Protectors of Golarion (Wrath of the Righteous AP)

Game Master Sensen

Verene, mostly occupied relaying the others' messages back and forth in a whisper, draws an unlit candle from her pack and lifts it so both Merixia and Thesius can see the option exists. "If I understand Merixia correctly, the magical effect she is proposing extinguishes the source of flame it uses as a catalyst, so we need not be concerned about harming any remaining books or people by causing a fire." Taking 10 on Spellcraft would give Verene 20 to know this about pyrotechnics.

"Yeah, what Verene said. It's called pyrotechnics. As long as the effect isn't centered on a flame right next to something very flammable, like kindling or cloth, it won't set things on fire. It'll just make blinding lights. Or thick smoke, but I think the lights would be best here." She pauses. "Uh, temporarily blinding lights. The effect doesn't last long, but it's enough to give us an advantage as long as we all cover our eyes or turn our backs when it goes off. Thesius will be able to take advantage of the chaos to free the captives, and the rest of us can attack while our enemies can't see."

Leaning back once more, he responds. "There are no active flames within. You may all wish to cover the distance to the wall now with Merixia being the closest to the left. If you can light the candle and hand it off to her while doing so, I will take it once you get here and move it into the opening and give a whistle draw the attention of those within. It might not get everyone, but hopefully it will not risk blinding the captives as well.

Thesius waits for the group to move into formation so he can help enact the plan. Knowing he will need to cut the ties of the captives, he returns the morningstar to his belt and draws out the cold iron dagger instead.

Verene reflects that she may have been too hasty in offering the candle, since she has no spell to instantly light it. Trying to light a candle wick with only flint and steel, or even using a small shredded piece of her twine as tinder first, would likely be an exercise in frustration and might take more time than the people inside have.

"Actually, Elliot, may I have one of your torches?" Verene whispers to him, fishing out her flint and steel. He had been carrying several on the first day they fell down and discussed their supplies in the desecrated huecuva shrine, so she hopes he still has at least one. If he provides it, she kindles the pitch-dipped head to flame with her flint and steel in short order (a full-round action) and lights the candle from it, then puts the torch out on the ground and carefully approaches the largest hole in the wall, where she thinks Thesius is, sheltering the lit candle with one hand. She stops well short of where she thinks he must be - not wanting to walk into his position by accident and cause a commotion - holds out the candle, and waits for Thesius to take it from her hands and for the others to get into position for him to toss it inside and Merixia to work her magic. They could have used the torch itself, but unlike a torch, a candle's light is so small and dim that she hopes it will be overwhelmed by the bright light from the outdoors, and not cast any strange shadows or light with no visible source into the interior of the building, which their enemies could possibly notice.

As discussed, Elliot walks forward to the edge of the wall, sword drawn. As Verene lights the candle, he casts a spell on himself knowing a fight was both imminent and inevitable. "We need to hurry! Who knows they won't try to burn the prisoners after they're done with the books? Or just throw them into the pyre? If all is said and done I say we go right now before the put the hall itself on fire! The tomes there are so dry and old that it'll be hard to contain it if they do!" he whispers urgently.

He casts Shield when it looks like Merixia is about to cast her Pyrotechnics ability, or someone else is about to enter the building or otherwise draw the attention of the cultists.

The heroes make ready for their break-in, and once everything is in order, it begins. Thesius creeps carefully into the building, with a strange light the only sign of his motion. One of the tieflings lets out a shout, pointing at the light, but by then it is too late. The half-elf lets out a whistle, and Merixia focuses her will, causing the candle's flame to erupt into a burst of dazzling fireworks.

Unfortunately, the flash is so bright that it stuns even its creator - Merixia feels her eyes sear and burn as she struggles to blink the spots out of them. Unfortunately, Merixia failed her will and actually got blinded for 5 rounds. The spell's 120 feet radius, and it's long range for a reason.

Combat Start

Surprise Round

Two tieflings are able to react quickly - one, lined in black grabs her face, yelping. "F*@*! Something's going wrong!" She staggers back to the wall, thumping against it.

