Scales of War #1 Rescue at Rivenroar IC

[Goonalan]

Kali again puts his axes in motion, seeking Sinruth's lifeblood. With Gorm's help, he's able to score once before slipping away in an attempt to avoid the swirling chain.

[sblock=mechanics]Standard: MBA on Sinruth
No Action (Ah-shahran's Immediate Reaction): Spirit Infusion MBA on Sinruth
Free: Dual Weapon Attack on Sinruth
Free: Shift to D:10 with AotCF
Minor: Activate Razorclaw Shifting
Move: Invigorating Stride, shift to C:9, use second wind.
[/sblock]
[sblock=Effects]Kali's defenses are at +2 from Second Wind; he's also +1 AC and +1 Reflex (and +2 speed) from Razorclaw Shifting.[/sblock]
[sblock=Stance]Aspect of the Cunning Fox[/sblock]
[sblock=Kali quick reference]For my convenience:
HP: 17/30 Surge value: 7 Surges left: 7/8

MBA (battleaxe): +9 vs. AC; 1d10+9
DWA (handaxe): +9 vs. AC; 1d6+7

Power Strike, Razorclaw Shifting, Invigorating Stride
Assassin's Shroud [x][x]
Action Points [x][/sblock]

Kali's first attack is a terrible miss, the Shifter forces Velani to take drastic action to avoid his blade, so bad is his aim.

In comparison his second attack is perfection- Kali's battleaxe arcs out as Sinruth lifts his head- the blade bites deep and rips through a momentarily exposed, and unprotected area.. the Goblin's throat.

Sinruth deflates, sags and then falls to floor in an untidy, and extremely bloody, heap.

"The Dark One promised."

Sinruth croaks - in a ragged throaty husk.

The Goblin looks up at the three adventurers still menacing him- Sinruth has never looked so small.

"The Dark One lied!"

And with that, Sinruth dies.

[sblock=Combat]

Encounter #15 The Descent

Turn: 7

Initiative (* = Next to play)

25 Kyalia
22 Freggo
Velani
Ah-shahran
16 Kali
Viator*
14 Sinruth


HP & Conditions

PCs
Ah-shahran 35/35 Surges 8/8.
Freggo 33/10 (4 Temp HP) Surges 9/9- Bloodied.
Kalimaru 30/10 Surges 8/8- Bloodied.
Kyalia 31/31 Surges 8/8.
Velani 39/5 Surges 10/7- Bloodied.
Viator 30/30 Surges 8/8.

Monsters

Hobgoblin #1- 11 HP damage taken- DEAD!
Hobgoblin #2- 2 HP damage taken- DEAD!
Hobgoblin #3- 5 HP damage taken- DEAD!
Hobgoblin #4- 6 HP damage taken- DEAD!
Drake #1- 39 HP damage taken- DEAD.
Drake #2- 44 HP damage taken- DEAD.
Sinruth- 227 HP damage taken- DEAD.

Actions To Date

Turn #1 (Surprise)

Kyalia- Twin Strike CA Hobgoblin #1 Crit & Miss- 11 damage- DEAD.

Velani- Move (Run) G14.

Freggo- Move H15.

Viator- Move H16.

Kali- Move H14. Assassin's Shroud Drake.

Ah-shahran- Move G16 and Gorm G17.

Turn #2

Kyalia- Move H13. Twin Strike Hobgoblin #2- Hit 2 damage- DEAD & Hobgoblin #3- Hit 5 damage- DEAD. Hunter's Quarry Drake.

Velani- Move G9. Readied Action Valiant Strike Drake...

Freggo- Move F9. Readied Action Luring Strike Drake...

Drake #1- Caustic Spit Freggo- Miss.

Drake #2- Move L5. Caustic Spit Velani- Hit 14 Acid damage.

Viator- Move K13. Dimensional Scramble Drake #2- Miss.

