DM Brainiac's Ruins of Azlant: Pretty Women and Green Men (COMPLETE!) (Inactive)

Game Master Brainiac

Sorry, I thought I remembered finding a structure.

"Nice bit of loot that mound was keeping around."

He uses the gauntlet to cast Detect Magic and begins examining the items.

Spellcraft(Amulet): 1d20 + 12 + 1d6 ⇒ (9) + 12 + (4) = 25
Spellcraft(Wand): 1d20 + 12 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 12 + (2) = 17
Spellcraft(Armor): 1d20 + 12 + 1d6 ⇒ (13) + 12 + (6) = 31

Once done, he considers the situation. "Our guide reported seeing something in the mists. Could it simply have been this wisp or is there still something hidden out here?"

amulet of natural armor +1, wand of chill touch (26 charges), enchanted eelskin

"It is hard to be certain, but I think it is pretty likely that Kalikk's glowing light was just the wisp. Let's return to Bonetown and then proceed toward Vriskrisa's lair."

The trail continues further through the swamp if you want to keep following it.

In that case, my previous statement never happened :)

"All healed up, Ema? Let's keep following this trail, then."

After Kip zaps Ema a few times, Simon will continue down the trail.

Victrix growls as the will-o-wisp retreats. "Better not f**&ing come back."

You continue following the trail through the marsh, and after another thirty minutes or so, it leads back north towards the island's shore. A narrow beach lies at the base of several cliffs. The jagged mouth of a partly flooded sea cave is decorated with the splintered and gnarled bones of sea creatures and humanoids alike, held aloft in a tangle of netting and seaweed. Other gnawed bones litter the rocky shore around the cave mouth.

"So, what do you reckon this place is then?"

"My guess would be a lair of some kind. Something big, by the look of it.

I can go invisible and check it out."

Simon will change into the Enchanted Eelskin and head toward the entrance to the cave.

He listens carefully at the mouth of the cave.

Perception T10: 10 + 12 + 3 = 25

If he hears nothing, he will take his Extracts of Heightened Awareness and Invisibility, then enter the cave, sneaking as he goes.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 + 1d6 ⇒ (13) + 12 + (4) = 29 (+4 for traps) also +2 for Heightened Awareness
Stealth: 1d20 + 9 + 20 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 20 = 31

Ema was relieved that the wisp was driven off, relieved and more than a little concerned. She'd have preferred to kill it outright as she suspected it would come back to haunt them someday. Still, there was nothing she could do about it just now. Dismissing her elemental she pulled a potion out and quaffed it then cast a spell again to replenish the buffer of negative energy that protected her from that first strike. Then looked to Simon and nodded as she said, "Yes, I'm good now."
cure light wounds pot: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
false life: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

As they advanced through the swamp and found the cave Ema was finding she really didn't like this place. Something about it creeped her our more than most of those they'd visited and she just wanted out of this stinking place. When Simon offered to go check it out invisibly she nodded and said, "I have no clue what is in there, but it can't be good." She reached out to lay a hand on Simon's shoulder, "Be careful."

Simon can hear some faint voices speaking from somewhere inside the cave. Of more immediate concern, though, he finds a crude trap of sharpened bones and heavy rocks set in a bundle of netting suspended above the entrance to the cave. It is triggered by a tripwire that runs across the cave mouth.

I am assuming the trap is found before taking the extract

Simon will motion the group to be quiet and quietly inform them of the voices and trap. Following the tripwire back to the trap, he will use a small clamp from his thief's tools to immobilize the wire before cutting it and tying the end off to immobilize the release.

Disable: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28

If successful, he'll give a thumbs up, then return to drinking his extracts and moving into the cave to see who is talking.

Simon swiftly disables the trap. Invisible, he slips into the cave. Four caves branch off from the entrance. The entire cavern smells of brine, sweat, and rot. The floor of the cave is littered with humanoid bones and filth. A wall of driftwood tethered together stands wedged in a narrow tunnel in the south wall of this chamber.

