Dungeon Master S's "Dead Man's Debt" Sub-Tier 4-5 (4 Player) (Inactive)

Game Master Chris Marsh

Miri shakes her head. "I've all the magical armor I need right here," she says, tapping her leather armor.

She checks over her daggers, making sure they're where they belong, and heads forward once everyone is ready.
Miri is good with leading, and has Trap Spotter for any shenanigans.

Heading in? Just need a marching order. I opened up the map a bit so you can simply make a post and place minis.

With everyone formed up, Miri leads the group forward. She keeps her eyes and ears open for sounds/sights, and is ever vigilant against traps.

Take 10 on Perception checks for an 18. For finding traps she has a +10 w/Trapfinding and Trap Spotter. I think it's safe to assume everyone follows closely behind her.

The persistent heat and humidity of the jungle fades away quickly beyond the cut in the rock that leads to a sloping passageway. A subtle breeze, tinged with the odor of bat guano, flows from deeper within.

Miri points out a series of ancient cave paintings that begin at a height of 20 feet off the ground. There are two layers of art. The older layer depicts humans and some type of bat-winged creatures worshiping a massive shadowy figure that resembles a gigantic bat. Over top of this layer are depictions of human figures battling and trapping the older figures. In fact, the newer art incorporates these older images into its own, imprisoning the old artwork within the new.

*Well ... this smells someone familiar at least...*

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

"A-ha, Great Camazotz! A fixture in the old family shrine, that one."

Knowledge (History): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

"Looks like He lost a battle here, though...."

The party tries to decipher the story as they wind their way through the crack. Before long the narrow passage opens into a vast cavern. A cool breeze flows through this large cavern from a ten-foot diameter hole near the center, carrying with it the metallic tang of blood. The floor and walls look to have been shaped long ago and stained with mineral deposits over time, but the ceiling fifty feet above remains in its natural state, covered with stalactites.

East of the hole is a crude stone altar formed of rock. Just past the altar to the east, a massive stalactite hangs from the ceiling and stops five feet from the floor. It has been carved into the shape of a gigantic bat, its wings outspread and its fangs exposed as if about to consume a victim below. Bloodstains cover the altar.

Tied to the altar and gagged is an Ekujae elf, and likely a sacrifice. Another three elves are held in the bamboo cage in the back corner. One of the caged elves pleads loudly, the other two prisoners sit listlessly in the cage.

Lording over the entire scene is a sharp-featured, angular humanoid with protruding fangs, a scruffy-haired body, and thin, membranous tissue connecting its arms to its sides. Additionally a small humanoid-shaped creature no more than 1-foot tall flutters nearby, held aloft by its crimson leathery bat wings. Its body is blood red and somewhat stocky for its size. Its hands end in sharp claws and its eyes and teeth are sickly yellow.

Identifying the man-bat thing is knowledge (Local) DC 13 and the little thing is Knowledge (Planes) DC 14. Ask a question for every 5 over the DC.

Upon seeing intruders the man-bat gives an ear splitting screech and prepares to attack!

Baddies: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Mirilani: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20
Nykal: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (3) + 0 = 3
Mercutio: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Rayquaza: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
Blodgett: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Bhielli: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

Round 1:
Mirilani: Go
Baddies: TBD
Rayquaza: TBD
Mercutio: TBD
Bhielli: TBD
Blodgett: TBD
Nykal: TBD

Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Defences the bat-man thing has?

Miri charges towards the bat-man, intent on striking it before it completes any sacrifice!
Attack w/Dagger: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21
Damage: 1d4 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Sneak Attack: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6

AC 17 until next round

Miri: It's a werebat! They can shrug off most wounds from weapons unless they be made of silver. If the elders are to be trusted, the yellowheart weapons should work too.

Miri wastes no time moving in and trying to save the impedning sacrifice. As soon as she steps into the room, a voice worms its way into your heads, “Open your veins and give your lifeblood to The
Hungry Dark.” Your proximity to the alter carries with it a -1 penalty on attacks and saves.

