Wrath of the Righteous - Sword of Valor [IC]

[Kallimakus]

Anevia moves with Lann. The courtyard us lifeless and empty. They skulk along the wall, hiding.
"I think we should check out the smaller building first" Anevia whispers to Lann. That one seems to be a storeroom or a stable, once upon a time.

[Frosty]

"Alright. Come with me. I'll climb and look in through the window, and if it's safe, you can open the door." says the mongrelman. Lann moves quickly to the window, and climbs up to reach the window.

climb: (1d20+14)[24]

[Kallimakus]

Inside the outbuilding, Lann can see broken stalls, and a pile of weapons discarded near the biddle. The inside floor is strewn with well-gnawed bones. Most of them look human. He can also see that the former stable offers no path forward. The courtyard is divided in two by a fence, and the far entrance has collapsed. It would take a group of people days to clear.

He and Anevia are both alerted by a new sound. The rustle of falling debris.
Some of the statues on the chapel roof started moving. Two leap down suddenly, swooping down on stony wings to block the exitfrom the coutyard. There is a third that stalks amongst the statuary, biding its time. They have the forms of defaced and corrupted, formerly angelic statues.

Acting quickly, Anevia draws and tosses a Thunderstone over the wall, where it tumbles down, and cracks on the ground with a loud sound.

---

At the camp, the waiting heroes hear the sharp crack, an obvious signal if there ever was one.
There were still stairs to go to intervene.

Spoiler: Nature DC 14

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These creatures are Gargoyles. Their bodies are made of stone, and vulnerable only to enchanted weapons.

Spoiler: Stairs

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The stairs are generally difficult terrain. Going 30 feet along (60 feet of movement) a DC 15 climb check is necessary to avoid falling. At 60 feet (another 60 feet of movement) a DC 15 Acrobatics check is required to traverse a narrow section and avoid a fall. Following that, there is still 30 feet of stairs, a third 60 feet, to reach the map.
Aravashinal is able to cast Levitate on one PC, allowing them to rise to the top in 5 rounds without needing checks.
For those willing to risk it, however... Nurah was trying to use a scrol of Dimension Door to escape them. The PC's can try to activate it, or try and coerce her to, using Diplomacy or Intimidate. This can carry two people, but the conversation takes at least 5 rounds.

[NeoSeraphi]

Is there any way for Shauna to make her way up?

[Frosty]

Luna looks at the steep stairs. "Crap. Ain't no way I'm making it up there with any speed. Hey Rose, Aravashniel, can you both use Levitate? The ones that don't levitate for fly or clibm well can be carried up. We gotta hurry...the scouting duo is in trouble."

Meanwhile, up top, Lann cursed and drops from the window. "Anevia, get inside! I'll hold it closed!" shouts Lann as he gets up from his drop. After Anevia opens the door and darts in, Lann will rush in as well and then turn around and hold the door closed. "Can you find something to bar the door with? I'll hold this for now."

[Kallimakus]

"Anevia!" Irabeth gasps. She heads for the stairs.
"Of course." Aravashinal replies, speaking out the words of the spell. "I'll lift you as fast as I can."
He casts Levitate on Shauna, while Rosa can use her Scale to lift herself. Either can carry another person.

---

Up top, Anevia pushes the door open, and heads inside. Lann quickly follows, pushing the door shut and leaning against it. The scout is calm, they were safe
In response to his question, Anevia looks at the pile of weapons. As she starts to dig through it, there is a slam against the door. Lann feels something heavy push against the double door to the stable. Heavy, about equal in strength.
She finds an intact, hefty axe with a large head and a thick handle, and tosses it to Lann's feet. As she does, another, much stronger shove pushes Lann off the door, allowing the gargoyles to step inside.

Spoiler: Rolls

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(1d20-1)[17] Irabeth Climb
Irabeth, alas, can't make the acrobatics. We'll come back to her when it's time.
(1d20+2)[21] Gargoyle Aid, DC 10
(1d20+2)[16] Gargoyle Strength to force the door

Spoiler: Levitate and carrying

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For the purposes of Levitate, I shall state that carrying a person is considered grappling, giving -4 to Dexterity, -2 to attacks, takes one hand from each person in the carry, and can't make Attacks of Opportunity. Concntration is neeeded to cast spells, but at DC 10+Spell Level, since you're not trying to stop the other from casting.

In addition, you can only carry up to Heavy Load. This effectively means that Shauna should carry the lighter Luna, and Rosa carry Skerak.
(This is because Shauna is already carrying more.)

Spoiler: The Door

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One of the Gargoyles is 5 feet into the stables. A combat manueovre is required to try push it out, and a move action to close the doors again.

