DM Bigrin's Second Darkness (Inactive)

Game Master bigrin42

"Now the monkey wants me to trade like a common merchant? Begone, I said, and now twice. Do not make me say it a third."

"Goblin, lady, not monkey. This is a monkey," Anklebiter says, clicking his tongue; Minky clambers onto his shoulder and eyeballs the shadowy lady. She continues to do so while her Wizard turns to the rest of the party and sets off for the exit. "Let's go, friends. There is nothing more for us here."

Minky frowns at the shadow-memory of a woman and, just before the doors close on the party, sticks out her tongue at her. Then she faces forward, along with the rest of the group...

Bruendor remains silent through the conversation between Anklebiter and the Lady, only raising an eyebrow at the passing mention of long dead Azlant.

"Yes," Bruendor agrees with Calla. "The dragon."

Calla huffs at the lady's words, but turns and leaves as Anklebiter does. She keeps an eye on the phantoms to make sure they don't attempt anything.

Outside, she shakes her head in frustration.

"At least we're healthy now. Let's beard this dragon in its lair and hopefully eliminate that threat. If we survive, we can go try to find the elves and the wizard and see about getting out of here."

"Speak for yourself on the 'healthy' part. I appreciate every drop of healing I've gotten, but even after that night's rest, I'm not nearly at full health." Lefrik says. "But I shouldn't sound ingrateful for Kel keeping me alive so far, and our kind of hostess."

Pleas heal the whining barb. I'll try and update during lunch today

"I still have some minor potions," Anklebiter offers.

With an air of mistreatment, you gather your things and leave the manor house. At least you didn't have to climb over the wall on the way out, but it still rankled to have conscientious hospitality yanked so completely away like that.

The Echo had not changed much during the night, and the eerie half-light still concealed more than it illuminated. The path back to the observatory was clear of demons and dark elves, though you occasionally came across one of the shadowy beings that seemed to inhabit this place. At point Bruendor thought he saw on a little darker than the others, but was unable to find it again when he went back for a second look.

The darkness above seemed to have grown overnight, appearing larger and closer than before. If this truly was what you expect, it couldn't be too many days away. You needed to find the portal key and get out of this pocket dimension before the day of Armageddon.

You took your time getting back to the Observatory, getting close to other buildings and using low decorative walls and shrubs as cover. You did not spot anyone or anything paying particularly close attention to you, but the loss of Duchess still hurt your reconnaissance efforts. Eventually, though, you made it back to the Observatory and gazed at the blocky structure, mulling over the means of ingress.

Okay, you are back at the observatory. How do you want to proceed?

Kel heals the remaining wounds on Lefrik in between water baths for the jellyish members of the party. 19 charges on the CLW wand, have at it Lefrik

'We can always take a moonlight bridge to an upper story window or the roof." volunteers Kel as the party ponders the observatory.

"It's a nice thought, but if we do that, the dragon can fly out and take pot-shots at us," Anklebiter says, shaking his ears. "It's a dragon. A big, flying lizard with spells and poison breath. We need to limit its mobility and prevent it from just blasting us from above. Let's creep through the passages."

Pleas heal the whining barb. I'll try and update during lunch today

So hurtful... *sniffle*

"Thank you, Kelendra."

Wand use 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Wand use 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Wand use 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Wand use 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Wand use 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Wand use 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Wand use 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Wand use 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

"Damn, sometimes these sticks just do not want to work on me. Ah well." Lefrik hands it back, "We'll need some in reserve."
.....
Hearing their discussion ,"If the dragon is wise, it'll have defenses, but I trust Brue to handle any trap."

"Thanks, Lef," Bruendor replies, pulling his crossbow and loading it before entering the observatory again. "I'll do what I can. Hopefully, they haven't been able to call for too many reinforcements. That's my big fear right now, but we can't leave the elves prisoner for any longer now."

"We might get lucky. If the Wizard kept the door shut all night long, no one may have been able to get in," Anklebiter says as he falls in behind Bruendor.

Anklebiter starts to cast and maintain Detect magic from here on in.

"Ambassador Anklebiter makes good points. I don't want to be caught on that bridge. And we're likely to face more poison," Calla notes. "I still have a couple anti-toxins." I'll drink one right before we enter; I can give the other one over if need be or save it in case the thing's not in there.

"So back in through the bottom? Let's see if there's any evidence anyone else has been here."

Survival to find any tracks in the area: 1d20 + 13 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 13 + 3 = 27

That plan seems as good as any. May be too much to hope it's still here, but I don't know where else we'd look.

"This strange realm is confusing, would tracks even linger?" Still Lefrik looks for evidence.

Survival for tracks?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

There are no sign of tracks, and as you look around, you don't see any sign of your own, either.

If you are closing in on the Observatory or trying to enter, I need a marching order so I know who to blow up sees what.

Anklebiter will walk behind Bruendor. And casts Mage Armour on himself. And also Detect poison!

"No tracks, but that doesn't mean much. No sign of us either," Calla notes.

Lefrik, Brue, AB, Kel, Calla? I think that's our usual order...

I'm good with Calla's order.

Sounds about right. Sounds like we're moving towards the observatory.
Lefrik tries to sneak forward as they approach as quietly as his big frame.

Stealth:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

In case another perception check is needed: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

There seemed to be no drow actually guarding the Observatory this time, and you could approach the front door easily. Who knows what observers might have lurked behind windows on the upper levels, but the front door appeared to be unguarded. Peeking into the foyer, Bruendor and Lefrik see that not much has changed since your previous visit, other than the fact that the bodies you left behind are no longer present. The orrery still spun, the planets of the Golarian solar system whirring and spinning according to their places in the heavens.

