GM Doug's Troubles in Otari

[Dethor Ironfist]

”Um, you know they are not going to stay in hiding,,, and why are you rushing ahead, Lucius? Let’s either deal with the centipedes, or come back later. ”
how big is “giant”

[GM Doug H]

The centipedes are medium size.

[Biltri Gimhargruest]

"Brought a tent. But maybe clean out the building first so we can sleep with a door between us and whatever else is nesting around here," Biltri concedes.

[Lucius Caligari]

Lucius looks into the spiderweb infested foyer and sighs.

"I'm beginning to understand why Tamily gave this place up."

He comes down from the balcony and rejoins the rest of the party.

"That's my feeling as well Biltri, but clearing the building may take a bit of work."

"I grew up in the Devil’s Nursery. I'm quite comfortable cohabitating with dangerous creatures. To a certain extent. But if you're not, or if you think we might need these nets, well then..." He gestures towards the nets as if to say do carry on.

Lolz, sorry, I was thinking that if we didn't disturb the centipedes, they wouldn't disturb us. But if we want to fight them now or clear them out, that's fine with me too.

[Biltri Gimhargruest]

"Establish a stronghold first, then make forays to clear the rest," Biltri says as he marches up the steps onto the deck to check one of the outbuildings (D).

[GM Doug H]

Spoiler:

Biltri's Perception (E): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

As Biltri converses with Lucius he discovers the trap both he and the investigator failed to find. The flooring below the barbarian's feet suddenly collapses, dropping him into a 6-foot deep pit covered with glass-sharp stones!

Reflex to grab an edge: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
B,P: 1d6 + 1d4 ⇒ (1) + (2) = 3

Luckily, his breastplate prevents the worst of it!

collapsed porch shown on map.

[Bauxite Dolgrin]

"Biltri!" Baux cries out as he sees the dwarf disappear through the porch flooring.

He gives the nets a wide berth, then goes to look under the porch -- see if Biltri can get out that way or if he has to climb out.

[GM Doug H]

The house is on stilts, so the Biltr can just crawl out from the "pit" along the ground, or climb up onto the ledge and back top.

[Biltri Gimhargruest]

This is a engineering failure or a constructed trap?

Biltri roars in surprise, frustration, and then pain as he falls through the floor and onto the unreasonably sharp beach rocks. "Why!?"

He crawls out of the rubble on the other side of the pit, muttering, and resumes his original mission. "Clearly not dwarf craftsmanship. Bloody wood rot."

Athletics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

[GM Doug H]

Biltri suspects the trap is natural from perpetual exposure to the elements. Wood rot, indeed. Dethor can use his rogue skills to confirm this.

Before Biltri climbs out, he discovers a shiny dagger. Odd… normally a weapon left down here would be rusted. He picks it up.

Spoiler:

Lucius Caligari's Occultism (T): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Nandipha's Nature (T): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Baux's Religion (T): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Biltri's Religion (T): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

While you take a few minutes to heal Biltri, Lucius and Nandipha determine that this is a magical dagger — it's a +1 dagger!

[Bauxite Dolgrin]

"Let's see if I can patch up those scrapes..."
Medicine: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Healing: 2d8 ⇒ (8, 8) = 16

"That should do it!"

[Lucius Caligari]

On hearing the crash, and seeing Biltri disappear, Lucius call out.

"Careful, the balcony is old and possibly, well, rotted..."

He grins awkwardly.

"Isn't this wonderful, elves and dwarves working together?"

[Bauxite Dolgrin]

"Works betta when warnin' given before someone hurts themselves." Baux points out as he treats Biltri's minor wounds.

[GM Doug H]

I should have given some more insight to Lucius in light of "That's Odd!" but failed. Anyway, you all ready to move on to the outbuildings where Biltri wanted to go?

[Dethor Ironfist]

Dethor goes over to inspect the wreckage, to determine if it was planned or just rot.

"Summun should take dat dagger. Make yer claim fer it, if'n you plan t' use it. If'n no one wants it, I'll make some use 'f it."

[GM Doug H]

Let's move you on to the room Biltri chose.

You move around the trap and to the outbuilding.

This square room holds shelves of boxes and stacks of crates. Nets, gaff hooks, rods, and other fishing gear hang from the walls. The filthy wooden floor is strewn with ragged scraps of sackcloth and gnawed bits of wood.

Lucius:

There’s something odd about the North wall.

DC 16 Perception to Seek, as an Action:

Spoiler:

There’s a rat hole in the middle of the wall, along the floor! It’s large enough for a small-sized creature. Which would be a “giant” rodent indeed. You could block it off by moving adjacent and using an Action to put something over it to block it. Or, you could point it out with an Action and someone else could do so.

GM screen:

Baux’s Perception (T): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Biltri’s Perception (E): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Dethor’s Perception (T): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Lucius Caligari’s Perception (E): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
Nandipha’s Perception (T): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Biltri and Lucius notice a hairless tail sticking out behind an old crate on the far side of the room. The tail looks like it belongs to a small-sized rodent. It looks liek the same kind of tail you saw on the Giant Rats under Tamli’s fishery way back in the day.

