Blood Under Absalom (Inactive)

Game Master Granta

i rarely, if ever, post on weekends. I'm sorry for the short post.

Kallyan casts Good Hope on the party, then he readies an action to fascinate enemies if any more appear (up to three enemies, same save as before).

Just a few seconds later, the 3 remaining oni, having apparently learned nothing, come screaming back...

dark Will save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
brown Will save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
red Will save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

...only to be starstruck when they recognize...

...KALLYAN!!!
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Curly the Brown
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Shel, Ajax
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Larry the Red
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Sarnoc, Isonda/Scratchings
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Moe the Dark
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Vrald, Ara

Peeking at the init order, Ajax rolled a 23 with FE bonus, which puts him ahead of Curly. Ara rolled a 12 so that puts her ahead of Moe, but she will delay until Ajax at the top of the order.

"I hope the rest of these oni are somehow toughter than that last one. Otherwise this will be a very short fight."

The stagnant air, the shadows cast by torchlight, the echo from the walls, all give Ajax the subtle cues he needs to act quicker than most. Ajax, bow drawn, steps forward and lets fire a flight of durable arrows, switching targets as they fall. starting with brown and working my way down if necessary

Main Arrow: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (9) + 19 = 28 +14 base, +4 FE (human subtype) +2 Good Hope +1 Haste - 2 Rapid Shot
Rapid Shot: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (20) + 19 = 39
Iterative shot: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34
haste shot: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (13) + 19 = 32

Confirm crit on Rapid Shot: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (5) + 19 = 24

Confirm crit on iterative: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16 this might be a confirm on flat-footed so I'll roll crit damage

Damage Main: 2d6 + 10 ⇒ (6, 5) + 10 = 21 2d6 gravity bow +4 base +4 FE +2 Good Hope

Damage Rapid shot (crit): 6d6 + 30 ⇒ (4, 3, 1, 5, 4, 2) + 30 = 49 without looking at the roll, I'm thinking Brown is dead

Damage vs Red: 2d6 + 11 ⇒ (3, 6) + 11 = 20 +1 for PBS
Crit vs Red (if confirmed): 4d6 + 22 ⇒ (4, 2, 6, 1) + 22 = 35

Damage on Red if still alive otherwise Dark: 2d6 + 11 ⇒ (1, 1) + 11 = 13

S$*%shitshitshitshitshitshitshitSHIIIITshitshitshitshitshit - I keep forgetting about your Favored Terrain bonus. Thing is, I keep copy-pasting the previous block of initiative rolls to spare myself the toil. SORRY.

Anyways, the first (but not second) threat confirmed.

Ajax's first arrow hits the brown-hued oni hard in the stomach, but the second goes right through his head like one of those novelty head-pieces!

Yes, "Curly" is dead.

S&$%s#%+shitshitshitshitshitshitSHIIIITshitshitshitshitshit - I keep forgetting about your Favored Terrain bonus. Thing is, I keep copy-pasting the previous block of initiative rolls to spare myself the toil. SORRY.

Anyways, roll damage - all 3 attacks hit, and the first (but not second) threat confirmed.

DELETED

It still doesn't confirm. They've got masterwork half-plate armor and gilded skin.

Ajax's third arrow goes right through the red oni's right pectoral, generating a nice little fountain of dark blood, and the fourth somehow lodges in his toe. Still, he stands.

Ajax, KALLYAN!!!, Shel
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Larry the Red (-33)
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Sarnoc, Isonda/Scratchings
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Moe the Dark
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Vrald, Ara (delays)

SHHH!!!

I can't act - I readied an action, it went off ;) my colleagues go before me, then the Onis (if still alive) can try to break out the fascinate (same DC +5 to break), then I go again

Shel usesa double move and ends up just on the opposite side of red, expecting flanking help from the group the next round.

Could someone move me just left of red? Thanks.

