Curse of the Crimson Throne: Seven Days to the Grave [IC]

[lostsole31]

Zeta is able to determine that the corpse belonged to an entobian, a humanoid with insectoid properties. Many start in this form and metamorphose to something else, but she can tell that he was going to a "permanent larva" (an entobian that does not metamorphose into anything). The body is in terrible shape, and whether it was the cause of death or something else would require a better autopsy than the look you have here, but his body has been gnawed on by a rat swarm.

Obviously destroyed, he wore dark, motley street entertainer's clothing with a very dark, full cloak. His hands are sheathed in irreparably damaged sharkskin gloves, specialist gear for serious climbers - and usually stealthy types. He has the destroyed, sewage-blortched remains of a spell component pouch: several fireflies (light); a mineral prism (read magic); a whole slew of very tiny mirrors (tap inner beauty); many, many tiny parcels of coal dust (dust of twilight). Instead of being worn, there appears to be what might be a divine focus: an eight-pointed star. The various forms of detailing definitely show it as related to the Dark Tapestry, and drawing on inspiration you recognize this as an extremely rare focus venerated by those who call on the Primal Chaos, Azathoth, a creature of true madness. Bard is possible, since all spells can be used by a bard, but this last bit of information is enough for you to figure that dust of twilight - actually a boon given to oracles - likely pegs this late entobian as an oracle of the Dark Tapestry. Not a pleasant thought. If this is the small combatant from before, then Korvosa's Epsilon Elite (EE) truly walked with dangerous and unpredictable persons, a point seconded by slain, helpless prisoners.

Then, you find something particularly interesting on his vest: a medal. The medal is the Pseudodragon's Mark, and is given by the city to someone who has proven themselves particularly heroic in some way. Wear of this medal opens a lot of doors, but if it was not earned it can mean jail sentence and a fine, and if he wasn't bundled in his cloak this medal is quite easily noticed ... in fact, placed to be conspicuous. This means that unless the wearer was as much an idiot as his oracular patron, then despite what dark powers he channeled he actually was some type of hero. The city will want to know about this, for sure. There can't be too many awarded entobians roaming around, let alone many civilians.

Lastly, there is a ruined sack that was looped around his belt, chewed through and sewaged through-and-through. Nothing special; simply ex-functional. As expected, there is nothing else on him of any value, and that includes a pretty in-depth search by your un-squeamish half-elf.

After giving your report, Burçin asks Phi, "Do you want me to scout ahead to see the source of that smoke?"

[PSinger]

"No. We have our tactics against wererats. If something more dangerous like an otyugh, we don't want you snapped up. Keep the formation. Stealth is on their side already since we make noise."

With that, let's move down the cleft to investigate.

[lostsole31]

It's a 10'(ish)-wide cleft, and goes in about 15'. The flow of sewer filth oozes into this rough-hewn stone cave, pooling near its center before continuing through a crude channel in the western wall. Fat black mushrooms and other disgusting fungus grow thick around the pool of slime. Several low alcoves are cut into the walls, each filled with moldering hay, filthy furs, and tiny bones.

No sooner does the first rank pass the cleft into the chamber when Phi (closest to this side) notices a wererat about 20' to the north with a crossbow trained on him (with partial cover behind a rock exit) and he fires. Phi lightly deflects it with his shield.

R1T33: Zeta, what do you do? The order was to keep formation. All you saw was a bolt skip off of Phi's shield, but you are still in the cleft-tunnel.

Eta is next after her ...

[PSinger]

Zeta and Eta both ready move actions to move with the phalanx once ordered by Phi.

[lostsole31]

Burçin does likewise. Ruor & Phi?

[PSinger]

I trust Ruor will follow her mistress in like manner as much out of instinct.

Phi orders, "Ready ... forward!"

He moves the phalanx forward to the mid-point of the room, and points to the assailant.

Since he didn't have to ready, he tosses his mithral shortspear at the shooter.

Spoiler

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MA: Move phalanx.
SwA: Coordinated strike.
SA: Toss (1d20+14)[23], damage (1d6+11)[15] + (1d6)[5] vs. evil. (Mods include cohort bonus, but not coordinated strike or fighting defensively, which he is.

[lostsole31]

R1T33-18.9: Everyone stands at the ready to move forward on Phi's command. "Ready ... forward!"

