Takin' the Spire Higher! (Inactive)

Game Master Tangaroa

Kali nudes Torque. "Something amiss with this one," she whispers. "I don't trust her."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

"Why not?"

"Even the hardest prisoner wears down with time. She looks like she's been here gods only know how long, yet she's got the attitude and strength in her voice of someone who's only just been clapped in irons. I sense a trick."

"I see." Torque then turns to the prisoner. "What is really going on here? Who are you?"

The creature smiles, and then sheds is shape, replacing his visage with that of an emaciated serpentfolk. "If you really mussst know, I am Ziszkaa, once proud leader of this Den. But that freak... that two-headed monssstrosssity took my rightful place. Free me, and you may have all the treasssures of this place, and I will ssshoww you the sssecrets."

"Uh-huh...."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

"Well, I suppose you have nothing to lose anymore...."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

It is certain the creature seeks its freedom. Whether or not it will betray you... that is a different matter.

"You have been honest with us..." Torque looks to his other companions.

"...But double-cross us, and I'll make you wish 'that two-headed monstrosity' was still in charge."

Intimidate: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

James inclines his head toward his bow. "My arrows fly true, if your words don't."

Damien shrugs and adds. "Looks like it has been decided then. Tell us about these secrets and treasures."

The serpentfolk waits a moment before answering. It contorts its hands in an inhuman way, shrinking them enough to slip their bonds. The serpentfolk dusts himself off and approaches the wall. "The firssst ssssecret is that much here is not how it seemssss. The sssstatue at the end of the hall outside will attack if you come to open the door to my cell."

He walks over to the bottom of the magically grease-slicked walls. "Throw me a rope sssso that I may climb free!" The creature looks up expectantly.

Kali shrugs, gets out her trusty bloodvine rope, and lowers it down.

The serpent folk awkwardly climbs the rope, trying several times in a futile effort to brace himself against the greased wall before giving up and gracelessly wrapping his legs around the rope and shimmying up.

"I acknowledge your ressscue, children. We mussst find Uzar-Kusss and kill him - I can offer you jewells for thisss service, yesss."

[ooc]I put a map in the profile map link. It's not so much for combat as for getting a sense of internal layout (yes, it's enormous)

"That name sounds familiar, have we met him?" James asks.

The serpentfolk pauses, slightly startled. "It would be obviousss, soft one; two heads, white skin." The serpent-folk contorts it's face into what you guess to be a smile. "You have already killed him, yesss? Good, good. It makess thingss so much simpler. Well, let me live up to my end of the bargain. You have seen the temple... do you wish for the ressst of the tour of my kingdom?"

"Yes we have and yes a tour would be helpful."

James smirks "Simple is good, not common here, but good." He follows the serpent on the tour.

Ziszkaa falls to the back of the group. He notes the serpent talisman carried by the group. "That issss mine, and I would like to have it back, pleassse."

Moving into the next room, the group finds a large chamber with a pit at its center, edged by a narrow walkway. The pit is filled with serpents that fill the chamber with a hissing chorus. Four stone statues of giant serpentfolk holding out long glaives stand in shallow alcoves in each corner of the room. On the wall to the east, a muscle-bound serpent folk hisses in alarm as you enter - there is a lever on the wall besides him.

Ziszkaa hissess "The statuesss will move when the guard pulls the lever, and may knock you in. Beware!" He then falls to the back, passively.

James is up!

serpentfolk: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Damien Tyrith: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
James Shieldworn : 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Torque the Lawbringer: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Kali Altzairu: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
ziszkaa: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

"Hey, aren't tour guides supposed to guide, not follow?" James asks right before the group steps into the snake chamber.

James steps in an around the corner, moving past the first statue on the right. He then looses an arrow at the guard.

Attack, PBS: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 15 + 1 = 33 Damage, if hits: 1d8 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 1 = 11

James shot is true, landing solidly on serpentfolk. It howls out, but holds its ground, hovering it's hand above the lever. In the pit below, thousands of snake squirm in anticipation.

It would appear to be readying for the next volunteer to step through.

Drawing on some of the special training provided by the Grand Lodge for her exceptional service, Kali leaps in a flying kick across the pit at the trap-loving serpentfolk!

Acrobatics to jump across the pit and avoid trap, Grand Lodge Explorer Faction bonus: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26

Punishing Kick: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17 On a hit, make a DC 18 Fortitude save or be knocked prone.
damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
bleed damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Torque will bravely step through and move around the room.

Damien steps into the doorway and hurls a ball of acid down into the pit of snakes.
Acid Ball 7d6 + 7 ⇒ (4, 2, 1, 3, 3, 6, 5) + 7 = 31 (DC:19 REF)

Straining to find her footing as she lands, Kali's jump is nevertheless impressive - although she does not hit the brutish serpentfolk, she certainly surprises him.

Still, as torque steps in the serpentfolk recovers enough to pull the lever. The statues spring forward quickly and swing their stone glaives at the half-orc - luckily for Toque, he manages to grab onto the sculpted hafts and stand his ground.

Meanwhile, the power of Damien's acid ball is such that it completely obliterates the snake swarms.

cmb: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20

James is up again

James looses a volley of arrows.

Attack, PBS, RS: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 13 + 1 = 15 Damage, if hits: 1d8 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 1 = 14
Attack, PBS, RS: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 13 + 1 = 17 Damage, if hits: 1d8 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 1 = 11
Attack, PBS, RS: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 1 = 15 Damage, if hits: 1d8 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 1 = 11

Perhaps the warrior Shieldworn somehow angered Desna, for all of his arrows fly wide in an extreme bout of unluck.

