Belial's Bastards by GM SnowHeart (a Hell's Vengeance AP)

Game Master SnowHeart

Slenk eyes the crowd as it forms, trying to see if anyone is hiding weapons or wearing armor and marking them for potential action if things go awry.

Slenk, want to give me a Perception and/or Sense Motive check?

I'm going to assume that Jerax and Cimri's interaction happened outside the view/hearing of the rest of the group and am therefore forgoing any Sense Motive checks.

Standing under the outer-most portions of an awning as the sun shone down on the gathering crowd, Alyczandra glanced around with her usual daytime squint. A bit of satisfaction crept over her countenance as she saw several of those she invited showing up to the speech. Nevertheless, the bulk of her attention was tracking for threats, and she chose her vantage point mostly for that objective. Maintaining an at-ease pose, she otherwise waited for Reverend Vade to begin.

Sense Motive and Perception Checks as warranted to observe the crowd

Sense Motive 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Perception 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

*OOC stuff*

Yeah, my sense of the scene is that it was just the two of them. I didn't imagine anyone would have interest in following Jerax to a tavern to loot a knife.

*IC stuff*

Alyczandra senses the crowd is on edge. She's also seeing roughly three types of groups or "factions" within the crowd: those expressing loyalty to the regime, those openly agitating or grousing about it, and those in the middle who aren't sure what to believe. More than that is hard to make out over the buzz of the crowd and mass of bodies.

Bluff: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

Alixus stands solemnly in front of the crowd for a moment, as if thinking about what to say. It was a ruse, of course, but words flowed were taken best when it was thought they came from the heart.

His voice is calm and smooth as he begins to speak, "People of Longacre. I invite you to look upon this scene, and see what the rebels intend for our town. Perhaps you do not know the full story. I believe you deserve it. The agents of the Archbaron went to the chapel of Iomedae, seeking to foster good will with the Sword Knight Allamar. She would not see reason, and cruelly attacked us. We bested her, for the law and the lord Asmodeus were on our side."

He takes a deep, shaky, and entirely dramatic breath, "And just as we went to heal our wounds and make what we could of a grim situation, we find that the Allamar twins and Caggan were fomenting chaos in the town center, seeking to burn down your homes and businesses. Caggan himself had turned into a ravenous beast, seeking only blood and destruction!"

Vade stares into the distance, shaking his head slightly, his voice cold with (false) rage, "Do you not see the danger that these rebels pose? They will attack the agents of the law under nopretenses, employ dangerous, monstrous allies, and seek to destroy the town that I know you all hold so dear!"

Just as his speech reaches a crescendo he takes a long breath, collecting himself, "Justice will come for them, in time. As we search for these villains, your help is more critical than ever. If you see any seditious activity, do not hesitate to report it to the notary, myself, or one of the Archbaron's other agents."

Jerax claps enthusiastically at the completion of Vade's sermon.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Slenk observes much the same as Alyczandra as to the crowd's mood. There are frankly too many people and they are too crowded to make out any more details.

As Vade finishes his speech, most of the crowd is clapping and some are cheering. There seems to be a steadfast minority who are less persuaded but, for the moment, seem pacified. Then, from the back of the crowd and around the street corner, there is a commotion and chaos. Suddenly, bursting into the square, comes a charging horse atop which is a figure in shining plate armor. Feathered wings rise from the back of her armor and her helmet is a silver mask sculpted with feminine features. She tugs violently on the reins, causing the steed to rear, then shouts out to the crowd:

"People of Longacre! Will you let another of your neighbors be murdered by tyrants, for that is the fate that befell Sword Knight Allamar! Butchered in the twilight by these thugs who now come to you with pretty words! The goddess Iomedae and the knights of the Glorious Reclamation are with you! Rise up! Save you friends! Save your town! Save yourselves!"

"Yeeeaaaaaah!" scream the previously quiet group of malcontents.

"Booooooo!" yell those who had cheered Alixus.

Within seconds, yelling turns to shoving and then to fisticuffs as townsperson turns upon townsperson.

I'm going to treat us as going into combat here to keep things orderly, though how you respond to this is up to you. It's just that there isn't going to be time for a minute-long monologue for a diplomacy check or anything like that. So...

==Top of Round 1; Villains, Go!==

Are we using Map 2?
Jerax unwinds his spiked chain and makes his way to the 'angelic' horseman. The antipaladin will use detect good on the horseman as well.

