GM Levi's Eberron PbP - For King and Country

Game Master Levis

Loche taps the beetle with the handle of the scythe to signal it to follow him and the others. It scuttles around and begins following.

'nothin wrong with misfits. Natures way of experimentin. Some of the biggest and toughest in a herd are misfits. Being a misfit tends to make them tougher and meaner then the rest of the herd.'

'but if'n either of you be want'n that there dwarf to be open'n that there door. You might be want'n to get the keys back from Vroik.'

Ooops! Not reading well, Darius was holding a vial not a poisoned blade. Sorry guys, posting after a busy day :P

Dakvor looks hopefully to Barik, hoping the guard dwarf does the asking to Vorik.

"Well, Guard Barik, does the key work only with Dreadhold guards? Our paladin there is holding it if you need it. I guess you better do it before the elf here gives you a drink. I'm pretty sure he'll do it. If not for my bashing you unconscious first, the elf would've knifed you to death."

Actually as part of his prep work while everyone was looking at the Map, Darius poisoned his knife AND sword!

Stopping for a second, Darius frowned before nodding. "Can it be? Loche speaking sense at last?" Darius shot a grin at the Druid before turning to Vorik. "The Keys master Vorik, if you please?"

Laughing softly at the Half-Orcs words, Darius grinned wickedly, the torch light bouncing off his eyes, causing them to sparkle and flash maliciously. "Gutted you like a pig in fact!"

Dakvor looks gravely at Barik with a slight shake of his head stepping slightly back from the light as if retreating into the shadows.

"I told you."

will save vs. fear DC 15 (or shaken) 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17. Success!

The constant oppression of his emotions was getting frustration, even if he was able to shake them off, but his thoughts about the subject are cut off by the conflict between the two big men.
Knowledge (Religion) 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8.Boo!
Desh's eyes narrow at the big holy warrior, What kind of religion is that? My tutors never told me about the nine or those others... keep an eye on that big guy.

Sense Motive (for Darius's poison deception) 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23.
Desh tries to ignore the threats and posturing against the dwarf guard. This poor guy is just in the wrong place at the wrong time. No reason to kill him...

"Fellas, can we all keep it down a bit? We need to just get Vorik's king out of here, then we can all just whip'em out and see who's is actually bigger. Geez!" His intense green stare swings over to the elf, "So, can you get us through that door or not?"

<Seeing the paladin put his sword away, Bones backs off of his threat before turning to face the paladin.>

"If I die it will be to my own stupidity, not someone else's, so every time you think of losing your temper and doing something that might get us killed, just be aware I plan to beat you to it."

Several seconds pass from the moment when Darius tinkered with the amulet to when it responded. Apparently, Darius didn't have the proper knowledge of how to activate a magic item of this kind, and the amulet discharges a burst of arcane energy dealing 2d6 + 0 ⇒ (4, 3) + 0 = 7 points of magic damage to him.

Dakvor overcomes the fear eating at his gut.

Darius barely moves Vorik's blade, but Vorik sheathes it in response to the elf's reaction.

Barik's Sense Motive check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20. Barik laughs at the elf as he stands up from the kneeling position. "You don't scare me elf! You'll need me to get out of here!"

Barik does respond to having the elf's blade pointed at him, and mutters that he needs his amulet back to access the cell. With that, he moves to whoever is currently holding the amulet.

Cursing loudly in Elven Darius glared hard at the Amulet in his hand. "Blasted thing tried kill me!" Dropping it on the ground he nudged it towards the Dwarf with his boot.

"Just shut your damn word hole and open this door!"

Before Barik could pick up the amulet, Dakvor will beat the dwarf to it and holds on to the amulet first.

initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

Dakvor lounges and rolls across the floor as the amulet glides towards the dwarf guard. Barik at this point also lunges towards the amulet.

Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Barik beats the half-orc monk to the amulet. Clutching it in his fist and smiling triumphantly he screams out something in Dwarven. As he does, a crackle of energy shoots from the amulet and into the nearest globe of light. The light in the globe changes to a blood red and begins blinking, accompanied by a loud whistle. The adjacent light-globes next to the globe originally hit by the arcane energy from the amulet also begin to strobe with the red light, and the pattern continues down the halls until as far as you can see is the alarm lighting. The alarm has been sounded!

'Well, elf, do you have a second act to go with that first trick? And will someone here shove the keys in to the blasted lock.'

Loche heightens his senses preparing for trouble.

Loche also reaches into his pouch and pulls components to give them at least a small advantage in the coming fight.

'I'll try to buy you a few extra seconds but more than that I can't do. Still a bit of the sun's fire will boil the beard off of a dwarf or two if they try to come too close.'

Preparing components for Flaming Sphere and moving to keep my beetle from me and area beyond the 961 cell block entrance. I'll toss the sphere on the entrance if I see a mob of guards trying to break in here.

"Darius, if would be so kind as to handle our friend there with the loud balls of light, I'll see if I can't open the cell and free the King And Vorik attempts just that.

Full attack on Barik (flurry of freakin' blows, all lethal damage and stun attempt):
If another initiative is needed, here it is: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22 Damn. This should have been Dakvor's roll earlier.

then

"DAGGER...."

First flurry with stun attempt: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23 (2nd stun for the day, stun DC:14).

"...TAKE..."

First damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

"YOU!!!"

Second of the flurry: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23 Damage roll: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Needless to say the half-orc monk is pissed off with Barik.

<speaking to Barik> "You will free the prisoner or I will not only allow the monk to kill you, but I will help him do it.

In game terms Barik, assuming he survives the monk's onslaught, had better open that cell on his turn.

Initiative 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

I will hold my action until after Barik's go. If he complies I will use nonlethal damage.
If he does not cooperate he dies.

Attack roll
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Damage roll 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Attack roll
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Damage roll 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

If I end up using nonlethal damage I take a -4 penalty to my attack rolls.

Initiative-1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

"Shoulda let Vorik slit your throat!" Darius bared his teeth at Loche before leaping forward, keeping the Dwarf between himself and the Half-Orc and lashing out viciously, aiming the tip of his Elven curved blade at the Dwarfs throat, hoping to sever his windpipe.

Flanking with Poisoned Curved Blade
1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
Damage + Sneak Attack Damage
1d10 ⇒ 52d6 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8
Poison is Greenblood Oil

<speaking to Barik> "You will free the prisoner or I will not only allow the monk to kill you, but I will help him do it.

In game terms Barik, assuming he survives the monk's onslaught, had better open that cell on his turn.

Initiative 1d20+4

I will hold my action until after Barik's go. If he complies I will use nonlethal damage.
If he does not cooperate he dies.

Attack roll
1d20+6
Damage roll 1d8+4

Attack roll
1d20+6
Damage roll 1d6+4

If I end up using nonlethal damage I take a -4 penalty to my attack rolls.

edit: I was saying I will knock him out if he does open the cell. He dies otherwise.

Desh stands in the darkness like a coiled spring, arrow nocked and at his cheek, ready to send at any who attack them.

You better be worth killin' for, king-guy!

Initiative-1d20+4

"Shoulda let Vorik slit your throat!" Darius bared his teeth at Loche before leaping forward,

'Yeah, and I shoulda been a tree. We make the best of the shards we're dealt.'

Dakvor's flurry of blows lands on the guard multiple times, 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10 stunning him into submission. The badly bruised dwarf is obviously hurting and clutching himself where he was hit. Following the monk's example, Bones takes a swing at the guard, missing him on the initial swing, but pivoting to skewer Barik with the end of his large axe. Darius, moving in to "do it better from behind," but misses in his excitement to draw blood.

Barik took 19 damage this round if my math is correct.

