Moving out of the small room, the resting area for the gnoll, to the room just south of it, you pass through two double doors.
The tieflings appear dour faced, but even so, seem restrained. They merely nodded with a coy smile at Grock.

You come inside a dimly lit room.
At the end you see two tall candleholders stand on either side of the shrine’s entrance, each with a black candle set in it.
The altar is made of humanoid bones stacked to form a four-legged table. The bones are joined with wire. A small book, bound in black leather, sits on the altar.

The room is silent, and calm. Eerily so. To the side of the altar, you notice a chest.
Aside it, you come across a curious view. Or gruesome rather.
The floor is drenched in blood, slightly behind the Altar, the ground is cracked, and the bodies of four dragonborn, in armor and with ample weaponry lay on the ground, as if a force, with fiery intentions and malice had destroyed them utterly. One, moves, but only just.
He appears if not dead, then closer to it than many would like. He needs immediate aid.
The three other bodies are beyond saving. One has a skull bent inwards, one lacks an arm, and the latter has bleed out. It warns of the dangers of the trials and was not visibly obvious to begin with, being hidden by the alter at first.


MAP: https://docs.google.com/drawin...Y6wdaYoFbJU6VCQ/edit
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:39, Fri 22 Jan 2021.

Grock walked in and was cautious of the alter. When he saw slight movement in one of the Dragonborn, he pointed at him while speaking to Roland. “Any way you can heal him without getting close, so it could tell us what happened? We shouldn’t get too close in case it is a trap.”

Dral extends his staff to the injured dragonborn, in hopes that it can grab it and be pulled in.

If that isn't an option for any reason, Dral will instead just move as quickly as possible to get in, grab the dragonborn and get out.

Though the demonic gnoll had been quickly dispatched, Zakuryu was more winded than he cared to show.  Letting the others move ahead to the altar and trusting in his own speed should aid be called for, the swordsman of Mori edged his way around his defeated foe and moved to the chest by the far corner.  Hopefully the creature who had so thoroughly intimidated the tieflings possessed some spoils of war...

Spending some time searching the Gnoll's chamber for anything of value, or any missed hazards...

You manage to drag the dragonborn closer to Roland. Nothing happens.

Zaku finds a curious key, with a demon headed top, which oddly resembles the larger chest near the altar.
He finds the room otherwise filthy and unwelcome, but also curious - why would a single guard remain here? What is his purpose? Was it a scout? A decoy? No papers or any traces advised upon this however and Zaku returned to the group shortly after.

The book stood atop the Altar harrowingly so...with three dead bodies behind it..What had happened here?

Finding nothing else in the gnoll's personal effects, Zakuryu rejoined the group with the key in hand.  As Dral moved back, pulling the unconscious Dragonborn to safety, the swordsman looked past him and noticed the chest beside the altar.  He looked down at the key in his hand, and then held it up to examine the horned embellishments compared to the lockbox behind it, and smirked at the similarity.

"I think I know what went wrong.  There is no way a temple devoted to violence and bloodshed would reward the easy path.  I would bet you that this," he said, waggling the key, "...is what that Gnoll was truly meant to guard.  Watch me..."

Confident, and perhaps even arrogant given his victory, Zakuryu strode forth directly  to the chest and attempted to open it with the key...

07:01, Today: Zakuryu Mori rolled 9 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 1.  Searching for traps/hazards.

Hopefully I'm right, or Zakuryu might need another patch job :D

Zaku barely reaches the chest, before a sickening thud is heard.
With a puff of brimstone and a sound like a whip-crack, a hulking creature covered in fur appears before the shrine to Baphomet. It roars, flexing deadly claws and revealing terrible
fangs, before fixing its blood-red eyes upon him.
Surprised, it slams its mighty fists at Zaku! It strikes him heavily and almost throws him back, as it howls savagely, as if to attract allies!

---

Effects:
14 damage to Zaku
Note Saskan is still down and needs healing!
Please update locations!

