The Shining Hosts - Way of the Wicked Gameplay (Inactive)

Game Master Dennis Harry

Alice shrugs. "We're not all so good at spinning a tall tale as you are Soren."

"Who says we need to spin a tale? They have no reason to suspect us, they'll ride up to us if we're here waiting for them. Why would they assume we're here to kill them? Once they get close enough, we can attack." Soren shrugs, gesturing to the trail. "I'm just not certain we could hide the bear traps well enough for them to be of use. We have as much a place to hide them as we do ourselves."

"How 'bout both?" Grumble rumbled. "They know you an' me are in town doin' witch hunter stuff an' looking fer cults. What if make 'em think they're comin' on us in the middle of a fight? They come to help, bein' good guys an' all, then they're right in the pincher."

"That's not a bad idea, actually. Does that sound like a plan to the rest of you?"

The plan sounds fine however I make one request that we must ensure they all dismount before striking otherwise some may get away and ruin our disguises.

"How we gonna do that?" Grumble asked, confused.

"Say something in the water has been making the horses sick, one of us is a healer, and we are willing to trade examinations of their horses in exchange for directions." Nate suggests.

"How's that gonna work with gettin them to come on us in a fake fight? If we wanna make sure they ain't mounted, why don't we just ambush 'em at night while they're asleep? You found out the route they take, right? Doesn't sound like finding 'em will be hard."

"We'd need to hurry if we want to catch them sleeping. Sadly I dont have any spells that could help us with that. Altough I suppose if we catch them making their breakfast it would work just as well."

"So what are we waitin' for?" Grumble said standing up, picking up his giant axe-backed hammer and slowly shifting into Sir Balin as he checked his gear.

North of the Tower - Week 3 - Day 20 - A Hunting We Will Go

The unholy group makes their way towards the direction where Nate believes the Captain and his Rangers will be heading to return to the Tower.

Is Aurex also along for the ride here?

If you wish to Hustle make a Constitution check DC 15 past the first hour or be Fatigued along with receiving a few other detrimental effects. NOT Hustling may result in the group not finding the Rangers before daybreak.

Perception DC 15 to spot the camp. Make Stealth checks to ensure that you are not seen unless you wish to approach openly.

Aurex will stay behind. I say we hustle, we don't want to miss our chance.

I'm fine with husteling

"I agree, we need to get a move on." Soren adopts her disguise as well, letting the fake Mitran robes swirl around her as she walks. "I see no reason to approach from stealth, not if we're disguised. They won't run from us or be on their guard if they see that we've come out to meet them. Still, if you all feel it would be best, I won't object."

Constitution: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

Constitution: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

constitution: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

Happy to be finally doing something, Alice sets a brisk pace.

Con: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
Perc: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

North of the Tower - Week 3 - Day 20 - A Hunting We Will Go

Morana hustles along side her companions - Constitution 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

This is not the sort of thing that Morana is used to and it shows. Grumble who lopes along as if he were enjoying it steps in and aids the woman as best he can.

Morana is Fatigued and will suffer a -2 penalty to Strength and Dexterity until she rests.

The late night stretches into an early morning as the Knot rushes up the trail seeking Captain Varning's Rangers. Three hours of this is enough to put a strain on everyone.

All PCs take 2 nonlethal damage from pushing yourselves so hard for so long.

Nate spots the camp off of the trail and in the sparse woods, the Rangers are starting to mill about the camp as one kicks out the fires. Nate directs the Knot off of the road so as to not be seen, or at least not easily.

They are beginning to stir but clearly not battle ready though one of them appears to have donned his armor. What do you do?

Alice will cast mage armor on herself if she thinks she can do this without drawing attention from the camp.

Soren grips her unholy symbol and chants under her breath for a moment, before she feels herself filled with Asmodeus's power. "May my weapons strike true and their wounds never heal," she finishes, breathing heavily for a moment. She then focuses herself and draws her pistol. "I'm ready," she says, taking a step forward once the group is prepared. "It's time we put them down. I could obscure myself and take out whichever we feel is the greatest threat before the rest of us are upon them, if we feel the need."

Soren is casting Divine Favor on herself and preparing her Destruction judgment. I'll activate Bane on the first round of combat since I've only got five rounds of it a day; don't want to run out in the middle of the fight. I can also cast Invisibility and move up and kill one of them before we officially start combat.

Lothyrin chants a few divine words as he lays his hands on Grumble. Stepping back Lothyrin admires his work. In a whisper he says "As strong as you are now I would not want to be them, that is for sure."