Kali- Assassin's Shroud Drake #1. Longbow Drake #1- Hit (with 2 Shrouds) 17 damage. Drop Bow. Shift I12. Draw Battleaxe & Hand axe. Action Point. Charge Drake #1- Hit (with Power Strike) 18 damage & Shift L4 & Dual Weapon Attack- Hit 9 damage- Bloodied. Shift N4.

Sinruth- Open doors. Move G8. Chain Whirlwind Velani- Miss & Freggo- Miss.

Hobgoblin #4- Draw Longsword. Charge Kali- Miss.

Ah-shahran- Move G14 & Gorm H14. Spirit Infusion Kyalia Longbow Drake #2- Hit 10 damage. Action Point. Direct the Strike Kyalia Longbow Drake #2- Hit 7 damage- DEAD. Call Spirit Companion G10 +4 Temp HP Velani.

Turn #3

Kyalia- Twin Strike Drake #1- Miss & Hit 4 damage- Bloodied. Move K6.

Velani- Drop Defender Aura. Sheathe Longsword. Grab Sinruth (with Heroic Effort)- Success. Intimidate- Nope. You just made him angry.

Freggo- Sheathe sword. Kneel before Sinruth. Diplomacy check- Success.

Drake #1- Caustic Spit Freggo- Hit 13 Acid damage.

Viator- Dishearten Drake #1- Hit 7 Psychic damage and -2 To Hit.

Kali- Longsword Hobgoblin #4- Miss & Shift O5. Acrobatic Shift P4- Success.

Sinruth- Move Escape Grab- Miss. Bloody Rage- Two Attacks. Chain Yank Velani- Miss. Chain Yank Velani- Hit 11 damage & Impaled on Armour Spikes for 7 damage = 18 damage- Bloodied.

Hobgoblin #4- Shift N4. Charge Kyalia- Miss.

Ah-shahran- Inspiring Word +4 HP Velani. Hand of Radiance Hobgoblin #4- Hit 6 Radiant damage- DEAD & Sinruth- Hit 6 Radiant damage & Drake #1- Miss. Adaptive Stratagem Kyalia- +4 to damage.

Turn #4

Kyalia- Move G6. Twin Strike Drake #1- Miss & Miss with Elven Accuracy Hit- 11 damage- DEAD.

Velani- Delay until after Freggo.

Freggo- Stand. Luring Strike Shift F8 Sinruth- Hit 4 damage & Shift to E7 & Sinruth to F8. Aegis of Ensnarement Sinruth. Action Point. Sword of Sigils Sinruth- Miss.

Velani- Valiant Strike CA Sinruth- Hit 6 damage with Holy Strike +5 Radiant damage = 11 damage & Dazed.

Viator- Dishearten CA Sinruth- Crit 15 Psychic damage -2 to all attacks.

Kali- Perception small chamber- Nothing. Move K7. Charge CA Sinruth- Hit 15 damage & Shift F9 & Dual Weapon Strike CA Sinruth- Hit 13 damage & Shift D11.

Sinruth- Bloody Rage- Two Attacks. Chain Trip Velani- Hit 15 damage- Bloodied & Prone. Chain Yank Velani- Miss.

Ah-shahran- Healing Spirit Velani- no longer Bloodied. Spirit Infusion Velani Longsword CA Sinruth- Hit 11 damage. Call Spirit Companion G10- Velani 4 Temp HP.

Turn #5

Kyalia- Hunter's Quarry Sinruth. Twin Strike Sinruth- Hit & Hit 21 damage.

Freggo- Greenflame Blade CA Sinruth- Hit 6 damage.

Velani- Stand up. Defender's Aura. Valiant Strike CA Sinruth- Hit 6 damage.

Viator- Move L7. Dishearten Sinruth- Hit 10 Psychic damage- Bloodied & -2 To Hit. Immediate Reaction Sinruth Recharge Chain Whirlwind and attack Freggo- Hit 14 damage- Bloodied & Velani- Miss.

Kali- Move C5. Charge CA Battleaxe Sinruth- Hit 19 damage & Dual Weapon Strike CA Sinruth- Crit 13 damage & Shift C9- REDONE AS PER POST 118.

