Way of the Wicked - a Tale of the Fall of Talingarde (Inactive)

Game Master Mark Sweetman

Sorry gang despite my best efforts this thread refuses to be dotted!

Sensing danger Cruxcarr immediately pulls his bulk standing and casts a warding spell upon himself;

"Inveliti corpul meu!"

Stand and cast Mage Armour

Oh, woops. Sorry I thought I was getting a free round because I was awake, so that was going to be my Round 1 action. Also I meant climbing as in gaining height while flying, which since he's only climbing half his fly speed doesn't need a check.

*sits quietly and twiddles his thumbs*

Apologies guys 24 hr delay due to epee class and a gribbly baby when I got home.

So you came home from a rousing round of swordfighting to find a small annoying goblin tearing up the place?

Tark - pretty much ;)

The devil-like creature swathed in ice atop the mast cackles with glee as it calls out in a strange language. It then stares at Mi'Dre and thrusts a hand downwards from which three intangible bolts of force fly at the devil. 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 2, 2) + 3 = 9 force damage.

The figures of ice atop the frigid waters then surge forward and over the side of the Frosthamar and lash out at the nearest of the crew...
Slam on Albina: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 for 1d4 + 1 + 1d3 ⇒ (4) + 1 + (2) = 7
Slam on Cruxcarr: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 for 1d4 + 1 + 1d3 ⇒ (3) + 1 + (3) = 7
Slam on Shendalyn: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19 for 1d4 + 1 + 1d3 ⇒ (1) + 1 + (2) = 4
Slam on Kargeld: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20 for 1d4 + 1 + 1d3 ⇒ (4) + 1 + (3) = 8
...fists of jagged ice slamming home among the crew.

The crew of the ship then begin a cry of "Devils from the ice... They've come to kill us all." and cower in fear. Kargeld at least keeps his head and roars with bestial fury as he lashes out with a small axe...
Throwing Axe: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13 for 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
...though for all his bluster his aim is not that great and he misses badly.

Action Tracker (Round 2): Cruxcarr, Albina, Shendalyn, Mi'Dre, Bad Guys, Black Jack, Merry Crew

Updated Map

Albina grunts as the icy creature's fist tears her flesh, but growls her defiance as she channels energy to grant Mi'Dre infernal healing.

fast healing 1 for 1 minute

With a wet rippign sound, she seems to twist in place, and suddenly there are two of her.

copycat as a move action, 1 mirror image for 3 rounds.

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20 Know Planes. on the icy things before me.

Mi'Dre's actions, and failure stand.

Shendalyn is able to identify the so called 'ice devils' as little more than elementals made from ice. He recalls that while they find it easy to traverse fields of ice and see through snow... there is little else to distinguish them in way of abilities.

Round 2

AC: 15 HP; 26/26 CONDITIONS: Mage Armoured

His arcane ward in place, Cruxcarr settles his gaze upon the frosty tormentors...

With a wicked smile upon his lips, the bloated mage steps backwards (5ft step to B9) and attempts to fill the nearest (C7) elemental creature's mind with visions of infernal flames, a long painful thawing and its frigid appendages being used as ice treats ...

"Frica este ucigașul minții!"

Cast's Cause Fear @ foe in B9 - DC17 Wisdom

AShendalyn laughs even though he took a prety solid punch to the face.

"Remind me again to take the time to get to know you better m'lady! Any woman with that trick is one worth meeting!"

Whipping his new shiny slightly used sword free from its scabbard he steps back and with a small incantation a shimmering shield of force stands before him.

"These are no devils! Merely aggressive manifestations of the elements without even a mind to affect! Just hack them to pieces! Burn them! Be done with this farce!"

Free:5ft shift up and diagonally.
Swift: Arcane Strike
Standard: Cast Shield.

Black Jack moves diagonally to guard Albina's flank and attack her foe stabbing it with his new trident.
Moves to K8 and attack
Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Dmg: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

The bloated mage reaches out to channel fear and loathing into the nearest elemental creature...
Will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 for 1d4 ⇒ 3
...and with a unearthly keening it succumbs to the fearful force. When able it flees away from the vessel and into the dark.

Albina summons a compact with her dark lord to grant Mi'Dre further fortitude and the devil feels his flesh begin to knit back together, with an aftertaste of obligation and committal to dark deeds to repay the debt.

Shendalyn steps away from his assailant and conjures a barrier of force afore him as Mi'Dre tries in vain to ascend the mast.

