GM Faelyn' Falcon's Hollow Series

Game Master Faelyn

"Someone's gotta do it." Caine said dryly. He pushed down on the cauldron and tested how it held the weight.

While they waited, Belladonna asked "Mr. Artegal, how did you get to be so tall? You're almost two whole feet above me. Was it Ent water?"

Caine pushes down on the cauldron and it holds without issue, therefore he climbs in with Zirren. He then begins to descend into the darkness below, the winch making a very loud clanking noise as you work the mechanical device. The shaft drops down into a large, mostly square chamber. A doorway opens in one wall, while two other walls have been broken through from the outside. Cramped, narrow tunnels beckon from beyond the breached walls. The room appears empty and quiet...

Map updated to have both levels viewable/editable.

Nathaniel is taken a bit aback when Belladonna speaks to him. He knows he is a bit taller than his brother , Tommy, but a couple of feet was an exaggeration. It also didn't help that he thought the young woman was attractive and brave. He puts his free hand against the back of his head, closes his eyes and tries to speak to her as naturally as he can

Well, I um, see, they, we, the folks, my folks, my parents, well all the folk at my village and my parents, well of course my parents if everyone, is, see, we are all a bit on the tall side for our kind. It's nothing special, I mean I'm not special, I mean I wouldn't be any more special than anyone else for being this tall if being tall is special. um, thanks for asking.

Caine took a quick glance around in the dim light coming down the shaft and gestured Zirren toward the north hall, then pointing at his own eyes. Caine himself tugged twice on the chain and went to the eastern hall and knelt in the shadows before glancing down the path.

Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Zirren nodded at Cain's unspoken instructions. The man had a great deal more experience and had been trying to get the group of them to learn what he used to keep them alive.

He was suddenly very aware that it was just the two of them and that it had not been a silent descent. He wanted to cast forth a spell and create light but knew that Kobolds could naturally see in the dark.

Calm down Zirren, your eyesight and hearing are both better than Caine's. If he's willing to be in the dimmest of lights, then you should be too. Besides, anyone down here might know the lift came down but that doesn't necessarily mean they know we're here.

He moved forward as quietly as he could manage to the northern hall and as he got there he kneeled down and listened.

Stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Are we all down on the lower level now?

Not yet, Zilka. Currently just Caine and Zirren. We can assume that you all knew to begin raising the lift when Caine gave it the tug; however...

Caine and Zirren exit the cauldron and give the chain a yank and it begins to ascend for the next batch. Just as Caine begins to move towards the tunnels there is a loud shout in draconic from the open doorway to the 'west'! Suddenly several kobolds begin to pour into the room towards Zirren and Caine from all points! Four kobold warriors rush in from both tunnels and two much more deadly looking kobolds begin moving in more cautiously from the western room, carrying strange weapons in one hand and wickedly looking javelins in the other!

Zirren, you recognize the draconic command to mean "Attack!"

Initiative everyone!

The cauldron will move upward on the initiative of whoever is working it. it's a 30' ascent, so I will say that the cauldron could be raised as a Standard Action, a 5' step to get into the cauldron, and then a Move Action to lower it.

Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Zilka hears the commotion from down below and starts pulling hurriedly on the chain.

I don't like the sound of that. Nathaniel says as a serious mood takes hold of him and drives away any other thoughts he was having

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Initiative: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

"Right, so which two do we send down next?"

"Someone strong needs to be up here to operate the lift. Um... How are we getting back up again?"

"Right, Zilka and Nat, you go next! Let's make sure our brave pioneers aren't being eaten right now."

Ok then it's a standard action for Zilka to operate the lift, then move into it, and activating luck. Someone else will need to do the move action to send it down since I can't delay a move action until after someone steps in, unless Zilka is going alone.

*Metapidgeon*You could always delay your action, Zilka.

Is it possible to lean a little over the edge and see any targets? Or is it too deep and unlit for my brown halfling eyes?

Initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

I will climb aboard as soon as it is ready.

Starting vacation tomorrow. Belladonna will do her best to shoot enemies and/or get down to support Zirren and Caine.

Average Party Initiative - 15
Average Enemy Initiative - 9

Round 1
Party is up! Everyone may post their actions!

Belladonna, unfortunately this is more of a tunnel that opens up into the room below. So the only visual you really have is the area directly beneath the hole.

