GM Euan's Rise of the Runelords (Inactive)

Game Master Euan

Meg rests her arms on her knees as she sits against the wall, her head turned to the side as she looks away towards nothing in particular. ”I was not lying, Izo. Everything I said to her was true. Two girls. Murdered along with their nanny—Meg—by their father, my husband.”

It felt good to finally say it out loud. Telling other people made it feel real again, and she simply does not do real.

”You are looking not at Meg, but at Valena Dalloway Versade, sweetheart of Magnimar high society. Known for hosting excellent parties, having an iron liver, and currently the most wanted accused murderess in all of Varisia.” She pulls out her bottle of wine and takes a long swig. ”My husband set me up good.” She takes another even longer swig. ”I came here to figure out what to do next. All this was the next.” She sets the bottle down in her lap. ”I would naturally appreciate it if this information does not leave this room.” She places her hands together and bows her head in supplication to Kast. ”And please do not arrest me, Watchman. I guarantee my husband will kill me if I am in custody. He has powerful friends. You all and Sapphira are all I have.”

"I am..." Izomandakus rests his hands on the ground and looks saddened and shocked at Valena "...sorry. I had no idea"

"What is about now about the husband and the nanny?" Izomandakus follows up if it seems Meg is willing to speak more about it, but he quickly leaves the topic if she seems uncomfortable.

"Why someone does something like that?" the boy pushes his red hair to the back changing it from one side to the other of the head and tries to smile "I mean, I can understand why people want to conquer land to have stuff. But killing children and betraying partners? What is there to win?"

"There is nothing to fear from me. If nothing else, my lips know how to secure a secret" the boy supports himself in Pachemu, who has come now without the torch, and pushes up to stand up. Then he offers his hand for Meg to stand up too "C'mon, let's see what wealth can we get from Nualia's gains and her associate before Kast manages all into his pouches"

Izomandakus helps register both Nualia and Lyrie "We must also bind Nualia. Perhaps once she sees by herself how much people still loves her back at Sandpoint, she will change her mind"

Turning from the doorway towards Meg, Seamus watches his friend as she heals herself raising an eyebrow when she begins comparing herself to Nualia. Nodding when she calls it her lucky day. Looking back at the wizard and the dog, he says outloud, as much to himself as to the others, "Been a lucky day for all of us."

When Izomandakus begins to question Meg, Seamus remembered that in the fight, she had said she had kids, It wasn't like Meg to lie about something like that. As Kast turned the conversation back to their prisoner, Seamus shrugs, "I knew who she was, but never met her. We were from opposite ends of town." The euphemism meaning more than just streets. Gesturing towards the Aasimar, "Your right I think the sheriff would like to speak with her." Shrugging, "Or at least see the body."

Realizing Meg was speaking about the difficult subject, Seamus moves over and sits down beside her as she tell the tale. Watching his friend as she speaks between sips from the bottle. The emotion in her eyes, the dread in retelling, the relief that washes over her face, the resolve that flashes as she continues her story. Watching as she sets the bottle down and glances towards Kast. He looks towards Kast as well, hoping his friend understood.

Nudging her shoulder with his own, he reaches towards her lap grasping the wine bottle. taking a sip. Trying to lighten the mood. "Damn, I thought I had a good reason to be nervous around old Hemlock." Piecing things together, he smiles and asks. "so does Sappho know?"

When Izomandakus begins to ask questions, he hands Meg back the bottle, rolling his eyes he whispers,"Here, you'll need this more than me." Sitting beside her until she seems ready to continue. Watching as Izomandakus and Kast search the bodies. Waiting for the mist to lift.

"I did not know that about you, Meg. I'm sorry," Kast says, not having any good words to offer. He's never experienced the same, so how could he even imagine it?

Most wanted murderess in all Varisia? Kast quirks his eyes, uncertain what to believe. Or not believe.

"No, I'll not be arresting you. For many many reasons. And it's not like I have that right. Or the jurisdiction. Nah, it's that I believe you. I believe you, Meg."

As Meg tells her story and the party recovers, at least a little (don't forget to heal up everyone). The mist lifts revealing the bloody scene around you - with rather too much of your own blood.

