DM Mathpro's Jade Regent Campaign-Table 2

Game Master Almagafor

Rishana, zeroing in on the noise behind the wall and realizing the numbers she may face, quickly pulled out and lit a torch. As she stood and lifted the brand the wall seemed to ripple like water before warping and splitting as a tide of black rats poured forth. Leo heard the scurrying mass inside the next room as they burst the wood of the wall. Outside, the tool shed disgorged four rats the size of small dogs. Daichi's blast of earth took one in the head, ending it's threat before it could strike. The remaining three moved to take on Jayna, Daichi, Kiko, Senga, and little Runt.

Parties up, three rats remain outside and there's a swarm inside.

Daichi's fist flashes forward, annihilating one of the rats in a single strike. He calmly steps back to ensure the rats can't interrupt his attacks, shifting his stance seamlessly. He whips his hand around and unleashes another blast of earth at another of the beasts. Unfortunately, his blast goes rather wide, slamming in to the ground uselessly.

Attack (Point-Blank): 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 = 6 Assuming I'm in 30 feet

Rishana's Round 1

"Back! Get back!" Rishana cries as she swings the flaming torch at the roiling mass of rodents that come pouring out of the walls.

Attack (Torch; Improvised Weapon): 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 3 - 4 = 15
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1 + 1 fire damage

"We need to get out of here!" she yells at Derric.

Senga's Round 1

Senga snarls as the oversized rats come spilling out of the shed but she otherwise holds her ground.

Jay a shoots a Ray of Frost at one of the rats.

Frost Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Need remaining actions from PCs: Leo, Kiko, Derric

"Everybody out!" says Leo. He crouches with his shield held ready, prepared to take the brunt while guarding the rest of the team.

Total defense, waiting for everyone else to get out!

Not quite sure what to do Kiko takes a step back. None of her magic would do her much good right now so instead she draws her spear, ready to attack the rodents should they draw closer.

Move 5 ft step away
Move Draw longspear

"Um...I think you're both right. I think it is best we get out of here...and fast!"

Derric is following Rishana and is doing a double move.

You use your standard action to gain a +4 dodge bonus to AC until your next turn. Though I've just realized, swarms don't roll to hit so using a double move to get further away might be a better idea.

You use your standard action to gain a +4 dodge bonus to AC until your next turn. Though I've just realized, swarms don't roll to hit so using a double move to get further away might be a better idea.

Thanks Daichi for the refresher and the advice! I despise swarms with every fiber of my being!

Yep, but Leo doesn't know yet that it's a swarm and that total defense is useless. He's trying to tank so that the group can get out. Our non-area-attacks will be useless once the swarm arrives!

Well, attacks deal half damage. Which is still damage at least. I don't think rat swarms have super high health, so hopefully we can overwhelm it with numbers.

Yeah, technically Rishana probably doesn't know that it's a swarm either but I think even a layperson would be inclined to run away from a horde of rats if they didn't have fire or something on hand!

Rishana's strike with her fiery brand sears a few screaming rats. She and Derric turn and scramble to escape while Leo holds his ground. Derric sees the light outside the cabin and hears the beginnings of a battle. He bursts out to see three massive rats charging his friends. Jayna's blast of cold coats one rat with a layer of frost as it bears down on her. It leaps, jaws wide...

attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

And Jayna twists out of its way. A second ducks a wave of earth loosed by Daichi as it scurries after Kiko. He spear held high, she stabs at the vermin.

AoO: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1

Slicing the tip of its tail away as it's teeth gnash at her.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

It fails to find flesh however. The third rate makes for Senga, perhaps hoping for an opponent it's own size.

attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Also missing.

Inside the cabin Leodegrance sees the swarm of rats, hundreds of them, crawling over each other to get at him and his allies. They clamber over him and arm soon within the soft joints of his armor, nipping and biting at him.

Swarm attack damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Tearing chunks of flesh away, burning pain spearing through the brave knight.

Need a Fort save Leo

Derric double moved so he makes it out, Rishana's attack slowed her down.

Runt rushes the rat attacking Kiko and launches a flurry of stabs...

attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
damage: 1d3 - 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) - 1 + (3) = 5

The blade sinks deep into the rat's side, opening a wicked wound as Runt steps back to square away with his foe.

Party's up. Leo is covered in rats, Rishana is a move action away from getting outside or can turn and help Leo. Derric is right outside the door. Kiko and Runt face off against a wounded rat, Jayna and Senga each have a dance partner. Everyone else is unengaged.

Daichi takes a moment to consider the battlefield. It is his duty to protect the Kaijitsu family, but Kiko seems to have things under control. Jayna... not so much. He aims at the rat attacking the sorceress and launches another head sized rock.

Attack (Point-Blank): 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 = 13
Damage (Point-Blank): 1d6 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 1 = 11

Senga's Round 2

"Rrreowrrrr!"

Senga twists away from the oversized rat's bite and responds to her attacker with a flurry of teeth and claws!

