GM Toothy's Wrath of the Righteous (Inactive)

Game Master Sir Longears

Sayid approaches slowly so as not to spook the rotund man.

"Sir Horgus. I mean no disrespect, but please allow me to point out the folly in your plan. In the short time we have been down here we have encountered 4 dangers that nearly felled members of our party; a party which includes 4 strong fighters as well as Aravashnial, who is clearly a powerful arcanist even if he is currently blinded." No shade to Edril or Matheus; you guys just are not currently outfitted to help as much as you could in a more prepared circumstance.

"Unless you can prove yourself to be much more competent in your own defense than I have originally imagined, your best chance for survival is the safety in numbers that the group offers. I am reminded of the parable of the footrace between the gnome and the goblin. While more fleet of foot, the goblin lacked the wisdom to watch where she ran and so ultimately doomed herself. While being slower may be frustrating, sometimes it is also the better course of action."

I guess I am the party face now? Let's use that Diplomacy!: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10 -Ugh...that's terrible. Anybody want to throw on some aid another checks? I didn't prepare bless today because I needed Create Water and Purify Food.

Aid: 1d20 ⇒ 14

"Yes, you are foolish to run off. There is strength in numbers, and death individually." Edril has about the charm of a wet sponge, so it helps that others are more handsome and/or charming.

Arriving just behind the others his small legs moving quickly Matheus catches a quick breathe while the others speak before also attempting to calm the man. "You said better luck, but who better than a devoted of Desna to travel with? The strength here is in group travel, the better to support each other as we just moments ago to cleanse an undead monster. Return to add to the groups strength and receive it back in return."

Aid another for a +4 bonus: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 7 - 2 = 15

Jiao Feng stands by catching her breath, but then agrees.
They speak the truth Horgus. You can't even see in the dark. I would really like you to survive this, so I urge you to stay with us, even when your instincts tell you otherwise.

diplomacy aid another: 1d20 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 2 - 1 = 11

Finja places her sword and shield near the entrance, then carries those things they found outside. The work would be strenous, and for a moment, she considers taking off her armor, but decides against it considering both the dangers they faced and that she effectively mostly wore linen padding underneath.
I should have brought a change of clothes.
With a sigh, she starts working. It would not do to leave this place of worship in such a desolate state.

:: The Lost Temple of Torag - Arodus ?? - unknown time ::

Horgus studies you for a moment before nodding. "Very well... you made some good points... but take what I've said in consideration. Anevia and Aravashnial are anchoring us... moving faster, we'd probably be able to leave this place quickly. Even if stronger together, something nasty will eventually get us, together or not..." He then returns with you. In a couple minutes, all of you return to the temple safe and sound.

Knowledge(Religion) to consecrate temple: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Just to get that out of the way now - it is Iomedae's will!

When the clean-up is done, Finja gets ready to help with the re-consecration of the place. She was not a priest, not a member of the church, but she had studied the scriptures in great detail and knew exactly what steps were necessary to perform such a ritual.

As Sayid and the others arrive back at the temple, he hands the everburning stone off to one of the party members with a backpack. Not sure who has what inventory wise, but Sayid left his backpack topside in his cubicle at the temple.

"Stow that for now, would you? It will come in handy later one, I am quite sure."

He finds Finja working to reconsecrate the temple. Looking to ensure no one else is listening too closely, he confides in her some concerns he has, "This is worthy work that you do, though I am not sure it is the best use of our time. I hope a blessing of guidance will shine down on us through the efforts you are putting in. Here, let me help you."

Not knowing too much about the worship of the Dwarven Forge-Father, he set about using what he did know to help as much as he could.

Aid Another - K. Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 - And apparently barely avoided getting in the way more than anything else.

Matheus nods in acknowledgment of Horgus' words. "Slower but also knowledgable and able to bring other skills to the group Master Horgus." he mentions as they return. Upon seeing the efforts he moves to assist in the tidy up of the temple happy to have a known task before him.

Profession Servant to aid another +4: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 5 - 2 = 19
If the profession doesn't apply drop the result by 5.

:: The Lost Temple of Torag - Arodus ?? - unknown time ::

After the temple is cleaned and the rescue group returns, Finja, Sayid and Matheus join themselves in a ceremony to consecrate the small shrine. Since not of them were actual worships of Torag, they had to improvise. Torag, after all, was well represented in the Crusades and was an active ally of Iomedae, so Finja and Sayid were able to create a beautiful ceremony. As a servant himself, Matheus added a couple touches.

It was a brief ceremony. There were no holy hymns by the end and not heavenly light shinning upon them by the end but, somehow, you all knew that you have pleased the Father. You felt blessed and safe for the first time... even Horgus seemed taken aback by it.