Four feral-looking gillmen are in this cave, speaking in hushed growls. They wear lamellar leather armor caked with blood and dirt. One chews on a humanoid femur as the others discuss when they will go out hunting for their next meal.

Simon quickly looks about for other traps before returning to the party.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 12 + (2) = 15 +4 for traps

If needed Disable: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (18) + 15 = 33

Back with the party, he informs them of the four gillmen.

"They don't look overly dangerous, though they are aggressive looking and are obviously hunting humanoids.

For the safety of the colonists, we are going to need to deal with them. Agreed?"

Once everyone is ready, I will sneak back into the cave and wait along the side of the cavern that the gillmen were in. I want to be able to set up flanking once the rest of the party starts loudly coming in the front entrance.

Stealth: 1d20 + 10 + 20 ⇒ (2) + 10 + 20 = 32

Thank goodness for invisibility with these stealth rolls...

"Did they seem like they were aware and in control of their actions? I agree they need to be stopped if they're hunting humanoids, I just want to make sure we're not dealing with another situation with people being played like puppets."

Did anyone need any wand charges from the last combat? If you say how many you needed I can mark off charges (we have 15 left).

"They seemed aware to me, and were talking about going hunting again."

"...then why are we still standing here?" Victrix scuffs her feet in the dirt.

Once you are ready, Simon sneaks invisibly into an advantageous position, then Victrix leads the rest of you into the cave. The gillmen shout in anger as they spot you!

Simon may take his surprise round action, then Ema may act before the gillmen act in the first round. Map updated. The icons for the gillmen are placeholders until I have more time to replace them.

Simon drinks his extract of Shield, and waits for the gillmen to engage with the party.

Ouch, that initiative!

With the fighting imminent Ema had already summoned up something to help, and earth elemental, and sent it gliding beneath the surface of the cave so it could come up underneath one of the gilman and try to drag it down. She, meanwhile, had entered the cave with her friends and and to start the fight off cast a spell. A glob of acid appeared and then shaped itself into and arrow before leaping across the distance at the nearest target she had.

acid arrow at the closest target: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 52d4 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4

Meanwhile the elemental had arrived at it's target and reached up from below to grab the creature and try to pull it down into the rocky floor of the cave.
grapple lower right gilman: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 = 6

Ema's acid arrow flies past her target, and the elemental fails to grab the gillman.

Snarling with rage, the gillmen draw tridents and short swords. Two of them circle around the elemental to flank it while the other two rush at Victrix to attack her! The barbarian takes a hit from one's trident.

Tridents vs. Elemental, Flanking: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 151d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Tridents vs. Victrix: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 131d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

7 damage to Victrix after DR. Everybody may act!

Smiling to himself, Simon quickly studies the gillman engaged with the elemental in front of him, 5-foot steps into flanking position, draws his longsword, and attacks.

Sword,Flank,Study,Invisible: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 32 (vs. flat-footed)
Damage?,Study: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 = 9

Confirm?: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 29
Damage?: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

With that crit, I will release the study
Strike: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Round 1: Actions
Free Action: Drop Glaive
Move Action: Draw Greataxe
Free Action: RAGE!
Standard Action: Power Chop the nearest gillman!

The sudden jab causes Victrix to drop her glaive. She roars in response and unlimbers her greataxe, bringing it down on the gillman's head!

Power Axe Chop: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Damage?: 1d12 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19

Ema's elemental, an enemy sandwiched between it and Simon, lashed out again. Rather than trying to grab this time it slammed into the gilman with as much force as it could.
slam w/earth mast/flank/patk: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 1 + 2 - 1 = 151d6 + 7 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 1 + 3 = 13

Ema, meanwhile cast a spell and sent a pair of missiles slamming into the gilman that Victrix was focusing on.
magic missile: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (3, 3) + 2 = 8

Simon suddenly appears as he drives his sword into the gillman's back, critically wounding him! Ema's elemental narrowly misses with its swing, though. The arcanists blasts the nearest gillman with magic missiles as Victrix chops into him with her axe, leaving him barely standing. Kip tries to finish him off with a wave strike, but the attack goes wide.