Let me know if you enter the room, or have some other plan.

[Dethor Ironfist]

GM did Dethor notice anything about the hazard? (I assumed these were secret rolls)

[Biltri Gimhargruest]

"Angradd must have sent me to this fishery. Every building holds a threat!" He uncoils the chains around his shoulder and gives the iron fist some slack. "Ready to hunt rat?"

[Lucius Caligari]

Lucius peers into the room, particularly interested in the northern wall.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

"Ah ha! There is a large rat hole! Down by the floor. See, right there? Perhaps someone wouldn't mind going in and blocking it off?"

He points to an old crate on the far side of the room.

"Although we may be too late. I see a rat tail sticking out over there. Maybe we could chase it into the wall, and then block it off?"

[Nandipha]

"I wouldn't be minding a magic dagger. There be no magic weapons in my cache, but if someone else be having more need, let them use it."

How does Wild Empathy work here? Is it a secret check? Because maybe I could talk that rat into relocating elsewhere. BTW, it's a busy day at the library... feel free to bot me as needed.

[GM Doug H]

You can roll diplomacy against the rats' Will DCs!

You know if you enter the room, you will be threatening the rats. But as long as you don't go in, we can avoid rolling initiative.

[GM Doug H]

As discussed in the OOC let's make sure the group solves this problem together before moving on. Sounds like Dethor is willing to let Nandipha claim the +1 dagger.

[Nandipha]

"Let me try." Nandipha calls to the rat. "Rat friend, we prefer not to kill you. Can you come out and maybe find another place to live?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Facepalm! I am the worst druid ever!

[GM Doug H]

The rat turns and chitters angrily at Nandipha. She can feel it saying All the yummy food is OURS! We won't share!

You draw your weapons as more rats crawl out from among the crates…

Well, that's one way to "resolve" the scene! Pause here please. Let's take a breather; I will put up a new map a bit later tonight.

[Biltri Gimhargruest]

"You certain you can talk to animals?" Biltri mutters and arches an eyebrow.

[Dethor Ironfist]

"Ok, time to prep for rat-burgers. Not as tasty as the boar will be, but can be made into sumfin palatable." says Dethor. "I knows your heart twarnt in it, Nand'"

[Bauxite Dolgrin]

"Think the rat meat might work betta as bait, fer the bugs or the fish."

You can tell Baux is not enticed by the thought of eating the rats.

[Biltri Gimhargruest]

"Or the next giant thing we walk into!"

[Bauxite Dolgrin]

Baux quickly nods his agreement with Biltri.

[GM Doug H]

Spoiler:

Baux, Scout: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Biltri, Search: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Dethor, Avoid Notice: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Lucius Caligari, Investigate: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
Nandipha, Survival: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

1-3: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
3-6: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Rat Meat!

Map on slide 1. Rat hole in wall marked as half-circle along N wall. All crates can be climbed, but they are difficult terrain or High Jump (no check) to get atop of.

Nandipha
Lucius Caligari
Dethor
Biltri
Baux
--
Rat 1
Rat 2
Rat 3

[Dethor Ironfist]

Dethor rushes in, drawing his sword, and stabs the flat footed rat #3.
’cause rogue

Shortsword vs #3: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12 Magic piercing + precision: 1d6 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 4 + (3) = 10

[Biltri Gimhargruest]

"Ha ha! You want a piece of us? We're rat-slayers!"

Biltri stomps into the room as the chains in his hands begin to turn red with heat in his hands. His eyes shift from dark brown to a light orange as he swings the meteor hammer over his head. The links quickly heat one by one toward the iron fist until it too glows with head and then bursts into flame.

He throws the flaming fist toward one of the rats.

Stride, Rage, Strike
-1 AC
+5 temporary HP

+1 Meteor Hammer: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Magic, Fire, Rage: 1d8 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 4 = 9

That damage is barely worth re-rolling the attack... and I guess it doesn't matter which rat.

[Nandipha]

Nandipha strides in.

Ganzi Tail (Brawling, Sweep): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Bludgeoning damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

"Carrots, attack!"

[Carrot-o-saurus]

Carrots runs in too! "SNIRRRRP!"

Carrots' Athletics to jump on a crate: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Carrots’ Jaws (finesse): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Piercing: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

[Lucius Caligari]

"I think we could... Why don't we... Alright then, let's all go in." Lucius follows the rest of the party into the room.

He strides adjacent to the hole in the wall and places a rusty tackle box in front of it.

"That should block their way."

[Biltri Gimhargruest]

"No fun. How are more going to get in?" he asks as he snaps the flaming meteor hammer back and swings it overhead.

[GM Doug H]

Dethor and Biltri, perhaps over-confident, somehow miss the rats. Even flat-footed.

Nandipha splats a rat with her tail, while Carrots takes a bit out of rat #1. Since Nandipha one-shot the rat I moved Carrots to the next target.

