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

Game Master Dennis Harry

A piercing cry shrieks over the walls as the dragon voices his displeasure with the defenses. With the soldiers lined up on the wall Aurex drops in, gaining speed. He then strafes along the wall, lighting up the heart of the soldiers with burning flames.

Going for a strafing rune, coming sideways to catch as many soldiers as possible with a 60 ft. line of fire.

Fire Damage: 3d8 ⇒ (6, 8, 3) = 17 DC 15 reflex for half

Just to be clear Aurex, there are three groups, one consisting of 5 by the gates of Aldencross, and two separate groups of 10 within the city at different points, you wanted to hit the 5 by the gate first?

The Tower Kitchens - Alice and Morana

One of the cooks seems a bit hesitant to let Alice take over but Morana's response convinces him to head to his quarters and rest. Half the staff along goes along with, some because they are tired others because those who are falling asleep appear to need actual physical assistance to get out of the kitchens.

That leaves but three servers within each looking at Mama expectantly as she is now the oldest in the room.

Mama shrugs, "Well, let's prepare some lunch shall we?"

Soren and Grumble - to the Tower

You both head to the "back" entrance of the Tower maybe getting a quarter of the way there before Aurex begins his assault on the city proper. That will serve as quite the distraction indeed...

Raaven - Master CAldwin’s Cauldron

After a quite thorough search of the shop and after staying quite still for a quite a long time, Raaven concludes that the Alchemist is simply not home.

The creature can soon enough hear screams of panic from outside but he knows what all that fuss is about.

A more focused search strikes paydirt! Several vials of potions line the shelves of the backroom, there are 11 potions (extracts) in all.

Raaven shapeshifts into an octopus, hovering invisibly near the potions and using his dexterous arms to transfer them all into his sack. Then he left, heading toward Aurex to act as a communication relay between the dragon and the rest of the group.

Correct, I'll go for the ones at the gate.

Ignoring the growing blaze as the embers dance about her and Jack, Soren cocks her head not unlike a dog before looking around. "Did you hear that? It sounds like there's someone following us... but I don't see them." Soren pauses in place and sniffs at the air, before zeroing in on a seemingly open patch of unburnt grass. "It's the Lamashtans," Soren says in passing before approaching their hidden location. "No use in trying to hide from us. I can hear your clumsy footfalls from a mile away and I smell the old stew that's dried into your pants. Are you here to help us, or are you trying to sneak away unnoticed and back out on our deal?" She gives a slight grin after her second suggestion, enough to make it seem like it might only be a joke.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25

Jack looked around, not liking the idea of invisible people near him, even if they were allies. Kind of.

He scowled and let Soren do the talking.

Soren and Grumble - to the Tower

James scoffs still invisible he replies, "Flee now? At our hour of triumph? With that glorious Dragon appearing out of nowhere, it's a sign, Lamashtu is with us! Lead on, once you lull these fools into a false sense of security, we will begin the slaying..."

You're approach to the rear entrance of the Tower is clear.

The Tower Kitchens - Alice and Morana

BUMP!

Aurex vs. Aldencross

As Aurex comes in low to strafe the guards, the five soldiers loose a volley at the Dragon.

The fiery breath of the large foe melts rocks and turns sand to glass. What it does to these poor doomed fools is much, much worse. Of the five fool-hearty souls, four are incinerated. Their screams of horror are echoed by the citizens nearby who watch as a creature of legend appears as if out of their nightmares! The one soldier who does manage to evade the worst of the fire is also the only one who even came close to injuring Aurex and that arrow bounced harmlessly off of the great Dragon's armored hide.

From the center of town the Captain who met with Soren and Grumble screams, "Dragon, take cover! Sir Jack! Inquisitor! Return from the woods!"

But of course, the villains posing as heroes are long out of earshot by now...

Aurex, you suffer zero damage from that volley. We are not officially in Initiative yet, go ahead and let me know what you want to do and the town will react. Right now the woods to the west are on fire and four of the five soldiers guarding the gate are dead. The city itself is not on fire with the exception of Black Ice Inn which from your vantage point, that fire was almost contained, it's likely your appearance will prevent the townsfolk from continuing to worry about that fire overmuch.

