DM Stephens Serpents Skull Campaign - Chp1:The Smugglers Shiv (Inactive)

Game Master terok

Free action speech (as promised): "Never mind, just a big hole with lots of bones. Let's hit the door to the south instead."

Double move to -B-5, ducking into the eastern alcove.

Assuming the skeletons do not skewer Corbius with pointy sticks on their turn of course

Corbius rushes forward moving underneath the bridge and waits for the others to move forward.

Why does it always have to be skeletons.

Double move to D-8

Order of Combat Round 1 Re-posted:

Aedalis 23 *gone
Tragershen 20 *gone
Anton 16 *gone
Nim 16 *gone
Skeletons 15 *gone
Corbrius 9 *in progress
Mihai 4

You hear an odd clatteringbut can see little as the mist obscures your vision as well.
Corbrius rushes into the mist to get underneath the bridge and is greeted by all of the skeletons standing in the mist on the ground.

Corbirus, it's a single move to get over to them, you have a move action left, feel free to retcon a standard or move that you have left. You are in A8, you see three of them in B/-9,B/-8,B/-7.

Retcon

Drawing his dagger as he moves forward through the mist Corbius is surprised to see the Skeletons on the floor. Shouting Beware they have jumped down!!

Corbius lashes out at the nearest skeleton with his dagger.

Standard Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 231d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

As per obscuring mist you need to roll a miss chance (20%) for concealment. :P

My bad

miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 97

Mihai to end the round...

Round 1:

Following Corbius into the mist, Mihai is given pause as he cries out that the skeletons have dropped to the floor. However he steels his resolve and touches left hand to his harrow deck before holding it forward in a warding gesture. A pulse of warmth roils out from Mihai to strip away at the necromantic energy binding the skeletons together. He pairs the gesture with a statement of "Walk no more abominations of life"

Move to just behind Corbius and out of melee combat (at work so no map at present).
Channel positive to harm undead: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 4) = 7 DC 14 Will save for half.

Corbrius stabs the skeleton in the chest, but his dagger slips between two ribs and seems to do little damage.

The white light streaks out through the mist slamming into the reptilian skeletons...
Willpower Save RS 1 vs. DC 14 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Willpower Save RS 2 vs. DC 141d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Willpower Save RS 3 vs. DC 141d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 failed
Willpower Save RS 4 vs. DC 141d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Order of Combat Round 2:

Aedalis 23
Tragershen 20
Anton 16
Nim 16
Skeletons 15
Corbrius 9
Mihai 4

Map update will be posted tonight. The skeletons are in the mist fighting with Corbrius and Mihai, feel free to keep things moving and I will move your attack to the closest skeleton. This shouldn't take long between the falling damage and the channel :]

Round 2 (init 16)

Nim moves towards the sounds of battle within the mist. (MA) As a skeleton comes into view he drops a hand from his spear and lashes out with a fist...
SA attack w/unarmed strike +power attack: 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 8 - 1 = 10
damage +power attack: 1d3 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 2 = 10

Wic follows Nim (MA) and lunges at the same skeleton...
SA attack w/bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 65
free trip: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Current status and effects:
Wicewakan: AC 18 HP 32 of 32
Nim: AC 17 HP 41 of 41
longstrider
obscuring mist - expires round 40

Aedalis kept up his focus for Anton and slowly moved into the room.

Round 2 Map

Tragershen and Anton to go before the skelies.

Round 2

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Fortune: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 63
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Anton fumbles his way through the fog to stand next to the dagger-wielding magus. "Hit 'em with the butt end, Corb!" He swings his sling staff like a club at the skeleton in front of his friend, smacking it solidly as wisps of mist trail the weapon's path. Some of the wisps are physical, while others trace an alternate reality that (thankfully) few can see -- one in which he completely misses the skeleton in the mist. He glances at Aedalis in recognition and smiles.

Where is the club I made you Corbious? (FA speech)

Took Nim long enough to notice. ;)

For a savings of... 1.5 lbs?! Good grief! :P

Why does it always have to be skeletons?

It was also revealed previously that Iena was likely to have skeletons under her command. :P

The bigger question is why use the dagger at all? It is just as inefficient as the rapier, and does less base damage. :)

Minor nitpick but the mist isn't correctly placed on the map... it emanates from Nim when cast with the coordinates being -C/-B -8/-9 instead of C/B -8/-9

I was wondering...maybe he was hoping slashing damage would hurt them???