[Diachronos]

Skerak starts climbing up to join the scouts.

Spoiler

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30ft climb speed

[Frosty]

"Damn! Help me push it back out! We gotta close and bar the door!"

The mongreman steels himself for the coming blow as he ducks down low to try to tackle and push the gargoyle back out the door! Anevia helps as best she can.

CMB check (+2 from Anevia): (1d20+11)[20]

[Kallimakus]

"Yeah!" Anevia says. She helps upset the first gargoyle's balance and lets Lann push it out. Together, they shut the doors of the stable again. The gargoyles immediately slam back into the doors, trying to make their way in. Lann and Anevia keep their footing against the pushing gargoyles.

As he climbs, Skerak spots a winged, statue-like creature fly over the lip of the ledge where the chapel is located, and stalks above him on his path, its formerly angelic visage crowned with demonic horns and endowed with sharp teeth and claws. It seems intent to try and pull him off and toss him down. It could do the same to the ones ascending via Levitate. If they are pushed away from the cliff, they can't reach it themselves. Unless they have spells or gear to drag themselves towards the cliff, they must descend and try again.

Spoiler: Round 2

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Anevia uses Aid another on Lann. He Bull Rushes the Gargoyle back, and shuts the doors.
The two gargoyles both try to force the doors.
(1d20+2)[15] vs Lann, (1d20+2)[7] vs Anevia, (1d20+1)[13] Anevia's opposed Str check
Shauna, Rosa and Luna have ascended 40 of the 90 feet.
Irabeth has cleared the obstacle at 30 feet
Skerak has ascended 60 feet. Next turn, he will reach the top.
The third gargoyle takes to the cliff face, on Skerak's path. It is about 10 feet away from Skerak, and 30 from Luna, Rosa an Shauna.

[NeoSeraphi]

Shauna frowns. "This isn't good!" She draws her sword and readies herself for when she gets closer to the gargoyle.

[Frosty]

Having deflected the Gargoyles' second attempt to break into the room, Lann quickly grabs the axe and bars the door with it. "We can hold out now, Anevia. Good thinking with that thunderstone."

Meanwhile, Luna sees the danger of the incoming gargoyle, and throws a spell to stun it! If it gets stunned, it can't flap its wings and will plummet to the ground hopefully.

Spoiler: ooc

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Luna casts "Sound Burst" at the Gargoyle. DC17 Fort save or be Stunned for 1 round. Damage: (1d8)[1]
Lann bars the door with the axe.

[Kallimakus]

Luna manages to catch the gargoyle with her spell, the loud noise causing the stone monster to seize up and unceremoniously plummet to the ground below. It looks like it's hurt, but not dead.
It does seem like there's no shortage of soldiers looking to fix that.

With the obstacle removed, Skerak resumes his climb, and the others continue their ascension. The half-orc finally feels the cliff face give way to a plateau, laying eyes on the defaced temple of Iomedae, and the two gargoyles besieging the smaller building.

Frustrated, the gargoyles curse, and rather than continue pushing at the doors they intend to break them into firewood entirely. They succeed, leaving splinters and the intact axe handle. Anevia shoots and hits one of the gargoyles but the arrow breaks on impact

Spoiler: Round 3

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Up above, Anevia and Lann have barred the door. Anevia readies an attack to shoot any gargoyle that gets past them.
(1d20+2)[21] Gargoyle Strength check vs break DC of 18, (1d20+2)[16] Aid Another
Skerak reaches the top of his climb. He is outside the perimeter wall (at a place of his choosing)
Shauna, Luna and Rosa have ascended 60 feet total, of 90.
Irabeth has ascended to the jump portion of the stairs. It is an obstacle she can't cross herself.

[NeoSeraphi]

As Shauna is carrying Luna she can take no actions herself so she simply attempts to evade as much as she can with the levitation.

[Diachronos]

Skerak attacks one of the gargoyles at the door.

Spoiler

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hit: (1d20+12)[27]/(1d20+12)[28]
damage: (3d6+13)[19]/(6d6+26)[46]

[Frosty]

"By the first First Crusaders!" swears Lann as the wooden door breaks into splinters. He grips his scythe and stands stalwart in the doorway. "I am your opponent! Fight me!" he shouts as he swings at the gargoyle that broke the door.

Spoiler: ooc

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Lann grabs his +1 Scythe, then attacks the gargoyle.
Attack: (1d20+10)[16]
Damage: (2d4+5)[9]

Meanwhile, Luna cheers as the crusaders down below hack the stunned gargoyle to pieces! "Sounds of battle up above. We must hurry!"

