Curse of the Crimson Throne

Game Master Euan

Round 3, Init 19

Briar smiles as the Tentricu-skeleton goes down.

Whatever magic propelled you is now gone...or does it get recycled back? Returned for reuse?

Briar ponders as he examines.

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23 Know (Religion) on big skelly

Briar takes a stone and throws it at S6 (or can move to another open shot).

1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 22 to hit (bless, PBS, MS);
2d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4, 3) + 2 + 1 = 10 damage;

2 stones left.

round 3, init 24

Back to the wall, Dandi, screams as she pulls the new mace and takes a swing at the skeleton in front of her.

mwk silvered light mace, with weapon finesse: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 141d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Dandilion swings wildly at the skeleton on her, but misses. Nikolay swings at S5 killing him before missing with his ray of undeath. Briar grasps his magical stone flinging it an an enemy bursting the bones from it's body utterly destroying it. Fondo kills S6 and rolls into flank without taking an AoO. Charlie heals a bit of Baraels damage with the wand to try and keep him vertical. Barael swings and misses the foes before him even with the flank that Fondo provides.

Majenko flies down to Birar and takes a look at his magic stones. "Those are very fine. I bet I could throw one. Maybe not as good as you I guess." Sparklies!

Skeleton Claw S7 vs Barael 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 for 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 damage
Skeleton Claw S7 vs Barael 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20 for 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 damage

Back the top of the order, the last remaining skeleton do its bony dance and strikes true hammering at Barael for 5 more damage.

Initiative
Skeleton7 - 26
Dandilion (-4) - 24
Nikolay (-13) - 22
Briar - 19
Fondo (-15) - 13
Charlie - 12
Barael (-17) - 11
Majenko - 3

Map Round 4

Round 4, Init 13

If the remaining skeleton is still standing on his turn, Fondo moves into flank with Barael and has a bit of fun with it: sparring with it in such a way that he's able to entangle the creature's arms in its rib cage.

Dirty Trick 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 8 + 1 + 2 = 26 bless, flank

"Have at it, Barael. It's ready for a good ribbing."

Round 4, Init 24

Dandi presses back against the wall as she tries to get her bearings,

Dandi will delay, as there is only the one left with several people next to it. She will forgo rushing to their aid so as to not get in the way.

Round 4, Init 19

Briar smiles as the skeleton takes the full might of Nethys' stone and fails to withstand any of it.

Nethys 1, Aroden 0.

Seeking more pleasing detonations of bones, Briar moves to I14 (the long way), and throws another stone at it.

1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 12 to hit;
2d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4, 4) + 2 + 1 = 11 damage.

Meh. Nethys cannot guide my aim.

Round 4, Init 22 G-9-->H-14

Nikolay moves between the pillars and behind the skeleton before taking its head off.

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18 crit confirmation
1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Fondo maintains the image of tripping a skeleton on its own bones, and laughs. And winces from his wounds. "Charlie, a touch or three would be lovely."

Happy feast day, everyone. My leftist friends and I are all doing our best to talk about the grave history behind the holiday, but I'm still excited to eat stuffing. Grateful for your great creativity these last few months!

Wow, nice crit! And we are decisively out of combat.

After healing, I presume a brief search of the remains, and you find nothing that's not broken or otherwise worthless. There are two 15' pits of bones to the east and west and an exit which splits east and west to the south.

Briar walks over to Barael.

"You okay there? Man, that thing was big. I thought you were a goner," Briar as he checks the man's wounds. "Tis nothing but a scratch now, you'll be fine."

"Let's see if we can find what these guys were guarding."

Briar looks around and walks to the west pit, looking down.

Cast Detect Magic.
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9 Perception

Hope you are all enjoying a great meal, as I am currently ;)

Barael looks up at Briar, reinvigorated from Charlie's healing ministrations. "Yes, a scratch it will be in my stories over whiskey later this week. I'll remember to thank Sadon for that potent potable too.". Barael picks up the rapier, and sheathes it. "Let me thank the rest of you now. Otherwise, I'd be joining that pile of bones."

Barael moves to get a closer look at the fallen guard Majenko mentioned.
Perception 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

No magic is detected in the west pit and nothing new perceived.

The Guard has standard gear (chain shirt, sword, spear) and looks clearly like he was cut off from his cohorts and cut down by skeletons.

Just had a wonderful TG meal with GM Evilan. We plied him with roasted game birds and warm cats in hopes that his bloodlust is satiated for the remainder of this dungeon. We can only pray that our efforts were successful.

"We should drag the body of the guard out when we leave this place to be properly interned by the Pharasmans. Assuming this collection of skeletons are a freak accident or a intended malicious manifestation of course and those Pharasmans aren't completely incompetent."

