DM Bigrin's Shattered Star (Group B) (Inactive)

Game Master bigrin42

AOO: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32
dmg: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

crit confirmation: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18
crit dmg: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

As the other grey maidens move forward, Jakscar takes advantage of one's tunnel vision and slashes her blade towards the maiden's face.

Zaph winces as his allies take some heavy blows from the warrior women. He raises his holy symbol and channels energy, making sure to exclude the injured enemies.

Healing: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 6) = 13

Zaphomil channels healing energy even as Angelica retreats to give herself more room to maneuver. Jakscar slashed away at one of the maidens that ran by him, catching her on the flank, but was soon beset by their leader. The squad leader continued to harry Jakscar, once again catching the catfolk in a vital spot. This time, though, she wasn't able to twist her blade as Jakscar rode the blow and lessened it's potentially deadly impact.

This was bad. One grey maiden was bearing down on her from the front, and two more were approaching from behind the column. Jakscar managed to clip the one closest while Zaphomil's blessings had healed her wounds almost immediately, but that only bought her a few seconds to react before the next attack that was assuredly forthcoming.

With little room to retreat, Shabbezz tries a gamble. She grabs another one of her new wands with her free hands, looks past the closest gray maiden to the squad leader, then presses the tip of the wand against her breastplate and barks the command word.

Activating the wand of lightning bolt (5 charges remaining; CL 5; Casting time: 1 standard action; Components: V,S,M (fur and a glass rod); Range: 120 ft.; Area: 120-ft. line; Duration: instantaneous; Saving Throw; Reflex half (DC 16); Spell Resistance: yes (Vs. SR: +5); see link for details) at the the gray maiden directly to the north of her and the squad leader battling Jakscar; I have marked on the map the area of the spell's effect. They take only half damage if they make a Reflex save versus DC 16.

Wands are spell trigger items, so casting a spell from a wand is a standard action that does not provoke an attack of opportunity. There is no need to cast defensively.

Versus SR: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Damage (electricity): 5d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 3, 1, 5) = 12

Desperately suffering, but unwilling to run and leave his friends exposed, Jakscar stays in combat with the maiden leader. Filled with desperate strength he focuses on pushing his blades into holes in the defence and driving them home.

Attack D Sword: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22
Dmg D sword: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Attack S Dagger: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Dmg S Dagger: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Shabbezz' spell tore through the metal-clad women, causing their limbs to tremble and their noses to bleed. Jakscar slipped to the side and began poking at the squad leader, taking advantage of the lightning blast to pierce her several times.

Left alone, Shabbezz was helpless to disengage as three of the gray maidens surrounded her and began driving their blades into soft amphibian flesh. Shabbezz managed to avoid some of the blows, but one caught her left leg and she cried out as she nearly collapsed from the injury.

Feeling better from the healing and the shift of positioning, Angelica decides she needs to hurry back in to Shabbezz's aid. "Don't worry Sweetie, I'm coming to help you out of there." She darts into the room, but missteps at just the wrong time as she tries to roll past the Gray Maiden between Jakscar and Shabbezz

Move, Acrobatics to avoid AoO 1d20 ⇒ 1 (Okay, at least her AC is +4 while moving)
Standard, attack with Silverfang (don't know if Shabbezz offers flank) 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27 (+2 if Shabb threatens), confirm crit?1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23 (+2 if Shabb threatens)
Damage 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 plus crit damage?? 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7, plus sneak attack?? 2d6 ⇒ (2, 6) = 8

Zaph converts a spell to healing energy and moves into the room, touching Jakscar to heal him of the serious wounds he'd received.

Sacrificing aid for CMW, casting before moving.
Cure Moderate: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (8, 8) + 6 = 22

Ugh, back.

I don't believe Shabbezz threatens. She is holding a wand and not a weapon, as far as I can tell...not that it mattered

Angelica dove past the flashing blade of the gray maiden and drove her rapier into the left eye socket of the woman's helm. The suit of armor collapsed onto the ground, no longer held aloft by the meat, bones, and sinew of the dead woman inside it. Zaphomil cast a healing spell, then glided into the melee to touch Jakscar and close some of the catfolk's wounds. Then new ones appear as the squad leader hits Jakscar again.

