3: I Never Drink...Wine

[Sierra]

<El-Cideon> You emerge in the center of a small room, just a basic shelter from the elements from the look of it. Ten feet square, more a brick hut perched on the roof of the castle wall than a proper room, the only furnishings a simple cot and table in the corner. Wooden doors at the north and east, and open windows at every wall.
<El-Cideon> There are no torches here, but enough of the outside's vague, diffuse light comes in through those windows for you to plainly see a figure standing next to one, looking out to the north. A human woman--she whirls around at your approach, a sword in each hand. Black hair hacked short with no real grace or style. Short, wiry, tomboyish face and build. Dressed in light armor stained black, a black cloak and, well, let's just say it's no secret what her favorite color is. She lowers her weapons--tentatively--on taking a close look at you.
<El-Cideon> A smoky silhouette peers at you from around her shoulder, a ghostly shape of vaguely humanoid form, tailing away past the waist and featureless save for the faint glimmer of eyes. Its fingers are disproportionately long.
<El-Cideon> The young woman speaks: "Human, then?" A glance at Madeline's ears. "Or close enough."
<Madeline> "We are not from the castle, at the least," replies Madeline, holding her bow up over her shoulder. "What is your business here?"
<El-Cideon> OOC: Eliaphas can roll K:R on the creature, incidentally
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+22 sure
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+22 sure and gets 27."12 [1d20=5]
<El-Cideon> "Here to kill a man," she says.
<Corben> "Who?"
* Eliaphas has his crossbow aimed low but it would be trivial to raise it and get off a shot or two if the woman makes any hostile moves. "Your choice of companion speaks ill of you, madame," the inquisitor remarks gravelly, eyes narrowed in an unflinching stare.
<El-Cideon> "She chose me," she says, almost sheepishly as she casts a glance back at the shadow. Then, with more iron: "Anyway, she's no harm to anyone who doesn't trouble me, so point that thing somewhere else and we'll have no problems."
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+27 her motives are being sensed
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+27 her motives are being sensed and gets 37."12 [1d20=10]
<Madeline> "If your target is the Earl, it would be optimal for us to coordinate our movement. In any case, he must be defeated for any of us to leave this place," notes Madeline.
<El-Cideon> "The Duke?" She snorts. "No, I'm not that crazy. I'm here for a priest. Name of Father Randolf."
<Eliaphas> "Duke," Eliaphas corrects quietly, lowering his crossbow further. "The newly risen may be able to control their hungers, but sooner or later will fall upon the innocent."
<El-Cideon> OOC: K:R on that name too if you want
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+16 I know that guy? (religion)
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+16 I know that guy? (religion) and gets 36."12 [1d20=20]
<Eliaphas> "Why such care for a man either long dead or reduced to a pawn in the Duke's blasphemy?" Eliaphas asks, drawing her out more.
<El-Cideon> "Well, there's not too many innocent around here. I'll just keep her around the bad people." She leans against the wall, rolls her eyes at the shadow. "Oh, it's Viola here. Won't shut up about him. I thought, maybe she'll leave me alone if I kill the bastard for her."
<Madeline> "You have taken upon remarkable danger to satisfy the whims of a shadow," notes Madeline.
<Eliaphas> "Hmm..." Eliaphas considers a moment. "Avenging the shadow's death would allow her to pass into the Lord's embrace more easily than through the absolution of flames. We may be of use to each other - even if you do slay Randolf, it is the Duke's will that entraps all within these walls."
<Corben> The lamentations of a fallen priest would not be as glorious as those of a villainous duke, but there is a certain appeal to them. "Yes," Corben agrees out loud. "When did you get here? And how?"
<El-Cideon> "Yeah, well. She's been around a while. She's sorta like a pet." The shadow crosses its arms and stares at her.
<El-Cideon> "I walked," she continues. "Came last night or so? It's hard to tell the time here. I mean, there's that big clock over north ways, but that doesn't tell me if it's morning or night. And it's not impossible to get out of here if you really want to."
<Madeline> "I would agree on the technical definition. Perhaps you are correct in sentiment as well. For us, then, leaving is impossible without the ruler's head." Madeline shrugs. "Have you learned anything of interest about this wing of the castle?"
<El-Cideon> "I learned they don't check these old guard towers very often. Had a nap here without anyone bothering me. Of course, that might change now--seen a lot of goons flying around just now. Someone stirred up the nest out there, I thought. You guys, probably?" She shrugs. "Anyway, I didn't wander more than I had to. Viola knew right where to go, so I just followed her directions. It, uh, didn't go so well, or I would've left already." She casts an apologetic look at the shadow. "Anyway, this wing, it's like a big square from the look of it. I went 'round the north side to get to the chapel. Lot of artsy stuff round there it looked like, but I didn't poke my nose anywhere it didn't have to go."
<Madeline> "Given that your first assault failed, what was your plan for proceeding?"
<El-Cideon> "Don't know. Wait 'til he sleeps maybe. And hope vampires sleep."
<Madeline> "They sleep during the day. It is never really day here."
<El-Cideon> She sighs. "Well, maybe I steal a lot of holy water and come back with that next time. I don't know. But then the castle'd probably be gone by the time I get back and then it's another eight years of Viola nagging me."
<Corben> "We should just go and kill him, grind his bones into powder and spread the ashes over the four winds," Corben declares. "If he has any guards, they too will die!"
<Eliaphas> "If complicit then Randolf would be a high ranking pawn. It would make ending the Duke easier, and my duty to the Lord often has me dealing with such betrayers of the Lord's light. He will not be any different," Eliaphas declares, pulling out his current clip of crossbow bolts and replacing it with one filled with silver tipped bolts.