I am sure he posted in a hurry without really thinking... he is still super busy at the moment. I texted him earlier and teased him about the club. :)

Tragershen moves up with his allies, pulling out his club as he does so. When he gets alongside Anton, he joins the battle.

Ready club while moving to A-6 (I believe Anton is in A-7). Strike at the skeleton in B-7.

To hit 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Damage 1d6 + 0 ⇒ (3) + 0 = 3

Tragershen's Miss chance 1d100 ⇒ 47

Between Anton's and Tragershen's blows the skeleton can not keep it necromantic energy together and it crumbles.

The remaining skeletons attack.
RS1 bite atk on Wic 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9 dam 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 Miss
RS1 claw atk on Wic 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15 dam 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7 Miss
RS1 claw atk on Wic 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15 dam 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9 Miss

RS2 bite atk on Nim 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27 dam 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 Hit Miss chance 1d100 ⇒ 75
RS2 claw atk on Nim 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9 dam 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9 Miss
RS2 claw atk on Nim 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26 dam 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7 Hit Miss chance 1d100 ⇒ 54

RS3 bite atk on Corbrius 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22 dam 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7 Hit Miss chance 1d100 ⇒ 94
RS3 claw atk on Corbrius 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25 dam 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7 Hit Miss chance 1d100 ⇒ 43
RS3 claw atk on Corbrius 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22 dam 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 Hit Miss chance 1d100 ⇒ 18 MISS!

Nim takes 18 points, Corbrius takes 14.

Through the mist Mihai sees the ruin wrought by the skeletons and hesitates... unsure if his actions would be better suited to salve wounds or continue to strip away at what animates the undead.

Delay to just ahead of the skeletons.

RS2 took 10 damage from Wic...

OK I am a moron :) I had previously left the club at camp because I was having weight issues. I of course had great intentions of picking it back up after we gained a level as I was adding to my strength score. But of course I forgot...

Round 2

Noting the futility of using the dagger Corbius quickly tries to hit the skeleton with the but of the blade. Unfortunately the skeletons constant barrage of attacks throws his aim off and he punches at empty air.
I may have forgot to grab it!!

Standard attack: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 5 - 4 = 101d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 34

Current Status
AC 19
HP 16/30

Order of Combat Round 3:

Aedalis 23
Tragershen 20
Anton 16
Nim 16
Skeletons 15
Corbrius 9
Mihai 4 *delaying

Round 3 Map

Don't forget the 20% miss chance, I know it isn't on the map, having some issues with maptools with the fog, but you are all currently in it.
Aedalis to go.

** Did Wic not drop RS2?

Round 3 (init 16)

Nim lashes out with a fist once again... (most likely at RS3)
SA attack w/unarmed strike +power attack: 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 8 - 1 = 24
damage +power attack: 1d3 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 2 = 8
miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 63 (hit)

Wic bites at a skeleton... (most likely at RS1)
SA attack w/bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 96 (hit)
free trip: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Current status and effects:
Wicewakan: AC 18 HP 32 of 32
Nim: AC 17 HP 41 of 41
longstrider
obscuring mist - expires round 40

Aedalis continued the focus on Anton.

I thought Nim was hit, my action depends on whether that is the case. If he is, Aedalis will use his Healing hex on him- 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6.

I have been trying to figure that out, but Stephen isn't responding to my queries. :P

RS2 is the skeleton that Wic hit for 10 damage, and the one that hit Nim. If Wic killed the skeleton then Nim didn't get attacked by it. :)

It is still alive. You were hit.

Round 3

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Fortune: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 49
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

The scrum devolves into a simple matter of swinging hard and avoiding blows. Anton has little time to rejoice that he and Tragershen dropped one skeleton, when three are still trying to kill them. He swings at the nearest, with near-identical results as the last one: smacking it solidly, with a little help from his friends.

Tragershen steps over the skeletal remains to press the attack.

Step to B-7 and attack the skeleton in B-8.

To hit 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Damage 1d6 + 0 ⇒ (5) + 0 = 5

Correction, a bite attack does bludgeoning damage...so RS2 is actually dead due to no DR. Nim did not get hurt.
Aedalis, please retcon your action.

Guidance on Nim. Aedalis doesn't want to spend many resources on this fight.

