Curse of the Crimson Throne

Game Master Euan

"We are not at our best at the moment, but if Briar can protect us from acid maybe we can take the thing out. It might also be limited in its attacks. I wouldn't eant to get this far and not finish it because we lost our key in Laori."

"Kako, might your earthy or airy friends retrieve Brov's sword and espy Serethiel?a boon indeed twoukd be."

LOL. Should update status more often. I have a stoneskin going. I think all the damage has been falling or acid breath though. Either way, the 92 healing from Charlie takes care of it all.

Fully healed by Charlie, Nikolay reconsiders retreat.

"How many times do we want to go through the forbidance effect? With the grugs gone, we should be able to handle one big bad thing. Right?"

Nikolay uses two arcane points to recall his fly spell.

"I can use my magic to get behind the creature for the flanks."

Dimension door or burst of speed combined with fly is more likely as I could pick the best spot. If we do this, also casting infernal healing, shield via pearl, and haste if there's no BoF.

"with rest, and if Fondo's boots work, then I could probably get at least myself out.I'd have to look up the spell and perhaps a couple of others if they stay somewhat close. But I can't do that today. I have...somewhat limited strength left today.' Dandi sighs and leans against Barrie, her fear slowly easing a little at the reassurance of his living presence. "but either we all go or none, I think."

Sensing some consensus on action, Briar begins to formulate a plan.

Briar will also pearl back (and cast) a Divine Favor. He will pearl back his Divine Power. Then he will move down the hallway (out of sight from the lake) and cast his own Summon Monster VII (tbd with Evilan).

When the party is ready, Briar will cast Communal Resist Energy:Acid 30, hitting Barael, Dandi, Briar, Fondo, Sward, & Dandi for 20 minutes each, then, if he can, Halfblood's elemental for 10 and his summons for 10 minutes.

"Niko, I've seen you disappear before. Might you have such magics to share with Brov and I? Twould let us find our spot near creature's flank, and strike it's vitals true. And jel'enedra, have you fluttereyes to find our quarry, Serethiel? Mayhap we could enlist her aid in ending Kleestag's life."

Fondo gladly accepts whatever enchantments his companions wish to share, giving them a nod of thanks.

"I do indeed. It'll end with your first attack, but if it gets you in safely it'll be worth it."

Nikolay will cast invisibility on Fondo and recall it using an arcane point if necessary. That would leave Nikolay with 4 arcane points for the day, plus the 3 the sword has itself.

Euan, I cast that early in the day. Do any of my spider eyes still remain?

Dandilion - a handful of the eyes do in fact remain.

Further, I'll assume you send some around the corner to see what the beast is doing.

When they eyes catch up, they see Kleestad burying something on a little island in the pool. It then submerges and they return to give their report. You send the last few the other way you learn that the pit descends 500' before it opens to a warren of caves and tunnels - all Gug sized.

Dandi relays the information from her spider friends to her less spidery friends.

"What do you suppose that wormthing might be burying? Serethial?"

"Burying? Where?"

Barael boggles. "The only thing left out there worth burying is Black Tooth. He buried my sword. That wormy bastard up and buried my sword." Barael finishes boggling.

"You didn't happen see my blade left perfectly alone, didja?" Barael plucks a quick rhythm on the shortbow, trying to picture himself in action with it.

"On a small island." she answers Fondo while going through what the spiders relayed in hopes of answering Barael. "I'm... not sure." Evilan? any sign of Black Tooth?

"Well then. Let's get ready." Once the spellcasting is done, Fondo moves into the room.

Seeing his leadership bearing fruit, Briar enacts his plan.

Before casting Communal Resist Energy, he will cast Summon Monster VII...and summon things that most mortals won't be able to see. He will protect them (as Halfblood has yet to indicate he is bringing a friend to play) from acid.

1d3 ⇒ 2 Of them.

Barael watches Briar as he prepares his magics. When he starts to talk aloud, Barael looks around briefly, but doesn't dwell on it overly long when he fails to see to what Briar speaks. The wonders I've seen, no doubt...

Barael coils back on his tail, getting anxious to bring what he can to the fight. Bow or blade? Blade or bow? Equally strong weapons, under the right circumstances. In the right hands, they can be quite deadly.

Charlie needs protection from acid. That breath weapon is the thing that put him down. He will summon a large water elemental when we enter and will summon a large air elemental when Briar's Beastie Boys are summoned. Blessings of Fervor will be cast when Briar casts the protection from acid.

