Age of Ashes (Team Alseta)

Game Master Delta Arena

Cerrus waves the torch above his head and calls out. "Alak, fall back. It will come towards the light."

Cerrus delays.

Ellaeaanda gives Cerrus a slight nod for his sound advice, then focuses her attention on the bird once more.

Devise a Stratagem: 1d20 ⇒ 14

She foresees the ebb and flow of battle, the shifting movements of bird and hellknight alike, and in the lacuna between possibility and fate, she fires another arrow at the emperor bird.

Attack=14+7-2 (volley) = 19
Damage (P): 1d8 ⇒ 6 Strategic Strike damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

*Devise a Stratagem, *Strike (longbow)

Resa

You run straight towards the bird, jumping on the wall to avoid Alak and rolling under the flying bird to end up on the other side.

For future reference, you’d need to tumble through the emperor bird to set up a flank, as it is blocking a narrow hall.

Netkin

You quickly mix your vial and toss it towards Alak. It covers him in the substance and some of his blood begins to congeal on the wounds.

Wait, are you preparing elixirs of life or are you preparing field vials with the chirurgeon research field? They do work differently mechanically.

Cerrus

You motion Cerrus to fall back, planing an ambush against the emperor bird, but something happens before Alak can even react.

Given how turns in play by post work, and that Alak is going after the emperor bird, delaying until after him would be pretty much equal to giving up the turn.

Ellaeaanda

You finally see an opening, a clear shot to your target, and you let the arrow loose. Your sight does not deceive you, the arrow strikes directly against the mighty bird. It pierces your prey through its neck, and it finally brings it back down.

Congrats! The emperor birds are down! You get 120xp for dealing with them... and for the minor accomplishment of having your first fight dealing with darkness, you get an extra 10xp. Which should mean that you go up to Level 2! (Hopefully I have the math right on that.)

GM: I wanted to use Versatile Vial to heal Alak - I think it's the same HP as a Minor Elixir of Life?

Also, yay, level up!

"Oh, finally," Netkin sighs in relief as the last bird falls. "I thought it'd never end!..." He feels in the darkness for his dagger, and sheathes it.

"Alright. Who needs healing? I'm going to need a bit of light for that, but we can make do..."

Crafting (Treat Wounds, Resa): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Heal: 2d8 ⇒ (3, 5) = 8

Crafting (Treat Wounds, Ardoinel): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Heal: 2d8 ⇒ (6, 2) = 8

Crafting (Treat Wounds, Alak): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Heal: 2d8 ⇒ (6, 6) = 12

With the death of the second bird, Ellaeaanda stows her longbow and looks at Netkin. “A more secluded location may be prudent for healing, lest cultists wander this hall” she suggests, ushering the group into the closest side passage—the one where the last bird fell. With the halfling busily tending to the others, the elf treats her own wounds.

Medicine (Treat Wounds): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Heal: 2d8 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10

Ardoinel breathes a sigh of relief as the battle ends.

"Aye," he says, following Ellaeaanda down the hall.

He lets the two of them tend to his injuries.

Netkin

Almost, the Vesatile Vials don’t have the +1 bonus, since the 1 on Versatile Vials is splash damage, which it loses on becoming a Chirurgeon Vial.

You tend to the wounds of your fellow heroes, one by one. Resa’s treatment is the easiest and you manage to patch her up quite well. The other two have unexpected complications, and your efforts are not enough treat the severity of their wounds.

Resa, you are healed for 8 and you lose the wounded condition.

Ellaeaanda

You have no problems treating your own wounds, you know your injuries and treat them accordingly.

Ellaeaanda is fully healed.

Ardoinel

You stand guard at the entrance to the corridor, making sure noone is coming through. Fortunately, there is no movement in the half an hour that passes by.

“More privacy awaits within,” counsels Ellaeaanda. She inspects the door beside her, searching for traps and listening for any noises beyond, before opening it (if safe).