"How long you an' your boys get to be invisible?" Sir Jack asked the empty air as they moved toward the fortress. "Can you take out the catapults? Just go cut a bunch of ropes and stuff while you can't be seen?"

"While you do that, we'll hit the gate house."

I have an idea here.

Raaven reached Aurex, and in his octopus form he snagged one of the horns on the dragon's head. Still invisible and flying, the little Daemon wrapped around the horn and rode it, going where the dragon went, vicariously reveling in the destruction.

"I hope you don't mind me keeping you company while you work. It is quite inspiring to watch." Raaven said into Aurex's mind.

Id like to take the three servers, and preferably mama out with one spell if possible. Color spray might be too risky. Would they be close enough together to glitterdust?

If you can otherwise my bet is to fake being ill to leave the room. They will probably die in the fight and if not they will assume we did.

Soren and Grumble - to the Tower

The High Priest chuckles, "I've been creating and hoarding these potions for some time, we've at least 30 more minutes each, give or take.

I suppose we could but we'd need to get inside first, we could not scale the walls, all that equipment I was hoarding in the Inn and we were forced out as I'm sure you've not forgotten".

The Tower Kitchens - Alice and Morana

For sure, you can get them into one area easily enough to target them all, they are non-combatants so if they make any saves it'll be pure luck.

Aurex comes back, landing on top of the soldier and ripping into him with teeth. He roars and sprays blood over the corpses, snaking his neck around at his victory.

Bite: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
Damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

"You go in when we go in. Just stay close, then split off when we're inside." Jack said to the invisible Lamashtans.

Heading for the keep.

I guess it would be safe then to color spray. My plan is to try and get them close enough together to color spray them, hoping they all go out cold. If they are all helpless, coup de grace and stash the corpses in a corner. Then we can use the kitchen to build a huge fire. Oil. Wood. Set a good blaze and cause a big distraction for those still in the keep.

Someday I will be well rested and maybe figure out that I am a villain in this game. Thank you for being evil ;)

I like that Morana hasn't fully embraced the dark yet. It's like she's willing to be evil in her head, but can't quite bring herself to do evil things unless she's upset. It's a very neat and different take on being evil.

The Tower Kitchens - Alice and Morana

Alice and Morana work the staff into a line to makes sandwiches for lunch, all seem a bit apprehensive as the mood of the Tower is one of uncertainty with rumors of something in Aldencross taking place, especially with the Lord Commander away looking for his missing Rangers.

Luckily for Mama and the kitchen staff they need not worry over long about how it will all turn out, a spray of color from Alice's hands brings all of them to their knees and then flat on their faces unconscious. As calmly as she was cutting vegetable a few moments ago, Alice slices the throats of all the townsfolk.

Morana swallows hard as she sees Mama's disabled form pleading with her life with her eyes, her body rigid from the magic, as Alice finishes her last.

The furniture is piled up on the corner along with the bodies, then at that perfect moment as the match is about to be dropped, two soldiers step into the kitchen, "What the!" exclaims the first.

"What have you done!?" roars the second.

Time for initiative, says the DM.

Round 1
Alice - GO!
Soldiers.
Morana

Map Updated. Note that the door to the kitchen is open, so a drawn out fight could draw in other soldiers...

Agreed Grumble, the differing levels of Evil within the group are part of what makes this group dynamic so fantastic and why I couldn't let this one die.

Aurex vs. Aldencross

Aurex lands near the front gates right next to a small stone fortification that appears to have once been used for guard duty.

The soldier has no hope to win and Aurex's jaws clamp down on the screaming guard. His claws gran at the humans body and he rends the poor doomed fool to shreds, soaking the nearby buildings with Mitran blood.

Any townsfolk nearby are now scattered, no more chew toys for Aurex...

Then to Aurex's surprise, the door to the small Tower opens and Captain Eddarly exits in full armor armed with a long sword and dagger.

"I do not know where you came from creature but I do know where you are going, above my mantle piece as the ultimate trophy!"

Initiative -
Aurex 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Edderly 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Round 1 -
Aurex - GO!
Edderly.

Map Updated.

Is Nate still watching for now? He would have lost line of sight on Aurex from the woods as he landed to kill the soldier.

The Tower Rear Entrance - Soren and Grumble

As Soren and Grumble approach, there are seven guards at the rear entrance all on full alert and wielding pole arms and full plate.

