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

Game Master terok

Her eyes search constantly for any unwelcome surprises.

Sorry forn the delay folks, my PC is still sitting on my floor with the case open. This looks like a job I need to take to someone else since it might be Hard Drive or Motherboard related. I built this PC from scratch but the days of me troubleshooting it are long gone.
I was hoping to drop it off Monday but didn't get to it. This has been making my motivation to post low without a map.
In any case I will get a post up by tomorrow, even if I have to do a spreadsheet map for now.

Computer is in the shop and should be fixed by this weekend. Dead OS drive. As long as I get it back by COB Friday I will get a post up this weekend and get things rolling again.
Sorry again for the delay, please stay tuned.

No worries. Ready whenever you are. :)

Absolutely. Whatever works for you; I'll be here. :)

The computer lives! Now just have to get maptools back on there along with some other stuff and get the map up. On track to get a larger post up this weekend and get the AP rolling again.

Bah, no sense of duty calling you on Nim? Where there's Undead, there's trouble. No sense letting those following behind us stumble into it, eh. Anyway, those corpses probably had jink in life.

Hammer hefted, Kragnir happily plodded into the cave.

Not particularly no, Nim shrugs but accompanies Kragnir anyway.

OK after too long of a delay let's get this party started.

The small clearing you are gathered in smells of death. Not only from the dead bodies you are standing in the middle of but also from the entrance of the mound. There was once two small stone doors blocking the entrance to the mound, they appear to have been torn from their hinges and tossed to the side. The statues to either side, they depict what appears to be a figure, not any god you recognize, probably an individual. Your first guess is that this must be a tomb to someone important.

The passageway is 5’ wide and 10’ tall of packed dirt with wooden supports. Packed steps go down into the darkness. You follow it at a soft angle down until you see a dim light ahead and can hear something making feral noises.

You come down to a large opening. This rather large room is about 35’ wide by 55’ long. A small pool of fetid water is to the north. A stone wall lies directly ahead of you that you can barely make out with your dim light and another dim light source. Carved into the wall are the deeds and life of some tribal hero. He appears to be a fighting totem in many pictures. The other dim light is coming through the partially open double doors in the wall directly ahead of you…the feral noises are also coming from beyond that room. As you look to each other and step into the room to spread out a little the double doors swing open. Behind them is another chamber that is better lit.

You see a series of open chests and caskets behind a number of figures. You see 4 ghouls that swung open the doors as well as a massive creature who also appears dead and another tribal looking figure, though there appears to be at least 6 of him fluttering around. He is wearing a large totem mask that appears to match the one that appears on the stone carved walls. Just behind the man is some sort of small obelisk made of obsidian sitting in the center of this chamber. There are symbols on it that you can barely make out.

Order of Combat Surprise Round:
Ghouls 22
Balani 16
Jawn 13
Nim 10
Kragnir 10
Large Creature 6
Masked Man 4
Mihai 2

Round 1 Tomb Encounter

The Ghouls surge forward catching you all a little by surprise by their quickness!

bite atk G1 on Kragnir 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 2 = 10 dam 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 Miss
bite atk G3 on Kragnir 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 2 = 23 dam 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 Hit Save DC 13 or paralyzed
bite atk G2 on Nim 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 2 = 11 dam 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 Miss
bite atk G4 on Nim 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 2 = 16 dam 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 Miss

Most of the party is up.
Map after their action

Round 1 Init 21 & below

Obelisk 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Large creature 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Jawn calmly assesses the situation.

"The obelisk, their adherents of Nerull, a god of death."

"Watch out for the troll. It is undead as well, a zombie."

"Godspeed, my new friends."

Jawn will cast Haste on himself and all of his allies.

His spell having been completed, he squints at the troll and its jerky movements. "The troll's been enhanced, sped up and empowered."

knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

You really seem to have trouble remembering Wic is part of the group. :)

With Wic added to the group and up front and center with Nim, he should have gotten some AoO in when the ghouls moved up. Use however many you think he would have gotten.

Wic reacts quickly as the ghouls rush the group, clawing at them as they attempt to get close...
AoO claw #1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
damage: 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
AoO claw #2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
damage: 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
AoO claw #3: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
damage: 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
AoO claw #4: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
damage: 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Round S init 10

Balani and Jawn target the masked man. The rest of us will deal with the ghouls and troll.

