DrK Wrath Righteous Reboot IC

[In4Dimensions]

Seira volunteers to bring Wenduag back to Chief Sull, as well as escort the left-behind companions to the surface.

Spoiler

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Apologies for the lack of posts, college is getting busy.

[DrK]

As they pause by the entrance to the sewers proper and their freedom Gashur heads back into the lair and searches for the rooms where the sword may be found. Heading back into the main chamber he drops down the ladder Wenduag had fled down and past the crude wooden barricades finds 3 further rooms. Presumaby the ones where the Inquisitor of Baphomet (Hosilla) had taken as her own.

Beyond the room with the barricades was a simple meeting room. Three copper bowls filled with glowing coals hang from the ceiling of this long, natural cavern. The braziers fill the chamber with warmth and soft orange light. In the center of the chamber stands a block of stone that serves as a table, lined with wooden chairs. An enormous bloodstain, maybe a week old, darkens the stone’s surface. There is a crude door to the north and a curtain leading to a room to the south.

Gashur's nose twitches at the smells to the south and he peeks through. Old blood stains the floor of this small cavern. Barrels filled with scraps of fur and fat sit against one wall, emitting an foul stench. The two long stone slab tables are covered with skinning tools and piles of freshly butchered meat. The piles here are a motely collection of butchered rats, cave fish, vermin and even a few monglemen limbs showing how far this clan had fallen. Two wooden racks hold drying animal skins, though thankfully these seem to be mainly be rats and other cave creatures and not sentient creatures.

The room to the North is far more interesting. A stone pedestal holds a copper brazier aloft in the center of this room. Against the western wall, an enormous pile of animal furs and thick quilts serves as a bed. Sheathed weapons and stone carvings adorn the walls. The eastern half of the room holds a wooden desk, beneath which stands a long, thin iron lockbox. The key from Hosilla's belt proves a match for the locked strongbox and Gashur is able to flip open the lid revealing the contents within.

Its a good haul, a small leather pouch with a collection of blue and red gems and a single bright yellow citrine (3 lapis lazuli (10gp each), 2 blood stones 50gp each and a 100gp citrine), 2 magical scrolls to imporve one's toughness and rid one of disease (bears endurance, remove disease) and a dark wood case. Opening the case reveals an ancient and beautiful blade that seems to be forged of gold.

[u-b]

Gashur pockets those findings that are clearly worth something, then proceeds to examine the weapons that adorn the walls to see if any of them look good or at least usable. He also considers taking the lockbox, but not quite sure about that. He weighs it on a hand and asks if anyone can appraise it - box, lock and all. He also asks if people would like to identify the scrolls and the sword (which seems to be the sword, by the look of it) now or some time later.

[Shadowflick]

Markus had been following along, keeping quiet as he drags his feet behind his group, a pounding migraine rattling his skull. A sharp, scratching pain just on the inside of his skull, like a nail trailing across the raw ivory shell. Just on the edge of his senses...he can hear...something. before it was a feeling, and idea, a few visions but now?....Now he can just...hear it. And he knows if he wanted to he could Understand it. is it the voice of the Inheritor? Is it...something worse?

Or perhaps this is a test of his faith, of his loyalty. Of his convictions? Before he even realizes it he finds himself within the room containing the holy blade

"Is...That it? The Sword? With that and the Mongrels perhaps hope is not lost."

[Spore]

Leonius Caela Telum Aasimar Cleric AC: 17 HP: 23/23 touch: 10, ff: 18, CMD: 14 Conditions: Blessing of Vigilance (Lesser Age Resistance, 23h) Leonius turns back to find his allies hunched over a small treasure. Seeing a golden blade here of all things makes him think about Iomedae, but he doesn't want to jump to conclusions just yet. Instead he softly hovers his hand over the sword's hilt as he incants a prayer. Iomedae, show me the secrets this relic has to offer! Spoiler Show Detect Magic (1d20+6)[14] Spellcraft added stuff to "party loot" on my sheet.

