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

Game Master therealthom

"Oh well, nothing ventured, nothing gained," Helga reaches out and pushes on the flat panel on the door.

And the door swings open easily. It opens into a confluence of hallways. One goes straight ahead. One kicks 45 degrees to your right. One goes directly to the right.

The hallways are about 20' tall and three quarters of the way up the walls are shelves which run the length of the halls. Lighting is provided by the glowing recesses and ceiling and walls are constructed of the ubiquitous grey wood. A dense but wispy fog plays over the black polished stone floor.

A few steps down each hall reveals that the straight hall is only straight for about 50', then it turns 45 deg right. The middle hall runs about 100' and forms the stem of a T with a crossing hallway. There is a door at the end of the righthand hallway. If the hall crossing the middle hall runs for any distance at all it will end at the door, and cross the "straight" hall.

Oh, and about 30' down the straight hall, there is something on the left hand shelf. It appears to be a book- or maybe a box.

From this point forward I will need a marching order.

Marius will lead..then Waif, Zara and Fiosa at the rear. Initially we will appraoch the book/box until in range for a detect Magic and then proced from there.

It is a book. 15' high shelf means that the distance and angle are poor to reach it or even read the title. From this new location you can see another further down on the right. Neither detects as magical.

Perceptions all around, bitte.

Perception 1d20 ⇒ 18

perception assist to Zara1d20 ⇒ 15

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Waifrin hears them coming first. The soft padding of their paws is betrayed by the clicking of their claw-like nails. They round the corner two dog-like creatures whose shoulders stand as high as Marius'. Long porcupine like quills lay mane along their necks and spines. Tufts of needles stick out of joints and the ends of their tails.

Rounding the corner, they give voice to a long, fullthroated mournful howl.

Initiative +6

Initiative 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Knowledge (planes, I think...) 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Sorry, Initiative 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Zarabeta attempts to convey the most important information she can, as quickly as possible.

"Howlers, their quills are very painful and will damage you if you strike them Marius!"

The howl seems less of a threat against a group of our level, IMO.

Besides the howl is self apparent. I'm going to say the howl goes off in the "surprise round" . Combat begins with a full round. If you beat 15 on initiative post your round 1 action.

In addition to initiatives, can I get two will saves apiece? DC 12 or lose 1 wisdom. If you fail both saves you only lose 1.

Init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Will saves: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16, 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14

Will save 1 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Will save 2 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

If Zarabeta can, she will move to a couple paces 10 ft away from them and attempt to catch both in a dazzling burst of colors.

Color spray, Will DC 15 negates

Initiative1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Will saves 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 +2 if this is a fear effect

Marius finds the cries vaugly unsettling enough to make him hesitate slightly.

Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Will Save #1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Will Save #2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

"Let's see if they burn!" Waifrin exclaims, her eyes blaze with light and static crackles as she focusses her rage:

Energy ray, augmented by two extra power points, wild surged for another +2 for 5d6+1 fire damage.

Enervation Chance (15%): 1d100 ⇒ 24%

Attack (ranged touch): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9 Damage: 5d6 + 5 ⇒ (4, 4, 1, 3, 3) + 5 = 20 Fire

Zarabeta steps back and delivers her spell.

The two charging beasts stop and look stupidly at the party. Seen at this range, their faces don't look dog-like at all. Their snouts rake back from a mouth over oversized incisors and canines. This leaves their nostrils, reminiscent of a nasal opens of a human skull, pointing upward. (It's a wonder they don't drown in a good rainstorm.) The tightness of the skin and shortness of the velvet-thick fur reinforce the skeletal impression.

A third of those soul-stealing cries fills the area.

And, Zarabeta and Fiosa will need one more will save.

Waifrin unleashes a wave of fire which scorches them and rouses them to the attack again.

Round 1 initiative: Zara, howlers and Waifrin gone

Zarabeta, 26
Howlers, 15
Waifrin, 6
Fiosa, 6
Marius, 4

Fiosa and Marius are up.

save, DC 12 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

more Will: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

Fiosa grabs her flute and sets up a countersong to try to counteract the horrible howling.

Perform: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Marius lets fly with his left hand sword the blade flying like an arrow towards the creatures

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18 Damage 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

the blow isn't perfect but serves it's purpose

Fiosa starts her countersong.

