of the celestials, the troubles and logic of mortals often mattered little to creatures that were for all intends and purposes eternal. No reason really to expect them to act like a human might have.

The monk listened to Elsbeth's plea, and saw no reason to add words of his own; the message had been short and to the point. He rather doubted the archons would value a repeat performance using different words to try to convey the same meaning.

Elsbeth bowed low at the two dwarves. "Blessed guardians , it is with heavy hearts that we have come to this place in order to make use of the Anvil of Unmaking. This keep has been the home for evil. Devils and their allies are running amok in Cheliax. The pass needs to be closed so that good may begin to get a foothold and hopefully the upper hand. The gap can only be closed by making use of the Anvil of Unmaking."

The archons were eternal and had been bound to this chamber for centuries. They didn't really know what was going on outside, "What is this Cheliax? Is it something that should concern us?"

tag?

"Unless" Hob asked in sudden hope "You can hold this place? Devils are coming, even now. More on their way." He looked downcast, sincerity in his voice. "Breaks my heart to smash a work like this."

"We can kill devils, yes. But no devil has ever set foot in this holy place."

"Why should we allow for the destruction of something that took great effort to build?"

tag?

Elsbeth keeps herself from rolling her eyes and gritting her teeth. She always assumed that ones more powerful than herself also knew more than she did which obviously wasn't the case in this instance. Knowing she doesn't have time to recount history for the archons, she tried to quickly explain. "Cheliax is the name given to the land on each side of the Gap. It is currently ruled by a family named Thrune who is in league with devils. These rulers are able to transport goods to reinforce their evil plans by using the Gap as this is the fastest route of transport. It would be a boon for the side of good to permanently close this Gap and thus hamper their efforts."

"We can kill devils, yes. But no devil has ever set foot in this holy place."

"Why should we allow for the destruction of something that took great effort to build?"

The cleric knew they were running out of time so she tried to impress upon the archons the tenuous situation they were in. "Devils haven't breached here yet but that's only because they weren't aware of its existence. An erinyes and her sisters have been living in this Keep for the last little while, killing as they pleased. The devil left almost ten minutes ago to get reinforcements. We don't have much time before we're overwhelmed and the existence of the Anvil of Unmaking is revealed."

Elsbeth looked at the guardians pleadingly, "Those who built this Keep recognized that this may be necessary at some point in time which is why they created the Anvil of Unmaking in the first place. We wouldn't be here, risking our lives, if this wasn't essential to the fight against evil. No one here wants to destroy such a marvel of construction, but sadly it is imperative that it happens so that evil doesn't prevail."

Turn 339 - The Anvil of Unmaking

Read the OOC.

Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?

Game on!

PS: sorry for recapping without waiting for Rizolla and Hawthorne but I felt that their input in this particular scene was not 'critical'. It felt like the scene needed a resolution before more RPing could occur. In any case, we can always add their 'take on the scene' in the next turn recap.

"Well done Elsbeth, dwarves can be quite the bore, and angels no better, so angel dwarves must be the worst," Brother Hawthorne mused. "Just so you know, those prayers and such definitely had an effect. I think this would have been much more difficult otherwise."

"Typical Dwarven craftsmanship. Complex device. Easy to use. Turn the wheel all the way round. The mechanism inside releases. The chains snap the pillars. Whole thing falls away." Hob finally said, after a critical minute in contemplation. He looked up at the others. "Wouldn't have long to get out, once this is set off."

Fabian: can I check where the following are please
(A) our cart
(B) our horses
(C) the weapons we brought
(D) the halflings we freed
Don't want to set this thing off and THEN realise we need to get something out.

Elsbeth only had time to nod her thanks to Brother Hawthorne before she was speaking while her mind raced. "Now we are really in a time crunch. If that devil comes back with reinforcements with the archons now gone, we're screwed. The halfling slaves are already in the stables and our cart is down there too. I say that everyone gets out, load the soldiers that are still alive as well as the halflings into the wagon and we get out of here sooner rather than later. Unfortunately, there's no time to search the Keep. We got a few of the nicer weapons and the maps. That has to be good enough. Besides, I don't think they expected us to come back with anything. They expected us to block the Gap."

Is the guard or janni still with us? We need to find out if there is anyone else still in the Keep that we don't know about that needs saving.

I don't believe they ever let our cart/wagon into the keep. That was the reason Hob had to go through the gate.

Fabian: can I check where the following are please

(A) our cart
(B) our horses
(C) the weapons we brought
(D) the halflings we freed
Don't want to set this thing off and THEN realise we need to get something out.

