Dungeon Master S's "The Elven Entanglement" [Standard] (Inactive)

Game Master Chris Marsh

Oh, golly, sorry, the one straight back from her.

Only one of Tysi's arrows penetrates the demon's defense, but it certainly stuck!

Round 2:
Ozak: Go
Kai: Go
Val: Go
Tysi: ATK
Baddies: TBD
Hal: TBD
Balik: TBD

Val uses the Oil of Bless Weapon on his bow, and gets ready to start shooting himself (not actually "shooting himself" of course)

standard action to use oil.

Val preps for some demon hunting.

Round 2:
Ozak: Go
Kai: Go
Val: Prep
Tysi: ATK
Baddies: TBD
Hal: TBD
Balik: TBD

Varlaniel once more taps into the mantle of the black rider, feeling the icy powers of the herald fill his veins and enhance his natural reflexes. Spying a way to the demon he bounds forwards attacking it with his necromantically enhanced weapon.

Swift action for black rider mantle +3 Dex, move action, attack with Vampiric touch

Attack, cold iron, adamantine, magic, silver: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 15 + 2 = 34 for Damage: 1d6 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 2 = 11

Critical confirmation

Attack, cold iron, adamantine, magic, silver: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 15 + 2 = 36 for Damage: 1d6 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 2 = 12

Vampiric Touch SR: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 8 + 2 = 27

Vampiric Touch extra damage: 4d6 + 4d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 2, 1) + (2, 6, 6, 1) = 26 gain temps = VT damage

Kai's power cuts right through the demon's defenses. Channeling the might of the Northern Harbinger, he nearly fells the enemy with a single swing. Still, the abyssal monster fights on... barely.

Round 2:
Ozak: Go
Kai: Magus-fu
Val: Prep
Tysi: ATK
Baddies: TBD
Hal: TBD
Balik: TBD

Acro: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14

Ozak trys to tumble around the babau then attacks it from flank!

Cold Iron Piranha Strike: 1d20 + 15 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 15 + 2 - 2 = 17
Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 5d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 1 + (3, 4, 3, 3, 6) + 4 = 26

Wow two 2's..... sigh

The terrain is trickier than it looks and Ozak can't get his feet under him for a solid attack. In fact, the demon takes the opportunity and lashes out! AoO: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24, but it can't connect either.

The babau in the corner stays back, continuing to throw chakrams at Hal:

1: 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 11 - 4 = 16 MISS
1: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 6 - 4 = 17 MISS

The other stays focused on the ninja:

Left: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31 DMG: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Right: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20 MISS
Bite: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29 DMG: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

That's when all hell breaks loose. The stree stump comes to life!

A half dozen tentacles unfurl from the stump, two each attacking the pathfinders nearby. It causes the demons to laugh and dance despite their injuries:

Ozak 1: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32 DMG: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Ozak 2: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23 MISS
Balik 1: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24 MISS
Balik 2: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30 DMG: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Kai 1: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30 DMG: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Kai 2: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18 MISS

Each Pathfinder takes a lashing, and the tentacles try to grab!

Ozak Grab: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (15) + 21 = 36
Balik Grab: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (20) + 21 = 41
Kai Grab: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (7) + 21 = 28

All 3 are grappled and the creature begins pulling them slowly towards a toothy maw!

Round 2:
Ozak: Miss
Kai: Magus-fu
Val: Prep
Tysi: ATK
Baddies: ATK
Hal: Go
Balik: Go

Woah! Those tree stumps move?
Knowledge (dungeoneering): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Knowledge (Dungeoneering): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 nope

"What in the name of Ketephys is that unholy abomination?" Hal decides that the strange, tentacled tree-thing is probably the bigger threat and changes targets. Four white-feathered arrows streak for stump.

Clustered Shots, Improved Precise Shots, etc. Cold Iron arrows but will switch to Blunt, then Adamantine if that doesn't work.

