Dragon's Demand (Inactive)

Game Master R D

Since there may be more I'll use the scroll and if we hear the flying direction of the other I'll direct Daylight to move that direction while pulling out the scroll and casting. But I will assume I fail that.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Ethendril and Harlis react to the now-visible grioth. The remainder of the party may act.

Is this thing flying?

Nope. It is on the ground.

Eager to strike the creature before it take to the air again, Wayreth adopts the stance of the serpent, then runs up to the creature and strikes.

attack roll: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 11 - 2 = 27
damage roll: 1d6 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 4 = 13

snake style if I am attacked: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33

Wayreth does some damage. Hotspur and Agnes are up!

Hotspur fires at the grioth...

Point blank ranged touch: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 11 + 1 = 31
damage: 1d12 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6

The grioth, though injured, seems to have a lot of kick left in him.
_____

Agnes moves back out of channel range.
____

The grioth takes a 5-foot-step forward (map updated) and channels again:

Channel damage: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 5) = 12

Ethendril Will Save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23, 6 damage
Harlis Will Save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30, 6 damage
Daylight Will Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11, 12 damage
Hotspur Will Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12, 12 damage
Wayreth Will Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18, 6 damage
_____

The party us up, again!

It occurs to you all that this particular grioth is a bit of a sacrificial lamb. He doesn't pose a true threat to you. However, he has successfully (1) slowed you down (perhaps allowing others to prepare) and (2) is forcing you to expend resources.

Harlis returns the challenge laid before him trusting in Iomedae's power to outlast the false power of the dark.

Channel: 3d3 ⇒ (2, 1, 1) = 4. healed and normal buffs.

Ethendril tries to finish the creature off while Harlis channels.

"They know we are coming...that much is certain!" the paladin says.

+1 Greatsword (adamantine)(power attack): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 202d6 + 13 ⇒ (2, 6) + 13 = 21

Ethendril snaps this grioth's neck! It crumples to the ground with an expression that could pass for a smile.

(More of map revealed)

Any more healing before you move on?

"We should advance before the enemy is fully prepared if we can." Harlis suggests as he channels again looking to see if the blessings power of protection or aid will be needed by approaching foes.

channel: 3d3 ⇒ (2, 2, 1) = 5 healing, +3 AC and +3 attack on charge for the next round.

Anyone else need more healing? If so, I'll top everyone off.

"Agreed," Ethendril says as he takes point. "Let's go."

channel: 1d6 ⇒ 2
channel: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Feel free to move yourselves on the map. Some descriptions:

G3: The ceiling of this enormous cavern looms 50 feet overhead, pierced at many points by large openings to the surface (the outlines of these openings are represented by white lines on the map). Layers of earth cover the ground here, and grass, moss, and fungus grow on the floor in a thick, verdant layer.

G4: A natural balcony wraps around the cavern, 20 feet off the ground. PCs can scale the walls between the balcony ledge and the cave below with a successful DC 20 Climb check.

G5: Not there. It's only there if you fail to close the "Window" before coming here.

G6: This large, domed alcove has a 40-foot-high apex.

G7: A body of water of some sort.
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As the party approaches the area of G4, a voice booms out from somewhere in the darkness: "What is this? Who are you? You dare come before the mighty Aeteperax uninvited and soil this lair with your abject disrespect? Name yourselves so that I might know whose blood will stain my cave!"

Can't move ourselves on the map.

Anyone with a good bluff modifier want to try a bluff check to draw the dragon out?

You should have edit rights, now.

Ethendril quietly casts his last spells of the day as the creature speaks, protection from evil and divine favor.

The paladin steps forward.

"I am Ethendril h'Caramore, son of Priam h'Caramore, and paladin of Iomedae. We are here to protect the village you so wantonly distress."

The paladin looks into the darkness, hoping to spot the creature.

"But what is in a name? Clearly you do not care! Otherwise, you would not be masquerading as the Mighty Aeteperax! Come forth, that we might see your true form. That of the puny Szangi, dragon impostor!"

Dang, took me a while to find the naga post where we found out the true name! Let's see if he likes it as much as the naga made it sound like he would.

Ok, that was not what I had in mind, but I guess that kinda works too...

UMD wand of shield: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
UMD wand of divine favour: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Harlis moves to the side a bit up to the wall ready to support his compatriots at this time of dire testing. He clutches tightly at his shield strap, the symbol of Iomedae gleaming in seeming answer to Ethendril's challenge to the dragon.

