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

Game Master Alexander Kilcoyne

Round 2

Chi feeling the rope go limp, as Ambroze falls, moves forward enough to see the first of the dolls over the lip of the pit, staring at the first of the dolls with her evil eye, sending thoughts of blackness and despair into the mind of the doll. Then she moves back several feet to watch as the dolls come into view.

5ft step, evil eye std act, back 20ft move
Evil Eye -2AC for 7 rounds, Will save DC=15 for a single round

I meant -2 to attack rolls....sorry, copy/paste may make life easier, but I must be more careful.... :(

Perhaps a bit dumb but I need to make space for Tun'ada and it fits in with what Marcus would do.

[i]Seeing Ambroze drop again, Marcus stares at the dolls in anger. Oh no you don't.

Hands outstretched he steps off into the pit, arms outstretched, and tries to grab the right hand doll as he falls. 5 foot step

Grapple 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17 (+1 for higher ground maybe :))

Hitting the ground heavily he tries to regain his feet. Move

Init repost to have it on current page.

Ordered Initiative-

Ambroze (acted)- 23
Strange Dolls (acted)- 18
Marcus (acted)- 18
Mawj- 11
Gwen- 9
Chi- 5
Tun'ada- 4

I love the maneuver Marcus.

Stepping off the edge, Marcus grasps onto one of the tiny doll's bodies as falls. To his surprise, the magic holding the doll up is also powerful enough to bear his weight, The doll stabs at Marcus' hands with vicious tenacity but is too off-balance to stab him before he pulls himself up, legs wrapped around the doll with hands free to grapple.

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
1d2 ⇒ 1

Mawj looks a little bemused at Marcus' tactics, but takes another shot at the ungrappled doll, the arrow simply bouncing from the doll's supernatural bone.

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
1d4 ⇒ 2

Chi's taking a readied action, need actions from Gwen and Tun'ada.

Tun'ada takes aim at the doll not grabbed by Marcus...

Attack:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Damage:1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Frustrated by her lack of options - bows don't seem to be wounding the things at all - Gwen calls out to Ambroze in Celestial.

I guess I'm in a holding pattern right now. So, I'll delay.

To Tun'ada's frustration, his arrow simply glances off the bone once again.

Miss, not DR. Its just the way I describe attacks, in order of dex/dodge then armour then natural armour etc.

Pit Trap Attack!

Round 3-

Ordered Initiative-

Ambroze (prone)- 23
Strange Dolls- 18
Marcus- 18
Mawj- 11
Tun'ada- 4

Gwen- On a delay
Chi- Readied action

Map, Map Features & Notes-
Link

Active Effects-

Ambroze has vanished!

I think Tun'ada was using his spear rather than bow?

If so, the result will be the same VS AC16. Let me know if your equipped with bow or spear Tun'ada as it will matter for AOO's.

Round Three:

Invisible Ambroze casts a healing spell on himself as he picks himself up from the floor of the pit yet again.

Move action to stand; standard action to cast Cure Light Wounds on self: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 hp lethal damage healed, and equal amount of nonlethal damage healed.

Vanish ends just before Ambroze's action in Round Four.

If so, the result will be the same VS AC16. Let me know if your equipped with bow or spear Tun'ada as it will matter for AOO's.

The last weapon I had declared out was the bow, though that will change next round if the creature is in melee range.

Thats what I figured, along with the 'taking aim'. Thanks for the clarity.

The doll that is not being rode by Marcus continues to levitate, hovering in front of Tun'ada. The moment it appears, Chi's eye turns ebony black and hexes the doll (-2 attack rolls). Unthreatened by a melee weapon, the doll weaves a red orb of magic between its tiny, bone hands. The orb sinks into the construct's right hand and it reaches out to touch Tun'ada.

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16 VS touch (-2 included, hit)

The doll Marcus is grabbing onto continues to try and stab him with its poisoned dagger, but the blade only meets Marcus' armour.

