Cat & Mouse IC

[dmarks]

Anya makes a note of those that glow with power. She's hardly going to forego a chance to make that much money, not to mention if there's a war coming it would definitely be preferable if those weapons were on their side, not with these Cold Hammers.

If Travis had missed her spellcasting, Anya quickly motioned to the items she had picked out: "We should come back for these, if we can. They're magical, probably valuable."

"I know where Seti has gone, follow me, but be careful of traps."

As they reach the door, Anya takes a look around, but hearing Seti arguing relaxed her somewhat. If this is about the division of loot again... She pushed the door open and moved to join them.

[AlanBruce]

@Anya: You let Travis make a note about the items here- they are certainly worth a small fortune and if there is an imminent war in The Mercy, you will need all the funding you can get.

It is then that you stop at the sturdy wooden door and frown as you hear Seti discussing with Kyle, amidst a few other unknown voices.

Most likely about who gets what.

It is then that you turn the knob and walk right in, with Travis in the guise of a half orc Society brute in toll.

This room is rather spacious, with mosaic depictions of dark dwarves in combat on the walls. A forge is dimly lit and provides some heat into the room, as well as a pair of beds and a shelf stacked with old books.

Seti is reading one of them as he raises his gaze and looks at you, but he isn't the first one to walk up, as Kyle smiles and embraces you.

"Anya? By Pelor! You sure are a sight for sore eyes! How did you know I was here?"

Kyle has seen better days. His body bears deep wounds as he does his best to cover them beneath his blood stained cape.

It's another person in the room that stops rummaging through the desk in the room and looks at you:

"A spy, maybe? Can't be too sure, given what we've gone through...""

Kyle shakes his head and looks at the man.

"She is a spy... of sorts, but not an enemy. Anya, this is Eldarn, a Society druid. You are acquainted with Seti, I take it?""

It;'s an older but no less buff man that walks up to you and shakes your hand, which immediately raises red flags: something about him makes you very uncomfortable. As if his body were geared towards bashing casters by mere proximity.

"Alley Friar Spooner. Pleased to meet you, Anya. Kyle says you aren't a spy. So tell me, then:

Why is one of ours escorting you?""

Your gaze then goes to one of the beds, where a woman lies unconscious and heavily bandaged:

Kyle looks at her and shrugs.

"That sleeping psycho is Sasha. We had to... incapacitate her after a run in with one of the Cold Hammers top capos here- a duergar priest has put her under a spell and she went all blood thirsty on us.""

Eldarn walks up to Sasha, completely unconscious and checks her bandages.

"I tried undoing Thernus' spell on her, but got unlucky. My spells are almost out, as is our source of healing. By now, Kurgen and the rest of his men must certainly be aware of what mess we did down here.

I believe we have no choice but to retreat. At least we got a sizable loot out of this expedition.""

Spooner crosses his arms and shakes his head.

"We leave, Eldarn, and we give them a chance to regroup and strengthen their forces. By now, Soraya and Vasla must've cleared their own areas. We cannot lag behind.""

@Travis: They have no idea who you are, but you know all of these people: you sat with them at the Skylarios Museum the night prior. Made plans. Split teams...

But is it wise to blow your cover? These guys don't seem to be in the best of shape, but at least they aren't dead or missing.

@Seti: So the Vigilante Mercy mage has come to aid you...

But why is their an Enforcer with her? You know she isn't affiliated with The Society. You also know that like many in your company a few nights before, she has access to surreptitious magic.

And as tough as these half orcs are with a blade, their mind is mush when faced against a competent caster like her.

Map

[kinem]

The 'half-orc' begins to speak in a familiar voice, his head tilting down a little.

"Listen. I am Jumpy. My mission was a disaster. Partly it was my fault due to underestimating the enemy, but they were a lot more powerful than I would have thought and we knew nothing of what to expect.

There is a female conjuror named Cordelia who's as powerful as I am and fond of fireballs, who is still out there, and a winged monster named Raum who never misses a blow even with all of my magical protections and usually kills what he hits. I took one strike from him, and even though I was fully healed at the time, it hurt me enough to make me lose consciousness. Bear it mind, this was not a blow to a particularly vital area, he just hits hard and seems especially potent against casters. He also acts faster than any man and can dispel magic. And Eoil made some excellent arrow shots towards him, all of which missed.

We never saw Asgrim. Long story short, if not for Anya and her mentor showing up and rescuing us, none of us would have made it back.

Vasla is captured, maybe dead. Eoil and Kyrich made it back. The rest of the team is dead.

Right now? I am nearly out of spells, but still have my magical protections and can hurl acid. I don't know if we should continue, but we are going to need the whole team if we hope to take on Cordelia, Raum, and Asgrim - not to mention Gram and Hathway. If we could finish off these hammer guys today, at least that would help."

[TankLaser007]

"Welcome Jumpy."

Seti tosses the book to Spooner, "I'll need that back after, but seems like Kara and the Under Queen have been sponsoring Kurgen's outfit they even have some 'Angels' here. Also seems like that stunty out there was making monster from the fallen. So maybe there are some meat puppets about. Maybe that's why that other room smelled of death and blood."

