Erhart deGrey's page

Any reason for the slow posts?

"We stay for no more than half an hour. Make sure your loads are secure and rest while you can."

Erhart climbs out of his seat but does not yet join the group in relaxation. Instead he starts to check the carts and horses for any damage that occurred during the chase.

Erhart lets out a low sigh of relief and leans back into his seat. He speaks to the driver once they have made some distance into the clearing.

"I think the men have earned a reprieve, don't you? We should pull off here and take a moment to collect ourselves and ensure that the carts haven't suffered too terribly."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

"I am. Or would you rather try your luck against the spreading flames and goblins?"

As the carts grind to a halt Erhart struggles to hold on in the passengers seat. With threats pressing in from behind, side, and now front their situation was growing increasingly dire. He stands and draws his longsword, readying for a fight.

"Markus! Rali! Ensure that those creature come no closer!"

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

As his preternatural senses drive away the forests gloom, Erhart gets a clear view of the massive beast blocking their path:

Will Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

His eyes narrow though his gaze does not waiver. He speaks firmly to the man beside him: "Likely it is a trick of the forest, no more harmful than a strong breeze. Now get the convoy moving again driver, lest we fall victim to the horde."

Handle Animal: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

"Make haste driver, it has been long since I've handled such beasts and it is proving rather...difficult."

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Gripping tightly to the cart Erhart does his best to take stock of the situation. Despite the jostling he manages to pull himself towards the front where he takes a seat next to the driver.

"Calm yourself man and focus on your beast; should we crash now all those behind would follow suit. Slow a bit if you can. The runts may be trying to drive us into another group ahead."

Erhart does his best to exude an air of calm confidence. Any more panic now would only serve to further frighten the poor creature.

Handle Animal: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

"A curious silence given how lush the foliage seems to be."

I'll ride in the front cart.

Erhart gets up from the table:

"Very well, if that is all I will begin making preparations."

I want to spend my time meeting the caravan drivers and checking over the carts and supplies before tomorrow.

You can also hit the "preview" button and you will see the results of any die rolls without having to post.

"It matters not what danger there is. You will have your caravan guards Siegfried of Falk. When will we leave?"

Erhart listens silently and passes the letter off to the others once he has finished reading it. Once Siegfried is done he speaks up:

"What of the refugees? You say you will take them in but also that you have no room. Do you plan to put these supplies towards an expansion of your settlement?"

Erhart exchanges a brief handshake with Rali.

"I apologize for any delay on my part. I am Sir Erhart deGrey of Ravormfeld and Champion of Souna the Virtous. I hope you are well Rali and...cooper."

You could always ask. I don't really have any reason to keep it a secret after all.

I do have a holy symbol I wear as part of my paladin kit. DC to identify is probably 20 looking at the skill write up.

Erhart sits down with the others

"Very well, let us make haste."

Erhart simply scoffs as the wave of heat washes over him. "To serve is to do the bidding of your master, whatever it may be. Anything less besmirches the nature of duty."

He turns with open arms and shouts into the darkness surrounding him, a look of defiance worn proudly on his face. He vents his furstrations to whatever unseen observers there may be. He will not have his station questioned.

"I am Sir Erhart deGrey of Ravormfeld! I am the champion of Souna the Virtuous! The light called for a savior and I responded! The world cried for a warrior and look, I have arisen! Would you deny my calling!? Would you neglect the decision made by my Master!? What say you!?"

He gathers the contents of the chest as well as the holy text and a small wooden holy symbol that he puts on. Finally he picks up the chain, still faintly warm with holy power, and wraps it up the length of his arm as symbol of his fealty.

He returns to the altar once everything has been sorted out and resumes his prayer for guidance. Resting on one knee he simply says: "What would you have of me then, my Lady?" hoping to feel the comforting presence one last time before he would leave the shrine.

Round 2

Now that the skeleton is within reach Erhart draws his own blade and attacks, using a two-handed stance to get the most out of the blow.

Move Action to draw Longsword

Standard Action Attack vs Olaf's Skeleton

Longsword Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

The abomination blocks the attack with its improvised shield. It tries to take that opportunuity to retreat, putting some much needed distance between itself and the paladin. However, it leaves itself open to another attack from Erhart.

AoO vs Olaf's Skeleton

Longsword Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

Longsword Damage: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

This time he connects as a supernatural precision guides his strike. "Stand and fight, coward" he growls.

Round 1 Actions

Erhart takes to his duty with heavy heart when turning to face the former paladin. Though Olaf ultimately chose his own fate this still seemed an unfortunate turn of events. Regardless, the abomination now standing before him is just that.

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

He makes a deceleration of intent to the creature before the coming clash: "If I live, I will kill you. If I die, you are forgiven. Such is the rule of honor."

Swift Action to activate Smite Evil

Initiative: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (18) - 2 = 16

Erhart bounds across the room towards the skeleton, quickly closing the distance between them. Utilizing his full momentum he throws himself at it in a brutal full-body blow.

Full-Action Charge vs Olaf's Skeleton

Activating Power Attack
Slam Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Slam Damage: 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

"This structure has been abandoned for nearly a century, the fact that it still stands at all is blessing enough. Keep that in mind."

