Walle

May charges the captain and growls, "I would surrender if I were you. Or cry for help like a little girl. Or explain yourself."

---

Charge! Surprise! Hit(28)!
 dmg: 15

Cap HP: 101 - 15 = 86

"Captain Whatshisface?!" Mits gasps when she steps in the room, "Not you too!  How could you work for the...  wait.  Where's all the traps?!  Jeez you guys are lame!"

  Kyle comes to a stop behind Timothius, not even being able to see inside the room because of Stairs™

"Intruders!" the blonde dwarf hollers, "Everyone to me at once!"

The sound of hurried footsteps on metal catwalks can be heard approaching.

Raichel shoots lightning at the dwarf, missing by inches. Then puts her staff at the base of the door to keep people from barging in. She will move her staff aside when and if a team mate asks her to.

---

Lightning Strike v Captain. Miss(18)

WHAM!  A thug forces the door open then brandishes his longsword!

"What's with all the cats?"

"Traitor hideout inspection team!" Mittens says, backing up a bit, "And you all FAIL!"

Blam!Blam!Blam!  She shoots dwarf face and minion face in the face!  The third shot was aimed at another minion but misses.  He climbs to near the top of the stairs and returns fire, hitting Mittens!  The blonde dwarf's eyes glow light purple as he gestures at May, pinning her feet to the floor with telekinetic force!  He then laughs and flies out the window!

"You've met your match!  A pity you won't live to see your precious city burned to the ground!"

Timothius goes to the window and peers down. "That's what they all say." he says in a jaded tone before facing his allies and lacing his hands together to sing for them.

May says, "aaaand free. Thanks, Tim!"

---

Hymn of Resurgence on allies.
 Allies all gain 5 thp, except May who opts to use the save throw
Mayving-Throw: 13 success!

  "All the culturally significant structures are made out of stonework here.  But I am not surprised to hear you only have experience dispatching small towns."  Credit for having a plan with more depth than 'CHAAAARGE' though, but he isn't going to say that out loud.

"Stone buildings burn quite nicely, actually," one of the thugs in the warehouse calls back as he hurries for a ladder, "While the flammables within burn, the stone holds the heat in like an oven, making a fire so hot it can melt metal."

May hops out and roars, causing the dwarf to mysteriously get pulled to the kobold! "Not half as hot as the fires of HELL you'll be going to, villains!" she smacks down the thug and grins at the dwarf. "Met my match? Back your words and FACE me, coward!"

---

Come and Get It v Cap and Thug. Miss(19), Hit(25)!
 dmg: enough. Thug's a minion.

1 Thug down.

A less talkative thug simply hurries closer to the action.

  Kyle steps outside (or would that be steps more inside?) to be behind May.  He buffs up the toughest Kobold in the land, then shoots the closest jerk with his crossbow.  "Well, I suppose if he survives he has a bright future in architecture.  Because this invasion thing is just going so poorly."

---

Move: duh.
Minor: Resistive Buff May.  +1 Power AC, can cash in for 4+her surge THP.
Standard: M weapon vs possessed 2. hits.  14 DMG.
M weapon buff for May and Raichel.

Possessed 2 HP: 75-14= 61 Left.

Two dopplegangers who aren't bothering to hide what they are approach and fire... at the ceiling?  What were they aiming at, anyway?  Whatever it was, they miss.

Raichel turns into a lightning bolt and SLAMS into the spot behind the captain only to slap the guy on the back with a thunderous palm! "May said it: Talk is cheap, braggart." That was no normal palm strike. Then again, maybe this guy has heard of monks?

---

Move: Lightning Shift to flank cap with May
Standard: Twin Thunders v Cap. Hit(23)!
 dmg: 28

Cap HP: 61 - 28 = 33

"Fancies himself an expert on fire, does he?" Mittens says, walking out onto the catwalk, "Allow me to teach you a lesson in solar fire!"

She swings her staff like and three fireballs hit three enemies, taking out two!

"How did..." the dwarf sputters, "No matter.  Those will be your last words, mutant!"

He tries to side-step while taking a swing at May but she stops him in his tracks!

Timothius says, "Mittens is not a mutant." before placing a seal on the dwarf. "And those are far from the last words she'll ever say."

---

Astral Seal v Cap. Hit(31)!

May whacks the dwarf over the head and nearly knocks him out. "Thorn was sooo much tougher than you."

---

Weapon Master's Strike v Cap. Hit(29)!
 dmg: 16

Cap HP: 19 - 16 = 3
Maych-P: 76 + 6 = 78 FULL HP

The silent minion fires at Mittens and hits her right between the eyes!  But the crossbow bolt just bounces off, barely leaving a mark.

"Nice shot!" Mits compliments with a smile.

  "Which is kind of sad, because all Thorn was good for was taking a hit."  Well, that and knowing to bring WILDLIFE to the fight.

  Kyle doesn't even look at the closest enemies, as he gestures towards them and a crackling hand of lightning... Wedgies them three feet into the air, before dropping them face first on the stairs with a nose rending crunch.

---

Move: shift.
Standard: Static Shock. hits possessed 2, KO. Don't even need to roll damage.  Possessed 2 has -4 DMG, until end of my next turn.

Possessed 2: KO

Two more crossbow bolts find their marks.  One hitting Mittens, the other Kyle.  Only this time, Mits doesn't just laugh off the injury.

Raichel shoots a bolt of lightning and misses the assassin.

"Poo," Mittens says, "Can't quite reach thug face.  Oh well.  Twin strike!"

Two flaming arrows hit the assassins!

"I don't care anymore." Timothius says to nobody in particular, looking defeated. He waves a hand and a wave of radiance shoots from Timothius' hand to the assassin, who then screams in pain as his glow bright white!

Timothius just flops down to his butt, resting his elbows on his knees.

---

Break the Spirit v Assassin 2. CRIT(32)!
 dmg: 34

Assassin 2 HP: 55 - 34 = 21

May doesn't notice Timothius being all Eore, but did notice the punishment he dished out. "Nice, Timothius!" and rushes the assassin, getting in the guy's face!

---

Move 5, Minor shift 1, charge! Miss(18)

Sniper thug snipes Mittens!  "Ow.  I'm starting to feel a tad hurt.  Might need some of my bro's epic healing here soon."

  "Huh, I'm surprised to find these guys know how to aim a crossbow properly."  Shame about them using wussy little hand crossbows though.  Rogue weapon proficiencies are such a **** that even reducing Rapiers to military weapons leaves them unable to use them by default.

  Kyle steps forward and down a crate, for good Magic Weapon positioning for later.  But instead of that, he uses repulsion strike.  The force construct spiked gauntlet at the front of his bolt punches out the assassin hassling May (or would that be the assassin May is hassling?)

Mittens takes a crossbow bolt to the neck!

"Urk!"

Thunder roars throughout the warehouse before Raichel yells at the remaining assassin, "ENOUGH!" and the guy goes flying with some bone snapping sounds before collapsing in a heap on the ground!

---

Thunder Slam v Assassin 1. CRIT(31)!
 dmg: 46

Assassin 1 HP: 43 - 46 = KO!

Mits crouches and her armor glows a bit before she ZOOMS past May before stopping herself with a blast that takes out the last minion!

"Ok definitely need a heal."

Gruff voices from outside can be heard.  "Yeah yeah I know.  You're pretending to be an important priest and all.  But sometimes I think you take that role a little too far."

"Keep it down, fool.  All it takes is one witness to blow my cover."
This message was last edited by the player at 07:17, Fri 11 July 2014.

Timothius gets up from his seated position, moves to Raichel, and waves a hand. Mittens' wounds all vanish. "Is it over yet?"

---

Move: Stand from plopped
Move: To Rai's side
Minor: Healing Word on Mittens. 19! +13(surge)=32

Mittens HP: 26 + 32 = FULL HP

May looks about. Seeing no enemies, she nods. "I think so. Let's tie up the traitor and question him. Though at this point? There's so many traitors and changelings, I guess I'll need to be more specific from now on..."

Hearing voices, May headshakes and puts a finger to her mouth. Then points to where she heard the voices coming from and starts sneaking towards them, keeping to cover.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:47, Mon 14 July 2014.

  Kyle may not be the most stealthy of the bunch, but he feels that having a solid wall between him and sight of the doors and windows is still a lot better than standing out in the open.

OOC: Move, duh.
Readied, M weapon if needed

Raichel, however, decides she is going to serve as distraction and walks up to be just 5 feet away from the door, gripping her staff angrily as she prepares to face off the fake Durkik. But then, didn't they see this guy walk up the stairs already? Maybe the changelings take shifts and that's why the fakes come here every night?

Mits has been meaning to cuddle her down feeling bro, so she strolls over to do so.  She gives him a glomp and cheek-kiss, readying an attack for whatever villain walks through the door.

"Thanks for the heal, bro.  Feeling so much better now."

Goodman Kyrrist, priest of Avondra steps into the office and doesn't seem to notice the heroes yet.

"Where's Gond- I mean- Captain Aerun?"

  Kyle eyerolls at the worst spies ever (though what does that say for the rest of the city, who has been fooled), and braces himself for carnage.

Surprise action: Full defense.

Timothius shrugs a shoulder, grabs Mitts' hand and pulls her with him to get closer to Raichel... and the enemy.

Raichel shoots lightning at the fake priest, which shocks the hell out of him before zapping the assassin not far behind him!

May shoots an arrow past the guy.

---

Surprises!

Timothius drags Mittens closer to Raichel
Raichel Lightning Strike v fakeface. Hit(22)!
 dmg: 19! Max!
May basic Ranged v fakeface. Miss(21)

Fakeface HP: 88 - 19 = 69 and marked by May
Assassin 3 HP: 69 - 5 = 64

Fakeface winces from the assault.

"Intruders!" he hollers, "Kill them!"

He telekinetically pins Raichel then charges her, dodging May.

Timothius bursts with holy energy, his eyes shooting lights as his serious face gazes upon the fake. A target painted in glowy blue appears on the guy. "Honestly. I'm about ready to not accept surrender from the likes of you anymore."

---

Prophetic Guidance v Fakeface.
Minor: Solar Enemy
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:34, Mon 14 July 2014.

"Which one has the lightning?" a thug asks, rushing in and taking up position.

"Just shoot the closest one!" another answers from the door, shooting at Raichel.

A third comes in and shoots Raichel but the bolt deflects off Timothius' holy aura, only scratching her.

May swings a few times, but has LOUSY luck as her swings come exactly at times the guy moves... accidental dodging. May then swings again from sheer will and hits the guy, slamming him back into the room. "BACK DOWN, DOG!" she growls!

---

Funneling Flurry v Fakeface. Miss(18) Reroll Miss(21).
 Double-complete fail.
ACTION POINT!
Weapon Master's Strike v Fakeface. Hit(24)!
 dmg: 9 minimum. +5 prophetic
 slide target 1
Minor: Shift 1 to block door

Fakeface HP: 69 - 14 = 55

Another thug rushes by.  Then another enters behind the fake priest.

"Not much room left to attack from in here," he comments, shooting May only for arcane shielding to shrug off his bolt.

  "Good point, let me take care of that crowding for you."

  Kyle sees May get shot, so he reapplies his biggest consumer of healing surges to the Kobold.  After that, it's time for HURRICANE MAY!  As the whirlwind blasts forth from the kobold, hurling every thug in the room face first into the back of the impostor's head.

---

Minor: Resistive Buff for May, again.
Standard: Gale Via May.  +4 Power AC for May, until end of my next turn.  Hits everything inside office.  18 DMG to Impostor.

Thug Everyone except guy outside: KO.
Impostor: 55-18=37, bloodied.

After the cacophony of wind and cries of pain dies down a bit, a doppleganger assassin rushes in, tripping over the bodies, and takes a shot at Raichel which misses by an inch.

"Um...  that they're here and the others aren't means that they defeated the others.  Maybe worth considering asking what their terms are?"

Raichel points her hand and causes a huge lightning bolt to strike the group from the ceiling! BLAMMO! The floor catches fire temporarily and the faker gets slammed onto his face while the thug gets hurls off the steps to fall to his doom! "Repent from your evil ways!" she yells.

---

Vezzuvu's Eruption v Fakeface, Assassin 3, Thug. Hit(21)! Miss(18) Hit(17)!
 dmg: 14

Fakeface HP: 37 - 14 = 23

"Negotiation isn't an option, you know that!" a thug says, rushing into the office.

"Yeah.  Not an option," a second says.

"I'll kill you aaaAAA!!" the fake priest screams as he is exploded into oblivion by Mittens' carpet bomb spell.

"I REPENT!  I REPENT!" the doppleganger screams, dropping it's weapons.

"Now I think it's over," Mits comments, "I think."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:24, Mon 14 July 2014.

Timothius says, "This will ensure you are telling the truth." and draws in the air. Sigils appear on the doppleganger.

---

Astral Seal v Assassin 3. Hit(30)!

May walks past the assassin with rope in her hands. Funny thing is, she can use that as a weapon if the guy does anything funny. Thankfully, he meant it, so when she goes to tie him up, he offers no resistance.

  "An entire room full of bodies isn't enough, needed to make sure everyone else was dealt with first.  But that still puts him ahead of most in how quickly he surrendered."  The usual alternative being never.

The doppleganger will move out of the fire and onto the desk if May allows it.

"So where's Durkik?" Mits asks it.

"Probably still in the cell below."

"Cell below?"

"Yeah.  Hidden trap door entrance.  I can show you where it is.  Just don't kill me or tell anyone I talked!"

Timothius is silent. Raichel says, "We won't kill you or tell anyone you talked."

May says, "If Raichel says that, then I'm gonna go with that as well. Trust us... you surrendering is a breath of fresh air and puts us in a much friendlier mood."

  "You are actually offering information we did not have.  Sure, we could have probably found it in five minutes, but it is still a change of pace of people only telling us the obvious.  Or knowing less than we do about their employer."

Mits pets Timo then continues to question the prisoner while helping with the tying up of the others.

Assuming the PCs ask the right questions or guide
the conversation down the proper path, they can
learn the following information:
The conspirator reveals that a doppelganger has
taken the place of the real high priest Durkik, who
is being held prisoner in a secret chamber beneath
the warehouse. He tells the PCs he is working for
someone called General Zithiruun. Like Grovald, he
hasn’t seen Zithiruun’s face, but recognizes him by
his hooded cloak and his strange leather-and-steel
harness. He knows that Zithiruun wants them to
hold the Stone Anvil, and to question Durkik about
the security and magic of another temple, called
“Mountainroot.” The false Durkik assigned most of
the priests of Moradin to rebuilding the old temple
as a means of keeping them occupied and out of the
Stone Anvil.
The conspirator does not know why Zithiruun is
interested in this “Mountainroot Temple.” He knows
only that Zithiruun has grown more and more frustrated
with Durkik’s failure to answer their questions;
a few days ago, he stormed off insisting that he was
going to “find out for himself,” though he ordered
them to keep trying in his absence, and record what
they learned.

