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The guards, as well as the rest of the crowd, are struck in awe by Jun and Cin's oratory skills as there is silence to allow her to speak. After Gyllan's discourse, the Captain looks over to Amber and Luc and recognizing his armor, he quickly back tracks. "It's the Senschal's daughter, let her pass!" The guards allow for Amber and Luc and the party to move up to the gate, while the rest of the crowd moves back. "I'm sorry m'lady but you must not have heard the awful news and the cause of the ruckus and rioting in the city: King Eodred II has passed away, this morning. Queen Ileosa now rules the Crimson Throne!" Amber's cries are loud, as she collapses into Luc's arms, muttering, "No, no, no. If only I'd gotten here sooner." Luc tries to console her, hugging her tightly.

The Commander, a man named Everett, recognizes Jun and he speaks freely to him, pointing back to the city. "Good to see you again, Jun. It's a hell in there. There are riots and looting going on. The Sable Marines are on patrol but it's not enough. The guards are afraid to go out and stop the incivility, since there's no healing available. The rich are being mobbed on the street and the Citadel of Adbar has closed its doors. Fires rage uncontrolled. Things look grim. If you all want to go in, I cannot stop you but I cannot guarantee your safety and I do not have spare soldiers to send with you so you'll be on your own. I've got my own mess to deal with, keeping the gates closed. What do you want to do?"

Amber looks at the party with tears in her eyes, "Please, please, I need to make it to the Palace. To see my father and the Queen. Will you help?"

Everett speaks, "I do not recommend it. It's too dangerous. Just wait it out."

Okay, let's jump into the fire with a little fast forward action!

The party rests to recuperate spells and hit points. Thereafter, in the company of the merchants and the Seneschal's daughter, you continue your trip east toward Korvosa in the cold weather. The next 2 days pass in a blur, as you reflect on your heroic actions that saved Amber's life. There's very little chit chat among the group, as the initial euphoria over hearing of your heroism wears off and the merchants go back to worrying about their lives and their day to day problems and how they're going to survive this cursed year.

On the morning of the third day, as you approach the walls of Korvosa, a strange sight greets you, as you see a number of plumes of smoke rising from within the city! You see the gates to the city locked and a number of guards driving off a crowd of commoners (about 15 in total). As you get closer, you hear the crowd yelling, "Let us in! We are Korvosans damn it! Our families and children are in there. We have to be with them!"

You hear the commander of the small squadron of guards (about 7 in total) scream back, "I've already told you people. The city in under martial law and no one gets in or out! Now move back or we will be forced to defend ourselves!" The commander and his six guards have their swords drawn and the situation looks like it's about to get hostile very quickly.

The merchants with you look with worry at the situation and then at you for leadership. What now? You are about 30' from the crowd.

Luc leads Amber back out into the frosty morning. Bones' horse is gone and there is no sign of the half-orc, though the horse's tracks clearly lead back to Korvosa. You make it back to the inn without incident. Amber is happy to be free, grateful that she was not a sacrifice, but sad that her possible herbal cure was ruined. Luc is trying to be supportive but you sense his urgency in returning home and reporting Viktor's betrayal to his superiors. However, he understands you need to rest and recuperate and he does not want to seem ungrateful for your help. When you reach the inn, you are greeted by the caravan members with heaps of praise and joy for your heroism and you find the Tengu still tied up as you left him. A grand brunch is served in your honor.

Will you be resting or heading straight to Korvosa?

Gyllan: Potion of Shield of Faith +2

But you mentioned a herbal c-cure of s-some s-s-sort and a wise-m-man. Could you not a-a-ask him again for a-a-another dose? Would love to study that formulae.

Thanks, Eudo, I did miss it.

Amber looks dejected. "Unfortunately, the cure is from a rare flower that blooms on the Storval Plateau and if you know anything of the unfriendly barbarian tribes that live there, I was lucky to have been given the first batch at all. And now, to go back, waste another 4 weeks. I can't do it, at least not until I see how uncle, the King, is doing. I hope he holds out as long as possible. Damn, cursed year!"

