GM Lari's Dead Man's Debt (Core) (Inactive)

Game Master Dhenn

Seeing most of his comrades jumping through the quicksand D'lack tries it also.

I'm sure something bad will happen !

Jump: 1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 3 - 1 = 17

But at his great surprise he made it !

Wiping and heaving up sand, Beorin gives his fellow dwarf a thumbs up as he hacks.
"I am the steel that Torag is forging..." he mutters in an attempt to forestall any other comments on his 'impressive' leap.

I know Gencon's a busy time for many, so no rush on this particular post
As you leap over the divide, clouds of pinkish mist pour out of crevices in the ground, forming into skeletal shapes.

One cloud heads directly for Beorin. Misty claws rake his flesh, blood flowing from the wounds into the cloud.

Touch: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Bleed Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Con Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2
Temp HP: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Another rakes at Wyatt, opening similar wounds.

Touch: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Bleed Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Con Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3
Temp HP: 1d8 ⇒ 5

Dungeoneering to ID these. The party is up. Imrana can take a surprise round action as well.
Red: 6 Temp Blue: 5

More Con damage? Well done...-5 con......
Attack cloud 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 141d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8 And ohh look at that swing! Would Beorin's adventuring life ends here?
Beorin takes a swing at the cloud, even as he takes in a deep breath at the sudden loss of more of his lifeforce. His hammer wavers in his hand even as he swings on instinct at the cloud.

"Gah!"

Grimacing, Wyatt steps back, and takes a series of pot-shots at the creature that just attacked him.

+1 Mighty[+2]Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 1 = 17, for 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 = 10 damage.
+1 Mighty[+2]Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 1 = 17, for 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5 damage.

Doubtful races over to engage the creature menacing Wyatt, a scowl on his face.

Spend a ki point to add +4 to AC. No mage armor, so AC is 23 (touch and regular)

Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28, for 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 damage.

Oop... probably can't, but just in case:
Confirmation: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23, for an additional 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 damage.

Dungeoneering (to ID): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Dunkel takes a step in front of D'lack, brandishing his axe and hoping like many challenges, that it can be overcome with a hard enough swing from his magic weapon.

Waraxe 2H, Power, Arcane Strike: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18 for 1d10 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

Knowledge (dungeoneering) to ID monsters: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Surprise Round Action

"Hmm, I sense trouble brewing...."

Not skipping a beat, she draws her wand of Mage Armor.

Normal Round

"I doubt that you received Mage Armor earlier, Doubtful, so here is one from me, free of charge without a doubt!"

As she walks over to him, she giggles to herself in blithe defiance of the battle scene.

"Though I am sure you will find a doubt anyways, as you are full of them!"

She holds her hand over her mouth as her giggling grows in intensity, threatening to erupt into full-blown laughter. She taps Doubtful with the wand almost as an afterthought.

I know something bad will be happening !

D'lack take a 5ft. back and casts a spell. Fire erupts from his hand in a ray of raw energy.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 5 + 1 = 25
Fire damages: 4d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3, 1, 6, 6) + 4 + 1 = 21
D'lack have Precise shot but I've not accounted cover

Imrana recognizes these creatures as Vampiric Mists. Despite their appearance, they are neither incorporeal undead nor oozes, but instead are considered aberrations. As such, nonmagical attacks do work against them, though not as well as enchanted weapons. Fire is particularly effective.

They can fit in extremely small crevices and lie in wait for prey. They can detect any warm-blooded creature within 60 feet, and can smell exposed blood from a mile away. Blood invigorates them, healing them and making them faster when overfed.

Dunkel's axe grievously wounds one, before D'lack's scorching ray causes the creature to evaporate in a cloud of foul smelling smoke.

Wyatt and Doubtful also successfully attack, but Doubtful can't find any particularly sensitive areas to hit. It's equally gross all over.

Frustrated that its prey was not the easy targets it expected, the second cloud retreats at full speed. Withdraw. Out of combat. You can heal up (including lesser restoration if you have it available) and then cross the quicksand without incident.

-------------

Several hours of travel later, you come upon a campsite. Two Ulfen men stand guard, crossbows in hand, while a half-elven man stands by a table, reviewing some papers. The serpent symbol of the Aspis Consortium is emblazoned on one tent.

They weren't being particularly quiet, but you guys probably weren't either (Beorin has a -6 modifier to stealth), so no surprise round. You'll both be aware somebody's nearby.