Wave Strike: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Ignoring Simon for now, the gillmen flanking the elemental try to bring it down. The other two focus on Victrix, stabbing with tridents and short swords. The elemental takes two hits, while Victrix gets stabbed twice as well, once in a vulnerable spot!

Full Attacks, Flanking: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 261d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 91d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 201d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 31d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Full Attacks: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 171d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 221d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 71d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Crit Confirm?: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Damage: 1d6 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 - 2 = 42d6 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (1, 6) + 4 - 2 = 9

6 damage to the elemental, 13 damage to Victrix after her DR. Everybody is up!

Having felt positive that the previous hit would kill the gillman, Simon realizes that these opponents are stronger than he suspected.

Spending a point of inspiration, he studies the gillman again, and takes another swing with his glowing sword.

Sword,Flank,Study: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 2 + 2 = 19
Damage?,Study: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 = 7

Round 2: Actions
Free Action: Maintain Rage
Standard Action: Hack up wounded gillman!

Victrix swings like a madwoman, channelling her pain into more angry swipes!

Power Chop: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Damage: 1d12 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21

The elemental lashed out at the gilman between itself and Simon with a fierce blow.
slam w/flank/EM/patk: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 2 + 1 - 1 = 171d6 + 7 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 1 + 3 = 13

Ema, meanwhile, sent another flurry of missiles lancing out to slam into the gillmen.
Magic Missile: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 1) + 2 = 5
Targeting the one Simon and the Elemental are on if it is still up after Roxie's (elemental's) attack. Otherwise I'll hit the one Victrix is on followed by Kip's and the one flanking Roxie in order of priority.

Ema, I realized you're still rolling damage for two magic missiles. You should have three at this level now. I'll roll for the extra missiles.

Extra Magic Missiles: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 31d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Kip Wave Strike: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Fortitude: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Simon stabs the gillman with his sword again, and this time the enemy falls. Roxie turns to the other foe nearby but fails to hit. However, Ema blasts the foe she targeted last time with another trio of magic missiles, dropping him. Victrix shifts her aim to the next gillman, tearing into him with her axe. Kip blasts him with a wave strike, knocking him away and to the ground.

The gillman facing the elemental continues to attack it, while the fallen one stands back up and hurls his trident at Victrix!

Full Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 81d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Thrown Trident: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Damage, DR: 1d8 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 - 2 = 4

4 damage to the elemental, 4 damage to Victrix after her DR. Everybody is up!

Doh!

"Ha Ha! Good work, Ema! We'll teach these gillmen to feast on people!"

Quickly studying the gillman in combat with the elemental, Simon moves in and swings away.

Sword,Study: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 2 = 18
17 failed, but 19 hit... I'll spend inspiration to be sure
Inspiration: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Damage,Study: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 2 = 11

Round 3: Actions
Free Action: Keep Raging
Standard Action: Hack up the other gillman!

Victrix whirls around and swings at the other gillman attacking her...

Raging Power Chop: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
Damage?: 1d12 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19

The elemental knew it was hurting and unlikely to survive another round, it also knew if it was returned it's task would be left undone. Deciding to preserve itself a bit longer and reposition the elemental shift to one side and simply slid into the cave wall next to it.
5ft step into the wall with earthglide.

Ema was relieved to see Roxie slide into the wall, she knew the creature couldn't be destroyed permanently when summoned but it still pained her to see her friends harmed like that. She focused on the gilman her elemental had just retreated from and chanted, gestured, and cast again. This time another arrow of acid arched up over the heads before her and down at that very same gilman. but unfortunately missed and splattered on the ground right behind ti.
acid arrow: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 3 - 4 = 10

Rapier: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Damage: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

Victrix and Ema both miss with their attacks, but Simon strikes true, and Kip stabs the other gillman with his rapier.

