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Message: <blockquote data-quote="lykkenthrope" data-source="post: 9453971" data-attributes="member: 7045440">Session 10:CRUELPIGS PARTY DO NOT READ UPON PAIN OF TOAD[SPOILER="DM Note: Mechanics"]This was the session I realized I had been going too easy on my PCs. I was holding attacks, not using spells to their full advantage, didn’t add extra Goblins, skeletons or extra HP despite having 6 PCs… and realized that because I didn’t want to potentially kill or hurt my PCs this climatic battle was swiftly becoming anticlimactic. This was a good wake up call as a new GM and I made some mechanical changes to Boreus that added to the tension of the fight to ensure that next time they faced off an inquisitor they wouldn’t think it would be a cake walk.[/SPOILER]The session started with Boreus trying to bargain—of sorts—with Sorian and Grom. He explained they just wanted the mages, that Ragesia could use strength like theirs in the coming war. He had peiced together during the battle that they were the group that had taken the intelligence and that if that was the case--and they would return the case-- then all would be forgiven, they would be heroes, returning with Boreus.Both Barbarians could feel their rage slipping away, and knowing they couldn’t trust any Inquisitor they didn’t truly dignify Boreus with a real response beyond their maul and axe, respectively.Sorian called upon his ancestors who grappled Boreus and forced him to have to focus his attacks on Sorian. This allowed Grom to attack his unprotected back. Sorian took the brunt of a vicious fire attack that issued forth from Boreus’s hands scalding him in green flames.  Reshi kept a consistent peppering of magic missle from a distance.Quickly recapping the others: Vic was upstairs with Crystin trying to figure out the complexity of the Command spell she was under and doing her best to try and break it through non-magical means, to not much use.Ze was in the bottom floor of the house, still barely able to move and took a defensive position in a chair in the living room, not knowing how the battle was faring out front, she knew she needed to be prepared to give Vic and Crystin more time to escape if it came to that. Haddin, Ze's Shadow and Torrent were in the back of the house trying to ensure that there were no more incoming assailants.  When they felt that the assult had been stopped from this end, Torrent went one way around the house, Ze's Shadow slipped through a crack in one of the windows to take up a defense with Ze inside. And Haddin started going around the other side of the house, desprete to get back inside and check on his daughter.Torrent ran as swift as her legs and God would allow and finally who had run from the back of the  reached the group up front and called upon her God as she swung her axe hard into Boreus chest.This final crack from Torrent had the three heroes notice that where she had hit Boreus, a faint, glowing green crack had appeared. Upon focusing, Torrent saw very faint glowing runes spiderwebbing across his skin, forming a type of magical chain mail on his skin. Magical chain mail that was now broken.From where the runes had cracked, light began faintly pulsing from the runes and then spreading out across his body. Boreus began to laugh. He joyfully stated “its been an honor” to the sky and then green flames erupted from the runes on his skin billowing out. Boreus was instantly killed, immolated.Sorian was pushed out of the way by his ancestors, so he didn’t take the full brunt of the damage. However, Torrent and Grom were not so lucky.Sorian quickly checked on Torrent, who was badly hurt, but could still stand. That’s when they realized Grom wasn’t responding to them. Torrent, forgetting her own pain, went to quick work. Thankfully he was still breathing and awoke quickly have a small prayer and healing light washed over him.Everyone gathered back inside after ensuring the rest of the property was safe. The group got a bit more information out of Haddin and had a deep family therapy session.  Torrent explained that doing the wrong thing for the right reasons, as he tried to do with his brother, is what needs to be done sometimes, but its still the wrong thing and there will consequences. Vic, having spent the longest with Crystin at this point and feeling a protective sister-type bond with her, explained that his grip on her was going to get her killed.  That she was unable to defend herself against the Ragesians who came today and more would be coming.  War was coming. That perhaps at the heart of the anger and mistrust Haddin felt for this world, he was really just protecting himsefl from grief, grief from the loss of his life in Gate Pass, the loss of his wife, but what he is doing to Crystin is not how he keeps her safe or even in his life.Haddin was moved and released his hold on Crystin.  Crystin was angry, but Sorian stepped in with the insight that t despite growing up at the base of the mountain, Haddin and Crystin were Gate Passians, and Gate Passians, of all the places on the continent, value free will and commanding ones own destiny more than anywhere else....this was a chance for both Haddin and Crystin to take charge of their lives.Haddin told Crystin he wanted her to go with the group, and see through what she had forseen, but that his life was back up the mountain, in Gate Pass, and it was time to go back see what forgiveness and redemption there was to be had.With this most everyone went their seperate ways to sleep, knowing they would be leaving at first light.  (Ze and Grom had already fallen asleep).  Torrent looked over the sleeping half-orc.  She was so very young.  Innoncent looking while she slept.  She decided that Ze had been nothing but supportive this far, and she woudl rather give the girl a chance to explain herself before causing alarm within the group and cause mistrust that could kill them with the trials ahead.  They had done the impossible made it out of Gate Pass, the forest of fire was so close, despite the real possiblility Ze was a spy....this intelligence needed to get the Lyceum.  Torrent resolved she would keep an eye on her, keep her close.   With that resolve, Torrent joined everyone else already sleeping.  and with that....we finished module 1: The Scouring of Gate Pass</blockquote>

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