CLW wand to finish healing Charlie: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

The feast imparts 11 temporary hit points and the following: The ambrosial food grants each creature that partakes a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and Will saves and a +4 morale bonus on saving throws against poison and fear effects for 12 hours.

OK. So there are a lot of prep spells coming down the pike. Please keep track as I largely won't be.

Nethy's invisible helpers arrive on round 0 and wait for their protection. I have Fondo and Nikolay invisible - did I miss anyone?

We are now in initiative with Briar going first and Charlie second as everyone else waits for the spells to be lavished upon their heads. :)

Round 1
Charlie's air elemental is standing by as Charlie casts another Blessings of Fervor.
Briar casts protection from Acid communal as the party all stands around him.

Invisible creatures will enter the larger area. Please let me know where they are going. Charlie, your air elemental could also enter the chamber now if you wished - just let me know where, and keep in mind he's squeezing and so moving at half move.
Please post your round one actions: Fondo, Nikolay, Dandilion, and Barael.

Round 1 Map
The dock runs H16 to I16 to J16 and is the full width of the squares.

Almost forgot.... In addition to the other casting, Fondo takes out a scroll and attempts to cast Tongues.

Caster level check v. 6: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Sorry Fondo - no going back please. You do not get tongues off unless you do it in round 1. There was lots of prep time, I don't want any backtracking now. Barael also forgot to get some healing in the excitement of the planning. Such is life. :)

[b}Round 1[/b]

Barael moves down the tunnel again, still unsure of the whole endeavor. New sword, visible to all, not fully healed... let's see this done one way or another... Move to P-19

Stealth: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (13) + 20 = 33

Round 1

Fondo does indeed take out the scroll and cast it.

Round 1 - Invisible, AC 30(shield, BoF)
Spells: Stoneskin (0/130 used), Resist Acid 20, fly, invisibility, BoF, shield, Infernal Healing(10/10 rounds)

Nikolay assumes the kleestad is only out of sight for the moment, likely lurking underneath the water. He casts the invisibility spells on Fondo and then notices Barael moving up.

Oops.

He catches up to Barael at P-18 and casts greater invisibility on him as that's what he has left prepared.

"Kill it quick and keep me alive. I might dimension door out if things are too bad. Hopefully it can't 'see' you some other way."

clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Dandi heals up (prior to 0, I would think, but it's your call, Evilan) then casts reduce person on herself and shield of faith on Barrie and herself, then shield on herself. When everyone is ready to head in, she activates her hair, using it to hold the scroll from Fondo, and sneaks her sneakiest sneak, lingering towards the back to let the stealthier ones be, well, stealthier.

stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Barael receives Dandi's protection with gratitude. "You're my own blessing, miss Dandi."

...

Barael nods at Nik, then observes that Vanish has come to him from without. He relaxes visibly... well... he relaxes. "Thanks, mate. I intend to. We'll find out soon enough if it sees all."

Round 1

Briar addresses things that no one sees.

"Remember, deal with the beast first...strike at it from flank. We need it dead as it poses a threat to us all. Secondly, you are looking for two unattended swords. One might be buried, the other may be nearby...in the water or on the island. You are to find them and bring them to me. Point them out if you see them."

"Now go to the far side of the cavern, fly high and quiet...go." Briar shoos away the invisible flies.

ISs fly to O-19/20ish.
1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18 Stealth IS1
1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30 Stealth IS2

Briar moves to P13 (climbing to ceiling).

"Halfblood, you might want to station your elemental in this hallway to protect us from attacks from the rear. We may need a path of retreat."

Resist Acid 30 for 20 minutes: Briar, Barael, Fondo, Dandi, Nikolay, Charlie. 10 minutes: 2 things no one sees.

Briar casts a communal resist acid for some reason. Could it be foreshadowing? He then directs his stealthy companions. Charlie casts blessings of fervor and moves up a bit. Barael sneaks his way to the front, but does not see Kleestad. Fondo successfully casts tongues, perhaps hoping to reason with Kleestad. Nikolay flies over to Barael and blesses him with improved invisibility. Fits like a glove! Dandilion, ever the stealthy one, creeps up to the front.

Those in the front will note that the waters are relatively still giving the appearance at times of a massive sheet of polished obsidian.

I have you in initiative order, go ahead and post your actions for round 2. Depending on the parties actions, I may intervene. In that case those who may have posted earlier than their initiative will of course be able to change their actions.