It seems to me, that if this whole stat loss from disease/heat stuff is an obvious issue, that at some point Beorin probably would have started prepping lesser restoration? How many days in are we now?

Not the dwarves turn yet, but can one jump over the difficult areas, or is it basically floor to ceiling hindrance?

Wyatt directs two shots at red, before he has a chance to act.

+1 Mighty[+2]Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21, for 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 damage.
+1 Mighty[+2]Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21, for 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 damage.

Imrana draws her wand of mage armor once more, brandishing it near Doubtful's face to grab his attention.

"I think you will be needing this again, yes, Doubtful?"

She bops him on the nose with it.

D'Lack convinced by Doubtful mood that something bad will happen decides to use his own wand of Mage armor on himself before getting closer to the ennemies.

I'm sure a monstrous creature will try to eat us after this fight ! The last time I've escape aspis agent they had a gargantuan dinosaur hunting them !

Doubtful, it's general jungle terrain, including trees and various smaller plants. Probably too much for even crazy monk jumping.

Wyatt manages to carefully weave two arrows through the trees, striking one of the men.

1d2 ⇒ 1
Blue vs Dunkel: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 2

A crossbow bolt grazes Dunkel, as one of the men moves for a clear shot.

Dunkel and Doubtful are up.

Heh, even trees can't protect Dunkel! =)

Thanks Imrana... though I'm sure he's assuming your wand came from Abdul's Discount Wand Emporium, and probably attracts arrows instead of deflecting them! =)

Doubtful frowns, at the sight of the Aspis camp.
Not what he was expecting, and at the same time, entirely what he was expecting, to come across out here.

"Probably all got the plague too." He mutters, before darting off through the foliage ignoring the pathways despite a certainty that all the plants are poisonous to the touch.

Am assuming the paths are normal movement, but the green areas double? Or is it worse? Let me know and I'll adjust accordingly. But for now, he's darting straight through the greenery towards the half-elf in the clearing.

Spending a ki point for a +20 on his movement rate for the round. So he's moving at a 50' ... so 100' on a double move. Who needs a machete!

Think that gets me about to where his token is? Might be able to go another square or two, not sure. Not sure how to calculate angles in difficult terrain =) I just calculated it normal in the green area, then doubled it all.

He bursts out the other side with vines hanging off his arms, twigs poking out of his beard, and a very surprised snake... that drops to the ground and hisses indignantly, before fleeing back into the trees.

Dunkel sighs as he catches sight of the Aspis in the distance, shaking his head as he watches Doubtful leap off into the jungle at a speed way too fast for a dwarf.

Looking back at the others, he sucks in a deep breath and begins barrelling along down the trail, drawing his axe as he does so.

Double move. 8 squares. Expeditious already cast today. :) But at this rate, I'd probably use a pearl to recover it (after this fight).

I would if it becomes a big problem, Beorin would prep lesser restoration.

Beorin is abit ashamed at giving up his companions positions but he really wasn't good at such a thing... Seeing his companions already prepared to charge forward, He prepares himself though he's still apologetic about it.

Oops. Missed the new posts. Fiddling with initiative a bit so its you->them. The party is now up.

One advances, dropping his crossbow and rapidly retrieving a pair of axes as he approaches Doubtful. He swings one, but comes nowhere close to connecting.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

With an irritated expression on his face, the robed man casts a spell. 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 images of him appear around him, making it hard to tell which is the real one.

The other guard follows the same process with Dunkel, getting in a swing with one of his two axes.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Dam: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Wyatt closes, and takes another shot at red.

+1 Mighty[+2]Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 1 = 21, for 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5 damage.

Doubtful frowns, as he starts to see multiples of the half-elf.

"One of you Aspis bastards is bad enough." He mutters.

Ki point to raise AC by 4 (AC currently 27), then move right in, possibly provoking from both (not sure if the half-elf has a weapon out yet)

He completely ignores the man with the axe, dodging past him to instead engage the man in triplicate, aiming a kick right between one of his sets of legs.

Then its a boot to the privates, using Stunning Fist... though whether its the right set of privates, only time (and the RNG) will tell!)

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19, for 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 damage plus stun (DC 16 Fort negates)

D'lack moves toward his ennemies unable to move my character on the map, could someone move him six squares in a straight line ? then he shoots at the one fighting Dunkel

Masterwork Xbow: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 1 = 16
damages: 1d10 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Precise shot but cover not counted

Imrana follows the others up, her magic missile wand in-hand.

