The undead knight weathered the heavy hits coming from every direction, stumbling slightly as Patagogi's sword cut into it, but not otherwise showing much reaction as it's armor was blasted apart.  Instead, it simply cocked it's head and listened to the party's movement around it.  Grave knights have keen senses, and Lord Olinescu could see it's end approaching.

"Lord Baphomet."  It intoned quietly, trying to steady itself as the blows rained down.  "Claim my soul.  Make a beast of me, that I may hunt and kill and die once more within the Ivory Labyrinth."

With this, it seemed to make a decision.  The Knight launched itself towards Puck, swinging a mailed fist towards the wounded hunter with all of it's failing might.  "I OFFER YOU THIS FINAL SACRIFICE!"  The deadly slam passed by Puck's upside-down head by mere inches.

LORD OLINESCU
MOVE     : Move to G17, provoking AoO's from those around him.
STANDARD : Slam attack directed at Puck. 29 on the attack roll for 22 damage, but misses due to concealment.




08:37, Today: Gorum rolled 33,29,22 using d100,d20+14,1d4+20.  Power slam vs Puck.  High hits.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:14, Mon 13 June 2022.

As the undead knight was disarmed, Veana pushed the attack in an attempt to overcome her foe once and for all. Drawing her sword once more, she lunged towards the enemy, thrusting with her blade and trying to follow up by taking another bite out of him. However, the grave knight's plate proved too effective this time around, deflecting both her steel and lupine fangs.

OOC: AoO misses. So do my attacks...gotta start rolling better than this!

13:29, Today: Veana rolled 15,10 using d20+11,1d6+8.  Bite attack vs GK (smite bonuses applied).
13:29, Today: Veana rolled 21,18 using d20+16,1d8+12.  Longsword attack vs GK (smite bonuses applied).
13:28, Today: Veana rolled 17,16 using d20+16,1d8+12.  AoO vs Grave Knight.

With a snarl, and totally not a whimper and Puck absolutely did not piss himself from this near-death experience, elf hunter pulled out a longspear while trying to evade the undead knight, and stabbed forwards.

OOC:Move action to E16 (ceiling), while sheating all weapons. Quickdraw Longspear+1.
Standard Action, stab Lord Olinescu while trying to get Flaniking Bonus from Veana. And provide her with one, too.

Puck missed, vs AC 15, causing no damage.


19:46, Today: Puck rolled 15 using 1d20+6.  Stab Lord Olinescu.

Patagogi had given the Lord quite the hit last round and it ran away from him.  Pursuing his prey Patagogi moved 5ft and swung his blade once more to little effect.

Move to I18
Attack which missed like everyone else so far. :(
23:48, Today: Patagogi rolled 16,18 using 1d20+14,2d4+11.  attack and damage.
I am now up to 34HP
This message was last edited by the player at 20:09, Mon 13 June 2022.

"Could you please just die!" yelled Koyrai before casting yet another Magic Missile at Lord Olinescu. His spell managed to pierce the undead's defenses yet again and chip away at its vitality. Koyrai then ducked behind the nearby wall for cover just in case some deadly retaliation was aimed his way.

Pebble, still floating near the ceiling in the center of the room, continued to attempt to light the undead ablaze. It continued to be a futile attempt though.

---

Koyrai
Free: Spend an Arcanist Reservoir point to increase caster level of my next spell.
Standard: Cast Magic Missile at graveknight, piercing his SR and dealing 12 force damage.
Move: to I15

Pebble
Standard: attempted to use Burning Gaze on graveknight again. Failed.
Move: none

05:32, Today: Koyrai Dellex rolled 12 using 4d4+4.  Magic Missile Damage to Graveknight.
05:31, Today: Koyrai Dellex rolled 20 using 1d20+5.  Caster Level check vs SR 18 (magic missile).
05:31, Today: Koyrai Dellex rolled 30 using 1d20+19.  DC 20 fort save vs burning gaze.

While Fandor and the snake's assault were ineffective still, Taliesin dashed inside and attempted a repeat of his opening salvo. "Golau dallu" he recited once again and the burst of light followed it instantly. He had to subject Fandor to the light, his allies were too packed for a clean shot with the spell. His trusty dinosaur, fortunately, managed to react in time to close his eyes as the light filled around them. But as the light subsided, Taliesin saw that the remaining undead was untouched by his magic.

