The Year of Our Lord 1437 Pathfinder RAW PBP (Inactive)

Game Master Michael Johnson 66

Ker-plop! Into the green slime goes the vile throne, gaining another 1,600 XP for the Crusaders!

Hearing Zagathoth request the fly spell, Boga speaks up. "The Lord has blessed us with the gift of flight. In his name, I can pass this blessing to you or Johann such that you may orchestrate the deadly attacks you have discussed." Boga crosses himself, "May we be victorious in His name."

Perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (10) + 17 = 27 Boga looks around as Quinlan pulls levers and Johann topples thrones...

MAP OF LEVEL 4 OF THE DEEPER CATACOMBS

The Crusaders are now exploring area 15, the throne room...

As Johann is watching with horrified fascination the dissolution of the throne into the green slime from the throne island...and Quinlan is pulling levers with the magic hand to rotate the bridge to north-south again, with everyone else at the north corridor...

Behind the majority of the Crusaders, in the back of the north corridor, the sound of doors swinging open and a shrieking woman’s voice, accompanied by heavy footfalls and sinister snorting can be heard!

In Infernal: NOOOOO!!! PLEASE!! I BEG YOU!! I will make a deal...A DEAL!! PLEEEASE!! UNHAND ME, you WICKED BRUTES!!

In Infernal: Oh? What kind of deal, witch? What can you possibly offer us to convince us to disobey orders from our superiors?

The other, in Infernal: SHHH!! I think there be someone ‘round the corner, using the bridge...

EDIT: These are in fact barbed rather than bearded devils, as Lucrezia wouldn’t be as threatened or helpless against CR 5 devils... That being said, now might be a good time for the party to regroup and use that teleport scroll lol... or at least beat a hasty retreat!

You said that last time and we won! :D

You said that last time and we won! :D

True! Lol...

Quinlan, hearing the approaching enemies, quickly grants Johann access to the rest of the party, or vise versa, with the levers...

As this will be a daunting encounter, I’ll let the party determine their starting positions when the two barbed devils and witch arrive...and what position the bridge is in...

The fiends hesitate with their captive, listening...

Normally, they’d march around the corner to see who’s playing around in the green slime throne room...

...but they’d recently heard rumors of a band of mighty crusaders cutting a swath of furious justice through the Catacombs...

One whispers to the other in Infernal: Hey! D’ya think it’s Those One Guys!?

The other looks askance at its fellow and queries, What one guys are you talking about, idiot?

The fiends hesitate with their captive, listening...

Normally, they’d march around the corner to see who’s playing around in the green slime throne room...

...but they’d recently heard rumors of a band of mighty crusaders cutting a swath of furious justice through the Catacombs...

One whispers to the other in Infernal: Hey! D’ya think it’s Those One Guys!?

The other looks askance at its fellow and queries, What one guys are you talking about, idiot?

In Italian: He means... The BRAVE CRUSADERS OF THE CATACOMBS!! YES!! PLEASE, LET IT BE THEM!! HEEEEELLLLP!! screams the tricky witch!

Johann quickly slithers back to the group and transforms. "TIME TO GO? HOLD ON LADIES!"

Let's not be over confident now, these are the guards of the final boss!

I need a little clarification... they're around a corner so we can't see any of them yet, right? And how much of all that do we actually hear?

In character, have we heard of Striga yet? We certainly haven't encountered her...but we might have heard of her from Pope Eugenius, I can't remember. I'm not sure whether we'd have a sense of the witch and these two devils being a LOT for us to handle...I hope that would be obvious when we see them, but I don't know about before then. We should also keep in mind that the two wounded girls are still waiting on us to remove them from this place. That alone may be enough reason for us to flee without waiting to see the creatures, despite feeling pretty confident. Also, we may not yet be considering how awed we should probably feel by this throne room when thinking our characters feel very confident.

I agree that our characters might not want to flee because they are pretty overconfident at this point. However, in this case I think metagaming is okay. MJ obvious intends for us to get out of here. If we try to fight we may not get a chance to get away and then it is game over.

