The Worldwound Incursion (Inactive)

Game Master DireMerc

With the last demon dealt with, Aeron runs over to the building they were trying to get into.

"Hello? Is everyone alright in there?"

You hear a voice and a man comes to the door looking out of the cracks.
"Yes...Me and my wife..Thank you so much for your help! I thought we were done for!"

Raven looks over the foul bodies of the splattered demons to see if there is anything in particular about them, valuable or otherwise.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

"Agh! That really smarts." States Orlando, feeling the injuries to his arm and face.
"I do believe that fellow was aiming for my face! Jealousy I suppose, considering the state of his own..." He limps over to pick up his crossbow.
"And he crushed my mirror too!" He shakes his head sadly, unable to check if a hair is out of place now.

Demons don't leave behind a body when they are beaten on the material plane. That are simply banished back to the abyss for 100 years. In order to permanently kill a demon you need to kill them in the abyss. How the demons vanish can vary sometimes they melt into green goo something they turn into smoke ect...

Nothing remains of the demons not even a body.

"I'm glad to hear everything is alright. We ended up getting knocked into the caverns beneath the city during the attack and have just recently made our way back to the surface. We're in desperate need of information. Do you know anything about the state of the city or her defense?"

The man starts to work on removing the barricade from his side all the while explaining "I'm afraid we know every little. When the attack started we barricaded ourselves inside the shop and haven't been outside since. At first the fighting was intense even here and we could hear magical explosions all over the city but by morning it had all died town and it was almost quiet. We saw some looters stealing from some of the abandoned house around here and these three demons are the first we have seen all day."

"Well that sounds somewhat promising, maybe the worst is over. We're going to push on to try to find someplace safe. You folks want to tag along?"

Tessai nods - "YOu should join us - we will make our best to make sure you are secure, as we try to find some sort of safe house" - Tessai adds - "What say you?"

If I remember correctly, we are heading to Horgus' manor, correct?

"I think that would be best...We can stay here anymore. Is there anything you want from the shop? Take whatever you would like we have clothing and banners for any occasion." says the man as he finishes taking down the barricade.

He and his wife introduce themselves as Belthis and Nira Loumis. They pack a few things and are ready to go.

respond as you would like.

You continue on your way and arrive at the manor.

In the middle of all the chaos and destruction, Horgus Gwerm’s manor is something of a miracle, for it seems to have escaped without any damage at all.

Horgus is somewhat disgusted that his guards and the help have abandoned the manor—even more so when he realizes that they made off with a lot of his valuables. Fortunately his vault remains locked tight, and while he might grumble about it, he stays true to his word and gives you the reward of gold he promised earlier.

"I always keep my word. Here is the gold I promised you." says Horgus passing you several bags of coins (10 bags of 200 gold)

You can see that what he is giving is only s small share of the wealth in his vault and he quickly locks it again after tacking a quick count of the inventory to make sure none is missing.

"I do believe that your staff fleeing the manor is the only reason it is so untouched. The demons are more interested in slaughtering people than destroying buildings. Still that doesn't mean they wont come back looking for survivors like the ones we saw before. When you move on I would rather go with you, I must know what happened to the other in my order and at the heart there might be a cleric that can restore my sight."

"I too would prefer to accompany you when you move on. At least all the way to the defender's Heart. I must know what happened to them."

"Well regardless of what you decide, I will be staying here."

Added the 2000gp to the party cash. Are we going to have to lug that around? Any cart or horse we can find in the ruined town?

Raven stands impatiently as the others discuss where to go next. The ruined city and the ill-feeling in the air continues to fill her with unease.

"Let's get to where we are going, and soon. This place feels wrong."

There are carts but any horse you find has been viciously slaughtered.

Like everyone is the party has 16+str, we'll be fine.

"Thank you Lord Gwerm. The city will need men of your generosity, if it is to recover from this terrible devastation. If we find safety, we'll send word. Until then, keep safe and stay out of sight. Good luck to you Sir."

Taking his leave, Aeron gathers up the rest of the ragtag band of refugees. "Since we are here, let's swing by the Nyserian Manor. Though depending on what we find, we may just want to hazard a quick glance."

Varn watches Horgus closely when they notice his keep has remained unmolested... He quietly observes all as they discuss their next plan of action until their blind companion mentions finding someone to restore his eyesight. "Agreed, we should move quickly. Leave this fool to his gold. Though Hargus, if it is ever discovered you were involved in this destruction by any means, know that I will spend the rest of my long life hunting you down."

"Well regardless of what you decide, I will be staying here."

