[Table Shieldwall] Daughters of Fury (Inactive)

Game Master Nathan Hartshorn

They're in the five foot square above their target. There was no good way to show that with this map (stupid isometric BS)

Vindlér takes out the raven attacking Marcus while Elaril electrocutes the remainder out of the sky. Advancing forward the braziers burn brighter once more, sending more Ravens skyward and turning to attack you. Berato's spell keeps them at bay and allows you to kick over the braziers and stop them from summoning more birds.

As you ascend to the summit of the Roost you reach a series of switchbacks, ahead of you a statue blocks your path.

As you reach the branch of the path below it the statue raises its bow to open fire on you!

Order 1st Round
Elaril
Graven Guardian
Marcus, Vindlér, Anthys, Vegazi, Berato

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11 Additional +4 if it counts as identifying a monster, per Monster Lore class feature

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
The construct bears the holy symbol?
"It has the symbol of Eiseth, queen of the Erinyes. It has a bow, so stay close to me!"

Elaril stares at the statue, blinks a couple of times, offers a grunt before spouting his conclusions to the rest of the team.

He concludes the brief teaching session with some waving of hands & muttering of syllables. The team is filled with a nervous energy as bodies are magically enhanced with speed!

Everyone may look at all of the spoiler boxes.
Cast Haste.

Kn: Religion: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32
Kn: Arcana: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30

The statue releases its arrows, aiming at several people in the party. Unfortunately for the statue, Anthys' shield seems to jump in the way of each of the arrows, pulling them down and into it at the last possible second.

Thrum!: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
Fum!: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

None of the arrows are strong enough to pierce the man's defenses, allowing you a chance to get up the trail and bring it to melee.

Order 1st Round
Elaril
Graven Guardian
Marcus, Vindlér, Anthys, Vegazi, Berato

Berato hustles up the trail while the stone creature reloads its bow.

Double move

Berato, we are Hasted, so is that still a double move for you or only a single move?

Anthys waits for a split-second before moving along the trail.
Waiting to see if I get any buffs before I move in and attack. It is only a single move for me.

Vindler casts a spell to further enhance the party's battlefield effectiveness, then moves up into formation with Berato.

Cast Tactical Acumen on the party (should grant us an additional +1 to AC when we're in Shield Wall formation, plus that same bonus if we get into flanking or anything similar for the next 6 rounds. Then move up with Haste.

Anthys is correct: single move for Berato due to haste. For his standard action, he will ready an action to tag Anthys with Touch of Good when the warrior moves up the charge lane towards the monster, as we did last time.

**READIED ACTION TO TOUCH ANTHYS WITH TOUCH OF GOOD WHEN HE IS WITHIN REACH OF BERATO** -- Anthys: Touch of Good: +3 sacred bonus on attack rolls, skill checks, ability checks, and saving throws for 1 round.

AC 24 (more if Anthys has Lastwall tactician going); HP 36/39

I see you guys left me a charge lane. Will not let that go to waste.
Anthys charges the Graven Guardian.
Attack, Charge, Bless, Touch of Good, Haste, PA: 1d20 + 13 + 2 + 1 + 3 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 13 + 2 + 1 + 3 + 1 - 2 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 4 = 18

AC is 25 (base), +2 Shield Wall, +2 Magic Circle, +1 Lastwall Phalanx, +1 Haste, -2 Charge, for AC 29. Or 26 if a Graven Guardian is not Evil.
If someone else moves up behind him then it becomes 31 (27 vs non-Evil) due to Lastwall Phalanx increasing and also getting Heart of the Streets.

My usual question: did you activate Tactician Lastwall Phalanx or Drill Sergeant it for us earlier? PS: maybe you could put that info in your Header under 'Active' going fwd... I find myself always wondering about this since Berato doesn't have the feat and relies on your Tactician to get it...

Did not activate it yet because it is a standard action to do so and it doesn't last very long once activated. Only 6 rounds. But if we think we see the BBEG I will use it.

FOR GOODNESS!!!

Once Anthys is 9th level it is a swift action. And unlike my cavalier, he does not have competing uses for his swift actions (well, other than Scion of the Lost Empire). The cavalier has to juggle Tactician (swift), Challenge (swift), Mounted Combat (immediate), Indomitable Mount (immediate), Snake Style (swift to enter, immediate to use), Coordinated Charge (immediate), and a few 1/scenario swift-action boons.

