Dungeon Master S's "Skull & Shackles" (Inactive)

Game Master Chris Marsh

With both Slappy & Kiltesaurus weighing in, Art nods once firmly. Let's find an appropriate battering ram, and take this door down, handsomely now!! As they're looking for something suitable, Art looks over at Kiltem.

Since you lack opposable thumbs & can't hold a battering ram, be ready to jump in and strike if that's what the situation demands, savvy?

With both Slappy & Kiltesaurus weighing in, Art nods once firmly. Let's find an appropriate battering ram, and take this door down, handsomely now!! As they're looking for something suitable, Art looks over at Kiltem.

Since you lack opposable thumbs & can't hold a battering ram, be ready to jump in and strike if that's what the situation demands, savvy?

The inhuman looking deinonychus gives a very human-like grin and nods in approval.

Slappy as always inspires his friends with his best impression of the current form of Kiltem and his all so human smile

Bardsong inspire, will use lingering performance if this takes more than a few rounds.

The druid gets impatient that nobody seems to be knocking the door down. Perhaps they can't find something suitable to use as a battering ram... Kiltem ponders this only a moment longer and then gets excited as he begins to cast a spell he has never had the chance to use before.

Cast Soften Earth and Stone

The druid-deinonychus casts a spell. He reaches out with a feather foreclaw and starts touching the stone around the door. He goes all around the door and the stone seems to change in hardness to that of a soft clay.

BRILLIANT!!

Art grabs a large, stout stick or small log, motions for Ko to help, and knocks that mofo in!! (the door, not Ko)

Kiltem's plan works exactly as intended While the creature clearly knows you guys are chatting, and really shouldn't be surprised, that level of maraud in kicking down the soften door deserves something.

Kiltem immediately sees the air creature for himself. It's a tightly contained bit of whipping wind in the shape of a squid. Knowledge (Planes) to ID. Questions start at DC 17

Foes: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29
Kiltem: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
Ko: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Arthur: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Lucky: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
Slappy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Surprise Round:
Kiltem: Go

Round 1:
Guardian: TBD
Lucky: TBD
Ko: TBD
Slappy: TBD
Kiltem: TBD
Art: TBD

Greater magic fang still in effect

Supplies Round!

The druid-dino doesnt even think to ask a question. He realizes he has the drop so he just goes for it. Running in and slashing with a magically enhanced talon.

Attack 1d20 + 10 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 10 - 1 + 2 = 22
Talon 1d6 + 7 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 2 + 2 = 13

Kiltem makes a partial charge, and cuts into the winds as if they were flesh! Still his claws pass through with less effect than real flesh.

The guardian responds with flowing words in Auran! It batters Kiltem with two slams of air:
ATK 1: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33 for DMG: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

ATK 1: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31 for DMG: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Round 1:
Guardian: ATK
Lucky: Go
Ko: Go
Slappy: Go
Kiltem: Go
Art: Go

Lucky thinks it would be cool if Slappy could inspire the air elemental.

Round the First
• Current HPs: 29/29

He moves in and attacks the air elemental with his lucky kukri. He misses pathetically.

Main Hand Kukri: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 2 = 15 for Damage: 1d4 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 = 8.

Lucky rushes in, but his only attack is a bit shy of the mark!

Round 1:
Guardian: ATK
Lucky: Go
Ko: Go
Slappy: Go
Kiltem: Go
Art: Go

Art walks in, and fires off a round.

attack vs. touch: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Round 1

Screeching horrifically as he takes the two hits from the air squid, deinonychus-Kiltem brings his full attack. He bites and hops slashing with both feet, even manages to slash with his foreclaws.

Attack 1d20 + 10 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 10 - 1 = 20
bite 1d8 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 2 = 11

Attack 2 1d20 + 10 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 10 - 1 + 2 = 18
talon 1d6 + 7 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 2 + 2 = 14

Attack 3 1d20 + 10 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 10 - 1 + 2 = 20
talon 1d6 + 7 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 2 + 2 = 16

Attack 4 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 5 - 1 = 5
foreclaws 1d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 = 6

The gnome allows his lingering performance to continue, as he moves into the room and lets a thundercall loose on the elemental.