The other, unfortunately, is the yellow-lined woman guarding the four bound scholars. She frowns momentarily, and the light in the area around her vanishes, replaced by a murky blackness that leaves only silhouettes visible. "You don't say!" The words come from the blackness.

The radius of the dim light is described in the empty black square, but it doesn't really extend outside.

Initiative order is tieflings, mage, Verene, Merixia, Anevia, Azira, Elliot, Thesius, traitor crusader. Since Anevia's not going to do much in the surprise round, everyone else can go.

Thesius wades further into the gloom, his cold iron knife being drawn once more from it's sheath. Upon reaching his destination, he quickly tries to dispatch over the rope binding the captives in hopes of giving them the chance in the ensuing battle. With a little bit of luck from Desna, they would all hopefully make it out of this alive. Whether they choose to fight or flee is up to them.

(Swift Action to activate Archaeologist's Luck, Move Action to close the distance to the captives while moving full speed with stealth, and Standard Action to try to cut the rope.)

Stealth: 1d20 + 4 + 20 + 2 - 5 ⇒ (13) + 4 + 20 + 2 - 5 = 34 (Normal Bonus, Invisibility, Luck, Full Speed Penalty)

Dagger Attack on Rope: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 = 8
Attack Miss Chance: 1d100 ⇒ 22 Above 20% is good.
Dagger Damage: 1d4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 2 = 5

See OOC thread for discussion of why Merixia isn't blinded.

Merixia barely manages to get her shield up in time, eyes watering but still functional. Okay, that was a bad idea. Note to self, don't set that spell off so close next time. One of the enemy tieflings threw up a darkness spell... too bad for them that they're facing another tiefling. The cleric hops down off the pile of rubble and charges toward the enemy, shouting at top volume as she attacks.

"DIE IN THE NAME OF RAGATHIEL, DEMON LOVERS!"

Hopefully they'll pay attention to her and not their captives now. And hopefully at least one of the captives knows who Ragathiel is, so they don't panic at seeing another tiefling. They're scholars, they might know about empyreal lords.

Move while drawing sword and attack yellow tiefling.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Even shielded by the wall from the flash-bang of Merixia's magic, Verene still flinches and closes her eyes instinctively. She waits for Merixia to rush by, hopefully drawing the attention of the fallen tieflings and traitor crusader, and then hurries inside, just in her wake.

"Here. Thesius, where are you?" she message-whispers to him. She doesn't want to hit him in what she has planned next. It's difficult to make out fine details in the gloom, but it's easy enough to tell the heavily armed and armored tormentors from their robed victims.
Delay until after Merixia, move action to move into the room. I think we only get one move or standard, as it's a surprise round.

Wasting no time, Elliot rushes in, hoping his shield spell would keep him safe in the coming melee! "Surrender or face the consequences!"

Though after speaking the words, he wondered if that was really an option after Merixia's much more spirited declaration...

Now that I'm home and can see the map.

Stopping to cover Thesius' back and hopefully prevent either of them being attacked, Elliot enchants his blade and awaits the onslaught of foes from the front...

Swift: uses Arcane pool to up his sword enhancement by +1 to +2 this round. His to hit becomes +7 and his damage 1d6+5 for 1 minute.

Surprise Round Wrap-Up

With the eruption of light, Merixia is the second into the room, shouting her challenge to any who would face her. Verene rushes in after her, and is easily able to spot Thesius because her see invisibility is still up as she prepares her next move. Likewise, Azira moves gracefully into the room, seeming to flow more than run.

Thesius advances towards the bound captives, while Elliot moves in to protect Merixia's flank, nearly crashing into his comrade as he does so, even as he invokes the power of his magic in a process that is uncannily familiar, empowering the black blade in his hand.

Round 1

The yellow-lined tiefling next to Merixia curses. "Traitor! You would turn against your heritage?" She strikes at the priestess, who easily catches the endarkened weapon with her shield, countering and keeping the other woman on the defensive. With that, the demonic tiefling tries to escape from her reach, only to nearly blunder into Thesius, allowing both Merixia and Thesius the chance to attack. Unfortunately, Merixia's weapon is unable to get even close to her foe.
Shortsword: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Acrobatics vs. Merixia CMD 16: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Merixia AoO: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Because I'm not sure that Thesius would want to end the invisibility whilst the scholars are still bound, I'm letting him decide whether he wants to AoO or not, and roll if he does.