Her dagger finds its mark, and the silvered weapons surprises the werebat as the wounds are severe.

The werebat screeches and flies up and back, Acrobatics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17. It tries to twist away, but can't protect itself from Miri AoO It flies to the back platform and spends a moment to study her.

The little demon thing giggles whilst weaving a spell of woe. Unnatural fear grips Rayquaza, threatening to destroy his resolve. Will DC 13 or be stricken with fear and frightened. If you pass you're merely shaken for a round.

Round 1:
Mirilani: CHARGE!
Baddies: Stuff
Rayquaza: Go
Mercutio: Go
Bhielli: Go
Blodgett: Go
Nykal: Go

"A werebat! Silver weapons, or your yellowheart weapons are most effective!"

She lashes out again at the creature with her silver dagger.
Attack w/Silver Dagger (with penalty from altar): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
Damage: 1d4 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Miri slashes her dagger through the werebat's wing membrane as it flees.

Round 1:
Mirilani: CHARGE!
Baddies: Stuff
Rayquaza: Go
Mercutio: Go
Bhielli: Go
Blodgett: Go
Nykal: Go

Gob double moves into the room.

"Come and get me bat-man! My blood is way better than that stupid elf's. I'm type AB! The universal donor!"

"That's the universal recipient, Gob."

Nykal moves into the chamber and psychically projects a Spiritual Weapon. It attacks the were-batman.

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Unfortunately the spiritual weapon isn't as sharp as the repartee.

Round 1:
Mirilani: CHARGE!
Baddies: Stuff
Rayquaza: Go
Mercutio: Go
Bhielli: Go
Blodgett: Go
Nykal: Miss

A 9 doesn't hit!? What is this, Hard Mode!?

Should I still roll the Kn (history), or wait until after the battle?

Blodgett's eyes widen as he sees the bat-thing. Werebat? There! There bat! As he moves into the room, he slowly realizes that's not what Mirilani meant. Oh...you meant...oh, never mind then...

Cast glitterdust centered on the X. DC 16 Will.

You can roll history now, no problem.

Werebat Will: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Little Guy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Both foes reel from the light, squeezing their eyes shut from the pain. The lone elf in the cage gives a cheer of victory, but the fight is far from over.

Round 1:
Mirilani: CHARGE!
Baddies: Stuff
Rayquaza: Go & Save
Mercutio: Go
Bhielli: Go
Blodgett: Glitterdust!
Nykal: Miss

Kn (history): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Bhielli moves straight into the battle, his eyes alight at the thought of this fight....
I double move to with 10' of the alter

"Great Camazotz! I hereby give a competing offering!" Says Mercutio as he fires up his violin. The echoes of the cavern seem to amplify and augment the music to an impossible degree....

Inspired Rage to whosoever wants it.

Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Bhielli closes distance as best he can while Mercutio inspires the party with magical rage!

Round 1:
Mirilani: CHARGE!
Baddies: Stuff
Rayquaza: Go & Save
Mercutio: Buff
Bhielli: Move
Blodgett: Glitterdust!
Nykal: Miss

It's been a week, so I'll bot Rayquaza this round.

Will: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

The nagaji resists the unnatural fear and double moves into towards the werebat!

The voices from the alter intensify. Despite the guardians being blinded and injured, the voices continue to roll forward, worming their way into your minds. “Kaghaze now serves The Master of Black Wings. Soon you will as well!”

Round 2:
Mirilani: Go
Baddies: TBD
Rayquaza: TBD
Mercutio: TBD
Bhielli: TBD
Blodgett: TBD
Nykal: TBD

Being adjacent to the altar, Miri uses her daggers to cut the ties that bind the elf and remove the gag. To the elf she says, "If you can help, now would be a good time."

She then moves toward the foes, stopping at the base of the incline.

Miri guts the elf free and removes the gag, but the elf seems only able to babble the same maddening, evil, words that are assailing you. It doens't look like he's going to be much help.

