That said, Aerent is planning to start at the top of the gatehouse and kill all the guards on his way down. He'll also douse the fires under the sand to make sure nobody is able to use that particular weapon against the bugbear army.
Done. The guards' screaming is drawing some attention from servants, who in turn run into the depths of Balentyne, yelling and pointing to the gatehouse. However, you now control the gatehouse.
The heat coming off the now-extinguished sand trap is still overwhelming. You'd rather not be here longer than necessary; it's absolutely exhausting. (The guards call this place 'the furnace' for a good reason!)
Meanwhile, Oret and the Cool guy have joined Aerent on the upper level of the gate as well. There are two big levers here, one on the north side of the gate and one on the south side. To raise the gate below, both will need to be winched up.
The ice Golem marches on, even though it is clearly affected by the heat of the sand trap. It soldiers on to complete his command: open the gate. He starts to pull the northern winch with all his might, and both the chains and the gate creak and groan from the sudden massive strain.
The Ice golem is vulnerable to the heat, so unfortunately it takes 1d4 damage every round : it's melting. Also: one of you shall need to help the golem with raising the gate, by winching up the other chain. The task normally needs four men to handle both pulleys : It takes 3 successful DC16 strength checks (=3 rounds) in a row to pull one winch up.
The heat from the sand trap causes the Golem to sweat off 27 hitpoints. Wow, it took the golem quite a while to raise his side of the gate. Let's hope Oret or Aerent can hoist up the second winch quicker!
Just when the Golem starts slaving away on the gate's chains, Caladwhen spots movement in the north side of the castle. (So, you know the golem needs 10 more rounds before it has completed its task. And remember, at some time in between, you'll need to help it with 3 consecutive DC16 strength checks!)
three soldiers and an acolyte emerge from the castle; they are following a towering figure dressed in full plate. This can only be the famous Lord Havelyn himself.
As soon as he notices the main gate shaking and creaking, he starts to run over the bridge of death (24), and his followers quickly catch up.
Lord Havelyn stops midway across the bridge, and plants his feet solidly on the stones.
In a deep, commanding voice, he shouts at those inside the gatehouse:
"Lay down your arms, lest you further endanger your lives and your very souls with this villainy!"
Somehow, he seems to illuminate the area around him. His very presence seems to bolster those around him - the handful of soldiers, usually mere flies, suddenly appear strongly motivated and, somehow, able! to save Balentyne and Aldencross from the villains who dare intrude.
Once more, the commanding voice drowns out all noise of the slowly opening gate:
"Stop * n o w *, and renounce your evil deeds! The good Lady Sarenrae may yet find it in her heart to forgive your sins! Show your hands!!"
I'll assume you will do no such thing...Which means, it will have to come to blood. Let's roll, shall we? initiative, Lord Thomas Havelyn:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Well, my villains...The cat is out of the bag. Secrecy is no longer necessary - you've been spotted, you've been seen for exactly what you are: a bunch of foul, heretical villains.
Show these maggots who's boss!
Sindran, Talon, I'm sure you've heard The Lord's Voice as well. With many of the villagers collected in the market square, and the square well-doused in flammables, what will you do?
Cala, I don't see a way to bring two obvious undead without having been discovered a lot sooner. Any ideas? The Draugr might be waiting behind a bush just outside the keep, but that's as close as I can place them.
Male Mystic Half-Orc Blackened Flame Planar Oracle of Hell 9
Quick Stats:
[HP 17/37 | AC 17/13/14; CMD 18; Fire 10 | Fort +14; Ref +18; Will +19| Init +5; Perception +8; Darkvision (60 ft); ]
Well, I think that's enough of a signal for Sindran. He'll do as stated before in my spoiler, which is basically igniting the square and all the villagers. As for the Draugrs, what did the inhabitants of the castle do with all the dead bodies from the poisoned soldiers? They could have blended in with them depending on what was done.
oooh, Sindran that is a great idea!! The best place to place dead bodies would be in the shade of the southern wall : the stables. The horsies wouldn't like the stench, so they've been moved to an enclosed meadow just outside the fortress. The two Draughr and the recently reanimated captain have found a place between the dead soldiers.
-Whrrrooooooooohh-
a sudden draft of flame makes the town look really pretty - from a distance, at least.
Up close, the market square is less appealing. A screaming, writhing mass of boiling bodies is clambering over each other, frantically trying (and failing) to get away. Most are dead within the first minute - many others perish slowly and painfully while the flames of Hell eat their souls.
And, in the middle of it all, laughing, almost giggling, stands a single priest - his clothing somehow unscathed.
