DM Jesse's Temple of Elemental Evil PbP, Pathfinder style

Game Master Jesse Heinig

Sorry, misread!

As the little flying lizard flew off ahead, Deko looked around. "Think find more drink?" he asked, a slight slurr to his words as he made his priorities known.

As a wry smile crossing her face, Enoby acknowledges her companion's priorities. "I doubt we will ever find enough drink for your considerable capacity, friend."

Having reported what he found, Zinnath asked the party "what do we do?"

"If it is a room full of furry brigands and we have the drop on them," Enoby retrieves a vial of Alchemist's Fire from her gear then, grinning deviously, holds it aloft. "I have an idea."

Kyrie's face lights up as she spies the Alchemist Fire. She smiles in the way that only those that devote their life to killing stuff and breaking things can at the idea of setting alight every living thing in a small room.

Then she sighs.

Someday, baby. Some day....

Bat shrugs and then gives Enoby a waving Be my guest sort of motion with her mace.

Keep in mind that the nook where the humanoids are lounging is not separated from the rest of the dungeon by a door. It's not as simple as opening a door, tossing in fire, shutting it, and waiting for the screams to end.

Party: I can sneak up and attack one of them and retreat back if desired.

[Mentally to Zinnath]: Very well, but be careful. Tell the others that I'll be hanging back, cuz if I try to move I'll likely cost us the element of surprise.

All: "Everyone, I am going to go try and hit one of them hard. I will then retreat here. Stay back and ready to protect me!"

Zinnath sneaks back around the corner (to where I placed myself on the map). From there I will fire a snowball at the nearest creature. If that's all I can do, ok, otherwise I would like use my 60' fly speed and get back behind my big buddies!

Snowball To Hit: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26 vs touch
Snowball Damage: 2d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (1, 6) + (2) = 9 DC 14 Fort or staggered for 1 round

Nodding in affirmation to Zinnath's plan, Enoby moves forward and prepares to fire on any enemies that pursue the small dragon when he retreats back towards the party.

Enoby readies an action to fire her shortbow at the first enemy who emerges in pursuit of Zinnath.

Shortbow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

( ._.)

Kyrie silently nods at Enoby and moves to the side, also ready to shoot at anything that gives chase.

Readied action: Fire Force Missile at any valid target. Also, For some reason I was reading the map wrong. Anyway, Fezzik and Deko can move up when they're ready. =)

Everything descends into chaos as Zinnath starts the fray!

His snowball smashes into the nearest creature...

Fort save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

...which shrugs it off, shaking its face like a dog to send the bits of snow flying off.

End surprise actions, as Enoby and Kyrie are readying.

Initiative: Bataleigha: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Initiative: Deko: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
Initiative: Emory: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Initiative: Fezzik: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Initiative: Kyrie: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Initiative: Zinnath: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Initiative: Creatures: 1d20 ⇒ 15

Round 1 - Order
Emory (readied), Zinnath, Deko, Kyrie (readied)
Monsters
Bat, Fezzik

Round 1

Zinnath will snowball the same one I hit in the surprise round, and then move back to my friends.

Snowball To Hit: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10 vs touch
Snowball Damage: 2d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (5, 3) + (4) = 12 DC 14 Fort or staggered for 1 round

Flatfooted and touch, so a 10 will likely hit, as I think these guys are medium sized, so I'm hoping with 21 damage now, that one drops. If so, I announce to the group as I fly back...

All: I dropped one, but the rest of them seem quite angry!

'Well we're not here to serve them tea and crumpets, so on the whole, I think things are going quite well!'

Zinnath's second snowball does land smack on the same one and knocks him to the ground, where he lets out a whining sound.

Deko? Punch, I presume?

Sorry, it's embarrassing but I slipped in the shower Friday and threw my back out and been laid up all weekend >.<

Also, going on the assumption that we are all there.

With one thing laying down from intense cold, Deko charged in with reckless abandon.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Sorry, it's embarrassing but I slipped in the shower Friday and threw my back out and been laid up all weekend >.<

You'd think that it'd be the walking into sign posts, hitching posts, stone walls, etc. that'd get ya. Nope--it's the sneaky shower!

Seriously, though, hope you feel better soon. As a fellow bad back person, it ain't a fun thing to go through.

I'll try not to chuckle! Hope you're doing better!

Deko rushes forward to punch, though the enemies are too far when everything starts - he moves as far as he can get. You can keep that roll for next round, though!

The creatures yip and growl with unsettling yet comical sounds and advance toward the group!

Enoby looses an arrow as one closes on Deko but her shot misses.

Kyrie hits that one with a force missile.

Kyrie: Force missile damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

The other beasts advance, moving - as you'd hoped - into the choke point of the short, narrow, irregular hallway.