From down the hall, massive shadows begin to grow, followed by the clip-clop of large hooves.. in a matter of seconds a large vaguely humanoid figure stands in front of you, blocking the exit from the cell block. Drool rolls from its fanged mouth, and its bovine head features a disgustingly bestial smile, topped with large dark horns.

Guard Barik stands stunned by the monk's blows.

Any remaining characters who have not rolled initiative, please do so now.

Right now we have:
21 - Bones
19 (surprise round provided initial action) - Barik
17 (surprise round provided initial action) - Dakvor
12 - Darius

Desh has readied himself to attack anything that moves.

After attacking, Bones thinks to himself--> "A man willing to die. I guess it is better than what the dwarves would do to him if he had helped us."

<After seeing the shadowy figure> "What manner of beast is this? Somebody open that cell so we can get out of here. I will hold this thing off."

Can one of you smart fellas make a knowledge check?

Initiative 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29.
I don't know if I count as a 'smart fella', but..
Knowledge (religion) 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12.
Knowledge (dungeoneering) 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16.

Desh levels the bow at the new-comer as he tries to step back and away into a shadow, waiting to see what it does before loosing the arrow.

Step back and away from teh creature, hoping to let the dwarf be the primary threat. Stealth if available 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13.
REady an action to shoot the arrow at the new thing if it makes an aggressive action.
Bow attack 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25.
-- damage 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7.

Initiative 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Knowledge Nature 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

I have the prepared action to use the flaming sphere at the entrance of the doorway.

Since Barik is still standing and stunned, Dakvor will flurry him again without stun. This so we don't have to watch our back anymore and concentrate with this new beast 'come a-knockin on our door'.

"Your Ancestors await!" Darius lunged forward again, lashing out, attempting to split the Dwarf open.

Flanking-1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
1d10 ⇒ 7
Sneat Attack-2d6 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10

Sorry Vorik! I missed that. If you have the keys you could try, although there appears to be no openings of key slots.
*
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___
29 - Desh (Readied action to attack the beast [see below])
21 - [X] Bones
19 - [X] Guard Barik
17 - [X] Dakvor
12 - [X] Darius
05 - Loche and Companion (Readied Flaming Sphere)
___

Desh and Loche attempt to identify the monstrosity in the doorway of the cellblock.

Desh doesn't recall such a beast being mentioned in any myths that he is aware of, and draws some comfort from knowing that he and his companions are not dealing with some form of fiend. Desh's knowledge of dungeoneering also turns up nothing.

Loche's mind races as he tries to identify the beast... Minotaur, non-Droaam stock, more bestial ... they never get lost, are immune to maze spells, and are never surprised...

The Minotaur's initiative: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (11) + 0 = 11
Loche, is your spell aimed at the minotaur's doorway, or the doorway of the cell that King Kaius is in?

Desh attempts to fade into the shadows, but fails to. He aims his bow at the minotaur, and will launch off an arrow if it attacks. Dakvor takes another rapid set of swings at the guard, this time missing the stunned guard this time. Darius takes this opportunity to stab the dwarf in the back, cutting deep into his sides and pouring warm dwarven blood all over the rough granite floor.

As soon as Bones takes his action the minotaur will respond, most likely launching off Loche's readied spell, which I will roll for if he hasn't logged in, just to keep things moving!

___
29 - [READIED] Desh (Readied action to attack the beast [see below])
21 - [NEXT] Bones
19 - [STUN] Guard Barik
17 - [Missed] Dakvor
12 - [SNEAK] Darius
11 - The Minotaur
05 - [READIED]Loche and Companion (Readied Flaming Sphere)

Top of the order folks!
___

Now things are really moving! :D

Door with the minotaur is the aim for the flaming sphere. Trying to keep the sphere between the group and the minotaur and hopefully block the doorway.

'Great Flame they have a Minotaur and it looks like he's hungry!'

Levi as I missed with my first attack, is my Poison still in effect on my blade for that strike there?

i am in possession of the keys, yes

Vorik attempts to open the cell door where his supposed king is being kept, yet there appears to be no key hole. After cursing for several seconds, he jabs the key at the door in frustration.