Zirren raised his hand. Knowing they didn't have any time at all to talk to their sudden aggressors, he threw out his hand to the northern tunnel and with a rush of power, he called forth something that should invoke halt some of them.

Fiendish Giant Spider, Web, vs. Purple Kobold: DC. 12 str/Escape artist. 2 hp/ DR 5/-: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

"This is bad Caine, they're all around us!"

As he spoke, he drew out his dagger and faced the Kobolds to the east.

OK so where is zilka supposed to be? I thought I was getting in the elevator when combat broke out? Is that the well thing on the first map in area 17? I will assume that to be the case and moved my icon. Who else is coming down with me?

Well my attempt at using the map with my phone failed horribly. GM you'll have to fix it. My intent is to move next to the wall where I'm threatening both kobolds next to me.

Acro to avoid AoOs: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (2) - 2 = 0 my movement provokes one AoO from the nearest Kobolds as I move in.

Hammer Cleave, attack 1, power attack: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 7 - 1 = 23
Damage, bludgeoning, two handed, power attack: 1d6 + 7 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 3 = 16

Hammer Cleave, attack 2, power attack: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 7 - 1 = 24
Damage, bludgeoning, two handed, power attack: 1d6 + 7 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 3 = 15

If either attack drops an enemy I'll use cleaving finish to take a free action attack on the other one.

Cleaving finish: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 7 - 1 = 19
Damage, bludgeoning, two handed, power attack: 1d6 + 7 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 3 = 11

Caine steps forward and brings his new hammer around in a powerful, looping arc that looked a lot like something an Aldori Sword Lord might do with a lightweight blade.

I WILL, ZILKA!

Belladonna the brave leaps into the elevator, ready to go all-out.

Is there room for anyone else in the bucket or is it too full now? If it's full, Zilka will start lowering it.

The cauldron can easily fit two medium PCs and a small PC, Zilka. And to answer your earlier question, yes, Zilka and everyone else would be directly next to the cauldron. So ideally everyone can be down below by the end of Round 2. Or you could chance it and squeeze everyone in this round if you want.

Caine, no worries! I'll get it sorted out. I moved your icon to where I believe you were indicating. That movement would incur an AoO from Yellow and Caine would be considered 'Squeezing' and would take the appropriate penalties to attack. Not that it matters at all with those rolls of yours! :)

"Rukh, you get in too! I think there's trouble down below and they need all of us!"

"Right right, nobody will ever accuse Ruhk of denying a lady's request. Or in this case, most vocal demand."

Once Ruhk gets in, Zilka will start the process of lowering the cauldron.

Sorry guys, I'd been waiting for a post from Art and didn't realize it's been 9 days! I'll bot him for now.

Zirren, I am not sure where you wanted to summon your spider so I just placed it in a random area within the 10' range of its web attack.

Round 1

Yellow AoO vs Caine: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
Purple EA DC 12: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Green Attack vs. Spider: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
Green Damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0
Blue Attack vs Zirren: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3
Red Attack vs Zirren: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Zirren conjures a terribly looking spider from the depths of the lower planes which quickly gathers a bit of spider and flings it towards the nearest kobold who screams out in fear of the awful arachnid. The webbing coats the kobold immediately. Meanwhile Caine moves into the narrow confines of the nearby tunnel, dodges around the speartip thrust at him, and then swings Alrak in a vicious arc and smashes the heads of both kobolds with a sickening crunch!

Up top, Ruhk, Belladonna, and Zilka all pile into the cauldron and begin to lower it down through the tunnel below while Art remains above to wait for it to empty!

The kobold wrapped in the spider webbing is able to shimmy out from the sticky confines and steps to the side as he companion rushes up from behind to stab the fiendish spider! The spear point jabs into the thorax of the spider; however, the thick carapace is too thick and the spear leaves little more than a scratch.

The kobold in the doorway (Blue) throws its javelin at Zirren and it rushes towards you, the metal tip piercing deep into shoulder forearm and you immediately feel a burning sensation begin to spread from the wound. The second kobold also throws its javelin at Zirren, once again the weapon embedding into your calf this time and you feel another burning sensation spread from your wound...

Zirren takes 6 points of damage and you need to make two Fort saves DC 11. Each failure deals 1 point of Dexterity damage.

