Bloody Streets: CT by AG

Game Master Apoc Golem

Save the castings of shield and mirror image. We'll say a total of two minutes have passed, leaving four minutes on your old spells and six minutes on bless and shield of faith.

Kroft shakes her head. "I didn't even want Captain Melandrus here for this." She makes a sweeping gesture at the killed or captured Maidens and Physicians. "Whatever curse that hag put on him, he's hobbled. He could have been killed. I felt bad for him, sitting on his hands the last week or so, and I let him tag along out of guilt, but that?" She points toward the room with the lift. "There's no telling what's down there. He'll be a chain on your ankle the whole way. And for all his posturing, he knows it. The last thing his pride will allow is for him to be a liability. The guards are at least at peak physical condition. Mostly." She glances sidelong at a guard with a slight paunch growing around his midsection before looking back at Andakos. "No, if you won't take a guard, definitely don't take Cabe. He caught a win here, mostly by dumb luck, but that will evaporate if his condition gets one of you killed. Just get down there and get to the bottom of this. Good luck." She claps the investigator on the shoulder and, with a motion of her hand, gathers up several guards and their prisoners before heading out.

Cabe limps over to the party, clasping forearms with Andakos and Golloriel, and giving a curt nod to Caladaer. "I suspect that little chat means I will not be going with you. I suppose it is for the best. I will remain up here and help the guards hold this space. It is the least I can do for you. Perhaps a day will come when I can rid myself of this curse and rejoin you. For now, stay safe, keep your eyes open, and kick some ass."

He nods to each in turn before limping back to a spot near the wall, trying to look alert but surreptitiously leaning back against the wall for support.

Gods, he thought he felt old before this...

With spells cast and the party ready, they pile onto the lift and, flicking the switch to the hidden lower floor, descend downward.

The lift descends for almost half a minute before finally coming to a jerking halt. The wooden slatted doors slide to the side to reveal a dark room that can be made out at first only by the two tieflings. (And Cal and Lori, if Cal casts a light spell.) Scuffed stone walls have been plastered over and then decorated with lurid murals of skeletons cavorting among the dead of a Korvosa that has completely succumbed to blood veil. Simple wooden doors lead to the north and south, each bearing a painting of a scythe-wielding skeleton. A sizable double door stands on the east wall, appearing in the mural as a massive set of double doors opening into the pyramid foundation of Castel Korvosa. Two more scythe-wielding skeletons flank the castle doors in the mural.

A sliver pouring out from under each of the other doors reveals the rooms beyond are likely lit.

WDYD?

Golloriel sends her ioun torch spinning around her head.

Once everyone can see, Andakos holds his finger to his lips, then steps carefully to the north and listens at the door.

stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20 +3 traps

It's rolls like that that make me favor GM rolls like in 2e, but OTOH rolling dice is fun, so I dunno.

Do I enjoy having the knowledge of success or failure before the party does? Yes. Yes I do. It builds suspense! XD

Andakos believes he is stealthy.

The investigator turns the knob on the door, but is rudely interrupted from opening it when the skeleton on the mural whips its scythe out in an arc that catches Andakos in the ribs and rips through his chest, leaving a horrific gash in its wake before clicking back into place on the mural. (Confirmed crit for 40 slashing damage.)

As if that wasn't bad enough, the jawbones on all the skeletons in the murals snap open on spring hinges as a treacherous yellow gas suddenly fills the room.

Andakos Fort Save DC 15: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Cal Fort Save DC 15: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Golloriel Fort Save DC 15: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24
Reyhan Fort Save DC 15: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Thulae Fort Save DC 15: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Cal, Reyhan, and Thulae all suffer 1 Charisma drain.

With his extensive knowledge of both natural and synthetic poisons, Andakos immediately recognizes this as ungol dust. Thankfully the gas begins to disperse as soon as it hits the air, but unfortunately Cal, Rey, and the birb are not out of the woods.

