Alright we did it! I was getting pretty worried there at the end. Thanks for running Helkion.

In response to your question, I'm still pretty new to the whole organized play factions in general, so I won't be writing up a chronicle of the adventure to the Scarab Sages.

Grabbing a scroll. Maybe it'll help.

I think the dispel check was unnecessary as Merisel disarmed it before that.

Erwin glanced around at the various items now that the barrier was gone. "Maybe one of these can help."

He then went to one of the 11 niches that still contained a scroll and attempted to grab it.

"What have we done?" Erwin said looking above. "Perhaps I could run back and fetch Saruna? She might have an answer."

Round 3:

Attack1: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (18) + 16 = 34
damage: 1d8 + 1d6 + 16 ⇒ (7) + (3) + 16 = 26

Attack1: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17
damage: 1d8 + 1d6 + 16 ⇒ (4) + (2) + 16 = 22

Attack1: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
damage: 1d8 + 1d6 + 16 ⇒ (4) + (2) + 16 = 22

Round 2:

Seeing the guardian had yet to fall, Erwin continues to hack away at it.

Attack1: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (12) + 16 = 28

Damage: 1d8 + 1d6 + 17 ⇒ (1) + (2) + 17 = 20

Haste: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (9) + 16 = 25

Damage: 1d8 + 1d6 + 17 ⇒ (7) + (6) + 17 = 30

Attack2: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22

Damage: 1d8 + 1d6 + 17 ⇒ (1) + (6) + 17 = 24

As someone who has been a GM for several play-by-post games, I can say with confidence that it's a great deal more demanding for time than I thought it was going to be, and I was just running 1 game with only 5 players. This was also during a time when I was on summer break and didn't have a job to worry about at the time either. Not to mention any social or family activities I had going on as well. Helikon will get to it when he has time.

Erwin moved forward to engage.
Attack 1, Bard song, Haste, Bulls Strength,Power Attack: 1d20 + 13 + 2 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 13 + 2 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 19
2-handed damage, Bard song, Power Attack, Bulls Strength, Weapon bond-Flaming: 1d8 + 2 + 9 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 9 + 6 + (1) = 24

Haste Attack: 1d20 + 13 + 2 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 13 + 2 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 21
2-handed damage, Bard song, Power Attack, Bulls Strength, Weapon bond-Flaming: 1d8 + 2 + 9 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 9 + 6 + (5) = 27

Attack 2, Bard song, Haste, Bulls Strength,Power Attack: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 2 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 14
2-handed damage, Bard song, Power Attack, Bulls Strength, Weapon bond-Flaming: 1d8 + 2 + 9 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 9 + 6 + (4) = 24

Well, that was a bad string of Attacks.

"Perhaps we'll get to see it in use then." Erwin says to Seoni.

Initiative: 1d20 ⇒ 9

Erwin nodded. "Fine, let's finish this.

Sarenrae, grant me the strength to combat those who cannot be swayed."

Bull's Strength. 4 minutes.

Bramble's comments made him stop and consider the situation for a moment.

"That's not all your magic can do. If your opponents are resistant to your magic, then help the rest of us instead."

With that he looked down at his Holy symbol of the Dawnflower and closed his eyes.

"Sarenrae, I call to you, grace my blade with your purifying fire. May my strikes strike true the heart of evil foes."
Activating his divine bond to grant his blade the flaming property 7 minutes. Then he is casting Bless weapon. 4 minutes.

Before Kyra leaves.
"As a fellow Sarenite, I understand your decision to not help Saruna. Still, I will not leave this task to the rest of our companions to complete on their own. But more than that, Sarenrae teaches compassion and the possibility of redemption. Normally Undead are usually our enemy, but perhaps she is an exception to the norm. Should she appears to be false and betrays us... I will end it. If she is truly remorseful of her transformation, then perhaps I can help to redeem her."

He smiled. "You go on ahead and take care of the paperwork and we'll see you back at the lodge when we're done here." With that, the paladin waved to the departing Cleric.

Once they have returned to the library.
Erwin glanced around at the group. "Alright then, let's see how much of this is still here." With that, he readied his sword and began walking ahead of the group.

