Latet anguis in herba (OOC)

[Supercape]

It would probably qualify as a Trip attack

Effectively we are going into combat, surprise round. Two are cultists, Two (including the holder of the totem) are minor mystics.

Defence +1 for the flat footed leader.

A Trip attack is a melee attack. If it succeeds choose Strength or Dexterity and make a roll on that (I will give +2 advantage due to the surprise and the leader carrying the totem). The leader opposes with Strength, Dexterity, or Acrobatics.

Alternatively you may wish to do a disarm roll: again its a melee attack (or ranged at -4 to roll) and an opposed your damage vs defenders strength. If you were unarmed, you would have his weapon.

For reference, Initiative

1d20+1=5 for cultists

1d20+0=10 for Supercape

Also, the concealment wont break - we still have total invisibility!

[Aoiroo]

13, so Etain has the initiative.

Trip, let's see, 15 DC for old guy, I'll probably do disarm next round.

[Supercape]

1d20=3

Cultist is on his backside!

That's a significantly poor roll (fail by 10) and the totem is actually fairly heavy, 50lbs (Medium Load for STR up to 12), which means I am going to rule he drops it as he falls, especially as he was hugging it with one arm.

Medium Load: Maximum Dodge Bonus of +3, -3 penalty on all actions, Move 2/3 normal speed.

For Supercape's Action: Will Pick up the Totem (Move Action), and Irradiate the other Mystic

Fort Save: 1d20+3=20 amazingly, makes it.

[Aoiroo]

Dazzled, fortitude check DC19.

[Supercape]

1d20+3=9

he dazzled!

[Supercape]

Your supersense can see the totem is magical (no surprise), given its analytical: specifically, some kind of ward or hex in it should it be destroyed, although on the flip side, destroying it (along with the other two) will make the pact null and void.

[Aoiroo]

Okay, so is a ritual needed or something?

[Supercape]

You could certainly try something like that... up to you.

[Aoiroo]

Etain doesn't know ritualist, specifically I'm not sure you can classify her as a mage. She's rather powerful, but she uses her magic mostly without concequenses or bindings that other magic users might have for the simple fact that nothing she does is real, and has no lasting effects.

[Supercape]

A DC 25 Knowledge (Arcane) would be enough to "disarm" the totem, so to speak. Ritualist is only required to mimic some spell.

[Aoiroo]

And, fail. 19.

[Supercape]

Smash will work... probably with some nasty hex effect...

[Aoiroo]

This is why Etain suggests they do it somewhere safe.

[Supercape]

destroying the totem is a DC 20 Drain WIS effect, will save from the ghastly ghastliness.

1d20+8=24 for Supercape, the lucky beggar!

Also:

With one of the three totems destroyed, it is up to you at this point, it could be played out so all three have to be destroyed (I was thinking at least one would be found already broken), or merely by destroying one, the pact would be nullified. Your call - I'm happy to continue and maybe have a bust up with a demon (not Una) at the end.

[Aoiroo]

Taking ten on the wisdom drain, which for Etain is an even 20.

Anyway, it would certianly make for a good bit of posts, given you are never short on posts for SC. If this continues I might make the hundred Club with Etain, which is perfectly fine with me. So continue with them teleporting back.

[Aoiroo]

Hey have you read the pact, I can't download the book of magic PDF to any of my parents computers while I'm home for the week.

[Supercape]

Una's pact is not written in detail, it just says after being defeated she cannot attack the earth "directly".

The idea here was that she made a get out clause with the Inquisition a few centuries ago, for help in hunting down witches. One that was never fully completed. If completed, it would summon a demon bound to Una through which should attack the Earth indirectly.

[Aoiroo]

Not Una's pact, The Pact, it's some thing I was advised to read.

[Supercape]

Cant find it in Book of Magic... any clues?

[Aoiroo]

No idea, I'll look for it when I get back then.

[Aoiroo]

If he looks at it closely the wick of the candle hasn't darkened nor is the wax melting under the flame but it is still hot and will burn him if his hand gets to close.

[Supercape]

A Search Roll here would detect signs of recent (human) activity, and other stuff. DC 20 to spot, DC 25/30 for finer details. It would require quite a detailed search however, not a notice roll.

[Aoiroo]

Search roll for Etain, 12.

[Supercape]

Nothing to see but spooky gargoyles then.

However, you can continue your divining effect to the last [intact] totem.

[Aoiroo]

If your curious Etain was thanking the gargoyles for their service to the tomb.