Dark's Age of Worms IC

[TheDarkDM]

Once more, Reynauld's axe cleaves through the sturdy wood of the door, wrenching the boards from their hinges. However, rather than an empty hallway, the crusader's brute entrance instead reveals one of the masked tieflings with a readied axe! Behind the cultist sits what is clearly a guard room, another Hextorite standing with a readied longbow before a tapestry depicting a six-armed, fiendish beast carrying a bewildering variety of weapons. Barely visible behind his newest foe, Reynauld also spies a staircase leading up to the north. The cultist swings before Reynauld can react, but it is the action of a fanatic rather than a warrior. The axe buries itself in the remains of the doorframe, leaving the crusader unharmed. Behind the melee, the second tiefling whispers a blasphemous prayer to the arrow in his fingers, causing an umbral darkness to spring up and enshroud the battlefield. He then takes a step forward, engulfing Reynauld in the gloom.

Spoiler: OOC

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You're all up.

[CockroachTeaParty]

[b]"Shadow flees before light!" Reynauld shouted as he swung his axe at the cultist before him, doing his best to crush him in a single strike. Inspirational music filled his breast with determination, even in the face of magical gloom.

Spoiler: OOC

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I'll mountain hammer this boy, too!
Attack: (1d20+11)[18]
Damage: (1d12+9)[18] + (2d6)[11]
Miss chance 1-20: (1d100)[80]

If he hits, Simone will heal for 2 damage.

[Tychris1]

”Interesting trick. I prefer to see the reactions though.” Cordellia cooed as she unsealed a dam of magical fire from her fingertips.

Spoiler: BURNING MAN

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(5d4)[12]

[PepperP.]

Simone murmured a soft prayer as she came up behind Cordellia and Reynauld.

Spoiler: ooc

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CLW on Myself
(1d8+4)[12]

[Lord Of Mantas]

Louise

Louise, at the moment, lacked a good angle to do anything of worth, but she nonetheless had her bow readied as she brought up the rear.

[TheDarkDM]

Reynauld's mighty swing is pushed aside at the last minute by a shimmer of magical force around the tiefling, eliciting a mocking cackle from behind his mask. The enemy's mirth is short-lived, however, as Cordellia's fire engulfs him. Smoking from the searing blast, he lashes out at Reynauld, tracing a long cut along the crusader's arm before stepping back. Behind the combatants, the thrum of a bowstring can be heard in the magical darkness, and suddenly the hall is swallowed in gloom.

Spoiler: OOC

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Reynauld is hit for 4 damage before the cultist in front of him takes a 5-foot step.

[CockroachTeaParty]

"Push forward! Fear not the shadows!"

Reynauld flat-out ignored the hit he had just received; if anything, it only fueled his zeal. He swung his axe with gusto!

Spoiler: OOC

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Reynauld will use Douse the Flames. If he hits, he will heal 2 hp, and the tiefling will be unable to take attacks of opportunity for until the end of his next turn.

Attack: (1d20+12)[22]
Damage: (1d12+10)[18]
Miss chance 1-20: (1d100)[6]

[Tychris1]

Cordellia winced for Reynauld as he tanked the wicked blade. Snapping her fingers the gloom of the world was for a brief shining moment blunted by the lavish flames of elvish superiority.

Spoiler: Good thing I have Fire in Reserve!

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(2d6)[10]

[PepperP.]

Simone slid past Cordellia as the nearest cultist was lit aflame and dropped. Squinting into the magical murk, the Pelorite evoked the glowing image of a mace and directed it towards the remaining cultist.

"I do not fear the shadows, for they can not exist without the light of Pelor nearby."

Spoiler: ooc

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Cast Spiritual Weapon
Attack on cultist 4
(1d20+6)[26]
damage
(1d8+1)[4]
miss on 1-20
(1d100)[79]

[Lord Of Mantas]

Louise

Louise kept to the rear of the line, trusting Reynauld and the others to take care of things.

Spoiler: Actions

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Move to AL44.

[Othniel]

Corinne

Corinne followed behind, bow at the ready.

Spoiler: OOC

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Not much I can do here but ready an action to shoot if something nasty pops out.

