Age of Ashes (Team Dahak)

Game Master Delta Arena

Mosquito rushes into the corridor only to find an empty stone wall ahead of him.

Markus uses his knowledge of architecture and engineering to figure out if there is a secret entrance here.

Lore architecture: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Lore engineering: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

When Markus arrives, the goblin is seen rubbing his nose from the ground....

Markus does notice that one of the stones is not actually cemented into place. The stone has actually been cut flat right behind the surface and used to camouflage a door handle. The door itself is heavy, incrusted as it is with the stones hiding it, but it is unlocked.

Markus points the door to the others and says "Well, this is ominous. I'm very curious, but given everything we've witnessed here so far, I don't want my nose to be the first thing through the door. Here, Cranky, do you smell something?"

Cranky will sniff the door and report what he thinks.

"I smell the rot of undead. Two of them. It sounds like they are lightly armoured. They might be armed as well."

Markus pets Cranky on the head, then looks at the others, knowing they will want to deal with this somehow. He gets his pins ready for his spell throwing them.

What are your positions going in? I have made an outline for you to place yourselves.

Mosquito (apparently pouting on the floor) watches Markus begin Searching the mean wall that punched the goblin in his nose for no reason. When the Wizard explains about there being a hidden door there, the goblin shakes his fist at the mean wall, before scrabbling to his feet, brushes his shoulders off and prepares to press forward through that stupid mean wall....

Exploration mode Defend

Vrosi and Mosquito are eager for action, Mosquito raising his shield and Vrosi bursting the door open.

Six looming, raised daises stretch from east to west inside the chamber, each bearing a massive stone coffin with a carving of a fully armed and armored Hellknight lying in stately repose. Two of the coffins loom ominously open, and two undead stand on either side of the room; each of them is holding a halberd.

The east wall bears a complex series of inscriptions composed of faintly glowing pale blue runes.

Markus and Mosquito, you can take your turns before the enemies.

I kinda hate that Kinetic Ram doesn't have a rule to deal more damage when pushing a creature into a wall. That'd be cool.

Markus starts with trying to identify these undead. Then, he focuses his energy to push the red undead away from the group.

Recall knowledge then Kinetic ram on Red. DC 18

Recall knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Kiilo enters the room and lashes out with Esivra's divine energy. He is clearly more digusted by the undead than he is by Hellknights.

Vitality Lash: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 2) = 8 (Basic FORT save)

Mosquito Raises his Shield. The smiling Swashbuckler dashes into the spooky chamber! He then Tumble Through the bony legs of the Yellow skeleton!
Acrobatics(T) Ref DC ?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Brilliant Burnis! Mees bees da Flanks!

Markus

It would make a lot of sense if it did

These are wights, undead fuelled by spite and bound to their weapon of choice.

Are you moving into line of sight, using recall knowledge, and then using one action for kinetic ram?

Kiilo

From your position, I’m assuming your target is red?

Mosquito

The wight is, in fact, too slow for Mosquito, and the goblin easily slides under the undead’s legs. The bones of the wight crack as it turns to look at Mosquito.

I was hoping for a double action on the ram. But if I don't have LoS, sure, I'll use 1 action. But I'll be very squeezed in a corner, nearly hunkering down.

Markus

The sudden force of the kinetic energy sends the wight flying backwards and against the wall. The creature tumbles after the impact and falls to the ground.

Due to the wall, I ignored the normal critical effect and added the knock down from the 2-action version

Kiilo

Taking advantage of the enemy on the ground, Kiilo unleashes vital energy that disperses the void that holds the wight together, the creature wriggles on the ground.

Yellow Wight

The wight turns towards Mosquito and stares into his eyes. Mosquito sees the barrel dry up and the music stop playing in the infinite void on the wight’s eye sockets.

Mosquito is Frightened 1

Seeing, the shock in the goblin’s eyes, the wight swings its halberd twice. Both swings find their mark on the goblin. Mosquito can feel the corruption of the void encroaching on his wounds, but the blessing of Cayden keeps it at bay.

Mosquito takes 12 and 7 slashing damage for a total of 19 slashing damage

AB: Demoralize*, Strike*x2 (Plus Corrupting Spite)

Red Wight

Slowly, the wight picks itself up from the ground and walks towards Kiilo with its weapon raised. It brings the heavy halberd down against the bard. The strix is fast to react and is able to dodge the incoming blade.