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

I’ve updated Ellaeaanda (and her PathBuilder sheet) to Level 2.
--Free Archetype: Cleric (Followers of Fate); gain Diplomacy, Thievery as trained skills
--Prepared Spells: Divine Lance, Light
Skill Increase: Athletics
Skill Feat: Assurance (Athletics)
Class Feat: Shared Stratagem

On the other side of the door, you hear wet, floppy steps and odd croaking noises that sound deep and punctuate, as if there was anger behind them.

Would you still like to open the door?

Thank you, I've made the updates on my end.

In the meantime, everyone else notices how a thin, dark smoke starts coming out of Ardoinel.

“Beyond are others,” Ellaeaanda informs the party as she listens with her exquisitely long ear pressed against the door. “Sounds like giant angry frogs await.” As she turns to face her companions, her gaze is drawn to the smoke seeping out of Ardoinel. “Are you well?” Ellaeaanda asks the dwarf with a slight note of concern.

I want to be sure it’s not just me pushing onward, and that the party is ready, so I’ll let someone else open the door or not.

"Ardoinel?" Netkin shifts from foot to foot. "You're fuming. Uh, literally."

"How strange. Is there anything wrong with you? I've - I've never seen anyone do that before."

Crafting (Medicine; identify health problem?): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Ellaeaanda

Sounds good.

Netkin

Whatever the cause of the smoke coming out of Ardoinel, it is not caused by natural, physical phenomena.

Cerrus scans the party and also sees the change in Ardoinel. "Are you feeling well?"

Assuming all is well with Ardoinel, Cerrus joins Ellaeaanda at the next door. "I am ready to face whatever is behind these doors. I'm willing to go first as normal."

While Ardoinel fumes (literally), Ellaeaanda continues listening through the door, trying to discern what the creatures are and why they are here, in the basement of an abandoned Hellknight stronghold.
Spend 1 minute to Pursue a Lead: Investigate frog sounds.

When Cerrus joins her, she nods and smiles. “Valiant soul. Fortune favors the brave.” Her delicately slender frame gracefully steps aside, allowing him to pass, but she holds up a hand before he does so. “I know you prefer to have both hands free,” she says, looking at the burning torch. “I sense fate’s presence more strongly than ever—a brush with death is a brush with destiny. Allow me to request their aid.”

The elf lightly touches her necklace. It is simple and unobtrusive, but crafted with the skill of centuries: a fine, golden chain hangs around her neck, with a tiny pendant in the shape of a pair of shears, upturned and open, as if about to cut the thread that holds them. She closes her eyes. “Fate sees all, through light and dark; silence and void; memory and time. Gift but a portion of your sight to your follower—not to intervene, but to ease the inevitable.” Her wide, rounded eyes open, and the large, amethyst pupils that comprise their entirety now glow with a light beyond light. With a gentle gesture she guides a softly glowing orb to follow Cerrus, before looking at the others.

“Anyone else?”

Cast Light. It’s nice to have spells. :)

Ardoinel, almost in response to the concerned questions, starts another fit of coughing as ashes and smoke spill from his mouth. After a minute or two, he finishes and straightens back up, taking a long drink from his waterskin to clear his mouth and throat.

"That's...more continual than it's been in the past. It seems the closer we get to this Ring, the closer my dreams come to the waking world. I suppose we should look at this as proof we are on the right course."

He didn't say the other part, that odd feeling of "rightness" that came with it as they descended further. Familiarity. Something down here was resonating with the fire within him, and with what he suspected was the source of that fire, that something would be horrifically powerful and evil.

Cerrus

Are you putting the torch away? Are you passing it to someone else?

Ellaeaanda

As you listen for a full minute you realize that the frog noises seem to have a speech-like pattern to them.

Ardoinel

Just as suddenly as it started, the smoking ceases, although your skin sizzles and remains burning hot to the touch for a few moments longer.