And of course, if that wasn't bad enough, the commotion causes the southern door to burst open, where four Queen's Physicians stop and stare in shock at the intruders into their humble murderhome.

"What the--?!" the first cries, then all four spring into action.

[color=green]ROUND 1
Characters in BOLD may act.
Reyhan (61/61 hp, poisoned, 1 Cha Drain, Life Linked)
Physician 3 (0 dmg)
Caladaer (35/43 hp, 1 Cha Drain, Life Linked)
Andakos (6/46 hp, Life Linked)
Physician 4 (0 dmg)
Golloriel (65/73 hp)
Physician 1 (0 dmg)
Physician 2 (0 dmg)
[/color]

Welp. That's an indefinite loss of a Panache Point. D:

Rey coughs and wipes the gross yellow dust from her lips, feeling her head get swimmy. "W... what the f...?"

She turns to see an open door and more physicians. She fumbles momentarily as she reaches for her daggers and throws a pair at the figure in the doorway.

Dagger vs 1: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 11 - 2 = 15
Dmg: 1d4 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 6 = 11 Piercing, Precision, Slashing

Dagger vs 1: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 6 - 2 = 12
Dmg: 1d4 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 6 = 11 Piercing, Precision, Slashing

Despite her confounded state, the surprised Physician finds two daggers sticking out of his chest. He groans and doubles over, but doesn't fall.

Meanwhile #3 rushes out of the guard room and quickly takes stock of the situation, seeing they've set off the trap and that one of them is on the verge of death. He pulls a dagger from his belt as he rushes into the room and tosses it at the bleeding investigator, hoping to take him out of the fight. The dagger actually embeds inside the scythe wound. (10 sneak attack damage.) With a groan, the pain overwhelms Andakos and he collapses to the floor.

Andakos, please make a DC 10 Constitution check with a -4 penalty.

[color=green]ROUND 1
Characters in BOLD may act.
Reyhan (61/61 hp, poisoned, 1 Cha Drain, Life Linked)
Physician 3 (0 dmg)
Caladaer (35/43 hp, 1 Cha Drain, Life Linked)
Andakos (-4/46 hp, Life Linked, unconscious and dying)
Physician 4 (0 dmg)
Golloriel (65/73 hp)
Physician 1 (22 dmg)
Physician 2 (0 dmg)
[/color]

Yikes.

Golloriel sees Andakos fall and, rather than allow her link with him bring him barely back to consciousness and vulnerable, she drops the link (immediate action). She hopes she can give him more significant healing shortly.

Using a harrow point to reroll that save.

fort: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Caladaer raises his eyebrows at Andakos's very bad day, steps behind Golloriel, and begins an incantation.

summon monster iii to bring Lawrence the leopard in. We need another warm body!

Your GM is an idiot. I did NOT take the +4 AC from shield into account for the Sneak Attack (the scythe did confirm the crit, however, by a large margin). Some retcon is required.

Andakos sees his life flash before his eyes as the dagger whips toward him, but a small disc of invisible force ripples slightly in the air as it deflects the blade at the last second. (I will assume, since he's not down, that Golloriel is keeping the Life Link up, unless you say otherwise.)

[color=green]ROUND 1
Characters in BOLD may act.
Reyhan (61/61 hp, poisoned, 1 Cha Drain, Life Linked)
Physician 3 (0 dmg)
Caladaer (35/43 hp, Life Linked)
Thulae (21/21 hp)
Andakos (6/46 hp, Life Linked, Shield spell)
Physician 4 (0 dmg)
Golloriel (65/73 hp)
Physician 1 (22 dmg)
Physician 2 (0 dmg)
[/color]

Yep, she'll keep life link up.

Andakos gasps in shock and pain as the trap nearly puts him down in one hit. How did he miss that? He will have to make sure to have Cal check his work from now on.

He pulls a potion of cure moderate wounds from his bandolier and downs it, then readies himself to protect his allies.