OOC:

Snake:
  MOVE: Scent vs Lord after he moved, locates his square due to being next to him.
  STANDARD: Grapple attempt, concealment check failed.

Fandor:
  FULL-ROUND: Full-Attack vs Lord (Claws with Piranha Strike). No hits.

Taliesin:
  MOVE: Movement to E19
  STANDARD: Cast Burst of Radiance at the intersection of G-H/15-16. Lord and Fandor is in the area. (I don't think Puck is, due to him being in the ceiling). Fandor saves and dazzled for 4 turns. CL vs Lord SR failed.
  IMMEDIATE: Lord moves into melee range: Stagger-Proof Boots backwards to keep him away. Lord uses Blast including Tal: Stagger-Proof Boots to total cover or outside of the cone.

ROLLS:
  Taliesin rolled 4 using 1d4.  Dazzle Duration.
  Taliesin rolled 29 using 1d20+14.  Fandor Save vs DC 19.
  Taliesin rolled 8 using 1d20+5.  CL Check for SR.
  Taliesin rolled 22,22,20 using d20+10,d20+9,d20+9.  Fandor Full Attack vs Lord.
  Taliesin rolled 12,31 using d100,d20+12.  Snake Concealment + Grapple vs Lord (high hits).
This message was last edited by the player at 19:16, Tue 14 June 2022.

Uluchi unfurls the scroll with a whip-crack snap in her haste and begins reading it aloud; the language of a given magical incantation can typically give you some clues as to its origin or even its function. A high elven chant isn't likely to end in a pile of phlegmatic unlife rising from the ground as an example.

For a scroll designed to extoll positive energy and grace like this one, the traditional language is Celestial but out of Uluchi's lips it sounds more like a relatively small dragon angrily threatening the heavens themselves, since she doesn't speak the exalted language but more sounds out the runes with a heavy draconic accent at speed.

Regardless of her rough tone (or perhaps because of it) the energies acquiesce to her desires and a brief light flashes throughout the smoke and darkness before shimmering and distilling itself into each and every one of her allies.

---

Standard: Use Magic Device to activate Scroll of Bless
14:06, Today: Uluchi Sesa rolled 24 using 1d20+10.  Use Magic Device to activate Scroll of Bless.
Radius is a huge 50' so it should hit all allies.

OOC:  Let's just roll AoO's for now, to see if the party can save Puck from getting his head torn off.

Lord Olinescu almost lost it's footing as Koyrai's magic missiles penetrated the dead lord's defenses.  There was the sound of splintering bone as the undead body contained within the massive suit of armor began to crumble and disintegrate.  Still, the monster did not fall, and remained focused on it's goal: finishing off the frail-looking elf it had seen clinging to the roof.

Pushing through the choking cloud of ash and soot, the grave knight swung it's armored fists at the upside-down Puck once again.  This time, it's aim was right on target, and Puck saw death approaching in the form of a deadly hammerblow directed at his head.

---

LORD OLINESCU
MOVE     : Move to f17, provoking AoOs.
STANDARD : Slam attack directed at Puck.  Hits AC 32 for 25 damage.




08:50, Today: Gorum rolled 89,32,25 using d100,d20+15,1d4+21.  Power slam vs Puck.  High hits.

As the Grave Knight pursued Puck, Veana attempted to hamstring the undead monstrosity by aiming at one of the crack in its armor. However, her attempt at slicing its undead flesh did not meet its mark. She muttered a curse under her breath, growing incredibly frustrated.

OOC: Missed AoO...this darn dice roller! :(
11:50, Today: Veana rolled 19,13 using d20+16,1d8+12.  AoO vs Grave Knight.

Elf tried to defend, but his spear thrusts were deftly parried by the experienced combatant that was Lord Olinescu.

OOC: Puck missed AoO vs AC 19.

As the Lord of the estate attempted to step away from the melee, staggering through the ash accumulated on the ground, Fandor spotted an opening. The troodon's jaws snapped forward towards the back of the undead's knee, finding a weak spot in his armor.

After the maw of the beast crushed the knee with fangs and vine alike, the Lord's leg started to crumble under him. The undead man fell down with the sudden lack of support, and it was clear that the necromantic construct that kept him going was failing swiftly.

OOC:
Fandor AoO: Hits, dealing 11 damage and destroying Graveknight.