[DrK]

The young clercic cannot discern too much of the blade, although it does seem ancient and impressive. As he hefts it he realsies the golden aura is just that and the weight and feel of it is much more akin to cold iron. Though well made and pulsing with strong magic

Spoiler: OOC

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Treat as a +1 cold iron longsword

Its the work of a few hours to head backdown the shafts and caverns to Neathholm and the mongrels. As you appear many of the dozen or so mongrelfolk who had crept out of their ramshackle dwellings hiss and snarl at Wenduag tied and limping behind you and the deformed and obese Chief Sull grins in a most unpleaseant manner. "Wenduagm you will hunt us no more and answer for you crimes." he snorts through his flat nose laughing, "Uplanders, you have done a great service. Know we will help you in the fight against the fallen ones. I will send word to the other clans and they may offer aid as well. " he eyes you, although gives Horgus a flat stare, "Some uplanders have honour."

For their part your 3 colleagues have been fine. Horgus looks up, excited as he hears you have cleansed the lair and found a way up, "A way up you say. Excellent. Remember my offer, 4 bars of gold (~2K gp) for returning me safe to my mansion. I would see my assets recovered and see what is left of shining Kenabres or if I must move o my other holdings." He looks at Chief Sull coldly and the squalor, "The sooner we leave the better. Even a city under siege is more befitting than this vermin ridden filth pit."

Arivishnal is helped up by Aneiva, the blind mage listening intently, "You say there was a note that identified safe houses for the cultsist. Please, we must eradicate them, and protect the Tower! Its vital we go there first, some of my order are there,", Aneiva, still pale and limping on her crutch nods. "I want to see my wife, Irabeth will be beside hereself if she still lives but she would agree. We must see the cult driven out."

--

Limping with you you soon return to the lair of the fallen mongrels and after another 30 minutes emerge deep in the southern suburbs of the city to a scene of chaos. Emerging from the sewers, you step into a city vastly different from the one you left when you fell into darkness as the demons assulated the city. The tremors and demonic attacks have devastated the city,
leaving it a smoking, apocalyptic ruin. Deep chasms riddle the city, while the paths of enormous demons have left ruinous trails of rubble extending out from the city’s heart. Above, the once-familiar skyline of Kenabres and forever changed—the tower of the Kite and the Cathedral of St. Clydwell having been completely destroyed, while elsewhere plumes of dark smoke still rise from the smoldering remains of burned-down buildings. Fat buzzards wheel above in skies scarred by red smoke and black clouds. The Worldwound has expanded its borders, and now the city of Kenabres is
enveloped in it the very air thick with dust, brimstone and the stench of death!

[Spore]

Leonius Caela Telum Aasimar Cleric AC: 17 HP: 23/23 touch: 10, ff: 18, CMD: 14 Conditions: Blessing of Vigilance (Lesser Age Resistance, 23h) Bearing the blade, Leonius senses potential in it, but feels something in the way. It is as if the blade refuses to work in spite of its many enchantments. Shall I bear this blade, or will you, Mong? He softly punches the at least 1 foot taller half-orc onto his chest. I would be proud to wield such a weapon, but as I see it, my place is probably as this group's support. Its magic is less wasted on you. The middle-aged cleric smiles as he trusts his friend with more than just his life now. Leonius thought he was prepared for the devastation to come. A demon lord attacked and created a chasm in the middle of the city, he would not expect the architecture to take kindly to that. But what he saw took the aasimar's breath away. Beyond shocked, he needed a minute to collect himself. Then he turns to the group to assess their options. We have two options. We find a place where your leg can get rest, Anevia and where Horgus is safe until we go to his mansion. Or we go look for safehouses right now. My vote is for the former. I do not want injured or civilians on the frontlines, and it is getting dark out there, we should probably rest too.

[Starbuck_II]

Mong was in awe at such a nice sword. The golden handle and glowing blade was a glorious sight to see.
"It is beautiful. Never have I seen such a magnificent sword. I'd be honored to use it if you are sure you don't want it. This will make mincemeat of these demons!" . Mong was glad to met such wonderful comrades such as these.


