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

Game Master Alexander Kilcoyne

The three remaining minions of Nylithati step up onto the shores or the edges of the pools and launch brutal attacks against Mawj, Marcus and Ishorou. The attacks of the Lacedon seem swifter and more potent than the previous Ghouls you have fought, leading you to surmise that there may be other spell effects in play...

VS Mawj-

Bite- Hit
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Claw-
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Claw-
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

VS Marcus-

Bite-
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Claw- Hit
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Claw- Hit
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

VS Ishorou-

Bite-
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Claw-
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Claw-
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21 Ishorou resists paralysis
1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Marcus weathers the assault with skill, shield and armour while Mawj manages to narrowly avoid the claws but gets bitten for his troubles. Ishorou is punished for his success by being taken down to the ground and left bleeding out by a nasty combination of a bite and a huge tearing from the undead's foul claws...

Mawj, you must pass a DC13 fort save or be paralysed for 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 rounds...

Jask moves into the room, aghast that one of the castaways has already fallen. He channels positive energy, healing Mawj's wounds as well as Ishorou's.

1d6 ⇒ 1 Healing!

Will wait to see whether Mawj is paralysed before updating for round 2...

I accidentally added the +4 from Cavalier's Charge to attack AND damage. I'll fix it in my profile.

I thought that might be it. Also, you took damage and need to make a fort save VS paralysis- see my last post.

Marcus, please ignore the 'hits' on you, they were meant to be on Ishorou's attack rolls not yours as you may have guessed.

Sorry. I'm at work and posting between therapy sessions so I'm just scanning things.

Fortitude 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Mawj shrugs off the paralysis like a boss :)

Lacedon Ambush!

Round 1-

Ordered Initiative-
Ambroze- 20
Gwenyth- 20
Marcus- 19
Chi- 14
Mawj- 10
Tun'ada- 9
Nylithati-9
Ishorou- 9
Lacedons- 5
Jask-5

Map Features-
You are able to stand on any water square with the pebble outline running through it- any deeper will mean you are swimming.

Map-
Link

Active Effects-
B?-???
D?-???
S?-???
D2?-???
Naturalist (you know the drill)
PfE on Marcus

Reminder- everyone except Marcus still needs to make the will save against Nylithati's spell!

Spellcraft 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
Will save 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 1 = 10 includes naturalist

A look of horror comes over Chi's face as she recognizes the spell being cast by the evil cleric, "Oh no, she is bringing the 'bane' of Ydersius on us all, prepare your minds against its fearful embrace." As an imperceptible blackness encroaches her mind, she shivers visibly as its coldness touches her reason and leaves her in its shocked state, suffering the effects of the spell.

Despite this, she brings her mind to bear on their current situation, and speaks her arcane words, moving forward and touching Marcus.

Casts Resistance on Marcus +1 save for 1 minute.

We need to take out the ghouls before she can heal them!

Marcus takes a step to the se and full attacks the most wounded ghoul on his impulse.

1d20 + 9 - 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 9 - 1 + 1 + 1 = 14 nat, pa, higher ground

1d8 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

"I don't know what she's casting, but it can't be good!" Ambroze thinks to himself.

Will Save: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 7 (includes naturalist and boon bonus vs. compulsion spells)

Round Two:
"I need to get up there to help them out," Ambroze thinks to himself as he continues to offer words of advice. As he speaks he weaves in the words of a spell and disappears from view. Cloaked in invisibility with tanglefoot bag in hand, the gnome scholar moves up behind Marcus.

Free action to continue Bardic Performance (Naturalist). Standard action to cast Vanish on self: Move action to move 20 ft to square between Marcus and Jask as shown on current map.

Current Personal Effects: Bane (-1 to attacks and saves vs. fear); Vanish (2 more rounds); Naturalist (+1 to attacks, AC, and saves vs. lacedons)

Rounds of Bardic Performance used today: 2

Will Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Despite Chi's warning, Gwen feels the waves of anguish and despair wash over her, helpless against them. The tunnel seems filled with echoes as the her friends wage war against this unholy menace - and it is too wanton and painful for the young oracle to bear. She slips further down inside herself, until panic strikes and words begin to form in her mind. When she speaks, it is a clarion call of virtue amidst a storm of deceit and evil.

