City of Nine Stars -- City of Twilight (Inactive)

Game Master therealthom

Tee Map

Straight ahead is not an option. The party is coming up from the bottom. Massed torbles in F-H12, K-L12. Scattered torbles (one per square) from I11-K8.

Character, Position, Initiative

Mother V. ...K9...19
Marius ......K11..14
Zarabeta ....K8 ...8
Torbles .....see above ... 6
Waifrin ....K7 ...5
Janiven ....k6 ...5
Morosino ...k10 ..1

Akorian and Raven TBD if they arrive.

Surprise round actions- Mother lights torch. Waifrin misses crossbow shot. Zarabeta waits. Torbels wake up. Morosino freezes. Janiven draws her sword.

The large groups of torble bugs start to flow together into a dense swarm. The individual bugs in the passage with the party leap to attack. Morosino seems utterly transfixed by fear. He can't decide what to do. Janiven calls out to defend yourselves as her sword scrapes from its sheath.

Since Marius well up in the initiative, we'll begin posting round 1 . Marius can post his surprise round action with his round 1 action.

Poitions clearly marked for the Torble fight! Can I ask for clarification on one point - are those in positions K11-K8 (Marius, Morisino, Mother Vangelis and Zarabeta) sharing their squares with a torble?

Poitions clearly marked for the Torble fight! Can I ask for clarification on one point - are those in positions K11-K8 (Marius, Morisino, Mother Vangelis and Zarabeta) sharing their squares with a torble?

Yes they are. Torbles are tiny little things. The top row of torbles are in row 12, not 14.

Torble 7" long (20cm) about 1 pound. (0.5 kg)

No problems, corrected map. I hate swarms ...

working nights this week and not quite as capable of keeping up with the action as usual

Surprise round.

Uttering a curse Marius slices at the closest Torble with his primary hand

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 231d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 (please note everyone there is now a dice function in the bb code on this board).

round 1 standing his ground Marius lays about him targeting the Torble threatening the frozen Morosino and any bug threatening himself

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 231d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

to confirm critical

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23ooh paizo dice love me

damage from crit2d6 + 8 ⇒ (1, 5) + 8 = 14

damage from standard hit(if it hit)1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Marius reacts quickly, his ax slices deeply into the coalescing swarm once and then again, ripping open the torbles' bulbous bodies. He leaves a swath of draining membranes in the wake of his blades. The few remaining torbles to the right seem to reel and the swarm begins to break up.

The righthand passage has a couple individual torbles. They seem to be stunned and pose no immediate threat. The swarm from the lefthand passage is intact and still coming on.

More round 1 actions?

Zarabeta considers her options, none of which seem useful, and instead slashes ineptly at the vermin nipping at her heels with her dagger, before stepping back into Waifrin.

Dagger attack and damage 1d20 ⇒ 11d4 ⇒ 1 followed by a 5 ft. step backwards.

"Let's pick up the pace!" Akorian urges. He looks back over his shoulder, knowing he'll have to bring up the rear as Raven guides them through the sewer. As they hurry along, he double-checks his crossbow, making sure it's loaded in case he needs to dissuade anyone from following them.

Raven does just that, moving faster without resorting to splashing around in the sewage, at least as much as he can help it. 'No need to make too much noise,' he thinks to himself as he moves straight ahead, leaving the cross section, as well as the lantern's light, behind them. Followed closely by the cleric, the elf keeps his hand crossbow ready in case it is needed.

Other than moving straight ahead on the same path the whole group had been moving along before finding the first knight patrol, Raven does little else besides keeping his eyes and ears open.

Perception 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Cheers for not having to go back and forth between Invisible Castle anymore! Hip hip hurrah!

Mother takes a swing at one of the torble swarms with her torch.

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 151d3 ⇒ 3

I have once again been unclear. Sorry. Two swarms formed from torbles in the left and right passages. The remaining swarm will start its round one action from H12. Marius has shattered the swarm forming in K12, leaving a few individual torbles. Hogarth, if you want to engage the swarm, you'll need a ranged attack or will need to jump the channel. You do have a single torble in your square. You may retcon your post as you wish or accept my post written below. (with a small bonus to hit for the trouble)

Mother takes a swing at a nearby torble with her torch.

