GM Brunoreturns' Shattered Star (Inactive)

Game Master brunoreturns

The party makes its way toward the area indicated on Maroux's map. After some searching they eventually find a wide cave entrance at the base of a stony outcropping overlooking a wide bog. The cave is nearly forty feet wide and twenty feet high, and slopes up into darkness.

A wide assortment of bones lies scattered about in front of the cave itself, and here and there something shiny glitters among the bones.

"Hey, guys! D'you see that?" Barkot gives the area a quick scan for hazards before heading over to the shiny object.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Trapfinding +2 if there's a trap

"When my mother read me fairy tales about dragons, this is what I always envisioned the lairs to look like. Squint, I hear they speak Taldane. Since we are here because of you, why don't you just run up there and ask it for passage? Ally might not have been the best term back there, and it may still make no difference to you. I hate evil as well but would make peace on a temporary basis with it if possible to gain what we need. Does seem like a flaw on my part. Will be right here when you hear from the dragon."

Barkot sees nothing of concern.

There are many shiny objects. Reaching down he brushes some muck from a silver piece.

Paëral will draw his bow and take point and warily move ahead...

Stealth: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17
Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

As he moves quietly toward the cave mouth, Paeral examines the bones. The bones appear to be a mix of boggard and various animals. All of the bones have bite marks from some creature with sharp fangs and scorch marks.

At the mouth of the cave he stops to listen and hears steady breathing from somewhere around a bend in the tunnel.

Deric removes the cover from the everburning torch at his waist. He slowly and quietly draws a potion from his pack. This is not good.

Barkot casts detect magic and looks around while drawing and loading his crossbow.

Barkot casts his spell and begins scanning the area. He does detect the presence of magical auras within the mire outside of the cave.

As he does so, Paeral, from his forward position, hears a sudden snort and sounds of motion.

We are moving to initiative. I will get a map up soon

Round 1
BOLD may act

Paeral
Deric
Enemy
Barkot
Jasper
Squint
Ulyi

The cave narrows slightly as it goes back. The tunnel is mostly straight for about 50 feet where it curves to the West. Should the party choose to take battle into the cave, I will switch up the map

Paëral falls back 30' and readies an attack should this snorting creature exit the cave and come after them...

"Let's see if the beast will come to us...I'd rather not fight it in the tight confines of its home terrain..."

Deric moves 40 feet west and north.

In the dim light filtering through to the back of the cave, the party watches as a large, serpentine head peeks around the bend in the cave, blinks a few times at the light, and hisses.

Smoke curls from its nose and a sulphurous stink precedes it as it hungrily eyes the party.

A moment later, a second identical head peeks around the corner, a bit lower to the floor, followed by a third a bit higher. Two more heads appear, followed by a Huge serpentine body, that quickly begins slithering toward the entrance.

Paeral's arrow speeds toward the creature and sinks deep into its body, only to be pushed back out as the wound begins to heal itself.

The five heads all focus intently on the elf.

Round 1
BOLD may act

Paeral
Deric
Enemy -1
Barkot
Jasper
Squint
Ulyi

The check is Arcana. The creature is 40 feet straight back in the cave. I will add it to the map once it makes it there

"Oh wow!" Squint lets slip as he urges Ulyi forward. Once in place, Squint and Ulyi disappear.

Ulyi will move 40 feet forward to the side of the cave entrance. Squint will cast invisibility bubble ready his lance.

A 5 foot tall bubble appears in the spot where Squint and Ulyi used to be. Nobody can quite tell what is inside of the bubble, but it definitely is NOT Squint and Ulyi.

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

"Oh, crap! What in the Hells is that?"

Barkot casts shield of faith (+2 deflection bonus to AC, 10 minutes) on himself and moves closer to Deric.

"OK, Jasper, better get ready!"

"I don't know what it is, but is looks like it uses Fire"

Jasper pulls out his flail as he moves over to Deric, but holds it in one hand so he can cast Resist Energy (Fire) on the big warrior.

