Giant Halfling's page

"Agreed," Azira offers with a nod. "Let's finish clearing out this floor and secure the main entrance, then we can venture down below. After the rest of you are able to recover your magic."

a vision from a succubus... that's a troubling thought... it seems unlikely that one demon could effect us all at the same time... and how would it know about such an obscure chapter of Iomedae's earthly life... this will require some further consideration...

Wulfric and I haven’t really been involved with the redemption stuff yet, but we’re available to help if anyone asks us. Wulfric is currently at +15 to both diplomacy and know[religion], and my knowledge is only +11 but I’m at +21 to diplomacy.

Azira’s always expressive face twists a bit as if she’s thought of something but is skeptical of her own idea. “Well…” she begins tentatively, “Iomedae seemed to be alone… and the moon was high in the sky… probably the middle of the night… and the succubus was singing…”

She hesitates for a moment before (even more tentatively) concluding, “you don’t think, perhaps, this could be the truth behind the old saying that she caught the midnight moon’s singing shadow with her blade, prior to her 9th act, do you?”

While Wulfric’s eyes widen at the prospect, her confidence grows some and she speculates, “if that’s the case, then the information she had on the vampire Basilov may have come from the succubus instead of from scouting. Perhaps the meaning of the vision, then, is that we should take one or both of the succubi we know of alive, in order to get information from them?”

Wulfric is updated and I’m all ready to venture underground whenever everyone else is. Unless we want to wait a few more days to see if Elliot responds at all?

”…I can’t think of anything in the Acts about subduing a succubus,” Wulfric offers after some consideration (and page flipping). “Were there any other details that could offer clues?”

"Hmmm... subduing a succubus..." Wulfric repeats aloud as he pulls his copy of the Acts of Iomedae from his pack and begins leafing through it.

I'm adding +2 because you usually get that from reference books, but if it doesn't apply please just treat these as 2 lower
know (religion): 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 15 + 2 = 30
know (history): 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 11 + 2 = 33

know (nobility): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22

Azira is slow to respond to her friends' discussion as she stands staring at Radiance's gleaming golden blade. She seems completely oblivious to their words until, finally, she asks, "A greater demon... do you know what type?"

Wrestling her eyes away from her sword, she blinks against sudden change in light and the reports, in a more usual manner, "I had a vision too. Only, in it I think I was Iomedae... not as she is now, but as she was before her ascension. We smote a beautiful succubus and forced her to surrender. I feel like, perhaps, the Inheritor has shared one of her memories with me, but I don't know why... maybe we're supposed to take the succubus that escaped alive? Or, maybe this was about the other succubus we've heard rumors of?"

"Wulfric, do you know any stories about Iomedae subduing a succubus?"

do I know any stories about this?
know (religion): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30

I am also hoping for big damn heroes!

Regarding Azira’s bedroom habits- I assumed consent (and power dynamics that allow real consent) was a given for any paladin; I just wanted to make sure that a few one night stands, or a string of short-term relationships wasn’t going to get me in trouble.

Eitr question- is there an official way to handle replacing weapon finesse as a class feature? I've seen it done so many different ways. Also, yay bonus skill points!

As for picking favorite moments, man, that's tricky in a game that's gone on this long. There was a funeral scene that I think I was pretty pleased with. For favorite post read... I think maybe the vision of Iomedae after the wardstone blew up. I don't remember if it was especially well written, but it was, narratively, really impactful (and this is my first experience with WotR, so it was surprising too).

My favorite RPG moment actually happened last year. I had a couple old friends helping me playtest a simplified version of Mage that I put together for a TT game with several noobs. I set the game in San Francisco in 1850, and (much to my delight) the players showed up with a gunslinging gambler from the wild west, a Victorian detective from London, and a Japanese samurai who was pursuing business ventures in the new world because he sensed the age of the samurai was coming to a close. I don't know if I can really do it justice with a brief description but, in a nutshell, they were recruited to find a handful of missing Japanese people who had disappeared from a denim factory in the city. They discovered that the plant manager was also a mage and could use correspondence magic. They found out when and where he was meeting with the owner and set a whole elaborate trap for him there... only to discover, when they sprung it, that the owner (Mr. Levi Strauss) was, in fact, also a mage (matter/prime) and very much in on it (they were draining essence from the missing people to make magically durable jeans). Then, rather than try to duke it out with them, the samurai is like "listen, I don't really care what you're doing, I just care that you're using my people to do it- couldn't you use the Irish instead?" That lead to a whole conversation and instead of a climatic battle the game ended with them negotiating that from then on the Levi Strauss company would drain essence from cattle instead of people, and that they would demonstrate that commitment by marking every pair of jeans with a little piece of leather from the cows that were drained to enchant them (thus explaining why Levi's, still to this day, have that leather tag). None of that conversation was planned or anticipated, but the way it came together organically, and fit so neatly with the actual brand, just worked out so perfectly.

