GM BrOp - Shattered Star (Inactive)

Game Master Branding Opportunity

Mach looks around the room for anything dangerous--traps, hidden enemies, and the like.

I think I'll take 10 for Perception...

Um'bala casts his sight about the room, scanning the area for auras.

Casting detect magic. If I see any, I'll take 10 to determine what they are, with a 24 Knowledge (arcana) and a 22 Spellcraft.

Um'bala does not detect any magical auras in the vicinity.

Mach looks around the room for anything dangerous--traps, hidden enemies, and the like.

You are still in the hallway. Do you move around the room? Do you stay put where you are? What are you looking at? The walls, the floor, the ceiling? Taking 10 in every 5' square would take about 50 rounds (i.e. 5 minutes)

Quintus will wait for mach's observations, but if the place seems deserted Quintus will send some dancing lights down the corridor all together so they look like a wil-o-the-wisps to try and scare anything that might be in the room.

I'm going to be stepping into the room and looking everywhere--walls, floor, ceiling. I'm not going to search each individual square--just a once-over of the room will do.

Milo is one of the last into the room. He too looks around trying to get a sense of what is here.

Also taking 10 for Perception.

As Mach and Milo enter the room, there is a scurrying sound from the nearest mound. A split-second later the head of a giant ant appears from the hole in the mound. It skitters out and crawls aggressively towards the tiefling. The creature is enormous, easily seven feet in length, and its mandibles are easily a foot long each.

That was the surprise round.

INITIATIVE:
Mach: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Milo: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Petronicus: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Quintus: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Standing Bear: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Um’Bala: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Giant Ant: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (8) + 0 = 8

Quintus, Standing Bear, and Um'bala get to go (in any order), followed by the ant and then the rest of the party.

COMBAT MAP

Um'bala says a few words of arcane power, a bolt of electricity crackles to life in one hand. A moment later, it arcs out towards the ant.

Casting jolt.

Ranged Touch, cover, melee: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (8) - 5 = 3
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Quintus begins chanting a few arcane phrases before a small mote of coldness appears in his hand. He then aims at the ant and fires hoping for a lucky shot.

Ranged touch: 1d20 + 3 - 8 ⇒ (8) + 3 - 8 = 3
damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3

The creatures they have stumbled across since entering have been perversions of nature, But at least this one is somewhat less perverse than the last thing, thinks Milo.

None of his maneuvers or tricks are likely to work on something this size with this many legs, or at least none that he can think of in the first moments of the melee, so he opts to just slash at the thing's legs with his sword.

As he does so a thought occurs and he shouts, "Let's finish this quickly and get out, because more could come from the other mounds!"

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Damage?: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Standing Bear joins his tiefling friend and strikes at the giant ant with his hammer.
attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

no bug squashing hammer :(

ROUND 1
Both Quintus and Um'Bala's magical attacks go wide, hitting the packed dirt next to the ant; the creature barely seems to notice.

Standing Bear looks like he will be more effective with this earthbreaker, but he slips on the loose dirt as he approaches the giant ant, and nearly takes Mach's head off in the process. Only the tiefling's quick reflexes help him duck at the last second.

Milo steps up and draws his sword, but his swing is ill-timed and bounces harmlessly off the insect's carapace.

The ant lunges at Mach, but he easily sidesteps the foot-long pincers. Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12,Bite damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

As the fight rages on, a second ant emerges from another mound and charges at Milo. (Double move. It's the yellow one.)

The party is up!

"I thought you said they ride spiders, Um'bala!" Petronicus yells as he comes up behind the halfling.

"Duck, slip!"

Guisarme Power attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21,Guisarme damage: 2d4 + 7 ⇒ (3, 4) + 7 = 14

With precision, the polearm reaches over the halfling, and nearly slices two of the creature's legs off.

DAMAGE TAKEN:
Yellow Ant: 14

THE REST OF THE PARTY IS UP!

Um'bala's eyes light up as he sees an angle on the new ant, and blasts it with another arc of electricity. Afterwards, he moves into the room to give Quintus his fire lane.

Casting jolt on the yellow ant from where I am, and then moving. I get the melee penalty, but not the cover penalty.

Attack, Ranged Touch: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (13) - 1 = 12
Damage, Electricity: 1d3 ⇒ 2 + 1 force

Quintus quickly nods his head in thanks towards Um'Bala opening up a firing line blasting off a quick frost bolt before moving behind Krupt in case more ants came out of the ant hills and to prevent them from flanking.

Touch attack: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (18) - 1 = 17
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2

"So I was off by a few legs, Petronicus!", Um'bala says as he races by the warrior. "And they still might ride spiders. Giant spiders probably eat giant ants!"

Round 1: Actions
Move Action: Move to flank the ant with Milo (2 Acrobatics Rolls)
Standard Action: Stab it!

Mach tries to leap around the ant...

Acrobat 1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20
Acrobat 2: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

...then tries to stab it in a tender spot!

