DM Dan E |
Zeladiel finds a lingering but fading divination aura in the air above Grall.
Feel free to keep chatting but I'll move things along.
You take extra care with your watches this night but nothing untoward happens beyond a few noisy jackals fighting over something or other and in the morning you resume your trek.
It's nearly noon when you do spot something noteworthy, several quite large animal tracks in parallel coming down from the north and then heading south east, the same direction you are moving.
Survival checks for more information
Khalid Al Ha'zareen |
Before...
Answering Nuveril's question, Khalid says, "It was a warning from the remaining followers of the now dead Carrion King. They have marked Grall as a betrayer and intend to strike at him at some indeterminate time in the future."
Now...
Survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Khalid looks around at the tracks but sees nothing of note.
DM Dan E |
After a closer look at the tracks, Nuveril and Grall identify them as hyenadons the monstrous, dire hyenas that you fought in the House of the Beast. It looks like three of the beasts moving close together.
Grall looks further and from the depth of several marks the gnoll concludes that the beasts likely had riders. The gnoll also thinks that the tracks are quite recent, perhaps half a day old.
Nuveril |
Before...
Answering Nuveril's question, Khalid says, "It was a warning from the remaining followers of the now dead Carrion King. They have marked Grall as a betrayer and intend to strike at him at some indeterminate time in the future."
Nuveril looks unimpressed. "Nothing we did not already know. Why do they waste their magics to unnerve the gnoll?"
Now...
Nuveril smiles, not unpleased by the discovery. Spellcasters whispering from afar cannot be fought, but hyenadons a half-a-day's journey away can. "It's your whispering friends," she remarks to Grall almost cheerfully.
Nuveril will want to follow them, but I expect the merchant will want to keep as much distance as possible ... unless we don't tell him. ;)
Nuveril |
Sorry, missed that we had a specific destination in mind, other than ultimately Katapesh.
You arrre probably correct. They may be setting an ambush for us furrrther ahead. We should talk to the otherrrs, it might make sense forrr you to scout ahead.
Nuveril shrugs. "Warn the others that we may have enemies lying in wait between here and the pool." She hefts her hammer and weighs her shield experimentally as Grall returns toward the caravan. Continuing on as advance scout, she pays extra attention to any dunes or hills that might serve to conceal ambushers, while also keeping an eye on the hyenadon tracks.
Taking 10 on Survival = 18; Perception = 19
DM Dan E |
You continue on your way with Nuveril a reasonable distance ahead: far enough to hopefully sniff out an ambush, close enough for the rest of the group to come to the halfling's aid if needed.
Several of you have traveled this way before, most recently Zeladiel and you know the surrounding landmarks reasonably well.
It is close on an hour until evening when it becomes clear you are getting near to the pool and adjacent campsite. Those of you who can track note that the recent trail seems to continue all the way up to it.
But there is not yet any sign of gnolls or their mounts.
You don't see anything out of the ordinary but you certainly smell something. An acrid, burning smell. Strong and unpleasant it smells of death. A recent odor it seems from its pungency although there is no smoke or haze in the late afternoon air.
Go on til you have the pool in sight or go back?
Nuveril |
Option 3: Wait for the rest of the caravan, then gesture the PCs to join her
DM Dan E |
The balance of the group find Nuveril waiting for them, the halfling warrior waving her hand in alert.
By then the caravan can smell what she has. An acrid, burning smell. Strong and unpleasant, it smells of death. A recent odor it seems from its pungency although there is no smoke or haze in the late afternoon air.
The pool must be close and it seems the source.
Any actions before going on?
Khalid Al Ha'zareen |
"You were wise to wait for the rest of us." Khalid says in acknowledgement of Nuveril's uncharacteristic restraint.
I will tell the caravan to hold here for now, until we can find evidence of and eliminate whatever it is that may be defiling the oasis." the inquisitor says heading off to speak with the caravan master.
Assuming that there is little opposition to that idea...
Khalid returns. "Are we ready? If so, let us be on our way." he says drawing Tempest from its scabbard.
When the pool is within sight, Khalid will cast Shield of Faith.
DM Dan E |
With his camels already balking at the smell, the merchant has no problem staying behind. Haleen gives Grall and Khalid sidewise looks and chivies the caravan into an approximation of a defensive posture.
The five of you carry on another ten minutes or so, still following the tracks, to the pool which opens up over a rise to the east.
It is a scene of carnage.
Behind the pool lies the remains of an unfortunate caravan. They must have been at camp when they got hit, bodies lie among bedrolls on the ground. Two wagons lie broken and looted, their camels lie in pieces, hacked apart. Their blood coats the ground and fouls the pool.
