Revival of the Runelords (Inactive)

Game Master Cellion

Floredana reflexively snaps her fingers and a shower of butterflies races to embrace Kargas's falchion. "The time is now Kargas! FOR AMEIKO!" she cries.
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I wouldn't let my big, strong, frontliner go anywhere I can't see him for a reason! :) Bit of Luck on Kargas. All d20 rolls are rolled twice until my next turn.

Floredana's bit of luck made that a hit but not a crit.

Tsuto's eyes goggle as he is struck by Kargas' falchion which crackles with electricity.

He reels, but strikes again, this time with his fists.

Once again Kargas is hit, this time with the half-elf's left hook. The fist almost seems to vibrate in the air as it strikes, and shock goes through Kargas' body. He reels but remains standing.

Kargas: 5 more damage, for a total of 18.

Round 1 Initiative:
Block 1: Tsuto
Block 2: Cade, Colvyn, Floredana, Kargas (-18), Laurana, Rig

Round 2 Initiative:
Block 1: Tsuto (-22)
Block 2: Cade, Colvyn, Floredana, Kargas (-18), Laurana, Rig

Everyone may now act.

Guys: don't forget that leveling up also gave you more rounds of rage and performance.

Nothing changed on the MAP.

Seeing that everyone is heading left at the fork, Colvyn try the corridor on the right. Please connect, please connect. He hopes that the corridor forms a loop and that he can cut off their for from retreating. Double move

Added a grid on the map. It is not big enough, but it can still help to plan movement and distance.

since I go last, I'm not moving yet, but the plan is to move as close as I can. Whip can kit from 15' though
Rig moves to back up Kargas (and whoever else may have run ahead of him). As he moves, he pulls out a whip, allowing him to strike from a distance. The whip crackles with magical energy (arcane strike) as it lashes out to the half-elf.
whip: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 damage: 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5nonlethal
if that hits, I get a free intimidate to demoralize. Intimidate 19

Flo continues to maintain Desna's favor over Kargas. "Get him again Kargas, you can do this!" Looking back down the hall at the rest of her friends, she takes a step up and motions for them to come on in!
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Kargas, for the record, your crit confirm should have been rolled twice as well. AAAAALLLLLL d20's rolled :) My goal here is to eventually turn you into a critting machine! Laurana handed me the wand upstairs, did anyone else want to take it though? If it is still in my possession, I'll draw it as well.

"F&#*ing FINALLY, someone around here who knows how to hit!" Kargas roars, spitting blood and sparks at the half-elf. "Eat this, Tutu!"

Still Power Attacking & raging, using another round of Elemental Strikes
Power Attack v1: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Power Attack v2: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 7 - 1 = 23 Falchion: 2d4 + 7 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (4, 1) + 7 + 3 + (3) = 18

Added a grid on the map.

Okay, close enough.

since I go last...

Remember, we are doing initiatives in blocks. Your name shows up last because it is alphabetical, not because you go after the rest of the group. You just go in the order you post.

Colvyn heads around the corner into the wider hallway. He sees that it runs about 45 feet before stopping at a dead end, but there is a narrow branch that goes off to the east, and it looks like that must connect to the other passage.

Rig comes around behind Kargas and lashes out with his whip. But Kargas blocks his shot and he is not able to touch the half-elf.

Rig: Don't forget that reach weapons get cover penalties for attacking past allies in the same way that ranged weapons do.
I moved you to within 15' but you could be 5' closer if you want.

Floredana calls down the blessing of Desna on Kargas once again. Kargas, still feeling lucky, strikes again and once again strikes a devastating blow! But somehow, Tsuto is still standing!

He has now taken 40 damage.

Round 1 Initiative:
Block 1: Tsuto
Block 2: Cade, Colvyn, Floredana, Kargas (-18), Laurana, Rig

Round 2 Initiative:
Block 1: Tsuto (-40)
Block 2: Cade, Colvyn, Floredana, Kargas (-18), Laurana, Rig

Cade & Laurana are up.

MAP UPDATED.

Luarana moved to see what was going on. The hallway was crowded, too crowded to get an effective shot off. She had a spell that would hit without fail but she did not have more than one. She decided she could not use it without knowing what would happen in the future. Besides, Kargas looked like he was enjoying it.

