DM Doctor Evil Rise of the Runelords AP

Game Master DM DoctorEvil

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Tunder takes a shot at the unsuspecting flying head.
Hvy Crossbow:
to hit 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 Damage 1d10 ⇒ 2
"What is that thing?"
Knowledge (dungeoneering): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

I'm going to list an initiative roll. You have surprise on the unsuspecting creature. Will get Tunder's shot in where it falls. If you make either perception check you can act in the surprise round. If not you get skipped. Remember either MA or SA in surprise round only.

Washing Pool - Surprise Round

23 Thorn
22 Mirela
21 Creature
19 Seldon
16 Aziza
14 Tunder
13 Barek

Alright, you guys go see what's happening. It's another small room...

Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (19) + 0 = 19

Barek hears the slap of Tunder's crossbow and tries to move into the cramped room.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Although she's well at the back of the rest of the party, confined by the narrow corridor as they are, Aziza spots the disembodied head floating in the chamber beyond the doorway.

Knowledge (planes) to recognize the Vargouille: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

I'm going to guess that's a high enough roll for her to know something about it, if that presumption is okay by you, Doc?

Calling from the back in response to Tunder's query, she says "It's an evil extraplanar monstrosity called a Vargouille, a summoned outsider. Their bite is venomous and don't let it scream if possible." However from her position at the rear of the group there's little else she can do for the moment.

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21 Perception Check.

Thorn delays, saying "I can help, but waiting for a more open path, kill it if possible! Let's get this done and clear evil from this place."

Shortbow -4 for Soft Cover, Point Blank: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

"Heads down!" Seldon says, managing to wrestle enough elbow room in the hallway to draw his arrow back, the snap of his bowstring echoing of the walls.

Drat, I thought I was taking point. Oh well. Can I take a shot from the hallway with the soft cover penalty? I'll go ahead and read up on those rules for future reference, but I want to sneak off and work on my Second Darkness submission. :P

Tunder has point because he's one of the more stealthy team members and to make best use of his Darkvision. He also has disable device, but he isn't very comfortable with that yet.

In this specific instance I wanted to take a surprise/round 1 shot and then fall back to the rear. Seems the best idea for a ranged PC than being in the back ranks. Could I bump myself up the marching order now that I have my bow, in future? :)

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

After opening the door, Mirela looks inside and is decidedly in the dark. In a whispered but urgent voice, Mirela says "Wait, what is? I don't see anything." Somewhat confused, Mirela ducks as Seldon approaches and again tries to identify what is in the room.

Washing Pool - Surprise Round

Thorn, standing rear guard, is unable to advance through the crowd at the doorway, and waits on his heels for an opening.

Meanwhile, Mirela at front has yet to see the bizarre menace in the corner and cannot act.

The Vargouille opens it's mouth and releases an ear-splitting and heart-stopping shriek. As you cringe and cower in horror, you are surprised to see a second Vargouille float out of the shadows on the opposite corner.

All of you must complete a DC 12 Fortitude Save, please. Failure indicates you are paralyzed for 2d4 rounds while in sight of the creature, and your above posted actions (if after this count in order) are void. Success means your actions will continue. Happy rolling!

EDIT: unveiling the other Varg. It acts later in the count.

Yikes! Thats a rough effect.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Fortitude save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

"Gah! Damn that's a voice meant for a mime..."

Scorpion pits - nature's solution to the horror of mime artists.

Fort Save:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Thorn can't believe his ears, the horror and pain he hears. He drops his weapon in his hand and cowers covering his head with his arms, trying to block out the sound.

paralyzed with fear for 2d4 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4 rounds.

Fort 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

"Quiet that damnable cacaphony you corpseless floating face."

Fort Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 whew

Seldon will take the action above. Glad the dice are on my side!

Washing Pool - Surprise Round - continued

Shaking off the terror-inducing effects of the scream, Seldon fires from the back of the line, over and around the others, and manages to still score a hit on the demonic head-thing.

Even with -4 for cover you hit thanks to your good rolling.

As Aziza calls out the name of this creature she'd read about but never hoped to meet, the head floats towards Tunder taking a bite, just as the dwarf releases his crossbow at the Purple Varg striking it also.

Barek tries to clear the door for the others, and advances to within melee distance of the first monstrosity.

Barek you can still have Standard Action of an attack here if you want it.

Varg bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1 Tunder need Fort DC 12, now vs poison or make the healing from magic only good with caster DC 20 CL check.

I thought it was move or standard.

Barek desperately tries to shut the creature up using his fist.

