DM Dr Evil's PbP PFS - Master of the Fallen Fortress (Inactive)

Game Master DM DoctorEvil

Reflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

"Ow!" Max yells as the flames wash over him. He follows the exclamation with a muttered incantation, and placing a hand on his burns they fade away.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Anyone else hurt enough to use a cast on? Have three left.

The room is obviously a worship site for Nethys, god of magic and the White and Black motif is indicative of the protective and destructive nature of magic.

Each altar holds silver serving pieces valued at 100 gp, as well as a silver holy symbol of Nethys. Additionally, a single scroll is atop each altar.

A reliquary box on the White Altar stands open and empty as if some item of rare value had been taken from its resting place here. The rest of the altar items are covered with dust, but the inside of this box is not, making you think the removal was quite recent.

I'll be fine for another fight (I think/hope).

Spellcraft, black alter: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Spellcraft, white alter: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

"Hmm, these scroll seem to be a Shatter spell, and a Shield Other. Could be useful." He tucks the Shatter scroll into his belt, and offers the other to the group, "I can't use this one, who wants it?"

I can use the shield other scroll. If no one else wants it.

Aarion says a small prayer to Pharasma asking for her to heal his wounds.

Cure light wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Well that’s the last of my healing and I’m still feeling a little worse for wear. If your offer to heal is still there, I could use it right about now.

Ruinor looks at Orovan disappointedly. "Now Orovan, I thought things were going well. You all are doing a great job clearing this tower so I haven't had to unleash my full power. But if I do, I'll do my best not to set you on fire," he says with a sly grin.

Looking at the box, he adds,"I hope the item we're after wasn't in there. Or if it was, that it's still in the tower."

Turning to Max and Aarion, "I don't have a use for those scrolls, so please take them and put them to good use."

Silverback looks around the room. "I have no use for the scrolls," Silverback responds.

"I see no other doors here...should we continue up?" he asks.

"That seems best. Maybe we can find whatever used to be in that box." Orovan concludes optimistically.

Ruinor looks around the room. "It seems strange that there is no access to the remainder of the level from this room. Given that this is an alter to the god of magic, maybe there is a hidden door." Ruinor then searches the walls to the left and right of the center stairwell.

Perception(Left): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Perception(Right): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Aarion assists Ruinor with his search.

Perception assist (Left): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
Perception assist (Right): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

"I think I've had enough fire for one day, thank you very much," Maximilian replies to Ruinor, as he assists Aarion with his wounds.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Thank you Maximilian, your skills in healing are very much appreciated.

Ruinor and Aarion's searching does reveal a secret door on the southwest part of the room. However, the portal cannot be opened as the door appears to be locked.

"Did I hear someone mention another locked doorway? I got this. Wait I am a bit bloodied might anyone remedy this? Either way, let me see what do we have hear?"

perception on lock: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

open lock: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

I would be happy to aid you with your wounds Josnavaarin, but I am currently out of healing spells.

Silverback maintains his perpetual frown, his arms folded across his chest, as he watches Josnavaarin work with the lock.

Aarion looks over at the impatient druid then smiles.

The secret door does not appear to be trapped, but it has a lock on it that holds it fast. Josnavaarin's attempt to pick the lock fails.

Josnavaarin, take your time. We are not in a rush.

try taking 20 and see if it is even possible to open it in this fashion.

Jos has been having trouble with the locks lately so he takes his time. 20 if capable resulting in 29 otherwise he tries again

open lock: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

open lock: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

open lock: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

"How's it coming, Jos? Need some help?" Orovan offers, smacking his fist into his open palm. "I have a way with locks."

After just a few tries, the handy elf is able to pop the locks mechanism and he smiles as the door creaks open. Looking out the group can see this area is open to the outside due to the fall of the eastern side of the tower. Both remainin quatrefoil sections have collapsed sides.

Looking around carefully, Josnavaarin notices the ceiling, which is wrapped in a bit of shade from the overhand of the ruined wall, seems to be moving. Looking closer, he sees that instead fo the ceiling it's really hundreds or thousands of bats clustered there.

Disturbed by your noise and the opening door, they begin to rouse themselves from their daytime roost, swarming together in the ruined rooms of the tower.

Bat Swarm - Round 1

25 Aarion
24 Josnavaarin
20 Bat Swarm
18 Maximilian
17 Ruinor
11 Orovan
7 Silverback

Aarion and Josnavaarin can start any combat actions vs the swarm.

Aarion pulls a alchemist fire then moves, putting some distance between himself and the rest of the group.

(Free action) Five foot step, (Move action) Draw an alchemist fire, (Standard action) Ready to throw the alchemist fire at the bats if they come within range.

