CrazyHedgehog's Serpent Skull

Game Master CrazyHedgehog

Zag is hardly surprised when the ape men turn hostile. He completes the casting of his readied spell with a word, feeling the wrath of the jungle dance through his fingertips. He gestures towards the largest congregation of enemies and jabs his spear towards them. "Thorns and nettles, make known the might of plants..!" An erupting spray of venomous quills then manifests from the aether like shrapnel.

cast burst of nettles, catching the largest number i can in a 10 ft burst, dealing 3d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 5) = 9 piercing damage with reflex dc 17 for half damage.

"Oshok'arr, if you can hear my voice, to me!" he then booms in druidic, hoping the dinosaur could free herself from her captors.

When Rowena requests a barrier, Zag nods and prepares another spell to ensnare the enemies.

Even grappled as she is, Quinta is hardly without options. Eyes rolling up in the sockets, Quinta opens wide her mouth -- and bites down on the python, her eye-teeth visibly elongating as she does.

Fang attack 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14 for 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 damage plus poison. Fort. DC 12 or take 1 Con. damage. If anyone could get this thing offa me, I'd appreciate it...

@Krolmnite - Apologies, thought map had been attached to last post, I'll make an updated version and tack it on to the end of this post. Krolmnite is five feet away from both Quinta and the charau-ka priest.

Round 1 - continued
Rowena draws her weapon and positions herself beside Hskoro and Zaghigoth. She points out the tar pits to Zaghigoth, as the half-orc unleashes his readied spell at a nearby knot of charau-ka warriors. A burst of acid-filled nettles explodes in their midst, showering them with tiny barbs. The jungle druid bellows out a call to Oshok'arr, from a distance you hear her answering cry. She must be fighting against her captors. One of the charau-ka made its save, taking 5 points damage. Two more in the 10 foot burst took full damage, and will take the acid damage next round.

Hskoro takes his cue and launches himself at the nearest charau-ka. The nagaji grabs the small ape-man and tosses him in a throw. The charau-ka lands heavily but rolls to its feet. Successful flurry of blows dealing 14 points damage.

Suddenly, in the midst of the unfolding fight you notice a human woman step out from behind the stone statue of an elephant. She has close-cropped hair and wears a painted red breastplate. She clutches at a symbol around her neck as she gestures at a group of charau-ka swinging your way. A fireball bursts from her hands and engulfs the little warriors, leaving them alive but scorched and sizzled. Quinta and Krolmnite, you recognise her as the woman that was following your group after you were taken by the charau-ka outside the walls of Tazion. Introducing Liliana! You were able to catch six charau-ka in your fireball, two took full damage but most were able to take half damage after phenomenal saves.

Beside you your wilderness guide Nkechi bends his focus towards one lone charau-ka straddling the bridge over the tar pit. A small cloud forms over the ape-man's head and as he looks up at it in wonder he is suddenly buffeted by winds and zapped by a small bolt of lightning. A storm burst effect, dealing 3 points nonlethal damage.

A loud, eerie cry rises up from the throats of many of the charau-ka assembled. A terrible, shrieking, cacophonous din that seems to pierce your ears and gives you pause. By contrast it seems to invigorate the charau-ka as they leap to attack, many of them now moving faster than you believed possible. Two rip past Rowena's guard and bash her with sticks and clubs. One thwacks her arm with such force it's a wonder that it wasn't broken! Another hits Zaghigoth upside the head, leaving his head ringing in pain as well as from the noise. Krolmnite is beset by two of the creatures, and one leaps on the paladin with blinding speed and beats on his head and shoulders. The charau-ka have a shrieking ability that gives them a limited haste effect, allowing for extra attacks at increased effectiveness. Rowena takes 13 points from two hits, including a critical hit. Zaghigoth takes 5 points damage. Krolmnite takes 10 points damage.

The three charau-ka that were hit by Zaghigoth's burst of nettles try to get at the half-orc, but Hskoro stands in their way. Two brandish clubs and one manages to get a solid hit on the monk, while the third lobs a large stone at the nagaji. It hits him square in the chest, ouch. A fourth ape-man, the one being followed by Nkechi's miniature storm burst, leaps across the bridges and hurls itself towards the throat of its nearest foe, Hskoro again. The little storm follows him. Three hits for 12 points damage.

The band of charau-ka hit by the newcomer's fireball split. Two of the charred ape-men rush at the woman, bashing at her armor with clubs. The other rush at the rest of you, but Yekskya stands in the way. Two hurl themselves at the archer, who tries to beat them away with his greatsword but they land vicious blows with sharpened stakes. Two others hurl rocks, one particularly large one clubbing the fighter. Three hits on Yekskya for a total of 27 points damage. One further hit on Liliana for 6 points damage.

Quinta remains bound in the coils of the great serpent. Unexpectedly, she reveals her fangs and bites down on the snake. It has tough scales though, and she fails to puncture its flesh.

Krolmnite up! It all hangs in the balance!

Updated Map As promised. The large circle shows where Liliana's fireball detonated, the second smaller circle Zag's burst of nettles, though many of the charau-ka have moved around since.

Initiative
25 - Yekskya
19 - High Priest Raogru & Chu-tok
18 - Rowena
15 - Zaghigoth & Oshok'arr
14 - Hskoro
9 - Liliana
8 - Nkechi
8 - charau-kas
6 - Quinta & Sssss
5 - Krolmnite

==========

The gnome declares his Smite Evil on the foul priest and takes a 5' step forward to swing his blade two different times.