Well, I’m certainly willing to give it a shot! I’ve been choosing a bunch of my feats for flavor instead of to maximize power, so I’m a little concerned that if you start beefing up the baddies I might have to figure out how to keep up, but I’d gladly pick that over just having the game end here.

Yes, thank you Sensen for the adventures we did have! Take care of yourself.

As for the possibility of recruiting another GM… this is the last game I’m in on the forums, so I don’t have any leads on anyone we could ask. I like this party/game, so I’m willing to stick around for a couple weeks to see if we find anyone, but if we don’t I’ll probably pack it up and ride off into the sunset.

I’m in a TT mage game and we’re playing tonight, so that should be fun. We usually play 1-2/month and I missed the last session so I’m looking forward to playing even more than usual.

Yeah, what they said- I’d be glad to do whatever I could to help make it more fun again.

Posting just to keep in practice. Hope everyone had/is having a good weekend.

Sounds good to me.

Before the armor crew arrives
A mischievous grin dances across Azira’s lips as Thesius concludes his heartfelt answer to Wulfric. “Well, for a goddess like Shelyn or Sarenrae, surely we would,” she teases, “but for one as disorderly as Desna we might require a formal request for aid.” She smiles warmly at Thesius before adding, “though we’d have to honor such a request from a friend.”

Now
Azira finishes the prayer she was reciting and then frowns a little. “Sure, fighting first then cleaning, it makes good strategic sense… though I do hope we can get back here soon to finish.” With that she wipes her hands, draws Radiance, and prepares to head in whichever direction Verene indicates.

While Azira focuses primarily on reciting prayers and a bit of old fashioned scrubbing, Wulfric joins with Thesius in the repeated use of the prestidigitation cantrip to magically clean the chapel much faster. “Thanks, Thesius,” he randomly offers between castings. With a big smile he continues, “I know you serve Desna… or, follow her, I guess- it seems a bit looser than serving Iomedae… well, either way, you’re a Desnan but you’re in here helping us clean a chapel devoted to our Lady of Valor, so thank you.”

That’s a funny video. Also, the 17 hour drive has been safely vanquished!

I do have my SO with me, so that’ll help. My longest solo drive was 16 hours (which I did twice in 3 days), but I’ve done 39 hours with 1 other person, and 41 with 3 others. Those last two were like 20-25 years ago though; I don’t think I could do that now.

Yeah, have fun Thesius! I’ll be driving for 17 straight hours starting tomorrow, so my weekend will not be so much fun. (I’m doing that to get home from a vacation though, so it’s mostly worthwhile, lol.)

Sorry- had another burst of busyness at work. Just got a gameplay post up (before the GM messaged me, I think, but my phone is weird about PMs so maybe not). I really like Thesius’ idea about posting everyday in discussion just to get back into the rhythm (I feel like I was also really struggling with that), so I’m going to shamelessly steal it (though, I may skip posting here on days that I post in gameplay).

Azira takes a moment to scan the room for evil auras while the others focus on the armor.

Assuming she doesn’t find any, she and Wulfric tentatively begin heading back towards the chapel to give it a quick but reverent cleaning, like they had the previous bespoiled chapels, while the others remove the armor and help get Meri into it.

Obviously, if she detects evil or something attacks she won’t leave.

Azira's eyes begin to glow as she looks the unconscious woman up and down. (Using detect evil on her, which paladins can do as a move action instead of taking 3 rounds; I'm assuming she is evil but I'd like to know the strength of her aura)

"We can't just bind and gag her and leave her here," she states with just a faint hint of disappointment. "It wouldn't be honorable. Once we bind her she would be our prisoner and we would be duty bound to ensure her safety, which we can't do if she's in here and we're off fighting elsewhere..."

"I truly do respect your commitment to offering redemption to these people, Elliot, but--for now--can we please leave her as she is, a fallen enemy, and then if she's still alive on the way out we can take her prisoner?"