Meanwhile, the only male tiefling lined in red steps around the bookshelf, before launching an attack at Elliot. "Don't bother! These're honest crusaders, self-righteous and stuck-up. Two aasimar, even!" Fortunately, the embarkin's magical shield catches the sword before it has the chance to stab him in the stomach.
Shortsword: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

The final tiefling continues clawing at her eyes, struggling to get rid of the blindness that afflicts her.

Meanwhile, the unbound scholar beats a hasty retreat, passing by the blinded tiefling and the as-yet unarmed ex-crusader as she does so. She chants a quick spell, and a brief glow of power surrounds her.

Verene, Merixia, and Thesius are up.

Yeah, Thesius would prefer to focus on freeing the captives.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Thesius' reaches out with his dagger and attempts to cut the rope binding the captives. A silent prayer to Desna on his lips.

Swift action to activate Archaeologist's Luck. Standard action to attempt to cut the rope.

Dagger Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 2 = 13
Miss Chances; Above 20% Good: 1d100 ⇒ 63
Dagger Damage: 1d4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 2 = 8

Oh, see invisibility is still up? Nice. I forgot that it might be. Good catch, GM.

Verene notes with relief as she passes the bookcase that Thesius is well out of range, and draws another pinch of sand from her pouch. She focuses her will through the words of the chant and the steady stream of her breath, and instead of a puff of multicolored dust, what springs from her hand is a giant cone of dizzying colors that envelops both the tiefling that attacked her brother, and the traitor crusader. Move, cast color spray on red-lined tiefling and crusader, DC 15 Will.

Spellcraft DC 15: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

"I refuse to let my blood dictate my destiny!" Merixia slashes at the other woman again. "Besides which, I'm devil-born! Not demon-born!"

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Round 1 Midpoint

Verene unleashes one of her spells, a burst of color, in the general direction of the knight and his fiendish comrade. Both are splattered with the magical pigment, but neither reacts with more than the barest of flinches.
Tiefling Will vs. DC 15: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Ex-Crusader Will vs. DC 15: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

In the shadows, Thesius slices through the ropes with a quick slash of his dagger, but he does feel the soft sensation of flesh as well. One of the scholars yelps in pain, flinching back as the ropes fall loosely into their laps.

Meanwhile, Merixia slashes at the tiefling cultist, who dodges out of the way with ease. Anevia enters the library, sticking close to the edge of the hall. She takes aim at the ex-crusader, firing in his general direction. It soars over Verene's head and strikes the man in his jaw, his head snaps back as he lets loose with a choked moan, before coming back with a growl. "Damn you! You'll die!"
Shortbow, PBS, soft cover, flat-footed: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 1 = 19
Miss Chance 20% low misses: 1d100 ⇒ 89
Damage, PBS, Sneak Attack: 1d6 + 1 + 2d6 ⇒ (5) + 1 + (5, 1) = 12

Azira and Elliot are up.

Azira strides elegantly to the nearest tiefling, her longsword trailing behind her. When she arrives, she brings the blade around in a beautiful but purposeful arc, seeking to slash Elliot's opponent.

longsword: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
for (cold-iron): 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Elliot circles around the Tiefling and attempts to attack, coordinating with Azira as they go at him from both sides...

attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

He feels good about his swing, a rush of vague memories going through his mind. "Look, mister Tiefling, I don't have anything against your race -it's just you and your evil friends, really. Now that we've cleared that up, I don't suppose you'd still be willing to give up before you start bleeding out and all?"

*Splat*

"...No? Okay. Well, I tried."

Round 1 Wrap-Up

Azira approaches one of the tieflings, swinging her blade with grace, but her foe is prepared, blocking her blade with his own. Her attack, however, gives Elliot the chance to circle around and slash the tiefling's back, knocking him to the ground.