"This is Soraya's sister by the way, we went looking for her but couldn't find her. This" Seti reaches into his waist and tosses Anya a rod, "is for you. Got it off of some mercenaries who ambushed us on the way in. Same guys we saw over Bella's house so it is very good we moved them. They should probably stay where they are, two of those bastards got away. They're mages"

Spoiler: Anya

Show

Lesser Metamagic Rod, Still

"Jumpy if you or Anya can remove the spell on Sasha we can get her back to health," he hands another wand to Eldarn, "think this might be of use."

"And Kyle took it upon himself to fill her full of holes, Spooner or I could have put her down without nearly killing her."

"If one of you," he turns to look at the Orc and Anya, "can remove the spell we have a better chance of moving forward. Otherwise maybe some of us should go on and the rest take Sasha out of here, we will need to restrain her until Prustina can take a look at her or Eldarn can rest up and try to remove the spell again."

[kinem]

Travis notes "I cannot dispel it today."

[AlanBruce]

@Travis: One of the embers on the forge snuffs out completely as Eldarn, Seti and Spooner listen to your tale about the doomed expedition to Asgrim's domain.

The druid looks to the ground in disbelief.

"Vasla Tirrus was one of our strongest members. The most qualified for the task... and now she's gone. The Two-Handed Grocers’ Guild will not take kindly to these news. Spooner- this is not good. And Travis mentions they have a beast that never misses a hit, even with all the protections this mage has on him.

And they have a mage of their own. What are we going to do? We are severely outmatched here.""

Spooner walks up to you and places his hand on your shoulder.

"I am sure you did the best to keep them safe. We knew beforehand that going there was the riskiest of all three destinations. You say Eoil survived? That's good. He is most likely headed to her guild to explain what happened. We are going to avenge Vasla, Eldarn. Make no mistake about that. But right now, taking down the Cold Hammers takes priority. You say your spells are almost spent but you can hurl acid? That's good enough for me. I don't know what Anya can do, but Kyle vouches for her, so that's another member to our team we can count on."

Eldarn looks at Sasha on the bed and frowns.

"But with you and I bereft of Abjurations, I cannot see this one getting up to help any time soon.""

@Seti: You hand Spooner the book as he reads it and leans against a wall.

"A Queen here? Some new warlord, most likely. And this Kara works for her. There are far more people involved here than I had suspected initially. I don't think the Roosters are the real problem here, but rather this Hathway Travis mentioned. And Gram.

These angels mentioned in the journal.... I can bet you several gold pieces that they aren't the ones you see sculpted from marble outside some cathedral or mentioned in a holy text. In fact, reading Thernus' entry, he's been working with the dead warriors here at the Ludus Magnus. We should expect zombies or what not. Those we can handle with ease.""

And then you toss Eldarn the wand found in your search, which the druid is more than happy to catch.

"Seems that old black bearded codger kept some healing to himself. This will come in handy, but I dare not heal Sasha until I am a hundred percent certain she won't get up and attack us."

Spoiler: Wand of CMW

Show

Keep tabs of the wand and apply healing when needed

On the subject of the Crimson Tigress, Kyle gives you a stare down.

"Had Spooner and yourself ganged up on her to knock her out, chances are she would have escaped your grasp and then proceeded to carve both of you. And while that happens, Thernus would have moved in to attack as well. I did what was necessary to keep as many possible safe. I am lucky, though: my attacks did not kill her. That is one thing I was hoping would not go overboard...and it has not.

Besides, if we cure and heal her, she won't remember a thing. But we need to make a quick decision:

Do we remain here and wait for Sasha to snap out of it?

Or do we leave her here and move on? There are two stairs further back where we fought Thernus- one leading up, and another down.""

[dmarks]

"My own mission went awry. I found where the tank is, or so I suspect. I met with a captain of the Roosters, Daratra, but she's been cast out since their new leadership has taken over. You're on a list too Seti,
and my sister." Anya wasn't too happy about her relationship with Soraya being disclosed, but since everyone seemed to know it already, it was maybe too late for concern.

"I found Brother Gram, and his ally, Lord Hathway there, and they may be constructing something. I can take us back once we've gathered our strength, but they detected me sneaking in and their defences will be strengthened. What was your mission here? I have nearly my full strength for what it is worth."

"As for Sasha, I can attempt to remove the curse on her."

Anya moves to the woman and begins to chant seeking out the malaise that lay upon her and freeing her mind. It was the opposite of Anya's normal magic, but at least she understood the sort of spell she was seeking to defeat.

Spoiler

Show

Dispel Magic: (1d20+9)[19]

[AlanBruce]

@Anya: Spooner, Kyle and Eldarn listen to your own experience, and your meeting with the former Rooster leader, Daratra.

Spooner leans against the wall and tugs at his beard in thought.

"They are even undermining their own. This isn't good. The Roosters were never a problem, just a small gang in The Mercy, but they seem to have become ambitious.""

Eldarn pokes the dying fire in the forge and looks at the embers.

