DM Fflash's Shattered Star Campaign

Game Master DM Fflash

Andel backs out of sight of the creature and begins reciting the couatle's weaknesses to the group. "We may have to beat it into submission to free it from whatever magic is controlling it."

Everone gains +2 insight bonus to AC and on attack rolls and saving throws against extraordinary, supernatural, and spell-like abilities.

Seeing Vuloo fall under the charm Nalar groans and takes a moment to slam up mental wards around the party.
Shape Emotions 8/9 rounds +4 morale bonus vs mind effecting

Thyrl floats just outside the door, calling out to the Couatl.
[spoiler=Celestial][b]"Brother please, tell us under what conditions the magic binds you here, if you can. We shall do our best to free you!"[/ooc]

Trapped Like a Snake Round 2

Init: Couatl, Braelex, Nalar, Andel, Vuloo, Relan

I will assume Vuloo does as asked. It's not an unreasonable request nor is it outside his standard behavior. Pick a healing spell that seems reasonable after getting smacked by Relan.

Andel recites the creature's weaknesses. The couatl moves around the circle, flying in circles, until you realize it has begun casting a spell!

At Braelex

Nalar invokes his command of emotions and the mind to help the others adjust. The couatl simply whispers, I'm sorry telepathically.

Would the flight or casting provoke from Relan?

Yes, casting will. Also, I moved your token up

Thanks

Seeing the couatl begin to cast Relan strikes, hoping to disrupt the spell.

AOO: 1d20 + 20 - 3 ⇒ (1) + 20 - 3 = 182d4 + 10 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (3, 2) + 10 + 9 + 2 = 26

Grr.

Vuloo will heal the couatl.

CMW: 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (3, 3) + 8 = 14

Braelex loads her crossbow and stands ready at the end of the corridor. "Couatl are good, right? Is this some kind of trick?"

I think it is compelled.

Relan stumbles as he tries to interrupt the creature's cast, slipping on a slick piece of stone. Braelex stands ready, querying the party. Vuloo heals the couatl.

Awaiting Andel's action?

The creature completes its spell and a globe of light appears near the ceiling in the corridor behind Relan, firing rays of light at Nalar. The couatl defensively casts a spell inside the room raising a mist that obscure sight from all. (Total concealment beyond 5 feet -- 50% miss, concealment within 5 feet - 20% miss)

Lantern Archon touch vs Nalar: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11; miss?
Lantern Archon touch vs Nalar: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6; miss
Defensive DC17: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21

Hmm ... I may have skipped Relan since his post was just the AoO. So I'll allow him to act as a retcon. At everyone else for the next round as well (so that means 2 action posts for Relan)

Missed Round

Power Attack, +1 keen merciful guisarme: 1d20 + 20 - 3 ⇒ (14) + 20 - 3 = 312d4 + 10 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (4, 4) + 10 + 9 + 2 = 29

Power Attack, +1 keen merciful guisarme: 1d20 + 15 - 3 ⇒ (4) + 15 - 3 = 162d4 + 10 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (3, 1) + 10 + 9 + 2 = 25

Current Round

Power Attack, +1 keen merciful guisarme: 1d20 + 20 - 3 ⇒ (1) + 20 - 3 = 182d4 + 10 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (4, 2) + 10 + 9 + 2 = 27
Miss Chance, High is good for me: 1d100 ⇒ 35

Power Attack, +1 keen merciful guisarme: 1d20 + 15 - 3 ⇒ (5) + 15 - 3 = 172d4 + 10 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (4, 2) + 10 + 9 + 2 = 27
Miss Chance, High is good for me: 1d100 ⇒ 47

Not the best of rolls.

Touch AC 12 GM so yes they miss.
Arcana: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (8) + 19 = 27
Nalar sees the couatl raise a mist to hide itself, with a flick of his hands he conjures a ball of searing flame. "Sorry Vuloo." He says to himself quietly as he reaches through the mist to tap Relan on the shoulder. Holding up the ball of flame he makes a shooing motion and leans past, firing the spell to impact on the back wall. The flash of searing heat and concussive force dissipating the mist.
DC 20 Ref, ahh fireball the poor wizards dispel. After why dispel when you can delete.
Damage: 9d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 6, 2, 4, 1, 3, 2, 3) = 28

Andel will cast heroism on Relan. This should stack with the naturalist bonus.

Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Vuloo will channel to heal both the couatl and himself.

healing: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 4, 4) = 12

Creature can't make a concentration check that high (DC42 from the interrupt) so there is no lantern archon

Andel inspires Relan as Nalar blasts the room full of fire, burning off the mist and scorching the flying serpent a bit, although the creature nimbly coils on the ground, shielding itself from most of the blast.

Reflex: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29; success.

Relan fails to find a way through the creature's scales even with the mist gone and Vuloo heals himself and the creature. You note that both the burns and the bruises heal simultaneously.

Braelex?

"I can't do much of anything against the couatl without killing it and Vuloo!" Braelex shouts. "If we can subdue it, this magic wax might be able to break the compulsion holding it," she adds, holding up a small block of wax.

The healing is doubly effective if we do both lethal and non-lethal. Someone dispel the control on Vuloo!

Braelex shouts some stuff.

Trapped Like a Snake Round 3

Init: Couatl, Braelex, Nalar, Andel, Vuloo, Relan

The coautl flies in its circle and then defensively casts again ... but its eyes flare to life and then fizzle out as it loses concentration attempting to stay away from Relan's blade.

Defensive DC19: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

Party's actions

Relan tries to make his attacks count. He drops Combat Expertise to increase his chances to hit.

Power Attack, +1 keen merciful guisarme: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (2) + 20 = 222d4 + 10 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (2, 3) + 10 + 9 + 2 = 26

Power Attack, +1 keen merciful guisarme: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 262d4 + 10 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (2, 1) + 10 + 9 + 2 = 24

Vuloo will channel once again.

healing: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 4, 1) = 10

Andel draws his quarter staff and moves in to attack.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 2 = 8
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

I have no non-lethal options, so I'll stand by until the situation changes.

Likely better to stack lethal and non to try to take down the Couatl. The non-lethal will act as a buffer to help keep it alive. Its not great that healing heals both but all damage helps and a bomb is good burst damage.

Relan gets two strong bruising strikes in. Vuloo heals and Andel tries on his way to the fight. Braelex holds, searching her brain for something she can assist with.

Nalar?

Nalar will move up and cast Heroism on Andel.

Cont

Nalar buffs Andel. (moved you up since it's a touch spell)

Trapped Like a Snake Round 4

Init: Couatl, Braelex, Nalar, Andel, Vuloo, Relan

The flying serpent strikes lightning fast at Andel as the scribe moves up to swing his paltry stick at the planar creature. He bites hard into the scribe and then pulls him into his circle, wrapping its coils around him and squeezing.

Bite vs Andel: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (13) + 16 = 29
Damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 + Fort Save DC16 or take 1d4 ⇒ 3 Str Damage
Grab?: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (6) + 22 = 28; grappled and take another 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 crushing damage

Hearing Andel's grunt as he is bitten and grappled, Braelex lets out a rude curse and sighs. "Alright, dammit... Nalar, Relan, get out of the way so I can make a clear shot!"

Delay... need the square Relan is in, at least, and clear LoS is good too.

Fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Andel tries to break out of the grapple.

grapple: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Vuloo channels - healing the couatl, Andel and himself.

Channel: 4d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 5, 4) = 14

Relan continues to fight, hoping to do more damage than Vuloo heals. After he attacks he steps to the side as requested.

Power Attack, +1 keen merciful guisarme: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (4) + 20 = 242d4 + 10 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (4, 4) + 10 + 9 + 2 = 29

Power Attack, +1 keen merciful guisarme: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 352d4 + 10 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (4, 3) + 10 + 9 + 2 = 28

Confirm?: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 314d4 + 20 + 18 + 4 ⇒ (3, 4, 4, 1) + 20 + 18 + 4 = 54

That might do it!