Casting Magic Circle against Evil 10' on Harlis. Casting Heroism on Wayreth. Remember everyone has Resist 10 for the 4 basic elements.
Readying a channel for when the dragon turns up, for the healing and also if anyone fails a save against the fear it will grant a new save with +3 sacred bonus. The +3 AC and +3 charge is applied to those not needing the fear save.

"But what is in a name? Clearly you do not care! Otherwise, you would not be masquerading as the Mighty Aeteperax! Come forth, that we might see your true form. That of the puny Szangi, dragon impostor!"

This is one of the reasons I really enjoy gaming with you, PW. Once again, you've done exactly what the module authors want you to do! :-)

"WHAT!"

From the darkness, a breath weapon strikes. It's a cone of acid. Weird, you don't see where it came from. Hm. Yes, I know that purge invisibility is up. :)

Breath Weapon Acid Damage: 10d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 3, 5, 3, 5, 1, 2, 6, 3) = 35
1d4 ⇒ 4

Agnes Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9, 25 HP of acid damage after resistance
Ethendril Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16, 25 HP of acid damage after resistance
Harlis Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23, 7 HP of acid damage after resistance
Daylight Reflex: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12, 25 HP of acid damage after resistance
Hotspur Reflex: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24, 7 HP of acid damage after resistance
Wayreth Reflex: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24, 7 HP of acid damage after resistance(evasion?)

Sense Motive to know more...
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A grioth flies down to about 20 feet above the party. It pops into view as it collides with Harlis' invisibility purge.

Channel Negative Energy: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 6) = 13

Ethendril Will Save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23, 6 damage
Harlis Will Save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16, 6 damage
Daylight Will Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17, 6 damage
Hotspur Will Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20, 6 damage
Wayreth Will Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20, 6 damage

Harlis gasps in pain and confusion as the acid and negative energy form dual impacts striking him, but also his companions and mount cruelly.

"What? Where?!"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Harlis, you're sure that Ethendril's use of the dragon's name has upset it. Hearing the name made the dragon abandon superior tactics and act rashly.

Mechanical effect: Every time you say the name "Szangi" he his staggered for one round! LOL! :-) There is no benefit for EVERYONE to yell SzangiSzangiSzangi each and every round. As long as at least one of you says it, the dragon is staggered for one round.

You're also pretty sure that Szangi is hiding behind an illusion--which is why you cannot see him.

Harlis looks around holding up his blade to spread its light around the caves peering for where the beast might be hiding. "By Iomedae we do not fear you beast! Come forth from these illusions! Reveal yourself to the just!"

Assuming I still in 'ready' mode awaiting my next turn so just taking some free actions. Also as a reminder note Harlis' blade sheds 40' normal light and a further 40' dim, twice as far for low light.

"This is one of the reasons I really enjoy gaming with you, PW. Once again, you've done exactly what the module authors want you to do!" :-) THANKS!!! :)

Also, that hurt a LOT more than I thought it would after resistances...thanks for saving us, Harlis!

Ethendril shudders under the weight of the mighty breath weapon, but steels himself for more.

"Spread out, everyone! We do not want to be bunched up to face that again! Focus on the grioth while we wait for Szangi the Lame-gi to reveal himself!"

The paladin channels energy to heal himself and his companions, somewhat, and also swiftly heals himself. channel, then lay on hands

perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
sense motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

channel: 1d6 ⇒ 1
lay on hands, fey foundling, greater mercy: 3d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 5, 1) + 6 = 13

I heal for 16 hp including fey foundling.

"Spread out, everyone! We do not want to be bunched up to face that again! Focus on the grioth while we wait for Szangi the Lame-gi to reveal himself!"

Free Action: "ARGH!" The dragon roars with a mix of anger, embarrassment, and distress. "Where did you hear that name?!? I shall destroy you for your impudence!"

Free Action: "Stop saying that name!" the dragon bellows.

There's a grioth 20 feet above you and a dragon behind an illusion somewhere within breath-weapon range.

Free Action: "I shall rend you limb from limb for daring to utter than name!"

I'm back guys! Can someone sum up beyond I'm down 25 hp?

Welcome back! :-) Hope you're all better. The party followed clues and tracks to the dragons lair. Ethendril wisely used the dragon's "real" name (Szangi) to upset him. the enemies that you know are in this room: (1) a grioth and (2) a dragon hiding behind an illusion.

Hotspur begins to inspire courage +1/+1 to the party.

