DM Bigrin's Shattered Star (Group B) (Inactive)

Game Master bigrin42

Harbug guesses that this is a manifestation of the boggard deity. Such manifestations are rarely able to interact with the physical world, but exposure to their presence can engender feelings of awe, fear, or even madness. The effects tend to accumulate the longer you remain in the presence of the manifestation.

Unaffected by the malice of the entity, Jakscar approaches it, blades twirling menacingly.

"Right then, so called 'deity' I have had about enough of you and your minions attacking us and frightening my friends. So get lost and tell your little frogs to run off too. Otherwise we may just have to kill them all and I hear that can hurt even you."

Jakscar is clearly unaware of the minor factor that we invaded their space, but why let that get in the way of threatening a god!

Zaph looks on with concern, even though the waves of fear pass him by. "Maybe we should let this alone for a few minutes. Let the entity work out its frustrations in peace."

He tugs on a few shoulders and arms to back out of the chamber.

Shabbezz was still standing dumbstruck--the fact that this apparition had appeared after Jakscar had desecrated one of the most feared deities ever to plague her people was obviously affecting her psychologically. It took a few strong tugs on the arm by Zaphomil to get her moving, but eventually she did, although she shuddered with the knowledge that it was still behind them.

Following the rest of the group.

Harbug spits in the direction of the demon-frog and follows the group. "It's probably just a vision anyway, not killable."

So where are you buggering off to?

To the back of the cave where there's a passage continuing further.

Acquiescing to the group decision, Jakscar keeps himself between the apparition and the others and backs towards the tunnel heading onwards. "Vision or not, I'll see about slicing and dicing it on the way out."

The cave wound deeper under the cliffs, twisting and turning. After about an hour of walking, you came to an intersection of sorts. From her place as scout, Angelica can see at least one other tunnel leading out from this chamber. In the center, under a soaring ceiling, stood a seven-sided monument of black basalt. The top portion of the thirty-foot structure appears to have been broken away, revealing the monument to be hollow inside. Angelica wanted to get a closer look, but the floor was covered in a crawling wave of white insects about the size of her little finger. Among the smaller creatures stood three larger ones, about the size of a small pony, with large tearing claws on their front legs and toothy mandibles.

What do you do? They haven't noticed you yet, thought that could change at any moment.

Here's the map

Wand in hand, Shabbezz waits with the others for Angelica's next signal.

Angelica barely stifles an involuntary shudder, and makes a scrunched face of disgust back at the group, before using her hand to mimic a bug crawling up her other arm. This signal alone causes her to shudder once again, moving back towards the others with a sweep of her arm in an 'after you' type of expression.

Sheathing his dagger, Jakscar readies a vial of alchemist's fire from his bandolier and advances before throwing it at the nearest bug.

Move to P14 and throw at O16

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 6

The corridor doesn't allow Shabbezz much room for maneuvering. As the fray begins, the best that she can manage for now is to move ahead.

Moving to U-10.

Fang hops down from Harbug's shoulders and expands, ready for battle.

Harbug smiles his usual tusk-filled smile; it looks rather threatening even if you know him well enough to recognize it as a smile rather than a threat.

Jakscar rushed forward at Angelica's hand motions, pulling a flask of alchemist's fire as he went. The catfolk hurled the flask, which exploded on contact with the nearest creature. An eerie shrieking hiss echoed throughout the chamber, as the injured bug thrashed and spun, flinging gobbets of fire in every direction, but not doing much to quench the flames on its back.

Concerned that spellcasting may alert the threats further down the tunnel, Zaph readies his crossbow and moves up, staying next to Shabbezz.

Move to S-12.

Moving up farther, Shabbezz peers around Angelica, trying to figure out exactly what these creatures are and what their strengths and weaknesses might be before deciding how best to attack.

Knowledge (dungeoneering): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30 Natural 20.
Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

Wow, I just realized I completely missed Bigrin's post since it was posted just ahead of mine -- thus it doesn't make a bit of sense. If allowed, I'd like to do something different.

Zaph moves up with his crossbow at the ready, and snaps off a shot as soon as one of the bugs comes into view.

