DM Panic's Song of the Sea Witch (Inactive)

Game Master wakedown

Inaugural post to begin the campaign threads.

o

Dotting the thread

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Dot.

Thundering dot.

dot.

Cue wall-o-text...

The drifting steam of freshly made tea shimmers through the air in front of Venture-Captain Amara Li, who places an ornate tea tray on the edge of her desk, inviting you all to partake.

“I'd like to thank you all for coming despite the lack of details - circumstances have forced me to be discreet in this assignment.”

Amara begins to take an initial sip from her teacup before she continues.

“Several months ago I arranged the successful sale of a pair of tomes from Tian Xia to a historian here in Absalom. Of these books, the Infernal Incantation was the more highly sought after, as it is said to contain the secrets of binding the legions of Hell.”

Amara takes another sip of her tea and then places the cup on her desk, her expression turning cold.

“The historian - one Yargos Gill - has spent the past several weeks studying the book and late last night apparently attempted one of the rituals contained within. From the breathless ramblings of his assistant who arrived at my door only a few hours ago, it appears something went horribly wrong.”

Amara gives you all a chance to acknowledge you've followed her story thus far.

“From what I was told, the ritual revealed that the Infernal Incantation was not a guide to imprison fiends, but the book itself is some sort of prison. Within the confines of those pages reside thousands of devils eager to escape. If Yargos’s bumbling has caused some sort of disturbance within the tome, then we need to ensure it is fixed as quickly and as discreetly as possible!"

Your character may know something of the Infernal Incantation. Make a single Knowledge Arcana or Religion check, and pop all spoilers you meet or beat the DC of.

Some might recognize this creature as a nagaji--relatives of the snake-like naga--but would recognize none of the lithe, slithering qualities of snakes in his husky form. His weathered scales are rough and cracked, which—along with their sandy color—might bring to mind the consistency and tone of dried-out dirt. An ancient scar dominates his face, five gouged lines running from forehead to neck. He walks with a lucerne hammer, using it like a walking stick. Armor of mirror-like plates encircles his torso. A shortbow, a katana, and a cold iron earthbreaker complete his "walking arsenal" ensemble. He takes a seat, but waves away the tea.

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

"Ugh. Course it's something from Tian-Xia. Came out here to get away from that sh--"

He catches himself, then grins at the Venture-Captain. His fangs are chipped and cracked, but their color is fresh and white.

"Heh. Don't want to curse in front of a delicate lady like yourself."

He turns his to his party members."How's it goin', boys and girls. People call me Old Iron. It's a better name than the one my parents gave me, so I stuck with it."

He stretches his neck, a few staccato cracks accompanying the motion.

"I'm here for a good fight. Devils might be fun. Fought some on the Chelish-Andoren border about 30--32?--years back. Saw a gnome get chopped in half by a ranseur. Hope we get some of those."

Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Before you stands a tall and skinny taldan who seems older than he really is. His eyes are piercing and seem to judge anyone they encounter.
He's dressed in breastplate and wears a small book hanging from a necklace. This book bears the inscription "Arodenite institution" and the holy symbol of Iomedae.
After scanning each one of you, he displays a radiant smile and presents himself with great confidence in himself.

"I am Pierre Viret, holy theologian of Iomedae. Well met, everybody! I have nothing to add to what Old Iron said about this... perfidious book. Hearing this story, I'm eager to put everything back in order."

He turns towards Amara Li and bows lightly.

"My lady. Can we have the chance to speak with Gill's assistant? What do we know happened to Yargos Gill? Is he imprisoned in the book?"

Elliot listens to Amara Li, but he has no knowledge about anything mentioned in the introduction so he remains quiet.

A lithe woman stands with her hands on her hips. She is dressed in clothing designed less for appearance and more for movement, with a shirt of chain mail and pants of worked leather. A musket is slung across her back. Adeah's long, dark hair is streaked with red. Her pointed ears, almond-shaped eyes, and slender frame make her look quite elven. The only two testaments to her otherworldly heritage are the color of her eyes, which are golden-- and the large, red, feathery wings sprouting from her back. They are held down by leather straps, to keep them from getting in her way-- they're of no real use to her anyway, so she'd prefer not to have the liability. Meandering around by her side is a large Embeth dog which goes from one ally to another, sniffing and wagging his tail.