CMW: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (5, 6) + 3 = 14

NOICE! Bodyguard for +3 AC to Cal and Lori:

bodyguard: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
bodyguard: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
bodyguard: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

Some of Ducky's wounds close up, though he's still in rough shape.

#4 strides in, taking a cue off of their comrade. They size up the party and note the paladin hasn't quite got her footing underneath her yet. Seizing the advantage, they whip their dagger at her. Despite Andakos's lightning reflexes whipping up his spear to try and fend off the blow, it slips under the haft close enough that it clips the wood slightly. It sends the blade just off-kilter enough that it embeds in Lori's shoulder rather than her throat. (11 Sneak Attack damage.)

[color=green]ROUND 1
Characters in BOLD may act.
Reyhan (61/61 hp, poisoned, 1 Cha Drain, Life Linked)
Physician 3 (0 dmg)
Caladaer (35/43 hp, Life Linked)
Thulae (21/21 hp)
Andakos (20/46 hp, Life Linked, Shield spell)
Physician 4 (0 dmg)
Golloriel (54/73 hp)
Physician 1 (22 dmg)
Physician 2 (0 dmg)
[/color]

Golloriel grunts as she magically takes on some of Andakos and Caladaer's wounds (-10 for her and +5 to each of them). She keeps expecting to get used to that but it always takes her by surprise, even when she knows it's coming. She grits her teeth, then rushes into melee with #3.

scimitar: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

confirm: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Golloriel dashes in and leaves a long, bloody groove in #3's flesh along their flank. The physician cries out in pain, doubling over momentarily, but doesn't fall.

Finally, physicians #1 and #2 enter the room. #1 tries to tumble past Golloriel and Reyhan to set up a flank but fails miserably, leaving themself wide open. (AoO for Lori and Rey.)

Finally in position and brandishing their club, they manage to distract Reyhan long enough for #2 to slip into a flank and swing at the swashbuckler's head. She almost falls for it, and in fact the club manages to just clip her ear as she dives to avoid the vicious blow. (Missed her AC by 1!)

Reyhan feels the toxins still coursing through her veins...

Reyhan Fort vs Ungol Dust: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Another point of Charisma drain.

[color=green]ROUND 2
Characters in BOLD may act.
Reyhan (61/61 hp, poisoned, 2 Cha Drain, Life Linked)
Physician 3 (13 dmg)
Caladaer (40/43 hp, Life Linked)
Thulae (21/21 hp)
Andakos (25/46 hp, Life Linked, Shield spell)
Physician 4 (0 dmg)
Golloriel (44/73 hp)
Physician 1 (22 dmg)
Physician 2 (0 dmg)
[/color]

AoO vs 1: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12
P/S Dmg: 1d4 + 3 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 6 = 11 Precision, Silver

Still reeling from the toxic fumes, Reyhan coughs violently right as she tries to swing at #1's passing, missing terribly.

Determined to give a better showing, she turns around and sends her mithral dagger into a flurry against #2.

Dagger vs #1: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29
Dmg: 1d4 + 3 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 6 = 12 Piercing, Precision, Silver, Slashing

Dagger vs #1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Dmg: 1d4 + 3 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 6 = 13 Piercing, Precision, Silver, Slashing

Confirm Atk 1: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19
Dmg: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 Piercing, Silver, Slashing

Oh hi 31 damage in one round! XD

Reyhan doesn't even give #2 the chance at a death scream. She presses against them and viciously shanks them over and over in the gut, then just as a gurgling cry begins to bubble up from their lips, she pirouettes and draws her blade across their throat at an angle, opening them up from jaw to clavicle in a bright arterial geyser. The physician collapses to the floor, clawing uselessly at their ruined throat as their vitae rapidly pools on the cobblestones.

