It is, it is, a glorious thing...

Game Master Arythain

K:Planes: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Intelligence: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 8

Dante's hands immediately go into the air in a non-threatening gesture. "What are you doing? I smelled Daggerleaf, a poisonous plant. Are you trying to smoke us out? Also thought it'd be nice to let you know Gundar's safe," he says looking annoyed. A gate spell? Is she strong enough for that? No. She couldn't be. Is it the stone? What is it?

K:Arcana: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12 To identify the stone.

knowledge:planes: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
int: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
sense motive: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (5) + 0 = 5

Dante sounded... a little bit upset, actually, and Luca looked in through the doorway, catching a glimpse of what was inside.

???: 1d20 ⇒ 16

"Urk!" Luca staggered slightly as she saw it, but managed to hold herself back. That had been- no, don't panic, think. Luca quietly bit her lower lip, trying to figure this out. Regardless of the truth, though, one thing was clear - that stone was important.

Yep. That's our group... :P
Tyrus looked curiously at the portal. He felt strangely ashamed, as if he's walked in on Kelsa in her bath. This was...

There was a noise behind him. Tyrus put two and two together.
"Kelsa? Stay calm, but I need you to shut that down. Now. Luca, back away."

Luca did not hesitate to move backwards and away from whatever was happening - Tyrus knew a HECK of a lot more than she did (except maybe on some parts of summoning, but really, that was not enough to stroke one's ego with), and if he thought she should get back, he was probably right.

"What are you doing? I smelled Daggerleaf, a poisonous plant. Are you trying to smoke us out? Also thought it'd be nice to let you know Gundar's safe,"

Emerine snarls. "The smoke can barely kill insects, it is no danger to you. Get out."

"Kelsa? Stay calm, but I need you to shut that down. Now."

Kelsa looks over her shoulder at Tyrus, and as she does the incense smoke begins to blur out of its delicately-spiralled movements and behave more naturally. Kelsa's face looks sallow and unwell. A moment later, she reaches forward to pluck the stone out of the air, and the wrinkle it had been in fades away.

"Oh, I guess we could have warned you about the daggerleaf-" she begins, then Emerine interrupts her.

"No! Don't you see they are just using this as an excuse? They were here to stop you all along!"

Kelsa takes a step back, baring her teeth. "Damnit, I can't believe we trusted you!"

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 8

"We said we'd watch and only step in if things got dangerous," Dante says stepping between the groups. "And I consider a poisonous plant dangerous no matter how ineffective it is," he says directing the last part at Ermine. "It comes from the Abyss and, like everything else from there, it is dangerous. What exactly are your qualifications for making such judgements anyway? Her mentor made no mention of you. You obviously have an abundance of martial skill but how long have you studied magic? What do you know of spatial manipulation?" he asks Ermine trying to turn things around.

perception: 1d20 ⇒ 14

Tyrus rolls his eyes in exasperation, the recently released stress of the past hour having told on him.
"Oh for... When I arrived. One of the first things I told you was that I knew Dark Arts, and you laughed. I didn't come here to stop you Kelsa, I came here to talk."
"Emerine's paranoia is starting to grow tiresome. You really think you're keeping secrets? I know your secret - Emerine is in charge. There, that's one I doubt you knew - but she did. You're a tool Kelsa. You weren't a tool, you were obviously brilliant. Everything I've heard and seen tells me you could have been great. But you subsumed that. You're a tool now, Kelsa. That's all. You think Emerine is your friend? You think she wants to help you? I made the same mistake when I was your age."
"She's using you." he shrugs "I'd say she has been since the start. One day you're going to wake up and find everything you thought you'd sacrificed for is hers and you'll have nothing"

Out in the hall, Luca's hands slowly curled into fists. They... they were just using her? She understood things like that, mostly because she had no choice in the matter... but someone who just let themselves be used by other powers... how did you even START to describe how stupid that was? If you were dealing with outside forces, you had to be careful, darnit!

...And a small part of her might have been angry at seeing someone who basically had it all try throwing it away. The situation in there seemed tense, and she scooted closer, trying to position herself so she could help most effectively.

"My abilities are none of your concern, intruder," Emerine spits at Dante.

All of that good stuff, Tyrus, and you still don't roll your own Diplomacy check?

Tyrus Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 + 4 ⇒ (14) - 1 + 4 = 17 Bonus for some good argumentation.