Enemy	Location	HP	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:
Barlgura	--	12/106	20	21	18	18	Heavy flail.	BLOODIED

Player	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:	AP/Surges
Roland	39/48	A9	21	16	16	22			AP:1, Surges:7/7
Dral	45/57	E8	20	19	18	19			AP: 1, Surges:9/12
Zakuryu	14/49	G8	21	18	23	16	Bloodied!	-	AP: 0, Surges:6/7
Grock	35/46	G9	22	17	18	16			AP: 1, Surges:9/9, SV: 12
Saskan	0/30	G12	18	18	15	20			AP: 0, Surges:3/6, SV: 7

MAP: https://docs.google.com/drawin...Y6wdaYoFbJU6VCQ/edit

Roll initiative! Players turn.

Grock had been expecting something to pop up and rushed to slam the beast in the side but the flailing of it arms knocked the blow barely away.

09:56, Today: Grock rolled 17 using 1d20+11.  Five storms attack vs reflex 18.
09:55, Today: Grock rolled 15 using 1d20+7.  Initiative .

Enemy	Location	HP	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:
Barlgura	--	12/106	20	21	18	18	Heavy flail.	BLOODIED

Player	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:	AP/Surges
Roland	39/48	A9	21	16	16	22			AP:1, Surges:7/7
Dral	45/57	E8	20	19	18	19			AP: 1, Surges:9/12
Zakuryu	14/49	G8	21	18	23	16	Bloodied!	-	AP: 0, Surges:6/7
Grock	46/46	I11	22	17	18	16			AP: 1, Surges:9/9, SV: 12
Saskan	0/30	G12	18	18	15	20			AP: 0, Surges:3/6, SV: 7

MAP: https://docs.google.com/drawin...Y6wdaYoFbJU6VCQ/edit

Roll initiative! Players turn.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:21, Wed 27 Jan 2021.

Roland blinks in surprise. "A demon. Well, there you go." He calls to Kord twice; the first time, Zaku's wounds shrink considerably, and the second time, Saskan is revived and much-healed. He then points at the demon and drops a curse on it; it shrugs off part of the effect, but its legs still begins to feel like lead.


Minor: Healing Word on Saskan, who heals 22 hp (15+7 surge)
No move action
Standard: Iron to Glass, miss still has an effect: Until the end of the encounter, the target takes a –2 penalty to melee damage rolls. Whenever the target hits with a melee attack, the penalty worsens by 1 to a maximum of –5.

17:33, Tue 12 Jan: Roland Esperus rolled 4 using 1d20+3.  Initiative.
13:52, Today: Roland Esperus rolled 16 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 7.  Iron to Glass on demon vs. Reflex.
13:50, Today: Roland Esperus rolled 17 using 3d6+7.  Healing Word on Saskan.
13:50, Today: Roland Esperus rolled 15 using 1d6+10.  Bastion of Health on Zaku.

Enemy	Location	HP	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:
Barlgura	--	108/108	19	20	17	17	Resist 10 - fire. Savage howl, double strike.

Player	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:	AP/Surges
Roland	39/48	A9	21	16	16	22			AP:1, Surges:7/7
Dral	45/57	E8	20	19	18	19			AP: 1, Surges:9/12
Zakuryu	14/49	G8	21	18	23	16	Bloodied!	-	AP: 0, Surges:6/7
Grock	35/46	I11	22	17	18	16			AP: 1, Surges:9/9, SV: 12
Saskan	22/30	G12	18	18	15	20			AP: 0, Surges:2/6, SV: 6/7

MAP: https://docs.google.com/drawin...Y6wdaYoFbJU6VCQ/edit
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:42, Wed 27 Jan 2021.

Blood ran down the side of Zakuryu's face where he had been slammed into the stone wall by the demon's massive fists, and the inside of his mouth tasted like copper coins.  A heaving cough left a spatter of blood from the cuts inside his mouth as his body reacted to the sudden violence.  Looking up to his side, the wayward samurai snarled with red-tinged teeth and gripped his sword.

You.... COWARD!" he roared, anger surpassing his pain, and launched himself out of the corner.  As he rolled ten feet to the opposite side of his companions, Zakuryu's blade slipped its moorings and cut though the thick, matted hide of the enemy like a ship cuts through the wave.  Still kneeling, the swordsman kept his focus on the demon's feet, watching for the first hint of movement.