Briar has serious doubts about this sect of Pharasma...there are a lot of skeletons here. Are they even trying to maintain the dead?

* * * *

Briar goes and repeats his process on the east pit.

Cast Detect Magic.
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15 Perception

"Uncle Charlie, can I try something with that wand, when you're done healing the others?" Her own wound not nearly as bad as the others', she is willing to wait, but Dandi has a feeling, a tingle, a *something*... and she'd like to try to her hand with the wand.

Happy Holiday to all. Let us hope that Briar and his lovely wife have saved us for the time being.

Nikolay remains prepared for battle with his sword out as he casts detect magic and looks around.

My sword is magical?
Yes. Hello.
Hello?
Yes. Hello.

After Nikolay stops staring at his sword for a minute or so he will finally notice his wounds.

"Excuse me, I seem to be bleeding quite a bit here. Can someone be of assistance?

"Yes, let's all share some healing around."

Rolling enough d8's to heal Fondo up... 1d8 + 1 + 1d8 + 1 + 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + (5) + 1 + (6) + 1 = 15

3 charges, Charlie.

Briar gives Nikolay a look as the sword pings as magical.

"Mind if I see your sword, there, Nikolay? I don't recall where you picked this weapon up, but it seems whomever had it before underestimated its worth."

If Nikolay consents to examination, Briar will examine the sword more.

1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 2 = 16 Spellcraft

Nikolay will hold out his sword for examination, but not let go.

"I... hadn't noticed before. This was quite a find in the Citadel's armory."

@Fondo. No charges for Nikolay?

I figure we should just roll our own CLW charges, Nikolay, to expedite things. I haven't tracked how far you're down, so I thought I'd leave it to you.

1 charge for Dandi: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Did we get a group CLW wand yet? I can't remeber. I hope so. Ah, now I see it on the spreadsheet.
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Really? Wow. Used up all my d8's on damage rolls.
So, Charlie (3), Fondo (3), Dandilion (1), Nikolay (4) = 11 so far.

Yes, thank you Briar the Lesser - and extend further thanks to Wife the Greater for all her work on the feast!

There are no magics in the eastern pit and you find nothing but bones with your brief search. I'll presume the party spends ~10 minutes or so sifting lightly through the pits and the room, as well as healing and the like.

When Briar takes a closer look at Nikolays sword he's stymied. It is a +1 blade for certain, but there is something more - something hidden. The blade also seems rather sharper than you imagine it should be, and tougher like it had been forged differently from the others you've seen.

It is, perhaps, unique - or at least unique in your experience.

Other than that, all is quiet save for the dripping of moisture in the cave. Although, what's that? Is there some scratching from the passage way to the south? Hrm. Yes, that was definitely the sound of a rat squeaking loudly to the southwest. Yeap, definitely a rat.

"Tis time to step still further toward our goal."

Intrepid Fondo walks into the gloom,
His mystic light refreshed and mace in hand.

1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Damn, right there with ya, Nik. Kinda wasting that last roll to fill to the brim.

Barael tucks away his unused flask, and draws his rapier. Barael finds the conversation encouraging, over Nik's sword. Good to have that blade in our hands, and not our enemy's.

"Right there with ya, brov. Lead the way."

Fondo walks northwestwardly

Travelling northwest you head into a wall, but presuming you meant southwest you travel down a short corridor which curves around into a large cavern. Rank with the stink of sweat and mud, this cavern contains four filthy straw pallets and a low table covered with dice and a miniature maze of carved clay.

Three short (3' tall or so) pale blue humanoids with bulging white eyes, wild hair and four fingered hands are playing a game of Rat Squish (a needlessly complex and cruel game using a rat, a maze, handfuls of stones marked with numbers, a hammer and a pair of pliers). Seeing your light coming down the hall, they've left their rat in the maze, gathered up their large hooked clubs, and await your entry into the cave whereupon they pounce rushing in out of the darkness of the room!

Blue Humanoid D1 vs Bareal 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 for 1d4 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 1 + (2) = 4 damage
Blue Humanoid D2 vs Fondo 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18 for 1d4 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 1 + (2) = 4 damage
Blue Humanoid D3 vs Fondo 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22 for 1d4 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 1 + (1) = 6 damage

They strike smiling, and strike true against their flat footed opponents hitting Barael once for 4hp and Fondo twice for 10hp. They seem particularly hostile to Fondo for his light source.

Now up - the party! (Majenko, as he will often do, delays to the end of the initiative to see what the group does first.)

Knowledge(dungeoneering) for more information on the creatures if you like.

