DM Khel's Tapestry's Toil (Inactive)

Game Master Khelreddin

"In fact," Ostendiel says, "we would be interested to know if you have other slave here. If so, we request that you set them free. Now."

”We have many slaves here,” the smith responds, hefting her hammer to her shoulder, ”and they are all brought to my forge when they arrive, to see what their labor, in dedication to Droskar, can produce. Those who accept their fate or embrace the true faith receive barracks and food during their stay as miners, and may even be traded to other cultures if they prove valuable. The others are thrown into the mines and worked until death, or sacrificed to Droskar as a warning to other slaves. It seems you have not come to Slave Mountain to work in the mines – so you are here to die!”

Round 1 Initiative:
Ostendiel
Tarn
Lis, Dewberry
Mueritt
Sard
Xorn

Bold are up!

"That's enough from you! We will free all those people! Dewberry, attack!"

Dewberry bite!: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
sharp pointy teeth damage: 1d4 + 17 ⇒ (3) + 17 = 20

That seems like a miss. What is the stuff in the middle of the floor? Does it prevent moving into those squares? I'd like to move Lis to that square, but I can be over one if it's not a legal spot.

Lisianthus pulls out her trusty club and moves to attack the duergar.

Lisianthus swing, power attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Lisianthus smash, power attack: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Dewberry's attack is indeed a miss. The stuff in the middle of the floor, where Lis is currently standing, is Mueritt's anvil, which basically occupies the entire square (but the little grey circular doodad diagonally next to the anvil is in a legal space). You'll have to move Lis. As long as she's still in a square she can attack from, Lis' attack hits.

Moved!

Ostendiel drops into a dragonlike stance and charges forward to attack the duergar woman. He punches at her, focusing his strength into the attack in an attempt to stun her.

Dragon Style means he can charge through allies, including Dewberry.

Attack, including +2 for charge: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24
Damage if hits: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Ostendiel's AC is down by 2 for a round. If he hits, it's a DC17 Fortitude save to avoid stun.

Fort, DC 17: 1d20 ⇒ 4

Lis’ club delivers a solid hit to the smith, but it is Ostendiel’s fist that causes the dwarf’s head to ring like an anvil! She drops her hammer and stands there, her head gently wobbling side to side!

Round 1 Initiative:
Ostendiel
Tarn
Lis, Dewberry
Mueritt (-20 hp, stunned 1 round)
Sard
Xorn

Tarn is up!

"Och, don' even bother trying to talk to a duergar... they're barely even intelligent," Tarn mocks. " 'You must be here to die,'" he imitates the duergar unflatteringly. "Come ON, are those really the only two choices your puny brain can envision?"

Tarn moves past Dewberry and faces the xorn. "Now, this Xorn here... there's an intelligent creature! Not evil and stupid like a duergar. This one knows right from wrong, and also how to do simple addition. He understands that he's on the losing side if he fights... and is it really worth dying for THAT idiot?" He gestures to the duergar again. "I don' think so."

Move action to move, ready a standard action to cast boneshaker on the duergar if the Xorn attacks.

Great post, Tarn - I'm sure you're right, the xorn can count to three at least! In the future, if you've got an action like that readied, feel free to roll damage, give me the save DC, etc, so it's ready to go. You can stick it in a spoiler or not.

The duergar smith is too stunned to react to Tarn's harsh words, and none of the party are sufficiently well-versed in the emotional nuances of the xorn race to be able to gauge the creature's reaction.

Sard is up!

Sard moves into the room and fires an elemental ray at Mueritt:

touch attack, bless, point-blank: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 16 Tarn cast bless right before we walked in. I'm assuming it's still up.
fire damage, point-blank: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6

To the Xorn he adds (in common) "We have no quarrel with you. Don't change that." Wish I spoke that rockhead tongue; I wonder if this thing even speaks common? And given the state of relations between the Opaline Vault and the City of Brass last I heard, I better avoid Ignan.

Sard's ray of fire carves a dark line through the duergar's armor, causing her to grunt in pain in spite of her immobility! The xorn seems to sink into the stone floor as if it's not there! The tripodical tripodious triaxial creature then rises partway out of the floor next to Sard, biting at him fiercely!