"Do you often dream that you're on fire?" Netkin is still staring warily at the smoky wisps slowly rising from Ardoinel's skin. "What if you ever have one of those dreams where you walk outside and the entire town is there and you haven't put any clothes on?"

Ardoinel raises an eyebrow at Netkin's interesting question.

"To answer your first question, yes, I've had nightmares of fire and death all my life, sometimes ones so vivid they've sparked very real ones upon waking. And to answer your second question, usually in those dreams the people are running around screaming under the hail of fireballs and fail to notice my nudity."

“Dreams are the reality of another realm,” Ellaeaanda nods sagely when Ardoinel discusses his nightmares. “Bound by fate we are—by the fires of your mind, the shears of the norns, and the nudity of halflings.” She solemnly gazes past Netkin, referencing his query with as much portentousness as the dwarf’s dreams.

“Fortunate we are that the fates reply.” With a pulling gesture from her long, delicate fingers she draws forth another orb of orange light for herself. “Those beyond speak a tongue beyond my ken,” she adds in a non sequitur, looking at the door.

Ready for Cerrus to open the door and go first.

With the globe of light cast on him by Ellaeaanda, Cerrus extinguishes and returns the torch back to her. "Thank you for light. I believe this belongs to you anyway."

Answering the gesture from Ellaeaanda, Cerrus opens the door with tome and sword in hand, scanning the next room of this area.

As soon as you open the door, you see two humanoid frogs with clubs raised ready to attack.

Beyond them you see a broken bed frame, splintered drawers, and a smashed desk. The presence of greasy tents and mouldy piles of cloth reveal that the two creatures in front of you have been inhabiting this space for at least a few days.

Ardoinel’s Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Cerrus’ Initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Ellaeaanda’s Initiative: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
Netkin’s Initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Resa’s Initiative: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Cerrus, you can take your turn, followed by the enemies.

Having caught the frog-men unawares, Cerrus decides to move quickly into the room to allow the rest of the party space to get in melee range if needed. Then he rummages around in his bag of knickknacks to find a bauble that works well against reptilian skin before stabbing at the frog-man with his longsword.

"What strange creatures!"

◆ Stride
◆ Exploit Vulnerability
◆ Stride

Strike: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Piercing Dmg w/ Implement's Empowerment: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 2 = 9 Potentially more damage depending on Exploit Vulnerability's result.

Cerrus

Their physiognomy suggests to you that they are strong but probably not very nimble, however, there is nothing that stands out to you as a particular weakness. They have no weaknesses, so I’ll tell you that their lowest safe is Reflex

In spite of their lack of nimbleness, they are still fast enough to avoid your attack.

What did you pick for level 2?

Frog-person (Teal)

The creature looks at cerrus from a distance, takes some impulse, and launches its tongue towards him.

Before Cerrus can react, the tongue punches him in the chest, sticking to him. Cerrus, you are grabbed but can still move as long as you remain within 10ft of the frog-person.

Then, the creature rushes towards Cerrus and tries to wack him with the club.

But Cerrus is fully focused on the creature now, and he manages to deflect its attack.

AB: Strike*, Stride*, Strike*

Frog-person (green)

Seeing Cerrus moving around it, the frog turns to face him and swings his club twice at him.

The second frog takes full advantage of the hold on Cerrus, hitting him twice in a row with the club.

Not wishing to push its luck, it steps aside to a potentially better position.

AB: Strike*x2, Stride*

You can all take your turns. Alak rolled really low so he’ll go after everyone.

Having kept quiet for the most part outside of a small muttered"Thank you Netkin" Resa did not share in her companions good cheer. She had insulted some of them, and yet they still saved her. She needed to shake her fear, but every time she kept feeling as if a giant shadow was following her.

She was sure she had died, because all she had felt was darkness before they brought her back. She had always heard that one felt at peace, but she hadn't, instead it felt hot and painful, her shoulders itching after she got up. She needed to make sure that never happened again, that she was always prepared to defend herself, and her new friends. She had already failed them enough.