The torch just grazes the advancing bug, but its membrane bursts and releases watery yellowish fluids that drain onto the stone floor.

Waiting to see what the torbles do on their initiative before I post ...

Arrgh. Post monster ate my lovely 8pm post. Well here goes again. Since hogarth hasn't chimed in, my last post is law.

Zarabeta stabs at the nearest torble, but stooping so low is awkward and it wobbles aside. It wraps itself around her leg. She feels a scraping, then a painful burning sensation. (1 hp bite, 1 hp acid)

The other torbles in your squares try to latch on to you but are unsuccessful.

The swarm in the lefthand passage sweeps up the wall and crosses the channel on the ceiling. Some torbles fall into the channel, but most survive and begin descending the wall near Marius and Morosino. Some begin to drop directly from the ceiling onto the man and boy.

torble swarm ends in K11 and K10. Since it's on the ceiling, those acting before it does next round may attack freely without penalty.

Janiven snaps her crossbow to her shoulder and triggers a shot into the writhing mass over the channel. The bolt scrapes along the ceiling and pierces several torbles. It dislodges a few more.

Morosino swings his sunrod at a lone torble near his feet. It glances off, but knocks the little creature aside.

"Oh no you don't ..."

Seeing the danger to Marius spurs Waifrin to action, she gestures at the torble swarm on the ceiling and flames leap from her fingertips ...

Wild surging, enervation check: 1d20 ⇒ 3; attack 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4; damage 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 6) + 2 = 13 fire

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 151d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 121d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Marius swings his blades up and stabs frantically at the torbles above him.

Waifrin's flames fan out over the party's heads. You can feel the heat, feel the skin on your face tighten momentarily. Then it's gone and the torble swarm comes on untouched. Waifrin fired low.

The individual torbles on the far side of the channel stream into the swarm, increasing its numbers.

Round 2

Character, Position, Initiative

Mother V. ...K9...19
Marius ......K11..14
Zarabeta ....K8 ...8
Torbles .....see above ... 6
Waifrin ....K7 ...5
Janiven ....k6 ...5
Morosino ...k10 ..1

Marius's axe scrapes the stone ceiling, shredding through the baglike torbles. Translucent yellowish fluid rains down on him and flicks off his blade onto Morosino on his backswing. The shortsword doesn't fare as well. Its tip swings just short of the torble mass.

Akorian and Raven: what's your story back there?

Seeing that the torbles can be hurt with ordinary weapons, Mother swings a spiked arm through the mass of torbles on the ceiling (in K10).

Armor spikes: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 91d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Seeing that the torbles can be hurt with ordinary weapons, Mother swings a spiked arm through the mass of torbles on the ceiling (in K10).

Mother's spikes catch on a crack in the ceiling and her swing bounces away from the torbles. She only knocks two onto the ground near Morosino.

Just a reminder -- don't forget attacks of opportunity if/when a torble or torble swarm enters a PC's square.

Well, as far as I can tell the following:

Raven and Akorian: The splashing sound stops. There is some low muttering. Someone laughs. The light on the wall starts to get brighter.

"Let's pick up the pace!" Akorian urges. He looks back over his shoulder, knowing he'll have to bring up the rear as Raven guides them through the sewer. As they hurry along, he double-checks his crossbow, making sure it's loaded in case he needs to dissuade anyone from following them.

Raven does just that, moving faster without resorting to splashing around in the sewage, at least as much as he can help it. 'No need to make too much noise,' he thinks to himself as he moves straight ahead, leaving the cross section, as well as the lantern's light, behind them. Followed closely by the cleric, the elf keeps his hand crossbow ready in case it is needed.

Other than moving straight ahead on the same path the whole group had been moving along before finding the first knight patrol, Raven does little else besides keeping his eyes and ears open.