Male Oread Monk (Hungry Ghost/Monk of the Sacred Mountain) 8 [ HP 73/73 | AC 22/19/20 | Fort +8, Ref +7, Will +10 (+2 vs. enchantment) | Init +1 | Perception +15 ]
Male Oread Monk (Hungry Ghost/Monk of the Sacred Mountain) 8 [ HP 73/73 | AC 22/19/20 | Fort +8, Ref +7, Will +10 (+2 vs. enchantment) | Init +1 | Perception +15 ]
Initiative:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Oh, and I assume that we're at full HP after our wilderness encounter?
Damn. Nice rolls Oret, you probably look almost superhuman right now
Talon watches the fire, sort of detached from it all Effective, I admit, but I don't find this as appealing as feeling their flesh give way beneath you he goes to Sindran as soon as it is safe to "So, what's next? Do you think they need any reinforcement up there?"
HP 40/40 | Fort +4 / Ref +4 / Will +10 | AC 10 | CMD 13 | Init 0 | Perc +14
Glancing out the window, Caladwhen frowns at the appearance of Havelyn threatening Oret, Aerent and the Golem.
Lars, I need to buy them time to get that gate open. Let Oret and Aerent know that I will run interference for as long as I can. Go!
Peaking out at the bridge, Caladwhen quickly reaches into her belt pouch and produces what appears to be some spiders cobwebs. Drawing out the web between her hands, she stretches the strands beyond comprehension while speaking in elven.
"Vair sen ksh maen." As the web stretches, it appears to magically weave itself into a perfect web before evaporating in a blue flash. Almost immediately, a massive twenty foot web grows and obstructs the bridge between the Castle Balantyne and the Gatehouse.
Casting Web across the bridge in-front of Havelyn and his guards on the bridge.
"That ought hold them a moment. Now for the rear guard attack." Telepathically, she summons the Draugr and the corpse of Captain Varning to her in the tower.
That is a good idea Sindran; my initial idea was to disguise them as guards, but your idea is easier. In any event, I'm thinking Caladwhen will summon some skeletons and send them out with Varning to attack Havelyn from the rear, buying some much needed time to raise the gate. Good rolls by the way Oret! Meanwhile, Cala can pepper them with Fireballs if they get through the web spell from the tower, since she is in room 32. Thoughts?
so, you're saying, you blocked their progress, *and* are now threatening to kill the lot of them, even before you actively apply your big brain...? It would almost be funny, ifit wasn't so scary...!
Male Mystic Half-Orc Blackened Flame Planar Oracle of Hell 9
Quick Stats:
[HP 17/37 | AC 17/13/14; CMD 18; Fire 10 | Fort +14; Ref +18; Will +19| Init +5; Perception +8; Darkvision (60 ft); ]
Any reactions from elsewhere (i.e. guards or people I need more than a few seconds to kill) in the market square? And any news from Letho?
Sindran steps out of the flames to speak with Talon. He cricks his neck, finally letting the disguise down in a flashy burst of flames. "Mhmm, I'm hoping they'll redirect some of their forces here to put out the fires. Not that they'll stop it, but I'm more than able to take care of anything they send my way. I heard Lord Havelyn earlier and the sooner he's out of the fight, the better. I don't know the situation but Aerent hasn't set off the signal yet. I'm hoping they've gotten the bridges down by now at least. You can go ahead to help them or, if you like, we can leave the fires to burn and attack them from the rear."
What little remains of the guards, is either dying in the barracks, or on high alert in the fortress.
Without the wisdom of their captains and the priest to guide them, they desperately follow Lord Havelyn's instructions and thus they'll attempt to deal with the intruders before dealing with menial household tasks such as a house on fire.
HP 40/40 | Fort +4 / Ref +4 / Will +10 | AC 10 | CMD 13 | Init 0 | Perc +14
I'm actually thinking I'll send the Draugr with Zombie Varning, along with some summoned skeletal wolves to attack Havelyn from the rear. Since we're nearing the climax of part I, they're fairly expendable at this point and would be highly effective as the dish out a fair bit of damage. So in total, the undead assault party would consist of Varning, two draugr and 2 skeletal wolves. This is going to be legen- wait for it - dary. Ideally, I'd like to soften them up with a few Fireballs first though.