"Demon's, huh? Do they kill the same as everything else?"

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"Haha! No demon shall slay any of our lot on this day... Or any other day! So decree-eth the Master of Ribbons!" proudly states Carlyle as he throws his hands up in the air and a shower of red and blue ribbons erupts from his baggy sleeves.

Thud...

A dagger thuds into the ceiling at the same time and the man looks a bit sheepish. "Err... pressed the wrong button lads. But seriously, where'd the dagger come from?" he asks jovially before trying to stack a chair on a nearby table to fetch it from its new residence in the ceiling.

Amara Li uses her hand to partially hide herself from Carlyle's antics before responding to Pierre.

"Yargos's assistant was quite distraught and I questioned the lad as thoroughly as would be reasonable. From what he said, he heard strange incantations and otherworldy voices from within his master's study."

She gestures at the door, seeming to hope her actions cause some urgency.

"Yargos's villa is in Eastgate. Hurry, reverse whatever this errant scholar has done before it is too late!"

You can certainly ask some parting questions or detour at the Grand Lodge's souvenir shop en route.

Carlyle leaps from the stack of furniture into a tumble on the carpeted floor. He quickly raises to his feet from the somersault and bows at Amara Li. "Of course, Mistress Li. We shall do our best. You have the word of the Master of Ribbons!"

Carlyle quickly exeunts and moves to the villa of Yargos with or without his fellow Pathfinders.

Old Iron doesn't have any questions. It sounds pretty straightforward, and he just wants to get to fighting.

Somebody else should probably ask about how we put the devils back, or other such useful questions.

Old Iron throws back his head in a thundering laugh.

"I like that kid's style. Too many people forget that a fight should be fun."

A big lizard grin appears on Old Iron's face as he rests his lucerne hammer on his shoulder and charges after Carlyle.

As Carlyle dashes away with a flourish, the dog bounds happily after him. Adeah rolls her eyes. "Glitterbomb there is going to get himself killed. Haystack, get back here!" She follows her flamboyant ally and the big nagaji out of the room.

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Pierre follows as quick as he can, though not running, with a smile on his lips.

The trek to Eastgate is brisk.

Yargos Gill’s villa is a stand-alone edifice that would normally meld into the background of Absalom’s various structures were it not for the massing crowd of local citizens in front of the entrance.

Up above on the second floor, lights flicker as burning orange and red embers dance within.

The crowd gazes upwards and you can hear various citizens inquiring about and discussing the events at hand.

"Yeah, the fire's been burning for about half an hour."

"I heard a scream right before it all started; came from up there!"

"Who lives here again? Some old man, right?"

"Don't worry, townsfolk!" Carlyle says as he tumbles onto a table and stands proudly before them, his cloak fluttering in the breeze. "I, the Master of Ribbons, shall investigate this disturbance. Wish me well and worry not for I have brought my best team to see this through." he says with a gesture towards the others.

"Quick! Adeah! Breach the door! Tyr! Take point!" Carlyle starts barking out orders from the tabletop. "Let's go people! We have small children worried out here!" he says as he hoists a small child into his hand and displays it for the crowd to see.

The murmur of the crowd subsides as Carlyle works to compete with the blazing inferno.

At first providing nothing more than a smattering of applause, the crowd's demeanor slowly shifts until they are clapping and cheering heartily upon the toddler's ascension.

"Look! That one's lifted up Lil' Tommy!"

A grizzled man points out that Absalom really needs to invest in better fire protection and prevention, perhaps using all this so called magic to build flame-retardent structures.

His complains are quickly stiffled as he is crowded out of the picture for cheers for Carlyle's antics.

"Oh! Heroes have arrived! They are going to save whoever was up there!"

The old man attempts to make a point about the arrival of heroes usually coinciding with the arrival of villains that will level the city, but again he is crowded out.

"Huzzah for the Ribbons-man! Tyr! Adeah!"