As Wulfric begins one of his rousing tales, Azira frowns at the unknown woman's choice.

she looks dangerous, but a grieving woman charging blindly at strangers she desperately hopes are responsible for her pain is not the type of enemy I'm here for... still... she shows great valor in charging a group of us alone...

"Let us honor her with a quick death," she whispers to Radiance before bringing the blade dancing towards their brave foe.

Radiance1 (hero/ic): 1d20 + 18 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 18 + 2 + 2 = 33
for: 1d8 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 17 + 2 = 27

Radiance2 (hero/ic): 1d20 + 13 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 13 + 2 + 2 = 22
for: 1d8 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 17 + 2 = 22

Inspiring courage all around! (+2 to hit and damage for everyone, except the enemy, obviously)

I think Verene is right about it depending a lot on the party. Parties with a wizard (who cares at all about tactics) are usually big on scrying, but in groups with a sorcerer instead (or only gish types) scouting spells like scry are often dismissed as a luxury (unless that caster is especially tactically minded).

While the sword knight moves into position, Wulfric intones the words of a spell to grant her even greater bearing.

casting eagle's splendor on Azira

I typically just keep Radiance's light effect (as a torch) active whenever its in hand (unless someone has made me invisible), so that's 1 light up front. Wulfric can keep a light spell active on himself as well, or on whoever's taking the rear guard (if we have one).

Azira nods at Thesius' warning and positions herself directly in front of the door hiding danger. "I'm ready," she whispers, raising her golden dance-partner, "if someone would be so kind as to open the door?"

Sorry Azira, but once again, you have paladin saves.

lol- no worries

Wulfric seems uncharacteristically introspective during and after the funeral. It's only as he follows the heroes towards the citadel that his senses seem to return to the here and now. When Verene fails to offer the enchanted wine that had become something of a tradition before embarking on any adventures, he pulls his wineskin from his belt, mutters some arcane words, and then takes a swallow before passing it around. While the others drink, he casts a few more spells.

Casting tears to wine, for anyone who wants it; then featherstep and heroism on himself and Azira.

*Wealday afternoon (17 Rova)*
Once all of their meetings and discussions have come to an end, Azira and Wulfric spend the remainder of the touring the camp. The sword-knight shares word with the soldiers (sword-knights and rescued prisoners alike) of Staunton Vhane's death, and impending funeral, and the rescue of the Keystone mercenaries, along with a warning to be wary of new faces, and to refrain from any new romantic entanglements, until the succubus is dealt with. While she does so, Wulfric watches the soldiers reactions, looking for any sign of charms or compulsions.

Azira- diplomacy to improve morale (take 10): 10 + 21 = 31
Wulfric- sense motive to detect compulsion (take 10): 10 + 14 = 24
Wulfric automatically detects compulsions (by taking 10), but is 1 short of noticing charms, unless someone knows a way he can get +1 sense motive for an entire afternoon?

After eating dinner with Korryn and hearing about how the scouting patrols are faring, the paladin heads to the infirmary and exhausts the rest of her healing ability before turning in for the night.

*Oathday morning (18 Rova)*
As is their daily practice, Azira and her loyal retainer rise just before dawn, wash and dress themselves, and head for the area where they lead morning prayers. Azira leads the singing of several sacred hymns as the first red light of dawn breaks over the horizon, then kneels with Radiance held before her--her holy symbol draped over its guard--and offers up prayers to the Lady of Valor as the morning light rolls over them. When she finishes, Wulfric steps up to deliver a rousing oration of a passage or two from the Acts of Iomedae, followed by a reading from the book of war prayers.

Upon completing the morning service, the two move quickly to the mess hall where they split a small, round loaf of leftover bread which they hollow out like an edible bowl and fill with the porridge on offer. Unlike most mornings, they do not sit and eat with the others arriving from morning prayer but take their food and eat it as they walk to the command tent for the attempt to contact the queen's party.

When questions begin about plans for later in the day she offers, "I know we have a funeral to perform, Keystones in need of magical liberation, and that spells will be needed for this morning's communication, but I still firmly believe that we need to continue pressing the attack. This is not a normal siege where we can starve them out with time; a prolonged siege works in their favor as we will struggle to replenish our stores and maintain morale while they can easily teleport in supplies and even reinforcements. Right now there's likely to be some confusion, perhaps even strife, as their leadership adjusts to losing Staunton and everyone and thing else we killed or captured yesterday... we should be aggressive while we have this advantage."