You are all under the effect of bless. It will last for 24 hours. What are the plans now?

Did we take a rest during all this? Or would that require more time spent here?

Darrien enjoyed the small ceremony, whether or not he thought it was worth it to offer such a thing to the deities he was unsure. But, he did realize how faith seemed to bring folk together as often as it split them up. And how it gave them courage.

Edril pauses at the end of the ceremony... taken very much aback. This is the power of the gods? This is what it means... to be holy? He had based his life around facts, magic was a force, a detectable and discernible force. You could calculate it, you could fit it neatly in boxes and on paper. This was something far beyond what made sense, and that too was frightening.

"May I propose we rest here for the day? We are mostly injured and have called what we may of the divine for now. I think this place is going to be much safer than most places and some time to regroup and head out ready will assist." Matheus says while going over the party supplies on food and water to help with rationing them out.

Sayid creates more water magically to prevent there mundane supplies from being depleted. "There is wisdom in that, I used many of my available resources in fighting that undead creature. It would have been nice to make more progress today, but I agree that pushing on would likely be foolhardy."

"Sir Horgus, you are the most eager to escape these catacombs. What say you to the idea of rest? It would mean safer travels going forward."

When the Father's approval washed over them, Finja felt physically excited. She had known it was the proper thing to do, not to leave a place of worship in such a desolate state - but despite her desire to pray for safe passage, she had not expected such a clear sign of the Gods favor.
Where she felt insecure before, afraid even, now there was a certainty within her. For a while after the ceremony, she basked in the warm presence of the divine, remaining still in prayer. Then she joined with the others:"A fine proposal, Master Critchton. I long to get back to the surface. There is...family, and I am worried about their fate, and certainly they are worried about me. But if we rush things, it is likely we die. Chances are whoever built this needed to get some material from outside, and possible there is a abandoned dwarven settlement near - we could rest now, then tomorrow, see if we can find some pathways that seem more used and artifically maintained than others. Such could lead us to safety."

"I need little enough rest... I have not done much, I could spend much of the rest period watching outside, ensuring nothing comes. My eyes also fare better than some, though worse than others." Edril doesn't think he could sleep just yet, not after what he'd witnessed. "I would like to do my part."

Jiao Feng yawns heavily and stretches her arms.
Ah resting is a good idea, i'm so tired. The place should be the safest around here now. We can still post a watch.

:: The Lost Temple of Torag - Arodus ?? - unknown time ::

You rest for the rest of the 'day' in the temple. Unsurprisingly, you hear no signs of beasts or monsters on the outside, feeling completely safe inside... perhaps a curse disguised as a blessing for even if your resources dwindle rapidly, it takes courage to abandon the safety of the temple.

As you rest, Jiao Feng once more tends to your wounds, even if she isn't able to help herself, making her the most wounded of all of you. Matheus distributes the food among you, and reaches the conclusion that you have left only enough food for another day. Gladly, Sayid is able to provide all the water you need.

When the 'night' comes and you sleep, Darrien once more jumps from time to time, chased in his dreams by demons and sorrowful memories of failure. Darrien is once more fatigued on the next day.

With a bit of uncertainty, you then leave the temple behind after Sayid finishes his prayers, returning to the dark tunnels. For most of the time, you feel the passage leads south. After a couple minutes you reach the point where you found Horgus, on a bisection of the way... after some discussion, you notice that one of the ways leads down after a couple feet, so you decide to follow the other path. For almost an hour you walk the tunnels, finding occasionally smaller tunnels branching away but sticking to what you perceive as the 'main tunnel'. After a gradual elevation of about 30 ft., you reach a small cavern. Stone figures are carved into the walls of this cavern. Each depicts a different crusader clad in armor and wielding weapons, but their carved stone features contain expressions of sadness. A tunnel continues on the other side of this cave.

I am pretty sure the soldiers depicted here are from the First Crusade... i remember some drawings of one of my favorite books in the monasterys library. They all had this style of armor and such sad faces.

Darrien does his best to not let others notice his fatigue, keeping up a smile while he walks with those in the rear in hopes of keeping morale up.

As Jiao speaks of the pictures,Darrien lets out a small chuckle.

So, it seems that at least one point these ruins and tunnels were indeed known of. What is even better though, is that if at one point these caverns were used by those on the surface, there must be an exit and entry point. See, good news haha! Well, let us not dally too long. As homey and comforting the stone walls and ceiling is here, I do rather miss the sun haha!

I had literally made a post like Darrien's and somehow lost it. Alas.