"I wish I could scan for magic as normal here... But at least we'll be forewarned of any poisons."

Kel whispers, "I could send forward an illusion of our party, though it likely wouldn't fool the drow or spring any traps."

"If it's not likely to fool the drow, it's likely not worth your effort. Let's explore the rest of this place and see if we can find the dragon."

Head toward where we thought the dragon might've been?

"Maybe we should try to find the Elves, instead? But if we are heading for the dragon's lair - Duchess saw him that-a-way."

Anklebiter points in the direction where he last sensed his homunculus.

Cautiously you creep into the entry room, moving towards the room where you had found the scholars and babau yesterday. The place was quiet, but it didn't feel empty. You made your way to the doorway and peeked in. The scholars were still as the table, their incorporeal forms flickering between fully formed and as transparent as glass.

Suddenly, the world about you erupted in flame as a fireball exploded in your midst.

Everyone takes 5d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 4, 3, 3) = 19 fire damage, Ref DC14 for half

Here's the map

Reflex:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Lefrik throws himself to the side, avoiding the worst of the blast, "Where did that come from?"

Ref. 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Anklebiter goes rocketing out of the fiery blast - completely unscathed? The Goblin comes to a claw-screeching halt against the wall, eyes zipping left and right for the source of the attack.

Anklebiter moves to I 23. Fire resistance 5 applies. Subtracting 4 from energy absorption. 17/21 remains. Perception 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5. Detect poison active.

Detect poison is not like detect magic. You have to specify the object/person/area you are detecting. It's an instantaneous spell, not a radar.

Drat. Never mind, then. :-/

DC14 Reflex save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

Kel prays to Desna and quickly steps among the party touching each of them until she stands protected by Lefrik.

cast Protection from Evil, communal and move to P20 to get the whole party except the tumbling AB

HP: 50/59

Kel will do that action first, does she also get a perception check to see where the attack came from, or would that be a standard action?

Reflex (with Shake It Off): 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 1 = 14

"Damn it," Calla curses as she looks around for the source of the fire.

Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29

She moves forward to try to give herself some cover, activating her ring.
Move to N-17; standard action to activate her ring of gravity bow

Perception should be a free action, so my move is if I didn't see anything. If I did see something, my actions will be different.

Reflex: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

Bruendor's instincts take over as he feels the sudden heat, and ducks behind the door, letting the blast blow past him. He also glances about, trying to find the source of the magics.

No damage due to evasion. Also searching for the source.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

Sorry for the holdup. This weekend was terrible

Searching around, you could locate the source. That is, not until a form plummeted down from the dark areas in the ceiling rafters to plunge a rapier through Anklebiter's chest.

That's a shame. Looks my Monday is taking a turn for the worse, though... A little help here? ^_^;

Withdraw, AB. Get behind our lines, and we'll unload on this guy.

It's not my turn yet... :(

"Get away from him, you b@!!#!" Calla snarls as she launches a pair of arrows toward the attacker.

Can I see enough to determine what it is?

Mwk longbow: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 9 - 2 = 11
Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4
Mwk longbow(rapid shot): 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 9 - 2 = 11
Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2

Ah, I see diecebot is working as well as ever.

Hooded and cowled, but is likely a drow

Dang, I don't think any of us are close enough to be much help, AB. Please don't die on us!!!

"AB! NO!", Bruendor shouts, dropping his crossbow and rushing back towards the entrance, pulling his rapier as he goes. He moves with all possible speed, but his shorter gait means he's unable to do much more than menace the goblin's assailant when he gets there.

Double move to K24, dropping my crossbow and pulling my blade as I go. Kel, if you've got any healing spells that you can hit AB with right now, please use it!

"Anklebiter, Noooo!" Kel turns her fiercest attack on the assailant cloaking it in the empty chill of space. shift forward to O-20, 7d6 cold dmg, DC 17 Fort for half (Su)

Interstellar Void: 7d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 5, 6, 4, 5, 1) = 26

Bruendor ran over to Anklebiter, effectively blocking Calla's shot. As the inquisitor cursed, Kelendra stepped up and sent a torrent of cold to surround the assailant. The drow, for certainly it was a drow, dodged out of most of the cold air, sliding behind Anklebiter and stabbing at the goblin's back. Fortunately for Anklebiter, the assailant's hand was stiff with cold, and the thin blade caught only the goblin's cloak.

Anklebiter drops into a forward roll and tries to escape the Drow's range while getting closer to Bruendor.

Acrobatics to K 25: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

On arrival, the Goblin staggers back to his feet and draws a bead on the assassin.

Spell penetration 1d20 + 7 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 3 = 18

If he succeeds, Anklebiter subjects the enemy to a sonic pulse that only he can hear; sound to harm and confuse.

Ear-piercing scream for 3d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 2) = 8 sonic damage. Fort. DC 14 or be dazed for one round.

aoo: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Anklebiter takes 5 damage from the AoO

At least I got out of there instead of casting defensively. ^_^;

Finally, some crappy dice rolls help US for a change!

Lefrik races forward and hurls his ole Javelin 'Trusty'at the drow now that Anklebiter is free

Move to L22 and throw! 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Dmg: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Calla edges forward again and fires two more arrows toward the drow.

"Be careful!" she calls out. "There may be more around here!"

I think another 5-ft. step to the west should allow her to get a shot, since it doesn't look like the previous step was on the map.

Mwk longbow: 1d20 + 9 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 9 - 2 - 2 = 12
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Mwk longbow(rapid shot): 1d20 + 9 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 9 - 2 - 2 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Kel steps closer to the fray and grants the party the blessing of Desna. shift forward and cast Bless