DM Alexander Kilcoynes Serpents Skull PbP- Chapter 1, Souls for the Smugglers Shiv (Inactive)

Game Master Alexander Kilcoyne

Perception:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

"I see the blackness. It seems to always be at a distance of sixty feet or so. It appears to be trying to cut us off from the exit, descending through the floors... I think it will be waiting for us on the lowest deck, let's be ready for it."

Tun'ada readies his terbutje and shield.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

"I see it too," James murmers, drawing his blade and watching carefully as they advance. The Shoanti has been quiet since they found this vessel, the whole place unsettles him.

Thought i'd give some time for the group to react and possibly do something else, but i'll assume you move down the stairs and onto the lowest deck... Making the map and setting up the encounter now.

The group uneasily descend through the strange ship, passing dozens of dead crew fixed in their positions. Eventually, they enter the ships common room; only a single room away from the room which they entered the ship from.

The stench of death permeates the room, as you descend a rotting set of stairs into the room. In the middle of the room a massive, rotting rug of some dead beast covers most of the wooden flooring in the room. To your left, casks of ale that have long leaked dry are stood. To your right, barrels and chests along with other junk have been stashed- some broken but some seemingly reasonably intact. Right near the stairs, two corpses remain locked in an eternal arm wrestle, one that neither corpse will ever win.

Four large wooden columns support the roof of this chamber, which also serves as the flooring of the deck above. A couple of the columns lean perilously but the room has so far held together. Five closed doors lead out from this chamber, four leading to bunkchambers you assume, and the door on the south side of the room leading to the small chamber you entered from. Two large wooden tables dominate the room- one seemingly assigned for gambling and another for eating; each with corpses 'engaged' in these activities in a cruel mockery of normality.

Rotten food and a shattered cutlass dominate one table, while cards, dice and coin dominate another in addition to a blade plunged into the table. One corpse has his arms held high, as though he had just won a great sum of money. Just beyond the tables, practice dummies have been set up, and two corpses are propped up somehow, rusty cutlasses in hand. In the far corner of the room, a crude kitchen has been set up, with one chef cutting disgustingly atrophied meat while another holds an empty cooking pan. In the other corner, two corpses are hanging rotten and dirt rags of clothing to 'dry'.

Map of Room-
Link

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27 ??? Stealth Roll

Opposed perception rolls-
Chi-1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Savarend- 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Ambroze-1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Tun'ada-1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
James-1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Gwyneth-1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Only Savarend passes. You can all roll initiative while you wait for Savarend's action and i'll add you in on round one. Assume you have any weapon you wish drawn.

Surprise Round Initiative-
???1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Savarend- 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Savarend, you spot the black form hiding behind the food table (should be a token visible on map). Obviously you are limited to your surprise round actions (standard, move or charge if you have a clear path).

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Let's say I'm holding my morningstar and shield, not that it will help.

Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Ambroze has his light crossbow loaded and in hand.

Savarend squints through the dim light of the hold. He jabs a meaty finger forward, "There's the berk who's been following us! There, at the table!" The dwarf weaves through the party and takes a defensive stance in one corner of the room, ready for trouble.

Move to -G14

The cloud of pure, ebony blackness moves forward swiftly, floating through the table and hovering in front of Tun'ada. A black tendril reaches out to touch Tun'ada, the tendril passing through Tun'ada's armour and causing the stout-hearted warrior to audibly gasp... The blackness seems to get stronger, becoming larger as it retracts its dark tendril...

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20 +2 charge.

As the blackness makes its attack, audible whispers and blasphemy emanate from it, and Ambroze, Gwenyth and James find them unable to stop listening to the whispers...-

Team will saves (Tun'ada excluded).

Savarend-1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25 Pass
Ambroze- 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
Gwenyth- 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
James- 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Chi- 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20 Pass

Initiative Rolls-

James-1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Tun'ada- 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Chi- 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

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Round 1

Initiative-

Chi- 23
Savarend- 23
Ambroze- 10 (Fascinated)
The Blackness- 9
Tun'ada- 6
James- 6 (Fascinated)
Gwen- 5 (Fascinated)

Chi's on DM bot mode until I get a post from Deevor, he said to bot her.

