Lights And Shadows

[harknail]

Vadania corrected him, "No, I said that I m a druid and that I followed the demon here from the steadlands. No one sent me, though the Order of the Silver flame did provide assistance. But there are not many left of that order, not many survived the demonic possession of their monastery. I was able to help in recapturing that demon, but the demon that destroyed the town of Clearwater came out to the desert to release other captured demons. I and my friends are here to stop it if we can."

[at]

"I've heard many strange things from the west. Another time and I would not have been inclined to take you at your word but if you are hunting as you say then perhaps there is a place for you here, and if not then you will soon enough regret your claim."

He indicates his men to form up around the group, "you will come with us"

[harknail]

Vadania has no objection to go with him, after all her claims are true to the best of her knowledge. And perhaps he can help them find Altar and Lynette. She'll keep a look out for the building she saw in her vision of where Altar and Lynette might be. And as always, she'll be on the alert for a possible ambush (she's still kind of paranoid about that, even after all the years since she lost her parents).

[Jasmine]

Let's have a Sense Motive check on this captain to see if he's hiding anything.

|orJfthRp_1-20+1 Brennen
p_1-20+5 Tink

Also, detect evil and detect magic.1-20�1-20

[at]

Something is definitely up with the captain, though he doesn't seem to be trying to mislead the party in Tink and Brennens eyes so much as distrustful himself but somewhat desperate.

He does not detect as evil but does carry an enchanted sword and cape.

[at]

(moving things along)

The guards move swiftly though the city and people are quick to get out of their way as they march through. Vadania finds it to be loud, the stench in some places incredible, with buildings and towers in places blotting out the sun and throngs of people in all directions. The city changes as the group moves showing many centuries of construction and reconstruction, wealth and poverty. The guards stick to the broad main streets however and not the many winding paths snaking off from them.

In time the party reaches a guarded archway and an area of the city that has been blocked off. More guards patrol within but no civilians save, Brennen presumes, what seem to be bodies atop carts near the archway hidden beneath cloth sheets.


Once past the archway the guard captain speaks again, "long ago criminals within the walls of this city created a network of buildings and tunnels beneath the streets, building out from the sewers and old constructions. Many guards were sent to flush them out without success, finding only a maze of traps and false walls. But in time the guard learnt of their entrances, watched them come and go, and were able to trap them inside their rat holes. Buried alive never to threaten this place again"

The party is guided to a well guarded building where the floor has fallen through revealing a broad staircase leading into the darkness, "this was many generations ago, but what has risen to the surface now is surely the work of your demon."

[harknail]

Vadania commented, "When the demons first awoke, there were hordes of zombies and a tomb full of skeletons were animated. So I'm inclined to agree with you. What manner of creatures is string in the depths of your city? Also their are two more of our group who were already in the city, we came here to join up with them."

[at]

"A priest of the flame did arrive here some time ago, I remember he was with another man and two quite striking sisters. But I do not know what became of them."

[harknail]

Vadania responded, "That sounds like the people we're looking for. On my way into the city I had a vision of what I think is the building they are staying at. It had a distinctive roof garden, near what appeared to be fresh construction." Vadania continues to elaborate the description of the building, hoping that the captain of the guard can recognize it.

[at]

"I will send a man to find these friends of yours"

Your choice if you want to tackle the dungeon alone or with npc help.
No more than 2 npcs at a time though so it's a free choice between:
-Altar(divine caster)
-Lynette(bard/elemental weapon buffs)
-Xana(binder/caster)
-Moriana(combat caster)
-New NPC(s) (fighter/rogue)

[harknail]

So Moriana is still with us, I wasn't sure about that.

We seem to have a caster heavy group. While Vadania has the AC to be a front line fighter, she has little chance to actually hit anything with her magic sword. She works much better as a caster/archer. And Brennen is pure caster as well.

As a suggestion, while our friends are being contacted we tackle this challenge with Moriana (fi she's willing) along with a guard to fight beside Ylva.

Sounds like Altair had a good sized party and perhaps didn't need us :-) But it will be good to actually be doing something about this huge threat to the world!

[at]

A runner is sent to find the building while the group prepare to head down. Moriana asks Brennen and Vadania in a hushed tone to avoid being overheard "are you sure you know what you are doing?"

It is almost half an hour before the guard sent out returns with a single man wearing plate armour. He is old and greying, though not as old as Eldon, and bears the mark of the silver flame. He announces himself, "My name is Rorsan, of the Silver Flame. I regret that I am all that can answer your call, Eldon and his companions have travelled in search of the next tomb and have yet to return"




(set memorised spells as appropriate)

[harknail]

Feb 27, 2017 5:45:07 GMT -5 at said:

A runner is sent to find the building while the group prepare to head down. Moriana asks Brennen and Vadania in a hushed tone to avoid being overheard "are you sure you know what you are doing?"

Vadania replies in the same tone, "Actually I have no idea what we're doing. But if this is something raised by the demon, then this is what we came to fight. What can you tell us about what stirs below?"

Feb 27, 2017 5:45:07 GMT -5 at said:

It is almost half an hour before the guard sent out returns with a single man wearing plate armour. He is old and greying, though not as old as Eldon, and bears the mark of the silver flame. He announces himself, "My name is Rorsan, of the Silver Flame. I regret that I am all that can answer your call, Eldon and his companions have travelled in search of the next tomb and have yet to return"

Vadanis responds, "Greetings Rorsan. I'm Vadania, this is Ylva. That is Brennen, and on his shoulder is Tink. I've worked with Eldon and many of his companions before. I'm glad to have you with us. I'm not very good in a melee fight, but Brennen is even worse." She'll introduce Rorsan to Ylva, making sure that Ylva knows that Rorsan is an ally and new companion.