As they emerge, Mong could not believe his eyes. How long had they been down there that it became like this?

"This place is not the town I used to know...
Well, Horgus can handle his own, however, Anevia's leg and Arivishnal being blind is still a major problem.
It does seem best to safe place for them to hold out.
What do the rest of you say?"

[u-b]

Gashur abstains from taking strategic decisions. Not because he's not able, but because he is not a "real" crusader, so his first choice in this ruined city would be between the southgate and the northgate, with maybe some damaged sections of the wall thrown in. He rather thinks those would be less than popular, so he just lets the others propose and select more risky ones.

[RCgothic]

"It looks like the wardstone has fallen with The Kite," Tali observes ruefully.

"Just look at the way the worldwound has engulfed the city! The crusade is routed and Mendev is on the brink of disaster! We need to gather what supplies -" she nods to Horgus "- and allies - " she nods to Aneiva "- we can and escape the city whilst causing as much loss and discomfort to the cultists as we can!" She also nods in agreement to Arivishnal.

She flexes a first which bursts into crimson fire and a field of energy flashes into existence around her form protectively.

"I think we need to do all these things. We should follow a route that reaches all our objectives in the shortest possible time. And we need to hurry. If I were the cultists I'd have reinforcements from the worldwound on their way hear already."

[In4Dimensions]

Seira took in the destruction with what appeared to be a steady gaze. She had no particular love of Kenabres in and of itself, but seeing the destruction brought back memories of that fateful night, when her parents and everyone else around her had been slaughtered. For a moment, she could almost hear the screams of thousands ringing in her ears, crying, whimpering, begging for someone to save them...

She pushed these unwanted thoughts out of her mind. Right now, action was required. "I agree with Leonius. Anevia, do you know of any safehouses nearby, or where we might find other non-hostiles? If not, we can pick a house and defend it, but that would be less than ideal."

[RCgothic]

Tali concentrates for a moment and another horse appears.

"For you and Arivishnal," she says to Anevia. "So you can both keep up. I know you're both eager to find your wife and allies," she says sympathetically.

[Spore]

Leonius Caela Telum Aasimar Cleric AC: 17 HP: 23/23 touch: 10, ff: 18, CMD: 14 Conditions: Blessing of Vigilance (Lesser Age Resistance, 23h) Leonius looks in awe at the budding sorceress. In a relatively short time, she managed to summon a horse and control her powers much better. She was a bit off to be a decent arcanist, the cleric knew sooner rather than later most of their combat would revolve around enabling and protecting Tali. He puts his hand onto her shoulder. That is a great way to speed our crusade up, Tali. But make sure not to exhaust yourself just yet. The city runs rampant with cultists, we might be forced in a few conflicts this day still. Gashur, can you make out a vantage point to climb and maybe surveil the surrounding area for us? he finally asks the atavistic half-orc. He was unsure how to incorporate such ferocity in plans, but he assumed if he ripped people apart like an animal, he might be able to climb like an animal too.

[u-b]

Gashur shrugs and looks around for something climbable in the vicinity that would offer a good enough view. If he sees it, and estimates to be able to reliably climb it, he does just that.

Spoiler

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Climb 10+8 = 18
Perception 10+6 = 16 then 20+6 = 26 (extra +2 vs evil outsiders)

[DrK]

Screams, crackling smoke and burning buildings dominate the local area. Bodies and gorey remains litter the streets and scream, demonic hoots and howls and the crash of rubble sliding fill the air. Peering through the smoke filled air you all know North is the most direct way, curbing round the outer district until you can get to the Eagle gate leading to inner city

Horgus says little, watching fearfully and muttering under his breath about his holdings, the blind elf weeps tears for the fallen city he can smell and Aneiva looks worried as she looks towards the centre where the kite would have been.”I worry greatly for Irabeth” she says as the others help her stop the horse.

“She will be where the fighting was thickest, but for now we must root the cult out and search the area, the alchemist and then the library are closest and I’d Aravshinal’s colleagues still hold the library we should have some sanctuary there.”