"Please, desist in your attacks, Aspis, or else we will force you to stop!"

She fires a missile from her wand at the guard in combat with Dunkel.

Magic Missile (from wand): 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Dunkel grunts as the Aspis axe finds his flesh.

"Tha's not who ye use 'n axe..."

Gripping his with two hands, he seeks to impart some tutelage.

"See, ye grip 't like so... n' then ye swing 't like THIS..."

Waraxe 2H, Power, Arcane Strike: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21 for 1d10 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14

Beorin holds back trusting his companions to be more than up to the task as he instead seeks out others who might need a more indirect form of aid.

Handaxe AOO: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Images: 1d3 ⇒ 3 I always use 1 as the actual person

Doubtful's swift kick connects with what turns out to be an illusory groin, while Imrana's missile and Dunkel's mighty swing severely wound one of the axemen. In response, he steps back slowly, before breaking into a sprint, crashing through the underbrush. Full withdraw

The half-elf steps back, flinging a bolt of acid at Doubtful, his hands twisting into sharp claws as he does so.
Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

As the acid arrow misses and begins dissolving a nearby bush, his companion steps between the dwarf and the spellcaster, swinging one of his axes once more.

Blue: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Red: 27 W: 1 image

Doubtful glances back at the rapidly dissolving foliage with a frown before turning his gaze back towards the mirrored spellcaster, now down to just two.

He once again, ducks past the guardsman with the axe, to continue harrying the half-elf while his companions close in.

OK, 5' step, then flurry of blows on the caster. If the first blow takes out the last image, he will use stunning fist on the second. If the first blow does not, then he will not.

Flurry1: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28, for 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 damage.
Flurry2: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25, for 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 damage (plus possible stun if no images left (DC 16 fort negates))

Confirmation: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17, for an additional 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 damage.

Imrana sighs as the Aspis take off into the bushes.

"Oh, for goodness's sakes...."

Imrana rushes after the remaining Aspis, her wand at the ready to blast any in her path.

Double Move

With a frown, Wyatt attempts to take-out one of the Aspis.

Targeting Blue.

+1 Mighty[+2]Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15, for 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 damage.
+1 Mighty[+2]Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26, for 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 damage.
Crit Confirmation: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20, for 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (7, 3) + 6 = 16 *ADDITIONAL* damage.

Punch 1: 1d2 ⇒ 1
Punch 2: 1d2 ⇒ 1

Both of Doubtful's attacks connect with solid flesh, the illusion remaining untouched.

Meanwhile, Wyatt drives two arrows into the back of the remaining axeman. He stumbles for a moment before regaining his footing.

D'lack, Beorin, and Dunkel are up.

Blue: 27, W: 17, 1 image

Dangit, one was supposed to get the illusion =)

Dunkel continues his slow trod through the dense foilage, shielding his eyes whenever the sun finds its way in to his face.

As he bears down on Doubtful engaged in melee, he squints at Doubtful's twin opponents and appreciates the serious beating the man has taken despite their being two of them.

As a wizard, I'm sure Dunkel can tell its a mirror image.

"Ahh.. how are ye tellin' which one t' hit?"

Sadly, for Dunkel, that's a double move. Remind me to invest in some boots of springing & striding.

Doubtful frowns.

"Always seems to be the wrong one." He replies morosely. "Try that."

The first time, I wanted to hit the real one, got the illusion. Second time I wanted to hit the illusion, got the real one... twice!

Beorin makes his way down towards where the action is.
Is that an enemy I'm next too on the map?

I believe that's our native guide.
Or perhaps you mean our native non-guide (aka D'Lack)

It seems D'lack might still be recovering from Gencon? I'll let one of you act for him, rather than me botting him

The remaining guard continues to move to block access to his master, swinging both axes at Doubtful.

1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

The half elf meanwhile steps back, retrieving a wand.

UMD: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21

Plants burst into activity, growing wild, or at least more wild, covering much of the area in a tangled web of vines and roots.

Blue Ref: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Doubtful: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Dunkel: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 2 = 7

Some of them wrap around Dunkel's legs, leaving him unable to move. Entangled. The entire area in the green box is difficult terrain.

Frowning, Wyatt directs his next set of arrows into the caster.

+1 Mighty[+2]Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25, for 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 damage.

1d2 ⇒ 1

+1 Mighty[+2]Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21, for 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 damage.