Chi smoothly maneuvers behind the creature with her sickle drawn and moves in position to flank the creature, if such a thing is indeed possible. Making a slice with her sickle, the blackness easily avoids her blow, her sickle cutting only the air.

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
1d4 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + (6) + 1 = 10

Savarend's up, then my pretty little blackness, then Tun'ada. *cue evil laugh*.

Map-Link

For the record, I predict a TPK.

Hmm, incorporeal horrors in both games. Have you been watching scary movies, DM?

Savarend quickly moves forward (-E11) and uses his momentum to strike. "Kissing the Adder." He lashes out with his fists in a quick series of strikes to the creature's torso.

Attack 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Damage 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Tartuk's incorporeal? ;).

The blackness seems to lose a little of its density as Savarend slams his fist into it, his hand mostly passing through the creature but also striking it. Greedily spreading its attacks, it attacks the Shoanti barbarian, causing James' fascination to end as a tendril meets his skin...

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Tun'ada and James are up.

Shuddering at the feeling of the shadow ripping at his soul, James seems to enter a cold anger quite unlike his usual rage, nipping at the thing and striking at it with incredible precision.

James will rage and hit the thing with all his might.

Bite: 1d20 ⇒ 91d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Sword: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 252d6 + 9 ⇒ (4, 1) + 9 = 14

Crit Confirm? 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 252d6 + 9 ⇒ (4, 1) + 9 = 14

Double twenty! Oh yeah.

The massive blow diminishes the creature's presence yet further, its size reduced to less than what it was when you first saw it.

I can see why you predicted TPK- you thought incorporeal thus no chance to hurt it...

Tun'ada now then Round 2.

I did indeed, and am not yet sure why I was wrong, precisely. Regardless, color me pleased that it's being hurt.

Deeply disturbed by the disorienting feel the creature's touch brought, Tun'ada lashes out at the creature, utterly failing to make contact in the process.

Attack:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Damage:1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Round 2

Initiative-

Chi- 23
Savarend- 23
Ambroze- 10 (Fascinated)
The Blackness- 9
Tun'ada- 6
James- 6
Gwen- 5 (Fascinated)
The Admiral- 5

Oi you horrible crew, whats all the racket down here... First mate Trung, what in the name of Eleder are you doing? Stop attacking our expeditionary force! the skeletal admiral blusters as he makes his way down the stairs, looking confused and somewhat unsure of what to do.

Chi stabs into the creature once again, narrowly missing as her sickle is glanced aside by an unseen force at the last moment.

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Savarend is up.

Round 2 Map

Savarend salutes quickly between attacks, "Begging your pardon, Admiral! First Mate's got murder on his mind!"

Attack FoB with flanking
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Damage
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Round 2

Chi stabs into the creature once again, narrowly missing as her sickle is glanced aside by an unseen force at the last moment.

Round 2 Map

Thx Alex for botting, can Chi take a 5ft step back as part of Round 2, please as she is frustrated at missing the thing.

DM Alexander Kilcoyne wrote:

Round 2

Chi stabs into the creature once again, narrowly missing as her sickle is glanced aside by an unseen force at the last moment.

Round 2 Map

Thx Alex for botting, can Chi take a 5ft step back as part of Round 2, please as she is frustrated at missing the thing.

Sure, noted on map.

Retaliating against James' blow, The Blackness AKA First Mate Trung reaches out for the Shoanti once more after narrowly dodging both of Savarend's strikes. Touching the barbarian with a tendril, the creatyre regains some of its substance, bolstered by James life force...

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16 Hit

James, Tun'ada and Savarend all get attacks of opportunity, I will roll them for simplicity.

Savarend- 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20 Hit 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Tun'ada- 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14 Miss
James- 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23 Hit 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (2, 4) + 9 = 15

The creature floats across the battlefield and both James and Tun'ada manage to land hits on the blackness, diminishing it further. It floats over to the admiral and settles inside his skeletal ribcage...