Inquisitor has a similar problem, but theirs is even more pronounced and makes their class nigh unplayable. At least the cavalier doesn't need to Challenge every round and can deal good dmg after the initial activation...

As Elaril predicted, Anthys' blade doesn't cut all the way through the construct's thick skin without significant force. He does damage it, but the construct continues to move about.

Order 1st Round
Elaril
Graven Guardian -13
Marcus, Vindlér, Anthys, Vegazi, Berato

Vegazi launches a half-hearted arrow at the guardian, knowing the likelihood of it doing damage is very small.

Thrum!: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 27
Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 1 = 10

She is relatively surprised when the arrow sails into one of the joints of the construct, knocking off a serious amount of stone.

Order 1st Round
Elaril
Graven Guardian -18
Marcus, Vindlér, Anthys, Vegazi, Berato

Marcus will follow behind Anthys, tossing a dagger to disrupt the statue's aim.

Ranged Aid Another, AC Anthys: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
+4 AC vs. next attack.

Move Action: Move
Standard Action: Aid Another

Order 2nd Round
Elaril
Graven Guardian -18
Marcus, Vindlér, Anthys, Vegazi, Berato

Concerned about the statue's resistance to Magic, Elaril tries to circumvent the situation by conjuring a pool of grease under the statue...

Cast Grease with 1 AR to boost DC by 2. DC 19 Reflex or fall.

Reflex!: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

The statue tries to re-position its feet and slips on the slick grease conjured under its feet. It stands, some of the crack caused by Anthys and Vegazi filling in as it prepares to smash Anthys with its fists.

AoOs from people next to it.

Order 2nd Round
Elaril
(AoOs)
Graven Guardian -16
Marcus, Vindlér, Anthys, Vegazi, Berato

Anthys brings Requiem down on the construct as it tries to stand.
AOO: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (9) + 16 = 25
Damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

From the map, Anthys is the only one next to it.
He has AC 27 against it if it is non-evil, or 31 against it if it is evil. With an extra +4 AC against the first attack thanks to Marcus.

Anthys' blade cracks down on the statue, driving more pieces from it. That does not prevent it from standing and trying to smash him with its massive fists.

Slam!: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Anthys' defenses hold strong, preventing him from getting hurt.

Order 2nd Round
Elaril
Graven Guardian -22
Marcus, Vindlér, Anthys, Vegazi, Berato

Anthys continues to attack the construct.
Primary: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

Iterative, Scion: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 11 + 2 = 33
Confirm?: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32
Damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
Crit damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

Hasted Attack: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (9) + 16 = 25
Damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

"Let me take a crack at it," says Berato, stepping next to Anthys.

[Divine Favor, Fate's Favored, Scion of the Lost Empire, Bull's STR]
MW Consecrated Alchemical Silver Warhammer: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27
silver bludgeoning dmg: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 = 8

Anthys and Berato rain blows on the statue, enough so that it crumbles and drops at their feet. Combat over!

"Well done, lads," Vindler cheers as the statue crumbles. "Now let's not dawdle. Onward up the path!"

Berato falls back into formation behind Vindler and renews his Divine Favor spell after they climb to the next switchback.

@GM: please move us to the next visible encounter.

Anthys moves up the trail, his sword drawn and his shield ready.
"The symbol of the Queen of the Erinyes? And our enemies are allied with devils? Stay close... I have a suspicion about what we might face."

Can you please activate Lastwall after the next switchback, right after Berato casts Divine Favor?

I would rather do that with my action in the first round of combat. I imagine initiative would be rolled as soon as we can see Kelseph, if she is in fact here. If she is not here, and we have to go somewhere else (or spend time getting past other guards), then it would be a poor choice to use Tactician too soon.

Marcus will retrieve his thrown dagger before falling back in formation.

Twin staircases are carved into the sides of the mountain’s broad, flat peak. Dug into the red rock in the center of the plateau is a fifteen-foot-wide circle marked with diabolical sigils. Four iron braziers arranged around the circle burn with yellow fire. A rectangular stone altar south of the circle faces the path of switchbacks leading down the mountain.

