At the Foothills of Leng - GM Assembler's Rise of the Runelords

Game Master DM DoctorEvil

Cathedral of Wrath - Round 8

Inspire Courage active +1 to attacks, dmg, and saves vs Fear

17 Zorlen (8/16hp remain)
16 Quasit (25hp dmg; grappled; prone)
12 Izzy
21 Garen (14/22hp remain)
16 Tot (12/21hp remain)
27 Ari (7/15hp remain, grappled, prone)
9 Grod (12/18hp dmg; divine fervor 6 rounds)

With his only remaining spell attack inactivated by the demons' resistances to acid, Zorlen settles into a support role. He moves up to touch the prone Ari, casting a transmutation spell that makes the grappling hero more agile, giving him even more leverage on the held quasit.

After being summoned here from some other plane, the droopy dretch zaps back out of existence, returned to whatever abyssal pit it came from.

Down her only ally, the quasit growls again, and casts on Ari, who is holding her down. The command to "Let Go" resounds in Ari's brain, though he tries to fight it. She does recover mildly from her prior damage as well.

Ari needs a DC13 Will or release the grapple. Zorlen casts cat's grace on Ari. Gives him +4 to DEX and more importantly, +2 to CMB and CMD for 2 minutes.

If the quasit is pinned and considered helpless then Garen does a coup de grace to get rid of it. Otherwise, he attacks again to finish it off.

Garen tries to finish the demon off.

falcata, inspire, smite: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 1 + 3 = 181d8 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 + 2 = 10

crit dmg if coup de grace: 2d8 + 6 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (4, 6) + 6 + 2 + 4 = 22

With the demon gone and hearing what sounds like a spell coming out of the quasit's mouth, Tot sheathes her sword and moves to where she can get at the little demon.

So if Ari beats the spell, this will be an Aid Another roll. If he fails, this will be a grapple attempt on the Quasit.

Grapple vs. Quasit: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Ari, please don't fail that Will save.

Ari hears the command and almost laughs. Then he feels the magic of the command….

will save dc13: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

He only struggles with it for a moment though, then screams, ”No! Time for you to die! Kill it. It’s a demon! We can’t let it get loose!”

Woo!

"Drown it! Get it in the water," Tot says as she helps Ari keep hold of the thing.

+2 to Ari's CMB to grapple, I believe, with Tot's previous roll.

Worried about hitting Ari, Grod instead channels some of Gorum's blessing and gives it to Ari.

War Mind (minor): At 1st level, you can touch an ally and grant it a tactical advantage for 1 minute. At the start of its turn each round, it can select one of the following bonuses: +10 feet to base land speed, +1 dodge bonus to AC, +1 insight bonus on attack rolls, or a +1 luck bonus on saving throws. Each bonus selected lasts for 1 round.

Mechanically, I don't think "hitting your friend instead of the target" or "killing the target and your friend eating the extra damage" is a thing, but I just can't get my head around how I could hit the Quasit with a greataxe or an arrow from my hornbow and not risk Ari's safety. So I'll do this instead.

CMB to put the thing underwater?: 1d20 + 6 + 5 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 5 + 2 + 2 = 33

Izzy tries to use her rapier to help Garen's blow...

If Aid another is allowed? to hit AC 10 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Ari struggles with the quasit, but eventually gets up off the ground, and forces the demon into the shallow pool. Just as the sputtering splashing fight is going on, Izzy jumps into the pool also, and holds up the head of the demon, exposing the tiny neck, and Garen drives his falcata right into that sensitive spot, bursting the neck vessels, and killing the creature in one more holy smite.

End of Combat

Well that went better than I expected! Just took a little tactical teamwork! Garen's attack would not have hit with the aid from Izzy, so it was a true group effort!

"We killed a demon! We killed a demon! It was all 'hiss' and 'you pathetic mortals' and Ari was like 'rarr let's wrasssle with darker powers' and so HEROIC...and Tot was like 'Baptize it' and the rest of us were pew pew and whomp and then Garen was all 'Godly SMITE' and I was like 'go for the head go for the head' and the demon was like 'noooo my evilness what a world what a world' and DEAD back to the bad place!" The gnome is ecstatic, her body trembling with fear turned to victory.

Ari drags the body of the creature out of the water and examines it. He makes certain that it isn't healing anymore, then casts detect magic and searches it.

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11 LOL! And so endeth my good rolls. At least I had them when they really counted!!!

