DM_aka_Dudemeister's - WotR - Sword of Valor

Game Master DM_aka_Dudemeister

As the dust and smoke clears from the battle of Keeper's Canyon, the Knights of Kenabres take a moment to rest and take stock. The road ahead will take them into the Worldwound proper.

Some crusaders stand watch, while others take a moment to rest, clean their weapons and armour and others finish off the dying dretches on the battlefield.

Our heroes are in the center of the camp, along with key members of their war council.

"The going gets harder from here on out," says Irabeth, "We're headed into the worldwound, it only gets more dangerous from here. I recommend taking a moment to take a breath. The land itself is hostile, and the corruption of the demons can so easily spread. We'll need to rely on our bonds as we march towards Drezen, perhaps now is a moment we should take the opportunity to check in with one another before we continue our journey."

Take a moment to describe what you're up to in the war camp, I'll set up some checks once everyone's in.

Camp

Legacy gameplay

Caliban is frustrated by his lack of input in the last major conflict, and sits brooding outside his tent. The scarred elf focuses on sharpening the strange blade of his, occasionally looking up and around, but not saying much. His spellbook lay next to him, in preparation for the morning's rest and time of study which he practiced daily.

Selann is a little surprised by Irabeth's warning but accepts the pause order. Maybe he'd have a little time with Nurah to learn more of her old songs and some more information about Drezen.

"Will the scout team be leading like we've been doing? Or will we be pulled back with the regular army for safety?"

dot

Greta passes her time in camp continuing her efforts to get to know the soldiers and keeping morale up. She listens to their stories of the battle and praises their successes, and she shares stories of her and her friends’ battles against the demonic leaders. And, whenever she happens upon soldiers making music she dances.

When she notices how Caliban has isolated himself, she finds a seat next to him. “Hey, everything alright?” she asks with no real attempt at subtlety.

@Selann:
Anevia waves Selann over.
"Good scouting will be even more important as we head into the Worldwound. We might not range as far as we have previously though, on the off chance we're spotted we'll need to make a hasty getaway."

She sees Selann's attention is split though, listening to the soft music playing elsewhere in the camp. Anevia pats the halfling trickster on the shoulder.
"There will be time for logistics later, go enjoy the music."

When Selann joins Nurah, she's playing a lively melody, to raise the spirits of the nearby crusaders.

Caliban grunts, looking up from his seat, I will be fine, again my frail constitution limits me against demonic poisoning and foul odors. It is nothing to concern us, I shall 'get over it' in time. He looks up at the song Nurah is playing further away from them, and grins ruefully, How many of them shall perish before we are done, will their children even see the end of this endless war? obviously frustrated, he stands, pacing around the campfire before staring off into the darkness.

"There must be a spell that would protect you from poisons and stuff like that," Greta offers in an earnest effort to be helpful. She smiles at Caliban and continues, "did I ever tell you that my dad and my older brothers were all killed by a demon? My dad had survived fighting in the Fourth Crusade and was raising his family when our home was attacked... it killed one of my brothers before my parents even saw it and the other two while my parents were fighting it. My dad got between me and it, and that's the only reason I'm still alive. He fought well and wounded it badly, but it killed him and wounded me before my mom was able to finish it off with her magic."

She falls silent as well for a moment before concluding, "we, this army and us... we're the ones standing between the demons and the people, and the world, that we love now... we may be wounded, we may be killed, but some things are worth fighting for even they cost your life... and I know that even if we die, even if they step over our fallen bodies and wound the people, the culture, the ideals that we died to protect, someday someone whose fighting this fight with us will finish it, and she'll nurse them back to health and nurture them as they grow, and tell them stories about how bravely we fought and how our sacrifice keep them alive."

A single tear rolls down her cheek as she finishes and she wipes it away before smiling again. "I know we humans are short lived compared to your kind--even those of us blessed with some angel blood--but I believe we will live to see this war ended, in this generation."

Benedic broods about the camp, part of him wanting to avoid everyone and part of him hoping to bump into Beatrics. He constantly thinks about what he has done and said to her before now, but he cannot get past the feeling that his actions have been right, and inspired by his goddess. However, a nagging feeling in his heart tells him that Beatrics hasn't done anything wrong either. I do not know what to do, he thinks in despair. I must continue to lead, to show others that we will not falter and that the light of Iomedae will conquer evil, but I fear that I am unworthy. I must pray, I must pray on this.