Do i need to roll Initiative here at all?

<Bones realizes that replacing the beast with another threat will solve nothing. He decides to help get the door open. If he does not get a response from handling the key he goes back to focusing on the minotaur.>
I don't know what action this will take, but I am prepared to use a full round action to receive the key and try to open the door with it.
"Let me see the key. Maybe me being a dwarf will help."

Loche launches off his flaming sphere spell, conjuring up a orb of fire that rolls towards the minotaur. The sphere comes to a halt blocking the minotaur from the group.

Darius' attack over, Guard Barik bleeds all over the floor... he gasps in pain suddenly as the poison from Darius' blade begins to run through his wounds and into his bloodstream. The Dwarf guard shudders (taking 8 points of damage from the poison; I used your earlier roll to keep things moving), and collapses to the floor. His chest still rises, but the Keeper is reaching for his soul.

Bones and Vorik both struggle with the door. The indent in the wall indicates a doorway, but there only appears to be a wall of stone. Vorik pushes the key into the wall multiple times, screaming out in frustration. Suddenly, the key seems to catch on something. Vorik and Bones both realize at the same time that the wall is an illusion, masking the door! The key slides into the wall, catching in the keyhole. Vorik turns his hand, and the door opens into the hall, and at the same time the illusionary wall disappears.

The cell door opens to reveal a gaunt man, with striking features, ice blue eyes that cut into your very soul, and a form that would inspire confidence had it not been so malnourished. The man is obviously of good stock. Vorik immediately realizes the striking similarity to King Kaius III. They are not identical, but very similar.

"What do you want with me this time?" The prisoner asks, apparently unaware of the action in the hall.

Vorik, if you want to join combat, roll initiative.

Seeing the door open the beastial minotaur flies into a rage, charging forward through the ball of fire, aiming at Loche (who is closest). The Minotaur does provoke an AoO. Minotaur's CMB: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14 vs. Loche's CMD (which is 13, if I am correct). This would push Loche back 5 feet if the AoO does not hit the minotaur.

___
22+ - [Flaming Sphere] Loche and Companion
12- - [READIED] Desh (Readied action to attack the beast [see above])
21 - [Door] Bones
19 - [-4 hp] Guard Barik
17 - [Missed] Dakvor
12 - [SNEAK, Poison] Darius
11 - [Charge] The Minotaur

00 - [Outside of Combat] Vorik
___

So since the Minotaur went after Vorik, Desh's bowshot went off, right? Did it hit? Do damage?

"Spit from the pits of hell itself!" Darius Grumbles and takes a step closer to the beast, readying himself to jump into its path and attack, should it try to reach the Prisoner.

Preparing components for Flaming Sphere and moving to keep my beetle from me and area beyond the 961 cell block entrance. I'll toss the sphere on the entrance if I see a mob of guards trying to break in here.

Pointing to my earlier post to keep my beetle between me and what I take was the path of entrance of the minotaur. Beetle is CMD 18 or 26 vs things like Trip. Beetle is also size Large 10'x10' area it occupies for purposes of trying to move around it. Not sure how wide the corridor is.

Damage from Flaming Sphere with Ref DC 16 to negate 3d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 6) = 17

Flaming Sphere

If beetle gets an AoO on Minotaur then bite Power Attack

Bite to hit w/ -1 for Power Attack 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Damage Bite w/ +3 for Power Attack 1d4 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Sorry Desh - I reformatted my post and lost some stuff in the transition! Do you want to roll for it? And Sorry Loche! I'm not to hot on this combat stuff, just story-telling. The halls are 10x10x10 so the beetle (name for it?) blocks the Minotaur, but it's AoO does not hit. The Minotaur takes 17 damage from the flaming sphere.

My RS feed is not updating, and I can't resubscribe. I keep getting the message I get when the Paizo boards go down, but the boards are working. Is anyone having this issue?