"Ouch! And I hope I never have to do anything that stupid again! If I had lost my grip I'm sure that thing would've gladly killed me as it escaped my grasp."

He shakes his head. "If you write a song or story about it, you can leave that comment off. But don't make me sound like a hero. I was just worried about my home and family."

At this, Izzy rolls her eyes, "Humility about it just makes you MORE heroic, Erridon! OOh it's like none of you have proper training the adventure epic narrative. What did you all do with your lives? Learn PRACTICAL stuff? Blah. And you did it to keep your home and family safe? DOUBLE Heroic! You are 'Erridon Demonbinder' now, at least in some stories that are coming." Her eyes light up "Ooo, Demonbinder...I DO like that. Provocative, technically true... will look good on a theatrical broadsheet."

Ari shakes his head and quietly sings the words to a song of healing.

Casting Cure Light Wounds on himself.

1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

An 18 wasn't going to hit a held target?

"I apologize to all of you. Something in that spell of hers caused me to lose my mind. Hopefully, that will never happen again." Garen says bowing his head to everyone. Then he turns to look over the room and what remains. "Someone with detect magic check that little demon. I'm sure she has items we can use to aid our cause."

Perception as he checks the room: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

If I need to specify where I am checking it will be around the altar part at the top.

"It's okay, Garen... the big part of the story is that finishing blow you pulled off!" Izzy hums and casts detect magic on the quasit and around the area.

Ari already did that.

After it's clear the fight is over and Ari isn't in danger of falling over dead, Tot goes around picking up her dropped weapons and shield. She doesn't meet anyone's gaze, especially after Garen apologizes for what happened. She recalls what she said, and feels her cheeks heat as she wonders how she's going to gather the courage to apologize to him, or anyone for that matter, after how she fared in that fight.

As she wrestles with her inner thoughts, she tries to make herself useful by looking around for any secret caches or hidden doorways.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12 And does that about as well as Garen did. :P

Grod chants one of Gorum's victory hymns. It's more marching cadence than high art. Certainly not going to chart on the billboard in any town with a resident bard.

Grod's humming gets a hearty thumb's up from the resident bard! She wants to be supportive.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

She looks over at Tot, "You could use some healing, and you're a bit shaken there, Tot. Don't worry, we were all scared. Gnomes are just wired funny. We get scared, of course, badly, but afterwards some of us treasure the experience. Makes us seem braver than we are."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Ari hears Izzy and looks at Tot. His face turns beet red and he moves to her, putting an arm around her shoulders. (If she lets him) "I'm so sorry Tot. Here I was healing my wound, that Izzy had already started, and I didn't even notice how badly you are hurt. I've got a little bit of magic left. Let me help." He sings a few arcane words and positive energy flows to Tot.

CLW: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

He glances around at the group. "I've only got one spell left. Is anyone else hurt? If not I'll use that on Tot as well?"

”By the looks of it, we’re all pretty worn. I’ll heal my own wounds for now.” Garen says and uses his new found divine power to heal himself as he looks about.

1d6 ⇒ 1

1d6 ⇒ 3

Grod's humming gets a hearty thumb's up from the resident bard! She wants to be supportive.

Sense Motive: 1d20+10

She looks over at Tot, "You could use some healing, and you're a bit shaken there, Tot. Don't worry, we were all scared. Gnomes are just wired funny. We get scared, of course, badly, but afterwards some of us treasure the experience. Makes us seem braver than we are."

"To be frightened is natural. What makes the warrior is the ability to overcome fear and still act." Grod says, stepping up next to Izzy. "I also have some healing magic remaining. But given our state, it might be best to shut and bar those doors and rest here for a time."

Ari hears Grod and looks around. "This place just feels evil. I agree about locking the doors. But if we're going to take time to recover spells and such I'd rather do it above ground. It's not like we're days away or anything like that. And I'd like to talk with my parents. This place has tested me, and I'm a bit confused."

Ari would like to gather up anything of value and go back out of here. Return after resting. There is a lot of the map that we haven't explored yet!

"I would like to push on but I don't use spells and we did all take a beating. It makes sense but it still galls me to have to leave again. Perhaps we could stay in the glassworks above this time so we can get straight back at it when we are ready."

Ari considers Garen’s statement. It was a good point. ”You’re right. We shouldn’t completely leave. Someone or some thing could come or go. Maybe we should rest in the glassworks, close to the tunnel down here. Guard it so nothing can enter or leave without us knowing about it?” He thinks a moment. They hadn’t been down here long. Was it still morning? ”I don’t know for sure, but I think it’s still morning. Let’s go and check. If it is, I would still like to check in with my family. And maybe the body of the demon could be taken to the church? There may be some ritual that should be done to be sure that it’s gone for good. ??”