In order to avoid a pile up, you might want to spread out.

Attack Alchemist fire: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12 Range touch attack with splash.

Mentally reviewing his gear and finding himself ill-equipped to battle the swarm, Silverback yells "Shut the door! We don't need this fight!"

Watching Aarion Jos steps back away from the door pulls one of the 3 oil flasks from his bandolier and prepares to throw in the same area (Hex) as Aarion.

Jos hopes that the oil he throws will burst into the already ignited flames and help push the bats back or kill them.

throw: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 Target area AC 5

Guess not...

...prepares to throw in the same area (Hex) as Aarion.

I wonder how Aarion feels about that? (j/k)

Bat Swarm - Round 1 - continued

Aarion backs up from the door, reaching for his explosive concoction, readying to throw at the swarm of bats should they approach him.

Josnavaarin moves through the door towards the bats, also reading to literally add fuel to the fire. He watches Aarion, and will try throwing his oil where the inquisitor's alchemical fire lands.

The swarm, a mindless mass of bats, moves toward the nearest disturbing entity, in this case Josnavaarin. The bats surround the elf causing him to beat the air around his head violently as the bats smash into him and bite him repeatedly for 1hp dmg. The many small wounds begin bleeding, and Josnavaarin loses 1hp per round until healed.

Time out for a moment, and lets discuss what just happened. Aarion readied an attack on the swarm if it came "within range". Range on a alchemist's fire, by rule, is 10'. Josnavaarin then moved closer to the swarm and farther than 10' away from Aarion, and said he would ready an action to throw oil where Aarion threw fire. But since the swarm moves to the nearest target (Jos) and that target is now more than 10' away from Aarion, neither readied action occurs and Josnavaarin gets attacked by the swarm. Sorry if this is not what you intended, but I can only go by what's written down.

The rest of the group can finish up Round 1, and the guys above can post for Round 2 when ready.

Bat swarm Dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Josnavaarin DC 11 Fort vs distraction: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Seeing his elf friend engulfed by the swarm of bats, Ruinor mentally runs through his options of how to help. "I've never tried this before so I don't know if it will work, but it's worth a try," he says out loud as he steps up to the doorway while speaking in a strange toungue and removing a pinch of sand from his belt pouch. As the sand falls from between his fingers it flys towards the swarm of bats.

Cast sleep at the center of the swarm. (DC15 Will save negates)

Josnavaarin, come back in here so we have room to fight this thing. In that area it is very cramped.

Seeing his elf friend engulfed by the swarm of bats, Ruinor mentally runs through his options of how to help. "I've never tried this before so I don't know if it will work, but it's worth a try," he says out loud as he steps up to the doorway while speaking in a strange toungue and removing a pinch of sand from his belt pouch. As the sand falls from between his fingers it flys towards the swarm of bats.

Cast sleep at the center of the swarm. (DC15 Will save negates)

This is a a very interesting question which is not clearly answered in the rules or on the messageboards. Swarms are not usually affected by spells that indicate a # of targets, but Sleep specifically says HD not creature numbers. Also, swarms are not affected by mind-affecting spells, unless they have an INT score and a hive mind. Bat Swarm does have an INT score, but no definition of hive mind anywhere I can find in Core Rules. Either way it takes a full round action to cast sleep, so you just begin casting it here, and we'll see what happens before it goes off.

Still waiting on the rest of the gang to act. Silverback, Orovan, Maximilian, this means you...

Orovan draws an alchemist's fire and steps back, ready to throw it.
Readied action: attack if within 10ft and no one blocking the shot (like Ruinor, taking up 10ft by 10ft)

Save versus Sleep

will save: 1d20 ⇒ 18

"Ouch... *&!@... #$@!... I HATE BATS!

Jos takes off running directly away from the bats and then turns back to watch for the bats with the oil flask still in his hand.

With no other options, Silverback throws a flask of oil at the creatures, hoping to ignite the oil later.

"You should have shut the door!" the druid reprimands the others harshly.

ranged touch: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 splash: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Will give Max a bit to post, then I will run for him.

Bat Swarm - Round 1 - continued

Ruinor steps near the doorway, and begins casting an enchantment that he hopes will put the swarm to sleep.

Orovan palms a flask of alchemist's fire, and like Aarion, waits until the swarm approachs before launching.

Silverback throws unlit oil at the target, but misses, his oil slamming against the wall in the temple room.

I had to move Silverback on the map for this to make sense. The splash miss is a 1d8, FYI. Just waiting on Max to finish the round.

Splash miss: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Maximilian moves into the room with the others,and reaches into his pack to draw out yet another Alchemist's Fire.