ACTIONS

• Move Action: Thug's Trick
  - Shift 2 North, and while I'm flanking the enemy they trigger an opportunity attack from me if they shift (+17 to hit, 1d6+10 damage)
• Minor Action: Ready my Short Sword.
• Standard action: MBA on Barlgura, hits for a total of 21 damage

11:09, Yesterday: Zakuryu Mori rolled 25 using 1d20+17 with rolls of 8.  MBA + CA.
05:12, Today: Zakuryu Mori rolled 21 using 3d6+10 with rolls of 5,2,4.  Damage + Sneak attack.
11:09, Yesterday: Zakuryu Mori rolled 25 using 1d20+14 with rolls of 11.  Initiative.

Enemy	Location	HP	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:
Barlgura	--	87/108	19	20	17	17	Resist 10 - fire. Savage howl, double strike.	Iron2Glass (-2 melee dmg rolls)

Player	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:	AP/Surges
Roland	39/48	A9	21	16	16	22			AP:1, Surges:7/7
Dral	45/57	E8	20	19	18	19			AP: 1, Surges:9/12
Zakuryu	35/49	G8	21	18	23	16		-	AP: 0, Surges:6/7
Grock	35/46	I11	22	17	18	16			AP: 1, Surges:9/9, SV: 12
Saskan	28/55	G12	18	18	15	20			AP: 0, Surges:2/6, SV: 6/7

MAP: https://docs.google.com/drawin...Y6wdaYoFbJU6VCQ/edit
This message was last edited by the player at 02:56, Thu 04 Feb 2021.

Dral strides up to the creature and lands a blow aimed precisely on what looks like its softest part. That gets its attention.

---

Dral:
Move: Walk to flank barlgura with Zakuryu.
Standard: 10:01, Today: Dral rolled 22 using 1d20+16.  Precise strike (with flank) +16 vs. AC 19 of Barlgura. Hit.
10:03, Today: Dral rolled 11 using 1d8+6.  Precise strike damage, 1d8+6. Marked.

Enemy	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:
Barlgura	76/108	I9	19	20	17	17	Resist 10 - fire. Savage howl, double strike. Marked by Dral

Player	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:	AP/Surges
Roland	39/48	F10	21	16	16	22			AP:1, Surges:7/7
Dral	45/57	H9	20	19	18	19		Marking bargura.	AP: 1, Surges:9/12
Zakuryu	35/49	K9	21	18	23	16			AP: 0, Surges:6/7
Grock	35/46	F9	22	17	18	16			AP: 1, Surges:9/9, SV: 12
Saskan	28/55	G10	18	18	15	20			AP: 0, Surges:2/6, SV: 6/7

MAP: https://docs.google.com/drawin...Y6wdaYoFbJU6VCQ/edit

The Barlgura roared and flew at Dral, striking twice against him, but the blows were deflected easily by Dral that while being thrown back, didn't impact nor affect him.
In anger, it howled out, as to bolster itself and it almost looked as its skin lighted up with fiery flames.

Enemy	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:
Barlgura	76/108	I9	19	20	17	17	Resist 10 - fire. Savage howl(+2 to hit), double strike. Marked by Dral

Player	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:	AP/Surges
Roland	39/48	F10	21	16	16	22			AP:1, Surges:7/7
Dral	45/57	H9	20	19	18	19		Marking bargura.	AP: 1, Surges:9/12
Zakuryu	35/49	K9	21	18	23	16			AP: 0, Surges:6/7
Grock	35/46	F9	22	17	18	16			AP: 1, Surges:9/9, SV: 12
Saskan	28/55	G10	18	18	15	20			AP: 0, Surges:2/6, SV: 6/7

MAP: https://docs.google.com/drawin...Y6wdaYoFbJU6VCQ/edit

PLAYERS TURN!

Grock calmly walked up to the demon, pulled his right fist way back, and punched it as hard as he could in the stomach. He fell back into a guarded stance with both fists up.

