Dragon's Demand (Inactive)

Game Master R D

Remember you are -4 cover (Ethandril) and -4 shooting into combat so you got a 9 effective

Agnes will move left two squares.

Then she will attempt an acid jet: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17 touch attack and if it his she will deal 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 points of acid damage.

DC 12 fort save to avoid being sickened for 1d4 ⇒ 4 rounds.

I forgot to roll paralysis duration for Harlis: Duration: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
____________________________________________________________

Undead are immune to fort save effects. Though the ghoul takes 4 HP of acid damage.
____________________________________________________________

It first turns its attention to the paladin:

Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21, Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Ethendril Fort vs Paralysis: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Ethendril Fort vs Ghoul Fever: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
The paladin takes 2 HP of damage and is paralyzed! Duration: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
____________________________________________________________

The ghoul takes a 5-foot-step and continues its full attack against Agnes:
Claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23, Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Agnes Fort vs Paralysis: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
The arcanist takes 4 HP of damage and is also paralyzed. Duration: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15, Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Then she takes three more HP of damage. (Seven HP damage total on Agnes.)
____________________________________________________________

The unparalyzed party members are up!

Remember you are -4 cover (Ethandril) and -4 shooting into combat so you got a 9 effective

Good point. I'll need to reposition myself next time. I wasn't looking closely at the map.

Hotspur, unable to reload and move, stands her ground and fires again over Ethendril's left ear...
Single barrel touch attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 4 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 1 - 4 - 4 = 16
Damage: 1d12 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Ethendril stands motionless after the creature bites his shoulder.

Ouch! Two of us paralyzed! This could go south in a hurry! However, I want to make sure I understand Hotspur's last round. She already DID subtract -4 for shooting into melee and rolled a 16 and 17 after that modifier. Second, correct me if I'm wrong, but only creatures larger than 5' give a cover bonus for shooting past them, and Ethendril isn't large. I thought that the -4 shooting around your allies already takes into account the adjustment to your aim from shooting around your own allies, and that you didn't have to apply yet another -4. BUT, even if you did have another -4, that would be a 12 and a 13 touch AC. Anyway, just trying to make sure there wasn't an error or that I understand the rules correctly. Thx!

Ethendril stands motionless after the creature bites his shoulder.

Ouch! Two of us paralyzed! This could go south in a hurry! However, I want to make sure I understand Hotspur's last round. She already DID subtract -4 for shooting into melee and rolled a 16 and 17 after that modifier. Second, correct me if I'm wrong, but only creatures larger than 5' give a cover bonus for shooting past them, and Ethendril isn't large. I thought that the -4 shooting around your allies already takes into account the adjustment to your aim from shooting around your own allies, and that you didn't have to apply yet another -4. BUT, even if you did have another -4, that would be a 12 and a 13 touch AC. Anyway, just trying to make sure there wasn't an error or that I understand the rules correctly. Thx!

The -4 I had in the original was for firing both barrels at once, so the other modifiers were not covered. I did leave out my +1 for point-blank, though. This time, though, I only fired one barrel, so it should be better.

Second, correct me if I'm wrong, but only creatures larger than 5' give a cover bonus for shooting past them, and Ethendril isn't large. I thought that the -4 shooting around your allies already takes into account the adjustment to your aim from shooting around your own allies, and that you didn't have to apply yet another -4. BUT, even if you did have another -4, that would be a 12 and a 13 touch AC.

Cover: Even low obstacles (such as a wall no higher than half your height) provide cover. (Not to mention fun cases like partial cover, which grant a +2 bonus to AC.)

BLAM! Hotspur's most recent shot pushes the ghoul's brain into the wall. It feels smarter for a moment. "Oh! I understand everything!" Then it perishes.

Combat over.

But your own party members are only partial cover for the enemy, or full cover?