**

You all breach the front door, which is slightly ajar, and discover the immediate interior in pristine condition. As you rush through a basic dining room, kitchen, and meeting room, you quickly ascend stairs leading up to the second floor that reveal a set of bedrooms and a personal study. However, beyond the closed door at the end of the hall, you see the ominous signs of a blazing inferno beyond.

I'll give SirPeter a little more time (in hours) to check in in-character as a pre-gen before assuming Old Iron and Elliot hurl this door open since I see that as the point-of-last-check-in for folks to join the scenario.

Old Iron claps and laughs uproariously as Carlyle earns his epithet once more.

"Hah! Sure thing, Commander."

The nagaji's pace quickens as he feeds off the energy of the crowd and his irrepresible "commander."

Before breaching the door, Old Iron looks back over his shoulder towards the crowd, lucerne hammer on his shoulder. He gives a wicked grin, showing off his crooked mouth and cracked--but white--teeth.

"Don't worry, boys and girls. I'm cold-blooded, so the heat's good for me."

You can pretty much assume they will hurl the door open when the time comes, yeah.

"Not sure if heat is good for me, but let's open this door!" the dwarf says and takes his waraxe. "Stay away from the door!" he shouts to whoever is behind it and prepares to hurl.

"We have members who weigh twice what I do, and I'm to breach the door?" Adeah waits instead for her stronger allies, then follows them inside. Haystack does the same, cautiously sniffing around and giving a whine.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Before went to Yargo Gill's villa...

The middle aged man was reading a book while waiting for V C Amara Li, studying some new arcane sources. Despite his long white hair, he is not enough old, but not young too, apparently have anything between 40 to 45 years old.

A cane lies on his lap and his hand never leaves it. He has an introspective glance, as if he always be thinking in something very important, maybe it occurs because of the age. When Amara Li arrives, he pays attention in her words.

Amara gives you all a chance to acknowledge you've followed her story thus far.

Kn. Arcana: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

"Hmmm...Infernal Incantation? Is this the tome from Tian Xia, right? And what about the Celestial Song? You bought it too?"

--------------------------

"How's it goin', boys and girls. People call me Old Iron. It's a better name than the one my parents gave me, so I stuck with it."

"Hello, my friend. I'm Ezren", Ezren looks to the others with a pleasant smile.

When he have the answer for his question to Amara, Ezeren greets her and goes to the Yargo Gill's villa with the others.

"Go ahead! I'm covering you in the back."

The wizard was alert for any danger that would come from that room.

Readied Action: if a demon-like appears from there, Ezren will shoot his cane with hand of the apprentice over it.

Readied Action: Hand of the apprentice Atk: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 221d6 ⇒ 6

Really sorry for the delay, guys. But now I'm ready! @DM Panic, can I prepare other spells rather of those written in the pregen's sheet?

@Ezren: I'll tackle your questions in the discussion/OOC thread.

Sheets of dancing orange and red fire cover the walls of this long room, forming blazing curtains around two windows facing the streets below. The interior of the room is undisturbed, and the wooden floor is completely absent of flames.

A swirling, sinister symbol adorns the center of the floor, formed of a darkened red substance and accented by a few nearby candles.

Opposite the only entrance into this room is a large open altar filled with more candles, a single blood-stained dagger, and an open book from which torrents of flame feed the inferno along the walls.

Nestled in the corners adjacent to the entrance are three humanoid bodies — two toppled over one another in one corner, and a third in the opposite corner, face down on the wooden floor.

As Elliot steps into the room, he realizes the "flames" aren't actual flames as all, but likely some sort of illusionary effect that appear more dramatic than likely a source of any danger.

As his dwarven eyes adjust to the room's actual candlelight and begin to rule out the "flames", he does pinpoint a creature emerging from the flames - a devil that deftly wields a vicious, saw-toothed glaive, while below its toothy maw writhes a hideous, twitching beard.

The devil launches into a tirade of Infernal as he closes.

He brings his massive glaive down hard at Elliot, rending the dwarf's flesh and leaving behind a bloody wound (18 damage to Elliot, and a bleed effect that will continue until addressed).

