DM Stephens Serpents Skull Campaign - Chp1:The Smugglers Shiv (Inactive)

Game Master terok

Knowledge Nature 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

Tragershen will cast Mage Armor on himself.

Beware! It has a silk spinner not unlike a spider. It will try to catch you with it and drag you off!

Surprise Round: 15/15 HP, AC 14

Reacting to presence of the crab, Mihai seeks to remove himself to relative safety.

Move action out of the firing line

Corbius looks up at the creature, stunned by it's sudden appearance he can only stare in surprise.

What is that!! He gasps.

May fate conspire to guide your aim friend. Aedalis intoned as he began to focus intently on the web of possibilities that surrounded Anton. He took a single, cautious step back as he did so.

Fortune + Focus on Anton (he gets Fortune next round too), 5 foot step back from the front.

The cliff crabs filament lashes out finding the closest target to it...Corbrius.
Ranged Touch atk 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

The filament attaches on securely and begins to test Corbrius' strength by tugging on him.
You can make a strength or escape artist check to try and wiggle out on your turn. You haven't actually been moved yet.

Nim to act in the surprise round then:

Battle of the Cliff Crab, surprise round 2

Anton 22
Corbrius 19
Mihai 18
Tragershen 14a
Aedalis 14b
Cliff Crab 10
Nim/Wic 6

In the interest of moving things along, and seeing as I am on job site all day, could you please DMNPC Nim's action. He would like to attack the filament if possible. If not he will throw his spear at the cave fisher.

Nim attempts to spear the large cliff crab and steps 5' feet towards Corbrius, who is guarding the back of the group!
shortspear 1d20 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 2 - 1 = 15
Unfortunately, between the distance and the cliff face which hides half of the creature, the spear does not connect and it clatters to the ground about 15' from Nim.

Anton to go.

Round 2, Initiative 22

For the first time since arriving on Smuggler's Shiv, Anton loads one of his precious few bullets into his sling staff. Swinging the heavy missile rapidly around, he lets loose at the cave fisher. For a moment, it seems to him as though two things are happening at once, two realities overlaid on each other: in one he releases too soon and the bullet goes wide, in the other he strikes the monster's carapace. Then the double image resolves, and there is only the one where he hits the cliff crab's hard shell.

Attack with sling staff: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Pre-reroll with Fortune: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
...for 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 damage.

Round 2: 15/15 HP, AC 14

Seeing Corbius snared by the beast, Mihai reaches out to him to share some of Sinashakti's grace...

Apply Bit o' Luck to Corbius through Caravan bond. Roll every d20 twice and take the better result until Mihai's next turn.

Tragershen will use his bonded object casting to cast Magic Missile, striking the creature for 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 damage.

Corbius gasps as the tendril wraps around him. What the... I am not on the menu today.

Planting his feet Corbius attempts to pull free of the creatures grasp.
strength check1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 151d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
But finds himself being pulled towards the creature despite his efforts.

Aedalis to finish out the actions before the Cliff Crab.

Aedalis takes a shot with his loaded crossbow while maintaining his focus on Anton's actions. Unfortunately, his aim is found wanting as the bolt is sent slamming into the rock.

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Anton has Fortune this round and next round.

The cliff crab starts to pull Corbrius towards it...
Improved pull vs. CMD 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
with a mighty jerk, Corbrius is pulled 10' into the air, dangling by the cliff face 30' from the creatures waiting maw.

Nim puts his shield away and steps up to the cliff face.
Anyone want to help me make sure I get up the cliff so I can kill this crab and it doesn't eat Corbrius?
In his normally abrasive manner...

Battle of the Cliff Crab Round 3

Anton 22
Corbrius 19
Mihai 18
Tragershen 14a
Aedalis 14b
Cliff Crab 10
Nim/Wic 6

Anton is up...

I would suggest you put those arms to use and get climbing Nim.

Sorry for the brevity, on my lunch break.

