GM Brunoreturns' Shattered Star (Inactive)

Game Master brunoreturns

My bad, old eyes...

Fort Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Oh well, that was all for nothing...

Finally got back in.

Still need actions from Deric and Reillana.

fort: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Deric holds his position.

"Oh goddess, this is somehow worse than that time you jumped into the sewage water," Reillana tells the hacking, coughing Deric. Grabbing his arm and putting it under her shoulder, the elf tries to help the burly warrior up the stairs, hoping to keep ahead of the smoke. "You owe me, you know."

Drag Maneuver?: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Reillana is also not immune to being stunned.

Fort: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

@Everyone Please remember that part of being stunned is that you drop everything you were holding

@Paeral I'll be extra nice and allow you to keep that crit for your next roll

Reflex(Whirlwind): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
Reflex(Fire): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

Dodging away from the whirlwind and the fiery debris it is picking up, the Derro propels itself along the ceiling, over the heads of the mostly stunned party, trying to get away from the smoke.

The darkness moves with it.

The smoke advances another 5ft, at which point it begins to stream up the stairway.

Round 14
BOLD may act
Squint: Heroism

Derro -36 Hovering 10ft
Deric -12
Barkot -20 (8 NL)
Reillana -12
Paeral -21
Squint -22 (4 NL)
Gale Flying 10ft, whirlwind
Ulyi -17

Barkot snarls as everyone around him stops moving and pulls a flask of acid from his bandolier. He throws it angrily at the derro just after it passes over his head, then takes a 5' step towards the stairs.

Ranged touch attack, divine favor: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 1 = 81d6 ⇒ 2
Concealment: 1d100 ⇒ 48

Bother.

The un-stunned Squint races up the stairs, out of the range of the darkness.

"Gale! Quit with the whirlwind and just attack it! Up on the ceiling!"

Gale does its best.

Move. Fly up to the ceiling and go back and forth with its 100 feet movement speed until it contacts the derro.

Slam Attack, Concealment: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 161d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 51d100 ⇒ 91

The elemental can see the derro :)

Paëral picks up his bow and fires...

Paëral fires another cold iron arrow at the derro...

Longbow: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 31
Confirm: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 30
Miss <= 20: 1d100 ⇒ 82
Cold Iron Damage: 3d8 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (6, 7, 2) + 3 + 3 = 21

The derro grabs its back as the arrow pierces it, looking back in fury at the elven archer.

Deric readies to grab the derro should the sound of its wings get within reach.

Just Reillana, I think

Fort: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16 Do I remain stunned? If not Reillana is heading up the stairs, keeping low and out of the smoke as much as possible.

Coughing and struggling to catch her breath even as her vision blurs with tears, Reillana feels her way along the wall and up the stairwell.

The stun effect only lasted one round

Several attacks come at the derro, with Paeral's hitting and causing a grievous wound. Looking around at the archer, it starts to reach for a flask, but decides to keep moving for the stairs instead.

Deric reaches out, but grabs at empty air.

As it starts to move past Squint, it draws forth an extract and drinks it, healing some of its wounds.
CMW: 2d8 + 7 ⇒ (1, 2) + 7 = 10

Round 15
BOLD may act
Squint: Heroism

Derro -47 Hovering 10ft
Deric -12
Barkot -20 (8 NL)
Reillana -12
Paeral -21
Squint -22 (4 NL)
Gale Flying 10ft, whirlwind
Ulyi -17

Double move up the stairs, however far Barkot can get. He's hoping to get past and above the derro, if it's taking time to stop and retrieve and drink a potion.

Squint double moves up the stairs as well while the air elemental flies at the derro, attempting to harry its seemingly-unimpeded ability to propel itself along the ceiling via its levitate spell and drink a potion of healing at the same time.

Melee Attack (elemental): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 201d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

It was an extract this time Squnit. Single move and a standard action.

Paëral moves 15' and fires a cold iron arrow at the fleeing derro...

Longbow: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 29
Cold Iron Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 = 6

Feeling the derro pass him, Deric moves up the stairs and when within reach tries again to grab it.

cmb v cmd: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
1d100 ⇒ 53

Reillana completes her retreat into the chamber above, as Paeral's arrow hits the derro again.

@Reillana make a Perception check

Barkot slides past Paeral and Deric, as Deric is reaching out to grab the derro. He manages to touch the derro, but it squirms away from his grasp before he is able to grapple it.

The derro grunts with irritation as it looks at the traffic jam in the stairs. "Get out of my way, you idiots!"

Unable to easily proceed up the stairs, it begins to concentrate and makes unusual motions with its hands.

The elemental and Barkot may take AoOs

Reillana moved to the main slide for the level. If more of the battle proceeds up the stairs, I will create a new slide.

Round 16
BOLD may act
Squint: Heroism

Derro -53 Hovering 5ft
Deric -12
Barkot -20 (8 NL)
Reillana -12
Paeral -21
Squint -22 (4 NL)
Gale Flying 5ft
Ulyi -17

Barkot looks at the derro, looks at the crossbow in his hand, and looks back at the derro. He sighs, and swings the stock of the crossbow at the derro like a club.