He moves the phalanx forward to the mid-point of the room, and points to the assailant, and everyone is given the mental acuity to better attack the foe. Phi tosses his mithral shortspear at the shooter, hitting him in the upper left arm for resounding 20! At about the same time, an ear-piercing scream erupts in the chamber, closer to the group. It doesn't hurt anyone, but it's loud.

R1T17: The wererat, though badly wounded, reloads and fires at Phi again (blocked by his shield).

End Round 1, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T24: Zeta, what do you do?

Eta on deck, Bur in the hole ..

[PSinger]

"This disgusting flow is slick!" shouts Zeta over the keening. "I suggest we push north out of it to get us away from the noise, but more importantly I don't want to fall in this stuff."

Eta nods, and both women delay (not ready) for Phi.

[lostsole31]

Zeta and Eta delay, as does Burçin. Ruor - half-submerged in muck with a strong smell and dealing with the high-pitched noise - waits for a command, but if you stick around in this you might be required to command Ruor to an action or she might back out from sensory overload. Phi?

[PSinger]

Phi marches out of the gunk 15' to make sure the phalanx is clear as each member follows. He yells over the din, "Rats and rogues run in packs, and that's an alarm! More will come! Let them. We are ready, equipped, and trained. Go where the hero lies within you and bring that worthy forth!"

He will then continue to give orders and guidance for his allies in attacking the wererat.

Spoiler

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MA: Move forth as shown.
SA: Inspiration to all allies that can hear him for (3d6)[9] temporary hit points.
SwA: Continue coordinated attack

I will hold on others' actions, since Bur would have to move forward as Phi's front-rank partner.

[lostsole31]

R2T24-21: "This disgusting flow is slick!" shouts Zeta over the keening. "I suggest we push north out of it to get us away from the noise, but more importantly I don't want to fall in this stuff."

Eta nods, and both women delay (not ready) for Phi, as does Burçin. Ruor - half-submerged in muck with a strong smell and dealing with the high-pitched noise - waits for a command, but if you stick around in this you might be required to command Ruor to an action or she might back out from sensory overload.

R2T20: Phi marches out of the gunk 15' to make sure the phalanx is clear as each member follows. He yells over the din, "Rats and rogues run in packs, and that's an alarm! More will come! Let them. We are ready, equipped, and trained. Go where the hero lies within you and bring that worthy forth!"

He will then continue to give orders and guidance for his allies in attacking the wererat as everyone is infused with 9 inspiration.

R2T19.9: Burçin moves forward and draws his bow. As he stands by Phi, he draws a broad arrow from his quiver and fires at the wererat, hitting him in the upper right arm for 16 mod and dropping him.

R2T19.7: I assume Zeta and Eta move up, and Ruor does/ is ordered to do the same? The single wererat is down, but it's figured that the noise is going to bring more. Eta happens to note that there is a slight quivering from one of the mushrooms, and she recognizes it as a shrieker ... a type of fungus that puts out this loud sound when it senses movement within 10'. As one can figure, they are often used as living motion sensor alarms.

[PSinger]

Zeta moves forward, and then preps herself for danger by casting mage armor.

Eta moves forward with her. She doesn't waste her breath trying to compete with the shrieker in telling her fellows about it. She plays her flute for mirror image: (1d4+1)[2] images.

Ruor gladly moves forth with her mistress.

[lostsole31]

R2T19.7: Zeta moves forward, and then preps herself for danger by casting mage armor. Ruor moves along with her mistress.

R2T19.5: Eta moves forward with her. She doesn't waste her breath trying to compete with the shrieker in telling her fellows about it. She plays her flute and 2 illusory images blend in and out with the real figure, obscuring her exact position.

R2T19: The shrieker keeps shrieking ...

R2T9: Just behind the wererat is a column that splits an exit to the right (you are "facing north" and this exit is on the far north portion of the eastern wall). Pouring through the split are hundreds of rats that come right up to the line and cover all but the wolf. But in covering the party, people get a chance to squash what they can before getting covered and bit. Burçin, with a bow, doesn't get an attack; Eta has no means of attacking, either. Zeta, not wanting to disappoint Phi, manages to do 7 mod. Phi does 6 mod with his silvered falcata. Since they are moving past threatened squares and obviously going to swarm and attack her mistress, Ruor bites as well. To answer a previous question, the sight of the inspiring Phi affects even Zeta's wolf, and with great vigor she tears through rats with her crushing jaws for 13. The rats gnaw and bite all but Ruor: Bur (2), Zeta (4), Eta (6, max, and she loses all of her images), and Phi (2).

