GM Tarondor's Ptolus Campaign

Game Master Tarondor

Dain casts a spell which beseeches the spirits to grant him a fraction of their healing ability. As he chants and traces his right hand through the air, a pale golden glow intensifies around it. After completing the spell, he moves into the house and touches Tilver, releasing the healing energy into the ex-gladiator.

Cure Tilver: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (7, 6) + 4 = 17

Cast Cure Moderate Wounds; Move: SW,SW,S and touch Tilver

Current AC = 20 from Shield of Faith

Magill the raccoon remains in the courtyard. She sits back on her hind legs and swivels her head about, keeping a watch for enemies trying to come up behind her oracle.

perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30

Magill perceives no other enemies, though she seems nervous about the whole place.

Holys, go!

Holys went. He posted at the same time as your reply to me about the powder bombs

Holys, remember that firing through a doorway nearly always entails a cover bonus to AC.

As Velika begins to recite a tale of victory and Dain cures Tilver's injuries, Holy evokes a caustic ball of phlogiston and fires it at the foe. It strikes an overhead stone support and sizzles there, impotently.

Small crossbow (into melee), point-blank shot v. Tilver: 1d20 + 3 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 3 - 4 + 1 = 191d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Critical Hit?: 1d20 + 3 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 3 - 4 + 1 = 11 No.

Javelin & Power Attack v. Silas: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 8 - 2 = 181d8 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 4 = 14

The ratling fires his crossbow at Tilver, striking him just above the right knee. The ratbrute stabs at Silas, but the big cat-man easily parries the blow.
______________________________________________

Initiative Order
Tilver (7 damage)(deafened 1 round)
Silas (22 damage)(deafened 1 round)
Ratlings on bridge
Holys
Dain
Velika
Ratling
Ratbrute (21 damage)

Pythoness House

Tilver, give me a Fort Save v. poison (DC 15)

Tilver, Silas, you're up!

Silas swings his sword around in a low arc trying to kill the big creature as he shifts and tries to bite down hard on one of the arms that hangs open after the creatures attack.

Falchion with Rage, Bard Song and Power Attack: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 2 + 1 - 2 = 12 Falchion Damage with Rage, Bard Song and Power Attack: 2d4 + 4 + 3 + 1 + 6 ⇒ (2, 4) + 4 + 3 + 1 + 6 = 20

Secondary Bite attack with Rage, Bard Song and Power Attack: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1 - 2 - 5 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 2 + 1 - 2 - 5 = 20 Bite Damage with Rage, Bard Song and Power Attack: 1d6 + 3 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 + 4 = 11

Rage round 3/11. If the brute dies on the falchion swing I would want to 5 ft up to attack the smaller ratling on the stairs.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Tilver grits his teeth and drives his spear at the ratling again, hoping to kill it before his friends can drop more on them.

Attack (PA, IC): 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 1 = 21
Damage (PA, IC): 1d8 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 1 = 10

Would 10 foot reach hit/threaten those on the bridge?

Tilver: -1 for the ratling's higher ground.
No, a 10' reach won't get the bridge

Silas's falchion turns off the ratbrute's tough hide, but the big berserker sinks his fangs into the ratman's thigh, causing the giant to roar in anger. Meanwhile, Tilver stabs the little ratling, killing it instantly.

knife vs. Silas: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 81d3 ⇒ 1
knife vs. Tilver: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 121d3 ⇒ 2

The ratlings on the bridge hurl knives to no great effect.
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Initiative Order
Tilver (7 damage)(deafened 1 round)
Silas (22 damage)(deafened 1 round)
Ratlings on bridge
Holys
Dain
Velika
Ratbrute (32 damage)

Pythoness House

Holys, Dain, Velika, go!

Gripping his spear with both hands, Dain slips around Silas and stabs at the ratbrute.

5' step: SE; attack ratbrute with +1 spear

spear attack + inspire courage: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 1 = 20
damage + inspire courage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6

Current AC = 20 from Shield of Faith

Buoyed by Velika's stirring tales, Dain just manages to slip his spear past the monstrous ratman's guard and scratch his ribs.

