GM Tyranius Tyrant's Grasp (Inactive)

Game Master Tyranius

Seeing that people need to rest-- because it HAS been a long day.
Okay, let's find an Inn. I think that resting overnight can help me better understand how we have 6 Wise Crows. 6 dead- with names for each, yet we know one of them still got away. My fingers and thumb don't add up.

He follows the others. Joining Twink by eating two Hamberders when they stop to eat again.

@Atium- One of the dead men you found wasn't one of the crows but rather the attacking party from the sewers that was killed.

Grabbing another handful of hamberders you head back into the evening town to report some of your findings. With Doeswen's notes as well as her recount of the events the town's officials begin going into high alert.

Second Sword Kninght Aylunna Varvatos becomes gravely concerned by the evidence you present. She encourages you to investigate further, offering you two potions of cure serious wounds and two potions of lesser restoration to aid you. She will instruct the faithful of Iomedae to remain vigilant for danger.

Venture-Captain Evni Zongnoss grows increasingly worried as well. She gives you a wand of detect undead and a scroll of death ward before mobilizing the local Pathfinders in the area to be on the lookout.

Ranton Gandry grows ever paler as he realizes his mistake and what it could cost. He offers you his +2 halberd for helping rescue Doeswen. He will send word to other veterans about pending danger. Little by little forces begin to mobilize.

Veena Heliu is initially nonplussed by the evidence you show her, but with the corroborating records from Brunna's Smithy, she begins to take things very seriously indeed. She gives you a wand of magic missile (CL 5th) before recommending her students prepare for trouble.

You spend the remainder of your evening in the Inn. A cold drink in your hands as you somberly stare at the table, trying to piece everything together. Your rest is undisturbed as nothing happens throughout the night.

That is an excellent post, GM Tyr. I wasn’t expecting anything from those yahoos, let alone the Pathfinders. :)

Fueled by rest and hamberders, Vanyan prepares for a trip to the sewers in the morning. He doesn’t request or require any of the offered magical items, but does appreciate them and that they were offered...even by the Pathfinders.

”Do we need to go shopping before we go down? You all have light sources,” Vanyan speaks with twinkling eyes as if he doesn’t need to worry about darkness.

"Ah oh, I don't have a light source" Aishe raises his hand, "But I need my hands free." he shrugs, unsure what to buy.

We might also consider a group purchase of First Aid Gloves (4,500gp). Aishe can wear them if you like as he's usually fairly central, and close to the action for any needed saving.

"It's a little brash to sell gifts, but we might get things we can use." he eyes the halberd for possible sale.

Not counting what we just got, we've around 20kgp worth of salables in the pile, maybe more. Should we do a divvy now and do some shopping before we descend into the sewers?

"I have not been in sewers before, but I have read about them in history. They sound dank, vile, and dirty. If that is true, perhaps the old adage about prevention and cure would be wise to follow. Vanyan, have you been in sewers in your time as a Pathfinder? What should we expect there?"

"Vanyan, have you been in sewers in your time as a Pathfinder? What should we expect there?"

Vanyan rubs the back of his neck, trying to remember. As he recalls, he spent most of his Pathfinder time dead, near dead, and/or bleeding out. But he does have a few memories of the sewers of Absalom.

"What I do remember of what the Pathfinders call 'Sewer Dragons' but are really just kobolds is that a lot of them tend to throw bombs and/or try to kill you with traps. Also, otyughs. Every sewer system probably has a few otyughs. That's just how it is," Vanyan recollects. "Yeah, they are dark, they stink, and you'll not want to wear your best boots. And the smell? You guys remember when Atium unloaded a #2 in that crypt next to them ghouls we kilt? Well, it's like that, but not quite as bad."

+1 to the First Aid Gloves. Also whatever you all need to see in what will be the dark. Maybe buy a continual torch and a few oils of sunlight?

"Aye, let us sell the halbard, even though it's a mighty gift. I can hold the scroll of Death Ward. I also need both arms, but a burnt ioun stone and an continual flame spell should do the trick. I feel my weapon is not as deadly as I'd like it, but I don't know that there's time or funds for dealing with that at the moment."

Party Divvy!
Everyone in the party gains 3,889gp from the sale of various items and everyone (except Vanyan) gets an Oil of Daylight. Further, the party gets First Aid Gloves for the inevitable failures we may face.