Shabbezz gripped the area over her largest wound and grit her teeth. She wouldn't last long in this position, so she concentrated instead on avoiding the gray maidens' weapons long enough to move away from them and give her more melee-capable teammates room to maneuver.

Using the withdraw full-round action to move away from the two gray maidens and through the doorway.

attack D Sword: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15
Dmg D sword: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Attack S Dagger: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Dmg S Dagger: 1d4 ⇒ 1

The cumulative injuries drag at Jakscar's stamina and he struggles to land any substantial blows as he continues to clash blades with the leader.

Jakscar's blade rang out against metal armor as he struggled to find an opening. Shabbezz used the distraction to escape into the other room, arm curled protectively over her wounds. The gray maidens filled the gap, striking out at Zaphomil. Blades crashed into the distracted healer and he felt his own skin split and bleeding.

Angelica looks down at Zaphomil with regretful eyes, and says, "Sorry little buddy, but I think Whiskers needs my help right now." Waiting very little longer, she shifts into a dancing series of twists until she arrives in the space opposite Jakscar surrounding the leader. Once there, she thrusts with her oft-used new rapier, trying to find a weakness in the woman's defenses.

Acrobatics to avoid AoO's 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26
Standard, attack with Silverfang (w/flank) 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 9 + 2 = 27, damage 1d6 + 3 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 3 + (6, 1) = 12

Zaph fights through the pain of the sudden attacks, deciding to use his magics to try to aid their offense instead of just patching wounds.

Casting his spell cautiously, Zaphomil invokes a prayer to Desna to turn the tide of the battle.

Concentration DC 21: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Casting prayer, granting every ally a +1 to hit and damage, and the maidens get a -1 to hit and damage (no save). But SR applies.
Caster level vs SR (if any): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Angelica lands a decent blow on the squad leader, who winces and looks around. Seeing that she was now outnumbered, she withdrew, heading for the stairs leading up the central column.

"Sisters, hold the stairs! I am going to get Orianna and our Lady."

AoO from Angelica, none from Jakscar. She is now about 10' up from the floor, on the staircase.

Angelica was clearly surprised by the woman running away, and was only just able to get a quick slice with her blade.

Aoo, attack w/Silverfang 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24, damage 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

From her space across the doorway, Shabbezz can see one gray maiden in melee with Zaphomil while the squad leader makes a break for the stairs. Not confident that she can successfully fire over the gnome priest's head, she instead aims her lighting wand to make short work of the former opponent so that the group can concentrate on the latter.

Activating the wand of lightning bolt (4 charges remaining; CL 5; Casting time: 1 standard action; Components: V,S,M (fur and a glass rod); Range: 120 ft.; Area: 120-ft. line; Duration: instantaneous; Saving Throw; Reflex half (DC 16); Spell Resistance: yes (Vs. SR: +5); see link for details) at the the gray maiden battling Zaphomil. I have marked on the map the area of the spell's effect; Zaphomil should be out of range. They take only half damage if they make a Reflex save versus DC 16.

Wands are spell trigger items, so casting a spell from a wand is a standard action that does not provoke an attack of opportunity. There is no need to cast defensively.

Versus SR: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Damage (electricity): 5d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 4, 5, 2) = 19

Sorry, holidays, feel like I have less time rather than more!

"Oh, dear, this is going to hurt!"

Clicking his heels and chasing after the leader, Jakscar tries to dive past her and block her passage.
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33

Not sure if I can run and move past the leader, so just catch me up to her if I can't. I make it about 50ft, would have thought that i got that wrong and it would be 60ft, Jakscar has a move of 60ft +10 from sprinter racial ability when charging, running or withdrawing.

Jakscar, I make it 50 feet to her square, so I put you adjacent to her on the stairs.

Shabbezz's lightning bolt arced out at the gray maiden nearest her, and the foe shook in her armor. Jakscar ignored the magic and raced after the fleeing quad leader, hoping to stop her before she could get to reinforcements.

The remaining grey maidens drove swords at Zaphomil, trying to cut down the healer who was being so effective at keeping their foes upright. One landed a sword stroke against Zaphomil's neck, biting deeply and making the cleric swoon with blood loss.

Wait, I thought there was only one Grey Maiden left, after I crit the one through the eye?

Nope, 2

Angelica moves up to try and help out the softer two as Jakscar runs after the leader. She returns to Zap's side, and stabs at whichever one looks the most wounded.

