Gregoth Paalus's page

Gregoth is little help with the dulling of the blades, but he can at least carry the sacks of dirt and silver powder from town to town, city to city. For a time, there is peace on his face rather than its usual mask of numbness over loneliness and sorrow. The shadows are less prone to reach out and cling to him, he flinches less often from unheard words whispers in his ear, he sleeps and wakes up fewer times to a pillow that is somehow both soaked and scorched. And with each guillotine Félicité, Kaldren, and Turrey blunt, with each release of souls trapped no longer, Gregoth's newfound peace is prolonged just a little bit longer.

But there comes a day when there are no more blades to break. Slowly the pain returns, slowly the hands stiffen and the leg aches and the air catches in his throat just a little bit with each breath. Slowly the shadows emerge from their hiding places beneath his feet and underneath his cloak to cling and grasp and whisper and scream and pull and push. Each morning finds him looking to the west, towards Lake Encarthan and the Gravelands beyond, tears streaming unnoticed down his face. And one day, he is gone.

As time passes, the holiday once held in honor of the broken man who should have been dead changes. Where once it might have found people feasting into the night and lighting fires to chase away the shadow of death, it turns slowly to a day of remembrance and honoring of loved ones already passed on instead. Some towns would build a bonfire and toss in paper notes or scraps of fabric, to represent the act of letting go - others would light candles from a central firepit to take home as tokens of remembrance. And as even the brightest flame must one day burn itself out, so too do these traditions change and fade over time until even they are lost to the shadows.

Can the worm still use its “get out of death free card” on our tengu friend since it failed on Turrey? Or is it a “once per death” ability?

Also, thank you so much GM Pudding for running this adventure! I had a ton of fun and I really enjoyed how you brought all the scenes and people to life. Always a pleasure playing at your tables!

Did the worm get Kaldren’s persistent Good damage? I think I recall it being weak to that?

The shield rises jerkily as Gregoth circles around the worm. His steps are unsteady, stones underneath slick with blood and ichor. Grimly he surveys the undulating mass before him, trying to figure out where Félicité is.

Longsword, Heroism: 1d20 + 32 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 32 + 2 = 43 (If that’s a miss, he’ll use his reaction for Perfect Clarity)

Longsword, Heroism: 1d20 + 32 + 2 - 5 ⇒ (19) + 32 + 2 - 5 = 48 (Ooo! If that’s a hit, it’s a crit thanks to the Keen rune)
Piercing damage, Negative damage (?), Fire damage: 3d8 + 11 + 13 + 1d6 ⇒ (4, 8, 8) + 11 + 13 + (3) = 47

Again and again he drives the point of the sword in his hand into the fleshy mass, not seeming to notice or care if the blows are superficial or wounding.

Raise Shield [A], Stride [A], and Strike x2 [AQ].

Given what we saw from Turrey's first arrow (and how the worm reacted to Piercing damage), Gregoth would have shifted his damage from Slashing to Piercing as well (starting from the AoO).

Dang, the 47 with flank missed? Also, hero point on that Will save!

Will, Heroism, Shield: 1d20 + 30 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 30 + 2 + 2 = 49

Based on Kaldren’s result, I’m going to assume that’s a success -> crit success. If not, two actions to give tribute, raise shield, and stride away.

Gregoth shakes his head. The worm bleeds - it is no god, no matter what it claims. Sword and shield rise, but his arm juts out rather than swings in an arc as if trying to imitate Turrey’s arrow.

Longsword, Heroism: 1d20 + 32 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 32 + 2 = 52
Piercing damage, Negative damage, Fire damage: 3d8 + 11 + 13 + 1d6 ⇒ (6, 7, 6) + 11 + 13 + (4) = 47

Longsword, Heroism: 1d20 + 32 + 2 - 5 ⇒ (6) + 32 + 2 - 5 = 35
Piercing damage, Negative damage, Fire damage: 3d8 + 11 + 13 + 1d6 ⇒ (7, 5, 4) + 11 + 13 + (6) = 46

Longsword, Heroism: 1d20 + 32 + 2 - 10 ⇒ (14) + 32 + 2 - 10 = 38
Piercing damage, Negative damage, Fire damage: 3d8 + 11 + 13 + 1d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 4) + 11 + 13 + (3) = 37

Raise Shield [A] and Strike x3 [AAQ].