Round 1
23 Devil : Steps up, slashes at Elliot w/10ft reach for 18
22 Carlyle :
21 Ezren :
18 Elliot (bleed) :
15 Adeah :
13 Old Iron :
9 Pierre :

Now Up: Everyone!

Note: Map link is in the campaign's header. Besides Elliot, you are all outside in the hall and a single door serves as the entry point to the study.

Adeah unslings her musket and loads a round into the barrel. She can't see into the room, but can clearly hear the sound of trouble. "Sounds like things are getting interesting, boys. Haystack, go back outside," she says, waving the dog away. "Don't get caught up in this!"

Move to draw weapon, move to load it.

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I am assuming that Elliot will 5' step forward to engage the evil outsider, which gives cover from his glaive, thus he can't AoO as we move through the doorway.

Carlyle leaps into action after Elliot moves to engage the beast, giving him cover to enter the room, drawing his mundane daggers in both hands as he somersaults through the doorway to join Elliot in the room.

"Surround him and take him down boys!" Carlyle yells as he reaches his feet.

Dagger to the Face! (PBS): 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 1 = 19
Damage (PBS): 1d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 = 7

Elliot takes his silver waraxe and moves up to the creature. 5 ft. step He swings the waraxe.
Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Old Iron leaves his lucerne hammer on his shoulder as he walks into the room.

"We gotcha outnumbered, so I'll let you have a free shot."

He circles the devil in slow deliberate steps, staring at it the whole time.

"You might want to make it better than that last one, though."

Provokes from moving, AC for AoO is 4 higher because of Mobility

Finally settling in a flank with the wounded dwarf, Old Iron takes a swing at the devil, probing at its defenses.

Attack with Adamantine Lucerne Hammer (flank, power attack): 1d20 + 10 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 10 + 2 - 2 = 12
Damage (power attack): 1d12 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 6 = 16

Gosh! 13 posts in one day!

Pierre draws a wand of bless and blesses the party.

Round 1
23 Devil : Steps up, slashes at Elliot w/10ft reach for 18
22 Carlyle : (delays)
21 Ezren : TBD
18 Elliot (bleed) : 5ft step, hits for 11 (confirm silver?)
17 Carlyle : (comes out of delay) Moves, throws dagger for 2
15 Adeah : Loads bullet into gun
13 Old Iron : Moves into flank, provoking, missing
9 Pierre : Draws wand, casts bless

Round 2
23 Devil (-13) :
21 Ezren :
18 Elliot (bleed) :
17 Carlyle :
15 Adeah :
13 Old Iron :
9 Pierre :

@Elliot: Confirming you're using the silver waraxe which you have as listed as 1d10+2 damage instead of 1d10+3 (I took a point of damage off assuming you pasted the adamantine waraxe damage).

Old Iron AoO: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 11 - 2 = 21

The devil slashes as Old Iron as he moves past but misses the wily veteran.

Carlyle's dagger thuds into the creature, but seems to not have the full effect he intended. Adeah loads her weapon while Pierre blesses the group.

Still Up: Ezren

@DM Panic, I'm waiting for your approval to my buys/sells and prepared spells on "discussion" thread, to post my action. ;)

Yes, silver. I bought it between the adventures if you want to check my post in the discusson thread. Damage should be +2 I think, I have to check with the stupid tool in the evening why one of them is +2 and the other +3.

Stepping forward into the doorway, she sees now the source of all the commotion. Careful to stay out of reach of the creature's polearm, she levels her weapon, fires, and reloads.

Musket shot vs touch: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
Damage: 1d12 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

BOOM! The report of the weapon (briefly) dwarfs the other sounds of the battle.

Party, don't forget Pierre's bless ;)

Oh, right. I'm bad about remembering stuff like that. If it matters, my 19 is actually a 20 :-)

Round 1

Ezren draws his wand of mage armor and use it in himself.

AC 16

Round 2

"Excuse me, milady", he says while moves through Adenah's space till stop behind Elliot and whispers "fall...", while casts defensively Create Pit under the creature's feet.

I marked the area of the pit on the map. The save is Ref DC 16, unfortunately, Elliot and Tyr have to check too, but with a +2 bonus. The pit is 20-ft. deep.

