GM Tarondor's Ptolus Campaign

Game Master Tarondor

Velika then proceeds to cast Feather Step on Tilver and then Dain

Tilver and Dain, you can ignore the effects of difficult terrain and even take a five foot step. Lasts 40 minutes

Holys keeps his gaze focused and his spell ready.

Dain calls upon the spirits to lend him the strength of the city's stones, and his skin takes on a slate grey hue. He follows Tilver down the rope into the cold, and readies his spear for whatever is thawing.

Cast Bull's Strength on self. Take 10 to climb down rope (10 + 2 = 12).

+4 Strength (for a new total of 16) for 4 minutes

As the ice melts, two powerful forms burst forth. Huge humanoids with powerful muscles and the heads of bulls are covered with tattooed symbols of chaos. Each carries an enormous greataxe.

"Ah!" says one. "So the Night of Dissolution is at last at hand! Come brother, let us slay these defilers for the glory of the Eschaton!"

As soon as they emerge, Holys intones an eldritch phrase of power and unleashed the pent-up energies of the plane of fire that course through his veins!

Dain: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Silas: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Tilver: 1d20 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (10) + 3 + (1) = 14
Velika: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Minotaur #1: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (13) + 0 = 13
Minotaur #2: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (14) + 0 = 14
No roll for Holys. He had a readied action.

Initiative Order
Holys
Tilver (Mutagen (+4 Str, -2 Int, +2 Natural AC); shield (+4 AC), protection from evil (+2 AC), feather step) - (2 damage)
Velika
Minotaur #1
Silas (feather step)
Dain (bull's strength (+4 STR), shield of faith +2 AC (total AC 20), feather step)
Minotaur #2

Holys, roll your attack and damage.
Then Dain, Tilver and Velika.

Holys casts a Scorching Ray at the minotaur at the northern end of the room.

Ranged touch: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 2 = 9 (+2 BAB, +2 DEX)

Fire damage: 4d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 5, 5, 2) + 4 = 22 (4d6 base, +4 Gold Draconic bloodline)

Did not apply any cover etc as it's not clear from the map whether it applies here. If it applies to one but not the other, Holys targets the one not in cover.

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

The initiative order seems out of whack to the initiative rolls. For the rolls I see, the order should be:
Holys
Velika
Silas
Tilver
Minotaur 2
Minotaur 1
Dain

re: Initiative: Yeah, I fiddled so long with that post that the numbers changed between the preview and the final posting. Just roll with it.

Holys's scorching ray just manages to graze the minotaur, but the burn is substantial and the monster howls in rage!

Tilver and Velika, go!

Velika begins a rousing song about reveling in the heat of battle. She moves acrobatically to stand between Silas and Tilver, hoping they don't notice she's using them for cover.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Attempt to move W without provoking an attack of opportunity. I moved Velika already although I'm not sure if an AOO would prevent the movement.

Inspire Courage (round 5)
Inspire Courage: +1 competence bonus attack & weapon damage; +1 morale bonus save vs. charm & fear

In combat, that would have triggered an Attack of Opportunity. But as the minotaurs have not yet had a turn, they are flatfooted and can't attack, so Velika just scurries into position while they scramble to comprehend what's happening.

Tilver, go!

Tilver strikes with his longspear, hoping to skewer the southern minotaur. "Die, chaos beast!"

Attack (PA, IC): 1d20 + 9 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 9 - 1 + 1 = 18
Damage (PA, IC): 1d8 + 7 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 3 + 1 = 13

By my calculations, Tilver should have a total of 27AC with all the buffs.

Tilver's spear lances the minotaur's side, drawing blood and a wince of pain. Unable to charge in the cramped quarters, the giant lunges forward, sweeping its greataxe at Silas's side, but the litorian warrior twists nimbly aside, deflecting the blows.

Greataxe v. Silas: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 163d6 + 6 ⇒ (5, 2, 5) + 6 = 18
Greataxe v. Silas: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 103d6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 4, 6) + 6 = 22
Gore v. Silas: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 181d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Initiative Order
Holys
Tilver (Mutagen (+4 Str, -2 Int, +2 Natural AC); shield (+4 AC), protection from evil (+2 AC), feather step) - (2 damage)
Velika
Minotaur #1
Silas (feather step)
Dain (bull's strength (+4 STR), shield of faith +2 AC (total AC 20), feather step)
Minotaur #2 (13 damage)

Silas and Dain, go!

