[LPF] Escort Service

[Systole]

Furros looks at Cythera in annoyance. "I saw you knock that Boraga git arse over teakettle. Good for you. But if you think I'm the dancing sort -- or if you think that four-foot bacon slicer you've got strapped on means a damn thing to me -- you're dead wrong. I've run the Planks against tougher chits than you, two at a time."

"Really, Enza! You're being coarse," Emi says, still smirking.

Furros exhales slowly. "Dame Forenicci, I'm long past giving a sack of rats about what I say or who I say it to. You already knew that. As long as the Lower Guild looks right, everything else can go spin." To Ben he says, "There's no divine intervention down on the Planks, boy. Your gods don't need us, so we don't need them. We make do."

. Emiliana Forenicci .. Benevolent Seeker ....... Enza Furros .....

.

 

[perrinmiller]

Cythera e'Kiernan, Bronze Dragon Disciple

Cythera takes on a sage tone, with some backbone underlining it, "There are many forms of the Dance."

She glances aside at Ben who asked her to accompany him, and notices that he appears to be having trouble dealing with the gruff man.

Trying to help the cleric out, she asks Furros, "What do you have against the gods, milord?"

"Surely people with a foundation in religion will not get into other mischief. And shouldn't the people decide for themselves? It isn't like you will sprout a bunch of zealots overnight that wound not rise up regardless."

Diplomacy (1d20+6=16)

[sblock=Mini Stats]Initiative: +4
AC: 22 (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

Current Weapon in Hand: Goblet of wine
Chakram: 8/8 Claws: 4/5 rounds remaining

Battle Dance: 8/8 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]

"I've seen good men and women lose arms and legs to gangrene, or take hours to die after a stab wound in the guts ... or hell, drop dead from blood poisoning after they stepped on a nail. And there was never a priest to help them, down on the Planks. Not when it might not have been safe." He grimaces at what are clearly unpleasant memories, then glares at Ben. "But over here in the nob district, you can't swing a dead cat without hitting some priest or another, standing around with his hand out."

Ben is flabbergasted. "With my hand out ... ? With all due respect, signor, you're complaining that priests won't come down to Ranocchio to heal the sick and wounded, but what do you think I'm offering?"

Furros opens his mouth to reply, but is cut off by an unearthly howl from outside followed by a shout of alarm and a clash of weapons. Abbandando stumbles back in, white as a sheet and clearly panicked. "'Ere are 'ings ou' 'ere! 'Onsters!" He scrambles clumsily toward the stairwell leading up to the second floor. The guests mill around, unsure what to make of the commotion.

"Follow me! Move!" Enza shouts at the Lower Guild honor guard. The old man draws the draws the dagger on his belt, and sprints toward the front door. The guardsmen do not hesitate -- all of them pull the hoods from their weapons and move after Furros.

[sblock=GM]You're in the main room of the Forenicci house. The foyer is where your gear is, and it's on your way to the sounds of combat. The room you're currently in is the Grand Ballroom, and there are a couple of staircases that curve upward to a second floor balcony. As promised, you'll be able to retrieve your gear before we start combat.[/sblock]

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

.

 

[perrinmiller]

Cythera e'Kiernan, Bronze Dragon Disciple

Cythera quickly moves into motion and remarks as Ben clinks and clanks behind her, "I see that guy is as cowardly as he is clumsy. I gues I did not expect anything different. We need to hurry. I have a feeling this is either Emi's idea for a sick joke on her interpretation of entertainment, or we have a dangerous situation here."

She hustles to retrieve her collection of weapons and gear. She doesn't wait to let Ben stick with her, knowing that he will catch up while she is stowing her various weapons on her person. Pulling out her Ioun Torch, she sets it revolving around her head since they might need it's light outside in the night.

As the young cleric stands ready, Cythera finishes up and grasps her glaive. The cordial and social demeanor is no longer evidence on her face. Her eyes are cold and her face is a mask of determination to deal with what lies ahead.

