HELL'S REBELS ala Fabian (Inactive)

Game Master Fabian Benavente

Hob's magic is flavoured as crafty things, rather than just chanty things. The charm references the charm he used to turn into a Hag before.
Move: move to bell
Standard: Cast Monstrous Physique II (Gargoyle). Form is much easier; just some attacks, freeze, +2 strength and +2 natural armour. He'll still use his hammer. Does mean his carrying ability is not as good, and he might have an issue with the bell.
Next round he'll trigger the bell and get out. But these are heroes of the rebellion, have to give them a chance to get out by themselves. Don't want to bring the house down on them!
Caleb, of course, would try to lure things in before he collapsed the joint.

Turn 342 - Slippery Elsbeth

Read the OOC.

Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?

Game on!

Dancing around flailing tentacles, Eirik focused his attention to the appendage trying to drag the sorceress towards the devil’s gaping mouth. The slimy, leathery skin did a lot to blunt his attacks, but at least one Ki-claw hit cleanly, ripping off a respectable piece of abyssal flesh.

Rizolla needs help, so everything on that tentacle.

Flurry, unarmed: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18
Flurry, unarmed: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28
Flurry, unarmed: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Damage, unarmed, lethal: 1d10 + 1d6 + 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (9) + (3) + (2) + 1 = 15

So did the grab on me actually work since the thing rolled a 1 on the CMB roll? Nat 1's and 20s still apply to those.

So did the grab on me actually work since the thing rolled a 1 on the CMB roll? Nat 1's and 20s still apply to those.

Yes, it worked. I don't really like those natural 1s and 20s because it allows anyone, no matter how good or bad they are, to succeed 5% of the time., which is not realistic to me.

Imagine the three halfling slaves attacking the tentacled devil would have a chance to hit it if they live long enoug to attack it for a couple of rounds.

So, yes, Rizolla is grappled.

K, fair enough. I just wanted to check first in case it was an oversight.

Rizolla was pleased to see her spell weaken the devil but she knew it wouldn't be enough on it's own. She was rather distracted though and hadn't maintained as much distance as she thought, a problem she realized when the thing smacked her again with it's tentacle, wrapping more firmly around her body with crushing force. She managed to avoid screaming and wasting her air this time as the crushing grip got tighter.

If freed again:
Rizolla slipped back again, hoping to get further away from it and cast again, another ray of black energy lancing out at the creature.

Enervation with pbs: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 1 = 271d4 ⇒ 2
Confirm? (not sure if I can double the effect: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 1 = 241d4 ⇒ 2
SR: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

:If I am not freed:
Rizolla struggled in the fiend's grip again and tried to break free but knew it was to no avail as the thing drug her closer and closer to that hideous mouth.

Now that Elsbeth was free she needed to get the devil to let go of Rizolla. Finally making use of her weapon, the cleric joined Eirik and beat the tentacle with her morningstar.

+2morningstar: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31
damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
+2morninstar: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

As the sounds of slaughter continued, Hob sighed, shrugged, and - unusually - prayed. "Torag. Creator. One smith to another mate, this is good work. Damn shame to smash it - hope I can come patch it up some day. Don't want t' see something this nice used for bad though. If you could see your way clear to helpin' me friends and me get out, I'd 'preciate it. Yours. Hob." Hob had had little experience with prayer - and little time for most gods. His prayer was cobbled, awkward, and heartfelt.

Hob spat on his stonelike hands, grabbed the wheel, and pulled.

can I take 10 on strength? He's not stressed. If not though...
strength check: 1d20 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 4 = 31
Edit; new plan, take that ;P
Can I write it up as a success?

Is the portcullis open?

Hob: yes, you may write the start of the 'end' for Menador Keep.

Hawthorne: yes, the portcullis was opened and left open by Hob.

I would like to recap tomorrow...

Questions?

Game on!

Ok, 40' of movement (halflings move at 20') should get us outside the portcullis and headed down the hill. Even more if the lined up halflings can make a run from the stables and down that wall.

Brother Hawthorne gave his brethren another stern look, "now, we may not all make it, but we aren't stopping, no matter what we see out there once we start moving, we don't stop until I say so." He took a breath, and said, "Ready, now!"

