Those Who Walk in Blood (Inactive)

Game Master Stalwart

Kage's eyes grow large with fright when the phantom horeseman appears!
"Aiiie! That thrice damned Ricer! I bet he knew of this monstrosity..."

Kage's strange eyes glitter as he studies this strange new foe, and as he watches the undead musculature rippling a part of his mind can't help thinking, 'Glorious! It must absolutely scythe through it's foes. I'm going to die here aren't I...'

Cautiously, not willing to commit to an all out attack, Kage probes the things defenses!
Studied attack, Defensive: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 9 - 4 = 16Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
AC = 20 this round

^^ AC=24, including bonus from Mama Bess

Probably just as well! That thing is scary...

"Stand firm", Eris advises, staring up at the hulking creature. "If you flee and show this creature your backs, you draw forth its killer instinct - you won't be fleeing for much longer. Our best chance is to stand together, repel this creature, and then go back to killing each other (or Ricer) later."

Bluff: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24

Hopefully that should encourage the NPC's to stick with us for now ^_^

When its my turn, I'll try and grease its weapon away from it, hopefully this works and then someone can scoop up its weapon and idk, run away with it while we beat it down while its disarmed. Or, alternatively, someone attempt a disarm, and we all spam aid another. Or, idk, Climb a tree and rely on the NPC elf to snipe it down. OR I COULD TALK TO IT

"Daaaaaaaaaamn," Myra says, before whirling to slash up at the undead horror now looming over her.

Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 171d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Myra if you 5'step closer to Bess you'll be protected by my bodyguard ability

Done.

The elf accepts the bow while staring wide-eyed at the unnatural horror. Despite his apparent fear, he nocks an arrow and lets fly.

Ranged: 1d20 + 15 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 15 - 2 = 28
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Reflex: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29
Kage's and Myra's attacks reflect harmlessly against the creature's armor. The arrow, however, flies true and buries itself in its shoulder.

The dwarf abandons the fight against Ghiv as it hears the screams and cries of his comrades. He gets a portion of the way there.

Ghiv is up!

Round 3

Eris
Dryad
Myra
Headless Horseman
Kage
Elf
Bess
Gnome
Dwarf
Ghiv <==

If holding the bow out to the elf was a free action (akin to dropping) I'll aid the next two attempts to hit it. If it took a move or standard ignore the second roll. Either way, she'll also aid the next 4 attacks against an adjacent ally (currently Kage & Myra)

Aid (to hit or disarm): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Aid (to hit or disarm): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Bodyguard (aid AC): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Bodyguard (aid AC): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Bodyguard (aid AC): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Bodyguard (aid AC): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Ghiv moves forward and casts Divine Favor on himself.

Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Eris's spell is effective, and its long blade slips from its grasp. It spins once with a flash and lands, point-down, in the ground.

Despite its lack of head, it seems to stare directly at Eris, and she gets a horrifying sense of being marked for death.

Eris' Fort save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Eris staggered for: 1d6 ⇒ 1 rounds

Round 4

Eris
Myra
Headless Horseman
Kage <==
Elf
Bess
Gnome
Dwarf
Ghiv

Kage's mouth forms a perfect, "Oh" of surprise when Eris' spell works. Instinctively he thrusts at the headless horror and aided by Mama's distraction, one sword bites deeply finding a weakness in the armor. The other slices through the air with a faint swish...

Full attack, with studied target, power attack and aid another on first hit.
Attack Mainhand: 1d20 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 4 = 31Damage: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
Confirm?: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24Damage: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
Attack Offhand: 1d20 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 4 = 12Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Elsong sends two more arrows at the accursed warrior, seeing an opening that Kage's skillful sword thrust creates.

Ranged, shaken: 1d20 + 15 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 15 - 2 = 32
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Ranged, shaken: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 10 - 2 = 15
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Reflex: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26

Assuming the sword landed in the square between the horseman and Bess, she'll abort her second Aid Another to attempt to pick up the sword instead...though if she does, she'll just fumble it herself.
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If she does this, that means the Aid she gave Kage to hit was her only aid to hit this turn. Her Aid to AC still applies, if this thing decides to attack unarmed...or manages to pick its sword back up.

Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

The gnome keeps running and the dwarf keeps moving toward the undead horror.

Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Round 4

Eris
Myra
Headless Horseman
Kage
Elf
Bess
Dwarf
Ghiv <==

Actually Mama, I believe I can dismiss the spell (ie the grease effect), thus allowing you to pick it up easily. IDK how that will work within init tho.

Dismissing a spell is usually a standard action (sadly not a free or immediate action). You could defer to make that work with the initiative.