Marius' sword digs into the left hand howler and it yowls with pain. It shakes itself and the sword drops free, leaving a bleeding gash in its shoulder. More blood spurts as it steps toward the fighter.

*****

Round 2:

Zarabeta, 26
Howlers, 15
Waifrin, 6
Fiosa, 6
Marius, 4

Zarabeta's up. Then the howlers.

Zarabeta targets one of the howlers that is not yet within melee range of Marius, and hurls a blast of acid at it, before stepping back.

ranged touch 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
acid damage 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Set, none of the three are within melee range yet, thanks to the color spray. You may target the one threatening you and Fiosa, or one of the damaged ones facing off against Waifrin and Marius.

Sorry, I failed my 'explaining what the hell I meant' roll. I wanted one that wasn't yet in melee with Marius, so that I didn't have to eat the -4 penalty for attacking a target in melee.

OK, the third one then.

Zarabeta unleashes one of her patented Acidsnakes (TM) at the Howler charging her and Fiosa. The howling beast sidesteps and the acid merely scores its side.

1d2 ⇒ 2...1d2 ⇒ 2

As the howlers charge in among the party their quills rise into a spiky fan. Jaws snap and rip.

Bite1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14 .... damage 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 6) + 4 = 13
Quills 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 .... damage 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 if this attacks hits DC 14 Reflex save or be sickened by pain

Marius is beset by the one he wounded, but the ex-gladiator fends off the worst of the damage.

Bite1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17 .... damage 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 5) + 4 = 14
Quills 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 .... damage 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 if this attacks hits DC 14 Reflex save or be sickened by pain

Waifrin is wounded when one of the forward protruding fangs snags on a stud in her leather and scores her thigh.

Bite1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11 .... damage 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 2) + 4 = 9
Quills 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12 .... damage 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 if this attacks hits DC 14 Reflex save or be sickened by pain

Zarabeta dodges away from the howler slavering after her.

Waifrin, Fiosa, Marius

Marius extends his hand and the sword snaps back into his grasp.

"Burn them Waif"

Assuming her countersong was successful (anyone suffering from an ongoing sonic condition last round should have been granted a new Will save with a result of 13)...

Fiosa steps back from the threatening beast and changes her song to something more inspiring.

Inspire Courage, +1 to attacks and damage and saves vs. fear

"What do think I'm trying to do?" Gasping in pain Waifrin falls back 5' step away from the howler and raises her hand to unleash another blast of flame.

Energy ray, augmented by four extra power points, wild surged for another +2 for 7d6+7 fire damage.

Enervation Chance (15%): 1d100 ⇒ 37

Attack (ranged touch): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18 Damage: 7d6 + 7 ⇒ (3, 6, 3, 4, 6, 4, 2) + 7 = 35 Fire

"Now die, damn you!"

Now how did I miss that last post? I was thinking AoE, not ranged touch. Oh well.

Fiosa strikes up her one halfling band to inspire the others.

Waifrin's fire washes over the howler attacking her. It's howl gets louder, but less soul seering, then it whimpers out as it drops to the floor and lies still and silent.

One down. Two to go. Marius is up, then Zarabeta to start Round 3.

Marius takes the chance trusting in his skill to avoid the spines.

Current AC 22

Short sword 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18damage1d6 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Short sword 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31 damage1d6 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Critical confirmation Short sword 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13..No Crit

total damage this round 23..running total 32

Marius, don't forget the attack/damage bonus from Inspire Courage.

Zarabeta carefully targets the floor beneath the howlers and a green ectoplasmic slime burbles up beneath them.

grease spell affecting a 10 ft. space under both Howlers, if possible (they sound Medium?), or the that Howler that Marius did not strike last round (if they are too far apart, or size Large), Ref DC 16 or fall down go boom (and be flat-footed)

The beast's quills seem to have a mind of their own. They seem to bend and twist to counter Marius. Even as his blades lance open the howler's flanks, sharp points jab into his flesh, pain sears his outthrust arms and blood of man and outsider mixes on the floor. Throat and heart pierced, the beast wheezes, staggers, but fights on.

Marius takes 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 3) + 2 = 7 and needs a DC 14 reflex save, else a quill breaks off in his flesh and he becomes sickened.

