Ren soared over the heads of the embattled wights and descended on angelic wing to confront Haruman alongside Elsbeth. Zariel's sword flared brilliantly in his grasp as he plunged it into the general's flank and reared back to strike again.

Move to engage
1) Hits AC 25 for 34 damage (level 1 smite; includes 27 radiant); Also Haruman must make a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or be blinded until the end of his next turn (searing Radiance)
2) Hits AC 15 which I'm going to guess is a miss
R) Ren has four possible reactions (below). Use as appropriate.

- Aura of the Guardian
When a creature within 10 ft. of you takes damage, you can use your reaction to magically take that damage instead.
- Bountiful Luck
When an ally you can see within 30 ft. of you rolls a 1 on the d20 for an attack roll, an ability check, or a saving throw, you can use your reaction to let the ally reroll the die. The ally must use the new roll, and you can’t use your Lucky racial trait before the end of your next turn.
- Counterspell (level 3)
- Shield Master Evasion
If an effect allows half damage on success, you can use your reaction to take no damage.

quote:

Searing Radiance. The sword deals an extra 9 (2d8) radiant damage to any creature it hits, or 16 (3d10) radiant damage if you’re wielding the weapon with two hands. An evil creature that takes this radiant damage must succeed on a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or be blinded until the end of its next turn.

11:31, Today: Sir Ren Hawthorne rolled 34 using 6d8+5 with rolls of 2,8,1,3,7,8.  Damage.

11:29, Today: Sir Ren Hawthorne rolled 15 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 8.  Attack.

11:29, Today: Sir Ren Hawthorne rolled 25 using 2d20+7, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 4,18.  Attack.

With a dismissive gesture Lady Caprice banished the dreadful energy Haruman summoned around his blade.  She scoffed, "You are rather tedious, Haruman.  One wonders if Zariel will retain you when you come crawling back after we've destroyed you for a second time."  From the Demon Grinder's turret Caprice launched forth twin bolts of chromatic force that punched craters in the death knight's blackened armor!

---

• Eldritch Blast!
  1. First attack with advantage hits 23 AC for 6 force damage
  2. Second attack hits 22 AC fir 11 force damage
• Standing ready with Misty Escape if hit, or Counterspell if Haruman tries to cast something!

11:55, Today: Caprice Nathaire rolled 6,11 using d10+5,d10+5.  Eldritch damages.
11:55, Today: Caprice Nathaire rolled 22 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 13.  Eldritch Blast attack 2.
11:55, Today: Caprice Nathaire rolled 23 using 2d20+9, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 7,14.  Eldritch Blast attack 1 (advantage).

Concentration Checks as a Fighter?!?!  Vs DC15, 10, 10.  Rolled 26, 15, 21.  I believe that means all successful so she keeps Spirit Guardians up.

If any live to tell the tale, Elsbeth would probably become one of those awe-inspiring stories to future Hell Riders.  Not too big.  Not too strong.  The female warrior never-the-less engaged the likes of Haruman and Yeenoghu in battle.  She paid the price physically for such stupidity, but carried on regardless.

This time was no different.  She took three mighty blows.  Haruman's sword followed the necromantic magic and only her adrenaline had saved her from being down.  So once again she was staring death in the face.  If this was her last moment, she would go down fighting.

Elsbeth clencher her jaw and came at him.  She didn't have the enhanced strength from their first engagement, but she felt the tactics would play out the same.

"You took a vow to protect Elturel."  He sword flashed forward toward his wrist looking to disarm him.

"Dragging it to Hell isn't protection."  She stepped in with a shoulder followed by a thrust.

"Oathbreaker."  She spun and slashed at his wrists.

"You should be on those spears."  The last slash of her combo came in against his helm.



