[LPF] Escort Service

[Systole]

As the morningstar crushes the first wrathspawn's skull, the beast staggers once, then falls. Its talons scrabble weakly on the marble floor as the red light of its eyes dims and goes out.

Ben looks around to assess the situation, then nods to himself. Staying where he is, he intones, "Will of Serroth, guide her steps."

The second wrathspawn stands, drawing a wicked cut, but steps forward undeterred. The third advances on Cythera, batting the houseplant out of the way. With her heightened awareness, she spins out of the way of both attacks.

[sblock=GM]For the 2nd and 3rd times, I roll a 22 while Inspiring Command is up. I kid you not.

Ben: Inspiring command
Wrathspawn 2: Stand drawing AoO, 5 ft step to F10, attack
Wrathspawn 3: Move to E11, attack

Cythera: Bless, Inspiring Command (+2 AC, attack, CMD, skill checks [insight bonus])
Ben: Bless
[s]Wrathspawn #1: Dead, (36 damage)[/s]
Wrathspawn #2: Injured (16 damage), Rage (2), AC 17
Wrathspawn #3: Uninjured, Rage (1), AC 17

[/sblock]



[sblock=Map key]

• Grey circles are pillars. Consider them hard corners.
• Orange squares are small statues. They count as difficult terrain and partial cover until the first time someone moves through the square, knocking them over. After that, they will no longer count as difficult terrain.
• Green blobs are potted plants. They count as difficult terrain and concealment until the first time someone moves through the square, knocking them over.
• Red blobs are spilled wine. They can be moved through at half speed with a DC 10 acrobatics check, or at full speed with a DC 15 Acrobatics check. Failure causes prone.
• Windows are the blue parts of the wall.

[/sblock]
[sblock=Map, round 4]

[/sblock]

 

[perrinmiller]

Cythera e'Kiernan, Bronze Dragon Disciple

Cythera keeps dancing and putting arcane energy into her glaive's blade. Taking some acrobatic steps she endeavors to put some distance between herself and the two creatures without letting them get in free shots.

Moving beside the Cleric, she says, "Ben, either get behind me to make it attack me only, or stand beside me to ready your strike once it gets inside my glaive's reach."

Her whirling bladed polearm removes a limb from the injured wrathspawn to take it down and she stands ready to receive the other aberration's charge.

[sblock=Actions]Free Action: Talking, keep dancing,
Swift Action: Activate Arcane Strike
Move Action: Acrobatic move from threatened square to E8; Acrobatics (1d20+14=19)
Standard Action: Reach Attack on Foe#2 Glaive (FF/PA/AS/ICBD/Bless/IC) (1d20+13=29, 2d6+16=23)
AoO: Against Foe#3 if it comes through her reach; Glaive (PA/AS/ICBD/Bless/IC) (1d20+11=17, 2d6+16=21)[/sblock][sblock=Mini Stats]Initiative: +4
AC: 22(24) (19 flat-footed, 14 Touch)
HP: 54 Current: 54
CMB: +8 CMD: 22 (23 vs. Sundering) Fort: +5 Reflex: +6 Will: +5 (+1 with Resistance)
Conditions in Effect: Arcane Strike (+1 dmg), Power Attack (-2 Att/+6 dmg), Furious Focus (no penalty for 1st PA), Overhand Chop, Bless (+1 Att), Inspired Battle Dance (+1 Att & dmg +10ft movement), Inspired Command (+2 AC/Att/Skills)

Current Weapon in Hand: Glaive
Chakram: 8/8 Claws: 4/5 rounds remaining

Battle Dance:5/8 Rounds Remaining
Spells Remaining: Cantrips: (Read Magic, Detect Magic, Resistance, Light, Prestidigitation)
1st Level 3/3 (Cure Light Wounds, Timely Inspiration, Grease(DC13))[/sblock]___________________________

Cythera e'Kiernan

 

[Systole]

Ben nods and steps back, while maintaining a prayer to his god. Unfortunately, the blessing is not enough to keep Cythera safe this time, and the beast's pickaxe finds a gap in her armor -- not before her glaive scores a vicious hit in return, however.

