The Herald of Heaven's King (Spellguard III - 4e)

Game Master Rev Rosey

Erik's voice resonates around the room, but the notes are weary with long battle and do nothing.

Brujo moves to flank with Kelgan, but not even with the half-orc's help can he pull himself out of the pit of exhaustion to hit.

Greenflame Blade
1d20+14=16

The only Shoot able to attack, lashes violently at the swordmage.

Poison Leash (Ref). On hit 5 ongoing poison damage.
1d20+14=20. 1d8+4=5, plus 5 ongoing poison damage.

Brujo gasps slightly as a vicious thorn drives poison into his battered frame.

MAP

Kelgan - BLOODIED; used AP; used second wind
Hobbes - BLOODIED; used AP
Perigia - BLOODIED; (used second wind)
Kel
Ceara - (used second wind); +2 all defenses until Erik changes his mind
Erik - BLOODIED
Brujo - BLOODIED; 4/76hp; 7/10 surges; used second wind; 5 ongoing posion damage (se) Used AP
Shoot 6
Shoot 8
Shoot 9 - BLOODIED
Shoot 12
Shoot 13

Kelgan grabs the shoot and hacks at the stem.

Grappling Strike on S9(marking it, 2 damage on a miss): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 221d10 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Without a word, Hobbes moves up and casts his fire spell again, trying to catch two of the shoots in its blast.

move to g17. cast burning spray on s12,s9 (+12 vs Ref, 24,25, if hit, 1d8+13, 6+13=19 fire damage. anyone who attacks me before end of my next turn takes 4 fire damage

Kelgan yanks at the nearest shoot while Hobbes fries it into compost, while bloodying S12 into the bargain.

MAP

Perigia - BLOODIED; (used second wind)
Kel
Ceara - (used second wind); +2 all defenses until Erik changes his mind
Erik - BLOODIED
Brujo - BLOODIED; 4/76hp; 7/10 surges; used second wind; 5 ongoing posion damage (se) Used AP
Shoot 6
Shoot 8
Shoot 12 - BLOODIED
Shoot 13
Kelgan - BLOODIED; used AP; used second wind
Hobbes - BLOODIED; used AP

Target S12 with twin strike.

1st arrow, attack vs ac, 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26, damage = 1d12 + 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (4) + (8) + 7 = 19
2st arrow, attack vs ac, 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29, damage = 1d12 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19.

Seeing no way to attack effectively without harming her allies, Perigia holds her action.

Rev

Perigia

All - see discussion thread.

Kel systematically destroys another Shoot, while Perigia holds fire for a better moment.

MAP

Kel
Ceara - (used second wind); +2 all defenses until Erik changes his mind
Erik - BLOODIED
Brujo - BLOODIED; 4/76hp; 7/10 surges; used second wind; 5 ongoing posion damage (se) Used AP
Shoot 6
Shoot 8
Shoot 13
Kelgan - BLOODIED; used AP; used second wind
Hobbes - BLOODIED; used AP
Perigia - BLOODIED; (used second wind)

Are yoy sure Kel is up? He just went.

Ach. Copy/paste malfunction. Kel has done his demolition this turn. Ceara's go.

MAP

Ceara - (used second wind); +2 all defenses until Erik changes his mind
Erik - BLOODIED
Brujo - BLOODIED; 4/76hp; 7/10 surges; used second wind; 5 ongoing posion damage (se) Used AP
Shoot 6
Shoot 8
Shoot 13
Kelgan - BLOODIED; used AP; used second wind
Hobbes - BLOODIED; used AP
Perigia - BLOODIED; (used second wind)
Kel

Nialla steps back next to Erik and lashes out at the nearest Shoot.

Shift to F23, Shroud S18, Inescapeable Blade vs S18, targeting AC. 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30. On hit: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

HP: 7/59
Surges: 6/9
AP: 0/1
Status: bloodied, 1 shroud S18

Ceara/Nialla steps into range of one of the few remaining shoots and drapes doom around it.

MAP

Erik - BLOODIED
Brujo - BLOODIED; 4/76hp; 7/10 surges; used second wind; 5 ongoing posion damage (se) Used AP
Shoot 6
Shoot 8
Shoot 9 - BLOODIED
Shoot 13 - one shroud
Kelgan - BLOODIED; used AP; used second wind
Hobbes - BLOODIED; used AP
Perigia - BLOODIED; (used second wind)
Kel
Ceara - (used second wind); +2 all defenses until Erik changes his mind

Erik steps forward and swings his sword in a wide arc.