Attack (Bite): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Attack (Claw #1): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Damage: 1d2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Attack (Claw #2): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Damage: 1d2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Rishana's Round 2

"Come on!" Rishana calls, horrified as the rats swarm over her companion. "Just a little more!"

She then makes a final dash for the door and emerges, nearly bowling Derric over. Greeted by the sight of the rest of them fighting for their lives against oversized rats her heart sinks for a moment but then she tries to rally herself.

"More rats inside! Hundreds of little ones!" she gasps. Torch still in hand, she calls upon her limited understanding of the natural world to entangle the rat facing Jayna.

Rishana moves outside and casts Entangle on the rat fighting Jayna; DC 13 Reflex save.

"Gah! This is way worse than I thought!" shouts Leo as the rats swarm over him. He steps away (5' step) and swings his sword wildly, trying to cut through rats.

Longsword attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Longsword damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 (halved vs. swarm)

"Damn! Rishana we have to help Leo!"

Derric moves back inside to help his companion.

Katana attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Katana damage, halved for swarm: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Need action from Kiko, have until tomorrow then I'll bot her round

When the rat attacked her and missed Kiko let out a small sigh of relief. She shortly turned to Runt while taking a step back, nodding, "Thank you Runt."

Focusing on the rat in front of her again she attacked with her spear once more.

Move 5 ft step back
Standard Attack rat
Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20 Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4
Add a +2 to attack if it so happens I'm actually flanking

Daichi's blast crashes next to the rat attacking Kiko, had the rat been only a little larger it would have been a telling blow. Jayna is pressed by the vermin attacking her but unleashes a wave of frost, the rat shakes fur coated with ice crystals and advances. Senga's fury rips into the rodent but it somehow remains standing. Vines emerge from the earth to trap the Rat facing Jayna, courtesy of Rishana.

Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

The vicious little creature is undeterred however.

Rishana: Entangle has a 40ft radius and would easily hit everything on board. I'm going to restrict the AoE this time as if I didn't it would be far worse for the party.

Leodegrance and Derric hack valiantly at the swarming rats, killing dozens, but still the tide presses on, enveloping them both. Kiko's spear pierces the eye of her opponent, it gives a struggled squeak before collapsing.

Leo Fort from last round: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Swarm Damage on Leo: 1d6 ⇒ 2
Swarm Damage on Derric: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Leo Fort: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Derric Fort Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8Failure

Senga AoO: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

The rat facing Senga attempts to flee back into its warren but the cat is quicker and her paw neatly ends the threat of the rat. The frost covered rat advances once more on Jayna, yellowed teeth searching for purchase.

Attack on Jayna: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Jayna Fort: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

The furry beast gets a hold of Jayna's leg, teeth grazing and drawing blood. Runt leaps in, slashing at the rat with his dagger.

Attack w/flank: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

But his blade is deftly dodged by the wily rat.

Party's up. Leo and Derric are covered in rats. Jayna and Runt are engaged and flanking the last of the Dire Rats. Only Derric and Leo are inside.

Leo spits a rat out of his mouth, steps out of the swarm and swings his sword in a broad, low arc again.

Longsword attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Distracted by the crawlies under his tabard, his swing goes too high.

Rishana's Round 3

"The hells are you two doing!?" Rishana yells back at Leo and Derric. "Get out of there! Senga, whakaeke!" she calls, pointing at the remaining rat before turning and heading back into the house.

Once inside, she reaches for...

1= Leo, 2= Derric

1d2 ⇒ 1

Leo and attempts to bodily haul him back out of the swarm.

Grapple?: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

If successful Rishana will reposition him outside of the swarm. Hope this isn't going too far; if it is please let me know and it won't happen again!

Senga's Round 3

Responding to Rishana's command, Senga bounds forward and attempts to catch the remaining rat with one of her paws.

Attack (Claw): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Damage: 1d2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

"Arrrgh! Get them off me! Arrrrggggghhhh!"

Derric is unable to move back from the swarm of evil rats, as they engulf him biting and clawing him...TO DEATH! Well luckily his armor held off some of the damage as he swung his blade.

"A little help here please! IN THE NAME OF ALL THAT IS GOOD AND HOLY HELP!!!!!"

Katana Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Katana damage halved for swarm...have I mentioned how much I hate swarms!?: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Resolute fortitude: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Daichi groans. "Gods preserve me and punish whoever sent a swarm of rats here..." He steps back and fires at the remaining dire rat, wanting it to be dead before they have to deal with the swarm.

Attack (Point-Blank): 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9
Damage (Point-Blank): 1d6 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 1 = 8

Jayna wanting to stay in flank for Runt casts Ray of Frost Defensively.

Cast Defensively: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Touch: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 3 - 4 = 6
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Kiko?

Seeing Jayna threatened by one more rat Kiko adjusts her position to attack it with her spear.

