DM Bigrin's Second Darkness (Inactive)

Game Master bigrin42

So dance...!

... Boogie wonderland!

Five days have passed since your audience with the Queen, and no one has yet to return to you with news of any decisions made about your story. Going from your experience in the marketplace, temples, and elsewhere in the city, it doesn't seem as if anyone is taking your warnings very seriously.

Your time has not been spent idly. You managed to sell off all of your loot from your latest adventures, rest and heal, and Anklebiter worked tirelessly for 16 hours a day trying to improve your equipment. He managed to get most of it accomplished, including giving Magpie a voice, leaving himself an exhausted wreck at the end of every day. Mostly he just slept on a pallet in his laboratory, leaving the others to spend time in the privacy of their own bedrooms. It was a fairly comfortable prison, all things considered.

They came in the middle of the fifth night. Everyone was asleep, but the sound of the front door being broken down roused all from their beds. A band of armed elves poured in through the shattered door, bows and swords to the ready. Shouts of "On the floor!" and "Death to all who oppose the Winter Council" filled the air, even as you hastily grabbed weapons and gear from beside you.

Anklebiter starts awake from a dream of scribing spells as the Elves break down the door. "Seriously?!" he sputters as he tugs his backpack onto his shoulders. "Seriously?!"

Reviewing the spells he studied this morning - 'So much to study, so much to learn, so little time!' - Anklebiter chooses a reliable standby. As Magpie, Duchess and Minky hide in corners of the lab, ready to move when opportunity allows, Anklebiter fades from view, and the door swings open...

Greater invisibility on Anklebiter. Moving to find the others. I have Haste and some nice Communal spells prepped.

Questions: I'm assuming my door is closed; is it? If not, are these elves wearing uniforms or anything else to make them appear to be authorities?

Do we have any idea what the Winter Council is? Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Assuming that Calla has no immediate indication these are rightful authorities:
Calla growls a curse and snatches up her bow and arrows, praying for Calistria to fill her and her allies with zeal. She also activates her discern lies ability to see if this is some legitimate incursion before she kills all of the intruders.

Casting contagious zeal
Temporary hp: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Bruendor rolls out of bed, cursing as his eyes focus on his armor sitting uselessly on a stand nearby. He reaches for his weapons, hearing Bloodbane call out to him silently, knowing it must thirst for elf-blood, regardless of the source. He takes up his sap, and hides by the door, ready to strike at whoever attempts to enter his room.

Get up (move), and pick up my sap (move). Go into stealth mode.

Stealth: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33

"You would attack innocent people as they sleep?" Kel cries as she rolls from bed and stands up, "Is this really how you intend to treat us when we've come here to help?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (14) + 17 = 31

if can't use diplomacy in a combat round, then Kel will activate her Coat of Stars

I believe it's not my turn yet, but to show I'm alive ;)

Lefrik reaches for his weapon, "Death to all who oppose the Winter Council? Are you mad? We've done no crime."

@Anklebiter - How about we limit ourselves to 1 round's worth of actions at a time? :D Looks like a move to shrug on the backpak, and a standard to cast your spell.

@Calla - If you normally sleep with your door closed, then yes. You have never heard of a Winter Council before. Invaders are wearing leather and armor, with no immediate indicators of authority or allegiance.

Alrighty. ^_^ I'll move out next round. Game on!

The intruders moved through the lodgings, taking up positions at each door. As one, the various doors were thrown open and you were each met with nocked arrows and sword points. The ones looking in Anklebiter's lab made sounds of confusion, as their target did not seem to be where he should have been.

Stealth 1d20 + 12 + 40 ⇒ (16) + 12 + 40 = 68 (stationary for the moment being)

Anklebiter holds position for the moment and remains silent, looking from Elf to Elf, gauging numbers and equipment.

How many are there at my lab and what are they packing, chief? I'll decide what to do once I know that.

Calla, unconcerned about her nudity, holds her own bow fully drawn, arrow pointing right back at the elf.

Who the hell is the damn Winter Council?" she snaps. "You'll have to answer questions if you seek to take us, or you'll find Calistria's wrath!"