Initiative
Blue Humanoids - 26
Fondo (-4) - 20
Nikolay - 14
Briar - 13
Barael (-10) -12
Dandilion - 5
Charlie - 4
Majenko - 3 (delayed)

Map Round 1

Round 1, Init 13

Forecasting that Fondo is going to 5' step or even tumble of his position to make room for Nikolay and Nikolay is going to 5' closer...

Briar moves to Q5, knocking an arrow as he moves.

Blue humanoids? Ugly.

1d20 + 6 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 1 - 4 = 7 to hit at D3 (the one we should smurf first);
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 damage.

Round 1, Init 20

Not that I'll say no to less damage, but did you confuse the damages to Barael and Fondo, Euan?

Drops his mace and does indeed attempt to tumble around the blue ticks, ending diagonally from Barael. He draws his rapier as he goes.

Acrobatics 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20 v. CMD +4

He then attempts to skewer the blue meanie powerfully.

Rapier 1d20 + 6 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 2 - 1 = 24 flank, power attack
1d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 2 = 6

Charlie think to Majenko

He then waits for an opportunity to move up an heal.

round 1, init 5

"Those don't look anything like the last things. Are they dead too?" Not at all smurfing whether those things are living or dead that refuses die, Dandi decides to try something else. She pulls a slender thread of webbing from her hair, rubbing it through her fingers and blowing it into the wind at D3, whispering, "fumble, fumble, fumble and fall...

casts ill omen on D3, hoping it works on these things.

Oops, yes, Barael took 4hp and Fondo took 10hp, I'll fix it in the update.

Dandilion, please make an SR check vs DC 14.

Smurf Resistance check vs DC 14: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

Round 1, Init 14 - Q-5--->R-4

Nikolay casts shield and then takes a 5' step into Fondo's spot. He strikes at D3 if still standing. Otherwise, D1.

"I think I've read about these things before."

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 knowledge dungeoneering

1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 7 - 2 = 12
1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Round 1, Init 12

Barael sees the Blue Man Group, and takes one of two tacks- should D3 still be standing, he attacks it in flank with Fondo, otherwise he tumbles/climbs over to flank with Nikolay on D1.

Rapier+1, Flanking 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 15 for 1d6 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 2 + (3) = 11 damage
Acrobatics 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15 If necessary to position against D1 for flank with Nikolay

"Whadya know about these aqua marines, Nik?" Barael lets the light of the blade antagonize the milky whites of their eyes.

Majenko 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 for 1d3 - 2 ⇒ (2) - 2 = 0 damage + DC 14 vs poison
Majenko flies into the battle along the wall and attacks D2 with his poison stinger. Sadly, he misses.

Dandilion calls a curse down upon the poor blue humanoid. Nikolay shields himself and strikes out missing his target. Briar steps up into an open space and shoots into the room, sadly hitting nothing blue. Fondo dodges this way and that and manages to get behind his foe - and strikes cleanly wounding it! Charlie chats with Majenko and prepares to move up and heal. Barael too has a swing and a miss, and we're at the top of the order.

The creatures look at each other, apparently surprised you're not already dead at their feet. They change tactics.

D1 steps back and casts a spell and Darkness fills the room (Darkvision will see through it). D2 steps back and presses his attack on Fondo. He seems extremely frustrated that he missed. D3 steps back and casts a spell in the darkness and a loud burst of noise is heard just behind Briar affecting everyone but Fondo. The rest may please make Fortitude saves vs DC 15 or be stunned this round and all of you take 1d8 ⇒ 2 of damage (no save for the damage).

Blue Humanoid SR vs Majenko 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 vs SR 12
Majenko Fortitude 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14 vs DC 15 or be stunned

Blue Humanoid D2 vs Fondo 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7 for 1d4 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 1 + (2) = 4 damage

Initiative
Blue Humanoids D1 - 26
Blue Humanoids D2 - 26
Blue Humanoids D3 (-6hp)(ill omen1) - 26
Fondo (-12) - 20
Nikolay (-2) - 14
Briar (-2) - 13
Barael (-6) -12
Dandilion (-2) - 5
Charlie (-2) - 4
Majenko (-2) - 3

Map Round 2
Special thanks to Dandilion for helping me get my new Adobe software. Not only does it make my job easier with the maps, there are some new features I'll be trying out - see if it's a little easier to see.

fortitude check 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

I'm stunned. Stunned I tell you!

Round 2, Init 12

Fortitude vs Stun 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

"Damn these eyes!" Barael tries to bear down on the last blue he saw before lights out. Me thinks D1
Rapier1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 1 = 14

Round 2, Init 13

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 Fort Save

Gah, what noise! And what little light!