Stab *Flanking*: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 2 = 21
Damage? *Sneak Attack, Blade of the Society*: 1d6 + 1 + 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + (2, 4) + 1 = 14

Standing Bear takes a small step up the hill to flank with Milo and strikes at the ant in between them.
attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 242d6 + 6 ⇒ (4, 2) + 6 = 12

-Posted with Wayfinder

Milo, stuck between two of the creatures sees the damage Petronicus has done to the ant that has suddenly appeared and decides to focus on the original with his attack.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

ROUND 2

Um'Bala's spell damages the wounded ant, nearly killing it, while Quintus fires a barrage at the second creature. Mach tumbles past the vermin with ease and plunges his sword into its metasoma, spilling its innards over the ground; it quickly collapses, its legs and antennae still twitching. The Shoanti steps up and hits the remaining ant in the head, but his mighty blow only temporarily stuns the creature, while Milo is still unable to get through the creature's hard outer shell.

The remaining ant bite's Milo in the arm, but is able to get a grip on the slippery halfling. Bite attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19,Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Another ant emerges from the mound to the north, moving up behind Um'bala to bite him, but his attack bounces off the wizard's mystic armor. Bite attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9,Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

DAMAGE TAKEN:
Ant: 15
Milo: 3

THE PARTY IS UP!

"Watch out behind you, 'Bala!" Petronicus shouts as he steps to the side to get a better shot at the giant ant threatening the wizard. He slashes with out polearm, but misjudges the distance and only manages to dent the creature's carapace. Guisarme power attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13,Damage: 2d4 + 7 ⇒ (3, 4) + 7 = 14

The giant ant's bite hurt, but what was potentially worse was the growing frustration Milo felt as his blade continually clangs off these creature's carapaces.

He takes a breath and lets it out as if it were a breeze and as he does so those near him hear a hum coming from him. The quick action enables in a centering practice from Windsong and as he does it he strikes once again at the same creature.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Damange: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Critical: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Critical Damange: 1d6 ⇒ 5

I may not have done the Critical stuff correctly, so please re-roll, etc. as needed if I'm doing this wrongly. Otherwise, whew! Here's to Monkish discipline, eh? ;)

Quintus not having a good line of fire at either of the ants moves forward while drawing his club hoping to distract the ant next to Standing Bear to make it easier for him to hit it.

Aid Another attack vs AC 10: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 = 18

Swinging around his club Quintus was at least able to make himself stand out and distract the ant for a moment.

Quintus will add a +2 bonus to Standing Bear's next attack versus the brown ant.

Milo's temple sword thrust finds a weak spot on the underside of the head, stabbing up into the giant ant's brain, bringing the creature to a swift conclusion, while Quintus maneuvers and distracts the new ant long enough the next person to get a clear shot at it.

Mach, Standing Bear, and Um'Bala are up. I moved Quintus up one square so that he performed the Aid Another against the "green" ant. His Aid Another will now aid the next person to make an attack against it.

Damage Taken:
Milo: 3

Um'bala retreats up one of the ant mounds, away from the massive insect, its mandibles snapping at him as he leaves. "Thanks, Petronicus!", he says, throwing another blast of electricity towards the creature.

Cast another jolt.
Attack, Ranged Touch, Melee Penalty: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 3 - 4 = 6
Damage, Electricity, +1 Force: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Mach and Standing Bear are still up and it's been nearly a week. Will NPC them if they haven't posted by this evening PST.

Sorry--kinda been busy.

Round 2: Actions
Move Action: Move to next ant
Standard Action: Stab it!

Mach makes a beeline for the next ant and stabs at it...

Stab: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Damage?: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

ROUND 2-3

Um'bala shoots another blast at the surviving ant, but his shot goes wide and impacts the far wall.

With Quintus distracting the ant, Mach is able to duck under its mandibles and land a minor cut on its head.

Standing Bear rushes around the creature, hefting his earthbreaker and bringing it crashing down on its abdomen. SB attack +2 flank: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 2 = 25,Damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 2) + 6 = 11

The cornered (green) ant takes a bite out of Standing Bear, slicing his leg.Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17,Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Just then, yet another ant emerges from the mound in the northeast corner, quickly running up behind the Shoanti. He sees it out of the corner of his eye, and avoids it easily.Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6,Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Damage taken:
Milo: 3, Standing Bear: 4, Green Ant: 14

Party is up!

Round 3: Actions
Full-Round Action: Stab! Stab! STAB!
No Action: 5' step to northeast if Ant falls

Mach keeps on stabbing at the ant before him, hoping to bring it down before it can do any more harm!

Short Sword Stab: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Damage?: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Dagger Stab: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Round 3: Actions

Full-Round Action: Stab! Stab! STAB!
No Action: 5' step to northeast if Ant falls

Mach keeps on stabbing at the ant before him, hoping to bring it down before it can do any more harm!

Um, Mach, you seem to be missing your second attack roll with the dagger.

I thought I put it in. I marked it as 'Dagger Stab'.

Yes, yes, you did. I think I need more caffeine.

Round 3–4

Mach brings down the ant next to him with an expertly angled blow to the head.

