City of Nine Stars -- City of Twilight (Inactive)

Game Master therealthom

Actions? or are you going to debate what lies behind the (green) door?

"enough talk.." Marius says and opens the door stepping to one side just in case

A DM's dream you are. Initiative all around. If you beat my roll below read the spoiler and act in the surprise round.

Initiaive 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

What did I say about skeletons? Waifrin must be psychic!

Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

"Yes Marius - they were storing skeletons!" Waifrin lets fly a ray of fire at the first skeleton she can clearly target. One power point, augmented by wild surge only.

Attack (ranged touch): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Damage (fire): 3d6 + 3 ⇒ (1, 3, 4) + 3 = 11 1d6 from 1 power point +2d6 for wild surge
Enervation (10%): 1d100 ⇒ 52

Initiative 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24 Woot. Beast the skellies initiative by 20! Critical success! :)

Uqabi squawks, "Dead dogs. Best kind."

Pursing her lips at her familiar's chattiness, Zarabeta unleashes another coiling stream of acid, muttering, "Your replacement won't be able to talk."

Acid dart attack 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
damage 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Initiative..1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

"Alright alright don't make it a bone of contention" quips the fighter stepping up as he draws his morning star and smashes the lead undead.

Attack1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

damage 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Raven, you out there?

Z 1d6 ⇒ 6

Zarabeta's acid snake hits one of the skeletons toward the back of the pack with a hissing like water dropped in hot oil. Waifrin's eldritch bolt flies wide striking the door jamb on the far side from Marius. The gladiator obliterates the leader's hindquarters, but it rounds on him with snapping jaws.

Set, you'll hit more often if you remind me the acid dart is a ranged touch attack.

Computer still at the "doctor", so to speak. And posting from work is nigh impossible. Unfortunately, you will have to DMPC Raven until I get that darn contraption back, which should be a few days from now. Really sorry guys... :-(

Thanks, Castor. Sorry I missed your post in Counsel.

Raven Initiaitive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

"Looks like some old skull mates of mine, " Raven replies to Marius. His sword flashes toward a charging skeleton.

Short sword, +7 (1d6+1, 19-20/x2) 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 .. damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

His blade slips neatly between the wolf's ribs as it passes him.

The wolves for their part separate to attack you individually. One charges straight for Zarabeta. Two jump Waifrin. Marius finds himself engaged with three.

5d4 ⇒ (4, 1, 4, 3, 3) = 15 Movement is their action for the surprise round.

Initiative: Round 1.

Zarabeta, 24
Raven, 19
Waifrin, 10
Marius, 9
SKele-wolves, 4

Raven wavers, then leaps to Marius' aid.

Attack roll to Aid another, giving Marius +2 on his next attack or +2 bonus to AC.
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Forgot about the AC boost option. HE may help one of the women next round.

Zarabeta's hands continue tracing patterns in the air, trailing acrid greenish-gold mist as she pulls forth another serpentine arc of acid to hurl at one of the already damaged skeletal wolves.

ranged touch attack 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
acid damage 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Waifrin swings her staff around to smite one of the skele-dogs.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Marius swings his Morning star with gusto smacking the already damaged wolf again.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

damage 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

"Raven go help Waif" he shouts

Zarabeta's snake strikes and coils around the skull and scapula of the lead wolf attacking Marius. Hissing and smoking it collapses to the ground.

Raven helped Marius this round.

Marius' mace crushes the skull of a second skeleton, but one black eye stares fixedly at him while it still tries to rake him with its claws.

Leaving 1 fresh and 1 damaged skeleton on Marius

Waifrin strikes one of the dogs attacking her and knocks a few teeth out. They scatter across the floor.

Leaving 2 damaged skeletons on Waif

Zarabeta's target may have been strategically chosen, but tactically it leaves her wide open to the skeleton attacking her. It leaps with wide open jaws.
Attack 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14 damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
if hits trip attempt 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20 v. your CMD

Marius' skeletons also snap and bite. One at his arm, another at his ankle.
Attack 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
if hits trip attempt 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 v. your CMD
Attack 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12 damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
if hits trip attempt 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17 v. your CMD

Waifrin's skeletons also snap and bite. Both dive low for her feet.
Attack 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20 damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
if hits trip attempt 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9 v. your CMD
Attack 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
if hits trip attempt 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 v. your CMD

Initiative: Round 2.

Zarabeta, 24
Raven, 19
Waifrin, 10
Marius, 9
SKele-wolves, 4

Raven will move to help Waifrin. +2 to either an attack or her AC.

Bonus to AC please!

Waifrin takes a bite but shakes off the attack and swings her staff again ...

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Swish.

Marius swings again at the wolf he damaged landing an even more solid hit

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

damage 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

"Raven, keep them off the girls till I deal with these"

Precipitated to her backside by the wolf's jawbone snagging her garments, and the sensitive flesh beneath, Zarabeta utters a guttural curse in her native tongue, and Uqabi flutters into the air, squawking in outrage, barely avoiding slamming into the ground with her.

