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

Game Master Alexander Kilcoyne

If we wanted to get closer to the nest, is there any way of doing it shy of climbing the cliff face? I don't like a nest of these things a mile from camp. If poor Aerys wanders off and goes a half-mile in the wrong direction, she's squarely in chomp-o-matic territory.

You could work your way around and go up a shallow slope to get to the cliff, but you suspect they will fly down to intercept you long before you get anywhere near it. It may also be dark by the time you have made the detour.

Gwen blinks at Ambroze once, twice, and stares at him, mouth half-open. Finally, she turns her attention back to the cliff face.

That was...encyclopaedic, my friend. It reminds me that James and Tun'ada ought to have nicknames of their own. Perhaps we should ask Gelik to furnish them when we return to camp, she chuckles.

Let's send an arrow or two their way and see if we get a response. Tun'ada? James? Your show. What range increment, from here?

Your not even within their half-mile territory yet, your on the edge of it, having successfully identified it as their territory with a DC20 Survival check and spotted their nest with a DC20 Perception check. Without making the survival check, you would have just blundered into their territory and been taken unawares most likely- but you have a very survival savvy and keen eyed group. Assuming you decide to attack, they will fly to you and you'll probably get a round or two to prepare/fire ranged weapons.

Ahhh, OK. Well, let's do it, then. We got buy-in from the Druid to kill the big ugly dinosaurs, that's all I needed to hear!

Given that we are dealing with a flying predator, Tun'ada puts away his blade and shield, and readies his longbow.

This combat will actually be easier for me to run without a map, but feel free to ask questions if my descriptions are not clarity enough.

As the group step clear of the jungle cover, the nest does not take long to react. Five Dimorphodons immediately break off from their duties at and around the nest, and begin to fly towards the party at rapid speed. The massive downpair of rain prevents you from easily pinpointing their positions, until they are clearly visible some 300 feet away.

You knew what you were getting yourselves into, you can assume to have drawn your weapon of choice.

Round 1 Initiative
Dimorphodons- 23
Flute- 21
Chi- 17
Ambroze- 14
Tun'ada- 7
Gwyneth- 7
James- 5

Before the group can get a shot off, the Dimorphodons are flying through the air at breakneck speed- at the end of their actions they are roughly 180 feet from the party, 20 feet high off the ground. They seem to be flying at you in a loose wedge formation.

Get ready lads! We got company! The flyin' lizardy kind.

edit: OOPS. they are 300 feet away!.

I guess I'll ready and prepare for their barrage. I'll total defense myself giving me +4 to AC (Total AC: 21)

Get ready lads! We got company! The flyin' lizardy kind.

Any actions?

Chi, looks for holes or crevices which she and her companions could use to take them out of the open ground, such that the threat from a flyby attack might be negated. "If we are gonna make a stand against these creatures, if we can find cover or holes or something to make their attacks more difficult, it would help. I bet they don't move so well on the ground."

Ooops sorry, things moved on a pace since I last looked...

I'm out for a while, so Chi will dive for as much cover as she can get and lie flat on the ground, using her evil eye ability to try and give each creature -2 to AC.

Not using that sling of yours Flute? James will shoot for now, uh, he only has a plus one, but since I'm last we can see if anyone uses a spell or something that could change that.

James raises his bow, and takes aim at one of the closing dinosaurs.

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 151d8 ⇒ 8

Yeah he's gonna wait for them to get closer in range then blast with his acidic darts.

Tun'ada takes aim at one of the winged beasts and lets an arrow fly.

Attack:1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 4 - 2 = 10 (180 ft out, longbow has 100 ft range)
Damage:1d8 ⇒ 1

There...are you happy now, Alex? Tun'ada missed ;)

We'll have Chi drop prone- not a lot of cover to be gained though.

Facing down the oncoming beasts, Gwen's heart begins to race. Her voice can be heard above the rain, shouting.

Aie Aerdian!! Vaalen a din Niwaste!!

+1 to all attack rolls and Saves against fear for 10 rounds.

That should actually apply to James as well, this round.

Ambroze's excitement at seeing the dimorphodons take flight is quickly replaced by dismay when he sees just how quickly they wing toward the companions. Carefully watching the lead creatures in their flying wedge formation, the gnome scholar begins to hum an old Gnomish lullaby while pinching a bit of sand from the folds of his clothes.