Hawthorne lead the small group of small people out of the stables, they kept far to the left, pressed against the wall, so as to be as far from the behemoth as possible. His followers were scared, but Hawthorne had judged them well. Like most of his race, they stood up well to hardship and could impress in a pinch. Not one balked, and after a few seconds, they were at least outside the keep. They could feel a rumbling in the ground. Hawthorne knew that Hob had started the destruction of the keep.

So, we go out of the stables, and stay along the left wall. 40' total. I will manage my pace to stay with the others (I can move 40' in a pinch). By staying with them, I won't provoke AOOs, although they might. I'm hoping to be far enough from the creature though.

Hob spat on his stonelike hands, grabbed the wheel, and pushed. When he set his weight against the massive stone, and felt his feet slip before it started to rotate, he knew he had made a mistake. This device had been designed so it would take a team of dwarves, working together, to trigger it. A slick wheel of stone floor lay around the bottom. Sheer strength from a single point wouldn't move it. A dwarf on each point could move the wheel by lifting straight up.A good way to stop a lone madman from triggering a devestating destruction - but a problem here.
For a moment Hob despaired. He cracked his neck to the left, and then looked up. He lifted his massive hammer, and brought it down with a crack on the slick floor. Cracks spiderwebbed from the point of impact. he swung again and more cracks joined.
He stepped on the two improvised footholds. His new form's claws - claws whose purpose was to anchor against stone - dug in. Massive muscles tensed - he would get only one good push. Hob breathed in as hard as he could, tensed his muscles and pushed.
Stone floor cracked. Chipped. Slowly the wheel started to turn. Eventually it turned past the point he could apply pressure, and he collapsed to the floor as the massive wheel slowly, slowly kept turning. Chains tightened. Gears engaged. Creaks and cracks started to echo around the chamber.

Turn 343 - Creaks and Cracks

Read the OOC.

Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?

Game on!

Moving halflings out of oppression and danger to freedom and security had been a way of life for Brother Hawthorne. The exultation of the chase, the joy of knowing he was fulfilling his calling, nothing compared to it. The halflings had now made it beyond the threshold of the keep, Hawthorne kept moving, slightly outdistancing those he was leading, he turned to check on them, and as he did he gathered them to his heart, and knew they were his to lead to the promised land.

Hawthorne moves 40' as a move action, and then as a standard action, he designates the halflings to be his Bellflower Crop. The crop gains some benefits from this, including my overland speed, which we will hopefully start using next round. If I am out of combat, then my overland speed goes up by 10'. I have high hopes of starting to move quickly with these guys in round 5, but it's your call Fabian.

Hob forced himself to stony knees, and ran. Giant, hopping, half-flying strides pushed him through the air at speed. 'Save the scroll, if I can. Look for somewhere high.' he thought.
Not sure how many rounds to get out. 40' (60' fly) move rate - before encumberance. 918lbs to stay light, but the chest and weapons might weigh him down past that. He's going for the nearest exit - he can always fly away.

Not sure how many rounds to get out. 40' (60' fly) move rate - before encumberance. 918lbs to stay light, but the chest and weapons might weigh him down past that. He's going for the nearest exit - he can always fly away.

We are still going round by round so I'll count but I'll have you run/fly in a straight line when possible and double move when not possible.

I don't think you'll be able to fly down the narrow stairways so I'll need a reflex save...

Do I understand correctly that we can back up into the Keep and the devil can't get through the doors to follow? Not that we really want to be in the Keep now that it's collapsing but I'm trying to decide whether she backs into the Keep to take a potion or if she keeps fighting.

Do I understand correctly that we can back up into the Keep and the devil can't get through the doors to follow? Not that we really want to be in the Keep now that it's collapsing but I'm trying to decide whether she backs into the Keep to take a potion or if she keeps fighting.

Yes, sort of. The thing will take something like three rounds to squeeze through the 10-ft wide opening.

Perfection of self for +4 dex
ref: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 2 = 8

Ref save: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

No-one is grappled, so can target the lower AC...

Eirik grunted in pain as a tentacle squeezed his legs with bone-breaking force, but the elusive monk managed to twist and wriggle his way free before suffering permanent damage. Then the ground began to shake, a sure sign that Hob had gone ahead with using the Anvil - a natural ground tremor happening just now was simply too much to be believed. The unfortunate thing was, they needed to get away fast, and the abyssal beast was blocking the way...

Redoubling his efforts, the monk waded in to the forest of tentacles, ripping and tearing, seeking the creature's main body, seeking something vital to rend and break with his fists.