As she questions him, she looks into his soul, trying to determine if he's evil. Activate detect evil

Well, we've faced worst odds. Of course, we're not armored up or prepared.

She'll also spread her contagious zeal to Bruendor.

Can you spread that, Calla? I don't think you have line of effect.

Bruendor leaps from hiding upon the elf kicking in his door, his sap aiming for the man's skull. "It may not seem like it, but you lucked out. I'm the one least likely to kill you for this."

5' step, and full attack with surprise?
Attack 1, favored enemy, flat-footed?: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
Damage 1, favored enemy, nonlethal: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Sneak 1: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 2) = 4
Attack 2, favored enemy, flat-footed?: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Damage 2, favored enemy, nonlethal: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Sneak 2: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 1) = 5

Hmm. That's probably an issue, though not sure. It doesn't specify line of effect.

Lefrik sighs, "I won't kill you, but until you surrender or explain I'll beat you senseless. We ulfen are, after all, a civilized people"

Lefrik strikes with his great axe, but using the flat of it

Minus 4 included so it does non lethal damage
To hit #1 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
dmg if that hits (nonlethal) 1d12 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
to hit #2 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Dmg non lethal: 1d12 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

"Calla! Kel! Bru! Anklebitter! We're under attack! By some Winter Council group?! try not to kill them i you can!"
Giving the information none of them need to know

Had to edit due to formating mistake

"Hear that? I'm not supposed to kill you," Calla tells the archer in front of her. "We'll see..."

As her attempt at diplomacy is ignored or did she not get a chance at that and activated Coat of Stars instead?, Kel steps forward as she holds forth her hand and streamers of magical energy spray across her foes.

cast Color Spray from J7 to get foes in J9 and J10, DC 16 Will save negates

@Anklebiter - Two immediately outside your door, as indicated on the map. Armed with bows and swords

Kelendra - No, your turn had not yet come up on the action tracker yet. Did you want to do that this round, or your posted action above?

Hmm. That's probably an issue, though not sure. It doesn't specify line of effect.

Unless otherwise specified by the spell, I think you must have LOE for every spell target

You must have a clear line of effect to any target that you cast a spell on or to any space in which you wish to create an effect. You must have a clear line of effect to the point of origin of any spell you cast.

Doesn't look like I can sneak between them. I'll hold position.

Kel will go with the original diplomacy check post

Kel's attempt at diplomacy fell flat as the attackers seemed unwilling to even listen to her pleas. An arrow sped toward her, its blunt tip slamming into her temple. The swordsman facing Bruendor slumped against the doorframe, seeing stars from the rogue's sap, but quickly recovered. His rapier flashed and cut deeply into the dwarf's arm, followed immediately by a blunt arrow that hit Bruendor in the forehead. Calla's naked body was slammed by no less than three arrows, each one sending a wave of weakness over the half-elf inquisitor. Finally, Lefrik was bombarded with two arrows and a light cut across his cheek.

The arrows were suffused with some kind of magic, and everyone hit by one felt their eyelids drooping.

NOt to be fussy, but did Lefrik hit in my last post? Those were better rolls than I expected on his part *G* 30 points of nonlethal damage ain't bad for a wake up call

Will save #1 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Will Save #2 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

"I am Lefrik Olegson! Desist before my rage falls upon you and... and..." Lefrik staggers, "Why are you going blurry? YAWN..."

"Oh, Desna's supple form I think I'm..." thump "zzzzz"

and the Barbarian falls deep into slumber.

Hearing the twang of bowstrings and his friends' cries of pain, Anklebiter reflects on the wisdom of not killing these attackers with a mind to the need of Elven goodwill ... and decides that a load of horse elbows does not merit risk to his friends!

Still invisible, the little Wizard draws himself up to his full height and declaims a spell he had been studying with a mind for future demonic encounters. A cone of thunderous noise blasts from his mouth, slamming into the Elves at the laboratory door!

Anklebiter casts Shout! All Elves within the 30-ft. cone take 5d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 4, 1, 4) = 13 sonic damage. Fort. DC 19 to avoid being deafened for 2d6 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11 rounds and halve damage. Exposed brittle items take 9d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 2, 2, 5, 6, 6, 6, 6) = 43 damage unless their owners make a DC 19 Ref. save.