You already know longsword is +1
Necklace with bird talon is Amulet of Natural Armor +1
Gyllan failed his Perception check, he can try one check per potion

Gyllan, I usually tell the party the magic weapons/armors, unless they have special abilities or history etc. For potions, you can roll spellcraft and perception checks. Magic items, you can roll spellcraft checks daily. In keeping with that, you know Viktor's longsword is +1.

Actually, remember my rule, I go in the order you post, so...

Eudo miraculously still stands after the black energy seared the flesh off his body, and looking somewhat like a zombie, with his last heroic effort brings his axe to bear down on the senior guard's skull, cleaving it in two! Viktor falls with a stunned look on his face, as does Eudo.

Tessa screams "Brother, no!!!!" She grabs a dagger and looks ready to stab Amber before Gyllan moves up and beheads her with one swing of his greatsword! Took some dramatic license there in the interest of theatricality!

Luc rushes to Amber's side and they embrace passionately, as the Seneschal's daughter's tears and whisperings of "I love you, Luc" flow.

Congrats, combat over! You all get one Hero Point!

Luc's save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13..success!

Luc moves to Y41 to flank Viktor with Gyllan but is still unable to penetrate his superior's defenses: Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 2 = 14..he is providing Gyllan with +2 on attack due to flank.

Still need the Will save, Eudo.
Tessa screams in pain as the axe penetrates her armor but she continues moving, though she is badly wounded.

I will assume Jun meant that cure light spell for Gyllan.
Yes, I would allow the use of a hero point to use the diehard feat for 1 round. Keep it in mind, Eudo, since you do not have ferocity.

Tessa's Spellcraft check vs. DC 16: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Round 4: Tessa
Tessa looks to see Cin casting animate rope and she screams out, "No! You want to see true power, I give you the power of death! She smirks as negative energy ripples from her form, striking all of you, but not affecting Amber and Viktor. She then moves 10' toward Amber to be next to her.

Channel negative energy: 1d6 ⇒ 5 damage; Will DC 13 for entire party for half.

If Eudo is still up, somehow, he gets an AoO on Tessa as she moves more than 5'. Gyllan and Eudo are up!

Updated Combat Map

Waiting on Jun's rewound action before ruling on Gyllan's request and resolving Cin's Bluff.

Yes, Jun, you can use a Hero Point.
Recall: You can spend a hero point to recall a spell you have already cast or to gain another use of a special ability that is otherwise limited.

Cure light?

Under the command spell, all you do for the round is approach/move.
The creature may do nothing but move during its turn, and it provokes attacks of opportunity for this movement as normal.

Luc attacks Viktor again, but his anger makes his swing clumsy and he misses by a mile!
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Round 3: Viktor
Viktor grimaces as he notices his open wound and ignores Luc's weak attacks and focuses on Gyllan, dealing him a vicious blow that leaves the ranger staggered!
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Gyllan at 0/9 hps and staggered.

Cin and Jun to finish the Round..map upcoming tonight.

AoO on Eudo: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27...possible critical!
Confirmation: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18...no confirmation
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Eudo now at 1/10 hps and he is right in front of Tessa.

Tessa screams, "I can't believe you didn't kill him!"

Gyllan gets up, he can step 5' and attack Viktor this round, if he wishes, since Eudo abandoned the spot under command of the spell.

Round 3: Tessa

The priestess smiles and looks at Viktor, "You'd better not miss, brother dear!" She looks at Eudo and beckons him with her hand, "Approach".

Will save Eudo or you approach Tessa, drawing AoO from Viktor.

Will save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13..success!

Can't step behind Eudo, Gyllan is lying there prone. I'll move you to V42. The wall may be in the way but you can reach around and touch Eudo.

First, Viktor's readied action goes off once someone steps to W41: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Eudo moves up and gets sliced by Viktor's long sword. "You disgust me, half-orc!" He in turn lands a solid blow on the human royal guard, but his blow is turned away by the soldier's shield before it can finish him off! Critical not confirmed! Viktor screams in pain at Eudo's mighty blow and curses him and his family!

Eudo 3/10 hps.