As Ajax watches Shel get into position, he shakes his head in disappoinment, "Alas, I don't think these evil oni will survive long enough for her to unleash her full potential"

Ajax calls out to the others, "Isonda, you take the wounded (red) and Vrald take the other(dark)"

red Will save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

"I got...to meet...Kallyan...is okay...life...now...*splutter*...complete...."

Ajax, Kallyan, Shel
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Larry the Red (-33)
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Sarnoc, Isonda/Scratchings
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Moe the Dark
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Vrald, Ara (delays)

Sarnoc quietly utters magical words...

Dogaja, da povabi gor pošast ali dva pa bo super

Full round cast

Don't forget Haste still up

Charge lane looks OK to me so i'll treat this as a charge.

Isonda hears Ajax call out then spurs Scratchings to charge the latest enemy.

"I'll do what I can Ajax!" she yells as she charges past the back of Vrald.

greatsword attack, charge, haste, P.attack(furious focus): 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 12 + 2 + 1 = 30

greatsword damage, P.attack(furious focus): 1d10 + 7 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 6 = 23

Scratchings attack, charge, haste: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 2 + 1 = 29

Scratchings damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Yeah......I think red is toast or paste, rather. If Dark survives Vrald, Ajax orders Ara to flank with Shel, unless it's clear that Dark does something that would prevent it. I'll roll Ara's attack attempt now so we can also seek what 100d6 sneak stack damage looks like from She coupled with a Human Bane kurkri...ouch.

Ara (aid another attack) for Shel: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (15) + 23 = 38 Don't want to kill it before Shel gets her slice'n'dice in.

If by some miracle Dark survives, Ajax has a readied arrow waiting for Dark.

Guys, don't forget Good Hope. I'm looking at you Isonda :)

dark Will save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

"Do you think he'll do 'the Thing?'" Asks the remaining Oni, completely oblivious to the chunky pool of red butter beside him.

Ajax, Ara, Kallyan, Shel, Sarnoc, Isonda/Scratchings
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Moe the Dark
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Vrald

See, I think you now understand why I originally threw the naga and the oni at you at the same time.

You're up Shel!!

Kallyan gave the best of his smile. A small shiny light appeared over the perfect white teeth. The celebrity was feeling particularly special today. He waved to Moe the Dark Oni and started scratching his autograph on a piece of paper.

Here, kid, let me give you something to remember me always! - he presented the autograph and made an "okay" sign with his hand, as a move action.

He finished his round by casting cure light wounds at himself.

CLW: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Using Harmonic Spell to keep the performance going without spending another round from my pool

shel takes a 5' step to get in flanking position and slices away.

Flanking Attack with Haste and Good Hope Human bane kukri 1d20 + 13 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 13 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 21
Damage 1d3 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 2 = 8 plus
4d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 4, 5) = 14 sneak attack

Flanking Attack with Good Hope, Haste plain magical kukri 1d20 + 13 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 13 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 21
Damage 1d3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 2 = 7 plus
4d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 3, 2) = 16 sneak attack

Flanking Attack with Good Hope, Haste human bane kukri 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 33
Damage 1d3 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 = 6 plus
4d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 4, 2) = 13 sneak attack

Flanking Attack with Good Hope, Haste plain magical kukri 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 3 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 27
Damage 1d3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 2 = 7 plus
4d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 4, 5) = 16 sneak attack

Extra attack from Haste at full BAB 1d20 + 13 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 13 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 29
Damage 1d3 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 2 = 8 plus
4d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 3, 1) = 11 sneak attack

Edit:

Possible crit on attack three 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22
Damage 1d3 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Possible crit on attack four 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Damage 1d3 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

***OVERSEER ANNOUCEMENT***

Overseer thread

As the once raging battle begins to slow, a strange cloud of translucent smoke appears in the center of the arena, coalescing into the demonic form of Kiang Zhen. The oni raises her hand, and the remaining creatures suddenly fall back and drop to their knees as if to acknowledge defeat.

”Well done, well done!”

”My minions accept your victory, and you have adequately the Emissary. Please, lower your weapons. I congratulate those of you still alive, for you have grown that much closer to qualifying for the Ruby Phoenix Tournament!”