Ranged: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

Jakscar, are you about? DMPCing Jak for Rnd 1

Shabbezz concentrated on the creatures, knowing to be a solfugid of some kind, albino by the coloring, and cave because...well they were in a cave. She remembered that these insectile creatures are very aggressive, though the carpet of small ones shouldn't be a problem. They didn't get those nasty mandibles until they were out of the juvenile stage. They were fast, excellent climbers, and were known to completely strip a corpse of its flesh in less than a minute.

She was just about to call out these facts to the others when the three large solfugids made the point moot. They charged Jakscar, each lashing out with the razor-spines on their claws and with their mandibles. As one crossed the opening of the tunnel, Zaphomil squeezed off a quick shot, catching the creature in the abdomen. Jakscar watched the fiery one carefully, lashing out with both swords as it closed. His short sword nicked the thing before he was too busy defending himself to worry about attack.

In an amazing display of agility and swordsmanship, Jakscar picked off or dodged attack after attack. Of course, even the most agile, well defended warrior might succumb to a thousand blows, and Jakscar did. One of the creatures got a grasp on his right elbow, badly damaging the joint there and nearly causing him to drop his dueling sword. A claw struck him in the left leg, drawing a fiery line down his thigh. Still, it was not much less than a miracle that he wasn't more heavily damaged.

Hi yes, sorry I was waiting on everyone else. Somehow hadn't twigged that I had acted in the surprise round! Ouch

Clicking the heels of his boots together to activate their magic, Jakscar leaps over the burning insect and slashes at its back, with his sword.
Not sure if this puts me in N13 or O16, not sure which is burnt

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29

Attack D sword: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28

Dmg D sword: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Ah yes, sorry about that. I meant to put a marker on it. Your burned one is the one in P15

O16 for me then. At least only 2 can pick on me.

Angelica shudders as the big bugs get near, bites her lip in anxiety, before finally gritting her teeth as she rushes up to the spot Jaks just exited. With her Rapier drawn, she moves to stab the burned insect. "Dammit, Whiskers, making come up here to keep you from getting killed. Don't you know how I feel about bu..EEEEWWW!" She finishes as a number of the little ones crunch under her feet.

Move, to P14 drawing rapier
Standard, attack P15 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24, damage 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Thought about flanking from O14 (too risky), or not even coming up (too risky for Jaks), so I had to settle for the middle ground.

Seeing Jakscar take more wounds, Zaphomil starts to move forward. However, the catfolk vaults over one of the bugs and out of his reach. Shaking his head, Zaph reloads the crossbow and sends another bolt into the most wounded-looking critter.

Ranged: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2
5' step to S12

Shabbezz does her level best to provide support fire as the melee combatants rush into position.

Move to R-12.

Activating the wand of magic missile (43 charges remaining, CL3, range 130 feet, two missiles, no attack roll needed), both missiles to hit the enemy at O-13 (or the one at O-16 if that one's already dead by my turn).

Damage (force), 1st missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Damage (force), 2nd missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

"Hey! Save some for me!" Harbug squeezes in past the two small casters as best as he can. With his back to the wall, he growls at the only bug he can see.

Move to R-13 while drawing falchion, if necessary squeezing to stay in the space. Evil Eye hex (mind affecting so probably doesn't work) DC 13 on the bug in O-13 for -2 to attack rolls for 1 round if it saves, 5 rounds if it fails, 0 if it is immune.

Fang prowls forward and readies herself to attack the bugs.
Double move to P-13.

Jakscar vaulted over the bugs nearest him, distracting them enough that Angelica could move forward and pierce the most wounded one with her rapier. Everyone else moved in, with Zaphomil and Shabbezz sending missiles of their own into the fray. The bug closest to fang sprouted an arrow and rocked back from the magical missiles, but still managed to claw the battle cat. Jakscar fended off another lightning fast barrage of claws and mandibles in another dazzling display of defensive fighting, but ended with another large gash on his torso.