End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T20: Phi, what do you do?

Bur on deck, Zeta in the hole ...

[PSinger]

Phi cuts through as many as possible with his falcata. If he doesn't disperse the swarm, he will direct others as best he can.

Spoiler

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SA: Attack w/ Power Attack (1d20+14)[28], damage (1d8+5)[6] (no mods)
SwA: Coordinate strikes.

[lostsole31]

R3T20: Phi cuts a wide swath through the rats. There was such a burst of destruction, blood, and death in a span of just a few seconds, the swarm disperses in all directions away from these powerful "monsters."

R3T19.9: "Dang!" shouts the wincing archer, "what can we do to stop that irksome noise!"

R3T19.7: Wererat dead or dying ... swarm dispersed ... but it seems that there might be some more danger to expect. Any command for Ruor?

Eta on deck, shrieking shrieker "on deck" ...

[meemaas]

Spoiler: Beta's Day

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Beta takes the day in stride, mourning his fallen comrades, while pestering the staff for word of Paxre. Taking his time during the day otherwise, Beta helps with the arrangements to pass the time.

Spoiler

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Spoilered to not make a mess of the combat.

[lostsole31]

Spoiler: Beta's Day Off

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Shyamal, not living there, is not present for discussing arrangements, but no doubt he has many things far more in hand than you possibly could. Disturbingly, there is no word of Paxre or anyone else. The staff has instruction to pester you back in bed. A healer, worn out since he is already doing what he can in fighting disease elsewhere, is hired to come check on Beta. It will be enough with his ministrations thrice that day, his unpalatable (but otherwise edible) and effective infusions, salves, etc. to make sure Beta will be able to get the benefit of complete rest (assuming he keeps complete rest) and expert healing by the time he wakes up the next day.

[PSinger]

Spoiler: Zeta

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You didn't tell me it was Zeta's turn, you merely asked for a command for Ruor, but Zeta went on T19.7 last round, so ...

"I don't know," shouts Zeta as the noise reverberates off of the uneven stone walls. "But we need to be ready."

In Sylvan, the language by which she trained Ruor, she commands her to heel. Otherwise, Zeta delays.

"It's a shrieker," answers Eta. "A mushroom that senses motion and has quivering ventrils to make that high-pitched noise."

She turns towards that rear area, focusing her will. "Athas-Glutthgruh, Shelyn's servant calls on you for your aid!"

Appearing right next to the mushroom patch is a boar as big as a horse, with its back rising to a steep slope. As wicked and terrifying as it is, its coloration is a mixture of silvers, golds, reds, and browns. Eta (in Celestial) directs it to attack the large, quivering mushroom.

Spoiler

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SA: Summon Athas-Glutthgruh right next to shrieker. Command him to attack it.
* Augment Summoning: +4 Str/ Con.
* Focused Divine Energy: +1 luck bonus on attack/ damage rolls.
* Summon Good Monster: Diehard feat.
* Assuming it is an "ally," than Phi's inspiring presence should boost it as well?

[lostsole31]

R3T19.7-.5: "I don't know," shouts Zeta as the noise reverberates off of the uneven stone walls. "But we need to be ready."

In Sylvan, the language by which she trained Ruor, she commands her to heel.

R3T19.3-.1: "It's a shrieker," answers Eta. "A mushroom that senses motion and has quivering ventrils to make that high-pitched noise."

She turns towards that rear area, focusing her will. "Athas-Glutthgruh, Shelyn's servant calls on you for your aid!"

Appearing right next to the mushroom patch is a boar as big as a horse, with its back rising to a steep slope. As wicked and terrifying as it is, its coloration is a mixture of silvers, golds, reds, and browns. Eta (in Celestial) directs it to attack the large, quivering mushroom. Athas', a really big boar, loves rooting for mushrooms, and tears the shrieker to pieces (ending the noise) in one fantastic gore. He begins to feed with abandon.

