DM Fang Dragon’s Ruins of Adventure (Inactive)

Game Master FangDragon

I was hoping that you would say that...lol.

The knight steps opposite of Zane.

I'll give Malesti a little more time, it's the weekend after all and folks are likely busy with other stuff.

"Kill the orc scum!" yells Kardas as he raises his sword and moves to meet the orc in combat.

Move action: move 5 squares
Std action: attack orc (2handing the longsword)

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

I guess Malesti's player is rather busy, so he can borrow the GM's hot dice...

Through the open door Mal spots an opening, drawing the bowstring to his ear he sights the hated Orc and tracks it. By instinct he knows exactly when to release and with a wet *THUMP* the arrow disappears into the meat of the orc's shoulder, perilously close to the windpipe.
Longbow Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25Longbow Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 <--- HIT
Crit?: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19Crit Damage: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (5, 3) + 6 = 14 <--- ON THE NOSE

The orc kind of gurgles before Zane's mace descends upon his head with terrible force. Yet the orc doesn't die... He screams in bestial rage and smacks Zane with his hand axe, penetrating armor and bruising bone! he tries to follow up by clouting him with his shield (painted with some primitive iconography) but Zane dances back!

Axe: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 <--- HIT
Shield: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 <--- MISS

Lightning quick, Kardas seeing an opening thrusts but the orc is faster still. His shield checking the blow with a resounding CLANG!

Malstei Alenuath

Azarra
Ser Armithia-Seendren
Zane Levallis
Orc Champion
Kardas Rasalas
Ishta Khosiv <----- WE ARE HERE

Buffs and Debuffs wrote:

Spoiler:

---- Round 1 ----

Malstei Alenuath
Azarra
Ser Armithia-Seendren
Zane Levallis
Orc Champion
Kardas Rasalas
Ishta Khosiv Mage Armor (1679 rounds)
---- Round 2 ----
Malstei Alenuath
Azarra
Ser Armithia-Seendren
Zane Levallis
Orc Champion
Kardas Rasalas
Ishta Khosiv Mage Armor (1678 rounds)

Ishta Khosiv, Malstei Alenuath, Azarra, Ser Armithia-Seendren and Zane Levallis are up. NB the orc has ac 19

Zane winced in pain as the orc's axe penetrated his breastplate, saying a quick prayer of thanks to the Morninglord that he at least managed to avoid the shield bash. Seeing that Malstei's arrow has seemed to inflict a horrid wound upon the Orc, the priest continued to press the attack, trying to avoid another counterblow to himself or one of his companions. Unfortunately their enemy is much better prepared and easily avoids Zane's swing.

Heavy Mace: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

I believe that Zane and I have it flanked.

Menace this place no more!

Melee bastard sword: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 2 = 10
damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Unfortunately, the gold elf lacks conviction...

Ishta moves into the room and tries to hit the orc with a frost ray, but not having too much hope on it since there are a lot of obstacles.

Ray of Frost, Firing into melee 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 3 - 4 = 3
Damage 1d3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Have I gotten what was in the box yet?

Kardas attempts to channel a necromantic spell through his sword, but the orc deftly threatens the swordmage with shield and axe causing the spell, and thus the attack, to fizzle and fail.

Cast Defensively: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Attempted to cast Touch of Fatigue (DC15 concentration check) to trigger two attacks, but this fails.

@Kardas: Does that cancel your ordinary attack as well?

You're correct and I'm a sleepy idiot.
Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Longsword attack with a -2 as per Spell Combat

With luck Malesti's player will post later on, so for now I'll just put him at the bottom of the initiative order.
Ishta gamely tries once more to freeze something but she can't get a clear shot off. Malesti basking in the awesomeness of his previous shot waits to see if another one is needed.

Meanwhile Azarra'a servant has managed to retrieve the contents of the box, Ferran is battering himself silly trying to get through the barrier and doesn't appear to have noticed. Which is probably just as well.

Ser Armithia shouts, "Menace this place no more!" but his sword is easily parried by the snarling orc!

Likewis Zane tries to follow up, but his mace finds only the Orc's shield! CLANG.

Fazed by the torrent of attacks, the orc no matter how much he slavers and snarls, finds little opportunity to break past Ser Armithia's guard.
Axe: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 <--- MISS
Shield: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 <--- MISS

Kardas tries to cast a spell that would sap the energy from the orc, but the presence of something so large and dangerous causes his concentration to waver and both his spell and his thrust are foiled.