((OOC: Module doesn't offer any lore on Mountainroot yet, but I figure a hard DC history check for someone trained in it could know the stuff.))

Timothius says, "Our priority is to rescue Durkik. He can set things right here in Overlook. Then we'll be free to look into Mountainroot."

Raichel says, "Maybe while he's at it, Durkik can set the antagonistic people straight for us. I'll want a full apology from everyone involved in that when we get back from this Mountainroot business."

May says, "Durkik will be mad. I'm sure he'll make short work of this conspiracy once we get him secure."

Lore Kyle knows:

The Mountainroot Temple
A subterranean structure built by the same order that
would later go on to construct the Monastery of the
Sundered Chain, the Mountainroot Temple stands
deep beneath the Stonehome Mountains. Built when
the dwarves were still celebrating their freedom
from the giants, it was not a dwarven structure, but a
temple built for anyone who wanted to pay tribute to
Moradin, of any race. It held great reliquaries of holy
icons, enormous cathedrals where hundreds could
worship at once, and even a doorway to the Astral
Plane whence angels and exarchs of Moradin would
appear to discourse with the god’s most favored
priests and champions. To facilitate a grand community
of Moradin worshipers, the Mountainroot Temple
had, in addition to its astral doors and its main
entryway into the mountains, four mystical doorways
constructed. Each linked to another temple of
Moradin elsewhere in the world, so the faithful could
come and go with ease.
And for decades, even centuries, the temple
thrived. Slowly, however, relations between
Moradin’s faithful grew strained. Priests assigned
to other, “lesser” temples grew envious of those at
Mountainroot. Many of the dwarf faithful grew
haughty, considering themselves Moradin’s “true”
children, and sought to oust all others, or at least put
them in lesser places, denying them access to the
temple’s wonders.
Was it Moradin’s wrath? A curse brought upon
them by the giants they’d so long ago escaped? Or
simply a natural catastrophe without greater meaning?
None can say. Whatever the case, some centuries
ago, the mountain was struck by an earthquake.
Portions of the inner tunnels collapsed, damaging
several chambers of the Mountainroot Temple,
destroying others entirely. Panicked, the priests and
the faithful grabbed up their treasures and holy
icons—at least most of them—and fled using the surviving
magical portals.
Once they’d settled elsewhere, the bulk of
Moradin’s priests decided that this way was better.
By scattering from the temple, they would allow the
dwarves to build their own shrines, without feeling
constrained by the other races, and the jealousy
that marred the priesthood would fade. Although
they mourned the loss of the great cathedral, and
those few treasures they’d been unable to save, they
declared the quake to have been Moradin’s will and
left the temple abandoned. In time, most faithful,
even most priests save those most thoroughly learned
in their history, forgot it had ever been.
Most, but not all. After a few decades, a small
group of Moradin worshipers—mostly dwarves, but
with members of other races as well—returned to the
Mountainroot Temple. They cleaned it up as best they
could and vowed to maintain it until it should some
day become important once again. The most powerful
of their number took on the title of Caretaker and
lived within the temple, in a small structure built
inside the larger reliquary. The Caretaker carefully
attuned himself to the temple’s surviving magic,
allowing him to control the constructs and divine
defenses and traps that protected the structure from
outside invasion.

  Kyle's history check totally called it.  "Okay, I was wrong, it's not a portal.  It's FOUR portals, across multiple temples.  Which of course have piles of traps and such because of course they do."

"Aand that would likely be why an inter-planar army's general would want to get his hands on Mountainroot," Mits surmises, "Though this is kinda good news.  It hints that the bulk of his forces are still stuck elsewhere.  Infiltration of the clergy is making more sense now."

"By the way the trap door is locked.  And I've never been down there," the doppleganger says.

The trapdoor requires a DC 21 Thievery check to open. Once the group finds the keys to the defeated Captain Aerun, the trap door is easy enough to open.

When the PCs descend the ladder beneath the
trapdoor in the warehouse:
You are within a narrow, stone-walled hallway. Mildew
darkens the mortar between the bricks and fills the air
with the damp scent of rot. A steel door, speckled with rust,
stands at the far end of the hall. It boasts a small barred
window, but from here you cannot see what might lie
beyond.

Standing in shock in front of the door is the fake Durkik!

"You!"
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:45, Mon 14 July 2014.

May grins and cracks her knuckles while walking forward, "Please tell me you'll put up a better fight than Grovald, Aerun, and their hordes of minions? Because those guys went down all too easy."

Timothius says, "Or you can surrender and save yourself the pain."

Electricity courses over Raichel's body.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:53, Mon 14 July 2014.

  Kyle will remain professional Kyle will remain professional Kyle will-

 "Asshole!" Kyle says in faux shock.

  Or we could just go straight to petty mocking.

Fake Durkik claps his hand to his mouth and gulps.

"If that was a suicide pill, that was very dumb," Mittens says, "We already know all the info we need.  We're just down here to get the real Durkik back.  So stand aside."

Fake Durkik stands aside and keeps his hands visible in surrender.

May goes ahead of the group and goes for the cell door.

Raichel comes up not far behind May. Since May is so short, Raichel opts to peek in the cell door while May keeps an eye on the fake Durkik.

Timothius asks, "So should I bother to bring him back to life when his pill inevitably kills him?"

  "Likely a waste of components, Timothius.  He only looks like someone important, this does not mean he is."

"Was it a pill?" Mittens asks.

"No."

"Then what did you swallow?"

"The key to the cell door."

"Jerk."

A dwarf, his flesh bruised and beaten, his hair and beard
matted with blood, stands chained to the far wall of a
stench-ridden, claustrophobic cell. It takes you a moment
to recognize him as none other than High Priest Durkik
Forgeheart!
Slowly, as though even so minor a move pains him,
he looks up to meet your gaze through the bars, his eyes
widening slightly as he recognizes you. “Be careful,” he
rasps in a hoarse voice. “The door’s trapped.”
He gestures with a finger, the chain clinking, to indicate
a series of tubes that protrude from the walls of the cell,
pointing in his direction. “And not to kill you, either,” he
adds impassively. “They don’t want me escaping.”

May says almost TOO happily, "Well! Good thing we have a healer with us. I'll just gut you, take the key, and have Timothius patch you back up."

Timothius says, "I can just make him throw up."

May says, "Dunno that a key will regurgitate so easily."

Raichel gets to tying up the fake Durkik. "Stop wasting our time. We are not playing around. I don't condone torture, but I do condone whatever it takes to save lives. And if that means you'll be in pain from my allies getting the key from you; fine. Or, you can tell us how this works."

  "Most keys do not digest particularly well either, but we do not have the time to wait for him to find this out the hard way.  I am leaning towards May's plan, even if we do not waste time putting him back together."

"You can?" Mits asks Timothius, "Worth a shot I'd say."

Fake Durkik gulps again at mention of gutting him.

He starts rattling off what he knows about the door trap...

The door can be picked with a DC 21 Thievery check
(as can the chains on his wrists, once the PCs move
inside), but if the door is opened without the safeguards
being disabled, one or more of the tubes fires a
sharpened spike into Durkik’s chest, killing him. The
“trap” is three traps, each of which must be disabled.
3 Spike Tubes Level 9 Warder
Trap XP 400
Hidden tubes with powerful springs lurk within the walls,
waiting to launch brutal iron spikes.
Perception
✦ DC 24: Through careful study, you determine how the
mechanism fits together, allowing you to advise your
allies how to work on it. This grants your allies a +2
bonus to Thievery checks made to disable the trap. (Each
of the three traps requires a separate Perception check to
grant this bonus.)
Initiative +10
Trigger
If the PCs open the door without disarming all three
traps, or if the characters fail four total countermeasure
attempts (see below), all remaining traps fire.
Attack
Standard Action Melee 2
Target: Everyone within the cell.
Attack: +17 vs. AC; a prisoner chained by the manacles in
the cell is hit automatically.
Hit: 2d8+7 damage; against a prisoner chained by the
manacles, this is considered a coup de grace attack,
dealing 23 damage per functioning trap. In Durkik’s case,
this is more than enough to kill him.
Countermeasures
✦ A character adjacent to the cell door can reach through
the bars and attempt to physically wrench a tube offtarget,
thus disarming it, with a DC 28 Athletics check.
Only two of the three traps are positioned to make this
possible.
✦ A character adjacent to the cell door can disarm one of
the three tubes with a DC 28 Thievery check.

May pulls out the rapier she's been using to pick locks and promptly picks the lock, disables the tubes, and rips apart the rest of the tubes before going inside and picking the locks on the manacles to pull them off Durkik. May keeps her body as a shield around Durkik as she does this, to make sure he won't be hit by any traps.

"...phew." May hugs Durkik and soon, so does Timothius and even Raichel.

Timothius heals Durkik up. "It's so good to see you again, Durkik... the REAL you."

  "Good work May, maybe next time I can deal with the locks for you better."

  He looks to the Dwarf.  "Would you like to punch your impostor?  Or are you above such things."  Please don't be above such things.

Timothius' healing word doesn't work!  ((OOC: No surges left))

The dwarf smiles and returns the hugs then
slowly limps from his cell, wincing with every
step. Clearly he is in a great deal of pain, but despite that
fact, his eyes are alert.
“Thank you,” he says simply. “You’re the answer to every
prayer I’ve offered Moradin. But I fear, as grateful as I am
to be out and alive, that I’ve little good news for you.”

He knocks out the doppleganger with a punch to the face and chuckles roughly.

"Ah the simple pleasures of life..."

"If you didn't I woulda," Mittens comments, hiding an extending boxing glove behind her back.

The PCs can help him as he talks. You can allow the
PCs to ask questions and roleplay the conversation, or
give them the information Durkik provides.
First, thanks to everything he overheard and the
questions he was asked, Durkik knows roughly what
the conspirators were up to. If the PCs don’t already
have it, he can provide all the information given
above under the “Interrogating the Conspirators” text.
He tells the PCs that Aerun and some of the other
priests were possessed in a dark ritual, but that he
was not because General Zithiruun required information
from him.
At this point, Durkik tells the PCs about the
Mountainroot Temple (all the information presented
under that heading in the Background section).

Once he has shared the above information, read
the following:
“As you’ve doubtless guessed,” he says to you, his voice still
weak, “the Stone Anvil contains one of those portals to
the Mountainroot Temple. I don’t know why this General
Zithiruun wants the temple, but it’s clearly what he’s after.
“It’s funny, he’s had me tortured for days to make me
describe the Mountainroot’s mystical defenses, but the
truth is, I don’t know much about them. I know about the
temple only because, as High Priest, I was told of it by my
predecessor. I can tell you that the defenses are psychically
linked to the Caretaker, allowing him to control them, but
beyond that, I know little. But even had I told them that
much, I doubt they’d have believed me.”
Durkik coughs twice, then continues:
“I don’t know why he wants the temple,” he repeats, “but I
know it cannot be good for us. I know not who else in this
city might have been compromised—who can be trusted.
That leaves only you.
“The entrance from the Stone Anvil is carefully hidden
within an old sepulcher. The chamber is hidden behind a
secret door; I can escort you to it, but no farther. What I
cannot do is tell you how to access the portal, for I don’t know,
and I am oathbound never to enter the sepulcher. But my
hope is that, once you find it, you can figure out how to use it.
“I must ask you one thing more,” he adds swiftly. “When
the Mountainroot Temple was abandoned, the priesthood
took most of our ancient religious relics with them. Most,
but not all. Somewhere within the temple lies a tome
entitled, when translated into Common, the Incunabulum
Primeval. It is a book of great power for those who know
how to use it. If you can find it and return it to us, I can
promise you a reward of no less than 3,600 gp from the
temple treasury, as well as legal right to any other treasure
you find in, and can carry out of, the Mountainroot.”

"To hold and touch such treasures will be a great honor, Durkik." Timothius bows.

Raichel looks down at KO Durkik and smiles. Then looks at real Durkik and says, "Then we have a request of our own, Durkik." she gives a quick description of what happened at the temple and how they were antagonized both by hammerfist dwarves and the lady from the Freestriders. "I want apologies from all of them to me, my siblings, Kyle, and May. It may seem petty at a time like this, and I don't expect it to take priority given all the mess you're likely going to need to clean up, but the fact is if we are to be trusted in a time when trust has been broken, people need to admit to themselves who their allies are and who their enemies are."

May nods, "Let us escort you to the Council and from there, we can rest and take off straightaway to Mountainroot."

Timothius says, "Or, since time is usually of the essence, we could ride a carriage there and nap on the way."
This message was last edited by the player at 07:16, Mon 14 July 2014.

  Kyle once again does what A Paladin could have no other class could have, and heals a surgeless NPC.  When they survive all this, he will send a copy of the Temple's rates with what they charge for divine healing circled.  Because some days Kyle can be incredibly petty.

  "I am more worried about the caretaker inevitably turning their defenses upon us as much, or more than they do the ones trying to take over the place.  If past experience is anything to go by, temple guardians hate us trying to save places even more than they hate ones carrying out blood sacrifice to demons one room away." Literally one room away.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:50, Tue 15 July 2014.

Durkik thanks Kyle for the heals then requests, "Take me to the Stone Anvil, please.  I trust my guards there more than the protection of the possibly infiltrated Council.  And I'll be more likely to know if one of my own men have been possessed or replaced than one of the Council's.  When the time comes, I'll be happy to see to it that you receive the respect you deserve."

"'Like we'll believe you're heroes,'" Mittens quotes, agreeing with Kyle, "'Die like the gnoll lovers you are!'  Kalad at least recognized us as friends when we rescued him."

Durkik hmms.  "Sorry to hear about your troubles.  Isolated as he probably is, the Caretaker will likely find it hard to believe I would send a band of adventurers he's never heard of and not paladins of my own order.  But most of them are dead now.  I'll be considering how to make it clear that you are who you claim to be."

On the way back the group is ambushed by thugs and assassins!  Spent as he is, Durkik readies himself for battle anyway!

Raichel says, "The will of Moradin; These men have been brought to us so we could stop them here while having the honor of fighting at Durkik's side!"

Timothius says in a jaded tone, "Bla bla; obligatory offer to surrender that you won't listen to even though we're so out of your league that you are like ants giving us bug bites."

May says, "Come and get it!" and pulls as many of them to herself as possible! "Cheer up, Timothius! If they are like ants, then we won't get hurt much! If they aren't, then you'll get to show off!"

  In regards to Timothius, KYLE SO PROUD-Wait no, that's saved for non-suicidal common sense.  This is just suicidal depression.

  "You are all very bad at your job."

"Then we'll just have to knock some sense into these ants!"  Durkik punches an assassin through a shop door and ragdoll physics takes over!  He just smiles at Raichel's commentary.

"Goood day, suuunshiiiine!" Mittens sings, sniping some of the rooftop thugs.