So when it came her turn, she moved behind one of the frogmen, and tried her best to stab it and leave an opening for her friends to move in and attack it.

Stridex2 then a stab
to hit: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Devise a stratagem: 1d20 ⇒ 19

With a detached air, Ellaeaanda calmly observes the growing battle for a few moments before fluidly nocking and releasing an arrow at the frog-person attacking Cerrus. Then she enters the room to support her allies, swapping out her bow for a weapon better suited for close quarters.

Attack = 19+8-2 (volley) = 25
Longbow Damage (P): 1d8 ⇒ 3 Strategic Strike: 1d6 ⇒ 6

◇Devise a Stratagem (free as an Active Lead)
◇Recall Knowledge (free from Known Weaknesses)
◇Expeditious Inspection (another free Recall Knowledge)
◆Strike (blue frog); Shared Stratagem makes Blue off-guard to Cerrus
◆Interact (swap bow for whip)
◆Stride
Whew! This is getting complicated!

Ardoinel follows Cerrus and Ellaeaanda into the room, and chants another spell, raising his shield as an arcane shimmer forms around it. And then readies his sword and the shimmer suffuses the rest of his body.

"Let them break upon our shields," he says grimly.

◆ Stride 20 ft.
◆ Cast a Spell: Shield.
◆ Enter Arcane Cascade Stance.

Resa

Nimbly moving between the wall and the frog, you dive into position, seeing a clear opening to drive your knife through the Frog-person’s rib cage. An attack which it does not see coming.

Ellaeaanda

Remembering the noises you heard from behind the door, and seeing their frog-like shapes in person, you remember stories about Boggards, terrifying creatures whose croaks can chill those around them to their core. Other than their Tongue Grab, which you already say in action, they have Terrifying Croak* they emit a terrifying sound that Frightens those nearby.

The answer to both your questions is very much the same, as apart from that they have basic attacks. Feel free to ask a second question or a follow up question, since both recall knowledge were successful.

Seeing every move the Boggard was going to make, you move your arrow into position and let it loose, getting a clear shot on your target.

Lots of free stuff for sure.

Ardoinel

As an ethereal shield that seems to be made with coal forms in front of you, ashes begin to form on it. You gather the ashes to you, making them flow around your body. You can feel their warmth sizzling against your skin.

I will wait for Netkin and Cerrus to take their turns.

It seems like graudalons and bloodthirsty birds are not the craziest things Netkin will see today. Now they had frogmen standing on two legs, pointing weapons at them.

Occultism: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Standing at the entrance of the room, he reaches for one of his Alchemist's Fires, takes careful aim, and throws the vial at the monster whose tongue has grabbed Ardoinel.

Range Attack (Blue Frog): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5 +1 Splash damage; +1 Persistent fire damage

Netkin

The flask bursts against the Boggard, spitting flames to those around it.

Cerrus, you take 1 point of damage from the alchemist’s fire.

Alak

Alak rushes into the room to join the fray. He swings his sword at the Boggard.

His sword slices through the Boggard, leaving a significant wound on the creature and showing what his Hellknight training can do.

Cerrus, you can take your turn. Don’t forget that Blue is off-guard against you thanks to Ellaeaanda.

Sensing the advantage that Ellaeaanda has provided, Cerrus continues to attack the frog-man nearest him, first attempting to intimidate the creature.

◆ Demoralize
◆ Strike
◆ Strike

Intimidation check to Demoralize: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Strike #1: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Piercing Dmg w/ Implement's Empowerment & Mortal Weakness: 1d8 + 3 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 2 + 4 = 15

Strike #2: 1d20 + 7 - 5 ⇒ (9) + 7 - 5 = 11
Piercing Dmg w/ Implement's Empowerment & Mortal Weakness: 1d8 + 3 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 + 4 = 11

Cerrus

The Boggard stares at you, blanked eye, as you attempt to intimidate it. To it, it comes across as the desperate moves of a fly stuck at the tip of its tongue.