Sinruth- Recharge Chain Whirlwind- Fail. Bloody Rage- Two attacks. Chain Yank Velani- Miss & Chain Trip Velani- Hit 14 damage- Bloodied and Prone. Freggo Immediate Reaction Aegis of Ensnarement Teleport Sinruth E9, all have CA. Sneaky Bloody Goblin- Shift half Speed F9. Action Point. Bloody Rage- Two attacks. Chain Yank CA Velani- Miss & Chain Yank CA Velani- Miss.

Ah-shahran- Dismiss Gorm. Call Spirit Companion Velani +4 Temp HP. Ready Spirit Infusion.

Turn #6

Kyalia- Twin Strike CA Sinruth- Hit & Miss 8 damage.

Freggo- Shift D8. Colour Orb CA Sinruth- Hit 10 Radiant damage and Dazed.

Velani- Stand. Vengeful Strike CA Sinruth- Crit 16 damage. Action Point. Second Wind +2 to all defences.

Viator- delay till after Kali.

Kali- Charge Sinruth CA- Miss & Shift E10. Ah-shahran Immediate Reaction Spirit Infusion Kali Battleaxe CA Sinruth- Miss & Shift D12.

Viator- Dimensional Scramble CA Sinruth- Hit 15 Psychic damage & Teleport C12. Forceful Push Sinruth C13.

Sinruth- Recharge Chain Whirlwind- Success. Bloody Rage- Two Attacks. Chain Yank Kali- Hit 16 damage & impaled on spikes 6 damage = 22 damage & bloodied. Immediate Interrupt Righteous Shield Velani takes the damage instead- Bloodied. Chain Yank Kali- Hit 20 damage- Bloodied. Action Point. Bloody Rage- Two Attacks. Chain Yank Kali- Miss & Chain Trip Kali- Miss.

Turn #7

Kyalia- Twin Strike CA Sinruth- Miss & Miss.

Freggo- Move C12. Greenflame Blade CA Sinruth- Hit 10 Fire damage

Velani- Move D13. Vengeful Strike Sinruth- Miss.

Ah-shahran- Call Spirit Companion D11- +4 Temp HP Freggo. Move H9. Ready Action- Kali.

Kali- Battleaxe Sinruth- Miss. Spirit Infusion Battleaxe Sinruth- Hit 20 damage- Sinruth DEAD.

[/sblock]

New Map-

208 The Descent- Sinruth is DEAD

[sblock=HP, AP & XP]

HP & Conditions

PCs
Ah-shahran 35/35 Surges 8/8. AP1
Freggo 33/32 Surges 9/7. AP1
Kalimaru 30/30 Surges 8/6. AP1
Kyalia 31/31 Surges 8/8. AP2
Velani 39/38 Surges 10/5. AP1
Viator 30/30 Surges 8/8. AP2

XP 1202 for this Encounter, that's a level 5 Encounter and the hardest (XP-wise) you've faced so far = 200 XP each = 1441 XP (EDIT) each. That's 35% of the way to Level 3.

[/sblock]

Next- add in any detail you like- searching the chamber. I'll make perception checks et al next time, and automatically search the fallen etc.

Congratulations- one round more... maybe! Next time.

 

[larryfinnjr]

Velani

As Sinruth's body starts to fall toward the floor finally succumbing to his wounds, Velani's penned in rage boils over. She starts to hack and hack at the goblin, the clang clang of her sword striking his armor resounding in the near quiet of the aftermath of battle. "There will be... No emissaries... No dark lords... NO Promises... NO NO NO! WHERE ARE MY PEOPLE!?? AAARRHHHHH!" And with one last slash, she throws her sword at the ground, falls to her knees, and begins to weep. "What light do we bring to this evil place, Oh Lady?" she whispers between sobs. "What did they do, what did we do, to deserve this blight? Why have you taken Fallcrest's children to you? WHERE are the rest? What must we, what must -I- do?! Tell me!" Again, her crescendo leaves her breathless, bleeding, seemingly crestfallen, and slumped chin-on-chest on the floor.