Improvised club, AoO, divine favor: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 1 - 4 = 111d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6

"Oh, shaddup!" With a snarl, Barkot drops the crossbow, yanks his longsword free of its scabbard, and tries to run the little bastard through.

Mwk longsword, divine favor: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 1 = 121d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 1 = 8

Deric draws his greatsword.

Masterwork Greatsword PA: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 8 + 2 = 19
damage: 2d6 + 16 ⇒ (3, 5) + 16 = 24
1d100 ⇒ 55

Paëral fires twice more at the fleeing derro...

Longbow: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 17
Miss<=20: 1d100 ⇒ 89
Cold Iron Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 = 4

Longbow: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 8 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 26
Miss<=20: 1d100 ⇒ 90
Cold Iron Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 + 1 = 9

We're not still rolling for concealment are we? Saw Deric's post so I included it just in case...

Off-turn: Gale's AoO

Melee Slam: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 121d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Squint continues to climb up the stairs, fleeing the smoke pouring from the hallway. The air elemental continues to harry the derro.

Double move. Wherever that gets me on the map.

Melee Slam: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 211d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Deric is still rolling Concealment because he doesn't have Darkvision

Concentration: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17

Paeral's arrow causes the derro to lose focus.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13 Whatever it is, I don't think I notice it!

You notice Lockerbie's stench, but don't see him anywhere.

Squint emerges into the main chamber, where Reillana impatiently awaits others to join in the retreat.

With its spell interrupted, the derro starts cursing in its own language again before hastily reaching into a pocket to draw forth a potion and drink it.

Gale and Barkot get AoOs again, after which the derro will turn invisible.

Round 17
BOLD may act
Squint: Heroism

Derro -62 Hovering 5ft
Deric -12
Barkot -20 (8 NL)
Reillana -12
Paeral -21
Squint -22 (4 NL)
Gale Flying 5ft
Ulyi -17

"I don't see Lockerbie, but I smell him. Stay alert, he may decide to take his chances with us after all."

"Oh no, ya don't, ya little freak!" Barkot swings his blade at the derro.

Mwk longsword, divine favor: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 1 = 261d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 = 7

Crit confirm?: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 1 = 141d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5

After Bbarkot's slash, the derro looks quite weak, but the potion is still moving toward its lips.

C'mon, Gale! You can do it!

Gale tries to end the threat.

Melee Slam: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 181d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Squint, upstairs in the next room, whirls around, loads his crossbow, aims at the area where he thinks the derro is, and fires in desperation.

Ranged Attack, Darkness, Heroism: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 241d6 ⇒ 51d100 ⇒ 38 ARRRRRRRRGH.

The derro goes invisible and completes its turn.

Squint's bolt caroms off of the ceiling of the stairs and nearly impales Deric as it bounces in the darkness.

Everyone else can take their turn

Deric knows from all the sounds exactly where this enemy he cannot see is located. He takes a deep breath and...
Masterwork Greatsword: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 10 + 2 = 19
damage: 2d6 + 10 ⇒ (1, 3) + 10 = 14
1d100 ⇒ 12
hears his sword sing through the air.

Barkot swings again, swearing under his breath.

Mwk longsword, divine favor: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 = 181d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 = 9
Concealment: 1d100 ⇒ 36

Still swearing, he moves up the stairs.

Actually, looking back, I misread the derro's caster level. I healed too much on that last extract and am going to retcon.

As the derro tries to pull out a potion, Bbarkot's desperate slash catches the derro in the leg.

The loss of blood is too much for the derro and it slumps, the body hanging in the air.

After stowing the derro's masterwork aklys to extinguish the darkness effect, the party pulls it to the ground and searches it, finding the aforementioned masterwork aklys, small masterwork leather armor, a headband of vast intelligence +2, one remaining potion of CMW, a potion of invisibility, and 4 vials of acid.

Once the fire burns down the party is able to search the back rooms of the derro's chamber, finding the clothes and items the derro's have removed from their prisoners, including 232gp, 1,423sp, 2,100cp, a lens of detection, a golembane scarab, and a wand of spiritual weapon with 11 charges.

FINALLY.

Barkot collapses panting on the staircase beneath the floating corpse of the derro, waiting for the smoke to clear.

"Dat. Wuz. Da. WOIST."

Later, after they have gathered up the derro's stash, he says, "I don't wanna sound like some snooty aristo, but I gotta admit dat goin' back ta da mansion an' sleepin' fer about a week'd soun' pretty good ta me. I mean, only if youse guys wanna go back."

I don't think we'll have an encumbrance problem, but Barkot has two scrolls of ant haul if we need them.

"Is it....is it really....?"

Squint's eyes look wide and a bit crazed. Without a word, the halfling, drops his crossbow, unsheathes a dagger, and rushes to the strange, hanging, limp form. He then proceeds to stab it repeatedly, over and over, blood splattering all over his arms, face, and hair.