Kelsa stands clutching the rock, and as Tyrus speaks her face screws up in confusion. "No, that - that isn't right." she says. "Emerine is my friend, she just just wants to help me. She... cares about me?" that last few words come out more as a question, and she looks to Emerine.

The other woman looks back at Kelsa, and her face immediately softens into a friendly, open look. "Yes, Kelsa. Always. Remember how I've protected you? Remember how I've guarded you so you could work? We trust each other," she says. Then her face returns to its rigid, snarling lines. "These folks have worn out their welcome: they're distracting you too much from your researches. It's time for them to leave."

Another crack at this, slightly lower DC ...

Confusion begins to fade from Kelsa's face, and she rubs her temples with her free hand. "Yes, yes I think that's best. Tell Master Naswel I'm fine, and I'll try to come see him... sometime."

Emerine nods and looks expectantly at Dante and Tyrus, her hands gripping her weapon handles.

The blade has awareness too so I think it should get checks as well. If not, let me know. I also forgot about the Alertness feat I got from it.

Dante Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Dante Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Blade Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Blade Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

You are absolutely correct, I had forgotten as well. The Blade is treated like a creature with normal senses + Alertness. However, it does not share your perceptions, it has its own. The Blade does not have detect magic active, only you do, and Detect Magic is necessary to make that Perception check - so I'm afraid that it cannot attempt it. Since you rolled it first, though, I will succeed it on the SM check that followed, and have a little fun taking control of the Blade for a moment...

perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (16) + 0 = 16
Tyrus rolled his eyes again. "Really, Kelsa? If she's such a good friend, why is she using Suggestion spells to control you?"
"My wife was one of the foremost experts on enchantment spells within a thousand miles. Emerine's good - damned good. But I've seen better."
"No-one but an idiot would undertake work like this without at least some of the most elementary Abjuration spells. You must know some. You're not using them. Why not? Why not even a simple spell of Protection when doing something like this? Because a spell like that would stop enchantments as well, and Emerine 'suggested' not to."
He smiles bitterly "Ask yourself this, Kelsa. Real friends always have something in common. Some reason for them to be friends. Something the friendship grew out of. Why are you friends with her?"
diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0 really dice?

Are we within 10 miles of the sea? XD Because Lianna's Blessing might be preeeeeeetty useful right now.

Tyrus was... really, really not good at managing to convey important information. Luca was on his side, liked him, knew what was going on, and still almost found herself doubting. It was that bad.

She liked having him around, but maybe she or Dante ought to do the talking in the future...

Dante didn't catch the flicker of enchantment pass between the two but he wasn't about to question Tyrus on his knowledge of magic. It certainly exceeded his own. But he did catch the way Emerine shifted to the balls of her feet and noticed her hands touched her blades. She was ready for a fight.

I see it, he says to his blade, as he two subtly touches it. No hoping it though this was likely to devolve into a fight anyway. Best to try to get Kelsa on their side.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

"Who do you think cares more? The woman you just met and is pushing you towards dangerous incantations? Or the teacher you have known far longer and payed good money to send people to see if she is alright?"

Are we within 10 miles of the sea? XD Because Lianna's Blessing might be preeeeeeetty useful right now.

given the map I assume not, but just in case 1d20 ⇒ 9. If it helps, I promise to buy ranks in it the next time we level, given how often he uses it.

Very much not. You are a long way away from the ocean.

Emerine speaks again, her voice dramatically different. It has grown higher, raspier, and altogether more menacing. "Enough of this!" she hisses. Then she looks at Kelsa and suddenly her voice is back to the way it was. "Lookout, they're attacking!"

Emerine then squeezes her eyes shut, and suddenly her skin shifts color from pale to a dark, ashen gray. Her clothes seem to melt away, and suddenly standing before you is a gaunt, seemingly-sexless humanoid creature with cloudy gray orbs for eyes. It is obviously not human, nor any race you know of - but it is still carrying Emerine's weapons, raised for the attack.

Combat: Suprise Round

Only Emerine and Dante may act during the surprise round.

Dante and Tyrus, please remind me of the buffs you put on Dante when he went out in the storm? It has been about 1 hour since that moment, so he would still have time left on some of them I think.

I'm still working on creating a battle map. For now, know that Emerine is between you and Kelsa, Luca is out in the hall, and Dante and Tyrus are near the door of the door of the chamber. Nobody is in melee distance of anybody else yet, and of the PCs only Dante can act in the surprise round anyway..

It was Mage armor and False life. I should have 2 hours on both. Not sure about how much extra health.

