Black Tom's Serpent Skull

Game Master Black Tom

If the group is in agreement about proceeding, Torch will again take point. He will, however, start watching the floors more closely for other, similar surprises. As previously stated, his plan is to head right first and check to make sure that the stairs are visible there before reversing course and taking the left branch.

How are you going to cross the pit? It's an Acrobatics 15 check to jump over it. Or you could climb down and up the other side, of course.

Once Aerys has let everyone down into the pit, she pulls up the rope and takes a running jump over the pit. Once over she lowers the rope and helps everyone out of the pit.

Acrobatics(Jump) 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Definitely climb down and up for Ralf.

OK, but just as you all (except Aerys) have gotten into the pit, something nasty comes oozing out of the tunnel to the right.

Roll for initiative.

1d20 - 6 ⇒ (10) - 6 = 4

Aw, man... Initiative 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Maybe it's a friendly oozing thing, despite its nastiness?

initiative 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Torch, Gelik and Aerys all beat the monster's initiative, but it hasn't emerged yet, still being about 10 feet into the tunnel. The pit is 15 times 10 feet wide so I doubt a map will be needed.

As Gelik peers into the tunnel, he sees what looks like a roiling mass of eyes and mouths come rolling towards you.

Torch, Gelik and Aerys (and Hrakar, if he beats initiative 5) are up.

Torch moves to pit wall, next to the tunnel exit, and presses himself against it, hoping to go unnoticed as it enters.

Move and Stealth check: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11. If that's all just one move action, I will also ready an attack on whatever it is as it enters the room (the first square it won't have cover against me).

Realizing that there's no rope, and therefore no escape from the horrid creature, Gelik stifles an involuntary fearful whine and reflexively casts his best offensive spell.

Move: Step into the furthest corner from the creature and cast Color Spray.

Color Spray (DC 15); Range 15 ft. cone-shaped burst, Saving Throw Will negates; Spell Resistance yes
2 HD or less: The creature is unconscious, blinded, and stunned for 2d4 rounds, then blinded and stunned for 1d4 rounds, and then stunned for 1 round. (Only living creatures are knocked unconscious.)
3 or 4 HD: The creature is blinded and stunned for 1d4 rounds, then stunned for 1 round.
5 or more HD: The creature is stunned for 1 round.

Aerys drops the rope over the edge and beckons her companions over to climb up and to safety.

apologies, I didn't leave this game a note when my motherboard died and I'm a bit in limbo as I sort out getting my new machine migrated. Might be patchy contributions for a week, so bot if you need to.

Aerys tosses down a rope and Gelik fires his spell at the creature, but unfortunately it resists. Torch gets a readied attack as the monster emerges.

As it does so, all its mouths starts chattering in a maddening babble. Will 13 or be confused for 1 round (except Ralf, of course). Also it bites Ralf for 2 points of damage, but he manages to tear loose and spits a glob of blinding acid at Gelik Fort 18 or be temporarily blinded.

Now you are up, all of you.

Also feel free to post for Aerys, if she's late to post.

Will save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Torch swings his blade at the thing as it appears, and any doubts about whether he was being overzealous in attacking the unknown disappear when he lays eyes on it.

Readied attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18, damage 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6. If it managed to fail to spot me despite my terrible Stealth roll, then I have another +2 to attack and another 1d6 ⇒ 4 of sneak attack damage as well.

Ralf squints and concentrates real hard and tries to fry the creature's brain (if it has one).

use Brain Drain ability -- DC 15 Will negates or take 3d4 ⇒ (1, 1, 2) = 4 damage

maddening babble 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13 add another +1 if this is a compulsion effect

spit in the eye 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Gah! I'm blind! That hideous monster loogied in my eyes! Gross!

Gelik scrambles until he runs into the wall and then gropes his way along toward the rope. If he finds it, he starts climbing.

perception?1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
climb (if the rope is found) 1d20 ⇒ 13

Torch's blade cuts the monster, but leaves only a small scratch, as it is resistant to sharp weapons. Having no vital spots, it's also immune to sneak attacks.

Note that the monster threatens the entire pit, so Ralf may want to cast on the defensive and Gelik risks an AoO if he's moving more than 5 feet at a time.

Torch, Hrakar and Aerys still to go.