Smite attack 1d20 + 11 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 11 + 3 = 27
Damage 1d10 + 4 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 8 = 20

Smite attack 1d20 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 3 = 16
Damage 1d10 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 4 = 13

Current AC is 21 against target of smite.

Despite my preparations I'm surprised by the speed with which the monkey-freaks attack. Before I can put up a solid defense, I feel sticks and clubs land painful blows on my body. Through the screaming of the beasts, I grit my teeth against the pain and lash out with my rapier.

Over the din of the screaming and sounds of battle I call out to Quinta: "Hang in there, Quinta. We'll get you out shortly. But we need to deal with these freaks first!" As my blade sings a song of death, I flash a cold grin at the attacker the nearly broke my arm: "Time to die, you evil little freak!"

Attack, rapier: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Damage, rapier: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Status: current HP 33/46 - AC 17

Round 1 - continued
Krolmnite pivots forward so that he can bring his blade to bear on the charau-ka priest Raogru, pushing the lesser warriors away from himself in the process. Gnome and ape-man stare at each other eye to eye as Krolmnite calls on the power of Smiad to bring judgment to the vile priest of Ydersius. The charau-ka seems to be protected by layers of magic, but Krolmnite's blade slices in, once, scoring a deep hit on Raogru's torso. His blade slices in a second time, but this time the blade grates on the priest's snakeskin armor. 5foot step and a successful smite for 20 points damage.

Round 2
Yekskya valiantly tries to fend off the band of charau-ka trying to flank him to get at the rest of the party. He cuts down one with his greatsword, twisting so as to face his next opponent. Successful hit for 10 points damage and that charau-ka is down and bleeding out.

The priest Raogru responds to Krolmnite's painful attack by attempting to cast a spell. Clutching his holy symbol, he rattles off a prayer in Polyglot as he tries to dodge Krolmnite's blade. The paladin is too quick for him though, and Krolm's harrying causes him to miss-speak and lose his spell. Attempting to make a concentration check to cast defensively, failed - just.

Raogru's serpent companion tightens its grip on Quinta. Caught fast in its coils, the constrictor speaks to her as it begins to squeeze the life from her. Made a CMB check of 24 to hold the grapple, dealing 12 points damage.

Rowena tries to battle her way to Quinta's aid. Her slim rapier weaves a song of death as she skewers the shrieking, speeded-up charau-ka. It howls in pain and outrage! Successful hit for 5 points damage.

Zaghigoth and Liliana up!

Updated Map

Initiative
25 - Yekskya
19 - High Priest Raogru & Chu-tok
18 - Rowena
15 - Zaghigoth & Oshok'arr
14 - Hskoro
9 - Liliana
8 - Nkechi
8 - charau-kas
6 - Quinta & Sssss
5 - Krolmnite

=======

Zag is just about to conjure up some plants to block off the passage when he sees Quinta having the life squeezed out of her by the snake. He hesitates for a moment, unsure if his plan will work, but decides that he must try, at the very least. He spins his spear and points it at the snake's direction.

"Hear my voice now, beast of scales. Release, and take rest, I say!"

Cast calm animals on the snake, affecting up to 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (1, 3) + 6 = 10 hit dice. If this snake is indeed just an animal, it must make a Will Save DC 15 or be rendered docile and harmless.

If the spell works, Zag calls out "do not threaten the serpent now, and the spell will hold it!"

Round 2 - continued

In the midst of the fray Zaghigoth twists and sees Quinta being squeezed in the snake's clutches. He changes tack from the spell he was going to cast, and thinking quickly casts instead a spell to make the snake more docile. A nearby charau-ka tries to intercede, but th wily half-orc weaves out of the way as his spell takes effect. Immediately the snake seems to become more slack and Quinta is able to step out of reach. The giant serpent seems a bit woozy as its head drifts back and forth, bending towards the sorceress. An attempted attack of opportunity, but it failed. Likewise the snake failed its Will save.

Hskoro lays into one of the charau-ka with a series of jabs, blocks and blows. Finally he knocks its head back with a sickening crunch as the body goes flying back against the stone wall. Two successful hits with flurry of blows and that charau-ka is out for the count.

Liliana up next - only 17 foes left! A dawdle! No map update but will have one up for the next post.

Initiative
25 - Yekskya
19 - High Priest Raogru & Chu-tok
18 - Rowena
15 - Zaghigoth & Oshok'arr
14 - Hskoro
9 - Liliana
8 - Nkechi
8 - charau-kas
6 - Quinta & Sssss
5 - Krolmnite

======

Seeing how her fireball did some damage but not as much as she hoped for, Liliana decides to handle the ape-men coming her way first and draws her scimitar. Yelling "For the glory of Sarenrae", she attacks the charau-ka near her who looks most charred by her fireball.
attack scimitar: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16 damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
status hp: 48/54, spells: orisons: Detect magic, Purify food and drink, Resistance, Stabilize level 1: Burning hands, Command x2, Detect evil , Remove fear level 2: Produce flame, Hold person x2, Resist energy x2 level 3: Fireball , Create food and water, Prayer, Searing light

Waiting for my turn...

Round 2 - continued

The newcomer, a human woman, battles against the charau-ka as well. Two attempt to rake at her, and she responds by drawing her scimitar. They try to take advantage by bashing her with hardwood clubs, but she fends them off, slashing one of them with a deep gash across the chest. She yells a battlecry, a call to Sarenrae the goddess of healing. Liliana scores a hit for 3 points damage.