Cart and horses are outside.

The weapons are in the barracks (C17).

The halflings are in the stable (C5).

The janni did not go through the secret door with you so he's... (?).

More questions?

Game on!

What about the guard that was 'helping' us? Is he with us?

What about the guard that was 'helping' us? Is he with us?

Yes, he's with you.

Turning to the guard, Elsbeth asks, "Is there anyone else in the Keep?"

Turning to the guard, Elsbeth asks, "Is there anyone else in the Keep?"

He shook his head, "No, not that I know of but... there are rumors..."

When prompted to answer, he stammered, "The guys always joked that the captain had some sort of guardian devil guarding his personal stuff but none of us have ever seen it or even know if it's true..."

Elsbeth snorts, "Well there's no reason to try and save a devil so it won't matter if they actually exist and get buried under piles of rubble. I was more concerned about possible innocents being trapped."

Elsbeth only had time to nod her thanks to Brother Hawthorne before she was speaking while her mind raced. "Now we are really in a time crunch. If that devil comes back with reinforcements with the archons now gone, we're screwed. The halfling slaves are already in the stables and our cart is down there too. I say that everyone gets out, load the soldiers that are still alive as well as the halflings into the wagon and we get out of here sooner rather than later. Unfortunately, there's no time to search the Keep. We got a few of the nicer weapons and the maps. That has to be good enough. Besides, I don't think they expected us to come back with anything. They expected us to block the Gap."

"Agreed; we got what we came for, and some information on top of it. Let us make haste to depart if we can before we are forced to fight the devil sisters. If the Anvil's timing is cut too tight for comfort I think I should be the one to activate it; I can get out quicker than most, and I just might be able to survive if the mountain falls on top of me regardless."

Forget the weapons and further searching. The Janni can take care of itself. Let's just try to get the halflings and, if possible, the disarmed guards out before the thing blows.

"Agreed. Give me a bit to prepare. Damn devils are probably waiting for us." Hob spat on the floor "Don't much fancy fighting a bunch of flying archers. Anyone good at that?"
Hob hesitated, then drew out the scroll of dimension door "I got this. Fastest way out - if'n there's no wards."

Elsbeth shook her head at Eirik's words. "You're the senior officer so you're not staying behind. You need to get back to Kintargo. You and Brother Hawthorne are also the best ones to subdue any unruly soldiers there may be without lasting wounds. If Hob needs help then I'll stay. Otherwise we need to get everyone out."

The cleric mentally went through the resources she still had left to offer the group. "I don't think I'll be much help against flying archers but I can offer some protection from their evil. However, the best option is to hurry and get this finished before they return."

Everything they had found left Rizolla feeling uneasy, even queasy, specially this "holy" place. She didn't know about holy places and didn't understand how lawful the archons were. What she did understand was that the place felt wrong to her, not evil wrong but more...too orderly. She was the first to admit she was a bit preoccupied with her appearance, but she wasn't what one would call "orderly" by any means. In fact it let her kind of disoriented and so much of what had happened was a blur to her.

When they discussed how to handle activating the anvil Rizolla considered and said, "I'm not sure that scroll is very safe in this instance, it does have a limited range and it's not safe to go where you can't see." She looked at Elsbeth then and said, "As for you, I think we need you the most in a fight with devils, you might not shoot them but you can keep those of us dealing with them alive." With a shake of her head she continued, "No, I think either hob or I one are the best choice for this, and I think hob is the better one, this place is making me feel...unwell."

Will he tell me? Oh he'd better tell me. You're right, this will be fun.

I'd like to recap tonight but I don't think I have enough information to move on and I don't want to rush you (well, I do but it wouldn't be fair at this point. :)).

In any case, let's try and formulate a plan of action today so I can recap tomorrow.

If the plan is finalized today and it's not past my bedtime, I'll recap tonight. :)

Questions?

Game on!

Rizolla: it's a good ring...

Elsbeth's plan is the following:
Everyone, but Hob or whoever is activating the anvil, return to the stables to collect the halflings and load them into our wagon. Load whatever guards are left alive into wagon if they can't walk. Hob gives us a 5min head start before activating the anvil. Then we all get out of dodge with the wagon/horses.

@Elsbeth: Seems like a good plan. Only thing I'd add is Hob'd likely
@Rizolla: DD isn't LOS, you can just specify a direction and a distance. Given Hob's engineering & their makeshift map, I'd hope he can work out which direction to go.
@Fabian - how hard would this be. If this place is a maze of twisty corridors, all alike, he might try a different plan.