Meanwhile, the degenerate serpentfolk flails clumsily at the nimble Kali - but truly, it is like trying to split water with an axe. Every mace swing or bite finds only air.

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Party up!

Improved Trip: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

Torque double moves.

James looses another set of arrows.

Attack, PBS, RS: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 13 + 1 = 27 Damage, if hits: 1d8 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 1 = 13
Attack, PBS, RS: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 13 + 1 = 22 Damage, if hits: 1d8 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 1 = 10
Attack, PBS, RS: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 1 = 15 Damage, if hits: 1d8 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 1 = 13

Damien unleashes a group of missiles at the flanked creature.
Magic Missile 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 2, 1, 3) + 4 = 11

Kali doesn't quite manage to topple the tremendously strong brute- but this time James luck proves truer, striking the beast twice, while Damien's magic missiles push the creature to the brink of death.

With a dull determination, it continues to assault Kali - with almost sheer dumb luck its mace glances off the nimble warrior's head. 20 points, a crit

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
2d8 + 10 ⇒ (3, 7) + 10 = 20

Party up!

Kali greets the pain as Zon-Kuthon's gentle rebuke for her imperfections, licks some of the blood running down her head, and resolves to beat dumb luck with transcendent skill, summoning her inner strength to beat the brute senseless.

Spending 1 Ki for an additional attack.

Flurry: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Flurry: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
bleed: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Flurry: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Flurry: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

With a cunning flurry of strikes Kali dispatches the serpentfolk. It falls to the ground, lifeless.

Ziszkaa hisses in annoyance. "Too bad, he was such a wonderful simpleton. So easy to manage. This is the price I must pay to regain my home, I suppose. The fish ponds lie beyond."

As Kali finishes off the lizarman with a triumphant haymaker to the jaw, his last breath takes on a ghostly sheen, which Kali immediately inhales, with a look on her face like someone savoring a fine wine in addition to a victorious fight.

1 foe personally felled = 1 Ki regained!

I could use some of Abadar's assistance, Torque.

How far down are you?

21 points - just over/under half.

Wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Torque will heal Kali.

James follows the group as the follow the serpentfolk.

"Yessss, yessss, just a few more roomssss... thisss way" Ziszkaa crows.

In the next room, a pool runs down the middle of this narrow chamber. Two emerald bridges cross the pool. The room appears to be a fish pond - fat, pale fish swim lazily in the shallow pool.

In the room, two serpentfolk seem alerted and ready for the party - they stand surrounded in mirrored images of themselves

No sooner do the first of the group step through the door then Ziszkaa starts screaming.

Kali is up!

Kali Altzairu
Serpentfolk: Red 3 images, Green 2 images.
Ziszkaa
Damien Tyrith
James Shieldworn
Torque the Lawbringer

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

Kali doesn't speak Undercommon, but she gets the gist of treachery when she hears it. Unable to reach the turncoat, however, she rushes forward for now.

unarmed strike vs red: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
which do I hit? '1' is the real one: 1d4 ⇒ 2
damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
bleed: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Indeed, the stink of betrayal is easy to read, no matter what the language or the mouth speaking it.

Kali charges bravely but only causes one of the images to vanish; the serpentfolk hisses in displeasure and lashes out with bite and dagger, missing. The second serpentfolk races around and stabs the monk in the back. 2 pts

Meanwhile, Ziskaa yells something in quick, hissing Undercommon - presumably an order for his underlings to continue the fight - and then flees!

Party is up!
Kali Altzairu
Serpentfolk: Red 2 images, Green 2 images.
Ziszkaa
Damien Tyrith
James Shieldworn
Torque the Lawbringer

James looses a volley of arrows at the serpentfolk closest to him. Green

Attack, PBS, RS: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 13 + 1 = 23 Damage, if hits: 1d8 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 1 = 11
Attack, PBS, RS: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 13 + 1 = 19 Damage, if hits: 1d8 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 1 = 10
Attack, PBS, RS: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 1 = 29 Damage, if hits: 1d8 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 1 = 13
Attack, PBS, RS, Confirm: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 8 + 1 = 24 Damage, if hits: 1d8 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 1 = 16Damage, if hits: 1d8 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 1 = 15

1d3 ⇒ 3
1d2 ⇒ 2

Although James first two arrows only chase away images, the third arrow takes flight with preternatural accuracy, striking the creature in the eye. The serpentfolk howls and grasps at his ruined eye before falling over, dead.

Nice one-shot!
Damien, Torque, Kali are up!
Serpentfolk: Red 2 images

Damien casts a spell increasing the speed of his allies.
Haste on the 3 of us in the entryway (Sorry Kali).

Torque will cast Prayer!

Much as she wants to strangle Ziskaa until her head pops off, Kali focuses on the challenge in front of her.

Spending 1 Ki for an extra attack.

Ki Flurry, prayer: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Which do I hit? '2' is the real one: 1d3 ⇒ 2
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
bleed: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Ki Flurry, prayer: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Which do I hit? '2' is the real one: 1d3 ⇒ 3
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
bleed: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Ki Flurry, prayer: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Which do I hit? '2' is the real one: 1d3 ⇒ 1
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
bleed: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Ki Flurry, prayer: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Which do I hit? '2' is the real one: 1d3 ⇒ 2
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
bleed: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Kali launches into a flurry of strikes, only one seems to land solidly and satifyingly against the serpentfolk. She does chase away the last of the magic images surrounding the serpentoflk

Prayer, Haste for everyone but Kali
The party is up!
Serpentfolk: 10 damage

ongoing bleed: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Flurry, prayer: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Flurry, prayer: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Flurry, prayer: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10