"I grow tired of these weeds. Perigia, can't you just burn them to ash already?"

Shift one square toward S13.

Shift the Canon of Avoidance onto Brujo.

[i]War Song Strike on S13; 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21 vs. AC for 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 damage and on a hit, any ally who hits S13 until TEOMNT gains 3 temp HP.

Erik's valiant attempt is a near miss, but for Brujo the nearing end of the combat comes too late. Poison overwhelms him and he drops to the ground.

Where he makes a successful death save - 1d20=16
but fails to save against the ongoing poison - 1d20=2

Perigia gasps and moves back into the room alongside Erik. Her fingers flicker and she sends a blast of force into the already bloodied shoot threatening her old friend. In seconds, it is reduced to compost.

Magic Missile(Ref)
1d20+10=29
2d4+7=14

As their numbers dwindle, the last few shoots seem suddenly weaker, finally shrinking back into the ground. Only S13, beleaguered by foes remains, desperately trying to wrap tendrils arond Ceara.

The unexpected final attack catches the assassin unawares and she too slumps unconscious to the floor of the sap-slick chamber.

Poison Leash (Ref)
1d20+14=29 - S13 v Ceara
1d8+4=9 plus 5 ongoing poison

MAP

Kelgan - BLOODIED; used AP; used second wind
Hobbes - BLOODIED; used AP
Kel
Ceara - BLOODIED (used second wind); dying - make death save; taking 5 ongoing poison (se)
Erik - BLOODIED
Brujo - BLOODIED; -1/76hp; 7/10 surges; used second wind; 5 ongoing posion damage (se) Used AP; making death saves: +2 all defenses until Erik changes his mind
Perigia - BLOODIED; (used second wind)
Shoot 13 - one shroud

Kelgan eagerly charges across the room, ready to bring his new gardening project to an end.

Charge to D23: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 261d10 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Sap pours from the shoot as Kelgan demonstrates his slash and burn forestry tactics.

MAP

Hobbes - BLOODIED; used AP
Kel
Ceara - BLOODIED (used second wind); dying - make death save; taking 5 ongoing poison (se)
Erik - BLOODIED
Brujo - BLOODIED; -1/76hp; 7/10 surges; used second wind; 5 ongoing posion damage (se) Used AP; making death saves: +2 all defenses until Erik changes his mind
Perigia - BLOODIED; (used second wind)
Shoot 13 - BLOODIED; one shroud
Kelgan - BLOODIED; used AP; used second wind

Saves: Death 1d20 ⇒ 8 and poison 1d20 ⇒ 2

HP: -7/59
Surges: 6/9
AP: 0/1
Status: bloodied, 1 shroud S13, 1 failed death save, ongoing 5 poison (se)

move to H20, cast Acid Orb on S13, +12 vs Ref, 14, probably a miss. if hits for some reason, 1d10+15 or 18 acid damage. terrible rolls all around for me this turn. sorry.

Hobbes moves in for the kill, but his attempt to melt the vine shoot only adds to the mess already on the floor.

MAP

Kel
Ceara - BLOODIED (used second wind); dying - make death save; taking 5 ongoing poison (se)
Erik - BLOODIED
Brujo - BLOODIED; -1/76hp; 7/10 surges; used second wind; 5 ongoing posion damage (se) Used AP; making death saves: +2 all defenses until Erik changes his mind
Perigia - BLOODIED; (used second wind)
Shoot 13 - BLOODIED; one shroud
Kelgan - BLOODIED; used AP; used second wind
Hobbes - BLOODIED; used AP

kel sends a couple arrow in the last vines direction.

1st arrow, attack vs ac, 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28, damage = 1d12 + 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (5) + (5) + 7 = 17
2nd arrow, attack vs ac, 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18, damage = 1d12 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Kel's first arrow is enough to reduce the writhing vine shoot to sappy compost and with its fall, comes silence and the end of battle.

Two of your comrades fight for their lives, still suffering from the tenacious plant poison.

Remain in init order until Ceara and Brujo are resolved please.