Flurry, unarmed: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 23
Flurry, unarmed: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21 So close...
Flurry, unarmed: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Damage, unarmed, lethal: 1d10 + 1d6 + 1d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + (4) + (2) + 1 + 1 = 18
Damage, unarmed, lethal: 1d10 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + (2) + 1 = 5
Damage, rend: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 5) = 8

Sigh, she can't leave Eirik alone. She'll chance another hit.

Elsbeth wasn't sure if she could take another hit from the devil's tentacles and contemplating withdrawing briefly to quaff one of her potions. However, when she saw Eirik pressing his attack she knew she couldn't withdraw to heal herself. He was the senior officer after all. Swinging the favored weapon of Milani, the cleric joined in bludgeoning the devil.

+2morninstar: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21 Balls! one off :(
damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
+2morninstar: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Oh, feel free to scoot for a bit; think of it as providing Eirik a chance to show how cool and brave he is. You'd be doing him a favor, really ;^)

I'll give Rizolla a few more hours before recapping.

Ooh, it looks like Hob took a nasty fall down the stairs. :)

Questions?

Game on!

Rizolla was relieved she got a brief reprieve from the devil's tentacles but knew she couldn't let up. She chanted and once more cast that ray of foul blackness at the devil, hoping that she would finally do enough harm to kill it.

enervate w pbs: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 1 = 211d4 ⇒ 3
SR: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Turn 344 - And the Ground Shook

Read the OOC.

Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?

Game on!

Things had gotten worse now that Eirik was grappled, their way was blocked, and Elsbeth wasn't sure she could take another hit. Her only option was to try and free Eirik. "If I go down, there's a potion in my bag. Use it on me if you can bring me back. Otherwise, leave me and get out of here." She then slams her morningstar into the devil's tentacle that was grappling the monk.

+2morningstar: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27
damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
+2morningstar: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

At least one hits. Hopefully it's enough to free Eirik

Ouch... time to spend a Ki point for extra attack... good thing Eirik can attack with natural weapons even while grappled, although with the -2 penalty...

Also, fun fact; you can't suffocate someone who only needs to take a breath every 16 hours ;^)

Caught by the tentacle he was too slow to evade, Eirik took the opportunity to tear into the devil's flesh, ripping off large chunks of foul flesh, drenching himself with the creature's black blood.

Flurry, unarmed: 1d20 + 15 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 15 - 2 = 20
Flurry, unarmed: 1d20 + 14 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 14 - 2 = 32
Critical?: 1d20 + 14 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 14 - 2 = 23 Yup
Flurry, unarmed: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 9 - 2 = 14
Flurry, unarmed: 1d20 + 14 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 14 - 2 = 32 Ki power spent...
Critical?: 1d20 + 14 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 14 - 2 = 20 Nope

Damage, unarmed, lethal, crit: 2d10 + 1d6 + 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4, 10) + (4) + (1) + 1 = 20
Damage, unarmed, lethal: 1d10 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (7) + (2) + 1 = 10
Damage, rend: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 3) = 8

Also, fun fact; you can't suffocate someone who only needs to take a breath every 16 hours ;^)

Well, the devil doesn't know that. :)

Hob growled deep in his throat - a growl born of his human soul. Gargoyles, ambush hunters that they were, were all but silent. Pushing himself to his clawed feet he continued to limp down the corridoor, desperately pushing himself for speed. It wouldn't matter how strong he was if a hundred tons of stone fell on his head. His hand touched against the scroll by his side, but he ran on rather than stop to read.
Move to stand, Standard to move (40').

Brother Hawthorne said a silent prayer to Desna for the success of his comrades in fighting the devil, but he was determined to press on with his new task. He kept a lookout for dangers to the halflings under his protection as they hurried away into the night.

Hawthorne and the halflings will continue booking outta here! 50' double moves if we can please!

Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Rizolla felt the ground rumble and realized that things were about to get ugly. She managed to roll with the tremors and remain standing she knew they couldn't remain her much longer, the anvil was obviously working and she wasn't sure how quick the place would come tumbling down. Sadly she found herself in the unenviable position of having to choose, prepare to flee, or try to kill the devil so they could get out. While it may be the coward's way she had a promise to keep and the mage knew she couldn't afford to stay here any longer. She looked at her companions and said, "I'm sorry but I can't die here," before casting a spell and flying up the stairs.