Gregoth struggles in the worm’s gullet, jabbing sword and shield into flesh and pushing upward.

Athletics, Heroism to Escape vs DC 49: 1d20 + 33 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 33 + 2 = 50

The light burns his eyes as he emerges, buoyed by Turrey’s song and boundless confidence. Shadows cling to his skin like the ichor staining the worm’s wound. Grimly he raises the shield again, then swings the sword in a wide arc.

Longsword, Heroism: 1d20 + 32 + 2 - 5 ⇒ (8) + 32 + 2 - 5 = 37
Slashing damage, Negative damage, Fire damage: 3d8 + 11 + 13 + 1d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 3) + 11 + 13 + (3) = 33

Escape [A], Raise Shield [A], and Strike [A] (lose quickened action to Slowed condition).

Not a problem. Let’s get out of a giant worm!

Waiting to resolve the quantum AoO before posting - my thoughts are in the Discussion thread. XD

I agree that it’s weird, but I don’t see anything suggesting being swallowed would prevent an AoO. Gregoth can still make attacks (albeit only unarmed strikes due to the longsword being more than light bulk), the creature takes damage if Gregoth attacks its insides, and Grabbed doesn’t make you unable to use reactions. But if the GM strongly believes this is a non-AoO situation, no worries on my end.

Dark flames begin to envelop Gregoth as he raises the shield in his hand and advances on the worm, making his shadow lengthen with each step.

No more, he repeats to himself, a paper-thin shield against the overwhelming power of the creature’s mind.

No more. Fire licks the sword in his hand, traces old scars down his cheeks, burns his eyes until only black orbs remain.

No more! Sword swings in an arc, face twists in a scream, fire sparks an inferno.

Longsword, Heroism: 1d20 + 32 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 32 + 2 = 54
Slashing damage, Negative damage, Fire damage: 3d8 + 11 + 13 + 1d6 ⇒ (4, 6, 4) + 11 + 13 + (1) = 39

“NO MORE!”

Raise Shield [A], Rage [A], Spiritual Interference [F], Stride [Q], Strike [A].

I think we determined it'd take days to finish the transformation, and we could dispel it anytime before it finishes?

Gregoth nods. The sword is held in one hand, shield ready in the other.

Using Defend activity to get the shield raised at the start of combat - might need that saving throw bonus!

Unlikely to be any spells to prevent something like that - best we can probably hope for is rolling well on our saves. We might also have to wait for the possession to be in effect on Kenzin before we can attempt to dispel it.

That being said, I (as a player) will not be disappointed in Gregoth's story if he has to die to keep the worm from respawning. It'd be fitting for him.

Sigh. A terrible option that I am not advocating would be to convince our friend to die, kill the worm, then bring him back with something like raise dead. It’s far from a sure thing though, and it’s a traumatic ordeal (though arguably less traumatic than dying by worm-infection). I’d much rather find a way to expel the worm rather than that if at all possible.

“So it takes a few days, right?” Gregoth nods in agreement with Bellaluna and rests a hand on the hilt of the sword at his hip. “And someone can get it out before then? How?” He turns to Turrey with this last question, hoping the bard who has shielded them from so much harm already has an idea.

It looks like secondary casters don't have level or skill requirements, but the minimum number of them is a hard limit. Of course, it'd be near impossible to get anything other than a Failure (that would require a Nat 20) without being at least trained. XD

Gregoth puts the bags of pungent incense down next to Félicité and Turrey. Slowly he walks over to where Bellaluna is watching, leans against the wall, sighs. "Kaldren says that three-faced thing wanted to know how to kill the worm for good," he says plainly. "Félicité says that worm thing is responsible for the blades and the Gardeners. We kill it, it comes back, and does the whole thing again. It might take it a while. The rest of us might not live to see it. But not you. Are you ready to tell every widowed spouse, every orphaned child, every falsely-accused innocent on their knees staring up at their death, that you could have prevented this from happening, and you did nothing? Are you prepared for this worm to hunt you down? I reckon it'll remember the folks that ruined whatever it had planned at the gala."

He shrugs. "'Sides, if using the pillar was going to kill someone, Kaldren would be dead already."

Gregoth sees the idea spinning in Félicité‘s head. Slowly he nods.

Didn’t we find some incense earlier?