"Lemme guess.  'Those meddlesome heroes are sticking their noses where they don't belong.  Stop them before they find the hideout and the real Durkik...'  PffBWAHAHAHAAA!!!"

She then fries several that are surrounding May.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:32, Tue 15 July 2014.

Timothius points at one, who falls to his knees weeping. Timothius then points at the toughest looking one and targets paint on the guy.

May plays whack-a-mole then charges the guy who has a target on him! "Sweet punch, Durkik!"

Raichel does a backflip to uppercut an assassin twice (once for each foot)! Then lands back-to-back with Durkik with a smile on her face. She quietly admits to herself that she is hoping to show off for Durkik.

But even as she's smiling, Raichel gets nicked by an arrow. The fact she is bleeding and got hit doesn't seem to phase her.
This message was last updated by the player at 04:39, Tue 15 July 2014.

  Kyle disdainfully loads a glowing crossbow bolt, and shoots the Assassin farthest away.  The bolt explodes into them, covering them in brightly glowing purple liquid "Argh! What's this stuff do!"

  "Makes you look stupid... Stupider.  Oh that reminds me, Changeling hair is an ingredient for some novelty items.  If you ever wanted your hair to be a moving rainbow of colors."

Durkik immediately recognizes Timothius' power for what it is and double-fists the painted enemy prone.  The doppleganger groans, trying to stand back up.

"I do!  I do!" Mittens chimes, so excitedly she almost forgets to zap.  Almost.  Zap! Zap! Zap!

"Careful not to damage their hair!"

"They're too much for us!  We should get outta here!" one of the assassins suggests after shooting at Kyle.

Raichel turns into lightning and shoots through the enemies and materializes in front of the one who called for retreat. She punches him in the nose, knocking him out. "We can chase each one of you to the ends of the earth, or you can surrender. Which will it be?"

Raichel turns around only to see May downing a couple and Timothius smacking unconscious one who was trying to run.

  Kyle ows, yanks out the bolt, then shoots one of the few still standing enemies with the enemy ammo (and acid).  "Chase them? Oh, right.  Less than two hundred and fifty feet of effective range."

Before long the baddies are stomped and captured.

"Oh lookie," Mits says, pulling a piece of paper from one of the defeated foes.

on one of the doppelgangers is a list of descriptions—of
the PCs themselves! The parchment is stained with
something.

(DC 16 Perception check)

"Appears to be beer and sausage grease," Mits says.

(DC 17
Streetwise check suggests that the source for the stain
is the Pig and Bucket tavern.)

"I can have some of my men look into this clue," Durkik says, "The top priority remains recovering that tome before the enemy gets his hands on it."

May slaps her hand onto her bicep while flexing. "That tome is as good as grabbed, High Ancestor!"

Raichel quickly assists in tying up baddies so they can all be force-marched to the Stone Anvil where they are taking Durkik.

Timothius checks on his allies to make sure they are OK.

  Kyle is thankful for the offer of saving them time, if not the success rate everyone Not Them tends to have in dealing with the smallest of problems.  He glances down at May's display.  "Half my size, twice the muscles." He mutters.

Back to the Stone Anvil
Durkik meets up with Karros and leads the PCs
back through the towering halls of the Stone Anvil.
Several of the priests and guards appear nervous
about allowing the PCs to pass, but none are prepared
to gainsay their guides.

"You all must be tired," Durkik says, "I'll leave it up to you whether you would rather spend the night first or teleport to Mountainroot right away."

"Sure it's late, but I'm rarin' to go," Mittens says, "Those last few fights weren't enough for me to resort to using my more powerful spells, and I've only needed a heal once.  As for needing sleep, I've done plenty of all-nighters and been fine."

Timothius says, "Teleported? Well... if that's the case, then yes."

Raichel says, "Please lead the way, Durkik."

May says, "I'm good to go if my team is."

  "Normally, I would take the chance for any proper rest."   He checks his crossbow, old habits die hard.  "But this has been the least threatening invasion so far."   Sure, innocent people have died.  But nobody's home has been set on fire yet and nobody in the party has been knocked around that hard.

After a dozen halls and several wide stairs, your guide stops
inside a great chamber. Shelves of old scrolls line the stone
walls, and great marble tables occupy the room’s center. Dust
lies thick over it all, proving that this room is rarely used.
For a few moments, the priest fumbles with the scrolls
on one particular rack. Finally, a loud click resounds
throughout the room, and one of the walls slides open with
a deafening rumble and a cascade of powdered stone.
“This is it,” he tells you. “The sepulcher. I cannot go any
farther.”

http://scales-of-war.pbworks.c...her+%28edited%29.jpg

"Take these symbols of Moradin and these prayer books.  Hopefully with them the Caretaker will be convinced you're from the church.  They are usually reserved only for knighting ceremonies of Moradin's paladins, but considering the circumstances I think he would drub me good if I didn't take practicality over ceremony and tradition.  Have faith.  I'm sure you will succeed.  And thank you."

Mits takes a symbol and book.  "Honored!"
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:00, Tue 15 July 2014.

Timothius bows humbly as he accepts the items.

Raichel wears the symbol with a big smile and holds the book close.

May curiously looks at them, looks at her hammer for a moment as if considering using it for a while, then puts the symbol on and holds the book. "Thanks!"

Soon, the trio head on with Mitts and Kyle!

  Kyle will give this to Moradin worshipers.  Usually their holy symbols are functional blunt objects instead of merely decorative.  "Thank you, Durkik.  I appreciate it."

You are standing at one end of a long chamber. Chandeliers
hanging from the ceiling spring to life even as you pass
through the secret door, illuminating all that lies before you.
To the right and left, stairs lead down to an open lower
level, transforming the floor on which you now stand into a
central walkway, with two narrower ledges along both sides
of the room. At even intervals along those walkways the
floor abruptly widens, almost like the teeth on a gear.
At the far end of the chamber, a bright silver filigree of
unimaginable complexity bulges from the wall. It shows a
scene of Moradin hard at work at his forge. Four statues—
two flanking the filigree, two flanking the entrance—show
Moradin with a pair of ravens perched on his shoulders.
Perhaps these are meant to honor the Raven Queen, who
watches over even Moradin’s dead?

Mits drops her usual silliness and steps forward somberly.

May looks around curiously while the kitties are quiet. "What's with the ravens? Does Moradin have raven exarchs?"

  Alas, Kyle gave up his free Religion training so he can create stronger Holy Water and throw it better....  Game mechanics are strange sometimes.

  He looks to Timothius, because while Mittens would know just as well, Timothius would probably answer with a bit more devotion.

"This is a tomb.  So likely homage to the Raven Queen," Mits answers.

Now that you’ve come closer, you can see an old stone door
in the wall behind the filigree image. You can, however, see
no way to access it.

Timothius says, "Mittens is right... as for this door; Kyle mentioned this was a temple where exarchs would visit. So..."

He kneels and prays, "I have been ordained as a cleric of Pelor, but you know I have held you in reverence since childhood, Moradin. You have been with us through these perils and honored us with the task of aiding your children. Now, I pray you guide us in finding the way to the lost treasure before unworthy hands touch it and take it from your heirs."

May is silent, waiting for something to happen.

Raichel had her eyes closed during the prayer, as if to pray along with Timothius.

  Kyle does not interrupt, because as much as he pokes at the HOLYNESS aspect of his allies and acquaintances at times, this is not a good moment for it to be one of those times.

  He does wish whatever it was that they were waiting on, would get on with it though.  Moment ruined!

The image suddenly bends as the face of Moradin turns
toward you and speaks in a voice of rending metal. “Who
would step through the portal to the heart of Moradin’s
worship must first prove he understands Moradin in his
own heart.
“Think you carefully on Moradin’s precepts, his
teachings, his actions, and his favored disciples. Then speak
unto me a parable, a tale of Moradin, not that you have
learned from his texts, but that you have created yourself.
Let it show your understanding of his words and his ways,
and you may pass.”

Mits ahs.  "Likely a magic puzzle with just enough intelligence to recognize key phrases and such.  So explaining about the gravity of the situation likely won't work so much as singing a hymn of Moradin."

Entering the Portal Level 9
Skill Challenge XP 2,000

The PCs must convince the mystical portal that they have
a sufficient understanding of Moradin’s teachings by
constructing a parable that accurately portrays the god’s
behavior and precepts, yet all is not lost if the PCs fail.
They can still attempt to physically break through the
filigree to reach the door. Doing so activates the room’s
magical defenses: a number of homunculi. Proceed to
tactical encounter C10. Once the PCs have successfully
completed that encounter, they can cut through the
filigree as though it were a standard wooden door (it’s
metal, but it’s thin).
Complexity
5 (12 successes before 3 failures)
Primary Skills
Athletics, Bluff, Diplomacy, History, Religion.

  "Nobody seems to care about the Lumphammer clan, who's small family has been clearing out the last bits of value out of old mines no longer deemed profitable and officially abandoned by larger clans for generations.  Then having to spend most of it on legal loopholes sprung on them once they finish.  Larry Lumphammer is the one man I would never ask for the five silver I let them borrow back.

Timothius took the statues seriously and says, "Permit me time and I shall give you a parable."

(Parable) He sits down and thinks hard on the stuff he remembers hearing about Moradin. He even references the prayer book a few times to refresh his Moradin know-how. A few minutes later, he smiles and nods. "There was once a family. A father, a mother, a son, and two daughters. The father and mother were not satisfied with their children because the son was not aggressive and the daughters acted in a manner they considered manly. The son and daughters grew and became old enough to take care of themselves, so they left home, hoping to prove to themselves that the negative things their parents said were not true. Time passed. They were rejected from one town to the next because of being a different race. Finally, they found a place ready to let them stay. Trouble came. The brother and his sisters battled the trouble. In doing so, they befriended someone from the town who fought at their side. Then they took the fight to the enemy's stronghold. They saved lives, saved a town, and found another friend even in the enemy base. As time passed, they found both their new family... and their calling as heroes. The brother and his sisters intend to go home with their accomplishments and make their parents proud." he pauses for a moment and then explains, "This parable tells that even when your own blood tries to tear you down, you should not give up. You should do what you can with your own two hands to help others and to build yourself up. And when one family lets you down, that doesn't mean you give up on them. It means you try harder, become better, and then go back to show them they were mistaken about you being unworthy children. It also means that blood is not everything; family is those you hold dear. The friends that the brother and his sisters made were their new family during the trials. And that is the parable."

(Athletics) During the parable, May is acting out pretend heroics, fighting invisible foes to show her combat prowess.

(Diplomacy crit) He stands up. "But I am here to tell you the parable is true! I am the brother. Raichel and Mittens are the sisters. Kyle and May are the new family. And by the guidance of Moradin and his best friends, we have protected Moradin's children, held off armies, and become heroes. We are not holy members of the church or Moradin... but it is my belief we have already been ordained by Moradin himself. Even now, the High Ancestor Durkik has come to us for help. We come to stop an evil man from taking the Incunabulum Primeval. And we will take it to Moradin's church: The Stone Anvil, to be with his children, where it belongs."

---

Religion: 19+2=21. 1 success! (counting this as either the prayer he made earlier, or influencing the wording of his parable. Examples include putting father before mother and brother before sisters. Moradin is a strong supporter of men first (not to the expense of women. He isn't chauvinist).)
Diplomacy: CRIT(34)! 1 success!
Parable: 2 successes!

May Athletics: 28. 1 success!

"What is the meaning of the Lumphammer story?" the image asks.

To Timothius it says, "Impressive.  I see that you understand that a parable is a succinct story which illustrates principles.  You may pass.  The human may pass once he tells the moral of his story.  Because they did not aid you in making yours up, the others may pass once they forge parables of their own or work together to make one."

Mits heavy sighs. "Timo's was the best I could think of.  I don't think you'd like the other one I was thinking of."

Raichel has her fist to her mouth in thought, then steps forward. "Six dwarves met at a crossroad. Three of them came from the east. The other three came from the west. The eastern dwarves said to the western dwarves, "Greetings! We come in peace!", but the western dwarves assumed the eastern dwarves were there to steal gold from them, so they said "Die!" and attacked the eastern dwarves. When the fight was over, the eastern dwarves were all alive and had managed to spare one of the western dwarves. The eastern dwarves took the western dwarves prisoner and took them to their destination: an oppressed town. The eastern dwarves saved the town from their oppressors and gave the prisoner to the town. The prisoner, the only remaining of the western dwarves, was miserable and held on to his hate for the rest of his years. // The meaning of this parable is two-fold: Greed will lead people to hasty and unwise choices that lead to their deaths. Also, the survivor shows that even if you survive your folly, you do not truly live until you let go of greed and remember what is important."

She holds her breath, hoping this is acceptable and not taken as an insult. Raichel remembers that greed is considered the one major flaw of the dwarves, and so she hoped a parable against greed and selfishness would be exactly the kind of thing Moradin would teach his followers, to shore up their one weakness.

May then steps forward and says, "I've got one! OK..." she takes a breath and then says, "There was a blacksmith, renowned in all the land! He made beautiful, perfectly-balanced weapons." she pretends to be hammering away at a weapon. "One day, there was a strong-man contest. Everyone was sure the blacksmith would win because he had bigger arms than everyone in the village. But a young man with a small build came and entered the contest. Many made fun of him for thinking he could win. Sure enough, he lost within the first few rounds. The blacksmith won the contest. Later, however, the blacksmith went to the young man and took him by the hand and yelled at the top of his lungs while raising the young man's hand into the air! It caught everyone's attention. The blacksmith said, "As the winner of the strong man contest, I have the right to say who is strong and who is not! I declare this man the strongest man in town! He will become my apprentice and then I will become his apprentice!" Everyone was confused, including the young man. But in time, the young man became stronger under the blacksmith's teaching. Finally, the student became stronger than his master. Nobody knew how the blacksmith knew this would happen. // The parable teaches that strength is much more than muscles! Strength means nothing without heart; and the young man had heart. Experience gave the blacksmith the strength and wisdom to announce this with surety."

  "I'll take the guy who only follows the first two bulletpoints of your worship, over all the ones who simply think the last one is all that matters.  Getting your clan name engraved in a temple you paid for is done often enough by those who demonstrate no loyalty to their people, or strength of resolve.  Just like it's not the fact I'm taking the time to ask politely, that makes me better than the ones already out there gutting temples built in your name. So they can enslave more people just like you have oh so many carvings about putting an end to in here."

  Six successes for accuracy.

  "I'll just turn around and walk if I have to, or more likely hire carts.  would not do to get there too long after the renowned Mountainroot Temple of Moradin is used as the staging grounds of an invasion, after all. We are here because most of your worshipers who could fight are either dead, replaced, deceived, or even all three.  I'm already wasting everyone's time having to explain this without wrapping it up in a nice story that makes life sound so much more noble than it actually is."

  Two failures for earning that 8 Charisma.

"It is wise to be on guard against greed," the image says to Raichel, "You may pass."

"A golden heart is more valuable than a mountain of diamonds," it says to May, "You may pass."