Luc moves in to W41 and swings at Viktor, screaming "Traitor, die!" The chain-mail clad warrior easily deflects the blow with his shield. "Whelp, I should have finished you myself, instead of letting the Tengu try and kill you. You and your friends die today!"
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14..miss!

Cin and Jun to finish Round.

Will save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

A wave of positive energy overwhelms the zombie, as it melts away from the radiant light generated by Jun!

Round 2: Tessa
The priestess screams, as she sees her undead servant fall, "Another blessed one...how is that possible? It's my turn to shine! Aaargh! I will kill you all in the name of Zon-Kuthon!" She stops trying to stab Amber and looks at Gyllan and with great force, yells at him, "Fall!"

Gyllan Will save DC 14 or fall to the ground and remain prone for 1 round. You may act normally while prone but you do take any appropriate penalties.

Updated Combat Map

Round 1: Zombie attack
The zombie moans and raises his fist and lurches forward clumsily toward Gyllan, but distracted and wounded, the blow misses by a mile!
Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6..miss!

Round 1: Viktor
He moves to X41 and readies his shield and sword, waiting for an opponent.

Jun is up to close the Round.

Sorry for delay, work has been busy.

Both of Cin's claws miss, due to cover from the wall. Gyllan's greatsword causes great damage on the zombie, as pieces of skin fall off, but it still stands. Luc moves to V40 and tries to distract the zombie, yelling at him and raising his long sword in a threatening manner.

Aid Another attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14 vs. AC 10...success!
Gyllan's AC is +2 now against zombie's next attack.

Cin, you can use the touch attack to deal the acid damage as a standard action or you can claw the zombie twice but you can't do both. What do you wish to do?

Before Eudo can drink his Shield potion....

Gyllan opens the door and to his surprise, sees an undead walking corpse of a hobgoblin stand before him, moaning! Behind him, you see a black-haired man in armor with his shield and sword out and behind him, you see a black-haired woman dressed in robes trying to kill a blonde woman laying on an altar, her arms and legs bound! The woman yells out, "Help me!" Luc screams out, "Amber, we're coming! Time to die Viktor for your betrayal!" The older guardsman just snickers!

Initiative:
Cin: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
Eudo: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Jun: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Luc: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Zombie: 1d20 ⇒ 10
Viktor: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Tessa: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

Initiative Order:
Tessa
Cin
Luc
Gyllan
Eudo
Zombie
Viktor
Jun

Round 1: Tessa
The priestess of Zon-Kuthon stops trying to kill Amber with her dagger and casts a spell, calling forth unholy aid for herself, Viktor, and the zombie! Jun recognizes the spell as Bless or the evil equivalent.

Cin and Gyllan are up! Luc delays to allow Gyllan to go first. Then Eudo (remember, no Shield yet).

Combat Map

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

The female voice says, "I heard something outside, they might be here! Hold them off, Vik, while I finish the ceremony!"

Bones passes by and there is no treachery from either side. As he starts walking out, he says, "You better not have hurt my horse, cuz if I'm walking home, there'll be hell to pay!" With that he turns to leave.

As you approach the door from which Bones initially came out, you see a small 10x10' room leading to another door, from where you can hear 2 people arguing, one male, one female, their voices a little muted by the door. "Hurry up, I doubt that half-orc will fight on our behalf now that he's got his gold. Stop with the stupid sacrifice, ritual bullsh*t and just slit her throat!" A female commanding voice yells, "This must be done right, to appease Zon-Kuthon! Do not question one of the Blessed!"

What so you do with Tengu?

"I will talk, no need for threats. The human is similar to that one, wears the same garb of chain armor and the same tabard. Guess they belong to same flock. He's the one with the coins so Kondor said to treat him with respect. His sister or so he says is a crazy one, talking to and dressing in armor adorned with skulls. Said something about sacrificing her enemies to her god to appease him. Unnerving if you ask me."
Luc stands there shocked as hears the Tengu describe someone garbed in the Royal Guard uniform.