Bonus: Trigger Du'Crey Sword (+10temp HPs and Advantage for round)

Action: Attack (Maneuver save DC14)
 Attack1 (Disarming Attack) 27 for 16 damage and Str save or be disarmed
 Attack2 (Disarming Attack or Pushing Attack if successfully Disarmed) 21 for 16 damage and STR save or be disarmed or pushed 15ft if already disarmed

Free: Action Surge

Action: Attack
 Attack3 (Disarm or Push) 22 for 19 damage and STR save or be disarmed or pushed 15ft is already disarmed
 Attack4 (Disarm or Push) 26 for 20 damage and STR save or disarm/push

Goal is to disarm and then push him 15ft away from sword.  Sentinel should lock him down so he can't easily retrieve it.  If any miss, use Battle maneuver for Precision instead of Disarm/Push to increase chance to hit instead of added damage.

When Spirit Guardians triggers (Wis Save or 21 damage)

AC 19  HP 6/73 +10Temp
 BONUS ACTION: Extra melee attack if Crit or Drop enemy to 0hps
1/1 Human Determination, gain Advantage - Short Rest
1/5 Battle Master Maneuvers (d10) - Short Rest
 REACTION: Riposte, Sentinel
0/1 Second Wind, Heal 1d10+10, Bonus Action - Short Rest
0/1 Action Surge, +1 Action - Short Rest
0/1 Sword of Du'Crey - Long Rest
0/1 SoD Spirit Guardians - Long Rest
2/3 Lucky 3/3 - Long Rest
1/1 Indomitable - Reroll Save - Long Rest
10/10 Healing Dice - Long Rest (restore 1/2 with long rest)
0/1 Inspiration
1/1 Circlet of Blasting (Next Dawn)

Concentrating on Spirit Guardians

Elsbeth Du'Crey rolled 26,7,21 using D20+6,d20+6,d20+6 with rolls of 20,1,15.  Concentration Check.
Elsbeth Du'Crey rolled 15 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 9.  Luck reroll.
Elsbeth Du'Crey rolled 24,27 using d20+8,d20+8 with rolls of 16,19.  Attack1 with Advantage.
Elsbeth Du'Crey rolled 15 using 2d6+4 with rolls of 6,5.  Attack1.
Elsbeth Du'Crey rolled 1 using 1d10 with rolls of 1.  Disarming Attack1.
Elsbeth Du'Crey rolled 21,18,6 using d20+8,d20+8,2d6+4 with rolls of 13,10,1,1.  Attack2.
Elsbeth Du'Crey rolled 10 using 1d10 with rolls of 10.  Disarm or Pushing Attack2.
Elsbeth Du'Crey rolled 22,18,11 using d20+8,d20+8,2d6+4 with rolls of 14,10,2,5.  Attack3.
Elsbeth Du'Crey rolled 8 using 1d10 with rolls of 8.  Disarm or Pushing Attack3.
Elsbeth Du'Crey rolled 26,17,12 using d20+8,d20+8,2d6+4 with rolls of 18,9,3,5.  Attack4.
Elsbeth Du'Crey rolled 8 using 1d10 with rolls of 8.  Disarm or Pushing Attack4

Elsbeth Du'Crey rolled 21 using 3d8 with rolls of 7,6,8.  Spirit Guardians.

This message was last edited by the player at 01:09, Fri 30 Apr 2021.

Caprice and Darkwing continued peppering Haruman with blast and bow as the Hellriders routed the death knight's retinue of wights. The tormented wails of the already-dead filled the air as the ghosts formed ranks and rode them down.

Borne aloft by angelic wings, Ren rose above the fray and swooped down towards Haruman with blazing Sword of Zariel held high, the blade burning with all the goodness and holiness of which the noble halfling was possessed.

The disgraced Hellrider merely sneered and raised his own dark sword, intercepting the attack above his head with so much force that Ren barely managed to keep his feet after crashing to the ground. "Pathetic," Haruman observed as he loomed over the halfling. "You may wield her sword, but that does not make you her equal. She cast the sword aside because she no longer needed it. Because her greatness comes from within, from the force of her spirit."