Tun'ada and James are up.

Tun'ada, not caring for any sort of undead, drops his terbutje, and moves to I8 the side of the admiral, pulling his hanbo as he moves, then striking out at the skeletal sailor, with intent of triping the captain so that James can land a crushing blow.

Attack (trip):1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11 (+2 bonus from the weapon)

Yes, I understand that I am subject to at least one AoO.

What are you doing native auxiliary? the admiral exclaims in confusion as you attempt to trip him. Resisting the maneuver, the admiral moves to draw his sword...

On his init count obviously. James your up.

James moves up to I10 flanking with Tun'ada to attack the beast inside the Admiral.

Blind to all but the blackness the hounds him, slowly driving him mad inside his own skull, James pursues the thing as it flees inside the skeletal remains. Striking out hard, uncaring of what it is within.

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 262d6 + 9 ⇒ (4, 6) + 9 = 19

Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 82d6 + 9 ⇒ (1, 4) + 9 = 14 :(

Forgot the AOO for Tun'ada's movement, the admiral opted not to take one.

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

As Tun'ada passes by, the blackness reaches out through the ribcage to touch him as he passes, growing stronger with his life force... Moments later James puts his sword directly through the skeleton's ribcage in a extremely accurate lunge that leaves the admiral unharmed but greatly diminishes the black presence.

The admiral hesitates. drawing his longsword and stepping away so that the creature is no longer using him as cover. Taking in the situation, he raises his sword, raising it but unsure whether to strike James or 'First Mate Trung'. Ambroze and Gwen are still entranced by the creature's whispers, unable to move despite the threats to their friends.

If anyone wishes to, they can make a full-round action to try and convince the admiral to join you in the fight. He's delaying his action and wavering in the middle as it is (although if James hadn't rolled so high he would have hit the skeletal cover instead...) Also, you can try and 'shake them out of it' by spending a standard action to help either Gwen or Ambroze- such an effort grants them a re-roll.

Round 3

Initiative-

Chi- 23
Savarend- 23
Ambroze- 10 (Fascinated)
The Blackness- 9
Tun'ada- 6
James- 6
Gwen- 5 (Fascinated)
The Admiral- 5

Map- Link

Chi's eye turn black like the shadow they are fighting, she stares with a black despair at the creature. As she does this she moves to be behind Gwen.

Evil Eye -2 to attack for 7 rounds, Will save DC=15 for a single round

"River of Light." Savarend executes a series of slashes and short thrusts during a quick and continual rotation of the body to counter the First Mate's attacks.

Attack FoB (flanking)
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Damage
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Unless I hear otherwise from Chi her evil eye action stands- I will allow it to be retconned with the information I gave in the spoiler.

Savarend you had to move to get into melee so no flurry- but your first attack does hit.

Savarend manages to hit the beast once with a quick thrust, and it becomes even smaller in the process.

Focusing its tendril on its greatest source of pain, the ever decreasing blackness reaches out once more to touch James, but in its haste the tendril grasps only thin...

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 :(. No temp HP for him this round.

Tun'ada and James are up.

** spoiler omitted **

Seeing the darkness in her eyes having no effect, she shakes Gwen, Gwen, snap out of it. Come on, leave that darkness behind, come out if it. Gwens head and hair move backwards and forwards in an almost violent fashion. Her well groomed hair, looking more and more wild with each and every shake. "Gwen, we're all here, we need you, come to the light, you can do it, come back to us."

Gwen you may make another save vs fascination. If you pass you may take your action...

Tun'ada attempts to hit the shade again.

Attack:1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 2 = 9 (flank)
Damage:1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Ok, rolling something above a 5 would be nice every now and then.

Tun'ada attempts to hit the shade again.

Attack:1d20 + 5 + 2 (flank)
Damage:1d6 + 3

Ok, rolling something above a 5 would be nice every now and then.

Dice seem to hate you this combat :(.

This is a Will save, right?

Will vs. Fascinate: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Gwen's eyes snap open.

Takk, min venn. Våkner Ambroze, vil ikke du?