Bat Swarm - Round 1 - concluded

Maximilian closes the distance between himself and the swarm and rummages through his pack for his own explosive cocktail.

End of Round 1

Bat Swarm - round 2

25 Aarion
24 Josnavaarin
20 Bat Swarm
18 Maximilian
17 Ruinor
11 Orovan
7 Silverback

Josnavaarin rushes out of the collapsed section of the tower and away from the bats as fast as his feet can take him, still holding on to his flask of oil.

Aarion is up before the bat swarm acts.

Am I correct in assuming that there is a wall currently between me and the swarm, which has a five foot wide door leading to the collapse section of the tower? If this is not correct, I will need to modify the following action. If I am correct apply the following action.

Aarion holds his vial of alchemist fire tightly and waits for the swam of bats to come through the door.

(Ready action) Throw the alchemist fire at the bat swam when they come through the door.

Attack Alchemist fire: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Damage Alchemist fire: 1d6 ⇒ 5 First round damage on a direct hit. (1) point of splash damage to everything within five foot.

Damage Alchemist fire: 1d6 ⇒ 4 Second round damage on a direct hit.

Josnavaarin is up, right?

Jos turn was movement, right? .

Bat Swarm - Round 2 - continued

As the bat swarm starts to squeeze through the secret door opening after the nearest source of fresh blood, Aarion throws his alchemist fire scoring a direct hit on the swarm.

The continued approach of the swarm triggers the readied action from Orovan who also throws his alchemical bomb at the flurry of bats.

The swarm flies right into the face of Ruinor, who is busy casting his sleep spell, and also over where Silverback stands. The flurry of bats slashes, bites, and bangs into the two heroes dealing 5 hp dmg each. The confusion of bats all around Ruinor puts his concentration for spellcasting at risk as well.

Both Silverback and Ruinor need DC 11 Fort save or be nauseated. Additionally, Ruinor needs a DC 21 Concentration check to keep his spell, which is about to go off.

Orovan Ranged touch: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Alchemist's fire direct hit, round 1: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Swarm dmg to Ruinor, Silverback: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Josnavaarin, you bleed 1 hp dmg this round also from bat swarm bites suffered last round. The last of the group, Max, Ruinor, and Silverback may act now, based on the results of the save, and the concentration check.

Readied Fire: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4, Miss: 1d8 ⇒ 4
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Orovan tosses his flask of fire at the bats, putting too much power into it as it flies past them and strikes the ground behind. That might actually still hit a full swarm square.

He then steps back and draws a flask of acid, prepared to throw it once his allies leave the swarm.

Fort save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Concentration: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 = 10

As Ruinor continues casting his spell, a look of concern comes over his face as he sees Jos run past him with the swarm of bats closely behind. He is unprepared for the swarm to envelope him and he looses both his spell and his lunch. Unable to compose himself, he does his best to move away from the swarm.

@Orovan: I triggered and rolled your readied action above. You hit (sort of) for 1 dmg against the swarm. You also moved in the initiative order (due to readied action) to before the swarm. Your posted action (getting the acid ready) will stand if the swarm is still around when you come around again.

Still waiting on Silverback and Max

Ah, sorry. I misunderstood.

Cursing again that no one had shut the door rather than face a swarm of bats, Silverback withdraws from their midst.

fort save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Maximilian takes a startled 5' step away from the swarm, and throws the flask at the leading edge of the swarm.

Technically he acts before Ruinor and Silverback, so he'll ready the throw to trigger on them being clear of the target area.

Alchemist's Fire: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18 for: 1d6 ⇒ 2, miss direction: 1d8 ⇒ 8

Bat Swarm - Round 2 - concluded

Maximilian suggests it would be a good idea to clear the area as he threatens with his alchemist's fire.

Distracted to the point of nausea, Ruinor loses his spell that was about to fire barely holds in his lunch as he rushes out of the cloud of bats, bleeding from many small wounds.

Silverback, also bleeding, withdraws leaving Max a free field of fire. The spell warrior throws his incendiary, and it bursts on the bats, spreading fiery goodness throughout the swarm.

The swarm, hit from all sides by fire begins to break apart as bats by the thousands flee back to the fresh air of the the outside of the tower. Soon a black cloud of bats is seen beating off for safer grounds, while dozens of small charred corpses remain behind.

End of Combat

Those who took damage from the swarm, Josnavaarin, Silverback, and Ruinor continue to bleed 1 hp/round until healed. For Ruinor that's about two rounds until he goes down (hint, hint).

Silverback rips a piece of cloth from his cloak and wraps it around an arm where he had sustained multiple pinprick bites.

heal: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10