Dungeon Master S's "The Darkest Vengeance" (Inactive)

Game Master Chris Marsh

Round 1 Gripper

The wolf delays to Sumacs turn...

I missed Orryn's pre-combat action. I'm going to rule that from the air you saw the bad guy as he cast his spell. I've placed him on the map, but everything is in a darkness spell strong enough to trump darkvision (but not scent). Also, Fel, you can't think of anything currently that piques your worries. You did get enough time however to note that the contraption Miregold is attached to is currently pumping him full of ....something that's actively and slowly killing him.

Azdak: Waiting on a possible Mulligan
Harnac: Current
Fel: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (15) + 0 = 15
Obyrn: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Orryn: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Sumac: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Gripper: Delayed
Enemy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Round the First

Anyone who wants, delay until after Fel...

Fel starts chanting, offering a surge in competence and power to all of his compatriots.

+1 to attack and damage

ROUND 1
Hack knows there is an enemy in their midst, but he can't see him. He also knows that the one they're supposed to deliver a message to is in some dire trouble. And, he remembers close enough where the strange and vile apparatus is that he can step up to it--and try to smash it to bits!!

5' step, full attack on the thingy the venture captain is attached to.

1d10 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
1d10 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Harnac, you smash the machine with your ax, but it's clearly VERY solid. you'd be at this for a long time. Your hits also elicit moans of pain from the VC.

Dammit!! How're we gonna deal with this thrice cursed magical darkness?!?!

DM ruling: I'm currently looking for something official, but I'm going to rule for now that an everburning torch in range of a Deeper Darkness spell produces shadowy illumination to 20'. I'll take any link to an official ruling..... and now I need to find a good way for my party to counteract something like this in Bonekeep...

IN that case, can I retcon my action that I've already taken? I'd definitely have gone after the villain...
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I just read both continual flame and deeper darkness. Any light/darkness spell can counter a darkness/light spell of equal or lower level. Deeper darkness is lvl 3; at best, continual flame is also lvl 3. The DD would counter the Cont Flame for the duration of the DD.
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However, wouldn't countering the magic cause the prevailing non-magical light condition to prevail? In which case, we'd be in "normal" darkness? In which case Hack, at least, can see fine...

Whether or not it works, Obyrn's instinct would be to activate the sunrod, so he does so.

If it works, he will move forward to the machine and attempt to disable it. Disable Device 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

Assuming the sunrod fails, Obyrn curses silently and racks his brainmatter before pulling out a vial of the captured poison, popping the cork, and wafting it towards himself, as one might do in a chem class, in an attempt to discover whether it really is a poison. Perception 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14

Mike, there's an 8 page thread arguing this on the boards. A consensus still doesn't seem to exist. Let's rewind to the top of the round. Obyrn took out an Everburning torch (which is priced as Arcane, and therefore level 2). So within 20' of Obyrn, there is simply dim light - a 20% miss chance.

SO!

Azdak: Waiting on a possible Mulligan
Fel: Bardic Oration!!!
Harnac: Current
Obyrn:
Orryn:
Sumac:
Gripper: Delayed
Enemy:

Obyrn handed the torch to Fel before even opening the door, so make that within 20' of Fel.

As I wrote though, Obyrn's instinct would have been to immediately crack his glowstick when the darkness fell, so if the same applies to sunrods then you can count within 20' of me too.

Regardless, on his turn Obyrn will execute the Disable Device action described above.

Obyrn, the sunrod doesn't do a thing, and it's a full round to take it out and light it (you can move 5' though.)

Azdak: Waiting on a possible Mulligan
Fel: Bardic Oration!!!
Harnac: Current
Obyrn:
Orryn:
Sumac:
Gripper: Delayed
Enemy:

In that case, rewind in progress...

ROUND 1

Seeing the shifty little guy at the edge of the torchlight, Hack steps up and swings mightily.

5' step, full attack

Miss Chance: 1d100 ⇒ 69 <--success
Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Miss Chance: 1d100 ⇒ 37 <--success
Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

I had it out before I even unlocked the door to this room. All I had left to was to activate it, and then drop it when it doesn't work. Does that leave me enough to attempt the Disable?

You can start the Disable Device, but it's 2d4 Rounds to use that skill on a complex object.

Harnac manages to sneak in a hit on the creature. He seems....annoyed.

DM ruling: I'm currently looking for something official, but I'm going to rule for now that an everburning torch in range of a Deeper Darkness spell produces shadowy illumination to 20'. I'll take any link to an official ruling..... and now I need to find a good way for my party to counteract something like this in Bonekeep...