"You are correct," it says to Kyle, "Tenacity gets the job done.  You may pass."

"And what of you?" it asks Mittens.

"Very well.  There once was a prosperous city who's stone walls reached to the sky.  But one day a vast army of darkness lay siege to the city.  A brave hero stepped forward and said, 'Open the gates and I will vanquish the enemy!'  The people debated whether they should open the gate and put the hero through tests to see if he could back up his claim.  But while they wasted time with that, the invaders finished their siege weapons that decimated the city.  The moral of the story is don't waste a hero's time with tests."

"Courage is the true test of a hero.  You may pass."

You feel no magic—no tingling or shimmering. It occurs
between steps; one instant, you’re in the sepulcher, and
the next you’re . . . not. You are in a great, stone-walled
chamber. Numerous doorways—many of which are
contained within deep stone arches, almost like artificial
caves—provide egress. A platform with multiple stairs
stands near the chamber’s center, presumably for a
ceremonial purpose long since forgotten. The eastern
portion of the room appears to have been largely damaged
in an ancient cave-in, marring one of two great reliefs that
adorn the far wall

Perched on one of the archways and atop the
undamaged relief, a pair of foul females with ragged hair
and the claws and wings of vultures turn piercing eyes in
your direction, letting loose with a terrible, predatory cry.
Only a few yards from you, what appears to be a scruffy,
abnormally short dwarf peers at you between slitted lids..

Perception Check
DC 22  From the corner of your eye, you spot a second
thuggish-looking dwarf skulking quietly in the shadows of
the broken wall.

"Second dwarf thugface over there," Mittens says, pointing.

Timothius says, "Please don't be alarmed! We don't mean you any harm. We come on behalf of Durkik." He was sure not to say "the REAL Durkik", juuust in case the name drop was enough for villains to also respond decently. He's just hoping they aren't villains, regardless.

Raichel asks, "Do I look like that when I get up in the morning?"

May interposes herself between the enemy and her allies.

  "Right, more Harpies.  More importantly, do the words of Moradin come inside cookies?  It seems like that would be a thing, for some reason."

  At Raichel's question, he says "Of course not. You do not have feathers."  And her Shifter Frenzy really brings out her eyes, honest.

"We spare you only if you hand over Incunabulum!" a harpy shrieks, preparing to attack!

"And show us exit!" the other says, also beginning to charge foward.

Timothius says, "We don't have the book." before drawing runes in the air that then appear on the harpy. "I warn you: We are the heroes of Overlook. You are the kind of enemies we fought when we were much weaker. We are willing to talk peace, but we are not to be underestimated."

---

Astral Seal v Harpy 1. Hit(29)
 -2 all defenses. Next ally who hits it regains 1d6+8 hp

"No book we no spare!" one of the harpies shrieks, swooping closer.

The other screams a deafening scream that sends Mits, Timothius, and Raichel reeling!

  "Not to mention, the last Dwarven building we saw harpies in had scenery practically custom built for them.  Not so much here."  Kyle says as he offhandedly (but not literally, still aiming with two hands) snaps off an Acidic bolt at the closest Harpy, Tim's blessings healing what little harm had come to him in the process.

  That done, he toughens up May, and heads northward.

---

Move: duh.
Minor: Resistive for May.  +1 AC, can cash in for the usual.
ZE ACID: hits. 23 Acid DMG.  -2 AC Until end of my next turn.

harpy 1 hp: 96-23=73. -2 AC
Kyle HP: 73+2= 75/75    Note to self, three Empowerments by now.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:08, Wed 16 July 2014.

Raichel growls, turns into an archon of lightning and thrusts her hands to either side. From her hands come lightning bolts with lightning hands! One slams JUST shy of a harpy, but the other grabs a harpy and yanks her to Raichel!

The harpy retaliates by screaming and sliding Mitts and Timothius around.

---

Shocking Magnetism v Harpy 1 and Harpy 2. Miss(17) Hit(25)!
 dmg: 17
Move: To harpy

Harpy 2 HP: 96 - 17 = 79

May rushes over to the wounded and yanks the harpy and slystone to herself and smacks the harpy across the boob, but doesn't quite hit the slystone.

---

Move: To position and shift 1 as minor to get perfect position
Come and Get It v Harpy 2 and Slystone 1. Hit(23)! Miss(23)
 dmg: 11

Harpy 2 HP: 79 - 11 = 68

"Friggin harpies," Mits says, bracing herself.

The dwarf she pointed out earlier charges her and smashes her into the ground!  The other dwarf answers May's challenge with a swing of his hammer!

Timothius bursts with holy energy, both reviving Mittens and closing almost all his wounds. He then points at the harpy near Raichel and targets appear on her. The dwarf turns and whacks Timothius with ALL his might, but gets whacked in the back by May for his trouble. And with a bloody smile, Timothius heals Mittens the rest of the way.

---

Healer's Mercy: 19. +surge values.
ACTION POINT!
Prophetic Guidance on Harpy 2.
Bastion of Health on Mittens: 19. + surge value

Mittens HP: 0 + 33 + 33 = 56 Full
Timothius HP: 20 + 35 = 55. - 17 = 38
Slystone 1 HP: 86 - 12

"Friggin harpies," Mits says, standing back up, "Thank you, bro.  You're looking rather badass right now."

She then slams her staff into the ground and with a blinding flash, the enemies around her scream in terror, flying back!  The harpy is sent spiraling over Raichel's head and her electricity finishes it off!

Meanwhile the other harpy flies over to perch on the arm of the stone dwarf and claws at Kyle's face!
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:33, Wed 16 July 2014.

  Kyle is ashamed his concern for his friends left him wide open to be kicked in the face by a loud and obvious bird lady.  That's his excuse and we're sticking to it.

  In response to the Harpy's scratches, he pulls out his freshly enchanted Bastard Sword and... uh, hits for about the same amount of injury the Harpy did to him.  Except Kyle's attack didn't leave an embarrassing claw print on someone's face.

---

free action draw sword etc.  Standard Repulsion strike, totally hits... andbluh damage.  11 Force.   -4 Melee to-hit for harpy, until end of my next turn.

Harpy 1 HP: 73-11= 62
This message was last edited by the player at 06:37, Wed 16 July 2014.

Raichel makes a circuit. A bolt of lightning shoots past the dwarves and back to where she was. Aaaand.... that's all.

May heads over to the slystone, clonks him on the back of the head, turns on her heal and charges the other dwarf! "Help Kyle out, guys! I've got this one, and I can't deal with flying types!"

---

Weapon Master's Strike v Slystone 1. Hit(34)!
 dmg: 20
ACTION POINT!
Charge v Slystone 2. Miss(21)

Slystone 1 HP: 17 - 20 = KO

"No you don't 'got this one!'" the slystone says, slamming May back fifteen feet with a mighty strike!

He then starts running toward the platform.

Timothius does as May instructed and turns his attention to the harpy. The harpies are the most annoying threat anyway. "Thanks, Mittens." he says calmly before shooting a beam of holy energy at the remaining harpy. The harpy is given a moment of common sense. The other harpy is dead. One of the dwarves are dead. The heroes did this in 12 seconds flat. The other dwarf did his absolute best shot on the kobold and while it did knock her back, it barely phased her at all. And the one who JUST shot the remaining harpy is able to heal the heroes even if they DO get hurt. This fight won't end well for the harpy.

Then the harpy sees Timothius brush himself off, all his wounds vanishing. And the heroes all give off a dim glow.

---

Break the Spirit v Harpy 2. Hit(30)!
 dmg: 14

Timothius HP: 38 + 42 = FULL
Harpy 2 HP: 62 - 14 = 48

  Kyle easily avoids the followup attack from the Harpy, and noticing the Dwarf trying to run off opts to try and pursue for the finish.

  "Don't turn your back on me!" The harpy yells, and drop tries to drop kick Kyle in the back of the head.  Unfortunately for the Harpy, she falls somewhat short and only manage to shove Kyle enough to throw off his aim. 

---

:OOC Kyle had 4 THP thanks to tim.

<s>58 kyle hp left  64+4 HP
This message was last edited by the player at 07:41, Wed 16 July 2014.

Mits swings her staff and a pair of glowing swords go flying toward both enemies, stabbing them!  She then hurries toward the central platform.

"Running away doesn't count," she says, "If you no stand still and surrender, we no spare you!"

Raichel moves close enough to throw lightning at the dwarf, knocking him out.

---

Lightning Strike v Slystone. Hit(30)!
 dmg: 19

Slystone 2 HP: 11 - 19 = KO

The harpy half-heartedly claws at Kyle, looking depressed.  Mits summons a storm on it, slowing it's movement further!

Timothius writes another rune.

---

Maysic Ranged v Harpy 2. Miss

Astral Seal v Harpy 2. Hit(24)!
 -2 defenses, next ally to hit regains 1d6+8 hp

Another deafening scream against Timothius and Kyle sends the cleric reeling back!

  Kyle melodramatic sighs, stomps over to the Harpy.  "REMATCH!"  The harpy Kicks, Kyle blocks with his talid covered hand.  "...Can I say I'm sorrSQUAWK!"  The artificer slams the harpy facefirst into the ground,  "Really sorr-"  he swings her face first into the statue "Why am I still conscious-" and one more slam face first into the ground.

Tie, tie, tie... the usual tying up of baddies is done for those Timothius says are still alive.

May says, "If they were asking for the book and a way out, sounds like the bad guys are lost and failing. And as a result, don't have any useful knowledge."

Raichel says, "So we leave them here?"

"So long as we don't question the harpies," Mits says, "Don't mind questioning these fey dwarf things to see if maybe they'll tell us about a trap to avoid or brag about their boss's special acid breath.  Just don't want to hear another harpy's voice.  Friggin harpies."

  "They have been surprisingly dangerous... Well, except that one.  That one was more like a glorified slap fight between us for the most part."  Oh it only has a 1d6+5 attack it will be fi-WHY IS EVERYTHING EXPLODING.

Raichel has Timothius wake one of the dwarves and then looks down at him. "Alright. Talk. Why are you lost? How did you get here? And why do you even care about the book if you can't find your way out?"

After the typical amount of back-and-forth to convince the fey dwarf to talk, and a promise to let him live, he spills his guts:

The characters learn that the fey were sent “to this
foul place” by someone they call Cachlain, the Stone-
Skinned King. (Further questioning, or a DC 25 Arcana
check, reveals that Cachlain is an infamous fomorian
king of the Feywild.) He sent these fey in search of a
valuable prize, which they refer to as “the parchment
voice you call Incunabulum Primeval.” They know that it
is a tome of great power and that Cachlain has sought
it for some time. Only recently, however, have they
learned that its retrieval has become urgent, because
the court’s divinations suggested that someone else
was about to get their hands on it. The fey admit that
Cachlain’s new counselor—someone named Sovacles,
whom they have never met—tried to talk him out of
sending them, but that the king was too desperate to
get the book.
The fey admit that their group’s leader, whom they
call “Our Lady of the Deathly Song,” already has the
tome. (If the PCs are questioning Hethralga, the howling
hag, she admits to having it on her person after a
bit of hemming and hawing.) Alas, they cannot leave
because “the Others”—a band of humanoids consisting
mostly of trolls—appeared and took the Caretaker
prisoner, thus cutting off all possible exit. “They are
organized and serve some higher master,” the fey
muse, “but we know not who. Perhaps they are the
reason Cachlain felt we must retrieve the parchment
voice so swiftly.”
If the PCs ask the fey what they want, they answer
with, “Now? We seek only to escape the temple. A
portal to the Feywild stands at the base of the mountains,
where the waters flow from above to reach the
plains. We would return home—with the Incunabulum
if possible, but at least with our lives.”

Mits hmms and looks to the others, "So General Z has competition.  Interesting."

Slystone Dwarf Lore
A character knows the following information with a
successful Arcana check.
DC 15: Slystone dwarves were misnamed by the
first humans to encounter them. Though they might
appear to be small dwarves, they are in fact cousins to
gnomes, albeit far more vicious and cruel. They take
pleasure in the pain of others, and grow murderous at
the slightest insult.
DC 20: Some slystone dwarves serve fomorian
kings, others evil eladrins. They’re mercenary and
are happy working for anyone who offers them the
opportunity for violence.

  "Oh, so you work for a lumpy giant." The short version of 'what is a Fomorian'  "You have the rare novelty of useful information we did not know, so you just might live through this if you stay out of our way."  He looks over to the Harpies, "Especially if they stop yelling."

  Harpy 1 swirly eyes "Don't kick me out of the nest"

May says, "Wow. I'm with Kyle on this... that was an amazing amount of new information."

Raichel says, "So lemme get this straight... our new information is we now have three enemies? Cachlain, General Z, and some unknown? Unless the trolls are working for the general..."

Timothius says, "Does it matter? Durkik made the tome sound easily as important as restoring the entire clergy. And if the guy in charge of all the shapeshifters is this anxious to have it, only for a Fomorian king to suddenly get worried and speed up his search... we need to find this book and fast. Someone already has it. So we need to go and retrieve it."

May says, "And then fight a bunch of trolls to be able to leave."

May knocks out the "dwarves" and gets to leading the way further in.

Mits snickers at Kyle's "lumpy giant" comment and follows May's lead.

"Suppose we found this 'Our Lady of the Deathly Song...'"

She shudders.

"...Likely a powerful harpy.  And offer to team up against the trolls?  We make no mention of the book and fight over it once the trolls are dealt with?"

  "Could also be another Hag, with an even less convincing act than last time. After all, the last module with Harpies, also had a Hag yelling at them.

  "Not sure who to team up with, if any.  From an effort standpoint, if we managed to side with someone only to betray them later, the Trolls would be the better idea.  Regeneration and all that."

Raichel says, "Maybe. But not likely the trolls will feel the need to team up with us. And the "lady" probably has the ability to attack all the trolls at once like Mittens."

May says, "Totally for teaming up with someone if it makes life easier. And betraying them when they inevitable betray us first."

"Trick is convincing the fey to team up with us before they attack us," Mits comments.

For years, the grand cathedral of the Mountainroot
Temple was the heart of Moradin worship in the
region. A truly gargantuan chamber—more an artificial
cavern than a “room”—it has suffered the ravages
of time. It has been badly damaged by cave-ins over
the years, and rubble covers the floor.
When the PCs enter, read:
Some of you have seen keeps smaller than the vast chamber
around you. Roughly oval in shape, save for the crumbling
walls to the east, the chamber consists of multiple levels.
Stairs in the room’s center, as well as great sweeping ramps
around the sides, climb to the second level 20 feet above.
One of those ramps has partly collapsed along with the
walls. Steeps stairs and slopes lead from there to a third
level, and a platform not unlike the one in the temple’s entry
chamber stands high atop that. Huge chunks of wall and
stone stand along the broken edge, forming natural ledges,
and a deep crevice runs a jagged path to the southeast.