Nalar moves out of the way for Braelxe. As he does he fires a stream of magic missiles at the Couatl.
Damage: 5d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 4, 4, 2, 2) + 4 = 17

If Relan's hit does not drop the couatl, Braelex will move into position and fire.

Corrosive Burst Light Crossbow (PBS, FS): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (13) + 16 = 29; Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 plus Acid: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Now I'm at the front... probably would have made sense for Relan to go into the room and tank.

Braelex holds, hollering at Relan to move. The warrior smashes the couatl twice and the creature staggers. Nalar fires missiles into it and it collapses, releasing Andel.

As Braelex comes around the corner with her crossbow aimed, she holds fire, just as Vuloo heals Andel, himself and the couatl. The creature awakes, multi-colored tears streaming as it raises its plumed body and then stops, disappearing back into the disembodied head.

With an emotionless voice it bows and states simply, "My Lady Sorshen."

END COMBAT!

Vuloo is still charmed and the couatl is still technically injured

Pherhaps I am missing something but if Vuloo is still healing the couatl I am not likely to stop hitting it.

Its unhittable now in it's weird disembodied head form. Feel free to swing, the weapon passes right through it.

Ah, I did not get that it had changed forms... Sounds like it mifght also be unhealable too. :)

Vuloo grows visibly concerned as the couatl is wounded. "Relan, must you do that?"

He will attempt to heal it again - also healing both Andel and himself.

Channel: 4d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 4, 3) = 14

Andel, backs ways from the creature and then turns to Braelex. "My lady Sorshen, perhaps you can command your servant to release Vuloo from its spell and assist us."

Braelex sighs and chuckles, shaking her head. "Why am I not surprised," she mutters.

Addressing the floating head, "Identify yourself. And release my servant."

Nalar will take the break in hostilities to examine the magic holding the couatl. Arcana: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (7) + 19 = 26

The couatl looks at Braelex for a moment. "You've changed. The millenia have softened your memories. I have not requirement to release your servant. He is unharmed and I will cause him no further harm. Do your business and begone."

It turns to look at Vuloo, "Your mistress requires you again, friend. Know you are always welcome here."

Braelex shakes her head, looks to the others and shrugs.

Hello?

Nalar will walk over to Braelex, making a submissive gesture. "My lady, I have examined the magic binding this servant. It is robust and shows no sign of fading."

The couatl stops weeping for a moment as it watches the interaction between Nalar and Braelex.

"Interesting. Your servants are all good creatures. You have used your enchantment powers to subvert those that are pure, have you, Runelord? Your appetite for perversion just can't be satisifed. Know this. Should I ever find a way out of here, I will find a way to free them and Irori willing, the hosts of good will end you."

Vuloo bids farewell to the couatl with a tear in his eye. "My friend, I'm sure we will find a way to convince our cruel mistress to release you from this dreadful prison. What name do you go by? I promise I will come back for you."

He forlornly leaves the room and moves to inspect the Chamber of Stars.

Braelex frowns at the couatl. "You're mistaken. They are with me despite my nature, not because I've enchanted them... its a long story. I'd be happy to tell you if you were less hostile. As Vuloo said, if we knew more about your prison, we'd be better able to release you from it."

"I cannot cause you harm, Runelord. You are safe as a small child ... in my care, not yours. Perhaps that isnt the best analogy for one such as yourself. Regardless, dont expect me to be pleased with your kind's capricious war on all that is good and pure in the world. I cant harm you. I refuse to condone what you have done or pretend that it didnt happen."

"I suspect if you knew the truth, whatever compulsion holds you would force you to attack us again. We do not wish to battle a noble creature such as you -- but if you can tell us how to break the compulsion, we will help."

"You are a strange one, Runelord. If you wanted to free me and risk Karzoug's wrath, you have the ability. You know this. Why are you acting like you dont? Are you really Sorshen? Is it more than your appearance that was changed."

It cocks its head and stares like only a serpent can.