PBP: The Godsmouth Heresy (PFS) (Inactive)

Game Master Richard M. Harris

Ahto moves into the room and begins looking around for anything of interest.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

"Yeah...well done, Petronicus," Saarai says as she passes the warrior.

After a thorough search of the room, the tiefling says "Let's keep going," she says with a disgusted look at the mess of undead flesh on the floor.

perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

South, I suppose

Petronicus falls in behind the tiefling mage, keeping watch over the front line with his reach weapon.

Finally getting some recognition around here.

Shaking his head as the enemies are once again smashed in moments, Old Iron glances at the party, then down the nearby hallway, his mouth cocked to one side. He taps himself with his Shield wand once more.

"I just wanna apologize ahead of time for this."

He turns back around, a big grin on his face.

"You don't have to follow if I get in over my head. Would appreciate it, though."

Old Iron takes off down the hallway.

"COME OUT WHEREVER YA ARE!"

Evad chases after Old Iron Tyr.

Molos shakes his head at his compatriot's actually yelling for any creatures located therein to come find them. But, he follows the rest anyway,

Saarai looks askance at Tyr.

"Easy, big fella!" she exclaims.

"That's not really the way I like to do things...we'll bring the whole dungeon to us! Plus, I'd like to search for traps on our way...we've found several so far, and I don't want to worry about more stuff sneaking up on me while I'm doing my thing."

Saarai takes point and looks for anything dangerous as they move down the hallway.

perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16 +1 vs. traps

Venturing down the hallway Old Iron's bellow echoes down the long stone passage.

It continues down a set of stairs with a door leading towards the main chamber

The ceiling opens up between two staircases in this wide corridor, creating a shaft above the hallway. Ten feet up, the shaft appears to connect to another passage above running north-south. A grisly heap of decaying body parts lies at the bottom of the shaft The air is rank with the smell of rot, corruption, and pungent chemicals.

Old Iron shakes his head at the body parts.

"Boring."

He rushes down the hallway, stopping at the door. He does not shout this time.

Ahto takes a moment to look at the parts, trying to determine if the have been hacked apart with weapons, torn apart by teeth, or even pulled free by extreme force.

Healing: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Molos casts detect magic and looks around the area.

Ahto, as you investigate the pile it appears as if the body parts have been removed by a skilled hand in surgical means.

As you are investigating them you notice a slight twitch in a hand towards the middle of the pile.

SUDDENLY,

The hand, unattached from a body, bursts forth from the pile reaching for your throat.

Claw: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

And it hits home dealing-

Damage: 1d1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 YES... that is a 1d1+1

and then the fingers start to wrap around your throat.

Grab: 1d20 ⇒ 10

but it is not able to maintain its grip.

TO IDENTIFY:

ROLLING INIT:
Evad: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Saarai: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
Molos: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
Crack-Jawed: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (18) + 0 = 18
Old Iron: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Petronicus: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Red Crawling Hand: 1d20 ⇒ 19
Green Crawling Hand: 1d20 ⇒ 1
Blue Crawling Hand: 1d20 ⇒ 15

Combat Order:
Evad
Petronicus
Saarai
Old Iron
Blue Crawling Hand
Green Crawling Hand
Molos
Green Crawling Hand
Crack-Jawed

Surprise Round:
Saarai and Crack-Jawed will get Surprise Round Actions, and Evad Petronicus, Saarai, and Old Iron can post their round 1 actions.

Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Surprise Round:

Ahto takes a step back (5' step) and fires at the writhing, rotting, disembodied hand.

Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 3

Petronicus shudders at the sight of the disembodied hand. "Necromancy!" he bellows forth, stepping forward (5'-Step) and taking a swipe at the disembodied hand holding Ahto's neck with his spiked gauntlet.

Gauntlet attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20, Gauntlet damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

He then grips his guisarme in case any of the other disgusting body parts try to jump him. (They are in my threatened range)

Evad rushes past Ahto and the hand by him and attempts to stomp on the hand in front of him.

unarmed strike: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Saarai steps back and launches an arrow at one of the hands, careful to avoid her companions.

Shortbow attack: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 6 - 4 = 15 for shortbow damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3
sneak attack: 1d6 ⇒ 5 Will aim at one that hasn't acted in initiative to attack it flat-footed for sneak attack dmg.

Petronicus' gauntlet fist bumps the one hand dealing a decent amount of damage

Evad sneaks past the hand attacking Ahto and karate kicks the other hand as it wriggles out of the pile also dealing a significant amount of damage and breaking of a finger.

Saarai's arrow hits the third hand catching it off guard. There is now a hole in the middle of the hand.

Saarai you still have a Round 1 Action, and so does Old Iron.

On the map, there appears to be some creatures next to me. Are those supposed to be there, or did I miss something?