Generally full cover when shooting past anyone. But directly behind a paralysed person lets you treat them like a wall and ignore them. Improved Precise Shot is a popular feat. An exception is where if more than half the creature is visible the GM can downgrade it to Partial Cover, making a Halfling or such a nice tank for ranged people.

After a seeming eternity Harlis gasps and heaves a heavy breath. Turning to Hotspur and giving a small bow. "Thank you Hotspur, that foul creature was nearly the end of our small band. A foe most dire and a bane upon any place near. The town would likely have felt this creatures unkind claws if it escaped."

Harlis holds up his holy symbol and offers prayers to Iomedae calling upon her healing succor.
Two channels: 2d3 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3

Seeing Agnes' poor state and other wounds he calls out once more before sayin "I can call upon such power only a single more time today. Do we retreat or continue? Cleansing this place of evil is a worthy goal but if we fall then we fail.
Channel: 1d3 ⇒ 1

Ethendril likewise comes to himself after a few moments.

"Iomedae tested us, to see if we could trust our companions. I am glad to say, without doubt, that we can!" the paladin says as he claps Hotspur on the shoulder.

"I could see what was happening...I just could not move. A dangerous situation to be in!"

He thanks Harlis for his healing.

"This is curious. This looks like a tunnel into this area, perhaps recently excavated. Maybe this is what caused the instability to the tower above. Let us search this area, but I would guess our path leads into these tunnels."

perception take 20: 20 + 6 = 26 Wanting to open the bars, if possible, and get to the chests. Wayreth, you want to try to open them, assuming there's a door?

Hotspur reloads her weapon and bows to Harlis and Ethendril. "It is the least I can do for you front-liners! But it is getting very dicey for us in here. If we proceeed, we will need to do so with extreme caution."

"I do not recall us being given a time limit for our investigation. If we need rest, we should take it. Besides, we might need some time to see about these bars and chests in this room."

Wayreth takes a look around the bars and chests, searching for traps and a way to get past the bars.

If we're resting here, I assume I can take 20? I have no spells to preapre, after all.

perception: 20 + 6 = 26

After the three healing waves Harlis turns to watch the tunnel from it's entrance in case more creatures are coming to investigate, while the cage of bars takes the others attention.

"If we are staying for the moment, we should be on alert. Hotspur's weapon is excellent at smiting down enemies, but is also quite loud." He says over the ringing in his ears from the aftermath of the discharges just prior.

You find two slots in the floor, one just east of the treasury cage and one just west. Each of these slots fits one of the daggers found in area A4.

Did we find any daggers there? I thought all we found was a key inside the iron maiden.

As you pointed out, there's no time limit. Since you already went back for the crest, I'm hand waving that you go back and take 20 in all previous rooms. Doing so, you eventually figure out that these two mithril daggers fit the slots perfectly.

Wayreth searches the slots and bars thoroughly for traps whilst the others rest.

perception take 20: 20 + 6 = 26

If he finds no traps, he fits the daggers into the slots.

Ethendril watches the scene unfold.

"If we can get inside these bars, it might not be the worst place to rest," he muses.

"Well, there is also a town just above us too which I am sure has a serviceable inn." Harlis notes as he continues to watch the exit more than the progress into the cage.

Inserting the daggers looks like the best way to bypass any potential problems.

Ethendril assists in inserting the daggers, then enters the barred room carefully should the way be open.

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

The bars open!

Wayreth searches the chests for traps as well, and if there are none he searches for a way top open them.

Taking 20 for 26.

Ethendril helps to look the chests over carefully before they open them.

perception assist: 20 + 6 = 26

Agnes will creep up behind the other guys and help check things over.
Perception Assist: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Harlis continues to guard the room while most others are diverted with the barred area. "Agnes, do you perhaps have a cantrip of detecting magic prepared? That might be of aid here." He asks looking over his shoulder before resuming the light upon his blade and returning to guard.

