again, I will clean this post up later, wanted to get this up asap so you can respond,,,


Sam takes her sword and knock the prisoner out as the group starts to head upstairs.  The cultists did not have a key to the loading dock door, so again Talis has to take some time to open the door.

Loading Dock (Ground Floor)
The entirety of this first floor consists of a loading area. An opening in the ceiling into the floor above is filled with a tangle of ropes and slings for lowering timber. Nearby, a flight of stairs ascends to the next floor. Two sturdy wagons sit to the south, next to a bank of machinery accessed by four low doors; the grinding and creaking of the machinery fills the room.

The opening in the ceiling goes all the way to the top and the more perceptive people can see lights coming from the top floor.  Talis and Tanrov start scouting the next floor while the rest make sure there are no surprises on this floor.  There are none and the scout team indicates the next floor is clear.

Lumber Storage (First Floor)
While Talis and Tanrov stealth up to the next floor, the rest of the group checks out this floor.  This large storeroom is filled with stacks of timber, firewood, and other finished lumber products waiting for shipment. A network of pulleys on tracks covers the ceiling, ropes dangling here and there to aid in the shifting of inventory as needed. Machinery churns along the south wall, while nearby two chutes fitted with winches allow lumber to be hauled up from the holding pools below. Four openings in the ceiling lead to the upper floor; chutes extend through each of
these from the log splitters in the room above. Under each opening is a collection bin.

The sounds of chanting begin to get loud enough to hear over the noise of the log splitters that are operating on the floor above.
[Private to Logalog; Miriam; Zer-wedula:  It’s a ritual where a parent will sacrifice their child, calling upon dark forces to gain magical ability, and it's almost over.  You have only moments before....bad things happen.]


cultist on top (third) floor
Talis and Tanrov are on the second floor
rest on next first floor

[Private to Tanrov: There is an alarm spell on the way up, what do you want to do?  Use Private Line to respond]

Please repond with actions as well as statements.

[Private to GM:
Logsplitters and Managers office


(Top floor)Workshop and the Masters office, doubles as their sacrifical room]
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:34, Sat 10 Dec 2011.

"We should get up top as fast as we can to save the girl.  I can use spells to open locked doors.  We can deal with resistance once we stop the ritual," Zer-wedula added hopefully.

[Private to GM: Use Knock on any locked doors]

Holding onto Akihiro tightly, Sammiya rode him up the stairs, first one flight then the next.

Cat too feels the urge to stop the ritual. As they get ready to breach the door, she makes clear her intention to summon help to aid the fight.

Think I'll try a bear.

DM Edit: Cat could cast it from the floor she is on using Line-of-sight from the opening in the ceiling (the cargo shaft).  It has ropes and such hanging down it, but that doesn't interfere with line of sight spells.  Or she can move up and see what sort of situation there is before casting.  She could also cast while Murphis moves, but that would require a concentration check (1d20+level+wis vs dc 10+spell level)
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:21, Sun 11 Dec 2011.

[Private to GM: Tanrov will point out the alarm trap to Talis quietly so that he can try to disarm it.


Just in case we can't disarm the trap, Tanrov will whisper to Talis, "if we should alert the others about this and any other pitfalls we will come across along the way."  Tanrov will also stand guard while Talis disarms this and any other trap that we find along the way to the top.]PM
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:38, Sat 10 Dec 2011.

PM
[Private to GM: fff]

Zer-wedula casts shield the round before they enter the room.

"I recognize the ritual.  The girl must be related to one of the cult leaders - she's being sacrificed by her own blood to gain mystical power.  We have moments at best.", Miriam told the others as she climbed the steps.

Jan downs his mutagen and transforms with bone sickening crunches as his body re-shapes itself.

As his jaw breaks and reforms into a muzzle, Jan chomps down and rushes up the stairs with Miriam like a faithful dog.

OOC: It's a standard action to drink a mutagen, and it was in the wrist potion device.

[Private to GM:
I am going to try to keep track of various spells, hp, etc here.
Talis
Logalog
Jan
Miriam
Sammiya Koi & Akihiro
Catessa Fallowfield & Murphis
Tanrov
Zer-wedula]

---

“Round 0”
As the group jumps into action and starts dashing up the stairs they hear a voice from above, “Intruders Master” coming from a cultist looking over the edge of the cargo shaft.  The voice performing the ritual pauses and says in a voice that is creepy but compelling, “Kill them all.  Soon my daughter all that you could have been...shall be mine...”.  This is followed by the sound of people getting to their feet as the voice continues chanting.

