[Table Shieldwall] From the Tome of Righteous Repose (Inactive)

Game Master Nathan Hartshorn

Aid Another vs. AC 10, Scion: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 = 7
+5 to Anthy's next attack roll if successful.

Marcus draws his sword, stepping it to push aside the Gargoyle's defenses but hitting only empty air.

Standard Action: Aid Another
Free Actions: Draw Weapon, 5 ft. step
AC 22

Berato imbues the power of Torag in Anthys' sword arm.

Touch of Good: You can touch a creature as a standard action, granting a +2 sacred bonus on attack rolls, skill checks, ability checks, and saving throws for 1 round. @Anthys: you need Power Attack to start capitalizing on Marcus and Berato's buffs...

Order 2nd Round
Elaril
Gargoyle -8
Anthys, Vindlér, Marcus, Berato

@Berato: Yeah, Power Attack is next level. I just really wanted Barroom Brawler for things like Rat Catcher (vs swarms) and Blind-Fight. Though I could have retrained Weapon Focus into Power Attack with the fighter free retraining.

Do it! Most of the time you'll get +2 from Scion, +5 from Marcus, and +2 from Berato... we need damage to end these fights quicker! this also liberates you from the obligation of wielding a longsword and shield combo... if enemies have low AC: switch to falchion/greataxe/greatsword; if enemies are heavily armored: switch to shield and sword; if skeletons, switch to Earth Breaker; etc.

Do it! Most of the time you'll get +2 from Scion, +5 from Marcus, and +2 from Berato... we need damage to end these fights quicker! this also liberates you from the obligation of wielding a longsword and shield combo... if enemies have low AC: switch to falchion/greataxe/greatsword; if enemies are heavily armored: switch to shield and sword; if skeletons, switch to Earth Breaker; etc.

Well I think it's too late for the free fighter retraining now, I am already playing him at level 4. But I will pick up Power Attack at 5. With Weapon Training and a Str belt, that would be 1d8+10.

I don't think we're through the first combat yet. I think retrain is still possible.

I will take that option if the GM allows it, otherwise will wait until level 5.

I'm cool with it.

I vote that Anthys' penalty be a super long RP post displaying the hidden anger that's been building up... SERENITY NOW!! POWER ATTACK LATER!! :P

I'll have you know it is the priest of Torag that is urging Anthys on to greater violence. Was the Gorum seminary full??

Law is in fact the dispensing of violence as per a collectively agreed protocol. Gorum rejects such constraints, so there. I attended the said seminar! :)

No no no! Law is about order through mutually assured benefit and prosperity! See? This is why Vindlér reveres Abadar instead of Torag. Too much dwarven anger and brutality. Why can't we all just be civilized?! ;)

Watching the gargoyle tear and slash with a multitude of appendages and looking at the all of the available targets, Elaril decides that temporarily stunning the creature still seems like an awfully good idea...

Cast Ear Piercing Scream a 2nd time - with hopefully better results. DC18 Fort Save for half damage and no daze.

Sonic Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11

Tough it out!: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Elaril's spell takes better affect this time, causing the gargoyle to stop its thrashing slashing movements and cover its stony ears while shrieking in pain.

Order 2nd Round
Elaril
Gargoyle -19
Anthys, Vindlér, Marcus, Berato

Attack, Aid Another, Scion: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 2 = 9
+5 to Anthy's next Attack if successful.

Marcus lashes out, trying to tip the Gargoyle off balance to open it up for Anthys' strike, but his blade skips awkwardly off its stony flesh with little effect.

Anthys hesitates a moment, then puts his full force into a strike, uncertain if this reckless offensive will succeed. He is used to defense and precision, but it seems important to drop this creature quickly.
Attack, PA, Bless, Touch of Good, Scion: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 8 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 17
Damage, PA: 1d8 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 4 = 10

I forgot about bless! That would make my Aid hit, for another +5 for Anthys

With the gargoyle reeling from Elaril’s spell, Vindlér takes the chance to place a hand radiating magic on his morningstar, then draws the weapon and prepares to join the fight.

Cast Magic Weapon on my weapon, then draw it out.

With Marcus' help Anthys lays another, deeper cut into the Gargoyle as it continues to reel from Elaril's spell.

Order 2nd Round
Elaril
Gargoyle -29
Anthys, Vindlér, Marcus, Berato

Berato imbues the power of Torag in Anthys' sword arm.

Touch of Good: You can touch a creature as a standard action, granting a +2 sacred bonus on attack rolls, skill checks, ability checks, and saving throws for 1 round. @Anthys: you need to Power Attack!

Shield Wall +1 to all 3 warriors in front of Berato.

Bless is active.

@Berato: I did Power Attack. That's the PA in my dice rolls above; -2 to hit and +4 damage.

Order 3rd Round
Elaril
Gargoyle -29
Anthys, Vindlér, Marcus, Berato

Put two hands on that sword! :P

This time Elaril summons up some fiery death and unleashes a deadly ray of fire at the Gargoyle...

RTA into melee: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 - 4 = 12
Damage: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 3, 2) = 10

As Elaril's ray comes in the gargoyle manages to duck behind Anthys, causing the arcanist to just miss his target.

With so many people in front of it the gargoyle frenzies, striking out wildly and with abandon.

Target 1: 1d3 ⇒ 2
Target 2: 1d3 ⇒ 2
Target 3: 1d3 ⇒ 3
Target 4: 1d3 ⇒ 2 Wow, this thing really wants to get Anthys...

Slash (A)!: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Slash (A)!: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Crunch (V)!: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Gore (A)!: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Confirm: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

The gargoyle throws itself at Anthys, slashing and goring trying to pierce through his thick defenses. When it manages to get through it takes the opportunity to snap at Vindlér's arm but has issues getting through his armor as well.

