Wrath of the Righteous

Game Master Vinsomner

The two women are placed in the meat room, along with the surviving but unconscious beastmen. With much effort from Luciana, Maxwell and Verim, the stone table is moved to block the door. There is little chance anyone trapped within will escape without assistance.

Surveying the cleared rooms of the enclave, the party is faced with two choices. The party can proceed upwards, in the direction indicated by the cultist, or downwards, where you know Wendaug, and possibly her allies, have had time to prepare.

"Let's clear this place out - whatever state the city's in, I don't like the idea of leaving a cult down here to cause more havoc." Luci said, gesturing towards the downward passage.

"Quick question, while I think of it? Would it have been low if I suggested she hadn't had sex in a while? Because you don't get that prickly unless you're having a serious dry spell."

Laris raises an eyebrow at Luciana, "Not an attitude I'd expect from a Paladin?"

Mia is trying to keep herself from laughing.
Not just because of what Luciana said, but the look on Laris' face was fun.

Another raised eyebrow from Tallina as she responds.

"Entirely possible, but I do agree that we should clear this place out. Not because of the evil cult but because the rest of the mongrelmen are coming through to help the city of Kenebras and I would not like them getting hung up on a few cultists."

Maxwell chuckles a bit at the sudden lewd humor. "If I'm anything to go by..." he says with a little underlying joke. "Crude humor aside, I agree. We should eradicate these cultists before we go to check the damage. Where to?" he asks, simply.

Luci smiled at Laris. "Oh you'd be surprised at how flexible that code is in some respects, they're just applications of it that most people with a paladin mindset never consider." Her smile to the other woman changed to suggest something more. "Maybe I'll show you sometime."

Luciana, you sound similar to a Calistrian cleric from the RotrL i'm in. :)

Luciana, you sound similar to a Calistrian cleric from the RotrL i'm in. :)

Who says the Wasps have a monopoly on mid-adventure seduction? :P

If you get a chance look up the worlds worst paladin thread. It details the exploits of Cedric the paladin. I can send you a link if you can't find it. Regardless let's keep this thing moving.

"From what I understand the paladin's code is iron clad, but what is not explicitly forbidden is not entirely against the rules. Things like cursing, having an ale but keeping a clear mind, and even other such things. Chastity is not a requirement but at the same time one must show some level of etiquette is that correct?"

Tallina turns towards the southern part of the complex.

"Let's walk and talk, there is a door on the right side of this room, let's face the danger there."

Tobongo returns to Aravashniel. The druid with her scythe returns to the door and readies herself for whatever is on the other side.

"Well I meant 'flexible' in regards to the stuff it doesn't cover." Luci explained as she moved with the others. "You're right about needing a certain level of etiquette for more amorous pursuits but a lot of it either falls under other aspects of the code - re; the whole 'no lying' bit - or just plain common decency, like making sure there's no risk of disease and just showing the proper amount of respect. And I was doing all that before I became a paladin anyway."

"Bottom-line is that the code's not actually as restrictive as the playwrights would have you think. Doesn't help that most people in my line of work tend not to have the mindset to really pursue those extra options, though."

A muted roar echoes down the walls of this hallway. Near the eastern end, the worked stone gives way to natural cave walls, just before the hall ends at an open shaft. Hanging over the edge of the shaft is a knotted rope - the other end tied to an iron spike driven into the ground.

"Pfff XD.....

"Oh I know that most forms a Paladin code don't expressly require chastity, but the places paladins are taught tend to instill that kind of attitude regardless.
Even the Shellynite Paladins I've spoken with were somewhat reluctant to engage in such discussions."

As the party approach the rope

"So, who's volunteering to go down the hole first?"

Verim seemed to be smiling and chuckling the whole time growing more and more anxious, at one point wiping a bit of drool away as to contain his composure. He steps up to the hole and smirks back at the party, particularly Luci.