As she says that Gashur climbs a nearby house and perched by the chimney, he can see the devastation in the inner city and the billowing smoke, but of more concern is future up the street, beyond a thick bank of smoke blowing from a burning house he can see a pair of dog like demonic beasts with brown fur and a collar of red and black bony spines worrying the corpses of three city guards. With the smoke they have not noticed you yet but may soon as they are 140ft up the street

[u-b]

Gashur climbs down to the group. Two scaly demon dogs that way. A hunded yards and a half. We can try to go get them or try to choose some other way.

[Spore]

Leonius Caela Telum Aasimar Cleric AC: 17 HP: 23/23 touch: 10, ff: 18, CMD: 14 Conditions: Blessing of Vigilance (Lesser Age Resistance, 23h) Leonius nods at the lookout, but his features harden to a grimace. Avoiding them might be smarter, but I will not leave this city to demons. Besides, I have never been one for stealth. he says as he draws his blade. He turns around. Any objections?

[RCgothic]

"It'll help the survivors to put them down. And going around would take longer," Tali agrees with a new determination, flexing a hand coated in rippling crimson flames.

[Starbuck_II]

Mong draws his new sword and grips a few berries in his off hand so he can test a new ability he learn.
"I've learn a new fighting stance that requires me to get drunk off these berries. Totally ready to test it out, now I have to ask 'Who let the dogs out'?"

[In4Dimensions]

Wordlessly, Seira draws her spear and points it towards the direction of the demon dogs, her intentions clear.

[u-b]

Gashur gives the glaive to Arivishnal to hold it for a moment, then leads the way. He does not intend to charge the demon dogs, though. He plans to let them charge instead. He moves some 20 feet ahead of the rest of the group to give the dogs only one obvious option.

Spoiler

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Will be ready to strike anything moving into range of the lucerne hammer.
Ready: (1d20+6)[14] for (2d12+18)[28] piercing cold iron (with power attack -1/+3 and braced for x2)
AoO: (1d20+6)[19] for (2d12+18)[36] piercing cold iron (with power attack -1/+3 and braced(?) for x2)

[In4Dimensions]

As Gashur begins to walk forward, Seira murmurs a word of prayer. As she finishes, a bright, harsh light sweeps out from the tip of her spear and envelops her allies, guiding their hands and bolstering their hearts.

Spoiler: Actions

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Seira casts Bless, which lasts for three minutes.

[DrK]

The heroes advance out of the swirling smoke, as the two dogs look up, wreathes of flame licking from around their slavering jaws. At their feet you see a family, or the remains a of a family, a parent's chewed body wrapped around a half eaten child it had tried to protect. As you stand ready, Gashur forming the point of the spear out of the ruined house another two dogs pad out, smoke lifting gently from their backs. The largest of the beast's sporting two fanged heads, both with beady glowing red eyes!



With a howl they bound down the street of broken and soot smeared paving stones towards you, all 4 howling madly! Gashur sets his hammer ready, point out ready and Seira releases a pulse of golden light filling each of you with divine focus! The lead hell hound leaps towards Gashur but is transfixed by the hammer as the ranger mercilessly spears it, however this leave shim vulnerable to the second dog that bounds in, snapping at the orc! The other two (including the two headed one hang back some fifteen foot from Gashur (so ~35ft from the rest of the party) watching for a weak spot

OOC

Gashur Braces and holds 20ft in front of the party, Seira cast's Bless

2 dogs charge Gashur (one dying from the held action and the AoO - takes both to kill)
The other attacks Gashur (1d20+7)[15] dam (1d8+1)[2] + (1d6)[5] Fire

Rest of players please go....
Mong, Leonius, Markus and Tali (and Seira and Gashur, but i'll resolve their round 2 actions after the other PCs)

[In4Dimensions]

Seira steps up behind Gashur and attempts to gut the attacking demon dog. If the other party members kill it before she acts, she'll charge the two-headed dog instead.

