Dungeon Master S's "Academy of Secrets" (Inactive)

Game Master Chris Marsh

Thanks for the heads up! Link should be fixed.

Roakar feels the effects of all that drinking, as he misses the shed. Roos tumbles by, BARELY keeping his defenses up. The woman is bleeding out, but it'll take a moment to truly triage her.

Round 1:
Retriever: ATK and ray
Shump: Go
Roos: Move
Hugo: Go
Roakar: Miss
Ignatious: Go

Shump lunges forward and quickly draws his weapon.

"Dammed thing!"

charge, vital strike Power attack +2d6 damage if evil

attack: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (11) + 22 = 33

damage: 1d10 + 15 + 1d10 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 15 + (8) + (2, 2) = 30

Shump moves in courageously, braving the thing's bite AoO: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (9) + 19 = 28, and again the creature strikes only armor. Shump's attack is far more effective, the bright flash of holy damage making it clear what the beast is truly made from. The wound seems to be closing already though!

Round 1:
Retriever: ATK and ray
Shump: Charge!
Roos: Move
Hugo: Go
Roakar: Miss
Ignatious: Go

Flying behind Shump and Roakar, I'll toss a gout of flame it's way to test it's defenses.

Ranged Touch Fire Bolt: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30
Fire Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Ignatious starts with a simple test of magic, but manages to burn the thing a bit. It works, but this thing is really tough.

Round 1:
Retriever: ATK and ray
Shump: Charge!
Roos: Move
Hugo: Go
Roakar: Miss
Ignatious: Fire

Hugo will assess the spider within the bar.

By Abadar! Where did this thing originate? Is this typical for the pre-festival activities? Bless us Keeper of the First Vault."

He step back if needed and will call forth Blessings of Fervor for the team (I don't think I can reach Roos if his position is correct on the map).

Make sure to select your blessing each round...or assume the +2 on hits and saves. Hugo takes the +2

Hugo gives the party a boost just as the spider goes after Roakar, first with it's eye, then it's fangs and claws.

I'll post it all for now, with Come and Get Me handled by Roakar itself.

EYE OF FIRE: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 22 for FIRE DMG: 12d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 1, 4, 3, 6, 4, 3, 5, 2, 5, 4) = 47 (REF DC 19 for half.)

The retriever starts with a bite Bite: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (20) + 19 = 39 Confirm: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (17) + 19 = 36 for DMG: 2d8 + 12 ⇒ (8, 2) + 12 = 22 and tries to grapple GRAB: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (14) + 27 = 41

Claw 1: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (16) + 19 = 35 for 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 5) + 6 = 12
Claw 2: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (17) + 19 = 36 for 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 3) + 6 = 12
Claw 3: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (15) + 19 = 34 for 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 4) + 6 = 11
Claw 4: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (15) + 19 = 34 for 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (5, 2) + 6 = 13

Round 2:
Retriever: ATK and ray
Shump: Go
Roos: Go
Hugo: Go
Roakar: Go
Ignatious: Go

Hugo would use an immediate divine intervention on the spiders bite
I know this is a pain to adjudicate on pbp but since he took the feat he uses it whenever possible (on crit threats mainly). If it will be a hassle just ignore it and will save for later. Probably won't help but save 10dmg anyway

Nope. I love that feat, and you took it. Bite Reroll: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (11) + 19 = 30

"I DON"T NEED YOUR DAMN SPELLS!" Roakar roars as he feels some form of magic attempt to do something.
Will save vs Blessing: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (18) + 16 = 34

"Yours either!" he follows with as the spider attempts to burn him
Reflex vs Eye: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (10) + 19 = 29
Roakar takes no damage with evasion

Roakar then follows in kind as the spider attacks him.
"You"
AoO 1 - +4 lucerne hammer, R, RA, PA: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (20) + 26 = 46
Damage 1 - +4 lucerne hammer, R, PA: 1d12 + 29 + 2d6 ⇒ (8) + 29 + (1, 4) = 42