R3T6-4: Three wererats burst forth from the spot where their fallen friend lies, going to the head of the line, hoping to surprise the heroes. The first comes right up to Phi, but stumbled and spun around coming out of the narrow spot and he misses wildly and seems a bit offset. A female wererat goes right up to Burçin and catches him in the upper right arm 10 with her short sword. (Bur managed to note the wererat in time so as not to be surprised .... the noise from the shrieker no longer covered the rats' sound.) The third comes around to Phi's side, but the latter just manages to note him as well. It is a brilliant thrust on the wererat's part, but still not enough to get through the powerful bronze breastplate protecting Phi's belly.

R3T3: Burçin ceases his delay, and in expectation of the entire purpose of this phalanx, draws his silver cutlass in a flash and attacks the female wererat defensively. It is a fine cut across her left upper arm for 17 as she screams from the power of the blade with the accursed metal. "Surprise!" Bur says ironically. "She's evil."

End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T20: Phi, it seems that the first opponent made himself dizzy (sickened) from the spin. Bur is now fighting defensively, setting you up (if you do the same) for holding the line. What do you do?

Zeta & Ruor (whom were delaying) on deck, Eta/ Athas' in the hole ...

[PSinger]

Phi calls "Hold the Line!" and fights defensively as well with Bur. He defines tactics against the non-sickened opponent. He puts in as much power as he can muster despite this, attempting to cut into that opponent and get the dizzy one on the backswing, and maybe even the third.

Spoiler

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SwA: Coordinated strike against the non-dizzy opponent on Phi's side (+1 insight attack rolls).
SA: Use FD (-4 attack, +3 AC) - which in concert w/ Hold the Line is another +2 competence to AC.
* PA w/ 1H falcata: -2 attack, +4 damage.
* Great cleave, -2 AC. So, -6 attack, +4 damage, +3 AC. Then, morale bonus for cohort present.
* Of course, -2 attack for Tower Shield, but that's on the sheet. I think I screwed up and used full attack bonus previously. :(
You, as always, add the sich mods.

Attack vs. non-dizzy (1d20+13)[30], damage (1d8+5)[9] + [roil]1d6[/roll] vs evil
If successful, attack vs dizzy (1d20+13)[14], damage (1d8+5)[7] + [roil]1d6[/roll] vs evil
If successful, vs Bur's opp (1d20+13)[17], damage (1d8+5)[12] + [roil]1d6[/roll] vs evil

I'd like to know the effect of this before defining Zeta/ Ruor/ Eta, please ...

[lostsole31]

R4T20: Phi calls "Hold the Line!" and fights defensively as well with Bur. He defines tactics against the non-sickened opponent. He puts in as much power as he can muster despite this, attempting to cut into that opponent and get the dizzy one on the backswing, and maybe even the third. It is a fine cut against his left upper leg for 21 and he gives out a hideous, bloodcurdling scream of pain. That scream is just enough to throw Phi off that he nearly cut himself. Still, great defense and damage.

R4T19.7: Zeta, you are not adjacent to an enemy since you are behind Bur. What do you do? Commands for Ruor?

Eta on deck, Athas' in the hole (so define any commands for him as well).

[PSinger]

Zeta casts throws out some rose petals above and behind the two wererats in front enough to get those two but not Phi or Bur.

Spoiler

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SA: Cast sleep. Will DC 20 negates.
* Unreliable spellcasting vs DC 11 (1d20+9)[18]

However this works out, Ruor is still to heel.

Eta commands Athas-Glug-glug to attack the one by her. Because of the muck, I don't know if Athas will be able to move and fight, but ...

Spoiler

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(no bonuses listed except STR) Gore (1d20+10)[22], damage (2d6+12)[20]

If any rats are still standing, she's going to play Evren-Tutku for hold person on it (Will DC 19 negates).

[lostsole31]

R4T19.7-.5: Zeta casts throws out some rose petals above and behind the two wererats in front enough to get those two but not Phi or Bur. Both wererats drop with a thud and a snore. Ruor delays.

R4T19.3-.0: Eta commands .... Athas Glug-Glug? ... to attack the last one standing. It easily leaps over the sewage and slams into the hapless man-rodent for 20 mod, tossing it like a rag doll. That one has a massive double-hole in its chest, and it's a good bet that he was killed instantly or will be dead in seconds. Either way, he's DUn.

"Hungeries!" shouts something stupid and loudly from the outside this cavern set. "Feeds me! I smell'n blood. Feeds me!"

Eta, do you do anything now that all (current) opponents are down?

