Striding Into the Gates of Hell - a Wrath of the Righteous Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master Mark Sweetman

In the midst of the darkness the sound of a gauntleted fist striking metal rings out,followed by a clarion shout.

"Shadows begone!"

From the center of Gregori's shield, light radiates, neutralizing the unnatural darkness and both his halo and Eudicia's dancing lights reappears.

Daylight SLA, counters and neutralizes Darkness restoring previous level of illumination.

As both Harrol and Theodric pause, unsure of what action to take - Eudocia draws her blade and makes ready for the assault of the darkmantles.

The blackness sweeps forward and over you, swallowing you into it's void. From within the pitch black comes the wet leathery flap of wings, and their aberrant forms scrabble across Gregori and Nessa's armor...
Charging Slam at Gregori: 1d20 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 2 + 1 = 21 for 1d4 ⇒ 4
Charging Slam at Nessa: 1d20 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 2 + 1 = 14 for 1d4 ⇒ 1
Grab at Gregori: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
...Nessa barely managing to twist away from the grasping tentacles, while Gregori is left bloodied by their passage.

Action Tracker (Round 1): Eudocia, ??, Harrol, Theodric, Nessa, DMPCs, Gregori

Updated Map

Gregori's stated action will resolve at the end of the round, and can be adjusted as needed.

Ill delay until Gregori has gone

Feeling tentacles slide along her skin in the sudden dark, "Oh, can this get more distrusting than the bugs? Get back foul beasts." Nessa swings widely at what she can only perceive where the creature is floating beside her, but her sword just passes through the air harmlessly, almost throwing her off balance.

Low 50% is a miss -> 1d100 ⇒ 30

Wild swing -> 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Free action to speak?

Pressing herself against the rock to stay out of the supernatural blackness inches from her nose, Eudocia calls, "Mr. Gwerm! This way! Mistress Anevia, there's light back the way you came!"

I'm assuming Docia's dancing lights are at least partially out of the darkness area as she is so she can see where the dividing line is. If not, we're all in darkness, magical or not, so disregard. :)

damn auto fill! that was supposed to be 'disgusting', but 'distrusting' works in some weird sense. ;-)

Likewise, I'll continue to delay.

"B'th'thundrin'heavens... I can't see a blasted thing! What's happening? What do I-..."

Free action to speak is correct, as long as you've acted at least once in the conflict.

Nessa's strike is wide as the nobleman heeds Eudocia's words and slinks in her direction. Aarol, still festooned with the wounds of the cockroaches, follows after also, gripping his spear wardingly.

Anevia herds Aravashnial back into the entry corridor and lets her crutches fall so she can wield her bow unhindered... but any thought of firing is stymied by the encroaching dark.

As both Harrol and Theodric are driven to paralyzed pause, Gregori staggers back one step before his voice rings out and casts the darkness from the room. As your eyes readjust from the rapidly altering light state, you can see the darkmantles clearly again.

Action Tracker (Round 1): Eudocia, Darkmantles, Nessa, DMPCs, Gregori, Harrol, Theodric
Action Tracker (Round 2): Eudocia, Darkmantles

I assumed Gregori took a 5ft step to avoid the chance for an AoO on the daylight SLA.

Updated Map

Theodric shields his eyes from the intense flash of light, blinks, then skirts around the combatants as he senses an opportunity. Not wanting to give the creatures another chance to escape into the air, he chants a spell and sends a burst of flashing color at the darkness-dwellers.

Move to I-5, 5 squares right, then one diagonal down and right.

Standard: Color spray at F/G/H-6, F/G-7, F-8, hitting both. If I can't do it from there, I'll move to H-5 and do it instead, but I think this placement should work.

DC 15 WS for both.

F-5 shouldn't be in Theodoric's line of fire I don't think. I'll five-foot step there, and if they save we can set up a flank.

Dagger: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Theodric repositions and with chanted word and gesture emits a burst of scintillating color that floods over the darkmantles...
Will Saves: 1d20 ⇒ 13 and 1d20 ⇒ 3
...the sensory overload causing their nervous systems to shutdown, and they slump motionless to the floor.