<Madeline> "I do not have any objections to pruning this castle of inhabitants, and he may know useful information about the rest of the castle. Since you have faced him once, you must know how he fights. Tell me, so I can determine how best to approach him."
<El-Cideon> Another sigh, this one seemingly leaden with gratitude. "Okay, great. I wasn't gonna just ask you, but...okay. So. It...wasn't exactly a fight, right? He just looked at me and smiled and for a second it was like my body wasn't my own, but I broke out of it and then I sort of...ran away. I was going to go back later, though, I swear! At any rate, he was alone at the time, just standing there in his church yammering at the walls. Well, probably alone. I could swear those statues in the rafters were looking at me. He's got a room in a tower nearby too, dunno when he might be there though."
<Corben> It sounds very simple. When the priest takes control of this woman again as they return, Corben will make the vampire's shoulders part with his head.
<Madeline> "I believe we should start with his room, and then work our way back towards the church," states Madeline. "We may intercept him on the way if we are fortunate, or derive further information about him from his belongings."
<Eliaphas> "A solid plan. Vampires have preternaturally sharp senses, but if we are careful and cautious at least one of us should be able to take him by surprise," Eliaphas agrees with the elven archer.
<El-Cideon> She nods. "Alright...uh, you guys have names? Stupid question, of course you have names. Folks back home took to calling me Cat. 's good enough."
<Corben> "Corben," the barbarian responds curtly.
<Eliaphas> "Eliaphas," the former priest replies simply. "If we are close to the vampire's lair I can have the Lord bring his protection against those who plan to engage him closely. It will not protect against his enchantments, but his more lethal abilities will be curbed."
<Madeline> "I'm Madeline," replies Madeline. "You are a swordswoman, then?"
<El-Cideon> "Yeah, kinda, though most of the time I try to avoid needing to use them. If I have to, well, I make sure they don't know what's coming first." She gestures out the window. "Chapel's on the other side of that courtyard from us. I walked around the west and north corridors before, seemed safe enough as far as this place goes. Viola told me to stay out of the east corridor, fucking ghosts everywhere or something."
<Madeline> "Show us the way to the tower," instructs Madeline. "We should stay indoors- I am worried about airborne foes at present."
* Eliaphas elects to hold off on defensive blessings until they reach the tower, following Cat's lead to their destination.
<Madeline> On the way, Madeline sees fit to enchant her arrows, so that they might cause her enemies to suffer from even hotter burns than before.
* Madeline changes topic to '6Corben: 110/137, Eliaphas: 102/102, Madeline: 95/96| 4FlameArrowCount: 50'
<El-Cideon> "Can't quite see it from here--that big building in the middle of the courtyard gets in the way. But--" She turns to the north window again, starts to point, stops as she looks out. "Oh. We might want to wait a couple minutes."
<Madeline> "Gargoyles? Harpies?"
* Corben looks out for himself!
<Eliaphas> Eliaphas hangs back from the window and potential line of fire, waiting on further elaboration.
<El-Cideon> Far to the north and a tad to the west, a towering structure rears in the distance, the most distinguishing feature at this range being the circular face of a clock up high. You can also see down onto the lawn from here--the covered path you ignored earlier heads due east to a raised building at the center of the yard.
<El-Cideon> There is also a minor drama proceeding in that courtyard: an armored figure of brutish size, midnight black with silver filigree, stalks along the path to the west, trailed by two guards (of the sort you've come to recognize--one of them still has an arrow jutting from its helmet, in fact)--who struggle to match its pace. They stop suddenly as a squadron of winged figures wheel down towards them from the southeast. Four humanoid creatures with skin of deep red. The being leading them is taller, covered in black scales that gleam dully in the dim light. When it lands, it rivals the armored figure in height. It looks like the two of them are conversing, though they're much too far off to hear words.
<El-Cideon> "Those red guys, they're all over the goddamn place since I woke up," Cat says. "What did you people do, anyway?"
<Corben> "We killed the butler. He was evil!"
<Madeline> "We entered by force," replies Madeline, squinting and trying to gauge the distance. "I think I can hit them from here."
<El-Cideon> Cat snorts. "Aren't they all?"
* Corben nods seriously. "Yes."
<El-Cideon> The armor brute gestures angrily at the black monster, and proceeds along the path past it. It's hard to tell from this distance, but it looks like the scaled figure is laughing. A vague rumble can just be heard, like rocks scraping together.
* Eliaphas approaches the window with his crossbow held up to fire. "We have good cover and could do much damage," he agrees, peering into the gloom.
<Madeline> The winged figures draw Madeline's attention, and she nods. "We should aim to slay their leaders," she noted, taking aim at the largest creature.
<Corben> "I'll guard," Corben declares, keeping himself out of sight from beyond the windows, now. "If they come, they will regret it!"
<Madeline> "We will need to displace quickly once they move out of range," states Madeline. "They will converge on us if we do not." She draws an arrow and lets it fly!
<Madeline> roll 1d20+19 -3 deadly aim -2 range +1 height
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+19 -3 deadly aim -2 range +1 height and gets 21."12 [1d20=2]
<El-Cideon> OOC: hits flatfooted, lucky
* Eliaphas takes aim at the black-scaled thing and fires a shot himself.