[sblock=Freggo]
I'm not quite sure how to play Freggo at this point. I barely know if I captured the essence of his character during combat. I'm open to suggestions, tips, thoughts, anything. I'm most open to [MENTION=42968]Goken100[/MENTION] returning to us, hopefully soon! [/sblock]

 

[Thanee]

Kyalia

“That was good work. I thought, for a moment, that it might get closer here, but we did it. Now we should see about that girl in the other chamber, and get a moment to rest. Then we proceed and put an end to this!” Kyalia says with grim determination.

“But we need to be careful. Sinruth was, even for his size, quite a strong opponent. There is still that Lord Frazzle and his demon pet, and then the Undead Lord he spoke of.”

Kyalia shudders at the thought what might still lie ahead of them.

 

[RavenBlackthorne]

He's still just a boy

Still a little wobbly on his feet, Viator views the aftermath before him.

Velani

As Sinruth's body starts to fall toward the floor finally succumbing to his wounds, Velani's penned in rage boils over. She starts to hack and hack at the goblin, the clang clang of her sword striking his armor resounding in the near quiet of the aftermath of battle. "There will be... No emissaries... No dark lords... NO Promises... NO NO NO! WHERE ARE MY PEOPLE!?? AAARRHHHHH!" And with one last slash, she throws her sword at the ground, falls to her knees, and begins to weep. "What light do we bring to this evil place, Oh Lady?" she whispers between sobs. "What did they do, what did we do, to deserve this blight? Why have you taken Fallcrest's children to you? WHERE are the rest? What must we, what must -I- do?! Tell me!" Again, her crescendo leaves her breathless, bleeding, seemingly crestfallen, and slumped chin-on-chest on the floor.

Walking softly to Velani and unsure what to do as the veteran breaks down, he extends a hand and strokes her hair, the way his mother did when he was troubled. Saying nothing his power reaches gently inside the captain's mind and mimics the stroking, trying to sooth her mind.

Feeling helpless, he moves slowly away.

“That was good work. I thought, for a moment, that it might get closer here, but we did it. Now we should see about that girl in the other chamber, and get a moment to rest. Then we proceed and put an end to this!” Kyalia says with grim determination.

“But we need to be careful. Sinruth was, even for his size, quite a strong opponent. There is still that Lord Frazzle and his demon pet, and then the Undead Lord he spoke of.”

Kyalia shudders at the thought what might still lie ahead of them.

Catching the elven maiden's eye, his own flash.

We overcame this obstacle as a team and I trust in all of you that we will overcome any other set in our way. We can do it, can't we, Kyalia?

His smile for her is warm.

Then he replays what she said...

Jelissa!

Running round the corner, into the chamber, he searches for the lady. Stumbling slightly and running his fingers around his temples, he fights off the pain.

Jelissa? Are you ok? We are from Fallcrest, here to help you return. Do you need aid?

 

[Goonalan]

Velani

As Sinruth's body starts to fall toward the floor finally succumbing to his wounds, Velani's penned in rage boils over. She starts to hack and hack at the goblin, the clang clang of her sword striking his armor resounding in the near quiet of the aftermath of battle. "There will be... No emissaries... No dark lords... NO Promises... NO NO NO! WHERE ARE MY PEOPLE!?? AAARRHHHHH!" And with one last slash, she throws her sword at the ground, falls to her knees, and begins to weep. "What light do we bring to this evil place, Oh Lady?" she whispers between sobs. "What did they do, what did we do, to deserve this blight? Why have you taken Fallcrest's children to you? WHERE are the rest? What must we, what must -I- do?! Tell me!" Again, her crescendo leaves her breathless, bleeding, seemingly crestfallen, and slumped chin-on-chest on the floor.


[sblock=Freggo]
I'm not quite sure how to play Freggo at this point. I barely know if I captured the essence of his character during combat. I'm open to suggestions, tips, thoughts, anything. I'm most open to [MENTION=42968]Goken100[/MENTION] returning to us, hopefully soon! [/sblock]

Maybe it was Viator's touch, maybe not... but amidst the pain and anguish comes a voice- a tiny voice, far away- and yet as clear as a bell.