Slenk pulls a pinch of sand from his pouch and flings it into the air while chanting.

Sleep, trying to get the horse, not the knight ;-)

I hadn't updated a map yet as I was curious what y'all were going to do. I can get one up shortly, though.

Map updated. Please note, each square is 10'

I moved Alyczandra's starting position slightly as I had her under an awning (she tries being out of the sunlight whenever possible) but still able to observe the crowd. She can be anywhere that best fits this description if the place I chose doesn't make sense.

Also, if possible, Alyczandra would like to wait to see the results of others' actions before jumping in

Totally fine! Just as a reminder, I do grouped initiative in by PbP games: bad guys as a group, good guys as a group, and so on. But waiting until the other PCs post is totally fine!

"Listen not to the Sword Knight! She is an illusion, all she speaks are lies!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

==Round 1 still in progress==
Jerax unwinds his spiked chain and begins to wade into the crowd while casting a discerning gaze at the knight. He senses nothing. Meanwhile, Slenk summons forth another spell of slumbering and the horse beneath the angel knight slips to the ground. As they do so, Alixus tries to speak over the riot to bring a clarity to the conflict but no one is listening.

However, with Alixus's words, Alyczandra casts a more discerning gaze on the "knight" and realizes some magic is at play here; an illusion of some sort.

Rolled saves for everyone; Alyczandra made it.

Alyczandra's turn; then the mob's/Knight's==

Squinting into the daylight, Alyczandra caught a glimpse of the tell-tale signs of illusion. Wondering for a brief moment if Alixus really saw it too or if his reference to "illusion" was just verbal alliteration, the pale woman darted forward to take cover near the wall of the nearby building, while drawing one of her short swords. Afterward she covered the blade in Silversheen in anticipation of the foes to come.

Move action while drawing sword to current location on map, attempting to Stealth there using the building as cover. Then standard action to apply Silversheen to the blade.

Stealth 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

As Slenk puts the Angel Knight's steed to sleep, she falls to the ground but is quickly back on her feet, exhorting the crowd to rally against their true oppressors rather than one another.

Jerax begins to wade into the crowd and is pummeled by fists, though the rain of blows simply rattles off his armor.

Meanwhile, Cimri had found a quiet corner on the opposite side of the square. As pandemonium broke out, she practically disappeared into the chaos. (DC 26 Perception check to track where she is and realize her daggers are out.)

Angel Knight: 6 pt non-lethal falling from horse
Horse: Asleep/prone
Cimri: Stealth DC 26
Crowd: Inspire Courage

==Round 2; your turn!==

Perception DC 26: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Jerax wades through the crowd to make is way to the unseated angelic horseman.

@GM: wanted to clarify a few things. First, the melee that's broken out in the crowd is dangerous if you don't do what Cimri did and blend in? I'm basing that on the fact that Jerax (albeit ineffectively) got attacked. Second, what direction did the horse-and-rider arrive from? Third, how far to the south does the Three Bands Copper extend? I'm thinking of having Alyczandra loop around that way to avoid the crowd.

Slenk concentrates on the Angel Knight to pit his will against hers and begins muttering in infernal.

Evil Eye to target saves, Cackle

@GM: wanted to clarify a few things.

[ooc]No problem!

First, the melee that's broken out in the crowd is dangerous if you don't do what Cimri did and blend in? I'm basing that on the fact that Jerax (albeit ineffectively) got attacked.

Correct. Think of it as a mob/riot. The punches may be personally targeted, or it could just be you stepped in front of it, or someone just wanted to punch something. I don't want to go full "swarm" though and have there be automatic damage.

Second, what direction did the horse-and-rider arrive from?

Hmm. I'll say from the north.

Third, how far to the south does the Three Bands Copper extend? I'm thinking of having Alyczandra loop around that way to avoid the crowd.[/ooc]

Let's say it's another 10' off the edge of the map, then with a 5' wide alley back to the main street.

Not wanting Jerax to face the threat alone, even if the threat was not all it seemed, Alyczandra darted out from behind the corner of the Three Bands Copper and made her way around the side of the melee.

Double Move to current position on the map. She'll skirt the edge of the building to avoid all but the 10' portion of the crowd adjacent to it. Not sure if this will help her with a bonus to avoid getting pummeled moving through or not, but I'll roll her stealth check below.