Erwin looked taken aback momentarily by Seoni's words. "I did not mean to dismiss your wounds, Seoni. I had noticed the effect it had on Barm more readily as I was fighting alongside him.

But now that we're out of danger for the moment, I will assist with healing."

Channel Positive Energy1: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 3) = 12
Channel Positive Energy2: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 4) = 12
Channel Positive Energy3: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 2) = 11

Erwin will use Lay on Hands for anyone still wounded after that.

Wait, oh no we lost Merisiel!

I don't think I've been in a campaign with character death in quite some time. Sorry Meri, Erwin would have been pushing for you to retreat if he'd noticed how hurt you'd been.

The life of an adventurer is a dangerous one however.

Is there anything in this campaign saying we can't just have our group rest for a day. I mean we stopped what had apparently been a decades or even centuries long feuding stalemate between Saruna and Badru. I think she can wait a day for us to fully recover and then we can tackle the end at full strength.

"Well that was nearly disastrous." Erwin said. "Badru was more hardened in his mindset than I thought. Perhaps we can take some time to rest and give Barm a chance to recover.

Kyra, do you think you can help him now?"

"Any change is a good thing, Bramble! Do it!"

Hey GM, is that a big hole in the center of the room? And does it look deep?

I'm thinking if damage can't get rid of these things by breaking them, we might be able to bull-rush them and toss them in it.

Erwin continues to hack away at the wooden golem.

Attack 1: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17

damage 1: 2d6 + 16 ⇒ (5, 1) + 16 = 22

Attack2: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

damage2: 2d6 + 16 ⇒ (1, 6) + 16 = 23

On Erwin's next turn.

"Barm, you're in rough shape. Get back to Kyra!"

Attack 1, Inspire Courage, Power attack, Flanking: 1d20 + 13 + 2 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 13 + 2 + 2 - 2 = 24
Damage 1, Enlarged, Power attack, Inspire courage: 2d6 + 8 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 3) + 8 + 6 + 2 = 21

Attack 2: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30
Damage 2: 2d6 + 16 ⇒ (3, 2) + 16 = 21

Critical confirmation: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
critical damage: 2d6 + 16 ⇒ (4, 2) + 16 = 22

Erwin will spend his round double moving to get into combat range.

Erwin, since when does heroism add to damage?

Heroism does not add to damage, but Inspire Courage does. As Bramble had noted he was continuing to inspire on his round. Now Enlarged, Erwin's strength is 20 (+5). He is 2-handing his weapon so that jumps up to +7 and power attacking for +6. He is smiting for +7 more. His weapon is magic, +1, and Inspire courage for +2.

Glancing around Erwin notes the room is now devoid of immediate foes.
"We need to hurry after them!"

Enlarged now and with a much easier time to strike the gargoyle, Erwin continues attempting to hack at the enemy.

Attack 1: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (1) + 17 = 18
Damage: 2d6 + 23 ⇒ (3, 4) + 23 = 30

Haste: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (8) + 17 = 25
Damage: 2d6 + 23 ⇒ (5, 4) + 23 = 32

Secondary: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22
Damage: 2d6 + 23 ⇒ (5, 4) + 23 = 32

What the spells Deeper Darkness and Daylight are referring to when they mention the ability to counter either a [Darkness] and [Light] spell are the [subtype] of spell.

For example: Fireball has the [fire] subtype, and Shocking Grasp has the [electricity] subtype. Both are Evocation. Meanwhile cure light wounds is a conjuration and has the [healing] subtype. It goes into greater detail in chapter 9.

It will not often call out the exact spell to counter.

Right, ignore my secondary attacks.

Erwin will delay to ensure everyone is ready. Then he will 5 ft. adjust downward.

Watching as the the Halfling managed to resist doubling over as the deadly magic flowed through him, Erwin nodded and caught the eyes involved in Bramble's plan. Then he stepped downward.

His body coursing with magical energy, Erwin proceeded to swing at the offending outsider creature with all he had.

Attack 1: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (4) + 19 = 23

Damage: 2d6 + 23 ⇒ (4, 1) + 23 = 28

Haste Attack : 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (6) + 19 = 25

Damage: 2d6 + 23 ⇒ (4, 4) + 23 = 31

Attack 2: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22

Damage: 2d6 + 23 ⇒ (3, 4) + 23 = 30

I declared Badru as my 1st smite target while there was talking going on.