Seamus will confirm that the trap is indeed unset, and so safe to traverse. You also find and identify, a fair amount of loot. Not least of which is the Sihedron Medallion Nualia wore.

Earlier, you found a potion of cure light wounds and scroll of comprehend languages on the wizard (Meg snagged them as I recall). You further find the following:
Scroll of see invisibility
Scroll of sleep
Scroll of whispering wind
Cloak of resistance +1
Everburning Lantern
Small pouch of keepsakes (hair, fingernail clippings, and a used handkerchief)
Silver comb (25gp), fine silk gown (60gp), pearl earring (50gp), 3pp, 278gp

On Nualia you find:
Sihedron Medallion (+1 saves (resistance), False Life 1xday (free action), Gentle Repose when placed on a dead body (cl 5))
Breastplate +1
Bastard Sword +1
Longbow, composite (+3), MW
Gold symbol of Lamashtu (100gp)
7pp, 45gp

Alas, the vorpal, holy bardiche was broken while being identified and is now useless.

Doesn't Nualia realize the cloak and medallion don't stack!?

Kast will examine the gear, relying on Izo to fill out and explain the magics that he cannot. He's interested in the medallion (for historical reasons) and the breastplate, but it pretty easy going about it.

He will pack up the gear that others don't want.

"That's a heck of a bag of keepsakes."

While sitting on the ground beside Meg, Seamus, feeling the warmth of the wine, points to Nualia's gear. "Since Kizzy, Meg and I just bought new armor, Kast you should take that breastplate. I realize it isn't new but it's better than the watch armor your wearing." Gesturing towards the sword, "I think Kizzy's the only one big enough to swing that sword, or use the bow." He gives a cheeky smile winking at her. "So you won't need Tsuto's bow anymore."

"Corioles--my husband--was doing something shady and I caught him. He tried to kill me, and when he could not, he framed me to get me out of the way. I am still not entirely certain what I saw. I still need to figure that out."

She stands up, a newfound energy and lightness spreading through her body and movements.

"Thank you all. I truly appreciate your understanding. It honestly feels good to say it out loud finally." She grimaces at Seamus mentioning "Sappho." "Oh...um...that was another lie. I caught myself saying Sapphira and tried to change it. Sapphira Deverin is my best friend in the entire world and also...." She trails off and looks away, blushing. "I am still figuring out what else she is to me."

She picks up the Sihedron Medallion and holds it out. "I would like this, if you do not mind. I would like the reminder to not ever let myself turn out like her."

"Some people just do not know when it is the time to step down and recognize their errors before they cause more harm... I hope it has nothing to do with the midnight milk, it has become quite a problem in Magnimar" as the woman stands up he adds "You seem pretty well prepared to face that Corioles alone, but if he tries anything else, he will find this time extra eyes and arms around" Pachemu nods energetically reinforcing the words.

The boy looks from Meg to Kast as she mentions a special friend.

"Take the medallion, you have well gained it today. I would like to give it a glance though, I think it has to do with Thassilion. We should burn the Lamashtu symbols though..." Izomandakus takes up the scrolls and places them on his scroll case after deciphering their contents. He seems a bit desperate then, searching and searching again the prisoner "Where is her spellbook... it must be here..."

Qetsiyah seems to be taking in the news of Meg's revelation in bites, unable to digest the whole of it at once. "Wait... so your name isn't Meg? But Meg was a nanny, like you said and she's dead now?" She blinked and winced slightly at the idea that she'd been calling her friend by a dead woman's name. She leaned against the wall, propping herself up with her Guisarme as she listened to the dark tale.

"Damn, he killed his own daughters?! Why? Nothing could be worth that!" She exclaimed, her eyes welling with tears as she realized the depth of pain her friend has been in since the moment she met her. "By Desna, I guess Nualia was right that my raising was nearly blissful by comparison. I'm so sorry, Meg. Or... uh, is it Val? That might take some getting used to." She said, scratching her head.

"Well, whatever you call yourself, if anybody wants to get to you, they're gonna have to go through me first. Unless you keep stubbornly refusing to back up, anyway." She said, bouncing a light cuff off the woman's shoulder, gently rebuking her for her reckless tactics.