Once the treasury cage is opened, each of the seven chests within can be looted once its lock is picked. The chests contain the following treasure: 18,500 cp, 4,000 sp, 115 gp, 14 pp, and a teak case containing 30 gems. The gems and case are worth a grand total of 800 gp.

"Goodness!" says Hotspur when she sees the treasure. "But where did this money come from?"

I'm so used to everyone else detecting magic, I completely forget to use it.

Ethendril shrugs.

"Perhaps the place the wizard kept his treasure trove, with the bars to protect it. Do we need to rest, or should we explore the tunnels?"

How is everyone doing on resources here? I'm good to keep going, but want to make sure the casters are good.

On the other side of the room (the area from which the ghoul came): A pair of low barricades made of timbers and rocks partially block the passageway, which opens into a larger cave beyond...

I'm not suggesting that you continue forward. But, if you're staying here, I wanted you to know what else was in the immediate vicinity.

We had talked about resting, but now it seems we don't have anyone short on resources, right?

Ethendril looks down the passageway partially blocked by barricades.

"I suggest we continue forward," he says as he lights a torch.

Harlis nods and tightens his belt readying to follow. "If there is not a lawful owner or heirs remaining for that treasury mayhap we can purchase what I heard was always the first main purchase of a Pathfinder. A wand containing power of the prayer of curing light wounds."
Forming up to follow Ethendril directly he lightly says. "As I mentioned I only have enough holy power for one more call upon Iomedae's might. But I can also call upon a small prayer of protection that I shall use if it looks like battle approaches."

Note to GM: I have Adaptable Luck 3/day. Generally when I have to make a save I will use that bonus.

I'm good to keep going, but I was also under the impression that we would be resting whilst Wayreth poked around the bars and chests.

I'm also good with either choice.

I'm good to keep going, but I was also under the impression that we would be resting whilst Wayreth poked around the bars and chests.

That won't take 8 hours.

Plus, we already poked around the bars and chests...let's move on. :)

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 14

Before you trip it, Wayreth notices a trap. The barricades are set such that attempting to get past them will trigger broken-off stalactites to swing down like pendulums.

"Good catch," Ethendril tells Wayreth. "Can you safely disarm it?"

"Is the trap made for keeping someone from going out of here or more aimed at someone trying to get into here?" Harlis muses aloud before uttering a prayer for Iomedae's guidance to aid Wayreth's in his endeavours.

Guidance cantrip on Wayreth's for +1 skill or save of his choice. Also remember Harlis' lighted blade is double normal radius so if we enter a big area we can see a total of 80'

"Let's see..."

Wayreth attempts to disarm the trap.

disable device: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

"Whoever built this place wasn't very hospitable."

Wayreth attempts to disable the device. He fiddles, and fiddles, and fiddles some more. Then, there's an ominous CLICK! One of the stalactites lowers suddenly, but is caught up in the contraption's system of wires.

Wayreth was successful in disabling the trap. But he is unable to reset it. He knows that it's probably best to go quickly, if you're going to go at all.

The 27 was successful, but not by much!

The party moves into area A14: This large cave appears to have been recently scratched from the hard-packed earth, and its ceiling is only five feet high. (Some of you will be doubled over.) Several tons of debris fill the western portion of the cave. What appears to be the body of a man lies half buried under the rubble near the north end of the cave.

Knowledge Engineering to know more about the debris.

Here is some of the artwork that comes with the module--depicting the half-buried man.

Knowledge local to know more about the buried man.

"I am sure that the excavations caused the tower's collapse," Ethendril says. "And that the excavations were completed by smaller creatures."

The paladin moves forward doubled over.

"Let us investigate that body..."

knowledge engineering untrained: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (20) - 1 = 19

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Ethendril, try as he might, can't seem to make heads or tails of the debris or the half-buried man.

What a waste of a 20! XD I'll move up and investigate the corpse, taking 20.

That's true, it was a natural 20. Sure, why not? This debris was not the result of natural causes.