Round 2
Everyone may post! Map is updated.

Bella: 19/21
Greyson: 21/25
Nat: 25/25
Ruhk: 25/27
Zilka: 22/24
Zirren: 14/22
Spider: 16/16, 1 NDL
Purple:
Green:
Blue:
Red:

Caine whirled and saw the Kobold with the bow and charged.

Charge Red, Power Attack: 1d20 + 7 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 2 - 1 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Belladonna dashes for cover, then aims for the lonely archer (blue).

Crossbow: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Ruhk moves swiftly now that combat has been joined properly.
Moving in a half circle to avoid being poked by enemy weapons, he draws Bethany and forces some of his own power into her, making her glow briefly.
As he reaches the end of his arch, he swings at the kobold in front of him.

Move to the right of green while avoiding AoO.
Arcane pool
Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

I thought I was stuck at the top with Zilka - you know, when I said as soon as it is available I'll get in

Zirren cried out in pain from the first Javelin.
Fortitude1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Then but he was hit almost immediately again. The second one shocked him hard enough that his outcry redoubled.
fortitude2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

I was under the mistaken impression that Nat was already down below. If there was room, Zilka would have waited for him too.

Gah, you are right Art, I apologize I completely missed your previous post. Okay. Art, Bella, Ruhk, and Zilka I need to know the combined weight of your PCs and all their gear.

Zilka's gear is 88 lbs and she herself is 201 lbs. She's got big muscles. This thing's gonna fall, isn't it?

Zilka Str Check DC14: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 Just made the check!

As everyone loads into the cauldron and Zilka begins to lower it down you all hear a metallic snap! suddenly the cauldron lurches and drops about 10 feet before Zilka manages to grab hold of both sides of the chain and abruptly stops the decent! Her hands burn with the effort and her biceps bulge at the sudden weight placed upon them, but you continue with the safe decent and the cauldron reaches the ground floor in time!

Okay, I still need Round 2 actions from Zirren, Zilka, and Art!

The spider rears up against the Kobolds attacking it and bites at them.

Bite vs. green kobold: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

The poison seeping into his bloodstream dulling his body's function, Zirren raised his hands toward the Kobold to the south.

"Magic Missile."

2 balls of light appeared in his hand and zoomed out at the Kobold.

Magic Missile vs. Dark blue: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (1, 1) + 2 = 4

Fortitude vs. poison: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Wow, low rolls are being rolled all over the place.
Dexterity: 12/14.

Ok, so we're down now?

Zilka steps out and swings her sword at the nearest Kobold.

Longsword, two-handed, luck activated as a swift action: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 2 = 19

damage: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 2 = 12

Correct, Zilka. I'll give Art another day to post his Round 2 actions before I bot him up.

Okay, GMPCing Nathaniel this round. Also, please check the Discussion thread for an announcement!

Art Attack vs Purple: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Art Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14 Just missed!
Art Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Round 3
Bella: 19/21
Greyson: 21/25
Nat: 25/25
Ruhk: 25/27
Zilka: 22/24
Zirren: 14/22, Poisoned
Spider: 16/16, 1 NDL
Purple: -1/5
Green: -4/5
Blue: -6/10 HP
Red: -2/10 HP

In a blitz-kreig rush of weapons, the party quickly overwhelms the kobolds, despite their attempt at an ambush little worse for the wear other than the burning sensation that still courses through Zirren's veins. Please make two more saves with the same DC. Success on the first will negate any further need.

Combat over!

Fortitude Save1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Oh thank goodness.

"Well, I guess they know we're coming now if not before.
Normally I'd say it only makes things more fun, but this probably means we have less time to save the kid."

"Everybody good to continue?"

"I... I think so?" Zirren said, unsteadily as he grabbed at his wounds and the poison seemed to burn through his system.

He felt like someone who had just laid down in bed for over an entire day and then suddenly decided to get up and start walking around. His wounds were painful, if only moderate, and they were enough to cause him to rethink about going in first in unknown situations again.

"Hey, we might not have a LOT of time, but I think we can spare a minute for you to find your feet again.
Just...take it easy ok? Share the fun around yeah?"

"Bella, can you scout these passages while Zirren takes a breather?" Caine asked. He started to pat down the Kobold corpses for anything useful.

"Everyone alright except Zirren?"