In spite of not being particularly fond of the man, Tessai cannot simply accept that he will want to stay there completely alone in an overrun city.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Doubt she will find some underlying motive though :/

"Master Horgus, are you sure you intend to stay here completely by yourself? It is your decision of course, but how will you guarantee your safety? Let alone nourishment? Would you not prefer we found a safe house, as it seems your possessions will not be touched anyway while behind those close doors"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

Selka is very relieved to see that not everyone has fallen prey to the demons, and greets the two survivors warmly - "Well met friends, if you are in need of healing I can assist you, otherwise it would be best if we hurry up, we need to keep moving."

After arriving at the manor, Selka accepts the reward Horgus offers with a nod and a word of thanks, then before any decision is taken, she gathers everyone around her and swiftly administers much needed healing magic.

Hear ye, hear ye! Ladies and gentlemen, cleric's in town and she accepts orders! Step right up! Who among you fine folks is in need of the healing arts? ^_^

Just to be sure: Aeron, Varn, Raven, Tessai and all NPCs are uninjured. Selka and Orlando need healing.

Cure Light Wounds (sacrifice SM I) - Orlando: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Channel Positive Energy, Healing: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 1) = 6

Tessai took a few hits tough I remember not how much damage she took. All the npc are at full hp at this time.

Horgus hesitates then finally says "My property is warded against lesser demons, so long as the big ones are gone I should be safe here and I have the means to send a message to have men come here and get me. However if you agree to carry a few extra thousand gold I will accompany you if you are leaving the city"

Selka shakes her head - "Out of the question. We are not leaving the city, we are going to take it back! We just need to asses the situation, and decide the best course of actions..."

Orlando admires the clothing available at the shop, but ultimately has to pass on the couples kind offer.
"You are most generous sir, but I'm afraid we have many urgent things to do. Perhaps when we have reclaimed the city..."

At the mansion, Orlando politely accepts the coinage from Horgus, secretly relieve the complainer would be leaving the party here.

At receiveing the healing from Selka, Orlando is grateful; having been sore tested at the fight with the demons.
"Much appreciated Lady Selka! That was a dangerous fight. Now, are we going to the Nyserian Manor in daylight? Or waiting for nightfall?"

"Let us scout it during the daylight hours. We may then decide it best to approach at night, depending on how it is guarded." says Raven matter-of-factly.

For the time being you leave Horgus, Anivia, Arasvhial and the weavers at the Manor while you go check out Nyserian manor that is only a few blocks away.

When you arrive you are surprised to find that the Manor has been completely demolished and nothing remains but a large pile rubble.

Varn eyes the rubble with a critical eye. "That is most unfortunate." Not completely sure the rubble is not simply a magical trick, Varn casts a simple cantrip that will allow him to detect any magical auras in the area.

Casting Detect Magic

Varn detects faint traces of abjuration magic but it's just the leftovers of a now broken spell.

"Considering it supposedly a cultist stronghold, I would say that it's very fortunate. I hope the place was packed to the gills when it crumbled. Let's go back and grab the others. My house is on the way to the Defender's Heart. I mean to stop by and I hope you'll join me."

"I will be honored to join you of course."

Looking around the area you find a large imprint on the ground. It's not only you look at it for a moment that you realized that it's a footprint. The footprint is little over 30 feet long and 25 feet wide. Looking around you see another about 60 feet away. You realize that the creature that left these prints must have stepped on the manor and destroyed it. Finding nothing else of interest in the area you return to Gwerm Manor.

You tell the others of what you found and it's decided that Horgus and the weavers will stay here for now while the rest travel to Aeron's home and then The Defender's Heart.

You head east and north going around another devastate section of the city. You find yourself passing an area that overlooks the courtyard were all this started. The place you were standing when the Kite (The tower were the wardstone was kept) exploded and the demons attacked. You recall the large demon that tore open the ground from beneath and cause you to fall in the first place.
It looked like this and certainly seemed like it could have been big enough to leave the footprints near the destroyed Manor.

You also see the Cathedral of Saint Clydwell...It has been ripped in half and crushed, you recall that the silver dragon Terendelev and the stormking fell on the cathedral after their battle in the sky. The decapitated remains of the great dragon remain amid the ruins of the cathedral but it's head is nowhere to be seen.

Near the cathedral you see a dozen men in armor openly wearing the symbol of a demon lord!

They are gathering survivors and forcing them to fight to the death on a makeshift stage! Dozens of corpses are piled around the stage and 4 are on the stage fighting currently while three are tied up awaiting their fate. Above them two winged demons fly above enjoying the show.

You are still far away and could easily avoid them.

They around 200 feet away your at the top of a hill looking down into the courtyard, There are some destroyed buildings in the way but you can see over them. They are on the edge of the pit that you fell into at the start. In fact they aren't in your way you just need to keep going straight but I'm pretty sure you wont lol

Tessai had taken 3 damage, but it is all healed up after Selka's channel :D

At Nyserian Manor, after they find what could have been gigantic footprints:

Nodding at Aeron's consideration, Tessai adds - "But it seems it has been destroyed by a passing demon? This wouldn't make much sense would it?" - her semblant focused on understanding what may have happened here.

