Heroes of Westcrown

Game Master Moondragon Starshadow

"I am true to Aroden, my lord, but I am also bound by loyalty and kinship. This man, though half-fiend his blood may turn, is bound to me by brotherhood, as I stand bound to him. Our blades both matched the enemies of Cheliax, and what faith divides, common cause unites. You cannot sunder me from his destiny. I stand trial at his side, as is my right, if I so beclaim it. Is it not so, Dentris?"

William smirks, and makes an overzealous shrugs to Thesling and to the audience, his voice in a very matter of fact almost humored tone.

’Tis true, my lord. If the half-brained, light-blinded knight wishes to perish alongside my good master, she is within her lawful right.

William smirks. I am glad that they will stand together, hopefully it will boost the chances of us making it out of this alive. There is much more to this play that meets the eye, but I cannot seem to puzzle out of the intricacies just yet. Not to mention the between act encounters that Robhal refered to earlier. Something is awry here.

HAANDERTHAN
In a dismissive tone, Thesling says, "Very well. Burn with him, fool. Dentris Maltrada, you are hereby discharged."

William starts to get an understanding as his next line comes up, and shivers a bit inwardly. I sure hope I am up to this.

Nay sir, though I wish nothing more. This boy, as wayward as his fancies take him, is in my care. I never wavered from his father’s service, and I shall not turn my back on the son.

William stands up next to Corey, patting him gently on the shoulder as he casts his gaze back to Thesling.

Corey will place his left arm around Phaedras waist and her cheek, with his right he will clasp Williams shoulder and give him a shake; all the while nodding gladly.

HAANDERTHAN
With a confused look, Thesling says, "Surely, you’ve no wish to die?"

William nods as he takes his place at Corey's side.

There are worse fates, magistrate, than even can be promised on the deepest level of your Hell. To walk alive in a world, my duty undone, my sworn oath broken, is to walk through fires more smolderous than any Asmodeus keeps below. Though he be a fool, and possessed of a diseased wit, Larazod is my master, and I shall stand by him. Do your worst magistrate. I’ve rolled bones with demons, and gazed in dragons’ hearts. Let us have these trials and be done with my life, if the lords of darkness so command.

HAANDERTHAN
Thesling angrily replies, "Doddering old sack of bones. No demon’s dice, nor dragon’s musings await you—-only torment beyond the stars’ most infinite imaginings! When you mewl out for merciful death, I shall look on in pleasure, as your soul’s wake burns from a withered old corpse! Make ready, supplicants. The trials begin anon. May Asmodeus take pity on your blighted souls."

The curtain falls slowly.

Okay, everyone (besides Tristain) can roll their acting skills per the discussion thread. There were no mistakes and so any bonuses will carry to the next ACT, where the trials will begin....

Perform 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15

i like my original roll better.

Shall I roll again or you using my roll from my first cue?
act 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Also, does my Charming trait apply since Act is a Charisma based talent?

Tristain watches the curtain fall and gulps, now one step closer to himself being on stage.

You'll be fine.

Tristain moves over to Corey and William and Phaedra.

"You guys were great. Corey...wow...when you turned your back on Thesing, I could hear his teeth grinding from where I was...that was awesome!" Tristain continues to babble like starstruck child.

"William, you were so solid. I really believed your role...it's like you had been doing it your entire life."

"Phaedra...have you acted before? You seem...experienced."

"Yes Tristain, I've had some small roles in a few independent plays and temple services. Hopefully Shelyn will bless us all during the rest of this play. There must be reasons why so few actors survived it and I am starting to get rather worried about what is to come."

William smirks and claps Tristan on the shoulder gently.

My father and mother are devil binders for the house of thrune. You could say that this role is not really a stretch for me, but that I was born for it.

When the curtain falls, there is a reasonable amount of applause from the crowd, singling that they enjoyed Act 1.