Your guide Nkechi the Tempest tries to repeat his earlier trick. The charau-ka he earlier targeted with a small stormburst still has a small cloud hanging over it, and the hermit waggles a finger to signal it to strike again. This time, the canny charau-ka seems to detect what's coming, leaping to the side a second before a small jolt of lightning zaps to the earth. The warrior leers back at the priest, but still seems buffeted by the winds and rain of his own personal storm. Unsuccessful storm burst domain ability.

The charau-ka press their attack, trying to encircle their prey. Many of them seem speeded up as they are emboldened by their continuous shrieking. Beating with their clubs and sharp rocks, they are scoring hits by sheer weight of numbers. A raft of successful hits by the various charau-ka on the party, dealing 5 points damage each to Rowena, Zaghigoth, and Krolmnite. 6 points damage to Nkechi, and 3 points damage to Yekskya.

Quinta and Krolmnite up!

Map - no changes from last post.

Initiative
25 - Yekskya
19 - High Priest Raogru & Chu-tok
18 - Rowena
15 - Zaghigoth & Oshok'arr
14 - Hskoro
9 - Liliana
8 - Nkechi
8 - charau-kas
6 - Quinta & Sssss
5 - Krolmnite

=========

The gnome continues his Smite Evil on the foul priest swinging his blade two different times.

Smite attack 1d20 + 11 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 11 + 3 = 30
Damage 1d10 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 4 = 13

Smite attack 1d20 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 3 = 25
Damage 1d10 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 4 = 9

Current AC is 21 against target of smite.

So sorry... Here I was whinging about having to wait, and I've kept you all. Oof! ^^;

Quinta directs a venomous gaze at Raogru, hisses Words of Power - and then leaps away from the python, putting some distance between them.

Quinta casts Ear-piercing scream on Raogru for 2d6 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6 sonic damage. Fortitude save DC 15 to halve damage. Fail the save, and be dazed for one round.

Quinta hops down off the dais, coming to a stop next to Krolmnite.

Round 2 - continued

Zaghigoth's Calm Animal spell works like a charm, and Quinta is able to step away from the clutches of the overgrown python. Immediately she rounds on the charau-ka priest Raogru with an ear-piercing shriek. The snake-priest seems to have Ydersius' own blessing upon him, as he hardly seems to register any pain from the sonic attack. Quinta springs away from the snake. Raogru makes his Fort save, taking 3 points sonic damage.

Krolmnite covers Quinta's retreat by laying in to Raogru with his sword. The champion of Smiad smacks the acolyte of Ydersius, leaving two deep wounds and the charau-ka howling. His tribe howls in response. Both hits, for a total of 22 points damage.

Round 3
Yekskya continues to try to beat off a group of charau-ka trying to rush the party from the south. Some of the ape-men keep to the trees out of reach to pelt him with rocks, but he manages to spit one of them on the end of his greatsword. He takes one down with a hit dealing 13 points damage.

The snake-priest Raogru retaliates by launching a fierce counter-attack against Krolmnite. He knocks away the gnome's parries with his bloody, tar-soaked mace and bashes away at Krolm's armor. His strength seems to have been supernaturally enhanced. His pet serpent remains in pace, gently swaying back and forth. Two successful hits I believe for a total of 27 points damage.

Rowena, Zaghigoth, and Liliana up!

Updated Map

Initiative
25 - Yekskya
19 - High Priest Raogru & Chu-tok
18 - Rowena
15 - Zaghigoth & Oshok'arr
14 - Hskoro
9 - Liliana
8 - Nkechi
8 - charau-kas
6 - Quinta & Sssss
5 - Krolmnite

========

Now that she is committed to fight the charau-ka near her, Liliana continues slashing the already wounded ape-man nearest her.
attack scimitar: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14 damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

status hp: 48/54, spells: orisons: Detect magic, Purify food and drink, Resistance, Stabilize level 1: Burning hands, Command x2, Detect evil, Remove fear level 2: Produce flame, Hold person x2, Resist energy x2 level 3: Fireball, Create food and water, Prayer, Searing light

While fighting the charau-ka blocking my way to Quinta, I hear Zag cast a spell and see the snake suddenly release Quinta. With that threat dealt with for now, I concentrate on taking out the enemies around me. Wincing inwardly as I see Krolmnite take as much punishment as he is dealing out, I am fighting as hard as I can to go help the gnome paladin as quickly as possible. "Die, you monkey-freak!" Lunging at the charau-ka closest to me, I jam my rapier into its side.

Attack, rapier: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Damage, rapier: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Status: current HP 33/46 - AC 17

Zag takes a defensive stance and begins channeling a spell, reaching out the primordial realm beyond the Material, where bestial, primal power reigns supreme and takes no prisoners...

Defensive Cast Swarm of Fangs, 1 round casting time

Concentration: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

0th - Detect Magic, Read Magic, Create Water, Purify Food & Drink
1st - Produce Flame, Hide from Animals, Faerie Fire
2nd - Sickening Entanglement, Burst of Radiance, Soften Earth & Stone
3rd - Thorny Entanglement

Round 3 continued
With Quinta released from the snake, Rowena changes tack and tries to battle her way to Krolmnite's side. She jams her rapier roughly into the side of one of the ape-men. 3 points damage inflicted on the one directly to Rowena's right.

Zaghigoth crouches as he raises his shield to bat away a couple hits. He calls out to the spirits, and they hear his cry.

Hskoro unleashes a flurry of punches, blocks, and kicks on his opponents. One's neck crunches sickeningly as he goes flying. Two successful hits with a flurry of blows for a total of 16 points damage, taking down one of the charau-ka.