Azarra

Ser Armithia-Seendren
Zane Levallis
Orc Champion
Kardas Rasalas
Ishta Khosiv <----- WE ARE HERE
Malstei Alenuath

Buffs and Debuffs wrote:

Spoiler:

---- Round 2 ----

Azarra
Ser Armithia-Seendren
Zane Levallis
Orc Champion
Kardas Rasalas
Ishta Khosiv Mage Armor (1678 rounds)
Malstei Alenuath
---- Round 3 ----
Azarra
Ser Armithia-Seendren
Zane Levallis
Orc Champion
Kardas Rasalas
Ishta Khosiv Mage Armor (1677 rounds)
Malstei Alenuath

Ishta Khosiv, Malstei Alenuath, Azarra, Ser Armithia-Seendren and Zane Levallis are up.

Zane steps into position to create the flank with Ser Armithia, as the orc couldn't possibly fend them both off at the same time. Waiting for the enemy to be distracted, the cleric again swings at him, frowning as the orc champion again gets his shield in the way of his strike.

Heavy Mace, flank: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 = 10

Seeing her rays are not the best way, Ishta tries helping her companions. She touches Kardas in the shoulder. "Go get'em!"

Touch of Rage: Touch a creature and give it a morale bonus to attacks, damage and will saves equal to 1/2 arcanist level for 1 round (that is a +1 to attack, damage and Will saves for Kardas).

Appraise: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Satisfied that she has something that will help the group in the future, Azarra moves into the room to assist with the battle. She starts singing to inspire courage.

Everyone gets +1 to saving throws against charm and fear effects and +1 on attack and weapon damage rolls as long as I maintain the performance.

The Raumviran takes his sword in both hands and, when Zane strikes with shield and mace, swings at the orc with an almost reckless overhead strike.

Std action: attack (with +2 attack/dmg from buffs)
Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

24 hour rule: I guess I'm going to have to bot Malesti and Ser Armithia.
Drawing his bowstring to his ear, Malesti sights the foul orc and imagines an arrow sticking out of it's leg. He looses and that's exactly what happens!
Longbow Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23Longbow Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 <--- HIT

Azarra starts singing which lifts the company's spirits putting a spring in your step and sword arm. Unfortunately despite this and the help of Zane at circling the orc, Ser Armithia finds the orc's guard too strong to break past.
Melee bastard sword: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 11damage: 1d10 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 1 = 12 <--- MISS

Similarly Zane finds his swing easily parried by the orc who roars in defiance. He feints high with his axe which Ser Armithia blocks, leaving himself open to be body slammed by the orc's shield!

Axe: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 <--- MISS
Shield: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 <--- HIT

Kardas thinks he spots an opening when the orc attacked Ser Armithia and thrust out, but with amazing alacrity the Orc's axe parries his blade sending sparks flying! Seeing the Magus's frustration, Ishta taps him on the shoulder - lighting a spark of fury!

Azarra

Ser Armithia-Seendren
Zane Levallis
Orc Champion
Kardas Rasalas
Ishta Khosiv
Malstei Alenuath <----- WE ARE HERE

Buffs and Debuffs wrote:

Spoiler:

---- Round 3 ----

Azarra
Ser Armithia-Seendren
Zane Levallis
Orc Champion
Kardas Rasalas
Ishta Khosiv Mage Armor (1677 rounds)
Malstei Alenuath
---- Round 4 ----
Azarra
Ser Armithia-Seendren
Zane Levallis
Orc Champion
Kardas Rasalas Touch of Rage (1 round)
Ishta Khosiv Mage Armor (1676 rounds)
Malstei Alenuath

Malstei Alenuath, Azarra, Ser Armithia-Seendren and Zane Levallis are up.

With firm resolve Zane stood his ground, knowing that their superior numbers and the righteousness of their cause would win the day. Again waiting for an apparent opening in the orc's defenses, the cleric raised his mace and brought it down heavily. His face is grim yet satisfied as his weapon managed to score a heavy hit against the determined orc champion.

Heavy Mace, IC: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 1 = 22
Heavy Mace, IC: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 1 = 8

Azarra continues her performance (free action)

She also takes a 5 foot step and swings at the Orc with her longsword.

Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

lame, sorry.

By Helm's might!

The knight determinedly swings once again.

Melee bastard sword: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 17
damage: 1d10 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 = 10

Arcane powers dance on the swordmage's blade when he invokes an ancient Nar word of power. A quick succession of blows follows as, overcome by rage, he yells out, "No orc shall best us!"

Full-round action: cast Touch of Fatigue (DC15 concentration check) and perform two through Spell Combat, both with a -2 to hit penalty.
Concentration Check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Attack with Touch of Fatigue: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Damage 1: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Touch of Fatigue (if it hits against regular AC13) forces a save vs Fortitude DC12 or the orc will be fatigued for two rounds.
Attack 2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Damage 2: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Ah right. This turn the +1 to hit and dmg should kick in. My bad.

I guess life is getting in the way of Malesti's posting.