Both foes try to wipe the glitterdust from their eyes:

Werebat: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Little Guy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

They both continue to reel from the blinding motes!

The maddening voices continue to pour forth in waves from the altar.

Round 2:
Mirilani: Frees the sacrifice.
Baddies: Blinded
Rayquaza: Go
Mercutio: Go
Bhielli: Go
Blodgett: Go
Nykal: Go

Blodgett nods in satisfaction as his spell wreaks its havoc. He triggers his spring-loaded wrist sheath, producing a wand, and activates it!

Bless in effect. Blodgett will not consider the elves to be allies for this effect, considering how that one reacted to Mirilani's action.

Nykal moves up to Gob and gives him a Burst of Adrenaline.

Gob moves and attempts to climb up next to the Manbat.

Climb: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Spiritual Weapon moves and attacks Manbat.
Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Sorry; real life is being problematic and things will only calm down next week. Do bot me if it seems I'm not responding.

Rayquaza keeps charging forward and up, but his hands are not yet ready to grab the slope and his slips back down.

Climb: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Blodgett's bless spell helps, but does little to fight the horrors coming from the altar.

The nagaji begins the climb up to the foes!

Nykal's efforts spur the spirit on, and the spiritual weapon strikes the foe that can't defend against it!

No worries Rayquaza. It happens. As Blodgett says, Real Life Comes First.

Round 2:
Mirilani: Frees the sacrifice.
Baddies: Blinded
Rayquaza: Move
Mercutio: Go
Bhielli: Go
Blodgett: Bless
Nykal: Spur and attack

Now that he's with a more 'entertaining' range, Bhielli bellows as he lets himself fall deep into this battle range. As the club and spittle fly, a torrent of dwarves curses fill the air. You can make out random bits. It's quite colorful.

PA w/ GB: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 141d10 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Bhielli takes out his anger on the altar. The dwarf's swing is wild, but thankfully the target isn't hard to hit. The hit takes some chips out of the thing, and instead of dust flying from the breakage, it begins to ooze a viscous blood...

Round 2:
Mirilani: Frees the sacrifice.
Baddies: Blinded
Rayquaza: Move
Mercutio: Go
Bhielli: Smash
Blodgett: Bless
Nykal: Spur and attack

Mercutio runs toward the altar double-move, hefting his longspear as his violin appears to begin playing itself....

Sustaining Blood Music, will continue to do so until I say otherwise.

Mercutio closes in. The pathfinders, acting like a snare close the gap. The lone coherent elf shouts, "Abandon this madness! Abandon this evil!"

In stark contrast the insidious voice of the altar continues to beckon you all, "Give in an add your blood to the sea. Given in and feel the power of wing and fang!"

Round 3:
Mirilani: Go
Baddies: TBD
Rayquaza: TBD
Mercutio: TBD
Bhielli: TBD
Blodgett: TBD
Nykal: TBD

"Power of wing and fang? Nykal, maybe we should hear these guys out..." Gob looks back at Nykal as he continues to scrabble at the platform, leaving trails of ectoplasm.

Taking advantage of their continued blindness, Miri takes a 5ft step and throws her silver dagger at the werecreature.

Dagger Throw w/Range Penalty: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Going to use my reroll...
Dagger Throw w/Range Penalty plus 3 stars: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
Dagger Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Sneak Attack: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7

Mercutio closes in. The pathfinders, acting like a snare close the gap. The lone coherent elf shouts, "Abandon this madness! Abandon this evil!"

In stark contrast the insidious voice of the altar continues to beckon you all, "Give in an add your blood to the sea. Given in and feel the power of wing and fang!"

Knowledge (Religion) to know if this is some kind of spiritual trap: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

From down below Miri finds her mark with the dagger, catching the thrashing creature straight on! His wounds are beginning to take their toll, though he's not done yet.

The enemy continues to try to throw off Blodgett's extremely effective spell.
Werebat: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19 Sight!
Sidekick: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

The werebat roars! Despite his injuries, he can now see the battle field. He eyes Bhielli attacking the sacred altar and preapres to swoop down upon him.