Liliana furiously presses the attack against the two charau-ka blocking her from joining the rest of the fight. The one she wounded before seems sorely hurt, and she takes advantage of its slow response to wound it again. Successful hit for 4 points damage.

Nkechi lets his wooden symbol of Gozreh fall to his chest as instead he thrusts his trident into the chest of one of the charau-ka. It manages to back out of range, but not before taking a grievous wound. Successful hit for 6 points damage.

The charau-ka that Rowena stuck responds by biting at her face, tearing a strip of flesh away from her cheek. Just as another hasted charau-ka slides past Zaghigoth's guard to wallop him across the head with a club. One tries unsuccessfully to break past Krolmnite's defense, but another breaks off its attack on the champion of Smiad to leap on Quinta. It manages to beat her around the shoulders for a moment before she shoves it away. 4 points damage each to Rowena and Quinta, 7 points damage to Zaghigoth. Zag you may need to make a concentration check to avoid losing your spell, the DC will be 17.

With Hskoro the charau-ka are giving as good as they get, and the nagaji is taking a terrible beating from thrown rocks and club attacks. Nkechi is not faring much better, taking a punch in the gut with the butt of a club. Yekskya meanwhile is weathering a storm of stones thrown from charau-ka in trees above but seems to be holding fast. The fighter looks for an opening so he can break out his bow. 10 points damage to Hskoro and 5 points to Nkechi.

The human newcomer clothed in the vestments of a worship of Sarenrae fights off her two attackers, they're not able to land any lethal hits.

You're doing damage! Keep it up! Quinta and Krolmnite up, then we'll roll on to a new round.

Updated Map

Initiative
25 - Yekskya
19 - High Priest Raogru & Chu-tok
18 - Rowena
15 - Zaghigoth & Oshok'arr
14 - Hskoro
9 - Liliana
8 - Nkechi
8 - charau-kas
6 - Quinta & Sssss
5 - Krolmnite

========

The gnome continues his Smite Evil on the foul priest swinging his blade two different times.

Smite attack 1d20 + 11 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 11 + 3 = 20
Damage 1d10 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 4 = 13

Smite attack 1d20 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 3 = 20
Damage 1d10 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 4 = 14

Current AC is 21 against target of smite.

After swinging his sword, the paladin quickly uses his LoH power to restore some of his vitality.

LoH 3d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 1) = 8

Ignoring the attack on herself for the moment, Quinta again focuses on Raogru -- and releases another soundless shriek, which rattles the evil Cleric's skull from the inside out!

Ear-piercing shriek on Raogru for 2d6 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2 sonic damage. Fortitude save DC 15 for half. Fail the save and be dazed for one round.

Round 3 continued
Quinta focuses her magic against the evil priest Raogru. This time he seems to react to a shrieking inside his head, grabbing his temples as if his skull was threatening to burst apart. Failed his save, taking the 2 points sonic damage and dazed for this next round. Krolmnite follows up by pressing his own attack, landing several hits that break through the ape-man's defences. He then falls back for a moment to call on Smiad's blessing, regaining some of his vitality. Two more successful hits dealing 27 points damage.

Round 4
Yekskya has cut down two of his opponents, and now turns his blade on the charau-ka attacking Quinta. He swings but the ape-man darts away.

High Priest Raogru continues his frenzied attack against Krolmnite. The two combatants are about the same size. He moves so as to catch the Twice Blessed between himself and one of his charau-ka warriors. He lands two solid hits about the gnome's head and shoulders, pounding on the gnome's armor. Takes a 5 foot step to flank Krolmnite. Two hits on AC23+ for a total of 20 points damage.

Rowena, Zaghigoth, and Liliana up!

Initiative
25 - Yekskya
19 - High Priest Raogru & Chu-tok
18 - Rowena
15 - Zaghigoth & Oshok'arr
14 - Hskoro
9 - Liliana
8 - Nkechi
8 - charau-kas
6 - Quinta & Sssss
5 - Krolmnite

=============

CCH, since the priest failed his save and is dazed, I assume he can't have taken those two attacks against me. Is that correct?

Concentration: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

Zag feels the strike of the club to his head, but his connection with the spirits is not so easily broken. His eyes go wide, bright and white as the spirit world flows through him. He stretches out his hands and growls.

"Tiger, wolf, bear, and boar...every gnashing fang and threshing claw of the beasts beyond...devour, I say!"

Suddenly, a flash of silvery-white light appears and in its wake thousands of swirling, gnashing, biting teeth wash over the nearest pair of enemies.

The fangs appear in a 10-foot square covering the two ape-men to the left of Hskoro, dealing 2d6 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11 damage.

As the swarm does its work, Zag jabs at the ape-men who walloped him with his spear.

Spear: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

HP 46/63

CCH, since the priest failed his save and is dazed, I assume he can't have taken those two attacks against me. Is that correct?

Ach yes, Raogru should have been standing like a numpty. Disregard his movement and attacks. He's standing dumbfounded by the spell, but he'd sure pound on you with his heavy mace if he could. He's like that, you know.

Cool! I didn't subtract the HP while I was waiting on your call, so I'm good!

Sorry for not posting sooner. Wife's (Liliana) brain tumor has returned after ten years and she's just started again on chemo therapy. Both of us will try to post as much as we can, but if needed, please npc our characters. And sorry for dropping this on y'all.

Wincing as the fangs of the charau-ka tear a strip of flesh from my face "Ow! Curses! That's gonna leave a scar. And cost a lot of gold to get it fixed.", I double my efforts to kill the monster quickly, before I receive yet more wounds.