"Hey!" Lulu, who had been hovering nearby after casting her spell on Elsbeth, flew fearlessly between Haruman and Ren. "I knew her better than anyone. And I know Ren. I know that when it comes to courage, he is every bit her equal. And his wisdom far exceeds hers. Which far exceeds yours, you... you... traitor to the light!"

"Oh be quiet, Lulu!" Haruman harrumphed, swatting idly at the hollyphant with his shield.

In so doing, he left himself exposed to Elsbeth's blade, which lit into him with such fury it was all he could do to maintain his grip on his own weapon as she carved time and again into his black armor.

"No!" he roared, and seeing too late the danger, raised a finger to banish the knight he'd moments ago intended to duel. The spell fizzled on his lips, however, overwhelmed by Caprice's magic.

One by one, the Hellriders struck down their undead opponents and moved to stand by Elsbeth's side, lending their strength to that of their champion. She continued to hack at Haruman, tearing through armor and burnt flesh until he was nothing but a ragged husk before her.

"Forgive me, my Queen," he whispered a prayer of contrition to Zariel. "I have failed you."

Ren, you can save that smite - he used his Parry reaction on your attack.

He rolled well to succeed on all four Strength checks and it looked like he would survive the round with 3HP, then I remembered the Spirit Guardians was active and he got a Nat 1 on that save.

Elsbeth, would you like to narrate the killing blow?

12:35, Today: Dungeon Master, for the NPC Haruman, rolled 24 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 19.  strength save.
12:35, Today: Dungeon Master, for the NPC Haruman, rolled 23 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 18.  strength save.
12:34, Today: Dungeon Master, for the NPC Haruman, rolled 22 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 17.  strength save.
12:34, Today: Dungeon Master, for the NPC Haruman, rolled 20 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 15.  strength save.

Bless you Lulu.  Elsbeth didn’t waste a blink when he opened his guard to swing at their guide.  She knew it was tactical errors like that that decided a battle.  She had a moment of doubt as he still stood after her combo completed.  That’s when the ghostly Hellriders moved in.

“You have been judged Haruman... and found wanting.”  She delivered a final thrust herself and kicked the breastplate to the side as she stood there ... barely.  Her sword came down to touch the ground and provide extra support.  She found Caprice and gave a nod of thanks knowing the results would have been quit different has she no intervened.

Held up by a sense of duty more than her own body, she turned to face Zariel.  In pain but determined, Elsbeth would see Elturel safe or die trying.

Hp 6, +10 temp hp

Concentrating on Spirit Guardians
This message was last edited by the player at 12:14, Mon 03 May 2021.

With the undead scourge defeated and the Demon Grinder incapacitated, the party abandoned the war machine and walked the final distance across the wasteland toward the angel Zariel. Wings and cloaks fluttered majestically behind them in the hot winds of Avernus, while overhead comets streaked the sky and the city of Elturel was borne ever closer to the river Styx by chains of infernal iron.

Zariel, noticing the party's approach, threw off the demons surrounding her and turned towards them. Her skin was pale and hairless, giving her face a skeletal appearance, and her eyes were sunken and dark. Two red wings blazed behind her. When she saw her old sword, she realized who she was dealing with.

"You're too late," she said. "The city of Elturel resides in Avernus now, as does its citizens. They swore their loyalty to me, and this is where my fight is. This is where they are needed."

Ren alighted beside Elbeth and Caprice, Zariel's blade burning brightly in his hand. He gazed up at the fallen angel placidly. "To what end?" he asked.

"You asked me a question. Although I suspect you don't remember, or probably even know who I am. But you and I spoke once before in a memory."

"You told me that Yeenoghu slaughtered those you swore to protect, and that you could stop him and others like him but that it might cost you everything. You wanted to know if I too would give up everything were I in your place to save the lives of others."

Ren offered a sad smile and small shake of his head.

"My answer doesn't matter. You made your choice long before it was given. But now that you've had a lifetime to reflect, I would turn the question back to you."

