GM Lithrac's Shattered Star (Inactive)

Game Master Cyril Corbaz

Hralyk swings his falchion at one of the tower girls assaulting him, then moves to a slightly more protected location.

Standard action: Attack tower girl (to the south of him)
Attack (Falchion, Inspire Courage, Power Attack, Bless): 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 1 - 1 + 2 + 1 = 27
Damage (Falchion, Inspire Courage, Power Attack): 2d4 + 4 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (2, 2) + 4 + 1 + 3 = 12

Critical Confirm (Falchion, Inspire Courage, Power Attack, Bless): 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 4 + 1 - 1 + 2 + 1 = 21
Critical Damage (Falchion, Inspire Courage, Power Attack): 2d4 + 4 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (3, 3) + 4 + 1 + 3 = 14

Not an action: 5' step, as indicated on map

I assume Hralyk killed her -- changes 'tyieli's plan a bit.

Jordan casts and another celestial eagle appears, flanking with the half orc. After the barbarian brings his opponent down, the eagle slides to flank with Telka and attacks, inspired by the song in the air.

eagle bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 211d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
eagle talon: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 91d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
eagle talon: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 121d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Arrow placed where eagle moves.

Move:Handle animal: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Jordan indicates the tower girl and sends his dog after the tower girl engaged with Ramen. The dog charges and misses.
dog/damage/trip attempt: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 2 = 111d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 81d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Jordan casts a quick cantrip and points at the tower girl trying to battle her mind.
Will Save DC 14 for daze

Ramenhotep misses the Tower Girl who dodges, but then meets her end when Hralyk's blade mows her down.

Jordan, you may retcon your actions, the girl has been obviously killed by Hralyk.

Initiative - Round 3 - bold may act!
1. Telka, Ramenhotep, Hralyk, Zeltiyeli, Jordan
2. Donkey Rats, Tower Girls

Jordan sees the tower girl down after the dog is sent into the fray, he begins the spell of enlarging one of his companions rather than trying to daze someone.

Std = Begin full round spell -- Next round he will use another standard to complete full round spell -- The spell quiver is empty except for cantrips.

Zeltyieli steps next to Hralyk and swings his scarf at the rat keeping them from reaching Telka, taking advantage of its split attenion from the summoned eagle.

(To hit: +1 bless, +1 Inspire Courage, +2 Flank; To damage; +1 Insp.Cour)
Bladed Scarf: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 22 for 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 = 6

'Tyieli slays the remaining rat as Jordan starts enlarging his half-orc companion.

The southern Tower Girl steps aside to flank the eagle, and strikes at it. At the same time, the Tower girl opposite the celestial avian strikes the same target. Both miss their quarry.
Short Sword, flanking: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 1 + 2 = 10
Short Sword, flanking: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 2 = 5

The other Tower Girls surrounding Telka strike at the bard fiercely, but also miss her.
Short Sword: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Short Sword: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Hralyk is enlarged thanks to Jordan's magic!

Initiative - Round 4 - bold may act!
1. Telka, Ramenhotep, Hralyk, Zeltiyeli, Jordan
2. Tower Girls

Hralyk, enlarged, swings his oversized falchion at the tower girl.

Standard action: Attack tower girl
Attack (Falchion (L), Inspire Courage, Power Attack, Bless): 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 1 - 1 + 2 + 1 = 26
Damage (Falchion (L), Inspire Courage, Power Attack): 2d6 + 6 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (4, 5) + 6 + 1 + 3 = 19

Critical Confirm (Falchion (L), Inspire Courage, Power Attack, Bless): 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 4 + 1 - 1 + 2 + 1 = 22
Critical Damage (Falchion (L), Inspire Courage, Power Attack): 2d6 + 6 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (3, 5) + 6 + 1 + 3 = 18

Assuming Hralyk took that one out Ramenhotep moves past the half-orc to help Telka out! Provoking once along the way.

quarterstaff two-handed: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 3 + 1 = 21
damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 10

Telka strikes at the woman to her left east, hoping the eagle will finish off the woman she struck before.

1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 3 + 1 = 17
1d12 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8
4 rounds of bard song

If that drops her, she'll step into that space

Jordan moves up and directs his eagle to continue the assault. The eagle tries to smite the tower girl if she is evil after managing to maintain a hover near the melee.
hover attempt DC15 fly: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Eagle has on more round left AFTER this one-extra attacks on the other girl suffer -2 to hit as I added flanking in the to hit.
attack/damage: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 251d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
attack/damage: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 171d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
attack/damage: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 201d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

"This big spot should be reserved for our new giant."

Jordan indicates the lone ten by ten space that allows someone with reach to hit the tower girls around Telka.