May stealth / Perception Checks

Perception Check
DC 20: There’s another of the vile, bestial-looking dwarves
hiding in the lee of the stairs.
DC 21: Above, you spot several insectoid-featured
humanoids perched on various ledges.
DC 26: And there are yet more foes—twisted gray
humanoids roughly the size of halflings, lurking around
various corners and in the shadows.

They notice May!

"Intruder!  Kill it!"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:04, Thu 17 July 2014.

  "Uh, does 'We come in peace' EVER work?" He asks at the immediate announcement for their usual kind of day.

May stomps and says, "We're here to kill trolls!"

Raichel and Timothius don't say anything, just prepare for combat.

"Don't believe you!" the slystone ruffian shouts back, "Can you prove it?"

  The Banshrae want to kill the Party (of course), but they also do not want to give up the high ground just because their cardboard tube thick blowdarts have such a small range either.

  The closest one shifts slightly, and fires a blowdart across the room into May's neck.  Don't ask how the giant blowdarts work with no mouth.

  The remaining Banshrae simply relocate through the rubble above, and prepare to shoot anyone that wanders into range respectively.

---

  Banshrae 1:
Move: duh.
Standard: Blowdart Vs May, Hits (28 AC).  11 DMG.  Save ends -2 hit penalty and Dazed for May.
  Banshrae 2:
Move: duh.
Readied action: Blowdart vs first to come into range 10.  (Hits 29 AC, even with range penalty).
  Banshrae 3:
Move: Double move.

Effects: May has -2 To-Hit penalty, and is Dazed (save ends both).

May HP: 80-11= 69/84

May says, "Not with you guys SHOOTING AT ME!" and slams the door shut, grumbling something about how amazing it is villains ever team up with each other if they always attack first and have you prove things while they are killing you.

---

Minor: Shut door.
Save: 15 success
This message was last edited by the player at 04:03, Thu 17 July 2014.

The Slystone sneaky sneaks towards the rubble so he can be all clever and surprise attack when the heroes get bored and come back into the roo- The Slystone trips on the loose rocks and smashes face first into the rock formation.

You can hear the loud swearing from *rolls behind Intern Screen* 27 Tiles away.

MEANWHILE!

Kyle buffs up May, and moves to the side.  "That went... Okay that actually went better than expected to be honest."

OOC:  Resistive buff is the usual +1 AC, can cash in for target's surge+4 THP.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:15, Thu 17 July 2014.

Raichel says, "You know? Maybe we should just let the trolls kill them all and then we can just fight the trolls later." She points her staff at the door.

Timothius backs up and sings for the group. Everyone feels tougher. He gave up long ago, trying to catch allies and enemies in the blast when he could just buff his allies with the power and be done with it.

---

Raichel readied Thunder Slam on the first enemy to manage an attack again.

Timothius uses Hymn of Resurgence. All allies gain 5thp.

"No telling how log it'll be before the trolls or the fey win," Mits says, "And in that time the Caretaker could be killed, the book could be destroyed or taken, or any number of other things we didn't account for like 'entire temple of paladins wiped out.'  I say we all move to one side, crack the door open a bit, and shout our diplomacy at them.  If they remain stupid for longer than our patience holds out, we rush 'em."

She stands to press her back against the wall.

May says, "Fine. I expect them to have intelligence comparable to a rabid wolverine that's been set on fire, but here's hoping." she backs up to the wall and waits for the others to do the same.

  "I can be quite patient if it means less personal risk while getting the job done.  Besides, according to the last batch they already have the book, but can't do anything with it thanks to the standoff."

Raichel and Timothius back up to the wall. Once the door is open, Timothius yells, "Are you ready to talk yet, or do we just wait for the trolls to kill you?!"

"And before you go thinking, 'They're weak because they're hiding,' consider where we are standing," Mits hollers, "Your welcoming committee at the chamber of doors is hogtied.  You won't be much use to your 'Lady of the Deathly Song' if you get yourselves knocked out like they did.  So there's your 'proof!'  Your allies are alive in spite of trying to kill us!"

"Wh..." the slystone dwarf hesitates, "I don't buy it!  I won't believe you till I see one of them for myself!  Bring the one with the scar across his left eyebrow!"

Raichel says, "I'll be back!" and heads to the other room. She grabs the slystone and drags him to Timothius so he can wake the guy up. "Tell your friends you're alive." Raichel says before holding him to the door.

  "He might have some extra scars later, admittedly..."

"Yeah, I'm alive," Raichel's ruffian hollers half-heartedly.

"Sidhe?!  That you?!"

"Who else?"

"How do I know that's really you and not some illusion or something?"

"You asked for me 'cause I owe you money from last night's card game.  I still say you cheated!  There's no way you coulda had that knave again so soon!"

"... very convincing.  Invaders!  Hand him over and I'll go ask Our Lady if she wants to accept your aid."

Mits shrugs.  "May as well?"

A deafening boom rings out over the chamber, echoing
through the vastness. Twice, three times, and then you hear
a sudden shattering and the sound of wood rebounding off
stone.

The double doors burst open!  Jagged bits of the lock
hang loose. Through the open doorway barges an array of
horrific figures: several green and mottled trolls, a pair of
smaller creatures with similar features and narrowed eyes,
and—most terrifying—a broad-shouldered troll with two
shrieking heads. Accompanying one of the small trolls is a
red-scaled reptile on a heavy chain, and smoke rises from its
nostrils and from between its jagged teeth.

May yells out, "Lady or not, this is do or die time! You gonna accept our help or not?!"

Raichel shoves the slystone into the room.

"Troll slayers, slay trolls!" the slystone ruffian hollers, sounding panicked.

  Kyle is tempted to ask the Fey sorts 'Do you have Acid? I have Acid'.  But avoids this temptation because he does not want to be singled out as a target for Trolls just yet.

May marches through the door with a short bow and arrow in hand. "Alright! Let's show these trolls who's boss!"

DC 0 to notice her bow is aimed at the TROLLS.

---

Move: Into room
Standard: Readied Action: Ranged Maysic attack v first troll to get any closer.

A short (for a troll) troll armed with a quiver of javelin steps into view.

"Kobold fighter armed with bow far end of room," it says.

"That's it?!" one of the heads of the two-headed troll bellows, "I was hoping for a more challenging fight!"

Another steps into view and dodges May's arrow.

"Quickling hiding to the southeast."

With a command from one of the trolls, the firebelcher spits a bit of lava at the quickling who screams as it catches fire!

  Kyle steps up behind May, and sends a shot across the room into the firebelcher.  "Ugh, Spitting Trolls.  I still have no idea how they make trolls ignore lingering wounds from fire and acid."  Maybe they do it by... uh, spitting more acid on them?

  Kyle is less worried about the Regeneration, and more that compared to most of their enemies, the trolls are holding a competent conversation about practical matters.

  Kyle wanted to team up with the Trolls but nooooo, had to team up with the stupid ones

---

Move: duh
Standard: M weapon vs Firebelcher. Hits.  16 DMG.  Buffs May.

Firebelcher HP:  97-16= 81/97

Raichel sees no point in boasting who the heroes are. Especially right now while they are far away. She goes past Kyle and electricity courses over her. "Geez... they're talking like strategists... watch out, guys, these trolls sound competent. Let's not stray too far from each other."

---

Move: Into room
Standard: Readied Action: Lightning Strike v first (troll) enemy to get within 10 of Raichel

The two headed troll enters the room past the firebelcher.

"Ah!  More enemies!  Yay!"

"Smash!" a troll hollers as it rushes into the room.

"Kill!" another cheers, following him in.

"Destroy!"

"Yummy!"

Suddenly the two headed troll bounds down both sets of stairs!

"Who's the fastest?  ME!  That's who!"

Timothius walks into the room and prepares to use a power on the 2-headed troll. He's trying to remain calm, but he is honestly nervous. He knows there is about to be a lot of brutality soon.

---

Move: Into room
Readied Action:
Break the Spirit will miss.

May hops forward a little before charging at the two-headed troll. "Go ahead, troll! Let's see what you're made of!"

---

Minor shift 1, Move, Charge. Miss(19)

The banshrae take their shots and hit the two headed troll, but it seems to just shake off the effects!  The quicklings beat a hasty retreat but stop behind cover to watch to see what happens next.

"Lava spitting draconic monster," Mits reminds, "Spreading out a valid strategy as well."

She rushes forward then slings a bunch of astral blades that slash the two headed troll then spin protectively around May!  The slystone stays put, also watching to see what happens.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:44, Thu 17 July 2014.

"Why aren't the quicklings attacking?" one of the spitting trolls wonders as it steps forward to toss a javelin at May, barely missing.

"These new enemies must be a third party they aren't sure of," the second one concludes, "They're letting them fight us for them!"

The firebelcher simply lumbers down the stairs.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:50, Thu 17 July 2014.

  Unfortunately, this time around Kyle's shot is of the 'that was just sad' variety.

  "If this keeps up, just move closer to the Fey and make it their problem."

Raichel fires a lightning bolt at the 2-headed troll! The lightning bolt then shoots from the troll to the firebelcher! "We aren't stupid! I know you'll try to kill us once the trolls are done! So either you fight, or we run away and leave you to the trolls!"

---

Lightning Strike v 2head. Hit(20)!
 dmg: 13
 dmg to Firebelcher: 5

2head HP: 228 - 13 = 215
Firebelcher HP: 81 - 5 = 76

The Banshrae farther back in the room misses the Flamebelcher.  Meanwhile, the closer ones stagger their fire, to keep Two-heads off balance as long as possible before he handwaves away the status effect.  A good plan too, since it means the difference between May getting slammed one more time than otherwise.

---

Bansh 1:  Dart, hits Two Head. hits. 12 DMG  Dazed and -2 to-hit penalty (save ends)

Bansh 2: Readied action: Dart vs Two-head (hits), AFTER Two-head's first turn. Dazed and -2 to-hit penalty. (So he's still dazed until end of his second turn.  Which means WHOO just misses May on second turn). 9 DMG.

Bansh 3: misses belcher.

Two Head HP: 215-12-9+10= 204 HP.  or 194 if regen "already happened"?
This message was last edited by the player at 08:26, Thu 17 July 2014.

The dazed two headed troll SLAMS May for all he's worth but only manages to weaken her arcane shield.

"Wh...WHAT!?  WHY IT NO SQUISH?!"

The other trolls rush forward, some climbing down walls others bounding down the stairs.  One hits May and barely scratches her!

"SQUISH!"

The two headed troll shakes off the banshrae poison only for a third banshrae to hit it again!  It claws May's shield!

"SQUISH, DARNIT!"

"You misunderstand," the slystone dwarf answers May, "We were just waiting for our moment to strike!"

He charges at the boss troll!

  The Slystone finally stops being such a failure, and charges right up to two-head, with a violent reflex test impression on the troll's kneecap sending it sprawling onto the stairs.

Mighty strike hits. 18 DMG.  knocks prone because charge hits knock prone.

Two Heads HP: 194- 18=176/264
Two heads knocked prone.
Two heads can be push 3 if anyone feels like it
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:26, Thu 17 July 2014.

Timothius says, "I will make you less capable of violence, troll." and with that, he traces runes in the air. The troll's two heads get a rune on them that is different from the Astral Seal Tim normally does.

---

Move: Closer to 2head
Standard: Iron to Glass v 2head. Hit(19)!
 -4 penalty to melee dmg rolls. When 2head hits with a melee attack, the penalty worsens by 2 for a maximum of -10. This lasts until the end of the encounter.

<Elven>"I'll go tell Our Lady!"</Elven> one of the quicklings says, running off to the east.

<Elven>"And I'll go get the others in the vault!"</Elven> another says, running off through the south doors.

Zoom zoom zoom!  The three remaining quicklings charge the two headed troll and retreat back to cover in the blink of an eye!  The troll tries to retaliate, but they were too quick for him!

<Elven>"WHO's the fastest?"</Elven> a quickling taunts.

May hops over and says to the slystone, "Nice one, sly guy! Check this out!" before roaring and causing a troll to get dragged to her as if against its will! She then slams two of the trolls, but doesn't quite hit the 2-headed one. When she hits the other trolls, though, acid splashes on them!

---

Minor: Shift 1
Come and Get It v Trolls 1, 2, and 2head. Hit(30)! Hit(33)! Miss(21)
 dmg: 13

Troll 1 HP: 100 - 13 = 87 and ongoing 5 acid dmg
Troll 2 HP: 100 - 13 = 87 and ongoing 5 acid dmg

Mits rushes forward and begins charging up an attack.  The firebelcher lumbers forward and opens its mouth, triggering Mit's firing a ball of energy that turns into a huge whirlwind of daggers that slash the trolls!

BURP!  The firebelcher vomits up a HUGE glob of lava that splatters Mittens, May, and the slystone, setting all three on fire!

One of the spitting trolls runs down the stairs then spits at the acid wound on an ally.  The spit doesn't neutralized the acid!

"This isn't looking good," it says, "We need to focus on one!"

"Area caster's probably easiest to kill," another says, running down the steps, "Let's kill it first."

Whoosh whoosh!  Splut splut!  Two javelins land in Mittens' gut!
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:16, Fri 18 July 2014.

  Kyle decides that you know what?  This battle will probably be more annoying than the inevitable boss fight.  So he steps past Timothius and Raichel, and decides to Double Daily.

  The Eye Of Disappointed In You forms with it's whirrs and clicks, surveying it's enemies.  After this, Kyle hurls his new Bastard Sword through the air, as it comes to a stop above May.

  The sword starts spinning like a propeller blade, and sweeps across both faces of Two-Head.  "MORNING! STAR!"

  Yes, Kyle got a Mage's Weapon Bastard Sword just so he could make this joke.

---

Move: duh.
ACTION POINT: Punishing Eye:  Every enemy inside radius can't have concealment.  Every ally who hits enemy in radius with an attack (no damage needed), Eyeball deals 5 psychic DMG.
Minor: Cast Dancing weapon (one tile above May. Orange circle), initial attack. hits two head. 15+5 DMG
Minor two: Dancing weapon attack. Hits two-head. 17+5 DMG
total of 42 DMG to two head.  Dancing weapon is allowed to make AoO.

Two Head HP: 148-42= 106 (ill leave any regen figuring to chris).

Raichel rushes past Kyle and says, "Go right ahead and focus on the one you THINK is squishiest, spineless wimps! The rest of us will tear you apart for ignoring us!"

She raises her hand high then throws it downward, causing a huge bolt of lightning 15 feet in diameter to strike down on the boss and two of his trolls! The floor is burning afterwords and the trolls were knocked to their butts!

---

Vezzuvu's Eruption v Troll 1, Troll 4, 2head. Hit(30)! Hit(23)! Hit(19)!
 dmg: 13 and prone
 dmg to 2head: 15 and... doubly-prone?
 Difficult Terrain. If anyone ends their turn in the zone, they take 5 fire dmg

Troll 1 HP: 67 - 13 = 54
Troll 4 HP: 80 - 13 = 67
2head HP: 106 - 15 = 91

  The Banshrae make good use of their blowdarts... For the most part.  The closest one to the battle sends a dart right up one of Two-Head's noses (the right head, if you must know), and shoots the closest normal troll in it's hairy chest as the Eyeball watches.  The one higher up strikes the Firebelcher in the eye.