<Madeline> roll 1d8+12+2d6+1d6+1d6 fire/frost/shock
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d8+12+2d6+1d6+1d6 fire/frost/shock and gets 24."12 [1d8=3][2d6=1, 4][1d6=1][1d6=3]
* Madeline changes topic to '6Corben: 110/137, Eliaphas: 102/102, Madeline: 95/96| 4FlameArrowCount: 49'
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+13 vital strike, -2 range -2 deadly aim
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+13 vital strike, -2 range -2 deadly aim and gets 19."12 [1d20=6]
<El-Cideon> OOC: that ...also just hits flatfooted. Dodge bonuses are lost when flatfooted, yes?
<Madeline> OOC: Yeah
<Eliaphas> roll 2d10+7+1d6+1d6
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 2d10+7+1d6+1d6 and gets 19."12 [2d10=4, 4][1d6=1][1d6=3]
<Eliaphas> OOC: -1 since it's silver
<El-Cideon> Two projectiles strike home. An enraged snarl off in the distance as the black creature whirls around, points a claw in your direction. Its companions prepare to take to the air! Cat watches, wide-eyed. "No wonder they're after you already! You guys ever heard of stealth?" OOC: roll init
<Corben> roll 1d20+12
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 1d20+12 and gets 15."12 [1d20=3]
<Madeline> "Yes. But I also believe in getting the first hit in," replies Madeline, nocking several more arrows to the bow!
<Madeline> roll 1d20+9
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+9 and gets 14."12 [1d20=5]
<El-Cideon> roll 4#1d20+8 grimjaw mob
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 4#1d20+8 grimjaw mob and gets 101."12 [4#1d20+8 = 23, 26, 27, 25]
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+9
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+9 and gets 11."12 [1d20=2]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+10 ?????
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+10 ????? and gets 30."12 [1d20=20]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+10 Cat
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+10 Cat and gets 20."12 [1d20=10]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+2 Viola
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+2 Viola and gets 15."12 [1d20=13]
* El-Cideon changes topic to '6Corben: 110/137, Eliaphas: 102/102, Madeline: 95/96| 4FlameArrowCount: 49 ????? > grimjaw x4 > Cat > Corben/Viola > Madeline > Eliaphas'
<El-Cideon> The scaled creature immediately dashes out of sight to the west, while the red monsters pair off and wing towards your position, one heading due south for your window, the other angling slightly southeast. "Oh hell," Cat mutters, producing a crossbow from somewhere and winding up a bolt. "Stay here, Viola. Wait until they get close." OOC: you guys are up. They closed about ninety feet of that range with double movement. The black one is out of sight.
<Madeline> Madeline glowers in frustration, but there's unfortunately no way for her to pursue the cowardly leader. One of the red creatures flying towards her demands her full attention, and a volley of rainbow-tinged arrows is sent speeding towards them!
<Madeline> roll 1d20+21 rShot mShot
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+21 rShot mShot and gets 33."12 [1d20=12]
<Madeline> roll 1d20+21 rShot
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+21 rShot and gets 36."12 [1d20=15]
<Madeline> roll 1d20+21
<Madeline> roll 1d20+21
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+21 and gets 39."12 [1d20=18]
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+21 and gets 25."12 [1d20=4]
<Madeline> OOC: err
<Madeline> roll 1d20+16
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+16 and gets 17."12 [1d20=1]
<Madeline> roll 1d20+11
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+11 and gets 23."12 [1d20=12]
<Madeline> OOC: better!
<El-Cideon> OOC: all but that 1 is a hit
<Madeline> roll 1d8+6+2d6+1d6+1d6 fire/frost shock
<Madeline> roll 1d8+6+2d6+1d6+1d6 fire/frost shock
<Madeline> roll 1d8+6+2d6+1d6+1d6 fire/frost shock
<Madeline> roll 1d8+6+2d6+1d6+1d6 fire/frost shock
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d8+6+2d6+1d6+1d6 fire/frost shock and gets 30."12 [1d8=6][2d6=4, 4][1d6=6][1d6=4]
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d8+6+2d6+1d6+1d6 fire/frost shock and gets 30."12 [1d8=6][2d6=3, 6][1d6=4][1d6=5]
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d8+6+2d6+1d6+1d6 fire/frost shock and gets 24."12 [1d8=6][2d6=5, 2][1d6=3][1d6=2]
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d8+6+2d6+1d6+1d6 fire/frost shock and gets 24."12 [1d8=6][2d6=1, 4][1d6=1][1d6=6]
* Madeline changes topic to '6Corben: 110/137, Eliaphas: 102/102, Madeline: 95/96| 4FlameArrowCount: 45 ????? > grimjaw x4 > Cat > Corben/Viola > Madeline > Eliaphas'
<El-Cideon> One creature takes a barrage of arrows and falters in its flight, but stays airborne somehow. Elemental forces flicker over it seemingly without effect. OOC: E
* Madeline changes topic to '6Corben: 110/137, Eliaphas: 102/102, Madeline: 95/96| 4FlameArrowCount: 44 ????? > grimjaw x4 > Cat > Corben/Viola > Madeline > Eliaphas'
* Eliaphas fires his own volley of shots spread across the fliers rapidly approaching! "The more we kill the less we have to deal with later," he notes as the bolts fly forth!
<Eliaphas> OOC: using outsider greater bane, does that affect these guys?
<El-Cideon> OOC: Nope
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+15 rapid shot
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+15 rapid shot and gets 29."12 [1d20=14]
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+15 rapid shot
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+15 rapid shot and gets 19."12 [1d20=4]
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+10 rapid shot
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+10 rapid shot and gets 24."12 [1d20=14]
<El-Cideon> OOC: first and last hit
<Eliaphas> roll 1d10+3 not rolling energy since they seem immune?