Bite vs Sard: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Damage : 4d6 + 7 ⇒ (5, 6, 1, 2) + 7 = 21

Tarn's spell strikes the stunned duergar, who manages to resist some of the bone-shattering damage!

Fort: 1d20 ⇒ 18

Round 2 Initiative:
Ostendiel
Tarn
Lis, Dewberry
Mueritt (-36 hp, stunned 1 round)
Sard
Xorn

Bold can go!

Ostendiel sighs when, out of the corner of his eye, he sees the Xorn rise from the ground and attack Sard. He had hoped that they might resolve the situation peacefully with that one, but no such luck.

Knowing the duergar woman to be a foe, he delivers a flurry of blows.

First attack is a style strike (defensive spin); if he hits, he gets +4 to AC (dodge) against her attacks for a round.

Attack 1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
Damage if hits: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Attack 2: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
Damage if hits: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Attack 3: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Damage if hits: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Lisianthus redirects Dewberry. "Attack that thing, Dewberry! That weird thing!"

She swings her club at the duergar again.

Lisianthus swing, power attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Lisianthus smash, power attack: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

Make up your mind, Mom!

Dewberry attacks the Xorn.

Dewberry bite!: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19 before cover penalties
sharp pointy teeth damage: 1d4 + 17 ⇒ (3) + 17 = 20

Even if that's a hit, I don't believe she can grab since she can't pull the creature adjacent.

Ostendiel’s third strike doesn’t connect, but only because the first two have laid the dwarf smith out! She lies on the stone in front of her forge, not having landed a single blow!

Dewberry’s powerful jaws snap shut on the xorn’s thick skin, but are unable to harm it! This means she missed the AC, just to be clear.

Lis no longer had a target for her attack, so you can change your action if you’d like.

Round 2 Initiative:
Ostendiel
Tarn
Lis, Dewberry
Sard
Xorn

Bold are up.

"Ow."

Well, the good news is one more hit like that and I won't have to worry about waking up a slave.

Sard withdraws from the creature, trying to staunch the bleeding. Full withdraw

Lisianthus moves up to hit the xorn instead.

I don't suppose I can keep the same rolls?

Keeping the rolls is fine.

Lis’ club swings down at the half-exposed xorn, but the stone floor just barely blocks her strike!

Round 2 Initiative:
Ostendiel
Tarn
Lis, Dewberry
Sard
Xorn

Tarn’s turn!

Tarn sighs at the xorn loudly, shakes his head, and moves past Dewberry, climbing onto the table and moving past the xorn (provoking AO). He pulls out his heavy flail and whacks the xorn in the head, spouting some harsh-sounding curses in Aklo.

heavy flail, higher ground: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 1 = 27damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
confirm crit?: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 = 18damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

The xorn bites at Tarn as he goes past.

Bite vs Tarn, AoO: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Damage: 4d6 + 7 ⇒ (5, 6, 6, 3) + 7 = 27

Tarn’s flail smashes the xorn in its peculiar face, eliciting a surprised grunt! The creature rises up out of the stone floor to attack the dwarf, biting and clawing at him! Knocking the dwarf down, the xorn then turns its attention to Lis!

Bite vs Tarn: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Damage: 4d6 + 7 ⇒ (1, 4, 1, 3) + 7 = 16

Claw vs Lis: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Damage: 1d4 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Claw vs Lis: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Damage: 1d4 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Claw vs Lis: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Damage: 1d4 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Crit confirm vs Lis: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Crit Damage: 1d4 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

I think the two bites will either knock Tarn unconscious or kill him outright, let me know if that’s wrong.

Round 3 Initiative:
Ostendiel
Tarn
Lis, Dewberry
Sard
Xorn (-7 hp)

Party is up!

Ostendiel leaps up on to the table, drawing his adamantine temple sword as he does so. He smashes the sword down on to the xorn, holding it in two hands.

Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

From out in the hallway, Sard sees the dwarf go down and curses. He points his finger and unleashes three beads of force that streak at the Xorn.

magic missile
force damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
force damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
force damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Lisianthus gives a worried look as Tarn crumples, but she steadies her resolve. You've got to take this thing down, or it will get the rest of you, too!