There's a synopsis by James Jacobs here. FWIW, Jacobs freely admits he's a big-picture guy, not a rules-lawyer guy, so this needs to be taken as RAI, not necessarily RAW. But you can get the intent, anyway.

Updated the map with my crude-but-perhaps-effective deeper darkness and everburning torch radii. Feel free to move/adjust as you see fit.

Obyrn will therefore continue disabling for 2d4 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7 rounds unless knocked out of commission.

"Cover me!"

Updated the map with my crude-but-perhaps-effective deeper darkness and everburning torch radii. Feel free to move/adjust as you see fit.

Updated your additions to be 20' radius rather than 10'

Sweet. Thanks guys.

Thanks, Hack. :-)

DMS: No problem. It's always easier to visualize that way, and I whipped them up on GIMP in like 5 minutes.

Is it Orryns turn?

I think it is.
Which brings up an interesting point.

Orryn has low-light vision, as opposed to Hack's darkvision. So can he even see the VC atop the machine?

I think the logic is consistent to say its shadowy to 40' for you.

Okay, Orryn will fly up to attempt to free the venture-captain.

Fly check to hover: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30
Hold on, man! We'll get you free!

Strength check, Escape Artist check? Is there a place for Orryn to land upon if he jumps over?

Round 1

Azdak moves outside of the room to where he can see enough to cast darkvision from the scroll.

Round One

The halfling takes a 5 foot step south and launches a bullet at the shadowy villian.
Attack 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 14
bullet 1d6 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 + 1 = 9

As he fires his round he urges Gripper forward to attack
attack 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 1 = 25
bite 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 = 4

Confirming Grips bite attack 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 1 = 15
Exta damage 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3

Sorry - I've been offline all day. Can Fel's action be to start chanting and then have a readied move to keep the baddie in the circle of half-light?

ROUND 1

Azdak: Casts a scroll of darkvision. The Deeper Darkness spell is too deep to see through, but the shadowy illumination is fine.
Fel: Bardic Oration! (At your level you can't ready an action and start a bardic performance in the same round.
Harnac: Draws first blood
Obyrn: Round 1 of 7 disabling the device.
Orryn: You try to get a grip, masterfully hovering over the VC. Pulling him away only makes him scream more. Stellah even takes a point of damage from the barbs, whirlygigs and thingamajiggers. You can tell now that this is slowly killing him read causing damage each round
Sumac: Misses with his bullet. This target clearly has more skill than the previous.
Gripper: 1d100 ⇒ 76 hits, but does not crit. The creature snarls.
Enemy: Completely unimpeded by the darkness the creature slides over and drives his shortswords into Harnac's belly. 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20. The second sword hits home. DMG: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7. The blade is covered in something sticky that makes its way into the dwarf's blood. 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 2 = 23 but he laughs at the poison

Begin Round 2

ROUND 2

Slightly out of turn, I know...

Hack continues to stand toe-to-toe with this foe, determined to bring him down quickly so they can all work to save the VC before it's too late. With a stirring cry of LUCIRIDIIIIIOOOOOUUUSSS!!! he swings with abandon.

Miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 37 <--success
Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 53 <--success
Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Also slightly out of turn:

Round 2

Obyrn continues his work and shouts "Someone give that man a healing potion to stop that gorram screaming. I must concentrate!"

Also slightly out of turn:

Round 2

Obyrn continues his work and shouts "Someone give that man a healing potion to stop that gorram screaming. I must concentrate!"

Ooc-Excellent Firefly reference!

Round 2

Azdak moves in and helps Orryn remove Skeldon Miregrold from the machine.

Escape Artist Check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

ROUND 2

Azdak: Moves forward and begins trying to extricate the VC from the contraption.
Fel: Current
Harnac:
Obyrn:
Orryn:
Sumac:
Gripper:
Enemy:

Move to VC, heal him w wand of clw. 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Continue chant

The Curative spell seems to be just what Miregold needed. While still attached to the machine, he's now conscious enough to speak, "Double crossing bastard! Kill him! Kill him!" Meanwhile, it looks like the trio of heroes are making progress on the machine and getting him out of it. Harnac lays into the enemy, but he's either extremely hale, or just has an uncanny tolerance for pain.