Perception 1d20 + 6 := (5) + 6 = 11

They are both moving fast up the middle passage (the one the whole group was moving along before the fight with the knights), leaving the cross-section behind them. Raven will be glancing behind them to see if the lantern light is getting brighter, which would probably mean that the ones holding it are getting closer to the corner (the G9 corner on the cross-section map).

Is this making any sense? Sometimes my English can get a bit confusing when directions are involved.

Makes sense to me. We're hurrying away from the light and the oncoming group down the side passage, attempting to catch up to our comrades by following the original route we were taking before we encountered the Hellknights.

Zarabeta is near panic. Unable to cast a spell surrounded by these creatures, she is left two swing around with her apparently ineffectual dagger. "Mother, please try to keep an eye on the boy." she says, short of breath.

Dagger attack and damage 1d20 ⇒ 51d4 ⇒ 3

Akorian and Raven break into a trot down the center passage.

Akorian Stealth, Raven Stealth, ? Perception

1d20 - 3 ⇒ (7) - 3 = 41d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 251d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Akorian stumbles and his shield bangs into the wall. He and Raven immediately hear shouting behind them. They keep moving ahead. After a short while they look back over their shoulders to see a lantern followed by three or four shadowy figures turn the corner behind them. "Halt in the name of the Rack!"

Zarabeta is near panic. Unable to cast a spell surrounded by these creatures, she is left two swing around with her apparently ineffectual dagger. "Mother, please try to keep an eye on the boy." she says, short of breath.

Set are you really out of mojo, or RPing that she doesn't want to cast because of AoO?

Zarabeta again misses.

Not wanting to risk falling from the crowded walkway, Janiven reloads her crossbow and fires into the overhead swarm. The bolt scores a path through the massed torbles.

"Eeeh" Morosino is nearly paniced, but he spins to attack the lone torble near Mother Vangelis' feet. He hauls back to smash a torble with his sunrod and smacks Marius' upraised arm. (no game effect).

I think just Waiffrin left this round.

Set are you really out of mojo, or RPing that she doesn't want to cast because of AoO?

She's got Daze, mind-affecting, no use against Vermin, Acid Dart, which she's assuming won't damage enormous pus-bags filled with acid, and Summon Monster I, which takes a full-round action to cast, while in the middle of a swarm, provoking an AoO. Pretty much insta-fail, with the nauseated thing coming up.

Waifrin and the swarm, yes. Assuming the swarm does not engulf her or Zarabeta ...

Waifrin drops to her knees next to the frantic Zarabeta.

"Hold still!" she admonishes the conjurer and with a fold of her cloak around her left hand and with her dagger in the right (she has dropped the crossbow) she grasps the torble clinging to Zarabeta's leg and tries to pry it free.

Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 9

I'm hoping getting down on my knees will negate some of the size advantage, and that as it's on Zarabeta (grappling?) if she holds still that should negate any dex advantage it has.

If she succeeds she'll flip the thing into the sewage-stream.

Raven winces silently at the noise coming from the cleric's shield, knowing that a sound like that is bound to be heard by the ones carrying the lantern. When he is proven right a few moments later, he does not feel particularly good about his assessment being correct but rather wishes he had been wrong.

"I do not think making a stand is an option Akorian," he offers to the man right behind him as he attempts to judge the distance between them and their pursuers, trying to make up his mind whether they should fire a bolt or two against the knights while moving ahead or if they should just make a run for it.

"Do you think shooting at them might slow them down? Or do we just choose the better part of valor?"

Raven follows Akorian's pace. He will not be leaving the cleric behind in order to flee. However, I am assuming they are not stopping but still moving while the rogue asks his question.

Akorian curses as his shield gets in the way, and then doubly so when it bangs off the tight walls of the passage. For the tenth time in as many minutes, he wishes he had Raven's elvish eyes and agility to better navigate the sewers.

"I do not think making a stand is an option Akorian....Do you think shooting at them might slow them down? Or do we just choose the better part of valor?"