“It wanted us to tell it what we learned from it,” Gregoth answers slowly. “That’s different.” Still, he makes no move to touch the pillar himself.

If nobody else wants to touch the pillar, Gregoth will just because I (as a player) hate to have that “what if” haunting me forever. XD

If Félicité dealt damage to Kaldren, wouldn't he make a Flat Check to possibly end the Confused condition?

The sword clatters the ground as the fiend vanishes and Gregoth turns his attention on the man beside him. The fingers, now empty, curl into a fist. The shadows contort unnaturally, rising as though fleeing from a light underneath the large man's face as he slowly turns to face Kaldren.

Intimidation, Prowess vs Kaldren Will DC 40: 1d20 + 31 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 31 + 2 = 44

The arm swings, hand opening to grab the other man rather than strike.

Athletics, IC to Grapple vs Kaldren Fort DC 40: 1d20 + 33 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 33 + 1 = 37

But the act of willing violence against someone he knows, someone who has saved his life over and over, seems to drain the light and darkness from Gregoth in equal measure. With his grey eyes clear, he deliberately embraces his friend.

Athletics, IC, Circumstance to Grapple vs Kaldren Fort DC 40: 1d20 + 33 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 33 + 1 + 2 = 44

"You are not in your right mind," he says at last.

Unarmed Strike, IC vs Kaldren AC 41: 1d20 + 29 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 29 - 4 + 1 = 29
Nonlethal Bludgeoning damage, IC: 1d4 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 11 + 1 = 16

Unarmed Strike, IC vs Kaldren AC 41: 1d20 + 29 - 8 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 29 - 8 + 1 = 35
Nonlethal Bludgeoning damage, IC: 1d4 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 11 + 1 = 14

Drop sword [F], Demoralize [A], Grab [A], Perfect Clarity [R], Strike [A], and Strike [Q].

The sword shakes in Gregoth's hand as he watches the fiend retreat. He closes his eyes for a moment, unable to keep himself from remembering the steeple falling, the sky burning, Saarah and Mikel dissolving before an impossibly bright wall of light.

His eyes open. Black and empty, they stare the Three-Faced Regent in the eyes as he advances.

Shake It Off x2 [AA], Raise Shield [A], and Stride [Q]. Hoping to provoke the AoO so Bellaluna can move to safety since she's got the Good damage, but didn't want to do so while Frightened.

That was a spell, correct? If so, I believe the +2 circumstance bonus from the shield and +2 status bonus from heroic presence would be enough to make Gregoth’s original roll a success (43 vs DC 42).

The new voice in Gregoth’s mind is but one of many, joining all the others in howling incoherently against each other. The large man lends his voice to the storm only he can hear, arms flailing wildly.

Longsword: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (13) + 32 = 45
Slashing damage, Negative damage, Fire damage: 3d8 + 11 + 13 + 1d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 7) + 11 + 13 + (4) = 40

Longsword: 1d20 + 32 - 5 ⇒ (17) + 32 - 5 = 44
Slashing damage, Negative damage, Fire damage: 3d8 + 11 + 13 + 1d6 ⇒ (4, 7, 6) + 11 + 13 + (3) = 44

Longsword: 1d20 + 32 - 10 ⇒ (16) + 32 - 10 = 38
Slashing damage, Negative damage, Fire damage: 3d8 + 11 + 13 + 1d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 2) + 11 + 13 + (6) = 38

Raise Shield [A], Strike x3 [AAQ]. AC 41.

Given that Turrey went after Félicité and has returned, I think Gregoth would expect to see her behind him. We’ve seen her provide medical aid regularly, so it would make sense that Gregoth would move to protect her - both by putting himself between the sahkil and her, and by provoking the AoO before she can (especially since it would get two strikes due to her being Frightened). Mechanically, Gregoth would recommend Félicité delay until after Gregoth can act.

I’m uncertain now if Gregoth was in range for that Glimpse of Redemption, but if he was then the persistent Good damage will sure come in handy!

The blood trickling from Gregoth’s side grows darker and darker as it descends his torso and creeps towards the ground below. The act of raising the arm holding the shield breaks a hastily-erected barricade holding back the floodwaters, and a wash of darkness clambers from the tall man’s body, drops itself onto the cold stone floor, vaporizes into a black cloud that hangs like a mourner’s shroud around his shoulders and head before lashing out with a rasping scream that might have come from it or Gregoth. Or both.

