DM Alexander Kilcoynes Serpents Skull PbP- Chapter 1, Souls for the Smugglers Shiv (Inactive)

Game Master Alexander Kilcoyne

Unable to see Savarend in the darkness surrounding the evil creature, she hears Savarend say "Lets do this!" Thinking he means to retreat, Chi moves back out of the area, so that Marcus and Tun'ada can hold the rear. "Come let's get outta here, Savarend best we live and fight another day, than leave our remains as the foodstuffs of evil. If you all come back now, We can all make our escape. Come on on, where are you?"

I take it no one had use of the Enlarge spell, Chi also has Obscuring Mist, which we can use to cover our tracks a bit....with a bit of luck...Chi plans to cast when we leave this cave, so the exit is covered in mist. There is a potential for her evilness to fall as well, and maybe miss out exit. We need some time to get people up the rope and then pull the rope up. If you have better plans for the Obsuring Mist then don't hold back!

Round Four:
Hoping to give his friends an advantage in hitting the undead cleric or to give them an extra chance to flee, Ambroze continues to offer words of encouragement as he steps closer to the battle and casts a spell to make the ground beneath the priest slippery.

Free action to continue Bardic Performance (Naturalist). Move action to step 15 ft to the square with the 'V27' in it. Standard action to cast Grease on the ground in Nylithati's square, the square just south of her position, and back into the passageway through which she entered (trying not to catch any of our people in the effect). Nylithati must make a Reflex DC 14 or fall. She can walk within the greased area at half speed with a DC 10 Acrobatics check - failure means she can't move that round (and must then make a Reflex save or fall), while failure by 5 or more means she falls.

20% Miss chance for spell (if necessary): 1d100 ⇒ 53

Rounds of Bardic Performance used today: 10

Oh, and Knowledge (religion) check: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Updated my hp. I think the only damage I've taken was from the spiritual weapon.

The dwarven marine roars as he walks forward. "Let's do this!"

5-foot step towards the undead.

FoB

Attack 1d10+7
Damage 1d6+3

Attack 1d10+7
Damage 1d6+3

Ouch...

Delay Marcus no later than 11 please I'm going to yell at Savarend in my action although I don't like Marcus' chances.

Ok, so waiting on Gwen's action and your delay before the Lacedon.

Unable to see Savarend in the darkness surrounding the evil creature, she hears Savarend say "Lets do this!" Thinking he means to retreat, Chi moves back out of the area, so that Marcus and Tun'ada can hold the rear. "Come let's get outta here, Savarend best we live and fight another day, than leave our remains as the foodstuffs of evil. If you all come back now, We can all make our escape. Come on on, where are you?"

I take it no one had use of the Enlarge spell, Chi also has Obscuring Mist, which we can use to cover our tracks a bit....with a bit of luck...Chi plans to cast when we leave this cave, so the exit is covered in mist. There is a potential for her evilness to fall as well, and maybe miss out exit. We need some time to get people up the rope and then pull the rope up. If you have better plans for the Obsuring Mist then don't hold back!

Enlarge is a great spell particularly pre-battle I think down here we just haven't run into the right circumstances for it (Marcus should have asked pre-cannibal fight). Using the mist to cover our escape once we are all five feet from the rope sounds like a fine idea to me.

OK guess it doesn't really matter for my action what Gwen does.

Conditional action, sorry I'm not sure when Savarend says stuff.

If its apparent by my initiative count that Savarend is not running away then double move forty feet up to the ghoul (on the assumption there is no valid charge).

If its not apparent by my initiative count that Savarend is not running away then single move twenty feet into the room, transfer sword to left hand and pull out a vial of alchemist's fire.

Either way, Marcus yells at Savarend in a voice you've never heard before, MARINE SERGEANT! YOU WILL FALL BACK IN LINE WITH THE REST OF YOUR PLATOON OR I WILL FEED YOU TO THE SHARKS MYSELF!

Savarend can knock Marcus' lights out later for trying to order him around :). Sorry if it is the first action guys but if we run and Savarend gets paralyzed he is dead and ghoulized and Marcus would rather die as well.

Init 22-

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Parlor tricks! the Lacedon shrieks, just before she falls over in the slippery substance.

Init 15-
Beating a tactical retreat, Tun'ada takes position in the centre of the room, unsure if the castaways are attacking or fleeing...

Init 12-

Gwen...