He goes to the area of the camp where the crusaders set up their altars and listen to the chaplains, worried and a little hopeful that he will see Beatrics, but thankfully he doesn't. Or perhaps she saw me first, he thinks ruefully. He stands near the sword and shield of Iomedae's temple and bows his head in penitent thought.

Selann hears the song, extra funny to him since he is a wizard.... and tries to sing along with her. Perform: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

While he doesn't add any new verses he is able to blend his voice adequately with the bard.

@Benedic: Sosiel puts a comforting hand on Benedic's shoulder.
"If you pray any harder brother, I fear you'll pray a hole straight through the dirt, I'd hate to hear one of you fell into another sink hole" Sosiel's tone is light, but his concern is clear.

"I won't ask what troubles you, I think half the camp is whispering to the other half about it. But in matters of the heart, I think Iomedaean purity may not provide the comfort you seek." Sosiel removes his cloak, and uses it as a blanket in order to seat himself comfortably next to Benedic.

"Perhaps Shelynite wisdom may prevail, where Iomedaean piety fails... ah, am accidental little poem, that usually means the eternal rose has blessed us. Sosiel's smile grows even broader and he waits patiently for Benedic to open up.

@Caliban and @Greta
Aravashniel wanders over to the pair of you, noting mixed company he elects to greet you in common.
"As the elven poet Serendiel once said: 'The war for the soul of a mortal is fought by just one and lasts a lifetime, how long then for the soul of the world?'" The elven wizard greets you each with an informal bow.
"I come bearing some news, if I can interrupt. I have overheard some grumblings amongst the soldiers, about the hopelessness of the cause. I'm not much for words, but I am a good listener. This isn't just something for a rousing speech to quash. I suspect someone in the camp has lost faith, and amongst the pious nothing is more contagious than fallen grace. I recommend finding the source of the grumbling, and from there," Aravashniel shrugs, "I leave it to the wisdom of the war council as to the next steps to take.

To find the source of the grumblings it's Diplomacy DC 20 to Gather Information, or Perception DC 25 to trace the source of the rumors over Nurah's racket.

@Selann
Nurah's having a wonderful time playing, and finds a real wizard joining in the song nothing short of hilarious. As the soldiers nearby pick up the chorus, Nurah speaks up:
"You don't have a half-bad set of pipes there yourself Master Juris, who taught you to sing like that? she asks with warmth in her voice.

Selann blushes with the praise. "Thank you so much! That battle and calling out my spells must have warmed up my voice for once. I really wish I had training like you and could count on my voice not cracking. My focus in life was always more about magic than much of anything else. Well, magic and avoiding large bullies.... I'd appreciate some training from you if we have any time between demon fights and marching to Drezen? Oh, and my asking for everything you know of the citadel. If I'm going to be scouting there I'll want to know what I'll be getting in to! Don't want to be sneaking around a corner straight into the maw of some huge demon worm or something like that!!"

Greta's smile breaks at the revelation that grumblings of hopelessness are spreading throughout the camp. Her brow furrows over her big, bright-blue eyes as she excuses herself from the elves to try to track down the source of the murmurings.

it isn't like paladins to lose heart, at least not from what I've heard... fearless is what they say, but how could anyone without fear lose hope... gods, if I find out Horgus is behind this I'll put him on a horse and send him home alone...

perception (surge): 1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (20) + 9 + (2) = 31

Junior does not take a break, or at least he takes a break by doing a different sort of back breaking work. Setting up his portable anvil and laying out his tools he continues to work on reforging his mother's greatsword. It's functional as a greatsword now but the balance is off, and it could be sharper. "Maybe some etching on the side here," he mumbles to himself.

Craft weapons, take 10, MW tools, gallant inspiration, surge: 10 + 13 + 2 + 2d4 + 1d6 ⇒ 10 + 13 + 2 + (4, 4) + (3) = 36 Daily progress 30x36/7=154, 1235/3000 masterwork portion.

Junior is oblivious to the commotion in the camp.

After having witnessed Junior drop not one but two heavy tools on his toes she decides to stroll about the camp, rather than witness the slap stick anymore.

She feels the gaze of crusaders on her back but she just ignores them. She listens and talks with the people who will talk with her. Not all of them are too judgemental.

Diplomacy using stringed to gather info: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Keeper’s Canyon Aftermath....

Tristan de Lion walks about the camp. The Inquisitor inspecting the area, along with listening to those milling about, burying the dead, and burning the foul demon corpses that have been heaped into hastily dug pits.
Smartly dressed as he had his uniform and armor cleaned immediately after the battle.
Best to keep up a positive appearance. Morale is such a prickly thing.