This might be partly influenced by the idea that if our characters die MJ will let us keep playing with new ones, but I’d kind of rather die staying in character than live by metagaming... of course, in character I’ll do what Lucius tells me to do so that’s a pretty easy obstacle to overcome.

From a metagame perspective though... iirc these aren’t actually end boss guards, those guys passed her off to these guys... which means that these aren’t super high end demons and that the super high demons didn’t think the witch was so strong that these two couldn’t handle her... if we gave her enough hope to fight and then let the demons soften her up before we really get their attention then by the time we finish them she’d either be weak enough to take out more easily or maybe even weak enough to surrender (especially if she’s mad enough about her punishment to want revenge against Nero). There’s a lot of big if’s in that scenario but maybe something to consider?

This really comes down to whether Lucius knows Striga. If he does, and he's been around Rome long enough that he might, then letting her be punished would be very tempting... although probably not allowed since humans can be redeemed, but demons can't. If he hasn't then duty practically requires a rescue attempt - although I look forward to the talk afterwards where an Int based caster tries to lie to an Inquisitor!

Basically, I'd like a bit more info from MJ before calling it - assuming that most people will follow Lucius' lead here?

Based on how you’ve done so far, I’m almost thinking you guys can handle 2 barbed devils, especially if the witch helps instead of just trying to escape as soon as combat starts... But I’d hate to see a plot twist turn into a TPK lol... Regarding the party’s knowledge of Striga Lucrezia, I’d say Lucius would probably have a pretty fair chance of recognizing her for who she is...

MAP OF LEVEL 4 OF THE DEEPER CATACOMBS

The Crusaders could start the combat with the bridge connecting north-south, which would allow them to meet the enemy in melee and vise versa... Or they could have the bridge connecting east-west, leaving a gulf of green slime between them and the enemy... Which do you choose?

North-South I think, we're much better in melee than at range.

"Quinlan, set the bridge so that we can charge! Be ready to move it again if things go badly." The Cardinal orders, making his mind up. "Zag, Bear, Fox. Prepare for combat!"

The correct answer was east-west so that you could convince the witch to fight and we’d help her but she’d have to fight them basically alone for a couple round while we moved the bridge... north-south definitely does favor Zag’s style though.

”Horned-man, if you have a magic for making me more strong or more big, use it,” Zagathoth requests as a tension so palpable that even he can’t miss it settles in. ”Padre, tell me how to fight them and I can do it...”

If anyone has any buffs, now’s the time to use them! I can use martial flexibility to make barbed devils a favored enemy but I need someone to tell me what they are and how to fight them (technically, by RAW there’s no such requirement but the ability doesn’t make any sense without that)

I'm going to be seriously hampered unless someone can cast something like align weapons on me. For good damage.

"GRRRR....ROARRRRRRRRWWWWW!" I shall grab and twist them!

Johann takes the opportunity to transform into a bear!

Quinlan sets the bridge to span north-south and then quickly produces a scroll of align weapon and casts it, touching Johann on his furry dire bear head, temporarily causing his bite and claws to become good-aligned weapons...

Having enchanted Dire Bear Johann’s natural weapons to be good-aligned, Quinlan beckons Zagathoth over as he produces another such scroll (wisely scribed during his crafting time), and says, Come here, Green-Guy,, I have something more useful than bull’s strength or enlarge for you... This will make your weapon count as sacred against these fiends! He casts align weapon off the second scroll, aligning Doomcrescent good...

The enemies hesitate for 3 rounds, giving the party that amount of prep time...

3rd round of pre-combat prep:

Out of useful spells, Quinlan pulls out his trusty wand of magic missiles and moves to the south most archway...

Should we need to evacuate, come to me! I will use the teleport scroll!

Johann lifts his snout and roars a challenge to the fiends!

"Grrrr.... ROOARRRRR!" Come at us, evil-doers!