[PSinger]

Eta goes to total defense and calls out, "Who is that seeks to be fed? Show yourself."

[lostsole31]

"Me sees da' foodses. Me smellses it. Can'ts get to it! Me hungeries!!" calls the powerful voice, though it might be coming from around the side and down.

Burçin looks to Phi. "We have to go past that skinny entrance the wererats came through, but we still have these sleeping wererats to deal with."

[PSinger]

"Zeta ... My Treasure ... liberate the sleeping from their weapons. Use that big monstrosity of a boar and keep guard. Burcin, cover me, but I shall go first."

Phi stows his falcata and recovers his mithral shortspear (now in hand). Carefully, he pushes past the exit into the space beyond.

Spoiler

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He will use total defense, but it's not jumping about so much as superior, steady position of tower shield to block and spear to deflect.

[lostsole31]

As careful and alert as Phi is, there are some who are just better. A loud snarl and the sharp pain of a powerful bite on his swordarm's shoulder for 20, a nasty bite that makes Phi feel exposed (-4 AC against this attacker as Phi is debilitated).

Begin Round One ...

R1T36: Burçin darts through the crowded portion of the north side of the column bisecting the exit, clear of whatever just bit into his master. He carefully positions himself behind Phi and defensively shoots a broad-head arrow at the new opponent that looks like it should have hit, but there is a blurring effect that throws off the aim.

R1T34: Phi, everything came together for you to have the very best reflexes after that bite you can expect. You see a large, wererat with a silver rapier. He is powerfully built and comes in a few inches beneath you (6-1/2'). He wears an exceptional chain shirt, around which is a long cloth set round and round and round like a big bandage. His teeth and mouth are dripping with your blood. What do you do?

[PSinger]

Phi stands tall, taller than the wererat and glowers. "Such power and cunning, far more than your kin. What is your name, villain? I am Fathi Sharif of House al-Din. Know this name that when I send you to Hades, you may tell them to fear my coming."

As if to punctuate his trash-talk, he profiles his right shoulder to the wererat so he may see the wound beginning to knit.

Spoiler

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Intimidate to demoralize.
Fast heal 2.

SwA: Coordinated attacks w/ group (mainly Bur).

[lostsole31]

R1T34: Phi stands tall, taller than the wererat and glowers. "Such power and cunning, far more than your kin. What is your name, villain? I am Fathi Sharif of House al-Din. Know this name that when I send you to Hades, you may tell them to fear my coming."

As if to punctuate his trash-talk, he profiles his right shoulder to the wererat so he may see the wound beginning to knit, visibly shaking the wererat's resolve.

R1T23: Out of anguish at himself for feeling a little put off by the massive man and boasts, "I am Girrigz Ripperclaws, and I declare war on you humans of Korvosa! I killed a mercenary band yesterday ... their bodies sitting next to the otyugh cage. Soon enough, you too will be fed to it!"

Desperation overrules fear and with a lightning fast strike he grazes Fathi in the knee for 9 (min, yes ... graze), but Fathi smacks the sword away with a double-beat of his spear. The wererat uses that beat to go into a spin high to bite low in Fathi's right shin and calf for 5.

[I am going to keep the battle just with these two ... the others really can't get to this because it is too congested at what was designed as a choke point.]

End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R1T36: Burçin is going to go for rapid shot ... defensive. His arrow just. barely. misses. (Rolled a natural 20 on the % against 20% miss w/ his blur.) The arrow goes past to smack into a far wall and burst into a smaller bit of tanglefoot goo. His second shot misses from his defensive shooting and Girrigz' armor. "I don't know that defensive is going to work for this, but he's damn fast."

Phi, what do you do?

[PSinger]

If possible, the battle can be among those three, but Eta will leave Zeta and the animals to guard the sleeping wererats. She'll go up to her husband (in the choke) and cast a healing spell on him.

Spoiler

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CLW (1d8+4)[8]

Phi, continuing to point out any weaknesses to Bur, will drop his spear. He won't draw his mithral falcata again, but this is a boss-battle. Sofia-Korina, for when your opponent deserves the very best.

Spoiler

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Hold the Line! FD (-4 attack, +3 dodge AC, +2 comp AC)
Attack (1d20+12)[19], damage (1d8+8)[10] + (1d6)[6] vs evil + (1d4)[1] force.