Now enhanced with supernatural speed Wic continues to swing and bite at the ghouls...
attack claw #1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
damage: 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
attack claw #2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
damage: 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
attack claw #3: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
damage: 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
attack bite: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
damage: 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Nim joins in with his scimitar, a blur of slashes...
attack w/scimitar (two-handed) +haste: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 1 = 15
damage: 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
attack w/scimitar (two-handed) +haste: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 1 = 14
damage: 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Status and Effects:
Nim
AC: 21 HP: 50 of 50
haste
Wic
AC: 22 HP: 39 of 39
haste

Its been a long break... :}. I will get him added. You will be on either side of him.

I forgot Wic too! I would have omitted Mihai from the haste since I can only affect five at this time. Sorry Mihai!

Fortitude (Success): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Kragnir took a firm step backwards and hefted his hammer into blows of blistering speed combined with incredible strength, the stranger's familiar spell invigorating his efforts.

Power Attack Haste: 1d20 + 13 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 13 + 1 - 2 = 16
Damage: 2d6 + 17 ⇒ (4, 2) + 17 = 23

Power Attack Haste: 1d20 + 13 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 13 + 1 - 2 = 29
Damage: 2d6 + 17 ⇒ (1, 3) + 17 = 21

Balani decides to wait to get a clear shot at the mysterious man while her companions take care of the ghouls but as she feels her movements become quicker she rushes around the melee while drawing her bow and fires on the figure within.
Delay until after Jawn, MA to I12. Do I get that 60' hastened or is it a total of 30' extra so only an extra 15' on one MA? if I can't move that far will just delay until after Kragnir and shoot what is left.

arrow: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 10 + 1 = 301d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Revised Map: Revised Round 1 Map to include Wic

There is no chance Balani will be able to shoot through Wic so will definitely be moving so will just delay until after Jawn not Kragnir no matter whether it is a 45' or 60' move.

Given my updated location, that is 4 AoO triggered. As per my rolls above, how many hit? :)

Also, I prefer this avatar, as it is more dignified. The one you used for the map makes me look like a wild beast. :D

As the Ghouls move in Wic successfully strikes at two of them. Injuring them severely, but not finishing them.

Balani, Haste gives you another 30 feet of movement on a move action.

Jawn casts a powerful Haste spell giving the party the speed of a lion.

Balani then moves to I11 to avoid any attacks from the Ghouls and fires a shots into the cluster of masked men.

1d6 ⇒ 3 1 is him. It hits an image and there is only 5 of him.

Nim attacks and hits once, badly damaging the one in front of him.
Wic then follows up his attacks and kills the two in front of him, following up with a bite on the one facing Nim, killing it. Kragnir then follows up with an overhead chop, breaking the Ghouls skull and backbone destroying it. All of the Ghouls are at rest again.

The masked man utters a few words in Mwangi

The Large creature moves forward 15 to H/I, 8/9 and attacks Balani once.
bite atk 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27 dam 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15 Hit Balani takes 15 damage

He then casts. When completed a huge pit opens up beneath you, threatening to swallow you up.

Create pit DC 17 centered on H/I, 14/15. Kragnir, Nim, WIc make a reflex save or you are in the pit. Fail and you fall in taking 2d6 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11 damage and are prone unless you make a DC 15 acro check.

Mihai to finish the round.

Holding his position Mihai sees a quick resolution to the conflict as the best path forward, and extends the will of Sinishakti unto ____ to that effect.

Bit o' Luck on whoever makes a successful reflex and stays out of the pit. Priority of target is Kragnir -> Wic -> Nim.

Wic reflex save +haste: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 1 = 17

Nim reflex save +haste: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 2 + 1 = 17

Edit: Thank you Jawn for haste! :)

Looking at things again, I have to ask why the saves for Nim and Kragnir? Is it larger than the standard version 10'x10'? (Yet still only 20' deep?) Normally, those in the surrounding squares only have to save if they end their turn adjacent to the pit, not when it is initially cast.

So do I need to save or not?

I was thinking it was a 10' radius pit NOT a 10x10. Nim and Kragnir do NOT need to make a save at this point.
The pit will be adjusted to H/I, 13/14, meaning the pit moves 5' to the west on the map.
Will get up a revised map tonight.

Wic successfully holds on to the edge, avoiding the 30' pit.

Confirm Bit o' Luck on Kragnir.