The lead soldier salutes "Sir Jack", "Sir Jack, I see fires in the city, are you coming for reinforcements? What the bloody hell is going on down there? The Magister was about to head down with us when it seems a number of our men came down with illness, he believes it's no coincidence and brought the men to the Acolytes for..."

Another soldier chimes in, "Is it true Sir Balin? Is Father Donnagin with Mitra!?"

The lead guard turns and glares at him through his visor.

Map Updated

Yeah I'm assuming Nate lost sight, he will be with the others and prepared to summon Aurex to assault the front.

Aurex snorts, flames spitting from his nostrils. He takes to the air, bringing the corpse of the guard with him and violently shaking it, spewing blood and gore over the battlements.

Dazzling display, basically trying to be really flashy and draw as much attention as possible.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

I like Aurex's style. Don't fight on his terms. Just rain corpses on him. And fire.

"Its true. And no coincidence. Aldencross is under attack by cultists. We don't know what they want yet, but it's clear this is all planned."

"Get moving. We'll be right behind you. Where is the Magister?"

I'm going to take a move action to light the fire. I dont want that to wait any longer. The map says that a square is 10 foot so I assume I can cast without provoking.

The carefully build pyre catches eaily ablaze. Its light reflects in Alice eyes.
"The false platitueds of Mitra shall burn away! Its hypocrisy will be revealed for all!"

Cast shocking grasp, ready to touch a soldier if they come into range.

Aurex vs. Aldencross

Eddarly is not shaken by the display, "Come down coward, face me!" The little fleshbag calls out in futility as gore rains down upon him, the tower he was just hiding in, and the gates to the town.

From this vantage point, Aurex can se that the villagers have run to the north, away from where he is and away from where he set the fires to the west of the village.

The soldiers near the smoldering Black Ice Inn are racing to rally with Eddarly. It is just as well that Aurex has taken to the air, that many opponents and one of them as well trained and disciplined as Eddarly may have been to much for him, for now!

What action do you take next? If you do not climb or fly north or east, next round you will be in the arrow range of the soldiers rushing towards you from the west and the south.

The Tower Rear Entrance - Soren and Grumble

"Yes Sir, Sir Jack! The Magister is within summoning aid from those that Serve", he salutes and the six with him rush off right behind him.

The Lamashtan chuckles very close to you both, "You are quite good at this indeed Grumble. Perhaps you would be interested in the teachings of the Mother of Monsters yes? It seems a shame that you worship another..."

You then hear their footfalls quietly in the halls of the Tower preceding you and Soren.

What next? You do not see anyone else in the main hall at the moment.

The Tower Kitchens - Alice and Morana

The soldiers charge forward!

Alice, go ahead and take your attack action before I resolve their attacks.

touch attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

+3 bonus on attack rolls if the opponent is wearing metal armor (or is carrying a metal weapon or is made of metal).

damage: 5d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 3, 5, 2) = 19

"Your god can not protect you!"

Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (10) - 1 = 9

Jack snorted at the invisible Lamashtans. "A shame for you maybe. Go break those catapults."

"We gotta find the Magister. You remember where his rooms are?" he asked Lydia.

Heading inside. I don't remember if Jack knows where the Magister's chambers are or not.

Aurex will stay within arrow range (albeit somewhat high to get a range penalty).

Aurex throws the body down, letting what remains of the mangled corpse crash over the battlements. He roars, challenging the little soldiers to combat.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20

The Tower Kitchens - Alice and Morana

The Mitran fool's lifeless corpse is truck so powerfully by Alice's spell that his body is flung into the hallway! His scream echoes loudly in the room and into the hall.

The other soldier attacks Morana grimly not quite sure that his friend has perished.

His sword cuts true! From her right collarbone to her left hip Morana is sliced open and in agony. 20 damage! You'll need a pretty hefty concentration check to cast a spell this round.

Round 1 - Morana - GO!

Round 2 - Alice
Soldier
Morana

The Tower Rear Entrance - Soren and Grumble

Before Soren can respond to Grumble's question a body is flung into the hallway from a room up ahead on the right crackling from electrical energy and quite dead. Over his death rattle, or scream if you prefer, you hear a familiar voice, "Your god cannot protect you!"

It is Alice. At this time, the hall has no soldiers in it but that was loud so it is likely only a matter of time.

