GM MattMorris Cradle of Night (Inactive)

Game Master ChesterCopperpot

"Ok, whatever gods may be listening, please make it work this time." Tathane waves the wand around and then even taps his chest a few times for good measure. This time the invisibility happens so suddenly it is almost audible.

UMD: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30

No movement. Just ready to shoot on my next turn.

Branson's punch hits with augmented power, thanks to Leo's stare. Tathane disappears from sight.

The naga isn't going to take that punch lightly, and strikes out at the aasimar with sharp teeth and stinger.

bite: 1d20 + 19 - 3 ⇒ (14) + 19 - 3 = 30 for b/s/p: 1d4 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 = 10
sting: 1d20 + 19 - 3 ⇒ (12) + 19 - 3 = 28 for piercing: 2d4 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 2) + 4 + 2 = 10 plus poison

Branson Fort save vs. poison, please!

~+~Combat Round 5~+~
Black (displacement, -37, bleeding, gaze)
LeGuin (3 images)
Leopold
Hekk (7 Strength damage)
Aryas
Branson (-20, 2 Strength Damage, Fort Save)
Tathane

Map

Fortitude: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

Willing to take a hit, Hekk rushes by the naga to get into a flank, figuring that might help him hit something.

To hit bardiche, strength loss, flank: 1d20 + 11 - 3 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 11 - 3 + 2 = 24
Damage bardiche, strength loss: 1d10 + 19 - 3 ⇒ (6) + 19 - 3 = 22

Should we remove blue from the map?

Swift action: Smite evil that ignores all DR! Move 40 ft.

Aryas looks at the shadow snake and moves to hit.

”By Sarenrae’s and Shelyn’s light I judge you to end this darkness!!!“ he shouts but nothing can be heard.

AC while fighting defensively vs. melee attacks: AC 38, Touch 35, FF 24 ( net deflection from smite +4, mage armor +4, Cha +5 Scaled Fist Monk, Dex +6, Dodge feat +1, Fighting Defensively +8 (+2, + 1 ‘Crane Style’, +4 ‘Crane Wing’, + 1 Acrobatics 3 ranks) [only -2 on attack rolls due to Crane Style while fighting defensively’]
To hit / damage calculation: +1 Adamantine Ghost Touch Scimitar: +19 (1d6+11 18-20/×2) (To hit: smite +5, BAB +8, Dervish Dance Dex +6, +1 enhancement bonus, Weapon focus Scimitar +1, fighting defensively -2 / Damage: +6 via Dervish Dance feat and +1 enhancement bonus, smite +4

Primary attack, fighting defensively : 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (13) + 19 = 321d6 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14

blur <20% miss : 1d100 ⇒ 84

Right. The blur.

blur, 1-20 miss: 1d100 ⇒ 9

And of course he misses. It's going to be one of *those* battles. Kind of funny, actually.

Tathane quickly draws an arrow and fires against the creature.

shortbow@creature,PBS: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 13 + 1 = 29
dmg,PBS,sneak: 1d6 + 1 + 1 + 4d6 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 + (4, 4, 2, 4) = 20
blur < 20 is miss: 1d100 ⇒ 24

As soon as the arrow hits Tathane becomes visible again. He sighs but shoots another arrow.

shortbow@creature,PBS: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 1 = 13

Fist Bleed: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Branson attacks twice more...

Fist Hit: 1d20 + 7 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 7 - 1 + 1 = 24
Fist Damage: 1d3 + 1d6 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + (3) - 1 + 1 = 5 the 1d6 is fire damage

Displacement: 1d100 ⇒ 81

Fist Hit: 1d20 + 7 - 1 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (1) + 7 - 1 + 1 - 5 = 3
Fist Damage: 1d3 + 1d6 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + (6) - 1 + 1 = 8 the 1d6 is fire damage

Displacement: 1d100 ⇒ 35

Leguin keeps after the naga, resume his axe strokes.

displacement: 1d100 ⇒ 21
Attack 1: Power Attack & Bane: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22
dmg 1: 1d12 + 17 + 2d6 ⇒ (9) + 17 + (3, 4) = 33

displacement: 1d100 ⇒ 93
Attack 2: Power Attack & Bane: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
dmg 2: 1d12 + 17 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 17 + (4, 3) = 27

Leo's action will depend on the result of Branson's Fort save. If he passes, Leo will cast Ill Omen on the naga (the next 3 d20 rolls). If he fails, Leo will cast Delay Poison on Branson.

Branson resists the venom of the naga, Hekk's attack comes up short, Aryas smites and scores a hit, the invisible Tathane's arrow pierces a sensitive area, Branson's punches miss but his bleeding remains, LeGuin's attacks fail to pierce the creature's armored scales, and Leo curses the creature's luck. (Whew!)

The creature slithers to the side, then fires a bolt of lightning down the line of Aryas, Branson, and LeGuin.

This does provoke, though it has some extra defenses while moving. Swing away!

electricity: 7d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 3, 5, 6, 5, 1) = 26 (DC 20)

~+~Combat Round 6~+~
Black (displacement, -75, bleeding, gaze, ill omen 3/3)
LeGuin (3 images, REFLEX)
Leopold
Hekk (7 Strength damage)
Aryas (REFLEX)
Branson (-20, 2 Strength Damage, REFLEX)
Tathane

Map

Reflex save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Attack of Opportunity
displacement: 1d100 ⇒ 31
Attack 1: Power Attack & Bane: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24
dmg 1: 1d12 + 17 + 2d6 ⇒ (8) + 17 + (6, 3) = 34

Leguin uses his powers of transmutation to swiftly grant himself extra speed, which he uses to loop around into flanking, and then attacks.

displacement: 1d100 ⇒ 30
Attack 1: Power Attack & Bane: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30
dmg 1: 1d12 + 17 + 2d6 ⇒ (7) + 17 + (2, 6) = 32

Hoping that his recent experience has made him better at this, Tathane again tries the wand.

UMD: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

He sighs in disappointment. It seems that when he needs it most, he just can't get the stupid thing to work.

No moving

reflex (evasion so no damage on save): 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (13) + 22 = 35

AoO attack, fighting defensively : 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (5) + 19 = 241d6 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

chance miss : 1d100 ⇒ 18

~

Aryas moves forward and attacks again!

Primary attack, fighting defensively, flank : 1d20 + 19 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 19 + 2 = 341d6 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

chance miss : 1d100 ⇒ 93

Hekk activates his bane baldric and goes into a rage.

AoO To hit bardiche, rage, strength loss, bane: 1d20 + 11 + 2 - 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 11 + 2 - 3 + 2 = 15
Damage bardiche, rage, strength loss, bane: 1d10 + 20 + 2 - 3 + 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 20 + 2 - 3 + (3, 3) + 2 = 30
blur: 1d100 ⇒ 89

After missing wildly as it leaves, he rushes after it and gives it a good thwack.
AoO To hit bardiche, rage, strength loss, bane: 1d20 + 11 + 2 - 3 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 11 + 2 - 3 + 2 = 28
Damage bardiche, rage, strength loss, bane: 1d10 + 20 + 2 - 3 + 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 20 + 2 - 3 + (2, 6) + 2 = 32
blur: 1d100 ⇒ 35

"Gotcha!"

Since the creature is bleeding, it needs to make a concentration check DC 10 + half damage dealt (so 2) + spell level (so 3)

Branson's AOO

Fist Hit: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 7 - 1 = 26
Fist Damage: 1d3 + 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (2) + (4) - 1 = 5 the 1d6 is fire damage

Crit Confirm...

Fist Hit: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 7 - 1 = 25
Fist Damage: 1d3 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0 So, I believe 1 point of nonlethal damage

Blur: 1d100 ⇒ 60

Branson's Reflex Save...

Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 Failed

Branson does have 5 points of Electricity resistance though!

Bleed damage this round:

Fist Bleed: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Branson charges the creature...

Fist Hit: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (12) + 7 + 1 + 2 - 1 = 21
Fist Damage: 1d3 + 1d6 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (2) + (5) + 1 - 1 = 7 the 1d6 is fire damage

Blur: 1d100 ⇒ 49

The creature is reeling, and Branson's bleed damage finishes it off!

(That was funny. I would have fled if you hadn't got it this round. Had 2 HP before the bleed.)

With the naga out of the way, you're able to make your way out of the Forsaken Fane under the cover of invisibility and return to the streets of Lyrudrada.

Where to now? We are about at the point of wrapping up.just need to know how you are thinking of tackling the task of destroying the Cradle of Night.

For reference, here were some suggestions from the GM.

"I think we should ask that nice shopkeeper what we could do with this cradley thing. And can I get my awesomeness back. That shadowy thing stole a LOT."

Is there time to do spells and heal folks up? The great thing about adventuring with a high level cleric, such as myself, is you no longer need to spend resources to get the Society to clear all of your hardship conditions.