"The great light of a city is composed of the thousands of flames of its citizens. You must ensure that your flame is as bright as you can make it."

The fluted words circle and echo- like a nursery rhyme, slowly the chaos in Velani's mind subsides, replaced by words of cheer- familiar and friendly.

The sounds and words of a city at work and play- the city of Fallcrest, the myriad thanks and plaudits that are the bindings of love, friendship, respect and honour. Voices from the past, the present, and the future- those that have relied upon Velani in the past to do what is right. Each and everyone of them rewarded for their trust.

The words of thanks subside, the voice comes again-

"Bring the light of civilization to the darkness of the wilds."

And then is gone- taking the shadows and doubt with it.

Velani stands.

 

[Goonalan]

GM: I'm going to do this in stages, don't think I've forgotten anything until we get to the end, to begin with Jelissa.

Jelissa is soon freed, her bindings are cut through, she flops in to Viator's arms.

"Oh, I thought... I thought you wouldn't come... I... "

All the emotion comes out Jelissa weeps and hugs Viator tight to her, burying her head into the Psion's chest.

Eventually the sobbing sibsides, whispered words and the comfort brought by the adventurer's presence, Jelissa looks up- wipes her eyes and sniffles a little.

"The boy, Thurann- they sent him north, said he would pay for his father's crimes... I don't know what Kartenix has done, I... They said the creatures there would eat the marrow from his bones, they said..."

Jelissa takes to sobbing again, hugging Viator tighter still, now and then pointing to the north - over Viator's shoulder.

Again her sobs subside, eventually, Jelissa composes herself once more.

"The Goblin Lord- he came from the west... I... He was cruel, and... horrible. Oh, the others, I don't know what happened to... I... They..."

Jelissa cries a river, all the while gripped tight to Viator.

When the Eladrin moves his head just an inch- she grabs at Viator and clings on as if her life depended upon it.

"Don't leave me..."

She cries, forlornly.

 

[RavenBlackthorne]

Jelissa is soon freed, her bindings are cut through, she flops in to Viator's arms.

"Oh, I thought... I thought you wouldn't come... I... "

All the emotion comes out Jelissa weeps and hugs Viator tight to her, burying her head into the Psion's chest.

Eventually the sobbing sibsides, whispered words and the comfort brought by the adventurer's presence, Jelissa looks up- wipes her eyes and sniffles a little.

"The boy, Thurann- they sent him north, said he would pay for his father's crimes... I don't know what Kartenix has done, I... They said the creatures there would eat the marrow from his bones, they said..."

Jelissa takes to sobbing again, hugging Viator tighter still, now and then pointing to the north - over Viator's shoulder.

Again her sobs subside, eventually, Jelissa composes herself once more.

"The Goblin Lord- he came from the west... I... He was cruel, and... horrible. Oh, the others, I don't know what happened to... I... They..."

Jelissa cries a river, all the while gripped tight to Viator.

When the Eladrin moves his head just an inch- she grabs at Viator and clings on as if her life depended upon it.

"Don't leave me..."

She cries, forlornly.

I'm not going anywhere,

Viator says gently. He tries the same thing as with Velani, stroking Jelissa's hair, imagining his mother singing softly to him. Unknowingly, he hums the soft tune and rocks with the sobbing woman.

We've already managed to find the others, Jelissa. They're safe and waiting for you to join them. Then we'll find Thurann and we can all go home.

He runs his hand down her cheek and under her chin, gently bringing her to face him. Looking straight into her eyes, he sees his own reflected there before looking deeper.

We WILL find the boy. We WILL bring him back. And we WILL take revenge for everything they have done to you.

Then he takes her back into an embrace, the tune once again falling from his lips.