Edril nods at Darrien's statement. "Indeed. I was thinking much the same myself. If there were murals here then it would seem to indicate it was once an inhabited or visited location. That would suggest a route back to the surface, as you said. I don't mind it so much down here, but I do agree that I would like the ability to go out of doors."

That might be but you should take into consideration that the first crusade was quite some time ago. We can try and search for it, it's a good route as any other. And the best lead we have at the moment.

It might very well be lost, caved in or purposely shut though. Better don't say that out loud. Some of them give up hope and their will way too fast...

"Where the are paths there are better destinations." Matheus quotes an aphorism of Desna. "Most of those who came here followed the Crusader Road to fight the demons. May valiant warriors watch our steps." he steps back to check on the rear group making sure all are keeping with the group and travel with gear well stowed.

"I said it back at the temple, I'll say it again. Civilization has found a way down here, so of course, there is a way back up. The gods are with us! The inheritor guided my sword, and you all felt the Forge-Fathers blessing. Worst case, we go hungry a few days, but we will survive!", Finja added her own opinion to the chorus.
Where she previously was frightened and alone, now she felt confident and brave. Where she doubted her comrades, she saw brothers and sisters in arms. And where she doubted the gods, there was now fervor and zeal.

Worst case we go hungry? No, the worst case is that we wind up eating Horgus. He thinks it but leaves it unsaid. "It is well. We should proceed on, and I thank Sayid's blessings from his deity that allow us the water we need to survive. I never gave much thought to the gods before, but it is a considerable amount of power..."

:: The Cave with the Statues - Arodus ?? - unknown time ::

Upon hearing about the statues and their descriptions, Aravashnial asks Anevia to guide him to them. "Interesting... this is very interesting... it could indeed be a sign that there is a way out of here, or perhaps a more strange clue... There is an old legend that after the First Crusade a group of crusaders who had become infected with Abyssal energies fled into these caverns to raise their deformed children in peace, and that their descendants live on today in the tunnels below the city... the "mole people". The presence of these statues here could give significant credence to the tale, since it is possible that they were carved by the children. Of course..."

Aravashnial's lecture is cut short by Darrien's quick warning "Watch out! Darkmantles on the ceiling!" Unfortunately he wasn't fast enough in spotting them. Three creatures fall from the dark ceiling of the cave, open like hideous octopuses, with thin, hook-lined tentacles connected by a flesh web. One of them descends on Jiao Feng, the other on Aravashnial and the last on Sayid.

Isa screams and flee from the "monsters" back into the passage you came from and in an act of heroism, Horgus bolts after her, also disappearing. Cursing, Aravashnial manages to get free from the darkmantle grappling his head and in a quick movement strikes it with his quarterstaff before stepping back.

huh, who would have thought that story I read as a child would come in handy. These things always gave me the chills when they appeared in the story back then. he ponders quickly to himself. As the creature is thrown off by Aravashnial Darrien hesitates for a moment before looking down the way Isa and Horgus ran. He throws a swing at the Darkmantle before running off after Isa and Horgus. He shouts a warning as he moves.

Don't let them grab you! That is when they are the most dangerous, I'll go after those two.!

I have to trust that these folk can handle this, I can't let them get too far away. Who knows if there are move of these things hiding back the way we came or god knows what else.

attack: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 + 2 = 14 I assumed I could/would have flanking with someone? if not, please ignore the +2 to hit.
damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

"They are upon us, defend yourselves!"

Grasping the dragonscale he was gifted, Sayid activates it. (Shield spell for next 19 minutes, does this provoke an attack of opportunity? I would assume it does.).

Releasing the dragon scale, Sayid grasps both of his Kukri and pulls them from his sheathes in a defensive stance.

since I am a +0 BAB character this DOES provoke an AoO.

Action Economy: Advanced (2 Actions) - Activate Dragon Scale; Simple Action - Draw Kukri.

Status: Shield Spell, +4 AC, 190/190 rounds (basically forever combat wise. Will not track duration in future posts.) New Effective AC - 21; FF AC - 18

:: The Cave with the Statues - Arodus ?? - unknown time ::

Darrien strikes a glancing blow against the Darkmantle between himself and Aravashnial before departing after Horgus and Isa and as soon as he enters the tunnel, he notices the two of them. Horgus is holding the girl by her arm, trying to keep her from running while the girl tries to free herself. "Let me go you ugly man! Let me go..."

Sayid activates the magical scale and draws his weapons just in time to attack the wounded Darkmantle that was trying to fly away... it struggles, making it clear that these creatures are actually terrible fliers, and opens its flank. Sayid almost finishes it but it manages to fly up to 20 ft. high.