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d10+3 not rolling energy since they seem immune? and gets 6."12 [1d10=3]
<Eliaphas> roll 1d10+3 not rolling energy since they seem immune?
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d10+3 not rolling energy since they seem immune? and gets 10."12 [1d10=7]
<El-Cideon> OOC: it's resistance, but if you've just got d6 energy, yeah, not passing it
<El-Cideon> A pair of bolts pepper the creature. It lands on the rooftop along with its fellow, though weakly, barely standing. Thumps on the outside of the guard tower as three sets of feet touch down. The injured one opens the north door, one lands outside the window and takes a swipe through it at Madeline, while a third opens the east door.
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+14 claw, presumably you get some cover since he's hitting through a window, so apply that to your AC
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+14 claw, presumably you get some cover since he's hitting through a window, so apply that to your AC and gets 34."12 [1d20=20]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+14 or that doesn't matter!
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+14 or that doesn't matter! and gets 27."12 [1d20=13]
<Madeline> OOC: not a crit
<El-Cideon> roll 1d6+4+1d6 elec
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d6+4+1d6 elec and gets 11."12 [1d6=5][1d6=2]
* Madeline changes topic to '6Corben: 110/137, Eliaphas: 102/102, Madeline: 84/96| 4FlameArrowCount: 44 ????? > grimjaw x4 > Cat > Corben/Viola > Madeline > Eliaphas'
<El-Cideon> A wicked bone spur juts from each the creature's wrists--the one before Madeline flares with electricity as it swipes at her! The creatures otherwise are wiry, red humanoids with a prominent horn of jagged bone thrusting from their faces.
<El-Cideon> Cat tries to aim her crossbow past Eliaphas to shoot at the wounded creature.
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+14-4 no precise shot for her, alas
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+14-4 no precise shot for her, alas and gets 26."12 [1d20=16]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d8 hits anyway!
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d8 hits anyway! and gets 5."12 [1d8=5]
<El-Cideon> The monster totters, barely on its feet! OOC: C
* Corben snarls at the demonic humanoid that thinks himself able to sneak up on him, and seeks to divest him of his arms!
<Corben> roll 1d20+20 rage, 4pa
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 1d20+20 rage, 4pa and gets 34."12 [1d20=14]
<Corben> roll 1d20+15 rage, 4pa
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 1d20+15 rage, 4pa and gets 29."12 [1d20=14]
<Corben> roll 1d20+18 rage, 4pa, surprise accuracy
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 1d20+18 rage, 4pa, surprise accuracy and gets 26."12 [1d20=8]
<El-Cideon> OOC: all hit
<Corben> OOC: -5 to the last, damn
<El-Cideon> OOC: still hits
<Corben> roll 3#2d4+16+8
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 3#2d4+16+8 and gets 86."12 [3#2d4+16+8 = 28, 26, 32]
* El-Cideon changes topic to '6Corben: 110/137, Eliaphas: 102/102, Madeline: 84/96| 4FlameArrowCount: 44 ????? > grimjaw x3 > Cat > Corben/Viola > Madeline > Eliaphas'
<El-Cideon> Corben rends the creature asunder, hashed meat littering the castle roof outside! Meanwhile, the shadow slips through the wall and circles around to slash at the monster threatening Madeline!
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+10 touch
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+10 touch and gets 19."12 [1d20=9]
* Corben steps into the breach in enemy forces, seeking out more opponents!
<El-Cideon> roll 1d6 STR
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d6 STR and gets 2."12 [1d6=2]
<El-Cideon> The creature withers slightly before your eyes! OOC: M and then E
<Madeline> A truly skilled archer can shoot their opponents at any range. Madeline hasn't quite worked out the secret to firing upon enemies who are standing on top of you, but anything short of that isn't good enough! She backs up just a step and launches another barrage of arrows that fill the room of steam!
<Madeline> roll 1d20+18 deadlyaim/rapidshot/manyshot
<Madeline> roll 1d20+18 deadlyaim/rapidshot/manyshot
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+18 deadlyaim/rapidshot/manyshot and gets 30."12 [1d20=12]
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+18 deadlyaim/rapidshot/manyshot and gets 26."12 [1d20=8]
<Madeline> roll 1d20+13
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+13 and gets 18."12 [1d20=5]
<Madeline> roll 1d20+8
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+8 and gets 14."12 [1d20=6]
<El-Cideon> OOC: first two hit
<Madeline> roll 1d8+12+2d6 fire if ice does anything lemme know
<Madeline> roll 1d8+12+2d6 fire if ice does anything lemme know
<Madeline> roll 1d8+12+2d6 fire if ice does anything lemme know
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d8+12+2d6 fire if ice does anything lemme know and gets 26."12 [1d8=8][2d6=3, 3]
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d8+12+2d6 fire if ice does anything lemme know and gets 26."12 [1d8=7][2d6=5, 2]
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d8+12+2d6 fire if ice does anything lemme know and gets 23."12 [1d8=1][2d6=6, 4]
<El-Cideon> The monster acquires several more protrusions to match its barbed horn, and howls in anger! OOC: E. The one that opened the north door is next to you, FYI
<Eliaphas> Turning around to face this new threat, Eliaphas jabs the attacker in the chest with his bayonet, resolve filling his allies!