Lothryin casts bulls strength on Grumble, It lasts for 5 minutes and grants a +4 enchancement bonus to his strength. If we prepare another round I will then cast shield of faith on him granting a +2 deflection bonus to AC for 5 minutes as well.

Grumble seems a little surprised as Lothryin's magic washes over him. Confused at first, he hefts his hammer and realizes how much lighter it is. A huge grin creeps over his face.

He whispered a prayer to Asmodeus and the pentagram on the face of his hammer began to glow with infernal light.

Casting Magic Weapon (5 minute duration)

Active Effects: Aura of Cowardice, Vigilante Renown, Bull Strength, Shield of Faith, Magic Weapon. 29 Str. 25 AC.

"I can go in as Balin." 'Jack said. "Get their attention. Give you a distraction to move in."

"Good idea," Soren says, scouting a way to move into position. "Is everyone ready?"

Raaven took it on himself to invisibly move over to where the horses were staked. The little demon smiled to itself as it began subtly biting through ropes, freeing the beasts.

Alice casts Shield on herself.

"I'm ready. I'll try and fry a couple of them."

"We gotta make sure they can't run. Any of 'em get on a horse, we can't catch 'em." Jack said, clearly not sure what to do about the horse problem.

Nate casts gravity bow on his longbow. "Should we just go in swinging than?"

If any of them make it to their horses I will target the horses hoping to cause a deep slumber. Animals as I seem to recall are of the weakest of wills when it comes to magic. Lothyrin prepares himself mentally for the battle ahead as he speaks.

"The crack of the gunshot will likely spook them," Soren adds. "A spooked horse will run, and they can't catch it. If that fails, putting them to sleep isn't a bad choice. Alternately, position yourself between them and the horses. Once I make a shot, they'll be stuck and have nowhere to go."

"Right. So I'll go in, distract 'em until Soren takes her shot. Then the rest of you rush 'em. If this works, they'll think I'm on their side still an' I'll hit 'em from behind when they start movin' on you."

"We ready?"

"Sounds like a plan. I am ready to go."

"I will follow your lead," Lothryin whispers as he slowly builds the magic within him.

North of the Tower - Week 3 - Day 20 - A Hunting We Will Go

"Sir Balin" steps out onto the trail once more approaching the camp. The man who kicked out the fire, the only one currently wearing armor waves to him. "You there, what are you doing out here? Dangerous territory you know!"

As Grumble moves closer he realizes this man is the Captain based on the insignia's he wears. At this point Grumble you are about 50' away.

Everyone else, if you wish to approach make a Stealth check with a +5 bonus as the men are distracted and not expecting any trouble at this point in time.

If Nate is within 100 feet he's good. If not he will move until he's that close.

Stealth: 1d20 + 13 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 13 + 5 = 21

Soren sneaks up as she narrows her eyes on the captain, her pistol drawn. Once close enough to take a shot, she says a few final words to fully empower her weapons against her foes. Once done, she pulls a small alchemical pouch from her belt to ready herself to quickly reload her weapon and fire it again just after the first. "May the Lord of Hell keep my hand steady," she mumbles. Once Grumble Jack gets close enough to draw their attention and keep it, she levels her pistol at the captain's head and pulls the trigger before filling her weapon with powder and taking another shot.

Soren needs to get within 20 feet to still be hitting Touch AC, which is ideal. If I can get that close, I will, and then activate Bane before blasting the captain with my pistol. If I have the time, I will also use Rapid Shot in my attack on the captain as well. If not, ignore the second attack/damage rolls. If a 27 does not get me close enough for Touch AC, I'll pop Invisibility.

Stealth: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (4) + 23 = 27

Attack; Rapid Shot: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19
Attack; Rapid Shot: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28

Damage; Up Close and Deadly: 1d8 + 3d6 + 7 ⇒ (4) + (2, 3, 3) + 7 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (2) + (1, 4) + 7 = 14

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
I would like to get in within around 60' feet

"I was looking for you, Captain." Jack said, moving with steady purpose into the camp carrying the greatly oversized hammer on his shoulder.

"I am tracking cultists. They would have come through here recently. Have you seen anything strange?"

stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

Alice will try to stay close to Lothryin

North of the Tower - Week 3 - Day 20 - A Hunting We Will Go

As the Rangers prepare to depart only one even appears to be paying attention to the woods, Captain Varning is clearly distracted by the appearance of "Sir Balin".