"So they want Seti as well... we already knew Soraya was on their list. They want to thin our numbers. Hopefully your sister is doing well with Raikou.""

Kyle raises an eyebrow and looks at you as you walk towards the unconscious Sasha.

"Wait. What? Soraya is your sister? That I did not know.""

Eldarn chuckles and looks at the barista.

"There are many things even a Hawk cannot see. This I would know- I am usually one. But if you know where These Roosters are, Anya, perhaps we can strike at them after we have rested and regained our forces. We still have an extra day before Gram's wish list expires.""

And then, you walk up to the crimson headed warrior and inspect her face as she breathes slowly.

Yes, there is an enchantment placed upon her. These are your bread and butter, but you also know how to break them.

And so, you place both hands inches away from Sasha's forehead and concentrate as a tiny emerald phantom whirlwind forms over her forehead, as Sasha seems to struggle, caught in some nightmare and then you see it:

A tattoo of a Black Hammer, embedded on her face, as your own arcane power surpasses that of the caster and you watch the whirlwind wash the tattoo away into shadowy wisps, which cause Sasha to open her eyes wide and gasp as she falls back into unconsciousness.

Kyle places his hand on your shoulder and smiles.

"You are a godsend, Anya. She is freed from Thernus' spell, but we need her up and running if we plan to take down the Cold Hammers.""

[kinem]

After Sasha is healed and the group is ready to move on, Travis casts his final shield spell on himself.

With all of the protective magic he's cast, Travis would usually be quite confident, but his recent experiences in which the same level of protection failed to make any difference have left him somewhat shaken.

ooc: AC 36

[AlanBruce]

@The Party: With Eldarn's help, the Crimson Tigress' many wounds heal and color comes back to her cheeks as she lazily opens her eyes and checks the bandage.

"Why do I have this?""

Eldarn helps retrieve it and assists Sasha back on her feet.

"It was needed, given that you suffered some...""

Sasha holds her head and rubs the back of it.

"Yes... I remember. Kyle! It was because of you...""

The Crimson Tigress gives the leader of the Hawks a genuine smile of gratitude and walks towards him, placing her arms lovingly around his neck and looking directly into his eyes.

"... you did what you had to do, didn't you?""

Kyle blushes and looks around the room.

"I did, Sasha. I am sorry and I hope there are no hard feelings for...""

It's a lightning fast and painful knee bash into Kyle's groin that sends every man in the room shivering and subconsciously covering their privates as Kyle drops to his knees, a tear rolling down his cheek as Sasha picks up her kukris and sheathes them.

"There won't be hard feelings for awhile, that's for sure. Cut me again and I collect them. Everyone: sorry if I got a tad unhinged. I suppose doll face over here got rid of it? You have my gratitude."

She then looks at Travis and raises an eyebrow.

"Tall green and tusk ridden here has a name? The more the merrier, I guess. I assume that duergar is dead? Pity: I wanted to gut him myself."

Kyle uses a nearby bed to help himself up and limps for a few seconds as he heads for the door.

"He's... owwwwwgoddammit... dead. But we have a few more areas we haven't explored. They likely know we are here by now.""

Sasha opens the door and looks one final time at Thernus' room.

"What kind of guests would we be if we didn't go meet our gracious hosts, huh?""

And so, the group walks down the hall and enters a mess hall, with Thernus' corpse on the ground, one Sasha isn't afraid to kick in the ribs for good measure as she and all of you see two set of stairs.

One leads down below.

The other leads above this hallway.

Sasha turns to all of you and shrugs.

"We're going to be killing someone anyway. Question is: who first?""

Map

[kinem]

ooc: See post #69

Travis says "I'm Jumpy. Any idea who's upstairs or down? I would expect leaders to be upstairs, but maybe dwarves have the opposite idea."

[AlanBruce]

@Travis: With your last protective spell cast on you, there shouldn't be much opposition against the Cold Hammers, unlike the enemies found in Camazotz Den.

Still, most of the team here is clearly exhausted and spent in arcane firepower, except for Anya. Hopefully her spells are enough to get you a much deserved victory.

Sasha looks you up and down.

"Jumpy? Odd name for a half orc, but I'll take what I can get at this point. As to where to go...""

Sasha inspects both stair cases and sniffs the air from the one leading down.

"Blood... lot's of it coming from the basement of this place. So far, the Cold Hammers don't seem that many in number, so I will leave the decision of where to go to those who haven't been magically controlled. For now.""

[dmarks]

"Did you perhaps injure any of their number? This might have been a trail? Down is as good a direction as any," Anya concurs.

[TankLaser007]

Seti smiles at Anya's words, "Between Eldarn, Spooner and Sasha I don't think we do 'injuries'." he winks at Sasha. "No that's likely the work of Thernus' playing with the dead and 'The Sanguine Savant' as they call him. I call the old bastard Bloody Baron Bharthran the Bloodlord. Seems to be obsessed with blood. Another psycho stunty flocked to Kurgen's banner. He doesn't look like a dwarf though, something not quite right about him. I would wager -- like Thernus -- he has some traffic with some seriously evil and ruinous powers."