13 extra hp. 5 more hours.
Does Torble go when Tyrus does? He has 13 extra HP as well.

"Sorry Gundar. Things got out of hand fast," Dante apologizes as he draws steel.

A worthy foe to test your mettle and mine.

Emerine goes first. What do?

Dante is able to act in the surprise round as well. You may post your action at any time.

Its transformation complete, the-creature-that-is-Emerine looks to Kelsa. "We must kill them!" it rasps.

Kelsa, however, stares back with wild, confused eyes. "What... what is this..." she stammers, and even her voice is barely intelligible. She squeezes her eyes shut and rubs at her head.

Emerine hisses in obvious displeasure and turns back to Dante, then raises her weapons, coiling for an attack.

"Oh crap," Dante's eyes widen as the creature reveals its true form and gets ready to lunge. At first he thinks to draw steel first but the thing looked fast. Defense first. He manages put a shield of pure force between himself and the...creature before it attacks.

Cast Shield. AC 20.

K:Planes: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13 What is is?

Combat: Round 1

As Dante weaves an arcane shield about himself, Kelsa continues to look on with an uncomprehending stare.

Incidentally, Luca also knows Shield, and will happily cast helpful spells on allies anytime you guys want. ^^

Also, can we get a link to the battle map in the campaign description at the top of the page? Easy access is a big help. XD

Luca moved up beside Dante and Tyrus, chanting quickly under her breath before raising her palms and pointing at whatever not-Emerine was. A burst of grease erupted out of her palms, aiming to coat the nastiest-looking weapon and get her to drop it before it could cause harm.

Casting Grease on one of her weapons. Reflex DC 15 to not drop it immediately, I believe. Luca has 3/4 first-level spells left today.

Tyrus moves, stepping forward to keep Dante between himself and Emerine. Concentrating he pushes transformation magic into the young swordsman.
Casting Cat's Grace on Dante
knowledge:planes: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

So what does Gundar and Emerine do? They go first.

Sorry, I had forgotten to remind you guys of the flow: You guys post your actions all at once, then I resolve them all in initiative order. So you basically find out what the NPC's do when the round ends. Of course, given that Gundar is an ally he is likely to respond to suggestions. I believe the last time I asked, we decided to stick with this format for the sake of speed (at least 1 round a day) rather than go more turnwise, but we can change that if you guys wish. I know it interferes somewhat with planning.

Luca: Of course! Thanks for the reminder.

All(Tyrus): Please remember to label know() checks as to WHAT you are trying to learn. I assume you are making a similar check to Dante's earlier one.

Right. Been a while.

Once the shield is in place, Dante grips the sword and focuses for a moment, charging it with arcane energy and and activating its own power.

"Let's see what we can do."

"About bloody time."

"..."

When he draws the blade it already sparking with electricity, and ready to ruin someones day.

Swift to enchant blade further from Arcane pool to +2. Free to activates Black Blade ability for +1 damage. Standard to cast Shocking Grasp on the blade and attack. Move if necessary.

Attack: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 1 = 15
Damage: 1d6 + 4 + 2 + 3d6 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 2 + (2, 6, 3) = 22

Crap. Can I go after Tyrus for the dex buff? +2 to attack and damage.

Yes, you could have delayed your turn in normal play, so I'm fine with that.

Gundar moves in a blur, pulling his crossbow - with a bolt already racked - from underneath his cloak and unleashing its barb with a resonant twang that rings against the stones.

Gundar Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Gundar Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 3) = 8

It flashes through the short space and hits Emerine - but doesn't seem to sink nearly as far into her flesh as such a powerful bolt should have. Emerine launches herself at Dante, axe flashing in a loop.

Emerine Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Emerine Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Her blade sinks into the youth, and blood flows. Even as she slashes Dante Emerine speaks, and once again her voice rings out as it did when she appeared human. "Please, Kelsa, help! I'm hurt!

Kelsa Will (DC 18): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Dante feels Tyrus' hand upon his shoulder and is suddenly quickened for the battle. Luca tries to deprive the fiend of its weapon...

Emerine Reflex v DC 15: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

... but it seemingly has very little trouble keeping hold of it.

Kelsa shakes her head again. "I... Emerine! Get back you bastards! Kelsa is no longer confused, and is hostile to the players.

Dante, then, lashes out with his own strike, empowered with all the magic he can muster. He drives it through the creatures sternum, its energy discharging and crackling - but he feels a preternatural resistance as he slides the blade home, robbing his strike of some of its force.