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 Attack (miss)

Edit: Forgot the save VS Evil Eye-

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12 Fail

Will Save:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

Marcus tries to maintain its grip on the doll.

Grapple maintain 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16 oh oh could be bad

If succesful he pulls his dagger from its sheat and plunges it into the doll. DIE! DIE! DIE! Dagger 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Tiny creatures don't have a great CMD to start with, although these are good for their size. As it didn't try and break the grapple you had an extra +5 by the way.

Marcus plunges his dagger into the doll, maintaining his grapple and finally dealing some damage to the horrid things, pieces of bone and rib cage falling into the pit below.

Was waiting on you guys then remembered Mawj. Sorry, weekends been far more hectic than it was meant to be...

Mawj, perhaps inspired by Marcus' successful attack, rides Uil back ten feet, ready to give him a running start. He fires his shortbow at the ungrappled doll once more, but this time his arrow sails over the melee, narrowly missing Tun'ada. Dropping the bow, the goblin prepares for his leap, bracing his feet in his mounts stirrups and ready to leap.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13 Miss

Tun'ada's action due.

Tun'ada growls in pain as the dark energies surge through his body. He them drops his bow and enters a rage, raking at the small creature with both of his claws...

Right Claw:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Damage:1d4 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Left Claw:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Damage:1d4 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Tun'ada's left claw meets only air, but his right slashes through the creature's face, tearing and rending bone and beginning to sunder the arcane magic that holds the strange dolls together.

Pit Trap Attack!

Round 4-

Ordered Initiative-

Gwenyth-24
Ambroze- 23
Chi- 19
Strange Dolls- 18
Marcus- 18
Mawj- 11
Tun'ada- 4

Map, Map Features & Notes-
Link

Active Effects-

Ambroze is visible.

Round Four:

Ambroze's spell of invisibility wears off and the battered gnome scholar backs away from the levitating dolls.

Looking up at the battle, Ambroze voices a loud, discordant note in an attempt to daze the soulbound doll being grappled by Marcus.

Move action to step back ten feet to western end of pit. Standard action to cast Daze on soulbound doll grappled by Marcus - doll is dazed for one round, losing its next action; DC 13 Will save negates.

Chi smiles as she sees Tun'ada tear into the doll, she takes out her dagger and moves next to Tun'ada

Marcus continues to grip the levitating doll, stabbing at it with his dagger.

Grapple maintain 1d20 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 5 = 21

Dagger 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

If Chi can see the doll not currently under evil eye, then she will stay back and evil eye the other doll (grappling Marcus), whilst cackling. Sorry, she only moved forward to get in position to evil eye the other doll, but with something to protect her and attack physically if she had to. I missed that Marcus and the doll continued to levitate.

sorry I wasn't being particularily clear- one doll is hovering ten feet below the lip of the ledge, being grappled mid-air by Marcus (only visible to those in the front two squares). The other doll is floating in the air above Tun'ada, visible to everyone. Am a little confused about your action Chi so hope that helps :).

Original post stands, get dagger out, move to pit lip next to Tun'ada

Note you can draw your dagger while moving as you have BAB+1. This leaves you with a standard action.

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 Will save fail

The doll grappled by Marcus is left reeling by Ambroze's enchantment, barely able to defend itself as Marcus stabs it once more, dealing further damage.

Need Gwenyth's action to update, and Chi's standard action if she wants to take one.

As she closes in on the doll fighting Tun'ada, she smiles as she tries to aid Tun'ada's fight. "Feel my blade little one."

M/Wrk Red Mantis Dagger attack 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Dagger damage 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Crit confirm attack 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Crit damage 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Oh, I bet they don't have crits... :(

Constructs can be critted in PF :).

Chi viciously slashes one of the dolls in its face, cutting away one half of its face with one clean blow.

Don't think you dropped it but I could be wrong- will have to wait until I get home to check.