"That" he says pointing down, "likely goes to the baths which in turn connects to the sewers and is perhaps a very physical connection that holds this alliance together. Maybe these disciples of Gram mover from their sewer layer to here via the networks beneath the streets."

"Where do you think old Rustpaw is?" he asks Spooner, "Up there?" Or down below? Let's the crush the head of these snakes and see if the body whithers and die. Why spend our energies on these thugs when we can go straight to the top?"

[AlanBruce]

@Anya: Sasha smiles and pats you on the head.

"You really are cute, you know that? What are these 'injuries' you speak of? No. None of the people that have stood up to us have been maimed and let go. Those that are alive are because they ran away, but in my experience, it's best to not leave any witnesses.""

@Seti: Sasha winks back at you when you provide illumination on hurting those that want to kill you: given what's happening now, they won't give you a chance to get back on your feet. You cannot afford to give them any sort of mercy either.

And then you mention that the stairs down may lead to the baths, where Bharthran most likely dwells with whatever creatures Thernus has crafted, Eldarn nods as he looks down the stairs.

"I did not want to go through the sewers earlier, but if there are any that can be rescued and if Gram is using it as a connection to the sewers, perhaps we could go down there and investigate... not that I relish the idea."

Spooner looks at the stairs leading up.

"These should take us to the Amphitheater of the Sky. That is where the great plays and friendly matches were displayed before the Great Fire. If I know Kurgen, he is most likely up there. And I don't think he will be alone. He definitely heard the fight going down here and must've prepared himself accordingly.

The idea of cutting the snake's head is sound- the Cold Hammers follow him as a leader in this place, but the problem is that if we go face him now, who knows if we could get a Pincer attack from anyone still down in the baths?""

Kyle stops limping and stays a prudent distance away from Sasha.

"I'd suggest splitting, but that would be a terrible idea. I say we go deal with this Bharthran guy first. Rescue any who may be kept below and thin their numbers. We have a capable caster among us now- Anya. And Jumpy seems to have some arcane knowledge as well. I do not know what this Blood Guy can do, but it can't be any worse than what we've faced so far.""


@The Party: Following the group, you descend the stone stairs of the Ludus Magnus to its illustrious baths...

The smell of blood here in gut wrenching as you find yourself twenty feet below the main floor you were in before. This place is massive, with very little light, except from grates in the ceiling fifteen feet above, no bigger than a human head, sifting some lantern light from above, where you fought earlier.

Mosaic art on the walls show lovely ladies in white tunics embracing stone faces that resemble comedy masks with overly large sized mouths.

These are constantly spilling blood on the ground, which travels through small canals on the side of the floor and deposit on large pools in the center of the area.

In fact, you can see that in a gruesome display, body parts have been hooked to the walls, now stained with blood from countless years and left to rot, as maggots feed on them- grim displays for a place that used to provide pleasure and respite back in the day.

Sasha stays clear off the bloody limbs and readies her kukris as she examines two massive iron grates on each side of the room.

"Someone certainly had a party here... or probably still is. Can't find a lock to these things and they won't budge. Our friend must be deeper in these baths. What shall we do?""

Map

[TankLaser007]

A literal blood bath Seti thinks to himself as he surveys the area.

"There mus be a mechanism somewhere to open these gates, most likely from above."

Seti scans the the corridor and especially the pools of blood keeping an eye out for anything that seems unusual or any signs of movement -- possible beneath the surface.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Spot - (1d20+10)[26]

[AlanBruce]

@Seti: You can advance deeper into the literal Blood bath that rests beneath the once proud Ludus Magnus as you keep a wary eye on the pools of blood and the rotting smell of death that permeates these baths.

Spooner, Sasha and Kyle take a few steps forward as the Crimson Tigress smells around and covers her nose.

"For once, I wish my sense of smell weren't so acute. So this is where people took a bath? I cannot imagine why...""

Spooner shakes his head and clenches his fists.

"It wasn't always like this. My father once brought me here, years ago. This place was like a small palace. It served as a place of resting and healing. I would sit with my old man amidst coals and he'd discuss topics that today are completely irrelevant in The Mercy for hours. No, this is the work of some sadist, if I had to guess...""

It is then that you and most in your team notice something that moves across one of the pools of blood, as if the water itself were alive and then four grotesque creatures slosh through the blood, making its way towards all of you:

Kyle readies his rapier and looks at one of them, who licks the blood from its flabby arm as its bulk, rotten and about to explode wobbles ever closer to all of you.

"What the hell are these things...""

Spoiler: The Check

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Knowledge Religion (trained) to ID them

@The Party: It's a sinister dwarven voice that can be heard but not seen in the dark as these four loathsome creatures wobble towards all of you:

They are those that have fallen in the Pit against Kurgen, gifted to me upon their demise. Blood is a beautiful thing, is it not? The source of life and death. Thernus was a fool, believing he could control Sarjon's Crimson Tigress.