______________________________________________

Initiative Order
Tilver (7 damage)(deafened 1 round)
Silas (22 damage)(deafened 1 round)
Ratlings on bridge
Dain
Holys
Velika
Ratbrute (38 damage)

Pythoness House

Holys, Velika, go!

Still weaving her tale, Velika moves through the doorway and lines up a shot at the ratbrute.

Continue Inspire Courage (round 2) while moving SW.
Then I'll fire my gun at the ratbrute. I'm assuming, since he's on the stairs, that he isn't getting any cover from my wall of comrades so you'll need to correct my roll if I'm wrong.
Also, I'm firing into melee but have precise shot so I won't bother mentioning it below? Let me know if you prefer a different convention.

Gun attack, point blank, IC: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 1 + 1 = 201d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 = 4

Inspire Courage: +1 competence bonus attack & weapon damage; +1 morale bonus save vs. charm & fear

He's on the landing at the bottom of the stairs. He definitely gets a cover bonus. You're also firing into melee, so you need to tell me you have Precise Shot to negate that. Don't assume I know the details of each character - remember that I am currently running seven Pathfinder games, each with at least 5 characters in them.

Also, please specify the type of weapon when you use it.

Unable to get a clear shot, the thunderous report of Velika's pistol rings through the courtyard, but harms no one.

Holys, go!

Holys launches another bolt of acid at the rats dropping bombs from the upper floor.

Cast Acid Splash:

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 (ranged touch; base +2, dex +2, inspire courage +1)
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3 (acid damage)

Spells remaining/total:
2nd (4/4)—scorching ray
1st (6/7)—burning hands (DC 17), mage armor , protection from evil, ray of enfeeblement (DC 15)
(DC 15)
0th (at will) —acid splash, arcane mark , detect magic , flare (DC 16), light, open/close (DC 14), prestidigitation, read magic, resistance

The bridge itself provides cover, meaning that the ratlings on the bridge have +4 to AC for cover.

Holys flings a glob of acid at the upper floor and strikes one of the two ratlings, singeing it badly.

Roaring in anger, the huge ratman tries to drive its javelin down Dain's throat, but Dain turns the the small weapon aside with ease.

Javelin and Power Attack v. Dain: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 8 - 2 = 141d6 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 4 = 14

______________________________________________

Initiative Order
Tilver (7 damage)
Silas (22 damage)
Ratlings on bridge (A: 3 damage)
Dain
Holys
Velika
Ratbrute (38 damage)

Pythoness House

Tilver, Silas, go!

Silas shifts to the right and brings his falchion down on the rat in front of him before trying to rip out its throat with his fangs.

Falchion Attack with Rage, Power Attack, and Bard Song: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 8 + 2 + 1 - 2 = 18 Secondary Bite Attack with Rage, Bard Song and Power Attack: 2d4 + 4 + 3 + 1 + 6 ⇒ (3, 1) + 4 + 3 + 1 + 6 = 18

Secondary Bite Attack with Rage, Power Attack, and Bard Song: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1 - 2 - 5 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 2 + 1 - 2 - 5 = 20 Secondary Bite Attack with Rage, Bard Song and Power Attack: 1d6 + 4 + 3 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 3 + 1 + 4 = 15

Round 4/11. Shield for +4 AC and Rage -1 AC.

Tilver turns his longspear on the giant rat, trying to drive it into the mass of muscly fur.

Attack (PA, IC): 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 1 = 23
Damage (PA, IC): 1d8 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 1 = 12

Between them, the litorian and the half-elf corner and slaughter the giant rat-man. The ratlings break and run into the structure to the west.

[COMBAT OVER]

Silas slumps a little and bends to clean his blade on the dead brute and says, "Well, hopefully they don't have too many more of those bombs or these big rats. Do any of you know about these creatures?"

Dain turns to Silas and examines his wounds. He calls to the benevolent spirits of the city to lend him the strength to heal his friend.

Cast two Cure Light Wounds spells on Silas

CLW x2: 1d8 + 4 + 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 + (8) + 4 = 17

"I don't know much more than what we learned when fighting them at the temple. I wonder if their presence here means more chaositech?" She pauses and glances over at Tilver, "Tilver, you seem familiar with these monsters. Anything more you can tell us?"