"Was it worth it?" Ren turned his gaze from Zariel's gaunt features to the equally pockmarked face of Avernus. He gestured towards the blood stained fields and fiery skies with his blade. The Blood War raged around them, the furnaces of Avernus stoked with the very souls Zariel had long ago sworn to defend.

"Your bargain. Your victories. Your defeats. Have you stemmed the tide as you so intended? Have you saved any lives? Protected those you swore an oath to protect? Have you brought honor to those followers who gave everything in your name?" he continued quietly.

"I am not here to stand in judgement, but to carry on your mission. The one you swore in Mount Celestia, before ever you set foot in this accursed place. Its not too late, Zariel. Its never too late to do the right thing."

As Ren concluded his speech, Olanthius stepped forward and kneeled before Zariel. "I followed you once, inspired by your dreams for a better world, and your dedication to protecting the people of Elturel. I believe that dream and that dedication are still alive within you." The Hellriders cheered behind him.

Then Lulu flew up. "When you turned away from the light, I lost all faith. But brave Sir Ren and honorable Lady Du'Crey and... and fabulous Lady Nathaire and even that bat-costume guy who drives the Demon Grinder, they gave me hope. And now I'm hopeful that you will find it in your heart to save Elturel, just as these people have."

Ren, make a Persuasion check. The DC starts 25, but it's reduced by 5 for having each of Lulu and Olanthius with you, so it is now 15.

Spent inspiration. This seemed like an important check to make. I also entered the modifier presuming I could use Emissary of Peace but I realised when I went to check it off that I'd already used Rebuke the Violent so I don't have the channel divinity slot for this feature. The correct modifier should be +9 then instead of 14. Ren's total score is 25.

14:22, Today: Sir Ren Hawthorne rolled 30 using 2d20+14, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 11,16.  Persuasion (inspiration).
This message was last edited by the player at 18:27, Sat 08 May 2021.

Zariel's trembling hand reacheed toward the gleaming hilt of her sword. Her fingers brushed against it, and she grimaced as radiant light seared her flesh. As her grip tightened, she gasped in pain, then spoke an oath through tears of confusion, sorrow, and dawning joy.

"I, Zariel, supplicate myself before the holy light of justice. If it should accept me, I vow to take up this blade once more in its service."

The archdevil's words hung in the air for a silent moment, and she glanceed upward in agonized uncertainty. Then Zariel was bathed in a brilliant wash of radiant light. Her fiery halo disappeared, and feathers burst from her leathery wings. All of her diabolical features vanished as her angelic form was restored. At the sight of this blessed transformation, Lulu gasped in delight and transformed into a celestial mammoth with golden fur, feathered wings, and gleaming tusks.

Zariel spread her wings soared and above Elturel to within reach of the corrupted Companion. She closed her eyes, raised her sword above her head, took a deep, centering breath, and brought the blade down. The Companion exploded in a flash of light and sound, and the planetar trapped within emerged and began lifting the city up and away from the river Styx, shattering the infernal chains at it came.

Zariel swooped back down to where the party stood. "If you intend to return to the Material Plan, I believe your ride is leaving."

With Haruman and the Demon Grinder destroyed, four people and a hollyphaunt approached Zariel in the midst of an infernal army at her command.  It would likely be their end, Lady Caprice thought, unless they could persuade the Lord of the First otherwise.  It was the angelic Sir Ren who was first to answer the archdevil’s challenge, and his call to redemption paired with the holy sword made for a powerful argument.  Incredibly, Zariel herself swore herself to return to the light, and some celestial power saw fit to grant forgiveness.


Lady Caprice looked out over the eternal conflict between demons and devils and reflected on the opportunity before her.  After a long pause, she had decided.  “The throne of Avernus sits empty, waiting for the one ambitious and bloodthirsty enough to claim it...”  She put on a smirk and announced, “Good riddance to Hell.  Shall we go home, darlings?”