But you are no fly, coating your sword in salt, you thrust your blade deep into the creature. It regrets not having taken you seriously.

is it +3+2+4, or +3+2+3? 3 from strength, 2 from Implement’s Empowerment, and 3 for Personal antithesis (2+(2*.5)) since the Boggard doesn’t have a weakness.

What did you take for level 2?

Boggard (Teal)

Deep from the creature’s throat comes a guttural croak that seems to come from the Abyss itself.

Ardoinel’s will save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Cerrus’ will save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Ellaeaanda’s will save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Netkin’s will save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Resa’s will save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Ardoinel and Alak are Frightened 1

Holding Cerrus tight, the Boggard pins him in place to strike at him with its club.

It hits Cerrus hard enough to take him down. I think 9 gets Cerrus down to 0, and into Dying 1.

Having fallen Cerrus, the creature retreats its tongue and launches it against Ellaeaanda.

The seer has no trouble seeing the attack coming, and avoids it with ease.

AB: Terrifying Croak*, Strike*x2

1 persistent fire damage. 1d20 ⇒ 10 And it is still on fire.

Boggard (Green)

In retaliation, the Boggard swings hard against Alak.

An attack the Hellknight fends with his sword before the Boggard jumps backwards while launching its tongue at its opponent.

But hit tongue glances against the armour of the knight, failing to stick to it.

AB: Strike*, Stride*, Strike*

You can all take your turns.

Follow-up RK question: Can you say how tough they are (aka hit points)? For example, how badly hurt is Blue?

Devise a Stratagem: 1d20 ⇒ 6

“Fear not the boggards’ croak,” Ellaeaanda tries to reassure her companions, even as the terrifying sound echoes around the room. "No other tricks have they." Her eyes seem to glaze over as she gazes ahead in time, sifting through branching possibilities. But she sees that her whip will struggle to penetrate the frogmen’s armor, so instead she cracks it in low sweeping arcs, aiming not to pierce but to entangle, wrapping the pliant weapon around the boggards’ legs and club.

◇Devise a Stratagem (free as an Active Lead)
◇Recall Knowledge (free from Known Weaknesses)
◆Trip Blue: 16 on Athletics from Assurance
◆Trip Green: 16 on Athletics from Assurance
◆Disarm Green: 16 on Athletics from Assurance

@Delta, you are correct about the damage. I forgot the 'half your level' part. Also, I believe Cerrus is still up with 2 HP remaining. 28 HP total. 17 damage from Round 1 and 9 damage from Round 2, equaling 26 HP.

Oh and Cerrus' aura from Marshal dedication gives a +1 status bonus to saving throws against fear. Not sure if that makes a difference for Ardoinel's or Alak's result.

"Why are they all so easily taken down?" Netkin mutters to himself.

He retrieves his healer's kit, and shimmies past Ellaeaanda to patch up Cerrus.

Interact, Stride, Battle Medicine

Crafting: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
HP: 2d8 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8

Ardoinel blanches at the sound of the croak.

"Frog demons?!" he wonders aloud as he keeps his shield up.

◆ Raise a Shield

Once Ellaeeanda reveals they're nothing so mystical, he regains his composure a bit and murmurs a spell.

"The fire will not burn you," he says, more to himself than anyone else. "It will only burn what you are not."

The flame roars up his blade as he brings it down on the boggard!

◆◆ Spellstrike (Ignition)

Spellstrike (Ignition + Force Arcane Cascade): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 211d8 + 3 + 1 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 + (1, 5) = 13

Ellaeaanda

With gracious movements, you manage to tangle your whip on the Boggards feet, bringing them both down. Then, as you recall your whip, you are able to hit the club from one of them, loosening their grip.

They are both Prone and Green has its weapon loose.

Cerrus

I think the emperor bird had dealt 6 damage as well.

+1 is, unfortunately, not quite enough for either Alak nor Ardoinel.