Move
Attack w/Silverfang 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 9 + 1 = 16, damage?? 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 = 9.
(Been forgetting Prayer)

Zaphomil puts one hand up against his neck, to staunch the bleeding a bit, while his other hand goes up and he channels healing energy. He excludes the gray maidens so they receive no benefit from Desna's healing.

Channel: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 2) = 9

@Angelica - I see the possible confusion. You have a live one standing atop a deader, so the "X" of the dead one is showing around the live one's token.

Angelica's blade skittered off the greay maiden's shield, and from within the helmet she caught sight of the woman's eyes, shining with the joy of battle. Zaphomil channeled some healing energy into his companions, knowing its wasn't nearly enough to save him from another set of blows like the last.

The squad leader heard Jakscar charging up behind her, so she set her shield and spun, catching the black catfolk as he moved his feet to the last step. Off balance, Jakscar could do nothing as he felt himself being pushed off the open stairway. Fortunately his fall was short as he crashed to the ground ten feet below. The squad leader then turned and continued her rush up the stairs.

The healing wave washed over Shabbezz, instantly knitting together her most minor wounds. With the remaining gray maiden and her own companions still blocking the doorway back into the room, the wizard switched wands and commanded a bolt of sizzling green acid to slam into the enemy's side.

5-ft-step west.

Using the wand of acid arrow (CL3, 9 charges remaining) on the gray maiden battling Zaphomil (CL3; Casting Time: 1 standard action; Components: V,S,M [rhubarb leaf and an adder's stomach]; Range: long [400 ft. + 40 ft./level; (520 ft.)]; Effect: one arrow of acid; Duration: 1 round + 1 round per 3 levels [2 rounds]; Saving Throw: none; Spell Resistance: no; ranged touch attack to hit; see link for details).

Ranged touch attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Damage (acid, no splash), Round 5: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 1) = 5
Damage (acid, no splash), Round 6: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 4) = 7

Sorry for the silence. Been an interesting week. 1 bar of phone signal every few hours does not make for the most effective communication. Man, I don't see how my in-laws live like that.

Botting Jakscar

Jakscar groaned as he sat up, dazed from his fall. He looked up to see the squad leader looking over the edge of the stone stairway with a smirk on her face. The catfolk leaped to his feet and began charging up the stairs once more, knowing he wasn't going to be able to easily catch up.

Shabbezz' wand burped forth a blob of acid that melted into the nearest Gray Maiden's armor, and the woman inside shrieked as it burned into her skin. She lashed out wildly at the nearest target, but her swing passed well above Zaphomil's head. The other one continued to press Angelica, not letting up on the burglar, even though Angelica dodged every swing.

Angelica tries to help Zap and Shabbezz by aiming instead at the one nearest the door. She stabs and swipes with both blade and claw, but the switch in targets sees her attacks for naught.

Full-Attack Maiden in front of Zap
Silverfang 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Left Claw 1d20 + 9 - 5 ⇒ (4) + 9 - 5 = 8

When the maiden swings and misses, Zaph reaches into his pocket. Feeling the shard there, he activates its magic and speeds up his allies. "Okay, let's dance."

Haste for everyone! Extra attack on a full attack, +1 to hit, +30 movement, +1 reflex saves

Angelica's strikes skittered off the Maiden's armor, leaving a pair of bright streaks along the metal. Then, Zaphamil used his shard to augment everyone, and you all felt your limbs speed up in response.

The squad leader continued her run, heading upwards and out of sight along the turn of the stairwell.

This last remaining Gray Maiden will not go down!

Shabbezz instead switches tactics, sheathing the wands in her belt and then spreading wide her webbed fingers in a fan shape, accompanying the motion with a crackling string of syllables.

Casting [ur=https://aonprd.com/SpellDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Burning%20Hands]burning hands[/url] (CL 6; Casting time: 1 standard action; Components: V,S; Range: 15 ft.; Area: cone-shaped burst; Duration: instantaneous; Saving Throw; Reflex half (DC 15); Spell Resistance: yes (Vs. SR: +6); see link for details) at the Gray Maiden in front of Zaphomil, banking the 15-ft. cone off the wall so that the edge fries her without damaging the cleric; I've marked the squares on the map. She should also be suffering the second round of damage from my acid arrow as well (7 acid damage).