Yet they are not the source of the burning smell. Gnoll bodies lie also beside the pool amidst a section of churned earth. Eight, nine, it is hard to tell. Most of the bodies are black and charred although others look to have been simply ripped apart.
Grall Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
Khalid Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13
Linah Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Nuveril Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Zeladiel Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
? Stealth 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26
You move in carefully, weapons ready, yet so cleverly hidden is the slayer that when it moves explosively you are surprised. The earth below the gnolls erupts in a shower of debris as a great bulk heaves its way forth. You can only see part of it but that part is enough, a great segmented body, muscular and scaly, its mouth a nightmare of row upon row of sharp triangular teeth.
Rearing up it spits a great stream of acid at Grall at the front, the stream falling short of Khalid and Linah.
12d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 3, 1, 6, 6, 5, 6, 4, 3, 4, 6) = 50 acid damage, reflex DC 21 for half
Death worm!
Round 1
Initiative
Grall Init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Khalid Init: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Linah Init: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Nuveril Init: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Zeladiel Init: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Worm Init: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Ordered Initiative
Grall
Linah
Nuveril
Zeladiel
Khalid
Worm
Effects
Shield of Faith (Khalid)
Everybody surprised unfortunately although initiative rolls a lot better. Knowledge (arcana) for info.
Grall |
Ouch :), welcome back! Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Grall looks down, his matted fur sizzling from the gout of acid..pain threatening to overwhelm him. He growls and grits his teeth before speaking.
Rrrrrrr...Nuverrril, wait for it to come to us, we can hold the line here.
Zelediel, what is it?
Grall will delay, and hopes that Linah and others can come up with a plan for dealing with the huge creature.
Current Effects:
Hit Points: 54/104
Rage: N/A
Linah Jamil'Kaid |
Initiative 21
ac 19, touch 11, fleet-footed 18
fort +7, ref +4, will +11
cmd 18
hp 51/51
effects:
When the enormous worm spews out its acidic discharge Linah instictivly reaches out with both hands trying to midigate the destructive effects with a burst of positive energy.
Channel positive energy: 4d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 6, 2) = 16
Zeladiel Araxyll |
Knowledge: Arcana: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34
Zeladiel sweeps his bow in a wide, low arc and a surge of energy sweeps forth and fills the party, each member becoming as swift as an arrow. With incredible speed he begins to circle the creature, staying well clear of it.
(Zeladiel casts haste and moves away from his companions, circling clockwise - sorry can't see the map at work :-)
Grall |
At Nuveril, Shall we?!?
If she nods he comes off delay, and moves with blinding speed to the side of the worm, trying to avoid it's attacks. Tumble to G/17
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (5) + 17 = 22 Probably not.
Once he gets there he goes into Rage and then readies an action to attack as soon as Nuveril gets into the flank.
+1 falchion enraged pwr atk Reckless Abandon Flank Haste 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 14 + 2 + 1 = 19 dam 2d4 + 14 ⇒ (4, 1) + 14 = 19
DM Dan E |
Zeladiel completes his spell and with the enhanced speed easily moves up to the left keeping the edge of the pool between himself and the monstrosity.
D,10; E,10 something like that? Luckily Zeladiel wrote a treatise on Death Worms at some point during his apprenticeship. That's everything in its bestiary entry, most pertinently its tremorsense to 60', corrosive blood which damages edged metal weapons and poison bite and touch. Assume he yells this out.
That is enough waiting for Nuveril, the halfling warrior lets out a shout and runs straight at the beast's left, her hammer ready to strike. Haste gives her enough movement to avoid the full move penalty which I think is more important than getting around it so I've moved her to K,16 which is as far as she can get with 20'.
On the other side Grall runs in on the beast's right.
Acrobatics to avoid AOO: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28 fail vs 32 CMD
The worm has no eyes or other means of sight that you can spot but it moves unerringly to match the halfling's run, its maw whipping down and scoring the barbarian along the back, wicked teeth penetrating through her leathers. The contact transfers a weakening poison that affects even the barbarian's impressive fortitude.
AOO Bite: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (6) + 19 = 25 hit
4d6 + 16 ⇒ (3, 1, 5, 4) + 16 = 29
Fort Save vs Poison: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14 fail vs 21 DC
1d2 ⇒ 1 con damage
But the halfling is not yet done and manages to clock the worm directly on the maw before it can pull back.
Hammer: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21 hit
1d6 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14
On the other side Grall manages a hit to the worm's body but his blade is unable to penetrate its thick waxy side.
Sorry about the poor rolling there :( Khalid is up. An AOO used.