CLW: 3d8 + 3 ⇒ (4, 2, 8) + 3 = 17 3 hamberders for Kizzy, please.

She picks up the Sihedron Medallion and holds it out.

Kast seems mostly disappointed when Meg says this, as it was historically interesting to him, but he wasn't about to argue with the woman who just bared her soul and history to the party. He relents and nods silently.

"Sure, I'll take the armor for now, Seamus, do we have time to clean and size it now? I mean, we're in the middle of this heckhole and we're not sure if there are other foes around," Kast laments.

"Tell you what, let's take the prisoner back upstairs and check on the horse. We can interrogate the prisoner too. And I'll have time to set and check the armor," he offers, trying to find the best plan.

If others agree, we will take the body of Nualia and help get the magess back into the sunlight.

Looking from Kast to the Aasimar, he shrugs. "Looks like you two are about the same size to me, besides you'll just get it mucked up again down here."

Thinking that taking the prisoners back up stairs is a good idea, Seamus nods in agreement with Kast. "Yes, let's take them back upstairs. We can tie them up and hang them in the meat room and lock them in."

Grabbing hold of the wizard, he looks at Nualia, asking. "Do we want to make sure their not going to die?"

ie are we going to stabilize either of them?

If Nualia isn't dead dead, he will make sure she is. He won't keep the magess alive either unless people want to question her.

Kast grunts and hauls the bodies back upstairs and into the sunlight where he can take his time getting into the armor.

Izomandakus and Pachemu give thanks for the healing.
CLW: 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (6, 5) + 2 = 13
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 -3 charges

Something seems to light up in Izomandakus head "Oh, yes, let's go upstairs" if anyone might thought his comment was eagerness to help make the prisoners up, then that anyone is clearly deceived when he just strolls up without looking back. Instead when he arrives to the previous room where the wizard became invisible, he starts looking over the table, the papers she was studying, trying to find her spellbook.
Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Pachemu even sniffs around when she sees her friend so desperate.
Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

Val goes about cleaning the various items the party has acquired with her magic. ”I just borrowed her name. I think I will have to keep up the facade around everyone else, but I would honestly rather be done with it all if I could. My friends call me Val, and I say you all count. If changing back and forth depending on who is around is confusing, Meg will do. I have spent enough of my life socializing that different names with different people does not bother me. Lena to Mother, Mrs. Versade to Meg, Lady Valena to most, Val to friends, Lady Val to people who I wanted to think were friends. VV to Sapphira. You all can use any name but that one.”

Izomandakus searches for her spell book, but finds nothing on her. She was reviewing something upstairs when you jumped her…

Izomandakus, scrambles up the stairs quickly ahead of the party who finds him a short while later smiling and burdened by a nice thick spellbook!

Spellbook: burning hands, comprehend languages, detect secret doors, floating disk, grease, identify, mage armor, minor image, obscuring mist, ray of enfeeblement, sleep; also invisibility, locate object, mirror image, see invisibility, shatter, spider climb

The group then move all the way upstairs, heading to a room they can lock. You place your prisoners in there, and end their lives rather then let their evil spread further.

The horse is fine, lazily grazing on the few tufts of grass and enjoying the sunshine of the courtyard - quite a change from days locked up in a cupboard.

Where to next? The basement or the sub-basement? Or elsewhere?

"A lot of bravery is required to borrow the name of your children's assassin" Izomandakus smiles at Valena before moving upstairs "You are a smart one. It requires a lot of memory and flexibility in order to remember and act according to the details of so many characters to impersonate. I could never do it"

The boy's face light's up at the finding of the thick book. It takes a while to bring him back from a first fast study of the different spells written within, and in fact he loses all decided and done about the future of the prisoners.