Ceara - BLOODIED (used second wind); dying - make death save; taking 5 ongoing poison (se)
Erik - BLOODIED
Brujo - BLOODIED; -1/76hp; 7/10 surges; used second wind; 5 ongoing posion damage (se) Used AP; making death saves: +2 all defenses until Erik changes his mind
Perigia - BLOODIED; (used second wind)
Shoot 13 - BLOODIED; one shroud
Kelgan - BLOODIED; used AP; used second wind
Hobbes - BLOODIED; used AP
Kel

I did mine yesterday, before Hobbes and Kel posted. I can make more if I need to!

Oops. Missed that. My apologies.

Remain in init order until Ceara and Brujo are resolved please.

Erik - BLOODIED
Brujo - BLOODIED; -1/76hp; 7/10 surges; used second wind; 5 ongoing posion damage (se) Used AP; making death saves: +2 all defenses until Erik changes his mind
Perigia - BLOODIED; (used second wind)
Shoot 13 - BLOODIED; one shroud
Kelgan - BLOODIED; used AP; used second wind
Hobbes - BLOODIED; used AP
Kel
Ceara - BLOODIED (used second wind); dying - make death save (one failed); taking 5 ongoing poison (se)

Erik?

Sorry Rev. Feel free to skip me if that happens again.

Erik reverses the direction of his blade and comes back across, attempting to topple the shoot and open up a weakness.

Guiding Strike on S13; 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27 vs. AC for 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11 damage and on a hit, the shoot takes a -2 penalty to AC until TEOMNT.

Sorry Rev. Feel free to skip me if that happens again.

Erik reverses the direction of his blade and comes back across, attempting to topple the shoot and open up a weakness.

Guiding Strike on S13; 1d20+13 vs. AC for 1d8+6 damage and on a hit, the shoot takes a -2 penalty to AC until TEOMNT.

Erik, you're behind the times. You are only in combat order because two of your companions are dying. Care to re-do your turn?

Sorry, the shoot was still on the initiative list in your last post and was still on the last map. I didn't read close enough into the previous posts.

Erik sheaths his sword and works to help stabilize Ceara, who still seems to be suffering from the poison effects.

Heal Check on Ceara; 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Ack. So sorry. I'm an idiot. My brain has been in the theatre this week.

Erik stabilises Ceara, but realises the assassin will not quickly recover.

She's stable, but still taking the ongoing, which means she'll be making another death save.

Brujo's breathing shallows as the poison continues to course through him.

Death save - 1d20=10
Poison save - 1d20=3
Brujo is still dying.

Hurrying to his side, Perigia grasps his hand. "Fight, Brujo. Please," she begs. Somehow, her words seem to seep through to him and his hand clenches around hers.

1d20+6=18 - heal check on Brujo

Brujo will also have to make another death save due to the ongoing poison.

Kelgan - BLOODIED; used AP; used second wind
Hobbes - BLOODIED; used AP
Kel
Ceara - BLOODIED (used second wind); dying - make death save (one failed); taking 5 ongoing poison (se)
Erik - BLOODIED
Brujo - BLOODIED; 0/76hp; 7/10 surges; used second wind; 5 ongoing posion damage (se) Used AP; making death saves
Perigia - BLOODIED; (used second wind)

second wind for me on my turn

"Kel, get over here! We need a healer!" Kelgan attempts to staunch Ceara's bleeding first.

Heal(Untrained): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Kelgan grabs Ceara and tries to help, doing a surprisingly effective job. The changeling is still in the grip of the plant poison.

Hobbes takes a second and pushes aside his own wounds.

Kel
Ceara - BLOODIED (used second wind); dying - make death save (one failed); taking 5 ongoing poison (se)
Erik - BLOODIED
Brujo - BLOODIED; 0/76hp; 7/10 surges; used second wind; 5 ongoing posion damage (se) Used AP; making death saves
Perigia - BLOODIED; (used second wind)
Kelgan - BLOODIED; used AP; used second wind
Hobbes - BLOODIED; used AP; used second wind; (+2 to defenses to start next turn but pretty irrelevant as you're out of combat bar the death saves)

Kel rushes over to Ceara and forces her to drink a potion of resistance, I have 4.

Ceara can spend a HS to gain poison resistance 5 till end of encounter.

"This should allow her to resist the poison until her body can take over."

I'll also do a healing check if needed. Healing = 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25

Kel will do the same to Brujo next.