Wisp Rush, IC: 1d20 + 31 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 31 + 1 = 36
Negative damage, IC: 4d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4, 6, 2, 8) + 4 + 1 = 25

Black eyes look up, look around wildly, frantically, don’t seem to notice the three-headed monstrosity nor the fact that Kaldren is barely keeping himself upright. But his legs jerkily pull him around the fiend, put him squarely between the priest and the putrescence. One arm raises a sword cloaked in fire and shadow, then falls.

Longsword, IC: 1d20 + 32 - 5 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 32 - 5 + 1 = 46
Slashing damage, Negative damage, Fire damage, IC: 3d8 + 11 + 13 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 3, 3) + 11 + 13 + (4) + 1 = 37

Raise Shield [A], Rage [A], Wisp Rush [F], Stride [A], and Strike [Q]. AC 40, 22 temp hitpoints.

An overwhelming wave of terror looms in Gregoth’s mind, falling down on top of him like the brick wall of his bakery, blotting out the searing heat and fire and light…

Perfect Clarity: 1d20 + 30 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 30 + 4 + 2 = 49 Success => Critical Success

…and the wave crashes over him. In its wake, his eyes no longer burn with supernatural fire, but are as grey and unyielding as the steel shield still held resolutely aloft in his hand. But the other relinquishes its hold on the sword, lets the blade clatter to the ground, reaches instead for a skittering leg of bone and nightmare. He grabs ahold, and pulls!

Athletics, IC to Trip: 1d20 + 33 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 33 + 1 = 42

His hand releases its grip again, reaches now for the blade of iron and inferno. He swings the sword, awkwardly trying to use its upward momentum.

Longsword, IC: 1d20 + 31 - 5 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 31 - 5 + 1 = 28
Slashing damage, Fire damage, IC: 3d8 + 11 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3, 2, 3) + 11 + (5) + 1 = 25

Perfect Clarity [R], Raise Shield [A], Drop sword [F], Trip [A], Interact to pick up sword (would provoke AoO) [A], and Strike [Q]. AC 41, no temp hitpoints.

As per modification of Turrey’s turn in the Discussion thread:

Longsword, IC: 1d20 + 32 - 5 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 32 - 5 + 1 = 36
Slashing damage, Positive damage, Fire damage, IC: 3d8 + 11 + 13 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6, 5, 6) + 11 + 13 + (6) + 1 = 48

Realized I left the bonus from inspire courage out of the damage rolls in my last post - sorry!

Gregoth advances on the terrible beast, leaving shining droplets behind him that sizzle on the stone floor like little stars.

Longsword, IC: 1d20 + 32 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 32 + 1 = 46
Slashing damage, Positive damage, Fire damage: 3d8 + 11 + 13 + 1d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 2) + 11 + 13 + (1) = 34

Raise Shield [A], Stride [A], and Strike [A].

Gregoth’s arms rise, putting the shield in front of his chest and the sword in front of his face. Wordlessly he points the blade at the abomination before him. The simple act of defiance seems laughable when compared to the evil looming above him, yet his unwillingness to yield fills his companions’ hearts with hope and fervor. Brilliant flames race down his arms and along the edge of the sword, then leap out in a blazing arc towards the undead monstrosity!

Wisp Rush: 1d20 + 31 ⇒ (8) + 31 = 39
Positive damage: 4d8 + 4 ⇒ (6, 3, 6, 2) + 4 = 21

Everyone gains the effects of a 6th lvl zealous conviction, granting them 12 temp hitpoints and a +2 status bonus against mental effects for 10 minutes.

Raise Shield [A], Heroic Presence [A], Rage [A], and Wisp Rush Strike [F]. AC 40, 22 temp hitpoints.

Gregoth’s hand tightens around the hilt clutched in his fingers. “Three heads, and none of them tell the truth,” he mutters darkly. “It will use us and kill us.”

Heck yeah we'll hero point that!

Will, Inspire Defense vs DC 40: 1d20 + 30 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 30 + 1 = 40 Thank you Turrey!

Gregoth shakes his head. Tears fall like rain, staining the stone beneath his feet with soot-black spots. The blade is his hand is relentless, its flames thirsty for more ichor to burn.