Saarai shoots another arrow at the wounded necrotic hand.

Shortbow attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17 for shortbow damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

@Old Iron... Those were supposed to be hidden still, also didnt see that you have ran off that far down the hall. I guess we will go ahead and trigger the next encounter too. I backed you up to the line where the skeletons down the hall start shooting and I will take those actions as part of the first round.

Shortbow: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Shortbow: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Shortbow: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Shortbow: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

For ease of combat I am going to attack these 4 skeletons together on one init.

Skeletons: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Ah, okay.

"Looks like I got some new friends over here!"

Old Iron stomps his foot and his halberd as the arrows fly past him. His eyes are wide, his teeth grinding together, as he smacks the flat of his halberd against his chest. "COME ON! You can do better than that!"

He rears back, leaning his halberd back like a lever. "Let's see how old bones...do against Old Iron!" He launches forward, his rage taking hold.

Attack with Halberd (charge, raging): 1d20 + 2 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 + 5 + 2 = 28
Damage (rage): 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

After a quick recalculation

With a flurry of hits from Petronicus, Evad and Saarais two arrows the blue hand and the Red hand both perish and fall lifeless back in the pile.

The Green Hand will springs forth and attempts to attack Evad...

provoking an AOO from Evad for entering his square

Evads Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

dealing a massive blow, but the hand continues to move in.

Claw: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

and the claw gashes at Evads throat dealing 3 points of damage.

Grab: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

but it is not able to maintain its grip and falls into the square again.

Molos and Crack-Jawed may now take their Round 1 Actions.

Molos sends an acidic blast forward at the hand.

Ranged Attack Firing into Melee 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 - 4 = 11

Damage 1d3 ⇒ 1

Ahto drops his crossbow (free action), draws his morning star (move action), and attempts to smash the remaining hand.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

The three skeletons almost in unison take a step backward (5 foot step] and let loose a set of arrows.

Shortbow: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Shortbow: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Shortbow: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

Only one of them even comes close but bounces harmlessly off of Old Irons armor.

Gotta love basic skeletons with a +2 to hit against AC 24

Saarai, Evad, Petronicus, and Old Iron may take their Round 2 Actions.

Saarai tries to finish off the last hand, but has difficulty hitting it while it's around her companion's neck.

Shortbow attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 for shortbow damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

If the hand is still up I'll attack it, otherwise I'll run down the hall toward Old Iron.

Evad assumes his pummeling stance and unleashes a big blow against the hand trying to choke him.

pummeling flurry of blows 1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
damage 1: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
pummeling flurry of blows 2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
damage 2: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

confirm crit: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
damage crit: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
damage crit: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Confirmed crits with pummeling style make all attacks count as crits. That probably doesn't confirm, but if so attack is for 24 damage.

Actually, GM, with me raging and the AC penalty from charge, that would drop my AC to 20 for that round, so I would get hit by that last arrow. That was my bad for forgetting to update my stats bar.

An arrow bites into Old Iron's shoulder. His shoulder muscles spasm as blood oozes from the wound, but his grin only widens. "HAH. THAT'S RIGHT! Keep it up, ya bone racks!"

He rushes forward with a mighty overhead swing right at the nape of the skeleton's neckbones. The purple one

Attack with Halberd (raging): 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 2 = 23
Damage (raging): 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

If Evad destroys the crawling hand, I'll double move south to help out Tyr. If he doesn't, I'll give it one more bash with my gauntlet: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26, damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8, crit confirm: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24, crit damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5, and then take a single move toward Tyr.

Crack-Jaweds Morning Star crashes down just as Evad unleashes his fists of fury and the last hand falls limp. Evad can move down the hall to assist because the first attack dropped it

Old Iron takes the arrow to the shoulder dealing:
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

He then responds with a raging halberd and rips another skeleton in half.

I moved both Petronicus (double move) and Evad (single move)

Molos and Crack-Jawed may now take their Round 2 Actions.

Ahto recovers his crossbow, hooks it on his belt, and lumbers down the hall in the direction of the battle. He keeps his morning star in hand.

Molos double moves toward the sound of battle as well, needing to get closer so his abilities can be used.

The 2 remaining skeletons seeing that they are too close for ranged weapons open their boney claws dropping their bows and then attacking viciously with their claws, their broken scimitars are left hanging on their belts. With some semblance of tact they step to either side of Old Iron hoping in their brainless skulls to confuse him.

Claw: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 + 2 = 14
Claw: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 2 = 9
Claw: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 2 = 8
Claw: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 + 2 = 19

And it seems their claws are just as ineffective as their bows against the tough-hided lizard.

Round 3 actions for everyone now!

Ahto continues his steady, but accelerated pace towards the fight.

Double move

Double move

"Hold on, Tyr, we're coming!" Petronicus yells out down the hallway.