The liquid drips down Ceara's throat and her colour improves, losing it's sickly hue.

I'm assuming she's going to spend the surge.

She still needs to make the saving throw and the death saves, but she's in much better shape. First time I've seen a potion of resistance in action.

Ceara - BLOODIED (used second wind); dying - make death save (one failed); taking 5 ongoing poison (se); resist 5 poison to end encounter
Erik - BLOODIED
Brujo - BLOODIED; 0/76hp; 7/10 surges; used second wind; 5 ongoing posion damage (se) Used AP; making death saves
Perigia - BLOODIED; (used second wind)
Kelgan - BLOODIED; used AP; used second wind
Hobbes - BLOODIED; used AP; used second wind; (+2 to defenses to start next turn but pretty irrelevant as you're out of combat bar the death saves)
Kel

I will spend the surge. Saves: Poison 1d20 ⇒ 5 and death: 1d20 ⇒ 9

HP: -7/59
Surges: 5/9
AP: 0/1
Status: bloodied, 1 shroud S13, 2 failed death saves, ongoing 5 poison (se)

Ohh, drama! What'll happen with the next death save??

I will spend the surge. Saves: Poison 1d20 and death: 1d20

HP: -7/59
Surges: 5/9
AP: 0/1
Status: bloodied, 1 shroud S13, 2 failed death saves, ongoing 5 poison (se)

Ohh, drama! What'll happen with the next death save??

Rev DM, shouldn't the successful healing check stabilize Ceara? If she was stabilized she wouldn't need to make a death save she would just be unconscious.

Ceara wrote:

I will spend the surge. Saves: Poison 1d20 and death: 1d20

HP: -7/59
Surges: 5/9
AP: 0/1
Status: bloodied, 1 shroud S13, 2 failed death saves, ongoing 5 poison (se)

Ohh, drama! What'll happen with the next death save??

Rev DM, shouldn't the successful healing check stabilize Ceara? If she was stabilized she wouldn't need to make a death save she would just be unconscious.

Normally, yes, it would. But, it only negates death saves until the character takes more damage and I am still taking poison damage - it's being reduced to zero, but, it's still being taken. So, I don't think Heal would prevent the death save in this case.

Ceara's right. It's the ongoing poison damage that is the issue here. The damage is still occuring, even though the effect is reduced to 0. It's a tricky one to rule, but the above makes sense, I think. If anyone knows differently, please say.

Ceara hovers between life and death, trembling on the brink of consciousness as her allies work desperately to save her.

Erik - BLOODIED
Brujo - BLOODIED; 0/76hp; 7/10 surges; used second wind; 5 ongoing posion damage (se) Used AP; making death saves
Perigia - BLOODIED; (used second wind)
Kelgan - BLOODIED; used AP; used second wind
Hobbes - BLOODIED; used AP; used second wind; (+2 to defenses to start next turn but pretty irrelevant as you're out of combat bar the death saves)
Kel
Ceara - BLOODIED (used second wind); dying - make death save (two failed); taking 5 ongoing poison (se); resist 5 poison to end encounter

Erik continues to administer to Ceara as best he can.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 Heal Check to assist the next person

Perigia's reassuring presence seems to anchor Brujo and his battered body finally manages to overcome the poison.

Brujo saves:
Death save: 1d20=13
Ongoing poison: 1d20=11

Once he is safe, Perigia turns her attention to Ceara, hoping to help her as well. Inspired, perhaps, she once more stabilises the assassin.

Heal check from Perigia to Ceara - 1d20+6=24. She's missed her vocation.

At this point, everything is down to Ceara's next two rolls. Post at will and I'll stitch it all together, whether for good or bad once you've done so.

Kelgan - BLOODIED; used AP; used second wind
Hobbes - BLOODIED; used AP; used second wind; (+2 to defenses to start next turn but pretty irrelevant as you're out of combat bar the death saves)
Kel
Ceara - BLOODIED (used second wind); dying - make death save (two failed); taking 5 ongoing poison (se); resist 5 poison to end encounter
Erik - BLOODIED
Brujo - BLOODIED - unconscious, but stable
Perigia - BLOODIED; (used second wind)

Here we go - what do the dice gods say??? Most Important First. Death Save: 1d20 ⇒ 4 and Poison Save: 1d20 ⇒ 17

Poor Ceara! I'll let you do the stitching, since you're more eloquent than I am!