"A'right. I'll try and run for it first. I'm pretty fast on a short dash, if'n I grow wings. They'll need lightning if'n those things are there." Hob strokes his beard "We get separated, I'll meet you at my book."

OK, we'll go with Elsbeth's plan and Hob activates the anvil.

Hob: you've seen most of the layout so it's not really a maze.

We'll let others chime in and I'll recap tomorrow.

Questions?

Game on!

Hob spat on the floor "Don't much fancy fighting a bunch of flying archers. Anyone good at that?"

"If is it only one archer, I believe I could frustrate her to no end catching and dodging her arrows , but if all four of the sisters have bows and decide to use them..." Eirik said, shaking his head.

Elsbeth shook her head at Eirik's words. "You're the senior officer so you're not staying behind. You need to get back to Kintargo. You and Brother Hawthorne are also the best ones to subdue any unruly soldiers there may be without lasting wounds. If Hob needs help then I'll stay. Otherwise we need to get everyone out."

"I stand corrected, lady," Eirik said, bowing his head in reluctant agreement. "As I have to particular familiarity with horses, I think I shall busy myself with hauling the guards to the wagon. But we do need some eyes on the skies to alarm us in case the devils return."

Turn 340 - Hob Stays Behind

Read the OOC.

Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?

Game on!

Hob shrugged, and figured he might as well prepare. Slowly he walked to the room on the other side of the trapped door, hesitated, then turned to look at the statues.
If Hob thinks he'll be able to get back in, and can do the following in two minutes. I figured it'd take a minute.
Hob trudged up the stairs. As he went he fished the remnants of his preparations from his pockets. If he got away, he'd be helpless when they ran off - but if he didn't get away that wouldn't matter.
Heightened Awarenss. Cat's Grace. Magic Weapon (Earthbreaker). Bull's Strength.
He paused at the secret door, then rushed in and grabbed the chest and the rack of weapons. Juggling carefully he ran back down the stairs, muttered Elsbeth's prayer and ran through.
It was then, with his new, heightened senses, he heard the fight outside, and fancied he saw one of the chains jiggle, just a little. 'Should I go help?' he wondered, then stopped. 'This is the mission. I'll give them a minute, then set it off. Can't risk some devil stopping me.' Quickly he roped the weapons into a bundle, eyes on the door to the outside.

Light load is ~700 lbs. Heavy is ~2100 lbs. How much is the chest and weapons?
Not sure how much of a head start we agreed on.

Not sure how much of a head start we agreed on.

You had agreed to give them 5 minutes before activating the anvil and catching up to them but only 1.5 minutes have passed and you heard the commotion/fighting.

You still have not activated the anvil (full round action is needed) but you did have time to cast your buffs if desired.

Questions?

Game on!

Huh. That long? Nah, in that case I think he'd have skipped casting them - until he heard the fighting. Still get the gear though. Hob doesn't like idea of wasting weapons (some of which are his handiwork) unnecessarily.

If the erinyes is carting in demons I say forget even the guards and the wagon and just run for the hills with the halflings. It’s NOT worth our time to worry about enemies or anything that’s merely worth some gold that we can come by again.

Eirik groaned at the sight of the winged devil winking out after she delivered her cargo. If this was how it was going to be…

”Forget the wagon and forget the guards! Just get the halflings running!” Eirik shouted as he rushed at the tentacled monstrosity, hoping to catch its attention.

It worked with the guards so let’s see if it works with this demon as well… move into melee and fight defensively since one -4 for round of +2 AC is a good trade.

Melee, unarmed: 1d20 + 15 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 15 - 4 = 15 I doubt this will hit anyway, but just in case…
Damage, unarmed, lethal: 1d10 + 1d6 + 1d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (9) + (3) + (1) + 1 + 1 = 15

I say Hob blows the thing! Don't not do it, because of us. We all knew the risks when we came. Blow it now and come help! Screw the 5 minutes! Accomplish the mission!!!

Against most creatures, finding cover or concealment allows you to use Stealth.

I figure I can get cover from any of the larger members of the party, and will do so to stealth and go to try and get the halflings moving, as directed by Eirik.

"Roger that," Hawthorne responded. "If we do not meet again, it has been an honor knowing you all."

Brother Hawthorne crouched behind Elsbeth and attempted to become unseen. In doing so, he blended against the walls, and then he began moving to get the halfling prisoners out.

Stealth: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (17) + 23 = 40

While stealthed, my speed will be 20', so with only 1 move action I guess I get 20' towards where I need to go.

