DM Fflash's Shattered Star Campaign

Game Master DM Fflash

While we are happy to have rescued you, you were not our mission Mr. Tavor. And we are not from your lodge. There is much to our tale but this is not the ideal time to tell it.

Likely we should have told our tale as we rested...

Feel free to flex time the discussion of the quest, but unless anyone starts heading a different direction, I'll assume you ultimately decide to press on

Braelex halts the party and with a couple quick gestures and bit of chalk is able to prevent the activation of the magical alarm allowing the party to progress through ... hopefully unnoticed by whomever was monitoring the sentry spell.

Chamber of Correction

The party proceeds through to the next room. A broad central column of stone fills the center of this octagonal chamber. A flight of stairs coils up around this column, passing through an opening in the ceiling thirty feet above. Several doors lie in the chamber’s walls. The room itself features a large amount of ancient and archaic but no less frightful-looking torture implements.

The smaller octagonal chambers to the north, south, and west are cells—the doors separating them from the main room are iron doors with narrow sliding slats at eye level that allow for the passage of a plate of food or a saucer of water. The doors feature rotating wheels that can be turned to lock them in place.

Sitting around a table in the northeast portion of the room are several unmasked Gray Maidens, their faces all marred with scars. One woman in particular with a nasty gash across both her eyes and the bridge of her nose, shouts out as you enter, "Chanukra, we don't have time for any more of your stories of your antics with your plaything ... we have plans for retaking Korvosa to go over ..."

The woman trails off as she sees you, momentarily taken aback before she quickly regains her composure and smiles. "Well fancy that, visitors all the way down here. Bounty Hunters for Oriana? Or sycophants of Sorshen's? Speak quickly."

Nalar points a finger at the unmasked one a smiles sweetly. "How about we be skip the bluster." He says as he casts a spell. Charm Monster Will save DC 22

Vuloo sighs and casts bless on the group. "This isn't going to end well."

Init: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Andel attempts to identify the weaknesses of these gray maidens.

Init: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Knowledge, Local: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20

Braelex nudges Nalar as he starts casting. "No need for hostilities... these women may not be our foes."

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20

Unsure of how things might turn out Relan delays and watches for what might happen.

Awaiting Nalar's response to Braelex before resolving

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Nalar shoots Braelex a glare. "On a good day I'd be all for diplomacy," He says as he begins to shape the signs of the spell. "I've been tortured for a week and they knew about it." He snarls as he casts the spell, trying to enthrall the woman. "This is not a good day."

Charm is always a horribly awkward spell to arbitrate in groups. For this purpose, because it's situationally relevant, I'm going to grant the party surprise, starting with Nalar. Don't expect that arbitration in every encounter, but it works well here ... although the save roll is terribly unfortunate

Nalar finishes his spell and the leader smiles for a second and then shakes her head in confusion turning to anger. The other women look at each other stunned for a moment, not sure what's happening.

Quennelle Will Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

The rest of you may roll initiative and take a single surprise round action ... Nalar assume you have a 20 on your init roll

That's, wow...unfortunate.
Initative 26

Seeing his spell fail to find purchase Nalar looks frustrated. "F!$! it, burn." He says, pointing a finger at the center of women's group. A bead of fire shooting out before exploding in a blaze.

Casting fireball, DC 19 Reflex for half.
Damage: 7d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 4, 5, 4, 2, 1) = 22

Vuloo and Andel's inits and surprise actions are above.

Relan 5' steps in front of the wizard and readies to attack any enemy that closes with him.

Init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

"No... stop!" Braelex shouts, trying to avert the conflict. She kicks at Nalar trying to throw him off balance, but is a split-second too late.

Trip: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Maidens at War Surprise Round

Init: Nalar, Andel, Braelex, Vuloo, Relan, Maidens, Quennelle Page

Following Nalar's failed charm, Andel quickly recites what he knows of the Gray Maidens giving the party an edge. Vuloo blesses everyone as Relan steps to the front holding his ground.

Braelex throws a leg at Nalar, but to no avail. The wizard snarls at the Maidens and ...

Round 1

... shoots a streak of flame that explodes spectacularly sending Maidens diving and destroying the table (actually converted torture racks) setting the various sheafs of paper on fire. Most of them catch the full blast of fire.

"Intruders! To arms! To arms!" The first speaker shouts out. You hear a commotion behind the doors to the southwest

At Andel for action

Quennelle Reflex Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7; fail
Maiden 1 Reflex Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21; success
Maiden 2 Reflex Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13; fail
Maiden 3 Reflex Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18; fail
Quennelle Init: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Maidens Init: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Andel's naturalist ability gives everyone a +1 insight bonus to AC, attack rolls and saving throws vs supernatural and spell like abilities.

Andel will move to Relan and will cast heroism on him (+2 morale bonus on attack rolls, saves, and skill checks.)

Vuloo activates his wand of spiritual weapon against the nearest maiden (4 charges left).

attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 1 = 19
damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

"Damn it all," Braelex curses, stepping back and readying a fire bomb. "There was no need to attack them."

"For you perhaps." Nalar says, mentally assessing his arsenal of magic. "Preach at me afterwards, you can join Thyrl."

Readying a bomb isn't really an action ... are you delaying?

Readying a bomb isn't really an action ... are you delaying?

Yes.

Andel casts his spell on Relan and Vuloo smashes one still reeling from the initial.assault, dropping her. The other two rush forward to attack Relan. AoOs and readied attack, please.

The leader pops a potion and takes a drink.

At Relan and Nalar. Map not updated, but 2 will attack Relan and one is down.

