Red Hand of Doom [E6] (Inactive)

Game Master Aldizog

"I hope so, all of the invisible dragonkin were accounted for," says Tal'ariel. Retrieving a wand and speaking an infernal-sounding word, she taps herself. Her wounds slowly start to mend. Wand of Infernal Healing.

"I had my doubts about you, Daniel, but you've dispelled them with your fierce hatred of these creatures. Lord Jarmaath spoke of you as a powerful divine warrior. We've been sent here to strike at the dragons and stop a powerful and dangerous ritual. Will you help us?"

Feeling the righteous energy reverberate through the pinned down hag, he stands up when it stops screaming.

"Daniel was it?" He cleans his hands off and goes to pick up the greatsword, "It is an honour to fight alongside one that Lord Jarmaath spoke highly of, and who wields such divine gifts."

Extending a meaty hand out, he looks toward Tal. knowing her after battle rituals.

"Do not take it the wrong way with her. She has more heart than that magic shows." He doesn't know much but that it is infernal, "We are here to defeat Tiamat's army and stop her rising." Bran looks around for a moment to listen, "She is the dragon goddess of the chromatics. I wish we knew more about this ritual but we can surmise it involves blood and despair."

Daniel takes Bran's hand and shakes it. "Daniel it is. Nice to meet you. I have a fierce hatred of all evil. I am here to stop the ritual as well. I was unable to make it past the dragon on my own and was searching for another way in when you dispatched it. My swords are yours to help keep Tiamat where she is."

There could be patrols, and the noise of the combat might have attracted attention.

What do you do now?

Any loots from the bad guys? I will use 3 charges of Infernal Healing to get myself to full. I won't dare try that on Daniel, though. Can we CLW the rest of the party to full?

"Let's hope we didn't draw too much attention. Let's heal our wounds and search the area."

Infernal Healing heals at 10 points per minute, so it will be 3 minutes to get Tal'ariel to full.

Daniel is the only other one really injured, and he has eight uses of Lay on Hands left. Trellara can use the Wand of CLW if he wants to save some of those uses.

Do you want to take that time to search the bodies of the Blackspawn Raiders and their barracks and also search the kitchen? How much time? Where do you start?

Daniel looks around and says "If someone has a wand of cure light wounds I could use some healing. If not I can heal myself, I just won't be able to later. Let's search this hag and then take a minute to search the other corpses and barracks. No more than 5 total to search and catch our breath. We probably made enough noise to raise an alarm or ten.""

Bran nods, "There's not much worth searching I can imagine, let's make it quick and give Tal some time to get her second wind." The wrestler moves to Trellara, "I cannot thank you enough again, would it be too much to ask let of another favour? To help our new ally? We are so close and should we succeed we won't need such trinkets anymore."

1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

The Night Hag wears a periapt around her neck. Hamailii suspects this is the Night Hag's Heartstone, which contains a fraction of the Hag's fiendish power. It could bestow some minor power upon another who wears it, at least until it fades as a result of the Hag's death.

Trellara uses the wand on Daniel while Tal'ariel's wounds slowly heal.
Even if not actively using Detect Evil, Daniel still feels a slight bit of discomfort... like a faint itch... as the infernal magic works on the elf. But he may know others who have used this spell without their hearts being corrupted.

CLW: 4d8 + 4 ⇒ (7, 8, 3, 6) + 4 = 28 Now 28 charges used off that wand, so 22 left.

During the time that you are searching the Night Hag and identifying the Heartstone, Daniel is healed, and Tal'ariel partly so (5 points healed, so at -25). Then the party hears sounds coming from the Southeast.

"Where to?" asks Trellara.

You can go down the stairs (where the Night Hag was headed), through the double doors to the east, or to confront whoever is coming. You have not yet had time to search the kitchen or the barracks.
There's not a ton of useful loot anyway, just some potions, and I think you guys have a lot of those.