Longsword vs Green: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (18) + 32 = 50
Slashing damage, Negative damage, Fire damage: 3d8 + 11 + 13 + 1d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 2) + 11 + 13 + (2) = 38

Longsword vs Green: 1d20 + 32 - 5 ⇒ (6) + 32 - 5 = 33
Slashing damage, Negative damage, Fire damage: 3d8 + 11 + 13 + 1d6 ⇒ (8, 7, 5) + 11 + 13 + (6) = 50

Raise Shield [A], Strike [A], and Strike [A]. If Green falls before the end of his turn, swap one of the Strikes for a Stride to Red.

Black tears begin to trickle down Gregoth’s face as he beholds the woman’s wormy form.

Intimidate, Prowess to Demoralize vs Green: 1d20 + 31 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 31 + 2 = 42

Wordlessly he raises the arm holding the shield, swings the arm holding the sword, jerks the arm back in a clumsy motion like a marionette controlled by an unskilled puppeteer.

Longsword vs Green: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (20) + 32 = 52
Slashing damage, Negative damage, Fire damage, Precision damage: 3d8 + 11 + 13 + 1d6 + 2d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 3) + 11 + 13 + (4) + (1, 2) = 43

Longsword vs Green: 1d20 + 32 - 5 ⇒ (12) + 32 - 5 = 39
Slashing damage, Negative damage, Fire damage: 3d8 + 11 + 13 + 1d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 7) + 11 + 13 + (5) = 45

Demoralize [A], Raise Shield [A], Strike [A], Strike [Q].

Gregoth steps into the room, and the air around him swiftly darkens as if suddenly smothered by ghosts and memories and smoke and dust. Black eyes catch the taller woman’s gaze, grasp at her breath, pull her in to their lightless depths.

Intimidation to Scare to Death vs Green: 1d20 + 31 ⇒ (3) + 31 = 34

Both arms rise. One arm falls.

Longsword vs Green: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (7) + 32 = 39
Slashing damage, Negative damage, Fire damage: 3d8 + 11 + 13 + 1d6 ⇒ (8, 4, 7) + 11 + 13 + (3) = 46

Stride [Q], Rage [A], Scare to Death [F], Raise Shield [A], Strike [A].

Gregoth shakes his head. “If we find more screaming ghosts, it could be your death. The priest of Pharasma would be safer.”

I think he was healthy when we last saw him? Or was there another ally we could send him to?

And no preference regarding direction - NE sounds fine!

Gregoth watches Bellaluna ascend and nods. The sword slides back into its sheath, the shield clanks as it hits the stone floor, and the man springs up and grabs the wall as though suddenly possessed by the spirit of a spider.

Athletics to High Jump: 1d20 + 33 ⇒ (6) + 33 = 39 Gregoth’s got Quick Leap and Cloud Jump, letting him make Leaps as a single action and High Leaps up to his speed (40 ft).

2x Interact to stow Longsword and remove shield [AA], then High Jump to cling to wall [A]. If he could stow the shield as part of the action to remove it, he would do so.

If Turrey doesn’t want to use a heightened dispel magic on the darkness, Gregoth will walk in and see what bites him.

The white flames wreathing the sword in Gregoth’s hand leave a harsh afterglow in the air as the large man walks around the ghost. He pauses for a moment. Burning tears leave burning trails on his cheeks and through his beard. The sword rises, and falls.

Intimidate to Scare to Death vs Blue: 1d20 + 31 ⇒ (1) + 31 = 32 (lol)

Longsword, IC vs Blue: 1d20 + 32 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 32 + 1 = 41
Flat Check vs DC 5: 1d20 ⇒ 14
Flat Check vs DC 5: 1d20 ⇒ 12
Ghost-Touch Slashing damage, Positive damage, Fire damage: 3d8 + 11 + 13 + 1d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 5) + 11 + 13 + (4) = 41

Stride [A], Scare to Death [A], and Strike [A].

Gregoth’s feet drag him after the wounded spirit. As his arm rises, brilliant flames race up it and lick the sword in his hand hungrily. Bone-white eyes stare flatly at the ghost, then soften into pity and sorrow as shining tears leak from their corners. The sword falls.