  The one farthers back lifts their blowgun and... the dart just sort of slides out.
<telepathy>"I can't belive you!"</telepathy>
<telepathy>"I paniced!"</telepathy>
<telepathy>"You know what happens if you wonder how you fire blowdarts with no mouth!... Oh great, now you got ME thinking about it!"</telepathy>
<telepathy>"I'm sorry!"</telepathy>

 

---

Banshrae 2:
Standard: Dart Flurry vs Two head and Troll 3.  CRIT, hit.  16+5 and 10+5 DMG.
Move: fall back
  Banshrae 3:
Standard: Dart vs Belcher, CRIT.  16 DMG.
  Banshrae 1:
Standard: Dart Vs Two head. LoL 1 Miss.
Move: fall back.

Effects: Two head, Troll 3, and belcher have -2 To-hit, and Dazed (save ends both).
Two head's autosave does not kick in until end of it's turn, so Two heads will be -2 To-hit, and Dazed for it's first turn.

Two Head HP: 91-16-5= 70
Belcher HP: 76-16= 60
Troll 3 HP: 80-10-5=65
This message was last edited by the player at 02:52, Fri 18 July 2014.

"I KILL YOU!" the troll promises, taking a swing at May.

Nope.

"ACID!" one of the trolls says, rubbing it off.

"FIRE!" another says, standing up and backing away from Raichel's fire zone.

"ANNOYING!" a third says, trying and failing to do anything more than walk toward Mits.

"SQUISH!" the last one says, standing up and taking a failed swing at May.

"CRIPES!" the slystone swears, startled by the thunder before gawking at May, "What in blazes?!  ACID!  Perfect!  We got 'em on the ropes!"

He crushes the two-headed troll's big toe with his hammer!
This message was last edited by the player at 03:43, Fri 18 July 2014.

Timothius walks forward and with one handwave, Mittens' wounds all close and vanish while a blue aura forms around her. He waves his staff with the other hand and a ball of white holy fire flies into a troll's face! The eye in the sky looks disappointed in the troll and glares at him for 5 disappointment damage.

The white fire then fires a beam of light at Mittens, washing away the fire that was on her. "This fight is ours, trolls. Surely you can see that now. Surrender."

---

Minor: Healing Word on Mittens: 23. +14(surge) = 37
 Mittens save throw: 8 fail
Standard: Sacred Flame on Troll 2
 dmg: 18
 Mittens save throw: 13 success

Mittens HP: 32 + 37 = FULL
Troll 2 HP: 82 - 18 = 64

The three quicklings rush the troll behind May then run back to cover!  While the troll tries to retaliate, May smacks it good, but it still managed to claw the one that was on fire!

May clenches her fists and stomps her foot, yelling, "AAAAAAH!" and the fires on her go out! She swings at the trolls to either side of her and misses, but boy did she already prove how dangerous it is to ignore her.

---

Mayving Throw: 15 success! Doesn't even take the fire damage wheee!
Funneling Flurry v Troll2, 2head. Miss(15) Miss(16)

The dazed firebelcher's gaping mouth begins to glow.  Mits steps forward and begins to glow.

"If I can just finish off that firebelcher..."

KABOOM!  With a massive burst of blinding white fire, the two headed troll drops unconscious and the others are reeling.  But the firebelcher remains standing.  BLARV!  It barfs another huge blob of lava on the heroes, lighting all but Kyle on fire!

"That didn't hurt!  Yay magical demonskin!"

  The two spitters advanced towards the party again, still not within spitting distance (literally).  They decide to get closer with more difficult shots, instead of being farther than a convenient throw would be and nothing in their way.  Both javelins pierce through the Cleric's chainmail, one forceful and the other limp wristed for a troll toss.

  "That was terrible."   "No, the fact our allies still won't regenerate when we cancel fire and acid just by looking at them is terrible."  "True, that is so cheap." "Nerf PC ongoing. Who even let them have at will ongoing I want to talk with my agent."  Haha ongoing damage renders 'we can turn regen back on' ability ineffective.

---

Spitter 1: Javelin hits Tim.  11 DMG, (1 poison resisted).
Spitter 2: Javelin hits tim (8+17-2= 23 AC).   6 DMG (2 poison resisted).

Tim HP: 50-11-6= 33/67  Bloodied

  The identity crisis weapon makes a pair of wobbly swings at the two nearby trolls, somehow managing to take them down despite it's drunken swerving.  "Ssstaaaarrrrrrr."

  Kyle attempts to seal the deal on the fallen trolls, but while the closer one takes the full blast of flaming acid, it's fat troll self shields the second one from harm.

  "One on the ground is finished, the one on the stairs has a chance too... Oh, right. Mittens special holy BBQ, yeah he's finished too.

---

Minor: Dancing weapon vs troll 2, hits because terrible AC.  Takedown.
Minor two: Dancing weapon vs Troll 1.  Hits because terrible AC.  Takedown.
Standard: Acidic Fire vs Troll 2 and Troll 1.  Hit, and LOL 1 miss. 5 Fire DMG, 2 ongoing acid (save ends) if not already 5 ongoing acid.

Troll 1 HP:  Dead, I didn't finish with Fire/Acid,  but Mittens Fire+Radiant bypasses the resist aura LOL. Put a skull on it.
Troll 2 HP:  DEAD Dead. I put a Skull on it.

Raichel fires lightning at the troll to the right and he gets crushed by the disappointment of the hovering eye. The lightning then travels to the firebelcher. Raichel sees no point in saying anything at this point. The heroes' actions are speaking for themselves.

---

Lightning Strike v Troll 3. Hit(23)!
 dmg: 14
 dmg to Firebelcher: 10

Troll 3 HP: 13 - 14 = done
Firebelcher HP: 39 - 10 = 29

The Banshrae are also getting their confidence boosted! One of them runs over to the enemies remaining and darts them all! But the one dart aimed for the firebelcher glances off its hide. The rest aren't so lucky and get darted!

The other two banshrae try to fire at the firebelcher with no success.

---

Dart Flurry v everyone. Hit(28)! Hit(22)! Hit(26)! Miss(23)
 dmg: 14

Spitting 1 HP: 106 - 14 = 92
Spitting 2 HP: 106 - 14 = 92
Troll HP: 51 - 14 = 37

"AT LAST!" the last big troll says, "I get to attack something!!"

It barrels down the stairs and double-claws May!

"And that'll be your last!" the slystone says, backing up to make room to charge the troll!  WHAM!  The troll is knocked prone!

Timothius goes feral and then bursts with holy energy, his wounds and May's disappearing. "Our regeneration is better than yours." he taunts.

---

Take 5 ongoing fire dmg
Minor: Razorclaw Shifting
Standard: Healer's Mercy on Tim and May: 21+surge
 Tim Save throw: 11 success
 Mayving Throw: 19 success

Maych-P: 41 + 42 = 83
Tim HP: 33 - 5 + 37 = 67 FULL HP

The quicklings again strike and take cover.  One gets hit by the troll.  The one who was on fire finally stops burning.

The now perfectly healthy May steps forward and says to the troll in a pitying tone, "Trust me. I feel your pain." then whacks the troll unconscious. Or dead. We don't know for sure yet. But with ongoing acid? Not likely going to survive.

---

Move: To troll 4
Weapon Master's Strike v Troll 4. Hit(20)!
 dmg: 21

Troll 4 HP: 10 - 21 = dead

  The dancing weapon floats up after the Spitters, though not enough to attack due to Kyle's need to move himself.  He checks his crossbow on the off chance they come back to attack again, instead of full on running like babies.

Mits barfs up a rainbow onto the trolls and firebelcher, knocking the huge lizard out!

"Surely you know you've lost," she says, conjuring a marshmallow to roast over her own flames.

"Don't care!" a troll answers, skewering her!

"At least we can cause you pain before we're through!" the other says, it's javelin bouncing off Mittens' nose.

"Hey thanks, bro!"

The trolls curse, spit at May, and retreat!  Mits' fire dies out.

"Aww nuts."

Raichel says, "And... why? What's the point? You attacked us, so it can't be revenge. We were only defending ourselves. You don't even KNOW us... or do you?" she shoots lightning at one, hurting him BAD while it bounces off him and hurts the other pretty decent.

---

Lightning Strike v Spit 1. Hit(27)!
 dmg: 19
 dmg to spit 2: 5

Spit 1 HP: 87 - 19 = 68
Spit 1 HP: 87 - 5 = 82

The banshrae move up and shoot darts at the spitters!

---

darts v spitters. All hit. 1 dart on spit 1. 2 darts on spit 2.
 dmg to 1 and 2: 11
 dmg to 2: 13

Spit 1 HP: 68 - 11 = 57
Spit 2 HP: 82 - 11 - 13 = 58

"They're trolls," the slystone says running up the stairs, "Like they need more of a reason."

Charge!  Whiff!

Timothius goes to climb the stairs. "You could always run away. Why choose death?" He gets up to them an explodes with more holy energy, making the trolls feel vulnerable.

---

Double-move
Minor: Solar Enemy. Hits both trolls.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:45, Fri 18 July 2014.

The quicklings run up the stairs and one of them even manages to get up to a troll and hit it!

May climbs the stairs.

"HATE YOU!" a troll screams, skewering Raichel!

"DIE!" the other shouts, skewering Mits!

  The dancing weapon soars up into the air, before violently bisecting the skull of a Spitter "Morning!"

  Kyle reaches the top of the stairs digging through his materials, before pulling out a long forgotten bottle.  "Huh, Why haven't I used this until now?"  He asks out loud, because narrative.  This said as he pitches it over the quicklings, cracking it open on the stairs behind the trol-FIFTEEN FOOT CLOUD OF ACID.  The only sign there ever was a troll is a slight stain.

  "Oh, that's why."  "Staaaaar"  "Sorry."

---

Move: dancing weapon flies.
Minor: Dancing weapon takes out Spitter 1.
Standard: Aclehmist essence (acid) vs Troll and Dancing weapon.  15 Acid DMG (half on miss)  super yes hits Dancing weapon.

Dancing Weapon HP: 37-15= 22/37.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:18, Fri 18 July 2014.

Raichel yells at the troll, "I'll hate you better!" the troll DBZ-style holds his arms up protectively in front of himself, but feels that yell had the potential to shatter bones!

---

Thunder Slam v Spitting 2. Miss(21)

The banshrae all shoot at the remaining troll, but only 1 hits. Only 1 NEEDED to hit.

---

ban v spit. 1 ban hit.
 dmg: 10. -2 attacks and dazed (save ends both)

Spit 2 HP: 31 - 10 = 21

The slystone laughs at the carnage, smashing the last troll in the nose!  The quicklings then surround it and start hacking it to pieces, troll bits flying everywhere!

Footsteps can be heard approaching from the east.

"Heh.  Won't the cyclopes be jealous!"

Timothius moves to his allies and holds one hand out to Mittens while placing the other hand on Raichel's shoulder. Both of them heal completely. "Let's all take a rest."

---

Move: To midst of group
Minor: Healing Word on Rai: Enough
Minor: Bastion of Health on Mitts: Enough

Rai HP: Whatever + Enough = Full
Mit HP: Whatever + Enough = Full

May nodnods and sits on the firebelcher's corpse to relax, then hops up off the firebelcher. "Hotseat!" May says with a startle before going to sit on the ground.

Mits nods to Timothius and keeps a wary eye on the directions the approaching footsteps can be heard from.

"So...  Did your morningstar get a makeover, Kyle?"

  "Yes, while we have been overall fortunate I have been blowing through vitality keeping May toughened up.  Roughly as much as any of your hairy kids have over an entire day."  He looks over to Mittens,  "I have no idea.  Different weapon, same spell that makes it kick ass on it's own."  He examines the sword, and it has held up well enough despite the acid bath.

Raichel sits to rest. "...while that went better than expected, I'm worried about how the near future will go. Maybe Timothius can find a diplomatic solution..."

Timothius says, "I'll try."

The two quickling runners return with reinforcements.  From the east, a howling hag, a dartswarmer, four slystones, and four cyclops emerge.  From the door to the west, two harpys and three additional quicklings.

"Very impressive," the hag screeches, taking in the carnage, "Not one casualty among my people or yours."

Mits nods.  "Was a team effort, but having a very strong acid on our side helped a lot."

Timothius stands up and gives a polite bow to the hag. "Greetings. I am Timothius. This is Mittens, Raichel, May and Kyle." he gestures to the ones he introduces as he says their names. "Personally, I do not like violence or ending another life. But the trolls had to be stopped. We have not come to harm if it can be helped, but we have demonstrated that we are very capable of it when need be... if I may ask, what brings you and your people here?"

  "Things have a habit of going poorly for those that try to harm us or where we live.  Yet people still keep trying anyways."  Kyle may have melodramad about his surge situation last post, but he is very glad for the luxury that is spending literally over half of his surges on other people without it being suicidal.

Mits keeps her commentary to herself so as not to undermine Timothius' diplomacy.  Took many years to learn that lesson, and even then...

"They're downplaying just how powerful we are," she boasts, "Our resume includes defeating a candidate exarch of an evil god and his demonic guard."

The hag looks guarded.  "We mean you no harm.  We work for a powerful king of a Feywild kingdom.  Unfortunately we've been trapped here by the magics of this place.  It's possible the trolls are in the same situation, but they control the area most likely to hold the key to escape.  Their blockade will need to be broken for both of our sakes."

Timothius says, "Then I come with a deal. I know you are here for the book. In fact, you already have it. And I commend you. However, it is no good to you if you can't leave. My allies and I are here for the same book, but please hear me out:"

He waits for the hag to not act hostile, hoping she is at least amiable enough and curious enough to hear him out. Should she be, he will say the following:

"I offer that if you give us the book, I will give you a book that you can take back to your king. You can tell him it has the same worth to the dwarven High Ancestor as the one you possess and it would be true." he holds up the prayer book he was given. Then says, "In return for making this exchange, we will help you be rid of the blockade. Our mission, after all, is to keep the book you have from anyone else. It is unimportant if I make it out of here or not. But with my deal, you go home both alive and victorious. Nobody has to die... except probably the trolls."
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:10, Mon 21 July 2014.

  Kyle SO PROUD.  Sure, this probably won't work because they need the one specific tome to cure their King's lumpiness or something.  But still, KYLE SO PROUD.

The hag looks obviously agitated when the topic of books comes up.

"My king is very astute and would see through the replacement idea immediately.  We'd be executed for such a lie.  I have a counter offer.  I hire you to rid us of the trolls and secure our escape on your own.  Unlike you, we care if we leave this place alive.  Once you succeed I pay you with the book."