10:36, Today: Grock rolled 18 using 2d8+15.  Eternal Mountain damage plus flurry.
10:34, Today: Grock rolled 25 using 1d20+13.  Eternal Mountain attack Fort 20 with combat advantage .

Gain resist 3 all until end of next turn

Enemy	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:
Barlgura	58/108	I9	19	20	17	17	Resist 10 - fire. Savage howl(+2 to hit), double strike. Marked by Dral

Player	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:	AP/Surges
Roland	39/48	F10	21	16	16	22			AP:1, Surges:7/7
Dral	45/57	H9	20	19	18	19		Marking bargura.	AP: 1, Surges:9/12
Zakuryu	35/49	K9	21	18	23	16			AP: 0, Surges:6/7
Grock	46/46	F9	22	17	18	16		Resist 3 all	AP: 1, Surges:8/9, SV: 12
Saskan	28/55	G10	18	18	15	20			AP: 0, Surges:2/6, SV: 6/7

MAP: https://docs.google.com/drawin...Y6wdaYoFbJU6VCQ/edit

Everyone but Grock is up!

Saskan shakes his head groggily as he regains his consciousness and rises. Seeing the demon before him, he unleashes his dragon breath and shoots an acid orb at the demon in quick succession. To quick perhaps as the acid orb skitters harmlessly off the wall.

OOC:
Move - Stand up
Minor - Dragon breath - everyone gets +1 to hit; I only did 3 damage though (after his resistance is factored in)
Standard - Acid Orb - misses
11:45, Today: Saskan rolled 3 using 1d6+1.  Actual dragonbreath damage (the other damage was wrong).
11:45, Today: Saskan rolled 11 using 1d20+9.  To hit acid orb.
11:43, Today: Saskan rolled 10 using 1d10+3.  damage (removing the 10 he's resistant to).
11:43, Today: Saskan rolled 19 using 1d20+9.  Dragon breath - minor action.

Enemy	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:
Barlgura	58/108	I9	19	20	17	17	Resist 10 - fire. Savage howl(+2 to hit), double strike. Marked by Dral

Player	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:	AP/Surges
Roland	39/48	F10	21	16	16	22			AP:1, Surges:7/7
Dral	45/57	H9	20	19	18	19		Marking bargura.	AP: 1, Surges:9/12
Zakuryu	35/49	K9	21	18	23	16			AP: 0, Surges:6/7
Grock	46/46	F9	22	17	18	16		Resist 3 all	AP: 1, Surges:8/9, SV: 12
Saskan	28/55	G10	18	18	15	20			AP: 0, Surges:2/6, SV: 6/7

MAP: https://docs.google.com/drawin...Y6wdaYoFbJU6VCQ/edit

Everyone but Grock and Saskan is up!

As the demonic creature turned its back on him, Zakuryu tried and failed to hide the indignation he was feeling at being ignored by his foe after that initial blow.  He let out a barking shout, and pushing off the wall behind him threw his entire body into a stab.

From the view of his companions, after having its attacks deflected and taking a gut punch from Grock, the demon coughed  hot ichor and the tip of a mirror-polished blade reflected the torchlight as it emerged from the creature's chest where a lung might have been on a mortal man.  With a wet slurp the blade withdrew, the wound now gushing a slow waterfall of whatever passed for its blood.  Then Zakuryu landed, his feet hitting the ground at the same time as the gore as he fell off the demon's back.  The samurai warrior rose, flicking his sword clean and abandoning his defense to taunt the monster who had dared ignore him.

"Recieve the reward for your cowardice, wretch!  Face me!" he snarled, arms wide open.

Actions:

• Standard action: Melee basic attack on Garlbura, hits for 25 + 5 (Disciple of Destruction) = 30 total damage.
• Move action: Thug's Trick again: Flanked enemies who shift take an Opportunity Attack (+17 vs AC, 1d6+10 damage).  I'll also use Risky Shift feat to just taunt the demon as well.

10:19, Today: Zakuryu Mori rolled 34 using 1d20+17 with rolls of 17.  MBA + CA.
10:19, Today: Zakuryu Mori rolled 25 using 3d6+10 with rolls of 6,4,5.  Damage + Sneak attack.