Honestly, I am completely useless in this fight. If I can see Ambroze (which I don't think I can), I'll establish a life link with him. Otherwise, I'd rather not waste the crossbow bolts trying to hit the cursed things and will delay. If I wasn't trying to conserve resources, that'd be one thing, but...

Honestly, I am completely useless in this fight. If I can see Ambroze (which I don't think I can), I'll establish a life link with him. Otherwise, I'd rather not waste the crossbow bolts trying to hit the cursed things and will delay. If I wasn't trying to conserve resources, that'd be one thing, but...

Active Effects-

Ambroze is visible.

Thats why your on init 24- you delayed until Ambroze appeared.

Edit: If you mean because your stood further back, Ambroze isn't at the lip of the pit hes closer to the other side. I'd say you can see him from second rank.

Edit: If you mean because your stood further back, Ambroze isn't at the lip of the pit hes closer to the other side. I'd say you can see him from second rank.

Yep, that's what I meant.

Seeing Ambroze pop into view, Gwen seizes the opportunity to establish a life link with the scholar. She is amazed at the difference she feels in the link - Ambroze's life force overwhelms her with the scent of primeval forest, likely a holdover of the gnome's connection to the first world.

Standard Action: Establish Life Link with Ambroze.
Move Action: (none)

I'm assuming you will end up resting once, by the way (although WHEN to rest is a tricky question...) Bear in mind as far as you know you have found the only way in or out of the complex, so you could rest there and keep a watch in case Ieana or something else tries to get out... Thanks Gwenyth, i'll update tonight when i'm back from work as I am not sure if one of the dolls has bee destroyed or not.

Both dolls are damaged from various blows, but they definitely have some kind of magical ability to shrug some of it off. The doll Marcus is riding and stabbing is in a daze, while the other doll lands upon the edge of the pit and tries to attack Tun'ada*.

* Chi and Tun'ada both get an AOO. If you guys can deal 6 damage with your attacks of opportunity VS AC18, DR2/magic please ignore the following attack and description!

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 Miss

The doll stabs at Tun'ada but the blow is easily dodged. Looking disappointed that he missed his chance to leap onto a levitating doll, Mawj begrudgingly fires an arrow at the doll Marcus is holding onto, firing it well over the heads of everyone on the other side of the pit.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
1d4 ⇒ 2

AOO's and Tun'ada to act.

AoO:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Damage:1d4 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Tun'ada swipes at the doll but misses as he dodges the doll's attack on him. He then rakes his claws at the doll in an attempt to rend the doll in two, but fails to make any solid contact with his right claw, but the left shatters the doll.

Right Claw:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Damage:1d4 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Left Claw:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Damage:1d4 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Chi watches as the hero Tun'ada smashes the last of the doll to pieces. "No match for a hero.", says Chi with an admiring smile, full of pleasure at the demise of the dangerous little thing.

Instinctively ducking as the arrow flies over his head, Marcus continues to stab away at the doll. He's dimly aware that killing it will likely drop him to the ground but he continues anyway.

Grapple maintain 1d20 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 5 = 28
1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

I keep laughing at the mental picture of Marcus riding the doll with his legs and stabbing it.

Marcus you already acted this round, so the above post will be this next round's action.

Pit Trap Attack!

Round 5-

Ordered Initiative-

Gwenyth-24
Ambroze- 23
Chi- 19
Strange Doll- 18
Marcus (action declared)- 18
Mawj- 11
Tun'ada- 4

Map, Map Features & Notes-
Link

Active Effects-

Life Link (Jer to handle)

Chi turns her attention from the doll smashed in Tun'ada's hands, and gasps as she sees Marcus floating in mid-air apparently stabbing at his groin. As she peers closer, she sees he sits astride the other doll, desperately seeking to render it apart. She immediately sends her waves of black despair at the thing, in it's desperation it knows it's lost its strength and its will to strike hard at Marcus.