Attack, rapier: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Damage, rapier: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Status: current HP 29/46 - AC 17

Oh geeze. My best wishes to you and Liliana.

That's terrible news, hope the treatment is going well. Don't worry about the game, if you are still wanting to play then check in when you can we'll NPC things in the meantime. We'll be thinking of you.

Round 4 continued
Rowena shoves the charau-ka away, piercing it with her rapier. This one was going down. Actually with a roll of 18 your rapier's threatening a critical hit. Given the circumstances I hope you don't mind I rolled the confirmation check on your behalf, sadly it was just a regular hit.

Zaghigoth completes his summoning spell and a raging cloud of gnashing teeth and rending claws bursts forth and envelopes two of the charau-ka. One is eviscerated instantly, leaving only scraps of flesh. The other ape-man looks grotesque as its flesh is ripped away, astoundingly it's still on its feet, more by instinct than volition you would think. A horribly effective spell. The charau-ka tries to flee the swarm, but is blocked by Hskoro who roughly tosses it back amongst the teeth. They cut it to shreds. Zaghigoth turns his spear on the ape-man that attacked him, keeping it at bay but not landing a solid hit. One charau-ka was pretty wounded and that sent him deep into the negatives, the other's just hanging on. Hskoro put it into the minuses with two successful flurry attacks, but I thought it sounded more evocative if the teeth did the work.

Liliana up next. I need to finish this post anyway, so that will give time to post if you're wanting to Liliana, otherwise everyone I'll NPC and try to post up charau-kas' response same time tomorrow evening.

Initiative
25 - Yekskya
19 - High Priest Raogru & Chu-tok
18 - Rowena
15 - Zaghigoth & Oshok'arr
14 - Hskoro
9 - Liliana
8 - Nkechi
8 - charau-kas
6 - Quinta & Sssss
5 - Krolmnite

========

I'm not sure if I read the map correctly. Can Liliana take a five foot step backwards out of reach of both ape-men?
Liliana continues slashing the already wounded ape-man nearest her, yelling "Die already, will you!"
attack scimitar: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16 damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

status hp: 48/54, spells: orisons: Detect magic, Purify food and drink, Resistance, Stabilize level 1: Burning hands, Command x2, Detect evil, Remove fear level 2: Produce flame, Hold person x2, Resist energy x2 level 3: Fireball, Create food and water, Prayer, Searing light

Round 4 continued

@Liliana - Yes, I think you could take a 5 foot step back and be out of reach of both of the charau-ka attacking you.

Liliana continues to slash the wounded charau-ka, and this time spits it on the end of her blade. The body slides off and slumps to the ground. Just enough to put your target into negative hit points. Another one down!

Without any foes immediately threatening him, Nkechi the guide lowers his trident and once more grasps his holy symbol of Gozreh. He summons his most potent spell, calling down a bolt of lightning on one of the charau-ka clinging to a tree overhanging Yekskya. The branch blasts apart, throwing the ape-man down against another branch. Casts Call Lightning, the charau-ka made its Reflex save so only took 6 points electricity damage as half damage.

Two more charau-ka howl and shriek; the cries seem to invigorate them and they attack with greater speed and ferocity than before. The others seem to be visibly slowing down. One of them still manages to get past Rowena's defences, while one of the speeded-up charau-ka manages to land one of several hits on Krolmnite. Those that hadn't engaged their shrieking frenzy talent do so now (all two of them still on their feet). Those that had been frenzying, are now staggered. 4 hit points damage to Rowena and Krolmnite.

Those of you in the center of the fray duck as one of the charau-ka flings rocks in your direction. Hskoro is a tad too slow, and takes another hit to the head. Similarly Yekskya is assaulted by two charau-ka clinging just out of reach. 3 points damage to Hskoro and 6 points damage to Yekskya with some lucky ranged hits by the charau-ka.

Quinta and Krolmnite up next.

Initiative
25 - Yekskya
19 - High Priest Raogru & Chu-tok
18 - Rowena
15 - Zaghigoth & Oshok'arr
14 - Hskoro
9 - Liliana
8 - Nkechi
8 - charau-kas
6 - Quinta & Sssss
5 - Krolmnite

========

Krolmnite continues his Smite Evil on the foul priest swinging his blade two different times.
"Fall before my it, evil cult leader! Respect the glory that is Smiad's chosen warrior!"

Smite attack 1d20 + 11 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 11 + 3 = 16
Damage 1d10 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 4 = 12

Smite attack 1d20 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 3 = 24
Damage 1d10 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 4 = 13

Current AC is 21 against target of smite.

After swinging his sword, the paladin quickly uses his LoH power to restore some of his vitality.

LoH 3d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 1) = 10

With more ape-freaks still around me, I let the dead charau-ka slide off of my rapier and immediately target the next one. (Targeting the one to the North-East of me, leaving the one to my East for Zhag).

Attack, rapier: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Damage, rapier: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Status: current HP 25/46 - AC 17

Ack! Sorry! >_<

Quinta again directs her magic at the high priest. If Krolmnite's attack takes him down this round, she instead directs her spell at the nearest charau-ka fighting with Rowena, trying to stun it.

Ear-piercing shriek, 2d6 ⇒ (3, 4) = 7 sonic damage. Fort. DC 15 for half damage. Fail save and be dazed for one round.

Don't worry, Quinta. I checked in on Monday and figured you would just be posting an update presently. I expected to log back in later the same day but ended up with a week of interruptions instead. You're all really mopping the floor with these charau-ka though, ouch.