Briar will fire to where he last saw the derro (D3).

1d20 + 6 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 6 - 4 + 1 = 20 to hit;
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 damage;
1d100 ⇒ 26 miss chance, high good for me.

Round 2, Init 14 - R-4

Nikolay shrugs off the ringing noise and swings at where he last knew the durro to be, but fails to connect anyway.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 - Fort save

Longsword
1d100 ⇒ 57 - 51+ needed
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
(BAB +2, STR +3, Black blade +1, Weapon Focus +1)
1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Dandi's squawk about the light cuts off at the loud boom, the reduce potion potion dropping from her fingertips to crash to the ground.

Fort save:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

DMPC_Fondo tumbles to flank and attacks D2.
Acrobatics 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Rapier 1d100 ⇒ 71 vs DC 50 1d20 + 6 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 2 - 1 = 10 flank, power attack for 1d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 2 = 4 damage

Dandilion is stunned for the round. Nikolay shrugs off the noise, but manages to hit naught. Briar draws a bead on the last known location of his foe, but he's not there. Fondo tumbles into flank, but misses. Charlie is stunned. Barael unstunned, never the less misses his target after stepping up.

Majenko peers into the darkness and makes out the blue tinge. He takes some time to tell the party where the opponents are (move action) so no perception checks required (but the 50% miss chance still applies). He 5' flaps and attacks D2 with flank.
Majenko 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 2 = 28 for 1d3 - 2 ⇒ (3) - 2 = 1 damage + DC 14 vs poison
Majenko crit confirmation 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 2 = 23 for 1d3 - 2 ⇒ (1) - 2 = -1
Blue Humanoid D2 Fortitude 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 vs DC 14 or fall asleep

The creatures continue to be frustrated by the combat. Majenko indicates the look on their faces is quite funny. "They are quite furious."

Blue Humanoid D2 vs Fondo 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 for 1d4 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 1 + (5) = 10 damage
Blue Humanoid D3 vs Fondo 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 for 1d4 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 1 + (2) = 5 damage

D1 casts a spell in the darkness. Majenko can't tell what it is, but you feel the effects soon enough. Everyone except Fondo and Majenko take 1d8 ⇒ 8 damage and please make a DC 15 Fortitude save or be stunned 1 round. D2 misses Fondo in the dark, and D3 misses as well, and curses loudly in Undercommon.

Initiative
Blue Humanoids D1 - 26
Blue Humanoids D2 (-1-1hp, sleeping) - 26
Blue Humanoids D3 (-6hp) - 26
Fondo (-12) - 20
Nikolay (-10) - 14
Briar (-10) - 13
Barael (-14) -12
Dandilion (-10) - 5
Charlie (-10) - 4
Majenko (-10) - 3

Map Round 3
For reference the straw pallets are difficult terrain, but the table is blocking unless you jump up onto it.
Darkness Rules

Round 3, Init 14 - R-4

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17 - Fort save
Not sure how you want to resolve groping around in the dark. In these close quarters, I'm guessing we can figure out which square someone is in when they're net to a party member.

Nikolay winces in pain, but manages to keep his senses about him. He steps foward to S-3 and swings. "Are you sure he's there Fondo?"

1d100 ⇒ 37 51+ good
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Remember that Majenko is giving telepathic locations of the enemies and friends. It's taking his move action each round to do so 'cause it's a bit more than free action speaking.

Dandi shakes herself free, only to have another *BOOM* go off again. Luckily, she hadn't had time to pull another potion, or it would join the first, rinsing her feet.

fort save1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Fondo would have been hit by the 16. He's at 4hp. Also, is D2 sleeping, or is it D1?

Round 3, Init 20 {>P10}

Fondo attempts to tumble back into the passage way and out of the darkness.

Acrobatics to move full speed 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 9 - 4 = 17
Acrobatics to tumble 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 9 - 4 = 17

"Let us retreat into the daylight."

Round 3, Init 13

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13 Fort Save

Fondo! The darkness will foll...::BOOM!::

Briar drops his bow.

Round 3, Init 12

Fort Save vs Stun 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

"So, Maj, he's right in front of...?" The rapier meets the ground for the second time on this expedition.

Sorry, no one is sleeping. I toyed with applying a penalty to the save due to the crit, but I don't want to go down that road - but I forgot to remove it from the post.

*Edit to last round action, per discussion with DM: Fondo tumbles to Barael's side (R05) and says, "Ioun torch! Now!" He fumbles through Barael's pockets and pouches to find the torch.

Not sure how long it would take to find the torch and then launch it into the air...