AB: Stand*, Stride*, Strike*

You can all take your turns

P.S. Kiilo took an extra turn so Alak is not taking one

Markus throws his magical darts at the yellow wight fighting our favorite cleric.

Needle darts: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Damage: 3d4 ⇒ (3, 2, 1) = 6

He then raises his glass shield.

Vrosi begins raging.

"Brilliant Burnis hear Misquoto!"

◆ Vrosi gets his mikazuki in hand

◆ Vrosi moves into the flanking position.

◆ Strike with mikazuki: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26for: 1d6 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 3 = 9

Mosquito squirts a fart out at the pure mean face being presented by the ghoul! The goblin smiles weakly.
Anybodys bees goats sum Bounty?

Before the embarrassed goblin can clean up a bit, the ghoul bites him!
Ouch! Mees tinks Dat Mees bees needs more Bounty!

Seeing that those rotten teeth were coming for more, the Cleric--Reacts--quickly to Shield Block some of them teeths!
Physical Resistance 5, so -2hp each

Shaking in his soiled spiderman underroos, Raising his Shield, Mosquito decides to let out a Satisfied Cayden Cailian approved Fart!
Heal(1) 2-Actions, CA: 1d8 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 1 = 11

Markus

Unfortunately for the wizard, the darts are unable to pierce through the wight’s armour where they hit.

Vrosi

The orc rushes into position and hits the wight straight on the head. Something underneath the surface makes a cracking sound.

Mosquito

The cleric clearly has some good reflexes, as he manages to prevent the second attack from ripping part of his flesh.

I am unsure who the target for your Heal spell is.

Kiilo, you still have your turn.

Red is slightly injured, Yellow is moderately injured

Apologies, the Wight that clobbered mosquito.

Just didn't want to act out of sepquence again and was waiting to know it was my turn, sorry

Kiilo again summons the clear skies of Easivra to down the Orange wight

Vitality Lash: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7 (Basic FORT save)

All good

Both of the wights are assailed by the divine vitality energy of Cayden and Easivra, draining them of their unlife.

Yellow

The wight screeches at Vrosi, dislocating its jaw. The putrid smell along with the distorted sound and the crack of the jaw get on Vrosi’s nerves. Vrosi is Frightened 1

It swings it’s halberd wide, trying to hit Vrosi and Mosquito in a half crescent sweep. Both the orc and the goblin move out of the wide, for the polearm to pass harmlessly in front of them.

AB: Demoralize*, Strike*x2

Red

The second wight screeches at Kiilo before advancing on him and swinging its halberd. Something about the depth of the eye sockets and the darkness of the gaping mouth makes Kiilo’s feathers crawl. Kiilo is Frightened 1

The weight of the blade is significant, and it leaves a deep would on the strix. Kiilo takes 12 slashing damage Shadows dance around the wound, but the light of Easivra pushes them away.

AB: Demoralize*, Stride*, Strike*

Alak

Alak rushes past Cranky and Markus, raising his greatsword. Swinging with his whole body he swings to split the wight in two. Unfortunately, he miscalculates his swings and it hits one of the sepulchres, protecting the wight.

AB: Stride*, Vicious Swing**

Yellow is badly Injured, Red is moderately Injured.

You can all take your turns

Markus continues his attacks with the needles.

Needle darts at yellow, then glass shield.

Needle darts: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Damage: 3d4 ⇒ (4, 3, 2) = 9

Isn't this nice...

◆ Strike with mikazuki, Frightened 1: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 7 - 1 = 20for: 1d6 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 3 = 9

◆ Strike with mikazuki, Frightened 1: 1d20 + 7 - 1 - 5 ⇒ (3) + 7 - 1 - 5 = 4for: 1d6 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 3 = 11

◆ Strike with mikazuki, Frightened 1: 1d20 + 7 - 1 - 10 ⇒ (12) + 7 - 1 - 10 = 8for: 1d6 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 3 = 8

Mosquito frowns at the bullies beating their Bard! The Cleric Raises his Shield, Strides to help him and Strikes!
Melee(T) Rapier: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 201d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 Traits P Deadly d8 Disarm Finesse

The reek of undeath makes Kiilo sick i addition to being scared, but he digs deep to call the power of his god. If these abominations could think, they would flee.

Vitality Lash: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 4) = 7 (Basic FORT save)

Markus

Unfortunately, the needles fly around the wight, missing it once more.