Begin to cast Sleep centered on the lead dimorphodon. Casting time 1 round, so will take effect at the beginning of Ambroze's turn next round. Range 110 feet, affects up to 4 HD of living creatures within a 10-ft.-radius burst, duration 1 minute, Will DC 14 negates.

Round 1 Summary

Tun'ada's arrow goes off, missing the flock of dinosaurs. James' arrow narrowly hits the lead Dimorphodon, the blessing Gwyneth provided steering the arrow back on course just enough to slam into the wings of the lead predator.

Round 2 Initiative
Dimorphodons- 23
Flute- 21
Chi- 17
Ambroze- 14
Tun'ada- 7
Gwyneth- 7
James- 5

The voracious flock relentlessly continue to fly towards the party at amazing speed, ending their actions within 30 feet of the group, hissing with fury as they close in for the kill...

Active effects- Bless.

Round 2

Gwen aims for one of the airborne creatures (any that aren't put to sleep, that is, you decide which, AK) and looses a crossbow bolt at it.

Attack: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 = 8

About as good as you'd think, lol!!

James quickly fits a second arrows to his bow and looses at either the injured one, or if it was put to sleep the next nearest, before putting away his bow to equip a melee weapon.

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 211d8 ⇒ 3

I'm going to be out for a while, so I'll go ahead and post Ambroze's action for this round.

Round Two Action:
Ambroze's Sleep spell takes effect at the beginning of his turn.

Presented with an uncomfortably close view of dimorphodons in action, Ambroze begins shouting helpful tips for battling the dinosaurs to his companions - the vulnerable areas on the creatures' bodies, the best ways to avoid their powerful jaws and fangs, how breathing slowly will slow down the effects of their poison, etc. As he speaks, he readies his short sword for the impending melee.

Standard action to activate Bardic Performance: Naturalist - this will grant Ambroze and allies within 30 ft a +1 insight bonus to AC and on attack rolls and on saving throws against the dimorphodons' spell-like, supernatural, and exceptional abilities (including POISON) as appropriate. Move action to draw short sword.

If it gets around to Ambroze again before I get back, please feel free to have Ambroze maintain Bardic Performace (Free Action) and cast Sleep again as needed, or attack with short sword or light crossbow as appropriate.

Tun'ada takes aim with his bow again, hoping for better results with his second arrow. Targeting injured and awake if possible.

Attack:1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 18 (bless, bardic perf.)
Damage:1d8 ⇒ 6

Acid Bolt
1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

As the creatures come into range, Chi lifts her head, looking directly at the second creature in line (not one asleep), winks her eye as it once again turns completely black with flames within.

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

Round 2 Summary-

The lead Dimorphodon just barely manages to dodge Flute's acid bolt by the narrowest of margins.

Chi as you act before Ambroze in initiative order you don't have the luxury of choosing one that hasn't been put to sleep. Thus, I'm going to delay your initiative until just after Ambrozes. You now act on init count 13.

Ambroze finishes his sleep spell and targets it on two unwounded flyers to the side of the leader.

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

One of the beasts falls asleep in mid air, and comes hurtling down towards the ground.

3d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 3) = 14

Landing with a sickening crunch. You don't think the creature is going to get up again...

Chi's evil eye targets the Dimorphodon that resisted Ambroze's sleep spell, and the animal is clearly shaken by the eerie sight.

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

For the rest of the combat, that Dimorphodon shall be referred to as 'evil-eyed Di'.

Tun'ada takes careful aim and shoots the injured Dimorphodon out of the sky with a well placed arrow straight rhrough its wing. Shortly after, a crossbow bolt fired by Gwyneth goes sailing up into the sky a fair distance away from the predators, perhaps fired at a threat the rest of the party have not yet perceived...

James' arrow injures another of the three remaining creatures, and he drops his bow in order to pull out his sword.

No time to stow the bow again, free action to drop it though so you can have hastily dropped it and drawn a melee weapon.

Round 3 Initiative
Dimorphodons- 23
Flute- 21
Ambroze- 14
Chi- 13
Tun'ada- 7
Gwyneth- 7
James- 5

Finally close enough to fly in and strike, one Dimorphodon flies down and tries to bite Ambroze on a fly-by-attack, one goes for Gwyneth and a third flies for Tun'ada.