" HA! I knew there was something I really liked about you! One with a nice tail and knows how to use it, but pious enough to know when to stop. The balance between fun and duty, I just couldn't be bothered separating the two if need be, it's still pretty strict here and there. " He slams his shield against he chest and points down the hole, " Lets get ready to tango with the gang down below. I wonder if the little lady down there got some new dance moves? One way to find out! "

As Verim jumps, grabs the rope and repels downward one hand on the shield the other on rope ready for an ambush he was sure was coming.

Full Defense While going down if possible and a Perception to catch the waiting enemy so I am not unaware

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Are you jumping down the hole Wendaug went down or the hole next to Laris?

Laris's unless the Wendaug one has a rope, then hers. As I assume they lead to the same place

Wendaug's has a rope ladder, Laris' has a simple piece of rope.

Wendaug's is lit at the bottom and is only 10' down.

Laris' is much deeper, dark, and has the roar of rapidly moving water coming through the hole.

Wendaug it IS! Besides we need round 2! I'll roll Acrobatics if need be

I'll drop you down the bottom of the hole in full defense for round 1. Everyone else will have to take a move action during the fight to climb down.

May the gods have mercy upon you.

Round 1

Maxwell, Mia, Verim
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Uziel, Wendaug, Hosilla
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Tallina, Tobongo, Laris
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Mongrelmen
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Luciana

Assume everyone is gather around the hole waiting their turn to go down.

Verim crashes down wary that the enemy would have something prepared gleam in his eye and a smile across his grizzled face. He surveys the scene and laughs. He looks to Wendaug with his shield up and shouts;

" What's this? I thought we were supposed to have a duet!? What's all these smucks doin' here?! And your so far away, I'll have to crawl through this fodder to say hello! Lets make a Deal, I win this round Dinner's on you.. You win I have to pay.. To the winner the spoils! "

Verim seems ready to fight.. and fight HARD.

Where exactly on the ambush site do we end up if climbing down?

The hole is directly above Verim. His token is covering the notation on the map. Maxwell and Mia can climb down before anyone reacts, but will have to double move to get down the ladder and off of Verim's square, which will provoke.

Or you could delay until next round when Verim moves. He's full defensive, so he might survive.

If your worried just Hex him and let Verim deal with the Attacks, at this point all of them but Wendaug and maybe the newcomers have to roll a 20 to hit him, After which he'll just provoke for everyone and go for the people in the back. Also if that was the case wouldnt Verim have provoked climbing down? Otherwise at least Maxwell and Mia's could get down, though I'd advise against it for Mia. He has the Highest AC and chance to get through this.

I let Verim drop down without provoking since he was dropping from cover. People following will provoke as they leave Verim's square.

To give a better description of the new named characters: Hosilla appears as shown, that is her artwork from the AP. Uziel is a male tiefling with a chain shirt, heavy steel shield and a longsword.

"I swear, Verim you might be the death of us one of these days."

From the ledge and before she has to use the rope ladder she ditches one of her prepared spells in favor of a summon spell.

Really, her name is Hosilla... the s can't be a z, jk? Regardless on my initiative I start casting Summon Nature's Ally I to summon a Stirge in any space that it can attack an enemy. This is in case I don't get a chance to post for a bit.

One hex coming up.

Ward hex has come upon Verim.

Readying his flail, Maxwell climbs down as well, though haphazardly does so seeing as how he climbs with 1 hand holding himself. As he goes down, he's most certainly worried, but the fact that Verim has done this multiple times is starting, or rather, has been, getting on his last nerve. Somewhat grimly, as he lowers himself, he says to Tallina: "Hopefully starting with himself..." he points out.

Total Defense

Maxwell cannot end movement on Maxwell's square, he will have to take a move action at the bottom of the ladder. This also means he won't be able to assume a defensive stance before next round if he goes down the ladder.

Well he could Full Defense and Jump down... That would take less time, though the DC might be hard

Am I to assume we can't target the enemies with spells/ranged attacks from the top?