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Buffs in effect: Bless (does not stack with Heroism), Heroism, and Naturalist ability which gives everyone a +1 insight bonus to AC, attack rolls and saving throws vs supernatural and spell like abilities

Relan's readies action goes off as the first of the maidens closes.

Trip: 1d20 + 17 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 17 + 3 = 25

AOO with +1 Cold Iron Ranseur if Trip is successful: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (19) + 18 = 372d4 + 15 ⇒ (4, 3) + 15 = 22

AOO

Trip: 1d20 + 17 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 17 + 3 = 22

AOO with +1 Cold Iron Ranseur if Trip is successful: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (6) + 18 = 242d4 + 15 ⇒ (1, 3) + 15 = 19

If he tripped both he gloats a little You play my game maidens. Best to surrender and live. And he will attack again if they stand up.

Relan trips and cuts down the two Maidens. Neither moves.

Nalar?

I thought the fireball was my action this round?

Yes, we are at the top of the order Round 2 ... need all of you actually

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Round 2
Seeing the fight go their way Nalar blasts Quennelle with magic missile.

Damage: 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 1, 4, 4) + 4 = 14

Braelex sighs and puts her grenade back into its pouch. She loads her crossbow and stands back.

No action.

Vuloo directs the spiritual weapon at the leader.

attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 1 = 16
damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Andel will hold his action - he will follow Relan into the room once he enters.

Round 2

Nalar hammers the woman with missiles causing her to drop the empty flask to the ground, shattering it, but she is able to duck away from Vuloo's floating scimitar.

Relan? Andel?

Surrender and we can give your wounded healing. They do not have to die. Relan says as he advances.

Maidens at War Round 2

Init: Nalar, Andel, Braelex, Vuloo, Relan, Maidens, Quennelle Page

Relan puts forth his request and the woman sighs looking at her dying companions and nods her head, dropping her sword and taking a few steps forward raising her hands over her head.

Suddenly, though, she shouts "Cover me!" and bolts for the stairs. Simultaneously the door to the southwest slams open and leather-clad, helmet-wearing Maidens spill out into the room forming a box around the bottom of the stairs, all standing ready.

Map updated, I removed the downed Maidens to reduce clutter ... Round 3 actions

I thought I was covering the entrance to the stairs. Certainly meant to. Oh well. Are we still waiting on Andel's round 2 action? and was there any noticeable effect from the leader's drinking of that potion? Wounds close? Blurred? Anything?

Braelex shakes her head, takes out a grenade and hurls it into the new arrivals.

Noxious Bomb (ranged touch): 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 11 - 2 = 19 ... Target the floor right in the middle. Splash fire damage 8, DC 17 Ref save halves... stinking cloud for 10 ft radius & 1 round, DC 17 Fort save or nauseated.

Er, that is gonna make it harder for me to bull rush or tumble past those guys isn't it?

The noxious fumes only last one round.

Good to know.

I thought I was covering the entrance to the stairs. Certainly meant to. Oh well. Are we still waiting on Andel's round 2 action? and was there any noticeable effect from the leader's drinking of that potion? Wounds close? Blurred? Anything?

Nope, Andel's opportunity has passed. No noticeable effect from the potion. @Relan: If you had said something in your post about moving to the bottom of the stairs, I'd have made it work ... however, since you just said advance, we'll press as adjudicated

As the warrior women pour into room Nalar flicks a hand dismissively in their direction. "I shall deal to you later," He says, traces of magic flowing around his hands as a large pit forms underneath them.
Casting Create Pit, 30ft Deep. The blue circle on the map is the area. DC 18 Ref save to jump to the nearest safe space.

Vuloo directs the spiritual weapon at the nearest fighter.

attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 5 + 1 = 26
damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

crit: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 1 = 20
damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Andel moves into the room and assumes a defensive position in front of Nalar. He sheathes his bow and draws his quarter staff.

Nope, Andel's opportunity has passed. No noticeable effect from the potion. @Relan: If you had said something in your post about moving to the bottom of the stairs, I'd have made it work ... however, since you just said advance, we'll press as adjudicated

Not a big deal. I just assumed wrong on where the stairs went up from. Nalar, I believe you have the idea of the pit wrong. Its a 10'X10' square pit. Looks like you have it drawn as a 25' radius. Note that Relan will not move adjacent to the pit. and I might need to readjust after we see where the pit is, who fell in, and whose who did not end up.

Considering what to do, Relan uses a standard action to activate his Haste ability and moves closer to the new group of enemies so that after the cloud dissipates he can be ready to move forward.

The purple circle is the noxious cloud.

Roger that. And the other, the blue circle was meant to be the pit, as I read Nalar's post.

Ah. Some reason I read it as a 10ft radius. Will fix it soon.

Pits and bombs appear.

Map updated

Four of the women fall in, all get scorched and one on the outside begins to cough and vomit.

Relan moves forward and waits for the cloud. Andel moves and the spiritual weapon smacks the vomiting woman hard.

The one remaining fighting woman (number 8) moves a step away form the pit and stands ready for approach as her leader continues to run up the stairs

As the cloud dissipates Relan goes after the leader.

Acrobatics to jump the edge of the pit if needed: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

Hasted Double Move. Not exactly sure how far he can get. If the leader double moved twice and he double moves under haste once then I think he should pretty much catch up with her, right?

Vuloo will step into the room and will address the maidens. "Stand down. There is no need for further violence. We are not your enemies. If you lower your weapons I'm sure we can negotiate a reasonable arrangement."

diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

Braelex nods at Vuloo's call for cease fire. "You're clearly outmatched."

Diplo aid other: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13