Attack D sword: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 2 = 31
Dmg: 1d8 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 3 + (3) = 12
Critical confirmation: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 9 + 2 = 19
Critical dmg: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Attack S sword: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 2 = 16
Dmg S sword: 1d6 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 1 + (3) = 6

Testing the insect's defenses with a light slash of his off hand, Jakscar focuses his efforts on his dueling sword, finding a small chink in its chitin, he drives his sword deep into its abdomen.

A little help here would be appreciated, they are rather good with their sharp claws.

Targeting the most wounded in an effort to finish it off.

Angelica grits her teeth, letting a long low "eeewwwwwww" escape her throat as she shifts her position over to be more helpful. She shivers every time a smaller insect crunches beneath her step, but with fang there and Harbug coming she's willing to risk getting in between two of the things to find a weak spot.

5' step to O14
Standard, attack O15 (w/flank) 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 2 = 17, damage 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 plus 2d6 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3 SA

Fang prowls around the bug, looking at it with contempt after having her hide torn by a claw from its attack. She returns the favor, with a furious set of swipes from both of her paws.

5' step to O-12, full attack.
Bite, Flank: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 = 8; Dmg if hit: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Claw 1, Flank: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 2 = 25; Dmg if hit: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Claw 2, Flank: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 2 = 23; Dmg if hit: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Harbug roars at the bug and charges into combat, stomping the smaller bugs on the ground tot he point that he slips on their slime and his swing misses the bug entirely.

Charge to P-13 and attack. AC -2 for 1 round.
+1 Falchion, charge: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 2 = 12; Dmg if hit: 2d4 + 7 ⇒ (4, 4) + 7 = 15

Shabbezz actually felt a twinge of guilt for being able to hang back in the corridor and cast missiles from relative safety, but such was the way of things. Besides, if she didn't do so and the fighters fell, those creatures be on her soon enough.

Why mess with a good thing?

Activating the wand of magic missile (42 charges remaining, CL3, range 130 feet, two missiles, no attack roll needed), both missiles to hit the enemy at O-13 (or the one at O-16 if that one's already dead by my turn).

Damage (force), 1st missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Damage (force), 2nd missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Shaking his head as the wounded Jakscar seems intent on moving further away from his healing, Zaph steps forward and channels, making sure to exclude the monstrous insects.

Move to Q13
channel: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 1) = 10

Activating the wand of magic missile (42 charges remaining, CL3, range 130 feet, two missiles, no attack roll needed), both missiles to hit the enemy at O-13 (or the one at O-16 if that one's already dead by my turn).

Whoops, that should be "both missiles to hit the enemy at O-13 (or the one at O-15 if that one's already dead by my turn)." Must have missed that the bugger had moved.

As everyone finally makes it into contact with the enemy, your superior numbers and skill starts to take effect. Jakscar managed to kill the scorched and bleeding solfugid, and Angelica gouged deeply into another while taking a wound of her own. On the left, between them Harbug and fang tore chunks out of their opponent, while Shabbezz's magical missiles sent shards of chitin flying through the cavern. Zaphomil, for his part, did his best to heal the worst wounds of the injured, while being sure to leave the insects alone.

With the first creature killed, Jakscar lays into the next, determined to help ease the pressure on Angelica. Landing some heavy if not entirely accurate blows, slashes furiously.

Attack D sword: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 9 + 2 = 25
dmg d sword: 1d8 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 3 + (4) = 12

Attack S sword: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 2 = 16
Dmg S sword: 1d6 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 1 + (6) = 13

Angelica tries to continue aiding Jakscar in his attacks on the big bug. She juts her rapier at a supposed gap in the thing's shell, disturbed by the oozing innards of the dead one creeping slowly toward her boots.

Attack O15, with flank 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 2 = 15, damage? 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 plus 2d6 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11 SA

Fang prowls around the bug creature, waits for a good opportunity, then strikes suddenly with fangs and claws!

5' step to N-13, attack
Bite, Flank: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 2 = 14; Dmg if hit: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Claw 1, Flank: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 2 = 24; Dmg if hit: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Claw 2, Flank: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 2 = 26; Dmg if hit: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Crit confirm:
Claw 2, Flank, crit confirm: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 2 = 24; Dmg if hit: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Harbug yells at the bug and swings his falchion wildly, trying to keep its attention off of the cat stalking around behind it.