As she talks, Velika pulls out her wand of Cure Light Wounds and taps Silas with it with a flourish. Then she moves over to Tilver and does the same.

Cast Cure Light wounds from the wand once on Silas and then once on Tilver

CLW Wand on Silas: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
CLW Wand on Tilver: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Silas nods to Dain and Velika, Thank you for your healing. They obviously have some bombs. We should try and move on quickly lest they get help or set up some trap for us. Silas will take a quick look over the two dead to see if there is anything of value before readying his blade and heading up the stairs.

+7 Perception to search them. I will just take 10 for 17. I have Scent if there are any more of the creatures close by in hiding.

Speaking of the group's previous adventures, were there any other variations of ratmen that we encountered in the Temple of the Rat God other than ratlings and ratbrutes? Spellcasters perhaps?

Yes. The so-called "ratlords" are the brains of the operation. Most are commanders, but some are priests or arcane casters.

Silas doesn't smell any more ratmen nearby, though their stink is all over the area. The ratmen have very little of value beyond the greatsword. They have studded leather armor (large and small sizes), a javelin and a profusion of daggers.

Are you heading up the stairs or searching this floor?

Velika whispers, "Hungry, sweetie?" as she reloads her gun. Then, while Silas is looking over the bodies, she'll cast another Detect Magic and look around to see if anything has changed.

Cast Detect Magic. Focused first on the bodies. Then, if she has time, on the greasy greatsword behind her and the gate to see if the wall of force is still there.

The wall of force is still present. Nothing the ratmen had is magical.

Silas grimaces. "No, their all yours.

"I agree, Silas. We should move onwards now, in case the survivors alert others or regroup for an ambush. We can search here later. Silas, do you want to take the lead?"

Looking into the house, what is the lighting situation? I'm assuming it is daylight outside, but indoors are there opened windows etc or is it boarded up and darkness?

Silas nods and starts heading up the stairs.

As Silas moves to the stairs, Dain puts his hand on the litorian's shoulder. "Ummm...it seems they were prepared to protect this place from...mmm...people like us, so you should watch out for traps." His hand remains on Silas' shoulder, almost as if he's forgotten about it, until he suddenly jerks it back self consciously.

Dain looks back out into the courtyard and a moment later, Magill scurries into the room. He leans down and talks quietly to the raccoon, We're going to continue after the ones who fled deeper into the house. Can you watch our backs and warn me if they try and circle around behind us?"

Holys gets his lesser selective metamagic wand out of his pack.

I understand you to say that you're ignoring the ground floor and chasing the ratlings.

Andrew, you have no line of sight into any room other than the one you're in, so you don't know what the lighting situation will be.

The team hustles up the staircase to the second level. There is a single stout wooden door before them, a bridge behind them to the southwest tower and a dangerous drop to the carpeted chamber below.

Pythoness House

Silas moves to the door on the west and looks for traps.

Perception for normal traps: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

The bridge behind us leads to the SE tower, right? Did the escaping rats run there, or into the door in front of us?

The bridge behind us leads to the SE tower, right?

Yes.

Did the escaping rats run there, or into the door in front of us?

Through the door to the west.

I just got that really backwards in my mind. So back and search that other door. Should I reroll?

Which other door? Put your token by the door you're searching.

Silas looks at the western door and prepares to enter it if he sees no traps and the door appears unlocked.

I am now by the right door. I had rolled above after placing myself by the SE door so here is a roll for the SW door. I did not really build for this so we will see how this goes.

Perception for Traps and Locks: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

If I see no traps I head on in.

Tilver smiles and helps Silas check the door for traps. "Ratmen are a wily bunch. Keep your eyes open."

Perception (vs. traps), aid: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 1 = 25

Silas: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Tilver: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 +1d6
Holys: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Velika: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Dain: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Ratlings: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Rat Swarm: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

INITIATIVE ORDER
Velika
Silas
Rat Swarm
Holys
Tilver
Ratlings
Dain

Finding no traps, Tilver indicates that Silas should open the door. Inside, they find the rat's nest. The two ratlings stand there, crossbows shouldered and surrounded by ordinary rats. The ratlings fire as soon as the door opens. One quarrel bounces off Silas's mage armor while the other embeds itself in the doorframe.

small crossbows: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 191d6 ⇒ 3
small crossbows: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 61d6 ⇒ 5

PYTHONESS HOUSE

Velika, Silas, go!