Malesti nooks and draws another arrow, seeking to end the disgusting orc but it moves at the last moment and the arrow bounces harmlessly off its breastplate.
Longbow Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16Longbow Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Azarra sees an opening an thrusts with her longsword, but with uncanny speed the orc parries with it's axe.

Ser Armithia doggedly swings his bastard sword once again, but the orc's shield blocks once again with a great clank!

There was only so much the orc could possibly parry and by blocking Azarra and Ser Armithia he left himself open to Zane whose mace smacks him in the back fracturing ribs despite the armor.

Screaming in rage, the Orc swivels round on one foot. It's axe sweeping across Zane's body, cutting through armor leaving a deep and intensely painful gash.
Axe: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8 <--- HIT
Shield: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 <--- MISS

Oh boy here comes the spell combat / spell strike :) I don't know where the AC 13 bit is coming from, if you use spell strike you need to make a melee attack for the spell to land since it's cast through your weapon (and can crit). EDIT: RAW I think you can choose to cast before or after the full attack, I kind of dislike that in a PbP due to the way the dice roller works. I'm considering fixing the order in which things are done as a house rule.

With the Orc's attention on Zane, Kardas lashes out with his sword, bypassing the it's defenses and plunging nearly a foot of steel into the Orc's belly. The orc wobbles slightly... Seeing an opening Kardas blends sword play with magic. His whispered incantation summoning a baleful aura round his sword. He thrusts once more, but the orc somehow manages to bat it away. Because that missed you have a held charge. Your next successful melee attack will deliver the spell.

Azarra

Ser Armithia-Seendren
Zane Levallis
Orc Champion
Kardas Rasalas
Ishta Khosiv
Malstei Alenuath <----- WE ARE HERE

Buffs and Debuffs wrote:

Spoiler:

---- Round 4 ----

Azarra
Ser Armithia-Seendren
Zane Levallis
Orc Champion
Kardas Rasalas Touch of Rage (1 round), Touch of Fatigue (held charge)
Ishta Khosiv Mage Armor (1676 rounds)
Malstei Alenuath
---- Round 5 ----
Azarra
Ser Armithia-Seendren
Zane Levallis
Orc Champion
Kardas Rasalas Touch of Fatigue (held charge)
Ishta Khosiv Mage Armor (1675 rounds)
Malstei Alenuath

Finish him! Malstei Alenuath, Azarra, Ser Armithia-Seendren and Zane Levallis are up.

Uh... did you just skip me? Lol

Azarra continues her performance (free action)

She swings again at the orc.

Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
whiff

Whoops sorry Ishta. Of course your action happened.

Ishta doesn't have much hope on landing a hit, but she needs to do something. This orc appears to be too resilient, and she starts to realise if the rest are also like this, her companions and she have no chance.

Ray of Frost, target in melee 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 3 - 4 = 1
Damage 1d3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Grinning like a mad man, Kardas flashes Ishta a hasty glance. The man's eyes gleam as if all of this is something one should enjoy. "Come on, Ishta! Show him the might of Thay!"

Full-round action: spell combat (all attacks take a -2 penalty to hit)
Concentration check for Touch of Fatigue: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Concentration fails so no Touch of Fatigue and only the regular attack (at a -2)
Melee Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Spellcombat Round 2: tons of dice boogaloo.

You wouldn't need to make another concentration check, because you are still holding the charge from missing previously; unless, of coure, you are choosing to cast it again for the "free" attack...lol. I have a Magus[hexcrafter/staff magus] 17 in my home Hells Rebels game. Fun times!

Melee bastard sword: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 2 = 8
damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Ok. I think that the dice roller is taking my Paladin oaths too literally!

Round 4

Mal's last shot misses, this time he pauses and breathes aiming and once more strikes the target.

Longbow Attack 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Longbow Damage 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Oh and Mal has the crowbar.

The orc was sorely wounded by now and blood loss was starting to badly affect it. Despite it's curses, the heavy shield started to sink lower and lower. Soon the keen blades arrayed around it would take it's life. Yet in the end it was Malesti who slayed the orc, with a third brutally accurate arrow taking it in the throat!

COMBAT OVER

Many of the cabinets have been rifled through mostly containing paperwork too timeworn to be legible. There's also a largely broken and corroded collection of cutlery in one draw thrown into a corner.

Cleaning his sword on the orc's cloak, the knight states,
He was searching for something.

The gold elf then moves to any exit that the orc must of used to get in here.

Appraise: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Azarra pulls a couple of silver spoons from the pile of rusted cutlery.