---------------

The tiefling looks dismayed at the state of the Cathedral, and the ruin that is now the temple that honoured Iomedae. When she notices the cultists, her eyes flare with anger.

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

"What is happening here..?" - she silently questions her companions while watching the scene.

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

As she notices the hovering creatures, she adds - "Those are quasit - not very strong if we use cold iron against them, else they are resistant and hard to kill, but..."

Realizing only now that those on the makeshift stage are being forced to fight each other, Tessai trembles visibly in anger - "What?!" - her voice begins to rise - "Is this some sort of spectacle for those monsters?! My eyes are surely deceiving me... I will NOT allow it" - she begins rising, as if motioning to approach - "Orlando? Raven? Do you wish to take an advantageous position - I have to stop this immediately! Do you have cold iron amunition? Take down those quasit as fast as possible" - she asks of her companions, casting a spell of her own while they are still out of sight.

Tessai casts Protection from Evil on herself, and is on the verge of charging in - she will not risk another innocent death. You guys want to make any previous preparations? :D

"Aye we'll fight. "

Aeron pulls out his dragon scale, "Would this be of any use for the arrows? Do these types of beasties fear the power of goodness and justice?"

If alingning a weapon good or lawful will bypass DR, Aeron will use the scale on a pile of arrows for our pew-pewers. Either way, we will prepare to charge in with Tessai.

As a matter of fact that would work they have DR/cold iron or good

Raven lays her quiver out, allowing Aeron to use his dragon scale to align her arrows.

"I do not have Cold Iron, so this needs to suffice. I will provide ranged cover, and work on those flying demons. You can focus on the cultists."

She waits until all are in position and the signal is given, then fires at the nearest quasit, hoping the dragon scale rubs off on her missiles.

First Shot: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

If within 30', add one more to each roll for Point Blank Shot.

Varn surveys the slaughter with narrowed eyes, clenching his fists tightly. "Indeed, we must send these... men... to whatever Hell awaits them. I will not be of much assistance in this fight, I fear, most of my spells have been wasted for today. Perhaps I should remain here with Raven and Orlando, to assist with taking down the quasits."

He will also add his quiver to receive the blessing from Aeron's scale. While he waits, he formulates a plan. "If need be, I have a spell that could perhaps cover our escape. Should the battle begin to go poorly for you, take what survivors you can and flee towards us. I will drop a cloud of mist to obscure our foes' vision and allow us a few moments to regroup for another offensive."

Orlando pulls out his crossbow bolts.
"This is a heroic thing to be sure. I just pray that this isn't bait for heroes like ourselves."

The spell can only affect 50 arrows/bolts or one weapon

50 projectiles, so theoretically could to 25 arrows and 25 bolts, if they were all piled together at the start.

Yes just keep track of how you divide them.

I have 10 crossbow bolts.

Raven lays out 20 arrows. "If we can't fell them with this, then we had better be ready to retreat."

I don't know who all is pew-pewing, so just post what you're putting in the pile. Aeron's going to focus on the cultists, so if we need to burn 2 uses on arrows that's fine, but I imagin that 50 shots should do it.

Tessai grinds her teeth, seemingly furious at witnessing the scene unfolding just a few yards from them, her eyes burning with fervor.

Tessai is ready to GO with furious vengeance :D

Alright sorta busy atm will try to get a map up tomorrow at some point. You can start posting surprise rounds actions like long range attacks but if your moving into melee range or whitin 30 feet for point blank shot your going to need to rolls some stealth checks. If you get spotted you will lose he surprise and it will go to init.

Raven's first distance shot at Quasit, posted above.

Varn takes half of the imbued arrows and slips them into his quiver, then puts one to his string. He waits until the front line fighters get into a closer position, then will fire his arrow at the nearest quasit.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Surprise___________

Orlando targets a quasit, adjusts for windage and braces.
Crossbow shot: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 1 = 25 for a possible 1d8 ⇒ 5 piercing and good damage.
...Crit confirm?: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 1 = 14 for a possible extra 2d8 ⇒ (3, 5) = 8 piercing and good damage.

Aeron tries to sneak down to within 60ft of the group to throw a chakram.

Surprise!!
Stealth if you need: 1d20 + 2 - 6 ⇒ (15) + 2 - 6 = 11
Chakram (2x range)vs Cultist: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 4 - 2 = 16
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Tessai tries to approach as silently as she can.

Stealth: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (17) - 2 = 15

Whaaaat?! Not bad :D