Laying his pack to the side of the room Erhart walks slowly towards the altar. He runs his hand across the aged stone for a minute before he grabs an aged text from the hands of the statue and opens it to a choice passage from memory. With a voice filled with confidence the paladin reads aloud from the page:

"Righteous Goddess, Your word declares that I can come to You, the source of strength, for strength. I do that right now your Grace, and I ask that You would not only give me strength of men, but the strength of Gods. I pray that You would impart into me divine strength, that I may be able to rightly do your will."

"We ask now that You bless us with duty, and through that duty we may find enlightenment and the power to better ourselves and others. What do you will of your servants My Lady?"

"Come this way then, it's not far."

Erhart guides them through the ruins to the shrine as best he can.

Absentmindedly Erhart catches the sack of coin and goes on listening to Hildes tale. It takes him a minute to consider how best to respond.

"Very well. Within this keep there should remain a shrine to the goddess, we should head there. You may yet find what you seek."

Erhart gives a small consideration to the child but says nothing as he responds to Hilde:

"Nor would you. I am Sir Erhart deGrey, champion of Souna the Virtous. However, given the situation I think the more important question is why are here Hilde, and with women and child in tow even."

He gestures to the battered kobolds: "More creatures could be about. Depart lest you have reason to linger."

Strength Check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Erhart moves swiftly behind the man and grips the club tightly in a single hand, holding it mid-swing:

"Yes Olaf, best stay your hand. The battle is over, we need linger no longer."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Round 3 Actions

"See to your fellows." he snaps at the man "Remove yourselves from here immediately."

While he is speaking one of the kobolds rushes him with a spear, the tip sinking dip into his flesh. The knight merely turns to the creature with a look of simple displeasure.

Full-Action Full Attack vs Spear Kobold

With a sudden burst of strength Erhart swings his forearm through the haft of the spear still lodged inside him.

Activating Power Attack
Sunder (Slam): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Sunder Damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

The wood splinters and snaps under the force of his vicious blow. As the kobold stands dumbfounded Erhart swings the flat of his blade against its head with equal ferocity.

Non-Lethal Attack (Longsword): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Critical Confirmation: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Non-Lethal Damage: 2d8 + 16 ⇒ (1, 8) + 16 = 25

The blow picks the tiny lizard off its feet moments before gravity brings it violently back down to the ground a short distance away. Erhart takes a menacing step towards the other two kobolds wearing little more than a steely gaze on his face.

5-foot step towards the Sling Kobolds

Move Action to move 20 ft towards the Kobolds

Erhart places himself inbetween the kobolds and the humans. He is fairly confident that the tiny lizards are up to no good and is set upon preventing them from bringing the others any harm, especially the woman and child.

"Stay behind me." he says firmly.

Round 2 Actions

Standard Action to use/maintain Detect Evil

I'll wait for the results of the 2nd round of Detect Evil before I spend my Move Action.

"I think I will be having a say in who lives or dies creature."

Initiative: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (3) - 2 = 1

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Move Action to move 20 ft

Erhart lumbers further into the room, his curiously slow speed now proving beneficial as it gives him extra time to assess the rather strange standoff.

Standard Action to use/maintain Detect Evil

First things first I use Detect Evil

Curious. Erhart had not expected to encounter another others among the ruins. Who could they be? Were they bandits they surely would have looted the nearby tomb by now and the disarray of the rest of the fortress suggests there are no long term residents.

Putting aside his exploration deGrey walks the hallway and pushes the door open.

"Good, now find something else to eat."

The light keeps the vermin at bay. Hopefully it will continue to do so as Erhart continues his exploration of the living quarters. He is searching for some basic gear lest he is caught unprepared by the possibly dangers of a crumbling fortress:

A backpack, bedroll, belt pouch, flint and steel, an iron pot, mess kit, rope, soap, torches (10), trail rations (5), and a waterskin.

While he is scavenging he tries to recall if there was a shrine to Souna somewhere in the keep. If it still stands then he has an obligation to visit it.

Initiative: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (3) - 2 = 1
Despite his best efforts deGrey reacts painfully slow, almost having to force himself to even move.

So tired, like swimming through syrup.

Move Action to draw longsword

"LUX!" he shouts as he tries to call divine energy upon his weapon.

Standard Action to cast Light (40 ft radius)

"Back, move back!" he says as the darkness is driven away around him.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Erhart climbs out onto the second level. He basks in the morning sun for a short time before returning to the interior where he listlessly starts to wander about on the upper floor testing doors and exploring rooms. His mind wanders also as he considers the chapel that he had just left.

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Erhart stops to catch his breath and stretch his aching limbs once he reaches the intersection. He also takes a second to secure the longsword across his waist before continuing on. First he runs his hand across the aged wood of the doors and gives them an experimental push. When they yield none he instead turns to the collapsed hallway on the other side.

After testing his footing he grips rubble and root and begins to haul himself upwards.

Climb: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

If possible I'm also going to try and get a view of the outside while I climb.

Life, or at least something close to it, returns to Erhart deGrey as he lays crumpled on the tarnished stone. It takes him a few moments to regain his senses, even more to move his limbs. With a shudder he fights to stand, coughing and wheezing as breath once again finds his lungs. On shaky footing he finally stands though he must lean on the nearby casket for support. Weakly he reaches into the confines of the tomb and grasps a scabbard. He pulls it up and out, dragging it alongside him as he begins to clumsily shuffle towards the door.

"N-no..." *cough* "No shield." he croaks.

With each step his footing becomes a bit more sure as he finally passes through the breadth of the door and into the hallway.

Dot