Thundercall: 1d8 ⇒ 6 Fort save(DC17) or be stunned 1 rd

Inspire confidence: receives a +2 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +2 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls

Round the First
• Current HPs: 29/29

Lucky amends his previous thought with an internal guffaw and realizes that if Slappy inspired the air, it would suck.

He attacks twice!

Main Hand Kukri: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 5 + 2 = 27 for Damage: 1d4 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 = 10.

Off Hand Kukri: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 2 = 14 for Damage: 1d4 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 = 10.

Confirm! Main Hand Kukri: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 2 = 13 for Damage: 1d4 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 = 9.

Can’t crit an elemental, doh. S please add 2 to Arts damage

Adjusted for 3 rounds of Bardic Performance

Inspired by the gnome, Kiltem's attack is both savage and effective. Slappy adds a bolt to the punchline FORT: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24. The air guardian stays true to his purpose and maintains focus. The retort of Art's gun is just as loud!

Lucky also gets a solid hit in as the room gets really crowded.

Round 1:
Guardian: ATK
Lucky: Hit
Ko: Go
Slappy: Bard
Kiltem: Hits
Art: Hit

Ko lends his blade to the assault on the ethereal guardian!

cutlass,att: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 9 - 2 = 15
cutlass,dam: 1d6 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 4 = 10

Ko's cutlass is off target by a wide margin. The guardian begins to float ever higher With a 5' step it's now 10' up and out of melee range.

It levels a pair of solid wind buffets at the pirates, one on Art, the other on Kiltem:

V Kiltem: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31 for DMG: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
V Art: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30 for DMG: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Round 2:
Guardian: ATK
Lucky: Go
Ko: Go
Slappy: Go
Kiltem: Go
Art: Go

Climb: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Lucky tries to climb the wall in order to attack from the top rope, and fails miserably.

Additionally, Lucky's attempt means he temporarily takes his eyes off the guardian. A solid wind buffet greets him as he fails AoO: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25 for DMG: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Round 2:
Guardian: ATK
Lucky: Climb fail (standard action remaining)
Ko: Go
Slappy: Go
Kiltem: Go
Art: Go

Ko goes for his crossbow and fires a bolt.

lt crossbow,att: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
lt crossbow,dam: 1d8 ⇒ 6

I'm assuming that we are still getting inspired from Slappy's bardic ability

Round 2

Deinonychus-Kiltem lets out another scream of frustration as the elemental floats upward. Jumping on scaly legs, the druid leaps up to attack at the air squid. Kiltem will eat any AoOs

attack 1 1d20 + 10 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 10 - 1 + 2 = 14
bite 1d8 + 7 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 2 + 2 = 14

attack 2 1d20 + 10 - 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 10 - 1 + 2 + 2 = 20
talon 1d6 + 7 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 18

attack 3 1d20 + 10 - 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 10 - 1 + 2 + 2 = 24
talon 1d6 + 7 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 18

attack 4 1d20 + 5 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 5 - 1 + 2 = 19
foreclaws 1d4 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 9

Jumping means only one attack though Kiltem.

Ko's bolt is dashed aside by wind, as Kiltem leaps up Acrobatics: 1d20 ⇒ 16, but doesn't connect. On the way down, the guardian takes a swing at him AoO: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23 for DMG: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Round 2:
Guardian: ATK
Lucky: Climb fail (standard action remaining)
Ko: Miss
Slappy: Go
Kiltem: Miss
Art: Go

Round 2

Slappy sees the elemental escaping and reaches out with another thundercall. This one might have it drift to the ground.

Thundercall: 1d8 ⇒ 1 DC17Fort or be stunned 1rd

Lingering performance still in effect drops off after this round. Everyone still benefits from bardsong this round

FORT: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28 Slappy's skill with the weather continues to prove ineffectual on the guardian.

Round 2:
Guardian: ATK
Lucky: Climb fail (standard action remaining)
Ko: Miss
Slappy: Thunder
Kiltem: Miss
Art: Go

Lucky tries again? If not this round, then next. Re-climb: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Art reloads then takes another shot

Pistol vs touch: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 2 = 17
damage: 1d8 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 2 = 9

Lucky manages to get up on the wall a bit, but the focus to climb leaves him open AoO: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20 for DMG: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5.

Art takes a shot just barely hitting with the shot.