FYI for you guys, since Hawthorne believes the mission of destroying the place is pretty much handled, if he gets to those halflings, he will get them out and keep running with them and not look back.

knowledge,planes: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15 Argh!

Elsbeth didn't recognize the kind of devil they were confronted with but the fact remained that it was still a devil. She pulled out a scroll and quickly read the words off the parchment giving the four of them more resilience against evil's influence.

Using Protection from evil, communal scroll. Not sure the amount of time to be divided but please do so four ways since Hob isn't there.

After she had fortified their defenses she asked the guard who was cowering in the back, "Is that the rumored guardian devil?"

I would have thought that as a group we would have decided that Hob activate the anvil no matter what. Elsbeth is in agreement with Hawthorne in that Hob should blow it! Eirik just needs to make sure that he makes it out albeit reluctantly :)

Hob shrugged, and figured 'Might as well make myself useful.'. Slowly he walked to the room on the other side of the trapped door, hesitated, then turned to look at the statues. Seeing nothing, he moved on, and trudged up the stairs.
He paused at the secret door, then rushed in and grabbed the chest and the rack of weapons. Juggling carefully he ran back down the stairs, muttered Elsbeth's prayer and ran through.
It was then, with his new, heightened senses, he heard the fight outside, and fancied he saw one of the chains jiggle, just a little. 'Should I go help?' he wondered, then stopped. 'This is the mission. I'll give them a minute, then set it off. Can't risk some devil stopping me.' Quickly he roped the weapons into a bundle, eyes on the door to the outside. He fished the remnants of his preparations from his pockets. If he got away, he'd be helpless when they ran off - but if he didn't get away that wouldn't matter.
Round 1: Bull's Strength. Pick up Stuff.

As they made their way back through the keep Rizolla made sure to look for her pack and grab it up if Silithax had been unable to move it to the wagon himself. She was beginning to think they were getting out of here in one piece but was still worried enough to take no chances. She had her rod in hand as they reached the door and it was with a great deal of anger that she realized they were too late as the devilish...thing before them blocked their path. She didn't hesitate as she cast a spell and sent a burst of black foul energy into the devil.

SR if needed: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
enervation: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 71d4 ⇒ 2
...well s!+#.

I think I'll compromise. After a few rounds of combat, he'll blow the place and run. Don't want to have them pop in here...
Totally agree we don't need to fight these things, we just need to get out.

Turn 341 - The Mission

Read the OOC.

Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?

Game on!

Being grappled by an evil outside had Elsbeth react by instinct. Channeling Milani's divine wrath, the cleric released a destructive burst against the devil.

Using Alignment channel to use channel energy against the devil

damage: 4d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 1, 4) = 10 DC=16 for half damage; now that's a sucky roll! Balls!

Her liberation ability, I can't find out how long it takes to activate it. If she can also do this, she will in order to break the grapple as per freedom of movement

RE what he cast: Heightened Senses at the start so he wouldn't be surprised. Bull's Strength when he started to hear the fighting. Figured this round he'd shapeshift and start in on the anvil.
Presumably next round he'd kick the anvil off? Might depend how loud the thing's shriek was.
Round after that he'd run for it.

Will attacking the tentacle do any damage to the creature itself? Still might be a good bet, but if it won't kill the monster one can't do that repeatedly as it'll only prolong the battle.

Will attacking the tentacle do any damage to the creature itself? Still might be a good bet, but if it won't kill the monster one can't do that repeatedly as it'll only prolong the battle.

Yes it will also damage the devil creature.

Hob: with your heightened senses, you would have heard the shriek but up to you what you do.

Questions?

Game on!

Her liberation ability, I can't find out how long it takes to activate it. If she can also do this, she will in order to break the grapple as per freedom of movement

It's not clear so let's make it a free action; you just need to will it so.

Questions?

Game on!

Yes it will also damage the devil creature.

Ok, sounds fair. If Eirik can reach both tentacles let's give them one hit each, numbers one and two. If only one is within reach he'll just pick one; might be hard to tell which tentacle in the forest goes to which ally.

BTW... if we have PfE going, how about:

Third, the spell prevents bodily contact by evil summoned creatures.

Is the critter summoned or has it a green card and permanent residence here? ;^) Rizolla forfeited the protection by attacking, but Elsbeth only does it this round.