I'm kinda toast if he hits me again

Cade hears the sounds of combat and then the excitement of Kargas. Seeing Colvyn moving straight ahead and noticing that he can not get into the area that the noise came from, he follows the rat man.
After passing Colvyn he notices the side passage and thinks he knows what the deadly archer had in mind.
I will cover you and you pokes his eyes out..or shot his eyes out...
Moving at a good pace with Bellum, he draws his rapier and prepares to do battle once again.
Double move if I can get all the way over there...

As he comes around the corner.
Seriously...I can not go anywhere with you guys. I turn my back for a moment and you decide to play wack a pathetic excuse for a son with out me.

As he gets the attention of the half elf.
hello there...you must be the results of some really bad selective breading techniques. Kind of like Kobold meets alley cat and voila...we have the illegitimate son that is guilty of Patricide. tsk tsk
Cade smiles more in the hopes that his insults were enough to draw his attention away from the fight.
Now you are under arrest. The city council has listen to our advice and called up the militia. The building is surrounded and the town guard are coming down the stairs as we speak. You have nowhere to go...so resist if you like...please do so...or surrender right now and you will have a chance to plead your actions to the council.

Your choice. I am pretty sure I know which way you are going to go..well more like 70 percent sure...maybe 60 percent.
Bluff: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Tsuto turns as Cade appears behind him.

"Ha!" Tsuto sneers. "It's hardly patricide if he wasn't my father!"

Tsuto throws a quick jab at Kargas' throat and strikes with his fingertips.

Punch Fighting Defensively: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 8 - 4 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Kargas: You have now taken 23 damage. When you stop raging you will be at -2 and unconscious. I note you traded away your Orc Ferocity which would have kept you standing.

As Kargas staggers back, Tsuto leaps over Kargas, and rolls on the ground past Rig, jumping to his feet again between Rig and Floredana.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

He looks at Floredana, then back at Rig. "Who the hell are you people?"

Round 2 Initiative:
Block 1: Tsuto
Block 2: Cade, Colvyn, Floredana, Kargas (-23), Laurana, Rig

Round 3 Initiative:
Block 1: Tsuto (-40)
Block 2: Cade, Colvyn, Floredana, Kargas (-23), Laurana, Rig

Everyone is up.

MAP UPDATED.

"Kargas, no!" Flo cries out when the big guy hits the floor. Adding to the surprise, the half-elf appears in front of her! Not knowing what else to do, she lashes out at him with her starknife.
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Starknife (Flank) vs Tsuto: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 3 + 2 = 191d4 ⇒ 2
Well there goes that plan! Do we have any idea how this guy is looking? Kargas hit him twice and he is still up, I'm impressed! I think whips threaten adjacent, so I've included flank. Obviously not the case if they don't. Either way, I'd like to delay until after Rig, if possible. Tsuto's father is 'some elf,' I think.

Seeing his big friend fall down. Cade watches as the enemy hope over his friend.

Why are you running away, was it something I said? It can not be my breath, I just brush my teeth.

Looking back down the hallway he came.
Constable Hemlock...it seems our friend here is stupid and continues to resist. Kargas is down. Have your archers prepare to take the fruit of Lord Kaijitsu's loins with force, deadly force. He is trying to make a break for it up the other hallway.

Cade dismounts and walks up towards battle.

Flo cries out when the big guy hits the floor.

FYI:

* Kargas is not down yet... but he will be when his rage ends. He has one round left so when his turn begins in round 3 (we are still in round 2) then he will go down if he hasn't been healed yet.

* Tsuto does not look very healthy at all. He has taken two big hits from Kargas.

* Sadly, whips do not threaten. They basically function like ranged weapons. If Rig uses a whip at this range he will provoke an AoO from Tsuto. Since you said you will delay until after Rig, if Rig draws a regular melee weapon then you will flank.

Cade: since Kargas is still up, you can re-do your action (or wait until Kargas goes).

grrr, hang on Kargas, we'll help you in a moment
As the half-elf tumbles past, Rig drops his whip in favor of his scimitar.
"Wrong move, pal. Should've listened to the halfling," he snarls as he swings his sword.
scimitar: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25 damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
confirm?: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18 damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Good time for a crit.

With a keen slash, Rig's scimitar cuts cleanly through Tsuto's clavicle and into his torso. There is a fountain of blood and Tsuto collapses. As he goes down, Rig thinks Tsuto was reaching for the door to the east...

More in a bit.