Dante takes 8 damage. Emerine takes 19 damage. Also, I realized a detriment the current format has on some of Emerine's intended tactics. Thus, I will now be starting each round with HER/ITS combat post. We'll probably switch the format later and do it as groups - good guys, bad guys, other. Working out the kinks...

End Combat Round 1

Combat: Round 2

Post your actions! (once Emerine's is up...)

Emerine snarls as Dante's blade sinks into her, blackening her already-ashen skin further with the discharge of its spell. Grabbing his fist she attempts to send him sprawling by knocking his legs out from beneath him.

Emerine Trip v Dante (w Imp Trip): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

But apparently a sword through her guts is enough to keep Dante upright. :)

Luca's breath started to come faster and faster, even as the altercation heated up. Some people were brave enough to enjoy this sort of thing - she wasn't. Instead, power flowed down her hands and shot into the floor to call up her servitors as it took control and shattered all her hopes of her power remaining hidden.

Full-Round Action: Summon 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 Vilstraks.

Two of the creatures rose up from the ground, one directly across from Dante (flanking Emerine) and the other right next to him. The one across struck out as hard as it could...

Slam: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 2 = 13
Slam: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 2 = 11

...but neither blow seemed especially fantastic. The other Vilstrak moved to support whatever Dante ended up doing.

Aid Another (DC 10): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

You don't know exactly what this creature is, but you're almost certain it is some kind of Daemon, evil inhabitants of the lower planes with no affinity for either law or chaos, making them versatile evildoers. As with all fiends, it is resistant to extremes of hot and cold: neither fire nor ice will be effective. Furthermore, it is likely to have a natural resistance to all but powerful magic weapons, or weapons directly allied to a heavenly cause

"She's a Daemon!" yells Tyrus "Pure evil. Immune to fire and ice and resistant to all but powerful or holy weapons!"
Tyrus readied himself to intercept Kelsa if she tried something - but nothing too harsh, just enough to distract her.
If Kelsa casts (or is casting a full round spell) Tyrus will acid splash her. attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Torble scuttled past the fight, clinging to the ceiling and preparing to drop down on Kelsa.
stealth: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16

Dante managed to get his blade in the way of Emerine's but it hit with more force than he expected. It hit hard into his shoulder drawing a cry a of pain. Haven't felt that in a while. He manages to keep his wits about him and move in for another strike. "Well we have none of those so I guess this is an up hill battle."

Attack+Flanking: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 15 Well this is fantastic.
Damage: 1d6 + 4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 + 2 = 9

A lot of you have taken actions that won't take effect until NEXT round. Most importantly, Dante doesn't actually get flank benefits from the vilstraks this time around (not that it matters)

Gundar draws back his crossbow string and racks another bolt with incredible speed, loosing it again at Emerine while careful not to come too close to hitting Dante.

Gundar Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Gundar Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11

His aim is immaculate, and another bolt buries itself into the fiend.

Emerine and Dante struggle with each other but cause no further damage. Luca enters her familiar summoning trance, intent on bringing forth the trusty vilstrak servants that have served her (or rather, IT) so well.

Kelsa raises her hands and intones a spell.
Stone Effects: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 6) + 1 = 11

An arc of power bursts from the stones and links Kelsa's hands, and a miniature version of the previous portal begins to form in the air before her... Tyrus attempts to hinder her concentration, but the glob of acid flies wide. All the while, his familiar creeps up on the conjurer from overhead...

Kelsa Perception (Detect Torble) DC 16: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

The skittering motion from the ceiling fails to draws Kelsa's attention.

Emerine takes 6 damage.

End Combat Round 2

Combat: Round 3

Placing Kelsa's summon on the map, but it will not complete until her turn - which is after most people's except Tyrus. With all the summoning we do we'll definitely have to change up the combat to allow more granularity. :\ Luca, I moved your Vilstrak tokens back by you - since they finish this turn please move them to where they will now be (probably changed from last time) and give them new actions if desired.

Gundar Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Gundar Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2

Emerine lets out another shriek of rage when Gundar's second bolt thunks into her, but this time there is a significant amount of pain behind it as well. His third only clips her, drawing a thin bloodless line across her naked shoulder.

Instead of attacking again, she attempts to dodge back away from Dante and the rest...

Emerine Acrobatics v DC 15: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

Nimbly she ducks away from his blade and dashes across the room, behind Kelsa, who opens her arms wider as her spell nears completion. A bulky, hairless ape with stunted horns and angry bloodshot eyes begins to step out into the shrine, glaring murderously.

