GM Lithrac's Shattered Star

[Zeltyieli Alikathesu]

Zeltyieli nods, "I agree. Door first, and then up.... Though we should look through those pipes at some point, just to be sure there's nothing worse than goblins about. Maybe I can try to wash them out for us? Or we can lay more planks?"

[GM Lithrac]

The description doesn't ring a bell for Vandilo. But whatever they are, they didn't follow the thrush to where you are.

Who opens the door? It doesn't appear to be locked.

[Telka Beast-Talker]

Telka opens it

[GM Lithrac]

This room is floorless, with only an exposed septic pit where the floor should be. A dry sewer pipe extends from the wall of this pit. The west wall is dominated by a massive brick fireplace that still remains anchored in place, overlooking the sewage. A ladder extends from the sewage to the fire-blackened hearth above. As in other rooms, the ceiling here has collapsed to reveal the attic space. A gray, lipless goblin head with serpent's fangs sits atop the sinuous black body of this greasy-scaled snake. The creature is swinging its head in a mesmerizing pattern, gazing at you.

Initiative:

Initiative (Morrigan): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Initiative (Ramenhotep): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Initiative (Telka): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
Initiative (Vandilo): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Initiative (Zeltyieli): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Initiative (C): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Initiative - round 1
>>>Morrigan
>>>Zeltyieli
C
Ramenhotep
Vandilo
Telka (1 damage, ill)
Morrigan and Zeltyieli can act!

[Zeltyieli Alikathesu]

Lithrac, can 'Tyieli see the thing clearly (ie - has a line to fire with his shortbow) -- or is the doorframe in the way?

[Morrigan Nulveig]

Morrigan sends Chitter scrambling up the wall and through the door into the room with the others. Chitter runs up above the door and stays there, his legs on either side of the door ready to drop down and bite anything coming through.

Morrigan will try to slip into the room through the door and then step to the right, putting her on the wall directly opposite her current position.

[GM Lithrac]

You currently have line of sight, Zel.

[Zeltyieli Alikathesu]

Ok, great, thanks.

[Zeltyieli Alikathesu]

Zeltyieli looks at the strange snake-goblin thing and shudders, I don't know what that is, but it can't be good.... He raises his bow and fires off a snap shot... relying more on luck than aim.

Shortbow: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21 for 1d6 ⇒ 1

[GM Lithrac]

Morrigan catches up with the party, her spider friend climbing above the door, ready to ambush any prey that might come below. Zeltyieli's arrow pierces the strange snake's soft scaly skin.

The weird creature slithers and moves towards the Varisian priest, then raises its head and releases a disgusting belch!
Zel and Telka must succeed on a Fortitude save DC 13 or be sickened for 1d6 ⇒ 3 rounds.
???: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Initiative - round 1 / 2
>>>Morrigan
>>>Zeltyieli
C (1 damage)
>>>Ramenhotep
>>>Vandilo
>>>Telka (1 damage, ill)
Everyone can act!

[Zeltyieli Alikathesu]

Zeltyieli winces as the foul vapours roll over him, and he begins coughing and fighting an urge to vomit.

Fort: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 The opposite of a good save, that.

[Vandilo Kalmeralm]

Vndilo waits for someone else to enter the room, and follows immediately after hoping the creature will be distracted.

I'll move and determine action once someone else enters, since their action and position will determine ho viable a shot it, etc.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

[Telka Beast-Talker]

Spoiler:

Fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Telka staggers back from the door, practically overwhelmed by yet another assault to her senses.

"No more... these insults will end now! Warriors, strike for glory!"

bardic performance wrote:

Round 2/10
+1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects
+1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.

[Ramenhotep the Risen]

So can we actually enter that room? I'm guessing since the snake attacked from the door that it's not down in a pit or something so we can just walk in.

"Let me through, let me through!" Ramenhotep pushes his way past his new companions, stepping on a few hems and toes in the process, and gets into the room next to the snake so that he can bring his quarterstaff down on it. Movement will provoke.

quarterstaff two-handed: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 2 + 1 = 14
damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 = 9

[Morrigan Nulveig]

Morrigan waits patiently as the Osiriani has left no room to engage. Chitter slips through the doorway into the room, staying above the door.

[Vandilo Kalmeralm]

Vandil rushes into the room and fires a bolt from the rooms southwest corner, which pings of the wall ineffectually.

Crossbow: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 2 - 4 = 6

[GM Lithrac]

As Ramenhotep moves in, the snake attempts to bite him. It barely manages to pierce the priest's armor, but delves into his flesh. 4 damage
Bite: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 151d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Then the Garundi smashes the goblin's head with a strength rare to find for such an advanced age. The snake reels, its skull bleeding abundantly.

Vandilo's crossbow misses its mark completely, despite the encouraging words from Telka.

Initiative - round 2
Morrigan
>>>Zeltyieli (sickened 3 rounds)
C (10 damage)
Ramenhotep (4 damage)
Vandilo
Telka (1 damage, ill, sickened 3 rounds)
Zel can act, and Chitter can attack from above if she'd like.