If the Lamashtans react, you do not see it.

No, neither of you know where the Magisters' quarters are but likely they are not on the ground floor.

Aurex vs. Aldencross

This time Aurex has shaken the men below him, with shaking hands they reach back to pull arrows and fire up at him. Their leader though seems unfazed by your tactics though he chooses to race to the front of the line towards Eddarly instead of fire at you.

These are the ones farthest north in the city.

A single lucky shot does manage to strike your underbelly and one more comes close but the rest miss you entirely. 4 Damage.

Actions?

Jack started jogging toward the sound of Alice's voice.

Actually before they split up Nate cast mage armor on Aurex.

Nate gives Aurex's human form a firm handshake before splitting up. "No dying today, hear me?" He casts mage armor on Aurex, then goes the other direction.

So his current AC is 24.

My hide is thick, but magic stopped at least one of those. Aurex gives a grunt, acknowledging Nate's influence before getting some distance for another run.

Breath weapon takes 4 full rounds to recharge, so Aurex will take a wide sweep to line himself up and come back in 2 rounds to hit them again.

are we using special rules for magic? Normally you need a comcentration check to maintain a spell when you take damage during cadting, but not if you take damage, then start casting

are we using special rules for magic? Normally you need a comcentration check to maintain a spell when you take damage during cadting, but not if you take damage, then start casting

Sorry, 3.5 on the brain...

The Tower Kitchens - Alice and Morana

Round 1 - Morana - GO!

Round 2 - Alice
Soldier
Morana

Actually before they split up Nate cast mage armor on Aurex.

OK, drop your base stats into the Race line of your profile including temporary stats so I can see them. Thanks!

Aurex vs. Aldencross

Aurex continues to fly and climbs for better altitude to avoid the pesky arrows. The two commanders confer and begin to order the men to head into the tower, it seems that the humans realize that standing in the streets to be burned alive is not the greatest tactical decision.

I'll adjust the map accordingly for your next pass, hold off until I get to that tonight.

Soren and Grumble

Grumble heads down the hall with Soren close behind.

Grumble & Soren, you will be able to act at the top of Round 3. Grumblejack 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12 - Soren 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Sorry! Migraine kicked my butt and then repairs barred me from my room. So no check to casts?

A yelp tears though her throat. Let me out! Both hand go to the wound. Pulling one bloodly hand away from her and pointing it at him. A gout of fire rushes out of her palm.

I am having issues finding the map but I would like to try to avoid hitting Alice... I need better damage spells.

Burning hands DC 15 reflex for half: 5d4 ⇒ (3, 2, 1, 3, 2) = 11

[ooc]If morana's spell doesnt drop the guard, Alice will cast burning hands also (same caveat that she does not want to hit Morana.[ooc]

burning hands DC16 reflex half: 5d4 ⇒ (3, 1, 2, 1, 2) = 9

The Tower Kitchens - Alice and Morana

The blaze next to Alice begins to burn but then so does the guard!

The man stands his ground, very badly burned by you both, he raises his blade to strike down Morana but then a large shadow looms in the doorway behind him bringing a grin to Alice and MOrana's faces... Grumble has arrived.

---

The Tower Kitchens - Grumble, Soren, Alice and Morana

As Grumble rounds the corner, the Ladies have taken the liberty to murder much of the kitchen staff, the fool old woman making the poison stew, and began what appears to be a cookout victory celebration as the soldier whose back is to him smells fresh charred. To his credit he is standing but if you have anything to say about it, not for long!

Round 3 Grumble & Soren GO!

---

The map is at the top of the page, The Watchtower of Balentyne. :-).

Since I'm Sir Jack at the moment, the guard should think I'm on his side for a moment.

Gauntlet Attack vs. Flat Footed: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18
Damage, power attack, hidden strike: 1d4 + 7 + 1d8 ⇒ (4) + 7 + (8) = 19

Jack casually swatted the soldier into the wall.

Alice grins. "Well well well. If it isnt Sir Jack. Come to join the barbeque?"

Instead of attacking, Soren chants under her breath in Infernal, and casts a glowing hand toward one of the soldiers attacking her compatriots. "Be still," she says, grinning as she finishes her incantation. "We just need to ask you a few questions."

Soren casts Hold Person, with a DC of 16.