The Captain calls back, "Sir Balin, I had heard you were in Aldencross. Why did you cross over? I fear our patrol is almost over, if you seek cultists this far north I doubt they are anywhere close enough to here to trouble us..."

All PCs are able to move into position exactly where they want. Morana holds back, Stealth is not her strong suit and she wishes to be a stop gap in case any flee past the group and make a break for the Tower.

Surprise Round

Soren's gunshot is the opening salvo of the ambush!

Both bullets strike the Captain but he does not go down. "Mitra, it's true the Cultists are real, Sir Balin, take cover!" He draws his blade and turns towards Soren...

All PC's may now take surprise actions. Soren is 20' away, Grumble is 50' away, Nate 100' away, Lothryin and Alice 60' away.

DM Note: Top of Round 1 all Horses check for Fear vs. the Gun Blasts...

Nate releases two arrows, aiming for the soldier looking into the woods.

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (1, 6) + 5 = 12

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (1, 3) + 5 = 9

Lothyrin unleashes his magic as he hears the first gunshot ring out.
Doom on one of the soldiers that is not the captain, DC 17, Condition: Shaken

Raaven continued chewing ropes.

1d20 ⇒ 9

If the soldier Loth targets with Doom is within 10 feet of Grumble, it gets a -4 to that save from Aura of Cowardice.

I'm going to hold off on my action until I can take a look at a map.

same for me. Spell placement is incredably dependant on placement of.characters and NPCs

Wow I did not now Aura of Cowardice has that effect, I need to pay attention to that from now on.

I got you, boo. ;)

"Mitra, it's true the Cultists are real, Sir Balin, take cover!" He draws his blade and turns towards Soren...

"Yer g@%*&%n right." Jack said, bringing his hammer down on the ground. An eruption of hellfire exploded from the point of impact, cracking the ground and forming a sixty foot wide scorched image of the Asmodean Pentacle. Everything around him burst into flame.

Channel Energy: Harm (Variant Channel: Fire). 30' radius. DC 15 Will save for 1/2 damage. creatures that fail their save Catch Fire in addition to taking damage. (this save replaces the usual reflex save).

Creatures that catch fire take 1d6 extra damage immediately, and take damage on following rounds until the fire is out.

Channel: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 6) = 12 halved to 6 by Variant Channel (but if they fail their save they take a d6 fire damage, so it's kind of a wash).

Seeing the captain is still up, Soren starts to take a step back before grinning when Grumble Jack let loose with his hammer. "Seems you figured it out a little too late, didn't you?" Soren quickly snaps off two more shots at the captain's chest. "I'm sure the Lord Commander will understand; if anyone finds your bodies before we kill him, I'll make sure he knows you might as well have died with your pants around your ankles."

Attack; Rapid Shot: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20
Attack; Rapid Shot: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26

Damage: 1d8 + 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (7) + (2, 2) + 7 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (2) + (1, 6) + 7 = 16

Am I close enough I need to make a save against the channeling, or am I alright? It's unlikely I'll fail and I have fire resistance, but better safe than sorry.

Alice moves up, and casts Scorching ray at the nearest soldier.

Move + standard action

ranged touch: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
damage: 4d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 6, 4) = 13

North of the Tower - Week 3 - Day 20 - A Hunting We Will Go

Surprise Round

Lothryin's spell Shakes the nearest groggy soldier, "Wha... what's happening...?!

Meanwhile, Nate and Alice begin slaying soldiers where they stand. Two fall before they ever had a chance to don their armor.

Grumble moves towards the Captain then pauses, "Yer g+~~%@n right."

A shockwave of fiery death rolls towards the Captain and two of his men caught in its radius.

The soldiers fall and die, their corpses smoldering as the fires die out. Varning cries out in pain but is still on his feet.

The shots startle but do not rattle the horses, better trained then the men it seems...

Round 1

"Seems you figured it out a little too late, didn't you?" Quips Soren quickly snapping off two more shots at the captain's chest. "I'm sure the Lord Commander will understand; if anyone finds your bodies before we kill him, I'll make sure he knows you might as well have died with your pants around your ankles."

Captain Varning falls back as his horse charges to him, too late... Smoke rises from his fallen form.

Initiative - Round 1
Nate and Alice - GO!
Soldier #6
Lothryin & Grumble
Soldier #1

Two soldiers left. Varning appears to be alive but gravely injured...