Enemy	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:
Barlgura	28/108	I9	19	20	17	17	Resist 10 - fire. Savage howl(+2 to hit), double strike. Marked by Dral	BLOODIED, Iron2Glass (-2 m.dmg rolls)

Player	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:	AP/Surges
Roland	39/48	F10	21	16	16	22			AP:1, Surges:7/7
Dral	45/57	H9	20	19	18	19		Marking bargura.	AP: 1, Surges:9/12
Zakuryu	35/49	K9	21	18	23	16		Granting Combat Advantage	AP: 0, Surges:6/7
Grock	46/46	F9	22	17	18	16		Resist 3 all	AP: 1, Surges:8/9, SV: 12
Saskan	28/55	G10	18	18	15	20			AP: 0, Surges:2/6, SV: 6/7

MAP: https://docs.google.com/drawin...Y6wdaYoFbJU6VCQ/edit

Dral and Roland up!
This message was last edited by the player at 06:26, Thu 04 Feb 2021.

OOC: updated with appropriate damage penalty on demon.

Enemy	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:
Barlgura	28/108	I9	19	20	17	17	Resist 10 - fire. Savage howl(+2 to hit), double strike. Marked by Dral	BLOODIED, Iron2Glass (-5 m.dmg rolls)

Player	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:	AP/Surges
Roland	39/48	F10	21	16	16	22			AP:1, Surges:7/7
Dral	45/57	H9	20	19	18	19		Marking bargura.	AP: 1, Surges:9/12
Zakuryu	35/49	K9	21	18	23	16		Granting Combat Advantage	AP: 0, Surges:6/7
Grock	46/46	F9	22	17	18	16		Resist 3 all	AP: 1, Surges:8/9, SV: 12
Saskan	28/55	G10	18	18	15	20			AP: 0, Surges:2/6, SV: 6/7

MAP: https://docs.google.com/drawin...Y6wdaYoFbJU6VCQ/edit

Dral and Roland up!
</quote>

A quick jab from Dral, but it isn't enough to do more than keep the creature's full attention off of Zakuryu.

---

Dral:
Standard: 19:35, Today: Dral rolled 15 using 1d20+14.  Sure strike (with CA) +14 vs. AC 19 of Barlgura. Miss.
Move: None.
Minor: None.

Enemy	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:
Barlgura	28/108	I9	19	20	17	17	Resist 10 - fire. Savage howl(+2 to hit), double strike. Marked by Dral	BLOODIED, Iron2Glass (-5 m.dmg rolls)

Player	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:	AP/Surges
Roland	39/48	F10	21	16	16	22			AP:1, Surges:7/7
Dral	45/57	H9	20	19	18	19		Marking bargura.	AP: 1, Surges:9/12
Zakuryu	35/49	K9	21	18	23	16		Granting Combat Advantage	AP: 0, Surges:6/7
Grock	46/46	F9	22	17	18	16		Resist 3 all	AP: 1, Surges:8/9, SV: 12
Saskan	28/55	G10	18	18	15	20			AP: 0, Surges:2/6, SV: 6/7

MAP: https://docs.google.com/drawin...Y6wdaYoFbJU6VCQ/edit

Roland is up!

Roland stays back and further curses the foul outsider...

Standard: Exacting Utterance on Barlgura, hits with use of Heroic Effort. The barlgura gains vulnerability 4 to all damage, and any ally who attacks the target gains 4 temporary hit points. This lasts until the end of my next turn.
No move or Minor.

17:55, Today: Roland Esperus rolled 16 using 1d20+9.  Exacting Utterance on demon.

Enemy	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:
Barlgura	28/108	I9	19	20	17	17	VULNERABLE 4/all, any PC who attacks it gains 4 temp hp, Resist 10 - fire. Savage howl(+2 to hit), double strike. Marked by Dral	BLOODIED, Iron2Glass (-1 m.dmg rolls)

Player	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:	AP/Surges
Roland	39/48	F10	21	16	16	22			AP:1, Surges:7/7
Dral	45/57	H9	20	19	18	19		Marking bargura.	AP: 1, Surges:9/12
Zakuryu	35/49	K9	21	18	23	16		Granting Combat Advantage	AP: 0, Surges:6/7
Grock	46/46	F9	22	17	18	16		Resist 3 all	AP: 1, Surges:8/9, SV: 12
Saskan	28/55	G10	18	18	15	20			AP: 0, Surges:2/6, SV: 6/7

MAP: https://docs.google.com/drawin...Y6wdaYoFbJU6VCQ/edit

Barlgura is up!
This message was lightly edited by the player at 22:59, Fri 05 Feb 2021.