Sorry, Lefrik. You may be in the cone's reach. :( In my defence, Anklebiter can't see you from where he is...

Half-elves are immune to magical sleep unless this is something special.

Also, did I detect evil? Considering they're clearly using nonlethal, my tactics will depend on that answer...

now Kel will go with her color spray

As her attempt at diplomacy is ignored, Kel holds forth her hand and streamers of magical energy spray across her foe.

cast Color Spray at foe in J7

@Lefrik - yes you hit. Great job! I just forgot to include them in the combat update text. My apologies

@Calla - missed that too. I must not be paying close enough attention. No, you did not detect evil. And no sleepy time for you.

@Everyone - waiting until this afternoon for Bruendor to post, then plowing ahead.

Hmm; I was tempted to try surrendering as they're not evil, but since they called for death to those who oppose the Winter Council, I think not.

"Hide your servant," Calla prays, disappearing from sight as she casts invisibility.

She calls out, "This is madness! Last chance to talk!" then edges behind the door, to make sure she's not standing where she was seen and heard a moment earlier.

I'm torn; they're clearly not trying to kill us and with Lefrik down and us unprepared they've clearly got the edge so surrender might be smart, but they did yell about death when they came in.

Anklebiter's spell deafened half of his targets and damaged all of them. It even stung Lefrik enough to jar the barbarian awake. The woman standing before the barbarian stabbed at him with her rapier. On the floor and without a weapon to hand, Lefrik was unable to avoid the blows and took a pair of strong cuts. Those were followed by two more arrows, and the barbarian once again felt the arms of sleep take hold of him.

Kelendra caught her opponent unaware with her spell, and the elf stood there stunned for a moment, but did not seem inclined to fall down. Bruendor smacked his foe once more, then took a cut from the rapier and another pair of sleep arrows to the chest.

Calla's foe looked startled as she disappeared and began shouting "They have invisibility spells. You know what to do!"

No more Mr. Nice Goblin! It's time to break out.

Anklebiter backs up a step (5-ft. step backward) and casts a new spell, calling out to the Plane of Shadow. Two orbs of black lightning appear in front of him, touching the two Elves blocking the exit from the laboratory.

Shadow evocation to mimic Ball lightning. Will save DC 20 to disbelieve. Left Elf: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10 'electricity' damage. Right Elf; 3d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 5) = 13 'electricity' damage.

Not sure if I need to make saves or they were made for me and Lefrik failed. in case of the former

Will save #1 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Will save #2 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Argh, kept trying to edit and the site moved slower than molasses in winter so now that the hour is up, 4th time is the charm

Assuming he's up and at em!

Lefrik has never been so grateful for his getting caught in the goblin's arcane fall out. Of course, two more arrows seek to down him again, but this time he resists and when he stands, he swings at the bowman on top of him

to hit, NL penalty again counted in 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
NL dmg: 1d12 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Kel pushes past the stunned guard, knocking him off balance, and catches sight of the three elves threatening Anklebiter. "Drop your weapons and surrender, now!" She flicks her hand at the group and a burning ember arcs toward them and explodes.

Shooting Star: 8d4 ⇒ (4, 2, 2, 1, 3, 3, 2, 4) = 21 fire dmg, DC 19 reflex for half

Calla casts another spell greater magic weapon on her bow, then decides to get out of the tight space, hoping she can duck past the elf blocking her door even as she calls on Calistria to lend her her wrath.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22 Move to L-12 if that check is good enough and spread her contagious zeal to Bruendoor (+2 to hit, damage; +4 Will vs. fear).

Sorry, folks - life's been super busy. I think I owe a few Will saves? Don't know if I get my +2 dwarfiness bonus against the sleep effect - if I do, just add that on.

Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Well, I don't think it matters with that.

Two arrows strike Bruendor in the chest, and while he staggers back from them, he remains upright. "Nice shots," he says to his foe. "But you'll have to better than that to drop-", he says, right before a third strikes him again. He drops to the ground unconscious without another word.