The laughing storm shrieks as Cruxcarr deprives it of a minion, albeit temporarily. Reaching towards the sky the beast calls down what appear to be three shooting stars that gather in it's fist before bursting down to impact upon the bloatmage with thunderous force...
Magic Missile: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 1, 3) + 3 = 9

The remaining elemental forces of ice strike out with lumbering limbs at those nearest to them...
Slam on Albina: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 for 1d4 + 1 + 1d3 ⇒ (3) + 1 + (1) = 5 For copy: 1d2 ⇒ 2 1 is true target
Slam on Shendalyn: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 for 1d4 + 1 + 1d3 ⇒ (4) + 1 + (2) = 7
Slam on Kargeld: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23 for 1d4 + 1 + 1d3 ⇒ (3) + 1 + (3) = 7
...Kargeld suffering a body blow that does not seem to faze him overmuch.

Black Jack then moves to assist the priestess of Asmodeus and strikes a heavy blow against the elemental.

The crew continue to prove themselves of little use, further backing away on knees and arses mewling pitiously about devils of ice and what not. Kargeld ignores them, consumed as he is by rage, and seeks to bury the small axe he holds within the elemental before him...
Throwing Axe: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24 for 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
...finding some small recompense for the wounds he bears.

Action Tracker (Round 3): Cruxcarr, Albina, Shendalyn, Mi'Dre, Bad Guys, Black Jack, Merry Crew

Updated Mapski

How high up is he at the top of the mast? Mi'Dre gained 15 feet last round, so if the mast is shorter than 45 feet Mi'Dre will charge him this turn (only climbing at half speed so no roll required)

Charge if allowed: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29 for 1d4 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 damage.
Crit confirm: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15 for another 1d4 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9 damage.

Awww, no confirm... If he can't charge him this turn then he'll just fly upwards again.

Mi'Dre stretches slowly as he feels the power of Asmodeus flow through him, and simply grins at the thought of dark deeds to perform as he continues to gain height until he can put the creature within his reach...

Albina ignores the failed attempt to strike her and calls upon the Horned Prince once-again, this time sending infernal healing to Cruxcarr, to undo the damage caused by the storm-creatures assault.

Infernal Healing on Cruxcarr, fast healing 1 for 1 minute

She also nimbly adjusts her position, hoping to distract the creature facing herself and Black Jack.

5 ft. step diagonally to I7, so that if Black Jack takes a 5 ft. step before he attacks, he can get a flanking bonus.

Round 3

AC: 15 HP; 17/26 CONDITIONS: Mage Armoured, Infernal Healing (Fast Healing) 1 (10 rounds)

Clearly enraged by the arcane assault upon his person, a red faced Cruxcarr once again targets a frosty underling of the laughing storm (D9) with morale sapping fear...

"Foc în suflet!"

Cast's Cause Fear @ foe in D9 - DC17 Wisdom

Shendalyn? - if no post I'll take his action in the AM

Yes yes chop chop. was too busy killing our god in another game and disseminating his power into hapless fools.

"Fine that works too!"

Bringing his sword down on the foe before him Shendalyn simply chooses to hack the ice elemental apart.

Swift: Arcane Strike
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
1d8 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Cruxcarr sends images of infernal servitude into another elemental's mind...
Will Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18 for 1d4 ⇒ 3
...though the icy foe does not succumb.

Albina channels healing as she repositions, while Shendalyn discards any attempt at subtlety and merely hacks the elemental apart with his blade.

Mi'Dre climbs higher and manages to get close enough to deliver a strike, though the flesh of the laughing storm proves harder than he expects - and only a thin furrow of flesh is flensed open.

The icy devil atop the mast cackles at Mi'Dre and lashes out with sharpened claws...
Claw: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 7 + 1 = 17 for 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Claw: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 1 = 26 for 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 Both hit due to lost Dex while climbing, DR applies. Also DC 10 Climb check or fall.
...raking at the devil's head and face and opening small wounds of it's own.

The two remaining elementals also attempt to slam their targets...
Slam on Albina: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 for 1d4 + 1 + 1d3 ⇒ (4) + 1 + (1) = 6 For copy: 1d2 ⇒ 2 1 is true target
Slam on Kargeld: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 for 1d4 + 1 + 1d3 ⇒ (2) + 1 + (2) = 5
...though their aim is poor.

Action Tracker (Round 3): Cruxcarr, Albina, Shendalyn, Mi'Dre, Bad Guys, Black Jack, Merry Crew

Mapski

And actions from all please :) - might be able to finish this this round.

Not sure if you're wanting R4 actions DMVoV... but if you are

Round 4

AC: 15 HP: 18/26 CONDITIONS: Mage Armoured, Infernal Healing (Fast Healing) 1 (9 rounds)

Enraged by the defiance of his foe, and its subsequent demise at the hands of another, Cruxcarr's face flushes with a lattice of blood trails...