"We better see what's coming," says Tal'ariel, wishing there was more time. She conjures a shield around herself again. (Using the wand.)

Daniel nods and points to the doors to the east. He then walks over and waits for the others to gather and when everyone is ready nods to Bran to open the door.

Sounds like two votes for different things. To confront what is coming, or through the double doors.
Bran?

Bran looks toward the doors, "Let's reposition so that we can see the doors and confront the enemies. All we need is to get pincered."

Swinging the greatsword over his shoulder he starts to move, "Sorry Daniel, but we can't walk into the unknown in a place like this."

P: Soldier: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21 Can this give us an idea of how many are marching? A decent position to fortify?

I miss-read the post. I thought whatever was coming was through the doubledoors. I am for confronting the new threat. If there is time I will activate my divine bond on the gloomblade making it keen for 6 minutes.

Bran can tell by the sound that there are three, and they sound like more of the Blackspawn Raiders you fought before - not all that hard-hitting, but difficult to put down. They're going to have to be single file in that corridor, so you could bottleneck them in there by forming three wide (north-south) across the intersection. Only one of you needs to get to the intersection first to bottle them up, then two more could attack from the corners (albeit through cover).

Round 1
Tal'ariel
Hamailii
Daniel
Patrol
Bran
Trellara

If Hamailii remains absent, we will assume she uses a charge from her own wand on Tal'ariel. Will wait until Tal'ariel and Daniel have posted.

Tal'ariel attempts to sneak forward and fire an unexpected Snowball at the first enemy!

Stealth: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (10) + 20 = 30
Snowball: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28; Damage+Sneak: 5d6 + 2d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 5, 6, 3) + (5, 2) = 27;

Daniel moves down to the corridor and blocks it. He concentrates for a moment and the gloomblade glows and seems to be sharper.

Daniel, I moved your icon.

Tal'ariel moves into place and blasts the lead Blackspawn Raider with a Snowball. Gold at -27.

Daniel moves into position and makes his sword keen.

Hamailii heals Tal'ariel with her wand. CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

The lead Blackspawn Raider shouts and order.

Then he charges at Daniel, swinging his falchion.
Attack, PA, Charge: 1d20 + 11 - 3 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 11 - 3 + 2 = 18

The next one in line moves up and uses his breath weapon, trusting in his ally's immunity to acid.
Damage: 4d4 ⇒ (1, 2, 4, 1) = 8
Tal'ariel Reflex: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29
Daniel Reflex: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17

The last one takes off down the corridor and around a corner.

Round 1
Tal'ariel -22 (was a -25 when the fight started)
Hamailii
Daniel -4
Patrol (Gold -27)
Bran
Trellara

Bran sees the bottleneck and shifts his play, grabbing his bow.

Standard to sheathe the greatsword, 5 foot step, move action to draw the longbow.

"What did they say? I'm supporting you from behind Daniel!"

Bran, note that you could attack Gold around the hard corner with your sword, though at a -4. I will let you retcon your action and attack if you wish.

"Is there no end to them?" asks Trellara, as she heals Tal'ariel some more.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Hamailii uses Blessing of the Faithful on Daniel, giving his attacks a +2 sacred bonus for this round.

Round 2
Hamailii
Tal'ariel -16
Daniel -4
Patrol (Gold -27)
Bran
Trellara

I was always under the impression you couldn't because you can't 5 foot around a corner.

Reassessing the situation, he tries to fight with the cover working both ways.

Greatsword, Cover: 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 11 - 4 = 21
Damage: 2d6 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (2, 1) + 8 + (5) = 16

Greatsword, Cover: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 6 - 4 = 12
Damage: 2d6 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (5, 3) + 8 + (2) = 18

Daniel unleashes his attacks on the raider hoping to get some damage done to it.