Once the group is again up, a bit of relaxed observing the impressive horse, and they start discussing about the way forward, he offers "I think we mostly finished what we came here to do. It seems we defeated most of the goblins, and without a leader they will probably not pose a danger for a time. We captured Nualia who seems to be behind the whole plan to attack Sandpoint"

"Anyway, I agree with Kast the architecture of this place is Thassilonian and an abhorrent one for that matter. Would it be possible to further explore it? Maybe we could start by seeing what was Nualia doing there below" the redhead offers a wide grin "And there is also that Orik the wizard called when we came down. There might be more of Nualia's people down there, and we do not want them to plot rescuing our hard won prisoners"

Kast takes some time to de-Nualiaize the breastplate, even asking Meg to press and clean the bits that he can't easy get out. He will adjust the straps, and when the breastplate seems to be well-fit, he will do a bit of practice with the Iron Quill, trying to get the feel of it.

"Yeah, this ain't so bad. I guess a proper Lastwall knight might wear armor like this. Yeah, pretty good," he offers a boyish smile and clanks his fist on the breastplate, liking the protection.

"Okay...let's get back down there. Let's go to..." Kast plots a path back to the magess's quarters (before we followed her down the stairs).

Can we get the other map up? I'll pick a door to open and explore more.

Izomandakus observes interested how Kast undresses and sets himself on Nualia's breastplate. He does even help him hold some parts of the armor to strap them more easily.

"Wow, you look pretty damn hot in that armor" the boy grins and Pachemu nods vigorously.

Having finished the bloody work in the meat locker and seeing to the horse, Seamus rests in the sun for a few moments. While Meg , making a mental note that his friends real name is Val, helps Kast clean up the armor. Picking up the cloak that had been worn by the wizard, Seamus asks. "does anyone mind if I use the cloak?" As he puts it on he removes the brownish orange on that Kizzy had loaned him, smiling he asks her. "Kizzy do you want this one back?"

Once Kast seems to be ready to go. Seamus raises an eyebrow at Izomandakus' observation, ignoring the compliment he asks instead. "Kast this leg still isn't feeling the greatest, could you use the wand please?" Nodding politely as Kast pulls out the wand and hamberders, he asks Val, "Well Val shall we try the other door downstairs?"

Heading back the way they came, Seamus at the left hand door that had been dark, checking it carefully, he finally nods to the others and opens the door.

so taking 10 (22) on perception, and the keys or taking 10 (22) on Disable device for the other door on the first basement level.
clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Basement it is! New map up! I’ll go ahead and open a few doors for you as there’s only one direction to go…

Seamus checks the door, finds it to be save, and opens it - revealing a short hall. Repeating at the next door, he opens it again, to reveal an odd chamber.

The lower four feet of the walls in this empty room are covered with crude drawings in mud, blood, and paint. Most of the drawings show goblins engaged in some sort of violence against humans, horses, or dogs. One picture on the north wall is at least three times the size and complexity of the other scrawlings. This image shows Thistletop from the side, the goblin stockade perched atop it like a crown. A cave has been drawn into the center of the image, and looming inside is what appears to be an immense, muscular goblin with snakelike eyes and a dogslicer in each taloned hand. If the scale compared to the rest of the drawing is to be believed, this goblin must be at least thirty feet tall.

The next door is checked and opened, revealing choices… Two large stone doors sit in the western wall here, their faces carved with images of horrific, deformed monsters clawing their way out of pregnant women of all races. The other doors, while still stone, are rather more ordinary.

Qetsiyah took her old cloak back and stuffed it in her pack. "Looks good, 'Mus. But is white really your color?" This cloak was the wizard's, if I'm not mistaken.

Kizzy cleared her throat softly, wary of alerting any enemies ahead. "Can't say I care for the art on display." She said with a frown.

What is the lighting and flooring like on this level? Also it looks like we didn't actually explore the room Nualia came out of, just double checking?

Each room is lit with a lantern or torch. Floor is stone, as are the walls/ceiling. Doors on this floor are rickety wood, but hammered together in sometimes holed layers. And yes, that chamber in the sub-basement lies unexplored for now.