Two of them produce longbows and fire at Deko from the back.

Monster: Longbow attack: 1d20 - 7 ⇒ (7) - 7 = 0 (includes -8 firing past cover into melee)
Monster: Longbow attack: 1d20 - 7 ⇒ (15) - 7 = 8 (includes -8 firing past cover into melee)

Arrows skitter past the brawler.

Bat casts a blessing on the group. Bless spell, remember your +1s!

Fezzik's turn!

Fezzik seems oblivious to what is going on as he daydreams about what his new responsibilities might be with his new promotion. Hearing the sound of battle, he shakes his head to clear it. Catching a glimpse of Deko going around the corner and Enoby firing her bow at something, he rushes into the room.

Double move.

Fezzik's appearance certainly seems to cause consternation.

ROUND 2

Emory, Zinnath, Deko, Kyrie

So we're going to give this a try...

Zinnath is unable to be seen by any bad guys, so he will move forward and stealth,, with the plan of poking out next round and sneak attacking someone. How high is this corridor? Zinnath will fly up high along the ceiling if it is pretty high.

Stealth: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (20) + 20 = 40 +4 in forests

Kyrie steps forward and throws a powerful magic missile at the one just in front of Deko!

Toppling Magic Missile Damage!: 1d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 = 4
If survive, trip check DC 16 or be tripped.

Enoby assessed the scene. Deko was between her and any visible targets, and re-positioning would likely only get in the way of her team's muscle doing their job. However, it did look like the yipping beasts could be numerous to overrun their front line. Enoby elects to be patient, setting up another shot and waiting for any enemies to spill past Deko.

Ready shortbow attack against the first enemy that moves past Deko and into Enoby's line of sight.

Shortbow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

"Deko hit you to next week!" Deko cried out as his fist lashed forward with a meaty *thunk*.

Deko slams his fist into the one facing him, which causes it to double over momentarily, protecting its vitals as best it can; but it is not quite a debilitating strike.

Kyrie manages to hit the same one with her magic missile, and it flips head over heels from the force of the blow and doesn't get up.

As another (#4) moves into the spot vacated by its deceased ally, Enoby nicks it with an arrow.

The two bottlenecked by Deko take swings at him...

Monster #4: Battleaxe attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Monster #7: Battleaxe attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

Monster #4: Battleaxe damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Monster #7: Battleaxe damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Deko deflects the main force of an axe swing but it clearly puts the half-orc a bit off his guard.

Two fire bows...
Monster: Longbow attack: 1d20 - 7 ⇒ (9) - 7 = 2
Monster: Longbow attack: 1d20 - 7 ⇒ (14) - 7 = 7

...futilely.

Fezzik, Bat!

Fezzik moves over as to not block the others from their ranged attacks and swings at the closest creature.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Damage: 3d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 6, 2) + 4 = 17

Bataleigha clanks forward to support Deko but finds that her relatively heavy armor prevents her from reaching the battle.

Double-moved a total of 40 feet. Bless spell still active.

Fezzik's swing absolutely murders one of the monsters (#7). The one fighting Deko tries to swing its axe at him again.

#4: Battle axe: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

No love!

The others push through the hallway. Deko takes a swing as #6 passes by.

Deko: Attack of opportunity: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Deko: Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

He punches that one into next week.

The other monsters flood on by with the opening created by their now-deceased compatriot - careful to move around in Bat's direction so they avoid Fezzik's pole arm. (Deko conveniently gives them soft cover, even!) Still, his reach is enormous.

Fezzik: Attack of opportunity 1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Fezzik: Attack of opportunity 2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Fezzik: Attack of opportunity 3: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Fezzik: Damage: 3d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 1, 3) + 4 = 9
Fezzik: Damage: 3d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 2, 6) + 4 = 14

CRUNCH CRUNCH! The tight space does the creatures no favors.

One of them (#5) even gets close enough to hack at Bat.

#5: Battle axe: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

And one fires its bow at her...

#9: Longbow: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (17) - 3 = 14

Still no luck, though. Maybe they just aren't as fearsome as they look?

ROUND 3

Emory, Zinnath, Deko, Kyrie

Round 3

Having stealthed in round 2 when he was around the corner, Zinnath will move up to the corner, high in the air and fire a ray of cold at the near on around the corner against the wall.

Ray of Cold To Hit: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 7 - 4 = 23 vs touch
Ray of Cold Damage: 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + (5) = 10

Ohhhh, a crit threat!

Ray of Cold To Hit: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 7 - 4 = 15 vs touch
Ray of Cold Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Flatfooted and touch, surely a 15 confirms! 15 damage to that one!

All: "Get away from my cleric you punks!"

With his blood singing in his veins, Deko's grin took on a sharper cast. Eyes wide in battle lust, his swings became wilder as he advanced towards his next victim, his cries becoming less articulate.