Ghiv moves forward

Ghiv, it looks like you're stopping short of its fear aura. Any closer and you'll need to make a DC 19 will save (vs fear, natch).

Eris, are you delaying to dispel your grease so Bess can grab it? Need to know so I'll take its turn.

Not dispelling Grease if it can pick it up before we take the sword away from it. Doesn't have to be Bess, if anyone that isn't an enemy wants to pick it up, I'll dispel it asap.

Well, it's Eris's and Myra's turn.

Eris dismisses the Grease effect, and then signals to Myra that the sword is safe to pick up.

War horse's AoO if she grabs it: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Hoof Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Crit confirm: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Hoof Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Oh, wow. Sorry.

Myra picks up the sword and gets kicked in the head as she does so. Then she attempts to tumble away from the horse with the monster's weapon in hand.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Reflex save: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30

Reflex, HH: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Reflex, Horse: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

The horseman spurs his mount to follow Myra into the tangle, but they both deftly avoid the grasping vines. It commands its mount to crash into Bess on its pursuit.

Overrun: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26 Bess is prone

The black horse knocks hard into the halfling, knocking her down. As it moves over her, a heavy hoof comes crashing down upon her.
Trample hoof attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Hoof damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Fortunately, the hoof misses Mama as it stomps the earth.

Reflex, HH: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Reflex, Horse: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Then, as the headless horror looms over Myra, the vines reach up and entangle him.

Round 5

Eris
Myra
Headless Horseman
Kage <==
Elf
Bess
Dwarf
Ghiv

"Take down the horse", Eris orders, trying to get tactical advantage against this creature. "With it down, this creature will not only struggle to recapture his blade, but he will struggle to sufficiently hurt us. A slow and unarmed enemy is far better than a mounted one."

Seeing the horseman follow Myra into the thicket and trample Bess, Kage realizes 'It turned its back on me, mistake!'

He steps lightly to the west and plunges both swords deep into the horrors back. He twists the serrated sabers as he viciously pulls them out, ready to strike again!

I think Myra currently threatens and if Kage takes a 5' step west he is flanking. I think he is still outside the entanglements zone there because the circle seems slightly too big.

Full attack with: power attack, flank & sneak, studied target
1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 2 = 27Damage: 1d8 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 9 + (1) = 14
1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 2 = 24Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 5 + (6) = 15

Elsong attacks again, holding his ground despite the looming undead creature and the kicks of the savage warhorse.

AoO: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Ranged, shaken: 1d20 + 15 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 15 - 2 = 25
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Ranged, shaken: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 10 - 2 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Reflex: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20

The kick is wide and his arrows true.

Bess, then Ghiv is up.

Ghiv moves forward again Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11 and is effected by the Fear Aura.

Ghiv casts another spell, targeting the figure on the Horse Spiritual Weapon: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Seeing how savage a strike from Sa'Kage can be, Mama times the crack of her whip to disorient the horse & rider in the hopes that it makes it easier for the rider to connect.

Standard Aid (to hit): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Move Aid (to hit): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Bodyguard (aid AC): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Bodyguard (aid AC): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Bodyguard (aid AC): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Bodyguard (aid AC): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Sa'Kage will get +4 to hit for his next two strikes...and the next four adjacent allies that it attacks will get +4 to AC.
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Since Bess is beside Kage and Elsong, she will have added +4 to their ACs via Bodyguard. It doesn't look like that would've changed anything but wanted to make sure it's on your mind for future attacks.

On my next turn.

Myra whirls in place like a shotputter and flings the undead's weapon as far from her and it as she can. Then she moves to her right to give a better distraction for Kage.

ranged attack, aiming on bright blue line for that square: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
The square's AC is 5, and we'll say whatever weapon it is has a range increment of 5'. That means 11 range increments, or -22. Which means I miss. So 1d8 ⇒ 4, it should land there. Put a sword pic on the map.
Acrobatics to move 5' over: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

When Ghiv moves too close to the undead horror's unnatural aura, he cannot help but turn and flee.

Bess is prone from the horseman's attack.

The dwarf moves past Kage and plants himself just short of the writhing vines. He swings his heavy mace at the headless horseman.

Melee: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 = 6
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

But he is wholly ineffectual.

Round 6

Eris <==
Myra Throwing away the sword
Headless Horseman
Kage
Elf
Bess
Dwarf
Ghiv

Eris attempts to aim a glitterdust at the horse and the rider, attempting to center the spell in such a way as it doesn't immediately blind her friends.