This is why we need a wand of CLW! I know the demon is dead and gone. But I don’t know that Ari would ‘know’ it. And after that battle he would want to be certain.

"Let's do it then." Garen says stepping down to grab the demon unless someone else already has the thing. Then, demon in hand, he strides out.

Tot tenses for a moment as Ari puts an arm around her shoulders, but it passes and she lets him pull her in close. Tears born of frustration well up in her eyes as he heals her. Feeling utterly foolish and useless after it seems that everyone has seen through the facade she had tried to put up, she meekly follows Ari's and Garen's lead as they make plans for staying in the Glassworks. As they walk out of the catacombs, she replays what Grod said when Izzy had piped up about how she looked shaken.

What would he say if he knew I was a deserter, she wonders. Maybe he already suspects. Garen was overcome by magic, and he still charged back into the fray. Grod's such a hearty soul that I doubt anything could shake him. Izzy's, well, Izzy. She can't help smiling a little as she remembers some of the gnome's antics in the brief time they have known each other. The smile vanishes like water on hot stones as her thoughts move to Ari, though.

And what about him? He was hurt badly because I failed. Ari is naive, but that doesn't make him stupid. He's bound to realize-- The thought trails off as she remembers all of the things her parents and her siblings, especially her older brother, had called her or said of her over the years. She huddles close to Ari as their voices echo in her head with one word ringing out above all of the others.

"I'm sorry," she says in a voice that's much quieter than even her normal softness. I'm a failure."

perception to hear Tot: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Hearing Tot’s whisper Ari squeezes her with the arm he has around her shoulders, pretty much a one-armed hug…. ”Sorry? For what? We won! I didn’t trip because you led me. I saw the lip that tripped you and leaped over it. I grabbed the wings of the demon and just hung on.” He stops for a moment, letting his arm relax but not actually releasing her. ”Can you keep a secret? I was scared…. No. I was terrified! But not of the demon, or dying. I was sure that I was going to fail. I remembered what I knew about that thing. I kept thinking of it like it was just a little monster, like a goblin, but even smaller. But it was pure evil. It’s probably been alive for thousands of years, and probably trapped here for…. I can’t even guess how long. And it survived, trapped here all that time! And with all that, I was terrified that I was going to release that monster on Sandpoint. It tried to just struggle and break free, and almost did. I almost failed to hold it. But in the end I just held my grip, my grip of terror. Then it tried magic. She used a magic command, ordering me to release her. I froze for a moment and almost did it!”

His arm tenses up again, but then relaxes again. ”Even with my ‘success’, all I did was hold her. If Garen hadn’t been there to smite her…. it would have been for nothing. And I would be dead, and it would be loose. On Sandpoint, and the world! You did your part. You’re strong. All I did was get lucky, and hold on!”

The tiny, now dead, quasit does have a bit of loot on her form. First, there is a tiny curved dagger, which radiates as magical. As you grab it, it magical resizes to your hand, is at normal size again.

Additionally, there is a sparkling silver and diadem tiara, a tiny-sized black silk gown that seems very expensive, and a obsidian unholy symbol showing a monstrous silhouette, that is clearly that of the Mother of Monsters, Lamashtu.

The pool at the top tier of this room also detects as magical, but seems to be dormant, at least for now.

The dagger is the only magical item present. I will allow enchanted items to magically change size to fit the wielder as needed.

Identify on the dagger and Appraise checks on the art items, if you wish to know (or estimate the value).

"Ooo, magic dagger. Who wants?" She asks as she looks over the non magical but intriguing stuff.

Appraise Tiara 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Appraise tiny black silk gown 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Appraise Unholy Symbol Lamashtu symbol 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Zorlen looks at the item for several moments, even granting himself a temporary bonus to his spell knowledge, but after examining, he sighs and hands it back to Isidiana.

"I am just not as familiar with weapons and their properties, I suppose. If it were a potion or a scroll, I am confident I could tell you its features, but this weapon eludes me."

Zorlen Spellcraft: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

Ari takes the dagger, curious about how it adjusted to his size. He is surprised that his friend couldn’t identify it, but maybe? He casts detect magic and studies the aura….

spellcraft: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12. He fails as well.

”I can’t tell either. But I plan to focus on my rapier. Eventually I might even get good with it….”