Beyond the rim... there dwells madness -- Moff Rimmer DMs the Planes
Game Master Moff Rimmer

Whatever you were doing … you’re not doing that now.

You suddenly find yourself in a room. The first things that you probably notice are the creatures looking at you menacingly. You see a couple of Yuan-Ti looking rather shocked to see you. The smaller one in back is seems to be yelling at the larger one.

A few other things you notice as you take in your surroundings. You are standing in the middle of a magical circle of power of some kind. It was glowing right when you arrived and is quickly fading away. (Marked on the map with the yellow circle.) It also looks like the big Yuan-Ti just dropped a big sword (and was looking at his hands and sword in pain and confusion). There are bookshelves along the North wall which are on fire. The South wall has a shelf with various objects/vials/potions/jars/etc. on it. Many have been smashed and the shelf unit is also on fire. There is a table in the room with a number of papers/scrolls/etc. on it and it too is on fire.

Here is the map

And with that, we have initiative…

Yuan-Ti – 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Aberrations – 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Vortek – 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Lanwin – 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
Elysia – 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
E. – 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Pinna – 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Vassago – 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

That was weird -- "Preview" lied to me.
Vassago then Elysia...

I need to tweak a couple things, but it won't change one iota as to what my first reaction will be.

Vassago quickly scans around the perimeter of the room to take note that there were five others aside from himself that appears to be contained in what seems to be a magic circle. However, he quickly gauged that the greater threat was beyond its barrier. With a gesture and an utterance, he casts a spell to which he was well intimated.

**Casts Mage Armor on self to increase AC by 4 and takes a 5' step (NW?) behind the female**.

**Casts Mage Armor on self to increase AC by 4 and takes a 5' step (NW?) behind the female**.

And updated map.

Vassago El-Vecchio wrote:

**Casts Mage Armor on self to increase AC by 4 and takes a 5' step (NW?) behind the female**.

** spoiler omitted **

And updated map.

Elysia squeaks with surprise. It's not every day you get plopped straight out of the bath into the middle of an adventure. She quickly cast mage armor on herself as the scary looking man stepped behind her and reached into her pack to pull out a wand.

The smaller Yuan-Ti casts a spell and points at Pinna...

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11 (If hitting touch AC 18, take 2d4 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5 acid damage.)

The larger Yuan-Ti pulls out a couple of scimitars and moves to hit Vortic...

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21 (If hits AC 22, take 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8.)

That was a giant miss...

Updated map...

Vortic is up next...
then
Lanwin
E.
Pinna

then the aberrations...

Vortic growls out at the attempted hit, "You'll pay for that, Fork-Tongue!"

He hefts his sword, moving forward with a 5ft step, and lashes out with a full attack against the larger Yuan-ti. He uses heavy swings, power attacking with furious focus.

If attacks 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17and/or 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 hit then 2d6 + 16 ⇒ (5, 2) + 16 = 23 plus 1d6 ⇒ 6 cold damage and 2d6 + 16 ⇒ (1, 2) + 16 = 19 and 1d6 ⇒ 1 cold damage.

Wanna talk about big whiffs, eh Mr DM? :P Too clarify Vortic is at position H8 now

Wanna talk about big whiffs, eh Mr DM? :P Too clarify Vortic is at position H8 now

I blame the dice

Updated map...

Lanwin, then E., then Pinna...

Lanwin quickly recovers from his disoriented state and sizes up the situation, discerning who is friend and foe. He calls upon Lathander's favor to aid his makeshift allies.

Casting Bless. All allies have +1 to hit and +1 on saves vs fear effects.

** spoiler omitted **

Waiting on E., but...

Oof! Disoriented in RL too.

"No one does that to my friends!"

<Fires crossbow after a brief prayer to Mistress Luck>

Attack roll: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 10 + 1 = 29
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Oof! Disoriented in RL too.

"No one does that to my friends!"

<Fires crossbow after a brief prayer to Mistress Luck>

Attack roll: d20 + 6 + 1
Damage: d6 + 1

Who you trying to hit with a mighty 2 points of damage?

;-)

** spoiler omitted **

Hey, now!

E. wrote:

Oof! Disoriented in RL too.

"No one does that to my friends!"

<Fires crossbow after a brief prayer to Mistress Luck>

Attack roll: d20 + 6 + 1
Damage: d6 + 1

Who you trying to hit with a mighty 2 points of damage?

;-)

Oops! That was meant for the Yuan Ti which cast the spell

E. manages to sneak a crossbow bolt into the leg of the spellcaster while Pinna gets around the big guy and soundly smacks smacks him in ... the kidney?