Izomandakus follows in door after door. He halts to observe the oversized goblin "Interesting creature... I wonder if this is a goblin champion. If so, perhaps our work here is not as completed as I thought before"

K. religion: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Observing the born monsters scene Izomandakus sighs "Lamashtu again. I wonder why is she so common in these Thassilonian ruins. I do not remember for her to be a goddess of the ancient empire"

"I say we open first the Lamashtu doors before going for the ordinary" the redhead helps Seamus check the doors "Better to face the horrible first. Anything thereafter will seem heavenly"
Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Earlier
Taking a good look at the white cloak he put on, Seamus nods in agreement with Kizzy, "Your right Kizzy, Not great for night work. I prefer the dark one the goblin was wearing but it's so ..." Seamus pauses for a moment remembering that the magical cloak Kizzy was wearing was originally sized for a house cat. Pulling the white cloak off he pulls out the small dark cloak from the goblin. Putting the small dark cloak around his neck. he smiles as it grows to fit him. "Ok, this is much better!"

Now
Nodding in agreement with Kizzy, "Yeah, I don't like the pictures much either."

Realizing Izomandakus had gone past him down the hallway, Seamus hustles to keep up. Looking oddly at his friend, "I don't know about facing horrible first, but the two doors will be wider and we can all get in faster." He then moved to the double doors, listening carefully then checking it for traps and finally opening it.

Taking 10 (22) on perception and disable device if needed

"Wow, you look pretty damn hot in that armor" the boy grins and Pachemu nods vigorously.

Kast looks down, not too concerned about his bare midriff. How self conscious can a near cripple be? Is he really afraid of being laughed at, more so? He's not. He's been mocked and demeaned for the deformity of his leg, and having so showing his nicely-ab'd belly wasn't going to stress him too much.

"Yeah, I admit it looked better on her, but it covers the right spots in the right ways...and when I'm in my bardiche crouch, it don't offer too many openings," Kast smiles boyishly. "I know it might be a bit showy, but if it keeps me alive and it works, then it works. And I'd rather be alive."

Kast scratches his tummy because he *can* scratch his tummy in his armor, and that isn't a bad thing.

"And when I wear the shield, it's covered nicely as well. Yeah. Good. This is nice armor. Even has good color."

* * *

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16 Know (Religion)

"Izo is right, that's Lamashtu stuff. It can't be good to have so much of her work going on so close...can't be coincidence either," Kast agrees. He notes that he doesn't smell as strongly as his old hide armor used to. He probably doesn't smell as good as say...Marigold Pottersmoot, but it's still an improvement.

Kast will guard down the hallway while he waits for others to get the door open.

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Val is too focused looking over her necklace to pay enough attention to identify the art. Thassilonian, eh? Sihedron? Why would Nualia be wearing such a necklace? A Lamashtu necklace would be more fitting. The magic did seem useful, so perhaps just a practical choice. Still leaves the question of where she got it.

She leans against the wall, playing with the necklace in her hand.

”It will never cease to amaze me that we name a whole month of the calendar after this god. You have any idea what it was like explaining to children who Lamashtu is because they figured out each month is named after a god? Or Zon-Kuthon for that matter.”

Izomandakus raises an eyebrow at Kast's self justification "You should not be ashamed of having a pretty body to show. And you are right, the armor showed strikingly effective at maintaining Nualia alive, I am happy you are embracing it and leaving that rigorous guard uniform aside. Just remain safe" the redhead blinks an eye towards the man and turns to go downstairs with Seamus.

-----

"Just in case there is a giant troll with an axe waiting to chop our heads after opening the doors, let me try to open this from afar, Seamus" if the elf conveys, Izomandakus steps a bit backwards and uses his magic to open the double doors открыть.

You open the double doors to reveal a chapel. Stone fonts containing frothy dark water sit to the north and south of the eastern entrance to the room, and twin banks of stone pillars run the length of the long chamber. At the western end, shallow stairs rise to a platform about two feet off the ground. The walls surrounding this platform are lit by hanging braziers that emit glowing red smoke, giving the place an unnerving crimson lighting that throws the bas-relief carvings of countless monsters feasting on fleeing humans into lurid display.

A black marble altar stone, its surface heaped with ashes and bone fragments, squats before a ten-foot-tall statue. The sculpture depicts a very pregnant and shapely naked woman who wields a kukri in each taloned hand and has a long reptilian tail, birdlike taloned feet, and the snarling head of a three eyed jackal with a forked tongue. The left kukri flickers with fiery orange light while the right one glows with a cold blue radiance.