The Tengu winces when Cin brings her blood-drenched claws to his shoulder but tries not to move out of fear what she will do to him. "It seems you are familiar with all the parties. The white half-orc showed up about an hour ago, demanding an audience with the human male and his demented sister and the woman you call Amber. We heard them arguing about gold or payment but then things calmed down. Then we heard our brother's call for assistance and Kondor...there...told us to set up an ambush for you but it failed miserably. As evident here. What else do you wish to know? They're down that hallway," says the Tengu, pointing to the Eastern corridor.

Luc grunts in satisfaction, glad that Amber is still alive, and that Cin is able to get information out of the Tengu. He still looks a little pale, as he is gripping his open wound, trying to stem the blood flow.

Jun finds 150 gp in platinum coins neatly stacked in a fine leather pouch on Kondor's corpse as well as a masterwork greatsword.

Summary of Round 1:
Kondor missed
Gyllan wounded Kondor
Luc missed
Eudo and Cin's combined attacks killed the green Tengu
Jun moved and healed Luc a little

Round 2: Kondor

Kondor attacks Gyllan with his greatsword but the ranger deftly deflects the blow and counterstrikes, killing the Tengu leader!
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Luc thanks Jun for the heals and moves over the leader's body and strikes at the Red Tengu, killing him in one blow, as he drives his sword into its neck!
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

The yellow and last remaining Tengu drops his weapon and surrenders.

Thought that fight would be tougher..you wiped the floor with them!

Gyllan delivers a powerful blow on Kondor but the Tengu leader still stands, though terribly wounded.

Luc drops his crossbow, draws his long sword and attacks the leader as well, but Kondor parries his blow away.
Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11..miss!

Tengus Attack:
The one from the east (red border) moves in, brandishing his bastard sword 2-handed against Gyllan:
Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12..miss!

The longsword wielding Tengu (green border) attacks and flanks Luc, while a flat-footed Cin can only watch, as Luc is viciously wounded and barely standing:
Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20..hit!
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 2 + (1) = 11

The longsword wielding Tengu (yellow border) attacks a flat-footed Cin, but her physical appearance makes him wary and his swing is awkward and ill-timed, as it strikes nothing but air!
Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5..miss!

Jun and Cin to finish the Round. Eudo, please tell me to whom did you direct your attack? See Map. Don't forget to reference borders when attacking anyone but Kondor.

Updated Combat Map

As the party starts to move toward the west, suddenly, two Tengu armed with long swords race out from the west passageway, while you hear two more appear from behind you, one wielding a bastard sword and a muscular leader wielding a 2-handed sword. The leader yells, "Kill the intruders!" The three other Tengu yell, "Yes, Kondor!"

Initiative Rolls:
Cin: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
Eudo: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Gyllan: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Jun: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Luc: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
Kondor: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Tengu: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Round 1: Kondor's turn
The leader of the Tengu moves up with his 2-handed sword to R37 and strikes at Eudo, but luck is on the alchemist's side and the warrior almost slips, the blow glancing off the stone wall. Kondor growls in disgust.
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5...miss

Gyllan is up! If you're going to attack the Tengu other than the leader, refer to them by the color of their border (green, yellow, red). Thanks!

Combat Map

The ground here is dirt. You don't see any human tracks but you do see fresh tracks heading both directions, made within the last few minutes.

Gyllan moves through the door into the hallway and he sees the hallway splits in two passages, one heading east and one heading west. In the western one, he catches the sight of an unoccupied bedroll on the floor. Which way?

Updated Map

Cin looks down the hallway but sees nothing of interest or concern, same as Gyllan.

Too funny!

Eudo successfully disabled the tripwire, set to unleash some falling rocks from the ceiling. Gyllan quietly moves up the corridor and peers down the corridor. He sees two bed mats on the floor, two crates, and an open door at the end of the corridor, leading into another section. Oddly, the torch at L38 is not lit, casting shadows in this section.

Map

Eudp spots a tripwire along F-G-H 25 column, as he shrinks back down to size.

The Tengu expires, as Gyllan plunges his sword into his chest.
Combat over!

A long hallway east awaits you.

So far: Luc and Jun delayed, Gyllan moved in and missed!