Casting fly on myself. I plan to fly up the stairs and get out that way. I'll attack the devil from above if the place is still standing.

Turn 345 - It’s Coming Down

Read the OOC.

Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?

Game on!

Having managed to get outside on the balcony Rizolla flew over to see that the devil seemed to have died. It certainly wasn't moving that she could see, and she hoped her friends were alive. She decided to do what she could to help them get out and lined up above the devil's body before casting and directing a bolt of lightning straight down into it. She hoped that she could destroy enough of it to give them an opening to get out from.

lightning bolt on corpse: 8d8 + 16 ⇒ (1, 1, 2, 1, 5, 1, 8, 3) + 16 = 38
SR if needed: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
I'm hoping I can destroy enough of the thing's body to let them climb through safely.

Having managed to get outside on the balcony Rizolla flew over to see that the devil seemed to have died. It certainly wasn't moving that she could see, and she hoped her friends were alive. She decided to do what she could to help them get out and lined up above the devil's body before casting and directing a bolt of lightning straight down into it. She hoped that she could destroy enough of it to give them an opening to get out from.

[dice=lightning bolt on corpse]8d8+16
[dice=SR if needed]1d20+8
I'm hoping I can destroy enough of the thing's body to let them climb through safely.

SR failed so little to no effect.

Where's your dragon?

Does SR even apply now that it is dead?

As for the dragon, yeah, he'd be outta there as soon as the place started shaking. He'd catch up once we're on the way back home.

another round of perfected dex, please
reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Hob swore as he jinked right, narrowly avoiding a hundred pound lump of worked stone that fell from the ceiling. Desperately he forced himself to move even faster. Ahead he saw some sort of monster squeezing through the only route to safety - two other members of the Silver Ravens trapped with him.
Hob shuffled the chest he carried one-handed. "Coming through!" he announced.
Assume no run. Double move is 80ft. That should put him just through the door into C6, I think?

Does SR even apply now that it is dead?

As for the dragon, yeah, he'd be outta there as soon as the place started shaking. He'd catch up once we're on the way back home.

It's not technically dead-dead, just dying at the moment.

another round of perfected dex, please

Assume no run. Double move is 80ft. That should put him just through the door into C6, I think?

Further than that. I'd say it takes about 30-35 feet of movement to get you to the door between C10 and C6.

Everyone: remember that you can go upstairs and climb/fly/jump down to the courtyard.

Or you could move the jammed devil from the door.

Whatever you do, do it quick...

Well crap, I tried anyway.

Ooh - in that case can he do 40 ft of running to get to C6, and another 40ft should get him to the devil. With flying that'd be way more. Pity he can't charge :(
@Fabian: Can you stop Hob 10ft out please (I'll charge next round). What size category is the critter please? I can't Bull Rush anything larger than large in this form.

Elsbeth will use Shape Stone to make a door for her and Eirik to get out of. Does she have to go into C3b to do that to get into the courtyard or will one of the walls where they are lead into the courtyard? Can't really tell from the map. It'll probably be faster for her to cast than use a scroll.

Ref save: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28

Easily maintaining his balance despite the heaving ground, Eirik spat out a mouthful of foul blood and reached for the sole potion in his belt pouch. Removing the cork with his teeth, the monk quaffed the potion, feeling the worst of his pain fade away as the thick liquid flowed down his throat. He stared in disgust at the twitching, dying heap of abyssal flesh that now barred their way out, but was heartened to see Elsbeth was already busy weaving magic to shape the stone of the citadel’s wall to make them a passage out.

Might as well drink that CLW potion Eirik has had with him for ages. Assuming we get out via Elsbeth’s efforts, Eirik will take a round or two trying to kick a few unconscious guards awake (although the heaving earth and the horrible noise might very well have roused them anyway), since he’s so much faster than the others he can afford to take a few moments before joining in the escape. But if things get too rough he’ll bail, even if the knocked-out guards will perish – it’s not any worse a fate than what those who died in battle faced, really, and Eirik well knows wars have casualties.

Elsbeth will use Shape Stone to make a door for her and Eirik to get out of. Does she have to go into C3b to do that to get into the courtyard or will one of the walls where they are lead into the courtyard? Can't really tell from the map. It'll probably be faster for her to cast than use a scroll.