Concentration DC 19: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15 Ok, just forget the pit...

@Elliot: Melee weapons in silver take a -1 to damage due to the soft nature of silver. If you can afford it, Mithril or Silversheen will get you that damage back, but they cost much much more.

@Ezren, you are not being threatened in your current position, so you have no need to make a Concentration check to cast. The devil has a reach weapon, but Elliot is providing you with cover, so the devil can't make attacks of opportunity against you.

No one has Kn. Religion? I'd love to know what DR this has.

@Carlyle: the -1 to damage is only for slashing and piercing weapons, so, bludgeoning do normal damage, as you can see here. And I think the cover only give me AC bonus, not prevents AoO. Or prevents?

EDIT: you're right, Carlyle, the cover prevents AoO. Link here. @DM Panic with that been said, can Ezren cast the spell without the concentration check mentioned in the previous post?

A lot to resolve here... we're only on round 1 actions, the devil starts off tound 2. I'd suggest Ezren could have cast mage armor prior to going into the villa, but since we didn't have that action previously, and it's possible he may have not cast it since it looked like he was going into a burning house versus going in to fight devils when there's dozens of people outside.

The devil roars as he sees more oncoming challenges, and appears to continue to taunt you all in his infernal speech. Stepping back to make room for his swings, he focuses his attacks on Elliot, seeming to fear the dwarf's silvered weapon more than any other present.

The devil slices another brutal wound into Elliot, nearly ripping his armor open (19 damage plus 2 bleed = 21 for the round).

Round 2
23 Devil (-13) : Slashes Elliot for 19+2 bleed = 21 total
21 Ezren : Casts create pit (position pending)
18 Elliot (bleed) :
17 Carlyle :
15 Adeah : Fires musket at devil, hitting for 6
13 Old Iron :
9 Pierre :

Now Up: Everyone!

@Ezren: No concentration check is required, but please place a 10x10 box on the map where you'd like your create pit to land.

I marked the area of the pit on the map. The save is Ref DC 16, unfortunately, Tyr have to check too, but with a +2 bonus. The pit is 20-ft. deep².

@Carlyle: the -1 to damage is only for slashing and piercing weapons, so, bludgeoning do normal damage, as you can see here.

I am aware, but we are talking about a dwarven waraxe which is slashing, so that is why he has the penalty.

Carlyle shrugs as he sees his dagger sink into the demon, but do next to nothing, however he is keen enough to notice that the devil hates Elliot's silvered weapon. In response, Carlyle quickly draws his pair of mithril daggers as he waits to see if the creature falls into Ezren's pit.

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 2 = 21

Old Iron grumbles as he sees the pit begin to form.

"Goddamn, Ezren. Let an old lizard have some fun, why dontcha. Save the big stuff for when we need it."

Gonna wait to decide Old Iron's action until we see what happens to the devil

@Elliot: Melee weapons in silver take a -1 to damage due to the soft nature of silver. If you can afford it, Mithril or Silversheen will get you that damage back, but they cost much much more.

Ah, thanks! That was the missing part!

Injured but angry Elliot swings his waraxe again. +1 for bless
Attack 1: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 10 + 1 = 29 Damage: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Attack 2: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 1 = 22 Damage: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Devil Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

The devil leaps defly forward upon the emergence of the pit. It seems to almost cackle with glee and satisfaction at its appearance.

Adeah breathes a sigh of relief as she maintains line of sight and her shot is able to connect with the monster.

@Elliot: You sure you want to 5ft step there? You'd need to make a Reflex save or possibly fall into the pit. I added a blue box showing where creatures will need to make Reflex saves at +2 to avoid falling in.

Round 2
23 Devil (-13) : Slashes Elliot for 19+2 bleed = 21 total
21 Ezren : Casts create pit
18 Elliot (bleed) : Connects for 20
17 Carlyle :
15 Adeah : Fires musket at devil, hitting for 6
13 Old Iron :
9 Pierre :

Still Up: Elliot (final location pending), Carlyle, Old Iron, Pierre

Pierre drops his wand and goes after Elliot, laying a healing hand on his bleeding wounds.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8

Just wanted to stop the bleed effect.