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23Attack roll
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 Damage
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21Attack roll
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 Damage
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5Attack roll

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15 Crit fails to confirm
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Nice- Naturalist prevented a crit. Ambroze and Gwyneth take 5 damage, and I need a fort save from both of you. Note- the evil-eyed dino is the one that chomped on Ambroze

Ambroze's insights about the creatures are all that saves him from a bite to the eye as he barely manages to cover them in time from the beast that attacked him. Badly wounded by the attack, the Gnome lunges with his short sword for the dinosaur as it finishes its flight and cutting the creature's body.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18 AOO
1d4 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2 Damage

Gwyneth with her crossbow out takes a nasty bite from the dinosaur that attacked her. Tun'ada is attacked but sidesteps the lunge neatly.

For clarity, the dimorphodons are in the squares just above their intended victims, so they are still within melee range, but they are not currently IN melee. The predator James shot is attacking Gwyneth, and the evil-eyed di is attacking Ambroze. The fresh beast is attacking Tun'ada.

Active effects- Bless, Naturalist.

Weapon equipped when bow was dropped was Lucerne Hammer.

James roars with anger as he sees Gwenyth injured, charging the beast above her with his polearm.

Rage power charge!

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 281d12 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

Edit, crit confirm: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 101d12 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Round 3
Chi watches as a creature attacks Tun'ada, as in awe as he steps aside. Chi's eyes seem to becomes fathomless pits of blackness with fire surrounding them. She winks at the animal attacking Tun'ada, a wink of despair.

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

James that has to be like your 2nd or 3rd failed crit.

Hammer time!
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Tun'ada drops his bow and pulls his blade, moving in, to attack the creature that tried to attack him.

Attack:1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 23 (bless, naturalist)
Damage:1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

James that has to be like your 2nd or 3rd failed crit.

At least I'm getting high rolls and hitting, this dice roller seems to be both a blessing and a curse to me.

Fortitude Save: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 2 + 1 = 15

"Okay, that was a bit more of a close-up view of a dimorphodon than I would have preferred!" Ambroze thinks to himself. The gnome scholar continues to shout helpful tips for battling the creatures, as he bravely swings his short sword at the one that nearly took his eyes.

Free action to maintain Bardic Performance - Naturalist. Standard action to attack dimorphodon: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 16 (Bless, Naturalist); Damage: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1

Alex, the friggin postmonster ate my first post, where I rolled a 15 for the Fort Save, for a total of 19. I'll roll it again here, but I'm sure I'll fail now...
Fort Save: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 1 = 13

/Sigh, watch that be short. I hate this board sometimes. What is the point in there being a time limit to post?

Round 3

Gwenyth shreiks as the beast takes a chunk out of her forearm, and as she feels the assult of the poison. She drops her crossbow and takes a step or two backward, clearing enough space to retreive her shield off her back. She hides behind it as completely as possible in order to fend off any additional attacks.

Free action: Drop Crossbow
Move action: Draw shield (and mace if possible), 5 foot step back
Standard action: Total Defense

Total Defense is +4 to AC, IIRC. If so, that'll put me to a 20.

Just the shield with the move action. A 13 passes anyway so we're good regardless. Round summary up within the next hour- will edit it into this post.

Round 3 Summary-

Flute enthusiastically attacks with his hammer, but fails to land a hit. Ambroze deals another minor blow to the Dimorphodon attacking him. Chi uses her evil eye ability on the Dimorphodon attacking Tun'ada 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 which seems to unnerve the winged animal somewhat. Tun'ada strikes a solid blow on the creature attacking him, Gwyneth pulls out a shield and focuses on defence, and James deals a finishing blow to one of the creatures.

Round 4 Initiative
Dimorphodons- 23
Flute- 21
Ambroze- 14
Chi- 13
Tun'ada- 7
Gwyneth- 7
James- 5

The two remaining beasta screech as they attempt to escape the fight, attacking while flying up into the air. The Dimorphodon attacking Ambroze lashes out at him with a bite before attempting to escape, but the bite is clumsy and misses the Gnome. The stout archivist deals another cutting flourish as the creature makes its escape.