Round 1: Enemies' Turn:

Seeing the giant in the doorway and Gyllan's awkward attack, the 2 Tengu ignore the ranger and shoot at Eudo in the doorway, with the one at G19 taking a 5' step to H20, while the other one stays at F20. Eudo's great size leaves him unable to evade the second arrow, which punctures his ribs, leaving a nasty wound!

H20 Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6..miss!
F20 Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14..hit!
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Eudo's AC is 14 due to -2 AC from spell, -2 Dex and -1 AC due to size.
Enlarge Person: The target gains a +2 size bonus to Strength, a –2 size penalty to Dexterity (to a minimum of 1), and a –1 penalty on attack rolls and AC due to its increased size.

Despite the pain, Eudo moves in and kills the Tengu at H20, who just wounded him.

Cin moves and casts Daze on the remaining Tengu but he resists!
Will save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21...success!

Luc moves down near the room but decides not to take a shot with too many in the way, especially Eudo!

Jun's delayed action to finish the Round and then Gyllan to start Round 2.

Updated Combat Map

Eudo, yes, Enlarge Person still on, for the next 3 rounds.

It's a tight fit but Gyllan gets the horse to squeeze through the door, where he sees 2 scared Tengu coming out from behind the crates, effectively ruining their ambush!

Initiative:
Cin: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Eudo: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9...enlarged Dex -2
Gyllan: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Jun: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
Luc: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Tengu: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Initiative Order Round 1:
Luc
Jun
Gyllan
Tengu
Eudo
Cin

With the enlarged Eudo in his way, Luc has no shot with his crossbow and he delays. Jun and Gyllan are up!

Combat Map

You enter the beach cave and the first thing that catches your attention is the horse with saddle tied to a post stuck in the wall. You also notice discarded food, mostly fruit on the ground in the cave. You see some lit torches on the side of the walls illuminating the room. You see a corridor heading south that ends in a warped closed door, made to fit in the crevice of the wall.

Updated Map

Hang in there guys, the cave map is on my home computer and I am at work. I will post later tonight.

Eudo's axe cuts the Tengu in two, ending combat.

Luc moves to the side and shoots his crossbow at the Tengu but misses poorly, not wanting to hit Cin or Eudo:
1d20 + 4 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 1 - 4 = 6

Round 3: Tengu's Turn
Not fazed that he is the only enemy left standing, the Tengu sees Eudo as his threat and takes a 5' step toward him, trying to pierce the half-orc with his rapier but misses poorly!
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Party is up! Gyllan is disabled at 0 hit points.

Updated Combat Map

Hope Eudo is still with us, last post was on Monday. Also waiting for Jun.

Eudo, you couldn't flank with Gyllan on the Tengu, who just came out, as he is still partially in the cave. But it didn't affect game, since you missed anyway. Jun, you forgot the -4 penalty for not having precise shot feat since Tengu is adjacent to both Cin, Eudo, and Gyllan, making your roll an 11, which misses.

With too many bodies in the way, Luc moves 20' closer and reloads his crossbow.

Round 2: Tengus' Turn
The previously dazed Tengu moves 5' south to AH10 into a flank and attacks Gyllan, but the wounded warrior knows this trick too well and parries the attack away! Attack: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 2 = 14..miss!

The wounded Tengu tries to attack the distracted Gyllan and runs his rapier through the warrior piercing the blade out of his chest, and the human collapses to the ground, his gurgled scream sounding in your ears! The Tengu smiles at the rest of the party and squawks something at his companion before collapsing himself!
1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 3 + 2 = 25...ooh! And Jun cannot use misfortune against this Tengu since he already used it.
Critical confirmation: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 2 = 13...no confirmation!
Damage: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 5) + 1 = 7

Updated Combat Map
Gyllan, you're not dead (-2/12), just a recipient of criticals! While Gyllan tries to stabilize, Eudo to end Round 2 then Cin and Jun to start Round 3!

Waiting for Jun's action.

Okay, Jun!

Reroll attack on Gyllan: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 3 + 2 = 25...looks like it was destiny! Same damage applies!