Aware that any attempt at spellcasting would be an invitation to another attack, she instead calls up the corrosive energy again, and sends acid straight at the nearest wounded carrion creature, more concerned with freeing up her allies to come to her rescue than striking at the thing that brought her to the floor. The hissing stream of emerald fluid arcs nimbly in mid-air, avoiding the snapping bone-wolf in front of her as it seeks her target.

acid dart, ranged touch 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
acid damage 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Zarabeta's acid snake strikes one of Waifrin's skeletons. After a second or two of chemical pyrotechnics, it still stands, but the bones tremble at the joints.

Marius shatters the damaged skeleton with a blow through ribs and spine.

Waifrin swings and misses.

The wolves slash and bite at you.

Zarabeta
Attack 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9 damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Marius' skeletons also snap and bite. One at his arm, another at his ankle.
Attack 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19 damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
if hits trip attempt 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 v. your CMD

Waifrin's skeletons also snap and bite. Both dive low for her feet.
Attack 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8 damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
if hits trip attempt 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9 v. your CMD
Attack 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17 damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
if hits trip attempt 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 v. your CMD

(Waif still benefits from +2 AC for these attacks.)

Initiative: Round 3.

Zarabeta, 24
Raven, 19
Waifrin, 10
Marius, 9
SKele-wolves, 4

Raven moves away from Waif to help Zarabeta. (+2 to either a melee attack or her AC.)

The skeletal wolf sinks it's teeth into Waifrin again, but again she shakes it off, swearing fluently as she swings her staff at the damaged one.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Marius turns on the last wolf skeleton facing him but his swing fails to connect.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Zarabeta accepts Raven's assistance to AC, if she has a say in the matter! gratefully, and sends another coil of acid to attempt to constrict around the dry bones of another wolf.

acid dart, ranged touch 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
acid damage 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

She remains planted on her backside, all-too aware that turning her attention towards regaining her feet will only afford the bony constructs an opening.

I imagine Zara continues her selfless assistance of her friends in preference to her own defense. I'll subtract Raven's help from the skeleton's attack roll.

Zarabeta's serpent strikes one of Waif's foes and coils around the shoulders and ribcage. The skeleton falls apart. Its jaws snap twice more while lying on the ground and then fall still.

Leaving one for Marius, one for Zara, and one (damaged) for Waif.

Marius' skeleton attacks.
Attack 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17 damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
if hits trip attempt 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17 v. your CMD

Waifrin's:
Attack 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20 damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
if hits trip attempt 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19 v. your CMD

Zarabeta's:Attack 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11 damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Initiative: Round 4.

Zarabeta, 24
Raven, 19
Waifrin, 10
Marius, 9
SKele-wolves, 4

Raven stays with Zarabeta. (+2 to presumably her AC.) His short sword is more effective as a shield than a weapon.

Waifrin goes down, swearing fluently. She loses her temper and attempts to manifest defensively: Attempting an energy ray (fire) at basic damage, with wild surge.

Concentration: 1d20 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 + 4 = 22 target DC 17.
Attack: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 5 - 4 = 21 ranged touch, -4 for prone
Damage: 3d6 + 3 ⇒ (2, 4, 4) + 3 = 13
Enervation (10%): 1d100 ⇒ 56

... can rays critical?

... can rays critical?

Yes, they can. At a x2 critical multiplier. ;-)

Marius swings again...this time scoring a solid hit

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

damage 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

If that puts the skellie down Marius will move towards Waif..or towards Zara if Waif has blasted hers to smithereens

Waifrin Goddon wrote:

... can rays critical?

Yes, they can. At a x2 critical multiplier. ;-)

Shhh! You'll just encourage her.

Harried by the skeletal wolf, Zarabeta can't get off her next casting as quickly. She sees Marius and Waifrin splinter their foes before she acts.

So not so much splintered and blown to bits then ...

"Now I wish Akorian was here," Waifrin gasps as she struggles to her feet, bleeding from several wounds.

"Well, I cannot argue with that," Raven quips in agreement, his eyes not leaving the skeletal wolf attacking Zarabeta even as he speaks. "A morningstar and holy powers would make wonderful additions to our arsenal in this fight."

With one foe remaining, Zarabeta hurls her penultimate acid blast for the day.

acid dart, ranged touch 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
acid damage 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Neither the final demise of all its companions, nor Zarabeta's acidic snake checks the headlong attack of the last skeleton.

Attack 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Initiative: Round 5.

Zarabeta, 24
Raven, 19
Waifrin, 10
Marius, 9
SKele-wolves, 4

Raven may do as he likes since Castor is back.

Marius moves to the wolf and smashes it..

[1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

damage1d8 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

He hands Waif a vial.."That shoud stop the pain..we'll get you patched up properly when we get back to Akorian"

"Thanks cousin. I have that powerful potion we found, but I'm loath to waste it."

Potion of Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

... and I'm loath to waste my crappy dice rolls on potions on it, either! Still that puts me up to half.

"I need some better armour. And maybe a shield."