Seeing that the devil managed to catch the two ladies with its tentacles Eirik chose his targets accordingly, tearing his way through the tentacles to reach the bases of two thicker ones that were wrapped around the priestess and the sorceress, hoping he had picked the right limbs from the flailing forest of foul flesh. Growling in irritation as blood and ichor rained on him, the monk slashed about with Ki-invested hands, slashing with his right and thrusting with his left, trying to figure which tactic if either would be more effective against the foe.

Melee, flurry: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31
Melee, flurry: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33
Melee, flurry: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

As for damage... just in case the critter has damage type based DR, let's make the first attack Slashing and the second Piercing and see if there is a difference in their effectiveness.

Damage, flurry, lethal: 1d10 + 1d6 + 1d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + (2) + (4) + 1 + 1 = 14
Damage, flurry, lethal: 1d10 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + (1) + 1 = 5
Damage, rend, lethal: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 6) = 12 This might as well go to the second tentacle as well, since the second hit triggers it.
Demoralize: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15

Alright then...she'll activate it so that she'll be free for next round. From what I can gather from Freedom of Movement, it makes you un-grappable.

After releasing the burst of divine energy, Elsbeth called on Milani's liberation and dropped out of the devil's tentacled grasp.

Alright then...she'll activate it so that she'll be free for next round. From what I can gather from Freedom of Movement, it makes you un-grappable.

After releasing the burst of divine energy, Elsbeth called on Milani's liberation and dropped out of the devil's tentacled grasp.

I think the devil can grapple you on his turn but you counter that on your turn so in essence yes, he can't maintain a grapple on you.

"This fight may go bad fast,"Hawthorne thought. He sped up and continued to move towards the stables rapidly. He made it into the stables, and moved inside, out of view of the courtyard. He spied the halflings and when he whispered, they were surprised that he had made it in without their spotting him. "We have to get out of here, now, grab your s~&&, no talking, and no complaining."

Stealth: 1d20 + 23 - 5 ⇒ (20) + 23 - 5 = 38

Hawthorne forgoes the halfspeed movement. He goes on at his full speed, and gets into the stables this round.

Is the portcullis open outside? What other routes do I have to get the pecks out of here?

Rizolla gave a scream of terror as she felt the tentacle smack into her wrap itself around her foot. The fear was palpable as she knew there was nothing she could do to resist the monster. She knew exactly how hard it was to cast a spell when something had a hold of you and she was certain there was noway that she could do it. She could only hope that her friends freed her before the thing ate her.

If released due to damage on the tentacle:
With her leg free from the devil's grip Rizolla dance back quickly and yelled, "Take this BASTARD!" With a few words and a gesture she sent another beam of black energy at the monster.

enervation; pbs: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 1 = 251d4 ⇒ 1
SR: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Doesn't that figure, great attack roll, crappy level drain.

If she isn't freed by her turn:
Rizolla could do nothing but scream and try to break free as the tentacle pulled her closer to the huge fiend and that gaping, hungry, beaky mouth.
Come on nat 20.
cmb to try and break free: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

RE what he cast: Heightened Senses at the start so he wouldn't be surprised. Bull's Strength when he started to hear the fighting. Figured this round he'd shapeshift and start in on the anvil.

Hob: it takes a full round action for one person to 'activate the anvil'.

What are you doing for Round 2? shapeshift?

Hob rubbed furiously at his beard and muttered out loud "That shriek... they dead already? No, no... have to give 'em a chance to win."
On the assumption there are the standard 10' corridors to outside and he won't have to Squeeze (except maybe the occasional doorway) on the way out.
As he spoke he activated another Hag's charm. His body warped and twisted, towering in the small room. Once again the devastating Hob-Hag from earlier appeared.
Squeezing might be an issue
As he spoke he activated another charm. His body warped and twisted, turning grey and stonelike. Twisted devil's horns burst from his head, and wings grew upon his back.

Hob rubbed furiously at his beard and muttered out loud "That shriek... they dead already? No, no... have to give 'em a chance to win."

On the assumption there are the standard 10' corridors to outside and he won't have to Squeeze (except maybe the occasional doorway) on the way out.
As he spoke he activated another Hag's charm. His body warped and twisted, towering in the small room. Once again the devastating Hob-Hag from earlier appeared.
Squeezing might be an issue
As he spoke he activated another charm. His body warped and twisted, turning grey and stonelike. Twisted devil's horns burst from his head, and wings grew upon his back.

Not true about not having to squeeze through. You all went up a very narrow staircase to get to the secret room with the 'anvil'. See maps on Turn 337; you have about 60-80 feet of 5' wide staircase.

You shapeshift as a standard action. What's this 'other charm'?