The knight finally has the chance to react to the surrounding furor, and draws his blade. With a curse, he moves forwards. "Face me, warriors, if you dare!" He shouts, before striking out at Verene with vicious ferocity. Fortunately, the wizard has the wherewithal to dodge the blow, though she barely needs to with how panicked his attack seems.
Bastard Sword vs. Verene, Power Attack: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 9 - 2 = 8 Wow, there goes what I was saying earlier.

Round 2

The tiefling next to the prisoners lined in yellow takes a hasty step bacK from Merixia, before turning and thrusting her shortsword into one of the librarians. As she does so, she leaves herself open for the now visible Thesius to thrust his dagger at her. He manages to stab her shoulder, but the blow goes through. It stabs through the librarian's shoulder, down past the ribs, and into his heart, killing the man instantly. She cackles, drawing back her blackened blade, wet with blood, and showing it to Merixia. "This one is on your head, traitor."
Thesius AoO: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Coup de Grace: 2d6 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (3, 6) + 2 + (5) = 16 Can't actually make that Fort save.

The blinded tiefling lined in black staggers back, drawing her sword and waving it desperately in an attempt to fend anyone nearby off.

Meanwhile, the mage chants another spell, focusing it at the knight. Abruptly, his bastard sword glows red with heat. He curses, but keeps ahold of it. "You'll be next, b~$@#!"
Fire Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Verene, Merixia, and Thesius are up again.

Thesius' heart drops as he witnesses the brutal murder of one of the librarians, but cannot allow it time to process knowing that the others are still in danger. Quickly swapping the dagger to his free hand, he pulls forth the morningstar a prayer to Desna upon his lips for the departed soul as he lashed out at the tiefling.

(Free Action to swap dagger to free hand, Move Action to draw morningstar, Swift Action to activate Archaeologist's Luck, and Standard Action to attack)

Morningstar Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 5 + 2 = 27
Miss Chance 20% low misses: 1d100 ⇒ 66
Morningstar Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 2 = 13

Morningstar Critical Confirmation Roll: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 2 = 12
Morningstar Critical Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 = 7

Hey, if he had to make his save against color spray, I'll take that natural 1 in trade.

The well of cool clarity and the fear it holds at a distance both tell Verene that the smart move is to withdraw, to allow the warriors to finish this fight. Two out of three of the ex-knight's allies are down or disabled, and the desperation in his wild swing says he knows it. But these blackguards seem willing to die just to take helpless civilians with them. If she leaves his reach, he has made clear his next soft target is the brave librarian who needed only a momentary distraction to turn on her tormentors and begin fighting back.

That is unacceptable. Verene steps between the mage and the ex-crusader, yanking her dagger out with one hand and pulling a pinch of wool from her pouch with the other. She sketches the shape of an oval with the hand holding the wool. "No. Eyes on me." Five-foot step, move action draw dagger, standard cast daze, DC 14 Will. Concentration check to cast defensively and not provoke an attack of opportunity. She now threatens and can give flanking to Elliot or anyone opposite her.
Spellcraft, cast defensively, DC 15: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21 Oops, that should say Concentration, not Spellcraft. The modifier is correct though.

To the group at large, she message-whispers, "Please help me defend her!"

A lump rises in Merixia's throat as her enemy murders a bound victim, but at least Thesius swiftly avenges him with a solid crack to the tiefling's head. There's no time to mourn; there are other enemies still up, as Verene's message makes clear.

The cleric turns to run between the bookcases and the wall. "Die, scum!" She meets the fallen knight's bastard sword with her own, teeth bared.

Alas, in medium armor I need a double move to get to the knight. I'll take the AoO in order to get his attention off Verene.

Round 2 Midpoint

Verene manages to summon her cantrip despite the threat of the sword taking her head off. Despite the spell going off, she feels his mind resist her magical assault. "What was that? A pitiful attempt."
Ex-Crusader Will vs. DC 14: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Merixia, noticing her friend's difficulties, pushes herself to rush over to the ex-crusader, her own sword at the ready. As she goes, Thesius deals a terrific blow to the top of the tiefling cultist's head, dropping her in a heap. Merixia wasn't actually threatened by the tiefling, so no AoO from her, if that was who you meant.