Longsword vs Red: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (11) + 32 = 43
Flat Check vs DC 5: 1d20 ⇒ 13
Flat Check vs DC 5: 1d20 ⇒ 7
Ghost-Touch Slashing damage, Positive damage, Fire damage: 3d8 + 11 + 13 + 1d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 8) + 11 + 13 + (1) = 39

Stride [A], Rage [A], Shake It Off (to reduce Frightened condition by 1) [F], Strike [A].

Longsword, IC, Frightened: 1d20 + 32 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 32 + 1 - 1 = 41
Flat Check vs DC 5: 1d20 ⇒ 9
Flat Check vs DC 5: 1d20 ⇒ 12
Magical Slashing damage, IC, Fire damage: 3d8 + 11 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (1, 8, 4) + 11 + 1 + (3) = 28

Wasn’t sure if the concealed happened when she triggered the AoO, so included it in case it was needed.

I’ll be happy to delay until after Turrey’s turn in case he uses something like inspire courage, but I’ll post now so we can keep things moving.

The flames dancing up and down the blade in Gregoth’s hand have lost their white-hot brilliance, but they still leave a trail of glowing embers in the air as the large man walks around the pair of spirits. His eyes, now grey instead of bone-white, stare unflinchingly at the ghost between him and Kaldren. His arm rises, then falls.

Gregoth is wearing an Eye of Fortune, letting him roll the flat check twice and take the higher result.

Longsword, Frightened vs Red: 1d20 + 32 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 32 - 2 = 42
Flat check vs DC 5: 1d20 ⇒ 3
Flat check vs DC 5: 1d20 ⇒ 6
Magical Slashing damage, Fire damage: 3d8 + 11 + 1d6 ⇒ (7, 3, 2) + 11 + (6) = 29 (Fire damage not reduced by resistance or immunity)

Raise shield [A], Stride [A], Strike [A] (AC 40, Frightened 1).

Fair enough - but then that means Gregoth still has his reaction for Perfect Clarity!

Will, IC, Circumstance: 1d20 + 30 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 30 + 1 + 2 = 41

Rage ends, so AC bumps up to 41.

Yep, that’s worth using a Hero Point to avoid.

Will, Status, Shield: 1d20 + 30 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 30 + 1 + 2 = 52

Also, Blue cast a spell, correct? Does that mean Gregoth’s AoO triggers? And wouldn’t Turrey’s Resolve turn his Success on that Will save into a Crit Success?

Gregoth’s heart aches as the ghost’s anguished wail washes over him. Tears that shine like miniature shooting stars fall from his face, shaken loose with each footstep as he advances. A few land hissing and spitting on the metal blade in his hand, a few more on the metal shield held before him.

Intimidate, Prowess to Demoralize vs Blue: 1d20 + 31 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 31 + 2 = 46

Stride [A], Raise Shield [A], Rage [A], Demoralize [F]. AC 40, Resistance 7, and a +2 circumstance to saving throws against spells.

Longsword: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (2) + 32 = 34 Since it seems like this fellow is near death, I’ll go ahead and use Perfect Clarity!
Longsword, Curcumstance: 1d20 + 32 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 32 + 2 = 45
Slashing damage, Positive damage, Fire damage: 3d8 + 11 + 13 + 1d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 6) + 11 + 13 + (2) = 39

Longsword: 1d20 + 32 - 5 ⇒ (12) + 32 - 5 = 39
Slashing damage, Fire damage: 3d8 + 11 + 1d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 6) + 11 + (4) = 28

Gregoth doesn’t seem to notice his wounds, continuing to hack and swing at the monster of a man before him. A flash of painful white light bursts from his face as blade meets blade, and when it clears the tall man’s eyes are grey rather than bone-white.

Persistent Bleed damage: 2d8 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6
Flat Check vs DC 15: 1d20 ⇒ 13

Persistent Fire damage: 2d10 ⇒ (2, 2) = 4
Flat Check vs DC 15: 1d20 ⇒ 2

Strike x2 [AA] and Raise Shield [A].

Wow! Nice work everyone!

The blade in Gregoth’s hand jerks from the impact, then is pulled back as the shield pushes the other sword away. Eyes too bright to look at stare into the Gardener’s eyes, through the Gardener’s skull, through the Gardener’s soul. The blade, now free, swings wildly.

