Through the door of Angels

[RCgothic]

Crystal

"Ok, we'll clear things out. Just try and stay out of trouble until we do," Crystal says. "Let's move out."

[Ancient]

Issarel Clanyr

Issarel takes a moment of relief, they actually may have saved some lives instead of taking some, a welcome change that renews her resolve.

"Let's finish this"

[Janwin]

Benedict nods in agreement. "Indeed, good fellows. The prudent course would be to cleanse this level of its evil scourge before we progress deeper to see what further foulness these devils have wrought upon this place. Onward, then, to this room!" He points to the southernmost room supported by columns. "This must be where the rest of the presences I sensed are cowering."

It seems like a few victories have brightened the noble paladin's mood. ...Even if they are running dangerously low on resources.

[Fliggl]

With your presence sensing, you are a very well leader for our group, Benedict! Lady Amara, your eyes are better then mine, too. Would you share the lead of us with the knight? I would stay 2nd row if it's ok for y'all Joshua is trying to make some kind of plan

[Thundercracker]

Amara nodded. She was afraid, but she was absolutely useless in that last fight and the only one not injured, so she would do her part for the Emperor. She took her place next to Benedict at the front.

[JShield]

Daruk

Daruk was grateful to his friends that they had pulled him our of that pit, and mentally added climbing lessons to his to-do-list. When escorting the miners to safety, he´d make to sure to administer in-combat type first aid where needed (press here, keep that up). After, he would find a place in the middle of the pack where he could be most effective as they ventured deeper in the mine.

[dantiesilva]

With a course of action set out you bring the three wounded to the entrance of the cave where Alberich Eversharp is still waiting for you all. As he see's his friends the hurt dwarf pushes himself up and quickly makes his way over to help you all. "Thank you all, I don't know what I would have done had me friends all died down there. Tell me are the monsters gone? Did you find anyone else?" he asks, listening to your answers and accepting them.

When you are all ready to descend back in you form rank and quickly make your way into the mine. Following the lead of Timothy he leads you to the break room where you can all hear cries for help on the other side, muffled by some kind of gag. However Lord Benedict caution's you all stating that there are four evil presences within the room.

Map

[Thundercracker]

Amara

“If we gather around the door, do you think they’ll come out one at a time?” Amara asked.

Spoiler

Show

i don’t think they can attack around corners, so they’d need to come all the way out of the door where we can have 5 people in melee range and two people standing back with bows. Thoughts?

[JShield]

Daruk

Daruk nods, while putting his torch on the ground and drawing his sword. "Sounds like a plan, try and draw ´em out." He looks around to see if others also agree with Amara.

[Fliggl]

If they are standing close enough to each other, I might be able to frighten them all together - what may give us an advantage.

[El'the Ellie]

Merienda had been quiet for a good amount of time, letting the others take the lead talking with the survivors. Truth be told, the cave was starting to make her anxious. She was used to blue skies and wide open spaces, not this claustrophobia. Calendi was similarly agitated, but both of them knew they couldn't leave the people down here.

Instead, they followed the others deeper into the cave, quietly backing the group up with her bow draw. "We can't let them surround us. Funneling them one by one is probably our best bet."

[Ancient]

Issarel Clanyr

"Sounds like a plan to me" Issarel says, nodding in agreement.

[Fliggl]

The aforementioned door in sight, Joshua searches for his rope again. Found, he binds one end around him (it looks like an X on his chest). The other end he holds up high.

I have a plan, so listen he says with a more silent voice since these devils wont come out - they're shouting for help - we have to come in...
My plan is: one of you opens the door. I charge in, attack one and with this suprise-attack, they will be frightened! And then, then you have to pull the rope and save my skinny butt. If they don't follow me outside, you will be able to land some shoots at least!

I don't ask you what you think about it, I know it's crazy, but unless you have a better plan to get them out, I don't wanna hear any criticism

[Thundercracker]

Amara

“Let’s do it,” Amara said. She waited for the rope to be tied securely then opened the door and stepped aside when everyone was ready.

[dantiesilva]

With the plan set, and rope tied securely around Joshua, forming a large X over his chest, the door to the area is thrown open. Inside the center of the room is a group of three miners tied up with their mouths gagged, their eyes filled with hope as the door opens revealing the mighty warrior. Though this is quickly replaced with confusion as they see the whip in his hand and no sword of any kind.