Anevia moves into the building, bracing herself against the doors, and fires an arrow at the blinded tiefling, but adjusting for the presence of the mage woman in between her and her target sends the arrow flying into one of the walls off of which, it sparks uselessly.
Shortbow, PBS, soft cover, blinded: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 1 = 9

Azira and Elliot are up.

Grimacing as the librarian was stabbed despite their best efforts, yet at least avenged by Thesius right away, Elliot darts through a narrow opening in the bookcases, figuring the rest of the hostages were now safe.

He barely reaches the ex crusader from the northeast and attempts to strike him!

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Azira frowns slightly at the recognition that her own contribution to the battle was not living up to her new traveling companions. Not dissuaded, though, she moves quickly around the bookshelf to surround the disgraceful ex-crusader. "Reap the reward of your cowardice, traitor," she mutters as she slashes at him.

longsword (flank): 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 9 + 2 = 19
for: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Round 2 Wrap-Up

Azira takes a quick route around the bookshelf, her blade flickering in the light cast through the holes in the walls and roof. The knight is unable to lift his shield in time to block her attack, but her blow is only able to cut his arm rather than anything more immediately vital.

Elliot takes inspiration from his newfound comrade, circling around to attack the knight himself, but the bookshelf is in the way, and the ex-crusader is able to block what little effort remains with his heavy shield.

With a growl, he levels his sword at Azira before launching a series of attacks at her. "You'll do." True to his word, he unleashes a barrage of savage attacks, one of which lands - a vicious slash across her throat. As the blood sprays across his armor and face, the Iomedaean paladin feels a brief surge of pain before all goes dark. She collapses, blood rushing from her wound onto the floor.
Bastard Sword vs. Azira: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
Confirm?: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20 Uh-oh.
Damage, Challenge, Order of the Cocktrice: 2d10 + 10 + 10 ⇒ (6, 9) + 10 + 10 = 35 Uh... that's... wow. Azira is at -7 hp, dying, and prone. Uh... good thing she's got good saves? I'm sorry about this.

With that, the knight steps out of the way of both Merixia and Elliot, now closer to both mages than to either of the sword-wielders.

Round 2

The sole surviving tiefling feels her way along the wall, moving back as she waves her sword in a vague attempt to keep others away.

Meanwhile, the mage flees from the knight's reach, dashing over to her fellows in the dim light.

Verene, Merixia, and Thesius are up.

"No! Azira!" Elliot cries out, too late to offer any assistance.

Then, to his horror, he sees the man heading for Verene.

"Meri! Let's surround him!" he shouts, hoping either the stalwart cleric or Thesius would come up the other side...

attack, flank from northeast corner?: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Unfortunately, he stumbles over a pile of books in what might have been the worst possible time for it to happen...

"Azira!" Merixia sheathes her sword and bends over beside the fallen paladin, already chanting the words to a healing spell. She touches Azira's neck, heedless of the blood pouring out, and the wound begins to knit closed.

Move action to sheathe sword, standard action to cast cure moderate wounds.

Cure Moderate Wounds: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (3, 5) + 3 = 11

"My apologies for your loss, please use the dagger to set yourselves free while I join the rest to finish clearing the room," he says while dropping the dagger at the feet of the captives while turning and starting away. His eyes dart to Merixia as she cries out before turning back to settle upon the fallen knight.

Stalking in, words of anger slip through gritted teeth. "You called yourself a crusader. Now you seek to take the lives of those that once stood beside you!?!"

His heart sings out to Desna as he closes the distance and lashes out with the morningstar.

(Free Action to drop cold iron dagger, Move Action to move in, Swift Action to activate Archaeologist's Luck, and Standard Action to attack with morningstar.)

Morningstar Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 2 = 21 (Plus another 2 if you would count him flanking with Elliot. Not sure how that works with initiative currently.)
Morningstar Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 2 = 11

Verene is too shocked to even cry out as the fallen knight nearly decapitates their newfound comrade in a brutal exchange of blows. Her free hand goes to her pocket where the healing potion sits; but Merixia is already rushing into the breach. Instead Verene steps back, her eyes narrowing in concentration. She takes another tiny tuft of wool from her pouch and sketches the shape with it more carefully as speaks the arcane words, low and compelling, pulling with all her might at the ex-crusader's attention and capability to attack. Come on. Then she pulls out the healing potion with her now-free hand, ready to use it if needed, and seeing with relief that Thesius and Elliot are coming up to press the attack and take some of the heat off. Five-foot step back, standard cast daze, DC 14 Will, move draw potion.