You will find me a lot better at taking you all down. Gram has his sights set on a few of you, but the others? Those I shall keep and use the duergar's new found knowledge to increase the warriors in this Pit.

Sasha smiles and brandishes her kukris.

"They all love to trash talk. You like blood so much? It will be my pleasure to have you taste your own. Now be so kind and show your ugly mug so we can get this over with.""

@Seti: You know whose voice that is:

It's Bharthran. But despite your keen senses even in this dimly lit blood bath, you cannot find him.

Oh! I don't plan to make the cleric's mistake, shifter. I am not coming out swinging some hammer. Hehehehehhee... not while I have my warriors here... and my pet.

Spoiler: The Check

Show

Roll a Listen. Travis gets a Spot check as well.

@The Party: It would seem that yet another battle is about to engage in the blood soaked bowels of the Ludus Magnus. For what it's worth, there are only four of these creatures, but Bharthran could be anywhere...

And yet, something is odd about this place. Something unnatural, even more so than the foul bloated things that crawled out of the pools.

Spoiler: The Rolls

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Spellcraft & Initiative

Map

Spoiler: Screenshot

Show

[AlanBruce]

Round 1

@Seti: You have no idea what these creatures, revolting and bloated are, but Spooner does, as he checks his fists and gets ready to rush one of them.

"Bloodhulks. These are called 'Fighters' by their creators, but it's just a fancy name for an overgrown zombie. Vile magic was used on human sacrifices in this place, infusing the corpses with gallons of blood. Enough to kill any other person.

Because of that, they are very durable- all that blood stored in that bloated flesh. This might take a while.""

And yet, for all your team trying to pinpoint Bharthran, that sneaky sadist has managed to elude your senses. He is here in the Baths, somewhere...

Sasha listens to Spooner's description and dashes towards one of them.

"Carving time it is, then!""

Sasha reaches the closest Bloodhulk in no time and carves her kukri across the undead's belly, causing a large gash as she's splattered in blood and his rotten body ignites from her flaming weapon.

The creature isn't down, but her weapon seems to have injured it more than usual.

Spoiler: Fragile

Show

Bloodhulks take an extra 1d6 damage from any piercing or slashing weapon.

"Just a bunch of meat shields.... I guess calling them fighters is rather accurate, then.""

Kyle watches Sasha run off and fixes his sights on the other one, as his rapier digs deep into the creature's stomach, causing a jet of blood to spill on his face and chest.

"They are not that tough to strike, guys. If you have daggers or any other blades, use them!""

Map

Spoiler: Initiative

Show

Sasha
Spooner
Kyle
Seti
Eldarn
Bloodhulk Fighter x4
Travis
Anya

[dmarks]

"Oh yes, you were fearsome indeed, unconscious on that table," Anya replies in a droll fashion. Clearly this Sasha wasn't big on gratitude.

So blood baron it is...

When the monsters appeared from the pit, Anya almost wasn't surprised. Seems like every day I get to deal with unspeakable horrors.

Spoiler

Show

Listen: (1d20+3)[14]
Spellcraft: (1d20+12)[21]

[AlanBruce]

@Anya: Sasha looks at you from the corner of her eye and smiles.

"I am grateful, Anya. Had you not awoken me from such trance, I would not have been able to kick Kyle in the nuts. As for unconscious... well, I'll give you that one today for you to gloat on. You did snap me out of it.

Because of that, I am even willing to do you a favor:

Anyone you don't like, tell me. And I will kill him...or her."

Sasha winks and swings one of her kukris expertly with one hand.

"Just so you know. I don't do pro bono, and it's a limited time offer."

But once in the bowels of the Ludus Magnus, you listen to the Blood Lord begin to taunt all of you as these grotesque undead wash up from the blood pools and Sasha and Kyle get to it, slicing and dicing and burning them with ease.

You have already seen all manner of monstrosities in the last few days, so this is becoming second nature to you, even with dismembered blood limbs hanging from wicked hooks on the walls.

And yet, as hard as you try, you cannot sense where this guy is. You know there must be some sort of magic in the air, but your training cannot sense anything accurate yet.

Spoiler: Initiative

Show

Sasha
Spooner
Kyle
Seti
Eldarn
Bloodhulk Fighter x4
Travis
Anya

[TankLaser007]

Spooner breaks a piece of the tile in his hands, holding it between his fingers he rolls and tumbles his way down the hall making a jerk to his left as he moves past kyle and then twists around to come to a stop behind the monstrosity the hawk is fighting. He lunges forward with the jagged tile hoping to help Kyle finish the creature quickly.

Seti smashes his bottle against the corner of the wall as he passes, causing a spray of gravel and sand to trail the air behind him as he flips forward in a similar fashion to his master moving past Sasha and her opponent only to jerk to the right at the last moment to slice at the beast with his bottle, the same bottle Ross had given him only a day before.

Eldarn wastes no time joining his Society brothers, as he runs forward towards the creatur Sasha is fighting. Did somebody say Daggers? That was something that Eldarn could provide in spades his two daggers flashed in the dim light as swung at the undead creature with skilled practised hands.