Brundor gloated at the elves, then sank to the floor, eyes rolling up in his head. The sap in his hand spilled onto the floor as the dwarf collapsed. Lefrik stood and smashed the flat of his axe against the woman's head, stunning her again. Meanwhile, Kelendra gave up playing nice and sent a shower of burning embers at her foe, who twitched aside, avoiding the worst of the damage. Anklebiter's spell ripped into the bewildered elves, who swung their bowstaves around in a vain attempt to find the sneaky goblin. Calla took advantage of the last bit of her invisibility to strengthen her weapon, then dashed from the room. She managed to get past the attacking elves, but one of them felt her touch him as she went past and called out "Hey! I just felt her move past me. She is loose!"

The elves moved to cover the exits, while more arrows flew at Lefrik. With Bruendor down, there were a few extra elves to fire arrows at Lefrik, and they did, even while his immediate opponent continued to lash at him with her rapier. The blade cut him twice, once in the face and another on his left arm. Then, an arrow caught him in the cheek. It's magic converted the lethal damage to blunt force, but it was enough to push his head to the side. The second arrow followed the first, impacting not on his cheek, but behind Lefrik's right ear. The pain was excruciating, and the darkness threatened to take him once more. Kelendra, alone against one bow-wielding assailant took only a single arrow to the chest, but still she felt her eyes drooping again.

Anklebiter takes another stealthy step back (Goblin to N 9), while continuing to focus on the lightning-orbs. The two spheres converge on the last Elf blocking the Goblin's exit from the laboratory!

Two 'lightning'-orbs on the Elf at M 10. Will save DC 20 x 2 to disbelieve. Reflex save DC 20 to halve the damage of 3d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 6) = 12 and 3d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 4) = 15 'electricity'.

Calla steps back and invokes yet more of Calistria's wrath, letting arrows fly toward the elf still standing in front of her door as she reappears.

"Apparently, we're done trying to not kill each other," she snarls.

5-ft. step to L-13; invoke elf bane
+1 adaptive composite longbow (rapid shot, deadly aim): 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 7 + 2 + 3 = 25
Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 7 + (2, 1) + 3 = 17
+1 adaptive composite longbow (rapid shot, deadly aim): 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 2 + 3 = 29
Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 7 + (1, 4) + 3 = 22
+1 adaptive composite longbow (rapid shot, deadly aim): 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 2 + 3 = 10
Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 7 + (1, 1) + 3 = 15

Will Save #1 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Will Save #2 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

The rapier cuts into Lefrik's flesh and blood trickles, "Are, so we're killing each other then?" His eyes darken on the elf, "Why didn't you say so?"

the nonlethal arrows are the point, "I've been patient with your ingratitude! I've been understanding of your culture as much as I can be. I have risked my soul for you. I have bled for you. I consider myself a reasonable Ulfen...call quarter and I'll still grant it. For now though, well, I may die, but whethere in this life or the next you are going to remember this fight."

And his muscles swell. He had slept with his great axe his friends had given him, not the strongest item he had, but it was a gift.

Rage Free Action bonuses to StR and Con(so 18 temp hit points), -2 to AC, Dmg Reduction increased by 1
to hit 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (3) + 16 = 19
Dmg if that hits: 1d12 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
to hit 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
Dmg if that hits 1d12 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

Kel is immune to sleep effects

Kel prays to Desna and a thick fog forms in the room.

cast obscuring mist

Kelendra's room filled with cool fog that shrouded her from the sight of her foe. She could hear the elf moving around in the fog, but the screen hampered her vision as much as his. Lefrik leaped to his feet, avoiding the elf's attack, and launched a pair of viscious swipes at her. His opponent managed to deflect the heavy blows, but only barely. Calla reappeared and buried a pair of arrows into the elf by her bedroom, severely wounding the young man. Meanwhile, a pair of lightning clouds converged on the head of the elf still standing in Anklebiter's door. A roiling ball of lighting consumed the elf, and he fell dead to the ground, his head a mess of burns. Bruendor continued his long sleep.