Manyshot @ Stump: 1d20 + 18 - 2 - 3 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 18 - 2 - 3 + 1 = 34 THREAT Confirm: 1d20 + 18 - 2 - 3 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 18 - 2 - 3 + 1 = 31
I'm guessing that confirms, if it is subject to crits? If so, Manyshot states that the crit only applies to one arrow.
Critical Cold Iron: 3d8 + 12 + 18 ⇒ (8, 8, 2) + 12 + 18 = 48 Damage is 18 if not a crit.
Cold Iron, 2nd Arrow: 1d8 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 6 = 16

Rapid Shot @ Stump: 1d20 + 18 - 2 - 3 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 18 - 2 - 3 + 1 = 30
(Cold Iron) Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 6 = 11

Rapid Shot @ Stump: 1d20 + 13 - 2 - 3 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 13 - 2 - 3 + 1 = 17
(Cold Iron) Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 6 = 15

Rapid Shot @ Stump: 1d20 + 8 - 2 - 3 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 8 - 2 - 3 + 1 = 14
(Cold Iron) Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 6 = 14

GM mistake, I used the wrong tier for the round 1 of the stump monster. Won't happen in round 2 :-)

Hal turns his attention away from the wounded demons, hoping to put the stump monster down. Though his arrows strike true, the creature is tougher than seems possible.

Round 2:
Ozak: Miss
Kai: Magus-fu
Val: Prep
Tysi: ATK
Baddies: ATK
Hal: ATK
Balik: Go

Hal frowns as he reaches for adamantine arrows. He thought that arrow in the mouth would have a greater effect. Do I have a sense of what it's defenses are? Not subject to crits? High DR? Clustered Shots should help somewhat with that, at least.

The arrows worked, it's just REALLY tough (high HP)

Ah, okay. That I can deal with. :)

"Naughty tree stump! Feel the righteous hammerin' o' my fists, beastie!" Balik cries out and flurries!
Punch!: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17 for 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (5, 5) + 5 = 15 damage!
Punch!: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32 for 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (6, 4) + 5 = 15 damage!
Punch!: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17 for 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (4, 3) + 5 = 12 damage!
Punch!: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17 for 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (4, 5) + 5 = 14 damage!

Because it missed me on its first attach, I get an automatic attack due to Snake Stylin'! Punch!: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32 for 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (3, 2) + 5 = 10 damage!

However, as Balik is whipped around by the stump, he takes a moment to stare at Halbarad, "You there, elf! Focus yer arrows on a single spot, try to penetrate that beastie! You ken do it, elf!" Oddly enough, this is somewhat inspiring to Halbarad. Using Wanderer's Wisdom to grant Halbarad a +2 inspire courage bonus to attacks and damage for 7 rounds by spending 2 ki pts!

Edit: 2 possible crits
Punch to confirm!: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17 for 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (4, 2) + 5 = 11 damage!
Punch to confirm!: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24 for 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (3, 4) + 5 = 12 damage!

Balik explodes into action like a cobra taking down larger prey. Again and again he strikes: Balik, you can't reach the stump with a full attack as its tendrils have a 15' reach. Rather than wait, I'm going to go with aiming your attacks on the demon as even taking into account the grapple penalty, you can take the demon out with that round. Let me know if you're not okay with this.

Round 3:
Ozak: Go
Kai: Go
Val: Go
Tysi: Go
Baddies: TBD
Hal: TBD
Balik: TBD

Sounds good to me! The old coot's an equal opportunity whacker!

Val fires 2 good aligned arrows at the remaining demon

attack: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20
damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

"You there, elf! Focus yer arrows on a single spot, try to penetrate that beastie! You ken do it, elf!"" Using Wanderer's Wisdom to grant Halbarad a +2 inspire courage bonus to attacks and damage for 7 rounds by spending 2 ki pts!

Sweet, thanks!

"What did you think I was doing?" Hal snorts over the din. Under his breath, he adds, "Trying to save your unwashed behind, in fact."

I dont suppose the fact that im invisible helps against the thing that tentacled me?

Ozak attempts to slip out of the grab.

Escape artist: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

Sorry Im confused, you suggested that Balik killed the WISC, or am I reading it wrong? Are we still grappled?