While the curtain is down and the Nightshade stagehands move some basic set pieces around, Delour goes out in front of the curtain and does a brief aria so to cover the sound backstage.

Robahl shakes Thesling's hand and says, "Not bad." Turning to Calisienica, he says, "Can't remember your lines? What do you think this is?"

"I'm sorry mister Nonon, I just got my lines, I'm having a hard time and I'm so nervous about not sacrificing the young girl."

Thesling says, "Indeed. Don't blame me Calisienica, it's these folks who have made it more difficult for you."

The stage hands finish moving things around. You hear Millech huffing and puffing as he's moving this stage prop to the side of the stage. He's exhausted moving it, but then comes over and gives Corey a good look, goes back to the device and makes an adjustment or two. Milech then hands Tristain a long whip. Thesling smiles at Corey, "Oh boy, now the fun begins!"

Robahl says, "Damnit Thesling, don't turn it more than once each time!" Thesling chuckles. Robahl then says, "And you who are playing Drovald, don't fake it or the audience will know!"

Thesling nods in agreement. "Yes, don't fake it my boy. Make sure that whip makes a loud cracking sound, so that the people in the back can hear it." Robahl motions for everyone to get on stage before they raise the curtain.

Last chance say something before we start Act 2. Good luck Corey!

Tristain, here take my whip...I'll trust it's balance in your hands...remember it is all in the wrist, a small flick here becomes a big *CRACK* there

Corey demonstrates for a moment and hands Tristain his whip (NOT Domino's Whip) this one is mundane and deals 1d2 nonlethal, unless you are wearing armor then deals no damage.

Walking over to William and whispering Can you cast Mage Armor on me? I expect to be stripped in this scene and bound to that device. I'm already trying to mitigate some of the danger but I know I won't be able to avoid all of Tristain's whip cracks while on the rack...with that kind of protection I should be ok...

Phaedra walks over to Corey and lightly touches him on his arm. Casting Resistant Touch to give him a +1 to all his saves for a minute.

"I will be ready to cast any healing spell you need as soon as the curtain comes down on the act. Just be strong and don't let the pain make you forget any line. A little physical pain is better than that sort of humiliation."

Corey demonstrates for a moment and hands Tristain his whip (NOT Domino's Whip) this one is mundane and deals 1d2 nonlethal, unless you are wearing armor then deals no damage.

Tristain takes the whip in his hands and gives it a few mighty cracks.

"You know, Corey...I just might need to hit you with this. I hope you don't expect me to go easy on you. I mean to do this right, right?"

* * *

Before the 2nd act....

"Good luck out there, Thesing! I hope you do really well," Tristain says sincerely, not completely hating the man yet.

That's right, Tristain. Put your best face on for this.

Delour finishes here aria and exits as the stagehands have finished preparing the scene. William casts Mage Armor on Corey as he requests (I confirmed the spell says it's invisible, so all good). Robahl motions for everyone but Tristain to get on the stage. The 'rack device' is still offstage.

The curtain rises quickly, and you again are briefly blinded by the lights.

Act 2: Trial by Torture

Robahl then pushes Tristain to walk onto the stage from the side entrance, whip in hand.

HAANDERTHAN
Thesling says to Tristain as he walks onto the stage, "Good Keeper of Pain, Tormentor of Liars and Demon suckling Miscreants, we are honored by your presence." He gives a slight bow to you. "Show these supplicants the favor of your stinging lash, and with rack and fire, purge lies from their lips. Break their souls, and let the mad and guilty appall our ears no more with ranting."

Tristain waits for his cue to entry, butterflies aflutter in his stomach.

Stupid acting. Stupid plan. Stupid whip. Stupid everything.

He nearly stumbles as he enters, blinded by the lights and agog at all the people looking at him.

Tristvalid bows his head to Thesing.

"Magistrate Maleficarum, I come before you with a simple hand whose lash is guided by the greater glory of Asmodeus, may my scourge do him and this devoted tribunal proud. With your permission, I shall begin the first trial."