1d2 ⇒ 2

D'Lack has a heavy crossbow... he'll reload it and 5' step!
There... decision-making averted!

Hm... so the 2nd of Wyatt's shots will get the last image? (Am assuming that's what the 1d2's were about)

Oh, and will that blue guard be able to 5' step out of the entangled area (if he wants to of course)? Or is it a 10' move for him to get out?

Dunkel frowns as the plants get a little too friendly for his dwarven tastes.

"Ach, n' they're probably jess a minute away from turnin' carnivorous..."

Dunkel hesitates, smacking his head with a free hand, which requires juggling his axe for a moment.

"What am 'ah sayin'? Ah'm startin' t' talk like ye, Doubtful!"

Break free (Str check; move action): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

That should make the wand's DC.

Having torn himself free, Dunkel trudges on through the difficult undergrowth towards the wand-wielder.

Another move action at half-speed. Dunkel will use his 4th square to circle around the elf, which would provoke if he has something dangerous in his hand besides a wand (or is a sneaky monk).

Definitely gets through. But this elf's got claws!

AOO: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Apparently not very scary ones.

Wyatt's arrows each hit one of the half-elves. The last image disappears, and the real one gets hit in the thigh.

23

Ha! His outlook is contagious... or at least understandable after trecking through the jungle for a week =)

"Carnivorous?" Doubtful repeats unhappily, upon hearing Dunkel's words.

Suddenly, he's considering that as a real possibility, and quickly tries to make his way out of the affected area, while attempting to dodge the guardsman's axe.

Acrobatics to avoid AoO: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

Despite the plants clutching at him, he manages to get to a place with less grabby vegetation, then frowning with annoyance, takes a punch at the spellcaster who caused it.

Using Nonlethal, in case we want to question this fellow later.

Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9, for 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11 damage.

(edit: I guess that's the best form of non-lethal... 8P)

Imrana giggles at Dunkel's realization.

"Oh no, we don't need another Doubtful!"

She maneuvers closer to her allies and fires off another magic missile.

Magic Missile (from wand): 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Sorry for my lack of posting. I fall in a "dead internet zone" during my vacation at my parent's house.
I'm back in Paris so will be able to resume to my usual post rate :)

At least they don't try to eat us !

Dunkel blinks a few times in surprise as an open-handed swing by Doubtful widely misses its mark.

"Did ye jess try t' slap 'im or fan 'im from th' jungle heat?"

Juggling his axe slightly to re-assess its weight into a familiar grip, Dunkel considers simply grabbing this wizard, but then remembers grabbing someone with claws can be hazardous to your health.

Waraxe 2H, Power, Arcane Strike: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 2 = 30 for 1d10 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

Uh oh, speaking of hazardous...

Waraxe 2H, Power, Arcane Strike (confirm): 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 2 = 28 for 2d10 + 24 ⇒ (9, 1) + 24 = 34

Well, Dunk almost swung for non-lethal.

Doubtful frowns at Dunkel's ribbing.

"I think he hexed me!" He concludes unhappily, before his companion's axe makes the point moot.

Beorin chuckles as he hears his fellow dwarves grumbling although the meaty thwack from Dunkel's axe seems to be one meant to split foes in twain.

Forum goblins ate the update. A replacement one will be up tomorrow, hopefully.

Dunkel's axe leaves little left of the spellcaster in its wake. The remaining guard, drenched in the remnants of his boss, throws down his weapons in surrender.

Documents reveal, and he confirms, that the Aspis were harvesting fruit to make Mulue, a liquer popular in Cheliax. They were raided by the Ekujae, with heavy casualties on both sides, but took two prisoners, who are inside one of their tents.

He had masterwork studded leather, two masterwork handaxes, and three potions. He'll identify them as Cure Light x2 and Hide From Animals. The spellcaster had two scrolls of levitate, one scroll of ray of exhaustion, scroll of silent image, two potions, and a wand.

The captives are beaten and stripped of gear, but are happy to help lead you to their village as they are in no state to travel alone.

D'lack tries to communicate with the Ekujae in Polyglot.

He also pass his wand of cure light wounds to Beroin to heal the beaten elves.

Spellcraft (wand): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

"Excellent. Let's get these elves back to their home."

Wyatt happily scribes Levitate and Ray of Exhaustion into his spellbook.

He then tries to identify the two remaining potions.

Perception 'Take 10' = 23 on the potions.