Marius uses some water from his canteen to wash the blood from the now closed wounds.."Is there no way you could use your ..whatever it is that you do..to shield yourself like mages do?...or is it a purely offensive talent"

He turns to Raven.."I'd advise you to carry a club as a back up, or one of these" he lifts his Morning Star.."I know it might seem a bit crude to you but at least it wouldn't slip between the ribs of skeletons like yon pig sticker."

Then he looks back to both Ladies.."That was my fault entirely..and I'll listen more in future..and if either off you want some training with weapons I'll happily oblige."

"You do have a point," Raven readily agrees. "I can certainly distract skeletons with my... 'pig sticker' enough to get them to miss when attacking someone else, but I doubt that is enough in most fights."

He thinks for a moment and smiles as he reaches a conclusion. "Perhaps a light mace? I am not as strong as you are, so a lighter, more finesseable weapon seems like a better fit."

Marius nods "It's always best to be prepared for everything..now ..if it had been Zombie Wolves then I'd have used the Axe.You never know what you'll be up against.Daggers will do in a pinch against Zombies but you have to remember to use the edge not the point"

He looks at Zara.."You should get a staff like Waifs..if you dont know how to use one I'm sure she'd teach you..I would but I fear I'd be a little too strong for you"

He straightens.."Lets see if they were guarding anything though I doubt the survivors left anything of worth behind them"

"You know I don't know quite what I can do, Marius. I tend to get angry rather than scared, maybe that's why it damages things."

"Well we know the Bastards had some skeletons in their closet, anyway," she jokes.

Beyond the door is another crypt with sarcophagi in narrow hollows in the walls. Nothing apparent of interest.

That ends any combat you might have down here. I'll take you up the stairs behind the other door. Feel free to interject if anything catches your interest.

Up the stairs and you come out in a large open room. Two tables, eight chairs, a few emptied crates in a corner, and two nearly full water tuns. Across the room are a set of double doors, and a smaller door to one side. The room is dirty, dowdy, and dismal. It smells of beer, dog, sweat and piss.

The smaller door accesses the stairs to the belfry. At the top is a heavy bronze bell, green with verdigris. The belfry has a good view of nearby streets and rooftops.

The double doors lead outside. The exterior of the doors is paneled with scenes of hunting and farming. In each panel a great elk watches over the scene.

"Lets remember this place if we need a hiding place in a hurry"

"Smelly, but yes, if we make sure it's well barred when we leave, it's likely that it'll stay empty for a good while," Waifrin nods. "I wouldn't mind a look at some of the other buildings outside," she adds. Consulting the map from the archives she indicates one.

"This one," she indicates the one labelled as belonging to the 'Goddon' family and listing their profession as simply 'merchant'.

Marius nods.."I might have guessed you would..though I doubt we'll find anything after all this time.But I know you won't be happy until you've turned this particular stone over I just hope we dont find anything slimy underneath it"

The house in question is smaller than one might expect from a prosperous merchant. It is built from tightly constructed wood, devoid of decoration. A few ruined planters line the front of the foundation. The shutters on the windows are solidly nailed together. The roof is still in good shape. Overall it gives the impression of having weathered the Dospera years better than most of the surrounding buildings.

Marching order please.

Waifrin's injuries keep her to the centre of the group as they approach, then - if nothing shows itself - she hastens forwards to examine the small house.

"This isn't normal for out here. A solid house all locked up and not broken into?"

Zarabeta will hang towards the back, allowing Marius and Raven to take the the lead, gripping her crossbow in both hands.

Uqabi takes a few moments to settle down, and flutters his wings distractingly before he finally quiets himself.

"Something here must have discouraged the surrounding goblins and brigands from pillaging the place, or be using this building as a safe-house... No lingering danger, such as mechanical traps, or a haunting presence, would explain the boarded over windows, or the maintenance that must have been performed on the roof." she mutters, more to fill the silence than anything else.

Hold that position. Better post coming at lunch.

OK, Maybe later this afternoon.

"It does make one wonder, does it not?" Raven remarks, continuing the small talk that seems to have begun between the companions. The elf walks next to the warrior, appreciating Marius' strong arm and skill in battle enough to keep the man close.

'I would not want to be the first one to greet a pair of skeletal jaws again,' he considers as he thinks about the encounter with the skeletal wolves a few minutes ago.

As you step onto the short walk from the street to the front door:

Waifrin:

Marius:

Raven:

Zareabeta:

Zarabeta frowns at her companion, and mutters to Uqabi, 'Then wait outside, and warn me if you see others approaching, particularly Hellknights.'

Uqabi likely much prefers this plan, not having enjoyed being confined inside during the fight with the skeletal wolves.

"Wait here a moment," Waifrin tells the others suddenly and approaches the door of the closed up house, reaching up to touch the tightly sealed door very tentatively.

"I think I saw a flash of light from between the shutters," Raven whispers softly into Marius' ear. "We best be careful."

As he sees the silver-haired woman making her way to the door, he calls out to her. "Waifrin?"

"This doesn't feel right..something is about to happen and I have no idea what" if it wasn't so dark Raven would probably wonder at the puzzled expression on the Fighters face