My bad. I was used to the demons and their true sight, the stump would have guessed wrong on Ozak, so Ozak is not grabbed. Balik killed the closer demon, which leaves a demon on death's door in the back and the stump creature.

Val sticks a pair of arrows in the demon in the back, who doesn't look well.

Round 3:
Ozak: Go
Kai: Go
Val: ATK
Tysi: Go
Baddies: TBD
Hal: TBD
Balik: TBD

Ozak moves and attacks the stump!

Piranha Strike: 1d20 + 15 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 15 - 2 = 21 vs flat footed.
Damage: 1d6 + 7 + 5d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 7 + (6, 1, 4, 6, 4) + 4 = 36

It may LOOK like a tree stump, but it takes the precision hit JUST fine. Nevertheless, it takes the beating and is still fighting wildly.

Round 3:
Ozak: ATK
Kai: Go
Val: ATK
Tysi: Go
Baddies: TBD
Hal: TBD
Balik: TBD

sorry, reply musta been eaten!

Tentacles tightening around his chest, Varlaniel gasps as the air is forced from his lungs Great, first Xill try to eat me, now a Demon! realising his chancea at escape are likely poor he raises his enchanted scimitar and attempts to swipe the tentacle holding him.

attack, magic, cold iron, silver, adamantine: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18 for damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

And

attack, magic cold iron, silver, adamantine: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15 for damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12. But is unable to hit his foe

Did you spend some time on the King Xeros?

Kai tries, but cannot cut himself free! The remaining demon decides to leave this realm and vanishes to parts unknown. The stump monster, however, has plenty of eating to do.

Round 3:
Ozak: ATK
Kai: Miss
Val: ATK
Tysi: Go
Baddies: TBD
Hal: TBD
Balik: TBD

Tysi will try shooting it with her electrically charged arrows at the crazy looking tree with big lips.

Freak creature!

1: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29 and if it hits does 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11 points of damage plus 1d6 ⇒ 2 electricity damage.

2: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21 and if it hits does 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13 points of damage plus 1d6 ⇒ 6 electricity damage.

3: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23 and if it hits does 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13 points of damage plus 1d6 ⇒ 2 electricity damage.

Tysi's arrows are enough! The crazy tree thing stops moving and releases the Pathfinders.

Out of combat!

With a sharp breath, The golden haired elf is dropped to the ground by the now unmoving tentacles and looks down at themselves, but realise they are relatively unharmed "Something to be said for the vigour of demons after all." He thinks to himself as he brushes off the dirt and sheathes his sword at his hip.

"Now, let us see who this puppet is?"

Slowly he makes his way to the Gnome and starts examining the poor soul for any signs of who they are.

perception: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (5) + 18 = 23

Kai finds a small trap door underneath the gnome corpse. Unfortunately the corpse has no identifying features. Beyond a door is a simple storage chamber, though there is plenty inside. The storage area contains a largecache of cold iron, 440 lbs of cold iron. There are six flasks of deepsheen, (a dull, metallic paste that behaves in all ways like silversheen except that it grants the affected weapon the properties of cold iron instead of silver.)

Unfortunately, there's no hint of sign as to where the remaining Uprooters could be... until you hear a roar in the distance, maybe a mile from here!

The roar is followed quickly by a warhorn, albeit weakly sounded.

Uprooters still fight!

What now Pathfinders?

Varlaniel points out the cache to his fellow pathfinders, and takes out the deepsheen and passes it out to those not slready armed with cold iron weaponry.

"Must be a drop for the Uprooters, poor soul."

His ears pick up at the sound of the warhorn in the distance and he draws his blade, the green of the metal shining slightly in the light between trees.

"Let us go fellows and rescue the uprooters we can"

Balik lets out a long breath as the creepy tree puppetmaster drops him. "Ach! In elf-land even the stumps wanna eat ye! Let's see to yer elves before their pointy ears get out o' whack."

Not rushing you, feel free to freshen up retroactively.

You make your way towards the sound. Thankfully here the flora is less painful, though it is still twisted and macabre. A clearing meant for mystical rites interrupts the ongoing riot of disfigured flora and fauna. Under the shadow of a mighty oak, eleven large stones engraved with runes form a circle around untainted grass. One stone is far larger than the rest. The green blades are young and weak, but nonetheless natural.