A construct that's evil... why is nothing here normal? Erwin let himself think.

His eyes narrowed at Badru. "I'm not sure if you meant for your question to be menacing, Badru, but it was. What Kyra said is true, we are not directly part of the Jeweled sages but we were tasked by them to come here and preserve their history.

I'll clarify, if you don't mean to be our enemy, then by The Dawn flower's grace, start talking."

Erwin is declaring a Smite against Badru. Not attacking, yet. Just being ready if this conversation goes sideways.

Then once combat began I declared the gargoyle as my 2nd target.

Round 1: Erwin is now declaring a smite Evil against the gargoyle. And he's moving to strike that enemy down at the expense of defense using both hands.

[dice=Will save vs. Blindness]1d20+10

[dice=Will save vs. the void]1d20+10

Resisting both magics, Erwin shakes his head free of the blinding light and engulfing darkness. His head snapped up as he heard the beating of wings following the crystalline Gargoyle's movements. As the creature struck at the now glimmering outline Seoni with dark power, his vision blocked out all else. Drawing his sword, he found himself leaping at it.

"Sarenrae damn you! Get away from her!!"

[dice=Smiting, Vital Strike, Power attack]1d20+13+3-2

[dice=Damage]2d8+27

[dice=Critical confirmation]1d20+14

[dice=Critical damage]2d8+27

[dice=Acrobatics/Jump]1d20-5

Erwin holds for Kyra. As she casts her spell he adjusts his footing and realizes that he is able to stand on the air as if it were solid ground. He nods in realization.

"Right."

Seeing that Barm is managing to push Badru back for the moment, he turns once again to move after the Gargoyle, this time matching him in the air.

"I'll get him this time."

Vital strike, Smiting power attack: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (5) + 17 = 22

Damage: 1d8 + 29 + 1d8 ⇒ (8) + 29 + (4) = 41

Do you really use your second smite on Badru?

I actually declared him a smite target earlier during the conversation after discovering he was evil, I thought he was going to react poorly and attack directly. He seemed powerful so Erwin declared he reveal his intentions in the name of Sarenrae. That was the moment I chose to invoke the first smite.

If things had gone differently then yes, I would have just wasted a smite attempt. No harm would have been done to him if we hadn't fought. Since it lasts until either I rest or my target is destroyed even if we'd left earlier and then come back to fight him on the same day, he would still have been a target.

Seeing that he has no chance of dealing with the flying enemy, Erwin mentally berates himself for being so foolish and instead turns his attentions to Badru.

"Badru, you face me now!"

Haste, Inspire courage, Power attack, Smiting, Vital strike: 1d20 + 13 + 3 + 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 13 + 3 + 2 + 1 - 2 = 18

Damage: 1d8 + 22 + 1d8 ⇒ (6) + 22 + (8) = 36

Erwin is moving to stand next to Badru in the pile of rubble.
Oh dear, that was a fumble. I don't know if you need a fumble confirmation or not, but here it is just in case.

But even though he was able to get to his opponent, he wasn't used to moving so fast. His footing was lost as he tried to keep his balance and stand in the rubble pile.

Fumble confirmation: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (11) + 17 = 28

Somehow I'd thought the ceiling in the room was only 15 ft. high. There is no world in which the Paladin could have conceivably made a 10 ft. high, Dc. 40, jump in order to have reached that creature. Now I feel foolish for have even tried to attack it once it was off the ground.

Well we might just be using the jump, unless Seoni is okay with using her action to make Erwin capable of flight.

Hmm seems I should have waited to see what you were going to do first, Bramble. I do realize that haste grants an extra attack when full attacking, but this round it would be the vital strike that Erwin was going for.

The extra +3 to his attack bonus and +2 to damage are nice. The speed boost however increases Erwins jump from 9 to 21 which is significant.

I am reminded however, that the normal version of Vital strike does not in fact multiply on a critical hit. Which means I only add +5 damage rolled. I forgot how terrible they made that feat.

It's times like these I wish that we were playing with Hero Points.