Aishe rises early and heads out to the markets to unload a wide variety of goods. He doesn’t talk much, and haggles little, but there’s a certain competence about his work and he moves quickly.

As things begin to be sold, he shares out the wealth to the other party members, and himself. When he’s accumulated enough, he starts shopping for his own goods as well. He purchases…
Ioun Torch (75gp)
Golumbane Scarab (2,500gp)
Campfire Bead (720gp)
Snapleaf (750gp)

…for a total of 4,045gp so he spends 156gp of his own cash to make up the difference - assuming everything is available.

Aishe has something over 500gp available if anyone needs a loan...

Oh, Snapleaf is quality.

Vanyan rubs his hands as the party walks out of shops area, ready to get back to work.

"You guys ready for this? It's not going to be a flower pick, down there, it's going to suck wind, suck bad air, and suck suck, you know?" Vanyan gears himself up for the sewers. "You think it's all alligators in the sewers? Nah. I hope it's just alligators. It'll be worse. But we gotta get it done. The people are counting on us."

Vanyan is ready to go and will take either the 4th or 5th position as the party goes down.

Yes, everything is available. Going to push forward, just have your purchases on your next post.

You return to the Dyeworks and remove the grate to access the sewers. Vigil’s brick sewer tunnels vary in width, but most contain a 3-foot-deep, sewage-filled trough running along the floor with narrow ledges on one or both sides of the trough. These ledges, and the makeshift wooden walkways that frequently connect them, offer a way to traverse the sewers without entering the foul waters.

The tracks of the people who attacked the Six Wise Crows are easy to find. Tessenarin notes that ten armored knights came this way. Eight knights returned the same way.

After following the tracks through the branching forks of Vigil’s sewer system for half an hour, the tracks suddenly stop. A close inspection reveals slight rake marks in the grime. You can hear voices raised in argument from the sewer passage up ahead.

"Let's just finish covering these tracks so we can get back. Before those lumbering filth-eaters grow spines and come this way."

"Raking our boot prints is taking too long!" one growls. "We should just pour some of this s*&# water over the walkways and be done with it."

“Oh, and I suppose you brought a bucket?” another says. ”Or are you planning to use your helmet?”

Atium follows Aishe right into the same store. Picking up a magical belt and another special item to round out his equipment.

I am ready to go.

Magic belt of strength +2

Eyes of the Eagle and a Snapleaf for me. Total spent 3,250

Quietly, "It appears we're about to get some answers. What do you think the odds are that this is a peaceful conversation?"

Vanyan listens in.

How dark is it in the sewers? How far away are we? Do they have lights? Vanyan might sneak closer if there is the cover of darkness.

Or we can just bungle on in and hope to take one of them alive for questioning. Whatever works.

Quietly, "It appears we're about to get some answers. What do you think the odds are that this is a peaceful conversation?"

"Zero." Aishe whispers back as he loads his crossbow.

He takes out his ioun torch, though he cups the light in his hand for now. He prepares to throw it over his head as soon as the party reveals themselves so he can see for battle.

It goes without saying that I am a member of the not-peaceful camp. Glad to have Aishe as a flatmate. p
Atium moves, with swaggered stride into the sewers.

He holds up a new totem that he had been carving and asked for tribal magics to be added. He speaks.
Shakra Owl.

slight twist to Eyes of the owl magic item to make it more in line with my totems. Grants low light vision. 1/23 rage.

bought 5 sun rods and 5 anti-plague.

When Tess hears the talking, he reaches into the bag of holding and takes out an anti-plague and chugs it.

"Well, they are speaking common, so that is encouraging. Let us not jump to violence right away."

There is dim light during daylight hours due to the many grates. They carry torches and are a decent distance away to not notice your presence. Let's say 40 feet around the corner.

"Alright, let's go pound some heads," Vanyan shrugs, not having a brilliant plan saving casting Produce Flame. "*Wank*, try to take one alive, eh? For questioning."

Vanyan will follow others in.

Vinas whispers words of power to his blade... Casting Weapon of Awe.

Only if given a chance, otherwise, this is his first round of action (around the corner- hidden).

I'll support Tess or Vinas, but in a surprising way.