Tristvalid sneers at the guilty.

HAANDERTHAN
Thesling replies, "Begin at your leisure, Tormentor. End this fool’s mockery of our court with cleansing agony."

At this point, the rack device is pushed on stage by a few stagehands, huffing and puffing. They strip Corey down to his loincloth and put in on the device. Thesling begins turning the device, stretching Corey's limbs.

Okay, I know William is supposed to post next, but he must now wait for Tristain to administer some torture with the whip and Corey to make 2 Fortitude Saves from the rack. The rack will twist two times on Corey (1 point of non-lethal damage each). He will need to make a Fortitude Save DC15 to negate the damage for each twist. Once Tristain and Core post, then William is up. I know it's a tad confusing since that's not in the script, but none of the "combat" is in the script.

Tristvalid sneers, nodding at Haanderthan, but saying nothing.

He gives the whip another crack against the air, feeding the crowd an appetizer before getting to the main dish.

He strikes at Corey, hard, holding nothing back.

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9 to hit;
1d3 ⇒ 3 non lethal damage.
1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 1 + 2 = 16 Bluff, if needed

Trisvalid seems to know exactly where to strike Corey with each whip's crack, finding weakness with each lash.

And again:

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17 to hit;
1d3 ⇒ 3 non lethal damage.
1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 2 = 9 Bluff, if needed

Just prior to coming on-stage Corey also casts Prestidigitation on himself.

Assuming Corey has the "helpless condition" as he is bound?

AC = 10 + 4 (Mage Armor) -5 Dex (due to helpless penalty) = 9

Melee Attacks are at a +4 to hit me btw.

Fort 1 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 1 = 8
Bluff to fake torment from Rack 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18

Erg...argh...ahh.

Fort 2 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 2 + 1 = 22
Bluff to fake torment from Rack 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26

Erg...argh...ahh...ohh ah

While using Prestidigitation to cause bloody streaks on his body following whip cracks Bluff to fake torment from Trisvalid 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30 Any bonus GM?

Ow! Ahh! Oohh! Ahh! Luh! Vah! Thah! Laah shhh...

William looks onto the scene, watching every move, then looks up at Tristan and Thesling.

Fools, my good master may be a fool of a tiefling, but if you think to wrack his spine, and wheedle mewled recantation from his black lips, you are even greater fools than he. Larazod is no coward, and he sneers in the face of pain with true faith in Asmodeus—he cannot waver. He faced Abyssal Tyrants and hordes of their slime-ridden minions in battle. His coal-black soul did not quake then. He stands resolute now. You cannot break his spirit.

Tristvalid cracks his whip in the air again, ready to strip the flesh off the criminals.

"Recant half-breed. Admit your twisted falsehoods, serpent tongued traitor!"

The crowd moans a little that Dentris' comment was unpunished. Robahl backstage is very angry that Tristain didn't use his whip on Dentris. (Rating updated)

Between panted breaths due to his stretched condition Corey calls out...

Even an ocean of agony cannot turn truth to lie!

Tristvalid listens to the lies of the obviously guilty and releases his whip arm again and again.

1d20 + 3 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 3 + 3 + 2 = 21 to hit;
1d3 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 = 6 nonlethal damage;

And again, his whip cracks.

1d20 + 3 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 3 + 2 = 19 to hit;
1d3 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 = 6 nonlethal damage;

Tristvalid pauses to lick some of the blood off his whip.

"Recant and end this trial! Swift death shall embrace you and Asmodeus smiles upon those who admit their falsehoods - he may not rend your soul completely, may leave some semblance of your spirit intact."

Thesling turns the rack every time Drovalid attacks with the whip.