Round 3 Midpoint

Verene beats her own hasty retreat from the ex-crusader, lashing out at his mind with a spell once more. This time, he staggers under the magical assault, grunting.
Will vs. DC 14: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Merixia calls upon the power of Ragathiel, and seals the paladin's wounds with a touch, restoring her to consciousness once more.

As she does so, Thesius makes his move, dropping his dagger and launching himself across the room. With a swing of his morningstar, he cracks the dazed knight across the chest, sending him stumbling back. He coughs, blood dripping from his lips.

Anevia fires her bow once more, targeting the tiefling with a collected, deadly calm. The arrow streaks through the air and slams into her target's sternum, knocking her back against the wall with a wail of pain.
Shortbow, PBS, blinded: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 1 = 21
Damage, Sneak Attack: 1d6 + 1 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 1 + (2, 1) = 5 Wow, that was underwhelming.

Elliot takes the chance to rush around to flank the knight, slashing with righteous eclipse. However, the man's armor takes most of the blow, while he's able to get his shield up in time to prevent any further injury.

Azira is up.

Azira's eyes flutter open and she gasps in shock as the memory of the nearly fatal attack comes rushing back. "Thank you," she whispers hoarsely to Merixia as she reaches up and touches her own holy symbol.

lay hands (swift): 1d6 ⇒ 3

She climbs to her feet defiantly, grabbing her sword off the floor in the process (move). Then she settles into her combat stance and steps forward (5' step), praying that one last attack will be enough to finish the deadly knight before he has the chance to finish her. She brings her sword around in another graceful slash (standard) and waits waits with bated breath to see if her prayer has been answered.

longsword: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
for: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Round 3 Wrap-Up

With Merixia's spell, Azira rises to her feet, grabbing her sword. With the vitality of her own faith surging within her, she lunges forwards attacks the ex-knight, cutting through his guard and armor, sending him staggering back a step with a groan.

Round 4

The tiefling, injured and angry, grips her belt, and darkness consumes the room around her once again, dimming the light of the sun streaming through holes in the walls and the windows. Dim light in the new box again.

Verene, Merixia, and Thesius are up.

As the ex-crusader's eyes begin to clear, Verene backs up again hastily and stows the potion back in her pocket to give to Azira at the first opportunity. The paladin's attention seems fully occupied by the fallen knight, and drinking it would leave her open to attack. Five-foot step back, move action put away potion.

"Do you really want to keep fighting?" she says to the knight and remaining tiefling, her voice calm and persuasive. "Think carefully. If you die now, you'll surely be damned." Would cast daze again here, but once a creature has been dazed once, it's immune for a minute.

If the ex-crusader does anything in response but drop his weapon and surrender both free actions, she throws her dagger at him, the only weapon she currently has to hand.
Mwk dagger, ranged, point-blank shot, into melee; damage 1d4: 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 + 1 - 4 = 141d4 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3

Merixia is not at all interested in offering quarter to one who has betrayed his vows as a crusader. She draws her sword again and steps forward to slash at him again, undeterred by the magical darkness.

Move action to draw sword, 5-ft step, attack

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Thesius heart sinks at the thought of taking another life, but he realizes this man was likely too far gone already. With a prayer to Desna to watch over the man's soul, he lashes out once more.

(Swift action to activate Archaeologist's Luck and Standard Action to attack)

Morningstar Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 5 + 2 + 2 = 29 Attack, Archaeologist's Luck, Flanking)
Miss Chance 20% low misses: 1d100 ⇒ 98
Morningstar Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 = 7

Morningstar Critical Confirmation: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 2 + 2 = 11
Morningstar Critical Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 2 = 11

Round 4 MIdpoint

Verene, in an attempt to do something more than stand around and let her comrades take the ex-crusader down, throws her dagger at him. It rings off of his armor, sparking a brief point of light in the magically induced darkness. Even as she does so, she offers him the chance to surrender.