He pulls out a potion, drinks it and vanishes from sight!
sneak: 1d20 + 10 + 20 ⇒ (2) + 10 + 20 = 32

Quiet as a mouse, Atium creeps forward until the source of the voices comes in to view. Three armored knights bicker in the tunnel ahead. They wear blackened full plate armor decorated with symbols of skulls and skeletal hands on a broken disk. In addition to their helmets, they wear rags wrapped across their noses and mouths to mitigate the unpleasant smell of the sewers.

Picture of the knights in the maps.

Around the corner, some distance away Vinas whispers words of power into his blade while Vanyan conjures flames.

Aishe waits while Atium scouts ahead. Very quietly, he shifts his position to the corner so he can cover Atium if something goes wrong.

Stealth: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (19) + 18 = 37

He stays out of sight as best he can and waits, listening to their conversation.

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23

Shrug. C’mon peeps.

Vanyan moves up (about 60’ away) and tosses a ball of fire.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27 ranged touch;
1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 fire damage.

Round: surprise (?)

As a ball of fire flies over his left shoulder, Aishe nods, ”Ayup.” He steps out from the corner and takes a shot at the armored foe as well - if he has a clean shot that is.

Crossbow (magic): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17 damage: 1d8 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17 (+1 to attack and damage if within 30’)

Sadly, he misjudges what he sees in that instant, and his bolt (probably) careens off the wall and into the sludge.

Tessenarin looks sideways at Vanyan. "Could we not have tried diplomacy first? We do not even know who these people are."

He sighs and takes out his bow and readies for attackers.

"Could we not have tried diplomacy first? We do not even know who these people are."

Lol. This would have been a great idea if offered over the last two days. *shrug*.

Vanyan doesn’t have a good reply, having waited for Tess to speak up before he acted.

Atium, having moved quietly around toward the rear of the 4 sewer cleaners.
Waits for the Death Clad enemies to react and draw their weapons. He plans on smashing the nearest one to utterly destroy the weapon, and then armor.

But, he need to make certain he's in position and has a weapon to sunder first.

You catch the knights off guard as Vanyan and Aishe bring the heat. Vanyans flames spatter against the knights full plate armor, heating the outer metal as the man flinches in pain. Aishe's bolt sends a warning as it shatters against the wall. They each draw longswords. "We are under attack!"

Round 1
Atium (109/109; Raging 127/127; DR 1/-)
Aishe (58/58)
Vanyan (56/56; 1 str drain)
Tessenarin (66/66)
Vinas (93/93)
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Knights (Pink -5)
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Round 2

Vanyan fires twice again at pink.

"To touch is to burn," Vanyan quoth.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25 ranged touch
1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9  fire damage

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20 ranged touch
1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10  fire damage

Round: 1

Aishe takes a 5’ step closer to the iron-clad warriors and he digs in, taking several shots at green. He prays for guidance on his last shot, as is often the case.*

Crossbow (magic): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30 damage: 1d8 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20
Crossbow (magic): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21 damage: 1d8 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16
ranged touch Crossbow (magic): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22 damage: 1d8 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20

* Sharp Shoot (Ex): Resolve attack against touch AC when firing at a target within the first range increment.

Atium's attack or action is contingent on Vinas's action. I did place him where I thought he'd be while invisible.

Just to make absolutely sure, Vinas detects for evil in the one who seems to be in charge. He then closes distance.

Tessenarin moves forward, pulls out his bow, and starts his angry song.

Seeing arrows flying, Tess's song starting, and Vinas moving across the wooden plank.

Atium pops into view. His Warhammer first aims at the man's Plate Armor. Hoping that the tactic can make it easier to then crush the longsword.

WH Sunder: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (20) + 18 = 38 Sunder Armor damage: 1d8 + 20 ⇒ (1) + 20 = 21

WH Sunder: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22 Sunder LS damage: 1d8 + 20 ⇒ (2) + 20 = 22

Possible Crit roll:
WH Sunder: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (6) + 18 = 24 Sunder Armor damage: 2d8 + 40 ⇒ (8, 4) + 40 = 52

Atium springs from the shadows, his warhammer smashes into the knights full-plate armor. the hammer absolutely obliterates the armor, completely destroying it in the process.

All three of Aishe's bolts hit as they pierce right through the platemail. Vanyan continues to cover the dark knight in flames, blackening the blackened armor further.