Zarabeta for the top of round 3.

It's the buffer's curse, hogarth. You inspire and bless, but do they take advantage of it? Are they grateful?

"Get away from that thing, Marius, I can finish it!" Waifrin calls, her eyes sparking with elation as her foe falls.

True enough it should be 34 damage in total on the beast now.

Reflex..1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Marius yells as searing pain lances through his arm..he retains the sword in his hand by sheer force of will however.

Oops! Didn't realize Set had ninja'd me. And I do appreciate the rules notes. Unfortunately the remaining howlers are at opposite ends of the party. So you can't hit both.

Refl 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16 ; 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Zarabeta's grease doesn't upset the howler facing her, but when it tries to leap forward it can't gain purchase and its paws windmill on the stone floor without driving it forward.

Marius' foe circles behind him and tries to hamstring him with a snap of its jaws.

Bite 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12 .... damage 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 5) + 4 = 14
Quills 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17 .... damage 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 if this attacks hits DC 14 Reflex save or be sickened by pain

Marius' howler is not looking real healthy. Zara's is untouched as yet. Do your worst.

Zarabeta hurls a bolt of acid at the Howler that has fallen in her conjured slick, not confidence in her ability to hit the one in battle with Marius.

ranged touch 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
acid damage 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

The streak of acid zigs and zags through the air, wending it's way to the stumbling Howler with supernatural accuracy, and she frowns, as she could possibly have finished off Marius' target if she'd been more confident.

Waifrin waits for an opening on either howler held action, expend psionic focus and blast howler with surge blast, with an extra +1 to hit & damage from surging euphoria.

Surge Blast (ranged touch): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17 Damage: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 6) + 2 = 10 Force

So Zara's action doesn't come up til Round 4. Waif's holding, I presume to see how Marius and Fiosa make out. Marius and Fiosa please post round 3.

Fiosa keeps up her inspiring music and heals Marius with a charge from her wand.

1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Marius steps away from his foe and throws the sword at short range.

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

Damage1d6 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Marius' sword flies over the top of the howler. Paying no attention to the missile, it hobbles after him.

Waifrin takes advantage of the opening to blast the creature and it drops to the floor.

Top of next round

Zarabeta's acid serpent wraps the howler's neck and dissolves, quills, fur and flesh into smoking ruin.

1d3 ⇒ 2

The enraged howler closes with the mage, ripping at her with fanged jaws and quills.

Bite 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19 .... damage 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 3) + 4 = 13
Quills 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10 .... damage 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 this attacks hits DC 14 Reflex save or be sickened by pain

Over to Fiosa, Marius, and Waifrin to finish round 4.

Waifrin gathers her energies:

"Zara, get back!" she calls, reading her attack:

Held action: Blast the howler when Zara steps back to give Waifrin a clear shot. Energy ray, augmented by two extra power points, wild surged for another +2 for 5d6+5 fire damage. Attack bonus = +5, +1 boosted dex, +1 bless, +1 surging euphoria.

Enervation Chance (15%): 1d100 ⇒ 4

Attack (ranged touch): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10 Damage: 5d6 + 7 ⇒ (4, 2, 1, 2, 5) + 7 = 21 Fire

As soon as she unleashes the blast, Waifrin reels and clutches her head as the backlash staggers her. Spots flash in front of her eyes, and she feels weakened to the core.

Zarabeta backs away from the beast, to give Waifrin a clear shot as soon as she is able.

The angle is close enough Waif can act without waiting. UNfortunately the dice have deserted Dabbler.

Waifrin's ray flies high, gouging the wall beyond the howler.

Marius and Fiosa.

Fiosa keeps up her music and channels energy to heal her friends.

2d6 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4

Cool. And the healing will pop the quills, removing the sickened condition.

Marius.

Marius feels the sickness leave him and tosses the sword at the limping howler again..

1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15 Damage1d6 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

Alas the sword flies past the beast again.

No 15 is good enough to hit, Wellard. Did I screw up earlier?

Marius hurls his sword into the side of the howler. One last wail and it falls beside its fellow.

Just Zarabeta's howler left.

Top of Round 5:

Zarabeta, 26
Howler, 15

Fiosa, 6
Marius, 4
Waifrin, 3