Remember Tilver's +1d6 for his initiative. That will put him ahead of the ratlings.
Initiative bonus: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Edited above.

Velika moves off the stairway to make room for her comrades. "Tiny rats, so easy to crush," and she starts to sing a rousing song about a housewife and the many ways she kills the rats in her house.

Move W, N, N. then begin Inspire Courage (round 3).

Inspire Courage: +1 competence bonus attack & weapon damage; +1 morale bonus save vs. charm & fear

Silas moves into the room and brings his falchion down hard on the ratling to his left.

Falchion Attack on the southern Ratling with Bard Song and Power Attack: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 1 - 2 = 14 Falchion Damage with Bard Song and Power Attack: 2d4 + 4 + 1 + 6 ⇒ (4, 2) + 4 + 1 + 6 = 17

I have Shield up, not mage armor for what its worth. I take a move action to get to where I am. Rats have no threatened area so I think I will avoid an attack of opportunity from them. If not so be it.

The move was W, N

Silas's swing is wild, and the wily ratling slides underneath it. The rats swarm over Silas, biting and gnawing at his tender parts.

Rat Swarm v. Silas: 1d6 ⇒ 6

INITIATIVE ORDER
Velika
Silas (6 damage)
Rat Swarm
Holys
Tilver
Ratlings
Dain

PYTHONESS HOUSE

Holys, Tilver, go!

Holys chuckles at Velika's song, and ascends the stairs. He throws a gob of acid at the swarming rats.

Cast Acid Splash at the rat swarm

Acid Splash attack: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 11 (+2 BAB, +2 DEX, +1 Inspire)
Acid Splash damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2

He attempts to tell whether these ratmen are the same as the ones who were dropping bombs a moment ago.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 to ID ratmen

I do have other spells, I promise, just wasn't in the right position to cast the one I wanted at the start. ;) Also recall current AC is 17 in case he gets rushed.

Tilver steps up to the doorway and slams his longspear through the swarm of rats at the ratling. Burn the rats!" he calls out to the others.

Attack (PA, IC): 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 1 = 10
Damage (PA, IC): 1d8 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 1 = 14

Holys, a single-target spell like acid globhas no effect on a swarm.

Ratlings, it turns out, can not only fight efficiently with two in the same square, they actually treat you as if you're flanked when they do.

Holys's spell burns a pair of rats, but has no effect on the teeming mass of them. Tilver steps through the rats, which begin to crawl all over him, and attaks a ratling, who easily dodges the distracted stroke.

The ratlings drop their crossbows, step close together while drawing longswords and attack Tilver, stabbing unsuccessfully at his armored breastplate.

Ratling small longsword and swarm: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 + 2 = 181d6 ⇒ 3
Ratling small longsword and swarm: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 + 2 = 181d6 ⇒ 5

INITIATIVE ORDER
Velika
Silas (6 damage)
Rat Swarm
Holys
Tilver
Ratlings
Dain

PYTHONESS HOUSE

Dain, Velika Silas, go! Silas, you owe me DC 12 Fortitude save first or you're nauseated by the rats.

Silas slashes at one of the ratlings and then attempts to bite the other.

Attack with Falchion on first ratling with Bard Song and Power Attack: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 1 - 2 = 17 Damage for Falchion with Bard Song and Power Attack: 2d4 + 4 + 1 + 6 ⇒ (4, 2) + 4 + 1 + 6 = 17

Secondary Bite Attack at other ratling with Bard Song and Power Attack: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 5 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 1 - 5 - 2 = 9 Secondary Bite Attack Damage with Bard Song and Power Attack: 1d6 + 3 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 + 4 = 9

Shield Spell in effect.

Tilver doesn't need to step into the room. His longspear's reach should allow him to attack the ratlings from beyond the doorway.