Round 4 - continued
Raogru is numbed by another ear-piercing shriek from Quinta. He quickly shrugs it off, but it's enough time for Krolmnite to move up close to the charau-ka, sweep aside his foe's club and open up gash across the ape-man's chest. Blood pours from the open wound, as the paladin pauses to restore some of his own vitality. Raogru made his Fortitude save and so only took 3 points sonic damage, but it Krolm up nicely so his second strike hits, causing 13 points damage. He's not long for this world.

Round 5
Yekskya continues to fight with the charau-ka grasping at Quinta. With a well-aimed strike with his great sword he lops off the ape-man's head. It goes bouncing across the stone battlefield, tumbling to a rest near the great serpent Chu-tok. It regards the head solemnly before bending down and swallowing it. Yekskya salutes Quinta before turning back to the other charau-ka coming from that quarter. Yekskya may well have had a double-critical, as he had a natural 20 on his roll to confirm a threat. Another one down.

Raogru's eyes shine with madness, pain, and desperation in equal amounts. He looks up at you all towering over him, and mutters a dark curse to his demon god. Instantly a veil of darkness settles over all of you with a dread weight. Casts deeper darkness, successfully casting on the defensive so as not to incur attacks of opportunity. I'll post up a new map, but with its 60 foot radius that pretty much engulfs everybody.

As one charau-ka slides off her slim blade, Rowena immediately turns her attention to the next foe. She's just about to give it the same treatment when the priest's darkness spell drops over everyone, and her blade stabs at thin air. Alas, with the true darkness of the spell, opponent's gain a 50% miss chance due to concealment. To keep things moving I rolled d% for you Shaylar, and unfortunately came up short. Good news is the concealment works both ways.

Updated map to follow. Zaghigoth and Liliana up.

Initiative
25 - Yekskya
19 - High Priest Raogru & Chu-tok
18 - Rowena
15 - Zaghigoth & Oshok'arr
14 - Hskoro
9 - Liliana
8 - Nkechi
8 - charau-kas
6 - Quinta & Sssss
5 - Krolmnite

========

Now that one of the ape-men has been dealt with, Liliana takes a step away from the other one and while grasping her holy symbol, she commands him to halt. Casting the spell Command. Will save versus DC 14

status hp: 48/54, spells: orisons: Detect magic, Purify food and drink, Resistance, Stabilize level 1: Burning hands, Command , Command, Detect evil, Remove fear level 2: Produce flame, Hold person x2, Resist energy x2 level 3: Fireball, Create food and water, Prayer, Searing light

Sorry, somehow missed that we had moved along here.

Zag focuses on his primal link with the swarm of fangs and moves it to attack the next grouping of enemies and once more attempts to stab the nearest ape-man with his spear.

Move action to move the swarm to the next largest conglomeration of enemies that does not include an ally... 2d6 ⇒ (2, 6) = 8 damage. Standard action to attack with spear.

Spear: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Confirm: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Extra Damage if Confirmed: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 5) + 4 = 13

HP 46/63

Cursing under my breath as my blade misses its intended target in the sudden darkness, I try to pinpoint the charau-ka's position by listening for sounds of movement. When I hear something, my blade stabs at the place I believe the monster to be hiding.

Attack, rapier: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Damage, rapier: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Crit check: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Crit damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Miss chance: 50% (Under 50 is good)1d100 ⇒ 25

Status: current HP 25/46 - AC 17

Round 5 - continued
Engulfed in darkness, Zaghigoth waves his hand, directing his swarming fangs wheever he can hear combat. The swarm moves along to the tree with the charau-ka exchanging missile fire with Yekskya. Tooth and claw eviscerate tree and charau-ka alike, until there is one lone charau-ka clinging to a bare branch. Not many charau-ka left to be honest. These two were beside each other, one was taken down and the other grievously wounded by the spell.

Once the half-orc directs his spell away, he turns on his remaining foes. He lunges where he can hear a charau-ka prowling in the darkness. Crack! Drat, the spear must have nearly impaled it but instead just clatters against the worn flagstones. Unfortunately not quite a critical hit, but a solid hit nonetheless. Unfortunately, everyone within the effect of the Deeper Darkness spell has total concealment (50% miss chance) and the spear narrowly missed as a result.

The nagaji Hskoro feels his way forward through the darkness, seeking more of the enemy. Suddenly he cocks his head at a sound above end to the left. He strikes like a viper, flinging two shuriken in the direction of the sound. With satisfaction he hears a grunt from the charau-ka as one of his shuriken strikes home. Moves 10 feet north and throws 2 shuriken with flurry, one of them hits.

Liliana takes a step back from the remaining charau-ka as a blanket of darkness drops down on the rest of the fight. She seems unaffected by the darkness spell, grasps her holy symbol and calls down a spell to cause the charau-ka to halt in its tracks. Well done, the ape-man failed its Will save, immobile.

Nkechi's lightning spell rumbles while he searches the dark in vain for a target. Finally he clutches his holy symbol and summons a healing spell, reaching out blindly for one of his allies. The hermit's hand claps on Zaghigoth's shoulder, and healing energy courses into the half-orc. Sacrifices Purify Food and Water for a Cure Light Wounds spell, heals Zag for 7 hit points.

Just like yourselves, the charau-ka seem momentarily stymied by the magical darkness. The shrieking and crying dies away, replaced by scuttling sounds as they try to find their prey, and sniffing. You can hear them just out of reach, testing the air, trying to pinpoint your location by scent. A few rush in with reckless attacks, and even manage to hit. A clawed arm rakes Zaghigoth, and Yekskya gets walloped by a lucky rock that comes whistling through the darkness. The only charau-ka outside the magical veil, facing Liliana, has been halted by her spell. It gazes at her limply. They only manage two hits, hitting Zag for 4 points damage and Yekskya for 5 points.