The temple and statue are clearly sacred to Lamashtu, and the kukri’s are glowing thanks to continual flame spells. Though likely you’ll discover that later, as first you must deal with the two yeth hounds in the chamber. Quite annoyingly, they’re flying effortlessly in the air, making lazy circles around each other as they play. Well, until the door is opened. Then they descend and attack! (or at least prepare to)

- Round 1 -
Seamus - 19
Kizzy - 16+
Kast - 16-
Meg - 12
Good Folks - 11
Izomandakus - 6

First up, everyone except Izomandakus. Note that the Hounds are within reach, just 5' up.

Also, the pillars, while numerous, do not provide cover.

Phat new AC is 20.

Round 1

Kast moves into the room, taking a readied stance with the Iron Quill lowered and ready for the hounds. His new armor clanks differently as he limps in.

Iron Quill, two handed:
Readied Action: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 to hit;
1d10 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 damage.

Iron Quill, two handed:
AoO, if necessary: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14 to hit;
1d10 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 damage.

Staying near the doors, Seamus stays near the doors longknives in hand waiting for Izomandakus to open them. "Crap, more of the stupid dogs. And these are flying." Not happy to see more dogs. Seamus sulks, "We should just shut the doors." Shrugging he steps in and slashes with his long knives at the nearest flying dog.

5 ft step. full attack: Shortswords. TWF, dogs flat footed?
attack: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 7 - 2 = 11 for damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 sneak attack: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 4) = 6
attack: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 7 - 2 = 18 for damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 sneak attack: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 2) = 8

How high is the ceiling, dear GM?

Val groans at the news of more yeth dogs. "Well at least Nualia did not bring her whole pack with her." She tries not to think too hard about how that last fight would have gone with two more dogs there. She follows the others in, taking up a spot next to the nearest yeth hound. "They are not too high up at least." She takes advantage of the hound being over her head to stab up at its tender belly. Who knows what kind of anatomy a yeth hound has in there, but it looks like a dog and that is the best she has to work with.

Move action to move, swift to stare, standard to attack

Attack with Mwk Cold Iron Rapier: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Damage (painful stare): 1d6 + 1 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 + (5) + 1 = 12
Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Crit Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Qetsiyah agreed with Izo that Kast was cutting quite a striking figure in the new armor. "Good work with those straps. Looks a lot different on you." She even glanced back a time or two, admiring his washboard abs on display.

She shook off the distraction to focus on the new, somehow flying hounds.

Round 1

MW Guisarme vs Blue No-Dog: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21 

Cold Iron Damage: 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 2) + 3 = 6

Seamus steps quickly into the room where he stabs the nearest hound once, and yes it was flatfooted, so the wound is deep though DR Applies. Kizzy steps up and swings at the blue hound, scratching it (after DR). Kast moves into the room and also lashes out at the blue hound, though he just misses. Meg gets a crit in on the flatfooted beast! Though it does not fall from the sky, it’s losing much blood to the flagstones below it.

The hounds respond, flying so gracefully they don’t need to make fly checks (they’re very good at this). The most wounded lashes out at Meg, Seamus: 1d2 ⇒ 1, Meg.
Bite at Meg: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 1 = 16 damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 4) + 4 = 12 trip: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27 and Will DC 14 or shaken

Sadly the wounded animal misses widely.

The other hound bays, a great big bark - a warning shout and more. Will DC 12, or be panicked for 2d4r The hound’s voice carries, and you imagine anyone left alive up on this floor, and likely the one below too as the doors are open, knows something is now amiss.

- Round 1 -
Izomandakus - 6
- Round 2 -
Seamus - 19
Kizzy - 16+
Kast - 16-
Meg - 12
Blue hound - 11 (-26hp)

Next up - everyone! Ceilings are just 15’ up, which is part of why the dogs are so low.

Round 2

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21 Will vs. Fear

”Gah! That’s an ugly sound,” Kast says, holding his ground.

Kast steps in a bit closer before swatting at blue, drawing an AoO from green (unless blue is down by Kast’s turn, then he will move differently to strike at green).

Iron Quill, two handed:
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21 to hit;
1d10 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 damage.