Round 2 actions - assume you CDG the darkmantles?

Perception 1d20 ⇒ 13

Round 2 actions - assume you CDG the darkmantles?

Gregori, Harrol, and Nyssa are in position for a full-round action. Go ahead and roll critical hit damage, Harrol; you automatically hit with CdG.

All the same, the four or so damage Harrol can do with his dagger probably isn't worth it when we have our two heavy hitters in position. Harrol will cover the entrance.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Harrol stares up at Gregori in something close to awe. "That was... amazing! Who... who are you?" Before Gregori can speak, however, Harrol will start up again, point to the southeastern tunnel. "There! I hear voices! Are there more of them?"

Harrol will move to D9 and ready an attack against anything that approaches through the tunnel.

"By the Light of the Sword... stay back! I'm warning you! I'm armed!" he wavers, clutching his pebble tightly in his fist.

magic stone: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

"I don't think darkmantles speak," she cautions Harrol. "Be careful; perhaps it's our lost camper."

Harrol - given the amount of time spent walking, the magic stones have reverted to just being pebbles.

Okay. In that case I'll ready my sling. Thanks for the heads up.

Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Gregori brings his blade down on one of the fallen creatures with absolute finality.

2 handed CDG 2d10 + 6 ⇒ (5, 7) + 6 = 18

At Harrol's reaction the Paladin grins. "So maybe it's more than just an honorific"

Nessa will strike at the flappy sack that dropped before her.

2d10 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (6, 8) + 3 + 3 = 20

Both Gregori and Nessa's blades messily end the darkmantles, and as the brief sound of conflict fades the deep and guttural voice from the next chamber is heard more clearly by all. It continues for a few moments and then stops, silence taking it's place.

Gwerm remains withdrawn and eyes the darkmantles suspiciously, while Anevia keeps arrow to bowstring and begins to painfully hobble forward. Aravashnial's brow furrows and he murmurs "...sounds Dwarvish..."

Harrol's voice is not returned to him except by echo... and you are left regarding the tunnel that leads onward and wondering...

Aravashnial's brow furrows and he murmurs "...sounds Dwarvish..."

"Perhaps one of the worshipers at the underground temple," Eudocia says hopefully, subconsciously lowering her voice even though the sound of battle must have already betrayed their presence. She frowns at the squid-like remains spilling ooze onto the rock floor. "We shouldn't leave these here. They'll attract scavengers like the roaches, and this is a place of sacred remembrance." She looks at the tunnel by which they entered and the one leading on. "Back the way we came," she grins mischievously, "or toss them on ahead of us and see if they get a reaction?"

"A bit rubbery, but think their edible? We ain't got much choice for dinner tonight. Unless that Dwarf was inviting us to dine with him."

Docia looks a little queasy at the thought of field-dressing the darkmantles. "I ... don't know. I've eaten calamari, but.... I don't believe they have venom sacs or the like." She shakes her head. "Perhaps tomorrow I'd be hungry enough to try it, but today I still remember breakfast. Non-rubbery, tentacle-less breakfast. Still," she admits, "I think I'd rather eat these than the roaches. If those were my only options."

"Calamari? Venom sacs? I don't like the sounds of neither of those. We got a ways to dinner, lets hope something more appetizing comes along to try to eat us. Or there's got to be some mushrooms or something." Nessa promptly drops the carcass she was examining.

She instead crosses to the far opening and will listen through the dark opening, sword held ready.

Perception -> 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (15) + 0 = 15

"Can those creatures generate darkness or was that the work of a spell caster, if so probably the same dwarf we just heard."Gregori says staring into the darkness.

"It's an innate ability darkmantles have, Mr. Shadowbane," Eudocia assures him. "They didn't have an accomplice. Although it's an interesting question as to why they have it. Their habitat is subterranean where it's generally already dark, and the vast majority of their usual prey must be native subterranean life as well, to whom darkness is no impediment. Most darkmantles must live out their lives without their signature ability ever being relevant. It's not as if hapless spelunkers can make up the staple of their diet." She looks slightly peeved at the illogic.