The one grappling Jiao Feng constricts her neck, making the girl fall unconscious into the ground. Her face is turning purplish a clear indication that she will last but a couple seconds! Having failed to grab Sayid, the last Darkmantle flies away, pulsating with dark light... once it reaches 10 ft. high, the dark light expands, enveloping most of the room in dark, leaving only Finja and Darrien outside of its radius...

Map updated.

@Jiao Feng: On your turn, make me a stabilization check if you do not get healed, please.

Stabilize: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

Matheus gasped in surprise as combat exploded around him then shut off to dark seeing a creature latched onto Jiao Feng. Hoping it was distracted he sought to correct what it wrought, invoking a spell of healing and reaching out blindly.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Free touch: 1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 - 1 = 9 with a 50% miss: 1d100 ⇒ 28
Third action touch attempt 2: 1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 - 1 = 8 with a 50% miss: 1d100 ⇒ 49

CLW still held without successful use.

One of these days I'll be able to fire a dart and not have to worry about concealment, darkness, and every other stupid impairment.

"I'm not certain what I can do in this darkness. Do we have any way to pierce it?" He tries casting light, but it fails.

Mattheus, I think Jiao and the Darkmantle are partially visible as per Discussion, maybe grab a part of her you can see for the touch? :)

Finja whirls around as the warning comes, just in time for everything to go dark and something attacking Jiao who was right behind her.

Her first swing connects, as she barely can outline Jiao and her assailant, but as the woman collapses, it becomes harder to pinpoint the attacker in the darkness without risking attacking her ally, and her other strikes find no purchase.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 1 = 21 Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Attack: 1d20 + 0 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 0 + 1 = 3
Attack: 1d20 - 5 + 1 ⇒ (6) - 5 + 1 = 2

A cold shiver trembles through Sayid as the darkness falls. He can almost feel the dagger from a few days ago again piercing between his ribs. He tries to put courage into his voice though.

"Not darkness again! Come on! Why won't anything down here fight with honor. Mattheus, see if you can get to Jiao Feng and heal her. I will try to fight off these creatures."

Stepping further into the darkness where he last saw the darkmantle before darkness fell, Sayid swings wildly with both Kukri, trying to connect a blow.

5' step and full attack against what you have been calling #2 I think. I am rolling all attacks first and then I will circle back in a second post to roll confirmations on any critical threats that I need (18 and up) that way I do not end up playing around with dice order.

Kukri #1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Kukri #1 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Kukri #1 50% Miss Chance: 1d100 ⇒ 15

Kukri #2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Kukri #2 Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3
Kukri #2 50% Miss Chance: 1d100 ⇒ 54

Kukri #1.2: 1d20 + 2 - 5 ⇒ (5) + 2 - 5 = 2
Kukri #1.2 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Kukri #1.2 50% Miss Chance: 1d100 ⇒ 33

Kukri #1.3: 1d20 + 2 - 10 ⇒ (7) + 2 - 10 = -1
Kukri #1.3 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Kukri #1.3 50% Miss Chance: 1d100 ⇒ 30

Darrien will walk up to the two and place a hand on Isa.
Isa, calm down now, don't go running off into the tunnels. I have to go back to help the others, please, stay close by.

He will hand her a torch from his pack and light it before he looks to Horgus.
Horgus, thank you for going after her.

If Isa agrees to wait here, he will make his way back to the combat.

do you need any rolls?

:: The Cave with the Statues - Arodus ?? - unknown time ::

Isa, still a bit panicked, nods at Darrien and appears to be a bit calmer, even if she manages to get away from Horgus. The nobleman, on the other hand, circles around her to block any new attempt from her part. "Go do your job, Darrien... there is no need for thanking, she is a little girl, after all."

Matheus casts his spells but fails to find Jiao Feng... at least, he also doesn't heal the darkmantle by mistake. Edril conjures a light spell, but sadly it is unable to pierce the unnatural darkness. Being the only one out of the darkness circle, Finja manages to hit the creature, slashing a tentacle apart but fearing to harm Jiao Feng, she misses her other two attacks.

Sayid fairs far worse. He moves after the fleeing darkmantle but finds nothing but air with his quick slashes. Wounded, the darkmantle hit by Finja leaves Jiao Feng's body behind and flies into the darkness. Taking advantage of the opening, Finja manages to hit it yet once more.

Hearing the creature fly away and the meaty thunk of a weapon strike in front of him Matheus tries again to find his companion in the dark.