Same DC 15 save required, 2 saves total

Bluff Check to "hide" casting Prestidigitation 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20
Concentration Check to have cast Prestidigitation earlier on stage 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21 VS DC 15
***

Fort Save 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 1 = 10
Bluff to fake torment 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23
Fort Save 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 2 + 1 = 13
Bluff to fake torment 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22

With a rasping voice Corey cries out in Infernal I recant… nothing! Grind on, honeyed torment. Sing sweetly as I may, no cries of “recant” shall you hear.

I hate lies, as I hate demon-loving traitors.

Tristvalid sneers and whips again...and again.

1d20 + 3 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 3 + 3 + 2 = 28 to hit;
1d3 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 2 = 8 damage.

1d20 + 3 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 3 + 2 = 20 to hit;
1d3 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 2 = 8 damage.

Tristvalid draws his dagger with his off hand, determined to draw blood.

My whip! It does nothing!

Edit: Pot Crit:
1d20 + 3 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 3 + 2 = 17 to hit;
1d3 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 = 6 damage.

Tristvalid smirks as his whip nails with jarring impact.

Fort 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4
Bluff to fake torment 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22

Corey chokes and coughs as the whip wraps around his neck pulling his head off the rack for a moment. (Using Prestidigitation to leave a bright line around his neck)

Fort 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 2 + 1 = 16
Bluff to fake torment 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

Corey yowls with the agony.

Laughing and panting Corey taunts Had enough, Magistrate? Can you withstand it any longer? Please give in and recant, for the only torment I cannot bear is your continued duplicity. Recant, Magistrate! Recant your own lies, and Asmodeus may have mercy on your slimy soul.

Tristvalid whips twice.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23 to hit;
1d3 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7 damage.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25 to hit;
1d3 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7 damage.

A bit uncertain about her cue, Phaedra steps up to say her lines.

"Ha! Even in the face of soul-crushing pain, he taunts this ridiculous and pompous Magistrate of Hell. Hear me, Aroden, if Asmodeus has such as Larazod in his employ, all of our efforts are surely doomed. Would your white fist command such steadfast loyalty as this one here, who laughs at death and grins at the grimmest of pains?"

When Drovalid/Tristain whips Corey, Thesling/Haanderthan turns the rack 2 times each whip, for a total of 4 rack turns. Corey will need to make 4 Fortitude saves as Thesling is trying to kill Corey without overdoing it.

Tristvalid whips Tybain.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10 to hit;
1d3 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 damage.

Fort 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5
Bluff to fake the pain1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24

Fort 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 2 + 1 = 15
Bluff to fake the pain 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

Fort 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 2 + 1 = 16
Bluff to fake the pain1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

Fort 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 2 + 1 = 18
Bluff to fake the pain 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17

Bluff for trisvalids whips 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21
Again
1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21

ILSANDRA
Calseinica turns to the audience as she watches the torture and says, "Such a sweet voice. I long to hear his screams more-—ah, but to elicit them myself, with a soulburning kiss, and an aching embrace." She moans a bit, then continues, "This torture is most stimulating, though I do hope the Tormentor doesn’t mar the tiefling’s choicest parts. Leave off those! They belong to me alone!" The crowd laughs a bit.

Tristvalid lifts his whip again, its weight seeming heavier with his exertions.

"RECANT!"

Tristvalid's shoulders slump.

NEVER! Lash every inch of flesh from me, leave only a bloody ruin where i stand - that skinned wreck of a man will gurgle only truth and never recant.

Fort 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4
Fort 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6

Corey groans in pleasure from the wracking agony after 2 more turns of the wheel...

Bluff to pass secret message to Thesling 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23 vs DC 15

Keep turning the wheel, make this look good or I will gut you after the show....more pain, the more pleasure I take

Tristvalid drops his whip, panting.

"He is unbreakable as a marble tide--" 'Marble tide'? What is that? Who wrote his drivel? "Dragon's scale would have shattered long ago--and yet he stands unbowed. No lie can evade this unholy lash of mine, gifted to me by Asmodeus himself."