Talis stops and uses his Dust of Disappearance (turning invisible)
 [Private to GM:           Talis 5 rounds]
Jan stops on the way up to drink and transform
Catessa Fallowfield & Murphis starts casting SNA3
Zer-wedula stops and casts Shield

As you arrive at the top floor you see many cultist standing on a thick layer of sawdust that covers the floor, mounded nearly a foot deep in places.  There are 4 braziers giving light to the room.  Workbenches, their surfaces cluttered with saws, hand drills, planers, and other woodworking tools, sit off in one corner of the room.

There are "20" cultist, all wearing masks (magical, see msg 34) and wielding (mw)war razors.  Then you realize they have just activated their Copycat ability as you arrived, so there are really only 10.  As Tanrov comes into view the Leader with the compelling voice says, “Don't kill the big one.  I have special plans for him.”  He is tall and thin (an elf most likely since Rynshinn Povalli is a halfelf with a human mother).  He has an evil looking war razor that is glowing black (from the ritual magic) in 1 hand poised over the poor girl.  She is heartbreakingly beautiful and is tied to a table.  She looks at Tanrov with a pleading look, "Help me Garth", but bravely doesn't scream.
Cultists
[Private to GM: 3rd level clerics, +2 str, + 12hp+13temp hp, 10dr vs fire, +1 Caster Level, To hit= +1morale+2bab+1strl +1 damage with weapons
+1 all saves, 2d6 channel neg energy

Got +1 0th; +1 1st; +2+1 2nd
Have 0th Stabilize
Used 2nd level spell Death Knell on the 1st level SM(riding dog)-lasts 20min
     2nd level spell Resist Fire, Aid]

This hideous mask resembles a patchwork deformed face, with one bulbous eye, a grimacing mouth of long teeth, and no noticeable nose.


Leader

This disturbing mask appears as a single long strip of pliant human skin, stitched into a widening spiral by black thread. Gaps between the stitching allow the wearer to see and breathe through the unsettling mask.


Rynshinn Povalli

This message was last edited by the GM at 17:59, Mon 12 Dec 2011.

[Private to GM: Is it okay if on the way up, Tanrov changed weapons: Scimitar for Guisarme.   Because the polearm has reach.]

AC;16      HP's:58

Upon entering the room Tanrov will charge into the fray, like a Roman Legionnaire, if he knew what one was.   Hearing that the head cultist has plans for him, Tanrov says in a loud enough voice that everyone can hear," STOP! THIS FIGHT IS BETWEEN YOU (pointing at the HEAD CULTIST) AND ME NOW, SO LEAVE THE YOUR DAUGHTER OUT OF THIS!"

[Private to GM: With the challenge voiced, maybe he'll take Tanrov up on a duel, if not then T/G will have to do it the hard way.]
This message was last edited by the player at 01:31, Tue 13 Dec 2011.

AC 19 HP: 48/48

Miriam will move up behind Talis and Tanrov, leaving space for others to follow after her.  As soon as she can, she'll attempt to stop the cult leader in a different fashion, weaving a spell to hopefully hold him in place, at least long enough for her allies to act.

OOC: Casting hold person on the leader, DC 17 Will save

ac18 hp48

Talis will wait until the wizards have a chance to use area spells before he advances to threaten as many of the cultist as he can.

AC 15, hp 50

Zer-wedula moves until he has line of sight up into the top floor then casts Summon Monster III.

[Private to DM: Zer-wedula will summon a crocodile]

Still gripping tightly to Akihiro's back, Sammiya rode him up the stair as fast as possible, even squeezing past her companions where necessary. Once at the top she sat up straight on Akihiro's back and drew her katana. With so many enemies before her, Sammiya charged straight in with Akihiro under her and her sword flashing.

Sammiya Koi rolled 14,5 using d20+8,d20+3. Sammi attacks the closest cultist.
Sammiya Koi rolled 7 using 1d6+3. Maybe damage on att 1.
Akihiro rolled 16,18 using d20+7,d20+7. Bite attack & Trip check if hit.
Akihiro rolled 5 using 1d6+4. Damage.

[Private to DM: Sorry, I know my posts suck recently. Even if it may not seem it sometimes, I greatly appreciate your maps.]
This message was last edited by the player at 19:26, Fri 16 Dec 2011.

Cat will ride Murph to the top of the stair, then access the situation, letting others in first. In the mean time, she sends the bear in after weaker targets,

As soon as he lays eyes on the cultists all grouped together, Logalog almost impulsively throws a fireball like a giant fly swatter.  The room is to small, though. There's only one spot in the room he could cast fireball without burning his companions to crispy little bits. Logalog will instead attempt to move forward into the corner of the room opposite the stairs and then cast Magic Missile on three different targets to help knock out some of the death cult illusions.

