DM Feral's Player's Choice (Inactive)

Game Master Feral

"Ouch," Jessamy cries. "That hurt! But good job, Pirknok! Now I guess we need to collect her essence... And heal."

Ensu's still around to heal us, right?

Jessamy searches the body, then the rest of the area.

Perception (+3 vs. traps): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (1) + 15 = 16
Perception (+3 vs. traps): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (18) + 15 = 33

Krojun lets out a whoop of triumph as the woman falls. "Good job! Now, what sort of essence does this trollop have?"

Strewn about the chamber are a dozen exotic, bejeweled toys and devices of decidedly erotic natures. The functions of some of these devices are salaciously obvious in some cases, but in others isn’t always clear at first glance. A scan from Siolad makes the elf suspect the demonic woman's sinful essence has been stored in them. A second scan from Ensu confirms the theory.

"Great blushing maidens! HOW DOES THAT EVEN?!? WHERE DOES THAT GO?!? YOU PUT THAT WHERE?!?" Krojun splutters and his face turns thirty shades of red as his mind puts two and two together to determine the function of these items.

"...oh my." Siolad's eyes widen and he takes a step back.

"And, apparently, we need to take one with us." He steps forward, grabs the smallest-looking 'toy' of the bunch and hastily stuffs it into his backpack.

"Let us never speak of this again."

"We should probably take more ... just in case we need them" Jessamy suggests.

She scoops up a few more of the devices.

Boys are always so scared of sex. Talk a big game and then blush like they think little schoolgirls do.

Pirknok looks slowly around the room, taking in the varied reactions of the group to its contents. "Um," he manages, "Ensu, could you uh... I got some wounds..." Grimacing in distaste, he motions toward the hallway as if recommending a quick exit.

With the last of the sin-infused items in hand, the party returns to the nexus of the runeforge. As the party nears the pool at its centers the assorted components begin to buzz with palpable power.

Ensu/Siolad understand enough from the notes you've retrieved to work the ritual.

Pirknok takes a few steps back, trying to ease the feel of the magicks running across his skin. With a shudder, he glances over at Jess to see if it's bothering her, too.

Can we have healing from Ensu?

Siolad starts tentatively working the sin ritual to empower a weapon...

Will take 20 for Spellcraft, if possible. 40 total if allowed.

Yeah. Feel free to assume Ensu heals the party up.

As Siolad introduces the assorted sin-infused items into Runeforge's central pool, they dissolve and puff so completely that no sign of them remain save slight changes to the quality of the pool's glow. Very quickly the hum of magic from the pool becomes to intense that it sets the stones of the floor rattling.

Siolad begins the final moments of the ritual but finds his grip on the magic violently ripped from him. With a sudden explosion of water, a beam of golden light bursts from the pool to bathe the statue of Karzoug. Immediately, the towering statue animates, transforming into an enormous stone golem. It stares down at the party and speaks in a familiar terrible voice.

“You. Again. I can’t help but be inspired by your optimism, but alas, your weapons will never reach Xin-Shalast. Your fate is death, here in Runeforge.”

Krojun: 1d20 ⇒ 7
Jess: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Pirknok: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Siolad: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Badguys: 1d20 ⇒ 18

Jess and Siolad are up.

Siolad groans and casts a protective magic spell around himself.

Casting magic circle vs. evil.

I'm assuming I can get around behind this guy? Don't see a map; I guess since he's presumably flat footed, my first preference is to take a 5-ft. step and do full attack. If that's not possible, I try to move to the opposite side to flank with Pirknok OR try to stand next to Pirknok and Krojun (since that would also be considered flanking for me).

Jessamy lets loose a howl and stabs at the thing, hoping to destroy it as quickly as possible.

Swift: Hunter's howl, which could give a +2/+2 bonus to the below rolls. I'm treating it as flanking with Pirknok, but if not, it gets a -4 to hit.