When Kelseph sees you, her face twists in rage as she screams, “You! I’ve lost nearly everything because of you! Shayle, destroy them!” Shayle an erinyes laughs and tells Kelseph only those who can defend their power are worthy of it, and she teleports away. Four enormous Ravens fly out of the braziers, screeching into the sky.

Order 1st Round
Elaril, Marcus, Vindlér, Vegazi
Kelseph
Berato, Anthys

Do we know what type of creature Kelseph is? If not, what do we need to roll?

She is an orc, but has a devilish look about her, with blazing red eyes and an enormous black feathered longbow.

"Let's end this," Vindler growls, calling down judgment on Kelseph, then strikes the head of his morningstar against his shield, wreathing it in flames.

Swift action to call down a Judgment of Destruction (+2 damage), then standard action to cast Flames of the Faithful, granting the weapon the Flaming Burst property for the next 5 rounds.

Elaril considers their enemy and, with a few quick gesture and muttered words, causes glittery dust to rain down on her.

Cast Glitterdust. Spend 1 AR to boost DC to 20.

Marcus advances cautiously, keeping in formation while snapping a dagger at Kelseph to interfere with her aim.

Covering Fire Aid AC: Elaril, Range: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 9 - 4 = 17
+4 AC to Elaril vs. next attack

AC is currently 26 vs evil
Also, remember that everyone next to Anthys is effectively immune to archery attacks thanks to his shield.

Will!: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8

Thrum!: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Kelseph screeches as the dust coats her, scrabbling at her eyes and cursing loudly. Vegazi takes the opportunity to launch an arrow at her mother, but it just bounces off of her half-plate. Kelseph then steps backwards, closer to the heat of the flaming brazier and calls out for help, summoning large Hell Ravens from them that swoop to attack. She also starts chanting a different form of summoning, opening up a portal before her. The Ravens are all stopped by Berato's spell and screech their annoyance to the sky.

Order 1st Round
Elaril, Marcus, Vindlér, Vegazi
Kelseph
Berato, Anthys

Berato sees Kelseph using one of the braziers... he moves next to the closest one and kicks it over to extinguish the flames.

Anthys grits his teeth and prepares to once again slaughter nearly-helpless foes.
I hate this. It is low and vile. Iomedae forgive me. Wait, I will give her one chance.

"Surrender, Kelseph. Your clan is no more, and you are defeated."

Delay.

Kelseph continues scratching at her eyes, breaking her chant only briefly to exclaim, "Never! It is Vegazi's soul or mine to be taken by the devils!"

Order 2nd Round
Elaril, Marcus, Vindlér, Vegazi
Kelseph [blinded]
Berato, Anthys

Delay: Anthys

Anthys curses under his breath, sheathes his sword, and moves up next to Berato.
"I'll grab her bow. Or you all can kill her if you want."

Elaril advances behind the team and looks to disable Kelseph.

Cast Ear Piercing Scream. DC18 Fortitude

Sonic Damage: 3d6 + 3 ⇒ (5, 1, 1) + 3 = 10

Fortitude!: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Concentration: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Elaril's scream doesn't seem to do much to the orc, but it does stop her chant long enough for the portal to dissipate.

Vegazi fires another arrow at her mother.

Thrum!: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Her heart really isn't in it as it also flies wide.

Order 2nd Round
Elaril, Marcus, Vindlér, Vegazi
Kelseph [blinded] -5
Berato, Anthys

Vindler moves up beside Anthys and lays a hand on the warrior. "Do what you think's best, lad. Abadar guide you."

Move up and use Touch of Law on Anthys.

Marcus takes advantage of her blindness to move up into position to get ready to support Anthys.

Double move

Kelseph drops her bow and draws her falchion, still blinking to clear her eyes as she falls into a defensive stance.

Will!: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (10) - 1 = 9

Order 2nd Round
Elaril, Marcus, Vindlér, Vegazi
Kelseph [blinded, full defense] -5
Berato, Anthys

Anthys moves up and grabs the falchion away.
Touch of Law, Disarm, Unarmed, Bless, Scion: 11 + 10 - 4 + 1 + 2 = 20
This is against her flat-footed CMD, with an additional -2 penalty for blinded, and Total Defense doesn't help since it grants a Dodge bonus. Unless she has Uncanny Dodge or Blind-Fight.