Merixia lunges forwards, attacking with her own bastard sword. Unfortunately, he catches the cold iron blade with his shield, swatting at her arm just slow enough for her to pull away.

Thesius, however, takes advantage of the man's distraction, and smashes his mace into the man's hip. The archeologist feels the bone crack beneath the blow, and the knight shrieks in agony. "Please, no! I surrender!" He drops his sword and falls to his knees.

"I shouldn't be surprised that a traitor betrays us!" The tiefling woman shouts, her voice venomous.

Anevia grimaces, firing her bow at the tiefling. "That's enough out of you." The arrow whistles through the air before slamming into the demonspawn's throat. She gurgles before collapsing in a heap.
Shortbow, PBS, blinded: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 1 = 16
Miss Chance 20%, low misses: 1d100 ⇒ 76
Damage, PBS, Sneak Attack: 1d6 + 1 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 1 + (3, 6) = 13

Combat Over

Verene looks to Merixia, Elliot and Thesius first, and does not address the fallen knight right away; she had made him no promises and does not mean to start now. She is unsurprised that a man who could take the oaths of a crusader and then go over to the demons would lack convictions as well as morals. It is mildly surprising, however, that the calculus of self-interest was able to win out over the consuming rage and arrogance that were all he previously displayed.

To the group inside, she message-whispers, "Well, what do we think? I suppose there is no obligation to accept the surrender of a traitor, and clearly we cannot trust him to keep his word. But unlike the prior fallen crusaders, he seems interested enough in keeping his life to cooperate on some level, and so we could take him prisoner while taking reasonable precautions against him being a threat to us. That is all I can say."

She steps closer, next to Azira, and offers her the stronger of her two healing potions. "This will help keep you on your feet. Thank you for stepping in. I think that swing would have taken my head clean off." It's cure moderate wounds, if Azira wants it.

Thesius, exhausted physically and mentally from this ordeal, regains some composure as the ex-crusader surrenders and the last of the tieflings falls. He silently listens to Verene's words before invoking his own to the man.

"First, put your hands into the air. Second, without reaching for them, tell us. Do you have any further weapons upon you or magical abilities?"

Thesius watches and listens to the man in an attempt to discern any hidden intentions or lies.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Thesius readies himself to strike out at the man should he do anything more than breath and what he was told to do.

"Thank you," Azira answers accepting the potion with her free hand. Without lowering her sword or taking her eyes off the disgraced coward, she pulls the cork with her teeth and downs the contents.

CMW: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (5, 8) + 3 = 16

As its magic continues knitting closed her wound she clears her throat and listens to the man's answer to Thesius' question before asking, "you are guilty of violating your vows and of dishonoring the Inheritor and all your brothers- and sisters-in-arms who have taken up that crest: for that you are deserving of death; can you name any reason why we should not carry out that sentence here and now?"

At least Azira seems to have the right idea as to what one should do with traitors. Still, Merixia can curb her impulses for the sake of her other companions. For now. She fixes the ex-knight with a yellow-eyed glare. ”You have betrayed the Crusade, contributed to the death of a non-combatant, and attempted to kill a paladin of Iomedae. The code of Ragathiel demands your death for these crimes. So, convince me, traitor. Why should we let you live?”

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

Elliot glances at the remaining crusader as he surrenders, but, as he notes, only at the very last second, when he had no other option. And in his mind's eye, he kept seeing this man almost kill Azira over and over. What if they tried to capture him and he broke loose during a fight? Who would be next? Verene? Merixia? Azira? ...His teacher?

...Would Sarenrae want him to risk the safety of his friends here? How far should he go in offering clemency even to the most dangerous of adversaries yet in a very precarious situation? ?

"...I admit, I'm not a good judge of character. We've witnessed him being at least complacent in both murder of a helpless and attempted murder of a fellow crusader. Does he seem genuine in any desire to repent? He seems really strong, and potentially a strong ally. But also a huge risk to take with us, in the situation we are now in," he comments neutrally.

sense motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

"No, I don't have any magic! Just my weapons, please, don't kill me!" The knight lifts his hands in the air at Thesius' command. "I have a couple potions, is all! Nothing else!"