<Speaking to the prisoner>"This is a prison break, and you are today's lucky escapee, well assuming we make it out of here alive anyway. Is there anything you can do to assist us?

<For a moment a hint of regret appears on Bones face as he looks at the dwarf, but then he realizes that if Barik is saved he may try to identify them later.>
"Why do dwarves have to be so darn stubborn?"

<My goal is to put the Urgrosh away, and pull out my bow. That will probably eat up my next round.>

Round 2, hp 25, stun 2/3

Seeing Darius finish the dwarf guard, Dakvor felt a bit of regret for the lethal blows that he unleashed after the dwarf sounded the alarm. ”Did he have a family to come home to? Was he expected for dinner by his wife tonight?” The half-orc monk suddenly thought of his mother then left in the monastery, trusting and understanding why he was on this sojourn. And of course, his stepfather. ”Oh father, what a terrible wind I am engulfed in right now!”

As the alarm brought a large horned beast, Dakvor quickly assessing that he could not close in to it, pulled out his light crossbow, and loaded a bolt. And while doing so speaks as well to the gaunt prisoner they were here to “rescue”.

”Oh yes your highness that is if you are what this cell is saying, do kindly assist us if you have any means.”

That’s all about what Dakvor can do in this round.

Round 2

The Beetle doesn't have a 'name' as Loche views 'naming' a humanization that is against the 'natural order' of things. You can use the term 'companion' if you want something other then beetle.

Loche will direct the Flaming Sphere at the Minotaur from it's backside. Ref DC 16 Damage 3d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 6) = 16

Beetle will bite w PA 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Damage w PA 1d4 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

'If'n you're not busy. We could use some help over here.'

- Round 2 -

Minotaur's Ref Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

The flaming sphere misses the Minotaur by a few inches, and the beetle's attack is also shrugged off by the feral monster.

"A prison break? You're setting me free?!" says the supposed king, staring at Bones and Vorik incredulously, "You are not serious, are you?"

He then pauses and squints suspiciously at the two.

"Why?"

"Because you are supposedly my King, even though I am positive you sit on the throne back in Karrnath. I am Sir Vorik Kessler, Paladin of Dol Arrah and worshiper of the Nine, Six and One, like my family has for centuries"

"A Kessler? Then you should surely know that a puppet sits on the throne of Karrnath! I knew that one day I would be freed from this circle of Hell!"

<If Vorik has a bow> "I understand there are a lot of things that need to be discussed, but right now we need to fight. Get your bow out."

<If Vorik does not have a bow> "I understand there are a lot of things that need to be discussed, but right now we need to fight. Go up there and smite that beast."

"LOVELY REUNION BUT CAN YOU HELP HERE VORIK?!" Swearing loudly in Elven Darius leaps forward, gritting his teeth and slashing high and hard at the Beasts chest.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
1d10 ⇒ 4

Am I flanking? With the Beetle? If so- 2d6 ⇒ (5, 4) = 9

Sorry Desh - I reformatted my post and lost some stuff in the transition! Do you want to roll for it?

I rolled when I readied the action; it seems to help keep things moving.

Desh's arrow screams down the narrow hallway, hitting the minotaur in the lower leg (dealing 7 non-lethal damage). The minotaur roars out in pain, attempting to gore the giant beetle that stands in its way: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17. It's horns ripping through the beetle's exoskelton, the minotaur shakes its head, dealing 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 damage to the large insect.

Kaius turns to Bones and Vorik, "I see you've gotten yourself in some trouble already. I'm glad to see someone hired a competent team to break me out of here! Have an extra weapon by chance?"

I assume on the layout that Dakvor is "Barik" right? And he's standing on him? :P

So is the beetle blocking the way to the minotaur, and thus none of us without range attacks can hit the beastie? If that's the case, is there a way for Vorik to stand adjacent to the beetle? got a few things I can do to help it out