When the undead party arrives at the gate, Caladwhen will cast Summon Monster III to allow some skeletal wolves to join the attack. Basically the wolves will be standard wolves augmented with the skeletal template, which I'll get posted later tonight for you.
setting a web on fire gets rid of it but causes more damage, just a reminder (I play a very intelligent battlefield control wizard in a lot of campaigns)
half-assed battlemap
we're going to have to deal with a 10 ft grid - I can't be [bleeped] to fix that anymore. Once relevant, I'll split the Lord's party into individual mooks + members, but I have this feeling that Caladwhen's very next turn *just might* have some influence on the amount of work I'll need to put into that...
HP 40/40 | Fort +4 / Ref +4 / Will +10 | AC 10 | CMD 13 | Init 0 | Perc +14
increddibelly wrote:
Should we scratch a few charges off the wand?
Yes, absolutely. Cala's intent is not to set the web on fire at first, but rather land the first fireball behind it on the Lord's raiding party, hopefully forcing them to head first into the web... whereby I'll land the second fireball. If they retreat east back to the castle, they'll run headfirst into the Varning led undead crew, so basically rock and a hard place tactics.
I'll roll the damage for two separate charges from the wand, which I'm assuming is Caster Level 5?
...Cala, I love you. I am a HUGE fan of battlefield control style wizards, and you just came up with a marvelous plan. High praise Cala, you should see my wizard Tiasar sometime
Hu (M) AnP 7; hp 58; F +10, R +9, W +9; AC 21, t 11, ff 20; Init +7; Per +9; CMD 22
Aerent watches in satisfaction as Caladwhen's fireballs explode on the bridge, consuming the pompous Havelyn and his soldiers. Turning back to the task at hand, he looks at the gate and portcullis, then removes the signal flare from his pack and aims it upward.
While the Lord's party is focused on the intruders in front of them, a web suddenly grows out of the stonework on the bridge.
first fireball
Sir Thomas calls out fiercely to his men: "stand back! There is dark magic afoot. Be on your guard!"
reflex dc15:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14 reflex dc15 soldiers:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 reflex dc15 acolytes:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Sir Thomas' noble effort to save his men costs him dearly. Screaming in pain, he recovers quickly utters a prayer to beg for Saerenrae's support. He's casting some divine spell, but he's not releasing it
Unfortunately, his men obey his words to the letter and stand guard, instead of jumping out of the fire like the acolytes do. The guards burn to a crisp, toppling over the battlements, falling not unlike comets into the river far below.
The acolytes don't hesitate and look around for the source of the magic.
One of them spots movement in(32), and shouts "there!"
The other acolyte notices a familiar outfit and face appear on the battlements. "Gracious lady of Light! It's so good to see your face, captain Varning! We were attacked by someone in the tower! Please, help!"
But the acolyte drops to his knees and his face quickly turns from relief into utter disbelief, when the Risen Captain draws steel, and his entourage of Draugr and skeletal hounds come into sight on the stairs behind.
Hu (M) AnP 7; hp 58; F +10, R +9, W +9; AC 21, t 11, ff 20; Init +7; Per +9; CMD 22
Aerent didn't actually shoot the flare.
At the last moment, Aerent drops his arm and turns to Oret. "I'd just hate to shoot this flare, signal the troops, and end up getting the shaft because the good Lord below has one last trick up his sleeve. I think I'll have to do something about that."
Aerent moves to the edge of the gatehouse and draws his longbow.
"My loyal companions are smitten! Lady, care for them!, proclaimed Lord Haveln. "Now, you dastard villains, you'll feel the wrath of Sarenrae's instrument!"
He runs through the web at Aerent with his sword raised high, allowing the latter to score an easy shot.
grapple check as part of movement to pass the web, dc17:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31 boom! Unfortunately, he can't charge because the web is difficult terrain, but he can still move far enough and poke Aerent in the ribs.
In a great, shining arc, the knight brings his family heriloom sword, guided by the light of Sarenrae, down on Aerent.
insanely buffed up atk: bull's strength, divine bond, divine favor, bless weapon, smite evil, power attack, yes that's it:1d20 + 20 ⇒ (14) + 20 = 34 dmg:1d8 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
How extremely appropriate that the paladin and our antipaladin are battling it out. Show the man who's boss, Aerent.
dastard villains? sheesh:
yeah, he really talks like that... On the plus side, he's helping me expand my vocabulary ;)
HP 40/40 | Fort +4 / Ref +4 / Will +10 | AC 10 | CMD 13 | Init 0 | Perc +14
Leaning against the wall by the window and surveying her work on the bridge, Caladwhen nods satisfactorily. Fools.
As Havelyn suddenly breaks away to engage Aerent, Caladwhen scowls and mutters "Doesn't when to admit defeat, does he?" Pointing her finger out the window towards Havelyn, she utters a single phrase in elven "Ehte`onta." Suddenly three fainting glowing missiles speed out towards Havelyn, finding their target true.