Mittens struggles to keep her mouth shut.

Timothius says, "In that case... I thank you for your offer, but there is no reason you can not give us the book now. If you do, we will help. If we die from the fight, then it's a simple matter of taking the book from my corpse. If we don't, you still live and are free to go wherever you wish. Sure, you won't be able to return to your king, but you will be alive. And free. We have at least proven we won't turn on you during or even after the fight."
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:28, Mon 21 July 2014.

  Kyle nods, "There is turning down our first offer, and then there is turning us down to the point of not even getting any holy books for yourself in the end.  Not quite so believable."

Hag looks angry.  "We give you book now?!  So you can destroy it?!  NO DEAL!  We weren't born yesterday!"

The fey look on edge.  Mits looks over to May and Rai then back to the hag with a bored look.

"While I'm insulted that she accuses my brother of being dishonest, I vote we accept her counter offer.  We defeat the trolls without these fey getting in our way then collect the Incunabulum Primeval as a reward.  If the banshrae had better range, or the next area happens to be as wide open as this one, they'd come in handy, but I suspect things will be too crowded for an effective team-up anyway."

The hag calms down some and once again looks guarded.  Most of the fey look insulted.

Timothius considers the advantage of terrain and that, even if he and the team are spent, being in a more enclosed space means he and his team are likely to win. "...if for not other reason than nobody will get anywhere otherwise."

May says, "But we weren't born yesterday either. We go, we fight, then we become the new 'trolls' that block your way out, but the difference is your freedom is simply bought with the book, instead of guaranteed death and no escape."

  "At the very least, for the moment it is somewhat more convenient for everyone to not be stabbing eachother while the trolls laugh."  Putting off the inevitable betrayal to later, at least means the trolls will be to dead to laugh.

"Back to your posts," the hag orders.

She and the cyclopse head east along with the others she brought.  The harpies and the new quicklings head back west.  The others stay.

"That coulda gone worse, I suppose," the remaining slystone says.

Mits nods.  "Hard not to say something like, 'Or we just annihilate you in less than thirty seconds like we did the trolls and take the book.'  What you saw from us in that last fight wasn't half of what we're capable of."

The slystone blushes and frowns but says nothing in return.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:38, Mon 21 July 2014.

May says, "Good thing you didn't, Mittens, since we're trying not to brag anymore so that enemies will keep underestimating us and come to die instead of forcing us to go look for them."

Timothius says, "They don't have to die... _{they just always choose to die rather than believe we would spare them.}"

Raichel says, "Let's go see the trolls. If these last trolls are any indication, they will hate us for breathing and refuse to talk. But we can always try."

   "The closest we tend to get to cooperation is people trying to fight to the death, and only want to cooperate after we've killed half the room and the other half just happened to survive passing out from blood loss.  Surrendering feels somewhat half assed if people only ever do it after they already lost."

"When you don't catch any flies with honey I'd just as soon burn them with vinegar, but you're right."

She heads up the stairs.

"I'm hoping that after seeing what we can do this group at least won't try to stop us after their boss inevitably makes the foolish mistake of attacking us.  I'd feel kinda bad humiliating them after they fought alongside us."

When the PCs enter, read:
You are in a wide corridor. Ahead of you, two flights of
stairs, separated by a long landing, lead to a platform high
above. Two figures stand atop that platform, apparently
conversing. One is a rust-hued dragonborn clad in heavy
armor. The other is a slender figure, its features hidden
by a hooded cloak. He is clad in a sort of leather-and-steel
harness. It looks less like armor than like the creation of
a maddened surgeon—a full-bodysuit version of a brace
designed to hold a broken limb in place.
You see them only for a split second, for before the door
has even fully opened, both have stepped away from the
edge and out of sight.

Having seen that the villains scurried, May looks at the others. "No way to go in without being noticed. In fact, they already know we're here. Creepy robed guy, probably the one who tortured Durkik, just scurried off like a cockroach with some dragonborn the moment the door opened. Do we just barge in? Or open the door and close it? What's the plan?"

Raichel shrugs. "Our usual open door and blast away sounds good..."

Timothius says, "...no trolls? Maybe talk is an option..."

  "Possibly.  If we simply rush on through than anything left behind will just catch up to us later.  With their boss nearby, I doubt talk is an option anyway."

initiative: 20.5

"If earlier was any indication, the only way they'll talk without shooting at us is if we shout through a door.  Or doorway in this case."

She looks down at the door wreckage that was made by the trolls.

"Hey!  Group of adventurers with no affiliation with those hag-led fey.  Your last group of trolls weren't willing to talk so we crushed them.  If you have a leader among you, go fetch him!"

There's a pause then a dragonborn sounding voice rings back.

"Too late.  He's already left the building.  I can take a message for when he returns if you like."

Timothius yells through the doorway, "Then you can tell him we know where the book is, who has it, and that he won't find it here! Meanwhile, to whom do I have the honor of addressing?" Technically true. Timothius believes his team powerful enough to beat the living Hell out of everyone here, so the guy WON'T find the book here.

May mutters, "Why is it I'm tired of enemies being stupid, yet it's the smart ones who run that really annoy me?"

Raichel answers quietly, "Because smart is surrendering like Thorn. The ones who run are only delaying the inevitable while making us work harder to hit them over the head."

  "Tim, I as much as I like not rushing into things I doubt we have as much time as wait for them to get back"  Especially because given how most modules are written, they will NEVER get back.

"My name is Yordaar.  Where's the book?"

"That sort of information isn't free, Mr. Yordaar," Mits answers.

"What's your price, then?"

Mits looks to the others and shrugs.

Timothius racks his brain for a price that makes sense. One he could bargain with while still coming out ahead. But his brain is too hero-wired and he knows he can't lie too well anyway. Saying "the price is you surrender" would sound stupid, even if technically a good deal. And any "i give you my word" stuff just won't work on villains, because they find the concept of honest people so unbelievable, they would sooner die than entertain the idea. "That is a difficult question, given our position. So I propose information for information. You tell us why your boss wants the book so much and we'll tell you why we want it so much. From there, we can assess the value of the book for both sides." he looks at the others with a helpless shrug.

Raichel says quietly, "I realize you're trying, Timothius, but chances are they are just trying to sneak up to us and start the fight."

May says quietly, "If I were them, I would view anything as a ruse to try and convince them to let others out of here."

  "Outside of more secret passages, there is nowhere for them to sneak up on us from until we are already in the middle of the room."  Not that Kyle has many suggestions for good that the enemy would actually like which are not spectacularly detrimental.

"I'm not at liberty to discuss my boss's intentions."

"Big shocker there," Mits sighs, "This is going nowhere."

"So how'd you defeat the trolls?  I've only heard about three of you.  Are there more?  Did you team up with the fey?  Why haven't they attacked?"

Timothius says, "I'd tell you our secret, but you would probably want to puke if I did." No. Nothing gory. Just the power of LOVE!

May says, "If you must know, we beat the trolls in about half a minute because we are too tough to go down and we have ways of ignoring our enemy's attempts to be tough; I mean everyone knows they don't like fire, right? So; only heard about three of us? Which three? There's five of us!"

  "Let's be fair, it was almost a minute.  I'd feel bad for the troll who's reaction to all the rest being dead was 'Finally I get to fight!', if it wasn't so funny."

The voice doesn't respond.

"Well I guess that's that," Mits says, "We either wait here while the enemy advances their plot to overthrow Overlook, or we charge in."

Raichel yells, "We honor any surrenders with a chance to live! Keep that in mind!" she heads to the base of the stairs.

The spitting troll emerges! Lightning flows from Raichel, to the troll, and into a thug behind him! The thug goes unconscious and the troll feels pain!

---

Move: To base of stairs
Standard: Readied Lightning Strike for first enemy to come in sight.

Triggered by spitting troll!

Lightning Strike v Spitting 1. Hit(30)!
 dmg: 15
 dmg to Thug: enough

Spitting Troll 1 HP: 106 - 15 = 91
This message was last edited by the player at 00:11, Tue 22 July 2014.

The spitting troll javelins Mittens!  "You'll pay for killing my clansmen!"

Mits sighs.  "Another javelin to the gut.  I just washed this-"

ACID SPIT TO THE FACE!

"EW!"

She quickly wipes the spit off but not before it burns all the fur and some of the skin off her face.

  "That is the most reasonable cause for wanting to kill us I have heard all year."  Kyle fires at the drooling problem Troll, but the enemy ducks just in time so the bolt just gives them a reverse mowhawk shave.

  The artificer also toughens up May as has been habit forming.

---

Standard: M weapon vs spitter, miss (22 AC).
Minor: Resistive Buff May.  +1 AC, can cash in for 4+her surge THP.

Note to self. Empowerments: like, five by now.

May charges up the stairs with a combative smile on her face! "Here I come!" and with that, she thwacks the troll on the arm he held up to defend himself!

---

Move, charge, hit(31)! dmg: 9 minimum!

Spitter 1 HP: 91 - 9 = 82

When May reaches the top:

Four stone stairs come together here, forming a small
platform about 20 feet above a larger, circular surface.
That surface appears to be made of glass or crystal,
allowing a full view of the various chambers below. Some of
those chambers extend out from beneath the crystal—openroofed
so that you can still see in. The stairs to the north
rise upward, rather than down, culminating in a large
set of double doors several dozen feet above your current
level, and a pair of massive statues of Moradin stand in the
northwest and northeast corners. To the southwest stand
a pair of small buildings—the only structures in the entire
cavern that appear to have a roof.
An array of humanoid creatures stands scattered about
the chamber, both on the platform or stairs.
 Not a one of them looks especially thrilled
to see you.

A massive stone golem covered in runes lumbers to the top of the platform.  It assumes a meditative stance and the runes begin to glow, as do the weapons of the enemy.

"She's got guts, I'll give her that," one of the dragonborn gladiators says, charging up the stairs toward May.

"I regret that we couldn't fight one on one," the other gladiator says, charging up from the other direction, "We'll make this quick to honor your valor."

TWHACK!  They both slice May directly in the neck!  A flash of arcane energy stops most of the force of the double-blow that would have decapitated any normal person, a slight trickle of blood the only show for their efforts.

"Well well well!  This'll be a good fight after all!"

Both dragonborn are smiling.  Mits hops up to the top of the stairs and eyes the enemy.

"That's all you got?  Tisk tisk tisk.  If you want a good fight we'll have to hold back quite a bit.  You three.  Lights out."

Three thugs collapse.

"You *bleep!*" one of the thugs screams, "You killed Kenny!  You *bleep!*"

He fires a bolt into Mits's arm.

"I'm a kitty, not a doggie," Mits corrects, "My parents were married before I was born.  And Kenny's just knocked out for later interrogation, not killed.  Important distinctions."

"A smartass, eh?" the second says, bolting Mits in the leg.

"Wow at this rate I'm going to look like a porcupine.  Least I won't be as ugly as one of you guys."

"Your face is burned off!"

"Precisely.  And that'll be fixed shortly."

"TOO MUCH TALK!" a troll complains, clawing at May.

"SQUISH!" the second one says, also attacking May.

Timothius says, "She isn't making wise-cracks. By this holy symbol of Pelor, I swear we don't kill during a fight unless there is no other way."

As he calmly walks up the stairs, he waves a hand, which heals Mittens to full, her face returning to normal and fur growing back. "Don't believe me? Then why hasn't the Eidolon attacked us for "killing" Kenny?"

His eyes glow bright white before he bursts with yellow sunlight! The enemy feels a little more naked.

---

Before Tim's turn: Reverent Mettle. reduce dmg to May by 9. Making her HP 72
Minor: Healing Word: 28+14(surge)=42
 Everyone gains 5 thp.
Move: RUN up stairs
Minor: Solar Enemy
 Troll 1 and 2, Spitting 1, Dragonborn 1 and 2 are all now vulnerable 5 radiant

Mittens HP: 30 + 42 = Full HP + 5thp

Raichel moves up the stairs and says, "Honestly, it doesn't matter. The last trolls we fought hated us for no reason whatsoever. So I don't believe that you even care we defeated your allies."

Something a little refreshing about that... it's always the villains saying they don't believe the heroes have heroic intentions. Now Rai gets to say "i don't believe you" to the villains.

Raichel turns into a bolt of lightning and ZAPS through the enemies before landing amidst them! The shock hurts them all a decent amount, but it REALLY hurts the spitter! Another thug goes down unconscious.

---

Move: Up stairs.
Standard: Spark Form v D2, T2, S1, D1, T1, Thugs.
 Miss(14), 20, CRIT(32)!, 22, 31, CRIT(32)!, 20
 dmg: 16
 Crit dmg: 33

Troll 2 HP: 100 - 16 = 84
Spitter 1 HP: 82 - 33 = 49
Dragonborn 1 HP: 106 - 16 = 90
Troll 1 HP: 100 - 16 = 84

The spitting troll shrieks and retaliates against Raichel but misses.

  Kyle steps up, and causes a localized whirlwind from Mittens.  The two Dragonborns don't really care, but all of the trolls end up hurt in the process (Hey, it's magical wind.  It doesn't have to make sense why it hurts).  "Maybe they hate us because they know you can't really take down a troll alive due to their biology?  Hard to knock someone out who keeps getting up two seconds later swinging a punch at you." 

---

Move: duh.
Standard: Gale Via mittens, vs... Everything but Eidolon and thug.  Misses both Dragonborn, hits all three trolls.  17 DMG, 19 DMG to spitter.  Option to slide each troll 2 left to party.  +4 power AC for mittens, until end of my next turn.

Troll 1 HP: 84-17= 64
Troll 2 HP: 100-17= 83
Spitter HP: 59-19=  40

May says, "It's so refreshing to fight you two! Real fighters who recognize a fellow fighter! I'll honor you by keeping you alive so we can fight one-on-one later!"

With that, she lets out that dragon roar before swinging her weapon around, hitting one of the dragonborn and hitting the troll HARD!

---

Come and Get It v D1, D2, T2, S1. Hit(26)! Miss(20) CRIT(34)! Miss(18)
 dmg: 13
 crit dmg: 22

Dragonborn 1 HP: 90 - 13 = 77
Troll 2 HP: 83 - 22 = 61

The Eidolon continues to meditate.  The dragonborn of course convulse when hit by lightning, but rather than be angry with Raichel, they give her an impressed smile.

"Well met then!  May this be a fight to remember!"

He takes a swing at May, slicing her leg then turns to the others and blasts them with fiery dragon breath!

"For honor!"

The other attacks May and the others in the same way!

Mits smiles.  "Thank you for grouping for me."

She takes a prayer pose then makes a chopping motion.  A colossal golden hand comes from nowhere and smashes the enemy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...aYVPnw44MrAivDftLymA

A thug collapses and the others are reeling from the massive damage!

"YOU DIE!" a troll claws at May and misses.

It backs up and she punishes it for doing so.

"I CHOP YOU!" the other troll says, swinging at Mittens and missing.