Thanks for the update on Level 2. Looking at my copy of Cerrus on Pathbuilder, it seems like I’m also missing your Ancestry Paragon feat from level 1.

Netkin

Unfortunately, it seems like Cerrus’ wounds are more dire than you had anticipated.

14 fails, and Cerrus is immune to battle medicine for the day.

Looking at Pathbuilder, you seem to have one more skill training available. I have, Arcana, Crafting, Deception, Diplomacy, Breachill, Hellknights, Politics, Medicine, and Occultism. Am I missing one?

Ardoinel

I have bad news, they are 10ft away, would you like to move instead of raising your shield?

Resa, you still have your turn. Cerrus, let me know if I’m wrong about the health. If I am, you can take your turn as well.

I speak Diabolic, can I understand what was said? Also, I didn't add sneak attack because I'm not sure if they have anything that prevents it if prone
to hit: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
to damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
to hit: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
to damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
to hit: 1d20 ⇒ 3
to damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Resa takes her time to swing three times at the creature, hoping that being on the ground will help her hit, and maybe she can strike vital spots more. The fact she keeps letting her friends call just proves she was the disappointment her father said she was. Who can't be a few frog creatures?

You're right, GM! I invested into Society.

Also, does Dex bonus counts into Initiative like PF1?

I have bad news, they are 10ft away, would you like to move instead of raising your shield?

*double-checks map*

*facepalms*

Yes, please. I mistook Alak for one of the boggards. >_<

Delta, you are correct. Cerrus took 6 HP from the birds and I can't find any healing in between fights. Pretty sure I had forgotten about that. That's my fault for not tracking more closely.

Cerrus is at 0 HP and Dying 1.

Recovery check: 1d20 ⇒ 10

Dying 2

Ellaeaanda

I am sorry, I forgot to reply to your recall knowledge checks.

Teal is critical, and green is badly wounded. (I’ll write my conventions for what that means on discussion)

Due to their physiognomy, you believe they probable live in either a tropical rainforest or a swamp. Some place with high humidity and dense vegetation similar to where the graudalons would live.

Resa

They were speaking, but it was not diabolic.

Unfortunately, it seems like you are at an uncomfortable angle to strike at the creatures on the ground. They roll from one side to the other and manage to evade your strikes.

Netkin

Dex doesn’t count for initiative, unless you are using a dex based skill for initiative, such as stealth. There is an initiative bonus some feats give that applies to initiative regardless of what you are rolling.

Ardoinel

I’ll assume teal since it was straight across, let me know if you wanted to hit green.

You imbue your sword with the flames and the ashes within you and strike at the already flaming Boggard. It bleeds, and it bursts as the flames engulf it from within.

Teal is down.

Cerrus

I had to double check myself how healing and leveling worked. I ended up going with what Pathbuilder does, you heal for however many max hitpoints you gain.

Alak

Alak appoaches the prone Boggard and takes full advantage of the situation.

Without hesitation, the Hellknight brings his blade down on the boggard's neck and severs it.

AB: Stride*, Vicious Swing**

Both Boggards are now down.

Everyone gets 80xp for the encounter.

"Filthy creatures," says Alak.

You can all take your turns. We can keep tracking rounds while someone is dying.

Damn! Thanks for correcting my mistake.

"Oh no. He's bleeding too much!" Netkin reaches for one of the two Elixir of Life he made in the morning, and pours it slowly down Cerrus' throat.

HP: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Since it doesn't seem to do much, he sacrifices his other one.

HP: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

And since Battle Medicine doesn't count as Treating Wounds...

"Few! That was quite close, here, friend! Here, let me patch you up..."

Crafting (Treat Wounds): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
HP: 2d8 ⇒ (6, 6) = 12

Cerrus gasps for air after Netkin pours the first potion into his mouth. "What happened? Oh, right. Those damn boggards hit hard." As Netkin reaches for another potion, Cerrus stops him. "Save that potion for another time. We can rest up and use mundane healing."