Helping out a little, casting Magic Missile on Havelyn.
"'ere now! Tha ain't Fatha Dunnagain! Get 'im, lads!"
A number of brave-but-stupid lads with single-digit hitpoints try to knock Sindran off his feat with anything they can trow at him. bricks, mostly. 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (7) - 2 = 5 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (14) - 2 = 12 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (14) - 2 = 12 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (16) - 2 = 14touch AC, yay! 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (13) - 2 = 11 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (15) - 2 = 13
Only one of the bricks makes it as far as to bounce softly onto Sindran's foot. Thus, the lads fail to accomplish anything other than getting Sindran's attention, and now that their brain kicks in, they realize the 'wisdom' of their actions.
Male Mystic Half-Orc Blackened Flame Planar Oracle of Hell 9
Quick Stats:
[HP 17/37 | AC 17/13/14; CMD 18; Fire 10 | Fort +14; Ref +18; Will +19| Init +5; Perception +8; Darkvision (60 ft); ]
My touch AC is 13 so I suppose that'd be two bricks. Not sure if they're close enough, but I suppose I can just hop down and walk towards them.
Sindran looks down at his feet, prodding away two of the bricks that managed to reach him. He raises an eyebrow at the group. "Thank you for volunteering to be an example," he sneers, raising a hand towards the group. A moment and a word later, a burst of flame erupts from his fingertips.
Hu (M) AnP 7; hp 58; F +10, R +9, W +9; AC 21, t 11, ff 20; Init +7; Per +9; CMD 22
Aerent's face twists in a feral grin as his arrow slams into Lord Havelyn. As the older man calls out for Sarenrae to care for his fallen comrades, Aerent watches in satisfaction as the paladin forces his way through the webs.
Dropping his bow, Aerent draws his trident and imbues it with infernal power. As Lord Havelyn clears the webs, Aerent steps onto the battlements and holds his trident aloft while calling out, "Lord Thomas Havelyn, I am Aerent Sephim, of House Rhondraugh, last of that murdered line! Know me, and know that my strength flows from Furcas, Knight of Laurels, and his lord, Mighty Asmodeus, First of All!"
Aerent brings his trident to his head in a formal salute, then steps off the battlements to land in a crouch on the bridge below, directly in Havelyn's path. With a scream of rage, Aerent grips his weapon and brings the trident up into the chest of his opponent just as Havelyn's blade slashes down in the gap between his breastplate and his right pauldron. Chocking back a cry of pain, Aerent's face reddens with pain as the holy blade of the paladin cleaves deep into his shoulder. Grimacing, he looks up into the face of Havelyn...
As much as he'd like to, Havelyn cannot suppress a grunt after receiving a devastating blow. He's a stubborn one though - the paladin is convinced that he can and will defeat you - if only by sheer force of will.
He twists his mouth as if tasting something foul. "Asmodeans?!". A holy zeal ignites in the man's eyes and he instantly seems to forget his injuries.
Lord Havelyn twists and turns his finely honed blade far quicker than should be possible.
full attack:
"You"
atk:1d20 + 20 ⇒ (6) + 20 = 26
"will"
dmg:1d8 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
"die"
atk:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24
"first"
dmg:1d8 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
the bridge is soon smeared in red - but not all of it comes from Aerent.
from the north tower, five dwarves emerge carrying large chunks of masonry and a couple of stonework tools such as picks and hammers.
D1 : "'oi now? These fellers inna natural!"
D2 : "It's been too long between battles, whatyer reckon?"
They charge the skeleton crew, calling them all sorts of nasty names I'm not allowed to post here.
Hu (M) AnP 7; hp 58; F +10, R +9, W +9; AC 21, t 11, ff 20; Init +7; Per +9; CMD 22
Spitting blood from Havelyn's last strike, Aerent grins through bloodied teeth as his eyes begin to glaze over. Feeling the strength leave his arm, his trident clatters to the stone bridge. Sitting down heavily, he raises his head to glare at the paladin, "I yield, sir. This fight is yours, but Balentyne... and Andoran... are lost."
His eyes close as his head sags down. Aerent finally slumps to the ground to lie in the rapidly growing pool of his own blood.
Then, something. anything...implies consciousness! And, memory. Violent memories. But - no pain; no emotion.
A presence? Yes. And, a voice. Softly. Gently.
Aerent:
Hello, Aerent Sephim. I see you now. Do you see me? Yes, there. There, at the end.