Double Move

Seeing that his allies have come to assist and that the skeletons are already half gone, Old Iron shakes his head and gives a half-sigh, half-grunt as he drops out of his rage, and his years of wear-and-tear suddenly fill back into his scales.

Attack with Halberd (fatigue): 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 5 - 1 = 5
Damage (fatigue): 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Old Iron's mind is momentarily consumed with his disappointment, and his swing is half-hearted at best.

Saarai rapidly moves to keep up with the others.

double move

Allright I will go ahead and run the next round of actions, Molos still has a Round 3 action.

The skeletons continue their mindless but fruitless assault.

Claw: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 + 2 = 22
Claw: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 2 = 8
Claw: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 2 = 5
Claw: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 2 = 5

Out of frustration the skeletons start clawing each other and slowing just beat each other down out of sheer frustration and pointlessness.

COMBAT OVER!

Petronicus arrives just as the skeletons are clawing each other to their final death.

"Well, that is something I've never seen before. I guess they longed to be released from their unnatural condition, and you weren't doing it fast enough, Tyr. Or was it something you said?"

He can't quite keep a straight face when he says it, but whether it is by sheer accident or a newfound appreciation for others, the Chelaxian actually seems to be gently poking fun at the nagaji.

Old Iron sets his halberd down, holding onto it with both hands to prop himself up as he returns his breathing to normal. "I'd say the lesson is, Pete, that fightin' ain't any fun for anybody if you ain't properly matched up." He nods to himself. "Probably should have closed my eyes for that one."

He rests his back against the wall as he slides down into a sitting position. His eyes glance over at his wound, and he grins. "They got in one good hit at least. After that, I think three groups at once should be the sweet spot. Enough fun for everyone."

He twists his head around, clamping down with his teeth on the arrow shaft in his shoulder. He yanks it out in one motion, the barbs ripping through his scales. As he spits the arrow onto the ground, blood gushes out of his wound. Still panting from his fatigue, Old Iron unhooks a wand from his belt and holds it out.

"Would appreciate it if someone would patch this up."

It's a wand of CLW. I'll go on ahead and roll it so we can keep things moving (as long as someone is willing to use it, of course).

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Evad takes Old Iron's wand and administers the healing magic.

Then taking out his own wand, touches the place the hand had tried to rip into his flesh.

wand of CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

So many strange creatures from beyond the grave reside here, for a holy place, it seems very unholy. Yet, it seems we are no closer to determining the source of the necromancy in this place.

Perhaps those shafts in the ceiling lead to the answer.

Saarai smiles at the nagaji, who she had previously adventured with.

"I guess we could just have the big lizard run as fast as he can through the whole crypt, we round up all the bad guys in one place and then let them kill each other. Sounds like a plan!"

However, the careful tiefling's eyes make it clear she would prefer to take things more methodically.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

Not understanding that she is joking, Petronicus shakes his head at Saarai's suggestion. "That is a terrible idea. Our foes are much more likely to make common cause and try to kill us instead."

He then turns to the Nagaji, "Tyr, please tell her that this is a terrible idea. I know tieflings want to get back to the Abyss as fast as possible, but she should not lead all of us off the edge as well."

"Is everyone okay, healthwise? There are still several rooms in this place we have to finish exploring. Last thing we want to do is to wander in to one of those beaten up."

Old Iron nods as Saarai speaks, his cracked lips turned up into a slight knowing smile. "I'm thinkin' the same thing, Saarai. Minus that last part, of course. They can leave the killin' to me."

He stands up, the crack of bones punctuating his movements. "I'll pass for the moment, though. I've got an idea of the sweet spot now, and I don't feel like fallin' in a pit trap on the other side of the crypt by myself. I'll figure out some other ways to make it more fun."

He scratches the scales on his chin as he gazes off. "Hmmm...maybe if we were all wearing smoked goggles. Or carrying sacks of rocks." He looks down and taps a knuckle against his breastplate. "No armor might be too much..." He continues on like that as he walks down the rest of the hallway.

"Got another door down here when you boys and girls and done healin' up!"

Ahto rubs his neck where the crawling hand tried to choke him, then shrugs indifferently, and looks to the others.

"A minor injury, but nothing life-threatening. Which way shall we go?"

Realizes Molos and Ahto are injured Evad touches them with his Wand.

Gozreh's blessings on you brothers.

Wand CLW on Molos: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Wand CLW on Ahto: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Is anyone else injured, this place may yet have it's worst to give us, we should be at our best.

Evad then looks around the area where the hands attacked to include the pile of body parts for anything of interest.

perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

And the exams the archer skeleton piles of bones and the area around them.

perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Before joining Old Iron Tyr at the double doors to the south.

Perhaps we should make sure all is clear down here, before we climb in that shaft.