Will+mysterious trait bonus vs fear DC 12: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 2 = 17
Pachemu: Will DC 12: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Izomandakus holds himself against the terrible shout of the hounds, but Pachemu remembers the barks of the town's dogs when she was little. The poor pig gets shaken from head to tail.

The redhead enters the shrine determined. Swinging his staff over the head, he jumps over the shrieking monster "Lamashtu has no more power on this place!"
Staff: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Bludgeoning damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Panicked rounds: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7
Pachemu let's the torch fall down of her mouth and runs panicked until she stops hearing the sounds of battle "Ñiiiiiiii!"

Will Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Val just blinks at the dog pausing to give this big dramatic bay. Something about the image of this warped evil dog deciding to stop fighting for an overblown bark absolutely sends her and she begins laughing. "Oh gods, I needed that. Hey Izo, do yeth hounds understand common? I want to thank it for the laugh."

All the while she's talking, she has not taken her focus off the wounded yeth hound at all, but she lets it think otherwise before stabbing at it.

Improved Feint: 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 11 - 4 = 17
Attack with Mwk Cold Iron Rapier: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Damage (painful stare): 1d6 + 1 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + (4) + 1 = 7
If she successfully feinted and hits, then change the second d6 to:
1d8 ⇒ 1
Wow, I guess I hope that I *didn't* successfully feint...

Will DC 12: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
panicked: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3
Random path, 1=left, 2=forward, 3=right: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Hearing the baying of the hounds, Seamus turns to Val, screaming, "How can you be laughing?" Dropping his long knives, he spins away retreating from the bloody hound above him and the other one in the room. Running out the door straight down the hallway.

I've taken him as far as shows on the map

K. planes: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
"Oh, well, I have never heard they talk. But maybe they do understand! You should definitely try to thank them!" Izomandakus laughs with Valena and swings with his staff.

Round 2
Will save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

As Seamus turns to run, Kizzy makes a Lion's Call to try and rally her friends and then moves in to try and protect Izo and Val. "Hey, his bark is worse than his bite! Well, not really... but we beat one with it's master at it's back. We'll take these down too, just stick together. Seamus?"

Will DC 12: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 = 9

Wide eyed. Seamus shakes loose of his friend. "Are you nuts? We gotta run!" He bolts out the door following the pig. Hoping the dogs would rather eat it than him.

Izomandakus swings his staff, missing the flying hound as poor Pachemu flees the room, heading for the stairs up. She disappears into the tunnels. Seamus hears the hound thrum some deeper part of himself. He drops his blades and panics, fleeing through the open doors and out of the cave complex. Twice. Kizzy produces a lion’s call and prepares to defend her mates. Kast moves into position, provoking, and nicks the hound further. Meg, sadly, succeeds with the feint, doing no substantive damage (DR).

AoO Bite at Kast: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 1 = 9 damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 3) + 4 = 10 trip: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 and Will DC 14 or shaken

The most wounded continues to press Meg.
Bite at Meg: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 7 + 1 = 19 damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 1) + 4 = 9 trip: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 and Will DC 14 or shaken

Meg is just bitten, the hound taking bite of her ear, but fails to trip her.

The other hound continues with Kast, trying to knock him off target.
Bite at Kast: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 1 = 27 damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 6) + 4 = 11 trip: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24 and Will DC 14 or shaken

Kast is less lucky, as I think he's hit, and tripped, but the foul no-dog. (Note that as they're elevated, they don't get an AoO when you stand...)

- Round 2 -
Izomandakus - 6
- Round 3 -
Seamus - 19 (panicked - returns round 6)
Kizzy - 16+
Kast - 16- (-11hp, prone)
Meg - 12 (-10hp)
Blue hound - 11 (-28hp, 1hp NL)

Next up - everyone! Ceilings are just 15’ up, which is part of why the dogs are so low.