Round 3:
Mirilani: Hit!
Baddies: Saves
Rayquaza: Go
Mercutio: Go
Bhielli: Go
Blodgett: Go
Nykal: Go

Mercutio lunges at the altar...

+2 Yellowheart Longspear: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
damage: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

...only to trip over the pit in front of it.

You can miss ONLY on a 1! Sorry!

Mercutio succumbs, ever so slightly, to the evil altar...

Mercutio: Show
Round 3:
Mirilani: Hit!
Baddies: Saves
Rayquaza: Go
Mercutio: Miss
Bhielli: Go
Blodgett: Go
Nykal: Go

Deciding it's best to lure the bat-man down rather than climb towards him, Rayquaza enters the Dragon Style position and lunges at the altar with his bare fists.

Unarmed Strike + Bless + Rage: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15, Damage: 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Rayquaza's fists pummel the altar. More viscous blood oozes as the voices issuing forth grow more intense!

Mercutio: Show
Round 3:
Mirilani: Hit!
Baddies: Saves
Rayquaza: Hit
Mercutio: Miss
Bhielli: Go
Blodgett: Go
Nykal: Go

"Gob, we're attacking the altar now."
"Why?"
"It's like a pinata but it's filled with blood instead of candy."
"I'm going to get all the blood!"

Gob charges the altar (a little fatigued after the Burst of Adrenaline):
Slam: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Nykal also attacks the altar with the heartwood longspear:
Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

The spiritual weapon hacks away at The Batman:
Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Blodgett next digs into his haversack retrieving another wand. He uses it to send a froce bolt at the werebat!
magic missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Nykal also attacks the altar with the heartwood longspear:
[dice=Attack]1d20+9
[dice=damage]1d8+6

I have the longspear. You may be confusing it with the regular spear (which I think there was one of also).

Blodgett opts for the sure thing, striking the no-longer-blind werebat! The spiritual weapon strikes again and the werebat now looks close to panic! He screams out the name "Camazotz!" Gob's attack doesn't seem to affect the shrine. Rather than roll, I'll assume max damage with the short spear

The yellowheart spear drives deep into the altar. Mystical evil joins the blood in pouring forth. It wafts upward with a lazy path, as thick and dark as the blood.

Round 3:
Mirilani: Hit!
Baddies: Saves
Rayquaza: Hit
Mercutio: Miss
Bhielli: Go
Blodgett: MM
Nykal: Hit

Nykal Bloot wrote:

Nykal also attacks the altar with the heartwood longspear:
[dice=Attack]1d20+9
[dice=damage]1d8+6

I have the longspear. You may be confusing it with the regular spear (which I think there was one of also).

I am indeed confused. Moved to correct.

When her turn comes around, Miri will move to the altar, drawing the terbutje and striking out against the inanimate object with the weapon.
Attack (because of fragile weapon): 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (9) - 3 = 6
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Bhielli's rage continues unabated. He attacks the altar with reckless abandon.

ATK!: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10 for DMG: 1d10 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Miri tries the terbutje, but the weapon (and the hit) aren't intense enough to damage the altar.

The werebat can now see, and sees the cluster around the altar. Knowing that a mob bum rush would mean his death, he stays at a distance and shoots wildly into the crowd.

ATK v Miri: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 9 + 1 = 18, but misses!

The other monster continues to fight the motes in its eyes: Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9 to no better effect than last time.

Round 4:
Mirilani: Hit
Baddies: ATK
Rayquaza: Go
Mercutio: Go
Bhielli: Go
Blodgett: Go
Nykal: Go

Gob swings his phantom phists at the altar:
Slam, magic: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Slamage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Slam, magic: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Slamage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Nykal also attacks the altar with the heartwood longspear:
Heartwood spear: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

The spiritual weapon moves to continue reaping bat-blood:
Spiritual Scythe: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Crit confirm on Spiritual Scythe!

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
3d8 + 3 ⇒ (4, 6, 3) + 3 = 16