DMDM's Strange Aeons

Game Master Douglas Muir 406

If the Thing has no cover, Vitæ is taller and it's flat footed, Vitæ will fire at the Thing, then take a move action to reload, if the Thing has cover he will move to a better spot then fire. If there is no better spot and there is cover he will fire at a rat and reload.

The Thing is under the boiler, so it has cover. You could eliminate its cover by lying down on the floor and shooting at it, but then you'd be prone. (Note that attacking it with a melee weapon would face the same problem.)

So, you fire at a rat. 3 points of damage... not quite enough to kill it. (Yeah, they're big damn rats.)

Willpower 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Initiative 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Assume we are in the surprise round so only 1 action?

Ghelik lashes out at a rat.
shortsword atk 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 dam 1d6 ⇒ 6

Ghelik: Take a point of San damage.

Your shortsword lashes out and slices through one of the rats. Shunk -- it's dead.

I got a PM about maybe going prone. Eh I don't think Vitæ is that combat savvy.

Same PM did say Vitæ threatened a crit, thank you for pointing that out.

Crossbow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

damage and Painful Stare: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Mrakala will, if any rats remain standing, wave imperiously at one of them. "Stop, Monstrosity!"

Daze, DC 15

Also, DM, what wizard -doesn't- burn a feat on improved initiative?

Wait, how are you getting DC 15 on a cantrip? -- Anyway, Will save for the rat: 1d20 ⇒ 9 Welp, doesn't matter in this case.

We are probably giving that Thing fodder for Animate Rats.

20 Int +5 :3

Kyleen steps over near the remaining rat and attempts to interpose herself between it and her companions. Once there, Kyleen holds out her open hand while speaking in a strange series of squeaks and chitters.

Handle Animal(rats): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27 <-- rat should start as indifferent vs Kyleen and will not attack her. See Animal Speaker - Animal Friend.

She then looks to her companions.
Don't attack this one. Shoot the creature.

Mrakala grumbles to himself. "...one who mumbles to voices and another who mumbles to rats. ...Surrounded by crazy children."

Yordan readies an action: if a rat attacks someone, he will slash at it with his glaive, taking a 5' step if necessary.

"I trust the rat speaker!"

Is a glaive a better mousetrap? 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 for 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

"I'd be more concerned about whatever eldritch abomination it is the boy and the ghost saw under the boiler."

Mrakala may, occasionally, call someone by name. Until then you will be Crazy lady, Boy, Rat Girl, Not Doppleganger, Ghost/Pale one/Dreamer, and Yordan. Because Mrakala doesn't want Yordan to feel bad about pilfering dead people's coins or having constant mental breakdowns. Also he seems the one most likely to snap and murder us all.

Only if you deserve to be hunted down.

Holding to see if the rats listen before I act

Holding to see if the rats listen before I act

The single surviving rat is Dazed this round, thanks to Mrakala. That means it can't attack you, but it also means you can't tell whether the bard's words had any effect.

I think everyone has had a chance to act in this round except the Oracle? So, initiative is Oracle (finishing this round) and then Ghelik and Vitae (starting the next round). There's a dead rat, a live rat, and a Thing under the boiler.

Speaking of which: Ghelik and Vitae have gotten a look at the thing. When the rest of you see it, it looks like

Fritz moves up to the boiler and tries to stab whatever the thing is

1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 3 - 1 = 15 for 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6

'Why are there a plethora of things from the Nightmare regions in this place? These don't belong here.'

Vitæ arches an eyebrow and waves a hand, trailing glittering sand crystals.

Subdue the rat for information, as Kayleen asked? Get the Thing.

Cast Daze on the Thing that does not improve the situation. DC 13, - 2 on the save from Hypnotic Stare, then take a move action to give space to the big guns coming to do hero stuff.

Fritz moves up to the boiler and tries to stab whatever the thing is

1d20+3-1 for 1d8+2+1

It has cover under the boiler, so you're at -4 to hit unless you lie down on the ground (prone) and jab at it.

yep! taking the cover penalty

It is possible we are in one of the hells I suppose...

Cast Daze on the Thing that does not improve the situation. DC 13, - 2 on the save from Hypnotic Stare, then take a move action to give space to the big guns coming to do hero stuff.

1d20 ⇒ 9 The Thing does not seem affected.

At least +6 Will! I'm sure it's probably too many hit dice anyway.

Ghelik if you want to grab Vitæ's light crossbow as a move action this round you can.

The wizard scours his memories for knowledge of such a thing. Knowledge(Arcane): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9 +2 if it is an eldritch abomination....
Sanity Will Save: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 2 = 23If it has been less than 4 hours, he also gets another +4 on the save and is currently immune to sanity damage.

"No, young ghost. They do not belong here. And we shall send them back to where they belong!"

Daze as well, DC 15-- DC 16 if it is a eldritch monster

Wait up -- you're jumping ahead. Ghelik and the Thing get to go before you do.