[Zeltyieli Alikathesu]

Despite the churning in his stomach, Zeltyieli spins on his foot, whipping the scarf from his neck and dropping his bow. He then lashes out with the thing, hoping to catch the snake by surprise.

Bladed Scarf: 1d20 + 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 + 1 - 2 = 15 -2 sickened, +1 inspire courage

for 1d6 + 1 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 - 2 + 1 = 4

[GM Lithrac]

With a swift manoeuver with his bladed scarf, Zel slits the strange snake's head before it can flee!

End combat.

[Telka Beast-Talker]

"May I live 70 years and never come to this 'Underbridge' again" She spits out the muck that has violated her nose and mouth.

[Zeltyieli Alikathesu]

Zeltyieli retrieves his bow, staggering as he stands and the contents of his stomach threaten to keep moving upward. He takes a deep breath and then replaces the weapons to their proper places.

His discomfort leeches some of the pleasant tone from his voice, but not the curiosity as he asks, "Does anyone know what that thing was? Some sort of naga?"

[GM Lithrac]

Sorry, forgot to mention that a Knowledge (Dungeoneering) would yield some information about that short-lived creature. By the way, the sickened condition wears off.

[Vandilo Kalmeralm]

Vandilo peers at the creature, "It seems to be a..."

Please relay any information Vandilo's check gets to the group if that is okay GM Lithrac. Feel free to approximate a lecturing tone :)

Knowledge Dungeoneering: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

[Zeltyieli Alikathesu]

Zeltyieli takes another breath and smiles as his stomach settles, "Whatever it was, it had some pretty horrible breath."

[GM Lithrac]

This was a goblin snake, an aberration made of a snake and... yup, you guessed it, a goblin.

[Vandilo Kalmeralm]

"...goblin snake, an aberration comprised of the two species - I shall have to look them up."

Again he sends Adevar to scout up the ladder, the tiny bird hiding and peering around the wall to see into the area.

Take 20 stealth for 24, etc.

[GM Lithrac]

You can take 10 on stealth, but not 20.

PRD wrote:

Taking 20: When you have plenty of time, you are faced with no threats or distractions, and the skill being attempted carries no penalties for failure, you can take 20. In other words, if you roll a d20 enough times, eventually you will get a 20. Instead of rolling 1d20 for the skill check, just calculate your result as if you had rolled a 20.

Taking 20 means you are trying until you get it right, and it assumes that you fail many times before succeeding. Taking 20 takes 20 times as long as making a single check would take (usually 2 minutes for a skill that takes 1 round or less to perform).

Since taking 20 assumes that your character will fail many times before succeeding, your character would automatically incur any penalties for failure before he or she could complete the task (hence why it is generally not allowed with skills that carry such penalties). Common “take 20” skills include Disable Device (when used to open locks), Escape Artist, and Perception (when attempting to find traps).

If you fail a check you get spotted, so you can't retry as often as you can. Besides, you probably means Take 10. By the way, can you post the full stats for your familiar in your profile? Including AC, saves, Hp, skills. Thanks!

GM rolls:

1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25
1d20 - 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 = 18
1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13

[Ramenhotep the Risen]

Knowledge (dungeoneering): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

"Indeed! A goblin snake! Foul creatures, they are! Mesmerizing dancers, though. . . . "

[Vandilo Kalmeralm]

Sorry meant taking 10 for 24 - his stealth is +14 due mostly to being tiny. And yes I'll post his profile right now, forgot its a seperate thing from herolab.

Adevar Stats:

Adevar
Female Thrush
CG Diminutive magical beast (animal)
Init +2; Senses low-light vision; Perception +5
--------------------
Defense
--------------------
AC 17, touch 16, flat-footed 15 (+2 Dex, +4 size, +1 natural)
hp 4 (1d8-2)
Fort +0, Ref +4, Will +4
--------------------
Offense
--------------------
Speed 10 ft., fly 40 ft. (average)
Melee bite -1 (1d2-5)
Space 1 ft.; Reach 0 ft.
--------------------
Statistics
--------------------
Str 1, Dex 15, Con 6, Int 6, Wis 15, Cha 6
Base Atk +0; CMB -2; CMD 3
Feats Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Diplomacy -1, Fly +12, Knowledge (arcana) -1, Knowledge (dungeoneering) -1, Knowledge (history) -1, Knowledge (planes) -1, Knowledge (religion) -1, Linguistics -1, Perception +5, Spellcraft -1
Languages Varisian
SQ improved evasion
--------------------
Special Abilities
--------------------
Flight (40 feet, Average) You can fly!
Improved Evasion (Ex) No damage on successful reflex save; half on failed save.
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in low light, distinguishing color and detail.

[Morrigan Nulveig]

Morrigan wanders into the goblinsnake's room, looking at odd creature curiously. Chitter joins her and the two spend the next few minutes lost in thought. Well, Morrigan is. Chitter is mindless.