 

[tiornys]

Ah-shahran keeps his mouth shut

Ah-shahran walks up to the entrance of the chamber. His eyebrows raise as he takes in the scene. After a moment of watching, he clears his throat--loudly--then turns his back and leans against the door frame. Ostentatiously. While he waits, he pulls a rag from his cloak and begins to polish his (already gleaming) staff.

[sblock=Combat Status]HP: 35/35 Surges: 8/8 Surge Value: 8
AC: 17 Fortitude: 12 Reflex: 15 Will: 17
Resist: 6 necrotic, 6 radiant Saving Throw mods: none
Speed: 6 Initiative: (+3) 4
Passive Insight: 20 Passive Perception: 20
Action Points: 1 0 [x] Usage this encounter
[] Second Wind
[][][] Failed Death Saves

Current Status: readied action to use Spirit Infusion on Kali when he attacks

Actions:
[]Standard
[]Move
[]Minor
[]Immediate

Powers:
Spirit Infusion, Direct the Strike, Call Spirit Companion Twin Panthers, Hand of Radiance, Adaptive Stratagem, Memory of a Thousand Lifetimes, Healing Spirit, Inspiring Word, Speak with Spirits, Cast Fortune, Spirit of the Healing Flood, Potion of Healing
[/sblock]

 

[Goonalan]

The chamber is examined- it's yet another crypt, over the entrance way, chiselled in to the stone is the legend-

"Von Adrez-Kauthin Crypt"

One of the families that held Rivenroar for a while.

Along the walls are the faded remains of bas-reliefs, close inspection reveals them to be depictions of workers carrying items- boxes and crates, and the like. The Von Adrez-Kauthin family were merchants first and foremost it seems, this rings true with your knowledge of past times in the Vale.

The smaller chamber holds three sarcophagi, unopened as of yet, all three are marked with the same family crest as depicted on the walls.

If Spizz were here...

The bodies of the Hobgoblins and Sinruth have given up their treasures- 56gp, 28sp & 54cp in total.

But that's not the item that holds your interest, Sinruth- buried inside his armour has a scroll case (no markings), within which is a scroll. Kyalia reads aloud-

Brave Sinruth,

The Red Hand will rise again! The other remnants take great cheer in your recent attacks on commerce coming into The Blight That is Fallcrest. We’re particularly pleased with your ability to inspire a fighting spirit in others, whether they have true goblin blood or merely wish they did. To be blunt, we think you should have many more soldiers under your command.

Many, many more.

And recent events have rendered some remnants leaderless. With a bold stroke on your part, the remnants would rally to the Red Hand you so proudly display.

As your bold stroke, do this: Attack the The Blight That is Fallcrest by night. Focus your efforts on their Hall of Great Valor, for it mocks the many hard-won victories by the first Red Hand of Doom. Take from them the spoils of war they shamelessly hang on their walls and bring those antiques back to Rivenroar.

Do this before the moon is next full. And with regard to your previous question, turning over captives to your unliving allies at Rivenroar is perfectly acceptable. War sometimes makes strange bedfellows, and we appreciate how you’ve united such disparate forces under your banner. Whatever prisoners you take from Rivenroar you can give to the wight.

Fight with the valor of your ancestors, Sinruth. And keep your hands stained red with the blood of the weak!

I will visit you again next month, at a time of my choosing.

The Emissary

There's no signature...

Kyalia frowns.

GM: I'll update the OP as soon as- done.

 

[RavenBlackthorne]

Ah-shahran walks up to the entrance of the chamber. His eyebrows raise as he takes in the scene. After a moment of watching, he clears his throat--loudly--then turns his back and leans against the door frame. Ostentatiously. While he waits, he pulls a rag from his cloak and begins to polish his (already gleaming) staff.

Hearing the deva, Viator carefully helps Jelissa to her feet. He helps her towards the wise man and lays a hand on his shoulder.

Jelissa, will you please talk to my companion here? His name is Ah-shahran and he will no doubt have far more interesting questions to ask you than I do. And he is very knowledgeable in the healing arts. He will make sure you are well.

With that, he leaves them to privacy.