Moving easily over the icy floor, Dain lunges forward and stabs at the southern minotaur.

5' step: SW; attack minotaur #2 with magic spear

spear attack + inspire courage + bull's strength: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 19
spear damage + inspire courage + bull's strength: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 + 3 = 7

Which minotaur did Holys burn?

#1

Dain's spear point seems to magically lift just past the minotaur's defenses and pierce its chainmail armor!

Initiative Order
Holys
Tilver (Mutagen (+4 Str, -2 Int, +2 Natural AC); shield (+4 AC), protection from evil (+2 AC), feather step) - (2 damage)
Velika
Minotaur #1 (22 damage)
Silas (feather step)
Dain (bull's strength (+4 STR), shield of faith +2 AC (total AC 20), feather step)
Minotaur #2 (20 damage)

Silas go!

Silas rages and attacks the creature in front of him.

Falchion Attack with Rage, BS and PA: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 2 + 1 - 2 = 12

Falchion Damage with Rage, BS and PA: 2d4 + 4 + 3 + 1 + 6 ⇒ (2, 4) + 4 + 3 + 1 + 6 = 20

Secondary Bite Attack with Rage, PA, BS and PA: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 - 2 - 5 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 2 + 1 - 2 - 5 = 4

Secondary Bite Damage with Rage, BS and PA: 1d6 + 3 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 2 + 1 + 4 = 16

Round 2/12. I also cast Shield before I dropped down so my AC should be 25 currently while raging. On a random side note. Its kind of sad when your damage rolls outstrip your attacks. :P

Silas spars with the mighty minotaur, but it deftly parries and blocks with its greataxe.

The other minotaur crushes down on Tilver's armor with his greataxe!

1d2 ⇒ 1

Minotaur Greataxe v. Tilver: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 273d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 3, 2) + 6 = 12
Minotaur Greataxe v. Dain: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 123d6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 2, 5) + 6 = 16
Minotaur Gore v. Tilver: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 81d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Initiative Order
Holys
Tilver (Mutagen (+4 Str, -2 Int, +2 Natural AC); shield (+4 AC), protection from evil (+2 AC), feather step) - (14 damage)
Velika
Minotaur #1 (22 damage)
Silas (feather step, shield)
Dain (bull's strength (+4 STR), shield of faith +2 AC (total AC 20), feather step)
Minotaur #2 (20 damage)

Holys, Tilver, Velika, go!

Tilver grits his teeth as the minotaur's axe cuts into him. He drives his spear at the bull-headed beast again.

Attack (PA, IC): 1d20 + 9 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 9 - 1 + 1 = 16
Damage (PA, IC): 1d8 + 7 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 3 + 1 = 13

Velika continues to sing about the fires of war. She also pulls out her wand of healing and gives Tilver back some of his lost health.

Wand of Healing: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 on Tilver

Inspire Courage (round 6)
Inspire Courage: +1 competence bonus attack & weapon damage; +1 morale bonus save vs. charm & fear

Holys blasts the same minotaur with another Scorching Ray:

Ranged touch attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18 (+2 base, +2 DEX, +1 from Velika's song)
Fire damage: 4d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 2, 1, 4) + 4 = 12 (4d6 base, +4 for Gold Draconic bloodline)

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

add another +1 damage to Holys' roll from Velika's song

The minotaur bats aside Tilver's spear, swinging a deadly blow at his head.

Meanwhile, Velika heals Tilver of some slight damage and Holys roasts one of the minotaurs with a jet of fire.

Roaring, the northern minotaur continues its battle with Silas, but the cagey litorian is as fast as a snake and well-encased in magical protections.

Minotaur Greataxe v. Silas: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 133d6 + 6 ⇒ (2, 6, 1) + 6 = 15
Minotaur Greataxe v. Silas: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 223d6 + 6 ⇒ (4, 6, 2) + 6 = 18
Minotaur Gore v. Silas: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 221d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Initiative Order
Holys
Tilver (Mutagen (+4 Str, -2 Int, +2 Natural AC); shield (+4 AC), protection from evil (+2 AC), feather step) - (12 damage)
Velika
Minotaur #1 (35 damage)
Silas (feather step, shield)
Dain (bull's strength (+4 STR), shield of faith +2 AC (total AC 20), feather step)
Minotaur #2 (20 damage)

Dain, Silas, go!

add another +1 damage to Holys' roll from Velika's song

I don't believe the song adds to spell damage, so didn't include it, only weapon damage.