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+13 vital strike
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+13 vital strike and gets 15."12 [1d20=2]
<Eliaphas> OOC: +18 temp hp for everyone
* Eliaphas changes topic to '6Corben: 110+18/137, Eliaphas: 102+18/102, Madeline: 84+18/96| 4FlameArrowCount: 44 ????? > grimjaw x3 > Cat > Corben/Viola > Madeline > Eliaphas'
<El-Cideon> OOC: miss, alas
<El-Cideon> The wounded beast next to Eliaphas flails away with claws and jabs viciously with its beak, while the one outside the window turns to slash at the shadow assailing it! At the same time, the missing beast emerges from the stairway in the corner!
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+14 claw
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+14 claw and gets 30."12 [1d20=16]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+14 claw
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+14 claw and gets 26."12 [1d20=12]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+14 gore
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+14 gore and gets 20."12 [1d20=6]
<El-Cideon> OOC: AC?
<Eliaphas> OOC: 25
<El-Cideon> roll 1d6+4 there'd be fire damage too, but, resistance. This one picked the wrong element.
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d6+4 there'd be fire damage too, but, resistance. This one picked the wrong element. and gets 7."12 [1d6=3]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d6+4
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d6+4 and gets 8."12 [1d6=4]
* Eliaphas changes topic to '6Corben: 110+18/137, Eliaphas: 102+3/102, Madeline: 84+18/96| 4FlameArrowCount: 44 ????? > grimjaw x3 > Cat > Corben/Viola > Madeline > Eliaphas'
* Madeline changes topic to '6Corben: 110+18/137, Eliaphas: 102+3/102, Madeline: 84+18/96| 4FlameArrowCount: 39 ????? > grimjaw x3 > Cat > Corben/Viola > Madeline > Eliaphas'
<El-Cideon> roll 2#1d20+14 I guess the elemental damage could actually hurt Viola
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 2#1d20+14 I guess the elemental damage could actually hurt Viola and gets 57."12 [2#1d20+14 = 26, 31]
<Corben> roll 1d20+20 4pa
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 1d20+20 4pa and gets 29."12 [1d20=9]
<Corben> roll 2d4+16+8
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 2d4+16+8 and gets 31."12 [2d4=3, 4]
<El-Cideon> OOC: hit
<Corben> As another villain appears on the stairway, Corben's falcion slices at its vile horn!
<El-Cideon> roll 2#1d6 elec to Viola
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 2#1d6 elec to Viola and gets 8."12 [2#1d6 = 5, 3]
<El-Cideon> The newly emerged beast takes a wicked slash from Corben as Cat winds up her crossbow and fires again!
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+14-4
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+14-4 and gets 21."12 [1d20=11]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d8 lucky girl
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d8 lucky girl and gets 7."12 [1d8=7]
* El-Cideon changes topic to '6Corben: 110+18/137, Eliaphas: 102+3/102, Madeline: 84+18/96| 4FlameArrowCount: 39 ????? > grimjaw x2 > Cat > Corben/Viola > Madeline > Eliaphas'
<El-Cideon> A bolt takes the monster in the forehead and it topples at Eliaphas's feet! OOC: C
<Corben> Further enraged that the monster did not do the sensible thing and drop, Corben strikes at its reddish hide again and again to teach it that very lesson!
<Corben> roll 1d20+20
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 1d20+20 and gets 40."12 [1d20=20]
<Corben> roll 1d20+15
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 1d20+15 and gets 32."12 [1d20=17]
<Corben> roll 1d20+10
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 1d20+10 and gets 24."12 [1d20=14]
<Corben> roll 1d20+20 glee!
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 1d20+20 glee! and gets 35."12 [1d20=15]
<El-Cideon> OOC: all hit and a crit
<Corben> roll 1d20+15 happiness!
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 1d20+15 happiness! and gets 26."12 [1d20=11]
<Corben> roll 3#2d4+16+8
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 3#2d4+16+8 and gets 83."12 [3#2d4+16+8 = 28, 26, 29]
<Corben> roll 4d6 bleed
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 4d6 bleed and gets 12."12 [4d6=1, 2, 5, 4]
<Corben> roll 2#2d4+16+8 crits!
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 2#2d4+16+8 crits! and gets 58."12 [2#2d4+16+8 = 27, 31]
<El-Cideon> Corben's wild slashes reduce the monster to a pile of blood and gristle on the floor, leaving just the lone wounded enemy outside the window! OOC: M, I'll roll for V too but I expect it to be academic
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+10 touch
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+10 touch and gets 25."12 [1d20=15]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d6 STR
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d6 STR and gets 5."12 [1d6=5]
<Madeline> Frustrated at her enemy's stubborn desire to cling to life, Madeline continues to vent her lethal payload.
<Madeline> roll 1d20+18
<Madeline> roll 1d20+18
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+18 and gets 20."12 [1d20=2]
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+18 and gets 22."12 [1d20=4]
<Madeline> roll 1d20+13
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+13 and gets 14."12 [1d20=1]
<Madeline> roll 1d20+8
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+8 and gets 18."12 [1d20=10]
<El-Cideon> He has some cover due to being outside, so even the 20/22 are misses. Hatebottery. E
<Madeline> OOC: I ignore it
<El-Cideon> OOC: two hits, then
<Madeline> roll 1d8+12+2d6
<Madeline> roll 1d8+12+2d6
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d8+12+2d6 and gets 22."12 [1d8=4][2d6=4, 2]
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d8+12+2d6 and gets 28."12 [1d8=7][2d6=5, 4]
<Madeline> roll 1d8+12+2d6
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d8+12+2d6 and gets 20."12 [1d8=2][2d6=5, 1]
* Madeline changes topic to '6Corben: 110+18/137, Eliaphas: 102+3/102, Madeline: 84+18/96| 4FlameArrowCount: 34 ????? > grimjaw x2 > Cat > Corben/Viola > Madeline > Eliaphas'
<El-Cideon> Distracted by the shadow assailing it, the creature leaves its back open to Madeline. This proves a fatal mistake as it goes down with her arrows piercing its heart! OOC: free act, no apparent enemies
<Corben> "Their leader is a coward," Corben spits, keeping his falcion up in the vain hope of striking down more fiends.