+3 human bane dagger (TWF, flanking with Pirknok): 1d20 + 14 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 14 + 4 = 34
Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 6 = 10
Sneak attack (+2 Str damage): 6d4 ⇒ (4, 1, 4, 1, 2, 3) = 15

+2 dagger (TWF, +2 vs giants, flanking with Pirknok): 1d20 + 13 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 13 + 4 = 28
Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 6 = 11
Sneak attack (+2 Str damage): 6d4 ⇒ (1, 1, 2, 4, 4, 4) = 16

+3 human bane dagger (TWF, flanking with Pirknok): 1d20 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 9 + 4 = 25
Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 6 = 15
Sneak attack (+2 Str damage): 6d4 ⇒ (2, 3, 3, 2, 1, 1) = 12

+2 dagger (TWF, +2 vs giants, flanking with Pirknok): 1d20 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 4 = 22
Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 6 = 12
Sneak attack (+2 Str damage): 6d4 ⇒ (2, 4, 2, 2, 4, 1) = 15

Didn't include any bane damage, as I assume he doesn't register as human or giant, but ... maybe I'm wrong?

Sorry, we're on the first tab of the map right now. It's roughly 50 feet away right now. Did you want to charge?

Whoops. No.

Jessamy moves into a better position, howling as she touches herself with her holy hand.

Move (done already on the map) and use hunter's howl and then touch of good on myself (+6 to rolls for 1 round).

Will: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

The animated Karzoug-statue is unfazed by Jessamy's fearsome howl.

It narrows lifeless eyes on Siolad and begins lumbering toward the elf. As it advances a pulse of magic washes over the room that makes the heroes all feel like they're moving through molasses.

Everyone but Jess needs to make a DC 25 will save or be slowed per the spell for 7 rounds.

The party is up.

Holding off to see what Siolad has planned; if it's haste or something that lets me move faster, I'll be able to get into flanking position and attack this turn.

Will Save *MCvE*: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 2 = 23 AAAARRGGGHH!

Round 2: Actions
Standard Action: Cast haste with Bonded Item
Move Action: Move out of the golem's reach!

As the slow spell settles in, Siolad's amulet glows and he intones an incantation to counter it... and when it fights it off, he starts running away from the golem coming for him!

Using the newfound speed from Siolad's spell, Jessamy races around the central fountain and dives into position opposite Pirknok to slash at the creature.

I go after Pirknok, who I'm assuming will close into combat. If not, I'll go opposite Krojun and the attack roll will be at -2. Rolls include +6 from last round's touch of good
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 19 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 19 + 6 = 40

+3 human bane dagger (TWF, +2 vs. humans): 1d20 + 14 + 11 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 14 + 11 - 1 = 43
Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 6 = 14
Sneak attack (+2 Str damage): 6d4 ⇒ (3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 2) = 20

Crit?: 1d20 + 14 + 11 - 1 ⇒ (12) + 14 + 11 - 1 = 36
Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 6 = 9

Will: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17 Krojun feels the slowing effect settle on him, then lift as Siolad counters it! He begins to chant INSPIRE COURAGE +2 and swings twice at the statue!

AXE! Inspired, flanking: 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 14 + 2 + 2 = 28 for 1d8 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 2 = 9 plus 1d6 ⇒ 3 electricity damage!
AXE! Inspired, flanking: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 9 + 2 + 2 = 14 for 1d8 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 2 = 12 plus 1d6 ⇒ 3 electricity damage!

Will (vs spell, magic circle): 1d20 + 8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 4 + 2 = 19

Pirknok growls slowly (until Soilad's magic washes over him and his growl resumes its normal pace) and steps into the fray! Rage!!

Pew! (rage, PA, totem spirit, inspire, Outflank): 1d20 + 22 - 3 + 1 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 22 - 3 + 1 + 2 + 4 = 32
Damage: 1d8 + 23 + 2 + 4 + 2d6 ⇒ (8) + 23 + 2 + 4 + (1, 3) = 41
Dorf Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2

Pew! (rage, PA, totem spirit, inspire, Outflank): 1d20 + 17 - 3 + 1 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 17 - 3 + 1 + 2 + 4 = 30
Damage: 1d8 + 23 + 2 + 4 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 23 + 2 + 4 + (2, 3) = 38
Dorf Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 8

Pew! (rage, PA, totem spirit, inspire, Outflank): 1d20 + 12 - 3 + 1 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 12 - 3 + 1 + 2 + 4 = 28
Damage: 1d8 + 23 + 2 + 4 + 2d6 ⇒ (8) + 23 + 2 + 4 + (3, 3) = 43
Dorf Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5

DM, kindly let me know which ones hit so I can calculate self-damage.