Round 1: Erwin is now declaring a smite Evil against the gargoyle. And he's moving to strike that enemy down at the expense of defense using both hands.

Will save vs. Blindness: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

Will save vs. the void: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30

Resisting both magics, Erwin shakes his head free of the blinding light and engulfing darkness. His head snapped up as he heard the beating of wings following the crystalline Gargoyle's movements. As the creature struck at the now glimmering outline Seoni with dark power, his vision blocked out all else. Drawing his sword, he found himself leaping at it.

"Sarenrae damn you! Get away from her!!"

Smiting, Vital Strike, Power attack: 1d20 + 13 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 13 + 3 - 2 = 33

Damage: 2d8 + 27 ⇒ (2, 2) + 27 = 31

Critical confirmation: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34

Critical damage: 2d8 + 27 ⇒ (5, 3) + 27 = 35

Acrobatics/Jump: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (14) - 5 = 9

Well, the Paladin is officially throwing down the gauntlet. Could have walked away from the laboratory, maybe could've convinced Badru and Saruna to just go at it themselves. But no, he's ready to remove this particular evil from the world.

Hope I didn't just throw us into an unwinnable fight.

"I believe your words fall on deaf ears here, Kyra. It seems Badru's mind has become cold and hardened with rationalization. We need to protect the library, I say we act as Saruna's proxy and end this."

Flying is easily one of the best defensive abilities anyone could ask for. That and being unseen is just an amazing combination.

"I don't mean to be your enemy, but I will not be your ally. Besides, I'll not leave my companions with one who invokes such soul damaging rights as you to create those undead abominations. Your private war against Saruna almost caused irreparable damage to the area you were both once sworn to protect. We are here to preserve that place now.

We know from Saruna that you both have half of a jewel that will let you escape from here. But that one of you will almost certainly have to be destroyed which is why you spend time creating minions to fight one another. Is that all there is to it now?"

Diplomacy?: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

This honestly feels more like an intimidate check, in which case the result is 10 lower.

Looking over Erwin's very limited skill set, I believe I have just errored in how he would have handled this situation, as he is actually very skilled in diplomacy and not in being bull-headed with intimidation.

A construct that's evil... why is nothing here normal? Erwin let himself think.

His eyes narrowed at Badru. "I'm not sure if you meant for your question to be menacing, Badru, but it was. What Kyra said is true, we are not directly part of the Jeweled sages but we were tasked by them to come here and preserve their history.

I'll clarify, if you don't mean to be our enemy, then by The Dawn flower's grace, start talking."

Erwin is declaring a Smite against Badru. Not attacking, yet. Just being ready if this conversation goes sideways.

"Badru," Erwin began "we are allies of the Jeweled Sages. We understand you are in some sort of struggle with Saruna. We've heard what she's had to say, now tell us your side of things."

After he spoke Erwin willed his sight to sense any Evil auras.

Erwin is beginning the use of a typical version of Detect Evil to catch the full 60 ft. cone, rather than a single target.

"We'll be right behind you." Erwin said with a nod.

Dancing lights is by far the better spell, but light lasts only a minute, where Light lasts for 10 minutes/level. If you think Bramble would be up for recasting it every minute then go ahead, but a light spell should do the trick.

Erwin seems mildly discontent that he wasn't able to move the barricade on his own.

climb: 1d20 + 4 - 5 ⇒ (7) + 4 - 5 = 6

Even though the rope made it easier, he had to admit after several attempts, he just wasn't strong enough. "Er... hmm. Guess I should have learned how to do this while in heavy armor. I'll just go through it all."

And Erwin begins his slow trudging through the barricade.

Erwin glanced at the barricade. "Barm, give me a hand here. I think the two of us can move this out of the way."

Strength check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Erwin listened as Kyra spoke her piece, but could not completely deny what the Sphinx turned Mummy had to say. He knew it was not orthodox. By all rights, he should be backing her up, as a fellow Sarenite if nothing else.

No, not yet. I will wait until we meet this Bardu first.

Will Save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

"The faster we move the better."

"Well this is all becoming a lot more direct than I thought. I assume Bardu is some sort of Undead like you and it is impossible to remove the gem without destroying him. Either way, it seems like we're going to have to deal with him."