[zabbarot]

Spoiler: OOC

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And my axe dagger!

Dismas brought up the rear.

[TheDarkDM]

Even as the shadows stymie Reynauld's attack, Cordellia's gouts of fire overwhelm the cultist barring the hall. The masked Hextorite archer cries out in dismay as his fellow collapses, only to have the breath knocked out of him by Simone's holy mace. Gasping for air, he stumbles back, raising an arrow in a wild shot that skids off the walls to little effect.

[CockroachTeaParty]

Reynauld had had quite enough of the magical shadows clawing at his eyes. He moved forward and attempted to finish off the last cultist, a silent prayer to Pelor on his lips.

Spoiler: OOC

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Naldo will attack the last boy with a crusader's strike.
Attack: (1d20+11)[25]
Damage: (1d12+9)[14]

Not sure if there's a miss chance still, but YOLO: (1d100)[86]

[TheDarkDM]

The remaining cultist falls beneath Reynauld's greataxe, his blood spattering across the great tapestry against the wall. A few ragged gasps escape his throat, until all eventually falls silent once more. The party is left alone in the cramped confines of the Hextorite stronghold, and at a cursory examination Reynauld discovers a door behind the now-soiled tapestry.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Louise

Louise breathed a sigh of relief as the cultist fell, then turned her attention to the door. "Time to get to work for me, I suppose."

Spoiler: Actions

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Search for traps: Take 10 for 24.

[TheDarkDM]

Leaning in to examine the concealed door, Louise detects no traps. Though the handle refuses to budge at Reynauld's push, the keyhole below it bears a close resemblance to the iron keys taken from the first guards. Gratifyingly, this is no coincidence, as a quick rifle through pockets and an experimental turn pops the lock open. Beyond the door, a long hallway leads to a lit room, the blood-red walls casting strange reflections in the shadows. A round table is overturned for cover, and behind it Reynauld spots two humanoid figures. A pale face emerges from over the makeshift parapet, and contorts into a scowl.

"Heathens! Hextor will punish your impudence!"

Spoiler: OOC

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You have engaged in combat! Corinne may act before any villains do anything.

[Othniel]

Corinne

The bard stepped forward and took cover behind the corner, all the while maintaining her inspiring song.

Spoiler: OOC

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This fight would be more exciting if the hall were wider. :P

Moved on the map. Keep singing!

[Tychris1]

This seemed like the perfect chance to try something Cordellia had worked on in her spare time. Magic was precise will made manifest. A will as shining as hers should be shared with the world. Sidling forward with a hurried swagger Cordellia clacked her heel onto the ground and incanted softly. Head drooped, neck swinging she bobbed her magnificently golden hair in the direction of the two cultists, and swirled her hip in counterpoint as her fingers waggled in a splayed manner. A saucy wink of the eye finished the ritual but produced forth from her fingers was not the scorching bright flames iconic to her. Instead a cornucopia of glittering golden flakes manifested over the disturbing cretins.

Spoiler: Actions

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Glitterdust babyyyyyy! DC 16 Will save!

Aaaand move.

[CockroachTeaParty]

Having switched to his lucerne hammer, Reynauld's goal was clear: charge down the hallway and attack! He did just that, but just as he got within swinging range one of the Hextorites cast a spell from a scroll, creating a terrific blast of sound. The damage it inflicted only fueled his righteous fury!

Turning the corner, he spotted a pair of zomboids, a fact he was quick to shout over his shoulder.
"These villains are employing more undead! Beware!"

He swung his hammer over the top of the table at the blackguard who had cast the spell at him!

Spoiler: OOC

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Charging will drop old Reynauld's AC to 16

Attack on Ken: (1d20+13)[27]
Damage: (2d4+10)[15]

Oh, forgot to mention Reynauld would assume Iron Guard's Glare as a swift action before charging, so anybody not attacking him he's threatening takes a -4 penalty to the attack roll.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Louise

With the room as cramped as it was, and Louise not wishing to actively impede Reynauld, she simply moved up behind him, nocking an arrow to her bow in preparation for if she, by some miracle, found the change to slip into the room and fire.