That's one hit Pirknok.

The heroes find that the stone of the statue's form is magically hardened against blows. Despite the resistance, Pirknok and Jessamy each land a glancing blow.

The statue retaliates, spinning with its stony limbs. Flesh touched by the statue rapidly turns grey and loses all sensation.

Slam vs Pirknok: 1d20 + 43 ⇒ (7) + 43 = 50
Damage: 3d10 + 15 ⇒ (7, 5, 7) + 15 = 34
Dexterity Drain (fort 25 negates): 1d10 ⇒ 10

Slam vs Jessamy: 1d20 + 43 ⇒ (8) + 43 = 51
Damage: 3d10 + 15 ⇒ (9, 7, 3) + 15 = 34
Dexterity Drain (fort 25 negates): 1d10 ⇒ 4

The party is up.

+43?! :O Only way he misses is with a 1...
Fort save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Realizing she's not going to be able to avoid being hit by this thing other than by almost pure luck, Jessamy throws herself into an all-out assault, abandoning any pretense of defending herself.

+3 human bane dagger (TWF, flanking with Pirknok): 1d20 + 14 + 4 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 14 + 4 - 2 + 1 = 28
Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 6 = 11
Sneak attack (+2 Str damage): 6d4 ⇒ (4, 1, 2, 4, 1, 1) = 13

+2 dagger (TWF, +2 vs giants, flanking with Pirknok): 1d20 + 13 + 4 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 13 + 4 - 2 + 1 = 19
Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 6 = 9
Sneak attack (+2 Str damage): 6d4 ⇒ (1, 4, 3, 1, 4, 2) = 15

+3 human bane dagger (TWF, flanking with Pirknok): 1d20 + 9 + 4 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 4 - 2 + 1 = 17
Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 6 = 11
Sneak attack (+2 Str damage): 6d4 ⇒ (2, 2, 4, 2, 4, 3) = 17

+2 dagger (TWF, +2 vs giants, flanking with Pirknok): 1d20 + 8 + 4 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 8 + 4 - 2 + 1 = 22
Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 6 = 11
Sneak attack (+2 Str damage): 6d4 ⇒ (2, 2, 4, 1, 1, 2) = 12

Yeah, not looking good with those rolls...

Krojun continues to chant and continues to hack at the stone monster!
Axe! inspired, flanking: 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 14 + 2 + 2 = 36 for 1d8 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 2 = 11 plus 1d6 ⇒ 5 electricity!
Axe! inspired, flanking: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 9 + 2 + 2 = 28 for 1d8 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 2 = 13 plus 1d6 ⇒ 2 electricity!

Wow, ouch.

Dorf Damage from Hit: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Fort: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (11) + 18 = 29

Pirknok grunts as he deflects the worst of the blow with his magical tabard, then roars once again and lays into the creature with strong-armed blows! Activate haste.

Pew! (rage, PA, totem spirit, inspire, Outflank, haste): 1d20 + 22 - 3 + 1 + 2 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 22 - 3 + 1 + 2 + 4 + 1 = 29

PewPew! (rage, PA, totem spirit, inspire, Outflank, haste): 1d20 + 22 - 3 + 1 + 2 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 22 - 3 + 1 + 2 + 4 + 1 = 41
Damage (BoP): 1d8 + 23 + 2 + 4 + 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 23 + 2 + 4 + (5, 5) + 12 = 57
Dorf Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Pew! (rage, PA, totem spirit, inspire, Outflank, haste): 1d20 + 17 - 3 + 1 + 2 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 17 - 3 + 1 + 2 + 4 + 1 = 30

Pew! (rage, PA, totem spirit, inspire, Outflank, haste): 1d20 + 12 - 3 + 1 + 2 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 12 - 3 + 1 + 2 + 4 + 1 = 36
Confirm: 1d20 + 12 - 3 + 1 + 2 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 12 - 3 + 1 + 2 + 4 + 1 = 20
Damage: 1d8 + 23 + 2 + 4 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 23 + 2 + 4 + (2, 6) = 38
Dorf Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

@Jess: You're missing the inspire bonus, right?