Hralyk cleaves the Tower Girl from head to toe in a gory mess!

AoO: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 211d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Confirmation: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
AoO: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
Ramenhotep moves and gets some strikes coming his way, and one of them pierces his leg. Stopping, he slams his stick at the girl who hit him, and drops her.

Telka bruises the girl next to her, but she remains able to fight.

The celestial eagle declares war onto the girl, but she doesn't appear to be his natural enemy, and thus the eagle's talons and beak aren't empowered by its righteousness. Two of its attacks rake the girl next to Ramenhotep.

Initiative - Round 4 - bold may act!
1. Telka, Ramenhotep, Hralyk, Zeltiyeli, Jordan
2. Tower Girls

Zeltyieli rushes forward, trying to bring his scarf to bear against the remaining tower girl.

Scarf: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 14 for 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 = 8

"Just lay down your weapons!" Ramenhotep yells at the girls.

The two remaining Tower Girls, realizing they're cornered and beaten, drop their weapons. "Alright, alright, we surrender! Just keep your beastie in check."

End combat. Well done!

A quick search of the Tower Girls yields yet more shorts swords, hand crossbows, harnesses, thieves' tools and the like.

You interrogate the Tower Girls, who seem to indicate that the only person left in their gang is Ayla Javeski, who resides upstairs in her private quarters. They confirm that she has the gift of lycanthropy.

A quick description of the rooms on that level, and what you find.

#1 on the map A dozen bedrolls occupy this large chamber, and a few pieces of crude wooden furniture have been set up between them—a couple of scavenged chairs, a bench, and a short table. Torches mounted on brackets in each wall burn merrily. Despite a thorough search, nothing can be found here.

#2 This room smells strongly of rats—a mix of spoiled food, dander, and the pungent sting of rat feces, all under an incongruous scent of lavender. A blanket has been spread on the floor, and a recovered antique brass platter holds a few bits of rat-gnawed food. The brass platter is of Thassilonian make and worth 100 gp, while the fine pottery basin that Ayala is soaking her feet in is worth 250 gp.

#3 Several crates, barrels, and sacks lie here, stacked in an orderly fashion in the middle of the room. The Tower Girls store foodstuffs here. These consist of barrels of salted fish, dried beans, and stale bread, sacks of rye flour, two casks of Varisian whiskey, and boxes of traditional Varisian spices. The two casks of whiskey are worth 10 gp each, while the boxes of spices are worth 35 gp in all.

#4 This chamber may seem at first to be merely another empty room, but a more thorough search reveals a cool breeze wafting in from the south—an opening into the shaft there is masked by an illusory wall. Jordan immediately gains an interest in the eastern wall, which depicts a fresco of a tall, redheaded woman with a ranseur standing over a short, hunch-backed man—the ranseur is impaled in the man’s belly, and his twisted demonic hands clutch at the shaft as black smoke wafts up from his face and wounds.

#5 Two tables of planks and trestles have been set up in here, and a large alcove holds the ashes and soot stains of many recent fires, along with a stone statue of a beautiful woman wielding a ranseur. A hooded lantern burns atop one of the tables, and harrow cards are spread everywhere on the table-the Tower Girls were probably playing cards when they heard Telka sing.

A flight of stairs leads above.

What do you do with these two Tower Girls, as well as the one you gagged and bound before`?

Knowledge (history): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

"I don't know about the rest of this iconography," Ramenhotep muses, "but the woman with the ranseur as Runelord Alaznist. We've come upon some findings with great Thassilonian significance! I'm sure the Heidmarches will be interested." Ramenhotep begins jotting down notes about the statue and about the fresco with the similar woman in it.

history: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

"Dead scribblings of dead wizards. Interesting.". Her tone betrays annoyance; she inhales sharply as she feels hers fresh scars. She places a hand upon them and chants a healing prayer to the spirits, asking the crow-who-pulls night away to bring her the warmth of life.

1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

As his body shrinks back to its normal size, Hralyk nods at Ramenhotep's remarks. "As long as they're willing to pay, let's get them all of the information we can." Seeing Telka's hands moving to touch her wounds, his hands begin to do the same. Before he makes contact, however, his eyes roll back and body goes rigid as before. He incants spells of healing, much like Telka, then, again, his body loses its rigidity and his eyes return to normal.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

His hand continues its path to his wounds, and finds them, for the most part, healed. He looks confused, his eyes taking on a concerned look. He looks to Zeltyieli and, finding him otherwise occupied, simply lets his hands fall to his side. I must be going insane...

Know:Hist: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Know:Hist2: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Jordan helps pack up the goods worth a pretty penny.
"I think we are mostly out of magic. We need to retreat, rest, and possibly procure the right kind of weapon that can hurt weres."