Round 2
BOLD may act

Paeral
Deric
Enemy -1
Barkot
Jasper
Squint
Ulyi

"I will stay as close as possible to you, Barkot. Thank you, Jasper," Deric downs the potion he palmed earlier and disappears. As he moves he draws the greatsword and comes to a complete stop standing perfectly still.
stealth: 1d20 + 1 + 40 - 6 ⇒ (10) + 1 + 40 - 6 = 45

Paëral moves over behind Barkot and Jasper and fires again...

MW Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 9 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 + 1 = 9

Paeral's arrow strikes the beast again. The wounds continue to heal quickly as it slithers toward the mouth of the cave. As it approaches, it suddenly pauses, forked tongues tasting the air, as all five heads peer hungrily in Deric's general direction.

Round 2
BOLD may act

Paeral
Deric
Enemy -5
Barkot
Jasper
Squint
Ulyi

Where’d Deric go? Huh, I bet he’s trying the same trick as that damn derro. Hope so, anyways.

Barkot gives Jasper an appreciative nod. “Thanks, that’s good thinking.” The half-orc steps away from the Grotean doomcaller and calls out a prayer to Soralyon in Varisian.

“Înger Mistic, te rog să mă protejezi de focurile acestui terifiant lucru cu dragon cu toate capetele!”

Barkot casts resist energy on himself for fire resistance 10, duration 100 minutes.

As soon as the spell is completed, he switches back to common and shouts at the creature, “Hey, over here, ugly! Did ya keep growing new heads looking for one that wouldn’t be so bad you gotta live in a cave?”

If these guys don’t get that thing when it comes outta that cave, I’m doomed.

Squint stage whispers as best he can to Deric.

"DERIC! STAY CLEAR OF THE FRONT OF THE CAVE!"

Squint sure hopes the thing doesn't speak Common.

Casting grease on the 10ft area at the front of the cave entrance (lined in green on the map).

Round 3
BOLD may act

Paeral
Deric
Enemy -5
Barkot
Jasper
Squint
Ulyi

Jasper's eyes glaze over and he looks off to the side of the cave. He looks around at the party uncertainly and Paeral can hear him mumble to himself. "They approach the Cave of Fire and awaken the Dread Beast within."

He takes on a defensive posture, waiting for the battle to begin. Total Defense

Deric concentrates on the adamantine shard he has bonded with. Now, Ada! Everything appears to be moving slower.
SLA haste
Noting the thing smelling at him, Deric moves back a short distance and holds still.

stealth: 1d20 + 1 + 20 - 6 ⇒ (16) + 1 + 20 - 6 = 31
stealth: 1d20 + 1 + 40 - 6 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 40 - 6 = 40

+1 to AC and attack et al

Paëral fires twice more at the creature...

MW Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 9 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 29
Cold Iron Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 = 6

MW Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 9 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 19
Cold Iron Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 + 1 = 9

Including anyone else in that Haste, Deric?

Deric extends his haste SLA to Jasper, Paeral, and Barkot.

Yes, Paeral, you are in range of the haste, so add another bow shot when you have a chance

Paeral peppers the creature with more arrows. The wounds, while still healing rapidly, do appear to be adding up.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

As it continues to slither forward, one of the heads bends down to investigate the grease on the ground, while the others peer angrily toward Paeral and the area where they believe Deric to be. Is it encounters the Grease, it slips in the grease and can't move any further.

Round 3
BOLD may act

Paeral
Deric
Enemy -15
Barkot
Jasper
Squint
Ulyi

A hasted Paëral gets a third arrow off at the creature...

MW Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 + 1 = 31
Confirm: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 9 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 + 1 = 22
Cold Iron/Critical Damage: 3d8 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (1, 2, 7) + 3 + 3 = 16

Barkot feels Deric's haste take hold and grins. Nice! He lets the bolt fly from his crossbow, drops it to the ground, and draws his sword as he moves closer to the cave entrance.