The bloated mage rushes forward, cudgel in hand seeking the nearest foe;

Run to H10 and attack Kargeld's foe

MW Club:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Albina nimbly moves to assist the Cruxcarr and the ship's captain in dispatching the last elemental.

Albina moves diagonally southeast to K9, then straight south to K10, then straight east to J10, so that she is now flanking the creature across from the captain (and doesn't provoke an AoO in the process).

heavy mace on elemental in I10, +2 for flank with the captain 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Bludgeoning damage 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Her lack of combat training reveals itself, however, and she succeeds only in exposing herself to danger as her single mirror image fades away...

Round 3 action: Move 5 ft and attack

Getting into flanking possition with Albina Jack strikes the elemental but misses. The sleep still clouding his eyes.

Atk: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 2 = 11
Atk: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Albina nimbly moves to assist the Cruxcarr and the ship's captain in dispatching the last elemental.

Albina moves diagonally southeast to K9, then straight south to K10, then straight east to J10, so that she is now flanking the creature across from the captain (and doesn't provoke an AoO in the process).

heavy mace on elemental in I10, +2 for flank with the captain 1d20+4
Bludgeoning damage 1d8+1

Her lack of combat training reveals itself, however, and she succeeds only in exposing herself to danger as her single mirror image fades away...

I think you and Cruxcarr need to look at the map again...

Damn it, stupid thing ate my post...

climb: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

As Mi'Dre's charge is met with an attack of it's own, his momentum carries him off balance, the winged devil starting to tumble and fall. With his quick reflexes he lashes out, digging his claws into the mast and bringing him up short, his arms wrenching as his claws dig gouges into the wood.

He glares up at the madly laughing creature for a moment as dark devil blood drips down his forehead, before giving a grin of his own as his muscles bunch, and he suddenly launches himself up at the creature, arms thrown wide as he tries to wrap them around the thing.

Grapple: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18

Intent is to grapple the dude and ride him down to the deck :p 4 or 5 d6 :p

Black Jack repositions, but is unable to put his steel to good use. Kargeld continues to roar and rage, lashing out at his foe...
Throwing Axe: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13 for 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
...again missing as his rage proves less than productive.

The rest of the crew continue to cower away... but as the number of elementals dwindles, they appear to be becoming less cowed.

Cruxcarr directs his attentions against the elemental fighting Kargeld, and his club lays it brutally low.

Albina attacks the last remaining elemental on deck, but is unable to score a solid blow.

Above the deck, Mi'Dre lunges for the Laughing Storm, and manages to get a tenuous hold on the devil.
1st grapple gets a grip, when you maintain in round 5 you can use it to pull him off his perch.

Action Tracker (Round 4): Cruxcarr, Albina, Shendalyn, Mi'Dre, Bad Guys, Black Jack, Merry Crew

I was under the impression that there were still 2 elementals on deck, one at J7 and the other at I10. Am i wrong?

There is now one left - at J,7

Oh, ok. Gona do my action now to expedati things.

The Blackguard press the attack on his foe but fortune does not seem to favor him today. As he sidesteps his feet get tangled on his blanket almost making him fall.
Atk: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Atk: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Wow, he has a sucky CMD then o.0

Leave him alone... he's only a wee mephit :P

Shendalyn can't see what's going on up there can he?

Cruxcarr smugly grins at Kargeld as he brushes shards of ice from his cudgel;

"Min Kaptain... Seems we "soft southerners" can show you Northerners a thing or two in the martial arts eh?"

The gluttonous wizard flashes the barbarian a sharp toothed smile of superiority.

He might be able to since he has low-light, but I think it'd be at the edge of that even so. Don;t worry, Mi'Dre's about to bring him closer fairly soon :D

Shendalyn can see - but I realise I've let this drag on for a while and the elementals are mostly dealt with, so executive bump to the action flow...

The mephit struggles within Mi'Dre's grasp - attempting to flee...
Escape Grapple: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
...failing miserably. Mi'Dre then violently pulls at the mephit, seeking to dislodge the mephit from it's lofty perch...
Grapple: 1d20 + 5 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 12 = 21
...almost losing his grip - but keeping enough of a hold to cause the two of them to come crashing down unto the timbers below.

Fall Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 1) = 7 - both end up prone.

The crew still look a little shaken, but weapons come into hands and they begin to converge upon the mephit. Kargeld himself still breathes plumes of steamy rage laden breath and looks towards the mephit with ill intent...