The gillmen retaliate, attacking Simon and Victrix. Neither one hits!

Full Attack vs Simon: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 71d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Short Sword vs. Victrix: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Everybody is up again!

Round 4: Actions
Free Action: Keep Raging
Standard Action: Chop Chop!

Victrix hacks away again.

Raging Power Chop: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
Damage: 1d12 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19

Simon is not sure where the elemental is going, but decides to move into danger, allowing Kip a chance to flank.

He continues swinging at the gillman he hit previously.

Sword,Study: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 2 = 11

"Excellent work guys, let's keep it up! A quick stab here should distract him!"

Rapier: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 2 = 18, Damage: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0

"Hey! Pay attention to me! I'm stabbing you!"

Emma's elemental suddenly appeared from out of the wall putting the gillman between it and Simon again. The rocky creature lashed out once more with a fearsome blow.
slam w/same bonuses: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 8 + 2 + 1 - 1 = 241d6 + 7 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 1 + 3 = 14
this time the elemental connected with a solid strike as it clapped it's "hands" together on the gilman's head.

Retarget Roxie on the second gilman if the one I'm after dies, I'll just move out enough to flank with Victrix instead.

Ema, not wanting to see her battered elemental be destroyed, opened the gateway once more and let Roxie get pulled back into the plane of earth to heal.

Victrix hews down the wounded gillman with her axe, while Roxie emerges to batter the last one. Though badly wounded, the rest of you fail to finish him off. Kip's rapier strike barely seems to register.

Snarling with bestial fury, he assaults Roxie

Full Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 241d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 81d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Wow, two 20s! At least it wasn't against a PC. 15 damage to Roxie, which probably sends it back home. Everybody is up!

Actually if you look I already sent it back home as my action after it attacked. Having said that I'll let that have hit first just to soak it up and do something different for my action.

Ema watched in horror as the last remaining gillman assaulted Roxie with deadly intent before she could send the elemental back. The rocky being simply fell apart into a pile of gravel that then disappeared into the aether. Pissed Ema chanted, gestured, and drew on her reservoir of power to send a flurry of missiles slamming into the gilman with unerring accuracy.
magic missile w/+2CL: 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 3, 3, 1) + 4 = 15

Round 5: Actions
Free Action: Keep Raging
Move Action: Move to engage last gillman
Standard Action: Raging Power Chop!

Victrix whirls and runs at the last gillman standing.

THWACK: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Damage?: 1d12 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15

Ah, sorry about that Ema. I'll let it ride though to save Simon from taking damage.

Victrix cuts the gillman down with a powerful chop, allowing Ema to save the spell she was about to cast to blast him with.

The gillmen have 8 potions of cure moderate wounds, 4 mwk leather lamellar armor, 4 mwk tridents, and 4 mundane short swords.

Victrix comes down from her adrenaline rush and leans against the cave wall.

"Ow." She pokes a dead gillman with her boot.

Too bad they weren't faceless things.

She takes one of the healing potions and chugs it down.

CMW: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (6, 8) + 3 = 17

Breathing heavily, Simon leans against his sword as he surveys the scene of battle.

"Well, that went according to plan, mostly. They were tougher than I thought they would be, but nothing we can't handle."

Victrix, just mark down all of the potions on your sheet. Everyone else has some, and you need them more than anyone else

Looking around, Simon sees a few uninteresting pools, and then something more interesting back toward the rear of the cave.

"I wonder what is back there..."

Stopping at the point where the cave narrows, Simon looks about for any more traps before heading into the room and looking around.

Perception T10 = 10+12+4+3+2 = 31
Disable: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34

"Make sure to gather up all o' their gear. Some of this looks nice."

I wrote it in the spreadsheet already :)

"I'm sure the guards in town could make good use out of the equipment. Does anyone need any more healing? Berries? Amphibious massage?"