Damage (fire): 5d4 ⇒ (3, 4, 2, 1, 2) = 12

Jakscar disappeared around the bend of the stairs, chasing after the fleeing guard captain. Shabbezz changed tactics, roasting the two remaining gray maidens in their armor. The flames didn't seem to slow the women down at all, though, and both connected with Angelica, splashing more blood on the already puddles floor.

Shabbezz's brow furrowed. Maybe the Maiden's armor was enchanted against flame? Let's change tactics.

Taking a step back and to the left, Shabbezz lined up her sight so that both of the remaining enemies were in her field of vision through the open door. Grabbing the components from her spell pouch, she weaved her arms and chanted before thrusting her right arm forward, a flash and the sharp stench of ozone suddenly in the air.

Casting lightning bolt (CL 6; Casting time: 1 standard action; Components: V,S,M (fur and a glass rod); Range: 120 ft.; Area: 120-ft. line; Duration: instantaneous; Saving Throw; Reflex half (DC 17); Spell Resistance: yes (Vs. SR: +6); see link for details) at the two remaining Gray Maidens, missing Angelica and Zaphomil and grounding out at the staircase. They take only half damage if they make a Reflex save versus DC 17.

Versus SR: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Damage: 6d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 5, 3, 6, 4) = 26 electricity

Both of the the armored women twitched and fell to the ground after Shabbezz's spell. For a moment the only sound was the twitching of the bodies on the stone floor. The fight was over for the moment, but with Jakscar chasing the guard captain up the spiral stairway, another was sure to follow soon.

Out of combat for the moment. What do you want to do?

"We've got the speed spell for a couple minutes, so let's use them to catch up to Jakscar!" Zaph says, starting to move at his enhanced speed in the direction where the captain went.

Shabbezz took a moment to shake her arms off of the residual static charge left by the spell, then grabbed her wand and took off after Zaphomil.

"Perhaps he was able to slow her down!"

Angelica lets out a short lived sigh of relief before she too rushes off to help catch up to the leader that ran off.

Haste was a great spell for covering flat ground quickly, or for making lots of attacks. It wasn't quite as useful when you were running along a spiral staircase with no railings. More than once Zaphomil felt like he was about to careen over the edge because his feet were moving faster than his mind could control the rest of his body. The staircase went up a hundred feet or so, and as you came around the final bend, you saw Jakscar just entering the room, which appears to be filled with mist or fog of some kind. The catfolk vanished, and by the time you reached the room, the mist had as well.

Entering the room yourselves, you see a grand chamber of polished marbe with a wide pillar rising up the center. The curving flight of stairs you came up winds around this pillar down into the depths. A starburst pattern in brilliant shades of orange and yellow surrounded by flowing script decorates the floor, while the domed ceiling twenty feet above evokes the opalescent interior of a rare seashell. Eight alcoves line the walls - standing in seven are regal statues of imperious figures carved from basalt. Each has a plaque written in the same flowing script as that on the floor.

Anyone who knows Thassilonian can make a Linguistics check to read the script on the floor and the statue plaques. This is a variant of the base language and so it isn't automatic is you know Thassilonian

I have Thassilonian (with the Shard), but am not trained in Linguistics. I don't know if being trained is a requirement for this check (as Linguistics is a trained only skill), so I'll roll it anyways.
Linguistics 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Angelica rushes into the room, a little breathless even with the magical enhancement, "Damn! Where'd Whiskers and the b~~~% get off to? I can kinda make out some of the letters and the language thanks to my Shard, but it's off somehow. If anyone else wants a go, hold the shard if you don't know the language."

The shard will add +3 to your check (+1 from the Int bonus of the Ioun Stone, and the Shard's +2 to all skills).

Unable to discern where Jakscar or the Gray Maiden had gotten to as well, Shabbezz concentrated on the plaques beneath the figures.

"It's alright, Angelica, I'm well-versed in Thassilonian and related languages. I bet I can make out the inscriptions, but hand me the shard for insurance."

Linguistics (plus the shard): 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (8) + 17 = 25

Did I make it?

The script-like runes are difficult to read, but Shabbezz can just make them out.