"Shooting tells them we're exactly who they're looking for..." the priest answers, "So let's keep running and see if they can match our pace. Meanwhile, we'll make a stand only when we have to...and...if we're able to find the rest of our party before they catch us, I like those odds much better. Or...in a pinch, maybe we can lead them into that goblin nest? The enemy of our enemy is our friend, and all that..."

Akorian will also look to deploy a ruse at the next intersection or T-section they encounter, by casting light down one hallway while he and Raven take a different turn. Hopefully, that might at least slow down the guardsmen or make them split up to ensure they don't lose our trail. Basically, something to increase our odds against them if and when they do catch up to us...

"I am not certain the goblins are much of an option," the elf says. "We must have left that 'nest' of theirs too far behind by now and the sewers are practically a maze, albeit a foul-smelling one."

"As for our lantern-bearers, you are right about avoiding a confrontation, especially if it is just the two of us. After all, even if we do win, what are we to do with them? We are certainly not being paid to run an escort service." There is more than a little mirth behind those words, as if the rogue is actually enjoying himself just a bit.

"I think trying to trick them and throw them off of our trail is the best choice. Not sure how we might go about doing that though..."

"I think trying to trick them and throw them off of our trail is the best choice. Not sure how we might go about doing that though..."

"At the next intersection, I'll try and call forth a light down a tunnel we don't take," Akorian responds, "Maybe that'll buy us some extra time, provided they don't hear us running like hell in the dark the other way. Or, maybe they'll at least split up to explore both directions. That might even the odds in our favor a bit if we do have to turn and fight."

Despite his confident tone, the priest continues glancing worriedly behind them as they race along. A misstep in the sewer passage, however, wouldn't bode well at all. So he returns his attention to following the fleet-footed elf as quickly and silently as he can.

Oh, what I wouldn't give for a silence spell this early in our young adventuring careers. I have a feeling Akorian and Raven could complement each other quite well with a bit of magic like that...not to mention Akorian's ability to heal damage and, one day, neutralize poison and such. We could make a great team! As long as we survive this... ;-)

oops, forgot to post the torbles. thanks for the reminder

The as Waifrin's hand approaches the torble must feel threatened for it drops off Zarabeta's leg and dodges aside. It skitters through Zara's legs and leaps for Waiffrin. It finds a soft spot just above her knee and she too feels the pinching bite and burn of the little beast. (1 hp gnawing, 1 hp acid)

Individuals don't really grapple as such, but are small enough (and especially since they have a climb speed) that I feel ok describing them as holding on to the PCs.

The torble mass pauses on the vaulted ceiling and wall above Marius, then drops directly down onto the gladiator, engulfing him. The baglike creatures grab and tear at his armour trying to find a weak spot.

Does he really get an AoO on the attack? So unfair. To me. We may be talking about AoOs in the discussion thread. Marius take your AoO. Then look at the spoiler.

The other single torble swirls around Morosino. He swings his sunrod at it but it climbs up the torch onto his hand and fastens on his wrist. "Arrrgh!"

Round 3

Character, Position, Initiative

Mother V. ...K9...19
Marius ......K11..14
Zarabeta ....K8 ...8
Torbles .....see above ... 6
Waifrin ....K7 ...5
Janiven ....k6 ...5
Morosino ...k10 ..1

Mother at bat , Marius on deck , and Zara in the hole

Akorian and Raven:

As you continue fleeing, you hear, "Fire!"

in work

The sight of Morosino, Waifrin and Marius all being damaged only reinforces how the delay to wait for the others to return now seems as it is about to get everyone killed down here, and Zarabeta decides to die on her own terms.

She begins casting a spell, and the quiet chanting continues as she makes imploring gestures, as if to some unseen entity.

Casting summon monster I, using her Trait bonus to add 2 rounds to the duration if she succeeds. Going for a celestial riding dog, which I'll start statting up and post to her profile in a bit. Concentration check for when she's damaged, diff equals 10 + spell level (1) + damage taken 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 If she succeeds, the spell won't go off until her action next turn.