Behind them stands another of those knocker creatures, a wicked grin on its face as it rests its large pick on it's shoulder. Seeming fully confident that you cannot reach it without walking around the prisoners. No doubt this confidence also stems from the fact it believes its brothers are well hidden in the shadows, unaware that thanks to Benedicts sight they are known about.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Map

Joshua as stated you see the three people (one registering as evil) in the center of the room, tied up and gagged. As well as the one all the way at the end. DC 15 Str check to get pulled back. You get to act first, though note they have been waiting for you, their could be a trap or ready action the moment someone comes into view.

[Fliggl]

A short view at the 4 persons he can see (one devil, 3 tied up) he realizes, that his plan has one big disadvantage: what to do, if no one is in reach? He knows of 4 evil auras in the room, but maybe one or two, or even all three of the hostages are devil in disguise? Maybe none... and the one on the other side of the room is to far away.

What to do know?

Benedict, who? he shouts. He goes down to his knees (like a sprinter before start, ready to make a charge) and continues Arrows!

[Janwin]

Benedict leans briefly around the corner to glimpse into the room and scans the individuals within.

"The center captive is our foe. The other two must not be harmed."

He then steps further down the hallway, sensing the southern presences in order to defend the flank.

"There are more to the south who may decide to join in the fray once they hear the sound of combat."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Move to P18
Ready an action to attack if anyone comes from the south

[Thundercracker]

Amara

Amara squeezed next to Crystal and let a bolt fly towards the devil in the rear, then reloaded.

Spoiler

Show

if they’re not going to come at us, we might as well start shooting.
attack: (1d20+4)[24]
Damage: (1d8)[2]

[dantiesilva]

With the answer to who was an enemy given by Lord Benedict and his eyes that could pierce into a persons soul he dictates the center prisoner as an enemy to the group which gets a surprised look of shock from the prisoners gathered around him. However with their mouths gagged and their hands tied who knows what they are trying to say as the holy warrior moves to the south to defend the group from another group of enemies that was not far from them.

And with clear targets Amara moves next to crystal and fires her crossbow. For a moment it looks like it is going to hit the creature dead center in the head, however at the last moment the Knocker turns and instead the crossbow bolt embeds itself at the base of its left horn which elects a screech of pain from the beast in the far back.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Crystal, Joshua, Meri, Benedict
Enemies
Issarel, Daruk, Amara

Map

[Ancient]

Issarel Clanyr

At the signal, Issarel looses her own arrow at the far devil.

Spoiler: OCC and Combat

Show

Firing an arrow at the devil at J16
To Hit: (1d20+4)[6]
Damage: (1d8)[4] Sneak Attack (if applicable):(1d6)[5]

[Fliggl]

With support from his comrades - either missiles or Benedict's detect evil - Joshua is ready now to rush into the room and strike at the middle “prisoner“. He turns his head, nods, y'all ready? and charges.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Charge attack against the middle one (not a devil in disguise, but what does poor Joshua know?). Charge triggers dreadful wrath (Each enemy within a 20-foot radius must succeed on a Will save (DC 13) or be shaken for 1 minute.)
Attack: (1d20+8)[12]
Damage: (1d6+3)[5]

[RCgothic]

Crystal

"Being of an evil persuasion isn't a crime," Crystal mutters as she looses two arrows at the rearmost devil.

Spoiler

Show

Rapid Shot (1d20+2)[10]+1PBS, -2DA, RS -2
Damage (1d8+8)[12]+1PBS, +4DA

Rapid Shot (1d20+2)[19]+1PBS, -2DA, RS -2
Damage (1d8+8)[14]+1PBS, +4DA

[El'the Ellie]

Following up on her fellow elf's cue, Merienda also takes a shot at the same devil.

Spoiler

Show

Attack: (1d20+3)[10]

Damage: (1d8+1)[3]

[dantiesilva]

Once more you all watch as Issarel fires her crossbow and something seems to stop her, as if seeing the people tied up and bound against their will harmonizes with a piece of her. It is that momentary hesitation which gives the devil on the opposite side of the room more then enough time to duck out of the way of her crossbow bolt.

Crystal and Merienda follow up Issarel's shot, the first shot from Crystal missing as the second pins the creature to the wall with the final arrow from Merienda finishing it off. As its head falls lifelessly looking down towards the ground, the two arrows from Crystal and Merienda the only things keeping the creature standing as its black ichor like blood drips slowly down to the floor.