Inspire Courage grants a bonus to both arrack and “weapon damage.” A ray spell is a weapon for most purposes.

As the minotaur raises its axe to defend itself from Tilver's attack, Dain strikes - aiming for the beast's exposed side.

attack minotaur #2 with magic spear

spear attack + Inspire Courage + Bull's Strength: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 22
spear damage + Inspire Courage + Bull's Strength: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 + 3 = 10

Dain continues raging and strikes furiously at the giant creature in front of him.

Falchion with Power Attack Rage, and Bard Song: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 8 - 2 + 2 + 1 = 28 Falchion damage with Power Attack, Rage and Bard Song: 2d4 + 4 + 3 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 2) + 4 + 3 + 6 + 1 = 20

Secondary Bite Attack with Rage, Power Attack and Bard Song: 1d20 + 7 + 2 - 5 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 2 - 5 - 2 + 1 = 17 Secondary Bite damage with Rage, Power Attack and Bard Song: 1d6 + 3 + 2 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 2 + 4 + 1 = 14

Critical Confirmation Falchion with Power Attack Rage, and Bard Song: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 8 - 2 + 2 + 1 = 18 Critical Confirmation Falchion damage with Power Attack, Rage and Bard Song: 2d4 + 4 + 3 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 4) + 4 + 3 + 6 + 1 = 20

The battle rages, deadly and fast, when almost simultaneously Dain stabs his spear deep into one minotaur's shoulder and Silas, leaping, slices through the other minotaur's windpipe and nearly decapitates his foe! The injured minotaur fights gamely on, but its blows lack both conviction and accuracy.

Minotaur Greataxe v. Dain: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 133d6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 3, 3) + 6 = 18
Minotaur Greataxe v. Dain: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 73d6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 6, 5) + 6 = 20
Minotaur Gore v. Dain: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 151d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Initiative Order
Holys
Tilver (Mutagen (+4 Str, -2 Int, +2 Natural AC); shield (+4 AC), protection from evil (+2 AC), feather step) - (12 damage)
Velika
Silas (feather step, shield)
Dain (bull's strength (+4 STR), shield of faith +2 AC (total AC 20), feather step)
Minotaur #2 (30 damage)

Everyone, go!

Tilver shifts one way and then lunges at the beast with his longspear, however, his shifted weight slows his strike and it's way off target.

Attack (PA, IC): 1d20 + 9 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 9 - 1 + 1 = 11
Damage (PA, IC): 1d8 + 7 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 3 + 1 = 16

Silas continues to rage as he stalks towards the second minotaur and tries to strike it down with one powerful blow.

Falchion Attack with Rage, BS, and PA: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 2 + 1 - 2 = 15
Falchion Damage with Rage, BS, and PA: 2d4 + 4 + 3 + 1 + 6 ⇒ (3, 3) + 4 + 3 + 1 + 6 = 20

AC with Rage and Shield is 25

Holys withdraws his lesser selective metamagic wand from his backpack.

Dain makes room for the raging Litorian, then thrusts an attack toward the minotaur's belly.

attack minotaur with magic spear

spear attack + Inspire Courage + Bull's Strength: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 14
spear damage + Inspire Courage + Bull's Strength: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 + 3 = 10

Velika continues to sing about the flush of warmth that comes when a foe is defeated. She pulls out her gun and moves into a position that might give her a clearer shot and fires.

Move EE
Then use double pistol with precise shot Double Pistol + PBS + IC: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 1 + 1 = 29
Damage +PBS+IC: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 1 = 7

Inspire Courage (round 7)
Inspire Courage: +1 competence bonus attack & weapon damage; +1 morale bonus save vs. charm & fear

The last minotaur battles the whole team, a juggernaut among men, driving back attacks on his left and right. Then Velika pulls the trigger. There is a thunderclap and a gout of smoke and blood appears on the minotaur's shoulder. It grunts and fights doggedly on, its massive and deadly attacks slow and clumsy compared to the faster, lighter opponents.