"We may not be wizards, but nor are we fools. Ramenhotep, Zeltyieli and I all all have blades or maces the skin-walkers fear. If we leave now, it will flee. If it hasn't already" Telka grunts at the conjurer.

Zeltyieli nods, "Though I could hand the dagger over to Hralyk if that would be more useful."

A note on these high-DC knowledge rolls: you'll be able to attempt them again with a decent enough library such as the one in Heidmarch Manor.

What of the captured Tower Girls? They'll run away at the first occasion if you let them.

Ramenhotep is fine letting them go. He's more interested in history and magic.

"Let's let the girls go. They're just misguided."

"Eh? I've still got some magic left for the day, although I'm fairly hurt. I'd be up for a nap unless someone can heal me."

'Tyieli says, "Agreed. Everyone deserves to be free -- and I don't think their actions here, guarding their base, are anywhere near dark enough to have given up that right...."

He pauses as he considers the angles, then adds, "That said, I think we should take their weapons to ensure they don't have a change of heart about their surrender... Especially not in the middle of us potentially fighting their boss. "

And noticing Ramhotep's last statement...

Zeltyieli fills himself with divine energy until he feels like his lungs might burst, add though he'd just run for miles... And then releases it, the energy washing over his companions.

Channel: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Hralyk nods, "I agree. However, I suggest that we bind them, as the one above, until we have dealt with the other lycanthrope."

At Zeltyieli's suggestion of giving him the dagger, Hralyk shrugs. "I admit, that other one was quite difficult. If you're willing to grant me its use, I would be happy to use it." After the channeling, he sighs, "Thank you, cleric. That does help significantly."

Zeltyieli says, "While I'm not a bad fighter, I think it may be the better idea. Still, I will say that I worry that only one of us can harm her... though I can use my magic to protect you. "

Telka appears annoyed.

"Elf-kin! I already said it once. Both I and Ramenhotep have weapons that are bane to skinwalkers.". She hefts her silver plated light mace and uses it to gesture to Ramenhotep's silvery blade in its sheathe. "What fear have we of a skinwalker?"

Jordan shakes his head. "I hope this one is easier than the last because that last were was almost a disaster, and we had more magic and healing than we did now. I would counsel preparation, as that is what those of us who prepare arcane magic are best at. You may win and you may not with two effective combatants, but I would think continuing is ill advised."

Definitely not the wizardly or risk averse thing to do, but wizardly counsel is to be taken or ignored.

Zeltyieli turns to the bard, his time slightly irritated, "I was speaking to Hralyk, not of the group... Which is why i also spoke of magical protection, as I certainly don't have enough magic to protect everyone... But thought shielding our best fighter might be useful."

He then steps toward Telka and extends his hand, his tone light and friendly once more, "Name's Zeltyieli, by the way. We've been introduced, but you must have been struck in the head and forgotten that. "

Telka scowls. "I know your name, disciple of Sinashakti. A bloodspeaker rarely forgets a name."

You decide to climb down the stairs leading back to the second floor. There, a short corridor leads to a remarkable hall. A massive pair of double doors dominates the western end of this spearhead-shaped chamber. These doors are made of a silvery metal decorated with images of burning eyes that look inward toward two sets of runes carved onto the face of each door. The walls bear the remains of complex mosaics that once covered much of them, but which has crumbled and collapsed in heaps of colored tiles and debris around the edges of the room.

The tiles on the doors bear Thassilonian runes in a pattern that you immediately recognize—they resemble the paradox box’s tiles, and when two runes on one door are touched simultaneously, they magically exchange places.

That being said, the doors on the eastern wall don't seem to be locked.

Zeltyieli says, "And apparently rarely uses them, either."

He falls back in line and follows, then looks at the doors, saying, "I can use my gifts to look through the door if you'd like... or, if someone stealthier than me wants to approach, then I can lend them that gift. Either way, I'd feel better knowing what's on the other side."

Caravan Bond to grant her my Door Sight domain power.

nature: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Telka grumbles at Zeltyieli's provocations; her frustrations grow as she feels the barbs wound her pride. "I used your name not 20 breathes ago. Now, does anyone know what these runes say?" Telka gestures at the Thassilonian script.

'Tyieli shakes his head, "I don't. I've never been gifted with languages."

Ramenhotep speaks up, "Venture-Captain Balentiir suggested I learn Thassilonian before coming transferring to Varisia. The runes on the left door spell out "LISTEN" while the ones on the right door spell "THE EYES"."

Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Hralyk shakes his head in response to Telka's question. Still, he gestures to Ramenhotep, then to the mosaic, "Okay, priest - I suggest you begin copying this information down as well."

"Dead men and their puzzles. Do you think the rune for "eyes" has anything to do with those carved in the door." Telka gestures to the right half of the double doors. "And what of these doors? She points east.

She'll look at one southeast door? and try opening it.

perc: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

About the puzzle - it's supposed to work in the same fashion as the paradox box at the start of the adventure, but I changed the way the box worked, so here's a few things that you should be aware of in order to solve the puzzle. First, every rune represents a letter. By touching one rune then another one, the two runes switch places. It's an anagram puzzle.

Telka determines that the door isn't trapped, and opens it. Several pieces of furniture decorate this room, the modern furnishings clashing with the ancient carvings of Thassilonian wizards crafting deformed monsters from dead bodies decorating the walls. Luxurious crimson Varisian drapes have been pinned up in an archway to the southeast. This room currently serves as the personal quarters of Ayala Javeski, the leader of the Tower Girls, which was described at length by the Tower Girls you captured earlier. A pair of loyal donkey rats caper in the main room—they squeal and shriek immediately, quickly alerting Ayala to the intrusion.

Both rats quickly move towards Telka, eager to take a bite off the half-orc. Double move

Suddenly, Ayala strikes from the shadows, an arrow aimed straight at Telka!
Shortbow, Sneak Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 231d6 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 1 + (3) = 5 Fort save vs poison, please.

Initiative - round 1 - bold may act
1. Donkey Rats, Ayala
2. Ramenhotep, Jordan, Telka, Hralyk, Zeltyieli

With his trusty quarterstaff in hand, Ramenhotep moves up behind Telka and charges his weapon with arcane energy. Spending a point from my arcane pool to give a +1 enhancement to my quarterstaff.

He then casts a spell and a magical shield shimmers in front of the old Garundi.

fort: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Caught off guard, Telka is stricken as the poison courses through her veins.

I guess I should hold off, in case it is something that makes me pass out.

Actually, how about I do this

Telka steps back, attempting to begin a battle hymn. She looks pleadingly to Zeltyieli for aid as she staggers back.

Bard song, 4 rounds left.

And that would be why Tyieli suggested using his door sight domain power. Would also have been able to Shield of Faith the barbarian.

Zeltyieli steps north, away from combat to put Telka on the edge of his range, then fills himself with divine power, releasing it in a healing burst.

Channel: 1d6 ⇒ 5 {3rd use, 2 remain}

Hralyk advances to stand in the gap vacated by Telka, drawing his falchion as he moves, and swings at the donkey rat on his right.

Move action: As indicated on map, drawing falchion
Standard action: Attack donkey rat
Attack (Falchion, Inspire Courage): 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 = 13
Damage (Falchion, Inspire Courage): 2d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2, 4) + 4 + 1 = 11

Jordan stoops examining the door as combat starts. Jordan sends his dog rat hunting. The dog awaits a spot to move to as the door is too crowded to reach any foes.
move handle animal: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Jordan draws a tanglefoot bag and moves closer to the action.

Dog double moves closer to the action

"Maybe we should have changed 'Listen' to 'Silent' first?"

"The other door I can only think of 'They See' for 'The Eyes'"

"Something on that arrow... I feel ill"

yep, it was a good idea. I will remember it for next time. i was actually hoping you could help me with the poison, not the damage. But thank you all the same.

Zeltyieli says, "Quickly, let me look at the wound, I may be able to help, even if poisons are beyond my magic. "

Jordan: The double doors with the puzzle are the western one. Telka opened the eastern one. The puzzle door remains untouched and unopened.

The poison is bloodroot (Fort DC 12, 1/round for 4 rounds, effect 1 Con damage and 1 Wis damage, cure 1 save)- I'll need another save on your turn.

As Telka withdraws and is healed by 'Tyieli's ministrations, Hralyk steps forward and swings, but barely misses the donkey rat facing him.

The rats gnaw at Hralyk with their nasty, big, pointy teeth-th-th!
Bite: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Bite: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 171d4 ⇒ 1

Ayala shoots again with her bow, this time at Hralyk.
Shortbow: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 201d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Initiative - round 2 - bold may act
1. Donkey Rats, Ayala
2. Ramenhotep, Jordan, Telka, Hralyk, Zeltyieli

Thanks for the clarification
Jordan sees the fight versus the rats quickly turning into a stalemate.
Jordan attempts to battle to distract the leader with a cantrip to hold her up.
Jordan casts Daze DC 14 vs Ayala

Jordan's dog realizes the congested door will keep him out of action for a while, so he waits for an opening to go ratting.

Will Zeltyieli be able to try a treat poison before the pain affects Telkra again? (Wondering if I need to wait for her follow up save before determining my action)