With the arrows fired Joshua rushes in, trying to intimidate all things in the room that may be trying to harm him. And as his whip cracks, and the dagger blade at the end of it goes flying into the middle prisoner it does indeed cause panic as the two other prisioners begin to try and screech in fear as they watch their friend drop to the floor with a dagger in his heart, red blood flowing to the floor.

That is when the two true devils make themselves fully known as they both charge at Joshua from opposing sides, trying to crush him between them. The first Knocker swings with its great pick in its hand, trying to take out Joshua's legs which he easily parries having expected an attack. However the second Knocker times his strike perfectly as the sharp end of the pick drives through the chain shirt leaving a small hole and a lot of blood coming out of the mans wound.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Spot and Listen checks please, Detect Evil won't notice this
Joshua takes a total of 7 damage

Crystal, Joshua, Meri, Benedict
Enemies
Issarel, Daruk, Amara

Map

Lord Benedict as you prepare for the sounds of battle to echo through the halls and alert the evil presences you sense around the corner your tactics are proven true as the two vile devils try to attack you, cutting of your path from progressing forward as each takes a swing at you. However in their rush to fight you they lack the proper accuracy and miss their attacks.

[JShield]

Daruk

Daruk moves forwards, making it so that monsters would have to move through him to get to the archers, but also keeping an eye on Joshua: if he wanted to move out he´d offer him all the room needed, of course. Presenting his holy symbol, he offers a prayer providing all around him (including the prisoners) a holy protective buffer ((+2 sacred bonus to AC to all)). He also tries to stab one of the devils with his sword.

He raises an eyebrow at the dead prisoner, wondering what went wrong here.

Spoiler: OoC

Show

If it works, I´d like to make an attack as well.

Longsword (1d20+5)[17], damage (1d8+2)[7]. Crit confirm if 24 or 25: (1d20+5)[13], bonus damage (1d8+2)[8]

[Thundercracker]

Amara

Amara moved just a few feet away from Crystal to give them both room to maneuver, and let loose an arrow to the devil directly to the south. Then she loaded another bolt into the crossbow.

Spoiler

Show

(1d20)[14]
Damage: (1d8)[5]

[El'the Ellie]

Merienda knocks another arrow and shoots again at the devils pressing against Joshua. She grimaces at the dagger that hit what appears to be a bystander. Horrible, but it would have to be sorted out later.

Spoiler

Show

Attack: (1d20+3)[5]
Damage: (1d8+1)[5]

Listen: (1d20+6)[25]
Spot: (1d20+10)[25]

AC is 18 now, thanks to Daruk.

[Janwin]

Benedict holds his ground to protect the southern flank and swings his greatsword at the devil standing in front of him.

"Be gone from this place, wretched creature, and leave these miners in peace!"

The paladin remains completely oblivious at this point to the fact that the middle miner wasn't a devil in disguise like they had previously come across.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Attack: (1d20+6)[20]
Damage: (2d6+6)[10]

[RCgothic]

Crystal takes a step back and fires two more arrows, this time at the southern devils.

Spoiler

Show

Rapid Shot (1d20+2)[17]+1pbs -2RS -2DA
Damage:(1d20+8)[13]

Rapid Shot (1d20+2)[6]+1pbs -2RS -2DA
Damage:(1d20+8)[16]

[Ancient]

Once more you all watch as Issarel fires her crossbow longbow and something seems to stop her, as if seeing the people tied up and bound against their will harmonizes with a piece of her. It is that momentary hesitation which gives the devil on the opposite side of the room more then enough time to duck out of the way of her crossbow bolt arrow.

Crystal and Merienda follow up Issarel's shot, the first shot from Crystal missing as the second pins the creature to the wall with the final arrow from Merienda finishing it off. As its head falls lifelessly looking down towards the ground, the two arrows from Crystal and Merienda the only things keeping the creature standing as its black ichor like blood drips slowly down to the floor.

Issarel Clanyr

The familiarity of the scene, the stench of torture and...fear, it all seems a bit too much, but Issarel's new friends are in danger...she steadies herself for another shot.

Spoiler: OOC and Combat

Show

Firing an arrow at the floor devil at N17
To Hit: (1d20+4)[15]
To Damage: (1d8)[3]