Ren knelt beside Olanthius to present the blade on open palm. As Zariel turned back from shattering the companion his gaze turned towards upwards along the path of the ascending city. "There is one favour I might ask first..." he said, unbuckling the Hidden Lord. He offered the shield up to Zariel. "We would not have made it to your side without the aid of the one trapped within."

"If an angel can fall, perhaps a devil can rise."

Elsbeth stood unsteadily, ready and determined.  She didn't intervene as Ren made his plea to Zariel.  Others closer to her added their peace and a miraculous scene played out in front of her.  The fallen angel was restored.

She fell to her knees and tears flowed unbidden.  It was beyond what she had hoped for.  The sight would be imprinted on her memory for the rest of her life.  The restoration of Elturel's protector.  The freeing of the planetar.  The rise of Elturel.  She would remember this moment in times of stress and remember no mater how bad things got, they could always be redeemed.

She was more than ready to return home.

Demon! Gargauth corrected the halfling, sounding insulted. Bro, I'm a demon.

Zariel smiled. "Gargauth. The Hidden Lord, as he styles himself. No, I do not think I will be freeing him. I may be a devil no longer, but I still have no love for demons."

Oh, come on, bro. You thought Zariel would free me? Why didn't you just do it yourself before you gave her the sword? Oh. Oh, I see. You never intended to free me. Some paladin you are. As if I've been anything but loyal to you. Guided you all the way through Avernus. Spat fireballs at your command. And this is how you repay me?

Bro, you've got to convince her. Change her mind. If you can talk her into abdicating the throne of Avernus, surely you can convince her of this. I've been your loyal servant, bro.

"If not for him, then for those who follow behind," Ren petitioned. "His prison will fall from my hand eventually. It is an inevitability. And another will retrieve it. There is no place I can hide him away where this will not be true."

"I have borne him into Hell and emerged with my soul unblemished. Let me be the last."

Ren's last ditch effort. Persuasion 13, unless the argument is compelling enough to grant advantage (or someone else add's a word of support to similar effect) in which case 24.

11:15, Today: Sir Ren Hawthorne rolled 24 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 15.  (Advantage?).
11:15, Today: Sir Ren Hawthorne rolled 13 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 4.  Persuasion.

Elsbeth has no support for a demon lord.  She is quiet.

Lady Caprice suppressed a groan as Sir Ren suggested to redeem Gargauth the imprisoned demon lord.  She glanced to the miniature angel and smiled, "Your kindness and loyalty are most admirable, Sir Ren, but Zariel is correct.  There are beings that are neither worthy nor capable of redemption, and this lord of demons is an exemplification of that fact.  Demons are elementals of chaotic destruction, and are wholly evil by their very nature.  Gargauth helped our cause not out of loyalty but because he was compelled to do so by the terms of his imprisonment."

She crossed her arms and added, "Should you release him, he will go on to murder multitudes over the coming months, years, and millenia.  Their blood would be on your hands, Sir Ren.  Our blood would be on your hands, for he would begin with us."

Ren allowed his hands to fall, the weight of the Hidden Lord upon them. "It seems as though the tribunal has rendered judgement, Gargauth. You remain my burden for now and for so however long I retain the strength in my arms to carry you."

Gargauth snapped as this final ray of hope vanished. ~Burden, bro? Burden?!?! I'm a god damn pit fiend! A master of the infernal realms, forced to do the bidding of some half-pint half-wit? You're the burden, bro. You're the burden.~

Lulu, now a full-sized golden mammoth, knelt to allow the party to climb aboard her, then flew them up to the newly-liberated city. They arrived just in time for Elturel to lift up away from the Styx, shimmer, and vanish through a planar door back to the Prime Material.

It reappeared in its familiar location, with the Chionthar River shining like a golden road stretching all the way to Baldur's Gate and the sea beyond. The scent of morning dew cut through the odor of smoke, brimstone, and rot still clinging to the city's stones.