Hey all, I'm really sorry for vanishing. My SO has been having some health issues. Between doctor's appointments and the impact on my mental health I haven't gotten a post up in any game in a few weeks. Things have improved though and if you'd like me to hop back in just say so and I'll do my best to catch/keep up, but if you'd prefer to replace me or continue with one less I totally understand.

"I also assumed we'd go back in tomorrow after attempting to communicate with the queen's camp," Azira agrees. "I--begrudgingly--admit that pressing further with our spell casters' resources depleted is not tactically sound, but we do need to stay as aggressive as we can afford to be. We can't give them any more time than necessary to organize and bolster their defenses, or for that succubus to cause mischief..."

A scowl creeps across the aasimar's face and her hand reflexively moves to Radiance's hilt. "Sh!t... the succubus--the one that we know is bad. We've taken away her play things. She'll surely want revenge, and new play things. We should spread word through the camp immediately for everyone to be on guard against her wiles: wary of any unfamiliar face, looking for confirmation of the identity even of familiar faces, those sorts of things. Perhaps we could have those able to detect magic patrolling the camp, checking for illusions and enchantments? We probably can't set up a giant protection from evil spell over the whole camp for a couple days, right?"

Azira stands quietly throughout the debriefing, her arms crossed over her chest and her eyes fixed on some point in space well beyond the thin walls of the command tent.

A forge that could corrupt even the Sword of Valor? I shudder to think what might have happened to Radiance if she'd been subjected to that... is it possible that the vile glaive could have once been a powerful weapon for good... or that it could be redeemed? And, what of this succubus... how could we possibly trust a seducer and deceiver well enough to believe she truly sought redemption and to serve the powers of good? Meri is right though, Ragathiel did just that, and demonstrated his goodness clearly enough to be accepted among the Empyreal Lords...

Her attention returns to her immediate surroundings at the mention of the queen's advisors being infiltrated. "That is a legitimate concern," the paladin offers gravely, "one I share, in fact... but I think we need to tread very carefully when it comes to discussing such things. The third crusade become an utter failure because it fell into little more than witch hunts... and that overzealous inquisition never truly ended, despite people like my parents working to turn our attention back to the true enemies. Wherever spies have maneuvered themselves into positions of power and influence, we should do what we can to deal with them, but we must take care not to give fuel to the flames of inquisition while we do."

”I remain wary of both,” Azira offers in response to the report on Nurah and Joran, ”but Thesius speaks true: both were helpful during our incursion, and both had ample opportunity to flee our custody but chose not to. Even I must confess that if they are not earnestly seeking a new path then they are extraordinarily committed to deceiving us.”

@GM- Radiance speaks celestial and common.

Azira scowls (once again) as the cowardly succubus flees. She hesitates for a moment, but before Verene has even finished her recommendation the paladin brings the flat of her dancing partner around at the mercenary again.[b] "Sorry, we don't have time for that right now- the demon could be back with help at any moment, and we still need to check these secret chambers.

I'll (try to) do non-lethal on all these attacks (against orange), but I'll stop attacking as soon as it seems like their unconscious.

Radiance 1 (hero/fb/haste/ic/Iis/non-lethal): 1d20 + 20 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 20 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 - 4 = 25
for (non-lethal): 1d8 + 19 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 19 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 26
lol- further proof Radiance hates dealing non-lethal damage

Radiance 2 (hero/fb/haste/ic/Iis/non-lethal): 1d20 + 20 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 20 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 - 4 = 43
for (non-lethal): 1d8 + 19 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 19 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 30

Radiance 3 (hero/fb/haste/ic/Iis/non-lethal): 1d20 + 15 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 15 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 - 4 = 33
for (non-lethal): 1d8 + 19 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 19 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 26

Can you choose to forego a critical threat? If so, I'll do that for my second attack. If not, someone else can (please) roll that for me?

Sorry I haven’t posted in a few days, work got crazy. I should have a post up this afternoon.

Azira scowls slightly for a moment upon discovering the corrupted crusaders' willingness to wait for her and her allies to enter the chapel. Wanting to make room for Verene's request, and preferring that enemies swarm herself rather than her companions, the paladin steps gracefully forward, placing her glowing left hand briefly to her still bloody side as she does. LoH as swift action

Lay Hands: 4d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 1, 1) = 11

As Radiance begins to dance towards the (orange-lined) foe now in reach, she whispers to the blade, "let us see if we can take them alive so our friends can try to free them from the demon's thrall." 5' step and full attack; I'll try to do non-lethal on the first attack and stop attacking right away when they fall (so that hopefully they're just knocked out).