Óttast ekki myrkrið, vinir mínir! Guðirnir þessa lands hafa ekki enn gleymt þér!

Standard Action: Cast Bless (which counters and Dispels the Bane spell)

Ok, just Mawj's action left. Marcus, the three remaining Ghouls were all unwounded, you hit one this turn just about.

Figured it was 50/50 gwen would channel or bless. If I hit, should get +1 from bless?, will aim at the one to the w after my step so mawj can reach it.

The bless countered the bane spell, so currently no bane OR bless.

Chi feeling the warm white light from Gwen's magics, responds in Celestial, "Deres Gud svar vores bønner, heldigvis han hans lytter til Deres krav."

Mawj continues his ululating shrieks, whipping his scimitar about.

Attack the lacedon immediately west.
Horsebane; Attack 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28, Damage 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

18 is a crit threat on a scimitar Mawj, i'll make the confirm roll. Note your at +11 from Naturalist rather than just +10.

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26
1d4 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Marcus wounds the Lacedon attacking him, a near-miss just barely connecting with the ghoul thanks to Ambroze's quasi-magical support guiding his arm. Mawj shrieks and launches a vicious vertical slash that cuts the ghoul deeply through its middle, destroying it in a single blow.

Nylithati steps onto the shores near the lacedon Mawj killed, and pulls out a small lute. She begins to cast with the lute in her hand...

From just behind Gwenyth, an explosion of noise erupts, washing over all of the castaways except Ishirou and just missing the Lacedons. The wave of sonic energy is painful, and the assault rings in your ears as you struggle to keep your senses...

Everyone takes 1d8 ⇒ 6 damage and must make a DC15 Fort save or be stunned for a round. I'll need everyone's fort saves before I update further. Any bonuses you may have against sonic effects apply.

Jask- 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 Fail, stunned...

Spellcraft 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
Fort save 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

Chi watches as the the cleric uses her lute, "What ever is she doing, it can't be good?" She puts her fingers in her ears as she tries to clean the wax that must be stopping her hearing, just as at that moment the explosion of noise erupts. Luckily its does just enough to dampen the noise, but not the attack on her body as the waves of sound pass through her, crushing her internal organs.

Spellcraft check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Fortitude save: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5 (includes naturalist)

Ambroze shudders as the blast of sound washes over him, and slumps over stunned.

Yeah, sometimes I miss things when I'm at work. Like mounted rules. Or critical ranges. Or Fortitude saves. :(

Fortide 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Fortitude: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Edit: Oh sorry, forgot Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Okay, so re-reading the description for stunned, and it seems that Ambroze would not slump over (i.e., not prone). He does drop everything held (i.e., the tanglefoot bag), cannot take actions for one round (so Naturalist ends), takes a -2 penalty to AC and loses Dex bonus to AC (so another -2 to AC). However, is it safe to assume that his Vanish spell continues to function?

:sigh: Good Lord. Is that all that being stunned does? We really have to start rolling better.

Okay, so re-reading the description for stunned, and it seems that Ambroze would not slump over (i.e., not prone). He does drop everything held (i.e., the tanglefoot bag), cannot take actions for one round (so Naturalist ends), takes a -2 penalty to AC and loses Dex bonus to AC (so another -2 to AC). However, is it safe to assume that his Vanish spell continues to function?

The vanish spell is still up yes. He drops everything held, naturalist ends and hes stunned until just after Nylithati's next action.

Mawj your mount also needs to make the fort save. As does Marcus.

Uli Fortitude 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Oh, noes!

Fort 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20 (prot, resistance, nat)

Marcus is battered by the sound but too wrapped up in the heat of the battle to fully sucumb to the spell.

Is that the best you have?! Throw your tricks. Its time to die you unholy b%&%#!

To the others Keep your distance and let her come from the pool! Stick to the plan.

