GM Endless Forms' Rise of the Runelords (Inactive)

Game Master Mike Tuholski

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26

Success!

"Interesting, there's a loose stone here.", Miana mentions on the way out. Looking over it, she finds a trove of valuable items. [b]"This will go well for the school and outfitting us to continue this ongoing conflict.

Welcome back Miana!

Sorry no update yesterday. Wednesdays are long days for me and I had three games finish up and I started playing in a new all-star Giantslayer game that is moving fast at the beginning.

To the west Seal finds a narrow chamber empty save for a long, ten-foot-wide pool. The pool is about 15 feet deep.

1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29

"What an odd *chhh* place to put a secret door. Down at the bottom of a pool. I hope we do not have to go down there; I've already had enough wet fur for one day."

"Sharp eyes Miss Rissi!" Kufieno remarks, then smiles. "I'm sure we'll end up down there at some point. Do we investigate the other areas before opening this?"

"Agreed."

Seal walks across the hall and opens the east set of doors.

Assuming Rissi can't fail identifying the gloves, I can swim down there fairly well. But waiting is alright :)

Wizards hate getting wet. Wizards with fur especially hate getting wet

Miana swims down to investigate and determines that the tunnel hidden behind the secret underwater door goes to the east. . . towards the room you have yet to investigate.

Assuming you take the dry route there:

You move across the central room to the eastern doors. A pool of water sits against the wall to the west of this chamber, with a set of steps leading down into it along the pool’s east side. Opposite the steps is an alcove in which rises a fantastically detailed scale model of Skull’s Crossing. The five skulls along its face seem to be actual human skulls, the bone polished to a gleaming sheen.

A remnant of the ancient past lingers on in this room—a lumbering, scorpionlike construct guards the room! It lurches to life as you enter!

Initiative:

1. Lucian, Seal, Rissi, Kufieno, and Miana
2. Skull Ripper!

You guys are up!

Kn: Arcana: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

"Seal, better use Isoult against this thing!", Miana darting forward to head the thing on before it can react, taking a defensive position as she strikes the thing to get its attention.

Swift action for Crane Style

Defensive unarmed strike @ construct: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 12 - 2 = 29
Damage on hit: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
AC is currently 28

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

"A skull ripper - use adamantine to damage it, it resists ice and magic." Lucian warns.

Then he casts blessing of fervor to hasten his companions' road to glory!

Blessing of Fervor: Don't forget to pick one of the following bonuses that can be changed each turn!
- Increase its speed by 30 feet.
- Stand up as a swift action without provoking an attack of opportunity.
- Make one extra attack as part of a full attack action, using its highest base attack bonus.
- Gain a +2 bonus on attack rolls and a +2 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves.
- Cast a single spell of 2nd level or lower as if it were an enlarged, extended, silent, or still spell.
Note: It doesn't stack with haste! Pick a different or better bonus than those provided with haste.

Evanya touches Sealman's shoulder to grant him guidance

Both Lucian and Evanya pick +2 AC/Ref/attack rolls.

1d20 ⇒ 18

Rissi contemplates the creature.

"This creation is poisonous, resists weapons and cold, generates dread and beheads its opponents. Most importantly, it doesn't fly"

acid pit, dc 22 reflex, 40' fall plus 2d6 acid/rd., 9 rds.

Rissi do you want to be moved into the room so that you can target the creature?
Otherwise, I'm going to wait to see what the results of the Acid Pit are before having Seal act.

Sorry, was on phone and not looking. I meant to post that action before Lucian and Miana acted, but got caught in a two hour work conversation

Ref: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

Lucian calls down a blessing on the party! Rissi creates a pit filled with acid but the scorpion made of skulls is too quick and jumps away from it!

As Miana moves up, the skull ripper tries to sting her! Yeah Combat Reflexes!

sting: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (9) + 20 = 29
damage: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
DC 17 Fort against poison or take 1d4 ⇒ 3 Dex damage

She does manage to land a hit on it, though.

I rearranged positions a little bit to reflect it jumping away from the acid pit but kept Miana next to it like I think she wanted.

Initiative:

1. Lucian, Seal, Rissi, Kufieno, and Miana
2. Skull Ripper! (2 dmg)

Seal and Kufieno are up!

Fort save vs DC 17: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22

"And agile, too!", the paladin caught unawares of its quick speed.

I was scared at first when I saw the 20 in the attack roll, then realized it was the modifier... then was scared again!

Seal keeps a careful eye on the Skull Ripper as it moves the cramped room. With Isoult in hand, Seal swings with all his power to see if he can break through the cranium carapace.

BoF +2 to Hit/AC/Ref

PA, Isoult vs Skull Ripper: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17
Dmg: 3d6 + 19 ⇒ (2, 4, 3) + 19 = 28

From the watery font, a sad trombone can be heard...