Crit confirm - +4 lucerne hammer, R, RA, PA: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (16) + 26 = 42
Damage 1 - +4 lucerne hammer, R, PA: 1d12 + 29 ⇒ (6) + 29 = 35
"Are"
AoO 2 - +4 lucerne hammer, R, RA, PA: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (7) + 26 = 33
Damage 1 - +4 lucerne hammer, R, PA: 1d12 + 29 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 29 + (4, 6) = 42
"Not"
AoO 3 - +4 lucerne hammer, R, RA, PA: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (12) + 26 = 38
Damage 1 - +4 lucerne hammer, R, PA: 1d12 + 29 + 2d6 ⇒ (8) + 29 + (6, 3) = 46
"Welcome"
AoO 4 - +4 lucerne hammer, R, RA, PA: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (4) + 26 = 30
Damage 1 - +4 lucerne hammer, R, PA: 1d12 + 29 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 29 + (1, 1) = 33
"Here"

DMG taken - DR 6/-: 12 + 12 + 11 + 13 - 6 - 6 - 6 - 6 = 24
Let me know if it dies before it can finish all the attacks so I can subtract some more damage

Hugo would use an immediate divine intervention on the spiders bite

I know this is a pain to adjudicate on pbp but since he took the feat he uses it whenever possible (on crit threats mainly). If it will be a hassle just ignore it and will save for later. Probably won't help but save 10dmg anyway

No problem, thanks for taking one for the team. It let me reply to the claws A LOT better.

Actually, we need to know what level spell Hugo sacrificed first

-Posted with Wayfinder

Hugo sacrifices a protection from evil (1st level) blessing to try and stop the spider from biting Roakar on the neck.
The intent was to reroll the crit, not expecting it to miss

"Alas my new friend Roakar. You remind me much of my Ulfen friend on our path to become Seekers.
He also enjoyed taunting his enemies to take their best shot,
but was less superstitious of divine magic.
I will respect your beliefs and spare you in the future. Unless you are near death...as I had to do for him.

[ooc]The mistake is totally mine. I think Hugo wanted me to actually reroll the grab. It still gets Roakar though. Will update in the morning.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Yes, was thinking it was going to hit and grab him regardless.
I did not realize I could reroll the grab (which would definitely be better), but will leave it to Roakar.
And one last typo on my part - the feat is divine interference, but you knew what I meant fortunately. :-)

As an immediate action, "Father, pimp slap this vile thing to, . . . Oh, yes, you are right, Roakar likely will just, never mind, I'll save that for later."

Drawing his scimitar, I'll simply move in, closer to attack.

•Gain a +2 bonus on attack rolls and a +2 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves

Magic, Adamantine Scimitar: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (15) + 18 = 33 <Crit Threat>
Damage: 1d6 + 1d6 + 18 ⇒ (3) + (3) + 18 = 24 <3 Damage is Acid>

Confirmation: Magic, Adamantine Scimitar: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (14) + 18 = 32
Extra Crit Damage: 1d6 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 18 + 2 = 25 <2 Damage is Fire as the scimitar fashioned to appear as a whiff of flame suddenly becomes the real thing as it strikes a critical hit>

Likely also draw an AoO.

==============================================
If, instead Roakar does manage to take it down, I'll move over to the fallen body in the room and see if there is anything to be done.
Heal: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21

A little confused about the melee so let me break it down.

Spider bites and crits but Hugo uses Divine Interference to make you reroll. The reroll still hits so the spider gets the grab (just use the same roll is fine).

I unfortunately skipped this part and jumped to my come and get me AoO for the claws, but I would not be able to use a two-handed weapon if grappled.

So to fix this conundrum Roakar will get hit by the bite but will use Strength Surge (immediate action) against the grab bringing his CMD up to a 44.

Yes, that sounds about right...unless (a)Hugo can force a reroll on the grapple or (b) you can use come-and-get-me with armor spikes or gauntlet or something? Usually this works great when trying to prevent a x3 crit on someone...but became complicated with the grab/Aoo combo.

Yeah. We will get it worked out. All the interupt abilities in Pathfinder are a little more complicated to use in PbP. If all else fails and I grappled, I have +1 armor spikes. Not as much damage on the AoO but I am pretty sure the current damage I did was overkill.