Gloom blade 1st Attack TWF PA BoF: 1d20 + 12 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 12 - 2 + 2 = 13 Damage: 1d8 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 4 = 15
+1 Mithral Shortsword 1st Attack TWF PA BoF: 1d20 + 12 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 12 - 2 + 2 = 21 Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 2 = 15
Gloom blade 2nd Attack PA BoF: 1d20 + 7 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 7 - 2 + 2 = 19 Damage: 1d8 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 4 = 19

"Thanks, Trellara. I'll block off the other door in case someone comes that way!"

With that, Tal'ariel departs and moves toward another door. She listens at it if that's possible. Double move.
Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22

Yes, you can attack around a corner, but at a -4 penalty. You can't 5' step, that is correct, and you also can't make AOOs.

Bran and Daniel land several heavy blows on the lead Blackspawn Raider.

Another 50 damage from Bran and Daniel, so Gold at -77.

Tal'ariel circles around. On the other side of the door from the kitchen, she can hear shouting in Draconic. "Intruders! Men and Elves!"

The lead Blackspawn Raider withdraws. His ally readies to attack.

Round 2/3
Bran
Trellara
Hamailii
Tal'ariel (will be at -15 when her turn comes around)
Daniel -4
Patrol (Gold -77)

Bran moves quickly into the hallway, one hand gripping the greatsword while the other braces with the buckler.

Since readied attacks happen before I get my action my AC would be 27 if it goes for me.

Grabbing the greatsword and dropping his guard, Bran brings it down with a hefty cleave. "Bring it on."

Greatsword, PA: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 11 - 2 = 27
Damage: 2d6 + 8 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (1, 4) + 8 + 6 + (2) = 21

Tal'ariel draws and drinks a Potion of Invisibility.

Bran hits the next Blackspawn Raider in line, and just barely dodges its swing.

Tal'ariel turns invisible.

Daniel is up!

Hamailii is up to, but really seems to be gone now.

Daniel stands his ground and says to Bran "Next time you attack if you don't drop him step back and I'll come in. We can keep alternating that way."

One of the Blackspawn Raiders strikes twice at Bran, landing a solid blow with his falchion, and then takes a step back.

Attack, PA: 1d20 + 11 - 3 ⇒ (20) + 11 - 3 = 28
Confirm?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Damage: 2d4 + 3 + 9 ⇒ (4, 4) + 3 + 9 = 20

Iterative: 1d20 + 6 - 3 ⇒ (11) + 6 - 3 = 14

He shouts over his shoulder something in Draconic.
Tal'ariel Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25

His ally retreats back down the hall. Down that hall and around the corner, you hear a door open and close.

Round 3/4
Bran -20
Trellara
Hamailii
Tal'ariel (will be at -14 when her turn comes around)
Daniel -4
Patrol (Gold -77, White -21)

Tal'ariel quietly opens the door! What she does after depends on what she sees. Move action to open door.
Stealth, Invisibility: 1d20 + 20 + 20 ⇒ (18) + 20 + 20 = 58

Tal'ariel sees a corridor going north-south. There are no figures in the hall at the moment. There is a door across the hall and 20' north - she judges that this is the door she just heard close.

Seeing no enemies in the hallway, Tal'ariel moves almost in front of the next door.

Bran nods, and drops the greatsword down in two swings.

PA: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 11 - 2 = 15
Damage: 2d6 + 8 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (3, 1) + 8 + 6 + (4) = 22

PA, -5: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 6 - 2 = 19
Damage: 2d6 + 8 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (1, 3) + 8 + 6 + (4) = 22

Realizing that his opponent is sturdy enough he backs up slightly to give some room for Daniel.

@Bran, the enemy attacked you and then took a 5' step back. So you can 5' step forward to attack twice, but then you will not be able to leave room for Daniel.

My kingdom for spring attack. In the end it breaks even into two attacks, so I'll 5 foot in, sorry Daniel.

Bran hits the dragonspawn twice.

Daniel is up!

Daniel sheathes his swords and pulls out his longbow and then steps behind Bran. "Ok, we'll do it his way. Stay on him."