Order 3rd Round
Elaril
Gargoyle -29
Anthys, Vindlér, Marcus, Berato

If this thing's full attacks were a greater threat, Anthys would say attack and move away, trading one attack for one + an AOO from it, rather than one-to-four.
Anthys hacks at the gargoyle again.
Attack, PA, Bless, Touch of Good, Scion: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 8 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 12
Nat 1! Oh well.

As the gargoyle lashes out at him, he shouts in surprise, "Ach! Get back ye ferrolous beastie!" He brings his morningstar around the side of his shield and swings it at the creatures grasping, powerful arm.

Morningstar, Bless, Magic Weapon: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 12 Damage, MW: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 = 9

I mean, if the ceilings weren't 10 feet it'd be flying. And its full attacks are a threat...just not to you guys.

Touch of Good on Anthys!

Aid Another, Vindler, Bless, Scion: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 + 2 = 13
+5 to hit for Vindler's next Attack

Marcus strikes out with his short sword, pushing aside the Gargoyle's guard for Vindler's next attack.
AC 22

With Marcus' help Vindlér manages to crack down on the gargoyle with his morningstar.

Order 4th Round
Elaril
Gargoyle -36
Anthys, Vindlér, Marcus, Berato

"Save the big spells, Elaril, we've got this!"

Confidant the team has this creature under control, Elaril lets fly with a minor frost cantrip saving his more flashier things for later.

Ray of Frost RTA into melee: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 - 4 = 11
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1

Again the gargoyle is able to duck behind Elaril's companions, causing the mage to miss with his spell.

Target 1: 1d3 ⇒ 2
Target 2: 1d3 ⇒ 2
Target 3: 1d3 ⇒ 2
Target 4: 1d3 ⇒ 2 Wow...

It continues throwing itself at Anthys, determined to get through the man's armor.

Slash!: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Slash!: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Crunch!: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Gore!: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Order 4th Round
Elaril
Gargoyle -36
Anthys, Vindlér, Marcus, Berato

Anthys grins as the monster's attacks glance off his armor. He strikes again, hoping to finish this. Unlike his previous inept swing, this is a telling blow.
Attack, PA, Bless, Touch of Good, Scion: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 8 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 31
Confirm, PA, Bless, Touch of Good, Scion: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 8 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 30
Damage: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Crit Damage: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

"Yes! Well done, lad! Vindlér victorious shout is accompanied with a powerful blow from his morningstar directed at whatever remains of the gargoyle.

Morningstar, Bless, MW: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 9 Damage, MW: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 = 7

It's dead Jim! Combat Over!

Anthys and Vindlér finish off the creature, crushing its chest and taking off its head in a combined flurry of blows.

"It got a couple of shots in," says Anthys, looking at some bruises and cuts at the joints of his armor. He doesn't appear too concerned, but pulls out his wand of healing and offers it to Vindlér. "I haven't had much need of this, but see if it still works, would you?"
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
One charge is all he'll need.

"Of course, lad! Now, let me take a look at those wounds for ya." Vindlér administers the healing magic to Anthys's wounds, then turns his attention back to the gargoyle. "What do ya suppose this beasty was doing here? I suppose it'd be too optimistic to say it was here as a guardian?" Moving past the crumbled remains of the gargoyle, he examines the sigil on the ground.

Any knowledge or other checks I can make to figure out what it is?

While Vindlér examines the sigil, Anthys starts looking and listening down the corridor to the west. Still in this room, just looking down the hall.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Vindlér recognizes that the symbol has small Tien characters written in and around it while Anthys strains to hear things from the other sections of the dungeon.

”Any of you lads know this language,” Vindlér asks, ”If not, I have a scroll that can help with that. ”

If no one knows Tien, I have a scroll of comp languages. Just sound off if you don’t need it.

"I have prepared an extract that will allow me to read the text, if none of us know the langague. Elaril, are you familiar with this?"

I do not believe any of us speak Tien. Marcus can comprehend languages without using any permanent resources, saving the scroll in case we need more reading done at a later point in the dungeon. He doesn't have knowledge:religion though, so will have to translate and hope someone else can discern the meaning.

Marcus will remove a vial from his belt, quaffing it and examining the text with magical aid. "I...still am not sure what this is. Prayers of some kind? And a symbol that does not translate. Berato, Vindler, Elaril, does any of this seem familiar or important to you?"

After examining the text and consulting with his companions, Marcus will slide behind Anthys to cover his back, peering down the corridor. "Let us proceed. If we find a left turn, we should try to take it. If we end up back at our starting position, we will have a better feel for how these corridors connect."

Peering down the corridor, perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Marcus will still want to know what this is, but I went ahead and peeked at the tag since you mentioned it was fluff :)

Vindlér listens carefully as Marcus translates the text to him, and tries to decipher its meaning.

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

"Ah, of course," Vindlér says with a gasp of recognition. "It's a holy symbol for the Tien deity Fumeiyoshi. And these bits of text here are phrases of worship. This is a bit concerning, as Fumeiyoshi is the Tien's god of the undead. We'd best be on the lookout for undead creatures."

Marcus also does not hear anything from down the corridor, and once the group is ready, everyone proceeds down the hall. The next opening on the left is a short corridor leading to a still pool of water. Clear water swirls and shifts in this wide hallway. A staircase leads down into watery depths.

Vindlér eyes the water with caution. "Anyone feel like going for a wee dip?" he asks, nervously tugging on the straps on his armor to check their tightness.

”Perhaps we could try a different path first and come back later if need be?”