Will 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (20) + 0 = 20

The shock of seeing the gruesome creature, concentrates Aerys mind, such that she doesn't even hear the babbling. Aerys shouts directions to Gliks as he blindly searches for the rope, "Right Gelik, no! the other right!...that's it keep coming. Now almost there."

If Gelik gets hold of the rope, Aerys will attempt to pull him up this round if possible, Strength Check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Otherwise she looks for something to tie the rope off, something solid that will take their weight. Perception 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

Not sure how much I will be online so I can post as I migrate to my new machine.

Torch continues his assault on the thing in hopes of covering the escape of those in the group who are less suited to confronting it directly.

Switching to two-weapon then, and activating ranger's focus, because I'm probably going to need it. Scimitar (slashing) attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15, damage 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11; cestus (bludgeoning) attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23, damage 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4.

Note that the monster threatens the entire pit, so Ralf may want to cast on the defensive and Gelik risks an AoO if he's moving more than 5 feet at a time.

Ralf's thing is a (Su) ability, not a spell, so he's not worried about AoOs.

Ah, sorry about that.

The thing does have a mind, so Ralf's magic causes it considerable pain. So does Torch's attack.

Aerys manages to throw the rope to Gelik, but he risks an AoO if she's going to pull him up. Do you still want to try?

Hrakar resists the beast's babbling but delays for now.

Aerys will attempt to pull Gelik up out of trouble, one attack now, is better than being attacked many times later, is her logic. She wants to get him safe, so he can at least provide an escape route with the rope if they require it.

Agreed. Gelik is a bit panicked and only thinking about getting out of the pit.

Hrakar pulls out his hammer and strikes the beast, but its spongy flesh absorbs the blow. As Aerys is trying to pull Gelik to safety he is snagged by a biting mouth for 2 points of damage.

On its turn, the monster turns it attention to Ralf and Torch, spitting in poor Ralf's eyes (Fort 18 again), while it bites Torch for 8 points of damage. Ralf manages to avoid the mouths for now.

Gelik can add Aerys's strength bonus to his CMB check (or Escape artist check) to escape the grapple. Torch is not grappled as right now the monster is concentrating on the morsel about to get away. Currently Gelik is still blinded.

You are up again, all of you.

Fort save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Ralf waves his arms around uselessly. "Hello? Hello!? Why'd everything go quiet and dark all of a sudden?"

Torch grunts in pain, blood streaming from several bites as he tries and fails to keep the thing from his flesh. Hoping to finish it before it finishes him, he launches another series of attacks.

Scimitar (slashing): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18, damage 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12.
Cestus (bludgeoning): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10, damage 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4.

Going to Rome on vacation. Posting will be intermittent at best until Sunday.

Back online now. Sorry but I had to buy a new PC and work is getting crazy (will be till 20 of Dec), I will try to post moe often now though

Escape artist 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18 and add Aerys' strength bonus

I'm not sure if I broke the grapple or not, and my action will depend on whether or not I'm grappled.

Ah! It's got me! I'm about to be eaten!

Neither Hrakar's hammer nor Torch's scimitar finds any weak spots in the disgusting rubbery mass. Gelik, however, manages to wriggle free and escape.

The monster turns its attention on Hrakar, who is bitten for 6 points of damage and held fast.

You are up. Gelik and Ralf are currently blinded.

"Hrakar!" shouts Torch, and he tries again to find some way to finish off the horrible abomination.

Didn't I hit on an 18 the first time? Maybe it was flat-footed... Anyway, more of the same.

Scimitar attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20, damage 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 slashing
Cestus attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16, damage 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 bludgeoning

Gelik laughs, a tinge of panic in the high-pitched sound. You didn't get me, you bag of pus! No maestro-chow for you! HA!

He then tries desperately to clean the disgusting spittle from his eyes. He uses his Prestidigitation first to see how that works.

Ralf still flails around on a world with no sight or sound.

Aerys hands the rope to Gelik, "Take this, hold it, its our escape from the monster!!" she then takes out her shortbow and tries to fire into the creatures body. "Ralf, Torch, Hrakar this way, get out of the pit. Come towards my voice."

Shortbow attack 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 5 - 4 = 4 fire into melee.
Shortbow damage 1d6 ⇒ 4

For some reason, Ralf seems unresponsive to Aerys's shouted suggestion.