[Private to GM:
I am going to try to keep track of various spells, hp, etc here.
Talis Darkvision
Logalog Mage Armor
Jan
Miriam 31/48
Sammiya Koi & Akihiro -5
Catessa Fallowfield & Murphis
Tanrov Darkvision, magic circle vs evil
Zer-wedula Mage Armor]

---

Round 1
Logalog moves and casts magic missle at 3 different targets (#8, 9, 10).  As luck would have it, he hits and dispels 3 images.

Jan’s transformation seems to take longer than normal…

Miriam targets the leader, who freezes in mid-chant…
  Miriam, you are very lucky

Talis moves forward and is invisible…
[Private to GM:  Talis invisible 4 rounds
Readies action to attack first bad guy to move]

Sammiya Koi & Akihiro comes riding in like a little whirlwind of flashing steel and teeth.  The targeted cultist(#10), without the image to help, gets hit by both halfling and dog, and the dog trips him.
[Private to GM:  Bleed for 6 dam unless healed]

There is no bear on the SNA3 list, but a leopard seems appropriate.
Catessa Fallowfield & Murphis finishes her spell and a leopard appears on the the edge of the cargo shaft.  Then she rides up the stairs toward the battle.  The Leopard pounces on a Cultist (#7) and bears him down to the floor and starts chewing his face off.  The cultist is still alive and fighting back.

Tanrov takes advantage of his polearms reach and attacks the Cultist (#7) that the leopard has grappled, hitting.  But the cultist is still alive and kicking.

Zer-wedula moves and starts to cast his spell.

The Leader manages to shake off the effects of Miriams spell, (which is a full round action).  He looks at Miriam and Tanrov, “Damn, now I’ll have to start that cycle over.  You have meddled in Father Skinsaw’s business for the last time Miriam.  I will kill you just like I did your old Master.  As for you Garth, I’ll take care of you, and then I shall have a double sacrifice!”.

From a location next to the Leader  a voice says, “The halfling was right my Master, they did escape.”  While the words are respectful, the tone is not.  From the same location 2 arrows suddenly materialize and head toward Miriam, but The Manager stays invisible.  Miriam takes 17 damage from 1 arrow.  The other arrow barely misses.
Since he is invisible, he gets sneak attack damage.
[Private to GM:  Manager invisible 4 rounds]

Cultist 2 reaches out and touches the leopard, which starts bleeding…

Cultist 3 reaches out and touches the leopard, which starts bleeding, then he takes a step forward and an invisible spear reaches out from Talis and catches the real cultist.  He has a nasty wound that looks like it will continue to bleed.
[Private to GM: Bleeding 3]

Cultist 1 moves forward and reaches out and touches the leopard, which starts bleeding…

Cultist 4 takes a 5’ step back and casts Commanding at Sam, “Approach”
Will dc13 or “On its turn, the subject moves toward you as quickly and directly as possible for 1 round. The creature may do nothing but move during its turn, and it provokes attacks of opportunity for this movement as normal..”
[Private to GM:  Used Command]

Cultist 5 concentrates and defensively casts Command at Zer, “Fall”
Will dc13 or “On its turn, the subject falls to the ground and remains prone for 1 round. It may act normally while prone but takes any appropriate penalties...”  If Zer fails and falls prone, make a Concentration check dc to keep casting his spell.
[Private to GM:  Used Command]

Cultist 7 tries to get off a Bleeding Touch in a desperate gamble to prevent his face from being eaten by a leopard.  Alas, he did not take Tanrov and Talis into account and they both take advantage of his lapse to attack, and hit.  The cultist dies with no chance to even know it was coming.

Cultist 6 reaches out and touches the leopard, which dies and vanishes back from whence it came…

Cultist 8 concentrates for a moment and then moves forward 5” and uses Bleeding Touch on Sam, hitting and doing 5 damage with a touch.  The wound continues to bleed…

Cultist 9 casts a spell at Tanrov, Commanding him to “Flee”
Will dc13 or “On its turn, the subject moves away from you as quickly as possible for 1 round. It may do nothing but move during its turn, and it provokes attacks of opportunity for this movement as normal.”
[Private to GM:  Used Command]

Cultist10 stands up, giving Sammiya Koi & Akihiro Aoo, both hit, but the cultist keeps on coming.  He concentrates and reaches out to touch the dog, but Sam’s skill at riding causes him to miss.
[Private to GM: 3rd level clerics, +2 str, + 12hp+13temp hp, 10dr vs fire, +1 Caster Level, To hit= +1morale+2bab+1strl +1 damage with weapons
+1 all saves, 2d6 channel neg energy