-Round 2-
Briar - 20 (10’ up)
IS1 - 20
IS2 - 20
Charlie - 18
Air Elemental - 18
Barael - 16 (-13hp)(greater invisibility)
Fondo - 14 (invisible)
Nikolay - 12 (invisible)
Dandilion - 10
Kleestad - 4

Map Round 2
The dock runs H16 to I16 to J16 and is the full width of the squares.

Round 1 - Charlie casts Blessings of Fervor on the group.

Round 2, Init 14 {>L16}

Fondo begins to orate, understandable by all (including the elemental creatures, which are affected).

"Fight on, oh people of Korvosa's streets.
Fight on, oh creatures of the firmanent.
Today we bring to ground the dread Kleestad,
Tomorrow to bring down a queen most vile."

+3 competence bonus to attack, damage; +15' to charge movement.

Having spoken his peace for now, he clams up. He then uses the blessing of Nethys to move quickly (and for the last few steps quietly) into the room, seeking cover in one of the ruined structures.

Stealth: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 9 + 2 = 14

Round 2, Init 20

We can only cover 7 with the Blessings of Cheatery. Assume the ISs are not covered, but Halfblood's elemental is, ay?

Briar moves to B 18 and again addresses things that no one sees.

"You go left, you go right. GO!"

IS1 flies to C20. (10' up)
1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15 Stealth IS1

S2 flies to H11. (10 'up)
1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24 Stealth IS2

Briar moves to P18 and casts extended Divine Favor.

Round 2, Init 16

Barael continues to sneak out closer to the water's edge, his granted Vanish giving him the courage to close the distance for what is likely to be quite the eruption. Move to H-16

Stealth: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (15) + 20 = 35

As he reaches his position, he pulls a chunk of dry tack from his Haversack, and throws it into the water, creating a nice rippling pattern.

Charlie will move up but remain in the back and cast prayer. The AE will move all 50' if able.

Round 2, Init 18 {M18} BoF +2 att, ac, reflex
4/8 AE

The feast imparts 11 temporary hit points and the following: The ambrosial food grants each creature that partakes a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and Will saves and a +4 morale bonus on saving throws against poison and fear effects for 12 hours.

Round 2, Init 10

Dandi casts cape of wasps and tries to hide in the middle of them, advancing only as far as the 10 feet behind the next person, very quietly. perfectly harmless... just look perfectly harmless....

Round 2, Init 12 (I-17, 25')

Nikolay moves into the room half expecting the kleestad to also be invisible. He does his best not to touch the floor or any walls, but still winces as the plates of his armor clink against each other. He goes to the water's edge (I-17) and peers down from 25' up.

Round 2 addendum

BoF for +2 AC, Att, Reflex

Briar moves into position and casts divine favor. Charlie moves up as well - and is the only visible member of the party now in the room. He casts prayer. Barael closes the distance and readies himself. Fondo begins a fine oration, and moves into the room. Nikolay creeps in as best he can and relies on his invisibility to remain hidden. Dandilion hides in a cape of wasps and peeks around the corner.

Kleestad does indeed ooze up from the depths, towering into the room as if he were expecting you. He breathes, catching Barael, Nikolay, and Charlie full in the face. Fondo gets a +4 cover bonus (a lot is coming in over the barrier - he seems to have intentionally gained height just to spit down onto you) and Dandilion gets a +8 cover bonus (for being so deep in the tunnel). Damage: 12d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 4, 4, 4, 6, 4, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2) = 40 and 1 round of nausea if you fail the DC 30 reflex save.

He's very disappointed when his breath weapon does less than expected - most visible on Charlie (the only one not covered in wasps or the tendrils of invisibility).

-Round 3-
Briar - 20 (10’ up)
IS1 - 20 (10’ up)
IS2 - 20 (10’ up)
Charlie - 18
Air Elemental - 18
Barael - 16 (-13hp)(greater invisibility)
Fondo - 14 (invisible)
Nikolay - 12 (invisible)(25’ up)
Dandilion - 10
Kleestad - 4

Map Round 3
The dock runs H16 to I16 to J16 and is the full width of the squares.

Round 2 - Charlie casts prayer (+1 to attacks/damage/saves/skills - luck bonus).
Round 2 - Fondo orates a +3 competence bonus to attack, damage; +15' to charge movement.
Round 1 - Charlie casts Blessings of Fervor on the group.

reflex: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18

Round 3, Init 20

Briar watches the creature ooze out of the water, seeking some weak point upon which to aim.

What knowledge check for this thing?

Briar moves to M20 and fires a test arrow at the Kleenex.