Stealth to Avoid Crowd 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

Jerax: Advance - Double Move
Slenk: Evil Eye vs Saves/Cackle
Alyczandra: Double Move
Alixus: Delay

Jerax continues to advance through the crush of the crowd. Several blows are deflected by his armor, though one lucky kick cracks into knee. 3 points nonlethal Jerax makes it to an edge of the mob where he is adjacent to the Angel Knight, but it took all his effort to push through the crowd.

Slenk begins to curse and cackle. The Angel Knight seems to be rather resilient but the force of the halfling's personality is still able to impose his will in the short-term. Successful save but no matter.

Alyczandra meanwhile makes her way around the crowd, working to evade notice, while Alixus studies the situation and judges his next move.

Weaving her way through the crowd like a snake, Cimri eventually slips out from the throng. The Angel Knight's attention seems focused on Jerax, oblivious to the threat behind her, but a member of the crowd jostles Cimri just as her kukri slashes out for the gap in the knight's armor. The first blow goes comically wide, but the second finds a gap and comes back dripping with blood. The Knight shrieks, "Eeeeeeeeyooooow! I'm bleeding!"

Awareness of the potentially deadly strike ripples out from the Knight and the crowd begins to scatter, with only the most steadfast of agitators remaining. Substantial updates to the map. If you have an effect that you want to use the crowd for, we can do that, but otherwise they are scattering.

Two of them go for Cimri, swinging clubs, while another pair go after Jerax. One strike lands across Cimri's back, eliciting a grunt of pain, while both blows manage to land on Jerax. Two strikes for 4 hp each, total of 8 hp

Leaving her steed behind, the Angel Knight -- bleeding from her side -- begins to flee, heading south and towards Alyczandra. "Fight on, people of Longacre! Resist!" Withdrawal action to escape AoOs from first square.

==Villains, Go!

Angel Knight: 6 pt non-lethal falling from horse; Evil Eye vs Saves (-2 to saving throws); -7 hp
Horse: Asleep/prone
Cimri: Stealth DC 26
Crowd: Inspire Courage
Cimri: -5 hp
Jerax: -3 nonlethal; -8 hp

"I am an Agent of the Law!" Jerax bellows as he attacks the ruffian on his left, slamming one end of the spiked chain into the side of the anarch's head!
MW Spiked Chain: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Confirming: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Dmg.: 2d4 + 1 ⇒ (4, 3) + 1 = 8 x 2 = 16

Emerging out of the rapidly dispersing crowd, Alyczandra spied the fleeing knight. Hoping to take advantage of the situation, the pale woman stepped in front of her quarry and locked eyes. My friend, you should stop here and speak to me for a while, perhaps we can find a solution to all of this.

Move action to 5 feet to the south of the Angel Knight's position. Standard Action to cast Charm Person on the Angel Knight. Hoping to avoid the typical +5 for casting in combat as Alyczandra hasn't threatened anyone and hasn't acted with any allies who've attacked. If correct, the DC would be 17, including the Evil Eye effect.

Slenk wills fortune on Jerax and continues babbling in infernal.

Fortune and Cackle.

I'm not sure whether to bot Alixus or have him delay, but as things seem under control at the moment, I'll have him delay.

Jerax: "I AM THE LAW!" -- Attack = Splattered Mook
Slenk: Fortune and Cackle (maintains Evil eye)
Alyczandra: Charm Person
Alixus: Delay

Jerax utterly destroys one of the rioters, his spiked chain nearly ripping the man in half. Cimri slashes her blades at one of the rioters next to her, cutting a nasty gash in the man's arm before she carefully backs away, trying to goad them into a position where they can be flanked with the tiefling.

Slenk calls forth baleful incantations while Alyczandra slips out form the shadows and offers honeyed words laced with magic. The angel knight stops dead in her tracks as she considers the dhampir's words and finds them incredibly persuasive. "Yes, you may be right. A solution is the only thing we all want." As her cheers and prodding to glory and valor fade, the remaining rioters take stock of the situation and flee.

They are taking withdrawal actions, so the one next to Jerax will not trigger an AoO.

And we are out of combat unless you want to give chase or fire some arrows.