The oni pauses for a minute to study the crowd before continuing, ”Beneath the trapdoors lies a series of subterranean passages. Scattered within the passages I have secured a collection of small, but nearly priceless porcelain vases. Your challenge is to locate one of these vases and return it to me. However, there is a catch – there are fewer vases than competitors. Only those who present me with a vase shall pass on to the next part of the competition.”

Sarnoc finishes casting his spell a small Air Elemental appears and flies in to attack the Oni.

Slam: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

He's mainly there to provide flanks.

Anticipating the Oni demise, Sarnoc waits to see what happens next.

Delay

The dark oni's final moments are spent staring at Kallyan's autograph while Shel turns his innards into ground chuck. He falls crashing to the ground, busting open the secret door below and revealing the underlying passages, leading to a 20-foot shaft. Smugglers once used this shaft to move contraband cargo in and out of the passages above. A rusty pulley, threaded with a worn rope, connects to a wooden lift platform at the shaft’s base, however the pulley no longer turns. Still, the thick hemp rope remains strong enough to safely hold the weight of two of you at a time (or one Vrald) without snapping.

Making your way to the bottom (Vrald carrying Scratchings like a tavern roast), you find yourselves at a dichotomy: Down the wider hall with another shaft at the end, or through the narrower hall branching off the end of this one?

I'm afraid your elemental came all that way for nothing, Sarnoc - it would have gone back by the time you all made your way safely to the bottom of the shaft.

Doing the math in my head (which is a bad idea) I came up with like 119 damage ROFL!

Ajax commands Ara to fetch his durable arrows as Ajax recall his Resist Energy into the appropriate pearl. Looking to the casters in the group,

"I have a Pearl for 2nd level spells. I typically use it for Ara and Cat's Grace, but I would be more than willing to lend to someone who might have a more powerful spell to recall."

With the aid of his jade wayfinder, Ajax uses his Society-famous skills as a tracker to look for any clues as to what might be down either path.

Tracking (Urban): 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (12) + 24 = 36

Perception(urban): 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (14) + 19 = 33

There hasn't been anybody down this way in some time, from the look of it.

Vrald happily takes the lead.

"If one of you could shed some light on the tunnel, I'll go first."

Sarnoc creeps along still invisible. or not if more than 8 total minutes to get to this point.

Sarnoc casts Light on the knight's shield as they move through the darkness.

At some point Sarnoc pulls out his Wand of CLW. Handing it to someone who can use it.

A couple taps if you would.

Hold onto your pearl for now Ajax, who knows what this day will bring.

Any chances these vases are invisible, I can cast See Invisibility? He asks the others for advice.

Now which way to go. I don't have a great idea which is better. When in doubt, left is right, and right is wrong. I say we go left. Which would be straight then left.

"That looks like a dead end, so unless there is a vase hidden there.."

Vrald jogs down to the end to search for a hidden vase.

perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Kallyan smiles to Sarnoc and helps with the wand.

Oh, certainly, my dear! - as he casts them.

The bard stays behind, humming songs on his own mind. He's actually hiding towards the middle of the party - coward as he is.

Mirror Image and Good Hope should last for 8 minutes as well - just to give the GM a heads up in terms of what could be active or not

Ajax frowns at the absence of any tracks. My kingdom for a scenario that actually remembers that Tracking is a thing.

"I see no marks or footprints. Either the vases were placed here by floating heads with eyestalks and beam weapons or there are no vases and it is a trick."

Ajax follow behind Vrald and Isonda keeping Sarnoc company.

Will just take 10 on Perception checks as I move = 29

I took the liberty of making the rest of you follow Vrald, since some of you sort of said you were doing that but didn't move your pieces.

At the end of this hall is a shaft down, a bit like the one you already came down. The odor of sewage coming up from it might be missed if someone had a stuffy nose, but is otherwise not hard to notice.

There is also some sort of mechanical apparatus next to the shaft.

Give me a Knowledge (Engineering) check, those of you capable of doing so.