Tristan greets those that he passes with a handshake, a hug, a claps on the back, and even a few pulls from the offered flask.
DC 20 Diplomacy (Cha), surge: 1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (10) + 9 + (6) = 25

Overhearing a bit of grumblings amongst the soldiers, about the hopelessness of the cause, the Inquisitor approaches these pockets of malcontent with the smile of confidence and faith.

Caliban ponders the Wizard's words carefully, and watches as Greta focuses on something in the camp, unsure what she was seeing, he remains silent for the moment, before thanking the other elf. Thank you, we much consider how this poison creeps into their hearts. Perhaps it is the land, or there may be an infiltrator as we saw with the assault on Kenabres.

@Greta, Amelia and Tristan

Gossip, rumor and scuttlebutt have a tendency to run through the ranks of an army faster than a line of launderers at a riverbank. Greta's sharp ears overhear a gravelly voice grumbling at the source of the rumours, and is soon joined by Amelia and Tristan as they overhear Captain Arles Jhestander.

"It's a fools game to try and steal the Sword of Valor from Drezen. You have any idea who sits in its war room? A nasty dwarven bastard by the name of Vhane. He was a grand hero once, a Paladin of Torag, "no head harder or hide thicker than Vhane" they used to say." Arles pauses for a moment.

"Drezen would never have fallen if not for Vhane. Some said he lost all hope and went mad. Others say he fell in love with a demon!"Jhestander chuckles perversely at that, "It doesn't matter much either way. When he took down the Sword of Valor the demons attacked, what had withstood long centuries fell in one night, and no attempt to retake it has never succeeded since. No surprise old Cap'n Jhestander was assigned your army. This campaign is as cursed as any I have been on."

One Character needs to volunteer to make a primary Diplomacy or Intimidate check.
Other players may Aid with Diplomacy Intimidate, Bluff Knowledge (History), Knowledge (Religion) or Performance
If the primary check check with Aid beats DC 23, any morale penalties for the army will be suppressed for 1 day. If the primary check with Aid beats DC 30, Captain Arles Jhestander will quiet his stories and maybe even find some hope in the cause.

Make your rolls and make your cases.

@Selann
"Poor little wizard, I'm sure if there's an opportunity I can teach you a tune or two. I'm not much of a singer myself, I was trained in Oration and Dance, so perhaps we might take a turn tp dance if we can find a decent beat around here."

Local: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
SM: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Post later just wanted to see what info Amelia has

"... if we can find a decent beat around here."

Junior sneezes as he rhythmically slams a hammer against an anvil.

Sense Motive, aid someone: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Caliban, too wrapped up in his own self-doubt, cannot add more to the conversation or beginning to understand the humans' plight over the coming conflict.

Benedic sighs, embarrassed at having been seen in a moment of weakness. He tries to pull himself together for Sosiel, and smiles weakly. "It is nothing," he says in a quiet, pensive voice. "Holy Iomedae has set me upon this path, and we must all make sacrifices for the greater good. It is unfortunate that our mortal failings sometimes bring pain to others, but as long as we learn from the experience, we may grow closer to the gods. We cannot afford to let our personal desires and shortcomings interfere with our mission. Surely Shelyn and Iomedae agree upon that?" He sizes up Sosiel, his expression harsher than usual, almost challenging the cleric to argue with him.

After his conversation is done, Benedic will most likely force himself to see to the army, in particular its morale-- he views that as his most important job as commander. Once he learns that there is mutterings about Vhane and the hopelessness of their cause, he will call a meeting outside the command tent, giving the Captain and the other senior crusaders a mostly-impromptu speech about their chances, with only a little bit of magical assistance from his divine powers. This should also be a good opportunity for the other party members to participate and help if they so choose.

Diplomacy, channel bonus, enhanced diplomacy, mythic heroism, Touch of Glory: 1d20 + 15 + 2 + 2 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 15 + 2 + 2 + 4 + 6 = 37

Sense Motive (Wis): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 22
Someone tell me again, why Inquisitor doesn't get Knowledge local! Humanoids need identifyingtoo!

Tristan calmly walks over to the fine Captain. The youth smiles at the soldier. He turns his blue eyes around at the other gathered soldiers.
Damn fine work out there, boys. These pissant demons never knew what hit'em. This Crusade has been bolstered by excellent captains and fine soldiers. The Inheritor is proud!
Diplomacy to Aid DC 10: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

I'm not a diplomat. Can try to aid with Knowledge-Religion?