Just as he drops it in place, Lucius hears rat-claws scrabbling against the old tackle box! It looks like the investigator has prevented more rats from swarming in.

Divide and Conquer!

Rat hole marked as half-circle along N wall. All crates can be climbed, but they are difficult terrain or High Jump (no check) to get atop of.

Nandipha
Lucius Caligari
Dethor
Biltri
Baux
--
Rat 1, -6 HP
Rat 3

[Bauxite Dolgrin]

Baux steps to the door, looks in, then says "Crowded enough. Let me know if'n ye need anythin' from me."

He stands there with shield raised and hammer ready.

Untrained Nature: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

[GM Doug H]

Baux knows that a rat's bite can cause Filth fever! If this disease is not cured after its incubation period of one to four hours, it can make its victim sick. It then progresses to slow the victim down, unconsciousness, and finally death.

❧ ❧ ❧

Rat 1 lashes out at Carrots!

Jaws, Strike 1: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Jaws, Strike 2, finesse: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 7 - 4 = 19
Piercing: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Jaws, Strike 2, finesse: 1d20 + 7 - 8 ⇒ (1) + 7 - 8 = 0

Rat 3 bites at Dethor!

Jaws, Strike 1: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Piercing: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Jaws, Strike 2, finesse: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 7 - 4 = 8
Jaws, Strike 2, finesse: 1d20 + 7 - 8 ⇒ (3) + 7 - 8 = 2

Both rodents connect once with their filthy incisors, drawing a little blood but possibly spreading disease. Dethor and Carrots, please make a DC 14 Fort save each.

❧ ❧ ❧

Divide and Conquer!

Nandipha
- Carrots, -4 HP; DC 14 fort save needed
Lucius Caligari
Dethor, -6 HP, DC 14 fort save needed
Biltri
Baux, shield raised
--
Rat 1, -6 HP
Rat 3

[Bauxite Dolgrin]

"Filthy creatures. Remind me ta check that none of ya catch the shivers from 'em. Can turn deadly if left untreated."

He keeps his shield and hammer ready.

Raise shield, ready to attack if anything comes in reach, comment on why sailors don't like rats. :)

Readied attack:

Warhammer: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20Bludgeoning: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

[Carrot-o-saurus]

Carrots' Fort Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21 "SNIRRRP!'

Let me get them, Mom!

Posted in anticipation of Nandipha's order to attack.

Carrots’ Jaws (finesse): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Piercing: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Carrots’ Talon (agile, finesse) attack 2: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 7 - 4 = 18
Slashing: 1d6 ⇒ 3

[Nandipha]

"Carrots, attack!" Then Nandipha claps. "Good boy!'

Not sure if the crate can hold her weight, Nandipha casts Electric Arc on the rat furthest from Carrots.

Electric Arc (DC 18 Reflex): 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

[Biltri Gimhargruest]

"Ah! Good dragon! Open that rat hole and let more in to fight!" Biltri swings the glowing iron over his head.

[GM Doug H]

reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Both rats drop; the first falls to the jaws and the second to the arc!

You can hear more scrabbling against the other side of the wall…

❧ ❧ ❧

Divide and Conquer!

Nandipha
- Carrots, -4 HP
Lucius Caligari
Dethor, -6 HP, DC 14 fort save needed
Biltri
Baux, readied Strike
--
Rats 3-??, in delay

[Biltri Gimhargruest]

"I'm ready for them!" Biltri says as he turns towards the covered hole. "We've got to kill them some time."

Ready (Strike)

Ready (Strike), Trigger: 1st Creature through the Hole:

+1 meteor hammer: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
Magic, Fire, Rage: 1d8 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 4 = 11
Not that I can hit the broadside of a barn.

[Lucius Caligari]

On the count of three, Lucius pushes the tackle box aside, and then flees the room before any rats scurry out.

"Don't give me the shivers!"

He draws his cane sword and watches through the doorway.

I don't think he can devise a stratagem until he sees them.

[GM Doug H]

While everyone readies a strike, Dethor has the opportunity to prepare for the coming onslaught… and to make a fort save!

❧ ❧ ❧

Here come the neighbors!

Nandipha
- Carrots, -4 HP
Lucius Caligari
Dethor, -6 HP, DC 14 fort save needed
Biltri, readied Strike
Baux
--

Rats 4-? in delay

[Bauxite Dolgrin]

Baux also has a readied strike and shield raised.

“Are we gonna need ta get a cat once these are taken care of? Ta keep the rats away?”

[Dethor Ironfist]

fort save DC14: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24 Whew!

Dethor raises his pretty lion shield, and readies to attack anything that comes to eat him!

readied attack:

magic short sword: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13 stabby: 1d6 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 4 + (6) = 12 The 2nd 1d6 may not apply, if not flatfooted

[GM Doug H]

Everyone readies to attack, but first Nandipha peers into the hole in the wall. Three sets of eyes glimmer in the darkness…

Let's have that Wild Empathy check!