Attack (PA): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Damage (PA): 1d3 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Fort 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 2 = 9 includes hardy trait
"It bit me! It bit me!"] Tunder drops his crossbow and attempts to grab the flying head that bit him and bashes it against the wall.
Grapple:
to hit 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Barek you are right of course. It was a surprise round so no attack after all. Maybe next time.

On the receiving end of the things horrific mouth, Tunder feels the poison's slow burn working it's way out from the bite.

End of Round 1

That 1hp can only be healed by magical means if the caster gets a DC 20 caster level check. Two of the disembodied creatures, let's see what you can do against them. Thorn remains paralyzed, but seems a safe distance away so far. Mirela and others can function normally this round.

Washing Pool - Round 1

The flying heads strike a chord deep inside of you; the abhorrence of an unnatural creature. Your anger rises at the mindless things.

23 Thorn (paralyzed)
22 Mirela
21 Vargouille Purple
19 Seldon
17 Vargouille Green
16 Aziza
14 Tunder {poison}
13 Barek

Thorn remains frozen with fear, and can neither move or act. Nimble Mirela finally sees the flying monsters and slides past the dwarf ranger, skipping over the pool and dodging any attacks before engaging the Green Varg with her rapier, but failing to strike the evil thing.

Having screamed last round, the Purple Varg attempts to bite the human man closest to it, but Barek's new chainmail withstands the things foul teeth.

Miri Acrobatics vs DC 15: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Miri Rapier: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Purple Bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Ok, Seldon have at it. Aziza can also ready a post.

Aziza skips forward so that she can see the horrible things assailing her comrades - darting past Seldon to get close enough to be able to see one of the vargouilles clearly. But since Tunder, Miri and Barek are all engaged in combat with the beasts, she has to take care to avoid hitting anything but the vargouilles with her magics...

If Aziza can in fact see one of the vargs from the space indicated by the purple arrow on the map, she will throw an elemental ray at it. Unfortunately any closer than that and she will risk not only melee combat, but provoking attacks-of-opportunity if she tries casting spells or spell-like-abilities.

Ranged touch attack, elemental ray, into melee: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 - 4 = 3
Damage, elemental ray: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

My center-of-square line to target center doesn't bisect the wall, barely missing it. I'll allow the shot, but the roll...forget about it. I normally don't allow diagonal melee through a doorway, it doesn't seem very feasible even if technically possible.

Point Blank, Soft Cover: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Not fancying his chances in the melee, Seldon will take another shot at the purple Varguoille.

Washing Pool - Round 1 - continued

The priest of Desna has luck on his side as his second shot into cover also strikes the Purple Varg squarely. The creature now has 2 arrows and a crossbow bolt protruding from its hideous body.

Its companion Green Varg is uninjured so far, and takes another bite out of Tunder.

As Aziza's electrical ray flashes past without hitting, Tunder lunges for Green Varg, trying to grapple the flying head and stop the biting. The vargouille takes one more chomp at the angry ranger. Eventually, after taking another bite, Tunder has successfully grappled Green Varg

Green Varg: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Tunder Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3
Green Varg AoO vs Tunder: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Tunder Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Need Barek to complete the round. Both Tunder and Green Varg have the grappled condition. I have Tunder at 19/26 hp still; how's that Ring of Protection working out?

Barek tries to crush the pincushion of a Varg before him.

Attack (PA): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Damage: 1d3 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Seeing Tunder now grappling with the hideous flying skull, Aziza grabs the opportunity to step into the room behind Barek. Although she's now closer to the melee than she'd like, at least she can clearly see the vargouilles to target them. The sorceress incants a spell - "שטעלן פאַסערס צו טייטן!" - and sends a bolt of pure arcane force into the vargouille held by Tunder.

Damage, magic missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Not so great right now, but I have faith it will prove its worth in time.

Washing Pool - round 1 - concluded

Barek's blow glances off the body of the beast-thing in front of him but does no damage.

End of round 1

Tunder is struck several times but now grapples one of the things, Thorn is paralyzed in the hallway. Let's see what happens next.

Washing Pool - Round 2

23 Thorn (paralyzed)
22 Mirela
21 Vargouille Purple - wounded
19 Seldon
17 Vargouille Green - grappled
16 Aziza
14 Tunder {poison} grappled
13 Barek

[ooc]Okay, since Thorn's down, it's up to Mirela to lead off this round.

Trying desperately to help Tunder with the Vargouille that seems hell bent on the curmudgeonly dwarf, Mirela stabs at it again.

Attack Roll: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Damage Roll: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

"Die you hideous thing!"