Free action to Rage, +4 to Str and Con, +2 to Will, -2 to AC
Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 2 = 20
Damage: 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 2 = 12

Kyrie smiles as the air is filled with the cries of the dead and the dying as Deko and Fezzik reap a mighty swath!
"Ha! Well swung, Deko! Well hit, Fezzik! Glory to the house of Dekoson! Glory to the house of...um...wherever Fezzik is from! Let the blow come swift and the blood run red!"

The beautiful Evoker sees no further need for her more potent spells and instead lets fly with the common Force Missile at the last remaining monster!

Damage!: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Deko smashes one foe, and Zinnath sneakily turns another's head into an icicle!

Kyrie blasts the last one with a force missile, and the creature throws its bow down and holds its side with one hand while it backs up against the wall, holding its other hand (paw?) up in what seems to be a gesture of surrender.

Combat ends! Each party member gains 600 xp.

What to do with your surrendered foe?

Zinnath flies down and hovers above Deko, looks at the captive and opens his maw...

All, including the captive: "Shall we eat it?"

Intimidate: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Enoby lowers her bow, releasing a small sigh of relief at the brevity of the combat.

She turns to Fezzik, appreciation in her expression: "My large friend, you are truly fearsome with that pole-arm. To think, I must resort to launching tiny sticks in order to strike a distant enemy."

Eyeing the creature that Zinnath is currently threatening, she attempts to lay the fear on a bit thicker (hoping it speaks Common): "You're in for it now, our mighty dragon can scarce be reasoned with. Best tell us everything you know. It just may be enough to earn his mercy."

Aid Another Intimidate: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Bataleigha blinks and misses much of the combat. Not wanting to appear dumb in front of her new friends and allies, the cleric of Pelor pats Fezzik on the back and makes her way over to Kyrie while Zinnath and Enoby amuse themselves with interrogating the prisoner.

"Um...any idea what these creatures were?" she asks the wizard in a whisper.

Happy New Year, all!

The creature responds in yips, growls, snarls, and barks; Zinnath, of course, is able to understand it mentally.

We were here for pay, the creature says/thinks, for the humans here. But this is not worth it! Just want to leave now.

To the group: "Do not kill the creature, I am able to communicate with it. It says it is paid to be here, by humans and just wants to leave."

For conversations like this, my intent is to communicate both to the creature, and the group, and will translate the creature's responses just to the group. Thus, thus can either hit me up with questions to ask, or just know what is being related.

To all: "What humans? Where are there? How do they pay you? What treasure and dangers reside here? What are their plans?"

The creature responds to Zinnath, "Humans living in these old tunnels. Warriors, like us. Weak like most humans, but not as soft as farmers, townspeople." The creature shrugs. "Don't know plans, don't care. Just getting paid to wait here for new orders, fight soon maybe. Leave maybe, if you let me. Perhaps we make a new deal?"

"What new deal do you propose? Do you know where we can find the humans? Do you know of other traps down here, or other violent creatures?"

The creature continues its yapping and barking.

I need to eat, just like anyone! I was supposed to be paid by these humans. Maybe you pay me a little instead? I leave, never come back, not bother the humans around here?

"We certainly aren't going to pay you. All you have done is attack us. What can you tell me about down here, and be quick about it, my ogre friend is a big eater."

Kyrie favors the thing with a wry smile, her full crimson lips drawing upwards. She addresses the thing as one would a slow child. "Oh you poor, dumb, creature. Where is thy mighty tribe, who's loyalty we would gain with such coin? What possible advantage would we be given be striking a pact with you? Have you a horde of others around here? How many and where? To mine poor eyes it appears that all that is left is you, yourself, and you are in our power.

Please do answer the dragon, and stop trying to bargain for just yourself. The only difference between you walking out of here under your own power, and you feeding an ogre's belly, is how well you answer him."

The creature gesticulates and yips and "says," My fellow hunters are dead, and I have nothing left to lose, do I not? Kill me or release me, there is no sense in further argument.

All: "The creature has provided no information of value. We already knew there were humans here. I will leave it to you others to decide whether to free, or kill, or eat, the creature."

Bat is not gonna eat the thing.

[Mentally to Zinnath]: We can't let it go now; it could warn others of our presence in the dungeon. I'm alright with locking it up in a dungeon cell for now and possibly letting it go once we're ready to return to Hommlet. Eat it if you must.

Bat: "You are disgusting! I don't eat sentient creatures! I might scare them about it, but I am certainly not going to actually do it."

"So Deko punch thing now?" Deko asked in boredom as the others talked and talked and talked... Why use so many words all the time? "Deko punch thing and make much food. Then go find more bad guy."

Deko:"Punch it Deko!"