A shape, in the light. A path leading towards the shape. 8 more steps on the path; somehow, four steps already lie behind you, quickly leading into darkness.
When you are ready, you may proceed.
Without a sound, Talon floats down between the two combatants. He first looks at Havelyn, nodding in respect of the mans power. "Give me a moment with my fallen comrade. You, of all people, should have some respect for honor" Talon kneels down next to Aerent I wonder...would you do the same if it was me? Perhaps I am changing...perhaps it's only because I knew you so long...but you are NOT done yet. and Talon lays a hand on Aerent's chest, and from within his pouch he pulls out a small drop of blood. "Asre, siel ga ruisha mein..." and the drop soaks into Aerent's body, causing his wounds to slowly ripple
Talon puts the vial away and stands to face Havelyn "Impressive. He was one of our best. Or perhaps worst from your point of view. I doubt this holds much meaning for you..." he twists his hand in a funny form "But where I come from it shows respect. So" Talon slowly draws his sword, hearing it whisper in his mind "Let us fight holy warrior, filthy human and noble fighter"
Using Infernal Healing on Aerent. Gives him fast healing 1 for a minute
That's sweet of you Talon *grin*. I think Oret and Cala should have a turn, before Lord Thomas gets to go again. Although I can already say (and Talon can certainly see it in his eyes) that Havelyn will sooner knock the vial from your hands, than allow an antipaladin to recover.
I was hoping he wouldn't understand what was going on, and was just think I'm doing some odd sort of ritual for the dead. Especially since it wasn't an instant heal
And don't push it on the sweetness, I almost wanted to have a wolverine/sabertooth moment. "NOBODY KILLS HIM BUT ME!"
God I love what you did with the sentient weapon. Description is so cool
Male Oread Monk (Hungry Ghost/Monk of the Sacred Mountain) 8 [ HP 73/73 | AC 22/19/20 | Fort +8, Ref +7, Will +10 (+2 vs. enchantment) | Init +1 | Perception +15 ]
Assuming, of course, that Oret is done with the gate...and assuming that he's aware of what's going on on the battlements below, he will do the following:
When Oret sees Aerent fall, he curses. "How disappointing." He stands from where he was observing the conflict below and leaps from his perch to join the Lord Havelyn in single combat.
HP 40/40 | Fort +4 / Ref +4 / Will +10 | AC 10 | CMD 13 | Init 0 | Perc +14
Leaning slightly outside the window, Cala curses to herself "He still stands, and Aerent has fallen." Looking over to the dwarves, Caladwhen shakes her head Insolent creatures. Waving her hand, she motions at Zombie Varning to head towards Havelyn.
Sending a command to Varning, break-off combat with the dwarf and proceed to engage Havelyn, creating a flank advantage for Oret. I really don't care if the dwarf gets an attack of opportunity at this point, it likely won't be enough to take him down anyway, if he somehow lucks out and hits him again.
Returning her attention toward Havelyn, Caladwhen shakes her head and mutters "Nevae."
It's a long-shot since Havelyn is all buffed up, but I'll try casting Blindness on him. Fortitude DC 18.
Aerent finds the voice and the light irresistable, and finds himself another step closer to the light.
Aerent:
So strong - yes. A great soul. Aerent Sephim of Fiendish Furcas, the light calls you, I can see it. There is no fighting here. I understand if you choose to come to the light.
After Aerent falls, Havelyn hazards a look over his shoulder, to assess the situation. To his delight, he spots Varning! The knight quickly turns his back on his 'companion', while shouting "Captain! Quick, the Light yet smiles on us! Remember the battle of Barlington? Take your position!" and expecting to be in a favorable position within seconds.
Suddenly, a black-as-night cloud falls over Lord Havelyn's eyes, as Caladwhen's spell grabs hold of him - but he shrugs it off!
fort save dc18:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19 he's one tough sunnuvabish!
Once-upon-a-Varning does not comply to its former lord, though. He has a new mistress telling him what to do.
In the confusion, Oret makes optimal use of the opportunity to score an immensely powerful kick. The blow resounds forcibly through the man's metal mask, causing him to stagger backwards, right past the undead captain's sword.
Lord Havelyn fights back a curse in rage. A gentleman right to the end, he drops to a knee, bleeding like a stuck pig.
"Know that you will all burn for this outrage. The lady of light will not stand idly by while you destroy her mortal devotees. I call upon the light to place a curse on you, foul diabolists!"
He spits blood, and it's clear he can no longer get up or hold his sword.