1d20 + 22 ⇒ (10) + 22 = 32 to hit;
1d8 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24 damage; (magical, piercing)

IS1 5' flaps to B19. (10' up) and attacks.
Slam 1: 1d20 + 12 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 12 + 3 = 32 to hit; (+Fondo vs. FlatFoot)
Slam Dam 1: 2d6 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 1) + 4 + 3 = 12 damage;

Slam 2: 1d20 + 12 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 12 + 3 = 24 to hit; (+Fondo vs. FlatFoot)
Slam Dam 2: 2d6 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (5, 2) + 4 + 3 = 14 damage.

Add +2 to those attacks if Kleenex is unaware...per invisible (link) rules.

S2 flies to C11. (10 'up)
1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30 Stealth IS2 (halfspeed*2)
1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30 Perception (sword or dirt mound)

Round 3, Init 14 {>D11}

Reflex: 1d20 + 13 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 13 + 2 + 4 = 33

Fondo cries out,

"Your bile cannot our righteous quest avert.
We come to claim Serethiel, your sire
Dread Kazavon most finally to end."

He then makes a beeline out onto the docks and leaps....

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 21 + 2 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 21 + 2 + 12 = 41

.... onto the island.

Fervor to movement

He whispers, "Serethiel, tis time to claim a life,
If live indeed is what you'd call this thing."

He looks for freshly dug earth and digs.

Round 3, Init 12
REF save: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 2 = 29 YEAH!

Nikolay somehow dodges the worst of the acid breath. He takes a 5' step closer and lunges for a full round of attacks.

"Feel free to join in anytime friends!"

Sword at +5, keen, flaming, prayer, inspiration.
Longsword Power Attack 2-handed: 1d20 + 15 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 15 + 5 = 33
(BAB +9, STR +4, Black blade +4, Weapon Focus +1, -3 Power Attack)
Longsword damage: 1d8 + 21 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 21 + 4 = 33
(+6 STR, +4 Black blade, +9 Power Attack, +2 Weapon specialization)
-
Longsword Power Attack 2-handed iterative: 1d20 + 10 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 10 + 5 = 24
Longsword damage: 1d8 + 21 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 21 + 4 = 31
-
Longsword Power Attack 2-handed: 1d20 + 15 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 15 + 5 = 24
Longsword damage: 1d8 + 21 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 21 + 4 = 31

Round 3, Init 18 {M18} BoF +2 att, ac, reflex

Charlie has to roll a natural 20 to make the reflex save.
daddy needs a new pair of shoes: 1d20 ⇒ 6
Charlie takes 10 points I believe, but is nauseated. He will slink back around the corner (O19) and dry heave.

[dice=air elemental save] 1d20 +13 +1 [dice]

I think the Air elemental can make it to I 14.

The feast imparts 11 temporary hit points and the following: The ambrosial food grants each creature that partakes a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and Will saves and a +4 morale bonus on saving throws against poison and fear effects for 12 hours.

Round 2, Init 10 P20>I18

Dandi whispers to herself, biting her lip as her left hand whisps away to nothing only to reappear floating like a phantasm nearby. She dances within her swarm, moving to hide behind the outcroppings for additional protection. Dandi casts spectral hand then moves to Ii8,hopefully beginning with concealment and ending with cover.

Round 3, Init 14

Reflex Save v DC 30: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 15 + 2 = 30

Perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (14) + 17 = 31

Barael gnashes his teeth as Sleestak falls just shy of bladework. He stops gnashing for the quickest moment, as he confirms eye contact with Kleestad. He grimaces as he retreats, and moving for cover Move to K-13. He chunks the sword into the sand, and gets ready to draw his shortbow.

edit: Dandi moves 5 feet and heaves,unable to do anything else.

Briar moves up to get a clear shot and connects, but his arrows do much less damage than he thinks they should. IS1 hits, though very little damage gets through. IS2 sees some signs of digging straight into the rock. There are three mounds. Oh, and knowledge dungeoneering. Charlie backs off and heaves as well. His air elemental leaves the rear guard and charges into the room provoking an AoO as it closes. Barael, denied his first option, instead retreats to the safety of the rocks - again leaving an ally alone to face the brunt of the beast. Fondo leaps through the air and onto the island (nice jump!). He too sees three mounds of stone. Which one does he attack? 1, 2, or 3? Nikolay steps up and lunges into the creature hitting once and doing full damage! Dandilion moves ever so slightly closer to the fight as she heaves what’s left of… well nothing. She lost it all on the last wave.