The two remaining Lacedons launch an attack- one attacking Marcus from the shallows, and the other stepping onto the shore to attack him, but also slashing at the stunned Jask with a claw. Marcus defends himself competently from every blow except a vicious bite that takes him in the arm. Jask is struck by a claw and sent reeling against the wall, falling unconcious.

VS Marcus-

Bite- (Hit)
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Confirm? (No)
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Claw-
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Claw-
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Bite-
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Claw-
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

VS Jask-

Claw- (hit)
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13 Pass vs Paralyis.

Marcus must make a fort save VS paralysis...

Gwen, please make a Heal check as you are beside Jask...

Lacedon Ambush!

Round 3-

Ordered Initiative-
Ambroze (stunned)- 20
Gwenyth- 20
Marcus- 19
Chi- 14
Mawj- 10
Tun'ada- 9
Nylithati-9
Ishorou- 9
Lacedons- 5
Jask-5

Map Features-
You are able to stand on any water square with the pebble outline running through it- any deeper will mean you are swimming.

Map-
Link

Active Effects-
B?-???
D?-???
S?-???
D2?-???
PfE on Marcus

Take it away when you can Gwen... But you may want to make the heal check first...

Thought Marcus moved to C15 in his previous action as per above?

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Edit: +1 for resistance!!!!! (Wife wonders why I started swearing..)

Round Three:
Stunned by the lacedon cleric's spell, the invisible Ambroze remains standing in the midst of the combatants.

No actions this round.

Current Personal Effects: Vanish (1 more round, expires at top of Round Five)

Rounds of Bardic Performance used today: 2

Wow... You guys need to make a donation to the dice gods. Tell you what, send it to me and i'll pass it on. Paypal is acceptable.

Marcus shakes and quivers as he attempts to fight off the paralysis, but just barely fails to resist. His body freezes up, and the remaining Lacedon's grin in anticipation...

Gwen's up as is Mawj and Chi... I'm happier to wait for Jer at this point as this is quite a critical fight... Marcus i'm sorry I missed your 5 foot step last round, but I don't think it would have changed anything.

Chi is waiting for Gwen to act before she does, and I assume that the the nasty cleric undead is not on dry land yet...or at least that's the way it looks on the map.

I think Marcus meant he'd not added the resistance +1 to saves to his throw, which makes the save 13 not 12, which would make him pass..the previous save was, Fort 1d20 + 9; (11) + 9 = 20 (prot, resistance, nat) rather than his 1d20 + 8; (4) + 8 = 12. The throw should have looked like: 1d20 + 9; (4) + 9 = 13 which I think means he passes, as per the previous bit in your post, you must pass a DC13 fort save or be paralysed

Sorry to be so picky, but its kinda crucial. If I'm mistaken, my humblest apologies. The other thing is, it makes Chi feel so much better her feeling that she has contributed to the outcome of the fight.

I think he added it to the dice roll in his edit. His base fort is +5, +2 from PFE, +1 from resistance- +8 total. Naturalist doesn't apply as Ambroze was stunned.

Doh!....and just to remind you...I'm gone after tomorrow pm, returning Saturday, no internet access in this period.

Good lord. This encounter is brutal.

Heal: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Teacher, no!

Standard Action:Channel Energy (to heal living) 2d6 ⇒ (3, 2) = 5

Yeah, 5 out of 12 ain't bad...sheesh...

When you dropped three lacedon's in quick succession I thought you had this. Now... Not so sure ;). By the way, those who have a chance of making perception DC25 may want to attempt the check I asked for at the start of combat as your now all close enough to the pool. Chi and Mawj are up, everyone please remember to keep your HP's current (you were just healed for 5).

By the way, those who have a chance of making perception DC25 may want to attempt the check I asked for at the start of combat as your now all close enough to the pool.

RETCON: Ambroze's Perception Check when he entered the chamber in Round Two: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Sigh I hate ghouls, nat 20 to hit and a save fail. Thought the move would have provided an aoo on the ghoul attacking jask? I've had issues seeing the map on my bb. I'm in thailand going to the islands tomorrow for a week. If my posting ceases its because my bb has no access and pls bot/kill me.