Yeees, it was always going to be a busy day today.Welcome, sir Thomas of Havelyn. Your presence here is...interesting. If you'd kindly stop shining, your light is nigh extinguished. If perchance you would look to your right, you might see a familiar face.
Aerent:
Suddenly, another path of stepping stones appears right beside yours. The new path also leads into the light ahead, or into darkness behind, just like yours.
And, on the stone right beside you, so close you could touch it, another presence. Kneeling. Unarmed. Wearing shining armor, and an ethereal sword stuck firmly in its back.
Ahead, the light; Behind, the light; above, heaven. Below? the Lemure pit...
The familiar face mentioned by the first entity would, of course, be yours. It appears you're both at -5hp. You could roll to stabilize; but at -5hp, you have some time yet. But what would you rather do..?
Talon - I intentionally didn't work in your post as I'm not sure if you'd like to deal the last blow or heal your rapidly expiring comrade. Your choice.
Hu (M) AnP 7; hp 58; F +10, R +9, W +9; AC 21, t 11, ff 20; Init +7; Per +9; CMD 22
Location: Purgatory:
Aerent glances at Havelyn's shade, "So my former comrades killed you, eh? Not surprising, the odds were stacked against you."
Aerent leans over slightly and looks down, then shivers. He then looks up into the sky at the angels flying overhead. Glancing back at Havelyn, "Now that it's time to pay for my crimes, I'm... not sure I made the right choices. It's a shame things... ah, well. Too late to turn back now."
Aerent sits down then glares at the man, "Well, go on, you lived a righteous and faithful life." He gestures at the light, "Go ahead and claim your reward, leave me to my fate. At least give me that dignity."
Talon, as discussed, your wings are hurting. My guess is that this pain is related to those two guards, (Dan with the freckles, and Bart with the hideously bad breath) taking a blunt saw to them - the wings will take months to grow back in any useful manner.
In the meantime, feel free to be extremely annoyed with these guardsmen, or guards in general - I'm sure you won't forget their faces anytime soon!
Male Mystic Half-Orc Blackened Flame Planar Oracle of Hell 9
Quick Stats:
[HP 17/37 | AC 17/13/14; CMD 18; Fire 10 | Fort +14; Ref +18; Will +19| Init +5; Perception +8; Darkvision (60 ft); ]
Huzzah! Hello everyone.
DM, Is it alright if the runic F brand is on the base of my neck, near the left shoulder? My character has the Blackened curse so my arms are kind of, well, gross and black which makes it hard for any brand to be apparent there.
on the neck? Ha, after the guards realised the brand wouldn't show on your arms, I'm sure they would take great pleasure in branding you again on whatever body part you happened to twist toward the branding iron!
Let's see how this goes :) I'd love to keep this adventure active and exciting, so it is my intention to post at least once every 24 hours. If you haven't posted in that time, I guess I'll have your character do something very sensible.
Also, if life breaks in and for whatever reason you can't post for a little while, that's fine, but please let all of us know in the discussion thread.
I feel like I'm stating the obivous, but it's only fair to set everyone's expectations at the start :) Now let's get to know eachother :D
It's a little railroady, but the adventure has a very nice way to get the game started. Please bear with me for a little while.
Sindran, expect a PM as you're being moved from the cell to your visitor...
-edit-
On second thought, let's put the meating inside spoiler tags. Then *if* Sindran desides to tell his story to his cellmates, all they have to do is click.
Heh. I'm used to physically taking someone into another room for things like this ;)
Man, I really like this group, and have been waiting for an adventure like this forever. It's hard to get that 'right group' for evil AP's, but I think we've done it. I think we have all the right players, and am really excited to get a real game going.
Good idea!
And I shall now start collecting champagne, as fireworks are exploding all around me. Must be some sort of social event ;) See you next year, with new hopes for your villains' lives :)
I'll post some details about your location, the immediate area, and things you may have noticed during transport.
Happy 2013 everyone, may this year bring you many natural 20's. Except in my game, of course.
what better way to cure a hangover than rolling some dice ;)
I've put up some descriptions of things you'd have noticed while you were brought here. I think I haven't left any questions unanswered but as always, feel free to poke me if I missed anything.
In a little while, I'll post an edited map of Andoran with WotW-relevant topography added to it.
With the exception of the black wingless creature, everyone is impressively chatty. You do have highest CHA, but I'll leave it up to the characters to decide :)
Arryn, unfortunately that would be an exercise in dealing with frustration.
Time is not (yet) a problem, so I'll allow you to take 20 - but the book explicitly says that escaping manacles is DC 30 - that's not just me being mean.
However, any viable lubrication would give a bonus that would bring this within reach. Can you think of any?