Angel Knight: 6 pt non-lethal falling from horse; Evil Eye vs Saves (-2 to saving throws); -7 hp; charmed
Horse: Asleep/prone
Cimri: --
Crowd: fleeing
Cimri: -5 hp
Jerax: -3 nonlethal; -8 hp
Orange: -5 hp

Anyone close enough to see would observe a twisted combination of pleasant smile and feral, dead eyes emanate from Alyczandra as she continued to lock her gaze on the knight. Waving her hand in a dismissive fashion, she spoke in a melodic voice. Well said! That's right, violence like this isn't good for the people. Reaching a bit past the knight with her hand as she did so, she made a sharp gesture to the others to put weapons away and not threaten the ensorcelled foe just yet.

Now, let's see what we can do to clear up this misunderstanding you and I, the pale woman purred. I'll start by accepting the blame for ignorance! So much I obviously don't understand about the situation! But I know you can help me here. Please do tell me your name and where you come from. The truth, of course. That illusion you made was quite savvy but we only can get to a solution with what is real.

Jerax and Cimri limp over when both get the signal to put weapons away. Both human and tiefling agree but with questioning looks on their faces.

Slenk maintains his babbling and concentrates to bring fortune onto the Demibaroness as well.

Fortune on Alyczandra, cackle.

Slenk will maintain this in the background in case additional saves are needed or rolls by Alycz.

"Her false valor is meaningless. Law prevails."

Apologies for missing my posts. Didn't feel like I had much to contribute in this circumstance..

The "knight" stares at Alyczandra while she speaks, listening with wrapped attention. Behind the knight, Cimri does indeed follow Jerax's lead and sheathes her weapons then crosses her arms and casually approaches behind the knight.

When Alyczandra is done speaking, the knight nods in full agreement. "I'm sorry for deceiving you, friend. Forgive me, I'm not sure we've even met. I thought you might be with those people," she gestures with her helm towards Jerax, Slenk and Alixus. With a wave of her hand, the illusion begins to fade and you get a better view of the real person beneath it.

It is Riley Kels, the bard who had helped cause the raucous at the Last Stand Tavern. The "knight's" feminine voice fades and is replaced with his own light tenor, "Riley Kels, master of song and string, loyal resident of Longacre, at your service, ma'am." (Image added to Handouts page.)

He coughs dramatically to clear his throat, then explains, "Before her departure, the sheriff of this town -- the real sheriff -- asked me to keep an eye on things. When I saw this travesty unfolding, I felt, well, not just compelled, but honor-bound to stand up and do something!" He puffs his chest up slightly, then winces from the pain of having fallen from his still sleeping horse.

Behind him, Cimri's gaze slips over towards Jerax with an incredulous expression.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
You can knock off those insane high Perception checks anytime, Snowheart
"This is Lady Deliase's call. She got us this far. Let's follow her lead", Jerax's whispered-low voice reach his lover's ears.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30
Of course, the same could be said of Jerax and his Diplomacy rolls.

Cimri's lips twitch in the slightest of frowns, but she shrugs and turns the frown into a mock pout. Ultimately, it's a silent indication of acceptance. She turns her gaze back towards Alyczandra and Kels, arms still crossed, and waits.

Jerax crosses his muscular arms and shakes his head at Cimri, rolling his eyes slightly. But the towering tiefling returns a small smile of acceptance.

Perception Check 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

Alyczandra nodded, with a smile that never really touched her hypnotic eyes. Mr. Kels, good to see the man behind the knight! So you say the Sherriff has left? I'm sure she would want to see peace in this town too, wherever did she go? Why, I'm sure Allamar's twins and Caggan would have an interest as well, would you know where they might be? And of course the Angel Knight you did such a compelling job impersonating, was there ever such an individual here? If so, where might they be? Surely the best path to peace is to have all the best minds involved, yes?

Riley shook his head sadly, "Oh, no, I get the sense she's quite resigned to the fact there will be no peace. She left shortly after being deposed by these thugs. I tried to go with Loran, Lacall and Caggan -- good folks, them -- but they implored me to stay and keep an eye on things. Said they would check in soon, but wouldn't tell me where they were going." He shrugged, "'Need to know', don't you know."

He sighed, then seemed to remember Jerax and Cimri were skulking behind him, and Alixus and Slenk were also about. After a nervous glance over his shoulder, he sidled a bit closer to Alyczandra and half-whispered, "As I told them, the Angel Knight is real enough. Probably with the sheriff and twins. You know these ruffians murdered the Sword Knight? Justice is coming."

"Aaaaaanyway...." he says suddenly much louder, "This has all been very nice, a pleasure to meet you, truly, but I think I've got to be leaving now. They're not looking at me very nicely and it's making me uncomfortable. Hope to see you soon, madam."