Chi steps forwards to protect Ishirou and Marcus from the ghoul, taking her knife out, trying to plunge it into the creatures undead guts. She cries out Ishirou, I will not abandon you, Sensi.

M/Wrk Red Mantis Dagger attack 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 creature at C,15 does not include +2 flanking in attack roll, if she can flank with Ishirou.
Dagger damage 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 please add sneak attack 1d6 ⇒ 5 if the creature is flanked with Ishirou.

Perception 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Current AC=17

Sigh I hate ghouls, nat 20 to hit and a save fail. Thought the move would have provided an aoo on the ghoul attacking jask? I've had issues seeing the map on my bb. I'm in thailand going to the islands tomorrow for a week. If my posting ceases its because my bb has no access and pls bot/kill me.

Whoa there! There'll be no talk of dying :-)

Even if we're doing it, we're not going to talk about it. :-p

1d100 ⇒ 9

Despite bumping into something short and invisible, Chi takes advantage of the distraction of Ishorou's awakening to gut the Lacedon, destroying it with a timely sneak attack. Mawj...

TBC! I gave Chi a -2 to hit for bumping into Ambroze, but the flank bonus made it a hit.

Map has me a little confused. Mawj will attack anything he can get near.

Uli Perception 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Horsebane; Attack 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30, Damage 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Critical confirmation 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28, Damage 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

That's right, baby! :)

I have no idea what "horsebane" is, but...yay, Mawj!

Its a vicious little scimitar.

Mawj cuts down the last Lacedon with an agile throatslit while somersaulting on top of his stunned wolf mount, leaving only Nylithati herself. Her eyes smoulder with hate as she glances at her fallen ghouls.

You shall die... You were fools to ever come back here. Your Mwangi ally could have been immortal, but now he lies drowning in this very pool. You have slain the tribe... slain my children... But I will kill you all... Nylithati always thrives... her undead voice descends to a mutter as she rants. Stepping forward, Nylithati channels negative energy, sending pain coursing through your body and bones. Ishorou loses conciousness once more and lies dying or dead while Jask is sent closer to death or may have already passed beyond...

2d6 ⇒ (6, 5) = 11

Everyone (including Mawj's mount) must make a DC18 Will Save or take 11 points of negative energy damage. If you pass the save you take five.

Gwen you can make another DC12 heal check to ascertain Jasks fate. You can also determine Ishorou's, but that will require a DC18 (modified by distance among other things).

Lacedon Ambush!

Round 4-

Ordered Initiative-
Ambroze- 20
Gwenyth- 20
Marcus (paralysed)- 19
Chi- 14
Mawj- 10
Tun'ada- 9
Nylithati-9
Ishorou (dead or dying)- 9
Lacedons (destroyed)- 5
Jask (dead or dying)-5

Map Features-
You are able to stand on any water square with the pebble outline running through it- any deeper will mean you are swimming.

Map-
Link

Active Effects-
B?-???
D?-???
S?-???
D2?-???
PfE on Marcus

Chi is trained in heal, so takes a peek at Ishirou 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12. .... more great dice rolls ... ;(

BOTing Chi, if the Nylithati is out of the water on dry land, she will use the Tanglefoot bag. If not she will cast Summon Monster 1 to get an aquatic animal to flank Nylithati. She has 2 Summon Monster 1 spells left in her armory. Otherwise, she will give Resistance to the fighters to aid their saves. She has 1 CLW potion, for use as seen fit. She will fight if she can get flanking, otherwise she will get out of the 30ft range and fire arrows at Nylithati. Hope we are all alive when I get back from the family...bye and good luck folks..

Shes on land effectively, in shallow water.

Will Save:
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Heal Check, Jask: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Heal Check, Ishorou: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Sensing impending doom, and fearing for her friends lives, Gwen feebly (thanks, dice roller, thanks) channels positively aligned energy to attempt to stave off the worst of the damage caused by the evil cleric.

Channel Energy (heal living): 2d6 ⇒ (4, 1) = 5 HP Healed. Gah.

Ambroze, Chi and Mawj left to act. Mawj your mount is no longer stunned. I will take Chi's action once Ambroze has acted for continuity purposes.