If we decide not to try to eat them, I say we toss them in the next chamber, closely followed by dancing lights. If there's anything waiting to jump us in there, we might get it to reveal itself.

Nessa's ears pick up nothing but the slight echoes of your own voices.

At Eudocia's behest the darkmantle corpses are gathered up in arms... a disconcerting task given their amorphous form, and tossed ahead through the corridor to where they would be in view of one in the next chamber. Eudocia then follows the corpses with her dancing lights, and you gain a glimpse of what awaits you in the next chamber...

A small burnt out campfire and a well-used bedroll, along with a few utensils and tools, sits near another cave opening in the far wall of this cavern. Unlike the previous room, no carvings or mural line the walls, and there is little else of note in the unworked stone walls, roof and floor.

Can't make that roll. :)

"Oh, now we have to move those things again," Eudocia moans, "or we'll attract monsters to this fellow's campsite. Who'd think it was so hard to find a place to put dead things underground?" She waits for one of the more field-experienced members of the group to give her the go-ahead before she follows her lights into the chamber.

How large is this room, DM?

Roughly the same size as the one you've come from - 50 x 50 ft

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

"Do you see anythin', lads?"

Okay, no one else has better than a +1 Perception, so as far as we know, there's nothing unusual or alarming in the chamber.

"I suppose we should check out the campsite," Docia suggests, "and see how recently it's been occupied. Does anyone speak Dwarven?" If no one does, she calls out experimentally in Taldane, "Hello? We heard you speaking. We're lost; we mean you no harm," before approaching the extinguished campfire, keeping her dancing lights near the dark opening of the other passageway.

Nessa will continue to the limits of the light at the other entrance to the cavern and take up a post there awaiting the return of the owner of the campsite.

As Nessa moves across the chamber and the others muster courage to move out of the entrance... the advance is interrupted by the creak and flat twhap of a crossbow disgorging a quarrel...
L Crossbow at Nessa: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15 for 1d8 ⇒ 2
...the bolt finding a gap in the flat-footed halfling's metal skin and winging her in the hip. Tracing the arc back, you see a filthy and unkempt male dwarf who screeches like a banshee and wails "No... no... away, you won't stop my work... DIE!"

Action Tracker (Round 1): Theodric, Harrol, Gregori, DMPC, Nessa, Eudocia, ??

Map

Theodric, startled by the sudden attack, looks to see if Nessa is alright before he holds up a hand and addresses the dwarf.

Sir, we are not here to interrupt your work, nor do we know what your work entails. On the surface, demons invaded--the ground was torn asunder and we fell. Look at the state of my companions--do we seem like explorers? We only wish to find our way back up to the surface and out of here. If you could point us in the right direction, we will leave you to your...work.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Theodric's entreaties are not listened to, the dwarf clearly beyond any attempt at reason.

Harrol will draw and load his sling.

As Harrol readies his sling, Theodric addresses the dwarf ineffectually. Aarol looks to use his spear to safeguard your rear, while Horgus and Aravashnial put their backs to stone. Anevia whispers "Move up and make room and I'll see if I can't bring my bow to bear."

Action Tracker (Round 1): Theodric, Harrol, Gregori, DMPC, Nessa, Eudocia, ??

"Fecking Fool! Whatcha go and shoot me for?"

Not to provide a target again, she charges and brings her sword down on his crossbow, but his bedroll provides even footing at the critical moment.

Charging Disarm -> 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 = 10

Status: Move to I-3; Disarm-provokes if he is capable, AC16 (-2), 10/12 HP (1 subdual)

Gregori moves to the side giving Anevia a clear shot while hoping to draw the madman's attention.

"Hold, how did you end up down here? What work are you babbling about?"

As he speaks he stares into the man's soul, seeking whether he can be redeemed or needs to be put down. Detect Evil

"Master Dwarf," Docia shouts, as if madness were somehow akin to deafness and if she but speaks loudly enough she might be heard, "there's been a misunderstanding! We've no intention of stopping your work!" Heeding Anevia's whisper, she steps away from the cave entrance, sheathing her rapier and uncoiling her whip from her belt.