Standing next to Fritz he points behind him with his Dagger, Fritz, behind ya!.

When Fritz turns to see what is behind him Ghelik tries to bring both of his blades into his back catching him off guard!

Shortsword atk 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12 damage 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + (5) = 9

MW Dagger atk 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 = 4 damage 1d4 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + (1) = 3

Shapeshifting scum...

Wait...he ain't a shapeshifter?!?!?!

But both are ill timed and just deflect off his armor.

Why...why...did I just do that?!?! he says to Fritz.

Round 1: Nameless holds back, watching Kyleen chitter and emote to the rat. She readies her spear to attack, clutching it with both hands and twitching at every move and shadow in the room. Not able to get a good stab at The Thing under the boiler, she watches the rest of the room and door for enemies.

Why...why...did I just do that?!?! he says to Fritz.

The oracle steps back away from Ghelik, bringing her spear to a point between the rogue and Fritz. Why? Why indeed ... Have you been ... Are you ...?

Round 2: Peering at Ghelik, she looks for any traces of Other influence. Casts Detect Magic in the cone facing Ghelik and the boiler.

"No, young ghost. They do not belong here. And we shall send them back to where they belong!"

Daze as well, DC 15-- DC 16 if it is a eldritch monster

In this world I'm twice your age :) and Hyptotic Stare will give it a -2 to the roll, but it's looking like it has a +6 Will or immune to Daze. Your DC is higher than me though.

'The tiny Thing is compelling the rats, it may be able to compel weak willed beings.' No offense Ghelik.

Lie down and poke at it under the boiler with spears and long weapons. We need to eliminate the creature.

"Better kill him to be safe."

"Long weapons? Rat-thing? But -- Ghelik just tried to kill Fritz? Shouldn't we deal with him first? Is he another one of those doppleganger doctors?"

Yordan hesitates, unsure which way to strike.

Delay until there's some resolution to who's what and what the most important threat is. Or at least till my next turn rolls around.

Well, the one rat is still dazed.

The Thing scuttles back to another boiler, making it slightly more difficult to hit (still cover and -4, but no more than two people can get a melee hit on it in one round.)

DMDM did Mrakala's Daze have any effect on the tiny Thing, having to roll an 18 may save our collective butts?

Yordan if you need an excuse to join the fray, Vitæ did call out to the group he thinks the Thing must be compelling the rats and may be able to do the same to us. As one of the best combatants maybe it's not the best time to wait, but if your RPing still being in shock ignore this.

Knock Ghelik out then. Don't kill until we know the truth.

Ah right. 1d20 ⇒ 7 Ooh, the poor Thing! Okay, it's still under the front boiler, where up to three people could strike at it. (Either going prone or taking a -4, as noted.)

I ave been wid ya the entire time...I ain't no shapshifter. It's gotta be tha thing. Must be trin' to control me mind. I felt somethin' this time, somethin in me mind, whisperin' things to me. Kill it!

Ghelik goes fully defensive and steps away from the group.

Standard action plus 5' step. AC increased to 18.

'Then why are you taking a defensive stance?!! Why not help fight the tiny Thing?'

Vitæ's crossbow wavers from the tiny Thing to the may not be our Rogue.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Kill it ! Kill it with fire!

The tiny Thing, not Ghelik. Not yet.

"Kill the abomination first. Then we will handle the second abomination in our midst..unless he's just mind controlled. Then perhaps we just tie him up until we are sure his mind is clear."

Cause the old man said I should be killd.

Vitae: He seems sincere. (And if you can't trust a guy named "the Sly", who can you trust?)

Back half of Round 2; everyone but Ghelik / Vitae can act now. In addition to talking as a free action, of course.

Watching Ghelik step back and lay himself open, Yordan frowns to himself -- then lunges for the Thing, bending down and sweeping his glaive under the boiler.

Glaive attack with cover: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 3 - 4 = 13 for 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12 damage.

If I need a Will save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Man, that would have laid some serious hurt on it if you'd been willing to go prone. As it is, nope -- it misses.

"Enough. This is annoying -- would you be a dear?"

"stabitstabittheeyeslookthroughusstabit"

Nameless steps past her posturing, arguing groupmates and thrusts her spear under the boiler at The Thing. Get out of our heads, they are crowded as it is!

Recall Proficiency(Spear/low): 1d100 ⇒ 87

Sigh. Should have stuck with high.

Spear Attack: 1d20 + 1 - 4 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 1 - 4 - 4 = 13
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Crit Confirm?: 1d20 + 1 - 4 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 1 - 4 - 4 = -2

Nope.

"Only taking precautions, Boy."

Isn't there a -4 penalty for attacking while prone anyway? So the penalty is the same either way for the melee peoples?

not sure I read it correctly. Did Ghelik try to stab me?

Yes, yes I did, you got a problem with that? In fact I tried to stab you twice, while confusing you...