A voice from the wood speaks. Its words are Taldane, but the lilt is decidedly Sylvan. "“Have you heard the one about what would happen if you despoil Tanglebriar’s only unmolested grass? It would leave you in stitches!” One of the trees rapidly changes into a humanoid; half-man half goat.

"Good morning my virile friends. I am Vinst. You are invading my space, and I daresay it'd be fair if I invaded yours..." He speaks with a wry grin.

"Ach, yer not the first goat ta make that offer, laddie-buck!" Balik laughs with a deep, slightly disturbing glee.

"Now there's a good sport!" The satyr makes an exaggerated display of stretching; lunges, squats, etc. He looks at each of you and in a sing song voice adds,

"If all the young ladies were little white rabbits
I'd be a hare and I'd teach 'em bad habits

If all the young ladies were locks on a gate
I'd be a key and insert and rotate

He looks serious for a moment, especially at Tysi, "It's why you're here... right?"

Val laughs. If all the young ladies were ships on the ocean, I'd be the waves and I'd show em the motion!

we don't mean to despoil your home, sir. We are after the demons in an attempt to save the elves they are harrying. Perhaps you know a shortcut to the battle now raging?

diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28

Diplomacy check. +2 for playing along.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

"Any help would be very appreciated." Ozak adds.
Aid Diplo: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20

That puts me at a 32 currently (tx

Anyone need healing? I'd have offered a channel retroactively

"You've been a good sport about it all. I suppose I shall let you by. But first, and tell me true, why are you in the Briar?"

Tysi turns a vibrant shade of red, about the same color as her hair, and then it seems to dawn on her she's the only female here.

Um. What? Aren't you a bit big? Realizing half second what she just said, OH! Golly, I meant, well, um... wait. I think I have to go die now.

She's still pink in the face and is trying to hide behind her gecko.

Varlaniel listens to the Satyr's poem and then Val's added verse is too much and he bursts out laughing, the sound harsh and his next line has the inflection of an Andoran sailor rather than a bookish elven spell-blade. He grins broadly at Ty's obvious blushing and gives the creature a deep formal bow.

"I beg permission to teach that to my Bard to sing our next voyage sir! As to why we are here well that is simple, to save our friends and allies from foul taint o' course, what better a cause is there?"

"Ach, the randy goat's got a question and ye dance aboot the answer insteada' answering straight. We're Pathfinders, me lad, and we're here to rescue some pointy eared elfs so their commander will give us troops ta fight in the Worldwound. So far we've been nearly trampled by a giant bug and tentacle-probed in places I'd rather na' mention by a tree stump what et a gnome. Oh, and there be demons, too. But I like yer song, laddie. Good music to fock by!" Balik grins, showing where teeth used to reside.

"HA! Honestly and modesty, an intoxicating combination. I'll tell you what. I'd like to see that nasty monster taken care of, and if helping the elves is your aim, you gotta take on the big man. I'll tell you how to get there, but you've got watch out of the leeches and the fen."

He gives directions forward that you're thankful for. The warhorn would have taken you through a dangerous path.

"Good luck my hearties! I'll drink to your victory, and I'll drink to remember your defeat. Either way NVNC EST BIBENDVM!"

"How crude," Hal mutters disdainfully, eager to press on. He reluctantly replies over his shoulder in Sylvan.

"Ita vero."

When we're getting close I'll pop out the gravity bow wand and give myself a hit.

Any word on what this "big man" is, my virile friend?

"The hezrou, I would say," Hal replies impetuously.

"He's got the right of it. He's a nasty piece of work he is."

"Let's get on with it, then. My thanks for the pleasure of your grove," Hal hurries. "Now unless there something else?"

Survival: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (16) + 21 = 37

Not sure if you're hinting that there's more information to be had here. In any case, Hal is eager to press the fight.

If we can gain even a moment or two before closing, for short-term buffs, that...would be good. :-) If not, we'll make do.