The heroes land a handful of blows but the enormous runelord statue shows no signs of slowing down.

Siolad is up.

Whoops; yes.

Siolad throws a Dispel Magic at the golem, hoping to unravel some of the arcane power it's imbued with...

Caster Level Check: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14

Siolad finds the magic of the golem far more powerful than anything he's encountered before. It easily resists his spell.

The golem smashes into the heroes again.

Slam vs Pirknok: 1d20 + 43 ⇒ (15) + 43 = 58
Damage: 3d10 + 15 ⇒ (9, 1, 10) + 15 = 35
Dexterity Drain (fort 25 negates): 1d10 ⇒ 2

Slam vs Krojun: 1d20 + 43 ⇒ (9) + 43 = 52
Damage: 3d10 + 15 ⇒ (9, 2, 2) + 15 = 28
Dexterity Drain (fort 25 negates): 1d10 ⇒ 5

The party is up.

Jessamy continues chipping away at it.

"Can you make us faster or something, Siolad?" she calls out.

+3 human bane dagger (TWF, flanking with Pirknok): 1d20 + 14 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 14 + 4 = 23
Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 6 + 2 = 13
Sneak attack (+2 Str damage): 6d4 ⇒ (1, 2, 1, 1, 3, 4) = 12

+2 dagger (TWF, +2 vs giants, flanking with Pirknok): 1d20 + 13 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 13 + 4 = 19
Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 6 + 2 = 16
Sneak attack (+2 Str damage): 6d4 ⇒ (2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1) = 7

+3 human bane dagger (TWF, flanking with Pirknok): 1d20 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 9 + 4 = 31
Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 6 + 2 = 16
Sneak attack (+2 Str damage): 6d4 ⇒ (3, 3, 1, 3, 4, 1) = 15

+2 dagger (TWF, +2 vs giants, flanking with Pirknok): 1d20 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 8 + 4 = 29
Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 6 + 2 = 11
Sneak attack (+2 Str damage): 6d4 ⇒ (3, 2, 1, 1, 4, 3) = 14
Critical: 19-20/x2; Range: 10'; Type: P

Fort: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19

HP 122/150; Dex Drain -5 (-2 to AC, Reflex)

Krojun lets out a gasp as he feels his agility siphoned away from him! He continues his chant, though it wheezes a bit! INSPIRE +2! He continues his assault!

Attack, Inspired, Flank: 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 14 + 2 + 2 = 36 for 1d8 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 2 = 8 plus 1d6 ⇒ 5 electricity!
Attack, Inspired, Flank: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 9 + 2 + 2 = 24 for 1d8 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 2 = 9 plus 1d6 ⇒ 6 electricity!

Since I guess Pirknok's away...
Fort: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (15) + 18 = 33

Pirknok continues to hack away at the thing, though he has trouble getting through its stony exterior.

Pew! (rage, PA, totem spirit, inspire, Outflank, haste): 1d20 + 22 - 3 + 1 + 2 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 22 - 3 + 1 + 2 + 4 + 1 = 45
Damage (BoP): 1d8 + 23 + 2 + 4 + 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 23 + 2 + 4 + (6, 5) + 12 = 53
Dorf Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

PewPew! (rage, PA, totem spirit, inspire, Outflank, haste): 1d20 + 22 - 3 + 1 + 2 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 22 - 3 + 1 + 2 + 4 + 1 = 28

Pew! (rage, PA, totem spirit, inspire, Outflank, haste): 1d20 + 17 - 3 + 1 + 2 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 17 - 3 + 1 + 2 + 4 + 1 = 26

Pew! (rage, PA, totem spirit, inspire, Outflank, haste): 1d20 + 12 - 3 + 1 + 2 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 12 - 3 + 1 + 2 + 4 + 1 = 26

Siolad?