As Netkin continues to tend to his wounds, Cerrus thanks him. "Thanks for bringing me back. Sometimes I forget that I needn't run into the middle of combat all the time."

After being bandaged up, Cerrus will search the boggard room.

If Delta is good with the slight retcon to save a potion, Cerrus is at 15/28. Another round of treat wounds should have Cerrus at full.

Resa shudders, regretting the fact she was unable to finish the creatures off any sooner. She was happy to have no understood what they said though, because that might mean she was not as cursed as she thought after all. But with another door close by she would offer " While we were not quiet, I do not mind checking to ensure this door near Netkin is safe. Perhaps the cult is no longer here, if these creatures where?" She was trying to distract herself from the earlier events of her going down and her other friends going down as well. She had not been that close to death in a few weeks.

“Your flames are a gift,” Ellaeaanda says reassuringly to Ardoinel as one of the boggards slowly finishes burning. She calmly walks past a frantic Netkin treating a mortally wounded Cerrus—“He’ll live,” is her aloof diagnosis—and examines the ruined room a bit more closely.

Perception +9

“Like the graudalon, boggards thrive in jungles and swamps. Through the aiudara they must have travelled.” She nods at Resa’s offer. “Safe this room should be for rest, but certainty is best.”

If everyone could keep their current HP updated in their status line, that would help the healers know who needs treatment. Thanks!

Netkin wakes Cerrus up and dresses his wounds. I am okay with the retcon of the second elixir.

Even if the cult were no longer in the castle, it is clear that their actions made this a much more dangerous place.

The room seemed to be the private quarters of a higher-ranking member of the Hellknights. But is clear from the makeshift structures that the boggards were appropriating it for a longer stay. There is, however, nothing valuable left in the room. Although, something does catch Ellaeaanda’s attention. It is a mark painted on the pauldrons of the boggards, a dragon’s claw with smoke coming out of it. Perhaps the two cases in Ellaeaanda’s mind are, after all, the same case.

From my notes, Ardoinel, Cerrus and Resa are still damaged, with Ardoinel also being Wounded 1.

If nothing else is there, Resa will open the door to the south of the group, making sure to check before she goes into the room. She will tell back to the party anything she sees, but she does try to be sneaky as she goes in the room.

I think this roll is secret for the GM to do, so I'm not sure what all I need to do.

"Oh. Okay..." Netkin puts away his vial... a little sadly.

"Many things seem to have traveled here from the Mwangi Expanse. Mm. I hope there's nothing more dangerous than these broggards!"

“Dangers greater than these await,” Ellaeaanda responds calmly to Netkin, immediately dousing his hopes. “Purpose they have,” she directs the party’s attention to the insignia on the boggards’ pauldrons. “Smoke from your dream?” she turns and asks Ardoinel.

Noticing that his injuries have not yet fully recovered, she takes some time to treat his wounds, but they are currently beyond her skill.

Medicine (Treat Wounds on Ardoinel): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Resa

As you approach the door to peer in, you hear hushed voices on the other side. You open the door slightly, making sure the movement is slow enough to not attract attention, and look into the room. Unfortunately, creatures in the room had heard your fight with the boggards and were facing in your direction. You see them standing in the room, amoured and with their weapons ready. There is another boggard and two humanoid figures with the faces and feet of mandrils. Around them, broken mahogany and velvet seating litters the room, with the largest pieces being used to fashion crude shelters, and the door to the north right on the map being heavily barricaded with more debris. You shut the door immediately.

Netkin

It’s okay, the vial will probably see some use before the day is over.

Ellaeaanda

Yes, religion is right. While most followers use a falling, burning scale, you recognize the smouldering claw as a symbol of veneration to Dahak, the dragon god of greed, in his aspect as god of destruction.

Everyone

You hear the club from the boggard clashing against the door. It rattles and starts to splinter. There is second door in the little hallway connecting the two rooms. Basically one door on each side of Resa, with the one near room B7 being closed and the one near room B6 being open.