The Blackspawn Raider retreats back down the corridor and around the corner.

Okay, there is an odd rules interaction here. I am going to say that if you are not aware of an opponent, they do not provide a flank. Tal'ariel is invisible and neither Bran nor the Dragonspawn knows that she is there.

Round 4/5
Bran -20
Trellara
Hamailii
Tal'ariel (will be at -13 when her turn comes around)
Daniel -4
Patrol (Gold -77, White -65)

Moving down the hallway, Bran hopes to face the foe. "Where are you going?"

Greatsword, PA: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 11 - 2 = 10
Damage: 2d6 + 8 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (5, 5) + 8 + 6 + (3) = 27

However moving through the corridor's turn makes his life difficult as the large sword doesn't suit the situation well.

Daniel follows down the hall and fires at the raider.

Composite Longbow Melee: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 10 - 4 = 11 Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1

Tal'ariel is disappointed that the foes did not open the door to let the remaining patrol in. She decides it was time to give up the invisibility from her spell and strike.

Curve Blade, Outflank: 1d20 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 4 = 33; Damage, Sneak: 1d10 + 11 + 2d6 ⇒ (6) + 11 + (6, 1) = 24
Crit?: 1d20 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 9 + 4 = 22; Damage, Sneak: 1d10 + 11 + 2d6 ⇒ (7) + 11 + (5, 4) = 27

Doubt it matters, but my crit triggers an attack from Bran!

That will do it.
Tal'ariel shimmers into view as she decapitates the Blackspawn Raider.

What now?

After some time -- long enough for Invisibility to have worn off --- you burst into the room. There are two hobgoblin clerics, and after a short battle you defeat them.

But there were more than two voices before. Some must have escaped.

A secret door is found, leading deeper into the Fane of Tiamat.

Low on resources, the party falls back, out of the fortress and into the Wyrmsmoke Mountains. Killiar Arrowswift finds you; he has located a secluded cave that makes for a safe hiding place from the occasional wyvern-rider patrols.

The Stair of Stars glitters in the night sky, and Desna watches over you as you rest.

Each of you has a dream in the night.

Hamailii spends a long time in prayer. Longer than usual. As the sun comes up over the Wyrmsmoke Mountains, she looks troubled.
"We cannot tarry any longer. The High Wyrmlord will complete his ritual tonight. We must stop him now, or all is lost."

Hamailii prays for spells to help all of you on this mission. As you return to the Fane of Tiamat, she casts several. "Let us make haste."

Hamailii then spends nearly all of her slots on preparing you for this assault. Her boon is that everything is Extended.

Bran, Daniel, and Tal'ariel each get:
Resist Fire, Cold, Acid, and Electricity 20 (28 minutes);
Bull's Strength (14 minutes)
Shield of Faith (+3 Deflection, 14 minutes);
Remove Fear (+4 Morale vs fear, 20 minutes); and,
Good Hope (+2 morale to attacks, damages, saves, skills, 14 minutes).

In addition, she casts:
Bear's Endurance on one of you (14 minutes);
Fly on one of you (14 minutes); and,
Align Weapon (Good) on one weapon (14 minutes).
Who gets which of these?

Trellara and Hamailii get Shield of Faith and Communal Resist Energy. Hamailii has one Good Hope remaining plus her any-spell from her bonded item. She has Extended Invisibility Purge active for the next 14 minutes.

As you blow past the trap at the entrance, the five heads of Tiamat fail to injure any of you.

---
Will move on in a bit... but that's a wall of text.

The blasts at the front door no doubt alarm numerous foes. However, now familiar with their tactics, you have Invisibility Purge active.
As the double doors open to the room where the zombie wyverns had been, you see five formerly-invisible foes waiting for you. A towering skeletal creature flanks one side of the doorway, while two hobgoblins have the other side, and two more hobgoblins are further back in the room. They flinch as the opening doors expose them to the aura of Hamailii's spell and they become visible.