---

Spoiler for Rolls and More: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
So at the time of the roll, I forgot two things.
 1) Bless bonus to hit
 2) Piranha Strike
I was going to elect not to use the piranha strike, the attack penalty when the hit chance is this low isn't generally worth the damage bonus. Then I rolled a 9 on the damage. I was kicking myself for not doing so, as it would be the difference between Puck dying or the Graveknight dying. Then I remembered something. I can not choose not to use it. Like Power Attack, it lasts until your next turn and I've used it the previous turn. With that, the attack roll is fine (bless and piranha together is 0), and the damage is 2 more than what I rolled. The reflex roll is useless, as the damage destroys the undead.

  Taliesin rolled 24 using 1d20+9.  Reflex vs DC20.
  Taliesin rolled 9 using 2d6+2.  AoO Damage.
  Taliesin rolled 28 using 1d20+10.  Fandor AoO vs Lord.

---

Patagogi was about to advance again on the undead knight but it fell as the dinosaur bit at its legs.  "Well done everyone.  I guess you aren't too bad then.'  patagogi said as he came up and kicked the dead corpse before him.

"Shall we see what treasures we can find here?"

"Nice ! But first, everyone injuried it's time for Goodberry."

Puck walked down slowly off the ceiling, while hiding his longspear and summoning spiritual aid.
"We need to check if it's all there is, too."

OOC: Puck will throw Goodberry spell 4 times, to provide anyone with up to +8 HP of freebie magical healing. Resulting in 15 HP pool. *facepalms*

We need more healing. ;P


10:32, Today: Puck rolled 15 using 8d4.  Goodberry results.

"It's... really dead dead?" asked Koyrai, peeking out around the corner. He cast a couple Acid Splashes at it just to be sure.

"I guess yeah, Patagonia, it is time to look for anything worth taking back with us. I can conjure us a Floating Disk to carry any spoils we gather. But Puck, don't even think about taking that graveknight armor as a trophy. That Lord is liable to return wearing it eventually unless we throw it into a volcano or something."

After eating a Goodberry or two, Koyrai added, "I can cast some healing spells too, once we ensure my spells aren't needed for anything else."

---

I can cast Cure Moderate Wounds up to four times, if I swap spells. I will wait to cast them until we confirm there are no more major threats here.

"Well, will suffice if we throw almost all into a forge fire? Helmet could be a good trophy. Or we should keep it in a barrel of spirit water?"

Puck looked like a chimpunk after eating some of the Goodberries, and sharing the rest with the party, while he inquired as his longspear poked the head of Lord Olinescu's ornate armor.

OOC: Fortunately, destroying the armor should suffice. I wonder if we have priest exorcise the helmet ... would Lord Olinescu reform as headless horseman? :P

By Spirit Water, Puck means the one that burns undead like acid.

"Careful."

Uluchi's voice is wan, drained, her arms shivering in the come down from the adrenaline of life and death. Taking slow cautious steps forward through the maelstrom of Ash, she peers at the thankfully inert set of armor and then the unfortunately aromatic bride.

"His command of Krah was impressive.." She mixes in the draconic word for 'Coldness', muttering to herself as her gaze returns to the remains of the graveknight, "Some sulfuric or hydrochorlic should do the trick; I don't have much on hand but I could arrange for that in my lab."

OOC: You win!  Feel free to continue roleplaying here while you level up to level 6.

With Fandor's final bite, the dark energy holding the decayed corpse of Lord Olinescu finally gave out, and the undead horror collapsed into a loose pile of ancient armor and rotten bones.  As the party regrouped, healed, and searched the unholy tomb, they found a small pile of blood-soaked valuables stashed beneath the altar.  It was unclear whether these treasures were religious offerings, or plunder taken from the victims of the undead monsters was unclear, or even if there was a difference between the two in Baphomet's unholy religion.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Well," The Pharasmin cleric began in the same neutral tone he had used to hire the party for their slightly illegal job.  Back at the party's headquarters, he was picking over the evidence pulled from the unholy crypt with almost professional disinterest.  "Between the shrine to Baphomet, the various murder victims and the remains of two undead monsters, there's no shortage of proof here.  Demon worship, huh?  I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting that.  Around here, the secret societies are mostly Whispering Way.  Or Asmodeans.  Or Vampire servitors.  Palantine Eye sometimes, if we're lucky.  Dark Tapestry if we're unlucky.  But this is the first I've heard about Templars of the Ivory Labyrinth infiltrating the nobility in Ustalav."