1d2 ⇒ 1

Minotaur Greataxe v. Dain: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 213d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 3, 2) + 6 = 12
Minotaur Greataxe v. Dain: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 173d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 5, 2) + 6 = 14
Minotaur Gore v. Dain: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 141d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Initiative Order
Holys
Tilver (Mutagen (+4 Str, -2 Int, +2 Natural AC); shield (+4 AC), protection from evil (+2 AC), feather step) - (12 damage)
Velika
Silas (feather step, shield)
Dain (bull's strength (+4 STR), shield of faith +2 AC (total AC 20), feather step)
Minotaur #2 (37 damage)

Everyone, go!

Tilver yells as Silas step in front of him, but then he steps to one side and tries to skewer the minotaur again.

I'm assuming cover from Silas
Attack (mutagen, PA, IC, cover): 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 1 - 4 = 18
Damage (mutagen, PA, IC): 1d8 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 10 + 1 = 14

Dain ducks under the slashing axe and stabs his spear at the minotaur's legs. He takes a step to one side to give the others a better line of sight.

Attack minotaur with magic spear; 5' step: E

spear attack + Inspire Courage + Bull's Strength: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 17
spear damage + Inspire Courage + Bull's Strength: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 1 + 3 = 14

Holys steps forward and unleashes and inferno, from which his companions emerge unscathed.

Cast Burning Hands with Lesser Selective Metamagic Rod to exclude Silas and Dain, hitting only the minotaur:

Fire damage: 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 3, 4, 3) + 4 = 18 (4d4 base, +4 for Gold Draconic bloodline) reflex save DC 17 for half

Lesser Selective Metamagic Rod uses remaining/total: 2/3

Spells remaining/total:
2nd (0/4)—scorching ray
1st (5/7)—burning hands (DC 17), mage armor , protection from evil, ray of enfeeblement (DC 15), vanish
0th (at will) —acid splash, arcane mark , detect magic , flare (DC 16), light, open/close (DC 14),

prestidigitation, read magic, resistance

The team attacks the minotaur, slashing and stabbing. Suddenly, there is a burst of fire that engulfs the hapless monster. Overcome by its burns and injuries, it collapses, coughs and dies.

COMBAT OVER

Holys moves to examine the alcoves from which they emerged, in case there are clues, items of note, or indications of passageways behind.

Gimme a Perception check, Holys!

Velika closes her eyes for a moment, to imprint the memory of Holys' flames reflecting off the ice and fading away to leave her companions untouched while the scorched corpse of the minotaur lays at their feet. She shivers, wishing she could still feel its warmth and then opens her eyes and casts Detect Magic around the chamber.

Cast Detect Magic

Silas will check the other alcove.

I will take 20 for a 27 if there is time. If not the roll is below.

Perception if time does not allow: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

With the exertions of the fight over, Dain feels the cold begin to seep into his exposed skin. He looks up to the hole in the ceiling and, seeing Magill peering down at him, gives a little wave. he then moves across the cavern to where the ice cave narrows, and peers westward.

Perception (w/ low light vision): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27 to look into the alcoves.

There are only two things of note, neither of them magical. The first is the icy pool, buried under two feet of ice. The ice is quite clear and you can see that the pool contains a flooded tunnel.

The second is an old leather-bound book, trapped in the ice.

Tilver leans against his spear to rest after the fight with the minotaurs. He stares down at the ice. "Looks like we might have to melt our way down. But we probably need a way to avoid freezing to death in that water."

Where is the book? In the wall? The floor? How deep into the ice is it lodged?

Dain shivers at the thought of entering the icy water below as he looks closer at the book, so tantalizingly close.

You could easily chip out the book. Chopping through the water will take some time.

Teeth beginning to chatter, Dain says, "k-k-Quickly, help m-m-me chip out this book. Then we can climb back into the warmth and f-f-figure out how to safely get through that...ummm...t-t-tunnel."

Silas begins trying to break up the ice with the hilt of his falchion.

You chip the book out of the ice. It is old and tattered but in surprisingly good condition considering its constant contact with water. It is a book describing many of the most notable Chaos Cults.

Which you can read at your leisure, when you have some.