I mean technically they're unconscious and dying but they're like 4 rounds from perma-death so close enough lol

Seemingly determined to avenge their coworker, #3 slips from Golloriel's grasp with a deft flip and spin that sends up their greatcoat in a wild flurry that confounds Golloriel enough to avoid granting her an opening with their exit. (Successful Acro check.) They come up from their flip with their club out and swing it in a vicious uppercut that takes Reyhan completely by surprise and clips her mouth. The blow splits her lip in a small gout of blood and loosens a couple front teeth. (8 bludgeoning damage.)

As the physician finishes clobbering Reyhan, Caladaer's magic incantation completes, and with a crackle of energy, Lawrence the Leopard returns to grace the party with his presence.

Lawrence is on the board in Roll20! You should be able to move him so place him wherever you want him to appear.

[color=green]ROUND 2
Characters in BOLD may act.
Reyhan (53/61 hp, poisoned, 2 Cha Drain, Life Linked)
Physician 3 (13 dmg)
Lawrence (0 dmg)
Caladaer (40/43 hp, Life Linked)
Thulae (21/21 hp)
Andakos (25/46 hp, Life Linked, Shield spell)
Physician 4 (0 dmg)
Golloriel (44/73 hp)
Physician 1 (22 dmg)
Physician 2 (31 dmg, they've got red on them)
[/color]

AOO: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

A quick retcon:

Instead of flanking Reyhan and clubbing her in the face hardcore, #3 clubbed her lightly (for 5 damage instead of 3) because their would-be flanking partner, #1, died from a scimitar to the head before they could get to their destination.

Initiative tracker updated. Carry on.

[color=green]ROUND 2
Characters in BOLD may act.
Reyhan (53/61 hp, poisoned, 2 Cha Drain, Life Linked)
Physician 3 (13 dmg)
Lawrence (0 dmg)
Caladaer (40/43 hp, Life Linked)
Thulae (21/21 hp)
Andakos (25/46 hp, Life Linked, Shield spell)
Physician 4 (0 dmg)
Golloriel (44/73 hp)
Physician 1 (29 dmg, dead)
Physician 2 (31 dmg, they’ve got red on them)
[/color]

Lawrence pops into existence on the other side of #3 from Rey. On the small chance that the physician is lawful, he smites them ("Grr."), then #3's world is naught but pointy things.

bite: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 2 = 17 Flanking (no bonus for smite because his CHA is 6)
damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7 +3 if lawful
grab: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

claw: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 8 + 2 = 27 Flanking
damage: 1d3 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 +3 if lawful

claw: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 2 = 14 Flanking
damage: 1d3 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 +3 if lawful

---

Cal thinks the burly types probably have this under control, so he opts to not use up his more valuable spells. He sizes up #4, conjures a glob of acid above his palm, and launches it at the physician.

acid dart: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Andakos takes a step next to Golloriel, studies #4, and pokes them with a stick.

spear: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15
damage: 1d8 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 3 = 10

Bodyguard +3 AC to Golloriel:

bodyguard: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
bodyguard: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
bodyguard: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

Lawrence can't quite get a hold of the physician, but that doesn't stop him from tearing them to shreds anyway. Lawrence digs his vicious claws into #3's already open wound and tears their abdominal cavity open. Thick gray ropes of intestine spill onto the floor as Lawrence rides his prey down to the ground.

Andakos, unfortunately, has less luck with the stick poking, but at least the party is down to one enemy now. #4, frantic at suddenly being vastly outnumbered, attempts to tumble past Golloriel and Andakos, toward the room Ducky opened up earlier. Unfortunately, they panic and stumble-run instead of being terribly dexterous. (AoO for Andakos, since Golloriel already used hers.)