Move Move into a position to attack the rat, preferably a flank
Standard Attack rat with spear. Add a +2 if Kiko can get a flank
Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19 Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Sorry for being a bit slow. End of semester for me so a lot to do at once

Leodegrance struggles with the tide of rats, his blade failing to thin the horde. Rishana grants him a moments respite as she drags him out of the myriad vermin. Derric has more luck in his battle with the rippling carpet of rodents, his blade cutting swaths of them away. The swarm responds to his and Rishana's efforts, flowing over the samurai and hunter. The last of the dire rats finds itself pressed hard and frost, claw, and spear end the creature. Runt sheathes his dagger and readies a flask in his hand, eyeing the hut intently.

Swarm Damage on Derric: 1d6 ⇒ 2
Swarm Damage on Rishana: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Rishana Fort Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Derric Fort Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9Fail
Percentile Chance: 1d100 ⇒ 58

The hut groans uncomfortably as the battle within continues.

Swarm is all that's left, party's up. Derric and Rishana covered in rats. Rats between Leo and the front door

Derric: The disease the rats spread takes a few days to do damage, you'll have time to get a Heal check in.

Seeing the last giant rat fall, Daichi nods once to his companions before turning on his heel. He hurries to the front door so he has a clear shot at the rats, then fires a large rock in to the center of the swarm, attempting to break up the pack of rats before they can injures his friends further.

Attack (Point-Blank): 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9 Are you serious right now? How do I keep rolling this badly?

Katana attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Katana damage, halved for swarm; I Really really hate swarms even more now!: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

"Arrrrrgggghhh! GET THESE THINGS OFF ME! Shelyn and Daikitsu help me!"

Obviously the kitsune is terrified of the rats, and who wouldn't especially if you knew that they would eat you alive! Derric swings his sword at the swarm trying to kill it!

Thats alright Kiko. Take your time. No need to rush.

"Rrrrrargh!" Rishana cries with pain but also anger and disgust as the rats swarm over her and Derric. Still clutching her torch from earlier, she flails against the rats even as she attempts to escape from them.

Attack (Torch; Improvised Weapon): 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 3 - 4 = 17
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1 + 1 fire damage

If there's anywhere to go Rishana will try to move out of the swarm.

The last of her visible opponents defeated, Senga paces back and forth outside of the small hut, clearly agitated by the continued sounds of fighting and squeaking from within.

Jayna moves to the building, and shoots a Magic Missile at the swarm.

Magic Missile Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Need actions from Kiko and Leo. No rush due to Kiko's end of semester stuff (and some of mine), but I'd like to move on by Thursday if possible.

Leo keeps trying to knock rats away or cut them apart to break up the swarm.

Longsword attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Longsword damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 (halved vs. swarm)

That'll do it

With the barrage of attacks great swathes of the swarm are obliterated, the rats seem to lose cohesion and the survivors scurry away under broken furniture and between warped floorboards. The cottage groans dangerously, but the immediate threat has passed.

"I don't like that groaning sound! Rishana was right! Let's get out of here!"

The kitsune quickly made sure there were no rats anywhere on his person before making a mad dash out the house!

"Now you want to leave the house," Rishana says with a shake of her head as she quickly follows Derric outside.

"Hey! I can't help it if I'm curious! I am a kitsune after all," Derric shouted in defense of himself.

"You are fortunate not to have been eaten by rats," Daichi calmly points out. "And judging from the fact that this place is utterly overrun with vermin, the witch either does not like visitors or doesn't live here anymore. Am I right?"

Jayna reponds to Daichi, If the old woman has an affinity for vermin, she might still be around here somewhere. It doesn't seem likely though. Shall we take the boat and go?

"Well she is here but not really here. She's dead. We found her body inside and...she tried to use magic to try and change herself. Maybe she was envious of shapeshifters or something but she well...lets just say that her experiment didn't go so well. Namely, her rib cage growing sharp spikes that impaled her internal organs did her in."

He described the rest of what the witch's failed experiment had done to the old hag's body.

"Even though she was wicked, I can't bring myself to say she deserved it."

Derric then glared at the rotten house shouting, "Accursed vermin! If I could I would burn your hovel down to the ground!"

Derric then struck the house's door frame with his sword a few times before slamming the door shut hard enough to probably bring the place down and mumbling to himself on how he hated swarms of rats.

"But yes let's find the boat and hurry. And if someone could, please burn that accursed hut down. At the very least we can cremate the old hag's remains, but I'm not setting foot back in there."

"I..." Kiko's voice trailed off, as did her eyes. She just stood there, staring blankly into the distance. It lasted a mere moment, "I agree. Let's be off. Either she is gone or she put those creatures here. I don't think there is anything else for us now."

She started to walk, then pause, "Any of you hurt badly?"

"I see." Daichi shakes himself, trying his hardest not to imagine what her body must have looked like. "I suppose that research gone wrong can do things like that. Magic is risky at times. Perhaps we should simply keep moving. After we've patched up our wounds of course."

"I was bitten a good bit. I think...I might have gotten infected by some of those filthy rats," the samurai said.