Found one last mistake. Forgot to subtract the spiders come and get me bonus to hit from my CMD. So Roakar wastes his strength surge to bump up to a mighty 44, only to have the spider roll a 45. Here are my NEW AoO with my armor rather than my hammer. Please ignore my previous post, unless you feel generous and want me to keep that first crit :)

Roakar is able to completely dodge the flaming eye beam but in doing so is bit and grappled.

AoO 1 vs Bite - +4 lucerne hammer, R, RA, PA: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (13) + 26 = 39
Damage 1 - +4 lucerne hammer, R, PA: 1d12 + 29 + 2d6 ⇒ (12) + 29 + (1, 3) = 45
Now he is grappled so he switches to armor spikes for the first 3 claw attacks.
AoO 2 vs Claw 1 - +1 Armor Spikes, R, RA, PA: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (11) + 21 = 32
Damage 1 - +1 Armor Spikes, R, PA: 1d6 + 19 ⇒ (2) + 19 = 21
AoO 3 vs Claw 2 - +1 Armor Spikes, R, RA, PA: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (5) + 21 = 26
Damage 1 - +1 Armor Spikes, R, PA: 1d6 + 19 ⇒ (6) + 19 = 25
AoO 4 vs Claw 3 - +1 Armor Spikes, R, RA, PA: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (8) + 21 = 29
Damage 1 - +1 Armor Spikes, R, PA: 1d6 + 19 ⇒ (5) + 19 = 24

ha! Works for me. Thankfully everyone at this table is solid. I'll update after classes today.

-Posted with Wayfinder

If its still alive Shump will full attack it with PA

This thing is tough!

1st attack
attack: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (17) + 20 = 37

damage: 1d10 + 15 + 2d6 ⇒ (9) + 15 + (1, 3) = 28

2nd attack
attack: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (10) + 15 = 25

damage: 1d10 + 15 + 2d6 ⇒ (10) + 15 + (3, 2) = 30

3rd attack
attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

damage: 1d10 + 15 + 2d6 ⇒ (7) + 15 + (1, 2) = 25

crit confirmation

attack: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (7) + 20 = 27

damage: 1d10 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17

"I am not food." Roakar yells as he kicks the spider repeatably while being nommed.

Roakar sneaks in a hit, then manages to make the monster take it as it gives, hitting with every counter attack (barely)

It is only on the last claw of the beast that Roakr managers to fell the foe.

Out of initiative.

Your guide looks like he's slowly recovering from shock, but the woman on the floor may be too far gone...

I'll go ahead and Channel Energy to heal, calling the party to come closer, and hoping that the woman on the floor isn't truly too far gone. Closing his eyes for just a brief moment, suddenly the flames around his head die down just a bit, and a gentle, serene mist seems to spring up in the room around him, offering up a simple green light that begins to mend wounds and reinvigorate those it touches.

Channel to heal living: 7d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 5, 6, 6, 5, 5) = 36

Afterwards, start to take a look around, wondering why there was a huge spider creature here, and wondering who the woman is/was.

Perception (with Detect Magic/Evil): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21

I'm a tad bit confused. Did this happen basically as soon as we opened the front door and walked into the Academy?

As you were leaving the Headmaster's office you heard a scream coming from a classroom. This is what you walked into as soon as you entered the classroom.

Ignatious channels energy, and the dying woman quickly comes to. As she shakes the trauma your guide similarly snaps out of it and comments, "During the competition it's common for students to overreach themselves as they get caught up in the moment."

Headmaster Toff quickly arrives on the scene and is FURIOUS. He shouts at the girl, demanding what's going on.

The woman introduces herself as Seska. She thanks you profusely and shamefully admits her mistake in attempting to summon such a powerful creature alone. She adds that she had hoped to impress a fellow student with her ability to bind a retriever, and also admits to stealing the scroll he used in the attempt.

Toff is enraged at the student’s foolish act. YOU! You could have killed people! You will be confined to your dorm for one week. AND you shall be fined for three times the price of the stolen scroll to cover its loss as well as the damage to this classroom."