Azdak: Moves forward and begins trying to extricate the VC from the contraption.
Fel: Cures the VC slightly
Harnac: hits once with his blade
Obyrn: 5 Rounds to go.
Orryn: Current
Sumac:
Gripper:
Enemy:

Round 2

sorry Im skipping Orryn but I dont think this will affect anything

The small druid moves diagonally SW one square and launches another bullet.
attack 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 11
bullet 1d6 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 + 1 = 9

The big wolf continues to put the pressure on jaws snapping at the shadowy short sword weilding badguy.
attack 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 1 = 25 miss chance 1d100 ⇒ 89
bite 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3

confirming critical 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 4 + 1 = 19

extra bite damage 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3

I meant to reply directly to Orryn's action. Orryn you can make any sort of check you want if you can describe it in game. You're clearly making progress, just keep it up. If you guys keep working as a team you think you can get him out in just a few seconds. Also, Sumac, is gripper's damage d6 or d8? You might be getting him and Bucho mixed up.

Gripper chomps down hard. He tries to tear the enemy down. 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26, and down he goes!

To Orryn and Azdak: "I got this covered! Heal the Venture-Captain or go help Hack!"

Whoops, missed the DM's comments. Ignore me.

I meant to reply directly to Orryn's action. Orryn you can make any sort of check you want if you can describe it in game. You're clearly making progress, just keep it up. If you guys keep working as a team you think you can get him out in just a few seconds. Also, Sumac, is gripper's damage d6 or d8? You might be getting him and Bucho mixed up.

Gripper chomps down hard. He tries to tear the enemy down. d20+6, and down he goes!

** spoiler omitted **

You are correct. Grip does do d8 damage. Not sure how I screwed that up. Bucho only does d4 (but not for long!)

"Do I have the honor of talking to Skeldon Miregrold?" the sorcerer asks as he helps free him from the machine. "I am Azdak Ejderha and it is good to finally meet you. You are a difficult man to find. Could you kindly tell me what all of this machinery is doing here under a pathfinder lodge?"

Gripper chomps down hard. He tries to tear the enemy down...and down he goes!

YAAAAHAHAAA!! THAR'S a good doggie!!

Since Fel has dropped a cure spell and Azdak appears to be helping him slip the contraption, Orryn will move along the indicated line on the map and attack the baddie from above.

Handle Animal (>1=success): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
DC 20 Fly check to hover: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20

Mathletics! usual +5 to hit + flank + Fel's chant
attack!: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 25
20% miss chance (high=good): 1d100 ⇒ 74
damage!: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

ROUND 2 CONTINUED

Azdak: Moves forward and begins trying to extricate the VC from the contraption.
Fel: Cures the VC slightly
Harnac: hits once with his blade
Obyrn: 5 Rounds to go.
Orryn: Using great skill, the team attacks the creature from above-ish. The wounds are starting to take their toll
Sumac: Misses with the bullet
Gripper: tears the baddie down, drawing his ire
Enemy: The creature takes a single stab at Gripper from prone: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 8 - 4 = 14, but the prone position doesn't stop him DMG: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8. Not wanting to risk the death that standing brings and bolstered by his first hit, he stabs with his other short sword. 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 8 - 4 = 17, DMG: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3.

The VC is still being tortured, even as he is now healed. He looks wide-eyed at Azdak's attempt at conversation and simply replies with a whimper.

Begin Round 3.

ROUND 3
Since Azdak is currently assisting with the torture victim, and there's no more room at this party anyway...

Seeing the blighter fall gives Hack a burst of elation, but that turns to rage as he stabs the faithful hound twice. Oh, tha's IT ya rackin' frackin' VARMINT!! Sumac, THIS ONE'S FOR YE!! Hack spreads his legs and chops down mightily, as if cutting lumber (ha).

Prone +4, flank +1, bardic chant +1

Miss Chance: 1d100 ⇒ 51
Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 7 = 17
Damage: 1d10 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5

Miss Chance: 1d100 ⇒ 1 <--cr4p
Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 7 = 15
Damage: 1d10 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5 <--wow. 2d20+2d10=8???? Worst. Rolls. Ever.

Ouch.... Flank is +2, but even then, the magic number is 19...

Ouch.... Flank is +2, but even then, the magic number is 19...

I just mistyped. The +7 (after my normal +6) is correct. Totally wiffed

Obyrn keeps tinkering away at the machine. 3 rounds of 7 complete, 4 to go.

ROUND 3

Azdak: Current
Fel:
Harnac: Missed
Obyrn: 4 Rounds to go.
Orryn: Current
Sumac:
Gripper:
Enemy: