DM Stephens Serpents Skull Campaign - Chapter 2: Racing to Ruin (Inactive)

Game Master terok

Waiting to see if there is a little more RP between the new groups before continuing...

"It is noble of you to be willing to bait the creature. But we should be ready to pursue it, or try to cut it off from retreat. If it is clever as they say, it may sense a trap. I would hate for it to abscond with a child while our attention is focused on our effort to ensnare it."

Is there any sort of center long house or similar gathering place? Perhaps we could convince the villagers to spend a night together in one spot that is more easily defensible.

Balani approaches the other group of strangers as she hears them planning for the night. We, she nods her head to include Kragnir, have promised our aid to the village. Might we make our plans together to better our advantage?

This is what the village looks like. Mihai is sitting in front of the fire. The thing in the middle is a well.
The buildings are made of wood and thatch. The largest hut is the chief's.
You find out he was killed the second night trying to defend the village...

Cursed Village

The fearsome looking Dwarf winked at the newcomers as he tilted his head towards Mihai, sat with his flute. With a conspiratorial whisper and a gleeful grin, he asked-

What did that one do to offend you then, eh? By the sounds of it, hes going to have a rough time as bait...

Do any of you have particular knowledge of this type of beast? She asks of the group. Balani wishes to know as much about her quarry as possible.

Mihai nods to Tragershen's words "Fairly thought and fairly said... my role is hopefully merely to draw the beast into clear view so that you may do just that."

Let me know where you would like to be positioned, you can also be in a hut if you wish. The villagers are very accomodating.

Any coordination of plans? Or just attack if they come in the village.

Any coordination of plans? Or just attack if they come in the village.

I don't like this word "they" ;)

If these animals are afraid of fire they might avoid the bait altogether.Balani cautions.

She offers to be positioned in the jungle on the outskirts of the village, wherever the party sees fit. I can remain unseen

Balani, i'll just stand in a doorway looking out on the bait. Can't hide worth a damn, even if I wasn't strapped in. Watch yerself.

She smiles slightly and nods once in agreement.

Nim offers to go on overwatch in avian form... with flight and low light vision at least, but preferably with darkvison if such an animal exists.

Feel free to tell me the coordinates on the map, or I will just put you were I think you want to be.

Mihai settles in near to but not adjacent to the fire and slowly takes out his flute. With eyes closed he smooths his hands over the top of it and spends a minute or more at rest... before taking it to his lips. With eyes still closed to the outside world, he begins a slow, low and mournful song... a funereal march from his Varisi homeland.

Take 10 perform is 21, so it should sound pretty decent ;)

Nim will patrol... flying circles around the camp perimeter... landing every so often in a tree.

I will screech a warning when I spot it. I will try and indicate direction of approach if I can...

Tragershen is looking at I13 as a possible point, depending on where the tent opening is. He wants to be within 30' or so of Mihai and at the entrance of a tent.

Tragershen will tell the others, including the dwarven champion and the clever Mwangi, "I have an arcane spell that can create a pit suddenly in the ground. It only lasts a short time, less than a minute, but if I can get the creature in the pit, it would allow us time to gather from our hiding spots and surround it. We may want a back up plan in case in eludes the pit, but it might be a good way to ensnare it."

Specifically to Balani and Kragnir, he add "Also, I have a few spells that may help in combat. They don't last long either, so I must wait until the creature is here before I engage them. I will call out to you if I am about to cast one upon you, so you know the source and need not fight the effect, if that is agreeable."

Balani nods her agreement and understanding to the others then melts into the trees with Whisper at her heels.looks kinda like L18 I think. Whisper can be any adjacent square that's in cover.

Nim instructs Wic to defend Mihai, transforms into a horned owl, and takes to the night sky...

Wic lays at Mihai feet, one ear to the music and one on alert for danger.

Which way is the wind, if any, blowing? Nim will concentrate his patrols primarily downwind from Mihai and Wic, but with occasional flyovers in all directions. Do the discovered tracks indicate a prefered route of approach?

Wind is coming from... 1d8 ⇒ 5 the south. The map pointing up is north so the wind is coming from the direction of the main part of the jungle. The tracks come into and out of the village from the west, south, and east. It seems the beast doesn't like to use the same way in or out.

The villagers continue in their happy activities, seemingly oblivious to the night terror that stalks them. You get the sense that they are a carefree folk, living with what the jungle brings them...good or bad. They treat you well and after some interesting dancing and ritual of blessing to you they settle down for the night.

As evening deepens the normal chirping of creatures and shrieking of animals can be heard from the jungle to the south. It is just after midnight before your hear a bestial roar somewhere in the distance...the jungle goes silent, the only sound to he heard is the soft playing by Mihai, it is an almost haunting tune in the silence, the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.

They must be fairly close...

I will set up the party location on the map according to what you have requested later today and kick off the initial actions.

Mihai rests his foot next to Wic, feeling the weight and heat of the beast as a comfort. His eyes remain closed, and he continues to play.

I will not be far away Mihai.

Corbus will position himself as close to Mihai as possible and still remain out of sight. The hut at I16

Tabletop game ran late last night...didn't get a chance to update. Expect one tonight to kick this off.

Obviously didn't get a chance to work on it last night...will get something up by tomorrow, sorry for the delay. We exhausted last night and crashed early...

The silence continues for minutes, you breath quietly awaiting the beast to appear. When it finally does it is too sudden, too vicious! Bursting from the jungle come two beasts, one attacks Wic, while the other let's out a huge roar, that almost deafens you...

This massive, shaggy beast uses long and muscular forearms to raise itself onto its hind legs and beats its chest like a gorilla. Despite its ape-like stance, its frame is far heavier and its features more primitive, its powerful muzzle and gnashing canines bespeaking terrible, bestial savagery.

And yes if you are wondering they have incredible stealth and no one detected them until that were on top of you.

C1 bite atk on Wic charge1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30 dam 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19 Hit
C1 claw atk on Wic charge1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18 dam 1d6 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13 Hit
C1 claw atk on Wic charge1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16 dam 1d6 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12 Hit he is flat footed
C1 REND claw atk on Wic charge1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17 dam 1d6 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15 Hit he is flat footed

Wic takes 59 points and is dead...Everyone make a willpower save vs. DC 17 or be shaken for 2 rounds.

The Chemosit pounces from the forest, savaging him with his bite then
using it's claws it slashes him twice before latching on and tearing Wic's hind quarter off...the effect leaves you stunned for a moment.

Order of Combat Round 1:
Balani 22
Nim 21
Aedalis 20
Corbrius 19
Anton 18
Kragnir 13
Tragershen 12
Chemosits 11
Mihai 9

Team good to go! Don't forget your saves.

Cursed Village Battle Rnd 1

I must admit, that was much deadlier than I thought...good luck!

Aedalis Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Quite frightened by the beast's display of strength, Aedalis stammered out words of power that seemed feeble to him, as he attempted to protect Mihai by marring the beast's luck.

Misfortune, DC18

Will wait on the others positioning before I post Kragnir's actions.

will save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Balani is stunned by the ferocity, speed and stealth of the creatures but quickly gathers her wits and fires and arrow at the creature standing much too close to her for her liking.

bow attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 121d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

However her shaking hands make the arrow go wide.

Am assuming that horrible roll fails.

They don't have a great AC, and even worse with the charge, but a 13 is still a miss...

Tragershen moves out of the tent, circling to try and catch the one that is closer to escape. With an arcane phrase, he opens a massive pit beneath the creature.

Move to P16 (moving around the south side of the tent) and cast create pit in squares L17, L18, M17 and M18. DC 17 reflex save, 20' deep pit.

Reflex Save 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11 In the pit it goes!

2d6 ⇒ (4, 1) = 5

It let's out a snarl as it disappears into the pit.

No roll for Misfortune save? That 2 should have been for it really, not sure why Tragershen's actions are responded to first when lower in init order :(.

Will: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 4 + 1 = 20

Growling in anticipation of a good fight, Kragnir stepped beside the flute-player and smashed his hammer right into the beast's chest. He spoke to the bait at his side even as he landed a wickedly accurate smash with his hammer.

Nice job as bait. Now, gimme some room if your not the fighting sort, would ya?

Attack (Power Attack): 1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 13 - 2 = 24
Damage: 2d6 + 11 + 6 ⇒ (6, 5) + 11 + 6 = 28

Reasonably good chance Kragnir could also get taken out by one full attack :P.

Willpower save 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 Saved

will save: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 2 = 16

Nim An owl lands on the top of a tent (MA to O/8) and hoots. (SA casts bull's strength)

Nim An owl lands on the top of a tent (MA to O/8) and hoots.

Nice warning ;)

Will Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

A shiver runs down Corbius spine at the ferocity of the beasts roars. Attempting to steel himself his weapon still shakes in his grip betraying him.

Swift action:Enhance Rapier
Standard action:Cast Shocking Grasp
MA:Move to L16

Standard Atack: 1d20 - 2 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (2) - 2 + 9 + 2 = 111d6 + 5 + 5d6 ⇒ (3) + 5 + (4, 2, 2, 2, 4) = 22

Corbius turns and rushes the beast rushing in to the town Great there is two of them

Despite the pounding of his heart and the shaking of his hands. intoning words of power his rapier suddenly bursts with electricity. Unfortunately, his fear overwhelms him and his strike is wide of the beast.

Current Status
HP 37/37
AC 19
Enhanced Rapier till round 11 +2
Shocking Grasp Held
Arcane Pool 3/4

DC 17 will save 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

So shaken for two rounds. That shouldn't affect the action I posted earlier though.

Tragershen, probably goign to move your pit back 5' to the east since it would have caught Corb in your original casting.

Kragnir's heavy blow takes it in the side, shattering a number of ribs.

Willpower Save vs. roar 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17 made it
Anton steps out of the hut and attempts to pepper the beast with arrows after he looks for its weak spot...

Darkwood composite longbow (+1 str) deadly aim rapid 1d20 + 12 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 12 - 4 = 14 damage 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 Hit

Darkwood composite longbow (+1 str) deadly aim rapid 1d20 + 12 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 12 - 4 = 13 damage 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 Hit

The Chemosit in the pit gets up and then climbs the walls of the pit as easily as you climb a soft hill, ending its turn in J/K, 17/18

The beast is then hit once by Anton's shots, his special abilties allowing him to find it's weakest points.

It snarls in rage and charges to Anton as the last person hitting it, attacking him with everything it has. L/M,11/12. Kragnir gets an AOO.

bite atk on anton 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17 Miss
claw atk on anton 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20 dam 1d6 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12 Hit
claw atk on anton 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28 dam 1d6 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12 Hit
rend atk on anton 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31 dam 1d6 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13 Hit

Landing two solid claws...and then savaging him! Anton is standing, but bearly!

Map update later tonight. Mihai to go.

OI! GET BACK 'ERE! Kragnir shouted at the beast, enraged that it would try and go around him. He lashed out with his hammer as it rushed past.

AOO VS Charge AC: 1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 13 - 2 = 16
Damage: 2d6 + 11 + 6 ⇒ (4, 5) + 11 + 6 = 26

I believe you owe Corb an AoO as well. :P

Not after moving the pit back 5' so he didn't get taken into the pit as well....

I am assuming the Chemosit has reach? If so, and before the pit happened, Corb moved in to strike with his sword.

And if they have reach, the other Chemosit probably threatens Anton/Tragershen when they exit the tent. :P

And if initiative is being followed, Kragnir hit the beast last. ;)

Shocked by the ferocity of the attack and sprinkled liberally with the blood of Nim's fallen companion, Mihai drops his flute cold into the dirt. Forcing himself to move he conjures what will he may of the Walker and channels it into Kragnir... girding his loins.

Bulls Strength on Kragnir.

Will wait for new map and Nim's points to be clarified before posting.

Here is the MAP as I have it, based on all available info.

There are a few issues/questions that I feel need addressing/answering:
1. Did Tragershen provoke with his movement? (The Chemosit threatened the entire west side of that tent and I assume the tent opening is in N 14)
2. The pit is fine where Tragershen placed it originally. Corb was not required to make a save this round as he did not end his movement adjacent to the pit.
3. However, if the climbing Chemosit ends its movement where you have it, it would need to make another save as it is adjacent at the end of its movement (whether the pit is moved 5' east or not).
4. Corb should have provoked an AoO from his movement towards the Chemosit before it fell in the pit.
5. Kragnir hit the other Chemosit last (and hurt it the most). Does it still attack Anton? :)
6. Two creatures with scent, and the wind blowing favourably, and neither detected the creatures' approach? Even though the Chemosits were within range and presumably moving at half speed (stealth)?! :P
7. Is the ring of rocks around the well considered difficult terrain? ;)

Balani takes a deep breath and attempts to steady herself for another shot at the monster that just climbed out of the pit.

bow attack: 1d20 + 11 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 11 + 1 - 2 = 201d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

You said their AC wasn't great so hopefully that's a hit.

She manages to nick it a bit and hopes that the shadows of the trees will keep it from noticing where the arrow came from.
Balani
AC 18
HP 41
conditions active: shaken until the end of this round
using point blank shot.

I'm going to be pretty busy tomorrow, so will post now to avoid holding things up.

Round 2 Init 21

The owl glides soundlessly down from its perch to land 10' behind the Chemosit ravaging Anton (MA) and transforms into Nim's familiar dinosaur form. (SA wildshape)

Current status and effects
AC: 14 HP: 50 of 50
wildshape 2nd of 2
bull's strength expires in 5 min

Balani, you should roll a stealth check at -20 to attempt a sniping shot. And are you sure you don't want to sacrifice another animal companion to the fray? :)

Order of Combat Round 2:
Balani 22 *gone
Nim 21 *gone
Aedalis 20
Corbrius 19
Anton 18
Kragnir 13
Tragershen 12
Chemosits 11
Mihai 9

Quick update, Anton's original attack missed as did Kragnir's AOO. Luckily for Kragnir Chemosits prefer Halfling to any other type of creature so it was willing to charge Anton in order to eat him...party up.

Cursed Village Rnd 2

Kragnir moved to where he could best swing his hefty, starmetal two-handed hammer to M10 clambering over the rock circle to avoid AOO and crashed it into the beast's head with a heavy swing!

Attack (Desperate Battler, Bulls Strength, Power Attack): 1d20 + 14 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 14 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 25

Damage: 2d6 + 13 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (1, 4) + 13 + 2 + 6 = 26

Kragnir hammer blow shatters the beasts ear and finally gets the beasts attention as it slowly turns to face him...

They love halfling, but they take offense and that kind of damage...