You're on your own timeline now, so as long as you have a place to do it, you can rest.

Unless anyone objects...

The group returns to the cloaker's magic shop and requests council, and a place to rest. Branson memorizes the appropriate spells and the group is restored as best they can be while under the cradle's curse as they wait for some answers.

I'm good with that.

Aryas is happy that they are safe again.

But when he looks at the mirror and sees his transformed physique ... when he feels the profane presence of the stone ... then he knows that they have to act!

"So how do we destroy this orb?? What do we have to do?!?"

"Let's ask Aiyana. I trust her more than the cloaker."

Oop! Could everyone weigh in, please? Aiyana, you initial contact, or Shevarimarr, the cloaker merchant.

“Ahh yes!! Aiyana is super smart and … yeah … super cute!!!“ he says smiling.

I guess I'm outvoted.

I was going to vote with you Hekk, but I prefer being on the winning side!

"Agreed"

"I agree with my disciple, Hekk, whose judgment of people's character is 100% astute."

You find Aiyana back at her manor, and she's excited to see you. "Do you have the Cradle? And the Forsaken? Are they defeated? What about the Council?"

"All good. We just have one last thing to tie up. We need to destroy the dang thing."

Hekk watches carefully in case he turns on them. Things like the cradle tend to turn folks brains to mush> Not Hekk's of course.

This is the same day, right? And Hekk is still down 7 strength? This is damage not drain, right? So a few lesser restoration should do the trick.

No, the GM says we could take time to get everyone healed up.

"Aryas, somehow I knew you would pick her again." Tathane casts a sideways grin at him. "But I was going to choose her too."

Tathane waits to see if Aiyana has any advice about destroying the cradle. That is, if she even wants to destroy it. He notices Hekk's caution. Yeah, if she decides to keep the thing or activate it or something. That could be a problem.

You're on your own timeline now, so as long as you have a place to do it, you can rest.

This is what he said. Since we came to Aiyana to rest, we will not get a chance to rest if this turns into a battle. Unless we rested elsewhere? But it was not my impression that we did so. We certainly did not say we were doing so.

Yeah, I assumed that you would rest at Aiyana's estate. If you asked her to postpone the conversation until you were rested, she would agree!

Cool. Hekk is at full awesomeness then.

"I've reviewed tales of the cradle of night while you were dealing with the situation in the Forsaken Fane. It's said that Haramil never let the orb see natural light, lest 'The sun steal its power.' I think if you expose the cradle to sunlight it would significantly weaken it, perhaps even allow you to smash it."

Grateful for your help, the caligni offers you each significant rewards, plus a scroll of shadow walk to help you return to the surface.

"Should you return to the Darklands, my manor will always be open to you as a base of operations. Things will hopefully return to normal within Lyrudrada soon, now that the Forsaken have been defeated."

We are basically done, but I want to give you the opportunity to narrate the end and the destruction of the orb.

"Well, heck, nice and simple. Glad we don't have to immerse it in a greater demon's blood or bathe it in an ancient dragon's lightning breath or something like that. Those things are hard to come by."

Which of course reminds Hekk that he has lighting breath and it might be worth a try to see if he could melt the ting by breathing on it. Something to try when the others are not looking.

Aryas kisses Aiyana's hand.

“It was a pleasure to work with you!! Ehh … I’ve just one question. Are you sure that all these strange effects on our body will be gone?!“ he asks.

Otherwise he’s ready to leave and will gladly let the others destroy the orb that he’s currently carrying.

“It is very powerful but it is also very evil I think … “ he says and just tests that by using detect evil on the orb.

Oh, yeah. The orb glows will tell-tale signs of evil.

“Destroy it as soon as we have shadow walked out of here everyone!!! The orb must be destroyed so we are cleaned of it’s taint!!“

"I suppose so. Don't trust that orb thing, but some of the stuff it does is kinda nice."

"Let's bring it into the light of the sun, and I think we can all agree Hekk is the best at smashing, so he should have the honor."

Hekk cracks his knuckles in anticipation.

Branson nods in approval at the suggested course of action.

"Oh yes, of course. Hekk, you always want to smash. I can't imagine a better person for it." Tathane bows deeply with a flourish.

Hekk visibly puffs up at the compliment.

"Another relic of the psychiatrists consigned to oblivion. We have done something noble, my friends and acolytes."

Aryas smiles at Leo.

“You are totally right, I just want to get rid of this blight. After a never ending fight, I long for our natural beauty’s sight!“ the bard rhymes.