Hmm, even if your elven half would allow you to salivate like a rabid dog, I think that would require too many attempts and too much moisture for a captive who hasn't had a sip of water in hours.
fair enough :) Anything that would be remotely plausible is probably going to work, especially if we get a laugh out of it.
This puzzle should help you to get to know each other's strengths and weaknesses; however it is also potentially very frustrating. Let me know if you're stumped and I'll gently nudge things forward. You're going to have to solve it yourselves though ;)
Male Mystic Half-Orc Blackened Flame Planar Oracle of Hell 9
Quick Stats:
[HP 17/37 | AC 17/13/14; CMD 18; Fire 10 | Fort +14; Ref +18; Will +19| Init +5; Perception +8; Darkvision (60 ft); ]
I took the liberty of doing something like a 'ready action' in spoilers. If someone does the required action, feel free to clicky! Or for more clarity, DM, feel free to post having my character do whatever action I did, or more or less what I intended. :P
I usually do it either when I'm unavailable for an amount of time or during fast-paced games when I'm not around and I want to leave a general way for my character to react while everyone else is still going.
im following along pretty closely, its my character thats not the chatty one. once we get moving ill have a lot more posts...plus my head is not quite 100% clear today haha
HP 40/40 | Fort +4 / Ref +4 / Will +10 | AC 10 | CMD 13 | Init 0 | Perc +14
Just a thought for a potential plan, assuming Sham has arrived ahead of the other guard.
Arryn is free now, so if I can enchant Sham before the other guard arrives, I could lure him alone into the cell. With the two daggers in veil, Arryn could quietly end Sham before the other guard arrives.
Arryn has the skill to be that stealthy and use a dagger, but could you enchant him? If so, it sounds foolproof. The problem would be when the next guard comes in, what do we do?
I took the liberty of doing something like a 'ready action' in spoilers. If someone does the required action, feel free to clicky! Or for more clarity, DM, feel free to post having my character do whatever action I did, or more or less what I intended. :P
[...]
Hope that's fine.
that's actually a very good idea. Stuff like this keeps the game moving.
So, please use ready actions often, especially if you're depending om someone else's actions.
Caladwhen and Arryn wrote:
plan
sounds like a solid plan if Sham comes in alone. Now to think of something in case Ron joins him?
Is there a necklace to go with the unholy symbol on the veil? im looking for something I can choke a guard with, and I figured the rope is probably a little too big
@caladwhen. as this infers, i'd like to see if we can suffocate the guard. one, he can't exactly call out for help. two, no blood spill. I'm more worried about the first one, a dagger to the neck would certainly get the job done
Male Mystic Half-Orc Blackened Flame Planar Oracle of Hell 9
Quick Stats:
[HP 17/37 | AC 17/13/14; CMD 18; Fire 10 | Fort +14; Ref +18; Will +19| Init +5; Perception +8; Darkvision (60 ft); ]
To go along with Caladwhen's more subtle enchantment, Sindran also has the useful Murderous Command which is purely verbal. Even if he were shackled, he'd still be able to use it as long as he can speak.
A more subtle plot of his when we try to escape would be to catch sight of one of the guards and cast that spell on him, making him attempt to attack any guards nearby for a single round. Enough to create some confusion and paranoia and the aftereffects can create a long-enough distraction.
Other than that, Sindran can make things go BURN which isn't exactly subtle but useful if we need to destroy/kill things.
@Caladwhen: if you happen to use enchantment, try to pump the guard for as much information as you can before we kill 'em. Ways out, number of guards, weaponry, what facilities they have, like an armory or storage, important rooms, transportation, hours of watch and how often they switch, what's on the right side of the prison, any other prisoners aside from them, who the heck is Grumblejack, and what is that mysterious looming tower in the south? Things like that.
HP 40/40 | Fort +4 / Ref +4 / Will +10 | AC 10 | CMD 13 | Init 0 | Perc +14
Okay, I think based on what I'm reading, we'd like to enchant the first guard. Can somebody make a distraction so he won't notice Caladwhen's verbal or somatic actions as I charm him, just in the event he passes his saving throw?
Incidentally, we have a good chance of charming him. The saving throw is Will DC 16.
I'll post my action in about 45 minutes, have to run out for a bit.
Male Mystic Half-Orc Blackened Flame Planar Oracle of Hell 9
Quick Stats:
[HP 17/37 | AC 17/13/14; CMD 18; Fire 10 | Fort +14; Ref +18; Will +19| Init +5; Perception +8; Darkvision (60 ft); ]
I could attempt a Bluff for distraction or Intimidate to shaken him to get him to suffer a -2 to saving throws, but that might get him unfriendly to me.