She mutters in draconic and incantation to bolster her resistances and looks to Ben for some additional preparations for a fight.

OOC: Cast Resistance

[sblock=Mini Stats]Initiative: +4
AC: 22 (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; Ioun Torch

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

Battle Dance: 8/8 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]

In the foyer, Ben grabs his pick, then raises his holy symbol high. “In the name of Serroth, fight true!” he shouts, and a burst of holy radiance envelops Cythera and most of the guards as they run out the door. Outside, the guards stationed at the gate are locked in combat with several tall but misshapen humanoid forms – in the darkness, it’s difficult to make out exactly what they are, but they’re clearly nothing human. One of the guards is struck down, but before the attacker can land a killing blow, Furros charges the creature, driving it back with nothing in his hand but a shortblade.

In her peripheral vision, Cythera sees movement at the corner of mansion. Ben catches it too, and immediately realizes the danger. “The windows! The guests are undefended!” Ben says. Even as he speaks, there’s a crash of glass, an unearthly howl, and the screams of terrified partygoers.

Inside, a hairless humanoid stands on back-bent legs. It has extended, slavering jaws terminating in tiny arms with three-fingered hands. The creature is dressed in evil-looking spiked scale mail and wields a giant pickaxe. Panicked guests drop their glasses and run up the stairs or out the service doors. The creature glares at the fleeing guests with bloodlust, apparently considering whether to run down the stragglers, but instead it sniffs the air.

For a moment, Cythera’s sight seems to double, and she sees the creature turn to her and charge, swinging its pickaxe. Then the vision collapses: the creature turns to her, but the warrior maiden is already moving.

[sblock=GM]Ben’s initiative boost makes the difference, and Cythera gets initiative. There are still guests fleeing toward the stairs, but as they’re currently out of the way, I’m not going to mark them on the map. Within a round or two, they’ll be completely gone.

The humanoid that is in the room was too far away to be the one that Cythera saw outside, so at least one more of the creatures is on its way. Cythera can make a K-Dungeoneering DC 17 to know what these monsters are.

Cythera: Bless
Ben: Bless
Creature #1: Unhurt, AC 19

[/sblock]


[sblock=Map key]

• Grey circles are pillars. Consider them hard corners.
• Orange squares are small statues. They count as difficult terrain 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 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.
• Windows are the blue parts of the wall.

[/sblock]
[sblock=Map, round 1]

[/sblock]

 

[perrinmiller]

Cythera e'Kiernan, Bronze Dragon Disciple

Cythera recognizes the creature and moves forward to try and cut it down quickly. She invokes some arcane energy into her blade as she clears the pillar and slashes out. The cut is too rushed and misses wide.

She calls over her shoulder at Ben, "Stick close and cover my back."

[sblock=Actions]Know Dungeoneering (1d20+6=26)

Free Action: Talking
Swift Action: Activate Arcane Strike
Move Action: Move to G6
Standard Action: Attack Foe 1; Glaive (FF/PA/Bless/AS) (1d20+10=13, 1d10+15=19) - Figures [/sblock][sblock=Mini Stats]Initiative: +4
AC: 22 (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: 8/8 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 hustles forward as fast as his scale mail will allow, but he misses a step as he rounds the corner and sees the creature clearly for the first time. "From my dreams...?" he whispers. He recovers quickly and intones, "In Serroth's name!" Cythera once more feels the power of the battle god flow through her.

The creature snaps at Cythera ineffectually, but the swing of its pickaxe misses by no more than an inch, and only because of the battle dancer's heightened reflexes. From the other side of the room comes a crash of glass, the tumbling of statuary, and the click of talons on the marble floor.