Seal swings and misses!

Initiative:

1. Lucian, Seal, Rissi, Kufieno, and Miana
2. Skull Ripper! (2 dmg)

Kufieno is up!

Kufieno casts spell, charging his hand with electricity, then darts into the room and tries to tag the scorpion.

Taking +2 BoF

MTA: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 11 + 2 = 26
Damage: 5d6 + 5 ⇒ (1, 4, 3, 3, 4) + 5 = 20
Sneak: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 6) = 8

It has SR

Yeah, I was originally thinking of snowball, which doesn't allow SR, but changed the spell, and forgot about SR.

SR: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 2 = 28

AoO sting on Kufieno: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (12) + 20 = 32
damage: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
DC 17 Fort save against poison or take 1d4 ⇒ 4 Dex damage

Kufieno zaps the skull ripper as it rears itself up to reveal its full dreadful visage!

Everyone: DC 18 Will save at the start of your turn in order to avoid becoming frightened for 1 round.

It then goes after the trio in the room!

claw power attack on Miana: 1d20 + 20 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 20 - 4 = 30
damage: 2d6 + 6 + 8 ⇒ (3, 5) + 6 + 8 = 22
grab: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (8) + 26 = 34
constrict damage if grappled: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (2, 3) + 9 = 14

claw power attack on Kufieno: 1d20 + 20 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 20 - 4 = 24
damage: 2d6 + 6 + 8 ⇒ (5, 3) + 6 + 8 = 22
grab: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (1) + 26 = 27

sting power attack on Seal: 1d20 + 20 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 20 - 4 = 29
damage: 1d10 + 6 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 8 = 17
DC 17 Fort save against poison or take 1d4 ⇒ 3 Dex damage

Initiative:

1. Lucian, Seal, Rissi, Kufieno, and Miana
2. Skull Ripper! (30 dmg)

You guys are up!

Fort: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Kufieno winces as he feels the poison course through his veins!

Concentration DC 17: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Casting another spell, Kufieno charges his hand with electricity, and reaches out to touch the scorpion creature!

Taking +2 BoF.

MTA: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 9 + 2 = 19
Damage: 5d6 + 5 ⇒ (1, 3, 3, 3, 5) + 5 = 20
SR: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Miana has aura of courage, so within 10' and you have +4 on the save.

will: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30
SR: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29

Rissi launches a salvo of magic missiles at the creature.

force: 5d4 + 5 ⇒ (4, 4, 3, 3, 1) + 5 = 20

If it's still on the edge of the pit it will need to make another reflex save - unfortunately, since it now has Miana in its grasp - unless being large and only half on the sloped part negates that. GM call.

Ah yes, I forgot to resave. Being large throws a wrinkle in that's not covered in the rules, since it's not fully on the edge. I'll say it has another +4 for not being all the way on the slope (in addition to the +2 for being adjacent).

Ref: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 10 + 2 + 4 = 25

Kufieno shocks the skull ripper again! Rissi then hits it with some magic missiles.

Initiative:

1. Lucian, Seal, Rissi, Kufieno, and Miana
2. Skull Ripper! (70 dmg)

Lucian, Seal, and Miana are up!

Taking +2 to hit/AC/Reflex

Miana coughs up blood as the pinceresque claw crushes her. She tries to free herself from her confines, healing herself in the process.

Lay on Hands: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 1) = 7
CMB to escape Grapple: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 12 + 2 = 34 Subtract 2 if you allow fighting defensive with grapple checks

With a quick boost of strength, enhanced by Lucian's magic, she opens the claw enough to let herself drop.

AC is either 26, or 30 if you allow fighting defensively to be used while grappled

Will Save: 1d20 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 4 = 17
Save vs Poison: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21

Seal flees from the scene.

"Run away! Run away!"

A large wound opens on Lucian's arm, at the same place Sealman was wounded by the Skull Ripper. Taking 8 damage from shield other instead of Sealman.

Will: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (15) + 18 = 33
However, the young Varisian's resolve remains strong in the face of adversity. Lucian extends his hand towards Sealman, laying a compassionate look on the dwarf.

"Desna will now take that bad dream away, friend. Recover your senses and return to the fight with unbridled resolve!"

Casting unbreakable heart on Sealman. The fear effect is suppressed for 8 rounds.

Will: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Evanya also remains strong against the perspective of death and loss. She then flies to Miana and touches her shoulder, casting guidance on the suli.

@Miana: since it's a combat maneuver and fighting defensively is (iirc) meant to be used on attack actions, I don't think you can do it.

Miana breaks free of the skull ripper's grasp as Seal runs away from the non-giant. As Seal moves past Lucian, the evangelist restores the dwarf's courage.