So there is one elemental sandwiched between Albina and Black Jack, and the Laughing Storm currently grappled by Mi'Dre on the deck of the Frosthammar.
All of the party can act now.

Wow, that's some bad rolling there VoV :p Does DR apply to fall damage? I'm fine either way.

Hmm, with the +5 bonus I don't think I can actually fail to grapple :p

Mi'Dre keeps hold of the squirming creature with some difficulty, feeling him almost wriggle free as he pushes away from the mast. He keep hold however, holding the creature beneath him for the short journey down to the deck.

The impact is not actually as jarring as he expected, the other creature hopefully taking most of the impact for him, though it still judders his bones a little. He just continues to hold onto the creatures, his claws slowly digging into the creature's arm as he attempts to pin him fully.

grapple check to Pin: 1d20 + 5 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 12 = 32
Automatic Claw Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
I'm guessing I can't like... power attack with the grapple check can I? :p if I can -1 to hit, +2 to damage

"I suggest you give up, little brother..." he says with a sharp-toothed grin.

I would've failed the grapple on a 1 ;)
DR applies to the fall impact damage.
And yes, you can power attack grapple.

Mmm, I guess there's no 'crit fail' on combat maneuvers?

heh, alright, so 5 damage after his DR then :)

"Ah thank you Mi'Dre. Now then to end this silly business."

swift: Arcane Strike

Move so that Im flanking with Mi'Dre

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 Attack
1d8 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11 Damage

Black Jack again attacks the elemental. Rage fueling his strike.
Enough of this.

Atk: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Dmg: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Albina changes her grip on her mace and attempts to crush the remaining elemental again.

heavy mace on elemental, +2 for flank 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Bludgeoning damage 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Any thought of the mephit to respond is soon cut short by the descending blades and Kargeld joins the slaughter - spitting on the corpse when he is done. He then turns to his cowardly crew and disparages them with a litany of insults upon their questionable parentage and explains at length how he is embarrassed to call them crew.

Combat done, I'll advance plot later today when I get a chance.

Thats the second time we are ambushed Black Jack wisper to his companions as the crew cowers from the captain's wrath. We are been watch.

"I was wondering how any shipping travel occured if vessels were attacked this often in transit, and their crews were so monumentally ill-suited to the task of defending themselves or their cargo." Albina whispers back. "I just didn't want to bring it to the crews attention that this seemed an unnatural amount of dangerous encounters, and get some superstitious git suggesting that it's because there's a woman on board and that I need to be pitched overboard to end the troubles...

For clarity - you're well out of normal shipping lanes by now, and above the Watchwall. The only travel is the local savage tribes and you... though the comment about competency stands :P

Mi'Dre glares up at Kargeld as the captain finishes the creature off. The thing was hardly a threat any more, and it might have been interesting to have someone else with his perspective if he could have calmed the idiot down. Of course it was nothing worth getting riled up about either, though as the Captain also gave his crew a piece of his mind it blunted Mi'Dre's own annoyance at them as well.

Eventually he simply hauled himself to his feet and slunk back over to retrieve his Circlet, resettling the guise of the child upon his features, and muttering to himself. "Stop being paranoid. Those savages with the big horn warned us that guy was lurking around here for some time now, it's not like he was waiting in ambush for us specifically." he observed

"and as for the crew, what can you expect from such shifty types as would accept a job like this." he adds, actually raising his voice without look back to see their response.

"Now I'm going back up the mast. Good night." take 10 to climb up the mast, unless a 14 isn't good enough, in which case he slowly fly back up, eying the crew deliberately.

Cruxcarr smiles wryly at the comments made by his companions, whispering an aside to Albina as he stands watching the chastisement of the crew;

”My dear, these savages are as likely to follow the datum that a corpulent wizard aboard is the cause of their misfortune… The sooner I am elbows deep in their Northern entrails the better…”

Giving Albina a crooked smile the black guard says.
Relax honey, nobody is pitching my wife while I am around.

Turning serious again.
It may be paranoia but that first fish-man seemed to know an awfull lot about us and now we are attacked again. I dont like coincidences...

I would respond, but Mi'Dre is probably halfway up the mast by now :p

"Paranoia is well and good but the little psychopath has a point. I think I'll return to sleep. I don't care for midnight exercise unless it involves feminine company." With a yawn Shendalyn cleans his blade before returning to his corner to go back sot sleep.

Am hoping cleans his blade means just that ;)

Cruxcarr nods in agreement with Jack, wearing a tight smile as he continues to eye the crew;

"Indeed, indeed... In a world where incantations and auguries are commonplace - is there such a thing a "coincidence" my blackhearts? Mmmmm..."