Spoiler: Spooner

Show

Move: Staggered Charge to flank the Blood Hulk fighting Kyle Tumble - (1d20+18)[33] vs. DC15 no AoO (end move in square opposite Kyle)
Standard: Attack Blood Hulk Fighting Kyle

Attack - (1d20+20)[31] Damage – Slashing - (3d8+2)[14] + Fragile - (1d6)[6]

Swaying Waist vs. Blood Hulk AC 32
Dodge vs. Blood Hulk in row 36 AC 31

Mage Armour: 1 hour
HP:99/105
Stunning Fist Used:4

Spoiler: Seti

Show

Move: Staggered Charge to flank the Blood Hulk Sasha Tumble - (1d20+17)[25] vs. DC15 no AoO (end move in square opposite Sasha)
Standard: Attack Blood Hulk Fighting Sasha

Attack - (1d20+15)[19] Damage – Slashing - (3d6+5)[13] + Improvised Weapon - (1d8)[3]

Swaying Waist +2 AC vs. Blood Hulk Fighting Sasha AC 30
Dodge +1 AC vs. Blood Hulk at Row 35 AC 29
Greater Magic Fang 9 Hours
Mage Armour 1 hour
HP: 70/70

Spoiler: Eldarn

Show

Move: Charge Blood Hulk Fighting Sasha (end move next to Sasha on her left)
Standard: Attack Blood Hulk Fighting Sasha

Attack – Keen Dagger - (1d20+12)[30] Damage – Slashing - (1d4+3)[4] + Fragile - (1d6)[5]

Spoiler: Spells Cast

Show

Greater Magic Fang
Snake’s Swiftness Mass
Lessor Vigour Mass
Spirit Jaws
Bite of the Were Tiger
Dispel Magic
Kelpstrands
Flame Strike
Vortex of Teeth
Entangle
Splinter Bolt
Cure Moderate Wounds
Wand of Cure Moderate Wounds CL7 3/50
Wand of Cure Moderate Wounds CL10 15/50

[AlanBruce]

@Seti: The Society knows the drill as each of you take on a target.

Spooner rips a piece of mosaic with his bare hands and cracks it on his knee, so as to make it as jagged as possible and whistles to the undead beast so as to distract it as his old yet lithe frame somersaults over both Kyle and the Bloodhulk, splashing some blood as he lands and carves deep trench on the tight rotten flesh, causing a jet of blood to spurt on the old friar's face and chest.

"Way too much blood for my taste!""

You set eyes on the one engaged with Sasha and remember the old days at the Bitter Coffee, when some wise guy sought a fight and smash the bottle Ross gifted you against the wall, walking slowly at first towards both and then sprinting towards both as the beast attempts to bash you, only to strike your shadow as you flank the bloated zombie and gash his back, causing a large spray of blood to douse you as well.

The Crimson Tigress looks across the beast and smiles at you.

"Red suits you, Seti. Who would think of making these things out of so much blood, anyways?""

Eldarn rushes towards both of you and catches the beast unawares as his sharp and deadly dagger slices the creatures flabby forearm, spraying yet more blood on the druid's face.

"Crazed cultists? Some depraved mad mage? Take your pick. But these things don't grow on trees, that's for sure...

However we can damn well make sure we put them six feet under where they belong!""

It's Bharthran's voice that laughs through the darkness:

Ah yes, of course! Eldarn Luichin, the Society druid. You tree huggers don't like these, don't you? The whole anathema to life thing, is it? Ha! Then you really are not going to like what comes next! Fighters of the Pit: bring these mortals down!

With a gurgling roar, the Bloodhulks with you begin proving their worth as one strikes Kyle right in the jaw, nearly breaking it.

The Hawk Leader spits some blood and fixes his jaw.

"These bastards can sure pack a punch!""

@Seti: The one you just struck wobbles all over as blood spurts from three different wounds and clumsily raises his flabby arm, bringing it down on Eldarn's skull, nearly shattering it!

Spoiler: Slam

Show

8 damage

The other two Bloodhulks move in, but even gaining the advantage of flanking. Kyle is able to avoid a second serving of undead fist, but you aren't so lucky.

Spoiler: Slam

Show

9 damage

Map

Spoiler: Initiative

Show

Sasha
Spooner
Kyle
Seti
Eldarn
Bloodhulk Fighter x4
Travis
Anya

[dmarks]

Anya darts forwards across the bloody floor, stowing her runestaff: this brawl will require a little more finesse. Casting her arm wide, she takes in the gathered combatants and selecting the brutish monsters, brings down a crushing fatigue on them.

Spoiler

Show

Whelm Mass against the four enemies. I assume I roll separately for each, but if not just take the first roll:
(From left to right)
(9d6)[21]
(9d6)[32]
(9d6)[32]
(9d6)[22]
Damage is non-lethal (Will, DC 21 negates)
They are also affected by Unsettling enchantment, -2 on AC and saves for 1 round, no save.