Thanks, Jess! Next time could you try rolling bigger numbers, though? :)

Dicebot hates me in this campaign especially.

Siolad tries to dispel the golem's magics again...

Caster Level Check: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27

The heroes land a handful more glancing blows and the damage appears to have taken its toll as large cracks begin to spiderweb across the golem's form.

Reaching out with his arcane senses a second time, Siolad grabs hold of a magical thread and gives it a powerful tug. Damaged, and with a portion of the construct's animating force unraveled, the golem collapses in an inert heap.

A voice filled with barely contained anger echoes from the destroyed golem's remains.

“This… this is not the last… come then, heroes. Seek me within Mhar Massif, if you value life so poorly. You should be honored to be the first fools executed under the banner of Shalast in ten thousand…

Krojun allows his chant to end, wiping his brow with the back of his hand. "What is this 'Mhar Massif'?"

Knowledge History: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

Jessamy slumps down.

"I thought that was going to be it," she says, wincing as her bruised body slumps down.

"And I don't know, Krojun. I don't think I've ever heard of it."

What's going on with the Runeforge? Is there still something we (i.e. Siolad and Ensu) can do with that?

Bump

The runeforge has done its thing.

Krojun is vaguely familiar with the place. Mhar Massif is one of the highest peaks of the Kodar Mountains.

Interrupting the heroes' further queries, the Runeforge pulses with erratic light briefly before taking on an intense uniform glow. There's a subtle tug on any weapons in hand as the forge beckons such implements to be plunged within its enchanted waters.

From what Siolad and Ensu gathered in the documents earlier the window for using the Runeforge is brief and could take centuries to sufficiently recharge...

Krojun, feeling somewhat apprehensive, plunges his axe into the waters!

"The Kodar Mountains? Yes, that's where I've heard of it. Mhar Massif is among the great mountains there. I suppose that is where we are bound for next."

Jessamy will place her daggers in as well.

"How far is that?" Jessamy asks. "Maybe we should go back to Sandpoint first, and get supplies?"

Will we need cold weather gear? Not sure how much more we've got, but do we want to replace Ensu? We probably could use a divine caster...

Let's each put our primary weapon in, and then do secondary weapons if there's still enough juice.

Pirknok edges apprehensively toward the magical pool, dipping his katana into its water only if nothing horrible happens to the others.

"I think we ought to. The mountains are unforgiving of the unprepared."

"But ... they're both my primary weapons," Jessamy explains. "You know that!"

Yeah, I figure we /should/ be fine, but I'd rather Jess end up with only one weapon enchanted than someone else end up with no weapons enchanted, just in case it's written in a silly way. Note that Siolad probably doesn't need to enchant a weapon, so again — we /should/ be fine.

Yeah. Let's assume Siolad (and Ensu) aren't going to dip a weapon.

Yeah, I'm going to keep my staff as it is.

One by one the heroes' weapons are plunged into the Runeforge where they greedily soak in its magics. When each one is removed there's no visible difference but in the familiar hands of Krojun, Jessamy, and Pirknok, the weapons feel heavier as if they literally bearing the weight of some new purpose.

When Jessamy's second blade is removed, the 'fires' of the Runeforge quickly sputter and die. It seems the magic bound in the component items the party gathered has been spent along with the long stored energy stored in the Runeforge itself.

With some maps Siolad can teleport you guys up into the mountains but cold weather gear would still be a good idea.

"So, what do they do now? Can you tell, Siolad? Maybe we should get back to Sandpoint and recover, and get the things we need before we push on?"

Do we want to get a divine caster? Personally, I'd like one, but not sure if we have enough remaining in the Path to make it worth anyone's while. If not, we should at least get some wands; Jessamy can activate them on anything but a 1 with UMD.