Spoiler: Actions

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Move to within 10 ft of the dog that attacked Gashur and attack with the longspear.
Attack: (1d20+5)[18] (+2 if charging)
Damage: (1d8+3)[11]

[Spore]

Leonius Caela Telum Aasimar Cleric AC: 17 HP: 23/23 touch: 10, ff: 18, CMD: 14 Conditions: Blessing of Vigilance (Lesser Age Resistance, 23h) Leonius charges in wordlessly, with blade drawn and shield held aloft. He thought to invoke the blessing of his goddess, but the quick slaughter of Gashur gives him pause forcing him to intervene posthaste. Spoiler Show Trying to flank with Gashur if possible. (1d20+3)[7] +2 if charge is possible (deduct AC penalty at your discretion then) (1d8+2)[5]

[Starbuck_II]

"Time to bring the festivities!"
Mong as he rushes forward with sword in one hand to help flank and sing.

Spoiler

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Start Bloodrage (3 now used 10), everyone accepts it get +2 morale Str/Con, -1 AC, +1 Will;
Status: Bless (+1 hit)
AC: 15 (-0 song) HP: 21/21 (+4 Con, +4 hp)
touch: 12, ff: 13, CMD: 19
Saves: +9/+3/+3
Amplified Bloodrage +8 Str/+4 Con, -0 AC

Song used She (He)'s got the Power by Stan Bush
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g0XAqxsO5Y

[u-b]

Gashur is ready to kill more demon dogs with his hammer, but rather wonders if the party will have more problems with the dogs not charging into melee...

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I think Markus and Tali are still to go, but I will post for Gashur in case we want to advance it further.

Gashur either steps back and attacks with the lucerne hammer or, if no targets in reach by his turn, readies an attack.
Attack (readied or otherwise): (1d20+6)[10] for (1d12+9)[19] OR (2d12+18)[27] piercing cold iron (with power attack -1/+3; optionally braced for x2)
AoO: (1d20+6)[23] for (1d12+9)[12] OR (2d12+18)[40] piercing cold iron (with power attack -1/+3; optionally braced for x2)

[RCgothic]

Tali steps back, putting herself between Horgus, Anevia and Arivishnal, ready to rain fire at any of the dogs that approach within range.

Spoiler

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Range 30ft, so not close enough for Acid [Fire] Splash just yet.

Readied action:
Touch (1d20+3)[23] damage (1d3+3)[5]

[DrK]

Between Leonius and Seira the second demonic dog is slashed and battered into the ruined paving stones as Gashur stands ready, holding out the lucerne hammer carefully. You cannot tell, but you swear that the two heads of the largest dog seem to smile as most of the heroes cluster together and the larger dog and its smaller puppy lurch forward before both of the beasts emit massive gouts of fire that roll over the party engulfing all but Tali in sheets of black brimstone streaked flames. The fire from the two headed dog burning brighter and longer, even as the fire splash from Tali glances from its abyss enhanced hide!

OOC

Both dogs step to w/in 15ft and breathe fire catching Mong, Seira, Gashur and Lucius
dog (2d6)[11] fire damage Ref DC14 for half

Two headed dog
(2d6+2)[7] DC 15 for half

[u-b]

"Healer!" - shouts Gashur as he advances towards the demon dogs just enough to reach one* of them with the hammer - "Take that!" - the later shot was apparently to two-headed dog, not to the healer, as the half-orc, thoroughly burned and thoroughly enraged, swings his lucerne hammer at it.

Spoiler

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*Gashur is moving a bit sideways if required to achieve this effect; out of reach of the single-headed dog, which migh provoke an AoO if it advances.

Lucerne hammer: (1d20+8)[28] for (1d12+13)[22] bludgeoning cold iron (with -1/+3 from power attack, +2/+2 from rage and +0/+2 creature focus: evil outsider)
AoO if applicable: (1d20+8)[26] for (1d12+13)[20] bludgeoning cold iron (with -1/+3 from power attack, +2/+2 from rage and +0/+2 creature focus: evil outsider)

Rage: -2 to AC for a total AC of 13.