Lisianthus hits again, taking a more measured hit after her previous miss.

Lisianthus swing: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
Lisianthus smash: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Dewberry pops her head over Lisianthus to get in another bite.

Dewberry bite!: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30
Dewberry ouch!: 1d4 + 17 ⇒ (1) + 17 = 18

Dewberry confirm?: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Dewberry double ouch!: 1d4 + 17 ⇒ (3) + 17 = 20

Ostendiel’s blade doesn’t manage to penetrate the xorn’s preternaturally tough hide, but Sard’s missiles do! Lis’ club crashes down on the xorn, wounding it, and Dewberry’s teeth do the same.

The wounded xorn retaliates against Lis with a bite of its gaping maw and swings of its mighty claws, but it can’t seem to connect!

Bite vs Lis: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Damage: 4d6 + 7 ⇒ (3, 1, 3, 2) + 7 = 16

Claw vs Lis: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Damage: 1d4 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Claw vs Lis: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Damage: 1d4 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Claw vs Lis: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Damage: 1d4 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Just to be clear, the xorn is now standing on the stone floor, so no longer has cover and could potentially be grappled.

Round 4 Initiative:
Ostendiel
Tarn
Lis, Dewberry
Sard
Xorn (-43 hp)

Need a stabilization roll or confirmation of bad news from Tarn, everyone else can act.

Gotta finish this thing off quick if ol' doom-and-gloom over there is gonna have any chance!

"Second verse, same as the first."

Magic missile again:
force damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
force damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
force damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Ostendiel begins a flurry of blows against the Xorn. "You should have stepped back, we had no quarrel with you," he says before beginning.

I've included +1 for higher ground; subtract that out if it shouldn't apply. Hope this table is stable.

Attack 1: Defensive spin style strike, dragon style, punch: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
Damage: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Attack 2: Kick!: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Attack 3: Slice with adamantine temple sword: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

If the first attack hits, Ostendiel's AC gets +4 vs. the Xorn for this round

Tarns eyes widen, surprised by the force of the creature's bite! It's follow-up attack closes them, and he slumps to the floor, unmoving.
Mental note, ask for primary attack damage first...

1d20 ⇒ 11

Once again, Sard’s missiles zap the xorn! And Ostendiel continues to struggle, unable to penetrate the creature’s hide!

Round 4 Initiative:
Ostendiel
Tarn
Lis, Dewberry
Sard
Xorn (-50 hp)

Lisianthus strikes again with her club, still trying to stay measured and calm.

Lisianthus swing: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
Lisianthus smash: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Dewberry pops up again for another bite at the strange creature.

Dewberry bite!: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
Dewberry ouch!: 1d4 + 17 ⇒ (3) + 17 = 20

Did not all of my magic missile damage go through? It was at -43, I hit it for 12, and now it's listed at -50

Also, we are not trying to nitpick the GM; we are just really afraid of this thing!

The combined damage from tooth, club and force bolt, accompanied by a gentle massage from Ostendiel's blade, is enough to take down the badly wounded xorn! After the chaos of battle, all is very quiet, and the Pathfinders turn to their fallen friend. Alas, it is as Tarn has often prophecied, that we all face an inevitable end: the dwarf is dead.

Sard pulls out his wand of infernal healing and taps himself three times, his eyes returning to the unmoving dwarf throughout the several minutes it takes to restore his health.

And just so everyone knows: I responded hastily without reading the full set of posts since I was at an event, and missed the huge damage the xorn did to Sard... so it's all on me for doing something so boneheaded. No fault on anyone else. Sorry I reduced the effective APL with my mistake. (Exactly the amount of damage required to reach negative Con.) :/

I’m really sorry it played out that way, Tarn. As I said in my PM, I like to keep a game feeling dangerous, because I think it’s more exciting for everyone, but I hate killing characters – especially one I’ve enjoyed playing with as much as Tarn. I hope you’ll be able to raise him.

I’ll give everyone a moment to heal up, deal with Tarn’s death, and prepare for what comes next.

I sort of asked in the discussion thread, but did you account for your fifth level hit points? Your tag line has your 4th level stats, but Tarn is 5th currently, right? Or are you already accounting for that?