<Eliaphas> "We failed in killing our true target," Eliaphas mutters, refilling his crossbow clip. "It would be better to move swiftly now before they can attack this position in force."
<El-Cideon> "So I guess you guys' plan here is to just kill goddamn everything?" Cat asks as she reloads her crossbow.
<Madeline> Madeline makes an irritated grunt. "They were more persistant than anticipated," she notes. "I agree. They'll expect us to retreat, but I think we could hurry to cross the courtyard." Madeline shakes her head. "I would be
<Madeline> "I would be satisfied with recovering Elswith, but the less enemies there are to pursue us later, the better. Particularly those flying creatures..."
<El-Cideon> "Alright, so, upstairs or downstairs?" Cat asks. "Probably looking for us either way."
<Corben> "Down," Corben suggests. "Less to fall, if that happens."
<Madeline> "Can we reach our destination by heading upwards?"
<El-Cideon> "Well, it looks like we can walk along the castle wall all around the building. Downside, flying things might see us. Upside, whatever's downstairs doesn't see us. Flip those around for the lower floor I guess."
<Madeline> "Downstairs, then."
<Eliaphas> With that agreed, Eliaphas begins to descend once more, moving quickly to start with so they can make some space but once away from the tower he can slow down and move with more attention to stealth.
<Madeline> Madeline's injury still tingles with pain, but it is not really anything and it certainly doesn't stop her keeping pace.
<El-Cideon> The corridor doesn't look occupied when you get back down to the ground floor, though one of the window panes has been broken from the outside and glass litters the floor around it.
<Madeline> Madeline takes the the front, aiming to scout out the corners and unseen pathways ahead of them so that they don't stumble unexpectedly into an enemy guard.
<Madeline> roll 1d20+33 stealth
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+33 stealth and gets 45."12 [1d20=12]
<Madeline> roll 1d20+18 perception!
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+18 perception! and gets 34."12 [1d20=16]
* Eliaphas follows in a similar vein as the elf.
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+22 stealth
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+22 stealth and gets 34."12 [1d20=12]
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+21 perception
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+21 perception and gets 36."12 [1d20=15]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+30 Cat stealth!
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+30 Cat stealth! and gets 47."12 [1d20=17]
<Corben> roll 1d20+17 stealth?!
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 1d20+17 stealth?! and gets 32."12 [1d20=15]
<El-Cideon> As they walk north, Madeline and Eliaphas both spot another of the eye creatures drifting along outside in the courtyard. It passes by your group without stopping, however, flying south. You can see a branch in the corridor ahead of you as well, turning at a ninety degree angle to head due east. There is also a wide passage heading northwest and sloping down somewhat.
<Madeline> East would be the proper direction, so young Madeline goes east.
* Eliaphas hesitates a bit as Madeline starts going East, but if Cat doesn't protest then he'll follow.
<El-Cideon> As you turn the corner, you spy another recessed stairway ascending, much like the one you took to the guard tower. To the east, the walls are decorated with lively carvings of people engaged in musical and dramatic performances, the creation of painting and sculpture, with the occasional angelic patron watching on and providing encouragement. You can see one set of double doors close by on the north wall, a smaller door further on just by a four-way intersection. Past that are three more doors and, at the far end of the corridor, a branching intersection like the one you just passed. "Way down there," Cat says, pointing due east. "Church is straight on down that last intersection."
<Corben> Then straight on down is where Corben heads, ready to destroy any enemy!
<Eliaphas> Now Eliaphas pauses a moment, calling upon the Lord's blessings to ward Corben and Cat before they proceed into the monster's vile lair...
<Eliaphas> OOC: Death Ward
<Madeline> Madeline prepares to invoke her own enchantments, ready to set the party with unnatural speed just prior to breaching the church's entrance.
<El-Cideon> The four-way intersection, you can see, leads south into the courtyard beneath another covered walkway, and north out into the open. At the far end of the corridor, Cat points you down a path that branches off to the northeast. This path curves along another hundred feet or so before terminating at two doors. One is a grand set along the northern wall, heavy, metal, and with a grandiose display of mortals cowering beneath an eclisped sun. The other is at the end of the corridor, and is a simple wooden door. Garbled music of some sort emanates from the former.
<El-Cideon> "That one's the church," Cat says quietly. "That other one's where he lives when he's not doing...things...in the church."
<Madeline> It seems that before casting her spell and storming the church, Madeline has a private room to invade. She walks towards the simple wooden door, briefly checks it for any magical influence, and tries to push it open.
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+17
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+17 and gets 24."12 [1d20=7]
<Madeline> Madeline stops one moment before pushing the door, and scrutinizes it somewhat more closely.
<Madeline> roll 1d20+18 spellcraft
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+18 spellcraft and gets 20."12 [1d20=2]
<Madeline> "The door will curse those who open it," notes Madeline. "I lack an efficient method of bypassing it."
* Corben curses the vile door quietly.
<El-Cideon> Cat squints, examines the door closely. "Yeah? I can try. I'm good at getting places people don't want me to."
* Corben nods solemnly. "If you fail, we go in through the wall." He hefts his falcion, just in case.
<El-Cideon> "Unless anyone's got any better ideas," she says, not sounding eager to look at the church door.
<Eliaphas> "The Lord can easily prevail over any curse this foul place can manifest even if you fail," Eliaphas reassures her, prepared to call upon the required blessing if it is needed.
<El-Cideon> "Alrighty." She walks forward, scrutinizes something around the doorframe, carefully chips away at certain anonymous bricks.
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+21 DD
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+21 DD and gets 23."12 [1d20=2]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+5 will
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+5 will and gets 24."12 [1d20=19]
<El-Cideon> Dark energy leaps up and envelops the girl briefly, but she leaps from its grasp after a moment! "Ack! Or I could just trigger it and then we'll go through!"
<Madeline> "It is a very unreliable defence. I would have just set an alarm, myself," replies Madeline, pushing the door open a moment later.
<Eliaphas> "Efficiency often gives way to cruelty in the mind of the sinner," Eliaphas mutters, following after.
* Corben is slightly disapointed they would not be going through this wall. He consoles himself, however, with the knowledge that the castle has a great many walls.
<El-Cideon> There's no resistance now. It opens into a humble little sitting room, circular, with a similarly shaped wooden table in the center. There are a couple plain chairs, a cabinet on one wall, and a pair of stoppered clay decanters on the table. A stairway spirals along the wall, up and down.
<El-Cideon> Viola clings onto Cat's back as the two walk along with you, the shadow looking almost timid.
<El-Cideon> "Dunno what's downstairs," Cat says. "She spent a little time upstairs. She doesn't remember it clearly. Wasn't really in a thinking mood by then."
<Madeline> Madeline moves to inspect the decanters. Do vampires keep blood in jars? Now she will find out.
<El-Cideon> Whatever's inside is indeed thick and red, and it doesn't smell like wine.
<Madeline> "When exactly did she come to you?"
<Madeline> Her worst suspicions are confirmed, and Madeline backs away disgustedly.
<El-Cideon> "Not long after the mists took our town. A few of us got away, ran to the next village. Viola showed up, oh, maybe a couple weeks after. They'd set some of us up in a convent. It, uh, didn't go so well."
<Eliaphas> "That was Mistvalken's last appearance?" Eliaphas asks quietly, recalling with bitterness his desperate efforts to reach it before it vanished again.
<El-Cideon> "Yeah, eight years ago."
<Madeline> No cabinet will go unopened in Madeline's presence! "I was amazed when I learned of how long the castle had been plaguing the kingdom," she notes, stooping to open it. "It should have been dealt with long ago."
<Corben> "And now, it will be," Corben states with the force of a promise.
<El-Cideon> The cabinet contains several similar clay containers, as well as mugs, plates, and eating utensils...although the latter looks not to have been used for a very long time.
<Madeline> The mundanity of it all is surprising, in a way. Perhaps the upper rooms will hold things of more substance.
<El-Cideon> The upper floor is a bedroom. A fine canopied bed occupies much of it, looking musty and as unused as the eating utensils below. Next to it are a nightstand and wardrobe, with what looks like a fine wooden medicine cabinet on the nightstand. There is one window that looks out east, letting in a faint bit of light. There is a stuffed chair by this. A woman sits on it, dressed in rags and staring dully at nothing.
<Madeline> "A human inhabitant of this castle? Who are you?" asks Madeline, though a second glance at the woman has her doubting a response will come.
<El-Cideon> She proves very committed to whatever she's fixedly not looking it.
<El-Cideon> She looks young, past her teenage years but not much, dirty brown hair to her shoulders. It's not difficult to notice multiple pinprick punctures around her neck.
<Madeline> Try as she might, Madeline can't help but feel some relief that it isn't Elswith. "Does Viola know this woman?"
* Eliaphas approaches the woman and stands in her field of view, waving his hand before her eyes.
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+27 sense motive to figure out if she's enchanted/traumatised/faking
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+27 sense motive to figure out if she's enchanted/traumatised/faking and gets 33."12 [1d20=6]
<El-Cideon> Viola drifts over, looks at her, covers her face as though weeping. "Don't think so," Cat says. "Just knows sitting there the same way before he took her to the church."
<Corben> "Be strong!" Corben tells the apathetic woman. "That priest will not hurt you!"
<El-Cideon> "He probably did something to her head," Cat adds. "Prolly what he was trying to do with me." She shudders.
<Madeline> "You mean, he will not hurt her any further," replies Madeline. "There is nothing here. Let us prepare for our attack."
<Eliaphas> "Her mind is broken," Eliaphas says, his gravelly voice tinged with sadness as he wonders whether his wife once sat in this state. "It goes beyond mere magic, there is little we can do for her in the short term. But slaying her tormentor would be a start."
<El-Cideon> "Alright, uh--come on, Viola, we can't help her right now. Later. Later, okay? Alright." She produces a few faintly glowing blue vials from her pack. "I swiped a few potions before I came out here. If anyone needs anything, now's the time, right?"
<El-Cideon> OOC: CMW, for reference. She has four of them.
<Corben> "I came prepared, too," Corben agrees, retrieving a wand. He waves it at himself, though it fails to activate, causing him to frown. "What is this foul trickery?!"
<El-Cideon> "Maybe you got gypped?" Cat speculates.
* Corben clenches his fist, already planning his vengeance.
<Madeline> "Such equipment requires training," notes Madeline. "It is surely a given?"
* Eliaphas intones a restorative blessing over the catatonic woman, it may give her some strength to endure while they deal with the vampire.