You would need to get to either C3a or C3b to find a wall that leads directly to the courtyard.

Ooh - in that case can he do 40 ft of running to get to C6, and another 40ft should get him to the devil. With flying that'd be way more. Pity he can't charge :(

@Fabian: Can you stop Hob 10ft out please (I'll charge next round). What size category is the critter please? I can't Bull Rush anything larger than large in this form.

The critter is huge (15' by 15') and partially jammed in the doorway.

You could hack it and eventually remove it from the door but it would probably take more time than you have.

I don't know what the terrain is down where the halflings are, but we're "hustling" continuing to get away at 100' per round.

The small group of halflings kept fleeing. Hawthorne intended to get the halflings well away before finding a spot to hide for the rest of the night.

At 50' speed, we can hustle for a full hour and be 10 miles away! If Hawthorne spots a good place to hide his Crop, after going several miles, then he'll do that. Bed down for a full day, and have them ready to move the next night! A "day" of walking (8 hours) at my Crop's speed is 40 miles of movement.

I figured she'd have to get into one of the other rooms, just thought I'd ask to be sure.

It was only by Milani's hand that Elsbeth was still upright and on her feet. She shuddered to think of what would have happened if those tentacles had been able to keep their hold on her. Grabbing Eirik by the arm, she dragged him along with her into the closest room. "I can shape a way out for us but we need an outer wall." As she moved she also yelled as loud as she could over the rumblings, "Hob! If you can hear me, follow my voice!"

Targeting the stone wall that would lead to their freedom, she prayed to Milani to make the hole large enough for even Hob should he come this way.

Casting Stone Shape

Ref: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

Turn 346 - Feels like the Mountain is Shaking

Read the OOC.

Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?

Game on!

Ref save: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

DCs are building… forget helping comatose guards, let’s get outta here and feel sorry about the dead later. Also, don’t forget Eirik’s Deflect Arrows if the winged lady of negotiable virtue decided she wants to try archery in our direction. Also, Eirik’s Ki should be down to 5/7.

”Marvelous work,” Eirik said as Elsbeth opened them a new way out of the crumbling citadel. He poked a head out through the hole to make sure no additional abyssal foes awaited beyond before gesturing the priestess step out; ladies first and all. Unfortunately, mixed in the voices of groaning earth and crumbling stone was the coy voice of the winged devil. ’Back again, so soon,’[‘/i] Eirik thought glumly, getting out into the courtyard himself and looking around until he spotted the creature. [i]’Wonder what she brought with her this time?’

Another round of perfection, please
reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Hob grunted as he skipped to the left around a crevice in the ground, then hopped through a doorway a second before it collapsed. Another couple of steps and he was through into the courtyard. Enormous wings unfurled, and with a single massive push the Gargoyle launched himself into the sky.
Not sure if I need to use a move and a standard to walk then fly. Guess I'm happy to do so.

The appearance of the devil was the worst timing. Just as they were about to flee the stupid winged b#%&* reappeared. Though she thought about attacking Rizolla realized that it would get her killed. Instead she decided to indulge the eirenyes' desire to talk. "We had no interest in fighting anyone if we could avoid it and accomplish our goal. I don't believe we even knew a member of House Thrune was in charge here." She smiled sadly and said, "While I don't have a problem with killing him given his associations I do wish we could have spared the guards, some of them were actually kind to us." She looked at the body of one in particular sadly, "We had to accomplish our goal though and so we have." She gestured down at the keep and said, "When the dwarves built this place they did a superb job of it, they even took into account being over run and having to destroy it behind them. I mean they were dwarves, if they built it once they could always rebuild it." She turned her gaze back to the eirenyes and continued, "We found and activated their self destruct mechanism. In a few minutes at most this entire keep will collapse and take the Menador Pass out with it."

Rizolla grinned viciously as she allowed her magic and draconic heritage fill here and said, "Regardless of whether you and your sisters kill us we have already accomplished our goal here. If you wish to take a chance at a fight then feel free, just realize that my magic did a great deal of harm to that devil you brought before I started failing to get through it's innate resistances. Is it worth the risk of your existence for a fight that House Thrune has already lost" When she was finished with her threat she hovered there, unconcerned and with the ghostly image of a great blue dragon seemed to shimmer around her.
Intimidate: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29

This will either work, or get me very, very, dead.