Washing Pool - round 2 - continued

Miri's rapier finds a target in the grappled Vargouille, but her damage is not enough to end the ferocious outsider who snaps his jaws in frustration at Tunder.

Meanwhile the other vargouille, having been shot several times, bites at the nearby Barek, but it's razor teeth gnash only air.

Purple Bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Ok, Seldon up to you now. Will your luck with the dice roller continue?

Into Melee, Point Blank: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Seldon will squeeze further down the hallway, attempting to get an angle on the purple vargouille. Not 100% sure if it has soft cover still or nada. Regardless, if I land it one more time it'd be ridicu- MYGODWHATISHAPPENING

Don't question it Seldon - that usually causes the luck to get embarrassed and leave the party early...

*Still paralyzed*

Thorn cries from the madness that he remembers from past experiences. Perhaps even more eerie than these strange floating disembodied heads.

Washing Pool - round 2 - continued

Seldon really does have Lady Luck on his side. Another of his new arrows flies true to the target, striking it, but only causing a flesh wound.

Green Varg tries to escape the hold of Tunder. but is unable to do so, still held fast by the dwarven ranger.

A streaking blue missle from the gnome stikes Green Varg straigt in the face, causing it even more damage.

DC 15 Combat Maneuver: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

This leaves Tunder and Barek. Remember the dwarf is also grappled but can get a +5 bonus if you want keep grapplng and/or pin or secure in some way.

Barek tries to finish off the flying head.

Attack (PA): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Damage (PA): 1d3 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Tunder continues to grapple the biting head trying to squeeze the juice out of it.
Grapple: control the grapple
to hit 1d20 + 4 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 5 = 28 Damage 1d3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Washing Pool - Round 2 - concluded

Barek gets a fist in against the horrific flying creature; combined with the peppering of arrows it's taken, the creature groans and falls teh floor dying.

Meanwhile, Tunder continues to struggle with the other flying monstrosity. Keeping a good hold on the ugly thing, the dwarf ranger begins to squeeze it causing the thing to roar in pain.

End of Round 2

One of the heads is dead, one is in the ranger's iron grip and being squeezed. Thorn is still paralyzed. The fight continues in Round 3.

Washing Pool - Round 3

23 Thorn (paralyzed)
22 Mirela
19 Seldon
17 Vargouille Green - grappled
16 Aziza
14 Tunder {poison} grappled
13 Barek

Mirela and Seldon to start this time. Just one target left.

Exasperated by their resiliency, Mirela continues to attack the Vargouille incredulously.

Attack Roll: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Damage Roll: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Ah, c'est la vie.

Bowshot into Melee: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21 I have no words
Confirm: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13 does that hit seeing he's grappled?
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
crit: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 5) + 2 = 10 Total: 12 damage

Wow, and you top it all off with a natural 20 no less! Clearly old Seldon has a hate-on for these Vargouilles :)

Clearly

Washing Pool - Round 3 - continued

Mirela's rapier misses the Varg and almost skewers Tunder who is locked in a death struggle with the outsider.

In this case, the grappled Vargouille's effective AC goes down by 2 with the penalty because of the grapple. This would make the shot a hit, but Seldon needs to take the -4 penalty for firing into melee which makes his confirm roll a 9 and therefore no critical. Still a good run...

The Desnan priest's string of luck with bow continues, as his shot strikes the creature in the face, narrowly missing a kill shot, but delivering a stinging wound nonetheless.

Now grappled and wounded, the remaining Green Varg opens it's mouth and bellows another terrific shriek which sends ringing pain in your ears, and terror in you soul.

Everyone must make another DC 12 Fort save or be paralyzed like Thorn. No AoO for supernatural ability and it seems reasonable to think it could be done during a grapple. Action to Aziza, Tunder, and Barek

Fortitude save versus Vargouille's shriek: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Clutching her hands to her ears, Aziza drops the floor, curling up in a ball and just wishing the noise and blackness in her mind will stop...

Duration of paralysis: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8

Fort 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Tunder's ears bleed from the sound the vargouille emits. His muscles clench and he can't regain control of them for a few moments.
Paralysis 2d4 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5

Fort Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Barek grimaces at the noise, but he manages to make his way over to the flying head and he screams back at it, drawing back and punching the thing.

Attack (PA): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Damage (PA): 1d3 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

I guess with Tunder paralyzed, it's no longer grappled?

at +1 to hit I'd factored that in. Unless he also has soft cover from Tunder? Serves me right for posting on my phone without fluff or modifiers

I was pretty sure Seldon had included that penalty, but I've included Mirela's save just in-case its still alive.

This thing's about to get a TPK. Rise of the Runelords is about to live up to its killer reputation.