Oh I'm very sorry to hear that Mr. Kels, Alyczandra said as a cruel smile started to etch across her face, but unfortunately I cannot simply let you go. As she spoke she slid to the south of the man and gave a quick nod to Cimri and Jerax. I would say you are under arrest, but dead is really just as good. As she spoke she took the opportunity to ram her sword through the man's belly.

Hoping to get a surprise action out of this, will roll below in the assumption that I do

Sneak Attack vs FF AC 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Damage, if hits 2d6 - 1 ⇒ (4, 4) - 1 = 7

I confess: I cackled out loud when I read that. Also, I'll allow it. With the nonlethal damage, he collapses unconscious -- not dead (yet).

As Alyczandra's blade slips into Riley's abdomen, his eyes go wide with shock as he suddenly sees the dhampir for who she is: another of the tyrant's taking over Longacre. "But I had so many songs to sing," he whispers to the wind as he collapses to the ground.

Cimri nodded in approval as she unfolded her arms, the kukri she had secretly kept in hand coming back into view. "Thank the gods, I thought I'd have to listen to him blather all day. Looks like he's still breathing, though. Who wants the honors?"

A few people from the brief riot are picking themselves up from the ground and there are stragglers around the perimeter. To kill him now would not be without witnesses.

"Keep him alive. We'll make an example of him later."

That was some excellent villainy!

Any ounce of friendliness or compassion that Alyczandra's face held before impaling Kels vanished as she stabbed the man, replaced by an almost feverish look in her eyes. She stared at his unconscious form, hungrily watching the blood seep out between his ribs, for an awkwardly long moment after Cimri and Alixus spoke. Her head then jolted up suddenly, as if again realizing her surroundings and she glanced at the others. Uh, ah, yes...Reverend Vade is correct.....let's, let's get him out of here and deal with him then.

Jerax steps forward to take an arm of Riley and helped him down the street. "Where the nearest place we can keep him?" The towering tiefling whispers as they walk.

Slenk ceases his babbling as he no longer needs to maintain the warping of probability.

"Aren't corpses often prepared at the church? If he is not one now, he likely will be soon."

Regaining focus as the group proceeded, Alyczandra nodded. The church is a good idea, her concurrence unsaid taking in Slenk's suggestion regarding Kel's faith.

Why not the jail? ... Oh, right! ;)

Cimri couldn't help a small sigh as Kels' life was spared, however brief the reprieve might be. Sheathing her kukri, she fell in behind the others and silently kept her eyes on the townsfolk they passed on the way to the church.

A pair of the archbaron's guards kept watch by the front doors, stationed there since the events of the other night. The nodded as you approached and one of them opened the door to let you in.

After arriving at the church, Alyczandra turns to the others. For some time I've been able to...beguile others like I did to Kels. I do not fully understand how it works, but I know that when it does work the victim seems willing to tell me everything. I doubt Kels knows anything more than what he said: The twins, Caggan and the former sheriff are elsewhere, that they did not tell him where they are, that he has never actually seen this supposed "angel knight" and that he acted alone in an attempt to disrupt the speech.

I see no purpose to keeping him alive. We've made that mistake before with Caggan and see where that got us. Unless anyone objects...

The pale woman waits a moment, appears imminently ready to end Kels life.

Jerax crosses his arms and shrugs, as if to say 'go ahead'.

Slenk simply nods as if it were a foregone conclusion.

A twisted smile crawled over Alyczandra's face as she slowly drew her short sword and stared down at Kel's unconscious form, her too-long bicuspids visible in the torchlight. Suddenly she lunged downward at her victim, plunging the blade into his abdomen. But she did not leave it at that.

At the same time, the pale woman bit down on Kel's neck, teeth gouging into his jugular vein. She remained there, twisting the blade while attempting to exsanguinate the dying man through her bite.

Afterward, Alyczandra slowly sat up, propping herself against a pew, while inhaling and exhaling heavily. Her gaze was far off, and she mumbled a bit to herself. No return...., but nothing else was audible.

Kel's body was a shriveled husk, even the ragged sword-wound barely bled. The pale woman's face had some blood around the mouth, and that she absent-mindedly dabbed off as she slowly stood.

A few more long breaths and she gathered herself, then looked at her companions without acknowledging anything unusual had happened.

So, what now?