The sight of Morosino, Waifrin and Marius all being damaged only reinforces how the delay to wait for the others to return now seems as it is about to get everyone killed down here, and Zarabeta decides to die on her own terms.

She begins casting a spell, and the quiet chanting continues as she makes imploring gestures, as if to some unseen entity.

Casting summon monster I, using her Trait bonus to add 2 rounds to the duration if she succeeds. Going for a celestial riding dog, which I'll start statting up and post to her profile in a bit. Concentration check for when she's damaged, diff equals 10 + spell level (1) + damage taken 1d20+5 If she succeeds, the spell won't go off until her action next turn.

Arrr! Post monster (or, I suspect, personal incompetence) destroyed the conclusion of my Raven-Akorian post and I didn't realize it.

Set, you may want to wait a teensy bit before committing to the spell. After all Marius gets an AoO before being swarmed and he's been hell on wheels. Even if that doesn't work, Mother and he have their regular attacks before you. A lot could happen in that span. If Marius and Mother significantly obliterate the swarm, I'll let you reword your post.

Raven and Akorian: (take two)

As you continue your flight, you hear quite distinctly, "FIre!" Two quarrels slash past you and disappear in the darkness ahead. Then you hear the pounding feet of your pursuers. The lantern light swings wildly, illuminating rapidly traversing portions of the ceiling, walls, floor. You jump a branching channel and continue on. Behind you there is a splash and a thud followed immediately by, "Leave him!"

A slight curve in the tunnel hides you from sight as you skid into a intersection with a crossing tunnel. time for your light trick. left, right, or center? And which way do you go?

Set, you may want to wait a teensy bit before committing to the spell. After all Marius gets an AoO before being swarmed and he's been hell on wheels. Even if that doesn't work, Mother and he have their regular attacks before you. A lot could happen in that span. If Marius and Mother significantly obliterate the swarm, I'll let you reword your post.

Cool. Zarabeta is, uh, holding her action, getting ready to cast, after she sees what everyone else is doing. Only Marius and Mother are going before her, so it's not technically 'holding her action' so much as 'previewing her options.' :) I statted the dog up in her Profile, for when it becomes necessary.

Mother slashes again at the torbles around her.

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 71d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

As you continue your flight, you hear quite distinctly, "Fire!" Two quarrels slash past you and disappear in the darkness ahead. Then you hear the pounding feet of your pursuers.

"Idiots!" Akorian mutters, "They could just as well be shooting at innocents who wandered into the sewers down here."

The lantern light swings wildly, illuminating rapidly traversing portions of the ceiling, walls, floor. You jump a branching channel and continue on. Behind you there is a splash and a thud followed immediately by, "Leave him!"

"Well, that's one down..." the priest quips to Raven as they leap the channel, "And I don't imagine he'll be smelling all that good when he reports back to his superiors..."

A slight curve in the tunnel hides you from sight as you skid into a intersection with a crossing tunnel. time for your light trick. left, right, or center? And which way do you go?

Let the fates decide. 1 = left, 2 = right, 3 = center... 1d3 ⇒ 2

Right it is...

Akorian pauses only for the briefest of moments to will Milani's light as far down one of the tunnels as he can. Like a blooming rose, it softly manifests. But he and Raven can't afford to stay and watch.

"Keep going!" he hisses, "And quiet as we can!"

A slight curve in the tunnel hides you from sight as you skid into a intersection with a crossing tunnel. time for your light trick. left, right, or center? And which way do you go?

Let the fates decide. 1 = left, 2 = right, 3 = center... 1d3

Right it is...

Are you going right, or casting the light to the right?

I think he lights up the right passage, while the two of them keep on going down the middle like they were doing, although hopefully a bit more stealthily. But you know what they say about assumptions and their progeny, so... Neil?

I think he lights up the right passage, while the two of them keep on going down the middle like they were doing, although hopefully a bit more stealthily. But you know what they say about assumptions and their progeny, so... Neil?