Got +1 0th; +1 1st; +2+1 2nd
Have 0th Stabilize
Used 2nd level spell Death Knell on the 1st level SM(riding dog)-lasts 20min
     2nd level spell Resist Fire, Aid]


Tactical Situation
9 Cultists with War razors out
1 invisible Manager shooting arrows from next to Leader
Leader, who has a dagger out


                 dam       status
Leader
Manager                   invisible
Cultist 1                  CC(1 copycat image)
       2                   CC
       3          18       CC, bleeding
       4                   CC
       5                   CC
       6                   CC
       7          67       So Obviously Dead
       8
       9
      10         24        prone


Everyone may Post;
<Please include the following at the top of you post in orange-

Name AC x ;HP CURRENT/TOTAL>
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:46, Tue 20 Dec 2011.

AC 15, HP: 50/50
20:51, Today: Zer-wedula rolled 18 using 1d20+5. Will save.


Zer-wedula feels some paltry effect waft over him but is able to ignore it.  He continues his spell, and will place the crocodile he is summoning between the caster who targeted him and the girl.

Sammiya Koi AC 21;HP 52/52

Sammiya felt the inner nudge to approach cultist 4 but she shook it off and glared at that cultist. She would attend to him later, for now cultist 10 gained her attention after he got up and attacked her dog. Evading his attack on Akihiro, Sammiya slashed at the man's gut while nudging Akihiro to attack with her knees.


Sammiya Koi:
rolled 21 using 1d20+6. Will save.
rolled 12,21 using d20+8,d20+3. Sammiya attacks.
rolled 9,5 using d6+3,d6+3. Maybe damages.

Akihiro:
rolled 12,12 using d20+7,d20+7. Akihiro attack & Trip check if
rolled 8 using 1d6+4. Maybe damage.

Jan AC 18+2 ;HP 36/36

Jan's wet wolfish nose leaked blood as he felt his organs burn, his heart straining to keep up. He had transformed more over the last few days then he had in the last month. His body was starting to feel the pain of so many forced changes. It was a glorious pain, he rode it as his knees and paws snapped into place and he made his way up the stairs and towards the battle.

He ignores any attempts to attack him as he thumps past his comrades. When in place, he would pounce on the cultist to the West.(I am moving to the second unoccupied square in front of Sammiya and attacking the cultist to her diagonial downward left.)

---
<Orange>22:57, Today: Jan Harlow rolled 5,8,10 using 1d6+3,1d6+3,1d8+3. Claw, Claw, Bite Damage.
22:56, Today: Jan Harlow rolled 20,24,20 using 1d20+7,1d20+7,1d20+7. Claw, Claw, Bite. </Orange>
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:40, Tue 20 Dec 2011.

8 on save, fail

Instead of staying up, Tanrov goes down the stairs, "Bye, I'll be back."


Realizing that I should ignore the compulsion spell, Tanrov will turn around and move 5' in front of Sam and next to Talis.   Dropping his guisarme after attacking once the cultist in front of where Log once was.  Pulling out his scimitar in preparation for the next round where Tanrov's Dazzling display feat will come into play.  "I'm BAAAACK".

AC: 16  HP's: 56
Rolled 19 to hit and 13 points of damage
This message was last edited by the player at 02:14, Tue 20 Dec 2011.

ac18 hp48

     Eyeing the opening in front of him, Talis debates moving forward into the ranks of the enemy, however, then he remembers that Dust of Disappearance, isn't all that reliable.  As an involuntary shudder moves through him at the memory of 4 cultists ripping a leopard apart with a mere touch.
     Muttering to himself "Maybe discretion is the better part of valor." Talis will attack the cultist in front of Tanrov clearing up room for Jan to move into the room.
     Talis rolls 24 to hit, and 27 pts of sneak attack damage.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:51, Tue 20 Dec 2011.

LOGALOG AC 17 HP 40

Logalog seizes the opportunity to occupy Tanrov's previous spot and casts Burning Hands. Hopefully the burning smell of cultist will overpower the odor of evil hanging in the room.


15:25, Today: DM, on behalf of Logalog, rolled 22 using 5d4+10. Burning Hands damage DC15 for half.
15:22, Today: DM, on behalf of Logalog, rolled 25 using 1d20+14. Cast defensive concentration check

AC 19 HP: 44/48

"How unfortunate for you.  I'd offer my condolences, but we both know how sincere those would be.  And don't be so certain - I have a lot more friends this time around.", Miriam replied to the cult leader, though she was thrown a little off her game a moment later by being perforated by an arrow.  Shifting back into healing mode, she began to channel energy to heal herself and anyone else on her side who'd been injured.

OOC: 14:26, Today: Miriam rolled 13 using 3d6. Channel. (Leaving out the 2 injured cultists)