I doubt it will affect the horseman, but I'm really trying to take the horse out of the fight.

You might be right tactically. I was kind of hoping to put the rider down, but he seems to be able to take a right old beating. @Stalwart can we tell if the rider is badly damaged or not?

Horse will save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Ride check: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 7 - 2 = 7

Yeah, he's taken a beating. He can't take much more, and now this indignity. :)

The horse collapses under Eris's spell, and the horseman tries to roll out of the saddle, but its own heavy armor and the engrossing vines prevent any semblance of grace. It lands hard on the ground in front of Myra.

On its turn, it pulls at the vines, trying to free itself.
Strength: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

It doesn't come close to freeing itself. Finish him!

Kage's eyes narrow in annoyance as the Horesman moves deeper into the thicket and the Dwarf blunders in front of him. Still it was only a temporary setback, years of hard training by Master Brinn had left Kage with a powerful athletic body that was surprisingly agile. With the grace of a master gymnast, Kage takes a running step and backflips clean over the Horesman. He lands lightly and taking full advantage of the distraction afforded by Mama's clever whip play, he extends his right foot and thrusts powerfully with the force coming from his from the hips and extended through his spine and extended blade like it was part of him. The vicious serrated weapon bites deeply into the torso of the horseman!

Move action: move through the undead horror's square so he's facing it.
Standard action: power attack with studied target, flank + sneak and aid another
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Reflex Save DC 15: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 Oooh on the nose
Mainhand attack: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 1 + 2 + 4 = 28Damage: 1d8 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 9 + (4) = 19

Kage's attack on the prone and entangled horseman ends its unnatural existence. A soot-black smoke dissipates from the joint and the armor falls to pieces, empty. Elsong draws back an arrow and puts it squarely in the brain cavity of the unconscious horse, and that fiendish creature similarly fades from this plane.

The elf then moves out of the entangling zone and stands next to the dwarf, staying wary of the assassins.

"I, for one, have no desire to continue this conflict. The dryad is dead, but so is the creature. You had earlier indicated that you would allow us to make a reckoning with Ricer?" the elf asks all of you, but turns his head toward Eris.

The dwarf points to Ghiv. "That one killed Durvey." Elsong gasps, looking upset.

"And he will be harshly reprimanded for that, you have my word", Eris responds quickly, indicating Ghiv. "The Mantis do not generally kill people outside of their sole target, and in this case an unfortunate exception was made."

Eris then turns to the elf. "If you wish to make a reckoning with Ricer, then be my guest. Even if he was ignorant of the evil this dryad was guarding, it is no small thing to order lethal force against this dryad, which, by her own account, had avoided causing trouble. We can give you his location, but, as I said before, the Mantis do not do "freebies" - not when there could be someone else out there that might end up offering a significant price for him to...pass on. Unless you can afford us, then we will part ways peacefully, and leave you to deal with him as you will"

I think this is a far way of handling things. Sucks that the dwarf's friend is dead but what can you do, self defence =]

Kage echoes Eris's words, "Ricer is an odious man, but what happens between you and him is none of our concern. As for your friend, that's Ricer's fault, he let it be known you where under the dryad's spell."

He stares impassively at the elf with his unnatural red eyes, his expression unreadable to anyone who is not initiated in the holy rites of murder.

: WE ARE DONE HERE, LETS DEPART

We ARE evil right? Why aren't we killing all of them? No witnesses...

Ghiv glowers at Eris, his Sabre not going from the ready position

I speak with He Who Walks In Blood, you have no power over me. These should die, their blood will be a righteous gift for the Mantis God.

Yes we are evil. But we are also lawful. The guild sanctioned slaying of the dryad, and anyone who stood in the way. The dryad is dead now, the mission is over. It's time to go, at least that's how it stands in Kage's mind. He's not going to stop you from killing incidentally, but he may not help.

Ghiv, I know you made a tactical choice to target the spellcaster first. In hindsight I think going all-in on our primary target would have been a surer thing...but both were understandable tactics. Next time we should all try to coordinate tactics better.
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Regarding killing all of them: my understanding is that the Mantises are a professional organization of assassins for hire, and that assassination of our contracted targets is how we serve Achaekek (not random murders). The Mantises are every bit as Lawful as they are Evil. I suspect many of our jobs will require killing others beside our target, but once the target is slain I don't see any reason the Mantises will keep killing others they don't have to. If you're concerned that word will get out that this was a Mantis job...that's fine, consider it marketing. If you're concerned about word of our appearance or these guys doubling back to attack us...well, we should be sure to change our appearance now, and to keep an eye on our back, as always. (If a dwarf can sneak up on a band of Mantises we deserve it!) ;-)
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From Stalwart's initial recruitment blurb the party "...aren't just out to be evil for evil's sake. The Red Mantis assassins are, if nothing else, professional."