Bloodied and furious the beast lashed out heavily against Dral.
With a wallop of a strike he is knocked back, but the brittle state of the foe means the next followup is wide and weak.
It breathes, heavily.
Behind you the Tieflings wait and observe, making no move to intervene or obstruct what you are doing. They nod, impressed at the display.

14 damage to Dral with penalties applied for damage.

Enemy	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:
Barlgura	28/108	I9	19	20	17	17	VULNERABLE 4/all, any PC who attacks it gains 4 temp hp, Resist 10 - fire. Savage howl(+2 to hit), double strike. Marked by Dral	BLOODIED, Iron2Glass (-3 m.dmg rolls)

Player	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:	AP/Surges
Roland	39/48	F10	21	16	16	22			AP:1, Surges:7/7
Dral	31/57	H9	20	19	18	19		Marking bargura.	AP: 1, Surges:9/12
Zakuryu	35/49	K9	21	18	23	16		Granting Combat Advantage	AP: 0, Surges:6/7
Grock	46/46	F9	22	17	18	16		Resist 3 all	AP: 1, Surges:8/9, SV: 12
Saskan	28/55	G10	18	18	15	20			AP: 0, Surges:2/6, SV: 6/7

MAP: https://docs.google.com/drawin...Y6wdaYoFbJU6VCQ/edit

Players turn!

Grock spins and does a roundhouse kick right into the demon’s sternum cracking several ribs followed up with a palm strike to the knee.

09:16, Today: Grock rolled 22 using 1d8+21.  Five storms damage plus flurry plus vulnerable.
09:14, Today: Grock rolled 24 using 1d20+13.  Five storms with advantage against reflex 17.

Hit for a total of 22 damage

Enemy	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:
Barlgura	6/108	I9	19	20	17	17	VULNERABLE 4/all, any PC who attacks it gains 4 temp hp, Resist 10 - fire. Savage howl(+2 to hit), double strike. Marked by Dral	BLOODIED, Iron2Glass (-3 m.dmg rolls)

Player	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:	AP/Surges
Roland	39/48	F10	21	16	16	22			AP:1, Surges:7/7
Dral	31/57	H9	20	19	18	19		Marking bargura.	AP: 1, Surges:9/12
Zakuryu	35/49	K9	21	18	23	16		Granting Combat Advantage	AP: 0, Surges:6/7
Grock	46/46	F9	22	17	18	16		temp hp				AP: 1, Surges:8/9, SV: 12
Saskan	28/55	G10	18	18	15	20			AP: 0, Surges:2/6, SV: 6/7

MAP: https://docs.google.com/drawin...Y6wdaYoFbJU6VCQ/edit

Everyone but Grock is up!

As Grock doubled over the demon with his blows, Zakuryu kicked out the back of its other knee and forced it to kneel.  He nodded across the way to Dral, feeling no urgency to further dirty his blade...

ACTIONS:

• Move Action: Thug's Trick again
• Standard Action: Aid Attack, giving Dral +2 to his next attack roll.
• Minor Action: Clean his blade

Enemy	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:
Barlgura	6/108	I9	19	20	17	17	VULNERABLE 4/all, any PC who attacks it gains 4 temp hp, Resist 10 - fire. Savage howl(+2 to hit), double strike. Marked by Dral	BLOODIED, Iron2Glass (-3 m.dmg rolls)

Player	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:	AP/Surges
Roland	39/48	F10	21	16	16	22			AP:1, Surges:7/7
Dral	31/57	H9	20	19	18	19		Marking bargura. +2 to next attack	AP: 1, Surges:9/12
Zakuryu	35/49	K9	21	18	23	16		Granting Combat Advantage	AP: 0, Surges:6/7
Grock	46/46	F9	22	17	18	16		4 temp hp	AP: 1, Surges:8/9, SV: 12
Saskan	28/55	G10	18	18	15	20			AP: 0, Surges:2/6, SV: 6/7

MAP: https://docs.google.com/drawin...Y6wdaYoFbJU6VCQ/edit

Remaining players, you're up!