"But!"

"NO BUTS! GO!"

Toff apologizes to you in practically the same breath he uses to thank you for defeating the monster before it caused any more damage. "I insist that the Acadamae pay for any healing to help you recover from the battle. In fact I shall give you a reward of 900 platinum as thanks for your quick thinking and swift action. Clearly Valsin was not wrong to suggest you."

Shump sheaths his swords and turns to Toff, moving his hand in gesture points to Roakar.

"It's good no one was seriously hurt. The creature was easily felled by Roakar."

The headmaster looks suitably impressed. "Good. Very good. I think this could be the year."

Roakar extricates himself from the spiders mouth in barbarian fashion, leaving a spider without a functional face in the process. Calming down from the adrenaline high, he gives one final stomp to the spider.

"Don't appreciate being food."

Iggy's healing brings Roakar back up to full "Thanks Iggy."

Hugo listens to the woman's story and calculates the cost of a scroll capable of summoning such a powerful creature. He does this more from an academic perspective to determine if the punishment justly fits the scale of the crime.

"Very foolish to attempt such a spell for the sake of pride. The road to perdition is paved with actions such as these ."

Hugo ensures no one else needs care before collecting his items.

"Well done Roakar and Ignatious. I agree with the assessment. The percentages appear heavily in our favor. Although we have still not seen much of the competition."

Your timid guide, Jandar, replies, "Would you like to meet them?"

Hugo nods.

"Yes, I would be interested in meeting them."

Jandar leads you out of ORNELOS HALL and into the courtyard. From there he brings you to to a contemplative halfling.

"Allow me to introduce Fatmire." He's a young looking halfling with eyes that dart from side to side as he speaks and a somewhat rodentlike face. He seems nervous as he speaks. When he makes eye contact with you, he smiles widely, showing his perfect teeth, but is disinclined to engage you in conversation.

From there he brings you to a small knot of younger mages and friends. Here he introduces Illia Ean. She is a slim, homely Varisian woman with brown hair that looks like it’s been self-cut by a dull knife without a mirror. Her nose looks like it has been broken more than once in her career, but she gives the impression of being both clever and quick.. She dresses in loose fitting clothes, and carries herself like one who knows her way around a fight.

"Pleasure to meet you boys. Looking forward to tomorrow." She stares at you expectantly, looking to see how you come off.

Hugo manages to produce a small smile and a short, formal bow to the halfling.

"Greetings. You must be excited to be in the competition. I am sure you have been training all year for the honor."

SM halfling: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20

He likewise bows to the woman, with a bit more of smile.

SM woman: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16

"Charmed, I am sure. However, we have not been boys for quite some time. Tomorrow will be interesting, for all of us, there is no doubt."

After the bru-ha-ha with the spider Roos tells the folks doing the cleaning "Seems you have a spider infestation... and they are big too."

After visiting the halfling and listening to the speech Roos observes the so called competition...

Sense Motive1: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (13) + 17 = 30
Sense Motive2: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (14) + 17 = 31
K. Local: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23

Roos goes to Roak and Iggy since he just spent the greater part of 3 months with them and tells them...

"Fatmire does not seem sure of himself, much like Roak at a harem would act...also this Illia dresses and act like a guild member, thief guild at that, maybe the Cerulean Society. seen their types before, local Korvoso types...should we tell the others?"

Roakar sizes up the competition while picking pieces of spider out from between spikes on his armor.

"Someone should talk some better sense into these people. Even I know it's dumb to be in a room with an elephant sized spider."

Sense Motive 1: 1d20 ⇒ 6
Sense Motive 2: 1d20 ⇒ 9
knowledge local: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
nothin to see here

"AHHH, my competition is here." Roakar seems slightly miffed at the lack of competition. two people? that's it? wait. the guide said 4. where are the other two. only 4 people?"

When Roos informs Roakar of his impressions, he replies
"Roos your just jealous that all that charm you have built up and practiced can be easily replaced with money."

I stopped here in case you wanted to chat with Illia. The other two are available also.