Kallyan knocks a nice song, tapping his hands against his legs while he analyzes the apparatus. The bard makes it sound beautiful - almost as the song of the "lah-lah"s of a mermaid on a raging sea rock. It is somehow inspiring, as pieces connect on his mind and his allies.

Inspire Competence - it doesn't work for me, so I will roll my regular Engineering. For the others, you can roll with a +3

Knowledge (engineering): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33

Kallyan recognizes the mechanism immediately from that time he was given an exclusive tour of Absalom's fine sewer system management facilities: It's a pump for controlling the water level of sewage pipes, and he knows exactly how to work it.

Shel cleared the gore off herself, and somehow let the others get in front of her. "Hold on, I'm built for the lead down here." As Vrad called dibs first, she moved to the second position if there were no objections. She takes a scan of the area.

Perception 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21

engineering: 1d20 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 3 = 15

"A pump? Let us hope this area does not flood!" exclaims the full-plate clad knight.

He gives a bow to Shel. "Then by all means good lady, lead. And I will follow quickly in your footsteps."

I always log in to a load of posts to read. I guess it's the time zone difference with me being in England. If i'm ever holding things up please feel free to bot me. Isonda isn't too complicated.

Isonda follows the trackers in the group as they lead the way through the smelly sewers. She has to keep careful control of Scratchings as he seems to dislike the smell.

"My senses aren't the best so i'm glad we have someone more observant in front, Shel."

With her mounted speed being quite quick feel free to place Isonda anywhere you like in the marching order, she'll get where she needs to be fast enough.

Well unless you all want to go into the sewers, I say we exhausted other options first. Sarnoc waves his hand in front of his nose to disperse the smell.

He studies the pump himself based on what Kallyan said.

Know engineering: 1d20 + 12 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 12 + 3 = 19

Before asking Kallyan, So what exactly happens if you turn it on. Any chance a vase might just float to the top?

He then goes ahead and casts See Invisibility not wanting to miss the obvious.

Hold onto that pearl Ajax, in case we need to spot more invisible stuff later.

He strolls back to the intersection looking around for anything he may have missed.

Perception w/ See Invisibility: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

If the group decides to not turn the pump at this moment, Shel will lead them in the opposite direction, making sure there was no traps along the way.

Perception against traps 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (2) + 18 = 20

Using his wayfinder , Ajax investigates the pump himself.

K. Engineering: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Assuming a 17 is not sufficient for a Tier 8-9

"This device is beyond my skill. Perhaps we should return to it later, assuming we can figure out what it operates and if that will help us."

Ajax motions the group to enter the room with the tubs after Shel looks for traps.

Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (9) + 23 = 32

So, how exactly do the mechanisms work? Can I make, for instance, one of the vases float to the top as Sarnoc asked?

There are no visible vases and there is no open water. It's just pump in the floor.

What you can do with it is drain the sewage pipes so you can travel through them.

"One of you turn that valve then, and let's see if we can acccessna new area when the pipes drain. That's be a good spot to hide some vases. A nasty spot, but a good hiding spot."

Okay, let's assume we activate the pump. If nothing happens, we'll return to the room with the circles, as that is the only other unexplored passage.

Kallyan instructs the others on how to drain the pipes.

We can try to travel through them. I mean, assuming we're ready for the poisonous smell and all...

You hear a massive, sustained, gurgling/sucking sound from a ways down the other hall.

"Sounds like either we drained something out, or we drained something in. Let us find out which."

we follow the sound of the gurgling.

Vrald will take a spot directly behind our self appointed scout, ready for any trouble that might beset the team.

The party passes through an area in which stand three large straining tubs for sifting through waste, while on the walls hang several nets and rakes used to clean the sewers.

The next room is dominated by a cesspool in the process of being drained. This is where the noise would be coming from - and the noisome odor that now assaults you.

Everyone make a DC 15 Fortitude save or be nauseated for 1d6 rounds. It hardly matters, though, as the draining process will take 10 minutes, so apply that to any running magical effects you have.