He shrugged, accepting the situation with a fatalism appropriate to his goddess, before turning to the armor itself.  "This suit is smashed, burned...is that acid?  I appreciate the enthusiasm, but a Grave Knight isn't put to rest that easily.  You can melt it down to scrap, bury it ten feet deep, throw it in the ocean...Sooner or later, the creature will find it's way back.  I'll take it to my superiors, they'll know the best ways to send Olinsecu's soul down to the Abyss where it belongs."

"And, uh...Look, I know you'll want to go bragging about your latest victory for everyone to hear, but I would greatly appreciate it if you could keep quiet for the next few weeks.  The Olinsecu family has connections, and there's no telling how many other members of the local nobility might be Templars.  The investigation will take time, and any moves against them will require a fair share of preparation."

The priest leaned forwards, meeting the gazes of the party one by one.  "If you can keep your mouths shut for just a month or so, the church might have more work for you.  A reliable sellsword is hard to find, and you're just about the only group I know for certain isn't full of secret cultists."  His eyes flicked over to Uluchi and Puck, and a faint smile passed over the priest's lips.  "Well, at least not Baphomet cultists."
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:05, Fri 17 June 2022.

"Snake-Shaman said that destroying the armor will stop the death-knight from coming back, like death-wizard. Would keeping the helmet in a barrel of blessed water help? Want it for trophy."

Puck smiled pleasantly to the human big-spirit shaman.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:06, Sun 19 June 2022.

Koyrai offered to use his Share Memory spell to give the Pharasmin cleric a direct memory of the battle that had transpired. It was the next best thing to the cleric being there himself, and should theoretically add credibility to the strong evidence they already possessed.

He was fine with leaving the armor destruction to the cleric, since it he could probably dispose of it just as competently as the rest of them. When Puck suggested keeping the helmet though, Koyrai voiced his opinion on the matter. "Eh... how about we settle for a replica? That way we don't have to worry about one of our trophies murdering us in our sleep..."

"I agree, destroying the whole set of armor should be our top priority.  If you want a trophy I am sure there is something else in here you can have."  Patagogi said as the others discussed what to do to make sure the grave knight was dead once and for all.

Puck listened a bit to opinions of his team-mates, before agreeing easily enough.
"Is the icy-sword safe as trophy?"

He pointed at the weapon of the graveknight. Then pointed at the unholy symbols of Baphomet.
"Those are dangerous too. Will forge fire suffice?"

"Special procedures to cleanse this type of evil eh? Very well, if you feel confidant you lot can handle it."

Uluchi's tone is neutral as she responds to the cleric's request to take charge of the Graveknight, one less problem for the party and he did sound suspiciously competent when it came to this specifically.

"Discretion is a small ask this time. Just make it up in future trust."

Uluchi makes no response to the wry glance from the cleric; easy enough when you are wearing a hood that conceals most of your face.

"The pernicious armor is certainly better off as someone else's problem. As far as offending Demon Lords goes..."

She turns her attention to the unholy symbols and then rolls her shoulders in a fluid almost boneless shrug, "... Better than being caught carrying them around. If there is going to be an investigation into secret societies, I'd rather not be implicated with these beasts."

"Meh, we hide in the forest for forty winters and humans will be too old to care."

Puck dismissed the concerns about human polities with the care of a person who can dissapear in the forest for decades ... and be happy living away from humans anyway. He picked up the weapon of the Lord Olinescu.
"Good enough."

The Cleric accepted the armor with aplomb, diligently writing out receipts for the value of the demonic icons and and horrific offerings that were being surrendered to the church.  "The icons and the altar don't seem dangerous, but I get not wanting to be seen carrying them around.  We'll melt down the valuable items and burn the rest.  Keep these receipts: they count as a religious donation for tax purposes."

Out of the Grave Knight's hands, the blade had no magic to it at all, though it was elaborately made, and decorated with gold, jewels, and the sigil of House Olinescu.

"Is the trophy not cursed by Olinescu patron spirits?"

Puck cleverly wasn't touching the Grave Knight's blade, but held it up with two sticks, before asking his question at both Uluchi Sesa and their clerical employer.

OOC: I will finish my financial purchases after Taliesin acknowledges, and Gorum approves, the return of 140 gp he borrowed me last time.