The remaining elves stepped up their pressure in the face of a mounting defense. The woman's rapier bit into Lefrik's side twice, followed by another trio of arrows, each one threatening to send the barbarian to the floor again. Calla, her unarmored both limber and lithe, but relatively unprotected, grimaced as a pair of arrows met naked flesh. Her eyes did not droop like the barbarian's, but the magical shots pummeled her body instead of piercing the flesh.

The lightning-orbs lazily float towards the next target and unleash their wrath.

'Lightning' to the Elf at L9. Will save DC 20 to disbelieve. Reflex DC 20 to halve 3d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 6) = 13 and 3d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 2) = 9 'electricity'.

Meanwhile, Anklebiter casts an old favourite on the Elf in direct melee with Lefrik, hoping to free up his gigantic friend!

Ear-piercing scream 4d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 1, 2) = 10 sonic damage. Fort DC 15 to halve. Fail save and be dazed for one round.

Will Saves (Bonus for Rage included for all)
Will Save #1 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Will Save #2 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Will Save #3 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

And for a second time, Lefrik crumbles into slumber.

Calla launches three more arrows, though she continues to be less interested in killing than disabling their attackers.

"This is madness," she calls out again. "All that will happen here is death. Put down your weapons and we will do the same!"

First targeting J-10 with the Rapid Shot pair of arrows, then J-14 with the third shot

+1 adaptive composite longbow (rapid shot, deadly aim): 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 2 + 3 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 7 + (1, 6) + 3 = 19
+1 adaptive composite longbow (rapid shot, deadly aim): 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 2 + 3 = 20
Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 7 + (1, 4) + 3 = 16
+1 adaptive composite longbow (rapid shot, deadly aim): 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 2 + 2 + 3 = 25
Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 7 + (3, 4) + 3 = 25

Bold doesn't show anymore and our initiative order was using that feature, but I think Kel was in the second group and not acting currently? If waiting on me, Kel is planning to create a minor image of herself fleeing the room, DC 17 Will save

Bold is working fine for me on Firefox. Regardless, we're all grouped together at this point (Kel and Lefrik at the end of Round 5, the rest of us at the start of Round 6) so the entire party is up. Waiting on Bruendor now.

Not any more. And formatting was only down for about a day.

From the fog burst a half-dressed Kelendra, who rushed over to Calla's side. Many elves tried to snatch at her as she ran past, but none were able to grasp the elusive form. Calla, startled by her friend's appearance, jerked her bow to the side, spoiling her shot at the nearest elf. She turned, sending an arrow into her former assailant, and dropping the elf where he stood, the arrow buried deep in his throat. Anklebiter cast another of his favorite spells, and the elven woman gloating over Lefrik's newly-fallen form shrieked and dropped her rapier, clutching her head with both hands. She collapsed to the ground, still breathing, but unconscious. Bruendor still lay on the floor, his consciousness surrendered to the magic of the arrows that felled him.

Four of the remaining archers fired at Kelendra, and all four shafts flew true...and through the image. One of the elves called out that it was an illusion, even as the fifth archer turned his aim to Calla. The hastily re-aimed shaft flew wide.

What happened to the Elf at L9, who I hit with the lightning-orbs?

Finally seeing the opening he needs, Anklebiter scampers out of the laboratory and makes his way over to Calla and Bruendor. The ... 'spirited' Inquisitor may feel a light touch on the back of her leg, just as the recumbent Bruendor feels one on his face, and a familiar voice says: "Incoming spell of protection!"
This is followed by a chant, and the feeling of magic shrouding the two doughty warriors. (And hopefully it will wake up Bruendor.)

Anklebiter moves to K 14.
Once there, Anklebiter casts Communal protection from arrows on Anklebiter, Bruendor and Calla. (I'd have cast it on us all, but I need to touch the targets. All recipients can no-sell 90 points of damage from ranged weapons.

Meanwhile, the orbs of 'lightning' continue to zap and scourge the Elf they had been set upon.

The Elf at L9 has to roll Will DC 20 to disbelieve; after that, he has to roll Ref. DC 20 to halve 3d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 6) = 12 and 3d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 2) = 14 'electricity' damage.

Effects on Anklebiter:
Communal protection from arrows 90/90
Greater invisibility

Apparently he dodged the first one and took the second full force.