Radiance 1 (hero/fb/haste/ic/Iis/non-lethal): 1d20 + 20 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 20 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 - 4 = 30
for (non-lethal): 1d8 + 19 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 19 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 28

Radiance 2 (hero/fb/haste/ic/Iis): 1d20 + 20 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 20 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 44
for: 1d8 + 19 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 19 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 25

Radiance 3 (hero/fb/haste/ic/Iis): 1d20 + 15 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 15 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 37
for: 1d8 + 19 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 19 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 30

wait… Meri, you’re a genius… if I get my armor glammered, I could make it look completely impractical—like a giant sign saying ‘stab me here’—and thereby bait more enemies into attacking me instead of the others… I’ll have to remember to ask Verene about it after we return to camp…

I kind of thought her armor was cute... though I suppose it would take a lot of magical enchantments to make up for the missing meT...

Azira's thoughts about armor are cut short as her distractedness allows one of the corrupted crusaders to slice between the metal of hers. She brings her glowing free-hand to the wound briefly before pressing her attack (against white), using the flat of the blade on her first strike in the hopes of merely rendering the foe unconscious with whichever attack fells it.

lay hands: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 1, 2) = 8 yikes

Radiance 1 (hero/fb/haste/ic/Iis/non-lethal): 1d20 + 20 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 20 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 - 4 = 25 double-yikes...
for (non-lethal): 1d8 + 19 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 19 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 27

Radiance 2 (hero/fb/haste/ic/Iis): 1d20 + 20 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 20 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 34
for: 1d8 + 19 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 19 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 32

Radiance 3 (hero/fb/haste/ic/Iis): 1d20 + 15 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 15 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 43
for: 1d8 + 19 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 19 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 27

confirm3?: 1d20 + 15 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 15 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 31
for another: 1d8 + 11 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 11 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 22

The status spoiler still had me at 78 hp, but unless white is the succubus a 33 should have hit (which I assume is why you rolled damage); so, I'll heal some of that. And, I'll stop attacking when it collapses, so hopefully that'll leave them alive with some non-lethal damage (actually, apparently, Radiance really doesn't like dealing non-lethal damage).

lol- of course the one time I win initiative something fishy is going on…

”The demon is masking all auras, so I can’t identify which one is her,” Azira whispers through Verene’s spell. “To learn from our mistakes, stay within this narrow area where we can negate the advantage of their numbers, at least until we figure out who our true foe is.”

”A reasonable forgery,” she announces as she moves forward to the end of the narthex, “but, having met the real article, I can say with full confidence that you haven’t the skill nor power to truly pass for the Inheritor.”

The paladin stops just before entering the chapel proper and readies Radiance. “I am Sword-knight Azira Tal-Shirin, servant of Iomedae and bearer of the sacred sword Radiance. I have already slain Staunton Vhane and, as you’ve likely realized, we’ve killed your sorcerer and your vrock friend as well. For the sake of these corrupted soldiers, I’ll make you this offer one time, succubus- remove all enchantments from them and flee and I will not pursue you. Fail to do so, and I will grant them the freedom of death, and destroy you as we have every other demon dumb enough to face us.”

I’m on my phone and can’t manage to move my token- can someone please move me up 3 squares (in line with the horizontal walls)? And, I’ll ready an action to attack anyone who moves to attack me or whoever moves next to me (I’m assuming Elliot or Meri). And, I suppose I should include an attack roll for that instead of making the GM roll…

readied attack (hero/fb/haste/ic): 1d20 + 20 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 20 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 40
for (ci): 1d8 + 19 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 19 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 25

Sigh...
So, I'll do my best to keep track of all this as we go, but for the sake of convenience (and transparency), here's a break down of my current AC and saves:

AC
normal- 30
vs evil foe- 31 (deflection increases from +1 to +2, from protection v evil)
vs evil outsider- 33 (as above, plus +2 sacred from veil of heaven)

Fort
'normal'- +17 (normal base, +2 eagles splendor and +2 heroism)
vs evil foe- +18 (resistance increases from +1 to +2, from protection v evil)
vs evil outsider- +21 (as above, plus +2 sacred from veil of heaven and +1 trait)