[AlanBruce]

@Anya: With Seti, Kyle and the Society engaging the undead, you dash forward and deeper into the Blood Baths and look at the enemies as you concentrate a huge amount of arcane energy. Enough to knock these bloated bags of rotten blood down for several weeks as Kyle and Eldarn look at you and widen their eyes and repeat in unison:

Anya NO!

But too late, as the spell takes its course and you assault your undead enemies with one of your most powerful Enchantments as you bring your hands down and feel the surge of arcane power wash away, as you open your eyes, expecting them to have dropped on the floor...

They haven't. They haven't been scratched or annoyed by it!

Eldarn looks at you from the corner of his eye as he is dead set on bringing the Blood Hulks down.

"These creatures were subjected to a ritual, girl! They aren't alive anymore. They belong to the realm of the undead now. Spooner put us up to speed on that. Such a spell will cause them no harm!"

Bharthran's laughter can be heard out in the darkness as your spell fails miserably.

Map

Spoiler: Initiative

Show

Sasha
Spooner
Kyle
Seti
Eldarn
Bloodhulk Fighter x4
Travis
Anya

[AlanBruce]

Round 2

With Travis left aghast given Anya's failed spell, Sasha, Kyle and the others stick to bringing these undead bloated bags down for good.

Sasha dances around the Bloodhulk, her kurkris easily carving road side maps on its flesh as spurts of flaming blood sprout here and there as the Crimson Tigress looks at the beast, which still stands and then looks at her kukris.

"Did you do anything to them when while I was out, Kyle? These things aren't going down.""

Kyle on his side, proceeds to impale the Bloodhulk flanked by Spooner as more blood splashes on the Hawk Leader.

"No. These things are just extremely hardy. Thernus must have used them as guards. Ones that are very difficult to bring down. Just keep stabbing until they stop moving!""

Map

Spoiler: Initiative

Show

Sasha
Spooner
Kyle
Seti
Eldarn
Bloodhulk Fighter x4
Travis
Anya

[kinem]

ooc: As of midnight last night Travis still didn't have a turn to be able to act yet. He got that chance at 3:51 AM and lost it before I got home from work? Hardly fair. He should act in Round 1 before what Sasha just did.

Travis moves forward next to Anna and conjures a ball of acid, shooting it towards the undead flanked by Spooner and Kyle.

"Bharthran, I get that you're trying to be artistic here. But really, all this blood seems redundant. Have you tried gardening? Stuff of life and all that, plenty of people like to see it and I really think you'd be happier."

ooc: Round 1 (1d20+5)[24] ranged touch, damage (5d6)[22]

He'll probably use similar tactics in Round 2 so just in case:

Round 2 (1d20+5)[16] ranged touch, damage (5d6)[20]

MAP

[AlanBruce]

@Travis: You walk next to Anya, brimming with spells and call forth a glob of acid- trusty spells that will never run out as one of the Bloodhulks gets splashed in the face, burning the rotten flesh, but not dropping it entirely as you address Bharthran on his choice of decor.

The disembodied voice laughs as you look around at your team fighting these creatures:

A half orc mage? Hehehehe... the Society does have a few tricks up their sleeve. Last I checked, they were used only as cannon fodder, swinging blades and all that.

Although you are not on Gram's list, I am adding you to my own!

Once Sasha and Kyle resume stabbing the undead, even with your earlier acid glob, they aren't going down. These things are indeed very resilient and although they don't seem to punch very hard, they can take quite a beating, as the sacrificial blood spills all over the Baths.

But you have already been in a blood bath of your own earlier- Camazotz Den. There isn't anything here that could be worse than what you faced over there.

Map

Spoiler: Initiative

Show

Sasha
Spooner
Kyle
Seti
Eldarn
Bloodhulk Fighter x4
Travis
Anya

[TankLaser007]

Spooner realizes just how tough and dangerous these things are, "Concentrate your attacks on bringing them down one at a time!!" putting his fists where his mouth is he pummels the hulk in front of him. Meanwhile Seti knowing full well the advantages of surrounding an enemy makes an attack on the beast fighting Sasha and quickly tumbles away towards Anya, no reason to stay sandwiched between two of those things and pounded on.

The druid heeds both Spooner's words and Seti's example. He unleashes a flurry of dagger strikes before deftly spinning behind Sasha looking for an opportunity to attack should the Hulks move forward towards the TIgress.

Spoiler: Spooner

Show

Full Round Flurry of Fury

Attack - (1d20+16)[30] (Forgot the +2 for Flanking) Damage – Slashing - (3d8+2)[15] + Fragile - (1d6)[2]
Attack - (1d20+16)[23] (Forgot the +2 for Flanking) Damage – Slashing - (3d8+2)[13] + Fragile - (1d6)[2]
Attack - (1d20+11)[23] (Forgot the +2 for Flanking) Damage – Slashing - (3d8+2)[17] + Fragile - (1d6)[5]

Attack - (1d20+20)[31]

Swaying Waist vs. Blood Hulk AC 32
Dodge vs. Blood Hulk in row 36 AC 31

Mage Armour: 1 hour
HP:99/105
Stunning Fist Used:4

Spoiler: Seti

Show

Standard: Attack Blood Hulk Fighting Sasha
Move: To Row 41 space in front of and slightly to the right of Anya Tumble - (1d20+17)[24] vs. DC15 no AoO