Anton shatters the skeleton in front of Corbrius, while Nim and Wic finish the last skeleton.
It goes quiet again as Nim waits for a moment before dispelling the mist.
Other than a bunch of Javelins, the skeletons have nothing on them.

There are three sets of double doors exiting the room as well as the hole in the floor leading into the room with lots of bones piled up. The doors are of a strange alloy of bronze that bears eerie runners of red, almost as if the bronze were bleeding.

Where to next? The fight was worth 400xp each.

Note the East-West doors are 40' feet up on the bridge. You could try to climb up to them DC 20 Climb check, or fly up to them.

Do we wish to explore the hole first? Or open the doors?

If it is the doors...

Nim looks expextantly at Anton. I believe this is your area of expertise...

"Well, just off the entrance is a good place for a guard-beast's lair. And the last time we saw a mound of bones underground, ghouls were involved, including one rather nasty priestess. So let me take a look at the doors." Anton gives the doors to the south his standard examination (roll Perception); then he ties his silk rope to his grappling hook, and throws it up at the stone bridge, next to the eastern wall.

Throw grappling hook 40' up: 1d20 + 9 - 6 ⇒ (14) + 9 - 6 = 17 Success

Disdaining the use of his climber's kit, the halfling rapidly scales the rope with his feet braced against the wall -- accelerated climbing, Take 10 + 2 - 5 = 7 vs. DC 5, Success -- and investigates the other two sets of doors (roll Perception).

The three doors appear to have no locking mechanisms and don't have any traps that you can determine...it will be hard to hear beyond them but no loud noises are coming through them.

"Looks good. No locks or traps that I can see on any of them. So... Which doors first?" Anton pauses thoughtfully. "I'm thinking we try up here, since that's where the guards were. Flip a coin and let Desna choose which side."

Noting with thanks that the skeletons have fallen, Mihai sees fit to ensure they will not return by kicking apart the bones at their joints... neck, knee and elbow. Once complete he turns attention to Corbius' wounds once more and lets the Walker's will wash over him.

CLW: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 - burn remove fear

Once done, he watches as Anton scampers above and looks to the next route... he does gingerly consider the rope and hopes to not be forced to ascend that way.

Seeing Mihai's reluctance to climb the rope, Nim interjects, Wic does not climb ropes so well. Can we just take the door down here? I am sure there must be some other way to reach the bridge through this door... stairs or a ladder perhaps?

Anton shrugs. "Sure." He slides down the rope, barely hanging on with his hands, pressing against the rope with his magic boots to slow his descent. He looks up, and walks away from it. "Might as well leave it in case we end up there, and need to get down fast."

Map

The door open to a damp and dark hallways going up. It leads to a short landing and dead ends. You can go left or right.
Let me know which direction you wish to proceed. For ease say that up is North, do you go east or west?

Shall we see what is at the top of both stairs before deciding on a direction?

Anton, Corb and Aedalis take the east stairs? Trag, Mihai and myself will take the west stairs...

Be careful and don't go too far... we aren't separating.

;)

Corbius listens to Nim's Suggestion before offering an opinion.
Anton could just scout both ways and let us know what is there? He is more stealthy then most of us. Besides I really do not like the idea of splitting the group.

I am not suggesting we split up. I am suggesting we climb to the top of a set of stairs and see what we can see. We will be 60 steps apart.

You do not wish to risk two groups of three but a group of one is acceptable? I do not understand...

His voice trails off before Nim folds his arms and awaits a decision.

As Nim waits... he looks to Anton. As we are primarily here to find Ieana... and this place is likely to have been sealed up for quite some time... can you tell which direction has recently been traversed?

Tracking footprints in the dust?

Nim examines the landing and both stairs for signs of Ieana's trail.

Survival: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

Stealth: Take 10 + 12 = 22
Survival vs. tracks: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 8 + 1 = 23

"I don't mind scouting a little ahead, but there could be skeletons all over the place, and I'd rather not risk attracting the attention of two groups at a time. As for tracks... Well, I'd expect that she explored every which way, but I'll look."

There are tracks going in each direction...you can't tell which is more recent through.

She went in both directions and did not return from either?! ;)

Nim lets out a quiet groan... If two "groups" of skeletons are awaiting us at the tops of these two stairs, then we are already in the thick of it... I... We... He throws his hands up and shakes his head.

Do what you wish... we, mighty masters of the Shiv, are terrified and defeated by a split in the road...

Nim goes back to standing quietly with his arms folded.

3000th post! :)