[color=green]ROUND 2/3
Characters in BOLD may act.
Reyhan (53/61 hp, poisoned, 2 Cha Drain, Life Linked)
Physician 3 (25 dmg, unconscious and dying)
Lawrence (0 dmg)
Caladaer (40/43 hp, Life Linked)
Thulae (21/21 hp)
Andakos (25/46 hp, Life Linked, Shield spell)
Physician 4 (7 dmg)
Golloriel (44/73 hp)
Physician 1 (29 dmg, dead)
Physician 2 (31 dmg, they’ve got red on them)
[/color]

AOO: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15
damage: 1d8 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 3 = 15

Neat.

Golloriel takes another 5 hp of Andakos's damage.

Golloriel steps next to the last remaining physician and holds her hands up to her allies. "Stop!" She lowers her scimitar to her side and looks at the physician. "Your allies down here are dead. Your allies upstairs are either dead or captured by the city guard. You have a chance to live, here, right now. Drop your weapon and surrender and you have my word no further harm will come to you."

diplo: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (7) + 17 = 24

Reyhan shakes her head. None of these people have been reasonable so far. There's something sinister in the way they all seem willing to fight to the death.

But she's known paladins before. Not many, but a few, and all of them have had a reticence to kill when unnecessary. It sure seems necessary to Rey, here, but they do have this guy outnumbered so what's the harm?

Still, she moves to a better line of sight and readies a dagger just in case the guy bolts.

Despite the physician's clumsy footing, they manage to just barely duck Ducky's spear. The tip rips a hole in their greatcoat but otherwise leaves them unscathed.

Golloriel feels a wave of sharp pain as both Andakos and Reyhan's wounds close up a little. (10 damage actually, because Rey was still hurt too.)

Almost forgot Rey's poison!

Reyhan Fort save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Reyhan finally seems to shake off the horrific effects of the ungol dust, but she definitely looks worse for wear.

Also I dunno why I didn't just list everybody as up because they are.

[color=green]ROUND 3
Characters in BOLD may act.
Reyhan (58/61 hp, 2 Cha Drain, Life Linked)
Physician 3 (25 dmg, unconscious and dying)
Lawrence (0 dmg)
Caladaer (40/43 hp, Life Linked)
Thulae (21/21 hp)
Andakos (30/46 hp, Life Linked, Shield spell)
Physician 4 (7 dmg)
Golloriel (34/73 hp)
Physician 1 (29 dmg, dead)
Physician 2 (31 dmg, they’ve got red on them)
[/color]

Lawrence doesn't speak Common so he makes his way across the room and goes for #4's throat. One day I'll get to use Pounce.

bite: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 2 = 16
damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
grab: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31

---

Caladaer does speak Common, but he doesn't do anything to stop Lawrence from attacking, nor does he stop himself. These people have made it clear they aren't going to surrender, so he doesn't know why his daughter is wasting everyone's time. He takes a step back and fires another acid dart.

acid dart (ranged touch): 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 5 - 4 = 17
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Andakos sighs when Cal and his cat continue attacking the physician. Any good will they might have had with Golloriel's offer is likely gone now, if there ever was any to begin with. Still, he doesn't see any reason to kill this physician if they can capture them instead. He drops his spear and reaches out to grab him (provoking).

grapple: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14

Cool, glad I dropped the spear. I can still bodyguard with the gauntlet, though.

bodyguard: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27
bodyguard: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32
bodyguard: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21

The physician screams as the cat rips at their legs, clamping his jaws down on their calf and yanking, refusing to let go. Cal's dart of acid follows up by leaving a horrific burn on their exposed neck, intensifying the screams. They do not make an attack of opportunity on Andakos because, being grappled, they're far too busy trying not to get mauled to death by a psychotic leopard. However, their flailing limbs make it almost impossible for Andakos to get a grip on them.

The physician shrieks at the top of their lungs as they struggle fruitlessly to get free of Lawrence, "Intruders! Help! INTRUUDDEERRRRSS!!"

That was... pretty damn loud. Did anyone hear it? It's hard to say for certain. The stone down here is quite dense, and the wooden doors are all iron-shod and sturdy, but this physician has one helluva set of pipes. Time will tell.