Demoralize, Intimidating Prowess vs #2: 1d20 + 31 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 31 + 2 = 45

Longsword vs #2: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (8) + 32 = 40
Slashing damage, Positive damage, Fire damage, Precision damage: 3d8 + 11 + 13 + 1d6 + 2d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 4) + 11 + 13 + (3) + (3, 1) = 40

Raise Shield [A], Demoralize [A], and Strike [A].

Persistent Fire damage: 2d10 ⇒ (1, 5) = 6
Flat Check vs DC 15: 1d20 ⇒ 5

Persistent Fire damage: 2d8 ⇒ (2, 5) = 7
Flat Check vs DC 15: 1d20 ⇒ 20

AoO: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (17) + 32 = 49
Slashing damage, Positive damage, Fire damage: 3d8 + 11 + 13 + 1d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 2) + 11 + 13 + (2) = 32

Fortitude, ID vs DC 38: 1d20 + 32 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 32 + 1 = 41

Brilliant flames spill instead of blood from the gashes in Gregoth’s body. He turns and jerkily swings the blazing sword in his hand towards the Gardener between him and Kaldren, then flails again as his other hand pulls the shield up.

Longsword vs #1: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (5) + 32 = 37
Slashing damage, Positive damage, Fire damage: 3d8 + 11 + 13 + 1d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 3) + 11 + 13 + (1) = 38

Longsword vs #1: 1d20 + 32 - 5 ⇒ (1) + 32 - 5 = 28
Slashing damage, Positive damage, Fire damage: 3d8 + 11 + 13 + 1d6 ⇒ (4, 8, 4) + 11 + 13 + (2) = 42

Bleed damage: 4d8 ⇒ (7, 1, 1, 4) = 13
Flat Check vs DC 15: 1d20 ⇒ 15

Fire damage: 2d10 ⇒ (9, 2) = 11
Flat Check vs DC 15: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Strike [A], Strike [A], Raise Shield [A]. @GM, does the damage tracker account for Gregoth’s 22 temp hp from Rage?

Burning tears trickle down Gregoth’s face, igniting as they mix with the air. Slowly he advances, sword flickering with brilliant white flames.

Intimidate to Scare to Death vs #2: 1d20 + 31 ⇒ (5) + 31 = 36

Longsword vs #2: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (10) + 32 = 42
Slashing damage, Positive damage, Fire damage: 3d8 + 11 + 13 + 1d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 1) + 11 + 13 + (3) = 39

Rage [A], Scare to Death [F], Stride [A], Strike [A].

Gregoth nods in agreement and holds the blade in his hand at the level of his eyes.

There’s nothing mechanically stopping Gregoth from just standing still until his rage ends, and he’s not personally invested in killing all Gardeners, so no worries about keeping folks alive.

Gregoth can’t help but look down at his own hands as Félicité talks about hot bread and fingertips.

The Gardeners are scattered around the room. Gregoth’s black gaze finds each of them in turn. Gregoth’s empty eyes look deep into each of theirs in turn. Death makes its inexorable presence known to each of them in turn.

Intimidate, Heroism to Scare to Death vs Black: 1d20 + 31 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 31 + 1 = 52

Longsword, Heroism vs Purple: 1d20 + 32 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 32 + 1 = 51
Slashing damage, Negative damage, Fire damage: 3d8 + 11 + 13 + 1d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 5) + 11 + 13 + (3) = 41

Intimidate, Heroism to Scare to Death vs Green: 1d20 + 31 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 31 + 1 = 40

Scare to Death vs Black [A], Strike vs Purple [Q], Scare to Death vs Green [A], Raise Shield [A].

Gregoth’s feet move him away from the bloated corpse, over the dead woman in the doorway, back into the large room. His arm jerks, swinging the sword in a wide arc.

Longsword, Heroism vs Yellow: 1d20 + 32 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 32 + 1 = 34 (Bah. Hero Point!)
Longsword, Heroism vs Yellow: 1d20 + 32 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 32 + 1 = 51
Slashing damage, Negative damage, Fire damage, Precision damage: 3d8 + 11 + 13 + 1d6 + 2d6 ⇒ (7, 6, 6) + 11 + 13 + (5) + (4, 3) = 55

His head turns, black eyes look at the nearby assassin. Shadows stir in their endless depths.

Intimidate, Heroism to Scare to Death vs White: 1d20 + 31 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 31 + 1 = 50

Stride [Q], Strike [A], Raise Shield [A], Scare to Death [A].