Khalid Al Ha'zareen |
Khalid pronounces Judgement on the creature as he springs in, magically aided by Zeladiel's spell, and slashes at the massive worm with Tempest.
Destruction Judgement. Spring Attack to (G,20) - picking up flank with Nuveril.
Tempest: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 10 + 1 + 4 = 20 (haste, outflank - solo tactics)
Damage: 1d6 + 5 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 2 + (1) = 9 (judgement, precise strike - solo tactics) + 1d6 ⇒ 1 cold = 10
And it seems Khalid's dice rolling luck has not changed...
DM Dan E |
OK I've realised I'm the one who is wrong on Nuveril's movement but this ends up working better for the party so lets' go with it. Khalid flanks with Nuveril at G,20 which is 55' leaving him with 15' available move unless he wants to stay in place.
Magically fast, Khalid almost seems to fly as he dashes around the creature and takes up position opposite the halfling barbarian. It isn't the cleanest strike the inquisitor has ever made but he still manages to get Tempest through the creature's skin and spill it's black blood upon the ground where it hisses and bubbles.
Khalid needs to make a DC 21 reflex save to reduce 3d6 ⇒ (4, 6, 3) = 13 acid damage to Tempest to half from the corrosive blood on his blade. It won't matter til your impulse so you make the roll.
Will do the worm's impulse once Khalid confirms where he is ending up.
Recharge 1d4 ⇒ 1 rounds
Grall |
[Dice=Reflex]1d20 + 6 + 1 (haste)
Stay at G,20.
At least your saves dice is warming up! I should likely get its attention after my attack next round. Hopefully I can withstand it's wrath for a round. It obviously hits hard.
DM Dan E |
Stung by hammer and scimitar the worm rears up in the air, exposing at least another 10' or so of heaving bulk.
It's maw flashes down at Nuveril! The halfling spins away! The mouth comes away only with a mouthful of cloth and leather!
Power Attacking Bite vs Nuveril: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18 miss
4d6 + 24 ⇒ (5, 4, 2, 4) + 24 = 39
With rage, Risky Striker, Underfood and Haste I make her AC 19!
Linah Jamil'Kaid |
Initiative 21
ac 19, touch 11, fleet-footed 18
fort +7, ref +4, will +11
cmd 18
hp 51/51
effects: Prayer (1/7)
Linah follows her companions into battle, albeit from a distance. Brandishing her scimitar to the heavens she calls on the divine for aid. ”Dawnflower, I call for your aid and protection. Help us defeat this beast.” A warm and soothing glow surround her scimitar and the weapons of her companions. Also, soft strands of light emerge from the sands to hinder and harass the death worm.
Move action to G13
Standard action to cast Prayer
Grall |
Grall goes berserk on the creature, attacking and tearing at the beast regardless of the damage he will do to himself...
+1 falchion enraged pwr atk Reckless Abandon Haste Prayer 1d20 + 15 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 15 + 1 + 1 = 34 dam 2d4 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (2, 1) + 14 + 1 = 18
+1 falchion enraged pwr atk Reckless Abandon Haste Prayer 2nd 1d20 + 15 - 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 15 - 5 + 1 + 1 = 23 dam 2d4 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (4, 1) + 14 + 1 = 20
Hasted 2nd +1 falchion enraged pwr atk Reckless Abandon Haste Prayer 1d20 + 15 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 15 + 1 + 1 = 28 dam 2d4 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (1, 2) + 14 + 1 = 18
Bite enraged pwr atk Reckless Abandon Haste Prayer 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 1 + 1 = 25 dam 1d4 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 1 = 8
Appears to be 4 hits...4 saves needed.
Reflex Save Enraged Haste Prayer 1st 1d20 + 6 - 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 6 - 1 + 1 + 1 = 22
Reflex Save Enraged Haste Prayer 2nd 1d20 + 6 - 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 6 - 1 + 1 + 1 = 19
Reflex Save Enraged Haste Prayer 3rd 1d20 + 6 - 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 6 - 1 + 1 + 1 = 19
Reflex Save Enraged Haste Prayer 4th 1d20 + 6 - 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 6 - 1 + 1 + 1 = 18
Zeladiel Araxyll |
"Lumbricus Mortis," Zeladiel affirms to the others. "Its blood burns, its touch and bite are poison, and it senses by ground vibrations."
Zeladiel works his way a little closer to the beast (F12) and unleashes four glowing arrows of mystic energy at it.
magic missile 4d4 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 4, 1, 3) + 4 + 3 = 19
Nuveril |
With rage, Risky Striker, Underfood and Haste I make her AC 19!