Tessenarin begins to sing as Vinas confirms these knights are certainly evil in nature.

The two forward most knights descend down on Atium as they smite him.

Purple Longsword vs Atium AC 18; Smite; Channel Smite; Flanking: 1d20 + 13 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 13 + 3 + 2 = 27
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 8 = 13
Channeled Smite Negative Energy Damage: 4d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 6, 5) = 17 DC 17 Will save for half. Noo need to roll as you absorb 18 of this negative energy

Purple Longsword vs Atium AC 18; Smite; Flanking: 1d20 + 8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 3 + 2 = 31
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 8 = 13

Red Longsword vs Atium AC 18; Smite; Channel Smite; Flanking: 1d20 + 13 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 13 + 3 + 2 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 8 = 16
Channeled Smite Negative Energy Damage: 4d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 1, 2) = 11 DC 17 Will save for half. Noo need to roll as you absorb 18 of this negative energy

Red Longsword vs Atium AC 18; Smite; Flanking: 1d20 + 8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 3 + 2 = 26
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 8 = 16

The rearmost knight grabs a potion and downs the contents quickly.

Round 2
Atium (55/109; Raging 73/127; DR 1/-)
Aishe (58/58)
Vanyan (56/56; 1 str drain)
Tessenarin (66/66)
Vinas (93/93)
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Knights (Pink -70) (Red - Armor destroyed)
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Round 3

LOL. You're getting smote. <nelson haha gif>

Vanyan fires twice again at pink.

1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 8 - 4 = 24 ranged touch
1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10  fire damage

1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 3 - 4 = 11 ranged touch
1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6  fire damage

Pot crit:
1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 8 - 4 = 18 ranged touch
1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 fire damage

"Profane! I'll show you righteous power. Atium! On your flank!" Vinas stays his smite for the moment, assuming the target between them is too easy to warrant it.

ATK: 1d20 + 16 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 16 + 1 = 31 for DMG: 1d8 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 1 = 9

Round: 2

"Ayep. They're evil."

Aishe takes a 5’ step closer to the iron-clad warriors as he continues to focus on green, though he’ll switch to red if green blissfully drops. If that happens, red has some cover. He’ll once again pray to Abadar for guidance on his third shot!*

Crossbow (magic): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25 damage: 1d8 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17
Crossbow (magic): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28 damage: 1d8 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21
ranged touch Crossbow (magic): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21 damage: 1d8 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22

* Sharp Shoot (Ex): Resolve attack against touch AC when firing at a target within the first range increment.

Tessenarin continues to sing and takes shots at red.

longbow: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16 damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
longbox: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

This is evil! I will smash it!

Atium takes a full battle swing at Pink. Hoping to drop him with sheer brute force and a bit of Tess's Electrical spark.
WH attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33 damage: 1d8 + 20 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 20 + (3) = 27 Pink Anti

He then pivots and swings his warhammer at Red's long sword. Looking to break it, and leave the guy disarmed and unarmored. Without the guy's armor, it's much easier to just focus on the Long Sword.

sunder: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18 Sunder Red Long Sword.damage: 1d8 + 20 ⇒ (4) + 20 = 24 Red Anti

You don't know it yet, but *YOU* will be our prisoner.
Pointing his devastating War Hammer at Red.

Atium's hammer creases in the knights armor as the metal drives into the man's heart killing him quickly. Keeping the momentum Atium backswings towards the knights blade, and misses as he pulls back just in time.

Aishe doesn't know what to think as all three of his bolts once again sink through the knights armor. The sewers seem to favor and give Aishe luck. Maybe it is the smell, the light or the extreme closeness he felt from Groetus in the afterlife. Whatever it is it seems to be working.

Vanyan presses the attack on the wounded knights and manages to put flames on a new target. With his armor no longer protecting him Tessenarin easily gets a pair of his arrows through the knights defenses as his shield is just too slow.

Vinas steps up stabbing into the knights broken armor with little to no resistance thanks to Atium's sundering blows. Vinas gets smote for once as he has never been smote before. The knights bring their dark energied blades down on the pair but the overall effect seems to be absorbed by your body for some odd reason.