The knight replies to the two planestouched women. "I'm useful! I know the city, where the cultists are, and even where some good supplies can be found!" He swallows hard. "I... well, you see, I lost everyone in the attack. I didn't think there was any chance that we could survive without joining them... and then these three," he gestures at the bleeding bodies that lie in the shadows, "came along and, well, guided me."

Tears shine in his eyes. "You have to understand, I was so broken when the city fell... I didn't have anything or anyone left, so I just... I needed someone to help me, and they did. I knew what they wanted me to do was wrong, but there was... nothing else left. I swear on my name and the graves of my ancestors, I see that you maybe have a chance at fighting back - especially if you let me help you."

The mages, now freed from their bonds, join the group, while Anevia opens the door and guides Aravashnial in. The woman who had been free, glares at the knight. "He's a liar. He came to us claiming to be a wounded crusader, and betrayed us! He opened the door to those monsters!"

"I-it's true! But I didn't think there was anything else I could do!"

Thesius' suspicions are not quelled by the man's explanation, but new thoughts rise to the forefront of his mind.

"Why were you aiming for these particular books to destroy? What demon's attention were you trying to garner?"

Thesius continues to intently watch the man. Comparing what he says, to what he saw.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

About to comment on how this guy seemed like an absolute idiot, a tool and a horrible person in general, but that there MIGHT have been a sliver of genuine attempt to atone, Elliot then hears Thesius and clamps his mouth shut. It seemed Thesius was privy to more information than he was, and if true, he was even less inclined to offer a way out. He didn't take it the first time, the survivors spoke out against him, and now Thesius had seen him leading these folk in some ritual?

That also meant his entire story couldn't be trusted. "If true, that means he just lied about pretty much everything he said," he concludes. "I feel that some should be offered a second chance. But if there is no sliver of genuine intent to atone, faced with crimes this severe, I think that's where I draw the line."

Verene watches the man intently while he speaks. This is a very abrupt change in demeanor, and the idea that the tieflings had been directing him in what to do, or that he had somehow been their pawn, did not fit with the reminder of what Thesius had relayed to them both before the battle and now, about it being the knight who was insistent on attracting a demon's attention. They also had not tried to direct him during the battle at all, and he had not changed his tune even after two of the three tieflings had been taken down and it was clear their group was stronger. He had not changed his attitude, in fact, until the last second when it seemed he was about to die. But it is certainly possible that while the emotions behind his plea for mercy are genuine, he is exaggerating or changing the details slightly to make himself look less culpable. It is also possible that he did what he did out of craven self-interest or because he liked it, feels no remorse at all, and is merely faking it convincingly, which is chilling. She tries to figure out which.

Prescience: 1d20 ⇒ 3
Sense Motive, Verene: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

"Well, one thing is for sure." Verene picks up the fallen sword that had almost killed Azira and backs away with it. "A man who has changed allegiances twice in a week will not be fighting for us. You will not wield this sword again."

Azira listens to the man's craven excuses without being at all convinced that it was enough to merit transporting him to another authority to deal with him, particularly when the librarians speak against him. Still, she waits for her new traveling companions to to weigh the situation rather than presuming to make the decision herself.

Merixia's expression doesn't soften at all as she listens to the man speak. On the contrary, she looks more and more disgusted as he goes on. "If you want to fool me, you'll have to try much harder than that." The cleric looks over at her companions. "The only thing he told the truth about is the fact that he wants to live. Everything else was a bald-faced lie. That being the case... you know what I want to do with him."

Elliot glances at his scimitar, then at the man, then Merixia. "My earlier hesitation outside cost us, and at least two of you are convinced he's lying, in addition to his other crimes. I'd say make it quick, then we move on to try and save others."

Azira looks to Verene and Thesius for objections. Assuming none are forthcoming, she states, "You have offered no compelling reason to stay your execution, but instead deepened your dishonor with more lies; therefore, I sentence you to death. You fought well; if you'll knee and close your eyes we'll give you a moment to prepare yourself to leave this world for the next and then give you a cleaner, easier death than you deserve. Or, you can try to make a run for the door and die a messy death, like the coward you seem to be."