These two strange creatures advance on the group swinging strange blades they have coming out of their arms...

vs. Lanwin...
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24 If successful, 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 4) + 4 = 11
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19 If successful, 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 6) + 4 = 13

vs. Vortic...
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29 If successful, 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 3) + 4 = 13 (Crit confirm? 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15 -- if successful 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 5) + 4 = 14
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25 If successful, 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 2) + 4 = 10

Lanwin took 11 damage and Vortic took 13 damage. Ouch.

Here's the updated map and we're at the top of the round...

Vassago then Elysia...

Vassago moves to E-5 and casts orb of acid (lesser) on opponent in F-11.

This one's on the house. The next one may cost you, said icily.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

If struck: 4d8 ⇒ (7, 7, 8, 6) = 28 damage.

"snakes can be interesting, you know, they have such lovely patterns on their scales, but I don't think these are very nice snakes, do you? oh, well,...."

She points her finger at the nearest snake creature (F8) and calls forth flame in the elemental language.

Scorching Ray: (vs touch AC)

1st shot: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Damage: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 4, 5) = 11

2nd shot: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Damage: 4d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 5, 2) = 15

This one's on the house. The next one may cost you, said icily.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 8

If struck: 4d8 damage.

She howls in rage. (That hurt.) She screams something to the big guy...

Vassago El-Vecchio wrote:

This one's on the house. The next one may cost you, said icily.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 8

If struck: 4d8 damage.

She howls in rage. (That hurt.) She screams something to the big guy...

** spoiler omitted **

Elysia ... you're up...

Yup, just above you. I know, I know, the big people always forget about me down here. ;P

The big guy growls at his little wizard and moves toward Vassago. (Vortic and Pinna get attacks of opportunity if you want them.) And then he attempts to hit Vassago...
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19 -- if hit 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

I need to get new dice

The wizard Yuan-Ti takes a five-foot-step back and casts a spell. (Nothing more visible happens...)

Updated map...

Vortic
Lanwin
E.
Pinna are up next...

"Bad snake, don't move!"

AoO: Pinna attempts to stop the big guy in his tracks with Stand Still.
CMB check: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 12 + 2 = 18

Probably pointless, but if it works... Ugh. Stupid dice!

AoO: I take the penalty for Power Attack on this since I'm still power attacking but adding bless.1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19 for 2d6 + 16 ⇒ (4, 1) + 16 = 21 plus 1d6 ⇒ 2cold.

Vortic growls, "Quick things, aren't they?" He turns to his left and once again full attacks and power attacks with furious focus on the odd looking snake creature at I9. 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29 for 2d6 + 16 ⇒ (1, 4) + 16 = 21 plus 1d6 ⇒ 1cold and 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10 for 2d6 + 16 ⇒ (5, 3) + 16 = 24 plus 1d6 ⇒ 1cold.

Does Vortic get a bump on his attack of opportunity for the flank with Pinna? He didn't have it on his initial attack and he won't have it once the Yuan Ti moves, but it's flanked when it begins its move.

Does Vortic get a bump on his attack for the flank with Pinna? He didn't have it on his initial attack and he won't have it once the Yuan Ti moves, but it's flanked when it begins its move.

Won't be enough in either case.

The wizard Yuan-Ti takes a five-foot-step back and casts a spell. (Nothing more visible happens...)

Attempts to determine the spell casted.

Spellcraft check: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

Moff DM wrote:

The wizard Yuan-Ti takes a five-foot-step back and casts a spell. (Nothing more visible happens...)

Attempts to determine the spell casted.

Spellcraft check: 1d20+12

Vassago El-Vecchio wrote:

Moff DM wrote:

The wizard Yuan-Ti takes a five-foot-step back and casts a spell. (Nothing more visible happens...)

Attempts to determine the spell casted.

Spellcraft check: 1d20+12

** spoiler omitted **

Thanks. That's going to change my action for the top of the next round, that's for sure. Heh.

Worth a try...

Lanwin steps back and attempts to command the giant yuan-ti to halt in the name of his deity.

5 ft step to H6. Command on the giant yuan-ti to Halt. DC 15 Will save.

I'm hoping he's a dumb enough brute to fall for that since the DC is kind of wimpy.

"Aaaliiiielllllahhh wiiiihhh"

Another shot at the spellcaster

Attack: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 10 + 1 = 19
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

"Witch-snake, die!"

Free: 5' step to F10, spend a ki point for extra attack.
Full-round: Flurry of blows on the caster. The bad one. Not E or L or E.

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19 for 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13 for 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18 for 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
[ki]1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27 for 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

There's a flurry of feathers and scales for everyone's amusement.