Light Crossbow, haste: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 = 131d8 ⇒ 3

Paeral's arrow hits the creature critically, but Barkot's missile misses.

Squint casts one further spell on Ulyi to prepare his hidden friend.

Casting celestial companion on Ulyi.

Ulyi and Squint back against the wall, allowing the invisibility bubble to encompass them. Squint gets his lance ready.

Round 4
BOLD may act
HASTE round 1/5

Paeral
Deric
Enemy -32
Barkot
Jasper
Squint
Ulyi

Oops, forgot Jasper

Jasper stares rigidly at the creature, though he doesn't seem to be focusing on it.

Deric leans in towards the monstrosity. He no longer blinks nor breathes nor thinks with words. The smoke rising from the monster's heads stands still in mid air. No, it moves ever so slowly.

Delay

Paeral takes a few more shots, causing it to look like a pincushion.

MW Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 9 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 + 1 = 26
MW Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 9 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 + 1 = 21
MW Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 + 1 = 15

Cold Iron Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 = 6
Cold Iron Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3
Cold Iron Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 = 8

Unable to move forward, and significantly wounded, the creature turns and slithers as fast as it can into its cave, disappearing around the corner.

Round 4
BOLD may act
HASTE round 2/5

Paeral
Deric
Enemy -42
Barkot
Jasper
Squint
Ulyi

The creature is no longer visible

Deric lets the party know where he is headed so they do not kill him with friendly fire. "I'm going in just east of the grease!"

Round 4
BOLD may act
HASTE round 2/5

Paeral
Enemy -42
Deric
Barkot
Jasper
Squint
Ulyi

Sorry for being absent for the last few days. I’m hoping that this coming week won’t be as crazy at work.

Deric is still invisible, but the light from the everburning torch gives away his position, is that right?

“Guess we should follow them, right?”

Barkot jogs into the cave (hasted double move for 80’), following Deric’s voice and light and the dragon-thing.

”Ugh, I don’t want to go into that cave after that thing, but Deric...”

Squint moves cautiously and reluctantly after Barkot into the tunnel.

Jasper's eyes regain focus, and he looks around seemingly startled. He looks into the cave, seeing the party move that way, and his eyes glaze over again.

Startlingly, he swings his flail backwards, the double skull heads impacting on his back with a vicious crunch.

1d8 ⇒ 2

Round 5
BOLD may act
HASTE round 3/5

Paeral
Enemy -42
Deric
Barkot
Jasper -2
Squint
Ulyi

Paëral moves 60’ and enters the cave...

Double move...

Squint, I moved your token onto the map at about a double-move for Ulyi. Since you were "cautious" I had you stay more toward the back

The creature continues slithering back into the cave, but not before one of its heads breathes a cone of fire out over Deric and Barkot.

Fire: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 6) = 12 DC 16 Reflex for 1/2. I think both of you have Fire Resistance 10, correct?

Round 5
BOLD may act
HASTE round 3/5

Paeral
Enemy -37
Deric Need Reflex Save
Barkot Need Reflex Save
Jasper -2
Squint
Ulyi

reflex: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 1 = 8 haste +1 and yes on resistance

MW greatsword PA : 1d20 + 15 + 1 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 15 + 1 + 2 - 4 = 26 (19/20) haste, invisible, defensive
slashing damage: 2d6 + 19 ⇒ (3, 3) + 19 = 25
AC 24

You hear the sound of Deric's greatsword tearing into the monster as he appears beside it.

Yes on fire resistance 10.

Reflex, haste: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Barkot jogs up to “help” Deric take down the cowardly multi-headed dragon beast.

Longsword, haste: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 241d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Deric's sudden strike drops the creature to the ground. Barkot, noting that its wounds appear to still be healing rapidly strikes at it again, and the body stops twitching.

We will stay in initiative for the moment

"Barkot, you just killed a five headed dragon. Impressive. Guys, I think we should search this place beginning with the bling spot out front. No stone unturned in this lair."

Deric checks the dragon for any sign of life.
heal: 1d20 ⇒ 6