RETCON

Seeing his big friend get hit again and then the little half elf jump over him towards rig.

Oh come on now I will not hurt you that much. Why are you running away, was it something I said? It can not be my breath, I just brush my teeth.

I would not go that way...it might not be a gentlemen's blade but it is a blade that will ...oh...that will leave a mark. I tried to warn you.

Looking back down the hallway he came.
It seems the fruit of Lord Kaijitsu's loins is down. Kargas took the brunt of the combat adn can use some of healing.
Cade dismounts and walks up towards the fallen half elf.

Standing over him, Cade's face turns serious and the smile that was almost always on his face is replaced with...anger! His rapier is poised to strike if the half elf should try to move.
His name was Alergast....He was a husband.....a father...a good man. His death is on your soul and you will be judge accordingly and you will see what you have done to the innocent.
Cade seems about to poke the half elf's eye with his rapier but stops.
Alergast. Remember that name when you are in line to be judged.
Sheathing his weapon he turn to check on Kargas.

Colvyn tries to move his little legs as fast as he can. I hate fighting indoors, can't see the targets... Rounding the corner, he notices that the halfling isn't on his dog any more. Just as he is about to imagine the worst, he hears Cade's voice. Great... and I missed the entire fight.

Kargas' bellowing is cut off as Tsuto's ridgehand snaps into his throat, the half-orc reduced to outraged choking sounds as the half-elf tumbles away. Coughing and sucking air, he isn't able to reach his adversary before Rig's well-placed strike cuts Tsuto down.

"Ha!," Kargas shouts, then winces as he notices the pain of his broken ribs. As his vision starts to swim he wipes away some of the blood running down his chin and the azure glow begins to fade away. "Uh, guys, I think I'm gonna..." he mumbles thickly before toppling forward onto his face.

End rage, preserving that last round again. Now unconscious at -2, probably have a serious concussion.
Stabilize: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

Great... and I missed the entire fight.

Well, you rolled too many 20's last battle, so it's only fair. :)

"Kargas!" Flo cries. With their foe unconcious, she quickly moves past him, takes the wand from Rig, and provides healing. Once Tsuto has been sufficiently restrained or at least moved out of the way, she releases a couple of waves of healing as well. Hoping things remain calm while they lick their wounds, she begins praying to Desna for more aid.
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CLW vs Kargas: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Channel Positive: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Channel Positive: 1d6 ⇒ 2
Assuming Rig is ok with me taking the wand! Prepping Cure Light Wounds in my open slots if time permits.

Content that Tsuto isn't going anywhere, Rig steps over him to Kargas and lays a hand on his chest. He winces at the half-orc's wounds. "Ooo, that looks like it hurt.
Flo beat me to the healing
As the wounds close, he offers his hand to help Kargas up. "Well, it's not perfect, but you want Ameiko to see you put some effort in, right?" he jokes.
wand is all yours, Flo

Laurana was just trying to figure out how the wand worked. She would need to study it more when she had time.

"How is he."Fearing that Kargas' exuberance for fighting might just have caught up to him.

Some quick ministrations to Kargas manage to restore him to consciousness.

Kargas recovered 14 HP and is now at +12.

But by the time anyone has the chance to look Tsuto over, he has died, and cannot be healed. He was so close to total death that someone's first action had to stabilize him, or he would die.

An examination of his gear finds the following:
* A composite shortbow with 20 arrows,
* A set of masterwork thieves’ tools,
* A masterwork flute,
* A pair of silver and mother-of-pearl earrings (25 gp for the pair),
* 6 pouches of gold dust worth 50 gp each,
* 8 pouches of silver dust worth 5 gp each,
* 10 platinum pieces (minted in Janderhoff)

Rig believes the silver and gold dust was likely from the glassworks as they can be used to color class.

There are two items that are revealed to be magical:
* A potion (which Rig identifies as a potion of cure light wounds)
* A ring (which Rig identifies as a ring of protection +1)

The room he came out of looks like it was once a storeroom, but a small desk, chair, and cot have been moved here, and it looks like Tsuto was sleeping in here. On the desk is a lit candle, and a JOURNAL (second page of slideshow).

Groaning, Kargas stirs and climbs to his feet. "My head feels like someone tied it to the back of a worg and dragged it across the Cinderlands," he complains, prodding at the spot he was kicked in grimacing in irritation.