I hereby embrace your orphaned progeny and declare your assumption to be correct. Light up the right. And full speed ahead. But what we could really use is a casting of ghost sound for retreating footsteps to make this trick work even better. :-)

Marius slashes his primary sword(btw Thom I'm using 2 swords not the axe)at the swarm as it closes around him and the swarm falls apart like the previous one...torbles rain down on him and he curses as acid seeps into his clothing and skin(3 damage)

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 201d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

The swarm is broken, but the party is still surrounded by individual torbles, between a dozen or two. They loll about as if uncertain of what to do, then by pairs and threes they start to drift toward Marius and Morosino. Marius the remains of the first swarm you broke up are also drifting toward you.

Mother tries to dispatch some of the lone torbles, but misses.

Waifrin's torble seems to like her. It hangs on. Its grit-like teeth scratching into her flesh and its digestive juices burning. no damage yet. we'll see what happens.

Morosino kicks one of the torbles into the channel where it floats barely awash in the murky water. Its legs twirl and it slowly begins spin.

Janiven targets a torble still on the ceiling. Her bolt flies wide.

Marius still has his round 3 attack coming. Zara may want to reconsider. and Waifrin has yet to go.

"Get off you little s***!" Waifrin curses and slashes at the thing clinging to her leg. "Help me with this!" she begs the dithering Zarabeta.

attack: 1d20 ⇒ 18, damage 1d4 ⇒ 4

... or maybe I don't need help, that may well have got the little sod.

Marius begins to pick off the individual Torbles with deliberation

Primary sword1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 81d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Off Hand Sword 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 241d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9not even going to bother confirming the crit

Mother drops her torch, pulls out her bow, and fires an arrow at any stray torbles.

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 251d6 ⇒ 3

With the threat of the swarm dispersed, Zarabeta abandons thoughts of casting her remaining spell and instead slashes at another torble with her jambiya.

1d20 ⇒ 14
1d4 ⇒ 3

But what we could really use is a casting of ghost sound for retreating footsteps to make this trick work even better.

First thing that came to my mind too actually. :-)

Waifrin's torble seems to like her. It hangs on.

Morosino kicks one of the torbles into the channel where it floats barely awash in the murky water. Its legs twirl and it slowly begins spin.

Thom, I love the way you write, especially the image of the torble slowly starting to spin on the sewage, legs moving. Heh!

Round 3 Wrap-up.

Marius punctures an individual torble. Waifrin dispatches hers. Zara misses.

Round 4, Mother neatly picks off a torble menacing Morosino's blind side with her bow. You mop up the remaining torbles.

From the corridor behind you comes the sound of pounding feet.

R&A: You've gained ground with the light ploy, but you can still hear pursuit behind you. Up ahead you see the party surrounded by, and daubed with greyish jelly.

Waifrin retrieves her crossbow, gets to her feet and reloads it quickly, peering behind the party into the darkness ...

Perception check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 Yep, sure is dark back there!

Somewhat winded and struggling to keep up, Akorian nearly missteps into the sewage channel, but rights himself just in time.

"We're gonna have to make our stand soon," he informs Raven, "Or we won't have much strength left to fight them off..."

Then, the priest spots the glow of the party's lights ahead. And they fill him with a renewed sense of hope. 'Milani be praised,' he thinks to himself, 'She knows just the right time to deliver us from the hand of oppression...'

"Looks like our odds just got better," he quips to his elven friend, "But make sure they don't mistake us for Hellknights in the dark..."

"I do not think they will be shooting until they can get a clear enough shot, but it would be somewhat ironic if we managed to dodge the knights' bolts only to be hit by one of our own, would it not?"

A soft sigh passes through the elf's lips. "I do not suppose they will appreciate the company we bring with us though Akorian," he adds almost as an afterthought before waving to the rest of the group as the two of them get a little closer.

"We are being chased by a knight or three mind you..." Raven says without shouting as soon as the others are within hearing distance before noticing the state they are in. "And what is that... stuff, for lack of a better word, you seem to be covered with?"