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

+5HP Ambroze
-5HP Gwen

Gwen aims her crossbow at the doll, then realizes she is aiming inches away from Marcus's groin. She blushes, and lowers the bow.

No action, it's really to Marcus to kill the thing at this point.

Free Action Speech:

Round Five:

Unable to aid Marcus any further, Ambroze draws his crossbow and loads a bolt into the weapon. The gnome scholar glances down the small passageway to see if any more of the tiny constructs are approaching.

Draw and load light crossbow. Perception check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 - passageway? what passageway?

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13 Failure to escape grapple.

The doll tries to squirm out of Marcus' iron grip, but does not succeed. The two do end up levitating even higher into the air, the doll apparently being the vengeful type.

Now 40 feet up!

Marcus cuts into the doll further with his dagger, but its not finished just yet...

So forty feet above the pit level, ten feet above the corridor level. How high is the roof? If possible Marcus will try and grab on the pit edge if/when he ends up falling.

Yeah I was going to give you a reflex save to grab onto the edge of the ledge as you fall. Will still be ten feet falling damage but better than forty. The ceiling height is 15 feet unless otherwise specified, I believe (wrote it in an earlier post).

Chi watches in horror as Marcus is lifted up towards the ceiling. Picking up the rope left dangling over the lip of the pit, Chi starts to make a simple lasso, perhaps there will be enough time, she thinks to herself. With her thoughts set, she cackles at her idea and reinforces her current evil eye's power.

Not sure what it would be to tie a simple lasso. 1d20 ⇒ 12 Her idea is to lasso Marcus or the doll and pull them towards the ground, hence lessening the fall. I don't expect there will be enough time for this, but she's gonna try. Move action to cackle, evil eye extends by 1 round.

So we're waiting on Mawj and Tun'ada, right? This combat is taking forever. Let's go team!

Sorry, really not used to running a DMPC. Does someone else want to play Mawj?

The Goblin takes another shot with his shortbow but once again the arrow lacks the strength to penetrate the doll's bone structure.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
1d4 ⇒ 2

Tun'ada ends his rage, picks up the bow at his feet and takes a shot at the remaining doll...

Attack:1d20 + 7 - 1 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 7 - 1 - 2 - 4 = 9 (fatigued, strength below 16, firing into melee)
Damage:1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Not much chance of this one hitting...

Chi you've succeeded in making a basic lassoo. Ranged touch attack to get it round Marcus and then a strength check for when he falls (roll in advance please).

Tun'ada fires off a shot, heavy with fatigue. The arrow falls woefully short of its mark.

Pit Trap Attack!

Round 6-

Ordered Initiative-

Gwenyth (no action unless otherwise specified)-24
Ambroze- 23
Chi- 19
Strange Doll- 18
Marcus- 18
Mawj- 11
Tun'ada- 4

Map, Map Features & Notes-
See round 5

Active Effects-

Life Link (Jer to handle)

Chi finishes the knot, she looks left and right, her hair beginning to fly everywhere, getting in her eyes and catching in her hands as she looses the rope towards....Well, unfortunately no-where near Marcus, she almost tangles Tun'ada in the rope, but manages to pull it away before it interferes with his arms and his concentration. She lets out a shrill shriek, "Eeek, sorry!!!" Then looks over to see what happens to Marcus.

Throw Lasso touch range attack 1d20 + 4 - 4 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 - 4 - 4 = 1 ranged into melee, not proficient with Lasso.
Strength Check 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

Stabbity, stabbity, fally, fally.

Grapple maintain 1d20 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 5 = 16
Dagger 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Ambroze +5 HP, Gwen -5 HP. No action, correct. Actually:

Those who can understand Celestial hear Gwen offering a quiet prayer that Marcus is able to catch himself on the lip.

Stabbing his dagger into the doll's face one final time, Marcus is unsurprised when it crumples and he finds himself falling...

Time to make that DC15 Reflex save Marcus.