[sblock=GM]Ben: Inspiring command, 5 ft step
Wrathspawn 3: Charge drawing AoO, attack for 9hp

Cythera: 9 damage, Bless, Inspiring Command (+2 AC, attack, CMD, skill checks [insight bonus])
Ben: Bless
[s]Wrathspawn #1: Dead, (36 damage)[/s]
[s]Wrathspawn #2: Dead (39 damage)[/s]
Wrathspawn #3: Severely injured (21 damage), Rage (2), Charge, AC 15

[/sblock]


[sblock=Map key]

• Grey circles are pillars. Consider them hard corners.
• Orange squares are small statues. They count as difficult terrain and partial cover until the first time someone moves through the square, knocking them over. After that, they will no longer count as difficult terrain.
• Green blobs are potted plants. They count as difficult terrain and concealment until the first time someone moves through the square, knocking them over.
• Red blobs are spilled wine. They can be moved through at half speed with a DC 10 acrobatics check, or at full speed with a DC 15 Acrobatics check. Failure causes prone.
• Windows are the blue parts of the wall.

[/sblock]
[sblock=Map, round 5]

[/sblock]

 

[perrinmiller]

Cythera e'Kiernan, Bronze Dragon Disciple

Cythera steps back, still dancing and her blade glowing with arcane energy. Whirling the glaive around, she slices around powerfully in a spinning move that is purely poetic in its violent beauty. The head of the wraithspawn tumbles of its standing body to bounce on the floor with a sickeningly wet splorch. The headless corpse collapse a brief moment later.

The dragon disciple stands crouched and ready for any more of the creatures to appear.

Cythera comments to Ben, "Pity none of those fops really saw a true dancer in action. None of that amateurish stomping around they were practicing before."

"You see or hear any more of them?"

[sblock=Actions]Free Action: Talking, 5ft step to E7, keep dancing,
Swift Action: Activate Arcane Strike
Standard Action: Reach Attack on Foe#3 Glaive (FF/PA/Bless/AS/ICBD/IC) (1d20+13=21, 2d6+16=19)
Move Action: n/a[/sblock][sblock=Mini Stats]Initiative: +4
AC: 22(24) (19 flat-footed, 14 Touch)
HP: 54 Current: 54
CMB: +8 CMD: 22 (23 vs. Sundering) Fort: +5 Reflex: +6 Will: +5 (+1 with Resistance)
Conditions in Effect: Arcane Strike (+1 dmg), Power Attack (-2 Att/+6 dmg), Furious Focus (no penalty for 1st PA), Overhand Chop, Bless (+1 Att), Inspired Battle Dance (+1 Att & dmg +10ft movement), Inspired Command (+2 AC/Att/Skills)

Current Weapon in Hand: Glaive
Chakram: 8/8 Claws: 4/5 rounds remaining

Battle Dance: 4/8 Rounds Remaining
Spells Remaining: Cantrips: (Read Magic, Detect Magic, Resistance, Light, Prestidigitation)
1st Level 3/3 (Cure Light Wounds, Timely Inspiration, Grease(DC13))[/sblock]___________________________

Cythera e'Kiernan

 

[Systole]

As the last of the wrathspawn falls, there’s a smattering of applause from the balcony above the stairs. Looking up, it appears that not all of the guests beat a full retreat. Emi and Signor Franco are laughing and clapping, and Lord Gabbiano favors Cythera with a nod. A moment later, there’s a whistle from outside, clearly a signal of some sort. The sounds of battle quickly diminish and stop, leaving only the low moans of the wounded.

Ben rushes past Cythera and through the door, practically running into Furros, who is on his way in. The old man’s dagger is dripping with wrathspawn ichor, and he himself has a few bloody cuts, but nothing serious.