Red Longsword vs Atium AC 18; Smite; Channel Smite: 1d20 + 13 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 13 + 3 = 34
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 8 = 14
Channeled Smite Negative Energy Damage: 4d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 4, 6) = 21 DC 17 Will save for half. You absorb 18 of this negative energy.

Red Longsword vs Atium AC 18; Smite; Channel Smite: 1d20 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 3 = 15
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 8 = 20
Channeled Smite Negative Energy Damage: 4d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 1, 4) = 11 DC 17 Will save for half. No need to roll as you absorb 18 of this negative energy.

Green Longsword vs Vinas AC 27; Smite; Channel Smite: 1d20 + 13 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 13 + 3 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 8 = 15
Channeled Smite Negative Energy Damage: 4d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 1, 1) = 8 DC 17 Will save for half. No need to roll as you absorb 18 of this negative energy.

Green Longsword vs Vinas AC 27; Smite; Channel Smite: 1d20 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 3 = 27
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 8 = 16
Channeled Smite Negative Energy Damage: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 1, 6) = 12 DC 17 Will save for half. No need to roll as you absorb 18 of this negative energy.

Round 3
Atium (42/109; Raging 60/127; DR 1/-)
Aishe (58/58)
Vanyan (56/56; 1 str drain)
Tessenarin (66/66)
Vinas (77/93)
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Knights (Red -17; Armor destroyed) (Green -70)
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Will: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32 Vinas grunts as the profaned blade strikes him. Despite the sound advice being to gang up on one before the other, Vinas trusts in Atium's might and focuses his righteous rage against the man directly before him. "I shall smite thee with my mighty blade!"

ATK 1 v. Red: 1d20 + 16 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 16 + 1 + 3 = 28 for DMG: 1d8 + 5 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 8 = 15
ATK 2 v. Red: 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 11 + 1 + 3 = 28 for DMG: 1d8 + 5 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 8 = 21

Tessenarin takes a step while continuing to sing, then fires off two arrows at Green.

longbow: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31 damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
longbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15 damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

crit confirm: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24 damage: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (2, 7) + 4 = 13

Round 4

Vanyan double moves up to get a clear shot next round.

Round: 3

”These guys are tough.” he mutters as green fails to fall under his barrage. Aishe takes a 5’ step closer to the iron-clad warriors as he continues to focus on green, though he’ll switch to red if green blissfully drops though with cover, and that heavy armor, he doubts he has had much success.

Crossbow (magic): 1d20 + 13 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 13 - 4 = 19 (cover) damage: 1d8 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15
Crossbow (magic): 1d20 + 13 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 13 - 4 = 10 (cover) damage: 1d8 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20
Crossbow (magic): 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 8 - 4 = 19 (cover) damage: 1d8 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21

With his armor destroyed the knight quickly falls to the flurry of blows, bolts and arrows. The knights had a bit of gear on them:

"A waste of life. These men are solidly outfitted too. It'd be a shame to leave it behind." Once Vanyan explains the talisman, Vinas offers a rare chuckle, "I wouldn't mind wearing one of those, I seem to be a bit slow on the reflex than you all."

Vanyan does indeed explain the magic items as the identifies them, but gives Atium a cross look when holding up the shattered remains of the armor.

”You know, maybe you want to just destroy the occasional weapon instead of the armor? I mean, you just cost us some good money, and all that time you spent on the armor, you might have just as well brained the man inside instead.”

Won’t a couple of Make Whole spells get the armor back to sellable condition?

Vanyan will try to identify the unholy symbols.

1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30 Know (Religion)

”I wonder which god just smote you all. Ha. ‘Smote’. You guys got smote.” Vanyan laughs as if its the funniest thing he’s ever seen.

Aishe helps carry the loot, but passes on the talisman as it only works once then crumbles to dust. Seems an expensive trinket to him.

When the group is ready, he'll follow the tracks deeper into the sewers.

Tracking: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 22
Tracking: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36
Tracking: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (12) + 16 = 28

You said to capture one of these "Smoters" so they could be questioned. I thought they would have been more open to surrendering if I took everything away from them.

Atium tries out the word Smote. He likes it.
It WAS his intention to blast the armor, making the guy infinitely easier to hit, plus disarm him by smashing the weapon. Seemed like a way to get a prisoner to question.

Well, there were now three dead bodies and it appeared they had tracks to follow.
Aishe seems to be hot on the trail! Atium follows behind.