EDIT: Dammit, bless is up. All attacks should be at +1: 20, 14, 19, 28. Sorry, Moff.

Worth a try...

Lanwin steps back and attempts to command the giant yuan-ti to halt in the name of his deity.

5 ft step to H6. Command on the giant yuan-ti to Halt. DC 15 Will save.

I'm hoping he's a dumb enough brute to fall for that since the DC is kind of wimpy.

SR check --> 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

"Aaaliiiielllllahhh wiiiihhh"

Another shot at the spellcaster

Attack: d20 + 10 + 1
Damage: d6 + 1

With your odd scream, the big guy notices you and tries to hit you with an attack of opportunity --> 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31 and hits you for 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14 points of damage.

So...

Lanwin told the big guy to stop ... but I don't think he even noticed.

E. was so focused on hitting the spellcaster that he forgot how close he was to the big guy and got to see, first hand, just how sharp scimitars can be.

But between the crossbow bolts, flaming rays and a flurry of feathers and claws, the wizard Yuan-Ti is down and quickly dying.

The two aberrations hardly seem to take notice of their companion's death and continue fighting whoever seems to be closest...

vs. E.
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

vs. Vortic
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

Well that was a pretty spectacular whiff.

Updated map...

And we are back to the top of the round...

Vassago and Elysia...

E. wrote:

"Aaaliiiielllllahhh wiiiihhh"

Another shot at the spellcaster

Attack: d20 + 10 + 1
Damage: d6 + 1

With your odd scream, the big guy notices you and tries to hit you with an attack of opportunity --> 1d20 +11 and hits you for 1d8+6 points of damage.

A "gentle" reminder to pay attention to the map. :)

A "gentle" reminder to pay attention to the map. :)

It's new for all of us. If it was a matter of life and death, I probably would have given you a reminder that was a little more gentle. In this case, I felt it fit the circumstance a little.

Oops -- Here is the new map...

Vassago breathed a sigh of relief when he noticed that the Yuan-Ti spellcaster was felled ... by an avian. The enclave sure has a sense of humor by placing her in this simulation. But something does not seem right. Gnik Tam did not mention anything of this sort occurring. Or I've been paired with a Thay with an odd sense of humor. But we will see who will best whom yet... he thought to himself. Seeing the scaly brute coming straight at him and witnessing its heavily dealt blows, he knew he had to take it down a notch.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

if passes SR, 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 strength damage.

Moves to H5 and keeps one hand on the shaft of his morning star if he needs to swing suddenly to strike.

Okay, it looks like I can get two critters with burning hands and just miss Pinna. Casting defensively: DC 17
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Burning hands: Ref DC 16 5d4 ⇒ (2, 2, 1, 1, 3) = 9

The halfling lass frowns. "Bad snakes!" she admonishes and brings her hands up in front of her once more speaking in the language of fire and flames shoot out from her hands at the creatures.

if passes SR, ...

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

... and he looks significantly weaker...

Burning hands: Ref DC 16

SR --> 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

Big guy --> 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Aberration --> 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

<--- needs to remember Bless is in effect, but has been fortunate so far.

The brute's strength has diminished, but only momentarily. Coordinate your attacks. Fell him.

Looking for some security with his ... "assistants" ... he a little going the other direction.

vs. Pinna...
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

vs. Vortic...
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Big miss there again...

New map...

Back to Vortic, Lanwin, E., and Pinna...

Vortic grimaces at the damage but takes a 5ft step to G7, then makes his attacks. Same set up as above: furious focus, power attack... except he utilizes cleave. His first attack targets the big Yuan-ti, his second attack targets the one at F7.

1d20 + 15 ⇒ (18) + 15 = 33 for 2d6 + 16 ⇒ (1, 1) + 16 = 18 plus 1d6 ⇒ 3cold against the big Yuan-Ti and 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33 for 2d6 + 16 ⇒ (3, 5) + 16 = 24 plus 1d6 ⇒ 1cold against the odd looking one. Vortic's AC drops by 2.

edit: roll to confrim 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19 for 2d6 + 16 ⇒ (2, 6) + 16 = 24.

Vortic is certainly hitting soundly this round.

Updated map...

And with that, I'm about to go to bed...

Lanwin launches an attack on one of the weird things.

Move to I8 and attack the beastie with my mace. 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24 to hit. 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 damage.

Lanwin launches an attack on one of the weird things.

Lanwin soundly hits the freaky creature. It seems to react in pain, yet remains eerily quiet.

Updated map.

<Takes 5-foot step directly away from the abomination>

"Eeessa piree tahhlahhd"

<Fires crossbow at abomination>

To hit: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 10 + 1 = 23
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4