Luca got switched to Full-Round Actions for her summons, so they appear and act the same turn as called. Do you still want me to move them forward, or...?

spellcraft: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23 "She's summoning!" yelled Tyrus.
Tyrus chants, his hands glowing light blue as he casts. The aura seems to stick to his fingers, afterwards. Cast chill touch

sneak attack+higher ground: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 1 = 15
Torble hesitates, waiting for Kelsa to cast again.
Ready to sneak attack if she tries casting. 1 plus 1 acid damage.

Full round castings come into effect at the beginning of your next turn, not the turn you cast the spell.

That's not good, Dante thinks as a new portal begins to open. That's really not good, he adds when Tyrus mentions summoning. He had no further thought or exclamation when he saw what was coming out. He had to act. Now. He rushes forward, swiping his hand at the two and releases a spray of multi-colored liquid.

Get within 15 of both and cast Color Spray. DC 13 Will.

*Flips through a couple of things* Bleh. I think not playing Luca for a bit was making me forget stuff. Also, Dante hasn't moved, but for her own...

As Dante rushed forward, Luca's stone soldiers moved up to stand next to him, readying themselves to attack anyone who tried to attack him.

Basically, guard mode. XD Ready Actions to attack under those circumstances.

Meanwhile, Luca herself quietly backed off, having every intention of staying out of the way...

We took quite a long break. Shaking off a little rust is to be expected.

A kaleidoscope of magical energy washes over Kelsa and Emerine.

Kelsa Will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Emerine Will: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 This fiend is a bloody embarrassment.

Kelsa manages to turn her face away in time, but Emerine is caught in the rays of Dante's spell. Her weapons fall from her hands as she half-raises an arm to shield herself. She stands dully, swaying on her feet. Emerine is stunned next round. Luca's Vilstraks move up to flank Dante as silent bodyguards.

Even as they take their stations, the ape-like creature bursts from the portal, which fades away behind it. Kelsa is forced to step back as its full bulk enters the room. It attacks the nearest thing to hand, a vilstrak.

Ape Slam 1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Ape Damage 1: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Ape Slam 2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Ape Damage 2: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 The ape, on the other hand, is an inspiration to all.

The first mighty blow pulverizes the vilstrak back into dust, and the second comes for Dante. The huge meaty fist dashes him across the armored torso. Dante takes 6 damage. Kelsa then turns to the injured creature before her and lays her hands upon it, murmuring another incantation.

At that moment, Torble drops from the ceiling, a blob of burney-bitey fury. It drops into her hair and sinks its little mandibles into her scalp.

Kelsa Concentration v DC 13: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Kelsa barely manages to complete her spell, and then immediately begins to furiously slap at her scalp to dislodge Tyrus' little bug.

Emerine takes 2 damage. Dante takes 6 damage. One Vilstrak destroyed.

End Combat Round 3

Combat: Round 4

Emerine sways, shaking her head as she suffers the effects of Dante's spell.

Gunder Acro: 1d20 ⇒ 13
Ape AoO: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Ape Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Gundar Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Gundar Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Gundar drop his crossbow and takes his battleax from his belt and a shield that was slung across his back. "Coming, lad!" he cries, and with surprising agility bounds up onto the table, inviting and dodging a blow from the summoned ape as he closes the range. His axe rises and falls, but the ape also managed to move away from the swinging blade.

spellcraft: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

Arcane energy surrounded Luca's hands as she reached once more into the Void - she quite literally had no choice except to call out to her protectors, relying more on numbers than sheer power to take down these foes. Deep inside, though, Luca could feel a sense of... frustration. Mostly in that she was a long, long ways from what could have been done.

Summoning Mastery, calling up 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 Vilstraks. XD Breakable, but reliable! ...And also her best offense at lower levels.

The existing Vilstrak moved when Dante did, continuing to try and help him.
Aid Another (Dante): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Site ate my post. Going for a simpler action.
I am getting lost with who has and has not acted. I gather from the above that Gundar has acted and the ape lost his AoO. I am unable to act on that, though, as Dante, Luca, Kelsa and the Ape will all act. Going to make this easier.
"Don't ward her Kelsa - she's not your friend!"
Tyrus hesitates between trying to rescue Dante, and protecting Luca. Caught in indecision, Tyrus lets crucial time slip through his fingers.
Delay until after Dante, which will change init for next round.