"WE WON!" Squint turns to his companions, a terror to behold.

Yes, I realise that this is going to go over REALLY well with Lockerbie.

Reillanna gives Squint a concerned look and a reluctant nod. "Seems that way. Goddess grant that derro doesn't have a clone or siblings who care about them."

Leaning wearily against the wall, she chuckles at Barkot's ramblings. "Oh no, a long sleep sounds lovely. What a wretched city--though perhaps a good deal less wretched now that a kidnapping cell has been eliminated, hm?"

Guess we'll find out if Lockerbie likes his halflings with ketchup!

"Hey! Magnimar ain't wretched! Sure, it's got problems, like any city dat's full a' real people does, but it's better'n most places. Da Lord-Mayor might be a corrupt slob, but he didn't make no deals wit' a devil ta get da job. We might have more'n our share of aristo parasites, but we also got people like Da Heidmarch an' her husband tryin' ta make t'ings a little better. Hells, we ain't even really in da city right now anyways! An' anudder t'ing," Barkot interrupts his rant for an enormous yawn. "I t'ink I'm gettin' goofy from da blood loss. Let's get outta here."

As Squint is stabbing the derro, Lockerbie comes out from hiding on the other side of the stairwell and backs toward the doorway heading north.

"They killed the witch?! All of the others as well!!", he claps and spins, then cocks his head. "Yes, we have them curing underwater. They will be nice and ripe in a few days"

Bowing his way out before Reillana can call the others, he gives her a disturbing look that is likely supposed to be a smile of thanks. "We can focus on our painting now. Go! Go now! Follow your weak friends out into the caves."

"Why didn't we take them? Only one fighter! We could have taken them all easily. The little one would have been so sweet!"

The voice trails off as he scurries off toward the water to the north. "I told you! They cared for that fighter. Like we did for Precious Liza Jane maybe? They would be mad and hunt us. Better this way. We have lots of good derro to eat and a safe place to paint."

The party heads back up to Magnimar, with no issue, stopping in at the Manor to sell their look and check in with Lady Heidmarch.

Word of the rescued prisoners has preceded them and they are greeted with cheers and claps on the back. Celia and Duncan give their thanks with hugs for the whole party and then head back home.

Lady Heidmarch bids you all to rest and report further when you are ready.

The party has now earned enough experience to be 5th level. In the morning, the Mayor will make a speech about the party's solving of the mystery of the disappearing people, and would like the party to be there for the publicity. Whether the party attends or not, he gives the party 2000gp for rescuing four prisoners

Each member of the party gains 2 Fame and 2 Prestige Points. Go ahead and level up and when everyone is ready we'll discuss some things that happen in the morning

Paëral nods fervently in agreement with Barkot. "Aye, be good to be rid of this place! Farewell, Lockerbie, enjoy the derro witch!"

Back at the manor, the rogue bows the Venture-Captain. "Thanks, m'Lady, I look forward to a long sleep in a comfortable bed...we can tell you more in the mornin'..."

Deric cleans up before bedding down. He begins reviewing the battles in his mind until a well deserved sleep overtakes him.

I am just now noticing that my previous posts were in the Discussion thread. Moving them here for completeness.

In the morning, as he wakes up, Paeral finds that his room feels unreasonably cold and his body is shivering uncontrollably.

Teeth chattering, he throws on additional clothes, but still feels chills in his bones.

** spoiler omitted **

The group gathers in the manor in the morning, and fills Lady Heidmarch in on the details of their encounters with the derro.

With a look of concern toward Paeral, she bids the party to return to search for the next shard.

Take what time you want for purchases or anything else. I don't think this is actually a good time for extended down time activities (like retraining). Lady Heidmarch would prod you out of the manor before that would complete.

Paeral is able to shrug off the negative effects of whatever sickness he has contracted, but is still shivering and unable to get warm.

Later in the day, the party reconvenes with Lady Heidmarch at the manor.

When everyone is ready, she bids you to enter a coach that she hired for the occasion as she and Lord Heidmarch wnter their private coach.

After a short trip through the Capital District, the party arrives at the Pediment Building. Lord and Lady Heidmarch exit their coach and head up the stairs and into the building.

As the party exits their coach, a younger man with long blond hair tied back into a tail comes down the steps and approaches. Most of the party members recognize the man with whom Lady Heidmarch was meeting when the party first arrived in answer to her summons.

"Ah! The heroes of the day have arrived. Well done, all. The city is a little safer today.

Nothing more is required of you at this time. Just stand here and smile. I will give you your medals and then you'll be free to go."

As he turns and heads toward the platform, the party's attention falls on Niculaie, the information broker of the Wreckwash Blades, who just happens to be leaning against one of the pillars exactly where the party's eyes would fall.

When he sees that he has your attention, he smiles and tips his hat, then turns and starts walking back toward the lower districts.

A few nobles begin gathering in the square, many of them coming out of Usher's Hall nearby.