Timothius backs up on the stairs. A troll swings at him and connects, but Timothius doesn't seem bothered, despite bleeding. The dragonborn swings at Timothius and gets his arm uppercutted by May, "Uh-uh!"

Timothius doesn't comment about the troll hitting him other than to wince, but once at the base of the steps, he makes a comment his team is quite familiar with; he sings, hands laced and body bobbing gently. The enemies all feel weaker and the heroes all have a feint blue aura about them.

---

Move: Down the stairs
 Provokes AoO from Troll 1 and Dragonborn 1. Troll 1 hits, D-born misses.
  dmg to Tim: 12
Standard: Hymn of Resurgence v T1, T2, D1, D2, S1. Miss(14), Hit(31)!, Hit(29)!, Hit(27)!, Hit(24)!
 Allies all gain 5 thp.
 Enemies who were hit all suffer -2 to defenses. Whenever hit, they go prone.

Timothius HP: 53 - 12 = 41

Raichel slams her palm into the dragonborn near her. At first he looks at her look "was that supposed to hurt?" but the thunder rumbles through her arm and with a loud voice, she yells "Rai!" and an explosion of thunder erupts from her palm, sending him tumbling down the stairs to Tim's feet unconscious!

She then turns into a lightning bolt again and materializes behind the remaining dragonborn and next to the spitter.

---

Twin Thunders v Dragonborn 1. Miss(14)
AP Thunder Slam v Dborn1. Hit(25)!
 dmg: 29
Move: Lightning Shift to a new location away from Troll 1

Dragonborn 1 HP: 19 - 29 = KO!

The spitting troll looks annoyed with Raichel for taking the spot he wanted to go, but takes it out on May...  only he misses.

  Kyle fires an acid dripping bolt at the most injured big troll, but it seems to be the most wussy of acids all day.  Still, it's enough to inconvenience the troll for the moment.   "No pressure Mittens."  He hopes having no more eyebrows does not hinder the catgirl's aim.

---

Standard: ZE ACID.  Hits, and baby damage roll.  13 Acid.  -2 AC, knocks prone thanks to tim.

Troll 2 HP: 8 left.  Regen turned off.

May grins and swings her carrikal at the spitter, missing, but also swings her shield at the dragonborn, hitting! "Lookin' good, team! We aren't even at half steam and these guys are going down!" May glances at the dragonborn. "No offense. Just that our teamwork is better than a bunch of trolls. Sorry you're teamed with them."

---

Funneling Flurry v Spitting and Dragonborn. Miss(15) Hit(25)!
 dmg: 13

Dragonborn 2 HP: 74 - 13 = 61

The Eidolon remains unmoved.  The gladiator smiles weakly at May.

"Also helps that each member of your team is incredibly powerful."

Swing and a miss.  "Aw.  I'm sorry I couldn't have been more of a challenge."

He winces a little from a bit of residual radiance detonating on him and looks resigned to defeat before he gets another swing.

"Well you were certainly memorable, that's for sure," Mits says, taking a Boshido pose.

SHLINK!  A swing of a blazing katana cuts through his armor and downs the troll behind him.  Little glowing Mittens samurai float protectively over Raichel and May!

"Why did you team up with these mutants anyway?"

"Good chance of a challenging fight."

Mits' eyebrows are completely healed by now.

"SQUISH, UGLY FACE!" swing and a miss.

"Yeah.  That is what we usually have to deal with."

Timothius traces his finger in the air and says, "We have a better opportunity for you when this fight is through!" before a seal appears on the dragonborn's forehead.

---

Astral Seal v Dragonborn 2. CRIT(34)!
 -2 defenses. Next ally to hit D2 regains 1d6+8 hp.

"Honor... how rare it is anymore." and with that, she hops behind the dragonborn and whacks him in the back with her staff before taking a ready stance.

---

Move Technique: Shift 2 in order to shift 1 on diff terrain.
Five Storms v D2 with CA. Hit(24)!
 dmg: 21

Dragonborn 2 HP: 29 - 21 = 8

The spitting troll misses again, curses, and coughs on his saliva.

  Kyle interrupts the banter between the (mostly, they are fighting against the party after all) rational enemies by lassoing the Dragonborn's armored fist with lightning, and whipping it into their own face.

  As a sign of respect, Kyle refrains from a 'Stop hitting yourself, stop hitting yourself' joke as the enemy falls.

OOC: Unconscious Dragonborn has -4 DMG rolls.

May hops to the side, hitting the spitter in the gut as she does! "Nice shot, Kyle! Awww... now all we have are these stupid trolls to trade banter with. They can't even throw halfway decent insults!"

---

Shift 1 to right
Weapon Mayster's Strike v Spitting 1. Hit(27)!
 dmg: 15

Spitting 1 HP: 50 - 15 = 35

The Eidolon remains motionless.  Mits throws a pair of blazing ninja stars into the trolls' faces!

"We won't have to endure it for long," she says.

"YOU STOOPID HEAD!"

Big troll swings and misses Mits.

"Too long already!"

Timothius snorts (Not like an elf. More like he's laughing), the troll insult being something you might expect from a 6-year-old child. He traces in the air and another seal appears, this time on the spitter.

---

Astral Seal v Spitting 1. Hit(25)!

Raichel zaps the troll, downing it. The lightning bounces from the falling troll to the spitter, near-downing him also. Then Raichel moves to flank with May.

---

Lightning Strike v Troll 1. Hit(30)!
 dmg: 12

Troll 1 HP: 11 - 12 = DONE
Spitter HP: 7 - 5 = 2

The spitting troll claws May.  "Finally!"

  Kyle says to the Troll, "Well, at least you will have a moments satisfaction before the end.  Good for you." then... moves down the stairs out of site of the Eidolon.  "May, get onto the stairs or south of Raichel, seriously.  So you don't end up like my sword last time."

  Once the smart Kobold gets out of the way, lobs a packet into the air above the stairs that explodes into a pink rocky powder that completly covers the spitter, and the top half of the fallen troll.  "...What is this-aaaaaargh I CAN TASTE STRAWBERRY IN MY BRAAAINUURGHLPHssss."  The spitter dissolves in a flurry of snap, crackles, and pops  while large troll is reduced to just it's legs.  The Eidelon just sighs wistfully unharmed, because Kyle is out of LoS.

  Fortunately for the survivors, it smells like strawberries!

May moves around to the Eidolon as per Kyle's request. Afterwords, she looks up at the Eidolon and says, "Now that they're out of the way: Attack me or surrender! ...what smells like strawberries?"

---

Move: Pass Forward past the spitter to be adjacent to Eidolon
Minor: Daring Shot. Marks Eidolon and grants May 3 thp.
Standard: Ready Weapon Master's Strike for if Eidolon does something besides stand there.

The Eidolon's runs cease glowing.

Mits grins at Kyle.  "Strawberry!  Nice touch!"

She hops up the stairs to get a closer look at the stone statue.

"Neat.  Not entirely sure why it chose not to attack.  Guessing it was set to instructions such as 'Guard our forces,' and now it can't?"

  "Troll spit apparently reacts very, very violently to certain confections."  He licks some of the powder off his finger, as the rockface turns off.  "Oh look, a time where I am incredibly glad my book learning is wrong.  Thank you, benevolent Eidolon."  It just figures, the enemy constructs are less of a danger or hinderance than the ones that belong to Moradin's clergy.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:39, Tue 22 July 2014.

Timothius heads over and says a prayer over the Eidolon.

Raichel and May tie up the survivors (which is really just the dragonborn warriors... oh wait! The thugs too. Almost forgot them) Raichel is eweing at the molten trolls the whole time.

May turns to the team. "Should we search the room before questioning the prisoners? Or should we question the prisoners first?"

Timothius shrugs. "What would we even ask them at this point? Where their boss went? I'll bet they don't even know."

Mits shrugs and helps with prestidigitation cleanups starting with her own bloodied gear.  The troll mess is too much for her to handle in a reasonable amount of time.  "Sounded like you were ready to offer to let the dragonborn guys join us.  Beyond that... how did that guy leave anyway?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:08, Tue 22 July 2014.

  Kyle points north, "Probably through those doors, that we saw them walk through."  Or at least, the doors the narration said they saw them walk through.

Timothius just marches to the north doors.

May shrugs and follows. As does Raichel, now that the prisoners are tied.

Once at the doors, May goes to open the doors as per taking point.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:25, Tue 22 July 2014.

Mits follows along, ready for another combat.

"I'm unsure I have enough left in me for another troll fight and dealing with the fey.  It's a good day to die, I suppose."

For an eternal instant, the world fades away as you stand
upon the precipice of infinity. An ocean of pearlescent
silver stretches ever onward, its tides and crests all but
invisible as they slowly traverse the great expanse. Beneath
those waters, stars and constellations twinkle with almost
blinding clarity, and far in the distance, the great peaks of
an unknown isle protrude from the endless waters.
The sense of vertigo here, at the edge of the world, is
almost overwhelming, striking not merely at the body but at
the mind and soul.

Mits group hugs her sibs.  "Wow..."

  Kyle is quite for a moment, considering the stars.  "Well, this would actually be kind of nice if not for the fact we are here on business.  Knowing our luck, we shall not be able to return at our leisure."

Raichel's eyes sparkle and Timothius seems rejuvenated, as if the stars mended his broken spirit. May smiles brightly. "Gosh... so pretty..." Raichel comments.

To Kyle's comment, May says, "Pff... we can stay here as long as we like. So long as the hag doesn't get away with the book. Speaking of... let's ask the soldiers if they actually KNOW a way out. I get the feeling this doorway isn't it."

"I wunna sail that sea some day," Mits says, "Glad for once we found a portal to someplace pleasant looking."

She closes the door to help snap herself and the others out of being fixated.  When questioned, the dragonborn are cooperative.

"The general had an airship waiting just behind those doors.  The rest of us are stuck till we can get The Caretaker to open the lock he put on all the other doors."

  "Was this the smallest airship in all the land?  Because if not, he could have easily brought you with him."

May says, "Nah. They were just left here because the guy's a jerk."

Timothius asks, "Where's the caretaker?"

"Airship," Mits says with a "wow" sound to her voice, "I want one!"

"We were left because the trolls couldn't be trusted with not eating the caretaker.  He's in that enclosed room to the southeast."

"Good luck getting anywhere with him.  He's totally flipped his lid."

  Kyle eyes the enemies,  "Gee, you would not happen to have any idea why he has recently gone insane, would you?  Just a thought."  He glances over to the cooperative Eidolon.  "Copper bet noone will take says the temple defenses will try to kill us.

Timothius makes sure his prayer book and holy symbol of Moradin are clearly present. "We'll take one of the prisoners with us to assure him we won and we'll flaunt our Moradin blessings to assure him we are his allies."

He starts leading the way to where the caretaker is. Raichel follows, also making sure she has the prayer book present.

May shrugs and coaxes one of the dragonborn to follow.

When the PCs first enter area H, read:
This building and its attachment, the only two structures
in this cavern to have roofs, are clearly of far more recent
construction than most everything else herein. The walls
are of thin stone and do not match the surroundings, and
the floor is covered haphazardly with a thin rug. Several
tables and chairs sit scattered about, and a cooking
cauldron occupies one corner.

When the PCs first enter area I, read:
What was once a bedroom has been transformed into a
chamber of horrors. Old blood has matted the carpet into
a thin film that crunches beneath your feet. Dull blades
and needles protrude from the surface of a desk, where they
were apparently stuck for safekeeping. A wooden bed frame
leans against the wall at an angle; chained to it, dangling by
his chafed and bloody wrists, is what appears to be a dwarf
with hair and beard of writhing flame! Despite its touch,
the wood of the frame shows no evidence of burning.

Once the PCs have found the
Caretaker in area M9I, they might
at first be stunned—or even believe
that they are being tricked—to find
that he is no normal dwarf, but an
azer! (Monster Manual, page 22;
his stats should not prove necessary,
but if they do, treat him as an
azer foot soldier with the Ritual
Caster feat and training in Arcana
and Religion.) The PCs can free
him from his shackles with a DC
22 Thievery check, but freeing his
mind is something else entirely. The
Caretaker has been subject to hideous
tortures, and he’s hovering on
the brink of insanity.
A DC 17 Heal check reveals that a Remove
Affliction ritual could set him right in the head again.
Alternatively, the PCs can attempt to help him by using
skills. Do not treat this as a skill challenge; rather, the
PCs must make four skill checks against a DC of 21.
One success must be with the Heal skill; the others
can be Diplomacy, Heal, or Religion. Once they’ve
achieved four successes, they bring the Caretaker back
from the brink of insanity. Each attempt, regardless
of which skill is being used, takes 15 minutes, so even
four straight successes requires a full hour.
Incidentally, should the PCs ask, the Caretaker has
no other name; he abandoned it when he assumed
this duty and answers to nothing else.

Mits gets to cleaning the guy off with prestidigitation.

  "Huh, an Azer.  Interesting."  He looks to his friends,  "If he tries to punch my face off for attempting to get him down, he's staying up there.  Though somebody to catch hold so he doesn't just flop face first onto the floor would be for the best."

  That said, he sets to freeing the (probably) Caretaker.

May and Raichel go to be the ones to catch him.

Timothius first gets to healing the guy, his practiced hands working swift and with precision. Even as he does, he says a prayer of encouragement from the book of prayers. Finally, once the prayer and healing are done, Timothius sits on his feet in front of the guy to be even with him and says, "What a strong follower Moradin has chosen in you. Wow. Just wow. You single-handedly held off two factions from leaving this place with the book. Moradin clearly chose the right man for the job. Please forgive us for coming so late. We came the moment we heard of this church being invaded."

It's almost magical how well Timothius healed the Azer... as if gifted by a god.

Raichel and May were sure to stay silent, knowing that Timothius is pretty much it when it comes to gentle words and helping someone calm down.

---

Tim Heal: 35!! (CRIT)
Tim Religion: 31
Tim Diplomacy: 23

"Technically we didn't know the church had been invaded until we arrived," Mittens corrects, "We came here because High Ancestor Durkik of Overlook entrusted us with the sacred duty of recovering the Incunabulum Primeval for the defense of Overlook against an eminent invasion.  He gave us these paladin symbols as proof it was he who sent us on our errand."

She shows off her holy symbol.

The azer blinks once, and when he looks at you again, his
eyes are clear—or rather, they appear to burn with an inner
fire that they lacked earlier. He speaks in heavily accented
Common. “You have my thanks, strangers. You should not
be here, but as you are—and as I needed you—I will take this
to be Moradin’s will. I know not who these creatures were,
who invaded my home and dealt so cruelly with me, but I
know their intentions! I heard them plan! They seek to attack
the city of Overlook, from both without and—through my
temple—within! Even though the latter has been thwarted,
the former might yet lie ahead; Overlook, and indeed Elsir
Vale, might suffer greatly. But tell me, who are these villains?
Do you know? Tell me all that has happened, please.”