Tal'ariel Planes: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Tal'ariel knows the skeletal creature is a Bone Devil.

Map is up.

Round 1 - GOOD HOPE +2
Daniel
Tal'ariel
Trellara
Bone Devil
Bran
Hamailii
Warpriests

Trellara holds the Wand of Fireballs in hand, and looks to the party raising an eyebrow, knowing you are all warded against fire.
8d6 is an average roll of 28 damage, and you all have Resist Fire 20 plus very good saves, so anyone can tell her to fire away if you want her to.

Daniel nods to Trellara to fire and steps forward and engages the hobgoblins knowing he can't get to the devil without taking some attacks.

Gloom blade 1st Attack TWF PA GH: 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 13 - 2 + 2 = 28 Damage: 1d8 + 8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 4 + 2 = 22
+1 Mithral Shortsword 1st Attack TWF PA GH: 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 13 - 2 + 2 = 18 Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 2 + 2 = 14
Gloom blade 2nd Attack PA GH: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 8 - 2 + 2 = 18 Damage: 1d8 + 8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 4 + 2 = 18

Bran gives a look, Let it fly.

Was waiting on Tal'ariel but I guess she can go after Trellara.

Trellara UMD, Good Hope: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 12 + 2 = 32
BOOM!
Damage: 8d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 5, 2, 5, 5, 1, 5) = 27
Wand SR vs Devil: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Black Reflex DC 15: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Green: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Blue: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Red: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Daniel, Good Hope: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 12 + 2 = 21

Trellara fills the room with an explosion of fire. The fire fails to singe the Bone Devil, and Daniel avoids the effects entirely, but all of the hobgoblin clerics are burned.

Red at -35, others at -13.

Tal'ariel is up!

I'm assuming the enemy is flat-footed?

Tal'ariel quickly moves behind the clerics by Daniel and strikes! Move and cleave.

Cleave vs red, good hope, flank: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 10 + 2 + 2 = 33; Damage, Sneak: 1d10 + 11 + 2d6 ⇒ (6) + 11 + (2, 3) = 22
Cleave vs blue, good hope, flank: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 10 + 2 = 29; Damage, Sneak: 1d10 + 11 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 11 + (2, 1) = 17

Crit confirm vs red?: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23; Damage: 1d10 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

If red dies, Cleaving Finish triggers.
Cleaving Finish vs Blue?: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20; Damage: 1d10 + 11 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 11 + (2, 1) = 16

Tal'ariel, isn't your Elven Curve Blade Goblin-Bane? I will apply that here as I don't think you did already. Another +2 to hit, another +2 damage that does multiply on a crit and another 2d6 damage that does not.

Tal'ariel dashes into place and strikes two goblins.
Bane on Red: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 2) = 8 So, since it was a crit... 24+14+8, plus the 35 he had before...
One is cleanly decapitated, and her sword cuts deep into the next, leaving him severely wounded.
The +2 to hit from Bane allows Cleaving Finish to land.
Bane on Blue: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 4) = 6 So Blue takes 19+18+6, on top of the 13 he had before... 56 damage on Blue

The Bone Devil snarls, steps up, and tries to tear Daniel limb from limb.

Bite: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19
Claw: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24
Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Claw: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21
Tail Sting: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26
Damage: 3d4 + 5 ⇒ (3, 3, 1) + 5 = 12
Daniel Fort, Good Hope: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 13 + 2 = 30
Daniels feels venom from the fiend's tail stinger enter the wound, but his stamina and holy blessing are enough to resist the effect.

Hamailii steps, draws her bow, and readies to shoot one of the hobgoblins if it tries to cast.

Round 1 - GOOD HOPE +2
Daniel -23
Tal'ariel
Trellara
Bone Devil
Bran
Hamailii
Warpriests (Blue -56, Black -13, Green -13)