Damage taken:
Milo: 3, Standing Bear: 4

Party (minus Mach) is up!

Petronicus races around to the new ant, his polearm held in two hands. "How many more are there going to be? We can't keep this up all day!" He slashes the creature, inflicting a superficial wound.

"Or can we?" he mutters.

Guisarme attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20,Damage: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 4) + 4 = 9

Damage taken:
Milo: 3, Standing Bear: 4, Yellow Ant: 9

Milo, Um'bala, Standing Bear, and Quintus are still up.

Quintus moves forward and once again tries to distract the ant by waving his club around threateningly to open up a clearer strike from Milo.

Aid another action: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1

But he fails and just flails around with his club for a few seconds.

While the others distracted the ant, Um'bala ran along the base of the massive ant hill, and lobbed another arc of electricity at the giant insect.

Attack, Ranged Touch, melee penalty: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 3 - 4 = 5
Damage, +1 Force: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Milo moves to strike at the remaining ant hoping that if they can kill it quickly they might finally make it to the other side of the room.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Standing Bear flanks with Petronicus and strikes at the giant ant with his hammer.
power attack: 1d20 + 7 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 2 - 1 = 182d6 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (3, 6) + 6 + 3 = 18

"I'm sure they aren't infinite."

Standing Bear brings the hammer down on the ant, which crumples in a twitching pile in front of him.

Over the sound of their own heavy breathing, the group strains to hear the sound of more approaching giant insect legs, but it seems that this ant was the last. As their breathing slows, only silence greets their waiting ears.

COMBAT OVER!
DAMAGE TAKEN: Milo: 3, Standing Bear: 4

The large room has only one other visible exit: on the opposite side from where you first entered. The six ant hills and the various wall niches are the only obvious room details to be examined.

"Well, that wasn't all too bad," Petronicus boasts as he wipes bits of ant from the blade of his guisarme. "Nothing a bit of hammer and blade work couldn't manage, eh, Bear?"

With the immediate threat overcome, Um'bala begins examining the niches along the walls for any scrap of lost lore that the mites may have missed.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Knowledge (history): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27

Um'bala spends about 10 minutes in total examining the 10 niches in the walls of the chamber. They are all identical: stacked four high and each two feet deep, six-and-a-half feet wide, and two feet high, but otherwise unremarkable. Um'bala's best guest is that this was once a burial chamber, although there are no physical indicators of this (such as desiccated grave clothes). This guess is based simply on the size of the niches.

"No bodies," Um'bala reports after examining the burial niches. "Not even any funereal wraps. If I had to guess, the mites are responsible for this. Either they stole the bodies to feed their ants, or they grabbed them to animate. Or maybe the ants dragged them off to consume themselves. Hard to say. All things considered, though, we might want to be ready to deal with the walking dead."

Milo glances at Petronicus and smiles, but says nothing. Rather, he moves to where Um'bala is and asks, "Do you really think these Mites can raise the dead? We have seen nothing to suggested that there are any walking dead about, have we?"

"All we have is the knowledge that the people that built this place had interred their dead here, and that they're now gone. Whoever took them must have had their reasons, and necromancy is just the first thing that came to mind when I thought of why the mites might have done it. You're right, we haven't seen any evidence that they raised these ancient dead, but I'd rather be prepared for the possibility that they did and find out they didn't than the other way around."

Quintus shudders at the mention of the undead. "It would be just my luck to run into an ancient ruin like this and have to deal with undead."

Milo nods his head as he replies to the wizard, "Oh, aye, I take your point. I guess mine is that these Mites might actually serve somebody more sophisticated who's raising the dead.

"Either way, your point is well taken."

Petronicus walks over to one of the giant ant hills, a dagger in hand. He looks down into the hole and kicks a clot of dirt into it.

"Hey, sl .... Milo, I bet you could fit in this hole. Want to go exploring?"

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

He looks at the side of the ant hill again as he is waiting for an answer. Noticing something, he exclaims, "Hey! There are tracks here. Little three-toed tracks that go into this ant hill."

Mach is quiet as usual. "If we run into walking dead, what sort do you guys think we'll run into?"

Petronicus walks over to one of the giant ant hills, a dagger in hand. He looks down into the hole and kicks a clot of dirt into it.

"Hey, sl .... Milo, I bet you could fit in this hole. Want to go exploring?"

[dice=Perception]1d20+8

He looks at the side of the ant hill again as he is waiting for an answer. Noticing something, he exclaims, "Hey! There are tracks here. Little three-toed tracks that go into this ant hill."

At Petronicus's first question Milo begins speak when the Chelaxian follows up with his following statement. He then stops. Glancing at Mach and then Um'bala he scratches his chin, "I do not know much about the undead, but given the time that the bodies of those buried here were interred before any of this could have happened and the lack of bones or skeletons in the niches... Skeletons?"

Moving to where the Chelaxian stands he takes a look for himself at the tracks. "It appears to be Mite foot prints. I could go down there an investigate, but if something goes awry how're you all going to rescue me?

"Seems like we've got another hall right over there.... I'll go down if you all think it's worth it, though."