Knowledge-Religion to Aid Benedic's Diplomacy?: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 "I'd never heard Vhane described as an idiot!?! Nobody sane falls in LOVE with a demon!"

@Nurah "I like the idea of dancing, especially with a partner my size. Surely there's a soldier or two that can make music for dancing? And it couldn't hurt the morale in the camp! Maybe we should suggest it to Benedic, or Greta?"

Greta hangs back and lets Benedic handle addressing the captain's concerns, and the flagging morale, that was, after all, his speciality. When his magnificent speech ends and discussion begins, she points out to to a group of soldiers arguing about Vhane's fate, "What if you're both wrong? I don't believe for a moment that he lost all hope. How could someone chosen and blessed by a god like he was, like all of you have been, believe for a second that there was no hope against a mere horde of lesser demons? But I also don't believe that he fell so in love with a vile demon that he abandoned his faith and betrayed us. Vhane was a victim of their assault too, I'm sure of it. We just killed an incubus..." She begins to sway her hips as she talks and slowly builds to a sultry dance as she continues, "if a succubus infiltrated the city... and sought him out... and, over days or weeks, studied him and listened to his thoughts... she could become exactly what he wanted... she couldn't make him love her so much he would betray himself, but she could lure him, seduce him, to let his guard down, just for a single moment, and then..." She suddenly stops dancing and swings her massive hammer at a soldier distracted by the dance, stopping it just before it reaches his head. "Bam! Her vile magic entraps his mind."

"Vhane was captured along with the city, and left to rule it as a puppet exactly because the demons knew how that would feel for us. But we're not going to let our guard down, and we're not going to be distracted, and when we liberate the city we can liberate Vhane too!"

You didn't specify what type of performance, so hopefully this applies?
perform (dance) to assist: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
lol, just barely succeeded at that one

The war council is quick to address the stories of Captain Arles Jhestander, and the enemies that they face. Arles quietens down with Benedic's honest assessment of their chances, and sees in Benedic a true leader and for the first time, in a long time a cause to believe in.

Once Benedic is done speaking, Captain Jhestander stands straight:
"I've seen some terrible things in this endless war against the Abyss, lost more than my fair share of friends and fellow soldiers. But sir, if there's a first time to win a campaign, this may be it." He salutes, with a tear running down his cheek, of both shame in his own self-doubt, and pride. Jhestander may have fallen from the path of the Paladin, but it is clear now, with some atonement and rededication he may be able to walk that path again, inspired by Benedic and the entire crusader war council.

Well done team your army will avoid any morale penalties, and Jhestander will now be a promotor of your army going forward, providing a +1 bonus to Morale checks for 1 week in game

Soon enough, it is time to get back on the road and our heroes and their army set out on a march in the ravine towards Drezen.

Please roll on the below table and write your character's reaction to seeing a weird sight now that you're at the edge of the world wound

Once you've done that also please give me a general Perception check.

From the table?: 1d8 ⇒ 1

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24

Table: 1d8 ⇒ 7

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

@Selann:

@Benedic:

1d8 ⇒ 4

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 9

Junior looks around for the smell and settles on Tristan giggling like a school child, "Good one!" He listens to Fred for a moment, "Oooooh." And then to the smart guys Caliban and Selann, "Waddya make of this?" He motions to the thing that surely everyone can see and not just Junior.

And then he rebukes Fred, "No we're not going to sell them or eat them. Well you can eat them."

If Amelia needs a separate roll: 1d8 ⇒ 6
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Amelia is reminded of how a lot of crusaders shun her which puts her in a foul mood. Her mind turns to what will one day become a prayer, "The riskier the road, the greater the profit."

1d8 ⇒ 3

"Wow, look at how high the water used to be," Greta marvels, pointing out some high water marks on the canyon walls. "That graffiti probably won't be appreciated by an Iomedaeans that can read it, but I guess that was the point. I wonder if they climbed up there to do it or were flying? I hope they weren't just standing, that'd be a pretty big demon... well, actually, part of me hopes that it wasn't a really big demon, but part of me would really love to see a big one fall before us and this army..."

perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

1d8 ⇒ 5
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Caliban moves along with the group, feeling emboldened by his comrade's words and inspiration for the soldiers. He stares sort of out of the line, seeing nothing really before snapping his vision back. He nods at Junior, Does that coyote have people hands? No that one under the rock, with the bone. My eyes must be playing tricks on me.