Gelik looks down at the rope in his hand, then up at Aerys with a raised eyebrow, as if he believes this to be some sort of joke that he doesn't quite understand.

(Of course, he may still be blind, so the "looking" would be mostly for show.)

Sorry about the slow updates. Down with a bad cold.

Hrakar manages to punch the monster for 1 point of damage, but then it flows over him, biting with countless little mouths for 16 points of damage (and 2 Con damage as it drains blood).

You are up. Gelik and Ralf can see again.

"Hrakar!" Torch shouts again, and this time there is real panic in his voice. "Aerys! I need you down here or the dwarf's a dead man!" He struggles again to find some way to kill the maddening, amorphous horror.

Pretty much all I can do is keep the assault up and hope my dice start helping out. As a sidebar, I can't imagine that Hrakar isn't unconcious and dying at this point, thanks to the Con damage on top of the bites.

Scimitar attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20, damage 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 slashing.
Cestus attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22, damage 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 bludgeoning.

Ralf feebly smacks the creature with his club.

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 71d6 ⇒ 6

The thing has eyes, and some kind of mind, so I'm going for it.

Gelik, now able to see the creature, wishes he couldn't. In desperation, he casts his best spell.

Color Spray (DC 15) on the monster. Under no circumstances will he catch Torch in the area of effect, but hitting Hrakar or Ralf is acceptable collateral damage if it can't be avoided.

Color Spray (DC 15 [16 for jungle creatures], School - illusion (pattern) [mind-affecting]; Range 15 ft. cone-shaped burst, Saving Throw Will negates; Spell Resistance yes
2 HD or less: The creature is unconscious, blinded, and stunned for 2d4 rounds, then blinded and stunned for 1d4 rounds, and then stunned for 1 round. (Only living creatures are knocked unconscious.)
3 or 4 HD: The creature is blinded and stunned for 1d4 rounds, then stunned for 1 round.
5 or more HD: The creature is stunned for 1 round.

Seeing Hrakar in trouble, Aerys drops her bow and jumps down taking out her sword as she does. She raises the sword and plunges it down on the mass of mouths with both hands. She aims her sword to pierce with maximum force as she drops down on the terrible creature.

Acrobatics 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8 to jump down 10ft.
Longsword power attack 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 - 1 = 6 add +2 if she can flank
Longsword power damage 1d8 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 2 + 1 = 9 +1 str for two handed wield of weapon

It's 30 feet down, actually. Still want to make that jump?

The good news is that the monster is stunned by Gelik's spell. All those eyes all want to see the pretty colors.

Gelik raises his arms over his head, hands half-clenched into fists. I am power incarnate!

Aerys misjudges the depth of the pit and takes 14 points of damage as she crashes to the bottom. Fortunately the monster is stunned, so he has time to stand up and pick up her sword before it reacts. Hrakar uses his channeling to heal himself 6 points. Unfortunately the monster blocks any energy coming your way even if he manages to exclude it.

And now you are all up again, including Aerys.

Gelik attempts to regain his composure, and casts a quick spell at the disgusting creature.

ray of frost 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 - 4 = 14(ranged touch)
cold damage 1d3 ⇒ 2

Ralf tries rapping on the monster with his stick again.

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 31d6 ⇒ 3

Hoping to take advantage of the monster's insensate state, Torch hammers with his fist and slashes with his blade again.

Scimitar attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11, damage 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10.
Cestus attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25, damage 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5; crit confirm 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16, damage 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8.

Torch gives the monster several black eyes but unfortunately it is immune to crits. Aerys gives it a whack with her longsword, and finally the monster decides to try to find easier prey elsewhere, only pausing to spit in Torch's eye (Fort 18 or be blinded).

All of you in the pit get AoOs as the monster slithers away.

OK, the monster slinks away as you catch your breath. After a fair amount of cursing (and some entirely unhelpful cheering by Gelik) you manage to climb out of the pit and drag yourselves to your camp to rest and recuperate.

You get 320 xp each and we'll resume the game whenever you all are back from whatever you are doing.

"My word..." Ralf groans. "That monster -- whatever it is -- sure did a number on us! Thanks for driving it away, friend. Now let's get away from here so that we can lick our wounds for a while. I'm all tapped out of magic."