“Inside is secure, three enemies dead. How many wounded out here?” Ben says, without stopping. Or at least, he tries to get past without stopping, but the old mercenary reaches out and grabs Bens arm, and the priest is no match for Furros’ wiry strength.

“What the hell happened inside? And what do you think you're going to do to my men?”

Ben turns on the old mercenary with a look of absolute murder in his eyes. “The inside is secure," he repeats through clenched teeth. "There are wounded out here. I’m going to treat them.”

“No priest is going to lay a finger on—“ Furros begins.

“I can see from here that at least two of those men will die without immediate medical attention. You will not stop me from saving their lives, so take your hand off me or I’ll knock your f***ing teeth out.” The last sentence is said with such fury that Furros releases Ben and takes a step backwards involuntarily.

Ben turns toward the gate, where several of the Lower Guild mercenaries are lying in pools of blood. No wrathspawn, either living or dead, are in the area. The whistle was apparently an order to withdraw, but the reason for the retreat – or who gave the signal – is not clear.

As Ben kneels to tend to the most grievously injured, Furros appears to suddenly understand the implications of what he'd tried to do, and the realization staggers him. He stammers, “I didn’t mean … it isn’t like I want …”

. Benevolent Seeker ....... Enza Furros .....

.

 

[Systole]

GM: Cythera hit level 7 as of yesterday. First post updated with loot and xp. There will be a day or two of wrap-up, but no more combat, so if you want to get started on the character sheet, go ahead.

 

[perrinmiller]

Cythera e'Kiernan, Bronze Dragon Disciple

Cythera retrieves her morningstar and uses a cantrip to eliminate the blood and tissue from it and her glaive as well. All of this happens while, she quickly follows to assist the cleric, stowing her weapons as she moves.

She uses her own healing spells to speed the process, commenting to Furros, "Better to admit you are wrong, than to continue to be a horse's arse, you know. Besides, I am not a priestess and I can still aid the dying and hurt without anything in return."

"All you need to do is say 'thank you'."

Diplomacy (1d20+6=19)

OOC: Thanks. I will work on leveling.

[sblock=Mini Stats]Initiative: +4
AC: 22(24) (19 flat-footed, 14 Touch)
HP: 54 Current: 54
CMB: +8 CMD: 22 (23 vs. Sundering) Fort: +5 Reflex: +6 Will: +5 (+1 with Resistance)
Conditions in Effect: Arcane Strike (+1 dmg), Power Attack (-2 Att/+6 dmg), Furious Focus (no penalty for 1st PA), Overhand Chop, Bless (+1 Att), Inspired Battle Dance (+1 Att & dmg +10ft movement), Inspired Command (+2 AC/Att/Skills)

Current Weapon in Hand: Glaive
Chakram: 8/8 Claws: 4/5 rounds remaining

Battle Dance: 4/8 Rounds Remaining
Spells Remaining: Cantrips: (Read Magic, Detect Magic, Resistance, Light, Prestidigitation)
1st Level 3/3 (Cure Light Wounds, Timely Inspiration, Grease(DC13))[/sblock]___________________________

Cythera e'Kiernan

 

[Systole]

Furros finally appears to come to a decision. He nods to himself, then says, "Kid ... you got your broom closet."

Ben continues to work on the last of the severely injured mercenaries. "This will..." he says to his patient, and then suddenly pops a bone back into place, eliciting a yelp from the man. "...hurt a bit. I didn't help these men to earn your approval, Lord Furros."

Furros shoots a look at Cythera. "I know. That's why you got it."

Anything further exchange is interrupted by a guard whistle as Commander Parsons comes around the corner at a dead run, sword drawn. Seeing the wounded, he comes over and starts to ask if he can help, but stops short as he recognizes Ben and Cythera. "You two," he says flatly, then shakes his head and gets back to business. "Casualties?"