Init 11-

Seeing Savarend determined to move in and attack, Marcus moves into the melee with the Lacedon as well- taking the last available space to attack her without being in a greased square (Savarend takes the other on init count 9 as far as we know.

"Now's our chance, you sods! Let's hit her while she's down!"

Gwen, her heart hammering and her mind failing to comprehend the barked commands around her, raises her voice as if to command herself.

Ég mun ekki flýja frá illu! Ég stend á herðum góðvild og líf gegn öflum hins illa og hnignun!!

At these words, divine power flows from Gwen, providing the blessings of the Gods in what may be the party's last endeavour.

Standard Action: Cast Bless (+1 to attack rolls and Saves vs. Fear effects).
Move Action: Five-Foot-Step away from the badness.

Also, Marcus - I think your HP are wrong. I made a note that after the +5 from Life Link last round, I would be out of the danger zone as far as taking more damage, but you're still down 6. Can you verify if that's right?

I took 6 points falling damage which I think got restored by life link as it was still up? Then took 18hp of which 6hp was cured, two lots of 5hp life link and I think 2hp now puts me at full but Gwen poorly unless I missed another heal.

Nylithati, Init 10-

Nylithati's spiritual weapon continues to attack Savarend, the dagger doing far more damage than a weapon of its size should and stabbing Savarend swiftly in the chest. Seemingly as comfortable on the ground as she was standing, Nylithati manages to cast another spell while keeping herself well defended by her shield. Gesturing at Marcus, she points at him with fingers flaring red with a sickening glow... With the spell cast, she pulls herself to her feet in the grease.

(acro check rolled off-screen so you don't see how terrible her acro modifier is lol).

Attacks of opportunity provoked from Marcus and Savarend.

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 Spiritual Weapon (Hit)
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8 Damage

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22 Concentration success

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14 Marcus will save failure.

Two AOO's to resolve and then feedback for Savarend's action and Chi's action left to take. Sorry for making the will save on your behalf Marcus but I didn't want to add to the complexity of this round by giving her conditionals. If you had made the save she wouldn't have stood up.

AoO

Attack 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Damage 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

AOO
1d20 + 9 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 9 + 1 + 1 = 25 (nat, bless)
1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Edit: Bah -2 for frightened.

As in, you forgot to apply it? So a 23 then? But, your taking the AOO as she stands so that comes to 27...

Savarend's fist meets only a heavy metal shield, but Marcus' blow cuts through her armour and defences, scoring first blood on the Lacedon as she rises. The blow is met by a snarl of-

Be off with you, i'll play with you later...

Chi is up.

As in, you forgot to apply it? So a 23 then? But, your taking the AOO as she stands so that comes to 27...

Savarend's fist meets only a heavy metal shield, but Marcus' blow cuts through her armour and defences, scoring first blood on the Lacedon as she rises. The blow is met by a snarl of-

Be off with you, i'll play with you later...

Chi is up.

Yes.

"You crazy guys, I'll watch your back and be ready to cover any retreat, if we have to leave quickly.", Chi decides that she will scout back to make sure that the entrance to this tunnel is clear. She takes her dagger with her as she melds into the shadows and waits by the tunnel entrance, making sure there are no other nasty surprises coming their way. She also listens to hear the sounds of battle behind her.

Perception 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Stealth 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14

Should have been a miss chance.

1d100 ⇒ 23

Savarend finds himself unable to land a blow, and Chi retreats to watch the rear exit.

Round 5-

Ordered Initiative-
Ambroze- 22
Tun'ada- 15
Gwenyth- 12
Marcus- 11
Nylithati- 10
Savarend- 9
Chi- 8

Active Effects-
Naturalist, +1 to attack rolls, saving throws, AC.
PfE on Marcus- 1 rounds left
Darkness (20% miss chance within 20 feet of Nylithati)
Mysterious Dagger attacking Savarend, 2 rounds used.
Grease on the area around Nylithati
Bless (+1 attack rolls and saves VS fear)

Map Update-
Link

FoB

Attack 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Damage 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Attack 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Damage 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

It would be nice if you could include the modifiers from active effects in your attack rolls, I list them for your benefit not mine.

I apologize for not including them. My adjusted rolls should be the following, I think:

Attack 14
Damage 8

Attack 28
Damage 8

Didn't mean to single you out there but its a reminder for all :). Ambroze, Tun'ada, Gwenyth and Marcus are up.