<Eliaphas> roll 1d4 lesser restoration
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d4 lesser restoration and gets 3."12 [1d4=3]
<El-Cideon> "Lemme try?" Cat offers. "Every now and then I, uh, find toys like that. Fallen off a cart or something."
<El-Cideon> The woman shows more color than she had before, indeed, though she doesn't stir to wakefulness.
* Corben frowns, but offers the wand just the same. He still has its brother, which can be jammed into that fell merchant's throat for tricking him so!
<Eliaphas> It will have to suffice for the moment. He waits for the others to settle the issue of Corben's wand... any further spells he will reserve himself until immediately before entering the church.
<El-Cideon> Cat takes it, waves it experimentally.
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+10 UMD
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+10 UMD and gets 12."12 [1d20=2]
<El-Cideon> It fizzles. "Uh, sorry big guy."
<Corben> "He will die a thousand deaths for this!"
<Eliaphas> "I can provide healing with the Lord's blessing, content yourself with that," Eliaphas offers, giving Corbem some additional healing from his own spells.
<Eliaphas> roll 2d8+10 CLW x2
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 2d8+10 CLW x2 and gets 14."12 [2d8=3, 1]
<El-Cideon> She hands it back. "Oh well. Still, offer stands, if anyone needs any potions."
<Madeline> "I will be fine for now," states Madeline. "And I truly pray you would not slay a merchant on such grounds."
* Corben changes topic to '6Corben: 124/137, Eliaphas: 102/102, Madeline: 84/96| 4FlameArrowCount: 34 ????? > grimjaw x2 > Cat > Corben/Viola > Madeline > Eliaphas'
<Corben> "That man is no merchant!" Corben declares.
* Eliaphas starts heading for the church, intending to cast one further spell of divine power before they breach the doors.
<Madeline> It will likewise be time for Madeline to invoke her first scroll of Haste!
<El-Cideon> Cat unloads her crossbow, stows it away and draws a pair of shortswords. Viola flits around her nervously.
<El-Cideon> "Alright," Cat breathes. "He was just sort of talking before...yelling at the walls, there was no one in the audience...sounds like something different now."
<Corben> It doesn't matter. Even if the forces of hell are past the door to the chappel, they will slay them all to the last!
<El-Cideon> Cat leans against one of the doors, pushing inwards unless anyone has any objections or last minute plans...
<Madeline> The scroll crumbles away and all within the party are quickened; now is the time!
<El-Cideon> A dirge of staggering discordance greets you as soon as the doors open, someone hammering away on an organ with determined intent to offend the ears. The interior of the chapel is a perversion of a church dedicated to Norusk--black columns march in two rows like a forest of stone, supporting an arching ceiling high above wherein lurk leering gargoyles. Rows of benches cross the room, an aisle of ten feet between them. Far beyond these lies an alter of red stone--or red-stained, it's difficult to tell from here. A woman lies on it, naked and clearly dead, a wicked dagger thrust in her heart. Behind this macabre spectacle a man looks proudly over the scene. Cleanshaven, black robes with the flaring white circle of an eclipsed sun. He looks like an older gentleman...but well-preserved. An alluring young woman in a black nun's habit loiters nearby.
<El-Cideon> "Ah, brothers," the man says smoothly. "Somewhat late for services. And the little mouse returns as well, I see."
<El-Cideon> OOC: also roll perception all
<Madeline> roll 1d20+18
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+18 and gets 25."12 [1d20=7]
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+21
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+21 and gets 30."12 [1d20=9]
<Corben> roll 1d20+17
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 1d20+17 and gets 29."12 [1d20=12]
* Eliaphas changes topic to '6Corben: 124/137, Eliaphas: 102+12/102, Madeline: 84/96| 4FlameArrowCount: 34 ????? > grimjaw x2 > Cat > Corben/Viola > Madeline > Eliaphas'
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+17 Cat
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+17 Cat and gets 31."12 [1d20=14]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+8 Viola
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+8 Viola and gets 18."12 [1d20=10]
<El-Cideon> OOC: carry on!
<Corben> "You are no brother of mine!" Corben declares. "By Crom, you will die here!"
<Madeline> "Your theatrics are in vain, blackguard." She narrows her eyes. "Prepare yourself."
<Eliaphas> "By the Order of the Vigilant Hound, all who practice in this hall are blasphemers against the Lord," Eliaphas raises his crossbow. "Pray for redemption in the Lord's eyes before you meet him."
<Madeline> roll 1d20+9
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+9  and gets 20."12 [1d20=11]
<Corben> roll 1d20+12 them's fighting words!
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 1d20+12 them's fighting words! and gets 23."12 [1d20=11]
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+9
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+9 and gets 25."12 [1d20=16]
<El-Cideon> "This time I brought the cavalry!" Cat yells out to him. "You fucking gobshite, you'll never touch my mother again!"
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+10 Cat
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+10 Cat and gets 26."12 [1d20=16]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+2 Viola
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+2 Viola and gets 20."12 [1d20=18]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+7 Father Randolf
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+7 Father Randolf and gets 27."12 [1d20=20]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+9 Sister Antonia
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+9 Sister Antonia and gets 21."12 [1d20=12]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+2 ?!?!
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+2 ?!?! and gets 22."12 [1d20=20]
* El-Cideon changes topic to '6Corben: 124/137, Eliaphas: 102+12/102, Madeline: 84/96| 4FlameArrowCount: 34 Father Randolf > Cat > Eliaphas > Corben > ?!?!? > Sister Antonia > Madeline/Viola'
<El-Cideon> ----------------