[color=green]ROUND 4/5
Characters in BOLD may act.
Reyhan (58/61 hp, poisoned, 2 Cha Drain, Life Linked)
Physician 3 (25 dmg, unconscious and dying)
Lawrence (0 dmg, grappled)
Caladaer (40/43 hp, Life Linked)
Thulae (21/21 hp)
Andakos (30/46 hp, Life Linked, Shield spell)
Physician 4 (20 dmg, grappled)
Golloriel (34/73 hp)
Physician 1 (29 dmg, dead)
Physician 2 (31 dmg, they’ve got red on them)
[/color]

Wow I really didn't expect a 16 to hit. Andakos would have done something different if I'd known the physician was already grappled. No matter, we'll probably finish it here anyway.

Golloriel takes on another of Andakos's wounds and reluctantly drops the link with her companions. She can't help them if she's unconscious.

Also, she can't say she is surprised that her father disregarded her offer of mercy. "Fine, just don't kill him if you don't have to." She tries to hit the physician with the hilt of her scimitar.

NL scimitar: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 8 - 4 = 19
NL damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Golloriel whacks the physician across the noggin with her pommel, cutting their screams off in a meek yelp that sort of just noodles off into gurgling noises as they flop bonelessly to the floor.

Lawrence is probably going to eat this dude if nothing is done to stop him, but otherwise

COMBAT OVER!

Silence fills the chamber once more. The doors to the north and south are now open.

The physicians all have those weird masks and greatcoats on, which aren't worth a great deal of gold by themselves. However, one of them also has one of those weird silver coffers on them that the party saw upstairs, as well. Now that you have a moment to yourselves, you note that it radiates magic.

There are also four masterwork clubs, so that's 300gp apiece that you'll probably want to pick up.

WDYD?

EDIT: I almost forgot! Thulae failed his initial save against the ungol dust so he needs to keep making saving throws.

Thulae Fort vs Poison: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Thulae Fort vs Poison: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Though clear of the toxins, Thulae is even more unlikable than he already was.

This f#!!ing bird now has an effective Charisma of 5 LMAO

Golloriel pops a couple channels, excluding the still living physicians.

channel: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 4) = 7 (+4 for Golloriel, -2 for Cal)
channel: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 2) = 7 (+4 for Golloriel, -2 for Cal)

Then she reraises the life link with her companions.

While Golloriel heals everyone, Andakos tries to stop the physicians from dying.

first aid #2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
first aid #3: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
first aid #4: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

He looks up at Golloriel sheepishly. "That one" -- he points at #2 -- "is fine, but the others need more help."

Golloriel casts stabilize on the remaining physicians.

When it becomes clear they aren't going to move on quickly, Cal waves a hand and dismisses Lawrence. He looks over the silver coffer.

spellcraft: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 14 + 2 = 24 (+2 to identify)

Interesting.

He hands it to Andakos with a brief description of what it is.

Andakos would have expected anyone in the room to the east to have burst through the door by now, so he suspects that the physicians outburst was in hopes that they were lying about everyone upstairs being dead or arrested. Still, his chest itches where the scythe at the other door almost cut him in half, so he looks over the eastern door carefully. He also sets aside his pride and asks Caladaer to look as well.

perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31 +3 traps
DD + insp: 1d20 + 21 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 21 + (6) = 30

Note to self to refund that inspiration if there was no trap to warrant the DD check.

perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

Oh, there was a trap alright. And Andakos very nearly cuts himself in half again when he almost snips the wrong tripwire in the doorframe, but he manages to clamp it at the last second and snip the correct wire.

Not only did you use the inspiration, it stopped you from failing. Technically you would not have failed by 5 or more so the trap wouldn't have gone off. Just flavor.

On the bright side, all 3 doors in this room appear to be wired to the same mechanism, so disabling one disables all three. Of course, the north and south doors are already open, so those probably wouldn't go off anyway.