Touch with Cure Light Wounds (8): 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 4 - 1 = 18 with miss chance (50%): 1d100 ⇒ 84

Finding the fallen form he holds on to cast again and channel another spell into Jiao Feng, praying to cancel his earlier failure.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Using healing roll from the first time on the first action. Remaining two actions to heal again.

apologies, my post seems to have been eaten. I'll make a quick post to move things along.

Darrien moves back in to assist Sayyid.

attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

When i understand this right Jiao Feng is healed 16hp? Good job Critchton!

Jiao Feng opens her eyes, letting out a moan, finding herself on the floor. She touches her bruised throat and sits up.
Where am i? What just happened?
Only then she recognizes Critchton standing next to her, his hand where it doesn't belong, and the fight with a weird creature going on.
She clears her throat.
Thank you ... i guess. I'll now go over there and see if i can help Sayyid, i guess. You stay safe here.
Then she stands up, gettng her sword out and moves over into the fight.

Finja whirls around, looking at the Ceiling, squinting her eyes as she tries to pierce the dark on the lookout for other attackers. When Jiao stirs, she feels relieved but does not let her guard down.

The gods did not want any of them to perish, but they were tested nonetheless, and the dangers were real. Staying just at the edge of the Darkness, Finja keeps her tower shield tilted to afford some protection upwards, and her sword ready to strike if one of the creatures came into her arms reach again.
All the same, she remained silent - in the darkness of these caves, she had learned to rely upon her ears to stay aware of her surroundings as much as on her eyes.

Readied Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 1 = 9 Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Edril slowly tries making his way out of the darkness, bumping into walls as he does so.

Move, half speed.

"Perhaps it would be best to allow the creatures to come to us rather than letting them choose this darkened battlefield."

Sayid backs up out of the field of darkness and readies his weapons to strike at anything that follows him.

Action Economy: 1 Standard Act - 20' East; 1 Standard Act - Held Attack Action

Held Attack Kukri #1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Damage on Hit: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Held Attack Kukri #2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Damage on Hit: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Confirm Crit on Held Attack #2 w/ Anatomist: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 2 + 1 = 23
Additional Crit Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

:: The Cave with the Statues - Arodus ?? - unknown time ::

Darrien moves inside the darkness to help Sayid and successfully strikes the creature. Meanwhile, Matheus heals Jiao Feng almost completely, bringing her back into the fight and she just as quickly joins Darrien and Sayid against the remaining creature.

Sayid, tired of fighting in the dark, retreats to the light, hoping that the creature would follow him... instead, it changes its target to Darrien. Luckily, grazed by Darrien's strike, it wasn't able to keep flying at the same spot and while it moved around to get a better angle, Darrien and Jiao Feng each harmed it even more. Still alive, but very wounded, the creature flies up in circles towards the ceiling and there it stays with the others. The darkness moves with it.

Combat is over. The monsters have retreated. You can finish them with ranged weapons or move on, your choice!

The field of darkness floats up to the ceiling, covering the whole of it and obscuring their adversaries, but returning the party to light.

"Is it over? I can't see them, but since the darkness is still there I figure they are too. Does anyone know anything about these creatures, can we trust them not to pursue us if we leave them be? They are likely busy licking their wounds at this point right?"

Finja circled down below, looking up, ready to strike if something emerged from the darkness: "I don't know what they are, but it would seem they are some kind of ambush predator. And not afraid of humanoids."
Quickly checking if all her comrades were ok, she continues:"They likely simply wanted to eat us, then retreated when they realized they were in over their head. I wonder if they are edible...we could use provisions."

"I am very tired of being in the dark. That is one of the things I am first researching when we get back to town, a way to counteract darkness, or at the very least to see in it when torches fail." Edril seems quite exasperated at his continued ineffectiveness.

Matheus nods as he stands still shocked that the darkness retreated. "So many creatures here call darkness to themselves so they may prey upon those from the light. I am glad we have some allies who can pierce those attacks. But these tunnels seem to be hunting grounds I also will well welcome to see an end."

Darrien rubs his chin at Finja's suggestion.

Hmm. Perhaps a good roasting would make them edible. Or, maybe a nice stew. Either way, lets make the decision quickly. They are likely merely trying to survive, as we are though. After his statement he will go call for Horgus and Isa to come.

Horgus and Isa come with Darrien once called and after a couple minutes the darkness dissipates entirely.

The only one of you who know anything about the darkmantles is Darrien (there is a spoiler showing this a couple posts up). Other than that, what you guys want to do? Kill and roast the creatures? Talk among yourselves? Press on? I need a direction.

"Chasing after flying creatures who can spawn darkness itself? I think some wisdom would be to also move on, glad we have escaped with relatively few wounds for beating them back." Matheus notes while looking at Jiao Feng's last remaining bruises.