[Kallimakus]

The gargoyle struck by Skerak withdraws from Lann's reach, and wings over to meet Skerak. It just about reaches the half-orc. The other, perceiving Lann as the obvious threat, strikes

Anevia watches her arrow shatter against the gargoyle hide and then Lann's scythe bite and draw some sluggish, black bile that passes for blood. "I'll support you!" she says, stowing her bow and drawing a short sword, stepping around the gargoyle.

Spoiler: Round 4

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Skerak and Lann struck the gargoyles. One Gargoyle Withdraws. The other attacks Lann (1d20+7)[18], (1d6+2)[3]
(1d2)[2] on 1, Skerak and Lann struck the same target, on 2 different ones.
Gargoyle against Skerak has taken 19
Gargoyle against Lann and Anevia has taken 9 damage

Spoiler: Round 5

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As is relevant, Rosa takes a Move Action to ascend the last 20 feet, and has a Standard left. Luna and Shauna reach the top with all actions available, near where Skerak came up.

[Diachronos]

Skerak doesn't budge, instead launching another blast of stone at the gargoyle.

Spoiler

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Hit: (1d20+12)[19]/(1d20+12)[28]
Damage: (3d6+13)[24]/(6d6+16)[43]

Not bothering with casting defensively or moving away

[Kallimakus]

Gargoyle takes the attack of opportunity.

Spoiler: Roll

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(1d20+7)[16], (1d6+2)[8]

[Frosty]

Luna sees her friends being attacked, and she immediately springs into action. She steps onto solid ground, moving forward as she infused her next word with mythic power.

“DROP!” She commands both gargoyles before she goes to the gargoyle that attacked Skerak.

Spoiler: ooc

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Luna casts Mythic Command with the Extend metamagic rod on the two gargoyles, commanding them to fall prone on their turn and remain that way for 2 turns. DC16 will save. If save succeeds, they are staggered for 2 turns instead.

Then, Luna moves to flank the gargoyle that attacked Skerak.

[Frosty]

Lann, flanking with Anevia, tries to cut down the gargoyle in front of him! He swings twice with his magic scythe.

Spoiler: ooc

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Flanking Full attack
Atk1: (1d20+12)[14]
Dmg: (2d4+5)[9]

Atk1: (1d20+7)[20]
Dmg: (2d4+5)[12]

[NeoSeraphi]

Shauna also steps on solid ground and attacks.

Spoiler

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(1d20+10)[18](1d8+6)[11]

[Kallimakus]

Skerak blasts the gargoyle with his kinetic powers, ignoring its attempt to retaliate. Both gargoyles manage to throw off Luna's command, but to resist the compulsion leaves them slowed and unfocused.

With their ascent complete, Rosa lets Luna go, and heads for the stairs. She seeks to aid Irabeth, rather than join the combat, a decision vindicated by Shauna cutting down the closest gargoyle with Radiance. The blade shines brighter, joyous at purging evil from sacred ground.
"Defiled" it whispers to Shauna. She can feel it too. A malign presence that has seeped to the very ground beneath them.

Anevia and Lann flank the gargoyle, with Lann's enchanted scythe cutting through stony flesh, while Anevia tries to locate weak spots to land her own strike.

Spoiler: Round 5

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Skerak and Shauna attack and kill one Gargoyle.
Lann and Anevia flank another gargoyle, having dealt a total of 21 damage.
Anervia attacks the gargoyle (1d20+9)[23], (3d6+3)[8]
Luna cast Command on the Gargoyle, making it Staggered.
Gargoyle attacks Lann (1d20+7)[10], (1d6+2)[8]

[Frosty]

Luna says, "Good work, Shauna!" as the first gargoyle goes down. She rushes over to the last gargoyle, drawing her dagger as she goes, and tries to aid Lann in hitting the stone monster.

Lann smirks. "Glad you made it. I wasn't sure if you could make the climb." He swings his scythe, trying to aim for the neck of the gargoyle!

Spoiler: ooc

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Luna aids Lann to try to give Lann a +2 on his hit. (1d20+7)[26]

Lann's attack: (1d20+10)[18] +2 if Luna succeeds in aiding. Another +2 if Rosa manages to aid as well.
Damage: (2d4+5)[11]

[Diachronos]

Spoiler

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stone blast on the remaining gargoyle
hit: (1d20+12)[18]/(1d20+12)[16]
damage: (3d6+13)[25]/(6d6+26)[51]

[NeoSeraphi]

Shauna rushes to aid Skerak, striking the same enemy he targets.

Spoiler

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(1d20)[10] [rol]1d8+6[/roll]

To the blade, she nods in agreement. Anger fills her. Righteous, burning anger. She cannot forgive this creatures, cannot allow them to continue.