The creature then turns its focus on the captain, since he seems to have no problem hitting it from afar.
Slam 1: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22 for DMG: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Slam 2: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31 for DMG: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Round 3:
Guardian: ATK
Lucky: Go
Ko: Go
Slappy: Go
Kiltem: Go
Art: Go

Round 3

The dino-druid lets out a scream of rage as the air squid floats up out of range. The deinonychus longs for his enemy to be on the ground where he can slash it to pieces with multiple attacks.

Then Kiltem gives a strange dino smile and starts casting another spell. He shudders with pleasure as this is the first time Papa Storm has given this spell to him.

Casting Call Lightning

Will take affect on next round

...which he clearly knows to try to cast defensively...

Art knows that loading his pistol leaves him open for attack, but feels he has no choice in trying to finish this thing...

Load and fire!

aaaand tried to do this on the phone, failed, got tied up, & forgot 'til now.

Pistol v touch: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 2 = 16 <--FRAK!!
damage: 1d8 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 2 = 4

Sorry, all my characters generally do their spell casting outside of battle.

Casting Defensively 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 2 = 9

Clearly Kiltem needs more practice casting in combat situations.

Is it possible for Kiltem to move out of range of the air elemental to cast his spell?

I'll allow it Kiltem. The way your options were presented wasn't complete. You can 5' step back and cast, which I'll give you.

Kiltem shuffles backwards and begins a complex spell. Art takes a shot, but hits only normal air.

Round 3:
Guardian: ATK
Lucky: Go
Ko: Go
Slappy: Go
Kiltem: Casting
Art: Miss

Seeing how Art was able to read the dashing winds, Ko sizes up his foe and then reloads a bolt.

studied target

With the thunder not working, Slappy resorts to inspiring his friends again.

Bardsong: Everyone +2's

Ko preps for a shot, eyeing which parts might work best as Slappy amps the party up with some clever epideictic jokes.

Round 3:
Guardian: ATK
Lucky: Go
Ko: Prep
Slappy: Bard
Kiltem: Casting
Art: Miss

Clomb: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Lucky continues to try to get to the top of the wall, and again the creature takes the easy shot: AoO: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33 for DMG: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

The guardian opts to lash out at the two closest foes, Ko and Lucky:

V. Ko: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34 THREAT
V. Ko: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30 for DMG: 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (1, 8) + 8 = 17

V. Lucky: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30 for DMG: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 Lucky's taken quite a few hits. What is his HP total?

Round 4:
Guardian: ATK
Lucky: Go
Ko: Go
Slappy: Go
Kiltem: Go
Art: Go

Art continues to fire on the creature (having no good alternative)

Someone take my crossbow!!

Pistol: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 2 = 23
damage: 1d8 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 2 = 8

Art's shot rings out, and intensifies the urgency of his order.

Round 4:
Guardian: ATK
Lucky: Go (10' up)
Ko: Go
Slappy: Go
Kiltem: Go
Art: Hit

Is this Air elemental whipping up the air into "storm" conditions? If so Kilt's spell does more damage...

Round 4

The druid-deinonychus lets out a shrill scream and seems to possibly motion with his feathered foreclaws. A split second later there is a boom of thunder and a blast of lightning!

Call Lightning
damage 3d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 6) = 11

Gets a Reflex save for 1/2

No, this elemental is contained, no bad weather.

REF: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25

Despite easily dodging most of the lightning, the guardian pulls back. It speaks in Auran:

It seems to stop attacking.

Art holds his shot, wondering just what happened here. He reloads his pistol, but holsters is, and advances a step or two with palms out, eyeing the creature...

It seems to stop attacking.

Kiltem has no idea what the air elemental is saying. Though he sees the creature is no longer acting threatening. The druid holds his spell and is content to wait a few moments to see what is going to happen.

The stand off continues for a few precious seconds. When no one acts, the guardian lowers itself to the ground and seems to not impede the party....

For besting the air guardian, each pirate earns 640 XP.

Huh. THERE'S something you don't see everyday!

Art, still very cautiously keeping an eye on the guardian, moves to the tiles & tries to examine them, see if there's anything valuable...

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

The only thing of note in the room are the stones. The stack of stone tablets is inscribed with the Gozren holy text, Hymns to the Wind and the Waves.

Still in dino form, the druid also moves in to assist with searching.

Perception 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24

Lucky obviously grabs the holy texts

Oops, lucky is at -4 HP after that last hit. He gurgles for help.