Ref
'normal'- +18 (normal base, +2 eagles splendor and +2 heroism)
vs evil foe- +19 (resistance increases from +1 to +2, from protection v evil)
vs evil outsider- +22 (as above, plus +2 sacred from veil of heaven and +1 trait)

Will
'normal'- +18 (normal base, +2 eagles splendor and +2 heroism)
vs evil foe- +19 (resistance increases from +1 to +2, from protection v evil)
vs evil outsider- +21 (as above, plus +2 sacred from veil of heaven)

In addition- I get +2 vs any effect with the evil descriptor (like dread bolt or unholy blight) from my angelic blood, and +2 vs confusion or insanity (from my campaign trait, iirc).

After losing another minute or so from his spells, Wulfric steps next Azira and refreshes the transmutation increasing her (already fairly substantial) natural charisma. "Thank you," the paladin replies with a warm smile, "your magic has been very helpful these last few fights. Do your best to stay behind everyone when the fighting starts though. We all know you're brave but you'll serve us, and the Lady of Valor, best by staying alive."

Her squire nods and takes up position behind those blessed with the Wardstone's power. As he walks away, Azira raises Radiance and closes her eyes for a moment; suddenly her skin begins to glow softly and white, feathered wings burst from her back. casting lesser angelic aspect from Radiance- it doesn't actually give me flight, but I do gain low-light vision and protection from evil; that ups my deflection and resistance bonuses and I will update my AC and saves after I post this

When Thesius and Verene begin working on the door, she stares toward it with pearlescent eyes. activating detect evil now so that I can (hopefully) quickly identify who is evil when the door opens

edit: my AC and saves should be correct in my banner, including the buffs that are always in effect (eagle's splendor and heroism), but they all get +1 vs anything evil (from protection v evil) and another +2 vs evil outsiders (from veil of heaven)... I know that's kind of a pain, sorry. I'll post a little chart in discussion

"I wish we hadn't suffered so many injuries," Azira adds to the conversation, "but I must admit, there was something satisfying about a dance that lasted so long, and involved so many." She wipes the blood from her dance-partner's glowing blade and adds, "Still, I think this revealed our tendency to fight as individuals rather than a unit... perhaps after we leave here we should take some time to talk about how we can better work together."

The paladin smiles and gives an appreciative nod as Meri's healing light rolls over her. "I am less hurt than some of you, but would appreciate a use of the healing wand, if possible, before we take on the succubus and her thralls."

Teamwork feats can be pretty good, but they're kind of situational and rely on a level of coordination that we aren't always great at. The coordination part we could probably solve pretty easily with better communication (and that might make them worth keeping, maybe). The situational piece is less in our control. Because they mostly all require specific positioning, they can usually only be used against flying enemies if most or all of us are flying, for example. Similarly, they tend not to be great against weaker opponents because we either kill them before people are in position or someone has to make a dangerous move to get into position quickly enough.

My advance ability (the one that gives everyone a free move) could actually be really useful in setting us up to benefit from teamwork feats in big fights, but I can only use it so many times per day, and we'd all have to be on the same page to do it. I'd honestly probably (already) use it more often if it didn't slow down combat so much in PbP, but I can start using it more if we want to try our hand at playing more tactically as a unit? (Although, I will say, when I use fleet charge instead, that is a tactical decision too- closing with the BBEG and doing a bunch of damage right away is my best bet for getting it to focus on our tank/me.)

edit: for the record, I enjoyed the slog!

Azira continues her dance into the corner of the room, where she cannot be flanked and her enemies will interfere the archers' firing lanes (5' step). She tries (mostly unsuccessfully) to mask her annoyance at having her first attack merely destroy an illusion but, without any means of dispelling the effect, she persists in delivering a flurry of slashes at the foe Verene had identified as the most pressing target (orange-lined caster)

Radiance 1 (hero/haste/ic): 1d20 + 20 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 20 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 41
for: 1d8 + 19 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 19 + 2 + 2 = 27
mirror image, 1 is sorcerer: 1d3 ⇒ 1 nice

Radiance 2 (hero/haste/ic): 1d20 + 20 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 20 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 36
for: 1d8 + 19 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 19 + 2 + 2 = 28
mirror image, 1 is sorcerer: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Radiance 3 (hero/haste/ic): 1d20 + 15 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 15 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 39
for: 1d8 + 19 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 19 + 2 + 2 = 29
mirror image, 1 is sorcerer: 1d2 ⇒ 1 very nice!