"You monster! Reel back! Leave Kast be!" Izomandakus frowns while pushing forward stepping just bellow the flying beast. Seeing everyone having trouble to bypass the tough hide, he unsheathes one of his wands from the belt and tries to zap the hound with it, attempting to touch a metallic collar if they have.
Wand shocking grasp+lion’s call (touch; 27/28): 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 1 = 10 +3 if they have something metallic
Electrical damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Will Save (fear effect): 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 1 = 9

Perhaps due to Sea’s panicked running, Val is not able to resist the terrifying effects of the hound’s bite.

Between her own shaken will and the difficulty of manipulating the hound’s alien intelligence into falling for a feint and the...less than stellar results of her last attempt, she decides to forgo trying it. She just wants to hit the damn thing as hard and quick as she can and finish this so she can go get Sea before he runs into something worse.

Attack with Mwk Cold Iron Rapier (lion’s call, shaken): 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 1 - 2 = 23
Damage (painful stare): 1d6 + 1 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + (5) + 1 = 8

Legs and arms pumping hard, Seamus continues to run after the pig, but not quiet able to catch up to it, due to its head start. "Don't you leave me Pachemu!" Running back the way they came. Up the steps and out into the horses yard. Freezing for a second, he looks from the pig to the horse. Wondering if the dogs would rather eat the pig, the horse or him. Not liking any of the options, he tries to decide if he would get away further on the horse or on foot.

60 ft. the first round, puts him at the bottom of the stairs. Up the stairs at half speed and 40 ft more should put him at the far end of the courtyard we left the horse in. Theater of the mind and all :)

Qetsiyah steps to ensure Kast is in her guarding radius and slashes at the hound she and Val are whittling away at.

Round 3
MW Guisarme vs Blue No-dog+LC: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 1 = 15
Cold Iron Damage: 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 2) + 3 = 7

Buffs Active:
Lion's Call:(2/3 rounds) +1 competence bonus to attacks and saves vs. fear.

Round 3

”Damnit!” Kast groans as the no-dog finds a small hole in the gaping expanse of his midriff armor. ”C’mon Kast, be better!”

Using Kizzy to bulwark his attempt to rise, Kast gets to his feet and steps in a bit closer before swatting at blue.

Iron Quill, two handed:
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23 to hit;
1d10 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 damage.

Izomandakus reaches out with a fist of electricity, but he misses the agile hound (you still have the charge in hand I believe). Seamus hauls up the stairs and past the horse, still idly chomping on the scrubby grass of the small courtyard. Kizzy finally brings down the blue hound, as it falls from the sky with a whimper to collapse at your feet (not bleeding, unconscious due to nonlethal). Kast (please shift on the map so you can reach properly) rises and stabs green in the flank (no AoO due to green’s height and lack of reach). Meg (who also needs to move on the map) shaken for the round, nevertheless manages a blow on the remaining hound, now surrounded!

The remaining hound snaps at Izomandakus, trying to keep that electricity from rattling his muscles.
Bite at Izomandakus: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 1 = 24 damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 2) + 4 = 12 trip: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12 and Will DC 14 or shaken

The dog successfully lashes out at the diminutive boy, despite Kizzy's aid, though he doesn't trip him.

- Round 3 -
Izomandakus - 6 (-12hp)
- Round 4 -
Seamus - 19 (panicked - returns round 6)
Kizzy - 16+
Kast - 16- (-11hp, prone)
Meg - 12 (-10hp, shaken)
Blue hound - 11 (-30hp, 1hp NL, unconscious)
Green hound - 11 (-5hp)

Next up - everyone!

Round 4

Kast circles around the dog and strikes from behind. He tries to ignore his gaping wound.

Be perfect, Kast! Perfect!

Iron Quill, two handed:
1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 2 = 28 to hit;
1d10 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10 damage.

Iron Quill, two handed:
1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 2 = 24 to hit;
1d10 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 damage.

Val throws a thumbs up to Kizzy for downing the little blighter before moving on to the remaining beast. She stabs upward at it just like she did the first one, but with her own shaken nerves and the hound being ready, she does not quite hit home.

Attack with Mwk Cold Iron Rapier (lion's call, shaken): 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 1 - 2 = 25
Damage (painful stare): 1d6 + 1 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 + (3) + 1 = 10
Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 1 - 2 = 11
Crit Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

I'm assuming that an 11 does not confirm based on previous experience