INITIATIVES:
QUINLAN 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
JOHANN 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
CARDINAL LUCIUS 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
BARBED DEVILS 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
LUCREZIA 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
OGON FOX 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
ZAGATHOTH 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
BOGA HAND OF JAN HUS 1d20 ⇒ 20

"They are devils Zagathoth, resistant to most energy types, but easily harmed by the powers of good. Fight them as you would any other enemy and do not hold back - the Lord frowns upon these creatures and we must deliver his judgement!"

I know the tactical switch would be useful, but then the devils could simply not engage. Straight into melee is definitely this parties MO!

Lucius re-casts Divine Favor and Protection from Evil on himself. Final round is Heroism.

Dies Irae drawn the Cardinal waits in the centre of the bridge...

BATTLE OF THE GREEN SLIME THRONE ROOM!! ROUND 1!! FIGHT!!

BOGA HAND OF JAN HUS!
QUINLAN!
ZAGATHOTH!
OGON FOX!
DIRE BEAR JOHANN!
CARDINAL LUCIUS!
WITCH LUCREZIA!
BARBED DEVILS TWO!

EEEK!! EEEEEEKK!!!

Good Initiative order for the Crusaders in this battle...

wow- I got a natural 1 on my initiative and still beat their natural 1 initiative! woot!

As a swift action Johann activates his lesser bear form, granting +2 constitution.

His blood boiling, the bear charges at the nearest devil and swipes with his huge claw. He attempts to hold on!

Claw Attack & damage: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 12 + 2 = 181d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 6 + (6) = 15 str 5 bab 7 size-1 amulet 1 charge 2; str 5 amulet 1 acid amulet d6

Free Grab attempt: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (4) + 19 = 23 4 damage Kraken style when grab is successful

The great bear’s claw is deflected by the devil’s spiny barbs!

Having enchanted Dire Bear Johann’s natural weapons to be good-aligned, Quinlan beckons Zagathoth over as he produces another such scroll (wisely scribed during his crafting time), and says, Come here, Green-Guy,, I have something more useful than bull’s strength or enlarge for you... This will make your weapon count as sacred against these fiends! He casts align weapon off the second scroll, aligning Doomcrescent good...

EDIT: Or is Zagathoth’s newly combined magical falchion called Flamecrescent now?

***final round of buffing***
Absorbing the priest's counsel, Zagathoth embraces a holy hatred against the devil and lets it fester as he prepares for battle.
using martial flexibility to gain dedicated adversary [barbed devil] and grudge fighter

***round 1***
As the bridge clicks into place, the orc flies into a frothing rage and charges the infernal threats...
charge: 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 12 + 2 + 2 = 35, for: 2d4 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (4, 4) + 16 + 2 = 26
confirm?: 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 12 + 2 + 2 = 22, for another: 2d4 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (2, 2) + 16 + 2 = 22
well... if they're actually flat-footed (since they haven't acted yet) I think that might confirm!

edit: they used the flaming enchant to power keen instead, so flamecrescent would be misleading...

***final round of buffing***

Absorbing the priest's counsel, Zagathoth embraces a holy hatred against the devil and lets it fester as he prepares for battle.
using martial flexibility to gain dedicated adversary [barbed devil] and grudge fighter

***round 1***
As the bridge clicks into place, the orc flies into a frothing rage and charges the infernal threats...
[dice=charge]1d20+12+2+2, [dice=for]2d4+16+2
[dice=confirm?]1d20+12+2+2, [dice=for another]2d4+16+2
well... if they're actually flat-footed (since they haven't acted yet) I think that might confirm!

edit: they used the flaming enchant to power keen instead, so flamecrescent would be misleading...

The barbed devils are squeezing with the striga between them in the corridor that leads back to area 16... Zagathoth dashes up and hacks deeply into the leftmost with Doomcrescent, dealing 48 damage!

In Infernal: YYEEOOWWCH!!! It’s them! Oh s%#$!! It’s those guys that killed Maggotwing and his brother!

The wily Fox casts grease under the feet of the barbed devils (and the witch, since she is between them)!

DC 15 Reflex save from all 3. If I can get one to fall that would add a +4 to Johann's attack roll...

Reflex vs Fox grease 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19 succeeds...
Reflex vs Fox grease 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33 also succeeds...
Neither devil slips in the grease!