After so many years, Mama Bess is mostly inured to murder but she always feels a bit bleak afterward. Still, my family have survived, we have stayed together, and family is all that we have...such as we are. She narrows her eyes at Ghiv.

"We are an organization of professionals. Let's go."

Mama tries to keep her arms in a casual stance but she prepares herself to disarm anyone--dwarf, Ghiv, or whatnot--who attempts to attack again.

Readied Disarm: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 Not that it'll work... sigh.

Yamyra shrugs and disappears into the brush once again.

I'm happy to let them go.

Yes. But we aren't good either. Lawful means we keep our word and we do our duty....Evil means we don't spare lives when it could inconvenience us in the future. Are the Mantis Assassins in need of "marketing"? I hardly think so. Also, killing these isn't "random murders" its silencing a potential threat before it could become one.

Ghiv remains resolute and glowers at the Halfling and the Fox woman.

They should die now, else they become a nuisance later. he says loud enough for the "adventurers" to hear him

"Nuisance?" Elsong grips his how tightly, squaring off with Ghiv. "Attack me and you will see what a nuisance I can be."

The dwarf also brandishes his mace, but doesn't move to attack. "Mantis god? Servants of Achaekek, then. That changes things. As a cleric of Abadar, I only set aside my contract in that there was a greater threat to society had I upheld it. I know you would not have set aside your task for anything." He nods in the direction of the fallen dryad.

"Your actions in slaying the creature did civilization a great deed. I will forgive you for Durvey's death, though I know you do not want it. Why don't we go our separate ways in peace? Your contract is filled, is it not?"

@Stalwart, do we have any reason to believe we'd be staying in the same area? If so then Ghiv may have a point, still there's more than one way to deal with that...

Kage stops in his tracks and studies the dwarf before replying, "Indeed this contract is fulfilled. Of course future contracts are available for purchase, perhaps you are interested..."

Sense Motive with studied target: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 1 = 19

I actually don't know how that's handled, presumably somebody higher up in the guild decides which contracts are taken and handles with all the money. It would be amusing if we were hired to take out Ricer. Playing both sides off against each other, and only we profit. That's my idea of lawful evil.

You don't know where you're going next, but it's not likely you'll be required to stick around.

Kage can tell the dwarf doesn't like the thought of fighting further, and appears to be telling the truth.

"I've had enough killing for right now. So, no, I don't think I'll need your services."

Eris switches her expression to boredom as she responds to Ghiv. "Those nuisances fought with us while you cowered in fear" she responds in an icy tone. She knows that was a bit of a low blow, but she is rather irritated.

Changing tack abruptly Eris continues "If Achaekek truly wanted these adventurers dead, then somewhere down the line, in his wisdom a contract might appear, until that date however, I see no reason for us to not part peacefully".

Yeah Ghiv, but where does it end. We can kill them, sure, but what, do you then want us to kill Ricer as well (he could decide we are a loose end), what about the hellknight I met while disguised, that could inconvenience us, etc etc. Arbitrary killing (which it is in the absence of Achaekek) is more NE than LE. You need an accurate definition of "inconvenience" for this, especially when said dwarf is speaking truly, and they don't wish to fight us further. Eris obviously doesn't see an inconvenience here and will prolly leave them be, just like Yamyra and Mama Bess

Eris I think you meant to say 'I see no reason for us not to part peacefully' :)
@Ghiv, I think we are all in agreement that the mantis are Evil with a capital E. They deal in premeditated murder for money after all. The thing I think we are not on the same page is the law vs chaos thing. The way I see it is, certain slayings are sanctioned by the guild and a certain amount of collateral damage while achieving that is fine. But random killings are simply not allowed. We are supposed to be highly trained, highly disciplined killers, not a rabble of orcs. If we did behave like said orcs, why would anyone hire us? Personally I find that constraint makes this campaign more interesting.

Good catch, editted.

Also, The Code of Eris

1. Kill the primary target, no exceptions.
2. Eliminate anyone standing in the way of the targets elimination
3. When Job is done, vanish. Anyone directly preventing her escape is dealt with with either trickery (see: Hellknights), or simply eliminated.

The Elf and the Dwarf etc are not directly preventing her escape, ergo, from her POV they are not inconveniencing her, and she does them no harm. Eris hates doing "freebies", because why kill someone now for nothing, when someone can pay you for it later?