Slowly, the people of Elturel made their way out from their hiding places to stand in the light of the mortal world once more. All eyes focused on Zariel where she stood, sword in hand. The planetar that raised Elturel out of Avernus knelt before her.

The no angel strode toward the party, bowing her head in solemn gratitude. "This dark chapter has at last come to an end, and it is a brighter end than I ever dared to hope for. Thank you. Your selflessness will live on in my memory forever."

"And in mine!" Lulu said, beaming.

Zariel's tone turned somber. "You have made an enemy of Asmodeus this day. We have that in common now. I wish you strength and good fortune."

~You've made an enemy of Gargauth, too!~ the telepathic voice informed the party.

Zariel inclined her head, unfurled her wings, and soared into the sky. Lulu wrapped the entire party up in a massive hug with her trunk, then smiled warmly and said, "We will see each other again. Someday."

"Oh, Lulu," Ren said, leaning into the mammoth's soft golden fur and closing his eyes. "Sometimes, in our lives we all have pain. We all have sorrow. But if we are wise, we know that there is always tomorrow."

"So it is said."

Lulu leaned her massive head on Ren's shoulder.

Elsbeth could scarcely believe she was home.  She inhaled deeply through her nose and wanted to cry out of joy.  The stench of the abyss was gone.  The acrid air that had burned her lungs no longer a common entity.  The sun!  The real sun felt warm on her face.

She had resigned herself to the likelihood of dying down there.  Somehow, against the odds, they had succeeded.  She smiled at Zariel and then nodded at her warning.  Lulu’s hug was welcome and she replied, “Anytime.”

The Hellrider looked over the city.  It would require lots of work.  She didn’t think the people would mind though.  But that would be a task for tomorrow.  Right now she wanted to take off her armor, relax on real grass and let the nightmare of the previous days fade to history.  She looked forward to some boring peace and quiet.

Ren pulled away at last and looked up at Zariel. They two shared more than the enmity of Asmodeus now. In claiming Zariel's sword, however briefly, he had forever been transformed by her memory.

"Are you returning to Mount Celestia?" he asked. "I should like to go. After my work here is done."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:00, Fri 14 May 2021.

"I will go wherever I am needed. Wherever Zariel is needed. And I am sure you will end up where you are needed as well. Farewell, heroes."

The golden mammoth then flapped her wings and soared into the sky, her silhouette dwindling until it was swallowed by sunlight.

Lady Caprice surveyed the glory of Elturel from the back of the flying golden mammoth, and breathed fresh air again at long last.  She could not help but laugh at the sheer relief and beauty of the moment.  They set down before Zariel, and Caprice stroked Lulu’s gilded fur before approaching the newly-returned angel.  She performed a courtly curtsey in response to the expression of gratitude, but could not help but smirk when she was accused of selflessness of all things.  Lady Caprice answered breezily, “I can claim no such purity of motive, but I was fortunate to have virtuous counsel.”  She smiled at Sir Ren, Elsbeth and Lulu.  “Without companions of such quality I surely would have been consumed by the wicked pull of Avernus and made a part of that dreadful eternal strife.  If Asmodeus takes issue with us, he is welcome to try his luck.  We will be ready.”

After returning Lulu’s delightfully fuzzy hug and watching Zariel ascend to the heavens, Lady Caprice looked out over the emerging people of Elturel.  She smiled and strode away from the group, then vanished in a colorful swirl of sparkles that burst outward with a thunderclap!  Caprice reappeared before the towering gates of the High Hall and addressed the people with a magically-amplified voice, “Heed, citizens of Elturel!  The long night has ended at last, and a new day dawns upon this fair city.  We have endured much hardship, and have lost many friends and loved ones.  There will be time to mourn and a time to rebuild together, but not today.”

Lady Caprice raised lacy-gloved hands in a showy gesture and her triumphant proclamation rang out across the city, “Today we celebrate the dawning of a new age for Elturel.  Today, we celebrate life!  Welcome home!”  She performed a graceful bow to the cheering crowds, and in that moment was content.