[sblock=Creature info]Cythera recognizes the creaure as a sinspawn, in this case a wrathspawn. The ecology of these evil things is wholly unknown, but it is believed that they are birthed from places where the Hidden Path has been touched with rage and bloodlust. There are histories of of armies of these creatures running rampant, but it is debatable whether this is myth or fact. Their bite can cause a brief but sickening madness.[/sblock]
[sblock=GM]

Cythera: Bless
Ben: Bless
Creature #1: Unhurt, Rage, 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 andconcealment 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 2]

[/sblock]

 

[perrinmiller]

Cythera e'Kiernan, Bronze Dragon Disciple

Cythera steps back and begins her intricate dance steps of her dervish training to inspire herself. She comments to Ben, "Stick close and try not block my polearm on the newcomers. Don't let these creatures bite you."

Her arcane energy charged blade of her glaive whirls and slashes across the creature's torso, splitting it open like a razor cutting butter.

OOC: What spell did Ben use? I did not add any bonus from his stuff except for Bless. Btw, if Ben misses by 1, I can use Timely Inspiration as an Immediate Action.

[sblock=Actions]Free Action: Talking & 5ft step to F6
Swift Action: Activate Arcane Strike
Move Action: activate Inspire Courage +1 Battle Dance
Standard Action: Attack Foe 1; Glaive (FF/PA/Bless/AS/ICBD) (1d20+11=30, 2d6+16=26)[/sblock][sblock=Mini Stats]Initiative: +4
AC: 22 (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)

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

Battle Dance: 7/8 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]

Cythera's glaive cuts deeply into the wrathspawn, partially eviscerating it. Foul, pulsating instestines spill onto the floor. The creature reaches up and rips out the remainder to keep from tripping on them, and advances, swinging and snapping, but both attacks miss.

"Serroth smile on me," Ben says, "and wish me luck." He steps out from behind the pillar in a ready stance, and shouts, "Come and get me, squidface!"

Seeing the undefended priest, the second wrathspawn howls and charges at him ... but its feet go out from underneath it as it crosses the puddle of wine left by a fleeing guest.

"I can't believe that worked," Ben says in a rather unsteady voice.

From across the room, there's another crash of glass.

[sblock=GM]Sorry, Ben used his Inspiring Command domain power last round. Then Enworld ate my first post, and apparently I forgot to change the statblock on the second try. Inspiring command is not in effect this round, but last round should have been +2 AC, attack, CMD, skill checks [insight bonus]. It wouldn't have affected your attack, but it did make the difference in the wrathspawn hitting you.

Ben: 5 ft step & full defense action
Wrathspawn 1: 5 ft step to G5 [Note: I screwed up the map], full attack (miss x2)
Wrathspawn 2: Start Rage, Charge, fail Acrobatics check

Cythera: Bless
Ben: Bless
Wrathspawn #1: 26 damage (grievously injured), Rage (2), AC 17
Wrathspawn #2: Uninjured, Rage (1), Prone, AC 17
Wrathspawn #3: Uninjured, AC 19

[/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 3]

Important: Wrathspawn #1 should be at G5, but it's a pain to upload a new map.

[/sblock]

 

[perrinmiller]

Cythera e'Kiernan, Bronze Dragon Disciple

Cythera quips, "Oh, very nice, Ben."

Quickly drawing her morningstar with her right hand, she charges it with arcane energy as well. Her glaive remains in her left hand as she slams the spiked head into the badly wounded creature. It doesn't have her full power behind it, but it is still a solid one-handed blow.

Seeing it fall, the dancing dervish keeps moving and passes by Ben to stand next to the planter. Dropping the morningstar, she grasps the glaive once more with two-hands to take a swing at either of the new creatures should they give her an opening.

[sblock=Actions]Free Action: Talking, keep dancing, & Quick draw morningstar
Swift Action: Activate Arcane Strike
Standard Action: Attack Foe 1; Morningstar (Bless/AS/ICBD) (1d20+10=19, 1d8+6=10)
Move Action: Assuming foe#1 is down; Move to E10 & drop morningstar, grasping glaive two-handed once more
AoO: At the prone #2 or #3, whichever provokes first; AoO Glaive (Bless/AS/ICBD) (1d20+11=28, 1d10+10=16)
[/sblock][sblock=Mini Stats]Initiative: +4
AC: 22 (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)

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

Battle Dance: 6/8 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