Reflex vs Fox grease 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24 succeeds! No one slips in Fox’s grease this round...

The Cardinal imbues his blade with devil-slaying might and charges alongside Zagathoth!

DI Charge!, Hero, DF, Holy, Bane: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 8 + 2 + 3 + 2 + 2 = 26 Damage: 2d6 + 3 + 2 + 3 + 2d6 + 2d6 ⇒ (1, 3) + 3 + 2 + 3 + (2, 1) + (1, 5) = 21 Well those were disappointing damage rolls...

Surrounded by protective holy energies and glowing with the divine light of God the Cardinal presents a ferocious sight!

AC is currently 19

The Cardinal imbues his blade with devil-slaying might and charges alongside Zagathoth!

[dice=DI Charge!, Hero, DF, Holy, Bane]d20+8+2+3+2+2 [dice=Damage]2d6+3+2+3+2d6+2d6 Well those were disappointing damage rolls...

Surrounded by protective holy energies and glowing with the divine light of God the Cardinal presents a ferocious sight!

AC is currently 19

The Inquisitor Cardinal smites a mighty blow for God, almost bringing the wounded devil to its knees...

Down 69 damage!

Infernal: GAAAAHH!! Why me!? There’s three of us, why’re they killing me!?

Infernal: You are the ugliest! Now UNHAND.ME, GRISTLECHOPS, or by LUCIFER, I’ll have you FLAYED AND IMPALED ON YOUR OWN BARBS!!

The witch struggles ineffectually in the iron grip of the barbed devils...

Quinlan aims his wand of magic missiles, with its petrified hornet inside a shard of amber at its tip, at the wounded devil and shouts, Hornitos!, evoking three hornet-shaped missiles of amber-colored force, which buzz angrily toward the barbed devil and sting it viciously before vanishing!

3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 2, 1) + 3 = 9 force damage...

Quinlan aims his wand of magic missiles, with its petrified hornet inside a shard of amber at its tip, at the wounded devil and shouts, Hornitos!, evoking three hornet-shaped missiles of amber-colored force, which buzz angrily toward the barbed devil and sting it viciously before vanishing!

3d4+3 force damage...

Infernal: GAAAHH!! BEES!! BEES!! AAAAHHH!!

Down 78 damage...

Readies an action to retrieve a scroll of teleport from her handy haversack if the devils release her.

LET ME GO, you BUFFOONS!! THESE BRAVE HEROES ARE GOING TO DESTROY YOU!! HAHAHAHAHA!!

After Boga:

The barbed devils release the witch, who immediately pulls out a scroll and unravels it!

They are currently squeezing the witch between them in the 10-foot-wide corridor, making effective attacks less effective...
Claw 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (20) + 18 = 38 against JOHANN, dealing 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (3, 2) + 6 = 11 slashing damage plus Will DC 20 fear for 1d4 ⇒ 2 rounds... Claw 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (16) + 18 = 34 against ZAGATHOTH [deals 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (1, 5) + 6 = 12 slashing damage plus Will DC 20 fear for 1d4 ⇒ 1 rounds...

After Boga:

The other barbed devil helps his fellow against the same Crusaders...
Claw 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (5) + 18 = 23 against JOHANN, dealing 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (7, 6) + 6 = 19 slashing damage plus Will DC 20 fear for 1d4 ⇒ 4 rounds... Claw 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (14) + 18 = 32 against ZAGATHOTH [deals 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (2, 4) + 6 = 12 slashing damage plus Will DC 20 fear for 1d4 ⇒ 3 rounds...

The devils strike with ferocious force, rending Johann and Zagathoth with their awful claws!

BATTLE OF THE GREEN SLIME THRONE ROOM!! ROUND 2!! FIGHT!!

BOGA HAND OF JAN HUS!
QUINLAN!
ZAGATHOTH!
OGON FOX!
DIRE BEAR JOHANN!
CARDINAL LUCIUS!
WITCH LUCREZIA!
BARBED DEVILS TWO!

EEEK!! EEEEEEKK!!!