Balani, not wanting to take another hit from the massive troll, attempts out of the way of its long arms and dives out of its way, coming up to fire at it. She trusts in her excellent reflexes to keep her from falling into the pit.
Acrobatics to avoid AOO while moving to J12 unless you think I could 5' step across the corner of the pit :P reflex save to keep from falling in at the end of my turn. If this is a monstrous humanoid I get bonuses for favored enemy to attacks.

acrobatics: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27

reflex: 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 11 + 1 + 2 = 19

attack: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 10 + 1 = 181d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 +2 to both if monstrous humanoid

Order of Combat "Tomb Raiders" Round 2:

Jawn 13a
Balani 13b
Nim 10
Kragnir 10
Large Creature 6
Masked Man 4
Mihai 2

I included Balani's move in the map even though Jawn does first.

Round 2 Map

With the huge, seemingly dead troll in the way the masked man stands confidently behind his wall of undeath.

Balani steps back and fires an arrow hitting the troll, though it doesn't seem to really affect it.

Kragnir let out a beastly roar as he leveled his spiked helmet and rammed the troll, seeking to break the bottleneck with brute strength.

Bull Rush (Haste, Desperate Battler, Hard-Headed, Relentless, Sledgehammer, Improved Bull Rush, Charge, Bit of Luck): 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 10 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 34

Bull Rush (Haste, Desperate Battler, Hard-Headed, Relentless, Sledgehammer, Improved Bull Rush, Charge, Bit of Luck): 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 10 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 28

With the spike of his helmet embedded into the giant's dead thigh on impact, the Dwarf's impact had all the subtlety of a battering ram, combined with a sickening crunch akin to a bull taming gone horribly, horribly wrong. The doorway was now clear.

With a 34 humbly assuming at least basic success. Troll pushed an additional 5 feet west for every 5 points by which he exceeded the CMD.

Bull rush via H10, provoking AOO from movement if the Troll has reach but provoking no AOO for the maneuver itself. AC for the AOO is 22.

Round 2

As Kragnir prepares to rush the troll, Jawn tries to weaken it with one of his most powerful spells.

Fireball, centered on the troll (H/I 8/9). That should fall just short of Balani and catch the enemy caster. Damage 5d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 6, 5, 2) = 23

H5, I5, F6-K6, F7-K7, F8-K8, F9-K9, F10-K10, F11-K11, H12, I12.

Reflex DC 18 save for half damage.

I am not familiar with all of the abilities you have, can you charge with Balani in the way? I know there is a feat that allows this and one of your abilities might allow this, just confirming.
Either way you would succeed but may make a difference for distance pushed.

Round 2 init 10

Wic moves in behind Kragnir and rakes at the undead's flesh, trying to peel it away from the bone...
attack claw: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
damage: 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
reflex (if required): 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 1 + 2 = 18

Nim steps away from the pit (5' step to F,15) and begins casting a spell. (FuA converting Feather Step Mass to cast Summon Nature's Ally III)

Status and Effects:
Nim
AC: 21 HP: 50 of 50
haste
Wic
AC: 22 HP: 39 of 39
haste

Can't charge through Balani but Hasted, have enough movement to move and bull rush if necessary. Total of 32, AC24 against the AOO if provoked from movement.

The fireball goes off with a big WHOOSH! sucking the air out of the room for a moment. You can all feel the heat from here. As quickly as it appears it winks out of existence.

Masked man Reflex Save 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13 Fail
Undead Troll Reflex Save 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 Fail

Smouldering enemies are left in its wake.

Balani fires another arrow hitting its mark but seemingly doing little. Kragnir charges in, trying to push the Massive undead back. It's bashes at him as he moves in...their is a loud bang as it connects with his steel helmet but Kragnir ignores it and continues to push forward.

Slam atk 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26 dam 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13 Hit

He is only able to push the troll back 5 feet though. Wic moves up behind Kragnir and takes a heavy swing, missing the "Troll".

It then looks down at Kragnir and attempts to lay him low...
Bite atk 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21 dam 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10 Hit
Claw atk 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20 dam 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10 Hit
Claw atk 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30 dam 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12 Hit

It rakes, claws, and bites the sturdy dwarf, leaving him bloodied, but still barely standing.
45 damage total. 6 from previous ghoul hit, 3 points left! Too bad the masked man has no offensive spells :]

The masked man chants something and is done.

Mihai is up. Its pretty obvious that Kragnir was savaged this round and is barely standing.

Hope you haven't applied the damage dealt by AOO as a penalty to the CMB roll, because it wasn't incurred during the bull rush (i'm just surprised a 32 doesn't beat CMD by 5).