[GM Lithrac]

GM rolls:

Adevar's Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 161d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Did you put a rank in Perception, Vandilo? With a +4 on your sheet I imagine you have (+2 from Alertness when familiar is close, +1 from rank, +1 from unknown source?). If so, remember that you skill ranks apply to your familiar, and since it's a class skill for the thrush, its perception mod should be +9, not +5 (the latter being the correct mod if you have no rank in that skill yourself). It doesn't change anything here, but might in the future.

You distinctively hear the sound of a crossbow being fired, and once again Adevar quickly returns to where you are in a panicked state. I suspect this bird will perish from a heart attack someday!

"Cineva a tras în mine de acoperire umbră ". Au fost două spiriduși, precum, dar ei nu m-au văzut. Te rog, nu mă face să merg din nou, maestru!"

Varisian:

"Someone fired at me from the shadows' cover. There were two goblins as well, but they didn't see me. Please don't make me go again, master!"

[Vandilo Kalmeralm]

Its inspiration gives me +2 to any skill I do not have ranks in and the ability to use them as if trained. My perception would have actually gone down had I put a rank in the skill, I will probably start putting ranks in at some point. And Adevar is super brave!

"Good job Adevar, more goblins, at least two with crossbows. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to get at them without becoming pin cushions?" Vandilo whispers.

[Zeltyieli Alikathesu]

Zeltyieli suggests, "We could just take down all the ladders... and then negotiate their return. I imagine there's not a lot of food and water up there."

[Telka Beast-Talker]

Telka grunts in amusement. She moves to the southern room, grabs the dead goblin and pulls out some rope, a cloak and her club. She then performs a grisly job of lashing the body to her club, wrapping it in a cloak to give it some added volume and tying the club into

She uses the goblin as a marionette, moving it in a macabre fashion.

"Oh, look at me, I'd like to volunteer."

disguise: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

[Morrigan Nulveig]

Telka Beast-Talker wrote:

She uses the goblin as a marionette, moving it in a macabre fashion.

Morrigan loves the marionette, laughing so hard she almost falls into the goop. Dedicated to the idea, she comes over to help.

"Let's try again and put a little more magic in it!

Disguise Assist: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Despite, not being much help, she definitely supports you in another effort.

[Telka Beast-Talker]

Nadya sticks her grisly "puppet" through the hatch when everyone is ready (assuming nobody has a better idea), using ghost sounds to attempt to create human-like utterances from her false target.

Ghost sound DC 13 will

[GM Lithrac]

As Telka tries to climb the first few steps of the ladder leading to the first floor, it breaks suddenly, giving in under the weight of the half-orc. Fortunately, she wasn't very high and easily lands on her feet. Sadly, she'll have to find another way of climbing and showing her puppet to the ones above, provded they haven't seen it so far.

[Telka Beast-Talker]

Telka curses colorfully in orcish, and then tries the ladder in the previous room, after checking it for integrity.

perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

[GM Lithrac]

It seems the two other ladders are also worn to the point they will break if anyone tries to climb on them.

[Telka Beast-Talker]

"Hmph; well, we can crawl through the sewage pipes... why not? This day has already become a tale of filth and shame. Or I have rope, I could try and climb."

[Vandilo Kalmeralm]

"I suppose we can have Zeltyieli flush them out with create water as he suggested earlier. There seems little point in rousting them out up there, can anyone think of a compelling reason to do so?"

[Ramenhotep the Risen]

"Bah! My robes are already dirty; what's a little more? Let me through! Follow along if you're not too craven!" The cranky Osiriani man chuckles to himself as he hikes his robes up and prepares to dive into the sewer pipes.

[Morrigan Nulveig]

Morrigan will follow.

[GM Lithrac]

Which pipes are you talking about? There are two in the first room (East) and one in the Northern room.

[Vandilo Kalmeralm]

First room.

[Telka Beast-Talker]

Telka shrugs and tosses the body aside. She straps her axe to her back and pulls a dagger. She notices Ramenhotep's wounds.

"May your blood sing in these brave deeds."

Cure Light: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

[GM Lithrac]

I'll need an Acrobatics check DC 10 from Morrigan to jump on the pipe before venturing in it. Taking 10 is enough for Ramen, so no need for a roll.

The elderly garundi crawls through the muck of the pipe, getting much dirtier than he was before. He soon reaches a cavern of sorts. A pair of sewer pipes open into a cramped and filthy lair. The air is foul and the floor is worse—a slowly flowing shallow morass of sludge. A large sewer pipe exits, going deeper into Magnimar’s sewer system to the east.

Ramenhotep: Perception check to examine this place, please.

[Morrigan Nulveig]

Morrigan attempts to hop up onto the pipe.

Acrobatics: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (12) - 2 = 10

Clambering noisily, she climbs up, ready to proceed, Chitter at her back.

[Ramenhotep the Risen]

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

"Yep, there sure is a lot of s%!% in here."

[GM Lithrac]

Nothing special can be found there.

Morrigan: What do you mean 'climb'? The pipes go through the wall, they don't go to the first floor.