She also shows the group the map, being very careful to not show it to anyone in sight of the ghost from the other room. She also raises her finger to her lips to show that they shouldn't talk about it in the ghost's hearing. She studies it and the piece of music carefully to see if there is any clue on either to the last password... perhaps it was part of the name of a place, or written in the notes in a margin? After studying them, whether she finds anything or not, she carefully puts them away again, keeping them safe between pages of her journal.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Zane breathed heavily as the mighty Orc champion fell, his several injuries having compounded to the point where he rests upon the wall a moment before calling upon the Morninglord to heal the group's injuries.

Channel Energyx4: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 2, 6) = 13

The priest closed his eyes as the warm, reinvigorating divine energy of Lathander washed over him. As Ser Armithia made his comment the priest nodded in agreement before looking over Azarra's find, eyes focused briefly on her delicate finger and pretty lips before looking over the map and the music. Zane had an idea about the music, but wisely heeded the half-elf's advice and remained silent for now.

Seeing the locked cabinet, the Cleric looked inquiringly at the others in the party to see if any possessed the skill to finesse it open. If not, he motions to Malstei to bring the crowbar and try to pry it open.

Everyone get back 13 from the channels. :)

The knight nods his thanks to Zane. He guards the likely door the orc came in.

Ishta is relieved that the orc is down - that was a situation where she felt useless. However, she thinks that orc won't probably be the only one.

"Let's open this quick if we're going to, this orc is probably not alone."

Kardas tries to relax, shaking hands and wrists as if that alone could ventilate the excess adrenaline and energy now rushing through him. "Lathander's name be blessed. Thank you, Zane, and a good job, companions. Another foe vanquished, another step taken towards our objective."

So what do we know:
-that we need to 'play' the battle anthem of the chosen of Tempus on the horn to awaken the defenders one last time (and so, undo the curse?)
-acquire the horn
-somehow force open the cabinet for possible loots (Kardas has a shovel, but no crowbar)
-we got a door to the south and west from this room to choose from.
We can always try the cabinet later and venture forth in search of the horn first .. or give it a single try now (strongest rolling the main check, one or two assisting).

Mal has a crowbar. Ser Armithia has Str16.

Brute force is also an option. The cabinet has hardness 5 and 20 hp.

Ser Armithia waves Zane and Mal over.

I suggest we secure the other side of this route that orc took. He will have friends.

Thank you for the healing, Zane, says Azarra, though she was barely scratched. It's almost as though she is making up excuses to talk to him...

When Ishta mentions needing to open the cabinet quickly, Azarra nods as well. Yes. Good idea. If Mal doesn't step up and manhandle the cabinet, she hands her traveler's any tool to Zane so he can have a try, using it at a crowbar.

"Alright, someone, please give me a hand... and Malstei, mind if I use that crowbar of yours?" Kardas looks at the ranger before putting his muscles to work.

STR check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17 hopefully someone is able to assist for a +2 and that, together with the +2 from the crowbar if Mal hands it over, should do the trick at 21.

Seeing that her help is unneeded, Azarra goes over to the orc's corpse and starts searching it, eventually coming up with 35 gold, which she adds to the bizarre conglomeration of other things that they had found.

She leaves all his armor and weapons. They could probably be sold, but she isn't sure it would be worth dragging them around.

Zane nodded his agreement at Ishta's statement...haste was of the essence. But surely this mighty Orc had been after something important. Getting into the cabinet was imperative.

The priest smiled widely at Azarra at her thanks, though he tried to be humble. "The Morninglord is to be thanked for His blessings, but I am happy to distribute them to such fine companions." He winked at the half-elf, then accepted the tool she offered him with a long blink, physically shaking his head to clear it before holding up a finger to Ser Armithia as he went to assist Kardas in his task.

Take 10 for a 12 on the assist with the Traveler's Anytool, which should net us the 21.

Ishta seems a bit nervous, and while Kardas and Ser Armithia take care of the drawer she has an eye on the door by which the orc appeared, with her hands ready to summon fire on any enemy that might come in.

The watchers of Dawn combine to pry the cabinet open. The metal reinforced wood creaks and finally splinters decisively under the strain. Inside the now ruined velvet lined draw is the aforementioned unusually heavy key.

OK what next?

Ser Armithia would like to secure the orcs passage.

Ishta is ready to cast any spell or spell-like that illuminates the passage, in case it's dark and no one else carries light.

"Will you lead the way south, Armithia?"

South works for me. Kardas has the 'light' cantrip as well if the group is in need of ... illumination ;)

After the group secured the unusually heavy key, Zane walked over to where Ser Armithia guarded the passage that had surely granted access to the recently defeated Orc. The priest rummaged in his backpack for a moment before pulling out a hammer and a couple of pitons. Making sure the door is closed, Zane hammed the pitons into the door and frame, securing the portal against all but the most insistent of entrants.

With that task done, Zane rejoined the others of the group, lingering near Azarra with a smile on his face before proceeding south behind Ser Armithia.