Hobbes looks worried for a moment as he watches Ceara fight for her life. Then he starts to examine the plants for any sign of control mechanisms or artifacts. He also searches the Commander's body, looking for anything that might help land this earthmote.

since I can't help her at all, might as well do something contructive. I can't believe that this mote is being controlled remotely. There has to be something here besides the portal.

Ceara gasps once, a tiny sound in the stillness and goes limp, trained muscles uncoiling as her mortal journey ends. As the Shadowlands take her back, her true form unveils itself to you, small, white and oddly childlike. She looks supremely happy.

Perigia and Brujo look at each other, for the first time mutually acknowledging their long hidden feelings. Ceara's death seems to have changed them in some indefinable way.

I'm sorry. Ceara is my first pc death.

Hobbes covers his emotions with a thorough hunt through the debris. Still clutched in the Commander's dead hands are the papers he tried so desperately to salvage and under the roots of the Assassin Vine, a series of arcane controls.

Perception and Arcana checks please to identify and see if you can work out how to use them.

OUT OF COMBAT
Please take 1700XP each, bringing you to 15,234 total.
Amelia, if you'd like to go on, you're more than welcome to create a new pc and I'll find a way to work you in.

Nothing to worry about. It's kind of cool being the first! And, yes, I'll be making up someone new. Suggestions for role?

a rogue would be nice. or with Brujo and Perigia leaving, there is a wizard and a defender opening. Kel and I have ranged striker down. Kelgan could use some help on the front line. what do you feel like? Brujo was a bizzare hybrid of sorts, with no true role. He was our extra. But losing Perigia's magic, we will need a wizard. how do you feel about..... summoning? or illusion? Just my two cents.

Yeah, I'm already in one game too many that doesn't have a controller. Of course, this game has someone with area attacks, but we could still use a complete controller.

Hobbes looks over the controls and the papers, trying to figure out the mechanism.

Perception= 23, Arcana= 26

He hears Ceara gurgle her death cry and forgets what he is doing. He walks slowly over to her body. It is plain that he is fighting back the tears. "We won, but at what cost?" He asks aloud. "Stupid girl. I told you we should have withdrawn. But you always had to have your own way." He closes his eyes for a minute as if to remember something. "Who am I going to argue with now?" Hobbes asks quietly. He bends over, brushes her pink hair away from her black face and gently kisses her on the forehead. He feels her hair in his fingers for a moment and then draws his dagger. He cuts a locket of her pink hair and puts it in his pocket. He looks up sadly at Kelgan and Kel.

"I know she said they didn't have any real burial rites where she came from, but I still plan to give her a proper burial. She was a comrade and that's what you do when they die." Hobbes covers Ceara's body with her own cloak.

"We still need to find a way to control this stupid flying rock and I think it involves these papers and those controls." Hobbes points to the arcane controls under the plant thing. "If we figure these out, we can save all the people here."

Kel begins the Gentle Repose rite on Cerea making sure her soul is undisturbed when leaving the motes evil aura.

Erik gets up, oddly quiet, and goes about cleaning his blade and tending to everyone else.

Kel's quiet chanting is oddly soothing as the companions respond to Ceara's death in their own ways.

In an attempt to distract himself, Hobbes concentrates on the papers and sigils and trying to decipher their workings.

There is a pattern, he realises. It seems to him that the mote is semi-sentient and has and bound into service. The sigils all hint at domination spells he has seen in the past. Looking at the papers, he struggles for understanding of the words, but sees that it is some kind of contract and that it has been signed in blood.

To remove the binding spells on the Earthmote, and control it, you'll need to do the following two part skill challenge.

Part 1: Breaking the Spell
6 successes before 3 failures
Primary skills: Arcana, Thievery, Insight, Perception
Secondary skills: History, Religion
The usual provisos apply. If you want to try something else, give me a good ic reason for doing it and I'll set a DC.

Part 2: Controlling the Earthmote
6 successes before 3 failures and you can't do this until you succeed on Part 1
Primary Skills: Diplomacy, Bluff, Nature, Intimidate
Secondary Skills: Insight, Perception. As above, if you want to try something else, give me a good reason for it and feel free.

ok, try#1- Arcana= 27