Feb 27, 2017 5:45:07 GMT -5 at said:

(set memorised spells as appropriate)

Spells selected for the day, based on resuming desert travel and possible encounters

OOC: It seems like Vadania is slipping back into being leader, simply by being the first to speak... It's interesting how well she gets along with NPCs given her low charisma. But open honesty will often work.

[at]

Rorsan readies his shield and states, seemingly with regret, "it falls to me to take the fore, It is my failing and of those who lost faith that has brought us here."

Uttering a silent prayer to the Silver Flame he begins to glow, casting the nearby area into sharp contrast. The glow also spreads across the groups weapons creating a similar aura of silver flame as Vadania is capable of with her own gifts.

Moriana seems less enthused about the situation but remains through stubbornness, curiosity, or perhaps fear of what may come if the problem is left unattended.


I'm making final touches to the NPCs - but for future reference Rorson is a walking buff with good defense and modest melee output while Moriana is a spontaneous blaster/caster with decent melee capabilities, though she expended most of her high-level slots to power the teleportation staff this morning. Neither have strong divine magic, trapfinding, or (nonmagical) stealth.

Anyone within 30' of Rorsan gains +1 to hit with ranged attacks, DR 2/magic, bonuses to Fort saves, and he grants varying AC bonuses to those immediately adjacent to him - all in addition to +1d6 fire damage on weapon attacks.

[harknail]

I assume that Rorsan's bonuses don't stack with Vadania's own bonuses. Does this affect Ylva at all?

Vadania will also prepare for the decent into the depths, changing Ylva's protection from elements crystal for a protection from fire crystal. She'll also pull her shard of sunlight out from under her armor, to provide even more light for the group.

has the captain told us anything about what's down there?

[at]

The captain tells the party that the path immediately below leads through into part of the sewers long blocked off from the rest of the city, but it is below them that they must look.

He knows there is at least one hidden entrance to the old complex here but the last men sent down to find it had not returned - the only reason this whole section had not been sealed off once more is that there were other attacks in the city that could only have been reached through the hidden tunnels and this was the one place the guard knew for certain that the attackers could not have been sneaking through the sewers or over land to reach.

Feb 28, 2017 14:44:27 GMT -5 harknail said:

I assume that Rorsan's bonuses don't stack with Vadania's own bonuses. Does this affect Ylva at all?

The flaming weapon bonuses stack but like Lynettes cold aura they only work on weapons - swords, arrows, etc. Not teeth or energy bolts.
The shieldmate bonuses don't stack with other shield bonuses, DR doesn't stack as normal, the attack and save bonuses are both moral bonuses

[at]

Moving to the edge of the stairs Rorson turns first to Vadania and then to Brennen. "Ready?"


Ready?

Rorson & Moriana added to the status sheet. If you want one or the other to perform a particular action in combat then append it to your own action post - notably Rorson moving to tie up enemies and Moriana unleashing more destructive magic such as fireball

[harknail]

Nice that the silver flame bonus stacks. That gives Vadania +2 to hit and +2d6 damage with her arrows, making them competitive with damage spells. Does it also stack with the +2 enhancement bonus of her long sword? If so, maybe she can be a melee fighter and still hit.Nice that the silver flame bonus stacks. That gives Vadania +2 to hit and +2d6 damage with her arrows, making them competitive with damage spells. Does it also stack with the +2 enhancement bonus of her long sword? If so, maybe she can be a melee fighter and still hit.

Vadania is ready. She'll look at the stairs and how far down they need to go. Does it looks like Ylva will have any problem getting down? If so, Vadania has a Spider Climb spell she can share with Ylva. But if Ylva can handle the stairs, she'll save it for later.

Vadania is willing to go first while we're single file, using her shield and sword. Her paranoia pays off in situations like this, as she searches each nook, cranny, and shadow for potential threats. Not to mention looking for problems in the stairs themselves.

Suggested single order marching order (assuming spider climb isn't needed):
Vadania
Rorson
Brennen
Moriana
Ylva (to cover the rear if something gets behind us)
With Tink flittering around and ahead as she desires.

Once we get to flat terrain where we can go side by side, Vadania will switch back to a bow and move back a rank while still keeping her eyes peeled. Suggested order is:
Rorson & Ylva
Vadania & Brennen
Moriana
With Tink flittering around and ahead as she desires.

If Tink had different ideas for a marching order, Vadania will happily comply.

[at]

Mar 1, 2017 13:57:06 GMT -5 harknail said:

Nice that the silver flame bonus stacks.

It is a flat d6 bonus damage, similar (but less powerful) to Lynettes ice magic. Think of it like a persisting spell effect and just stacks on top of any existing weapon enchantments.
(it can wear out - if Rorson is K/Oed or dismisses the light for instance, and he has limited reactivations per day)

[harknail]

So to confirm, Vadania's wooden long sword is BAB+4 to hit (+2 weapon, her SF bonus, Rorson SF bonus) and weapon+2+2d6 damage (+2 weapon, her SF bonus, Rorson SF bonus)? [SF = Silver Flame]

[tag Brennan & Tink]