Underfoot FTW! I missed that +1 since it's conditional on the size of the opponent and Hero Lab doesn't automatically include it.
"Let it sense this!" Nuveril shouts, unleashing her own attack on the worm.
Rage round 2/19; Full attack: hammer 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 11 + 2 + 1 = 33 damage 1d6 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20 shield bash 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 11 + 1 + 2 = 16 damage 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14 hammer 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 2 + 1 = 26 damage 1d6 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19 hammer (haste) 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 11 + 2 + 1 = 21 damage 1d6 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17
rage, haste, prayer, Power Attack, Risky Striker, Pack Hunter
AC 19, CMD 22
Khalid Al Ha'zareen |
Add +2 to all of Nuveril's attacks. Unless she moved again, she has a flank with Khalid.
Khalid slashes twice at the monstrous worm with Tempest merely hoping to aid the furious halfling and gnoll barbarians.
Tempest: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 10 + 1 + 1 + 4 = 26 (haste, prayer, outflank - solo tactics)
Damage: 1d6 + 5 + 2 + 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 2 + (5) + (6) = 20 (judgement, frost, precise strike - solo tactics)
Hasted Tempest: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 10 + 1 + 1 + 4 = 31 (haste, prayer, outflank - solo tactics)
Damage: 1d6 + 5 + 2 + 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 2 + (1) + (4) = 16 (judgement, frost, precise strike - solo tactics)
Reflex Save: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 20 (haste, prayer)
Reflex Save: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 10 (haste, prayer)
DM Dan E |
Its body attacked on three sides, the worm's head thrashes back and forth. Grall and Khalid inflict deep cuts, the gnoll even managing to get a mouthful of waxy flesh, while Nuveril strikes the monster over and over with her hammer. Zeladiel's missiles give the beast no respite. Seconds latter and it's over, the worm's body falling to the earth with an almighty crash. It thrashes for a full minute before finally lying still.
Grall manages to resist the worm's poison but Nuveril remains afflicted. I'll need some fort saves until you manage two DC 21 successes. Linah can assist with some Heal checks to those after the first, a DC 21 heal gives a +4 bonus to the save.
You search the area, a grisly task with all the dead and mangled bodies. Coils of rope, perhaps 200 feet in all, lie sprawled along a 30-foot swath near the gnoll bodies, snapped and half-melted so that no single piece remains over 10 feet in length.
Among the bits and pieces of gnoll remains are 343 gp, an obsidian holy symbol of Rovagug and a jade wand still clutched in a severed gnoll’s hand. It appears the gnolls had a shaman among them.
You notice a flash atop a rise nearly a mile to the east, as if the last rays of the setting sun had just reflected off of something metallic.
The flash is from a watcher. Your best guess is a gnoll looking at you through a spyglass.
Nuveril |
First save was last round while raging, I presume? Fort 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31
Post-battle/not-raging 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30 Woo!
Fatigued after the battle and from the worm's poisonous bite, Nuveril crouches in the sand, her elbows resting loosely on her splayed knees as she looks around at the corpses. "Looks as if the worm did our job for us," she remarks, not without mild regret at seeing the dead gnolls which she had no hand in killing. She touches her lips with crooked fingers and spits into the sand.
Perception 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
Fatigued 4 rounds. HP 43/72, plus whatever additional damage she took from the poison before saving.
Khalid Al Ha'zareen |
Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22
Khalid takes note of the injuries to Grall and Nuveril, but thinks better of making any sympathetic statements, leaving the care of the two fierce warriors to Linah.
"The worm did perhaps aid us before trying to make a meal of us, but I highly doubt that we've seen the last of Grall's pursuers." the inquisitor says as he wanders among the dead.
Taking note of the shaman he asks Grall, "Do you know this one? Is this the one who has been plaguing your thoughts, my friend?"
Linah Jamil'Kaid |
"Nuveril, please let me look at those wounds. If the creature is poisonous it is best not to let it spread", Linah says and approaches the halfling to try and help with caring for the wounds.
Healing check: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19. Bleh.
After trying to tend to Nuveril looks around the scene. Her eyes catches the obsidian symbol and Linah grimaces. She grabs a piece of cloth and rushes over to cover the symbol. "We need to keep this somewhere until we get to temple were we can destroy it"
Are there any other bodies except for gnolls?
Nuveril |
The halfling tolerates Linah's fussing around her wounds.
We should do a thorrrough search in case therrre arrre any clues to who these gnolls arrre.
Nuveril rolls her eyes. "They are gnolls," she mutters under her breath. "Do you search your bedroll thoroughly to find out who the lice are?"