The Skull Ripper goes after the sulijann!

claw power attack on Kufieno: 1d20 + 20 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 20 - 4 = 24
damage: 2d6 + 6 + 8 ⇒ (4, 5) + 6 + 8 = 23
grab: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (10) + 26 = 36

claw power attack on Miana: 1d20 + 20 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 20 - 4 = 19
damage: 2d6 + 6 + 8 ⇒ (4, 5) + 6 + 8 = 23
grab: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (14) + 26 = 40

sting power attack on Kufieno: 1d20 + 20 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 20 - 4 = 24
damage: 1d10 + 6 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 8 = 22
DC 17 Fort save against poison or take 1d4 ⇒ 3 Dex damage

Initiative:

1. Lucian, Seal, Rissi, Kufieno, and Miana
2. Skull Ripper! (70 dmg)

You guys are up!

Feeling more himself, Seal trots back into the room with Isoult in hand.

He is able to get within range with his longaxe and swings a mighty blow.

Isoult vs Skull Ripper: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21
Dmg: 3d6 + 17 ⇒ (4, 3, 2) + 17 = 26

Lucian instantly casts a spell to help Kufieno liberate himself from the Skullripper's deadly embrace!

Immediate action: casting liberating command, allowing Kufieno an Escape Artist check with a +16 bonus against the grapple as an immediate action for him.

Lucian takes a step closer and blesses his companions with a sacred prayer to the Dreamweaver.

Casting prayer with the Piercing rod to affect the skullripper: +1 luck bonus on attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saves, and skill checks. The Skullripper takes a –1 penalty on such rolls if it bypasses its SR.
SR: 1d20 + 8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 5 = 19

Don't forget your BoF/bless/Shield of Faith/etc.

Meanwhile Evanya taps Lucian with her wand.
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

@Lucian: Kufieno's current AC is 27.

Kufieno laughs at the skullripper. "Is that all you got, you ugly f#&!er!"

Growing claws and fangs, arms becoming charged with electricity, Kufieno tries to tear into the beast.

Bite, Bof, Bless, Prayer, PA: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 11 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 33
Damage: 1d6 + 6 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 2 + 1 + 4 = 14

Claw, Bof, Bless, Prayer, PA: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 11 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 33
Damage: 1d4 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 + 1 + 4 = 12
Elemental Assualt (electricity): 1d6 ⇒ 6

Claw, Bof, Bless, Prayer, PA: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 11 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 18
Damage: 1d4 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 + 1 + 4 = 13
Elemental Assualt (electricity): 1d6 ⇒ 5

Crit Confirm Bite, Bof, Bless, Prayer, PA: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 11 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 17
Extra Damage: 1d6 + 6 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 2 + 1 + 4 = 17

Crit Confirm Claw, Bof, Bless, Prayer, PA: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 11 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 19
Extra Damage: 1d4 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 + 1 + 4 = 13

:( No confirmations.....

Ah, alright, I'll keep my liberating command for next time someone is grabbed, then. Thanks for letting me know!

fear this round: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Rissi scampers away, temporarily overcome by the horror of the construct.

@GM: No worries; I think it is with any attack roll, but figured I should ask.

Whew! That was close; if that claw hit me, that would have crippled, and the constrict probably would have done Miana in!

Tapping herself again to mend her wounds, Miana punches at the construct repeatedly, hoping to crack its shell.

Lay on Hands: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 6) = 12

Extra attack with BoF

Defensive Flurry: 1d20 + 13 - 2 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 13 - 2 - 2 + 1 = 27
Damage on hit: 1d10 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 1 = 9
Defensive Flurry: 1d20 + 13 - 2 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 13 - 2 - 2 + 1 = 19
Damage on hit: 1d10 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 = 13
Defensive Flurry: 1d20 + 13 - 2 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 13 - 2 - 2 + 1 = 25
Damage on hit: 1d10 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 1 = 12
Defensive Flurry: 1d20 + 8 - 2 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 8 - 2 - 2 + 1 = 12
Damage on hit: 1d10 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 1 = 12

AC is 28, CMD is 30

Is the dreadful visage an every turn effect? Is it one of these things where once you save you are immune for 24 hours?

It is one of those 'immune for 24 hours' things if you save against it once.

Seal swings and misses! Lucian's prayers do not appear to faze the skull ripper. Kufieno's wilder nature overcomes him and he bites and claws into the construct! Miana lands a pair of punches on the construct!

Initiative:

1. Lucian, Seal, Rissi, Kufieno, and Miana
2. Skull Ripper! (103 dmg)

Rissi is up!

Ah

Rissi drops a wall of fire on the creature, facing it away from her companions.

caster level: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19
fire: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (1, 5) + 9 = 15 it will take this every turn unless it moves out.