Attack - (1d20+15)[27] Damage – Slashing - (3d6+5)[16] + Improvised Weapon - (1d8)[7]

Swaying Waist +2 AC vs. Blood Hulk Fighting Sasha AC 30
Dodge +1 AC vs. Blood Hulk at Row 35 AC 29
Greater Magic Fang 9 Hours
Mage Armour 1 hour
HP: 61/70

Spoiler: Eldarn

Show

Full Attack: Attack Blood Hulk Fighting Sasha
Move: 5’ Step Behind Sasha

Attack – Keen Dagger - (1d20+8)[28] Damage – Slashing - (1d4+3)[7] + Fragile - (1d6)[6]
Attack – Keen Dagger - (1d20+8)[12] Damage – Slashing - (1d4+3)[5] + Fragile - (1d6)[6]
Attack – Magebane Dagger - (1d20+3)[22] Damage – Slashing - (1d4+3)[7] + Fragile - (1d6)[6]


HP: 49/82

Spoiler: Spells Cast

Show

Greater Magic Fang
Snake’s Swiftness Mass
Lessor Vigour Mass
Spirit Jaws
Bite of the Were Tiger
Dispel Magic
Kelpstrands
Flame Strike
Vortex of Teeth
Entangle
Splinter Bolt
Cure Moderate Wounds
Wand of Cure Moderate Wounds CL7 3/50
Wand of Cure Moderate Wounds CL10 15/50

[AlanBruce]

@Seti: These undead have been sent by Bharthran to slow you down. You need to find that bloody bastard soon before you join these poor hapless souls in the Pit.

Spooner is quick to duck and weave as his impressive training comes into play as he kicks and slashes the Bloodhulk so many times, that the misshapen creature looks like a blood fountain, as the last remnants of undead spark in him deflate the body and cause it to shrivel like a flesh balloon on the blood stained floor.

"I couldn't agree more with you, Seti. Kyle, you can still fight?""

The Hawk Leader looks at the other undead in melee with him and adopts a defensive stance with his rapier.

"Yes, old friar. I think we can...""

@The Party: The entire Bath rumbles and ripples of blood form on the pools as distant heavy steps can be heard coming towards your location.

Kyle looks around, but keep his gaze focused on the Bloodhulk with him.

"What the hell was that?""

@Seti: You definitely don't want to be caught between these undead as you slash the one already hurt and perform several acrobatic leaps back and closer to Anya as you check your wounds...

They punch hard... but you can punch a lot harder.

It is as Eldarn is about to fillet the Bloodhulk that the stomping sounds become louder and the ground shakes as two portcullis further down the baths open and two immense sacks of undead flesh round the corner, each wielding a Heavy Mace fit for their size gripped in one hand:

Eldarn furrows his brow and proceeds to slash the Bloodhulk with him until it too unmakes itself into a disgusting pool of flabby rotten flesh on the ground and Bharthran's voice can be heard amidst the darkness, taunting all of you:

These are the Bloodhulk Giants. They weren't giants before, though. Do not be mislead by the name:

It just took more people than usual to create these. You know, if you press your ear against their belly and focus really hard, I can swear you can still hear the screams of those used in the ritual, their souls trapped in the massive amount of blood used to bring them into my service. Neat, huh? You should try it...hhehehheheee... HAHHAHAHAHAHHAAAAAAA!!!!


The two other Bloodhulk fighters engage both Kyle and Sasha, with both warriors either sidestepping or parrying their bloated arms with ample preparation.

Kyle looks at you from the corner of his eye as he swats the undead's slam from punching him again.

"Seti! I will deal with this one. You cannot allow the other two to engage us or we'll be vastly surrounded. Think you can take the battle to them?""

Sasha crosses her arms and dances around the Bloodhulk with her.

"I don't know: big stupid guys like those are my cup of tea, but this one here seems to have been taken by my good looks and I have a hunch he won't let go.""

@Travis: With both Bloodhulks destroyed, you lob an orb of acid at the one fighting off Sasha and Eldarn- a sure hit, but not a lethal one.

Map

Spoiler: Initiative

Show

Sasha
Spooner
Kyle
Seti
Bloodhulk Giant x2
Eldarn
Bloodhulk Fighter x2
Travis
Anya

[dmarks]

Creatures from beyond the veil eh? She'd mistaken the brutes for bizarre creations of living flesh, not the dead, but their minds were closed to her. Burn it, but this is getting too familiar! She cursed.

Still, she had strength left to fight. Drawing out her runestaff, she swept it through the air in front of her, and with a blaze of light the very ground erupted in flame, in a wall between her allies and the newest monsters.

Spoiler

Show

Wall of Fire at Row 30 the end of the thin section of wall, closest to the monsters.

As it is within 10ft of them, they should take (2d6)[3] doubled as they are undead.

Walking through it will cause them to take 2d6+9, again doubled.