Lisianthus pulls out her wand and taps Tarn, hoping against hope that the dwarf will rise.

She then heals herself back to full, and scritches Dewberry reassuringly on the neck.

Ostendiel looks grim. "We will bring him back, and see if others in the Society can do anything for him, Pharasma willing. Do we want to do that immediately? Or should we try to complete our mission, as changed as it is by circumstance, first?"

Ostendiel will also search the duergar woman and the xorn, as well as the room, to see if there is anything interesting or illuminating.

So, um... while I did update to 5th level, I somehow did incorrect math on hp, *and* didn't update the profile. So, Tarn should have 35 hp total. How that plays out is up to the GM.

Somehow, Lis' application of the healing wand seems to have an effect! Tarn lets out a low, wet groan, as if he's labored for a thousand years at an impossible task and faces a thousand more years of struggle before he's done...but he lives!

Tarn is at -3 hp and stable. And not dead. Thanks for catching the alias issue, Lis! Much more fun to scare everyone with the threat of death, but have all of us get to keep playing. I'll give a moment for everyone to finish healing, then we'll get going again.

Sard takes a step back at Tarn's unexpected groan. "Well that's a surprise! Welcome back tot he land of the living!" he says, once he realizes what he's seeing, then taps Tarn with infernal healing. His wounds slowly begin to close. Fast healing 1 for the next 10 rounds.

Thanks, Kate! I owe you one, Tarn is one of my favorites face-to-face. Next PaizoCon, dinner's on me!

Tarn gazes into the blackness. Och, come ON! Ah thought Ah'd at least get to see the Last Moon when Ah died... maybe hear the End's Voice? Nothing? REALLY?!

Suddenly he feels a wave of pain wash over him, and a faint light becomes visible in the distance. Here we go, this is the part where the End Times are revealed to me... what do ye wanna bet that bugger Yargos Gil is involved? As the light brightens, a dark, two-headed silhouette appears in the center, growing clearer and clearer... until it resolves into the concerned faces of Lis and Sard, looking down at him with his companions in the background.

"So... Ah guess Ah'm not dead, then?" is all he can manage. Despite the fact that his torment in this existence will now continue indefinitely, he feels strangely grateful to be alive. He looks down and realizes that he's covered in several kinds of blood and not a few other bodily fluids.

"Well, Ah'll say this - death's a great muscle relaxant! Loosens everything right up! S'cuse me while Ah change my shorts," he mutters, stepping around a corner. A moment later, he comes back clean, fully healed and wielding the shield he's worn on his back most of the day.

CLW wand: 6 charges used, average results

As Tarn reels with the realization that his sojourn in this world is still not over, Ostendiel’s practical side leads him to take a look around. A search of the smithy and the room beyond yields little: Muerritt’s hammer is magical (+1 warhammer), and the rest of her gear is finely made, but there is little else of value. The adjoining room is a simple bedroom containing nothing of real value or interest.

The duergar smith had a wand of CLW, but the scenario does not say how many charges it has. Let’s say that it had enough to partially heal you up after this last fight, so any healing charges you used can be reduced by half (round in your favor). Sound reasonable?

With everyone patched up, and Tarn only occasionally sighing deeply as he wrestles with living another day, the Pathfinders are ready to find their way to Ironwhip’s abode.

Feel free to rearrange who has the mask and any skill checks you’d like to safely find your way through the mountain. As a reminder, it’s a Survival or Knowledge (dungeoneering) check to navigate, and the mask grants a +10 circumstance bonus to whoever is wearing it.

"Tarn! You're still alive!"

Lisianthus gives Tarn a squeeze to rival Dewberry. "I'm so glad you're okay! I haven't lost a teammate yet, and I don't want to start now!"

As they prepare to leave, "Say, Tarn, could I work with Tanbaru for a while? Dewberry seems very interested in him."

Minor retcon, while the room is being searched:

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30

Lisianthus sits down on the floor in relief, right next to the anvil. Hmmm. That's odd. An anvil doesn't usually have a hinge there. She pokes at it a little bit, and is surprised when it gives way, revealing a tiny compartment. "Hey, folks, there's a key in here! I wonder what it opens."

"May I examine it for a moment?" detect magic