Roos will casually observe her and the others using his detect magic to see if he can find out what magic items they have in their possession...

Bluff: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (18) + 17 = 35

Fatmire doesn't look well equipped at all. You soon agree with his sentiment that he's in over his head.

Illia on the other hand seems pretty well decked out. Her equipment isn't quite as good as yourss, but she does have a few pieces that stand out, her shortsword, armor, cloak, ring. Stand issue.

Stay and chat or meet the others?

Roakar decides to see what the little man named Fatmire is made off. He approaches him, getting nice and close and looking almost straight down at him. "I am Venture-Captain Roakar. Slayer of liches and false Gods. I look forward to watching you fail before me." Roakar then offers his hand in a firm crushing handshake, leaving a slight sheen of spider ichor on the poor mans hand.

Roakar then introduces himself to Illa, who seems much more worthy an adversary. He skips the intimidating start and tries a more diplomatic approach deserving of a possible equal.

"Hello. I am Venture-Captain Roakar. Me and my fellows have come from Absalom." Roakar gives a slight nod, while taking a good look at her equipment and clothing.
Perception: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (19) + 18 = 37
"So what brings you to this competition? Fame, glory, money, to see the bitter tears of failure on a school of over confident wizards?" Roakar smiles as he says the later reason.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

"Over confident and at times careless to summon such a deadly creature in their midst."

You're pretty sure the halfling soils himself and quickly runs off.

Illia takes to Roakar's softer introduction with a more positive reaction.

With a crooked smile she says, "I'm a member of the thieves’ guild, but I'm not interested in the suffering of victims or the wizards. Each year the Cerulean Society gets a free entry if they want it. I want it. This is Korvosa, after all. Wizards truck with devils, our queen’s a spoiled brat, and every palm and wheel needs lots of gold grease just to keep things moving.” She thinks for a small moment then gives a snort, "Fortune and glory my over-sized friend. Fortune and glory."

Roakar looks back to his fellow members and says "I think I broke him" as the little halfling flees, before moving onto Illa.

Roos strides up to Illia and says "You seem at ease for the upcoming tasks. I take it you are experienced...how experienced are you. We could help each other stretch some before the start, to get limber and warmed up if you like?"

She looks at the dashing bard with a look of disgust. "Ugh. Business only buddy."

That turns her off enough that she excuses herself.

Your guide doesn't react to the exchange at all. Rather he adds, "The other two were the favorites before you showed up."

He leads you around to a shaded corner where you come upon a dwarf doing push-ups. He stops to greet you professionally. "Ye must be the late entries. Good. I was worried this would be boring. Name's Knur of the Gilded Claw." When he shakes your hands it's crushingly tight. When Roakar squeezes it they get into a hand shake contest. Assuming no raging from Roakar They seem equal in might.

As the two burly men square off in their hand shake grip Roos will only allow Roak to get just enough worked up before the rage might set in and then puts a friendly hand on the big oafs shoulder reminding him to save his strength for the trials...

"Uahahahahaha! So much for your harem skills Roos!" Roakar slaps Roos on the back in friendly banter as he follows the guide to his other competition.

"Now that's some bragging I can appreciate. You should be worried about loosin this thing with me around!" Roakar replies while shaking hands.
I will let him feel confident in his chances and not crush his hand to pulp. That would according to the dumb head masters rules be a nono.
"Venture-Captain Roakar of the Pathfinder Society and of the Shundar-Quah." He introduces himself, interjecting his own clan in response.

"Spire clan, eh? I've met one of your clan before. Hard people. They'd make good dwarves. HARARARARARAH!" The dwarf winks at the big man, "Let the best dwarf win, eh?"

Hugo smiles at the exchange between Roos and Illia.

He will greet the dwarf with a formal bow.

"I am Venture-Captain Hugo Victor, Seeker and Investigator of Abadar. Well met, Master Knur. Indeed, may the best participant win. "

"That's the spirit lad!" He gives you each a nod and then opts to go back to his workout. During a push-up he adds, "Don't worry if you don't get it this year, there's always next!"