Kragnir only gets hit by the second claw due to Defensive Training (+4 to AC VS Giants) as his AC is 24 VS this enemy while Hasted.

Thus, total damage taken is in fact 31.

Spellcraft 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26

Jawn points at the back of the chamber. "The masked man cast a spell of accuracy. Beware his next strike!" True Strike.

Balani looks for an opening to fire another, hopefully more effectual, shot.
Not sure what, if anything is presenting a target

Hope you haven't applied the damage dealt by AOO as a penalty to the CMB roll, because it wasn't incurred during the bull rush (i'm just surprised a 32 doesn't beat CMD by 5).

Kragnir only gets hit by the second claw due to Defensive Training (+4 to AC VS Giants) as his AC is 24 VS this enemy while Hasted.

Thus, total damage taken is in fact 31.

Sounds good, 31 total damage then. Creatures current CMD is a 29. He has several buffing spells on him to fight you guys. Since the guy behind the troll is such a worthless weakling I figured you could at least have fun with a buffed up undead horror. Balani, I will post an updated round 3 map after Mihai goes if you want to hold off for a few hours for a better tactical view.

Thanks

Regardless of positioning, the troll (and/or Wic, Kragnir etc) does not block your shot entirely, it just provides cover to the masked man. Besides, I think Kragnir pushed the troll back that we might move past and into the room. ;)

Balani and Jawn, ready your attacks to disrupt the masked man if you can.

Posting actions now as I will be away from computer for the rest of the day.

Keep in mind that there are a bunch of him floating around..."You see 4 ghouls that swung open the doors as well as a massive creature who also appears dead and another tribal looking figure, though there appears to be at least 6 of him fluttering around."

I eliminated one of them at the start.

Apologies, can't see the map so I don't know how legal this is...

Mihai skirts the edge of the pit to bring himself closer to Kragnir. Though the mighty dwarf reels with the beast's blows... he remains their best hope in seeing it swiftly ended. He therefore extends the grace of the Walker unto him once again...

Move 30ft closer, then Bit o' Luck on Kragnir again

Don't believe you can reach Kragnir, but you could reach me. ;)

Kragnir's more than a 60ft move from Mihai?
Mihai gets a 30ft range on his Bit o' Luck from Caravan Bond.

Oh right. Then you are fine. Carry on as you were. :P

I do think I have the higher damage potential this round though. My 4 (slashing damage) attacks against Kragnir's 1 (bludgeoning) attack. ;)

Order of Combat "Tomb Raiders" Round 3:

Jawn 13a
Balani 13b
Nim 10
Kragnir 10
Large Creature 6
Masked Man 4
Mihai 2

Round 3 Map

Oh right. Then you are fine. Carry on as you were. :P

I do think I have the higher damage potential this round though. My 4 (slashing damage) attacks against Kragnir's 1 (bludgeoning) attack. ;)

I have two attacks while hasted, you overgrown chimp with an excessively high flat-footed AC!

Stepping to the side G9 to give himself room to swing, Kragnir aimed right for the undead's head and caved it in with a brutal swing- the heavy head of his hammer crushing bone and flesh as though crafted and blessed by Torag himself.

Attack 1 (Power Attack, Haste, Critical Threat): 1d20 + 13 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 13 + 1 - 2 = 32
Attack 1 (Power Attack, Haste, Critical Confirmed): 1d20 + 13 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 13 + 1 - 2 = 32

Attack 1 (Bit of Luck Re-Roll): 1d20 + 13 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 13 + 1 - 2 = 13
Attack 1 (Bit of Luck Re-Roll, Critical Confirm): 1d20 + 13 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 13 + 1 - 2 = 20

Damage for Critical Hit: 6d6 + 51 ⇒ (6, 4, 4, 1, 4, 1) + 51 = 71

Attack 2 (Power Attack, Haste: 1d20 + 13 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 13 + 1 - 2 = 14

Attack 2 (Bit of Luck Re-Roll): 1d20 + 13 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 13 + 1 - 2 = 19

Damage for Attack 2 (If 19 hits): 2d6 + 17 ⇒ (4, 2) + 17 = 23

Damage of 71, with an extra 23 if it has AC19 or lower.

After Kragnir prompted me to examine my stats, there are a few corrections I need to make you aware of.

Status and Effects:
Wic
AC: 24 HP: 47 of 47
haste