Spoiler: Actions

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Move and draw weapon. Yeah, Louise isn't good at fighting in confined spaces.

[PepperP.]

"Pelor's light shall illuminate your sins against the living, vile fiends!" Simone rushed forward as she heard Reynauld's warning.

Spoiler: ooc

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Double move

[TheDarkDM]

Even as the party rushes forward, further dangers reveal themselves. Reynauld's hammer blow meets the head of the female Hextorite hunched behind the table, sending her reeling, but around the corner he catches sight of two shambling corpses! Sheathed in bleached scales and with rotten pus oozing from between jagged teeth, the two reptilian horrors rush forward. Thankfully the abominations are slow, and Reynauld's hammer swings out twice more to arrest their progress. Behind the barricade, the dazed Hextorite chokes out a few words.

"Garras...heal me..."

The armored warrior beside her, rippling beneath some magical aegis, gropes towards his companion. An iron holy symbol hangs from his wrist, and as he chants a phrase in blasphemous tongues the purple bruise on the woman's head fades. Looking up at Reynauld, she spits out a curse, but the crusader's stout heart resists the worst of the maledict.

Spoiler: OOC

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Reynauld is Shaken for 1 Round. Cordellia and Louise may act!

[Tychris1]

Quickly following after her compatriots, Cordellia gracefully twirls past Corinne (giving her a playful yet assertive hip bump), and then casually brushes off Dismas to take a spot in the battle line once more. Striking a pose with nose upturned she humphed her displeasure at the sight of her magic being so rudely ignored.... And then instantly began to gag and cover her nose as the stench of undeath crept upon her.

"Absolutely appalling...." She mutters to herself in a strange voice as fire erupts spontaneously behind the overturned table.

Spoiler: BOOOOOOM

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FIERY BUUUUUURST:(2d6)[8]

[Lord Of Mantas]

Louise

Louise kept to the rear, realizing she would not get a clear shot with the room as cramped as it was and surmising that a bow would do little against zombies.

[TheDarkDM]

Fire explodes among the crouching Hextorites, sending the woman screaming to the ground. Her companion, Garras, also grunts in pain, confirming the effectiveness of Cordellia's magic. The combat surges in the party's favor, until the side door opens to reveal another axe-wielding tiefling. Cackling with glee, he swings down at Dismas, cutting a deep gash along the dwarf's torso.

Spoiler: OOC

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Dismas is hit for 10 damage! Reynauld and Dismas may act.

[CockroachTeaParty]

For a moment, the icy grip of fear threatened to devour Reynauld's heart; only the inspiring sound of Corinne's music kept him from going over the edge.

While the emergence of another cultist and the zombies were a concern, Reynauld was more worried about the pair behind the table, as they both seemed to have the ability to heal themselves with magic. True worshipers of Hextor doubtless; Reynauld positioned himself for a brutal strike against the blinded cleric. There was little honor in it, but worshiping dark deities was a crime damnable enough in its own right. He altered his stance, hoping that some of Pelor's grace would help to mend injury, both his own and his companions'.

Spoiler: OOC

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Reynauld moves and assumes Martial Spirit stance as a swift action.

The +2 to attack a blind guy cancels out the -2 from being shaken, and steely resolve doesn't empty until the end of the current turn. If Reynauld hits, he will heal Dismas 2 hp and the rest will go to himself.

Attack against Blindy boy: (1d20+14)[23]
Damage: (2d4+10)[15]
Heals: (1d6+3)[6]

[zabbarot]

Dismas grimaced as the axe struck but reached for his holy symbol instead of his knife.

"In the name of the Witch Goddess, be still."

Spoiler: OOC

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Turning! (1d20+7)[22] (2d6+8)[16] also activating law devotion as a swift for +3 AC

[PepperP.]

Seeing the zombies turned away, Simone reached out to the injured dwarf and infused him with Pelor's healing light.

CMW on Dismas
(2d8+4)[14]

[Tychris1]

Bumping into the axe wielding maniac Cordellia regarded his gruesome horned figure with a quick sizing of consternation. She decided unfavorably. Steel in hand she struck fast.

Spoiler: STAB

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Stab:(1d20+1)[14]
Damage:(1d6)[4]