Retrieving his falchion, he pokes his head into Tsuto's room just long enough verify that Ameiko isn't present before continuing his search. "AMEIKO, WHERE ARE YOU?" he shouts, hoping she can hear him. He moves to the next door, fully intent on hacking it apart.

I'll be making falchion attacks

"Whoa. This journal is... well, it explains a lot but leaves us with a number of other questions. Apologies for not leaving Tsuto alive. So much for interrogation."

"Great work there Kargas, whenever we find that Sandpoint Devil, it isn't going to know what hit it!" she says proudly.

"You did what you had to do Rig. While unfortunate, I can't imagine he would have left us alive if given the chance. We would have saved him if we could," Flo says, hoping her words ease his consciousness.

"This journal though... You're right Rig, many more questions than we started with... This puts the raid squarely on Tsuto's shoulders. I think we need to try to arrange another meeting with the Council and have the guards clean this place up. If there is supposed to be another raid and a whole group out there capable of doing it, we have to stop them!"

"Yes. It confirms our suspicions that the raid was a ruse for stealing the body, and it also points out a glaring hole in the town's defense. We need to find Ameiko and get this information to the council as soon as possible."

"In that order!" Kargas barks, taking a moment from hacking the door to splinters to glare around the room as if daring someone to argue with him.

"Yes, yes, the guard must be notified of this place." Luarana agreed wholeheartedly. She continued to watch as Kargas prepared to open another door.

Kargas begins smashing down doors, and the doors easily crumble under his falchion.

The first room, the one that Tsuto was reaching for when he died, is mostly empty and a few odds and ends are scattered on the bare earth floor. To the north a long tunnel winds out of sight, shored up with old timbers.

Survival Colvyn: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Survival Kargas: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Kargas notes that there are small footprints on the floor here and he believes the goblins may have entered the building this way.

The second room is clearly a storeroom, and is stacked with various glassmaking supplies. Tied up in the middle of the floor lies Ameiko! She is unconscious and badly hurt, though stable. She is at negative hit points.

The third room is another storeroom, this one full of finished glassworks products, mainly glazed window panes.

I'm assuming someone will offer some healing to Ameiko. I will post some more later this morning.

"Ameiko!" Kargas rushes over to her prone form, carefully cutting away the ropes. Partially lifting her up to tilt her head back, he uncorks a potion vial and carefully dribbles it into her mouth a few drops at a time, watching carefully to ensure she doesn't choke.

CLW Potion: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 I reduced the CLW potions in our party loot inventory by 1.

"We will have to find out where this tunnel comes out! But perhaps after some rest..." Flo comments on the tracks the others find.

Seeing Kargas handling the situation aptly, Flo stands nearby with a concerned look on her face. What did he do to you? At least he can't hurt you anymore Ameiko...
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Heal Check (Identify Wounds) vs Ameiko: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Tend to the wounded and turn this journal over to the council...yes that is fine but we should not wait on the council to press forward. That will take time...and it seems time is not our friend right now. I wonder if Father Tobyn's daughter is half elf boy's lover? She is dead...right.?

"Some can go tell the council and get the top floor secured. The rest can stay here and rest until we are ready to push forward." Luarana tried to split the difference. They needed to rest but were also pressed for time.

"I'll go," Kargas says, rising to his feet with Ameiko in his arms. "I'm the fastest here anyway, and my spirit-powers are nearly spent. I'll bring the guards and make sure Ameiko is safe."

Rig holds up his hand. "Hang on, buddy. If you want to run get the guards, great. But Ameiko might have useful information. We should check that out first."
what else do we want to do here anyway? Search for clues, sure, but are we gonna go down this tunnel? Why not collapse the thing to prevent any goblins from using it? Or do we want to see exactly where it goes and potentially surprise anyone on the other side? We also need to talk to the lady ranger who's name is escaping me about Ripnugget and Bruthazmus and see if anyone knows who Malfeshnikor is. That right there sounds like a demon's name to me

Her name was Shalelu or something, right? Kargas' normal impulse would be to explore the tunnel, but he's a little distracted right now.

While I want to explore the tunnel, I'd say we are pretty tapped out on resources. I can run with Kargas and get the guards. I'm sure the guards would want to watch the tunnel and we, as the Sandpoint Six, can tell them we will explore it tomorrow. Assuming we have time today, we can, as Rig said, talk to Shalelulalola about the names in the journal.