Tristvalid paces away before spinning back to Corey.

"Larazod must speak the truth!"

Shock. Awe.

HAANDERTHAN
Thesling is still annoyed that Corey is conscience. "Fool! Continue the trial, you’ve yet to probe deep enough into his soul’s painful lies!" Thesling turns the rack two more times.

Two more Fort 15 saves.

Fort 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 2 + 1 = 20

Fort 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 2 + 1 = 22

Corey lifts a cheek and farts in Theslings direction on the 2nd turn.

I wish I had ate eggs for breakfast...

Tristvalid turns to Haamderthan, a sneer on his lips.

"My work is done. My findings true. You have never doubted my hand before. Why do you so now? Could it be this tiefling speaks true? Are you allied against our august master of darkness?"

Tristvalid's sneer continues.

I like sneering. And this dick deserves it.

HAANDERTHAN
"Mind your place, Tormentor!" Thesling returns your sneer. "You speak blasphemy in the face of this land’s own Magistrate Maleficarum. Beware, your words endanger your very soul. Take you this halfbreed’s part? Then you would join him on his trials? Don’t be a fool." What is that smell?

"If Asmodeus wishes it so then my soul stands with his. If my hand has failed you, then I shall burn for it. I shall face the remaining five trials at Larazod’s side."

Tristvalid's sneer continues.

HAANDERTHAN
"So be it, traitor. Your rending death, and his, shall be my vindication. Bring on the second trial!"

The curtain drops rather quickly and Delour again goes out to sing on stage. The stagehands come to remove the bindings on the rack and they give Corey a good look over to make sure he's okay.

Thesling says, "I thought we could STRETCH that action out a bit more." He laughs at his bad joke.

Those of you with acting skills may roll, again same DC applies. Act 2 suffered only 1 mistake, which currently brings the total to 0. A solid roll can put you at +1 or more. Also, take this time to say/do things in preparation for Act 3. I can say that Act 3 is far more difficult than Act 2, which was simply a warm-up, and that the acts get progressively more difficult.

Perform (act) 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21

***

Thesling says, "I thought we could STRETCH that action out a bit more." He laughs at his bad joke.

With that comment the loincloth clad Corey will walk up and punch Thesling in the nose.

Knowledge (religion) 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

I said to turn it more you lout! You were worried about US ruining your performance...and you can't even practice torture as well as a Callistran of the lowest order...is your wrist too limp to turn a wheel effectively.

Corey tears off his soiled loin cloth and motions for William to hand him his normal robe and tosses the soiled cloth at Thesling. 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

If YOU cost us over this performance then I will keep my promise and gut you...if you begin to do your part Adequately then perhaps we will all survive this night...otherwise I'm betting you might wish the final Act was only an Act....I've have my suspicions about where this is going...I think Larazod survives...

Corey turns his back on Thesling and walks over to Phaedra, slowly trying to work the kinks out of his shoulders and hips...

***

In between Acts I will also cast "Message", presuming time doesn't advance too long I will still refresh "Prestidigitation" as well.

Phaedra attempts not to stare as Corey rips off his loincloth and it takes a moment for her to actually process what he said. Dude, cha 17, right?

"Trust me, unlike you, he has nothing to build up the muscles in his wrist, so they are most assuredly limp." I don't care what that comment costs me professionally anymore. That man is an ass.

Phaedra moves over to Corey and tinks him the CLW wand. heal: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 "There, I'm sure we will need you are best for the next act since you will undoubtedly have to help cover for those who are performing below your level."

Phaedra will also assist Corey in getting out any kinks as needed.

Tristvalid, after the curtain falls, goes to check the wounds on Corey, if any and on Phaedra.

"I hope I didn't hurt you guys too badly. I thought I might have hit too hard, but you guys look alright."

He tries to stifle a smile when Thesing gets hit.

Thesling crumples and cries when you hit him. He sits sobbing on the floor.