Bluff seems better for subtlety. Arryn has a better Bluff skill than me, and seems keen on working with you so she'd be a better choice.
HP 40/40 | Fort +4 / Ref +4 / Will +10 | AC 10 | CMD 13 | Init 0 | Perc +14
I agree, a bluff from Arryn might be better. Caladwhen can discreetly cast Charm Person if he's distracted by Arryn, and all the better if we suffers a Will save penalty, improves our chances greatly.
Once he's under Cala's influence, I can go all kinds of things. My first thought is to send him on an errand once there is just Ron and Sham, asking for something inconspicuous and innocent like "Could you please get me a pillow or two Ron? I'm so uncomfortable here."
At that point, we have only one guard to contend with, Sham. We'd have to create another scene, something that might draw him into the cell alone. Once he does that, Arryn could promptly dispose of him with one of the daggers.
The other possibility is for Cala to try and set Ron against Sham, planting thoughts like "He plans to hurt me, you have to stop him Ron." It would be comical to watch the two guards kill one another, so we don't even have to lift a finger :)
Edit: Oh sweet, I just read that Ron is carrying a mug... he might be drunk which will make him even more susceptible to our needs.
Male Mystic Half-Orc Blackened Flame Planar Oracle of Hell 9
Quick Stats:
[HP 17/37 | AC 17/13/14; CMD 18; Fire 10 | Fort +14; Ref +18; Will +19| Init +5; Perception +8; Darkvision (60 ft); ]
Trying to have Cala set Ron against Sham is a sweet, evil idea. Especially since Sindran can make Sham attack Ron.
My suggestion would be to have him escort you to a toilet. I mean, really, Ron, would you have a lady so brazenly urinate in public? For shame.
Alternatively, you could also ask for some water. Maybe want that mug and whatever is in it. Mostly because we're thirsty.
While you're on the way, you could look around and pepper Ron with seemingly natural questions or comments like "What's that over there?", "There doesn't seem to be any other prisoners here", "It seems so quiet here. You guards must get bored standing around all day here", "Why does that room have such thick walls? And the door metal?" and such.
(Ron, why don't you put that mug down? You can get it back later once you've returned. You don't want to be carrying that around everywhere.)
That also leaves the rest of us free to dispose of Sham if he's there, or if not then we're free to plan and stretch our legs.
HP 40/40 | Fort +4 / Ref +4 / Will +10 | AC 10 | CMD 13 | Init 0 | Perc +14
Sindran Eithe wrote:
Trying to have Cala set Ron against Sham is a sweet, evil idea. Especially since Sindran can make Sham attack Ron.
My suggestion would be to have him escort you to a toilet. I mean, really, Ron, would you have a lady so brazenly urinate in public? For shame.
While you're on the way, you could look around and pepper Ron with seemingly natural questions or comments like "What's that over there?", "There doesn't seem to be any other prisoners here", "It seems so quiet here. You guards must get bored standing around all day here", "Why does that room have such thick walls? And the door metal?" and such.
That's a great idea Sindran, it'll help us get the lay of the land. If he falls under Cala's influence, I'll have him take me on a tour under the pretense of using the Lady's privy.
Male Mystic Half-Orc Blackened Flame Planar Oracle of Hell 9
Quick Stats:
[HP 17/37 | AC 17/13/14; CMD 18; Fire 10 | Fort +14; Ref +18; Will +19| Init +5; Perception +8; Darkvision (60 ft); ]
Yup. Before I forget, Talon, I'd much appreciate it if you could topple that mug over using Mage Hand when you get the chance and the guards are distracted.
Lol I sleep in once and see what happens lol. Normally I post as much as you guys do, after I shake off the final...erm 'effects' of new years ill be pretty active
Oh ya, the Strix are a little bestial in nature. Plus he's used to the freeing feeling of flight (say that 3 times), he's pretty ticked about being chained down inside...not to mention them clipping his wings
Because time is now relevant, on a tabletop game I would now normally go to initiative to keep track of time spent - but as this is my first PbP game I'm not sure if that would work here. Any suggestions from your end?
Please also roll initiative so that we have something in place.
Hu (M) AnP 7; hp 58; F +10, R +9, W +9; AC 21, t 11, ff 20; Init +7; Per +9; CMD 22
@DM increddibelly: Once my games go into initiative, I ask people to post actions they want to take in a round, then I post a recap including NPCs. Seems to work well for my groups, and we aren't all waiting on one person to post in initiative order.