Gwen begins to radiate Positive Energy.

Channel (Harm undead, let's selectively NOT harm the admiral, although I'm sure I'm going to regret it. 1d6 ⇒ 4

Oh, and 5-foot step me back away from that mess, eh?

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 2 damage taken.

Chi replies to Gwen, "OK, Gwen I'll give him a shake, worked on you, his turn next."

Chi I have moved you, from your post it seems your using your standard to rouse Ambroze so...

Ambroze you get a re-roll- your bonus for this check is +9 (had to calc it for the first one.) and the DC is 17.

Savarend's up regardless.

Chi I have moved you, from your post it seems your using your standard to rouse Ambroze so...

Ambroze you get a re-roll- your bonus for this check is +9 (had to calc it for the first one.) and the DC is 17.

DM Alex, I thought that would be the next round, as I walked over and shook Gwen this round. Sorry if I confused things, I was just replying to Gwen's chat, talking celestial has it's benefits.

Yeah sorry I was getting myself mixed up. Need James' action for Round 3, then you attempt to rouse Ambroze next round.

Snarling furiously James delivers another vicious pair of attacks to the thing.

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 222d6 + 9 ⇒ (2, 2) + 9 = 13

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 161d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Round 4

Initiative-
Chi- 23 (acted)
Savarend- 23
Ambroze- 10 (Fascinated?)
The Blackness- 9
Tun'ada- 6
James- 6
Gwen- 5
The Admiral- 5

James hacks and bites at the blackness- it has now diminished to the size of a human head, getting smaller and smaller. The admiral continues to hesitate, his loyalties torn between a large number of his crew and his first mate. Chi attempts to wake up Ambroze.

Savarend and (possibly) Ambroze are up.

Round Four:
Will save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

As you may have guessed thats a pass. You can go ahead and post your action, I mostly deal with initiative in 'blocks' between enemy actions so its no problem.

"Why yes, Aunt Petunia, I'd love treacle with my brussels sprouts..." Ambroze says pleasantly with a glassy-eyed gaze as Chi attempts to shake him to wakefulness.

"WHOA!! WHERE DID THAT COME FROM!" Ambroze cries with alarm as his senses return to the world around him and he sees the writhing blackness before him.

The startled gnome takes a step back and involuntarily fires his crossbow at the blackness. (Which is hopefully more effective than 'casting magic missile at the darkness!')

5-foot step back to G-9. Standard action to attack with light crossbow:
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Savarend continues his assault, flailing with elbows, knees, and fists.

Attack FoB (Not sure where you moved me, please add flanking bonuses if appropriate)

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Damage

1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

James refuses to let up, his vision clouded and his blood pounding as he fights to save his friends, all he sees is the blackness.

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 202d6 + 9 ⇒ (5, 5) + 9 = 19

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 161d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Between Ambroze's bolt and Savarend's fist, the black presence slowly dissipates into nothingness. The admiral looks at you, disbelief written all over his skeletal features.

You... You killed First Mate Trung? Be this a mutiny?

Thinking fast, Ambroze replies, "No, Admiral. It was First Mate Thrung who was fomenting a mutiny."

Diplomacy check: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16 (is it possible for others to Aid with the check?)

Thinking fast, Ambroze replies, "No, Admiral. It was First Mate Thrung who was fomenting a mutiny."

Diplomacy check: 1d20 + 8 (is it possible for others to Aid with the check?)

Definitely- but i'll count any totals below 10 as a hindrance rather than an assist.

Tun'ada remains silent, allowing the more socially gifted members of the party to try and convince the Admiral.

A 50/50 shot of helping or hindering is not a good gamble on this one, especially the way the dice generator has been treating me lately.

Gwen takes a deep breath, steadys her nerves, and opens her mouth, praying that the right language comes out.

Admiral, sir, we were leaving to pursue your orders when the first mate accosted us, sir! As befitting mutiny under Sargavan law, the traitor deserved death, sir!

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Savarend gives a smart salute, "Aye, Admiral! First Mate just up and jumped us like he was barmy. Was only defending ourselves, sir."