Marcus is clearly in the grip of some kind of unatural effect from the ghoul. His face is pale and he can barely hold on to his sword.

Can't fight it... we must run. Run.

He barely has the presence of mind to withdraw rather than just turning his back and fleeing.

Withdraw back toward the exit. Double moving or running as applicable for the duration of the effect.

Marcus rushes out of the cavern past Chi, a look of fear upon his brow.

So, PfE doesn't prevent Cause Fear? I hate the wording of PfE...so vague. "Excercise mental control..." pffath!

Seeing Marcus - normally steadfast and brave - flee for the exit causes Gwen to spit in frustration.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Marcus er veiddur í stafa af ótta. Ýttu á! Við verðum að sigrast á þessu vonda veru.

She aims her crossbow at the vile creature and fires.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

If a 17 missed earler, that certainly does.

And sorry guys, but (totally metagame here) Gwen is very, VERY unlikely to run unless there's really no hope at all.

Tun'ada growls in frustration with the indecision of the group and charges back into the fight.

Two-handed swing

Attack:1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 13 (naturalist, bless, charge)
Miss Chance:1d100 ⇒ 27 (01-20 misses)
Damage:1d8 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Nice friggin time for a 1....*grumbles*

So, PfE doesn't prevent Cause Fear? I hate the wording of PfE...so vague. "Excercise mental control..." pffath!

I did have to have a good read of PfE before concluding that it is not mental control. He did receive the +2 on saves from that and +1 from fear though- sadly he missed the DC, JUST.

Waiting for Ambroze then I will update Nylithati.

Chi runs after Marcus, tugging on his arm, trying to pull him to a stop before he runs somewhere dangerous. "Marcus stop!, what's going on! why are you running? what's happened to the rest of them? are you all right?"

Gwenyth wrote:

So, PfE doesn't prevent Cause Fear? I hate the wording of PfE...so vague. "Excercise mental control..." pffath!

I did have to have a good read of PfE before concluding that it is not mental control. He did receive the +2 on saves from that and +1 from fear though- sadly he missed the DC, JUST.

Believe me Gwen if I thought I could get further value out of the prot evil I would have given it a go :)

In full battle gear Marcus simply brushes past Chi. Its messed with my head Chi, have to run! Have to run!

Someone would need to grapple Marcus to stop him and even then he will struggle to free himself for the duration so he can run.

Chi tries to drag him to the ground, using her famous rugby tackling skill, she picked up when playing as a child in her home village. She is deceived by the fleetness of foot of Marcus and is unable to grab his waist as he runs past.

Grapple 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

Round Five:
Ambroze continues to offer words of encouragement to his allies as he steps closer to the battle. As he does so, he retrieves a flask of holy water from his pack.

Free action to continue Bardic Performance (Naturalist). Move action 20 ft to square E of Savarend. Move action taken as standard action to retrieve flask of holy water from pack.

Rounds of Bardic Performance used today: 11

Gwen's crossbow bolt is deflected away by the Ghoul's shield, while Tun'ada slips on a stray sliver of grease and almost loses his footing, hastily abandoning his strike to arrest his charge. Maintaining her footing, Nylithati sneers at the four of you that remain to battle her and rams a claw into Savarend's gut at incredible speed; and then twists the claw cruelly as she steps in close to bite the Dwarf's shoulder, tearing a chuck off, spitting it aside and stepping in to stand above the fallen Monk. The spiritual dagger continues to stab the dying monk, and he is no position to avoid its lethal strikes...

Claw vs Sav (hits)-
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Claw Confirm (confirms)-
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Bite vs Sav (hits)-
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Spiritual Dagger vs unconcious Savarend (hits)-
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Now stood out of the greased area, Nylithati flashes Ambroze a toothy grin as shes now right next to him.

Any more parlor trickssss, small one? Perhaps it shall be you that accepts eternal life, not much meat on you anyway..

A shame because Savarend's blow WOULD have hit.

Round 6-

Ordered Initiative-
Ambroze- 22
Tun'ada- 15
Gwenyth- 12
Marcus (fleeing)- 11
Nylithati- 10
Savarend (dead or dying)- 9
Chi (attempting to tackle Marcus)- 8

Active Effects-
Naturalist, +1 to attack rolls, saving throws, AC.
Darkness (20% miss chance within 20 feet of Nylithati)
Mysterious Dagger attacking Savarend, 3 rounds used.
Grease on the area near Nylithati
Bless (+1 attack rolls and saves VS fear)

Map Update-
Link

A note for all- please don't discuss Savarend's current state OOC, or ask/declare how many HP he is on. For all your characters know currently, hes dead or dying and your not sure which.