Vrosi

Vrosi takes advantage of the opening as the wight regains its balance after swinging the halberd. The sound of the mikazuki hitting its target is once again accompanied by the sounds of bones breaking under the rotten skin.

Mosquito

Mosquito leaps across, over the sepulchres, and stabs at the wight with his rapier, leaving a nasty hole in it.

Kiilo

Shadows flicker out of the wight, before they are replenished by more shadows coming from its halberd.

Would you like to do anything with your last Action? Vitality Lash is only 2

Yellow is critically injured, while Red is moderately injured.

The rustling of Kiilo's wings is palpable, and then his feathers of force fly out at 'yellow'

F-Barrage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Kiilo

The wight tries to evade the incoming feather, but it homes in on it. It follows its every more, and clashes against it, threatening to bring it down.

Yellow

The wight swings its blade at Vrosi, putting all its weight behind. The halberd cleaves through the armour, and into the orc’s flesh. It was a crit dealing 18 slashing damage

The wight fixates on Vrosi, and screeches to his face. But Vrosi’s mind is in his wound, and he ignores the wight’s attempts to intimidate him.

Once again, the wight swings its blade, but this time Vrosi’s instincts manage to keep him save, dodging out of the way of the blade.

AB: Strike*, Demoralize*, Strike*

Red

Surrounded, the wight swings its blade in a semi-circle around itself. The move is too wide, and it’s easy to ready. Mosquito, Kiilo and Alak all the incoming attack long before it passes by them, and they get out of the way in time.

AB: Strike*x3

Alak

Alak retaliates with his greatsword, aiming at the creature’s neck. Once again, he miscalculates his attack, and it hits on the stonework besides him.

AB: Vicious Swing**, Strike*

Damage summary: Vrosi takes 18 slashing damage

Red is moderately injured, and yellow is critically injured.

You can all take your turns again.

Markus shoots his needles again before putting his glass shield up.

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Damage: 3d4 ⇒ (3, 4, 2) = 9

Vrosi and Yellow go toe to toe:

Grapple Yellow vs. Fort DC: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Strike with mikazuki: 1d20 + 7 - 5 ⇒ (5) + 7 - 5 = 7

Strike with mikazuki: 1d20 + 7 - 10 ⇒ (14) + 7 - 10 = 11

Mosquito points at Brilliant Burnis!
Heal(1): 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

The Swashbuckler then Strikes!
Melee(T) Rapier, CA, flank: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 = 91d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 = 10 Traits P Deadly d8 Disarm Finesse

Wees gits sum on da ropes!

The Cleric of Cayden Cailian prays for a Hero Point!
Hero Point! Melee(T) Rapier, CA, flank: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 1 = 251d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 = 10 Traits P Deadly d8 Disarm Finesse

Crit from Flank? Deadly: 1d8 ⇒ 2

Mosquito smiles!

Kiilo goes for it, Lashing at Red and Barraging at Yellow

Vitality Lash: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 4) = 10 (Basic FORT save)
F-Barrage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

ooooooohhhhhhh I hope some creatures are dead

Markus

The needles go straight for the target, piercing in between its armour before the magic dissipates.

I dealt the damage to red

Vrosi

Vrosi doesn’t expect the wight to block his attacks and his attempts to pin it down, but the undead is surprisingly fast and sturdy in defending itself.

Mosquito

Oh, blessings. Blessings of Cayden Cailean for Mosquito and his party of brave adventurers. Vrosi is healed, and the wight is pierced. But will that be enough to make it through?

Kiilo

It nearly is enough, but the darkness around the wight protects it from having the void energy in it sucked out by Easivra’s energy. But the other wight is not so lucky, as energy feathers fly off against it and finish it off. The wight moves erratically as the void energy keeping it together fails. Using the last of its energy, the wight brings its halberd down on Vrosi, who doesn’t see it coming due to the erratic movements, taking a direct hit from the polearm. Vrosi takes 11 slashing damage The wight then collapses to the ground, unmoving. A pale corpse decomposing. One of the glowing runes on the wall disappears.