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 Attack Roll
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21 Ambroze AOO
1d4 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3 Ambroze damage

Severely wounded from James arrow and the blows Ambroze has dealt it, the creature begins flying back towards its nest. The dinosaur attacking Tun'ada is also badly wounded, and launches another assault before attempting to escape.

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 Attack roll
1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 12 Tun'ada AOO
1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11 Tun'ada damage

This has been a nice combat for those small bonuses and penalties making all the difference. Tun'ada's 12 only hits from a combination of Ambroze's bonuses and Chi's evil eye lol.

Distracted by Chi's lingering and nefarious wink, the creature fails to evade Tun'ada's blade as he lops off a wing while the creature tries to escape. In agonising pain, the creature blacks out while hitting the ground.

One heavily wounded dimorphodon is left, roughly 30 feet above you all.

James stows his polearm and goes to pick up his bow to finish the beast.

Round 4
Gwen continues cowering under her shield.

Er det over ennå?

Tun'ada stows his blade and picks his bow back up.

Her eyes still black, with the flames dimming, takes one last look at the wounded dinosaur. She winks at the creature, bringing a darkness into its small mind. She speaks, "alnare durth" to Gwenyth, the continues in common "We must take what meat we can and burn the rest. Don't let the smell of the meat attract more predators. Take the skins too, they will make useful items like shoes and things."

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

Her eyes still black, with the flames dimming, takes one last look at the wounded dinosaur. She winks at the creature, bringing a darkness into its small mind. She speaks, "alnare durth" to Gwenyth.

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

** spoiler omitted **

This poor dino's already evil-eyed for -2 AC.

This poor dino's already evil-eyed for -2 AC.

OK, no problem, Chi will get up from prone, whilst watching the dinosaur falter in the air and struggle to fly off.

In the interest of finishing an already ending combat, i'm going to take Flute's action for him.

Acid Dart-

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Fute's acid singes the bird and it screeches a panicked cry as it plunges towards the ground, dying from the fall.

300XP each.

Approximate time, 7:35PM, Day 1.

Dusk is rapidly approaching as the suns light begins to dim on the island...

Gwen asks everyone to gather round, then Channels healing.

Channel: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Channel: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Her last channeling spent, Gwen goes to one knee.

We need to...get back. I...must rest, she croaks.

She gestures to the nest.

We should pay a visit to the nest on the morrow. Mayhap there are...young there. I have known men who could...raise such young to be useful domestically. Tun'ada, you are like unto these men I've known in many ways. They might respond well to you.

Please remember to mark off ammunition spent.

Please remember to mark off ammunition spent.

Marked mine as soon as I shot it into the woods, lol

Returning to the camp, Gelik is entertaining Jask and Aerys with his comedy. Sasha has not yet returned from her hunting trip, Jask is busy using strips of canvas to protect the makeshift tents from insects, and Aerys. Ishorou leaps out from behind a tree with his katana drawn, then bows sheepishly upon seeing that it is you.

Current time, approximately 8:00PM...

1d100 ⇒ 97

We should pay a visit to the nest on the morrow. Mayhap there are...young there. I have known men who could...raise such young to be useful domestically. Tun'ada, you are like unto these men I've known in many ways. They might respond well to you.

"Oh, yes," Ambroze concurs. "And there might be some eggs there, too. Dimorphodon eggs are known to be an extremely tasty delicacy," he adds.

James is inclined to get an early night, so that he is awake later to take the early morning watch.

Chi hangs back as the others begin to leave, "The carcasses, what shall do with them? There is good meat and leather here. We should take one back to butcher and eat at the very least. Do we leave them overnight and return tomorrow? or deal with them now?"

She quickly joins the others if they don't respond.

James will help carry them back, "no point in leaving them here," he says.

Sasha returns soon after you arrive back at the camp, bearing the spoils of her hunting.

So, how did the exploration go? she asks cheerfully as she sits down, seeking shelter from the downpour of rain still pouring on Smuggler's Shiv.

If you don't have any other business or want to move things along, work out a watch pattern in the dicussion thread. The NPC's are happy to take shifts.

Gwen sits down next to Sasha.

It went well, Sasha - as it appears the hunt did. In your travels, 'ware flying dinosaurs. Ambrose will describe them to you in detail if you'd like, she says, shooting a wink at her small friend. Everything going OK back here?

The exploration' today had been quite scaly me dear... lotsa nasteh critters were afoot.