confirm?: 1d20 + 15 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 15 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 21 noooooo...
for another: 1d8 + 11 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 11 + 2 + 2 = 17

Azira gives Verene a quick nod and begins dancing forward at a dizzying speed. "I warn you," she growls as she whirls by the archers, "I will honor my ally's offer to spare your lives if you surrender, but I will not wait for you to mull it over, and the only mercy you'll otherwise receive from me is that of a quick death."

acrobatics to avoid AoO (hero/foretell): 1d20 + 20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 20 + 2 + 2 = 36

Once she reaches her assigned foe (the orange-lined caster guy) she guides Radiance's graceful arc towards its vile flesh.

Radiance (hero/foretell/haste/ic): 1d20 + 20 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 20 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 29
for (ci): 1d8 + 19 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 19 + 2 + 2 = 29

"By the Lady of Valor," Azira replies flatly as she turns to stare down the vrock, "I shall teach you what fear is." (activating smite)

With their usual rhythmic grace, the sword-knight and Radiance shift to close the distance and unleash a flurry of attacks. (5' step up and over; full-attack)

smite 1 (hero/foretell/haste/ic): 1d20 + 26 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 26 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 45
for (ignoring all DR): 1d8 + 27 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 27 + 2 + 2 = 39

smite 2 (hero/foretell/haste/ic): 1d20 + 26 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 26 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 41
for (ignoring all DR): 1d8 + 27 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 27 + 2 + 2 = 37

smite 3 (hero/foretell/haste/ic): 1d20 + 21 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 21 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 46
for (ignoring all DR): 1d8 + 27 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 27 + 2 + 2 = 37

confirm attack 3?: 1d20 + 21 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 21 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 38
for another (ignoring all DR): 1d8 + 19 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 19 + 2 + 2 = 26

Smite damage is doubled on the first hit vs evil outsiders, so assuming at least one of those hit that's an extra 8 damage.

“Please pardon our collective lack of manners,” Ethulfel replies with a diplomatic smile, “some of our number pass great stretches of time with little or no social interaction.”

“Nevertheless,” he continues as he sits down at the table but takes no food or drink, “we thank you for your hospitality. Clearly you are aware of who we are, but with whom do we have the pleasure of dining this evening, and for what purpose have you called us all here?”

I didn’t want to slow things down even more, but I still have a swift action left and am willing to use it, and a mythic point, for my advance ability again. That’s the one that gives all of my allies a free move on my turn. That would let Elliot move out of the storm immediately, and Meri move to him before her turn starts. It would also save me from spending a move action (allowing me to full attack if one doesn’t drop it). Is everyone alright with that (even though it means waiting for everyone to post their move before completing this initiative block)?

edit: this is the exact same thing I did last time… I spent a whole day hemming and hawing about using the ability, and just ended up slowing things down even more because of it. I really need to learn my lesson and use it (or ask) right away instead of mulling it over!

I just added a note to Radiance's description in my profile (under the 'legendary item' spoiler) with its caster level, in case anyone needs to check it again in the future (though Worldwound was exactly right about it always being tier x2).

As the bold (orange-lined) brimorak tries to move past her, Azira touches herself with glowing golden energy again, and continues her graceful and deadly dance with Radiance.

Lay Hands: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 2, 5) = 14

Radiance 1 (hero/foretell/haste): 1d20 + 20 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 20 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 33
for (cold-iron): 1d8 + 19 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 19 + 2 + 2 = 31

If it drops after that first attack, I'll move down next to the red-lined brimorak (at its height/elevation); otherwise, continue with full attack...

Radiance 2 (hero/foretell/haste): 1d20 + 20 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 20 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 40
for (cold-iron): 1d8 + 19 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 19 + 2 + 2 = 24

Radiance 3 (hero/foretell/haste): 1d20 + 15 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 15 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 22
for (cold-iron): 1d8 + 19 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 19 + 2 + 2 = 28

If it's (hopefully) down after these attacks, I'll 5' step down and left (so Thesius and I are sort of blocking the entry to the hallway).

Sorry for the delay- I am home from my travels and getting settled back into the daily grind. I should have a gameplay post up in just a little while.

edit: lol- say my name and I instantly appear!