AB: Final Spite®

Red

Red screeches at Alak, who flinches at the unnerving sound and the depths of despair coming from the wight. Alak is Frightened 1 With it’s prey backing up with fear, the wight pushes its advantage, striking with its halberd twice and leaving one deep scar on the hellknight. Alak takes 12 slashing damage

AB: Demoralize*, Strike*x2

Alak

The pain awakens the hellknights training, and he immediately retaliates with a powerful swing. The blow slices cleaning through the wight, splitting it in two across the waist. the wight takes 26 slashing damage But the void keeps the top half of the wight moving as it dies, and it swings again in an attempt to bring the hellknight down with it. Once again, the hellknight is struck by the blade of the undead. Alak takes 11 slashing damage

AB: Vicious Swing**

AB: Final Spite®

Both wights are down

The wights remain unmoving, a second glowing rune on the wall disappears, and, shortly after, so do all the remaining runes. The necromantic aura of the place goes away along with them.

And with the necromantic ward gone, you all go up to level 3!

Woot! Awesome!

Markus catches the darts that fly back to his hands and puts them away. He says "Phew! Whoever put these wards up was really trying to haunt this place. I didn't know Hellknights employed necromancers with such resolve." He calls Cranky to his lap and strokes his head.

He turns to Alak and says "I don't believe you've met Cranky. He's my friend. Don't be scared if he talks to you, he can do that. But you are nice to him, he'll let you pet him too." He, then, offers a smile to the hellknight. The lifting of the necromantic aura has put the mage in a good mood.

Yayyy!

There was a LOT of damage handed out in that last post. Can we go upstairs for a minute and get everyone healed (and Kiilo's spells back) ?

Mosquito begins dancing about the place!
Wees bees da Heroes!

The Swashbuckler grins at the Hellknight.
Tolds ya!

The Cleric then Searches the place.

Mosquito yawns
Wees shoulda go outside ta eats, drinks, talks and naps now.

Markus agrees about resting.

Once outside enjoying the company of the Bumblebashers, telling stories (some embellishments applied), Mosquito is also seen working out.
Wees needs ta level!

Markus

Nice to meet you Cranky, the hellknight says. [/ooc] As for employing necromancers, that’s because we don’t do it anymore. The order of the Nail abandoned necromantic wards decades ago. But if the ward was active, it means someone outside the order used necromancy in here.[/b]

Mosquito

”Aye, so you did. Your tactics are reckless, but you did overcome the undead guarding this place.”

~~~

The bumblebrashers join you in celebration, they are eager to take over the south wing of the citadel’s basement now that it’s rid of undead.

Towards the end of the night, Alak approaches you to inquire if you still require assistance, now that the undead ward has been deactivated.

Discussing dismissing Alak in the Discussion thread.

Markus replies to Alak clearly worried "How long ago was that? I mean, that they stopped using necromancy? Do you mean to say there is still an unaccounted necromancer around here?"
He stops to think a bit to remember if he ever read about the duration of such wards.

Rolling +8 because this is before we level up I assume?

Recall Knowledge arcana: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

"It has been about fifty years since. As to whether there is an unaccounted necromancer, there most likely is. But they wouldn't be a part of the order, or the ward would have recognize that."

Markus takes some time remembering the runes. There seems to be no ending clause to the ward, other than it being dismissed. The undead awaken to protect the crypts could have roaming for five decades, or five days.

Markus realizes that he won't learn much from this. He finally says "Oh well. Won't do us much good to dwell on this."

Markus realizes that he won't learn much from this. He finally says "Oh well. Won't do us much good to dwell on this."

"No, it is unlikely that it will; we just need to face whatever is in front of us, and thank Alak for his help."

”I owe you an apology, all of you. I judge you too rashly upon meeting you, but you are doing what the order should be doing. You are quelling the savagery that has crept into the citadel. You are bringing order back to a place fallen to decay. Citadel Altaerein is better off with you fighting to reclaim it from the creatures that have taken over. I wish you the best in your endeavour to cleanse this place, and track down whomever triggered the ward.”

Markus bows his head slightly at Alak as he takes his leave.

Finally the mage says "If everyone's ready, let's finish cleaning up the basement. Alak said we should reclaim this citadel and I think he's right. We could even make it livable if we like!"

Of course, Markus is already thinking about how he can rearrange the structure and decoration to make it pleasant to live. Although he had to study magic, architecture is really his heart's desire. He promises to give as much honor to Shelyn if they ever choose to work on the building.

Mosquito jumps up excitedly!
Wees gits ta keeps da castles!

The goblin begins dreaming of how his crown will look....