Everyone, please remember that we all have fire resist 20 (communal) active.

Rissi drops a wall of fire in the room but it doesn't affect the skull ripper! The skull ripper goes after the party again!

claw power attack on Kufieno: 1d20 + 20 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 20 - 4 = 36
damage: 2d6 + 6 + 8 ⇒ (4, 6) + 6 + 8 = 24
grab: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (14) + 26 = 40
constrict damage if grappled: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (4, 3) + 9 = 16

claw power attack on Miana: 1d20 + 20 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 20 - 4 = 33
damage: 2d6 + 6 + 8 ⇒ (2, 5) + 6 + 8 = 21
grab: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (1) + 26 = 27
constrict damage if grappled: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (1, 2) + 9 = 12

sting power attack on Kufieno: 1d20 + 20 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 20 - 4 = 25
damage: 1d10 + 6 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 8 = 18
DC 17 Fort save against poison or take 1d4 ⇒ 4 Dex damage (1/round for 6 rounds, cure 2 saves)

Confirm:
claw power attack on Kufieno: 1d20 + 20 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 20 - 4 = 20
damage: 2d6 + 6 + 8 ⇒ (5, 2) + 6 + 8 = 21

Initiative:

1. Lucian, Seal, Rissi, Kufieno, and Miana
2. Skull Ripper! (103 dmg)

You guys are up!

Miana is cracked against the head by the claw, but ducks under its grasp. Seeing Kufieno in its grasp and savagely wounded, she applies a hand to him as well as to herself.
Assuming Lucian's going to now apply his liberating command

Lay on Hands @ Self: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 2) = 7
Lay on Hands @ Kufieno: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 5) = 16

Rissi drops concentration on the wall of fire and tries a different spell, tossing a fireball in the far corner.

22 reflex halves, fire: 9d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 3, 4, 3, 4, 5, 1, 5) = 33
SR: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20 - come on silly dice roller

Evanya takes the rod Lucian is carrying and brings it to Rissi, in hope of it being useful to her. Lending you the Metamagic Rod of Piercing, Lesser (2 charges left today), brought to you by Desna Express! (tm)

Yes, I'll apply liberating command now to Kufieno, granting him an Escape Artist check with a +16 bonus to escape the grapple.

After granting Kufieno another chance and letting Evanya carry away his rod, Lucian boldly enters the room to heal poor Kufieno.

Concentration DC 21: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21 That was close...
Casting cure serious wounds defensively, healing Kuf for 3d8 + 8 ⇒ (8, 7, 6) + 8 = 29.

"Rise, shining star of hope! Desna counts on you!"

Yes, I suppose if a +13 won't do it, a +18 might

So, I'm not sure. If the attacks essentially happen at the same time, Kufieno doesn't take the grapple penalty on that round of attacks, and the sting did not hit? GM?

If sting does not hit, Kufieno took 40 damage and was healed 45.

It the sting does hit, Kufieno tooc 58 damage and was healed for 45, with current hp of 60/73

Edit: Nevermind, Kufieno took the +2 bonus from BoF, last round, making his AC 29.

Realize I didn't make a Fort for last round: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 2 + 1 = 14

Addnl Dex Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Escape Artist: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 16 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 1 + 16 = 41

Assuming that makes it.

Wriggling free of the creature's grasp, Kufieno continues to press the attack. He charges himself with arcane power and launches himself at the monster.

Power Bite, BoF, Bless, Prayer, Arcane Strike: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 9 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 20
Damage: 1d6 + 6 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 4 = 18

Power Claw: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 9 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 24
Damage: 1d4 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 4 = 15
Elemental Assault: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Power Claw: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 9 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 24
Damage: 1d4 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 4 = 17
Elemental Assault: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Sealman begins to nash his teeth and froth at the mouth. He loosens up his grip to see if he can try to pick his spots through his friends and the monsters tough skin.

Raging, BoF Extra Attack

Isoult vs Skull Ripper: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29
Dmg: 3d6 + 12 ⇒ (3, 5, 4) + 12 = 24

Isoult vs Skull Ripper: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 35
Dmg: 3d6 + 12 ⇒ (4, 5, 6) + 12 = 27

Isoult vs Skull Ripper: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
Dmg: 3d6 + 12 ⇒ (6, 4, 5) + 12 = 27

Crit roll, oh please, oh please, oh please.

Isoult vs Skull Ripper: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19
Dmg: 6d6 + 24 ⇒ (4, 1, 6, 3, 4, 3) + 24 = 45

Ahhh, monkey spit.

Rissi uses a blast of fire to finish off the skull ripper!

Out of combat!

In the room you notice a long-forgotten pale lavender ellipsoid ioun stone (capable of absorbing up to six more spell levels) wedged in a crack in the model of Skull's Crossing in the room.