Quinta and Krolmnite up!

Updated Map - The Deeper Darkness spell has a 60 foot radius, centered on the junction of squares including Nkechi, Zaghigoth, and Quinta. To the west shows the furthest extent of the radius, but on other sides I've hedged it in, I figured the exterior walls and partitions of the temple would block the spell reaching its furthest extent. Even if that were the case, I don't think it would affect the situation. The grey blobs on the map then note squares covered in darkness; keeping in mind what I said above pardon if some of the darkness effect seems to be creeping beyone the exterior walls, I just couldn't quite get it perfect. The smaller square in the lower left corner is Zaghigoth's swarm of fangs spell, proving helpfully destructive. Just six charau-ka warriors left that you can see, plus Roagru and his big snake Chu-tok.

Initiative
25 - Yekskya
19 - High Priest Raogru & Chu-tok
18 - Rowena
15 - Zaghigoth & Oshok'arr
14 - Hskoro
9 - Liliana
8 - Nkechi
8 - charau-kas
6 - Quinta & Sssss
5 - Krolmnite

========

Krolmnite continues his Smite Evil on the foul priest swinging his blade two different times.

Smite attack 1d20 + 11 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 11 + 3 = 33
Damage 1d10 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 4 = 17
Miss chance, high is good 1d100 ⇒ 80

Smite attack 1d20 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 3 = 12
Damage 1d10 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 4 = 15
Miss chance, high is good 1d100 ⇒ 78

Possible crit on attack one 1d20 + 11 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 11 + 3 = 16
Damage 1d10 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 4 = 11
Miss chance 1d100 ⇒ 93

Current AC is 21 against target of smite.

After swinging his sword, the paladin quickly uses his LoH power to restore some of his vitality.

LoH 3d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 4) = 10

Quinta tries to catch sight or sound of Raogru, and fires off another spell of sonic misery!

Miss chance 1d100 ⇒ 77. If the spell hits its mark: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5 sonic. Fort. save DC15 to halve. Fail the save and be dazed for one round.

Happy New Year to you all! Hope you had a good brak. Let's give you a chance to mop up these critters and we'll see what discoveries await.

Round 5 - continued

Peering through the dark, Quinta summons another ear piercing scream. She scans the darkness for the charau-ka priest Raogru, and at a glimpse of movement she hurls her spell. It's a glancing blow in magical terms, Quinta considers that it hasn't done much damage but she hears a shriek and stumbling in the darkness. Raogru makes his Fortitude save and so just takes the 2 points sonic damage, un-dazed.

The noise however, is enough for Krolmnite to home in on his target. He lunges in with his sword and skewers the foul priest of Ydersius, tearing the charau-ka's snakeskin armor. Krolmnite thrusts again, but the charau-ka is already sinking to the ground. A call goes up amongst the remaining charau-ka - their leader is dead! In response Krolmnite heals some more of his accumulated wounds. Holy toldedo that first strike was an amazing roll! The confirmation roll unfortunately doesn't result in a critical, but it's enough to end the guy.

Round 6

Yekskya is also a warrior of steely nerves and acute senses. Nocking an arrow to his compound bow, he draws and shoots into the tree, his arrow passing through Zaghigoth's swarm of fangs and piercing the charau-ka clinging there. Even as he hears its dying gasp he pivots and fires another arrow into the dark. It too seems to have found its mark as you hear a cry of pained surprise. Shoots two arrows, downing one charau-ka and hitting the one remaining closest to Krolmnite for 13 points damage.

From the darkness, you hear the giant serpent Chu-tok hiss in growing consternation.

Cat and Zaghigoth up!

Updated Map - Not many enemies left now. The sandy square on the map shows Zag's fang spell.

Initiative
25 - Yekskya
19 - Chu-tok
18 - Rowena
15 - Zaghigoth & Oshok'arr
14 - Hskoro
9 - Liliana
8 - Nkechi
8 - charau-kas
6 - Quinta & Sssss
5 - Krolmnite

========

Zag nods to Nkechi in thanks and narrows his eyes at the enemies before him. In a sweeping motion he raises his hand and brings it over his head in an arc, sweeping in downwards at the gathered foes. The swarm of gnashing fangs responds in kind, flying into the air and taking a similar arc over the druid and his companions, only to crash down hungrily amongst the enemies. Considering the swarm can fly and I can move it 40 feet with a move action I believe it has enough movement to fly over me and Cat and Nkechi and come down on the two charau-kas in front of Cat and the docile snake...might as well wake him now I guess since I can't get the other two without hitting him.

Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 4) = 9

After the swarm does its work, Zag produces his wand of healing and touches Cat with it, hoping to assist her in dispatching the rest of the enemies.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

HP 49/63

0th - Detect Magic, Read Magic, Create Water, Purify Food & Drink
1st - Produce Flame, Hide from Animals, Faerie Fire
2nd - Sickening Entanglement, Burst of Radiance, Soften Earth & Stone
3rd - Thorny Entanglement

Happy New Year everybody

Now that the darkness engulfs both potential friends and definite foes which makes it difficult to know for certain where the foes are, Liliana decides to focus on the one remaining enemy in sight. She lets a cone of searing flame loose from her hands making sure the halted ape-man is in the cone. Casting burning hands, fire damage: 5d4 ⇒ (2, 3, 1, 3, 4) = 13 Reflex save 14 for half damage.

status hp: 48/54, spells: orisons: Detect magic, Purify food and drink, Resistance, Stabilize level 1: Burning hands, Command , Command, Detect evil, Remove fear level 2: Produce flame, Hold person x2, Resist energy x2 level 3: Fireball, Create food and water, Prayer, Searing light

CHH, didn't see my earlier post back in your description of events, so here's a new one. ;-)

Feeling a light tap on my shoulder from the direction I know Zaghigoth to be, I realize he must be bestowing some magical healing on me when some of my wounds start closing up.