"I would, but I'm a little busy myself." Anton puts another bullet in his sling staff and studies the cave fisher carefully.

Move action to reload.
Move action to Perceive the Enemy.
Perception vs. CMD: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24
Pre-reroll with Fortune: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19
...for -2 to AC vs. Anton for the rest of the combat.

Anton grins. "Aha! A flaw in its armor."

Round 2: 15/15 HP, AC 14, 4/6 Bit o' Luck remaining

Mihai steps forward and continues to focus the grace of his god upon Corbius, hoping that the skeins of fate will twist in his direction.

Walk forward a bit to get closer, then another round of Bit o' Luck

Great. What a heroic end. Eaten by an oversized bug. Corbius continues to struggle against the creatures grasp hoping to escape.

Strength Check w/bit o luck 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 151d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

For a brief moment feels like this may be his lucky day and he might escape but then the fates fail him as he remains caught.

Hmm things are not "looking up" for our intrepid bodyguard. DM Stephen can I attempth to cast color spray at the creature while it is pulling me up?

Yes you can cast color spray, you don't need to make the concentration check for being grappled to cast. You are 30' away from it at the moment.

Tragershen will delay.

Is there another way up other than the cliff face? How difficult is the first 10' of the climb, to get into a better range category?

The Cliff Crab chose wisely, it is a moderate climb and fairly steep - DC 15 Climb - As far as you can see, you might have to backtrack some distance to find an easier way up 100 yards or so and then walk along the top of the cliff until you got back to this area. You can move away from it easy enough to the south as this area is fairly flat, it is getting up the cliff face that is the hard part.

"By the way, there's a climbing kit in my backpack, if anyone wants it. But I need to focus on bringing that cliff crab down."

Maybe a move action through my square to one adjacent, and a move action to pull it out?

Aedalis to go....

Aedalis maintained his focus on Anton's efforts as he reloaded his crossbow.

The cliff crab again tries to reel in Corbrius...
Improved Pull vs. CMD 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10 Fail
Corbrius gets his feet braced against a ledge briefly, but it is enough to stop the creature from pulling him up any further!

Nim to go then...

Battle of the Cliff Crab Round 4

Anton 22
Corbrius 19
Mihai 18
Tragershen 14a (delaying)
Aedalis 14b
Cliff Crab 10
Nim/Wic 6

Round 4:

Mihai continues to channel the grace of Sinashakti into Corbius.

Reapply Bit o' Luck
Not much else Mihai can think of doing unfortunately.

I was waiting for Nim's (and maybe Tragershen's) round 3 actions, but I suppose they won't affect mine.

Round 4, Initiative 22

Anton swings the cup of his loaded sling staff around in a blur, and then releases the bullet. The missile flies true and strikes a solid blow in a spot that the cliff crab's armor doesn't cover. "Yes!" Anton pulls out a third precious bullet and reloads his sling. I had him pulling out his climber's kit, but when I looked to describe it better, I discovered that he has a lighter-weight version for Small people. So never mind.

Attack with sling staff: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 2 = 26 (factoring in Perceive the Enemy for your convenience)
Pre-reroll with Fortune: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 2 = 20
...for 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 damage.

Tragershen will get out his Azlanti scroll case, and then take out the scroll of magic missile.

Maybe this shouldn't be a PM... You delayed in round 3, and Mihai kind of jumped the gun since Nim has taken so long to post. As best I can tell, you could've taken out the scroll of magic missile anywhere from round 3 init 6c to round 4 init 14a. It isn't clear.

Round 4 Action-

Aedalis maintained his focus on Anton's efforts as he sifted through various possible outcomes. He clutched at two of them with his minds eye, sending them Anton's way. He fired his crossbow once more but the results were just as disappointing as before.

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Sorry I am still out of town until Sunday. Please continue to DMNPC Nim until I can resume regular posting. Thanks.