"Ohhh...." Ameiko slowly comes around. She winces as she tries to sit up.

FYI she is now at 3 HP. Not great, but not negative at least.

"Kargas? What?" she looks around at the room, confused for a moment.

"I know this room..." she says distractedly. Then she looks up in alarm. "Where's Tsuto? He's done... he's done something terrible. I couldn't believe it. After all I've done for him... he has so much anger."

Tears begin running down her cheeks.

Rig kneels down next to where Kargas is holding Ameiko. He gently touches her arm and murmurs a Kelish phrase.
CLW: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
"Easy. You're safe. Tsuto... he didn't give us much choice." He pulls out the journal. "We've managed to piece some clues together about what's been going on, but if there's any additional information you can give us about his plans, that would help. We were about to go to the town council with this."

"Easy. You're safe. Tsuto... he didn't give us much choice." He pulls out the journal. "We've managed to piece some clues together about what's been going on, but if there's any additional information you can give us about his plans, that would help. We were about to go to the town council with this."

"Tsuto... he had plans to destroy the town. I knew he hated Father, but I never realized... nobody in this town ever took his side, aside from me. He thought I would feel the same way. He asked me to come with him. To get away from the attack, I mean."

"He didn't tell me what was happening, beyond the fact that the Swallowtail Raid was only the beginning. The real raid will be much bigger. He didn't say how big."

Ameiko shakes her head and looks away. "When I told him I wasn't coming, he went into a rage. He hit me... he never does that. But he lost his temper. Just like Lonjiku..."

While I want to explore the tunnel, I'd say we are pretty tapped out on resources. I can run with Kargas and get the guards. I'm sure the guards would want to watch the tunnel and we, as the Sandpoint Six, can tell them we will explore it tomorrow. Assuming we have time today, we can, as Rig said, talk to Shalelulalola about the names in the journal.

As far as the tunnel goes, it is clear that the tunnel was once blocked off by bricking up the passages leading to it, but these walls have been broken down. It would be possible to barricade the entrance to the tunnels with the stuff that is around here in the basement, though it wouldn't stop a determined attempt to get through (though it would slow it down).

Considering that you have used almost all your daily expendable resources, resting is probably a good idea if you can secure the tunnel.

The guards soon arrive and secure the exterior. The rest of the building above ground is swept and found to be empty. Sergeant Bartle blanches when he sees the dead bodies in the workshop.

"By all that's holy..." Bartle exclaims.

He looks around the workshop in dismay.

"And here's Lord Lonjiku... poor soul. No matter what you thought of the man, that's not a good way to die."

He shakes his head.

"Gods... what do we do now?"

When someone asks about Shalelu, he shakes his head.

"No, she's left town to do her ranger thing. Scouting and whatnot. Not sure when she's coming back."

Kargas' face is grim as he helps the now-conscious Ameiko to her feet. "I'm sorry about your father, we would have saved him if we could." I'm not sorry about killing Tsuto though, even if would have been better to question him. The big half-orc falls quiet, moving to the background and remaining attentive for anything he can do to help the situation.

"Gods... what do we do now?"

"The goblins are coming from this way." She points to the where the deduced the goblins came. "We need to block this off for now. We are in no shape to continue investigating today and we need to warn the council. We will barricade it and you and your men will watch to make sure no more come through." She said the last bit not expecting to be challenged, after all, that was their job.

"We've also got a prisoner upstairs. Not sure he'll have any useful information. But, maybe we could use him to send a message. Have him go back to the goblins and tell them that their plan has been foiled, that there's no way they'll be able to take the town now."

"I'm so glad your safe Ameiko! Are you fit to walk? Would you like to accompany us to our Council meeting? Your words as Lord's daughter might help us convince them that the time to act is now."

With Shalelu gone, all that's left is to speak with the Council... "Let's be quick about it, the more of us that help make this barricade the faster we can get to the Council," she comments as she gets started with moving debris into position.

"My only fear with sending that goblin back home is that they might spring their attack early on us. This will probably be the only time we have any semblance of the element of surprise, we know their plans and they don't know they've failed yet. Of course it is a matter of time before they figure it out, so we should do our best to press the advantage while we can," she rambles, a little absentmindedly while she continues piling up the tunnel. The faster things are set into motion, the faster we can rid Sandpoint of this threat... A bigger raid? We were barely able to fend of this last one and the guard is still greatly understaffed!