KL Claw AoO on Elemental: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (16) + 21 = 37 damage: 3d6 + 24 ⇒ (6, 3, 3) + 24 = 36 and Strength Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1
The air elemental writhes in pain at the contact. It’s unnerving watching the writhing winds of its form spin incoherently as it cries out in surprise at the depth of the agony.
Fort: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25 (-4 on all attacks/skills/ability checks due to pain)

Kleestad, annoyed at the fly buzzing behind him, pays attention to the man who just did him serious bodily injury with just one blow. He concentrates his fire trying to drop that man quickly... and of course he's also the only visible target!

KL Claw: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (11) + 21 = 32 damage: 3d6 + 24 ⇒ (4, 3, 6) + 24 = 37 and Strength Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3
KL Claw: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (1) + 21 = 22 damage: 3d6 + 24 ⇒ (3, 4, 3) + 24 = 34 and Strength Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4
KL Bite: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (13) + 18 = 31 damage: 2d6 + 16 ⇒ (4, 3) + 16 = 23

The blows, especially the claws, are extremely and supernaturally painful. As if you’re glimpsing into the heart of Zon Kuthon himself and experiencing the glorious pain he has to offer his penitents. There is no avoiding this pain or the Strength Damage. However, if you fail a DC 30 fortitude (please save vs each claw hit until you fail - the penalty doesn't stack) you suffer an ongoing -4 to attacks/skills/ability checks due to the pain wracking your body.

-Round 3-
Briar - 20 (10’ up)
IS1 - 20 (10’ up)
IS2 - 20 (10’ up)
Charlie - 18
Air Elemental - 18 (-36hp)(-1str)(in pain)
Barael - 16 (-13hp)(greater invisibility)
Fondo - 14 (invisible)
Nikolay - 12 (25’ up) (-40hp)(-3str)
Dandilion - 10
Kleestad - 4 (10' up)(-49hp)

Map Round 3
The dock runs H16 to I16 to J16 and is the full width of the squares.

Round 2 - Charlie casts prayer (+1 to attacks/damage/saves/skills - luck bonus).
Round 2 - Fondo orates a +3 competence bonus to attack, damage; +15' to charge movement.
Round 1 - Charlie casts Blessings of Fervor on the group.

Folks be sharp. I think a few of you forgot Charlie's prayer +1 to your saves (though I didn't see that it would help) and Nikolay forgot to add fire damage to his attack I think (his sword is flaming from his note).

Round 2, Init 14 (cont'd)

Also don't forget Blessings of Fervor.

Fondo curses at the three mounds, and chooses the one furthest from Kleestad.

Waiting on response to that before posting next round.

Charlie, per OOC conversation, will be unable to post today. He made some suggestion on what he'd like to do and I'll follow that playbook - modified by the situation.

One option he always has is to heal. But he does not have the ability to know when you're really hurting without taking time to examine you - so if you want healing, call out! He still has two (I think) charges left on his rod of reach. Might be just one, but I'm going to use it twice...

Charlie gets a hold of himself and wipes his mouth with a dirty sleeve. He takes a moment to wash out his mouth with a little holy water and spits out the last of the phlegm. He moves back into the chamber and summons a water elemental directly behind the creature to give Nikolay flank if nothing else.

The water elemental attacks!
slam: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27 damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
slam: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20 damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

It fails to connect, but it is at least flanking.

- - -

Fondo picks pile 1d3 ⇒ 3. He begins to dig. The stones are well placed, almost fitting, and it's hard to move them aside. You have dug down a bit, but have found nothing - no swords as yet.

Oops. The air elemental also attacks - providing flank for IS1.

Slam: 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 3 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 14 + 2 + 3 + 1 - 4 = 31 damage: 1d8 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 3 = 14
Slam: 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 3 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 14 + 2 + 3 + 1 - 4 = 25 damage: 1d8 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 3 = 10

It too fails to connect though it gets tantalizingly close.

EDIT: I lied - I forgot Fondo's bonuses and the prayer which the elemental was present for, but even adding those bonuses in doesn't overcome the pain the elemental is feeling as it fails to connect.

Even adding Fondo's bonuses to the water elemental however are insufficient to get through.

Round 3, Init 14

Knowledge (Dungeoneering): 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 2 = 12

Fondo scrambles in the dirt for one more round, hoping to get something to aid in the fight. He calls out to the room,

"Stand strong my friends! Fight on! Korvosa waits!"

Fondo uncovers Barael's sword gleaming in a little puddle of water deep in the rock. He learns nothing about the creature however. You have a move action left I think.

Fondo uses his move action to retrieve a potion from his haversack. He calls our, "Brov, I've your sword and a potion of swimming for you here."