She who desires to ascend the Lady's Light must first deign to embrace the Lady and the Lie

I'll be nice and use the same roll for the plaques at each statue (in the order above): Alaznist, Xanderghul, Karzoug, Sorshen, Belimarius, Krune, and Zutha

Much obliged.

As a scholar with an interest in ancient Thassilon, Shabbezz was more or less able to parse out which Runelord that each statue was intended to represent. She started with the script on the floor in front of the pillar, then moved on to the alcoves, beginning with the plaque beneath he red-haired woman with her face twisted in rage, Alaznist, and ending with the image of the grotesquely corpulent mage stuffing himself, Zutha.

"She who desires to ascend the Lady's Light must first deign to embrace the Lady and the Lie," she read aloud. [b]"Fascinating. I can only guess at its meaning. I would take the Lady to mean Sorshen, but then what is the Lie? We may need to explore further before it becomes clear."[b]

Knowledge (history): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

Zaph finally slows down enough to look at the statues. "These have to be the fabled Runelords. Perhaps the 'lie' is one that doesn't fit?"

Assuming my roll is good enough...

"Each of the Runelords epitomized one of the seven sins. Everyone depicted here is pretty much what my research has indicated, except for the one who looks like he's giving the rose. That's the opposite of greed, if that's who the statue is supposed to be."

He shoves his hand into his pocket and covetously holds onto the shard of greed. "And knowing firsthand how that feels, the Runelord of Greed wouldn't be giving things away."

Angelica scrunches her nose, while absent-mindedly holding her hand out toward Shabbezz. "So, how does one person hug two statues? Does that mean you can only travel in pairs?"

Shabbezz considers the priest's guess.

"It sounds reasonable. We could certainly try it out."

Responding to Angelica:

"I think if we both embrace the statues of Sorshen and Karzoug simultaneously, we might trigger an effect. If it only allows two of us to travel at a time, we're going to have to figure out a means of regrouping. Perhaps if Zaphomil places a hand on one of us as we hug a statue, it might allow him to travel with us, assuming that it is some sort of teleportation effect."

Shabbezz moves to the alcove containing the effigy of Sorshen. Once she is face-to-face with the statue, she signals Angelica to step in front of the image of Karzoug and get ready to hug it.

Once Angelica agreed, she and Shabbezz both embraced the respective statues, with Shabbezz taking position at Sorshen's side. Angelica looked longingly at the voluptuous statue before moving over to the less-appealing one of Karzoug. Counting together, they did the deed and waited to be transported. Nothing happened. Or, at least, nothing happened to them directly. The empty alcove was rapidly filling with fog, the same fog that Jakscar had disappeared into.

Shabbezz pointed to the fog-filled alcove.

"Look, there! That might be the access point. I say we make a run for it, and link arms so that we don't get separated!"

Angelica doesn't wait for any more discussion on it. She grabs Zap and Shabbezz and rushes them toward the alcove.

Entering the mist, you are immediately teleported to another area. You look around to find yourself alone in a seven-sided room with a mosaic of a coiled serpent on the floor. A red metal door sits in one wall, and there is nothing else in the room with you. You feel a tingling in your skin and realize that you have just been subjected to a dispel magic effect, and your haste effect is gone.

Map is updated

poke

Sorry, sorry. Real life drama in spades, I kind of withdrew for a bit. I'll spare you the details.

Shabbezz finds herself alone in the chamber. Momentarily panicking, she looks around for Angelica and Zaphomil. Finding neither, she clutches one of her wands and immdediatly proceeds to look for an exit.

After opening the door:

"JAKSCAR!!"

Eyes wide with horror, she practically stabs the air with her wand as she fires a blast of acid at the gray maiden holding the sword aloft.

Using the wand of acid arrow (CL3, 8 charges remaining) on the gray maiden with the sword (CL3; Casting Time: 1 standard action; Components: V,S,M [rhubarb leaf and an adder's stomach]; Range: long [400 ft. + 40 ft./level; (520 ft.)]; Effect: one arrow of acid; Duration: 1 round + 1 round per 3 levels [2 rounds]; Saving Throw: none; Spell Resistance: no; ranged touch attack to hit; see link for details).

Ranged touch attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Damage (acid, no splash), Round 1: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3
Damage (acid, no splash), Round 2: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 4) = 6

I can't get past the door on the map, so I hope the shot lines up alright.