"None," Ben says wiping a bloody hand across his brow. "There will be some scars and a limp or two, but they'll live."

The commander exhales. "Good," he says, and then notices Furros. The guardsman and the mercenary lock gazes.

"Galen," Furros says icily, by way of a greeting.

"Enza," Parsons replies in the same tone. "I don't suppose any of you would care to brief me on the situation?"

. Benevolent Seeker ....... Enza Furros ........ Galen Parsons ......

.

 

[perrinmiller]

Cythera e'Kiernan, Bronze Dragon Disciple

Cythera remains cool under the scrutiny of the guard commander, ignoring the man's lack of gratitude.

She takes on a professional demeanor, "Nice of you to show up, Commander. It would appear that twice this evening, I have had to deal with threats to the public safety."

"It looks like someone sent some unwanted party crashers to hassle the guests attending this social occasion. These particularly nasty aberrations are Wraithspawn. Possibly all the rage at underdark parties, but they do not dance very well."

"Why don't you accompany me in examining these creatures?"

The bronze dragon disciple takes a look at the corpses with the Commander. She will kneel down to see if there might be any clues on the sinspawn's body.

[sblock=Mini Stats]Initiative: +4
AC: 22(24) (19 flat-footed, 14 Touch)
HP: 54 Current: 54
CMB: +8 CMD: 22 (23 vs. Sundering) Fort: +5 Reflex: +6 Will: +5 (+1 with Resistance)
Conditions in Effect: Arcane Strike (+1 dmg), Power Attack (-2 Att/+6 dmg), Furious Focus (no penalty for 1st PA), Overhand Chop, Bless (+1 Att)

Current Weapon in Hand: Glaive
Chakram: 8/8 Claws: 4/5 rounds remaining

Battle Dance: 4/8 Rounds Remaining
Spells Remaining: Cantrips: (Read Magic, Detect Magic, Resistance, Light, Prestidigitation)
1st Level 0/3 (Cure Light Wounds, Timely Inspiration, Grease(DC13))[/sblock]___________________________

Cythera e'Kiernan

 

[Systole]

The Commander sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. "I know this kind of thing doesn't happen in other cities," he mutters to himself.

Cythera finds that all of the wrathspawn have a brand on the back of their neck, which reads VVVR. The meaning is unclear. Ben looks at the dead beasts with an inscrutable expression on his face. The pickaxes have been stamped with a small symbol.

Emi is happily chattering at several shellshocked guests, but stops when she sees Cythera. "Oh, my dear! To think, these nightmare creatures attacked my estate. Do you know what they are? Where they came from? Will they come again? Oh, tonight's party will be the talk of the town for weeks!" She seems thrilled by the prospect.

Lord Gabbiano steps forward to talk with the commander. "Galen? I thought you'd be out with Finia tonight, since she has the night off."

Parsons shoots a glance at Cythera and Ben. "A Whitecloak's work is never done."

"It'll be a quite while before you hear the end of that," Gabbiano says, and the two men share a chuckle. "I don't know why these beasts attacked, but I can vouch for the character of the guests at tonight's party."

There's a brief, unspoken communication between the two men, and Parsons nods. He turns to Ben and Cythera. "You're free to go, but I'll see you two in my office tomorrow." Without a further word, he turns to a squad of newly arrived Whitecloaks. "See to any injuries, get the guests' names and their stories, and clear them out. And see if you can dredge up an expert on 'wrathspawn.'"

[sblock=Appraise 15]The pickaxes the creatures were wielding are similar in style to the heavy pick Ben uses.

If you succeeded on this check, add +2 to the Sense Motive check.[/sblock]

[sblock=Sense Motive 13]Ben is very subdued. He keeps looking at the creatures with a look of dread and foreboding, occasionally touching his pick.[/sblock]

. Benevolent Seeker ....... Galen Parsons ...... Emiliana Forenicci ..... Umberto Gabbiano ...

.