What the fudge was that!: 1d8 ⇒ 7

Tristan watches the demon rats scavenger the helmet of a fallen soldier. The Inquisitor's only reaction is the tightening of his steel blue eyes.

Perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (13) + 17 = 30

Benedic looks disinterestedly at the helmet with the skull inside. He raises his eyebrows slightly when he sees the rats, but he decides they aren't a threat.

Selann turns away from the ivy in disgust. "The demons pervert even simple plants trying to grow on the land. They must be stopped! They shall be cast out of this world!"

Eventually the Army comes to a stop, marching through the darkness can only lead to injured horses or injured soldiers. The hard March through the edges of the worldwound along with its disturbing sights, by the end of the day the army was winded teetering on exhausted.

Rest comes quickly to the Crusaders.

Tristan and Caliban rest lightly. And are the first to notice webbed stone wings descending upon the camp. An Aerial ambush...
Tristan and Caliban are quick to call out a warning

GARGOYLES!

Initiative
22 - Tristan
19 - Selann
19 - Greta
18 - Caleb
17 - Benedic
15 - Gargoyles
11 - Junior
09 - Half-Fiend Gargoyles
01 - Amelia

Will update the map when I get a moment.

I was about to sit down, drink coffee and do my posts. My laptop decided to take a nap. Battery died. Post in a bit.

@DM not certain if I mentioned this Ability being on Greta. Not that it much matters in this case, perhaps.

Obligatory Knowledge check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Knowledge (arcana) (Int)+7 (+3 identify)(3), Knowledge (dungeoneering) (Int)+7 (+3 identify)(3), Knowledge (nature) (Int)+7 (+3 identify)(3), Knowledge (planes) (Int)+7 (+3 identify)(3), Knowledge (religion) (Int)+7 (+3 identify)(3),

31! Tell us everything...lol.

Round 1 of Ambush from High Gargoyles!

Tristan will stride out to the most open and easy to view area around the camp. The Inquisitor will then shout, waving his longsword and threateningly brandishing his shield at the intruding gargoyles!

Intimidate (Cha): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24

Come git sum space dogs!

Combat Map
Camp Gargoyle attack map added to the slides

Know Nature: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Know Planes: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

I assume we're out of heavy or medium armor?

Nature: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Nature: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Honour System, if your character regularly takes a night watch, then you've got medium/heavy armor

Armor? What's that? Oh, that stuff that makes noise when you're trying to be stealthy!

Selann quickly casts Vanish on Nurah. "You're invisible for a short while. Let's get over by the fighters. Benedic and Greta are right over there. Follow me!" Then he runs with impossible speed over to them. 50' movement speed due to Mythic ability.

I sleep in my light armor (and corrected my banner since I don't have any AC buffs going right now).

know (planes): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19

Greta grabs her hammer and moves to the nearest gargoyle. Not knowing much about the creatures, she begins with a measured swing to test its defenses, imbuing her heavy weapon with a spark of arcane power, but not releasing the power of her bloodrage.

longhammer (arcane strike): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18
for: 2d6 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (1, 2) + 8 + 1 = 12

My hammer has the evil outsider bane enchantment... ooc I think half-fiends are maybe native outsiders (without the evil subtype), but if I'm wrong please add +2 to hit and +2d6 damage (and maybe a chance to notice that the enchantment triggered so I can include it in future rolls).

know-nature: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
know-planes: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

"Gargoyles. Use magical weapons on them!"

Caliban focuses a moment, spinning the blade in his hand as he quickly incants a spell. Icy rime coats his blade as it flashes out twice at the gargoyle next to him.

Swift Action, Arcane Pool +2. Cast Frigid Touch spell combat, spellstrike. Arcane Pool 1/8

Spell combat, Spellstrike, Frigid Touch, Power Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Black Blade damage, magic: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
Frigid Touch Damage: 4d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 1, 1) = 10
Target is staggered 1 round

Regular attack, Power attack: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 8 + (6) = 17
Black Blade, magic: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

Knowledge, Planes: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20

surge 1/5 for the regular attack

The horned ones are fiendish! Holy weapons or Paladin's smite must be used upon them he calls out in the night.

Unsure of what type is next to Caliban, but he'll attack it anyway this round

Benedic, dressed for his nightly watch, stands in his shining armor with his sword drawn. As he prepares for the onslaught, he casts a spell.

Benedic casts bless weapon (one of his domain spells) on Radiance as a standard action, making it a holy weapon for 6 minutes.

Knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31 (+3 vs demons)