5-foot-step to F 10; sheathe rapier; ready whip

She'll keep trying to talk the dwarf down, but unless this battle goes 10 rounds, Diplomacy can't come into play.

Gregori can ken no overt taint of evil upon the dwarf as Nessa's charged swipe fails to separate the crossbow from him. Eudocia then entreats him to see reason.

The dwarf hisses, spitting "Millorn is no fool... Crusader filth, you would stop me!" drawing away from Nessa and trying to thread arcane gestures together...
Casting Defensively: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
...though the sight of her blade stills his tongue enough to make them falter.

Action Tracker (Round 2): Theodric, Harrol, Gregori, DMPC, Nessa, Eudocia, Millorn

Map

If I'm allowed, I'll use Spellcraft to try to ID the spell he was trying to cast.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Theodric shrugs: Very well, have it your way.

He smoothes his hair back from his eyes and shakes his hands free of his sleeves as he steps forward, casting a spell and coating the ground under the dwarf in a slick substance.

Whoops, forgot, need to move to G-7 first.

Cast Grease in G/H-2/3, Ref Save DC 15

D'oh, I have warslinger. I could have made an attack last round. I'll be able to keep a closer eye on what I post this week, so I apologize for the slip-up

Harrol, will test the sling in his hands, padding along the wall of the cave as best as he can in the dark, before letting the bullet fly. Move to C4

Sling, Into Melee: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

His halo flaring, Gregori puts a bit of divine authority in his next command.

"Stand down NOW! OR BE INCAPACITATED!!"
Intimidate1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Sorry for the delay - had a big day at work.
Harrol to C4 - C5 is mostly solid stone.

Theodric cannot ken the spell that was lost, but replaces it with summoned grease of his own devising...
Reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
...which sends the dwarf crashing to the floor.

Unfortunately the collapse proves enough to make Harrol's slingstone fly high - missing the gent. Gregori's shouted instruction is not heeded, but the dwarf is driven to a more fearful mannerism in his resistance.
Intimidate to demoralize successful, but the insane cultist isn't surrendering.

Anevia limps forward and looses a borrowed arrow...
Shortbow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 for 1d6 ⇒ 4
Crit Conf: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 for 2d6 ⇒ (6, 5) = 11
...putting an accurate strike into the dwarf's shoulder.

Action Tracker (Round 2): Theodric, Harrol, Gregori, DMPC, Nessa, Eudocia, Millorn

"I don't what he is on about, but he called me filth." Nessa brings her sword down on the prone Dwarf but finds her footing almost as treacherous.

sword attack ->1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 ugh.....again

corrected status: 5/12 hp

Seeing the dwarf already put on the ground much more efficiently than she could likely manage with the whip, Docia moves up closer to support Nessa. "This needn't escalate!" she exhorts the dwarf. "We mean you no harm! Stop fighting us before you get hurt!"

Move to 4F; Ready an action if the dwarf attacks or tries to cast a spell

Is the dwarf wearing armor? If so, I'll use the readied attack to attempt to trip if he stands up and attacks/casts. I believe the attack roll is the same.

Nessa swipes at the greased dwarf, but he slides to one side.

At Eudocia's address he spits and screams "Lies! All lies!" He then attempts to make gestures arcane once more, taking a lash to the face as he does so...
Concentration: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 7 - 2 = 7
...and losing another spell to the void.
No armor, just clothing on the dwarf.

Action Tracker (Round 3): Theodric, Harrol, Gregori, DMPC, Nessa, Eudocia, Millorn

Map

Take away his spell components and his magic will be neutralized, Theodric offers to his companions engaged in combat with the crazed dwarf.

Delay. If he has a holy symbol instead of a components pouch, substitute "holy symbol" in for "spell components". :-)

Just a bump that resolution is pending on getting some PC actions.

Was waiting on others, but this is a readied action anyway so will put it out there.

If the Dwarf shows no sign of surrender, Nessa will strike him as he takes an offensive action.