+1 Falchion, Flank: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 2 = 28; Dmg if hit: 2d4 + 7 ⇒ (1, 3) + 7 = 11
Wow. The dice roller is HOT tonight! Crit confirm:
+1 Falchion, Flank, crit confirm: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 2 = 10; Dmg if hit: 2d4 + 7 ⇒ (1, 2) + 7 = 10
Waaaa-waaaaahhhh spoke too soon =p

The chaos up ahead was making it hard to get a clear shot, but sometimes the advantage of magic was that it could make up for lack of physical ability. Still, Shabbezz thought as she took aim once more, it was a bit of a shame that there wasn't more room to come up with something more clever than basic sniping.

Move to R-12.

Activating the wand of magic missile (41 charges remaining, CL3, range 130 feet, two missiles, no attack roll needed), both missiles to hit the enemy at O-13 (or the one at O-15 if that one's already dead by my turn).

Damage (force), 1st missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Damage (force), 2nd missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

With the tide swinging in their favor, Zaph decides not to use more of Desna's magic. Instead, he reloads his crossbow and sends another shot at the bug between Jakscar and Angelica.

Ranged, into melee: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 7 - 4 = 16
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 3

Between them, Fang and Harbug manage to down the second solfugid, tearing it apart with claws and steel. The other managed to avoid significant damage from Angelica, but took a strike from one of Jakscar's swords. Then, as the catfolk lined up another strike, he was distracted as a series of blue-white missiles blasted along the creature's back. It spun back towards Angelica, lashing at at her, as the only apparent threat from that direction. Her rapier picked off both of its claw attacks, but as she was straining to hold off the claws, the creature fastened its mandibles around her right leg and bit down hard.

"GET OFFA HER!" Harbug steps in and brings his falchion down a little way behind the bug's head.
+1 Falchion: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17; Dmg if hit: 2d4 + 7 ⇒ (1, 3) + 7 = 11

I typed up Harbug's post first, but if Harbug finished off the bug in the prior round, Fang would have Bond Forged in Blood this round, going before Harbug.

Fang quickly turns from the fallen opponent and leaps at the still-moving bug to attack.
Bite, Bond Forged in Blood: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 = 7; Dmg if hit, Bond Forged in Blood: 1d6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 2 = 5 -2 to both attack & dmg if fang killed the bug before Harbug's swing
Claw 1, Bond Forged in Blood: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 4 + 2 = 19; Dmg if hit, Bond Forged in Blood: 1d4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 2 = 7 -2 to both attack & dmg if fang killed the bug before Harbug's swing
Claw 2, Bond Forged in Blood: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 = 10; Dmg if hit, Bond Forged in Blood: 1d4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 2 = 6 -2 to both attack & dmg if fang killed the bug before Harbug's swing

Hearing Angelica scream, Shabbezz caught flashes of the creature lashing out with its mandibles. She fired into the fray, intending to drop the monster as quickly as possible.

[ooc]Activating the wand of magic missile (40 charges remaining, CL3, range 130 feet, two missiles, no attack roll needed), both missiles to hit the enemy at O-15 (assuming it's not already dead by my turn).

Damage (force), 1st missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Damage (force), 2nd missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Infuriated by its grip on Angelica, Jakscar strikes out again, determined to finish this thing. His short sword lands a heavy blow at a chink in the insect's natural defences.

Attack d sword: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 9 + 2 = 20
Dmg d sword: 1d8 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 3 + (3) = 10

Attack S sword: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 2 = 23
dmg S sword: 1d6 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 1 + (6) = 13

Angelica merely stabs with a retaliatory strike, and an irritated "Urrgh, stop touching me!" She drives her blade into the creature's shell.

Attack last one with flank 1d20 + 7 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 2 - 2 = 24, damage 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 plus 2d6 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8 SA

Zaph channels more healing energy through the group and keeps the bugs from sharing the same as he holds up his holy symbol.

Channel: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 1) = 13

"There! Now finish it off!" he yells.