However, as soon as the trap is disabled, Andakos hears muffled sounds through the doorway.

Golloriel sees Andakos reaching to open the door and stops him. "I know you all think I'm wasting my time, but let me at least try."

Then she steps up to the door and calls through it. "WE HAVE OFFERED MERCY TO EVERYONE HERE! ALL THAT DENIED IT ARE NOW DEAD! OPEN THE DOOR AND COME OUT NOW AND WE WILL NOT HARM YOU!"

diplo: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (6) + 17 = 23

Ugh.

She steps to the side so she isn't an easy target for anyone coming through the door will ill intentions.

Andakos does think she is wasting her time, but he also can't blame her for trying. Most of the people here are probably "just following orders". It doesn't mean they aren't culpable, but when a creature like Devaulus tells you to do something, you do it. Even if they don't know his true nature, disobeying probably never crosses their minds.

He steps back from the door, levels his spear, and gets ready.

Readied action to attack anyone who comes within range that isn't surrendering.

spear: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Caladaer says nothing. Instead, he raises his hands and prepares to attack the people who will definitely not listen to his daughter.

Readied magic missile for anything hostile that opens the door.

MM: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 3, 4) + 3 = 12

Golloriel bellows her decree and...

... nothing happens.

The doors remain shut, and the movement Andakos heard before has ceased.

Andakos rolls his eyes, steps forward, and opens the door.

You have to admire their commitment to the bit. The second the doors open, a group of Queen's Physicians and men and women wearing the robes and symbol of Urgathoa rush the party. One of them even screams, "For the Pallid Princess!!"

But, like, you knew they were there, so it's not like you're actually taken by surprise.

What is slightly alarming, however, is that more of them pour out of the northern doorway that you'd previously opened when you sprang the scythe trap.

There's... a lot of people around you wanting to kill you. Several cultists, unmasked Queen's Physicians, and of all the gods-damned things, skeletons. One is... is it carrying a f$~@ing tray of wine??

[color=green]ROUND 1
Characters in BOLD may act.
Physician 2 (0 dmg)
Caladaer (43/43 hp, 4 images)
Thulae (21/21 hp)
Skeleton 2 (0 dmg)
Skeleton 3 (0 dmg)
Cultist 4 (0 dmg)
Physician 1 (0 dmg)
Cultist 2 (0 dmg)
Physician 3 (0 dmg)
Reyhan (61/61 hp)
Skeleton 1 (0 dmg)
Skeleton 4 (0 dmg)
Golloriel (56/73 hp, Life Linked [3])
Cultist 3 (0 dmg)
Andakos (46/46 hp)
Cultist 1 (0 dmg)
[/color]

Physician 2 comes up behind Cal before he has a chance to act and smashes him in the temple with his club. Cal's head collapses into swirling smoke and vanishes. (Big nasty sneak attack avoided thanks to mirror image! You now have 4 images.)

Cal curses under his breath as the bad guys come up behind him. He steps inside Andakos's protective shell and casts haste on the party.

Bodyguards description is: "When an adjacent ally is attacked, you may use an attack of opportunity to attempt the aid another action to improve your ally’s AC. You may not use the aid another action to improve your ally’s attack roll with this attack." Since he has Combat Reflexes and can take AoOs when flat-footed, I don't see why he couldn't use Bodyguard flat-footed. Here's his rolls just in case you agree! It currently protects Cal and Rey. (He autopasses the aid another check unless he natty 1's, so I still have to roll these.)

bodyguard: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
bodyguard: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
bodyguard: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

Hell yeah, dude. I'm pretty sure Bodyguard was specifically designed to work with Combat Reflexes (seeing as it's a prereq and all).

Cal feels nice, safe, and snuggly in Andakos's big strong arms. Safe enough to inject espresso directly into his allies' veins for some hot hasted action!