As Maxwell climbs down the hole and makes visual contact with the roach lady and her newfound companions he can't help but worry. For a moment, the lesser bit of his conscience takes solace in the fact that most of her ire is towards Verim and his ceaseless habit of getting himself into positions where he almost gets killed, rather frequently.

As he turns, and lays eyes on her compatriots he says simply; "We've imprisoned the foreign folk above, and if we could, I would avoid this fight. There would likely be casualties on each side, and I don't intend to be one of them. What say you?" he asks as he points his dire flail's tip toward them.

AoO vs Maxwell

Slam: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Slam: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Slam: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Lucky

A woman in chain armor, hold a glaive in one hand and a wand in the other gestures with the wand, summoning a floating glaive of pure energy in front of Verim.

Glaive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Wedaug smiles at Verim as she releases her arrow, Sorry we could not have that last dance lover, not my decision to make.

Arrow: 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 11 - 4 = 22

With a guttural growl, the tiefling moves to attack Verim.

Longsword: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 3 + 2 = 24

Mia's ward saved you on that last one.

Round 1

Maxwell, Mia, Verim
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Uziel, Wendaug, Hosilla
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Tallina, Tobongo, Laris
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Mongrelmen
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Luciana

Indeed, Mia's Ward did save me as was planned, however, I expect at least 1, 20 to get through, Also WOW Wendaug''s Accuracy shot up.. by 3 what a beast. Your misses on Maxwell might be due to the fact your rolled d4's though

ditch shillelagh for Summon Monster I, summoning a stirge to attack Wendaug, it will take 1 full round to cast. Tobongo stays back.

You might be better off having it go after the Caster or The Tiefling in Armor, Because Wendaug has shown to have an AC and Im sure with her use of a bow a nice chunk of that is at least dex.

Stirge goes for touch AC at a +7 and grapples an opponent and lowers con, while it loses it's dex bonus while grappling wendaug will take a -4 meaning a -2 to hit.

Indeed, Mia's Ward did save me as was planned, however, I expect at least 1, 20 to get through, Also WOW Wendaug''s Accuracy shot up.. by 3 what a beast. Your misses on Maxwell might be due to the fact your rolled d4's though

Ack! it was supposed to be 1d20+4

Well, nothings changed for Laris at this level, other than slight renaming of abilities. Onwards then.

Laris tries to get a look at one of the attackers from the top of the hole, casting Lesser Confusion, if she gets the chance (DC14).

Now that the Mongrelmen are moving about, you can see the everyone engaged in melee with Verim, but they have partial cover. Was there a specific target, or pick one at random?

Picking a random target for Laris' spell. 1 = Uziel

1d4 ⇒ 1

Will: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Hit by Laris' spell, Uziel appears momentarily confused. Meanwhile, the mongrelmen pile into the fight, enthusiastically pummeling Verim and Maxwell with their misshapen limbs.

Slam: Maxwell: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3
Slam: Maxwell: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Slam: Verim: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Slam: Verim: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Luciana, Mia, Maxwell, Verim, you are up.

They dont have a Str Score? Im also conflicted on if I should wait on Everyone Else's turns

Mia tosses another ward, this time on Maxwell.

"Hang on guys!"

Luciana is the only person to act after the mongrelmen, and the people at the top will also act before the NPC's.

Some of the NPC's are non-standard. For example: Wendaug has 1 feat more than she should.

Luci quickly ran after the others, rolling her eyes at Verim's banter with the archer.
Nothing but moving to get to the fight - not fussed about which square she ends up in.

I moved you down, the AoO's are the same regardless of square moved to. You can move further in if so desired, you've already provoked.

Slam: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Glaive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Longsword: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Taking in the situation, Maxwell cringes. This most certainly didn't look good, but fortunately Luciana seemed to have atleast a small amount of breathing room. Raising his flail, he swings at the Mongrelmen infront of him, but misses, if only due to the constrained space that he's found himself in.

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
1d10 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Round 2

Maxwell, Mia, Verim
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Uziel, Wendaug, Hosilla
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Tallina, Tobongo, Laris
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Mongrelmen
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Luciana