Listening intently for sounds of the few remaining charau-ka nearby, I hear something off to my right and immediately my blade flashes unseen in the magical darkness, aimed at the source of the shuffling sound I believe to be one of the monkey-freaks that are giving us such a hard time.

Attack, rapier: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Damage, rapier: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Miss chance: 50% (over 50 is good)1d100 ⇒ 100

Crit check: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Crit damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Miss chance: 50% (over 50 is good)1d100 ⇒ 29

Status: current HP 29/46 - AC 17

@Rowena: Not missed, it just took a while to get through the initiative order, there's a lot at play here.

Round 6 continued
Energized, Rowena stabs forward in the dark. Her efforts are rewarded when she hears a squeak from one of the charau-ka as her rapier scores a hit. You can hear its squeals of pain in the dark. [ooc] Your two posts were pretty similar actions, going with your most recent scores a critical hit dealing 7 points damage. It's not very happy.

From the sound of it, some of the surviving charau-ka - it's much quitter now in the sanctum - seem to clustering around Rowena. With a sweep of his hand Zaghigoth directs his killing swarm of fangs and teeth over everyone's heads and settles them over the troublemakers. They howl in fury and you hear one collapse, and the giant snake hisses in pain as well. Zaghigoth follows up by laying some healing on Rowena from his wand. 9 points damage to two charau-ka and the snake Chu-Tok, taking down one of the monkey-men.

The nagaji Hskoro crouches down, tense for any further attacks. He's poised to guard everyone's backs.

Liliana focuses her attention on the ape-man gambolling in front of her. With a quick swipe of her hands a cone of flame flares out and engulfs the charau-ka, leaving a quivering huddle on the ground. Just failed its Reflex save, so took full damage. It's out for the count.

The charau-kas' will to fight seems to be breaking. There aren't many left. One struggles out of the swarm of fangs, takes a stab at Rowena but more to keep her away as it seems to try to keep out of reach. Another fights on doggedly, attempts a clanging blow on Krolmnite's helm with his club but misses him in the dark. A third leaps out of the darkness, seems to be trying to escape over the narrow bridge across the tar pit but is heading straight for Liliana (or the red-armored human woman, to the rest of you).

Quinta and Krolmnite up. Finish them off!

Updated Map - Just a few opponents as far as you are aware, one fleeing up in the top left corner just out of melee range from Liliana, one in the darkness beside Rowena and the other lurking within reach of Krolmnite and Quinta. And the snake too, which is none too happy now.

Initiative
25 - Yekskya
19 - Chu-tok
18 - Rowena
15 - Zaghigoth & Oshok'arr
14 - Hskoro
9 - Liliana
8 - Nkechi
8 - charau-kas
6 - Quinta & Sssss
5 - Krolmnite

=====

Krolmnite focuses on the enemy in front of him. while doing so, he doesn't forget the large serpent. "Where did you go, demon snake? Krolmnite the twice blessed is here to take your measure. Come find me and let's finish this!"

attack 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22
Damage 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Miss chance, high is good 1d100 ⇒ 74

attack 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Damage 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Miss chance, high is good 1d100 ⇒ 92

Miss chance, high is good 1d100 ⇒ 7

Quinta tries to sight on the giant serpent, but her efforts are for naught due to the enduring darkness.

"I really need to learn to dispel magic," the Bard-turned-Sorceress groans, frustrated.

Round 6 continued
Quinta tries to line up a strike on the enormous snake, but is thwarted by the darkness. She hisses at snake, employing her serpentfriend talent. After a moment, from the shadows she hears a sibilant reply.

Whirling in the dark, Krolmnite fights with abandon. He homes in on the charau-ka skittering about beside him, and hews the ape-man down. He turns his attention on the bulk of the serpent slithering just feet from him, and delivers a mighty chop into terrible snake's hide. Your first attack is enough to take down the charau-ka, 6 points damage dealt to the snake Chu-Tok - it's certainly not happy and placid now!

Round 7
Unaware of any enemies close at hand, Yekskya stands firm. Not far away, Raogru's snake companion uncoils and tries to slither away but finds Krolmnite resolutely in its path. The snake listens and strikes. The darkness is confusing however and its attack carries it past the gnome. Defeated by the miss chance, takes a 5-foot step before having a go at Krolmnite.

Rowena, Zaghigoth, Liliana up!

Updated Map

Initiative
25 - Yekskya
19 - Chu-tok
18 - Rowena
15 - Zaghigoth & Oshok'arr
14 - Hskoro
9 - Liliana
8 - Nkechi
8 - charau-kas
6 - Quinta & Sssss
5 - Krolmnite

=======

Zag directs the swarm upon the snake once more. "No escape for you," he mutters.

Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7

After the swarm completes its biting and swirling around the snake, it spins into a cyclone and vanishes. The druid then steps forward and jabs at the snake with his spear.

Spear: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Miss chance: high is good: 1d100 ⇒ 7