And Then a Skeleton Popped Out: subSPUF Carrion Crown

Game Master Rynjin

Darius huffs, " Don't speak in a way that gets her angry at all until you can handle her. You can Thank me in a common language. "

He then turns to Jones, " I heard, lets get prepared shall we? "

"Sure."

Sledge will take point and move towards the alarm.

Z's expression remains sour, but the flames in her arm start to die down.

"The alarm seems a bit late, don't you think? Haven't we killed the Guardian of this place already?"

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"How am I supposed to know which buttons lead to anger, if I don't try pressing them all?"

The impish grin returns, and he nods to the alarm in agreement with the others.

Amanorn will stick to the rear of the group and get his bow ready as he follows.

"Amanorn, I have high tolerance for b%#@*%$#, but I will eat your bow and your spellbook if you bother the crazy lady."

Any buffs?

"Amanorn, I have high tolerance for b#+@~*~#, but I will eat your bow and your spellbook if you bother the crazy lady."

Amanorn stare blankly with suprise at the threat. A moment passes.

"I like this guy! Jones, your friends are a hoot, and I wish to purchase them large quantities of medium quality alcohol."

Casts Resist Energy - Fire on himself, because he's not stupid, just foolish.

"Anyway, crazy is all a matter of perspective. I think it's just a striking personality, frankly. I can't wait to see the young lady in action.. .and this time I'm actually talking about magic."

Edit - Oops, didn't prepare that one. No buffs, never mind!

Z puts her arms to her hips, "I'm standing RIGHT HERE!"

"I swear if any of you had the wits to match your lack of tact, we'd already have caught the damn Whispering Way."

"Lets get going before I remind everyone here how I'm the only one immune to fire."

Z pulls a rod out from her belt and moves behind Sledge and Darius.

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"And I'm NOT crazy... I'm particular."

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Darius legitimately chuckles, patting her back, " Yes.. You are particularly crazy. "

Heroism, See Invis and Bloodhound is still up but he casts shield of faith I suppose

There are two passages before you, one forward, and one to to the left. The alarm sound seems to be omni-directional.

Jones drinks his last Shield extract as he positions himself directly behind Sledge.

"I can already tell we're all going to get along beautifully."

Z puts her arms to her hips, "I'm standing RIGHT HERE!"

"I know. I'm quite aware. If you wish, I can make my stares of adoration all the more blatant. No, you're right, subtlety is not the correct approach to the situation. When we get back to town, I'll see about hiring a painter, to truly capture the moment."

He looks down both paths. He flips a copper.

1isLeft: 1d2 ⇒ 2 "Forward?"

Jones rubs his temples.

I've made a terrible mistake.

"Sure."

" Heh, we have to clear the entire place regardless come hell or igh water.. much to Zin's comfort. And Zin you know better to comment on my wits, I'm sure they are comparable to many great hunters, take the lack of tact as a sign of endearment. There is not reason to act false around those you are .. 'comfortable' around. Just keep the more destructive portions for 3when they are needed. I know you are capable. "

He looks to Amanorn, " I can only guess you favor Calistria... Or Sheylyn. Try to be less distracting. Or I suppose, when the enemy comes.. more distracting that might make them easier to kill. "

So forward

As you descend further into the chamber, the oppressive sense pressing on your minds feels even stronger.

Halfway down the tunnel you are greeted by what are presumably the ones answering the alarm: Six hunched, green-skinned frog-like humanoid shaped creatures, baring toothy mouths and brandishing tridents at you.

They murmur to each other quietly as they face you, and ready themselves to attack.

Anyone speak Aboleth? Kn. Nature to identify.

1d4 ⇒ 1

5d20 ⇒ (13, 18, 15, 7, 3) = 56

6d20 ⇒ (5, 10, 19, 8, 14, 12) = 68

Darius is up!

Know Nature: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (14) + 19 = 33

These are Skum, amphibious creatures bred by the Aboleths to be a slave race. Of those races, the Skum are now the most successful, though largely live in the shadows now, lacking the immense power that even baseline Aboleths have.

Skum are truly immortal; They do not age at all, and can only die by violence or disease. They also cannot breed among themselves, as all Skum are male (the Aboleth's assurance that the race would not prosper without them). Still, they can mate with humans, and the union produces deformed human children that eventually shed the skins of their previous form and become true Skum.

Other than their resistance to Cold, powerful bite and claws, and amphibious nature, these creatures have no universal special abilities.

Kn. Nature: 1d20 + 20 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 20 + (6) + 2 = 39

Jones knows this too.

Darius cringes at the plethora of knowledge he remembers from one of his Elder family members and how accomplished they were at hunting such beasts. He relays the important parts.

" Filthy Skum, aboleth-created spawn. They still burn easy and die by the blade. The daughters were given to these creatures. Their fate are children of the same. Despicable. "

How close are they?

Can I tell them before initiative that I have tongues prepared? Is it possible to tongues Jones up (ew) and let him go full diplomancer?

(1) They're fanatic and (2) they're monsters.

There is a 100% chance Darius is going to kill them dead

Yeah, no time for Diplomacy here. They start off as Hostile, ready to kill. Darius, they're 20 feet away. Arranged 2 by 2, 3 ranks deep.

Fair enough on fanatic, but monsters can be reasoned with. Why else would Rynjin ask us if we spoke their language?

On my action, move action to activate bullseye shot, swift to activate arcane strike, standard to cast burning hands and free action to attach it to and fire my arrow with Deadly Aim (as part of the action per imbue arrow)...try to hit a target where I can then burst the cone out from it and hit the maximum possible, since I can't see the map.

"Let me show you my trick I was talking about."

Attack: 1d20 + 17 + 4 - 3 ⇒ (17) + 17 + 4 - 3 = 35
BowDamage: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20

Burning Hands: 5d4 ⇒ (4, 1, 2, 3, 1) = 11
DC 17, (-2 to saves for the one hit by the bow because of Riving Strike)

Fair enough on fanatic, but monsters can be reasoned with. Why else would Rynjin ask us if we spoke their language?

To see if you know what they're planning and plotting and talking about to each other. =)

Some monsters can be reasoned with, but for these guys, keeping their true nature a secret could mean the slow death of their clan. Or fast death, depending on how much attention is brought on them. They can't let you leave alive.

Darius steps up reacting quickly before they have a chance to strike and lances Grimoire out from the ground up only to shred and rend along the ceiling on its way back down like a metal thorn of blades.

SKUM BANE Powerful Whipping: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35
SKUM BANE Powerful Whipping: 1d3 + 13 + 4d6 ⇒ (1) + 13 + (4, 3, 4, 2) = 27

Secondary SKUM BANE Powerful Whipping: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25
Secondary SKUM BANE Powerful Whipping: 1d3 + 13 + 4d6 ⇒ (2) + 13 + (4, 1, 6, 6) = 32

5ft, Bane, Whip Whip

One of the Skum in the first rank screams in agony as he drops to the floor on the second strike.

One of the ones near the back screams in rage and burbles something in Aboleth and moves in to attack Darius, jabbing its trident at his face.

Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25

But completely fails to connect.

Amanorn looses an arrow at the four ones left in the back, nailing the front right in the chest.

4d20 ⇒ (4, 16, 13, 13) = 46

They all hiss as the flames wash over them, not least the original target, but none fall.

Jones!

As the Skum moves forward he catches the blade of Grimoire to his face.

SKUM BANE Powerful Whipping AoO: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (13) + 16 = 29
SKUM BANE Powerful Whipping AoO Damage: 1d3 + 13 + 4d6 ⇒ (3) + 13 + (1, 4, 1, 6) = 28

I love the new reach already

Darius brings the pain.

Jones studies and stabs the Skum attacking Darius.

1d20 + 20 ⇒ (19) + 20 = 39
1d6 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

Confirm: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (1) + 20 = 21
1d6 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

pfffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffft

The Skum bleeds heavily, but stays upright.

One more moves in to attack Jones, and then two more drop their tridents and draw bows.

Trident Jones: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27

Bow Darius: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Bow Jones: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Confirm: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Darius take 5 damage, Jones take 6.

Sledge, you're up. No charge lane, hall is only 10 feet wide, so you'll need Reach to attack over Jones and Darius.

I can charge through allied squares. Does that let me charge?

It would if you could share squares with allies. Haven't we had this conversation before recently?

I don't think so. Dangit guys, why you gotta occupy my charge lanes?

Sledge Lunges and strikes a Skum.

1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20
1d8 + 24 ⇒ (6) + 24 = 30

1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18
1d8 + 23 ⇒ (8) + 23 = 31

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
1d8 + 23 ⇒ (7) + 23 = 30

I use a bow, Zin uses magic, Darius has reach...aside from Jones, who only takes one square, how does he not have a clear range?

In case my turn comes around before I wake up

Amanorn gives the bow a bit of minor magic, but no spell this round.

Put two in the nearest that isn't dead. Deadly aim and arcane strike full attack.

First: 1d20 + 17 - 3 ⇒ (17) + 17 - 3 = 31
Damage First: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20

Second: 1d20 + 12 - 3 ⇒ (14) + 12 - 3 = 23
Damage First: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

Because the Skum moved in adjacent to Darius and Jones, who was already next to Darius.

Sledge smashes the two nearby Skum.

Zin?

How many are still up?

Three.

Wow they have s+#~ty AC. All of Sledge's attacks hit? I hit them on a one ha.

Yeah, these guys are fodder. 14 Dex, Chain shirt. Speaking of:

You hear a deep angry roar come from down the tunnel.

2d20 ⇒ (19, 2) = 21

I see... pretty mooky (16 AC) if you dont have any other form of armor/spells. But they are fodder for something else.. clearly.\

Darius growls as he pulls the arrow out of his shoulder. " Pitiful, though it seems they are not the last. "

Slight mistake, it's Studded Leather (they have +2 Natural Armor as well). Same AC though.

That would be 17, I still hit on a one but a slight difference

Z delays.

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Darius turn? How far are the remainder back?

25 feet back for the front 2, 30 for the back most.

They all have bows out correct?

Yes.