Oh, the folly of hubris!

The dwarven marine continues to lie insensate, his blood pooling on the stony floor of the cavern.

dotting....and watching....

The dwarven marine continues to lie insensate, his blood pooling on the stony floor of the cavern.

** spoiler omitted **

We're probably going to die here, and it's essentially due to my unwillingness to retreat. But, I remain unwilling to retreat. So, not sure what to say other than "sorry". If you guys want, I can cover your retreat, but I haven't understood a single word that's been spoken since combat began, soooo...

Truly panicked for the first time on the island, and completely unsure of what to do, Gwen erupts with positive energy, intent on providing Savarend with the best possible chance of survival.

Channel (Heal Living):2d6 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10

I'll also reload my crossbow.

I think your chances are a little better than you think, but of course I have all the information here. Don't feel bad about RPing your curse to the hilt Jer, I heartily approve! Tun'ada and Ambroze are up (Marcus continues to flee).

After picking herself up after the abortive tackle on Marcus...Chi will return to see for herself what's happening in the cavern...kind of alerted by Marcus' fleeing trick.

Savarend will lash out and try to hit the lacedon while prone.

Attack 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Damage 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Tun'ada uses the last burst of his adrenaline to strike at the hellish creature one more time.

Two-handed swing, last round of rage.

Attack:1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 1 + 1 = 13 (naturalist, bless)
Miss Chance:1d100 ⇒ 84 (01-20 misses)
Damage:1d8 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Crap....another bad roll...

And Tun'ada's about to be exhausted! LOL, I reassert - we're toast. :-)

And Tun'ada's about to be exhausted! LOL, I reassert - we're toast. :-)

Only fatigued, but still not good.

Nylithati flashes Ambroze a toothy grin as shes now right next to him.

Any more parlor trickssss, small one? Perhaps it shall be you that accepts eternal life, not much meat on you anyway..

Round Six:

Free action to continue Bardic Performance (Naturalist). Five-foot step back (diagonal) to square just north of Gwen. Standard action to toss flask of holy water at Nylithati (ranged touch attack).
Ranged Touch Attack (Holy Water): 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 14 (includes naturalist and bless)
20% Miss Chance: 1d100 ⇒ 73
Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7

Rounds of Bardic Performance used today: 12

Ambroze hurls a flask of holy water at the Lacedon, who makes a valiant effort to duck the flask but the bottle still connects- showering her with holy water, causing her undead flesh to hiss and steam angrily. She recovers in time to casually brush aside Tun'ada's strike with her shield, and Gwenyth heals the party.

The cleric pulls out a holy symbol; a small statue of a coiled snake around a similar dagger to the one stabbing Savarend- and answers Gwen's burst of healing with a wave of unholy energy that wounds the four of you- causing Savarend to collapse before he gets another chance to strike. The dagger floating in the air takes one last stab at Savarend before winking out of existence- miraculously the Dwarf rolls over in his unconcious state, writhing in pain as he bleeds out- the dagger slams into the cave floor, just missing him.

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Please make DC15 Will saves or take 9 damage from her Channel Energy attack. Those who pass take 4. Unfortunately for Savarend, even if he saves he falls unconcious again...

Savarend is unconcious before he gets a chance to strike, and Chi returns to the fight...

Round 7-

Ordered Initiative-
Ambroze- 22
Tun'ada- 15
Gwenyth- 12
Marcus (fleeing)- 11
Nylithati- 10
Savarend (dead or dying)- 9
Chi (returned, current location on map- bear in mind shes faster than Marcus)- 8

Active Effects-
Naturalist, +1 to attack rolls, saving throws, AC.
Darkness (20% miss chance within 20 feet of Nylithati)
Grease on the area near Nylithati
Bless (+1 attack rolls and saves VS fear)

Map Update-
Link

Will Save:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Drained by his rage, Tun'ada tries to fight on...

Two-handed strike

Attack:1d20 + 6 - 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 6 - 1 + 1 + 1 = 21 (no rage, fatigued, bless, naturalist)
Miss?:1d100 ⇒ 49 (01-20 misses)
Damage:1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

So close...