Dral moves to take advantage of the opening made by Zakuryu. His staff descends like a meteor on the demon's skull, leaving a noticeable dent. Yet the creature doesn't fall.

Dral moves forward then, walking up the wall that is the barlgura's body and landing bone-cracking footfalls with each step. His final step flattens the creature's ugly face and it topples sideways as Dral flips back to his feet.

He bows to Zakuryu.

---

Standard: 20:54, Today: Dral rolled 32 using 1d20+16.  Sure strike +16 vs. AC 19 of Barlgura. Hit.
20:55, Today: Dral rolled 5 using 1d8+3.  Sure strike damage. Barlgura marked.
Free: Centered flurry of blow. 5 damage.

Enemy	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:
Barlgura	-4/108	I9	19	20	17	17	VULNERABLE 4/all, any PC who attacks it gains 4 temp hp, Resist 10 - fire. Savage howl(+2 to hit), double strike. Marked by Dral	Dead, Iron2Glass (-3 m.dmg rolls)

Player	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:	AP/Surges
Roland	39/48	F10	21	16	16	22			AP:1, Surges:7/7
Dral	31/57	H9	20	19	18	19		Marking bargura. +2 to next attack	AP: 1, Surges:9/12
Zakuryu	35/49	K9	21	18	23	16		Granting Combat Advantage	AP: 0, Surges:6/7
Grock	46/46	F9	22	17	18	16		4 temp hp	AP: 1, Surges:8/9, SV: 12
Saskan	28/55	G10	18	18	15	20			AP: 0, Surges:2/6, SV: 6/7

MAP: https://docs.google.com/drawin...Y6wdaYoFbJU6VCQ/edit

As the foe falls to the ground in anguish it is as if the light flickers for a moment, and all becomes dark. The light appears again, and the beast has vanished, as if sucked and melted into the ground, leaving behind, dirt and blood where it was.

Before you stand the The Book of Wrath Unveiled - one of four things needed to proceed.
To your surprise, as you eye behind, the tieflings are gone.
To the right of the Altar the demonic chest stand, for which Zaku holds the key.
There is an eery silence all of a sudden, now the dust has settled and the exchange of steel is finished.

Saskan shudders in relief when the demon is slain. “Thank you for healing me. Where are...” He looks around and sees the bodies of his comrades and says, “No... they are all dead? Nothing can be done for them? I am not a healer. Far from it, but even I can see the death on them.”

He crumpled to the ground in anguish and was quiet for a moment before collecting himself and saying, “This place is awful. Are you here to put an end to the evil within? If so, can I join you? I am weary and wounded but I can go on for a time.”

Running a threadbare rag down the length of his blade, Zakuryu returned his sword to its sheath and let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank you for coming to my aid, friends.  I let my guard down after the victory in my duel.  I do not think I could have handled that foe alone.

Dral, that final blow was well struck. You should take pride in yourself, for I certainly do.  That monster clearly felt threatened by your prowess," he commended his fellow warrior.  The samurai dabbed away some of the blood running down his forehead with his rag, before tucking it away once more.

"Hail to you,  Dragonborn.  I am Zakuryu of House Mori.  I am a stranger to these lands,  but like yourself I had also lost companions attempting to explore this foul place before finding myself in present company.  I would say you are more than welcome to join us, but first let us collect the spoils of this fight before any other ills befall us..."

Turning towards his original objective, Zakuryu knelt down before the chest with key in hand, and attempted to open the container...

Anything inside?

Grock looked behind him and snorted when he didn’t see the tieflings. “Part of me thinks those two were merely observers or judges to size us up. They might have been cultists all along. I doubt we’ve seen the last of them.”