Round 1:
- Dragon breath
- Grioth channel
- Harlis: Hold light aloft (may act further if you wish)
- Ethendril: channel
- Hotspur: inspire courage
- Agnes: Go!
- Wayreth: Go!

I had declared a ready action for channel when the dragon appears.

I wonder if the dragon is up above us somewhere...should we perhaps fall back into a different room? I also think we should take out that grioth while we can...it's going to wear us down pretty quickly.

Which direction did the breath weapon come from and that was the area covered? Based on the area of the cone, we should be able to trace the point of origin.

Those pcs with spellcraft or knowledge (arcana) will be able to inform the party that some illusion spells can be "modified" on the fly; the caster need only concentrate to adjust accordingly.

It 'seemed' like the breath weapon attack came from all around you--which is not possible.

Botting Agnes:

- Move Action: She moves back 20 feet to avoid further area-of-effect attacks.

- Free Action: "What's good for the goose is good for the gander!"

- Standard Action: The arcanist casts Major Image to disguise the party's whereabouts and exact positions.

Effect: Party members can see through Agnes' illusion sufficiently to target the grioth. But, the enemy (dragon and grioth) will find it particularly challenging to target you. Best of all, the duration is "concentration." She can do this all day, as long as she doesn't get hit.

PLEASE adjust yourselves on the map, else I'll just hit you with more AOE attacks.

The dragon roars with frustration seeing his own tactics thrown back at him. It occurs to you that, given the dragon's tantrum and the grioth's channeling, there must be an arcane caster somewhere--someone has to maintain the illusion that's obscuring the dragon!

Intentionally leaving the Major Image effect vague so that Agnes can RP it to her content.

Here is the channel roll when triggered by the dragon appearing or seeming to.

Channel: 3d3 ⇒ (3, 2, 2) = 7 healing.

Ethendril smiles as Agnes perhaps saves all of their lives.

"Well done...let's even the odds."

Surveying the scene, he says "Hotspur, see if you can take down that grioth! Perhaps Szangi will want to come down and play. What kind of name is that, anyway? I can see why you would want to change it to that of a dragon that is actually powerful."

With the dragon out of sight, I'll target the grioth.

MW Longbow (+4): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 261d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Ethendril smiles as Agnes perhaps saves all of their lives.

"Well done...let's even the odds."

Surveying the scene, he says "Hotspur, see if you can take down that grioth! Perhaps Szangi will want to come down and play. What kind of name is that, anyway? I can see why you would want to change it to that of a dragon that is actually powerful."

With the dragon out of sight, I'll target the grioth.

"Stop saying that name!!!" the dragon roars with exasperation.

:)

Ethendril's attack won't happen till round 2.

Wayreth has yet to take any action in round 1.

Wayreth realises that if it looked like the acid came from all around them, it is quite likely that they are right smack in the middle of the illusion. He spends a moment to refocus his mind.

disbelieve: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Is that your standard action? What would you like to do for your move action?

Can I get the result of my disbelieve check first? Hard to know where I want to move when I don't know what's real or not. XD

Map updated with the dragon's position and the arcane grioth's position.

I don't understand what the spell Major Image did.

You essentially created the illusion of a fog (or something else) the hide the party from the enemy. I hand-waved that the party knew you were casting an illusion--thus, they needed no saving throw to disbelieve it.

So, the Grioths and Dragon are up, now.

"Attack the impudent one!" the dragon screams

Arcane Grioth: 1d20 ⇒ 2, Miss
Divine Grioth: 1d20 ⇒ 6, Miss

The dragon moves up to Ethendril.
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Round 2.

Party, go!

Ethendril smiles grimly as the dragon comes to engage him, finally getting what he wanted: a straight up fight.

"Impudent one? Surely the greatest disrespect here is to the Mighty Aeteperax! To have a slimy low-life worm like Szangi pretending to his greatness? That is impudence of the highest order!"

With the dragon close by, and clearly bothered by his taunts, the paladin uncharacteristically keeps up the insults, but now backed up with steel.

+1 Greatsword (adamantine)(power attack): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 272d6 + 13 ⇒ (4, 6) + 13 = 23
CRIT?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 112d6 + 13 ⇒ (2, 5) + 13 = 20 Bah.

Will go ahead and add a swift lay on hands...thinking I could pay for my impudence. :/

lay on hands, greater mercy, fey foundling: 3d6 + 6 ⇒ (5, 2, 5) + 6 = 18