Mihai's action wasn't really going to change at any rate

Nim thinks better of just climbing so he gets out his grappling hook and hurls it up about 10' beside the cliff crab.

Ranged attack
GH vs. AC 51d20 + 2 - 6 ⇒ (9) + 2 - 6 = 5

It just catches on and Nim gets ready to scale the cliff face.
We now have a way up to the beast if anyone is interested?

It's getting a bit confusing so I want to make sure that I'm clear:

Nim's round 3 action just happened. Tragershen either delayed to 14a in round 4, or else he has a round 4 action remaining somewhere south of init 10. Either way, Corbius needs to go next, followed by the cliff crab. Is that right?

I chimmed in with the action after round 4, initiative 22, so I'm guessing it would fall in after that. So round 5, initiative 21 he should be able to cast from the scroll if the fisher isn't dealt with.

Works for me!

Just Corbrius to go...

Corbius continues to squirm like a fish being slowly reeled in. Momentarily finding a spot to brace against Corbius strains to break the filaments embrace.

Strength Check1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 121d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

After several attempts to break free Corbius loses his footing and continues to dangle at the beasts mercy.

DM Stephen can I attempt to attack the filament with my dagger?

Yes, there is nothing stopping you from attacking it. It doesn't have you entangled in any way, you are really just stuck to it.

The creature attempts to pull Corbrius up again.
Improved Pull vs. CMD 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26 Succeed
and Corbrius gets pulled of the ledge and up another 10'. He is 20' from the Cliff Crab.

Nim decides to double move 30' up the cliff face on the rope parallel to Corbrius.

Battle of the Cliff Crab Round 5

Anton 22
Tragershen 21
Corbrius 19
Mihai 18
Aedalis 14b
Cliff Crab 10
Nim/Wic 6

Hey guys hate to bother you but I real do not feel like BEING the midday snack of some oversized crab.

Unable to resist the relentless pull of the creature, Corbius draws his dagger Move action. Grabbing the filament with his free hand he attempts to cut through it, the daggers blade glowing for a moment as it is drawn Enhance Dagger.
Standard Attack on Filament unsure if bit of luck is still in play if not disregard second roll.1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 111d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 191d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Cutting deeply into the filament Corbius hopes it is enough to encourage the creature to release him.

Round 5, Initiative 22

Anton once again experiences the strange sensation of overlapping realities as he swings his sling staff around -- but this time, in one he scores a solid hit, and in the other he strikes directly at the flaw in its armor that he spotted earlier. When they resolve, the reality left is the one where the crab suffers a brutal hit that spatters the unfortunate Corbius with crab viscera.

Attack with sling staff: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 2 = 26 Hit
Pre-reroll with Fortune: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 2 = 28 Crit?
...for 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 damage.
Crit confirmation: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 2 = 20 Confirmed
...for 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 6) + 2 = 11 additional damage.

Sorry all... I am finally back from my extended long weekend out of town. Will post up some stuff later this evening.

Anton's strike is quite impressive...the stone launches at the Cliff Crab and disappears into what you imagine is its mouth....it seems to stagger a bit, almost unsure of why is suddenly seems to be struggling for life.

Corbrius uses the opportuntity to pull his dagger and cut the filament with a lean slash...resulting in him falling 20' to the ground...
2d6 ⇒ (4, 5) = 9

It is still leaning over the cliff alive...although it appears to be hurt...

Tragershen and the rest to go...

Round 5: 15/15 HP, AC 14, 3/6 Bit o' Luck remaining

Mihai moves to where Corbius fell and calls upon his patron for aid.

Convert Bless into CLW: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10 on Corbius

Where is Nim in relation to the crab on the cliff? ie height

You are 30' up the cliff, the Crab is 40' on a ledge that you could climb up to as well. You are also 10' horizontally away from the creature.

|Ok thanks.

Aedalis smiled as he finally felt his contribution to Anton's prowess truly have a profound effect. He maintained the connection and slowly reloaded his crossbow.