Another skelly moves up to Andakos (provoking) and swipes with a claw, sending its wine tray crashing to the floor as it misses pathetically. Not that a basic-ass skeleton can do anything any other way.

Cultist #4 casts a spell on himself, surrounding him in a sickly green miasma of force, and moves into the fray, getting right into the thick of it with Rey, Cal, and Ducky (provoking from Ducky again).

Physician 1, seeing the bottleneck, moves through a doorway to the north and disappears from sight.

Cultist #2 moves into the room sporting the same fancy green force field as his friend, and sidles past his buddies to get right in Cal's grille but doesn't attack (yet). He does wield a huge fricking scythe in the wizard's face though so maybe that won't be great when it happens.

Physician #3 moves in behind skeleton #3 to step up when it inevitably falls because why wouldn't it who even thought CR 1/3 monsters were a good idea at this level.

[color=green]ROUND 1
Characters in BOLD may act.
Physician 2 (0 dmg)
Caladaer (43/43 hp, 4 images, hasted)
Thulae (21/21 hp, hasted)
Skeleton 2 (0 dmg)
Skeleton 3 (0 dmg)
Cultist 4 (0 dmg, bespelled)
Physician 1 (0 dmg)
Cultist 2 (0 dmg, bespelled)
Physician 3 (0 dmg)
Reyhan (61/61 hp, hasted)
Skeleton 1 (0 dmg)
Skeleton 4 (0 dmg)
Golloriel (56/73 hp, Life Linked [3], hasted)
Cultist 3 (0 dmg)
Andakos (46/46 hp, hasted)
Cultist 1 (0 dmg)
[/color]

Rey, hating everything that's happening right now, decides to focus on the spellcaster in front of her and unleashes so many stabs right now oh my god what is happening

Dagger vs Cultist: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25
Dmg: 1d4 + 3 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 6 = 13 Mithral, Piercing, Precision, Slashing

Dagger vs Cultist: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20
Dmg: 1d4 + 3 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 6 = 13 Mithral, Piercing, Precision, Slashing

Seeing the cultist about to fall, she pivots and slashes at the skeleton.

Dagger vs Skeleton #2: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Dmg: 1d4 + 3 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 6 = 11 Mithral, Piercing, Precision, Slashing

Confirm: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Dmg: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Reyhan wrecks the cultist with two gruesome slashes across the chest and gut, and he wavers (can Andakos's AoO PUT HIM DOWN?!) as she spins and slashes at the skeleton. She doesn't quite connect with the skull as hard as she'd hoped, and her weapon isn't nearly as effective as it usually is, but it's still more than enough to shatter the spine and send the skull smashing to the floor.

Skeleton #1 slips into the room and, at a cultist's direction, flanks with cultist #4 (assuming he's still standing). Even with a flanking buddy, it misses Cal so hard it doesn't even pop an image I swear to GOD who put these stupid things in here they're just taking up space.

Skeleton #4 just stands there and tries to slash at Andakos. Hilarity ensues as it slips on a banana peel and explodes.

I don't care it rolled a nat 1 and it's a f@!#ing skeleton, it just dies. Less crap to deal with on the initiative tracker. XD

[color=green]ROUND 1
Characters in BOLD may act.
Physician 2 (0 dmg)
Caladaer (43/43 hp, 4 images, hasted)
Thulae (21/21 hp)
Skeleton 2 (6 dmg, dead)
Skeleton 3 (0 dmg)
Cultist 4 (26 dmg, bespelled, disabled)
Physician 1 (0 dmg)
Cultist 2 (0 dmg, bespelled)
Physician 3 (0 dmg)
Reyhan (61/61 hp, hasted)
Skeleton 1 (0 dmg)
Skeleton 4 (99999 dmg, detonated with sound and fury, signifying nothing)
Golloriel (56/73 hp, Life Linked [3], hasted)
Cultist 3 (0 dmg)
Andakos (46/46 hp, hasted)
Cultist 1 (0 dmg)
[/color]